Stories from Wednesday, September 30, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- A 2013 community analysis of McCook determined the city had an excessive amount of public land and at the same time fell short of the national average when it came to acreage devoted to residential neighborhoods. The McCook City Council has since sold several vacant lots or portions of lots to individuals and approved the most recent transaction last week...

Retired railroaders Harvey Hinz, foreground, and John Hubert, seated center, both of McCook, swap rail tales with Burlington Route Historical Society members during the group's visit to the High Plains Museum in McCook Sept. 25. During their annual fall meeting, the railroad historians visited the Burlington depot in Curtis; the museum and its caboose, the McCook depot and roundhouse and the model railroad clubhouse in McCook; and the historic Danbury Depot Museum in Danbury...

This photograph of 1920s-era "car campers" was found among items donated to the rummage sale to benefit the McCook, Nebraska, Humane Society the week of Sept. 14, and sale organizers Andrea O'Dea and Levina Fritsche would like to reunite it with its family. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Students need paper and pencils, books and tests, but there is something extra a student gets from a field trip other just a few hours away from the school. There is hands-on experience; there is seeing something close up; there is that opportunity to touch and feel an object that can't be duplicated in the classroom...

Check out that new credit or debit card, and you may notice something different. There's the usual magnet strip across the back, above your signature, but on the front, at one end, is a small visible computer chip. Thursday is the deadline for merchants to begin using the new chip cards, but while you're in your purse or wallet, you'll notice most of your cards are still chip-less...

Now that we have the total lunar eclipse out of the way, let's turn our attention to other coming attractions in our nightly celestial showcase. One thing for sure, I love a parade, and the flashier the better. Well, we have a really flashy planetary parade coming up beginning this week and extending into November and possibly even into the new year...

Joan M. (Estergard) Larsen Jan. 24, 1946 - Sept. 24, 2015 LINCOLN, Neb. -- Joan M. (Estergard) Larsen, 69, was swiftly taken from her stunned and saddened family on Sept. 24, 2015, by Cruetzfeldt--Jakob disease, as another cruel reminder that life is not fair. Her family and friends are comforted knowing that her soul is now free and exploring the universe or simply sitting on the beach, sipping a margarita -- on the rocks, no salt, please...

60th anniversary The family of Harry and Barbara Hixson of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple's 60th wedding anniversary Sunday, Oct. 4. Their family includes children, Cathy and husband, Arden Myers of McCook, Deb and husband, Gerald Maris of Culbertson, Nebraska, Peggy Sauvage of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Linda Koetter of McCook; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 38657 Ravenswood Road, McCook, NE 69001...

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...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Community College students, faculty and staff are making a final push for the Monday, Oct. 5 Pink Out event, to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer and research. The fifth annual event is set for the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center and the volleyball game between McCook and North Platte, which starts at 7 p.m...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A New York Jewish family in 1942 puts the fun back in dysfunctional, in Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre Association's presentation of "Lost In Yonkers." Seven members of SWNCTA have been in rehearsal since August under the direction of Don Harpst. Performances are Saturday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18., 2 p.m. at the Fox Theatre. Dinner theater tickets are also available for Saturday night's performance...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The "Cat Pack" group of McCook, Nebraska teens not only raised $833.25 for the McCook Humane Society during the community's Heritage Days celebration Saturday and Sunday, they also helped look for a lost dog. As the Pack manned their booth in the park, "Bubbles" got loose from her owner (Lori from Omaha) amidst the Saturday crowds. ...