Stories from Monday, June 4, 2018

McCOOK, Neb. -- Gage Ihrig isn’t too far removed from being Wichita State's ace golfer...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Steady scores led first-timer Mike Colgate to Sunday’s John Mullen Pro-Am title...

Kenny Markvicka Aug. 12, 1986 - May 30, 2018 ST. PAUL, Neb. — Kenny Markvicka, 31, of St. Paul, died Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Lincoln, Neb., as the result of a motorcycle accident. Because of Kenny’s love of the outdoors, a memorial service will be Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., at the Leonard Koziol Wildlife Management area, two and half miles east of Highway 281 on Twin Forks Lane, north of St. ...

Martin Leibbrandt IMPERIAL, Neb. — Martin Leibbrandt, 91, of Imperial, died Friday (June 1, 2018), at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Neb. Survivors include his wife, Lois Leibbrandt of Imperial; children, Steve Leibbrandt and wife, Deb and Tim Leibbrandt and wife, Terri of Imperial and Kathy Hult and husband, Dave of Lincoln, Neb.; brother, Lewis Leibbrandt and wife, Doris of Phoenix, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren...

50th anniversary The family of Dale and Cheryl Stewart of Indianola, Neb., are hosting an open house in honor of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. The open house is Sunday, June 10, 2018, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Community Center in Indianola. Their family includes children, Bryon (Julia) Stewart of McCook, Kevin (Lara) Stewart of McCook, Jason (Melissa) Stewart of Lexington, Neb., and six grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at P.O. Box 25, Indianola, NE 69024...

50th anniversary The family of Jerry and Jenene (Phares) Smith of Palisade, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. They were married on June 8, 1968, in Palisade. Their family includes children, Jeff (Julie) Smith of McCook, Neb., Matt (Jamie) Smith of Chandler, Ariz,; and four grandchildren, Samuel, Madison, Jack and Kate. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 4018 N. Hidden Canyon Drive, Florence, Ariz., 85132...

McCOOK, Neb, — Red Willow County will continue its support of the McCook Humane Society animal shelter after commissioners agreed at their weekly meeting this morning to contribute $3,000 for 2018/19. Commissioner Jacque Riener said that commissioners don’t know the county’s money situation for next year yet, as budget work for 2018-19 is just beginning. She said, however, that with some farmland valuations going down, a contribution to the animal shelter “probably can’t go up.”...

TRENTON, Neb. — The Stratton man accused of harboring too many dogs and not having them licensed and vaccinated was found guilty Friday afternoon on 43 counts and must pay thousands of dollars in fees before he can reclaim any of the dogs, in addition to court fines and court costs...

Christians who feel their beliefs are not being given weight equal to those of other religions may find some small comfort in today’s Supreme Court ruling regarding a Colorado baker’s refusal to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. Baker Jack Phillips was found guilty of violating Colorado’s law against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation after he refused to bake a wedding cake for Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins in 2012...

Recently, in a conversation with one of the fellows at Brookdale, the subject of smoking came up. He told his story, that when he was a teenager he got into his father’s cigarettes and got caught trying them out behind the barn. His father, rather than gave him a good talking to, instead gave him a good paddling. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Thursday’s game against the Sports Shoppe Cubs was a heartbreaker for Royals, as they lost the lead late in a 4-3 defeat. The game was tied at one with the Sports Shoppe Cubs batting in the top of the fourth when Kollin Werkmeister homered on a 1-1 count, scoring three runs...

Many early settlers of Nebraska can trace their family tree back to the Franks (they were Germanic people). The family of an acquaintance of mine were Franks who went to Frank, Russia, in the 1500s to farm the land. They fled from bad conditions and farmed in Nebraskans...

MINDEN, Neb. — McCook alums JoAnne Neel and Brantliegh Morgan were part of two more big volleyball wins at the New West All-Star Classic Friday evening. The Bison duo helped a team of Southwest Conference All-Stars win both their matches including a 25-19, 25-17 finals win over Republican Valley Athletic Conferece (RPAC) top players...

McCOOK, Neb. — Trailing 3-2, Pinnacle Bank unleashed a pair of six-run innings to rout Minden 14-4 in Legion baseball action Friday. Jayden Karp batted a thousand with his three-for-three hitting, two runs scored and an RBI. Cameron Werkmeister singled and doubled...

KEARNEY, Neb. — If you’re a fan of the Nebraska football team, especially the future of the Blackshirts, then the 60th annual Shrine Bowl was the game for you. Several Husker walk-on prospects suited up for Saturday’s game, but none was more impressive than Gretna’s Joey Johnson...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — A suspect was shot following a pursuit that crossed two counties in central Nebraska Monday morning. The pursuit of a stolen vehicle began in Dawson County near Highway 30 and Road 490. Near the initial stages of the pursuit with Dawson County Sheriff’s deputies, shots were fired...