Stories from Wednesday, December 24, 2014

McCOOK, Neb. -- City of McCook revenue from Keno funds quadrupled last year and 2014 looks as though it could be even better. Old Sarge's Bar on West First Street has already paid out more than one million dollars in Keno prizes, reaching the milestone for the first time this past weekend. 2014 represents the first full year of Keno sales for the popular tavern, since taking over operations when Overtime closed in 2013...

This information is gathered at the McCook Public Safety Center, the McCook office of the Nebraska State Patrol, the Red Willow County Courthouse, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office and the McCook Humane Society. Accidents DEC. 7, 2014: 2:10 p.m., 200 block of East L Street -- a vehicle driven by Cameron C. ...

Russell L. Dowling June 8, 1915 - Dec. 23, 2014 MCCOOK, Neb. -- Russell L. Dowling, age 99, of McCook, died at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on Dec. 23, 2014. He was born in McCook on June 8, 1915, to Leslie and Ethel (Andrews) Dowling. He attended School in McCook, graduating from McCook High School in 1935...

Mearl Richard BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Mearl Richard, 91, longtime resident of Benkelman, died Saturday (Dec. 20, 2014), at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home in Imperial. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Fern, in 1988; brothers, Vearl and Lawrence; and sisters, Ivagean Vernon and Louise Billington...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Skateboard and bicycle enthusiasts had raised more than $30,000 in cash and commitments in support of building a local skatepark, as of Monday afternoon. The contributions put the "Build McCook a Skatepark" group right on target with initial cost estimates for the first phase of the project...

EDITOR'S NOTE -- Sarah Dixon's eighth-grade English assignment at McCook, Nebraska, Junior High was to write and read outloud in class a poem on any topic, but the poem had to mirror the famous Christmas poem, "Twas the Night before Christmas." Using the cadence and structure of the Clement C. Moore poem about Santa Claus and quiet little mice, Sarah wrote about the kitten that her mother picked up on a country road near Willow Ridge on East 11th -- the newest member of the Dixon family...

Before I get involved with the rest of this, I want to wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas. Speaking of which, it may be a little late now, but here are a couple more gift ideas for the astronomically minded person on your gift list. Probably one of the premier books for any astronomer is "Nightwatch," by Terence Dickinson, published by Firefly Books. Not only is there a wealth of information, there are some great maps of the sky to help locate those objects you will be looking for...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The ninth annual "Shoot for the Shelter" Pool Tournament Dec. 13 was a huge success! It was awesome even. During the event, looking around you saw folks having a good time visiting with friends, playing pool and telling pet stories. With 64 entrants (32 teams) competing, we raised $2,149 for the shelter! What a day! It could not and would not have happened without a LOT of folks helping out and donating time, services or items. A huge thank you goes out to them all!...

Santa and Mrs. Claus present a check for $227 to Joyce Peterson, a member of the board of directors of the McCook, Nebraska, Humane Society Animal Shelter, and her grandchildren, 8-year-old Halie and 2-year-old Ayden. The check represents proceeds from Santa's annual "Pet Night with Santa," during which Santa accepts freewill donations that he in turn donates to the animal shelter in honor of his own animals -- the reindeer...

Central Elementary fourth grade teacher Audrey Feeney, right, leads fellow teachers, students, Principal Kate Repass, left, and counselor Debbie Arp in the singing of "Feliz Navidad" Tuesday morning.

Karmon Coleman and Tacie Fawver draw the name of the grand prize winner, Carlyn Wehrheim of McCook, who won a two-night stay at the Lodge Casino in Blackhawk, Colorado, in the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce's Countdown to Christmas contest.

Staff, board members and friends joined for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday at the chamber's new office, 203 West 2nd, or West 2nd and B Street (Highway 6-34).

Doris Madeline Edwards Sept. 8, 1919 - Dec. 23, 2014 BENKELMAN, Neb. -- Doris Madeline Edwards, daughter of Orrin Leo and Ethel Bell Wilson, was born Sept. 8, 1919, in Dundy County, Nebraska, on her parent's farm 20 miles north of Benkelman. She passed away peacefully at the Hester Memorial Home on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, at the age of 95 years, three months and 16 days...