Hit-and-run

A concrete park bench in front of the Red Willow County, Nebraska, courthouse in McCook and the concrete base of the DAR flag pole at the corner of Norris Avenue and F show damages caused by a hit-and-run driver about 8:15 a.m., Thursday. Witnesses said the car -- a silverish-blue car -- drove slowly southbound down Norris Avenue, drove across the sidewalk in front of the courthouse and struck the park bench, then backed up Norris and struck the flag pole base a block north. The car, driven by an elderly man, then drove southbound down Norris. McCook Police Detective Larry Kinne reported this morning that police officers located the car about 10 hours later, and found damages on it consistent with damages to the bench and flag pole base, as well as wooden splinters indicating that the driver may also have hit a power pole. No one was injured in the incidents and no charges have been filed yet against the driver. Kinne said the investigation continues.