Stories from Thursday, May 6, 2021

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Every McCook tennis girl went 7-0 through Monday’s North Platte JV Invitational with Carley Peters and Abbie Johnson delivering seven consecutive 6-0 sweeps. The powerful Peters/Johnson combination swept three North Platte Teams, Hershey, Hastings, Ogallala and Hastings Adams Central by 6-0 scores...

SUTHERLAND, Neb. — The message written on her wrist was slightly more demanding than “pick up milk on your way home from work.” Chase County sophomore Bryn McNair loves pushing to conquer the best challenges, so it was a perfect message entering Tuesday’s “Best in Midwest” track/field meet...

It it heartening to see some sense of normality returning, with a gorgeous Simply Strings concert on Sunday at the Fox Theater, a full schedule of spring sports underway and plans for a return of the Buffalo Commons festival announced. While a lot of us have been fully vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus, too many of us have subscribed to the “I guess I’ll just wait a while,” attitude -- waiting for what -- the fourth wave like that now decimating India?...

Last week was deemed ‘Revenue’ week here at the capitol. More long days and nights of passionate and sometimes angry debates ensued as we tackled taxation issues among other things. With an unclear picture at the beginning of last week as to the state’s financial wiggle room, it was important to carefully weigh any bills with significant financial price tags...

As a runner and a biker, there are days when you simply don’t want to lace up those shoes or pump up your tires. But even on those days that are a struggle, rarely - if ever - have I finished and regretted not doing the ride or going for that run. No one finishes and says, “I wish I hadn’t done that.”...

McCOOOK, Neb. -- Like a lot of high school seniors, Genevieve “Evie” Hopkinson, didn’t really know exactly what she wanted as graduation approached at Springville High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. Attending college -- anywhere -- was not an appealing path. She just wanted to get started working full time, earn some money, eventually open up her own business and maybe travel...

McCOOK, Neb. — Finding someone to serve on a city board or committee may get a little easier now. The McCook City Council received and filed Monday night at the regular meeting a new application that interested citizens can fill out for future openings on city committees. The application will be kept on file for when a vacancy occurs...

Lisa Bortner of McCook joins Bieroc Café regular Job Vigil of North Platte at this week’s First Tuesday event, a precursor to the return of the Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival, set June 11-13. Featured artists and presenters this year include event alumni and nationally-known storyteller Kim Weitkamp, the Fy5 Band of Fort Collins, Colo., artist Chuck Schroeder and Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3xWse47...

Donna M. Maaske Jan. 25, 1947 - May 1, 2021 HOLDREGE, Neb. — Memorial services for Donna M. Maaske will be Friday, May 7, 2021, at 2 p.m., at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege with Pastor Murray Jones officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in rural Gosper County, Neb...

Mary M. Peterson July 24, 1960 - April 29, 2021 GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — ­Mary M. Peterson, 60, of Grand Island, formerly of McCook, Neb., passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at CHI-Health St. Francis Medical Center. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at All Faiths Funeral Home. Dan Naranjo will officiate. Casual dress is requested...

Reba F. Solko Jan. 14, 1963 - May 4, 2021 NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Reba (Seybold) Solko passed away May 4, 2021, in North Platte at the age of 58. Reba was born Jan. 14, 1963, in McCook, Neb., to Ronald and Donna (McKernan) Seybold. She grew up in McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1981...

C. William “Bill” O’Brien June 10, 1936 - April 19, 2021 LASALLE, Colo. — C. William “Bill” O’Brien, age 84, of La Salle, passed away at his home surrounded in love on Monday, April 19, 2021. Bill was born on June 10, 1936, in Nebraska, to John J. and Kathryn V. (Sullivan) O’Brien...

Dolores M. Hayes Sept. 21, 1931 - May 3, 2021 GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Dolores M. Hayes, 89, of Grand Island, formerly of McCook, Neb., died Monday, May 3, 2021 at Tiffany Square Care Center. Dolores wishes were to be cremated and inurnment will be at a later date at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Neb. ...

QUINTER, Kan. — Sophomore Michaela Rippe ran, jumped and took the relay baton to championships as Rawlins County finished sixth among 16 schools competing at Friday’s Quinter Invitational. Rippe rushed to a 100-meter dash victory with a time of 13.75 seconds edging host Quinter Bulldog Kennedy Werth’s 13.89...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — McCook Legion baseball made a brillant 2021 season debut as Herrmann Jones hammered North Platte’s Naturals, 20-4 and 3-1, in a sweep on Saturday. The 20-4 victory featured Jaret Neben knocking in four runs, Gabe Roberts three and Brody Graham batting in two more runs...

Mid-Plains Community College will head into the College National Finals Rodeo with the number one men’s team in the region – the first time since 2017. That’s following a whirlwind final season rodeo in Ames, Iowa over the weekend that saw the MPCC Rodeo Team rise to the top in several areas of competition...

McCOOK, Neb. — The standings and all league scores last week. The big story was GTA Insurance Agency bumping Bison Dental from unbeaten ranks in Women’s League play. GTA Insurance also swept Bye Week to get within striking range of league co-leaders Blockbusters and Bison Dental...

McCOOK, Neb. — Dundy County-Stratton’s Mark Nelms and Nolan Burrell finished 1-2 and helped golf the Tigers to a team title at Tuesday’s Hitchcock County Invite. Both Tigers fired rounds of 94 which was good enough to edge Maywood-Hayes Center’s Weston Morrow (95) by one stroke...