Stories from Tuesday, July 2, 2019

McCOOK, Neb. — A total of $1,600 was raised for McCook Community College students during the second annual MCC Alumni/Community Golf Tournament on Saturday. Heritage Hills Golf Course hosted the four-person scramble. Proceeds from the event will go toward scholarships for MCC students planning to transfer to four-year colleges or universities...

It is coming. The fireworks stands are proliferating and busy with shoppers even in 100 degree temperatures. Independence Day or as of late simply called the 4th of July. Whatever the name it is a special time in our lives to relax and enjoy family. For kids lucky enough to live in Nebraska fireworks and the 4th is all part of the fun...

Dear Editor, 243 years have passed since the Declaration of Independence was signed. 50 members of the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and declared our independence from Great Britain. Problems began in 1765 after the French Indian War when the English Parliament realized that their treasury was nearly empty, due to the costs of that war...

McCOOK, Neb. — The request for a special exception to locate a daycare in a residential area was denied by the McCook City Council Monday night by a split vote. The council first struggled with granting the exception at its last meeting on June 17. “I’ve had a lot of pain in the butt decisions to make on the council but this takes the wisdom of Solomon,” said Councilman Jerry Calvin said Monday night before the final vote was taken. At issue was whether requirements in the special exception were met by the applicant, Amber Massa. Massa applied for the exception to locate a daycare center at 1408 W. Circle Drive, an area zoned medium residential. At the June 17 council meeting, some council members noted their concerns of traffic flow and safety due to the close proximity of McCook Elementary. They postponed making a decision until Monday’s regular council meeting so city staff could review if a special exception could be removed after a certain period of time. City staff has since determined the exception could include a time limitation. Massa and her sister, Whitney Kuhlman, addressed the council and explained that the center would the “starter” location and in the future move to another location. Parents would be prohibited from dropping off their kids for a 15 minute period in the morning and later in the afternoon, high traffic times at the nearby school. Parking would be available in front of the center, in the driveway and also next door, having received permission from the neighbor, they said. Councillor Janet Hepp said the traffic flow problem of getting and out of West Circle Drive is not within Massa’s control and that the special exception request was “the catalyst that brought it to our attention.” Hepp said she had lived in the area and now has a rental property there and knows about the traffic congestion. She proposed a plan where a nearby street could be designated as a one-way street during high traffic times at the school, in the morning and mid-afternoon when students are arriving or leaving. City Manager Nate Schneider told the council that the special exception could be granted if they thought the requirements were met. “My opinion….is if you don’t thinking that A and B (in the requirements) are met, the vote is no,” he said. Requirement A states the special exception would satisfactorily provide for “Ingress and egress to property and proposed structures thereon with particular reference to automotive and pedestrian safety and convenience, traffic flow and control and access in case of fire or catastrophe.” Requirement B concerns “off street parking and loading areas where required, with particular attention to the items in “A,” and the economic, noise glare or odor effects of the special exception on adjoining properties generally in the district. Other requirements, nine in all, concern availability of utilities, screening and buffering, signs and exterior lighting, yard and open space and general compatibility with adjacent properties and with future land use in the McCook Comprehension Plan. Before the final vote was taken, each council member was asked individually if special exception requirements A and B were met. When questioned by Mayor Mike Gonzales as why this was being done, instead of a straight yea or nay vote, Schneider replied it was to have a record of it for the future, with City Attorney Nate Mustion adding it could be used if the final determination was appealed. When asked individually on requirement A, Councillors Jared Muhlenkamp, Calvin and Janet Hepp voted yes, with Mayor Gonzales and Councilman Gene Weedin voting no. On requirement B, Councillors Muhlenkamp, Hepp and Weedin voted yes, with Councilman Calvin and Mayor Gonzales voting no. The council then took a vote on a motion made at the beginning of the discussion by Councilman Muhlenkmap, to grant the special exception. The motion failed by two to three, with Muhlenkamp and Hepp voting in favor of it and Gonzales, Weedin and Calvin voting against.

McCOOK, Neb. — According to city ordinance, the discharge of fireworks in the City of McCook is allowed from June 23 up to July 3 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. On July 4, fireworks are allowed from 8 a.m. to 11:59. On July 5, fireworks are allowed from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m...

RED WILLOW, Neb. — Red Willow native Densel O'Dea, now of McCook, has coordinated the design, purchase and erection of a sign that marks the location of the former Red Willow community school and its sports history during the 1950's. O'Dea grew up on farm two miles north of the townsite of Red Willow, which was located about half-way between McCook and Indianola. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- As the story goes, the parade entries were rolling down Norris Avenue during the Heritage Days parade a few years ago. The parade royalty streamed by and the crowds cheerfully waived back with a smattering of “Hey, I know them” comments from those lining the street. Following closely behind, local and state politicians cruised by with most spectators waiving politely in return...

FELLING FIELD — Elijah Smith and Vince Mashek smashed triples to lead a 12-3 Mac’s Drive In Marauders victory over My Family Vision Clinic Lug Nuts Thursday night. The Marauders captured third place in this Minors tournament where Parker Scrappers later rallied past Bortner Pioneer Seeds for the championship...

Both the Pinnacle Bank (right) and Herrmann Jones Legion baseball teams were scheduled to play their league tournament finales Monday night, but rain forced postponments at Lexington. The games are scheduled to take place tonight. Herrmann Jones will play Broken Bow for third place with 16-1 Pinnacle Bank taking on Lexington in the league title game. Watch for results later this week...

McCOOK, Neb. — All the scores to cap 2019 Firecracker Fastpitch Softball Tournament at McCook’s Jaycees Complex last weekend: Age 12 and under Champion: McCook Rebels Black (4-0); 2. Norton (Kan.) Stealerz (3-1); Alliance Tremors (2-2); Brush (Colo.) Beetdiggers (2-2); Broadway Bombers (1-3); Lexington Thunder (0-4)...

OGALLALA, Neb. — McCook’s First Central Bank Juniors were leading 2-1 until four errors in a disastrous fourth inning ignited Ogallala’s 10-2 Legion baseball victory Monday evening. The Juniors (8-9 record) suffered their first defeat since a Waverly Tournament game on June 8. They’d won six straight since including conquests of district foes Holdrege, Lexington and Cozad...

OGALLALA, Neb. — They were grilling “ribeyes” all over Ogallala as six McCook Seniors delivered RBIs during a 6-4 Legion baseball win Monday evening. Singles life always pays off even though 17 singles probably should have added up to more than six MNB runs...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Football League will be having equipment checkout Monday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Weiland Field. Checkout will be on the North West side of the stadium. The league is still accepting registrations for the 2019 football season. All registrations will be accepted up until checkout for all grades...