Stories from Thursday, June 21, 2018

CURTIS, Neb. — The Middle Republican Natural Resources District plans a special meeting and executive session Monday to discuss “the job performance of current officers.” MRNRD board member and chairman Buckley “Buck” Haag of rural Bartley was one of seven men arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution in an undercover sting operation in Grand Island on June 8...

McCOOK, Neb. — At the Nebraska competition of “National American Miss” June 7-9 in Omaha, a 5-year-old McCook girl won the title of “Cover Girl” and the chance to compete in the national pageant in Hollywood, Calif., in November. Alexandria Diane Murillo came home from Omaha with a crown, a sash, a trophy and roses from the pageant in which she also won the art and actress competitions and the “Spirit of America” award, and placed fourth runner-up in casual wear and photogenic qualities...

This was the first year we heard TV weather people refer to “meteorological” summer as June 1, but today’s the official first day of summer. We’re having 15 days of sunlight in McCook today — maybe a skosh more since we’re a few miles north of the 40th parallel, which forms the Kansas-Nebraska border...

So June is basically just pure softball in our house, except for a few hours spread out here and there for work and sleeping. I added it up the other weekend and with two kids at one weekend tournament, three games per child per day, with on average 75 minutes per game puts me at around 15 hours of sitting and watching ballgames in two days. ...

This week I want to explore further the property tax problem we have in Nebraska. One of the main problems is how we value property. Some have been talking about going to an income producing method of valuing real estate for taxation purposes. Some of our surrounding states are using that method currently and Nebraska has used it in the past...

Every care facility has a platoon of warriors ... residents and staff. I am reminded of this every time that I go there. July 2017, my retired life of 20 years ended for 34 days and every one of them was a reminder that those warriors had much to show me about real life...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Heritage Men’s Golf League started a two-week playoff Wednesday night with teams divided into three flights. Finals will be played next week. A League First flight: Samway/Barnett’s 18-18 over MGT; Trenton Agency Red 22-14 over Culbertson Bank...

McCOOK, Neb. — Here are top five in each season points race as the Republican River Fitness Series rolls into Michele’s Memorial Triathlon on Saturday. Age 19 and under Women: 1. Joslyn Hammond 45 points, 2. Rinlee Blomstedt 27, 3. Alyssa Koch 23, 4. Joslin Hammond 15, 5. Natalie Roberts, Paige Wilkinson and Kori Koeppen, 13...

I’ll admit it. I play favorites. I have my favorite sport (soccer) and my favorite ice cream (peanut butter fudge). No, I do not have a favorite child (although they may claim I do). But I do play favorites when it comes to the days of the year. I love the fall morning after daylight savings times ends, when it is actually easy to get out of bed...

IMPERIAL, Neb. — First Central Bank did a number on Imperial Wednesday night that the home team will again be happy to forget. Leading just 2-1, the FCB Juniors unleashed a 13-run second inning and later touched home eight more times to finish their 23-6 road victory...

McCook Rebels Pink powerhouse Emily Jacobs (29) sends a rocket soaring over the defense during last week’s state 18-and-under fastpitch softball tournament. The Rebels captured a state championship on those same Hastings diamonds where McCook High knocked off No. 1 Elkhorn South in last fall’s Class B state tourney. A team photo of the champions was featured in Tuesday’s Gazette...

Street Auto Spa Tin Caps fell to the Pfeffer Service Bulls 10-8 on Wednesday on the final play of the game. The game was tied 8-8 with the Pfeffer Service Bulls batting in the bottom of the fifth when Bryson Gullion singled on a 1-1 count, scoring two runs...