Stories from Thursday, April 8, 2021

In case fans missed it, former McCook Community College player Mardrez McBride was a big reason why North Texas University won its historic first NCAA Tournament men’s basketball win over Big Ten power Purdue on March 19. McBride scored 16 points which included four of six shots from three-point range. More from Mardrez during a Gazette phone interview will be included in Friday’s edition...

“Wait for your turn,” my mom would say when one of the family of five would be knocking on the door of the only bathroom we had. “Your turn is next,” my sixth-grade teacher said as we stood in line at the water fountain. The Army recruiter said, “your turn” at the draft board as the Vietnam war raged on...

These past few weeks we’ve covered a wide array of topics at the legislature. One example is that we will start a day with debate about telehealth and then just like that we will talk about ready-to-drink cocktails. Some of the topics you think would create more of a stir don’t and then you spend hours talking about what you thought would pass easily...

McCOOK, Neb. — With no discussion, the McCook City Council unanimously approved Monday night the proposed increased rates for city water and sewer on second reading. As with other ordinances, the rates have to be approved a third time before they go into effect. ...

SINGAPORE — A McCook High School graduate and Fulbright Scholar is helping bridge the gap between arcane academics and real-world applications. “It all started in my childhood, with Lego blocks,” said Clayton Miller, PhD., assistant professor at National University of Singapore. “I’ve always liked to build things.”...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Cambridge and Dundy County-Stratton both featured a pair of top five medalists but finished behind champion Paxton in Tuesday’s DC-S Golf Invitational. The Paxton Tigers took first with 407 featuring individual champ Jacob Holzfaster...

McCOOK, Neb. — Several McCook citizens spoke to the McCook City Council Monday night about the “McCook Pool Committee” report and the lack of leadership concerning COVID-19 vaccinations. The council and city staff cannot comment on issues brought up by the public that are not on the meeting agenda, per the “Open Meetings” law. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook High School’s graduation is planned to be at 100% capacity, but as rules now stand, masks will be required, according to a school official. Principal Jeff Gross said graduation is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 16 at the Graff Event Center on the McCook Community College campus...

McCOOK, Neb. — Free drive-up mobile pantries have a new home and date; the third Saturday of the month, except for May and December, at the Armed Forces Reserve Center east of McCook. This month’s will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 17, a free program offering staples and fresh produce...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Change in her pockets and an afternoon puzzle are more than enough to keep Margo Kent entertained during most track-field meets. “We have all the pieces to the puzzle,” Kent declared about the Cambridge High girls. “And they are fitting well together.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Bison football program will once again be conducting the McCook Bison Championship Football Camp for individuals entering second through eighth grades this fall. The camp will run from Tuesday, June 1 through Friday, June 4. The cost will be $50 per participant...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Thunder softball team will conduct try-outs one week from tonight on Thursday, April 15 at Red Willow fields east of McCook. All girls age 18 and younger are eligible to join the Thunder. Try-outs will begin at 6:30 p.m. Rod Brittain and Kriste Brittain are coaching the Thunder this season...

Richard A. Simants, Jr. April 3, 1957 - April 6, 2021 PALISADE, Neb. — Richard A. Simants, Jr., age 64, of Palisade, passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Community Hospital in McCook. Richard was born April 3, 1957, in San Diego, Calif., to parents, Richard A. and Elizabeth Ann (Wells) Simants, Sr. He was one of three children born to this union...

Alvin R. Rothmeyer McCOOK, Neb. — Alvin R. Rothmeyer, 85, of McCook, died Tuesday (April 6, 2021), at Community Hospital in McCook. Memorial services are Friday, April 16, 2021, 2 p.m., at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel. Inurnment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in McCook with Military Honors...