Stories from Friday, December 11, 2020

McCOOK, Neb. -- Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team have arrested a person wanted in connection with a homicide investigation in Red Willow County. During the morning hours of Thursday, December 10, NSP SWAT was activated to effectuate the arrest of Travis Terwilliger, 45, of McCook. Terwilliger had an active felony warrant for use of a firearm to commit a felony, accessory to a felony, and terroristic threats...

McCOOK, Neb. — They can grapple all over the mat but cannot get their arms touched to lift in victory following a wrestling match. Haha! So goes life in the crazy world of COVID-19 during 2020. Who knows how long the confusing policies and virus conversations will continue...

Sophomore Cali Cox (15) soars above four Dundy County-Stratton Tigers as Wauneta-Palisade rose to the challenge and won a 55-47 Cattle Trail tournament semifinal at MCC today. The Broncos (3-1 record overall) take on tonight's winner of Maywood-Hayes Center vs. Decatur Community (Kan.). The championship game is set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday in MCC's Graff Events Center. Watch for more details and full recaps in the next McCook Gazette...

McCook's David Hinson made quite a splash as did Izzy Renner (below) and other Bison swimmers during their home meet with North Platte, Hastings and Scottsbluff at the Ed Thomas YMCA on Friday. Watch for more results, photos and details early next week...

McCOOK, Neb. — The 5th annual Reindeer Run, sponsored by MNB Bank, at Barnett Park is still on…with a few changes. Participants will have a week to complete the cross-country course around the park south of McCook. From Saturday, Dec. 12 through Saturday, Dec. 19, runners and walkers are encouraged to traverse the course, automatically timing themselves with QR codes on their smart phones...

McCook and Red Willow Western fire departments battle a house fire on East C in McCook, bringing in a ladder truck and several tankers to try to control the fire. A neighbor said the owner escaped the fire, but more information was not immediately available. The house appeared to be a total loss...

Orian W. Fritz McCOOK, Neb. — Orian W. Fritz, 93, of McCook, died Thursday (Dec. 10, 2020), at Hillcrest Nursing Home. Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook.

Gilbert Rudolph Larson May 7, 1941 - Dec. 8, 2020 WAVERLY, Neb. — Gilbert Rudolph Larson, 79, of Waverly, formally, of Curtis, died Dec. 8, 2020, at his home with his family by his side. He was born May 7, 1941, in North Platte, Neb., son of Robert and Elsie (Wilhelmson) Larson. ...

Mornings find the refrain “nobody told me there would-be days like these” playing in my mind. I’m certain somebody did tell me, but I’m not always a good listener. My Christmas letter is not done yet, the Christmas bouquets for the gravesites I decorate are sitting in my living room, the front porch still has Fall décor, and it is December 8th for Pete’s sake. Guarantee we aren’t going to be baking Christmas cookies this year and the grandkids aren’t going to be happy about that...

Betty Alice Knapper Sept. 21, 1924 - Dec. 1, 2020 SCOTSSBLUFF, Neb. — Betty Alice Knapper, 96, of Scottsbluff, passed away at the Residency in Scottsbluff Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Cremation was chosen and inurnment will occur at a future date at the Rural Grace Lutheran cemetery, Jefferson County, Neb...

McCOOK, Neb. — In an effort to help out local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the McCook City Council signed a proclamation Monday night for “Take Out Tuesdays.” The proclamation was requested by the McCook Chamber of Commerce and “Take Out Tuesdays” was successful during March of this year earlier in the pandemic, said Dawson Brunswick, chamber director...

McCOOK, Neb. — the McCook Board of Education will be asked to accept three resignations, changes to the 2020-21 school calendar and approve the negotiated agreement with the McCook Education Association (MEA), at it’s regular meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m. at conference room B at the McCook Senior High...

McCOOK, Neb. — Students gathering together outside of school is causing an uptick in the number of quarantine cases at McCook Public Schools. According to the school district’s website (mccookbison.org), a “sizable” number of students are in quarantine at McCook Public Schools due to “peer interaction.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — Both the Red Willow County Commissioners and McCook City Council are considering a pledge of $25,000 local matching funds for a housing grant. MEDC director Andy Long requested the City of McCook contribute $25,000 of ACE funds to be committed toward the local match amount of $150,000...

The mask issue seems to have reached our city hall, and for now, I am mostly pleased with the results. Make no mistake, I support the use of masks when in tight quarters and consider it a matter of civic duty to do so, but I would personally find a mandate inappropriate...

Dear Editor, When the Civil War was over, Abraham Lincoln was not celebratory that the North won and the slaves were going to gain their freedom, because he knew the price tag of the victory was an enormous loss of life on both sides. The United States of America was at a tipping point. A point when bitter feelings would die hard and reconstruction and embracing unity would be a daunting task...

BIRD CITY, Kan. — The Rawlins County (Kan.) Buffaloes had a blast with 175 points to win Saturday’s Gabel-Jenkins Invite at St. Francis High School. Rawlins outwrestled six other teams including runner-up Goodland, Kan., who scored 114 and perennial Kansas powerhouse Norton (78.5 points)...

OXFORD, Neb. — Senior Clayton Berry’s 15 points and 15 rebounds from classmate Carter Bose led a Southern Valley 41-28 triumph over Gothenburg Thursday. The Eagles improved to 3-1 for new coach Jimmy Sindelar as senior Colton Burgeson connected on two long-range threes...

GOODLAND, Kan. ­— Wow, McCook’s girls were matching Goodland Cowgirls shot for shot through a glorious 35-34 first half until... Senior guard Liviya Wier took a not-good shot to her knee. Wier didn’t return during this Topside Tournament opening game Thursday, and her status remains uncertain entering today’s contest...

GOODLAND, Kan. —McCook blazed to a 9-0 lead and continued hitting shots until Evan Humphrey’s long triplewith only seconds remaining Thursday night. Yet trouble truly came in threes during this Topside Tipoff opener. Goodland’s Cole Litton connected not once, twice but six times from long distance to make the difference during a 64-59 Cowboy history...

Check out the Nick’s Distruction team that won McCook YMCA volleyball league and tournament championships this fall. The champion lineup (from left) features Matt Wiemers, Ashley Palic, Lindsey Foster, Hannah Nothnagel and Nick Nothnagel. Not pictured are Tate Stang and Molly Sharp...