Stories from Thursday, December 19, 2019

McCOOK, Neb. — Several local pool players were recently recognized for winning the Summer Session of the American Poolplayers Association (APA) 8-Ball, 9-Ball and Masters Pool Leagues. The Sunday 8-Ball title was claimed by “Shooters 8-Ball” out Outlaws 1882 Saloon in McCook featuring Reese Troutman, Dan Van Cura, Roemello Grier, Lou Van Cura, Gerald Peterman, Lee Anderson and Billy Thornbrugh...

Lester “Lee” Joe Loker Sept. 1, 1950 - Dec. 17, 2019 MCDONALD, Kan. — Lester Lee Joe Loker, 69, of McDonald, died Tuesday (Dec. 17, 2019), at Boulder, Colo. He was born Sept. 1, 1950, in Stratton, Neb. Survivors include his wife, Tish Loker of McDonald; children, Sheila (Todd) Konitzer of Overland Park, Kan.; brothers, Gary Loker, J.B. Loker of McDonald and Brad Loker of Parks, Neb; sister, Lila Howard of McDonald; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren...

Betty Jean Brauer Sept. 16, 1929 - Dec. 14, 2019 WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Betty Jean Brauer, 90, of Westminster, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at the Denver Hospice inpatient care center. She was born Sept. 16, 1929, in Nebraska, the daughter of Arthur and Gladys (Branscomb) Burton. Betty married Harold Brauer on June 4, 1947, and together they shared 65 years of marriage, until Harold’s passing in 2013...

Kenneth E. Meissner Nov. 12, 1942 - Dec. 15, 2019 COZAD, Neb. — Kenneth E. Meissner of Cozad passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at the Cozad Community Hospital at the age of 77. He was born Nov. 12, 1942, in rural Frontier County, Neb., to Leo and June (Carroll) Meissner. Kenneth graduated from Maywood High School and worked numerous jobs in the McCook, Neb., area...

McCOOK, Neb. -- After approving a “black” budget for 2020, the McCook Chamber of Commerce board of directors also discussed expanding the retail committee of the chamber. According to Executive Director Dawson Brunswick, the chamber is inviting all McCook retailers, even non-chamber members, to a retail committee meeting on the third floor training room of the Keystone Business Center on Jan. 8 at 8:00 a.m...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Paulsen Inc. won the bid for paving repair, and a software contract was approved by the Mid-Plains Community College board of governors Wednesday night. Paulsen Inc. submitted the winning $406,000 bid to remove and replace asphalt and concrete on the North Campus west parking lot, and replace it with new concrete...

McCOOK, Neb. — Residential structures on West Fourth will be included in a blighted and substandard study the McCook Planning Commission has approved. But, the designation will not affect property valuations, according McCook City Manager Nate Schneider and Red Willow County assessor, Kristi Korell...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved a resolution concerning demolition costs the city picked up from cleaning up property on West Fourth. Approved with multiple other consent agenda items, the council ratified without discussion a resolution that provides for a levy of special assessments on property at 1107 W. ...

Major Gen. Daryl Bohac, right, adjutant general of Nebraska's 4,400 Army and Air National Guard members, visits with Dawson Brunswick, left, director of the McCook Chamber of Commerce; Dan Stramel, commander of American Legion Post 203 in McCook; and Kathie Skeen, emergency planning coordinator of the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, McCook, during a town hall meeting Thursday morning at Sehnert's Bakery in downtown McCook. ...

Latest results from TJ’s Family Fun Center in McCook with Wagner’s Ford starting to leave Five Loners behind along with top contender Quality Irrigation. Men’s Major Wagner’s Ford 283.5-195.5 Five Loners 259-221 Quality Irrigation 253-227...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The North Platte Community College Knights volleyball team recently inked new recruitAvery Johnson. Johnson is a 5’10” middle hitter from Maywood-Hayes Center. She will come to the Knights fresh off an impressive senior season, as her high school team was 27-3 on overall record. Johnson provided a total of 65 blocks, 269 total kills, averaged 3.6 kills per set and she was also named to all-Republican Plains Activities Conference first team...

STAMFORD, Neb. — Senior Grace Hogeland’s 24 points in 28 minutes powered a Southern Valley 54-51 victory against the Overton Eagles Friday evening. The talented Eagles (2-4 record) also featured feisty defense as Brianna Quinn swiped seven steals from Overton players...

KEARNEY, Neb. —Twenty-nine county officials and affiliates representing 14 counties and two public health departments received Certificates of Achievement for their participation in the Nebraska Association County Officials (NACO) Institute of Excellence. The Institute of Excellence is collaboration between NACO and the University of Nebraska. It provides leadership development for elected, appointed and tangential county officials...

McCOOK, Neb. — Class A North Platte’s odd 2019-20 journey ventures into McCook Friday evening. The Bulldogs (1-4) own one win over Class C-1 Mitchell and have already lost to unbeaten Class C2 Grand Island Central Catholic. Their schedule features only one Class A team (Columbus) outside of tournaments. They’ll take on C1 Kearney Catholic, Cozad and Minden later this season...

Dear Editor, As 2019 comes to a close, the SWPS Foundation would like to thank so many individuals and businesses that helped us out this year. We are very proud of our accomplishments this year, and want to share them with you: We received a $10,000 donation in 2018, with a challenge to match that in 2019 with funds donated towards that cause in 2019. ...

This holiday season, when we’re thinking about what charitable causes we might want to support at year end, the first to come to mind are the ones we’re already most connected to, typically church, service groups and community organizations. Why? Because we’re already in the habit of supporting those causes with our time, talent and treasure. ...