Stories from Friday, June 28, 2019

FELLING FIELD — Their first six batters struck out and nine of 10 went down without a hit Thursday night. A Parker Scrappers coach was chasing down more wild warm-up pitches than hitters putting the ball into play. They fell behind Bortner Pioneer Seed Tin Caps, 4-0, and still trailed 4-1 with three outs remaining in this Minors League championship game at Felling Field...

Robert “Bob” Ham Jan 29, 1955 - June 24, 2019 MAX, Neb. — Robert “Bob” Ham of Max, passed away June 24, 2019, at Bryan East Hospital after a bravely fought battle with cancer at the age of 64 years old. Bob was born Jan 29, 1955, in Benkelman, Neb., to Don and Ruby (Blosmo) Ham. He spent his childhood and young adult years finding adventure on the family farm, earning top Eagle Scout honors and excelling in high school athletics...

97th birthday Nadine Lafferty of Oberlin, Kan., will celebrate her 97th birthday on Sunday, July 7, 2019. Cards of congratulations will reach her at Good Samaritan Center, 108 East Hall, Oberlin, KS, 67749.

Britta Marie Gaulke Bobby and Stephanie Gaulke of McCook announce the birth of their daughter, Britta Marie Gaulke, who was born May 9, 2019, at McCook. She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 20 inches long. She has one sister, Cecilia, 2. Grandparents are Michael and Diane Sis of Atwood, Kan., and Bob and Diane Gaulke of McCook. ...

Eliza Jean Meyers Derek and Natalie Meyers of Indianola, Neb., announce the birth of their daughter, Eliza Jean Meyers, who was born May 21, 2019 at McCook. She weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 21 inches long. She has one brother, Darin, 4. Grandparents are Kent and Deb Meyers of McCook, and Mike and Linda Nuss of Sutton, Neb...

The 1935 Flood has been extensively covered over the years, but I was always curious about what happened afterwards. A wonderful morning spent with Clara (Lebsack) Adams and her gift of a scrapbook to the genealogical society helped fill in some of those blanks...

McCOOK, Neb. — Nebraska’s spring flooding is making an impact on scheduled improvements to the McCook airport, with the project now $292,222 over estimated costs. The initial estimate of $1.3 million for improvements at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, with 90% paid by a federal grant, received only one bid at $1.5 million. With remaining expenses at $88,772 for engineering costs and $9,590 for the Nebraska Dept. of Transportation administration cost, total costs ballooned to $1.6 million...

Every year the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce travels the state talking about their priorities for the state legislature. Every year that I’ve attended, the message has been the same on the need to lower our state taxes. When they came to McCook last fall, I was ready to hear the same message. I was surprised. New State Chamber president Bryan Sloan said the lack of a qualified workforce is now the most pressing economic issue in the state...

McCOOK, Neb. — The new Southwest Nebraska Rodeo Queen, Junior Queen and Princess will be crowned following competition Saturday in McCook. Eleven girls will compete for the 2019 title. The horsemanship division and interviews with judges start at 9 a.m., in the open-air arena on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Style shows, judge interviews and speeches start at 1 p.m., in the 4-H Building. 2019 Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska and other title-holders will attend...

McCook arborist Bruce Hoffman, right, tells "Tree Walk" participants, including Phil and Mary Pate and Dennis Berry, that many of the trees near the north (lower) shelter house in Kelley Park were transplanted there from along Kelley Creek by City of McCook crews in 2000. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- When the May 17 tornado destroyed a family farm near McCook, the twister actually unearthed something positive with dozens of volunteers stepping up to help with cleanup and repairs. That community spirit is one of the reasons McCook is in the running for “Nicest Place in America” by Reader’s Digest...

LINCOLN, Neb. — After reviewing 2018 Nebraska Football Fan Day, the Athletic Department recognized the need to change the process of managing coach Scott Frost’s autograph line. Because of the incredible demand last year, more than half of the people in Frost’s line were not able to get his autograph in the two-hour window...

McCOOK, Neb. — Pinnacle Bank Bison 14U defeated Southwest Hermann Jones Junior B 6-0 on Thursday as two pitchers combined to throw a shutout in league semifinal playoff game at McCook’s Jaycees Complex. Alex Anthony recorded his fourth and final strikeout to finish a five-hitter...