2008 -- A year in review

According to the number of times the page was viewed on the Gazette's Web site, "The Amazing Ed Weir," written by Gazette columnist Walt Sehnert July 7, was the most-read story with 6,253 page views. The second most-read online story with 5,745 page views was the June 18 article, "Single vehicle accident sends two McCook residents to hospital," when a car struck a power pole and caused a brief power outage.

The McCook school board drew the most total online readers, however, with three stories, "School board member resigns," Sept. 9; '"Rumors, lies decried as resignation accepted," Oct. 14 and "Split School board passes on top candidate," Nov. 11 and "Board member receives threatening letter on vote" Nov. 21 drawing nearly 20,000 readers.

Other top stores culled from page one of the McCook Daily Gazette include:

Jan. 2

The people of the McCook area rose to the Harpst Challenge, contributing more than $75,000 to the McCook Community Foundation fund. As a result, Scrooge, known locally as Don Harpst, and his wife, Alice, gave an additional $25,000 to the community foundation. All together, the campaign produced $137,817 in contributions, raising the assets of the McCook Community Foundation to more than $700,000. All but $4,000 of the challenge contributions were for an unrestricted endowment.

Jan. 8

The McCook City Council announced the purchase of the former West Ward Elementary school building from D. Jon Morrison for $100,000. City Manager Kurt Fritsch said Morrison offered the school to the city for that price. The purchase was paid for using sales tax revenue from 2007.

Jan. 14

CURTIS -- Frontier Technologies LLC and the Medicine Valley Economic Development Corp. were one of 27 recipients of grant funds through the Nebraska Rural Development Commission and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The grant provides $40,000 to Medicine Valley Economic Development Corp. and Frontier Technologies LLC to develop a plan for new agricultural-focused technology housed at the University of Nebraska's College of Technical Agriculture. Medicine Valley Economic Development Corp., and Frontier Technologies LLC, will contribute cash and in-kind matching funds.

Jan. 15

The McCook Public Schools board of education added one more year to the contract of interim superintendent David Schley, with a salary/benefit package per month of $10,916.64. Schley will stay on until June 2009, according to the new contract. Schley was hired for one year to allow the school board adequate time to search for a full-time replacement when the former superintendent, Dr. Don Marchant, resigned in May 2007. Schley was originally hired with the option of extending his contract if conditions were right.

Jan. 17

A federal grand jury has returned unsealed indictments against two Southwest Nebraska women accused of embezzlement in two separate cases. Diane L. Rich, of Cambridge, is charged with embezzling approximately $58,000 on or about Jan. 4, 2004, through on or about July 21, 2006, from the Rural Housing Service, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jeannie Wilson, age 28, of Orleans, is charged in a two-count indictment. Count I alleges that on or about Dec. 22, 2006, through on or about Dec. 20, 2007, Wilson embezzled funds from the Atlanta Nebraska Post Office.

Jan. 22

Air Midwest / Mesa Air Group Inc, the airline carrier for McCook, has notified the U.S. Department of Transportation that it will terminate service in McCook and Grand Island, effective April 20.

Jan. 23

The McCook City Council approved Monday night the third and final reading of city ordinances Monday night that reflect continuing the one cent city sales tax and implementing the new half-cent city sales tax that city voters approved. The half-cent tax goes into effect July 1

Jan. 24

A district court judge in Lincoln begins to hear arguments against LB 701, the law created by the Nebraska legislature that levies an additional property tax on homeowners in McCook and other counties in the Republican River Basin. The lawsuit was filed by Friends of the River and alleges the property tax authority allowed under LB701 is unconstitutional for several reason, including that it levies a property tax on only those living in the Republican River Basin to meet a state obligation, the compliance with the Republican River Compact. Because of the lawsuit, a bonding company declined to issued bonds that the three Republican River Basin NRD's were planning to use to pay for surface water they purchased in 2007 for nearly $9 million.

Feb. 2

The city has received a $143,551 grant from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for the Kelley Park Recreational Trail. The grant is for Phase II, that will connect Phase I to Norris Avenue.

