Stories from Tuesday, April 20, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — Local pool players were recently recognized for winning the Fall Session of the American Poolplayers Association (APA) 8-Ball and 9-Ball Pool Leagues. The Sunday 8-Ball titles were claimed by “Pool Dawgs” out of TJ’s Family Fun Center in McCook and “Rolling 8’s” out of Frank’s in Trenton...

McCOOK, Neb. — The superintendent at McCook Public Schools was named “Outstanding Superintendent, 2020-21” by the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association. Grant Norgaard said had no idea he was up for the award and was taken by surprise when he was announced as the winner...

Smooth and efficient would be how I’d describe our local Transportation Security Agency, TSA, in action a morning or so ago at the McCook Airport. The passengers five in number that morning, few in the scheme of things but good for McCook, and the number of staff present about equaled the number of passengers. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City County unanimously approved a contract Monday night with an engineering firm for preliminary plans on a new swimming pool. This doesn’t mean anything is set in stone yet, City Manager Nate Schneider stressed Monday night at the regular meeting, but is part of the process to move forward toward a ballot question that will ultimately go to the voters...

McCOOK, Neb. — Citizens who want to tell the McCook City Council their concerns will have to submit it to city staff first. That’s because the McCook City Council voted unanimously Monday night to eliminate the “Citizen Comment” portion of the agenda that began each regular council meeting and using instead the revised City of McCook Guidelines for Citizens Comments...

Dorothy R. (Loncar) VanBuskirk March 15, 1926 - April 17, 2021 HASTINGS, Neb. — Hastings resident Dorothy R. (Loncar) VanBuskirk, 95, passed from this life on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at her home, The Kensington, Hastings. Private family memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church Chapel in Hastings, with Rev. ...

LaVeta Howard PALISADE, Neb. — LaVeta Howard of the Palisade and Wauneta area died Monday (April 19, 2021), at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Neb. Services are pending at this time with Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta.

Richard Davis BENKELMAN, Neb. — Richard Davis, 93, of Benkleman, died Monday (April 19, 2021), at the Dundy County Hospital. Services are pending with Benkelman Memorial Chapel in Benkleman.

Tena Wimer McCOOK, Neb. — Tena Wimer, 105, of McCook, died Dec. 24, 2020, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. Memorial services are Saturday, April 24, 2021, 10 a.m., at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook with Tena’s grandson, Anthony Godtel, providing words of comfort...

Mary C. Howerter July 11, 1933 -April 17, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Mary C. Howerter, age 87, formerly of Cambridge, passed away at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on Saturday, April 17, 2021.   She was born in McCook on July 11, 1933, to Andrew and Johanna (Pick) Wasia.  Mary attended and graduated from McCook High School in 1950. ...

Patrick Lee Steadman March 15, 1965 - April 11, 2021 INDIANOLA, Neb. — Patrick Lee Steadman, age 56, of Indianola, passed away Sunday, April 11, 2021, at his home in Indianola. Patrick was born to Toby and Jenny (Flanmie) Steadman in Kingsport, Tenn., on March 15, 1965...

David Roy Nickerson April 8, 1930 - April 18, 2021 INDIANOLA, Neb. — David Roy Nickerson, age 91, of Indianola, passed away on April 18, 2021, at Brookstone Gardens in Kearney, Neb. David was born April 8, 1930, in Indianola to parents, Roy Leslie and Nell Emily (Plourd) Nickerson. ...

Jay D. Raburn Nov. 3, 1968 - April 17, 2021 CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Jay D. Raburn, age 52, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, April 17, 2021.  He was born in Cambridge on Nov. 3, 1968, to R. Joe and D. Lorene (Zysset) Raburn. He graduated from Cambridge High School in 1987. ...

Jack Dale Parsons Dec. 6, 1935 - April 19, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Jack Dale Parsons, age 85, of McCook, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021, at Hillcrest Caring Center in McCook. Jack was born Dec. 6, 1935, in McCook to parents, Harry S. and Mollie (Wickman) Parsons. He was one of two sons born to this union. Jack grew up in McCook, where he also attended school...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College softball games scheduled for today at the Jaycees Sports Complex have been postponed because of field and weather conditions. The Lady Indians were to play Central Community College in a Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference (NCCAC) matchup. The two teams are looking at possible makeup dates...

The Future Bison Spring Basketball League entered its third week as McCook Bison coach Joe Imus (above) directed many players from grades three through six at McCook High School Monday night. Participants are also getting familiar with Bison player/instructors (below), learning fundamentals and playing 4 vs 4 games...

SPEARFISH, S.D. — The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team started out strong in its first competitions of the season – taking home two championships. The team was up in both rodeos that made up the Black Hills State University Will Lantis Yellow Jacket Stampede Thursday through Saturday...

McCOOK, Neb. — Bison Dental has its sights on a crown hile battling with Block Busters for female supremacy in the McCook YMCA Adult Spring Volleyball Leagues. Both teams are already 4-0 through two weeks of Women’s League play. Meanwhile, T & L Contracting has already formed the foundation of a two-game lead among Co-Ed Volleyball League teams...

LINCOLN, Neb. — A look at top five state track-field athletes from the Gazette area entering competition this week, according to athletic.net: GIRLS All classes 400 meters: 2. Bryn McNair, Chase County, 58.4; 1. Lauren Harris, Omaha Marian, 57.68. 800: 2. Bryn McNair, CC, 2:20.61; 1. Stella Miner, Omaha Marian, 2:17.41...

McCOOK, Neb. —Saturday’s race literally went to the dogs. The K9 Korner 9K (and 3K) attracted more than 40 walkers and runners and almost as many four-legged friends. As the second event in the 2021 Republican River Fitness Series, the K9 Korner 9K started and finished on the south side of Barnett Park at the future home for McCook’s dog park, the K9 Korner...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Lawmakers gave final approval April 20 to the state’s $9.7 billion budget package. The package includes a number of appropriations and transfers to address the state’s prison overcrowding situation, including $100 million in general funds to the Nebraska Capital Construction Fund, to be available for the Legislature to appropriate for a new state prison should one be deemed necessary in the future...