Stories from Friday, May 1, 2020

BEAVER CITY, Neb. -- An Oxford man is the eighth man to be charged with sexual assault of a child and sex trafficking as a result of an ongoing investigation of an underage sex ring in Southwest Nebraska. Robert Mustin, 46, arrested Friday, is charged in Furnas County Court with first degree assault of a child and sex trafficking of a minor as a result of an incident that allegedly occurred in September 2019. ...

HASTINGS, Neb. — RPAC football players will await as officials with the Sertoma Eight Man All Star Football Classic meet on Monday to determine the fate of their game scheduled for June 20 at Hastings College. Several Gazette-area seniors have been selected to play in the Classic next month:...

Catherin “Cathy” Ann Myers Oct. 7, 1957 - April 29, 2020 McCOOK, Neb. — Catherin “Cathy” Ann Myers, age 62, of McCook, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. She was born in Denver, Colo., on Oct. 7, 1957, to Harry and Barbara (Jones) Hixson. Cathy attended school in McCook, graduating with the Class of 1976. She went on to the McCook Beauty Academy, earning a license as a beauty operator...

Nelda May Haag May 1, 1923 - April 29, 2020 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Nelda May Haag, age 96, passed away at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital on April 29, 2020. She was born on May 1, 1923, in Lebanon, Neb., to John C. and Elva (Reeve) Townley. She attended and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1940. After graduation, Nelda baby- sat for many families and then worked at the grocery store for Fran Peterson...

Some days I have to continually remind myself that not everyone appreciates my sense of humor. Even I, at times, wonder if I really said what just flew out of my mouth. In these days of “political correctness” I find the term self-isolating to just be ridiculous. ...

May Day means out with any negatives as Gazette scribbler R.B. (Really Blessed) Headley celebrates still good health and plenty of good moments through these past seven pandemic weeks. 1. First, he’s praising all the McCook Bison seniors who’ve done interviews at the Gazette. They’ve provided plenty of material for features which hopefully have been somewhat enjoyable to read these last several weeks...

Check out what was happening near this time in 2019: OXFORD, Neb. — Freshmen named Brianna were big trouble for RPAC foes if they were wearing Southern Valley purple and black Friday. Brianna Quinn swept through three league races while “rookie” Eagle classmate Brianna Russell topped her previous best by one inch to win the RPAC high jump...

The cancellation of Saturday’s annual McCook Optimist Club Spring Slam softball tournament can’t erase a lot of great memories from past Saturdays that ignited spring-summer competition. With no action in 2020, the Gazette looks back to action captured around McCook’s Jaycees Complex during past Spring Slams. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will discuss the city’s response to the COVID-19 health emergency and how the community is coping, at the regular meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m., at city council chambers at the McCook Municipal Building. If available, a representative from the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department will be present to participate...

McCOOK, Neb. — As of today, plans to re-open restaurant dining rooms in McCook on Monday are in flux. Gov. Pete Ricketts announced plans earlier this week to ease coronavirus restrictions in 10 public health districts, including SWPHD on Monday, May 4, and extend restrictions in three — Lincoln-Lancaster, West Central and Three Rivers — to May 11...

Well, we didn’t have a great week, did we? When the list of states most likely to qualify for the administration’s three-tier recovery plan was released, there was a notably absent hole in the middle of the map. It was us. Nebraska. Like all densely populated areas, our friends in Lincoln and Omaha are predictably having problems, but our nearer neighbors in Grand Island are having even more difficulties...

McCOOK, Neb. -- “FOR THE ONE” is the theme of KNGN Christian radio’s 2020 Spring Pledge-a-thon May 1-31. “For the One”(FTO) who cannot attend Sunday church services due to coronavirus safety guidelines. “FTO” lonely shut-in wanting to hear from his/her friend, Jesus. “FTO” semi driver desiring something mind building on the long haul. “FTO” busy, young parent looking for calm amid chaos...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Don Stenberg, who retired in 2019 from a career in state government as attorney general and later State Treasurer, has written a novel depicting the devil instructing an apprentice on how to wreak havoc in contemporary society. The book, Eavesdropping on Lucifer, is similar to The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and is to be released May 5...

McCOOK, Neb. — Weather permitting, a crack sealing project will begin May 4 on US-83, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Crack sealing is a process of cleaning and filling open joints and cracks in the surface with sealant to prevent entry of moisture and debris...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- As we continue to work to protect ourselves against the effects of the coronavirus, many Nebraskans are finding themselves in an unexpected and often difficult position. The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) reminds natural gas consumers that...

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- The Nebraska State Fair is currently planning to showcase our FULL 11-day event on August 28 – September 7, 2020 and produce the Aksarben Stock Show September 24-27, 2020. State Fair staff and Board are mindful of and monitoring the current COVID-19 impact to events and social gatherings...

Brett Alan (Schmitz) and Angie Reiners of Strings Attached perform from a flatbed in the Janssen-Kool carlot on B Street, for a popular cruise night. Fans enjoyed live music and mocktails from Joltin' Joe's while maintaining proper social distancing in in their cars...