Stories from Thursday, May 5, 2016

MCCOOK, Neb. -- In addition to choosing a presidential candidate in the May primary, McCook voters will determine the direction of the community's future growth when they head to the polls on Tuesday, May 10. The McCook Economic Development Corp. encourages voters to approve a ballot measure that would continue allocating a portion of the city's LB840 sales tax funds to the McCook Growth Fund to create jobs, attract and retain businesses, solve housing shortages and grow the population and tax base for the next 15 years.. ...

Carl Dean McQuiety Sept. 2, 1944 - May 3, 2016 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Carl Dean McQuiety, age 71, died at his home in Cambridge on May 3, 2016, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Lebanon, Mo., on Sept. 2, 1944, to Carl and Elsie (Teter) McQuiety. The family moved to the family farm northwest of Cambridge...

Dale Leon Oberst Dec. 12, 1947 - May 3, 2016 CAMBRIDGE, Neb.-- Dale Leon Oberst, age 68, of Cambridge, passed away May 3, 2016, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. He was born in Omaha, Neb., on Dec. 12, 1947, to Lee and Doris (Healea) Oberst. The family moved to Hayward, Calif., where Dale went to school and graduated from Mount Eden High School. Dale joined the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and retired after serving his country for over 22 years...

OMAHA, Neb. -- University of Nebraska Medical Center spring commencement ceremonies will take place May 5-9 in Norfolk, Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha and Scottsbluff. Diplomas will be conferred on 936 students. Below are the details of the ceremonies and a list of graduating students and their hometowns. Note: some graduating students' names are not listed as requested by the student...

Despite thawing relations with the country, you still can't legally buy Cuban cigars in the United States. When that day comes, however, the federal government wants to have its say. Under new rules finalized today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is extending its authority to regulate all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, hookah tobacco, pipe tobacco and premium, hand-rolled cigars, including those Cubans, if and when they go on sale here...

The eagle, our National bird, is very numerous and important to the economy in Alaska. While in Alaska the past July 2007, my wife and I went to a pavilion to see a show for the purpose of learning more about the Eagle. The girl that explained many things about the eagle stood with a live eagle perched on her extended arm. An eagle only weighs eight pounds. They are all fluff...

If you see me, I don't want to hear any wise cracks about my Track Meet tan, cause I'm fully aware of it. I've talked before about my Softball tan, which has some of the same qualities as a Track Meet tan but not quite the same. With two girls in Junior High and High School track, I'm pretty sure I've sat outside for roughly 3,476 hours in the last few months, give or take a few hours, and that much outside time has colored specific areas of my skin at various intensity levels...

A wonderful representation from the Chamber Member community and the McCook Cordials congratulated American Family Insurance in their new office at their ribbon cutting Thursday morning. Present with American Family Agent David Cain, are Terri Turcotte of the McCook office as well as Joni Todd, Marcie Morrell, and Cara Morland from their North Platte office. Chamber board president Jamie Mockry welcomed everyone...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A property owner of several Business Commercial lots on East 12th Street is asking the McCook Planning Commission to change the zoning to Residential Medium Density District. The Planning Commission will consider the request Monday evening, 5:15 p.m. at the Municipal Center, during a regularly scheduled meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The upcoming ballot question asking for renewal of McCook's Economic Development Program is about preserving small town excellence and ensuring future generations have the same opportunities we do today, at least according to one official...

The few drops of rain that fell through the night Tuesday catch on the petals of a fringed tulip in a McCook yard. Enjoy a couple days of sunshine -- the forecast calls for a chance of rain Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Improvements to the city parking lot at East First Street and D Street are taking shape this morning. Upon completion, the parking lot will offer partially covered parking with electricity and potable water access intended to benefit farmer's market type activities, as well as a landscaped walkway to Norris Avenue. ...

The McCook Rotary Club welcomed the 'Friendship Team' comprising eight special guests from India on Monday as they dined in one of the hospital's conference rooms shortly after touring the Community Hospital & Valmont as part of an eight-day trek through Nebraska. They headed to Curtis and North Platte on Tuesday to tour the college before heading back home in several days...