Stories from Thursday, January 21, 2016

Justin LeRoy Weaver June 23 1988 - Jan. 15, 2016 RED CLOUD, Neb. -- Justin LeRoy Weaver, son of Georgia (Fleider) and John L. Weaver, was born June 23 1988, in Cambridge, Nebraska. He departed this life on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at his home in Red Cloud at the age of 27 years, six months and 22 days...

Martha Belle (Gandy) McCain July 4, 1936 - Jan.18, 2016 ALLIANCE, Neb. -- Martha Belle (Gandy) McCain, 79, of Alliance, formerly of Atwood, Kansas, died Monday (Jan. 18, 2016), in Alliance. She was born July 4, 1936, at her home near Hazlehurst, Mississippi, to Jesse A. and Martha Jewel (Batton) Gandy. After graduating high school, she joined the United States Army Women's Army Corp and worked at the Pentagon. She married L. Gene McCain on Dec, 28, 1955, in Liberty, Mississippi...

MCCOOK, Neb. -- It's been five years since 14-year old Kailee Clapp was murdered in McCook and her mother and sister have found beauty from the ashes. "It's been a journey, but things are happening the way they're suppose to," said Kailee's mom, Nora, who plans to move soon to Lincoln, Nebraska, where she has friends and family. "I can see God's handiwork almost every day in my life. I choose to see the blessings."...

McCOOK, Neb. -- City leaders gave final approval to a planned development district for the Quillan Courts housing project earlier this week. The move brings the McCook Economic Development Corp. closer to increasing its property management responsibilities while the search for a new director continues...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The American Legion, Department of Nebraska, honored Firefighter Officer Tyler Neff of the McCook Fire Department, McCook, Nebraska as their "2015 Firefighter/EMS of the Year" during its 83rd annual Mid-Year Conference held Jan. 15-17 in Nebraska City, Nebraska...

McCook Humane Society board of directors vice president Monica Conroy displays the raffle prize she has put together for the tenth annual "Shoot for the Shelter" pool tournament and fund-raiser for the animal shelter. Tickets for the wooden ice chest -- filled with snacks and a six-pack of beer -- will cost $5 for one, $10 for three and $20 for five. ...

Lower gas prices have made life easier for many of us in rural America, living many miles from work or the grocery store. But Southwest Nebraskans know better than most the economic cost that accompanies those lower prices, the loss of many jobs and income from oil wells that aren't economic to keep in operation...

I'm finding it interesting that as the years roll on for me, I'm much more accepting of things these days, that five years ago, I would have fought hard against. Something must happen after turning 40, I don't know? But I'm OK with a lot of things that would have me fall into what I might refer to as the "old mom" category...

Denille Lynn Burke Feb. 19, 1970 - Jan. 20, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Denille Lynn Burke of McCook passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at her son's home in Cambridge, Nebraska, surrounded by her family. She was 45 years old. Denille was born on Feb. 19, 1970, at Englewood, Colorado, to parents, Dennis Lynn and Julianne Faye (Pape) Garrett. She graduated from McCook High School in 1988 and continued her education at McCook Community College...