Stories from Wednesday, April 1, 2020

McCOOK, Neb. — They’ve been quite the combination since singing that pre-school duet for graduation many years ago. “I think it was Rockin’ Robin,” McCook High seniors Kori Uerling and Brynn Golden recalled on Monday. Who knows when that next graduation arrives whether it’s May, June or even later this summer?...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Pete Ricketts has declared that the Primary Election will take place May 12th at the usual polling places. The Red Willow County Clerk has been receiving phone calls from citizens worried about going to the polls in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reminds that early voting by mail is available...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County courthouse maintenance director Greg Holthus will hang a drop box at the front door of the courthouse in McCook, helping the county’s residents do business with county officials without personal contact. During orders to “keep your distance” and “limit your exposure” necessitated by the coronavirus crisis, customers can place their documents in the drop box at any time and officials will retrieve them in time for morning business...

TRENTON, Neb. -- Hitchcock County officials have announced that, after careful analysis of CDC recommendations on social distancing the decision has been made that public access to the Hitchcock County Courthouse is suspended until further notice. According to the release, all staff will report to offices at usual hours and maintain county business. ...

HAIGLER, Neb. -- Hello again with Haigler Happenings from our community here in the cornerstone of Nebraska. Under normal circumstances, we would be saying, “Happy Spring” and giving you all the information for upcoming spring events and festivals—however these are not normal times with the corona virus pandemic. ...

Faster than extinction and more powerful than his grandpa’s locomotive, “Redford the Short-Armed Bookosaur” is able to leap from a short park bench in a single bound to deliver books to readers waiting outside the McCook City Library. During the coronavirus crisis, the library offers “contactless” checkout and return of books; call (308) 345-1906 and librarians (or maybe Redford the Bookosaur) will bag up books and schedule curb-side pick-up. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Todd Hovey, R.N., has been appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts to a three year-term on the Board of Emergency Medical Services. A nationally registered emergency medical technician, Hovey is Hospital Clinical Educator and Stroke Coordinator for Community Hospital in McCook...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Five distinguished student-athletes and one legendary head coach make up the 2020 University of Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame class, who will be announced individually over the next three weeks. The first announced member of this year’s class is Terry Pettit, who coached the Nebraska volleyball team for 23 seasons from 1977 to 1999...

President Trump was accused of being slow to take action, but even he is now warning Americans to brace for a “hell of a bad two weeks” ahead, with 100,000 to 240,000 coronavirus deaths even if we faithfully maintain our social distancing guidelines...