Stories from Friday, September 11, 2020

McCOOK, Neb. — The Holdrege Dusters got a good look at something McCook’s defensive ace sees almost every day during practices. “Whew! When she hits one..” junior Peyton Doucet said about senior Liviya Wier. “Yeah, it definitely helps me get ready.”...

CURTIS, Neb. — Medicine Valley’s massive 297-9 rushing yards advantage showed how the Raiders wore down Sandhills Valley, 40-20, Thursday night. Both teams brought 2-0 records into this contest and Sandhills held a 14-12 lead through one period. Conner Phillips fired two touchdown strikes to Cole Kramer — but the visitors would not score again until Med Valley built a 34-14 advantage...

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “I would rather sit in a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” Along with the typical accouterments of my fourth-grade classroom; a US flag, an alphabet posted above the blackboard (upper and lower case, in cursive), and a rotary pencil sharpener mounted to the wall, my matronly, gray bunned and skirted stereotypical school-marm teacher posted a few famous quotes above the green letters of the alphabet. ...

Walter Neal Leising Dec. 18, 1959 - Sept. 9, 2020 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Walter Neal Leising, 60, of Arapahoe, died Wednesday (Sept. 9, 2020), at his home. He was born Dec. 18, 1959, at Oxford, Neb., to Armin Walter and Gladys Margaret (Petermann) Leising...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College golf team began its fall schedule Thursday and for the first time in recent memory, the fall tournaments will have no bearing on the official Region IX standings. This year all fall competition will be considered scrimmages...

MAXWELL, Neb. — Senior Jaycee Widener’s 19 kills powered Maywood-Hayes Center to 7-0 with a 25-14, 25-12, 25-15 sweep of Maxwell Thursday evening. Sophomore Ashlin Broz delivered 19 assists with another 16 from Kiley Hejtmanek. Broz served 14 points while only missing one of her 20 serves...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Medicine Valley twice rallied from a set down to win one wild 19-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13 match over the host Dundy County-Stratton Tigers Thursday evening. Senior Acelyn Klein’s 17 kills wih nine ace blocks at the net led this spirited Raider effort...

IMPERIAL, Neb. — The defending Class D state champion Axtell Wildcats led a field of great cross-country runners at Saturday’s Chase County Invitational. While Axtell took the team title by 41 points, Southwest senior Jacob O’Dea still made it three-for-three in top three finishes this season...

LEXINGTON, Neb. — McCook Lady Bison Varsity fell to Lexington 7-6 on Thursday on the final play of the game. The game was tied at six with Lexington batting in the bottom of the seventh when Addison Sund grounded out, scoring one run. McCook trailed by four runs in the fourth inning, but then fought back to lower the final margin. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Edgy football beating all boundaries paid off big-time for McCook High’s freshmen throughout a 42-0 win over North Platte Thursday evening. The Bison broke free to five touchdown runs while flipping one 30-yard TD pass in an impressive week two victory over those visiting Bulldogs...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Despite comparisons to another case in which a woman allegedly killed her husband and has been released on bond, a lower bail was denied a 79-year-old McCook woman and she remains in jail while awaiting an appearance in Red Willow County District Court...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. -- Casey T. Heinen, 33, Arapahoe, was bound over to Furnas County Court on Friday on charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child and child abuse. Heinen allegedly had a sexual relationship with a girl who was in fifth grade in 2016 until sometime in August...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved the 2020-21 budget Tuesday night at its regular meeting, with a 4% increase seen in its property tax request. Yet, the operating budget for the city decreased from last year by 6%, from $36.5 million in 2019-20, to $34.51 million for 2020-21...

McCOOK, Neb. — The loss of highway allocation dollars has put the brakes on funding a long-time street improvement project in the city. Of the two projects slated next year in the City of McCook’s 2021 McCook Plan of Street Improvements, only one is funded. That project is Phase III of the B Street payments with the final payment this year of $181,000, said city engineer Greg Wolford at the public hearing Tuesday night for the 2021 McCook Plan of Street Improvements...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council unanimously approved the new salary of the city manager at $112,453, at the regular meeting Tuesday night. Beginning Oct. 1, the 12-month salary of City Manager Nate Schneider will increase from its current $106,545 to $112,453. The new salary includes a cost of living raise at 2%, a 2.5% merit raise and a 1% longevity raise. The salary was approved on first reading, the council voting to suspend three readings...

McCOOK, Neb. — The property tax amount requested by McCook Public Schools for this year’s budget is 2% higher than last year’s, but the tax rate has been decreased slightly. The McCook Board of Education will open its meeting Monday night with two hearings concerning the 2020-21 budget, one for the public comment on the budget and another setting the property tax request...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook Planning Commission will meet Monday for a public hearing on a replatting request at the Westview Plaza Subdivision. The city received an application from MNB Bank, through its project developer, Engineering International, for the approval of a replat of a portion of Block 1 of Westview Plaza Subdivision. ...

COLUMBUS, Neb.- Nebraska Public Power District has contracted Forbes Brothers Timberline Construction Inc., of Rapid City, S.D. to refurbish a 115 kV transmission line in Southwest Nebraska. The line is located between NPPD’s Beverly substation and the Enders substation in Southwest Public Power District’s service area. ...

Game and Parks officials have installed a new sign board at Medicine Creek State Recreation Area on Trail 4. Sending greetings from Omaha is Pat Weigel, left, and from McCook, Todd Foster, center, and Doug Skiles.

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska Attorney General's office says the Big Ten conference may be guilty of violating non-profit laws in Nebraska. According to a release, "Today we issued a letter to The Big Ten Conference, Inc., through Commissioner Kevin Warren, notifying the Commissioner that the Conference appears to be out of compliance with the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. ...

BARTLEY, Neb. — The Southwest Roughriders were unstoppable as they swept through Sutherland and Southern Valley during their volleyball home triangular Thursday night. The Roughriders (5-3 record overall) romped past Southerland’s Sailors in their opening match...

Colt Hosick climbs the Statue of Liberty on the stair stepper at the YMCA in McCook, part of a McCook Fire Department memorial 110-floor climb to honor first responders who died in the Twin Towers 19 years ago. Donations left in the boot at the Y or Anytime Fitness will go to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation to benefit families of fallen firefighters and other first responders...