The Gazette's New Year's Baby of 2008 appears to be Blake Alan Hagan, born Tuesday, Jan. 1, at 2:08 p.m., to Dawn and Bruce Hagan Jr. of Culbertson.

If no earlier baby is reported to the Gazette by 9 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 3, little Blake Hagan officially will be declared the first baby born in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas in 2008.

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Call the Gazette with a baby's birth statistics at (308) 345-4500 or leave a message at extension 113; send a fax, (308) 345-7881; or send an e-mail to cdiscoe@mccook-gazette.com; and provide this information -- the baby's birth date and exact time, location of birth, mother's/parents' name(s) and address, doctor's name and contact numbers.

A mother/parents must report the baby's birth; hospitals and doctors no longer release birth statistics.

Gift certificates honoring the new baby will be presented by: Unique Boutique, Community Hospital of McCook, Eakes Office Plus, McCook National Bank, Phones Etc., Southwest Implement, Farrell's Pharmacy and Hallmark Shop, Tranquil Valley Spa (Tri Valley Health System), Runza, Big Mama's and Big Papa's of Cambridge and the Gazette.