Stories from Friday, June 30, 2017

Narconon reminds families that abuse of Methamphetamine has become a national health problem alongside the opiate epidemic. Learn to recognize the signs of Meth abuse and get your loved ones help if they are at risk. Visit http://www.narconon-suncoast.org/blog/move-over-heroin-here-comes-meth.html to learn about the signs and symptoms of Methamphetamine abuse and the treatment available to those who are already addicted...

Mary R. Graf Nov. 15, 1929 - June 28, 2017 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Mary R. Graf, age 88, of Arapahoe, died Wednesday (June 28, 2017), at her home in Arapahoe. She was born and raised on the family farm south of Arapahoe on Nov. 15, 1929, to Hubert and Hattie (Beeler) Mayer...

Arlene Large IMPERIAL Neb. — Arlene Large, 81, of Imperial, died Thursday (June 29, 2017). Survivors include her husband, Marvin of Imperial; children, Joey Large and wife, Myra, of Wauneta, Neb., Kevin Large and wife, Sandra, of Hayes Center, Neb., Dean Large and wife, Janice, of Wauneta, Dale Large and wife, Elisa, of Imperial, and Regina Pederson and husband, Stuart, of Burrton, Kan.; sister, Lela Marie Hamilton of Wauneta; 18 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren...

Whenever I mention to my grandchildren that I only wore dresses, never any type of slacks or jeans to school from kindergarten through graduation, they give me a look that kind of suggests I should have my mind examined. It didn’t matter if it was a blizzard and 20 below zero when every young woman left for grade school in the morning; she had a skirt or a dress on. ...

FELLING FIELD – The Tigers Muckdogs grabbed an early lead on its way to a 9-2 victory over the McCook National Bank Rivercats on Thursday in the Championship Game of the Minors Division Tournament...

There’s not much that tastes better during the summer than a meal hot off the grill. If you’re in the mood for a delicious backyard dish, try adding versatility to your grilling game with a few simple tips. Try a new cooking method. If your usual preparation involves a basic flame, you may be surprised by all the different flavors you can evoke just by changing the method. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A transgender farmer credits a supportive community and her Christian faith with helping her adjust to life as a woman while maintaining her role as a farmer, volunteer firefighter and parent. That doesn’t mean it was easy, Ashley Swartz of Malmo, Neb., told a small group Tuesday at McCook Community College’s Weeth Theater, during “Transgender Voices” tour conducted by the Nebraska American Civil Liberties Union with other sponsors...

OXFORD, Neb. — Timothy Lundquist, 31, of Alma, was killed in a one-vehicle crash just east of Oxford on Thursday. The Harlan County Sheriff’s Office reported that Lundquist was not using a seat belt when he drove off the road into an embankment and struck a tree...

McCOOK, Neb. — A public hearing is set for Monday to discuss a request to move a house from 308 West 2nd Street to a vacant lot on the west edge of the North Pointe Properties development. The McCook City Council will coordinate the hearing and consider granting approval for the house move afterward. City staff is recommending the request be approved, contingent on findings of an engineer’s review by W Design and Associates...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook’s Tree Advisory Board has expanded the list of trees for which the city will offer rebates in the 2018 spring and fall planting seasons, and changed its “Focus Tree,” starting next year, from an oak to the Kentucky coffeetree. At their meeting in April, board members agreed to change the “Focus Tree” — a tree that the board would like to see more of in McCook — to encourage diversity of tree species within the community’s tree inventory...

I watch a lot of police movies and television shows and read a lot of books about police work and it seems evident to me that screenwriters and authors are describing them from only one perspective and any one perspective boxes a person or a group in. ...

Don’t expect sweeping changes or a big tax dividend from today’s unveiling of the newly created Nebraska Department of Transportation. But it’s not unreasonable to expect long-term results in the form of increased efficiency that will translate into lower costs over the long run...

The family of Robert “Bob” Newcomb of Bartley, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. He was born in Cambridge, Neb., and was a teacher and coach at Bartley Public Schools. He was affectionately known as “Bartley Bob.” His family includes his wife, Arlene Newcomb of Bethune, Colo.; children, Doug Newcomb of Stratton, Neb., Gary Newcomb of Bartley, Larry Newcomb and Shari of Minden, Neb., and Craig Newcomb and Trista of Bertrand, Neb.;  grandchildren,  Tim and Kari (Newcomb) Vacek, Scott and Kayla (Newcomb) Smalley, Kyle Newcomb and Dawson Newcomb; and  great- grandchildren,  Tricia, Hailey, Teddy, Hayden and Molly. ...

Kelsey Woitaszewski and John Geary of Lincoln, Neb., announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Randy and Shannon Woitaszewski of McCook. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Jim and Lisa Batty of Beaver Valley Springs, Calif., and Mark Geary of Kona, Hawaii...

The family of Sid and Cathy Stewart of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary on Monday, July 3, 2017. They were married in 1967 at Northeast Community Church in Lincoln, Neb. Their family includes children, Jaime (Brian) Pfeifer of Lincoln and Jon (Sheri) Stewart of McCook and five grandchildren, Briana, Haylee and Alex Pfeifer of Lincoln and Sydney and Laci Stewart of McCook. ...

The family of Monte Rogers of McCook is requesting a card shower and hosting an open house in honor of his 90th birthday July 6. He was born in McCook in 1927 and is the owner/operator of a painting and contracting business for over 60 years. The open house is Sunday, July 9, 2017, from 1 to 3 p.m. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — With a big “Welcome to the neighborhood,” McCook Chamber President Elect Annette Wagner greeted Unified Therapy Clinic and Spa during a ribbon cutting at a beautifully remodeled location at 212 East 1st Street in McCook. The clinic and spa is across the street from Wagner Chevrolet and north of the car lot on East 1st Street...

Bobby and Stephanie Gaulke of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, Cecilia Lynn Gaulke, born May 26, 2017, in McCook. She weighed 7 pounds, 1.8 ounces and measured 19.75 inches long. Grandparents are Michael and Diane Sis of Atwood, Kan., and Bob and Diane Gaulke of McCook. Great-grandparents are John and Virgie Burk of Atwood, the late Charles and Eleanora Sis, Melvin Peetz of Gilbert, Ariz., and the late Marlene Peetz and Bob and Ellen Gaulke of Hamilton, Mont...