Stories from Tuesday, June 15, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — On Saturday, the McCook summer swim team hosted the first of three home meets as part of the Plains Tsunami Swim League (PTSL). It was the second regular meet of the season, featuring teams from McCook, St. Francis, Perkins County, Imperial and Benkelman...

Her name is Aretta and she was the top graduating senior in her homeschool class. The graduation address was given by her superintendent, her primary instructor, her farmer-stockman father. Graduating with honors her 19 hours of college credit accomplished to date were recognized. Well yes her mother, a registered CPA, also most likely also played a part while running a full-time accounting business from their home...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two parents addressed the McCook School Board Monday night, one concerned about the Nebraska Department of Education’s proposed health education standards and another about masks in school.Melissa Cary has three children, one in preschool, one in high school that she’s home-schooled previously and another she currently home-schools. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Commissioners accepted a challenge of sorts, and upped Red Willow County’s contribution to the Family Resource Center by $500 for the year, the same dollar increase pledged by Hitchcock County. Delivering an annual report to the county board Monday, director Kathy Haas said Hayes and Dundy counties had increased their contribution by $100 each. Red Willow County will now provide $6,500 for the FRC, Hitchcock $3,500 and Hayes $1,000...

Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival attendees enjoyed getting reacquainted with their friends and neighbors at the Fox Theatre Friday night for the festival’s main show. The influence of teachers was a reoccurring theme of the stories, including Master Storyteller Kim Weitkamp, top right, who recalled a teacher who maintained lifelong bonds with her students, Chuck Schroeder, above left, who recalled an instructor who challenged him to use his God-given talent for art, and Samantha McCarville, above right, who portrayed Gwendolyn Mae McKenzie, a wartime military meteorologist who went on to lead McCook Junior College and serve on the Mid Plains Community College board of governors. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Optimist Club is sponsoring the Larry Samway Memorial Fishing Derby and Casting Contest, Father’s Day Weekend, June 19-20 at Hugh Butler Lake, 10 miles north of McCook. Contestants will compete for cash and prizes while sharpening their fishing skills...

William “Bill” Whitaker May 9, 1935 - June 13, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. —William “Bill” Whitaker, 86, a longtime resident of and business owner in McCook, was surrounded by his family when he passed away, Sunday morning, June 13, 2021, at Kinship Point in McCook...

Larry “Bugs” Foster Feb. 5, 1939 - Nov. 9, 2020 BARTLEY, Neb. — Larry “Bugs” Foster, 81, of Bartley, died Nov. 9, 2020, at Community Hospital in McCook. He was born in Omaha, Neb. on Feb. 5, 1939, to Leo and Dorothy (Wight) Foster. Graveside services with full military honors are Saturday, June 19, 2021, 11 a.m., at the Bartley Cemetery in Bartley with Jim Jones providing words of comfort...

Bonnie Catherine Marquette Oct. 18, 1935 - June 12, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Bonnie Catherine Marquette, age 85, of McCook, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Hillcrest Caring Center in McCook. Bonnie was born Oct. 18, 1935, in Sutherland, Neb., to parents, Edward and Evelyn (Anderson) Meyen. Bonnie graduated from high school in Commerce City, Colo., in 1953...

Bill Dean Carmin Feb. 13, 1963 - May 3, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. —Bill Dean Carmin, 58, of McCook, died Monday, May 3, 2021, at his home in McCook with loved ones at his side. He was born in Greeley, Colo., to Richard Dean and Janette Barbara (Thompson) Carmin on Feb. 13, 1963...

Marlene Johnson MCDONALD, Kan. — Marlene Johnson, 90, died Friday (June 11, 2021), at the Wheat Haven Home McDonald. Funeral services are Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at McDonald Federated Church at 10:30 a.m. CDT. Interment is at Grace Cemetery, McDonald...

Leona Ann Brehm Sigwing Jan. 13, 1943 - June 11, 2021 LENEXA, Kan. — Leona Ann Brehm Sigwing returned to our Heavenly Father early Thursday morning, June 11, 2021 at the Kansas City Hospice House. Leona was born on Jan. 13, 1943 in Culbertson, Neb. Leona leaves behind a younger brother, Dennis L. Brehm of Kansas City, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents, Esther Hein Brehm and Henry Brehm, and two brothers Donald W. Brehm and Kenneth K. Brehm...

Wilma Pauline Bates Feb. 20, 1930 - May 31, 2021 BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Wilma Pauline Bates passed quietly from this life to the next in the early morning hours of May 31, 2021, at the Beaver City Manor, she was 91 years of age. Wilma was born in Hendley, Neb., on Feb. 20, 1930 to George and Bertha Lehn Brubaker...

90th birthday The family of Jack Stevens of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday on Monday, June 21, 2021. His family includes children, Laura (Erik) Olson of McCook, Paul (Rebecca) Stevens of Lincoln, Neb., Warren (Sarah L) Stevens of Spokane Valley, Wash.; and grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 1515 Norris Ave., McCook, NE 69001...

McCOOK, Neb. — The latest from McCook Minors League baseball action at Felling Field from gamechanger com. Monday Blue Rocks 4, Hot Rods 3 A walk-off left Carpenter Breland Hot Rods on the wrong end of a 4-3 defeat to Dan’s Sanitation Blue Rocks on Monday...

McCOOK, Neb. — A final rundown of how all area athletes compared whether they wre competing in Class B, C or D track/field field this spring. The boys’ area leaders appeared on Friday: GIRLS 100 meters: 1. Kamrie Dillan, Chase County, 12.4; 2. Shawna Wilkinson, McCook, 12.83; 3. Chloe Dillan, Chase County, 13.0; 4. Emma Dutton, McCook, 13.2; 4. Jordan Jablonski, Chase County, 13.2...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook First Central Bank Juniors couldn’t quite hold on to an early lead and lost 6-3 to Minden Sunday afternoon which finished a tough baseball weekend. The Juniors (1-8) saw Cole Graham score twice while Nathaniel Miller also rounded those bases...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook National Bank Seniors learned about areas they can improve following three tough defeats during this past weekend. MNB’s still 3-3 following a rough 13-1 home loss to Minden Sunday afternoon. Layne Stevens drilled two doubles for the best MNB highlights, scoring that one McCook run on a single from teammate Alex Anthony...

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Logan Tanner hit a three-run homer to cap a six-run second inning and Mississippi State advanced to its third straight College World Series with an 11-7 victory over Notre Dame on Monday night in the Starkville Super Regional...

McCOOK, Neb. — A celebration of state and country filled McCook’s City Auditorium while Brian Blade defended his Midwest Wrestling Association pro title Friday evening. Top challenger Prince Rahim entered the ring wearing both a full robe and turban — prompting several fans to chant “USA! USA! USA!”...

The McCook Rebels ripped six home runs and reached 25 wins this season along with a a Class C district softball championship Thursday. McCook’s 14-and-under team featured Malika Hilker hitting her first home run over a fence in an 8-2 championship game victory over Prodigy Bearkiller/Moorhead...

Nebraska touring musician Orion Walsh will present a free concert in Norris Park at 7 p.m. Thursday, sponsored by the McCook Arts Council and Arts Across Nebraska. Walsh’s eighth album will be released July 9 on the folk/roots label Sower Records. He has been touring for over a decade and has performed over 1,000 concerts all over the United States as well as multiple tours to Europe as both a solo artist and with his band, and will tour the western and midwestern United States this summer...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Commissioners have done about all they can do to straighten out property lines scrambled by the 1935 flood, but it may take a while longer to determine who owns and who should pay taxes on a certain parcel of property south of Indianola...