Stories from Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Glenda Joan Harmon Feb. 4, 1963 - June 8, 2016 McCOOK, Neb. -- Glenda Joan Harmon passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at her home in McCook. She was 53 years old. Glenda was born on Feb. 4, 1963, in Minneapolis, Minn., to parents, Paul Eugene and Betty Joan (Fenske) Harmon. She graduated from Orano High School, Maple Plain, Minn...

Irene F. Stover March 22, 1918 - March 13, 2016 TRENTON, Neb. -- Irene F. Stover, age 98, died at the El Dorado Manor in Trenton on Friday, March 13, 2016. She was born in Trenton, Neb,. on March 22, 1918, to Carl and Mary (Raymond) Steinke. At age nine, Irene'smother died and so she was raised by her father and grandmother. She grew up on a farm near Trenton and attended Trenton Schools...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Two seniors from McCook Senior High were awarded scholarships from the Parker Hannifin Foundation. Grant Wilkinson, son of Shane and Shelley Wilkinson and Dustin Bredvick, son of Tom and Janie Bredvick, were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Long-time Public Service Commissioner Jerry Vap of McCook lost his seat by 46 votes, the Nebraska Board of Canvassers certified following a recount Monday. Mary Ridder of Callaway will replace Vap in representing central and western Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Tears can fall at endings, and at beginnings. Marleen Garcia, a Red Willow County employee since 1975, fought tears during a commissioners' meeting Monday morning, telling commissioners she would like to resign her position as county treasurer and explained her sadness at leaving her position and her happiness with the new chapter of her life...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Activity ticket prices for adults and families will be increased next year at McCook Senior High events, with one school board member voting against the increase. Loretta Hauxwell cast the dissenting vote Monday night at the regular school board meeting against the price hike, with Teresa Thomas, Bob Elder, Tom Bredvick, Brian Esch and Diane Lyons voting in favor of it...

Twelve-year-old Ainsley Taylor and her brother, 8-year-old Quinn, host a lemonade stand Friday afternoon, as temperatures crept toward triple digits in McCook. The two explained they don't have specific plans for the money they raise; "We do this just 'cause it's fun," Ainsley said with a grin...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Food Bank for the Heartland plans a Mobile Pantry in McCook, Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. until noon at McCook Christian Church, 507 West B. A Mobile Pantry is a one-day distribution available to everyone; there are no income restrictions. The only requirement is Nebraska residency...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Cost of the renovation project at the high school this summer have been bumped up by $15,000. The half-million dollar project, originally approved by the McCook Board of Education in February at $630,500, has run into unforeseen problems during demolition, said Superintendent Grand Norgaard at the regular board meeting Monday night. The remodeling is being done by TCC Corporation of Windsor, Colo., the only bid received on the project, with W Designs of McCook as the architect...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County commissioners accepted a "challenge" issued by Dundy and Frontier county commissioners, and increased Red Willow County's donation for 2016-17 to the Southwest Nebraska Family Resource Center in McCook. At their weekly meeting Monday morning, Red Willow County commissioners unanimously agreed to raise their county's donation to FRC from $4,500 to $5,000. ...

If you're like many of us, you'll feel the hair stand up on the back of your neck when you see an online video of a protester standing on an American flag. That's especially true for those of us who grew up hearing stories of wars fought to preserve all it stands for...

I am excited to get the Farmer's Market up and running again this year. The Market will be located in the Sears parking lot at the Westview Plaza again this year. It was a very successful location last year. Harold Pierson will be sponsoring us. As in the past, there is no charge to bring your product to set up and sell to the public...

As many of you fine readers of this column know your wordsmith went directly from the farm, high school, into the Air Force Academy. There many friendships were made and one of the most unlikely has endured over 56 years now and counting. J.T. Smith was as different in background from this farm raised kid as possible. ...

This is the time of year in which school boards, cities, and counties are working on their budgets. They all have public hearings, which you can attend and provide input on where money is being spent, and voice your concerns. As a former school board member myself, I can assure you that the input of taxpayers and voters carries great weight in the budget-making process. ...

CULBERTSON, Neb. -- Culbertson's city library books probably won't be completely moved in, but Fourth of July visitors should be able to get a look at the city's new, modern, energy-efficient library. After an earlier design was expected to cost about twice what the town could afford, the village board tapped Mark Uerling of Uerling Construction LLC, and Jeff Tidyman of Engineering International to design and build something more affordable...

Services are pending with Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.