Stories from Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Keith O. Olson Oct. 10, 1932 - Dec. 12, 2015 HERNDON, Kan. -- Keith O. Olson, 83, died Sunday (Dec. 12, 2015), at Via Christie St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He was born Oct. 10, 1932, in Rawlins County, Kansas, to Robert Lee and Hattie Eleanora (Schmidt) Olson. ...

There are two sides to every story, but for a soldier in the uniform of his country, the proper place to find the truth is in a court of law. That's where the case of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will be heard at last, and regardless of the outcome, it's a triumph of the rule of law over political expediency or public opinion...

Today we learn a new word. It is "Deobandi" the name of a fundamentalist Islamic group. In the news we hear of young Muslims that have been "radicalized" and then come to Christian America and Europe to perform terroristic deeds in the name of Allah. Little do we hear of it but those fundamentalists also are committing the same kinds of atrocities against their fellow Muslims whom they deem not true believers as followers of Muhamad...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska Library Commission Library Development Director Richard Miller recently announced the accreditation of a number of Southwest Nebraska public libraries and many others across the state. "We are dedicated to helping Nebraska libraries meet Nebraskans' information needs, opening up the world of information for citizens of all ages," he said...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Poverty doesn't have to be a stumbling block for student achievement, something McCook schools proved on the new ranking system of schools recently released by the Nebraska Department of Education. McCook High School and McCook Elementary both scored excellent under AQuESST -- Accountability for a Quality Education System Today and Tomorrow -- the new classification system developed by the NDE. ...

Amos Alig, 2, of Trenton met with Santa Claus Thursday night at Santa's Workshop on the McCook Community College campus. Santa's fan's and MCC students helped turn the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center into a winter wonderland which included cookie and ornament decorating, holiday games, prizes and the chance to have a photo taken with Santa. The workshop was sponsored by MCC student life. For more photos from Thursday night, please visit the MCC facebook page, http://on.fb.me/1Ntzu8m...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Dan Harland understands how a subject can be hard for some kids, as he had his own learning troubles as a student. "I was dyslexic and a first grade teacher had to teach me how to put words back in the order they belonged," said the retired chemistry and physical science teacher. After years of teaching in the high school and college in North Platte, he retired to McCook and found he had a lot of time on his hands...

Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team steer wrestler and roper Tyler Murray of Wheaton, Kansas, unloads a bicycle during set-up of the "McCook Toy Box" Monday morning. Rodeo team members joined other volunteers from the college and from McCook Public Schools as Santa's elves sorted and displayed toys donated for the annual toy and bike collection and give-away.Those wishing to still donate can take their toys to the north roll-up door of the McCook City Auditorium through Friday, between 8 a.m. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Clinic plans an Ugly Sweater Day Friday to raise money for the McCook Pantry. Clinic employees will donate $5 to wear their ugly sweaters, and the clinic donate $1 for every patient or member of the public who walks in on Friday wearing any Christmas attire...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook woman sentenced to probation last year on a felony bad check charge was back in Red Willow County District Court recently facing probation violations. The offender, 22-year-old Hollie M. Quitt of 1112 Missouri Avenue, was ordered to serve an additional six months probation and sentenced to 60 days in jail during a hearing last week in District Court. Quitt was given credit at sentencing for 62 days in jail already served, according to court documents...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A convicted felon was sentenced to probation last week in Red Willow County District Court on weapon and drug possession charges. The offender, 40-year-old Lawrence E. Thayer III of 405 1/2 E. Fifth Street, accepted a plea agreement in October reducing a Class 3 felony alleging possession of a deadly weapon by a felon to a Class I misdemeanor for carrying a concealed weapon. The plea agreement also admitted guilt to an infraction for possession of marijuana...

Visitors at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel open house on Sunday were greeted with a revamped interior as well as cookies, the brass band Capella Nova and a visit from Santa. Recent renovations include new carpet and furniture, texturing and paint on the walls, a new sound system, siding on the exterior of the building and other improvements, said owner, Jim Jones. ...

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...

KEARNEY, Neb. -- Graduate and undergraduate degrees for 494 will be conferred at commencement exercises 10 a.m. Friday at University of Nebraska at Kearney. University of Nebraska President Hank M. Bounds will be the honored guest and commencement speaker for the exercises, with UNK Chancellor Douglas A. Kristensen presiding. UNK Health and Sports Center arena is the site for the event. Doors to the venue open at 8:30 a.m...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- More than a hundred Nebraska Career Education students were recently recognized for national awards they received earlier this year. Lt. Gov. Mike Foley and Nebraska Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt recognized the Nebraska Career Education students who received first, second, third place or finalist awards during national leadership and skills competition held by their respective Career Student Organizations...

Central Elementary fifth grade students Harper Stevens and Kennedy Walters present a light show to the McCook Board of Education Monday, at the board's regular meeting. Fifth grade students of Gail Korus are learning the dfifferent aspects of light and the girls came up on their own with a project called "The Small Reindeer," using flashlights, puppets and a script they wrote...

CULBERTSON, Neb. -- Of all the minutes Mary Lou Ross has spent at the Culbertson Bank, the most special occurred in 1968 when Mary Lou got to meet and talk with Major Gen. Charles M. Eisenhart of the U.S. Strategic Air Command. "Gen. Eisenhart touched me forever when he came to the bank in Culbertson and took the time to talk with me like a long-lost neighbor," Mary Lou said. ...

Edward Nick Spahn June 11, 1924 - Dec. 15, 2015 McCOOK, Neb. -- Edward Nick Spahn, 91, went to be home with the Lord Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, at McCook Community Hospital. Ed was born June 11, 1924, in McCook to Nick and Mary (Brenning) Spahn. Ed remembered the flood of 1935 that swept away the family home at the young age of 11, losing everything and forcing them to move...