Feb. 5

Kyle Potthoff, McCook Public Works Director, gave the McCook City Council a heads up concerning the deteriorating condition of the mature hackberry and linden trees in Norris Park, about 44 trees that are at or near their maximum life span and showing signs of decay. Potthoff said the trees pose a danger if left and recommends that they be cut down.

Feb. 9

Red Willow County Democrats hold the first-ever presidential caucus in the Red Willow County Courthouse. Obama came in with 77 votes, Hilary Clinton 76 and seven uncommitted. Out of about 2,000 registered Democrats in the county, about 161 were signed in Saturday, along with 18 new Democrats.

Feb. 12

Red Willow County won't sue a helicopter kit company for repayment of a county loan "at this time," and county commissioners Monday morning directed county attorney Paul Wood to work out a settlement/agreement with Pawnee Aviation. The company is 12 months delinquent on repayment of a $300,000 loan from the county's revolving loan fund.

Feb. 13

STRATTON -- A grand opening is planned for Stratton Country Market, the town's volunteered- staffed grocery store.

Feb. 18

The McCook City Council gives the go-ahead at its regular meeting Monday night to remove 44 mature trees in Norris Park and on the next day, city crews begin to remove the 100-year old trees. A total of 22 trees eventually are removed.

Feb. 18

Left-hand turn lanes in all four directions on J Street was approved by the council for West Fifth and J Streets, as part of the improvement project on West J. Other improvements include re-surfacing and curb work on West J, from West 10th to Norris Avenue. Construction is slated to begin in late August.

Feb. 25

Gov. Dave Heineman signed into a law a statewide smoking ban that goes into effect June 2009. The ban outlaws smoking in bars, restaurants and most other workplaces. Those exempt are retail smoking shops and places where smoking research is done. Thirty four of the 49 senators voted for the ban.

March 5

Red Willow County Commissioners authorized the purchase of a building next door, that formerly housed a hairdressing salon, at 516 Norris Avenue, for $79,500 during their regular meeting. The building will be purchased with money in the county's jail sinking fund.

March 11

The McCook Public Schools board of education accepted at its monthly meeting $38,876 in donations to purchase new senior high band uniforms. Through the McCook Educational Foundation, individuals have made donations toward the initial goal of 75 new uniforms estimated to cost $28,000-30,000.

March 12

McCook's first-ever, club-level, high school coed soccer team has tryouts for a team.

March 27

JaNan O'Brien of Winfield becomes postmaster at the McCook Post Office.

CURTIS -- A new motel, "Windfield Inn and Suites" is going up in Curtis, thanks to developer David Windfield of Kearney.

March 28

Two airlines have submitted bids to be the essential airline service in McCook. Hawaii Island Air withdrew its bid citing the $500,000 it could cost the city to provide fire and EMT services for Hawaii Island Air's larger aircraft. The other bid came from Great Lakes Aviation, at $1.8 million for service to Kansas City. The U.S. Department of Transportation will choose what airline service to subsidize, with input from city officials on their choice.

March 31

Irrigators who sold their water to natural resources districts in the Republican River Basin will now get their money. LB 1094 is passed by the Nebraska Legislature and allows natural resources districts in the Republican River Basin to borrow $9 million from the state, to pay for water they purchased from irrigators in 2007. The sold water was sent to Kansas to help comply with the Republican River Compact, an agreement between Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado that allocates water usage from the river. The purchase was originally to be paid using a bond, with the bond paid off with LB 701 property taxes, but that came to a halt when the bonding company declined to issue a bond due to a lawsuit filed by by nine property owners in the Republican River Basin. LB 1094 was the priority bill of District. 44 Senator Mark Christensen of Imperial.

April 12

Boy scouts, student council students and other community-minded individuals hit the streets for McCook's Great American Clean-Up.

April 18

Responding to a $5,000 challenge gift from U.S. Senator Ben Nelson, the McCook community has raised an additional $8,900 in cash and commitments to launch a marketing and promotional program called "Vision McCook." When the goal is reached, the Red Willow County Visitors Committee will award Vision McCook an additional $5,000 for marketing and promotion of the McCook area.

