Stories from Monday, March 31, 2014

Harley R. Morthole June 14, 1922 - March 28, 2014 McCOOK, Nebraska -- Harley R. Morthole passed away at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on March 28, 2014, at the age of 91. He was born on June 14, 1922, in Culbertson, Nebraska, to Earnest and Maude (Bree) Morthole. He grew up in Culbertson, graduating from Culbertson High School in 1940...

Alice 'Tillie' Shirley Sept. 7, 1919 - March 29, 2014 OBERLIN, Kansas -- Alice "Tillie" Shirley, 94, died Saturday (March 29, 2014), at the Cedar Living Center in Oberlin. She was born Sept. 7, 1919, in Norcatur, Kansas, to Ray and Emma (Bailey) Stapp. She graduated from Norcatur High School in 1937. She married Manley "Mike" Shirley in Norton, Kansas on Jan. 21, 1940...

Jack D. Nichols Aug. 7, 1939 - March 26, 2014 SCOTTSBLUFF, Nebraska -- Jack D. Nichols, 74, of Scottsbluff passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. His funeral service was Monday, March 31, at 2 p.m., at First Christian Church 2102 Ave A in Scottsbluff, with Pastor Arlene Johnson officiating. Inurnment with military rites by the United States Marine Corps will follow at Fairview Cemetery...

Russell Frere BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Russell Frere, 69, died Saturday (March 29, 2014) at his home in Benkelman. Survivors include his wife, Maryalice Frere of Benkelman; brother, Morris and wife, Margaret Frere of Athens, Georgia; sister, Margaret and husband, John Urbigkit of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Brother, William Frere of Sheridan, Wyoming and sister-in-law, Susan and husband, Eddie Argo of Elberton, Georgia...

This information is gathered at the McCook Public Safety Center, the McCook office of the Nebraska State Patrol, the Red Willow County Courthouse, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office and the McCook Humane Society. Police activity Activity log...

Red Willow Western, Culbertson and Indianola firefighters battle flames fanned by 60-mile-an-hour sustained winds west of McCook and the Perry grain elevator about noon Monday. Neighbors brought tractors to plow fire-breaks in the corn stubble and in the road ditch. There's no word yet on the vehicle accident or the cause of the fire...

Charlotte Lucas McCOOK, Nebraska -- Charlotte Lucas, 57, of McCook, died Friday (March 28, 2014), at her home in McCook. Survivors include her husband, Dennis Lucas of McCook; children, Chad and wife, Mary Lucas of Benkelman and Diane Nolan of McCook; sister, Leda Hilzer of Paso Robles, Califorinia, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild...

Lorrie Morgan performs to a sold-out crowd Saturday night in a Concert for Cancer Care at the Fox Theatre in downtown McCook. Opening were The Davis Boys, right, and Three 4 All, left, from the Alma and Holdrege area. All proceeds from tickets will benefit the Anderson Center for Radiation Oncology...

Remember the fat-free fad? Fat was evil, we were told; stay away from butter, bacon, meat, eggs, nuts and avocados, and you'll reduce your risk of heart disease. Food manufacturers responded by creating "fat-free" cookies, pudding and even cheese -- but some of their offerings tasted so terrible, they resorted to adding carbohydrates to make their products palatable enough to sell...

Note: In a recent story about the Lords of Indianola, there was mention of the long-defunct Indianola Mining Company. This story appeared some time ago in the Gazette, but it seemed like a good idea to take another look at that bit of Southwest Nebraska history. -- W.S...