Stories from Friday, June 19, 2020

McCOOK, Neb. — Felling Field was a place to be Thursday night with both teams rallying during Thursday night’s Major League baseball season opener. The McCook CrossFit Royals shook off 6-0 and 9-2 deficits with a comeback that featured Kooper Rakes’ long home run over that Felling Field scoreboard...

STRATTON, Neb. -- The Little House Museum in Stratton will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Virus precautions are advised. On display will be Hitchcock County atlas books from 1906 and 1980 and two wall maps of the county. In the 1906 edition are sections on the Digest of the System of Civil Government, Banking and Business Methods and the Chronological Arrangement of Ancient, Medieval and Modern History from 4004 BC to 1904...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A two-day blood drive is set for the Community Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Antibody tests will be performed on each donation, but not as a diagnosis. Contact Cathy carman at 308-345-4473 to schedule an appointment, or visit redcrossblood.org and enter mccookne to schedule your appointment. Walk-ins are welcome...

Robert (Bob) Edward Bears Aug. 26, 1952 - June 11, 2020 RICHLAND, Wash. — Robert (Bob) Edward Bears, 67, of Richland, passed away on June 11, 2020. He was born Aug. 26, 1952, to Robert John and Sally Jo (Rumiser) Bears. He grew up in McCall, Idaho, graduating in 1970 from McCall Donnelly High School. Upon retirement, he returned to college at Montana Tech of the University of Montana in Butte, Mont., graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering...

Franklin L. Branscom Dec. 28, 1955 - May 16, 2020 LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Franklin L. Branscom was born on Dec. 28, 1955, in McCook, Neb., and passed away on May 16, 2020, in Las Vegas from a lingering illness. Frank graduated from McCook High School in 1974. ...

Dr. William Henry Bunstock Oct. 20, 1929 - May 29, 2020 CHICO, Calif. — Dr. William Henry Bunstock, longtime Oroville surgeon, passed away at age 90 on Friday, May 29, 2020, at his home in Chico. He was born on Oct. 20, 1929, at the time of the Wall Street Crash of 1929, in the farming and railroad town of McCook, Neb., as the youngest of the seven children of Clarence and Lillie (Glahn) Bunstock. ...

Weiss, Blake Angelyn Marie Weiss and Duane Blake, both of Hammond, La., announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Parents of the bride-to-be are Murry and Elizabeth Weiss of McCook, Neb. Parents of the prospective bridegroom are Kathie and Rocky Chambers of Walker, La., and the late Gregory Blake...

Braxton Dean Alspaugh Mack and Kimberly Alspaugh of Shelby, Neb., announce the birth of their son, Braxton Dean Alspaugh, born June 16, 2020 at David City, Neb. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 19 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Denise Garey of McCook, Neb., Brian Alspaugh of LaVista, Neb., and Dan and Jenny Murray of Neleigh, Neb. ...

50th anniversary The family of Bernie and Pam Ruppert of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, June 28, 2020. They were married at the Salvation Army in North Platte, Neb., in 1970. Their family includes children, Fred and Wendy Gee of Oketo, Kan., Dustin and Amy Ruppert of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Travis and Stephanie Ruppert of Cheyenne; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. ...

50th anniversary The family of Terry and Evelyn Pettit of Culbertson, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, June 21, 2020. They were married in Tryon, Neb., in 1970. Their family includes children, Cheri and Edward Buglewicz of Omaha, Neb., Todd and Bridget Pettit of North Platte, Neb.,Tobin and Jennifer Pettit of Aurora, Colo.; and five grandchildren, Brendan, Erin, Helana, Dimitri, and Dominica. ...

60th anniversary The family of Bill and Susan Weber is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Bill is living at El Dorado rest home in Culbertson and Susan is at assisted living in Trenton, Neb. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Latest check of the mccookgazette.com survey question show opinions have changed since two weeks ago. Society tensions are now considered a greater danger than coronavirus according to nearly 67 percent who have responded since June 5...

McCook Rebels Pink runner Jaci Meyers (left) reaches first base before the nearest North Platte Sensation (right) can pull down this high throw during fastpitch softball action Thursday night at the Jaycees Complex. The visiting Sensations did secure 7-2 and 5-2 victories for a doubleheader sweep.Remember, the McCook Rebels will host their annual Firecracker Tournament next weekend. Watch for more details in an upcomng Gazette...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Ed Thomas YMCA of McCook is excited to announce that registration is now open for its weekly Summer Adventure Day Camp. The state of Nebraska licensed camp is open to kids entering first through sixth grades. Daily camp times are 7:30a.m. to5:30p.m...

CULBERTSON, Neb. — The Culbertson Fourth of July Freedom Run is going virtual this year for both the 5K and 10K. Registration is free with the no shirt option. But if participants would like a red tank-top commemorating their efforts, the cost is $15 and will be available at McCook Lettering beginning July 1...

A McCook Pinnacle Bank hitter drives the baseball to left field during Thursday’s Junior Legion B season opener against visiting Holdrege at the Jaycees Complex. Holdrege still prevailed, 8-5. No other details were obtained before today’s press deadline...

McCOOK, Neb. — Not much about 2020 compares to previous Legion baseball years, but at least the McCook National Bank Seniors bring a familiar look into today’s season opener. Several top players return from last year’s champion team which also scored a Class B state victory...

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — Killer Bees simply didn’t deliver enough sting to stop Herrmann Jones from scoring a big season-opening win Thursday evening. McCook’s Legion B baseball team never flinched even when the Gothenburg Bees built an early 6-1 lead. They stayed within 8-4 through four innings — then McCook unleashed a nine-run fifth to earn a terrific 13-9 comeback victory...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Crazy Days is still a go, and early bird shoppers could score a free lunch on the chamber. The annual retail shopping event will be held July 9 to 11, and Chamber President Dawson Brunswick said that close to 30 merchants have expressed interest in being involved. ...

As I mentioned in my last article, I would like to update you on bills that have a priority status and will be debated when the Legislature resumes the 2020 session on July 20th. Each of the standing committees are allowed to designate up to two bills as committee priority bills. ...

Reparations and white privilege As I watch the current racial tensions play out and reminders of the Confederacy being toppled, my mind goes back to the reparations issue that was tossed around lightheartedly during the Democratic primary. I find it odd that it has been seriously considered this many generations after the fact, but self-interest being what it is, it grabbed the attention of a good many voters...

CULBERTSON, Neb. -- The Culbertson Pool Committee is selling raffle tickets for a 55 inch smart TV to raise funds for swimming pool improvements and maintenance. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Call 308-340-0703 for more information.