Stories from Friday, February 14, 2020

McCOOK, Neb. — Senior Konor Rakes challenged two Scottsbluff Bearcats on this drive to the basket, but McCook High's varsity boys and girls dropped games Friday night at home. The Bison girls (8-13 record) lost 62-51 and boys (11-10) fell 68-42 against a high-ranked Class B foe...

McCOOK, Neb. — Anyone who enjoys free stuff probably had a different opinion of the McCook-Gering fourth quarter Thursday night. Let’s face it, this compared to expecting a cute free kitten or hedgehog on Valentine’s Day and instead walking into a lively family of skunks...

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — McCook senior Landon Towne and junior Alec Langan both remain unbeaten while advancing into Saturday's semifinals at Western Nebraska Community College. The two Bison are in great shape to reach next week's Class B state meet at Omaha...

I haven’t been feeling well this week, so I’ll keep this one short. This article will come out on Valentine’s day, and I want to seize the opportunity to say a few things that need to be said. The holiday, in theory, is named for a third-century Roman priest who distinguished himself by ministering to persecuted Christians. He is remembered for paying a significant price for that political mischoice, was sainted, and a feast day was established in his name...

Richard Anthony “Dick” Mitchell Jan. 29, 1935 - Feb. 12, 2020 BRIGHTON, Colo. — Richard Anthony “Dick” Mitchell, age 85, longtime resident and businessman of McCook, died Wednesday (Feb. 12, 2020), at the Brighton Care Center in Brighton. He was born in Paris, Ill., on Jan. 29, 1935 to parents, Ike and Dorothy Gertrude (Kaufman) Mitchell...

Terry Lee Morris Nov. 25, 1953 - Feb. 10. 2020 CULBERTSON, Neb. — Terry Lee Morris , 66, of Culbertson, died Monday (Feb. 10. 2020), in Omaha, Neb. He was born Nov. 25, 1953, in Pine Island, Minn. He worked in livestock insemination and was an embryo transfer tech...

85th birthday The family of Ron Clark of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of his 85th birthday on Friday, Feb 21, 2020. He was the school principal at Central Elementary and Eastward Elementary. Birthday wishes will reach him at 405 East 14th Street, McCook, NE 69001...

90th birthday The family of Patty Grafel of Hastings, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. She was born on the family farm in Trenton, Neb. Her family includes sons, Mike and Elgene Grafel of Hastings and Jim and Deb Grafel of Loveland, Colo.; and four grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at Hastings Homestead, No. 7, 1116 Sycamore Ave Hastings, NE 68901...

Aiden Ryan Steider Ryan and Hailey Steider of Geneva, Neb., announce the birth of their son, Aiden Ryan Steider born Jan. 12, 2020 in Geneva. He weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 19 inches long. Grandparents are Darren and Tyler Esch of Indianola, Neb., and John and Audrey Steider of Geneva. Great-grandparents are Vern and Sara Esch of Indianola, Roger and Nona Zink of Indianola, Betty Gish pf Geneva and the late Dave Steider and Bob and Marlene Fast of Hastings, Neb...

Emmett Lucas Fricke Shelby Fricke and Dylan Matlock of York, Neb., announce the birth of their son, Emmett Lucas Fricke, born Jan. 1, 2020 in McCook, Neb. He weighed 4 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 19 inches long. He has one sister, Lily. Grandparents are Christy Davis of Culbertson, Neb., Don Fricke of Elwood, Neb., and Billie and Pete Alva of Thornton, Colo. ...

A “Hall of Fame” contest was held in 1976 by the Red Willow County Bicentennial Committee as part of the celebration. Committee members, Lester Harsh, Bob Paschall, John McDowell, and Donna Cheney (Mrs. Wendell Cheney) announced that the purpose of the contest was to select names of individuals who would be permanently recorded as part of the history of Red Willow County...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook man is suing the city of McCook, alleging damages done to his vehicle by the city’s K-9 officer. The item is a consent agenda item and will more than likely be approved with other consent agendas in one motion, without discussion by the council...

WASHINGTON -- Rylee Shaw and daughter Karragan Shaw, a McCook High School sophomore, from McCook attended the 47th annual National March for Life in Washington DC on Jan. 24. An estimated 500,000 people marched in the 47th annual March for Life. The March for Life provides all Americans with a place to testify to the beauty of life and the dignity of each human person each January, on the anniversary of legalized abortion in the United States...

A look at all the stat-rated wrestlers who could be challenging area leaders for state tournament spots as district competition started today. Most tourneys continue through Saturday afternoon or evening. The rankings are through newrestle.com: B-4 at Scottsbluff...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Some final Southwest Invitational wrestling results on Saturday not included in the Gazette this week: 220 pounds 1st Place - Adrian Avila of Sutton 2nd Place - Remington Hodges of Hitchcock County 4th Place - Delton Haines of Dundy County-Stratton...

CURTIS, Neb. — Senior Sam Heapy’s 24 points powered the Medicine Valley Raiders past Maxwell in a 52-50 thriller Thursday night. The Raiders were tied 37-37 through three quarters but captured winning momentum entering tonight’s home contest with Dundy County-Stratton...

OXFORD, Neb. — A 22-6 final quarter secured the Southern Valley girls’ 47-25 upset of Dundy County-Stratton Thursday evening. Tied 13-13 at halftime, the 11-11 Eagles took control by holding those DC-S girls (16-5 record) to 13 percent shooting at 7-for-55...

OXFORD, Neb. — Southern Valley’s boys were ready for the rematch with Dundy County-Stratton and won 63-57 Thursday evening. The Eagles (16-4 record) featured a super balanced attack with senior Jaden Quinn and junior Brody Yant both scoring 17 points...

McCOOK, Neb. — Smooth like holiday chocolate was junior Tiara Matson’s three-point shot as it swished through the net Thursday night. The Gering Bulldogs could have been thinking oh no! after Matson’s seven triple-chocolates sparked a 67-51 McCook girls win last month...