Stories from Monday, November 18, 2002

Red Willow County District Court Judge John J. Battershell ruled in favor of the city of McCook and the McCook Police Department in a lawsuit filed by Shawn Winder of McCook for negligence on the city's part back in October 1999. Winder, who was hit by a squad car driven by Howard W. ...

COLUMBUS -- Amanda Marie Meyer of Columbus and Benjamin Michael Brown of Wilsonville were united in marriage June 29, 2002, at St. John's Lutheran Church of Shell Creek, in rural Columbus with the Rev. Peter Jark-Swain officiating. Parents of the couple are Vernon Meyer of Bellwood, Sandie and Dennis Reichenberg of Lincoln and Gary and Karen Brown of Wilsonville...

The children of Allen and Gloria Ruppert are hosting an open house in honor of their 40th wedding anniversary, Nov. 23, 2-5 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Maxwell. Cards of congratulations will reach them at P.O. Box 181, Maxwell, NE 69151.

ATWOOD -- Kathryn Marie Sis of Atwood and Dr. Mike Jude Schroeder of Colby were united in marriage Aug. 10, 2002, at St. John's Catholic Church in rural Atwood with the Most Rev. George K. Fitzsimons, bishop of Salina, officiating. Parents of the couple are Michael and Diane Sis of Atwood and Daniel and Janet Schroeder of Colby...

The children of Melvin and Joyce (Zink) Nicholson of Lebanon are hosting a card shower in honor of the couple's 40th wedding anniversary. They were married Nov. 24, 1962, in Danbury. Their family includes their children Michele and Andy Gerkman of South Lyon, Mich., Scott Nicholson of Chicago, Ill., Pam and Les Hotovy of Omaha and Steve Nicholson of Lincoln; and six grandchildren. Cards will reach the couple at Route 1, Box 5, Lebanon, NE 69036...

While sports fans in Red Willow County are applauding the spectacular success of the Republican Valley girls in volleyball and the McCook boys in football, the coaches are spreading the credit, saying the accomplishments of the athletes are made all the more special by outstanding school and community support...

Dear Editor: Well I see where th e city of Mcook said that no matter what, the folks of Mcook will pay an extra $20 per month per household. We are paying to much as it is and can't drink the water. Who says we can after they charge us $20 a month more. Who can afford that? No one in my kind of work. It is hard enough as it is...

Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor. The city of McCook wants to steal from the citizens and give it to themselves. It is not the citizens fault that the past and present council members have goofed and placed the city of McCook into its woes. The city has known of its water problems for many years and as it got worse and people saw they couldn't drink the water, they bought water elsewhere...

Pheasant numbers haven't been all that they had been in years past, but perhaps another game animal can take over the ringneck's spot in outdoor activities. This weekend marks the beginning of the firearm deer season in Nebraska. If you noticed all of the out-of-area license plates and wondered why, that may be your answer...

Erin Michelle Tucker and Scott Daniel Johnson, both of Bellevue, were united in marriage Aug. 10, 2002, at Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook with the Rev. Don Murphy, grandfather of the bridegroom, officiating. Parents of the couple are Cliff and Trish Clapp of McCook, Ray and Pam Tucker of Stillwater, Pa., Mike and Marilyn Kunkel of McCook and Bruce and Sharla Johnson of Valentine...

"Choose to Care" is the theme for this year's United Way fund drive, which has a goal of $81,000 and continues through Dec. 15. The following agencies benefit from your United Way contribution: HEAD START Local United Way contributions assist program opportunities of the local Head Start center, which is administered by Mid- Nebraska Community Action...

Carpenters at the "Green Dream House" in McCook observed "America Recycles Day" Friday by continuing to build "The House that Recycling Built." The house under construction at 902 Norris was the grand prize in an "America Recycles Day" nation-wide drawing in February 2001. The winner was then-McCook resident Judith Mahoney, who purchased and deconstructed an aging apartment house at the corner of Norris Avenue and I Street to build her new $200,000 "dream house."...

The Republican Valley Mustangs celebrate their fifth-straight state volleyball championship Saturday night, after beating Falls City Sacred Heart in three sets. For more on the game, see page 9.

