Stories from Tuesday, December 17, 2019

McCOOK, Neb. — A race in December is always dicey, but nearly 50 runners and walkers turned up Saturday for the 2019 Reindeer Run at Barnett Park - despite the cold and flurries. Bundled head to toe, the racers covered a cross-country course through the trees and around the entire park before ending with hot chocolate at the finish line...

Your old columnist, an Air Force veteran, was humbled recently by a Marine no less. “You would think that having a great grandson named after him would at least mention his name in print!” was Marine dad Brant Scherbarth’s challenge. So I am proudly announcing the birth of Urijah (the “j” is silent) Richard Scherbarth was born on November 18th, 9 pounds 5 oz. ...

Dear McCook and SW Nebraska friends, Thank You my friends for helping me once again with my Adopt-a-Chaplain project in sending care packages to our Chaplains and our troops. This year we sent 320 boxes to our seven Chaplains. So far, I have heard from three of them saying the boxes have arrived and contents have been given out to many who are in remote places...

We understand the reasoning behind prohibiting religious displays on public property. The Judeo-Christian majority would certainly be offended should a satanic cult appropriate public property, and atheists have a right to object to their tax dollars being used to “promote” religion, as tiny an amount as may be involved...

Darlene Joyce Burr Feb. 16, 1933 - Dec. 13, 2019 BIRD CITY, Kan. — Darlene Joyce Burr, 86, diedFriday (Dec. 13, 2019), at Fort Morgan, Colo. She was born Feb. 16, 1933, in Guide Rock, Neb. She was a homemaker. She was preceeded in death by her husband, Wiliam Burr; and son, Richard Burr...

50th anniversary The family of Mike and Linda Searcey of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. Their family includes sons, Mark and wife, Sara of Culbertson, Lee and wife, Jenny of Lincoln, Neb., and Lynn and wife, Jennifer of Parker, Colo. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 71513 Road 380, McCook, NE 69001...

McCOOK, Neb. — City of McCook electric customers won’t get “scrooged” on their electric bills, at least for now. But the McCook City Council will still have the option to increase the percentage of lease payments that city electric customers pay, when it discusses the matter during the budget season next year...

McCOOK, Neb. — When Ken Foster, 85, first started in the banking business, adding machines were operated with a lever. Things have changed a little since then. “Who would have thought you can now take picture of a check with your phone to deposit it?” Foster mused, who is retiring from First Central Bank, his second retirement, after 55 total years in banking...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska Community Foundation is pleased to welcome Cindy Huff of McCook as a new member to the NCF board of directors. Huff was elected to the NCF board on November 15, 2019.  Huff is a retired school superintendent after 32 years of service to public schools in central and southwest Nebraska. ...

HOLDREGE, Neb. — The Holdrege Public Schools administrative staff is excited to announce the hiring of Jacob McLain as the new head varsity football coach. McLain is a 2007 Chadron High School graduate, where he was successful in football, basketball, golf, and baseball...

The Arapahoe Warriors topped all Gazette-area teams with their third-place wrestling finish at Friday’s Southern Valley Invtational. Heavyweight Levi Kerner also boasts more wins than any competing as he reached 12-1 while winning the championship. Teammate Wyatt Jenkins improved to 10-1 with his 152-pound domination...

DENVER – With tears in her eyes, University of Nebraska at Kearney senior Julianne Jackson managed to crack a smile during the press conference following Saturday night’s NCAA Division II women’s volleyball championship. When a reporter asked Rick Squiers where this year’s team ranks in his 21 seasons as UNK’s head coach, Jackson offered a playful answer...

Junior Carter Bose’s 20 points and 14 rebounds led unbeaten Southern Valley to a 67-43 home win against Overton on Saturday. The Eagles (5-0) are currently No. 2 in Class D-1 power points, according to nsaahome.org. Juniors Clayton Berry (19 points) and Brody Yant (17) both shot 60 percent vs. these “other” Eagles. Overton slipped to 1-3 this season...

COZAD, Neb. — Cozad’s winless girls will still plan to run and push McCook when the Bison visit for tonight’s 7 p.m. contest. “Cozad is a team that has improved a lot from last year,” Bison coach Amy Scheil commented. “ They press, fast break and mix up their defenses between a man and a 2-3 zone. Yesterday we worked on becoming more active against a man defense and making sure we are moving without the ball.”...

SIDNEY, Neb. — Chase County’s boys hit seven three-pointers and shot 51 percent overall during a 64-38 rout of the Sidney Red Raiders Friday evening. Junior Cedric Maxwell’s 21 points on seven-of-nine shots powered the Longhorns throgh third consecutive win starting this season...

Tuesday’s Countdown to Christmas drawing was at McCook Lettering and the winner of the $50 gift certificate was Sandy Latta. Wednesday’s drawing will be held at Longnecker Jewelry.

McCOOK, Neb. -- Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, commander of the Nebraska National Guard will be at Sehnert's Bakery in McCook from 8 to 9 a.m. to provide an update on the guard. The public is encouraged to attend.