April 21

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality approved the permit for McCook to operate a Class I non-hazardous waste injection well at the sewer treatment plant. The well will be used to dispose of waste from the water treatment plant, by pumping it nearly 2,000 feet underground. Currently, the waste is being diverted through the sewer.

April 24

Ground is broken for the Habitat for Humanity home on West Fairacres for the Eric and Jessica Lucero family.

April 30

A pipeline to send water to Kansas is an idea being floated by the three Republican River Basin natural resources districts. Still in the preliminary stages, Phase I included an engineering study that identified nine possible wells sites, where water pumped from these wells would be stored at Harlan County Dam and sent to Kansas via a pipeline. Phase II includes the design phase. Both phases were financed by state fund with a 20 percent match. Funding for the wells/pipeline will come from the taxing authority in LB 701, from the state or some other mechanism, according to Dan Smith, general manager of the Middle Republican Natural Resources District.

May 8

BARTLEY -- Southwest Public Schools students, staff and board of education members, patrons and parents gather for the official groundbreaking of the new Southwest Junior-Senior High in Bartley.

May 13

The president of a McCook helicopter kit company is meeting with an unnamed major aerospace company about providing help in bringing the kits to full production. The McCook company, Pawnee Aviation, is under pressure from local officials to begin repayment of a revolving loan fund and begin producing the kits. Ron Willocks of Pawnee Aviation told the Gazette that both his company and the unnamed company are practicing due diligence before entering into an official business relationship including flight testing. The company has especially rigid standards, he said, because it markets to international buyers.

May 14

BENKELMAN -- Dundy County voters Tuesday approved a property tax not to exceed 4.84 cents to update the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. And at the Arapahoe polls, voters said "yes" to a sales tax revenue/economic development question.

May 15

YMCA launches its "Save the Wave" campaign to raise funds for improvements to the swimming pool with the hopes of garnering more than $400,000. The "Save the Wave" campaign was developed to replace the dehumidifying system.

May 20

Lancaster County District Court Judge Paul Merritt in Lincoln ruled LB 701, a law created and passed by the Nebraska State Legislature in 2007, is unconstitutional as it violated the "closed classed" section of the Nebraska constitution as it applied to only three of the Republican River Basin NRDs. Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, representing the state, immediately files an appeal with the Nebraska Supreme Court. Despite the ruling, LB 701 property taxes are still collected from residents in the Republican River Basin.

May 23

Heavy rains deluge the area and nine tornados were reported in Decatur County. Rain, runoff and creek water washed over U.S. Highway 6 -34 west of McCook, power was off for several hours in Bartley and Lebanon due to straight-line winds ripping down power lines and snapping off powerpoles. Up to six inches of rain was reported in Bartley. Stormy weather continued for the rest of the month.

May 30

Denver will be just an hour away, when Great Lakes Aviation begins service Sunday at McCook Regional Airport. Great Lakes will offer approximately three flights daily and two on the weekends to Denver International Airport. Great Lakes was the essential air service carrier for McCook until 2006, when the city switched to Air MidWest/Mesa.

June 10

A $5,000 grant was awarded to the city of McCook/Southwest Public Health Department/McCook Community Foundation for the program, "More FIT McCook," by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. The $5,000 will help fund costs for new gym equipment for exercise stations on the Kelley Park Walking trail. Sponsorships covered other costs of the equipment.

July 9

Since the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services facility opened in 2001, WEC's Offender Road Crews have logged more than 250,000 hours of work in the community, providing free labor to county, state and local governmental agencies and non-profit organizations. During May alone, more than 30 agencies benefited from this labor.

July 15

The McCook City Council is told during budget discussions that the Norris Park Bandshell is in desperate need of repairs. $6,000 is included in the 2008-09 budget for a renovation study on the bandshell, to see what the costs will be to renovate/repair the structure.

July 20

Norris Avenue is resurfaced from F to O Streets with an inch and a half of fresh asphalt.

