Stories from Thursday, July 1, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — Nearly 50 swimmers, bikers and runners - or triathletes - took part in the fourth annual Michelle Walter’s Memorial Sprint Triathlon on Saturday. Each triathlete swam or water walked 500 meters at the McCook city swimming pool. Bikers followed a 12-mile, 2-loop route north on East 11th Street by Community Hospital, followed by a 5K run or walk on the McCook walking trail before crossing the finish line at Kelley Park...

DALLAS - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association continues its tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the 24th year with its 2021 weekly surveys, and NCAA champion Mississippi State made its first No. 1 ranking count in the final Top 30 survey...

With the new, more easily spread Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus becoming dominant, continuing vaccinations is even more important. Just how important is illustrated by an Associated Press study, using federal figures from May. The upshot: Nearly all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., now below 300, are now in people who weren’t vaccinated. It could be practically zero if everyone got the vaccine...

Last year, the McCook Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee reviewed and revised its vision statement. It’s pretty simple and straightforward: Making McCook an even better place to call home. In other words, McCook has a lot of great things going for it, a lot of tremendous assets already in place, a lot of great people working to make our community thrive and grow...

Donald L. Smith  Feb. 25, 1949 - July 7, 2020 AURORA, Colo. — Donald L. Smith, 71, of Aurora, died July 7, 2020. A Celebration Life service is Saturday, July 17, 2021, 1-5 p.m., CDT, at the Community Building at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, 1412 W. Fifth in McCook, Neb...

McCOOK, Neb. — Go ahead and celebrate America’s birthday on July 4 with a bang — just use common sense in doing so, said the City of McCook Fire Chief. Based on prior years, even in drier-than-normal years, the people in McCook “have done an awesome job” in being safe with July 4 celebrations, said Marc Harpham, McCook Fire Chief. The lack of fires and serious injuries “is a direct result of folks here being responsible in their use of fireworks,” he said...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Residents trying to get some early shuteye and jittery pets will have little trouble believing a website that says Nebraska is no slacker when it comes to fireworks. Zippia.com crunched some census numbers and found that per person, the Cornhusker state trails only the Show Me state when it comes to importing fireworks...

McCOOK, Neb. -- On May 18, 2021, Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department was made aware that data regarding COVID-19 vaccinations was accessible through the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department website. Those impacted individuals have been notified via mail about the website error. Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department has been in contact with the website host and there is only one known instance of that file being accessed...

CULBERTSON, Neb. -- A full day of activities is planned for Culbertson on the Fourth of July. Highlights include: 7-9:30 Breakfast at the Culbertson Fire Barn 8:30 a.m. Community worship at the Community Building at the fairgrounds. 6:30-7:30 a.m. Freedom Run registration, downtown park or prior at republicanriverfitnesseries.com...

McCOOK, Neb. —Samway Floor Covering clinched the regular-season team championship in McCook YMCA Co-Ed Softball League action last week. Samway (5-1 record) crushed top contender The Coppermill, 17-1; and added a 15-2 trouncing of Swollen Goat Thursday evening...

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Mississippi State’s first national championship had been building since 1985, when “Thunder and Lightning” — Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro — were the stars on what’s known as the best team to not win a College World Series. The 2021 Bulldogs got the job done. Finally...

McCOOK, Neb. — The latest results from Heritage Hills Ladies Golf League action to cap June and go into July. A League Susie Townsley/Jody Bennett — 68 Karmon Coleman/Helen Reiners; Jennifer Baker/Mindy Haag — 65 Deb Walter/Colleen Olson — 62 JoHanna Scott/Michelle Terry — 61...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Storm became unstoppable while scoring 50 runs in three games en route to the Firecracker Fastpitch 12-and-under softball title on Sunday. The Storm suddenly caught fire following a 17-9 opening loss against McCook Rebels. Quick recaps from each contest:...

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — McCook’s First Central Bank Juniors fought to a 4-4 tie, but saw a bloop single and fielder’s choice grounder give Gothenburg the 5-4 walkoff victory Tuesday evening. The FCB Juniors (4-13 record) have lost four straight since a doubleheader sweep of Medicine Valley last week...

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — Gothenburg’s Riley “Tubby” Baker made sure baseballs were tougher to hit for distance than a wet bar of soap Tuesday night. Baker became those field sprinklers which suddenly start just in time to stop a team’s momentum. The McCook National Bank Seniors brought a three-game win streak into Gothenburg...