Stories from Thursday, October 22, 2015

Larry D. Phifer CASPER, Wyo. -- Larry D. Phifer, 59, formerly of Benkelman, Nebraska, died Monday (Oct. 12 2015), in Casper. Survivors include his wife, Carol of Casper; children, Eric and Sable of Casper; sisters, Marilyn Memmer and husband, Richard of Thornton, Colorado, Carolyn Boyd and husband, Raymond of Burlington, Colorado and Diana Molzahn and husband, Michael of Trenton, Nebraska; and other family and friends...

Craft breweries and wineries are one of the bright spots in Nebraska's economy, but both sides of the balance sheet need to be examined before we put too much stock into the alcohol industry. The Whiteclay, Nebraska, situation is perhaps the worst example, millions of cans of beer contributing to tragedy on the Pine Ridge reservation across the border...

It's only October, but the McCook Gazette's sales staff is already out and about, encouraging retail businesses, restaurants and organizations to get an early start on promoting the advantages of shopping at home. Gazette publisher, Shary Skiles, explains, "In today's world, there's an increasing temptation for shoppers to turn to the Internet and to travel to other, larger cities to do their gift-buying...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A local pet responded aggressively to the arrival of ambulance and police personnel at his home last week and was hit by a Taser in an effort to subdue it without killing it. Paramedics coming to the aid of the dog's owner arrived at the East Fairacres residence and were charged by the dog, believed to be a boxer mix, shortly after exiting their ambulance. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A used car dealership in McCook has changed hands and the new owner is asking for a zoning variance to construct a sign within a required setback area. Cappel Motors is located at 109 West 8th Street, the former home of McCorkle Motors just behind the Taco John's restaurant on West B Street. Owner Bill Cappel is asking the Board of Zoning Adjustment to approve construction of a new sign on the property line with Taco John's, within a required 15 foot setback...

Isabelle Paz, a freshman cheerleader for the McCook High School Bison, may need to be looking over her shoulder in the days and weeks to come, because "payback" may be coming from upperclassmen. Isabelle got in the first lick, though, sliming Tiara Schmidt, a senior, during Homecoming Pep Rally festivities Wednesday afternoon at the MHS Gymnasium. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Police Department received a report of a suspicious man who appeared to be shopping for unlocked vehicles during the early morning hours Wednesday. The report indicated an elderly man dressed in black and carrying a Walmart sack was spotted at approximately 1 a.m. browsing cars on the 1400 block of West 10th Street...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Gene knew nothing of the award. Red Willow County's retired sheriff, Gene Mahon, and his wife, Jan, were to meet friends in Kearney for dinner that evening. The restaurant parking lot the evening of Oct. 6 was filled with 200 patrol cars, and Gene said to Jan, "It must be (the sheriffs') convention."...