July 22

The City of McCook has lost a lawsuit against Retro Development and has filed for a new ruling. District Court Judge David Urbom in Red Willow County ruled that the tax increment proceeds from the old YMCA building in McCook, renovated into apartments, should go to the company that purchased the building. The McCook City Council agreed to allow Michael Bacon, who represented the city in the initial lawsuit, to appeal the case at no charge in the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

Aug. 4

McCook Senior High's 2007 graduating class scored the highest college-prep ACT composite test score in the past five years, the McCook School Board was told at their regular meeting. MHS students scored an average of 23.0 in English, math, reading and science, a score above the state average of 22.1 and the national average of 21.1.

Aug. 4

The construction on J Street, scheduled to begin later in the month, is postponed due to concerns from the federal highway administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on how the project would impact eagles. Concerns were resolved but the city must still get approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and from the Nebraska Department of Roads. The project can then be bid out in winter with construction beginning in Spring 2009. Improvements include re-surfacing and left-hand turning lanes on West J and West Fifth.

Aug. 12

The McCook Chamber of Commerce host a Battle of the Bands at the city auditorium as part of the Chamber's "August Rush" youth promotion. The concert was very well attended but a little loud for her taste, Chamber director Pam Harsh said at a McCook City Council meeting. The winner, Black Tie Affair, opened for national recording artists Deaf Pedestrians.

Aug. 16

Volunteer Campaign Chairman Jeff Shaddock of the YMCA announced that the fund-raising campaign to renovate the swimming pool area has reached its goal of $400,000 in pledges for the project. The funds will pay for a new dehumidifier along with new lighting, a new salt-water generating chlorinator, a new high pressure sand filter for the main pool and paint.

Aug. 19

Red Willow County Commissioners vote to keep a country road 713 open, the subject of a heated battle between neighbors Stan Quigley and Janice and Phil Bamesberger. Quigley wanted the road kept open to access their farm fields and pasture; the Bamesbergers, who recently purchased land that borders the boundary of Quigley's land, had wanted to erect a fence. Commissioners said the dispute boiled down to bad information before the fence was built and a neighborhood dispute over land ownership.

Aug. 25

McCook Community College completed a $145,000 renovation in Barnett Hall. The chemistry and physical laboratories in the ground floor of Barnett Hall were gutted and rebuilt with state-of-the art technology upgrades, new cabinetry, casework, sinks and high-efficiency fume hoods. In addition, staff installed new 47-inch flat screen video equipment in the new chemistry and physics labs.

Aug. 26

After four years of no activity, construction begins on the Phase I section of the Kelley Park Walking trail, from the lower shelter house at Kelley Park to East H.

Sept. 3

The McCook City Council announces that a former McCook resident, who wants to stay anonymous, will donate funds to pay for a feasibility study/architectutal analysis scheduled for the Norris Park Bandshell. The funds will be channeled through the Norris Foundation and pay for a study that will be done by an architectural firm in Lincoln. The $6,000 initially allotted in the city budget for the study will be used toward costs of renovating the structure.

Sept. 8

Red Willow County Commissioners learn at their regular meeting that a Mexico investor has agreed to take over payments owed by Pawnee Aviation to Red Willow County in revolving loan funds. But commissioners reject that offer and instead want the full payment of the $300,000 owed plus interest

Sept. 8

Without explanation, McCook School Board president Greg Larson resigned his position at the regular school board meeting. Because the letter of resignation was not submitted at 1least 24 hours before the meeting, the board could not formally accepted it, which they will do at a later date. Two years and two months are left in his term.

Sept. 8

The Middle Republican Natural Resources District in Curtis decided not to levy in 2008-09 the additional 4.75-cent property tax or the $7.31 per irrigated acre occupation tax allowed in LB 701, in response to the lawsuit that challenges the taxes, now on appeal at the Nebraska Supreme Court. The Lower and Upper NRDs in the Republican River Basin also decide not to levy LB 701 taxes for 2008, but the Upper district did keep the occupation tax.