Coach Jeff Gross, Bison tight end Rocky Esteraich and other players celebrate following McCook's drubbing of No. 1-seeded Aurora in semi-final state football action on Saturday. The Bison go on to face the Ralston Rams at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln for the Class B state championship title...

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission had 317 deer pass through the Red Willow County deer check station as if 9 a.m. this morning. A representative of NGPC said all deer that have passed through the check station have appeared healthy. Some 1,500 deer permits were issued in the Republican Unit in Southwest Nebraska...

The new program director at the Ed Thomas YMCA already has four years of parks and recreation department experience under her belt -- and she just graduated from college this past spring. Corrine Edson took over youth and adult programs at the McCook YMCA last month and was busy from the start with youth basketball, adult basketball and racquetball leagues...

Red Willow Western firefighters chop a hole in the roof of a rural McCook farmhouse to ventilate smoke from a fire Nov. 14. Sheriff Gene Mahon said this morning Fire Chief Bill Elliott and sheriff's officers alerted the state fire marshal Thursday night who looked through the house Friday and turned the investigation back to the sheriff's department. ...

If all goes according to plan, the McCook City Council will make its final decision Monday on how McCook should address its ongoing water problems. The vote is set for the regular City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of McCook Auditorium...

Central Elementary student leaders pose with one of the signs they posted on the first Norris Avenue island to show their support for the McCook High School football team, which heads into semifinal action at Aurora at 4 p.m. Saturday. They are (sitting, from left) Michael Grabowski, Ethan Hardin and John Huffman. ...

CURTIS -- Assistant Attorney General Dave Cookson will attend the Dec. 10 Middle Republican Natural Resources District meeting with an update on the Kansas-Nebraska-Colorado Republican River lawsuit. The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m., in the Curtis MRNRD office...

BEAVER CITY -- Letha M. Campbell, 84, died Saturday (Nov. 16, 2002) at the Beaver City Manor. She was born Feb. 13, 1918, at Virginia, to Peter and Francis (Lilly) Dunn. The family moved to Stamford where she attended school. On April 25, 1936, she married Gerald "Buzzy" Campbell at Fort Collins, Colo. They farmed west of Beaver City. They retired in 1981, and moved into Beaver City. She moved to the manor two weeks ago...

Gene T. Doyle, 74, died Friday (Nov. 15, 2002) at Byran LGH East in Lincoln. He was born July 1, 1928, to Charles and Lillie Belle (Groves) Doyle in McCook. He graduated from Red Willow High School in 1945. He served in the U. S. Air Force from 1948 to 1950...

LINCOLN -- Clifford Dean Graham, 75, formerly of McCook, died Wednesday (Nov. 13, 2002) at St. Elizabeth's Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, due to heart failure. He was born May 13, 1927, at Danbury, to Fred and Hazel (Roop) Graham and attended school in Danbury where he was a member of the graduating class of 1945...

Jacqueline Lorraine Willcoxon, 68 died Saturday (Nov. 16, 2002) at Community Hospital in McCook. She was born Aug. 28, 1934, to Lynn Baker and Leva T. Mumby in Swanton. She grew up in Beatrice and attended Beatrice High School and later graduated from Lincoln Community College in 1974...

You were asked to come and you did. Between 150 and 200 supporters of McCook Community College turned out for the MPCCA Board of Governors meeting held at True Hall on the MCC campus Wednesday night. Those speaking in behalf of reinstating the time-honored name of this historic institution did so eloquently and convincingly. ...

Local gasman Manny Reynolds' ad in the Oct. 28, 1942, Gazette said that he was leaving that night for the Army. His ad stated that he appreciated the patronage of his friends and loyal customers at the 777 Super Service and that he hoped to only be gone a few months...

IN FLANDERS FIELDS In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place, and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,...

Dale F. Davis, 70, died Friday (Nov. 15, 2002) at Community Hospital in McCook. He was born June 13, 1932, in Indianola. He was raised by his stepfather, George and mother, Zella Seals in McCook. He graduated from McCook High School in 1950. He worked at Nebraska Public Power for 37 years...