McCook Daily Gazette: News

Brendon Dame of McCook, checks out the cornucopia of fireworks with his father, Roger Dame. Which one is his favorite? "Everything!" (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette)

Boom businesses brace for barrage of buyers
Lorri Sughroue
Sales are still sluggish, but firework vendors in McCook say they don't expect a barrage of buyers until the next couple of days. "Eighty percent of my sales come from on July 3 and 4," said Eric Hutto of Trenton, who owns 10 firework stands across Nebraska, including one operated by the McCook Optimists in exchange for a percentage of sales... More > >

SourceGas seeks Nebraska rate increase (07/02/09)
LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- SourceGas Distribution LLC ("SourceGas") today announced it has filed a request with the Nebraska Public Service Commission to increase the non-gas component of its rates to cover the increased costs associated with providing natural gas service to approximately 90,000 customers across Nebraska. ...

Farmers' markets eligible for nutrition program (07/02/09)
The Nebraska Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides low-income senior citizens with coupons to purchase fresh produce and honey at Nebraska Farmers' markets and roadside stands. To be eligible, participants must be 60 years of age or older. ...

Hay harvesting permits available (07/02/09)
In its second year, the program that enables Nebraska landowners to receive hay harvesting permits is in effect. These permits are for the harvesting of hay from the right-of-way of state maintained highways. Interstate highways and freeways are excluded from the program. Landowners whose land abuts the state right-of-way will have the first opportunity to...

Transfer station to close (07/02/09)
The McCook city transfer station will be closed Friday and Saturday, July 3-4, for the Independence Day holiday. A city official also ask that you please clean up your fireworks debris when you are done. "We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend," he said...

Official: Camps should take H1N1 precautions (07/02/09)
LINCOLN -- With camp season in full swing, the state's Chief Medical Officer is advising that precautions be taken against the novel influenza A (H1N1). "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidance on how camps can handle ill attendees and promote safe infection control practices," said Dr. Joann Schaefer. "It's very important that camp personnel know the symptoms and isolate ill campers from the others."...

Council to consider design for Norris Park war memorial (07/02/09)
The McCook City Council will consider the recommendation from the Parks Advisory Board to approve a bronze war memorial in the center of Norris Park, at its regular meeting Monday night, 7:30 at City Council Chambers in Memorial Auditorium. Boy Scout Trenton Klimper wants to construct the memorial as his Eagle Scout project. The McCook City Council gave its preliminary approval in May for Klimper to proceed with his idea...

Tea Party July 4 (07/02/09)
The public is invited to come listen, learn or orate at a "Tea Party," 7 p.m. Saturday at the McCook Fairgrounds, on the southwest side of the ballparks. Participants are encouraged to bring banners and posters.

First case of swine flu confirmed in Southwest Nebraska (07/01/09)
McCOOK -- The first confirmed case of H1N1 influenza has been diagnosed in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) eight county health district. A total of 111 cases have been confirmed across the state of Nebraska. SWNPHD continues to work with hospitals, laboratories, and physicians to monitor the status of H1N1 throughout the health district. ...

Bye, bye Bolles Canyon Road (07/01/09)
Earth-moving equipment makes quick work of the pavement on Bolles Canyon Road, officially closed Monday to make way for Phase II of the Kelley Park Walking Trail. Construction on the new trail will begin yet this summer.

Republican River arbitrator leaves many questions unanswered (07/01/09)
An arbitrator said Nebraska isn't doing enough to comply with the Republican River compact, but leaves details of how to do so up to the state. Kansas should receive a nominal $10,000 award until it proves how much damage it has actually suffered, the Colorado-based arbitrator said...

Cool at the pool (06/30/09)
Nine-year-old Grace Hillemeier of Byron, Minn., thinks its hotter in McCook than it is at home in Byron, Minn. Grace threw her dripping, long blond locks over her shoulder as she cooled off in McCook's swimming pool Monday afternoon. Grace is visiting her grandmother, Marlene Webster of McCook...

Wagons, ho! (06/30/09)
Seventeen wagons and numerous outriders kick up dust northeast of McCook Monday morning, leaving from Lee Janssen's home east of McCook en route to Stapleton for the Fourth of July parade Saturday. Janssen joined in with a team of four mules, and 69-year-old Donna Clevenger of Scotia rode her 8-year-old Morgan-Arabian named "Reality."...

Stolen truck recovered in Oberlin (06/30/09)
OBERLIN -- Oberlin police recovered a Freightliner truck stolen June 26 in Williston, N.D., , after the truck's driver drove away without paying for gas in Oberlin. The Williston Herald newspaper reports that the stolen truck may be connected to two burglaries in Williston...

Program gives old house new lease on life (06/30/09)
The windows were old, the siding outdated and the walls showed more than a few years of use. Now, a home at 404 E. Third has a new lease on life and is available for purchase. The transformation of the two-story, three bedroom home is the result of the "Purchase, Rehab, Resell" program by the McCook Economic Development Corp., that offers refurbished houses to first-time homebuyers...

Cornhusker State Games deadline Monday (06/30/09)
LINCOLN -- The final deadline to register for most sports in the Cornhusker State Games is Monday, June 29. The Games, which take place July 17-26 in and around Lincoln, feature competition in 63 sports for Nebraskans of all ages and abilities. Those interested can register or find information at CornhuskerStateGames.com or call 1-800-304-2637...

Part-time soldiers have big impact in state (06/29/09)
YORK -- The National Guard has a big impact on Nebraska's economy -- including a major investment in McCook -- but will soon be forced to cut back, according to officials. Consider some of the numbers: 5,640, $210,591,891, $783,389,638 and $664,020,987...

New Miss Nebraska has local ties (06/26/09)
The daughter of a McCook businessman is Nebraska's newest "Miss Nebraska." Brittany Jeffers of Lincoln was crowned "Miss Nebraska" during the state pageant June 6 in North Platte. Brittany is the daughter of Lisa and Scott Jeffers of Ogallala. Jeff commutes to McCook where he is an agent for Shelter Insurance...

Delegation makes case for Swanson (06/26/09)
LINCOLN -- Calling Swanson State Recreational Area the "Best Kept Secret in Southwest Nebraska Recreation," five local citizens met with Gov. Dave Heineman and Nebraska Game and Parks officials in Lincoln on Wednesday to discuss the future of this well-kept secret...

Say 'cheese,' but not too much (06/26/09)
Say cheese -- but don't smile too much. Beginning July 17, the state is installing in all counties new cameras with facial recognition technology, that will be used to take pictures for driver's licenses, permits and state IDs. Marleen Garcia, Red Willow County Treasurer, said normal smiles will be accepted but excessive facial expressions will trigger the camera to reject the picture...

Court upholds TIF for apartments (06/26/09)
The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled against the City of McCook concerning tax increment financing proceeds garnered from the redevelopment of the former YMCA into Landmark Apartments. In a ruling issued today, the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the decision by District Court Judge David Urbom in Red Willow County, who said the TIF proceeds from the redevelopment belong to a company that purchased the project, PRP Holdings...

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