Stories from Friday, October 29, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will dive into a discussion concerning the recent pool survey, at the regular meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the city Municipal Building. The council will hear from engineer Kyle McCawley of Lamp Rynearson regarding the results from the recent pool survey and other pool-related items, as well as steps necessary for a potential pool project. The presentation will start off the regular meeting Monday night...

Charles (Ben) Mortimore Sept. 13, 1941 - Oct. 24, 2021 SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — It is with great sadness that the family of Charles ( Ben ) Mortimore, age 80 , of Scottsbluff, share his passing on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, at Regional West Medical Center, with his children at his side. ...

Jeanette J. Reynolds July 8, 1935 - Oct. 28, 2021 LOOMIS, Neb. — A private family memorial graveside service for Jeanette J. Reynolds will be Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, at the Riverview Cemetery in McCook, Neb., with Pastor Rex Adams officiating. Jeanette Jane (Roth) Reynolds, 86 years of age, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Loomis, surrounded by her family, on Oct. ...

Cathleen “Cathy” A. Bell Feb. 15, 1955 ~ Oct. 19, 2021 LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Cathleen Ann Bell was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world suddenly on Oct. 19, 2021, at age 66. Cathy was born in McCook, Neb., on Feb. 15, 1955, to Kenneth and Dorothy Giespert, following siblings Cecilia, Christina, and Greg. ...

Gary Thomas Bloomgren July 3, 1940 - Oct. 27, 2021 SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Gary Thomas Bloomgren was a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He left this world on Oct. 27, 2021 at age 81. A private graveside service will take place at a family cemetery in Oberlin, Kan., where Gary’s caretaking efforts flourish to this day. ...

82nd birthday The family of Dick Quinn of McCook is celebrating his 82nd birthday on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. His family includes wife, Carla Quinn; sons, Greg Quinn and Gary Quinn of McCook; daughter, Gina and husband Kraig Dorwart of Lincoln, Neb.; grandchildren,Sasha Dorwart, Siera Dorwart, Max Quinn and Erica Quinn; and great-grandchildren, Millani, Masen, Marcello, Trey, Christian and Alexandria. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 603 W. Fourth, McCook, NE 69001...

First a report on the garden this year. I finally have both asparagus and horseradish growing and I am excited to see if they make it through the winter. The tomatoes didn’t give up, but I did and the last of a bumper crop are going in the freezer because the canner is put away. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — To salute the men and women who protected our nation’s freedom, comfort and peace the Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival planning committee will feature veterans at their First Tuesday event Nov. 2 from 7 – 8 pm at the Bieroc Café. Mike Simmonds, local Veteran Service coordinator and Eugene Koch will open the program...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Southwest Public Schools plans their annual Veterans Day program on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 9:30 a.m. in the high school gym in Bartley. All veterans, community, family and friends are invited and encouraged to attend.

INDIANOLA, Neb. — St. Catherine’s Altar Society’s Harvest Happenings is set for Sunday, Nov. 21, at St. Catherine’s Church Hall, 812 D Street in Indianola. Dinner will of meat loaf or ham and sides will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., $10 for adults, $5 kids 5-12 and under 5 free. Kids games are from noon to 2 p.m., a silent auction begins at 11 a.m., and live auction at 12:30 p.m...

McCook, Neb. — Weather permitting, work will begin Nov. 1 on US-6/34 at the Muddy Creek Bridge, west of Arapahoe, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Bridges Inc., of Newton, Kansas, has a $3,598,848 contract. Work includes new bridge construction, grading, and asphaltic concrete overlay. A 13-foot width restriction will be in place...

Big Give McCook is less than a week away. The power hours are set with matching funds available starting with the Internet power hour at midnight on Thursday, Nov. 4. The website, biggivemccook.org, is ready to accept on-line donations from midnight to midnight...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook E-Free Church plans a coat drive now through Nov. 15 to benefit local school-age kids in kindergarten through junior high. Items that can be donated (new or gently used) are: Coats Hats Gloves Stocking Caps Sweatpants Socks...

Fall is here. Crisp autumn evenings, the changing of the leaves, and the mad dash to get the crops out of the field. It can’t be said often enough—there is no place like Nebraska. Some of the discussion during the recent special session on redistricting brought up what appears to be a growing divide between urban and rural areas of our state. In this frame of mind, Lincoln and everything east is considered “urban” and everything west of Lincoln is “rural”...

Coverage of Haigler, Nebraska’s recent Tumbleweed Festival caught the attention of United Kingdom podcaster Chris Marsh and his two friends, who featured it Episode 28 of their “Show Yourself Mr. Jasmine” podcast. They were especially intrigued with McCook entrepreneur Leigh Real of LJ’s Produce, who was described as “the pumpkin man” in a story submitted by LaNeta Carlock of the Haigler Community Foundation. ...