Sept. 8-9

The "Bur Oak Symposium," hosted Sept. 8 and 9 by Common Scents and McCook Community College, attracted a wide array of people from nine states wondering how a stand of bur oak trees has grown and survived thousands of years in a canyon in remote Hitchcock County in Southwest Nebraska.

Sept. 15

At the regular City Council meeting, city officials go through future improvements scheduled at McCook parks, including those slated for Norris Park in 2009. The park will get new playground equipment using $100,000 of city sales tax revenue and new sidewalks at $50,000, using general funds. Other improvements are scheduled for Barnett Park, with four lighted aerator fountains at the Barnett Park ponds and new sidewalks at the Jaycee Ball Complex. At the McCook Regional Airport, a new eight-plex hangar will be built for $500,000, with 95 percent of the cost paid with federal funds.

Sept. 15

A copper time capsule buried in the cornerstone of the 100-year old Masonic Temple Building on the 300 block of Norris Avenue is opened. Found inside are copies of the 1908 McCook Republican and McCook Tribune newspapers, a Bible, books of Masonic bylaws (some dating from 1906) and a $10 stock certificate issued for the construction of the Masonic building and opera house.

Sept. 22

CURTIS -- Dr. George Garlick, former Curtis and Maywood native, dedicates the new "Curtis Memorial Community Center." Garlick donated a gift of more $1 million toward the construction of the new facility, in honor of his parents. The building will be used for the Curtis city offices and includes a gym, a teen center, kitchen, dining room and multi-purpose rooms.

Sept. 23

The Red Willow County Commissioners will draft an agreement concerning $300,000 owed by Pawnee Aviation, that will allow the helicopter kit company to make payments to the county for the next 10 years. If a payment is not received by the 15th of each month, the county will sue.

Oct. 14

The McCook School board officially accepts the resignation of president Greg Larson with board member Shane Messersmith reading a prepared statement that said the resignation was due to rumors and lies. The board also adopted an application and interview process to determine who will fill the two years left on Larson's term. To begin the process of finding a new superintendent, the board unanimously votes to retain the services of the Nebraska Association of School Boards Superintendent Search Service , for$5,000. The fee is based on enrollment.

Oct. 16

LINCOLN -- McCook High School's Jeff Gross and Mark Brahmer of Pierce will be the head coaches for the 2009 Nebraska Shrine Bowl football game. The game will be played July 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Oct. 2

After getting no reply from Ron Willocks, owner of Pawnee Aviation, on the County's forebearance to sue, Red Willow County Commissioners decide to pursue a lawsuit. The forebearance to sue agreement, signed by commissioners Sept. 22, and sent to the helicopter kit company, Pawnee, has the conditions that monthly payments of $3,524.45 must be paid for the next 10 years, or the county would sue for the entire amount due.

Nov. 4

Voters cast their ballots and Sen. Barack Obama is elected as the 44th president of the United States. In Nebraska, 57 percent of the votes come in for Sen. John McCain with Sen. Obama receiving 41 percent.

Locally, McCook School Board incumbents Diane Lyons and Tom Bredvick are re-elected along with newcomer Maury Green. City Council incumbents Aaron Kircher and Jack Rogers are also are re-elected. Members elected for the five open positions on the MRNRD include incumbents Joe Aanderjaska and Rick Spencer, along with newcomers Rick McConville, James Uerling and Buck Haag.

Area-wide, Benkelman voters approved a one and half cent city sales tax; Furnas and Gosper county rejected a 3/10 of one cent property tax for the two counties' shared historical society; residents in Cambridge, Imperial Furnas and Chase counties voted to not fluoridate their water

Nov. 7

Three suspects were arraigned in Red Willow County Court in connection with the Oct. 30 break-in at the U.S. Post Office in Bartley. Kacey L. Maret, Miranda Vanderpool and Jonathan W. Weems, age and addresses unknown, were charged with felony burglary charges in connection to the break in at the Bartley post office. As with all felony charges, the three are bound over to District Court.

