Stories from Thursday, November 10, 2016

If you want to be the best, you've got to beat the best...

The voters have spoken. They wanted the death penalty back, and they were willing to go over the heads of the Legislature to do so. Perhaps turnabout's fair play, since the Legislature went over the head of a veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts to abolish capital punishment in the state...

In my house, we occasionally have what I call "reality checks". These happen when my girls have pushed their limits and need a little wake-up call, time to get their poop in a group and get a handle on themselves. The "reality checks" aren't partial to any specific age and each girl is blessed to have one of their own now and then...

As you read this, the election is over. Hopefully, the dust has settled, although I doubt the smoke has cleared. We now have an idea of what the future may hold for our government, be it at the national or state level. Whether your candidate won or lost, it won't be as good as you hoped nor as bad as you feared. ...

McCook High School choir instructor Abbey McNutt, from left, stands with three of her students who were selected to be part of the 2016 All-State Chorus: junior Beth Hoyt, Soprano 1, senior Lindi Johnson, Alto 1 and senior Allison Tolliver, Alto 2. "I am really proud of them, this is a huge accomplishment," McNutt said, noting that it was Johnson's third time of being selected and Tolliver's second. ...

See today's Gazette!

TRENTON, Neb. -- After the election Tuesday, and with provisional ballots counted Wednesday and this morning, it's clear that Hitchcock County voters have recalled their assessor. Provisional ballots increased Tuesday's count from 738 for the recall of assessor Marlene Bedore and 683 against it, to a count of 738 for and 691 against...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Last week's "Big Give McCook" fund-raising event coordinated by the Community Chest drew praise from community leaders earlier this week. City Councilman Gene Weedin congratulated everyone involved with the event during Monday's regularly scheduled meeting...

With Chamber of Commerce and other city officials looking on, Mayor Mike Gonzales cuts the ribbon for the new walkway connecting Norris Avenue and a rebuilt city parking lot with new paving and a canopy. City Manager Nate Schneider thanked adjoining property owners for their cooperation with city staff members and volunteers who saw the project, funded with a Community Development Block Grant with a local match, from the concept stage through completion. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Tucked in a little room behind the high school auditorium, eight students - the ninth one arrived later - sit cross-legged on mats, eyes closed, breathing in and out slowly. Outside, you can hear bumps, shuffling and an occasional shriek as drama students practice for the one-act play. But inside this room it's quiet, save for the voice of the instructor and tranquil music coming from her cell phone...

ATWOOD, Kan. -- The Great West Activities Conference and Northwest Kansas League are looking for crew members to officiate football games. Jim Keenan, a conference and league commissioner, told the Rawlins County Square Deal newspaper that he has seen the number of football crews dwindle, and it has now reached a critical stage. Keenan said, "As it stands today, I see no way that every game in the Northwest area will be able to have football officials assigned to cover their games."...

Richard "Dick" Myers May 3, 1938 - Nov. 9, 2016 BOULDER, Colo. -- Richard "Dick" Myers of Boulder passed away on Nov. 9, 2016. He was 78. Dick was born in Culbertson, Neb., on May 3, 1938, to Arvene and Neva Myers. He graduated from Culbertson High School in 1956. He attended the Parks Business College in Denver and upon completion was hired by International Business Machines Corporation in Denver...