Stories from Friday, July 26, 2019

McCOOK, Neb. — What a difference six nights make as six-point plays filled the McCook Football League season finales at Weiland Field Thursday evening. After Friday’s openers featured only four offensive TDs, there were four scores of 40 yards or more on Thursday...

50th anniversary The family of Roger and Lynn Kolbet of Culbertson, Neb., is hosting a open house in honor of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. They were married Aug. 30, 1969, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in McCook, Neb. The open house is Saturday, Aug. ...

80th birthday The family of Loren Griffin of McCook is hosting an open house in honor of his 80th birthday. He was born Aug. 25, 1939. The open house is Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, from 2-5 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 308 E. Ninth in McCook. His family includes his wife, Ellen; children, Brenda (Tim) Walter of McCook, Linda (John) Brewster of McCook,Tim Griffin of North Platte, Neb., Margo (Tim) Schnell of Lincoln, Neb., Paul Griffin of McCook, Mary (Rick)Tolliver of Springfield, Neb., Laura (Ryan) Johnson of Lincoln and Jim Griffin North Platte; 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. ...

90th birthday The family of Marjorie Schlegel of rural Culbertson, Neb., is hosting an open house in honor of her 90th birthday. She was born July 28,1929, in Culbertson. The open house is Sunday, July 28, 2019, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Econolodge/Rodeway Inn (Chief Motel) Courtyard in McCook, Neb. ...

I have written before about Red Willow County taking exhibits to the Nebraska State Fair of farm products. Quite often the Burlington would offer a free train ride to those exhibits and the people accompanying them. There were even pictures of the exhibits in the Tribune when Red Willow placed well at the state level, but I never quite understood what was behind the exuberance in a county, rather than individuals participating...

Herding pigs is about as easy as the proverbial "herdin' cats," but 4-H'ers give it their best. Red Willow County swine showmen competed before livestock judge Kensey Freeman of Aurora at the county fair in McCook on a cool morning Thursday. Freeman kept a close eye on senior showmen Kara Oltmer, Bailey Oltmer, Ethan Spencer, Delaney Critchfield and Tori Honn, and also visited with intermediate showman, Jack Siegfried. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A quick rundown of results from the Red Willow County Fair Demolition Derby Thursday night. 90s and newer Heat one: 1. Matt Rippen, 2. Dustin Patton, 3. Caleb Sughroue, 4. Nathan Lytle, 5. Devon Mexiner. Heat two: 1. A.J. McDonald, 2. Tyson Karr, 3. Nick Weimers...

Brothers John "G" O'Dea, left, and Jake O'Dea of rural Indianola show Charolais-cross full brothers — G named his "Stripe" and Jake's steer is "Gizmo" — in Market Beef Class 4 at the Red Willow County fair this morning on the fairgrounds in McCook. G showed his animals despite wearing a hard cast on his right wrist and a brace on two fingers of his left hand, injuries from a car accident earlier this summer. ...

Gene and I were good friends. Not the kind of friends that hung out together or socialized together but good friends nevertheless. Perhaps the impetus for that friendship was the fact we were both Democrats in an area of the country where there aren’t many. But I know we connected soon after I moved here in 1995 and stayed connected until his death...

McCOOK, Neb. — A look at the McCook National Bank lineup getting ready to take on Class B State Legion tournament foes starting Saturday afternoon. BATTING Cam Berry .360 batting average, .437 on-base percentage, 50 hits, 38 runs, 26 RBI. Drew Harvie .328 batting average, .409 on-base percentage, nine doubles, seven triples and 29 RBI...

KEARNEY, Neb. -- Steven C. Simeon, 70, died Wednesday, July 25, 2019, at Mt. Carmel Home in Kearney. Steven Charles Simeon was born May 5, 1949 in McCook, Nebraska to Robert and Bertha (Thummel) Simeon. He was raised in McCook and was a 1968 graduate of McCook High School. On April 14, 1973, he was united in marriage to Lynn Hogeland. Steve worked at Grayson Tool Company in Minden as a welder...

GERING, Neb. — East will be going far, far west when Springfield travels to take on McCook National Bank in Saturday’s Class B Legion Seniors state opening round. Pairings were released Thursday afternoon for the eight-team, double-elimination tournament at Gering’s Oregon Trail Park...

David Lewis Simpson was born July 29, 1937, at the family farm southwest of Oberlin, Decatur County, Kansas. David was the fifth child and only son born to Holden and Neva (Landau) Simpson. He passed away July 24, 2019 in Dresden, Kan., at the age of 81...

McCOOK, Neb. — The rundown of top McCook Football League teams and performances during their 2019 season at Weiland Field: Highest scoring team: The Colts with 55 points; Redskins tallied 50. Fewest points allowed: The Redskins allowed seven points total in three contests (2.3)...

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Robert Burke Hoyt, age 76, of McCook, died Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the VA Hospital, Cheyenne, Wyo. Services are pending with Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel.

STRATTON, Neb. -- Neal D. Hudson, age 95, of McCook, Neb., passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. at his home in Brookdale, McCook. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m., on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, at the Stratton Church of Christ in Stratton, Neb., with Pastor Randy Hayes, officiating...

OBERLIN, Kan. — An 81-year-old Oberlin man died in the collision Wednesday, at 2:34 p.m., of his pickup and a semi truck at the junction of K123 and K383 at Dresden. According to the accident investigation by Kansas Highway Patrol troopers, David L. ...

Neises, Randels Kellie Julie Neises and Blake Andrew Randels of Medicine Lodge, Kan., announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Gary and Deanna Snyder of McCook, Neb., and Shawn Neises of Kingman, Kan. Grandparents are Ron and Mary Thielen of Gilbert, Ariz. Great-grandparent is Mary Oller of Cunningham, Kan...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Dundy County attorney Gary Burke has been accused of incompetency as a criminal prosecutor and may face a recall election. Burke told the Benkelman Post and News-Chronicle he is disappointed that a resident would choose to use a recall effort rather than coming into his office to discuss her concerns...