Nov. 11

Parker Hannifin officials confirm that 24 employees were laid off, joining 28 other employees that took a voluntary lay-off in October. The second of three shifts, from 3-11 p.m., was eliminated.

Nov. 11

By 3-2, the McCook School board appoints Gary Power to replace the vacancy created by the resignation of school board president Greg Larson. Board members ranked each applicant for the position to narrow down the field to the top two candidates, from whom the board would vote on. Scott Johnson came in first and a tie-breaker for second place was won by Gary Power. Board members voted between the top two candidates with Power coming in first by 3-2, with Diane Lyons Shane Messersmith and Larry Shields voting in favor of Power and Tom Bredvick and Mike Gonzales voting in favor of Johnson.

Nov. 18

A special meeting was announced for Nov. 24 to possibly rescind the appointment of Gary Power, to revisit the issue and allow for public comment. Some members of the public are upset about the way the appointment was made at the Nov. 11 meeting and feel since Scott Johnson came in first in the ranking system, he should have been appointed to fill the vacant seat.

Nov. 21

Police are investigating an anonymous threatening letter to McCook School board member Shane Messersmith. Messersmith said the letter, mailed from a location in McCook, warned of consequences if he did not change his vote so that Gary Power was not sworn in at the next board meeting.

Nov. 24

After 13 citizens from a crowd of about 160 voiced their opinion against the appointment process used at the Nov. 11 meeting, the McCook School board rescinds the appointment of Gary Power by 2-3. Lyons and Messersmith vote against rescinding the vote and Shields, Bredvick and Gonzales vote in favor.

Nov. 28

Several exercise equipment pieces for Phase I of the Kelley Park Walking trail are installed, just in time to work off Thanksgiving calories.

Dec. 3

The Nebraska Supreme Court of Appeals begins to review arguments in the appeal brought by the state concerning LB701. The state filed the appeal against the District Court's ruling that found the property tax authority in LB 701 was unconstitutional.

Dec. 4

Valmont Industries lays off 41 employees in McCook, citing the faltering economy.

Dec. 4

The McCook City Fire Department is awarded a $102,458 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grant will be used to purchase 20 self-contained breathing apparatus air packs.

Dec. 6

Plans to renovate the Keystone Hotel are moving forward, as the City Council agrees to assist the restoration with tax increment financing and the use of the city's bonding ability. The McCook Economic Development Corp. will refurbish the building as a business/entreuprenial center.

Dec. 6

McCook has earned the Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community designation, sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats. The nationwide program recognizes communities for being prepared for economic development.

Dec. 9

The McCook Public Schools board of education unanimously appoints Scott Johnson to fill the vacancy on the six-member board.

Dec. 12

The pitter-patter of little feet is heard at the McCook City Fire Department, with the arrival of a new fire house dog, the dalmatian puppy named "Axe."

Dec. 15

Design plans for the second phase of the Kelley Park Walking Trail will have to be reconfigured, as it will cost an extra $100,000 to make the current design ADA accessible.

Dec. 17

Herschel Huff, 35, charged with the death of 28-year old Kasey Jo Warner in October 2007, finally makes his way to court, where his bond is upped to $2 million cash. Huff was free on his original bond but allegedly violated conditions of his bond release. Huff has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Warner and not guilty to motor vehicle homicide, tampering with a witness and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

Dec. 20

Because of a little-known state law, offenders/inmates from the Nebraska Department of Corrections Work Ethic Camp in McCook will no longer be able to work for McCook Public Schools, or on any other school grounds or college campuses. The state statute (83-183) prohibits persons committed to the Department of Corrections from working on the property or campuses of school districts, educational service units, community colleges, state colleges or universities. WEC officials figure that offenders/inmates have provided $1.69 million worth of labor to area schools, using the hourly minimum wage at $6.55 per hour.

Dec. 21

Myron Mingo, a sophomore basketball player at McCook Community College, is shot and killed as an innocent bystander in a bar incident in his hometown of Marksville, La..

Dec. 22

Balloonist enthusiast John Kugler, a McCook businessman, will be inducted into the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame on Jan. 29