Stories from Monday, April 25, 2016

MCCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Economic Development Corporation and sales tax funds were the missing pieces of the puzzle that helped American Agricultural Laboratory and other local businesses grow the McCook area economy and bring new money and employees into the community...

Lyle Dean Blauvelt May 14, 1933 - April 22, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Lyle Dean Blauvelt, age 82, passed away Friday, April 22, 2016, at Community Hospital in McCook. Lyle was born May 14, 1933, in Holbrook, Neb., to Harry and Verna (Graning) Blauvelt. Lyle entered the U.S. Army on June 15, 1954, and was honorably discharged on May 29, 1956...

Martha Bowers BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Martha Bowers, 93, died Saturday (April 23, 2016), at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. Survivors include daughter, Donna Dennis and husband, David of Vacaville, Calif.; step-daughter, Pam Hanes and husband, Jim of Imperial, Neb.; nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren...

Alberta Main BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Alberta Main, 92, longtime resident of Benkelman, died Thursday (April 21, 2016), at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman. Survivors include children, Glenard Main and wife, Frances, of Garland, Texas, John Main and wife, Diana, of Tacoma, Wash., and Gary Main and wife, Carol, of Axtell, Neb.; sister, Donna Taynor of Benkelman; brother-in-law, Leonard Main and wife, Rita of Nampa Valley, Idaho; six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren...

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...

The Glass Doctor celebrates a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its location at 506 East B in McCook.The Glass Doctor is independently owned and operated and will do glass work for homes, vehicles or businesses. Pictured from left are Scott Rief, Kearney consultant; Brandon Doyle, McCook store manager; Constance Vlasin, McCook store assistant; and Craig Slack, Kearney consultant. They can be reached at (308) 345-4035 or at www.glassdoctor.com...

If you feel like political discourse has degenerated to the level of a playground argument, you're not alone. That's especially true in the Republican race, where nothing has been out of bounds, to the appearance of candidates' wives to the size of a candidate's hands or genitalia or a moderator's menstrual cycle...

(Note: McCook was saddened recently with the news of the passing of Dick Drake, the hard-charging fullback on Russ Sautter's 1946 Class A Nebraska High School Football team, still the only McCook football team to ever win a Class A Championship. Today, we're going to take a look back at that team and the 1946 season. From the Gazette Archives.)...

The offices of every senator in the State Capitol received more letters, emails, and phone calls about LB 947 than on almost any other bill this session. After it was vetoed by Governor Ricketts on the 15th, it was debated once more on the legislative floor on April 20th. The bill was advanced on a vote of 31 to 13 with five not voting. I was "present, not voting" on the override of the governor's veto...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Board of Zoning Adjustment will coordinate several public hearings Monday evening related to zoning variance requests. The requests stem from a variety of issues ranging from driveway length requirements on residential property to setback requirements impacting construction of a new Holiday Inn Express on Highway 83...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The ABC Pregnancy Help Center of McCook plans an open house Saturday, April 30, at its new location, Suite 26 of the Merritt Building at 110 West C in downtown McCook. The help center has expanded into larger quarters, moving one flight up within the same building...

Jada Jensen of Bingham was one of the many cowgirls and cowboys who competed Saturday and Sunday in the annual Southwest Nebraska High School Rodeo at the Kiplinger Arena in McCook. The results of the rodeos will be printed as they become available.

McCOOK, Neb. -- After spending four years in college with no degree, Mike Hendricks returned to his home for the summer but had no job. So his mom decided to help him look. Afterall, she knew a friend who knew a friend who knew a friend of the police chief. Her connections paid off. His first job in the real world was as a police officer with the Tulsa Police Department...