Stories from Tuesday, May 4, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — You’re taking aim at McCook High tennis girls? Ha-ha, better brace for the rapid-fire response! Targeting Bison for defeat backfired like a big shot of sunscreen back in the face last weekend. “We knew going into the meet we were the team with the bullseye on our backs,” coach Matt Wiemers said while brilliantly offering free donuts from Sehnert’s to certain observers Saturday morning. ...

McCook High alum Zach Schlager (25) appears to have a clear path for tackling or blocking another Nebraska Cornhusker during Saturday’s annual Spring Game at Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium. Below, Dundy County-Stratton alum Phalen Sanford (left) defends this pass play as he and Schlager earned plenty of “reps” in Saturday’s Nebraska Cornhusker Red-White spring football game. ...

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — One roster for the 43rd annual West Nebraska All-Star Football Game reads like a who’s who of top Gazette-area players last fall. McCook all-stater Alec Langan joins Hastings College return Torrington Ford and dangerous Bison defensive back Mason Schmoker in leading the East All-Stars...

The news this morning is that Lori Lightfoot (D) Mayor of Chicago has implemented a new directive for her police department. Now a policeman has to call and get his supervisor’s permission before pursuing the suspected perpetrator of a crime. See a gun-wielding perp running from holding up a convenience store and the cop has to get his boss’s permission before chasing after the criminal. That should really work out well...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council Monday night seemed amiable to a request to donate or sell land to McCook Habitat for Humanity but first wanted to know all the demolition costs the city incurred on the property. Kent Been, McCook Habitat for Humanity coordinator, asked Monday night at the regular city council meeting about the possibility of the non-profit buying or using abandoned property on West Fourth for a possible house...

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Walmart and Sam’s Club today announced a new COVID-19 vaccine milestone: Immunizations are now available to customers and associates in all of their more than 5,100 pharmacy locations nationwide, across 49 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. This includes the 46 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in Nebraska...

John Clifford Sines Dec. 27, 1922 - May 1, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — John Clifford Sines, age 98, of McCook, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at his home in Kinship Pointe, McCook. John was born Dec. 27, 1922, in Marian, Neb., to parents, Guy B. and May A. ...

Mervin Carl Zysset Feb. 17, 1936 - April 29, 2021 FARNAM, Neb. — Mervin Carl Zysset, 85, of Farnam, passed peacefully at Lexington Regional Health Center on April 29, 2021. Mervin was born at home in rural Frontier County on Feb. 17, 1936, to Carl and Aurie (Buker) Zysset. ...

Theresa Krysl Oct. 26, 1931 - April 28, 2021 ATKINSON, Neb. — Theresa Krysl, age 89, of Atkinson, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at Parkside Manor in Stuart, Neb. She was born in Atkinson on Oct. 26, 1931, to John and Mary (Kohle) Laible. She attended and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in Atkinson. Theresa worked as a nanny for several families and then at Clary’s grocery as a clerk for several years...

Dear Editor, I write to you regarding Mike O’Dell’s column dated April 23, 2021. The Governor’s Office has long enjoyed a collegial and transparent relationship with media organizations across Nebraska. The pandemic over the last year provided members of the press with unprecedented, direct access to the Governor and his team. ...

William Henry Welsh May 29, 1944 - April 27, 2021 CULBERTSON, Beb. — William Henry Welsh, 76, of Culbertson, was taken to his heavenly home on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in Culbertson, after a long fought battle from cancer. Willie was born May 29, 1944, to Henry and Elsie (Ivers) Welsh in Ogallala, Neb. He graduated from Ogallala High School in 1964...

McCOOK, Neb. - McCook native Garrett Nokes will be posthumously honored with a President’s Award at McCook Community College’s commencement ceremony May 7. Nokes was a coach for the Mid-Plains Community College rodeo team from the fall of 2014 until his passing in February of this year. He made a tremendous impact on both the team and the college during that time...

Melvin Dem Moore April 10, 1933 - May 1, 2021 BENKELMAN, Neb. — Melvin Dem Moore of Benkelman was born April 10, 1933, to Dem and Norma Thomas Moore at Oberlin, Kan. Melvin lost his battle to cancer, May 1, 2021, surrounded by his loving wife, Margaret and family. His last weeks on this earth were spent celebrating his life’s story, with friends and family members...

Lee William O’Neil May 1, 1943 - April 24, 2021 BRUSH, Colo. — Lee William O’Neil, 77, of Brush, went home to Jesus on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Lee was born May 1, 1943, at St. Catherine’s Hospital in McCook, Neb., to Gilbert “Pat” and Kathleen (Clifford) O’Neil. ...

Gerald Dean Hein Dec. 19, 1938 - Sept. 26, 2020 McCOOK, Neb. — Gerald Dean Hein, 81, of McCook, died Sept. 26, 2020, at his home. Cremation was chosen. Graveside services are Friday, May 7, 2021, 10 a.m., at the Culbertson Cemetery with Jim Jones providing words of comfort...

The McCook Community College golf team finished up the regular season Friday placing second to Eastern Wyoming, and are heading back to the National Junior College Athletic Association Championships for the third time in four years. (The NJCAA cancelled the tournament in 2020). This year MCC will return to Lubbock, Texas where the championships will be held May 10-12...

The McCook Community College softball team’s hopes to host the Region IX softball tournament next weekend ended with a 5-4 loss in extra innings to Northeastern Junior College Friday. MCC ensured the Plainswomen wouldn’t win the title by scoring three runs in the ninth inning in game 2, capped by a walk-off home run from freshman Ashland Baca (Byers, Colo.) to pull out a 7-5 win...

The McCook Community College softball team will play Western Nebraska Saturday in the opening round of the Region IX Tournament. The post-season double-elimination tournament will be held at the site of top seeded Trinidad State in Colorado. The Lady Indians are the No. 3 seed having compiled a 36-12 overall record and 18-8 within the Region. They will take on sixth-seeded Western Nebraska (10-25, 6-20) in a 1 p.m. (MT) game Saturday...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Bison football program will once again be conducting the McCook Bison Championship Football Camp for individuals entering second throgh eighth grades (school year 2021-22) this summer. The camp will run from Tuesday, June 1 through Friday June 4...

PUEBLO, Colo. — Bolstered by victories in both of the men’s relays, the Chadron State College track and field team closed out the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships, on a high note Sunday afternoon. The Eagles won the 4x100 relay in 40.90 seconds and the 4x400 relay in 3:13.87 seconds. ...