Stories from Friday, September 23, 2016

Announcements Thursday in Lincoln and Friday in North Platte illustrate just how long major public works projects can take and how many people need to be involved. Benefits of the highway projects announced will be felt for multiples of years by millions of people more, however...

A former hometown of mine and a city where I joined law enforcement as a police officer is in the national news this week because of a shooting incident involving a black citizen and a white, female police officer. Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old black male, was shot and killed by Tulsa, Oklahoma, police officer Betty Jo Shelby after she stopped to investigate a vehicle left in the middle of the road with its engine running. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook City Council added a sewer rate increase earlier this week to recently-approved property tax and trash collection hikes. City leaders contemplated a pair of options, which essentially amounted to weighing whether to favor the largest or smallest consumers of city services, before ultimately approving an increase which favored the largest of city water users...

McCOOK, Neb. -- On visits back home in McCook from Washington, D.C., George W. Norris was a loner who kept to himself, not given to much socializing. Most days, he'd walk down to the post office to pick up the mail, then spend the rest of the morning talking to his friend, Carl Marsh down at Marsh Insurance...

It's hole-in-one season at Heritage Hills Golf Course in McCook, with PGA Professional Bob Gaulke reporting three aces in a week's time at the links-style course on the western edge of McCook.

Senior Day at the Bison Tennis Courts came down to the wire, but it would be a junior who provided the late-game heroics...

The Lady Bison golfers continued their good run with another team victory on Thursday at the Holdrege Country Club...

By the time they crossed the finish line, Madison and Sable Lambley had lost sight of more than a few runners...

Thanks to four top-six finishes, Dundy County-Stratton ran away from the competition to win its home invite with 14 points...

Chase County bounced back from Tuesday's loss at Sidney to secure two wins at Thursday's Dundy County-Stratton Invite...

The top-ranked Nebraska volleyball team opens its 20-match Big Ten schedule with three straight road matches, beginning with two against ranked foes in Michigan this weekend...

The Huskers are about to take on their first road test of the season, but Mike Riley doesn't want the Friday routine to be much different than it has been for the first three home games...

With school, work and evening activities all spiraling in different directions, most families find that some things have to give. Make sure quality time around the dinner table isn't one of them with these savvy solutions that can help make weekday meals a cinch...

ATWOOD, Kan -- Stephanie Diane Sis of Atwood, Kan., and Robert Thomas Gaulke of McCook, Neb., were united in marriage on July 8, 2016, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in rural Atwood with the Rev. Gnanasekar Kulandi officiating. Parents of the bride are Michael and Diane Sis of Atwood. Grandparents are John and Virginia Burk of Atwood and the late Charles and Eleanora Sis...

Williams, Korte Brandi Jo Williams and Lance William Korte, both of McCook, announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Brad and Mary Williams of Trenton, Neb., and Deanna Williams of Herndon, Kan. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Dave and Deb Korte of McCook...

95th birthday The family of Kenneth Martis of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of his 95th birthday on Sunday, Oct. 2. He was born in 1921 in Edison, Neb. Cards of congratulations will reach him at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Room 415, 309 W. Seventh, McCook, NE 69001...

60th birthday The family of Charlene Pfanstiel of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of her 60th birthday Sunday, Oct. 2. She was born in Imperial, Neb. Her family includes her husband, Grant Pfanstiel of McCook; son, Shawn Pfanstiel and wife, Katie (and granddaughter, Emma) of Grand Island, daughter, Kim Pfanstiel of Grand Island, Neb., and stepson, Doug Pfanstiel and wife, Diane (grandchildren, Chase and Breanna), all of Lincoln. ...

70th birthday The family of Charlie Powers of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of his 70th birthday on Sunday, Oct. 2. He worked for Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad for 31 years and lived in Trenton for many years, until moving to McCook in 1994. ...

90th birthday The family of Mavis Ohlson of Cambridge Neb., is hosting a reception and card shower in honor of her 90th birthday on Saturday, Oct. 1. She was born in 1926 in Norton County, Kan. The reception is Saturday, Oct. 1, 2-4 p.m. at Cambridge Heritage Plaza, dining area, in Cambridge. ...

Calvin James Estrada Anthony and Christina (Case) Estrada of Lincoln, Neb., announce the birth of their son, Calvin James Estrada, who was born Aug. 17, 2016, in Lincoln. He weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 20 1/4 inches long. Grandparents are Elmer and Tally Case of Max, Neb., Jeana Knobel of Portsmouth, Iowa, and...

Axell Allen Matson Bart and Kayla Matson of Culbertson, Neb. announce the birth of their son, Axell Allen Matson, born July 3, 2016, at Cambridge, Neb. He weighed 6 pounds, 11.5 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long. Grandparents are Rusty and Penny Minard of Bartley, Neb., David and Sue Matson of McCook, Neb., and Della Matson of Bullhead City, Ariz. ...

Football is one of my sports to watch and home town football games are the best. Homecoming was last week and as I watched the Bison game it reminded me of being in high school, the hoopla and excitement that played out before the big game. Spirit hasn't changed, but the way that the kids show it has. ...

Caleb Hawley and his band perform Thursday night at the Fox Theatre, his fifth visit to McCook but his first with a full band and the first not at the Bieroc Cafe listening room. A top-10 American Idol contestant, his style has evolved to include soul and funk as well as acoustic folk. Opening acts included the McCook High School select choir, soloist Brynn Golden, Allie Tolliver and Lindi Johnson...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A Life Chain is set for 2:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2 along B Street in McCook. Life Chain is a peaceful witness of Christians and pro-life individuals praying for our nation, leaders and any involved with abortion in an effort to bring back respect for life...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The never-quit determination of the McCook community is receiving praise today as the major reason the Nebraska Department of Roads set aside $60 million in funding for a "Super 2" Highway between McCook and North Platte. Inspired by the perseverance of former McCook Mayor Linda Taylor and Highway...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook man facing sentencing last week in Red Willow County District Court for attempted possession of methamphetamine, as well as in a second felony case stemming from the theft of a vehicle, was ordered to serve probation time and pay $200 in fines...

Announcements Thursday in Lincoln and Friday in North Platte illustrate just how long major public works projects can take and how many people need to be involved. Benefits of the highway projects announced will be felt for multiples of years by millions people more, however...

A former home town of mine and a city where I joined law enforcement as a police officer is in the national news this week because of a shooting incident involving a black citizen and a white, female police officer. Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old black male, was shot and killed by Tulsa, Oklahoma, police officer Betty Jo Shelby after she stopped to investigate a vehicle left in the middle of the road with its engine running. ...

Barbara Scarrow May 22, 1934 - Sept. 22, 2016 TRENTON - Barbara Scarrow, age 82, passed away Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, at Community Hospital of McCook. Barbara was born May 22, 1934, to Ray B. and Gladys M. (Reeves) Scarrow in Mankato, Kan. She graduated from Benkelman High School in 1954...

With defenders closing in, York quarterback Damon Kaliff tossed up a prayer...

Wrigley Quinn Johnson Jay and Jordan (Rieker) Johnson of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, Wrigley Quinn Johnson, born Aug. 30, 2016, at Community Hospital in McCook. She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 20 inches long. She has one sister, Reeslyn, 2. ...