Stories from Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Joyce Joan Johnson Nov. 3, 1933 - Sept. 12, 2015 STRATTON, Neb. -- Joyce Joan Johnson of Stratton passed away at Dundy County Hospital, Benkelman, Nebraska, on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015. She was 81 years old. She was born on Nov. 3, 1933, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she attended school. ...

Three reporters, nine stories, over 8,000 words, and countless hours. Those are the numbers that represent the housing series stories that the Gazette has published over the past few weeks. Here are the key take-aways that we thought were important to know:...

The days have been growing shorter. Ever since the summer solstice where the Sun was as far north in the sky as it gets for the year giving us the longest days and shortest nights; it has slowly been moving back south until on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 2:21 am MDT it will cross the celestial equator giving us almost equal days and nights -- the autumnal equinox...

McCOOK, Neb. -- An unidentified skateboarder was struck by a vehicle Sunday evening and transported by ambulance to Community Hospital. Emergency responders indicate the man was released the following day but the incident prompted local police to advise caution to those enjoying outdoor activities as summer heat wanes...

After less than a week of construction a new skate park adjacent to Bolles Canyon in Kelley Park begins to take shape Tuesday afternoon. Contractors estimate completion in 6-7 weeks, putting the project on pace for completion by the end of October.

McCOOK, Neb. -- Mid-Plains Community College, Red Willow County and the Red Willow County Fair Board are partnering to promote and support the two-year-old Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team. Through the partnership between the college, the county and county fair board, the rodeo team rents the outdoor arena and the inside arena in the Kiplinger Arena for practices...

LaNETA CARLOCK Special to the Gazette Cheyenne has its Frontier Days event; Haigler is having its Wild West event. It is said there is a little bit of cowboy and cowgirl in each of us just waiting to be set free. So put your boots on, saddle up, cowboy up, giddy up and head to Haigler for an evening of great entertainment. Wanted posters are out for the best dressed cowboy & cowgirl-----but you don't have to dress country to attend. Everyone is welcome!...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook has a lot of great parks but one of them may be overdue for some attention. Southwest Nebraska's "Go-To City" is home to one of the state's most popular disc golf courses at Kelley Park, and Karrer Park is widely known as a great stop for free camping and showers...

Deonne Hinz, art teacher at St. Patrick Catholic School in McCook, has been selected to receive the NATA ESU Award for 2015-2016 from the Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA). A new award for NATA, this honor recognizes individuals who support art education in Nebraska both inside and outside the classroom. ...