Stories from Friday, July 30, 2021

LINCOLN, Neb. — Chase County’s Troy Hauxwell was quick to deflect credit while being named Nebraska Coaches Association Girls Track and Field Coach of The Year Saturday night. “I’ve never looked at myself as a head coach. It’s just a title,” Hauxwell said before passing credit to several assistant coaches like Dan Lenners, Debbie Dahlkoetter-Richardson, Sam McNair, Matt Jablonski, Travis Luhrs, Kale Gockley, Josh Fries, Al Zuege and Paige Milner...

The recent discussions of Pastime Park are a pertinent topic to consider as we work through plans for a public pool upgrade, yet rings a personal note for me. In the summer of 1973, I had the pleasure of attending a five-week session at Buffalo Gap Camp in Capon Bridge, West Virginia...

McCOOK Neb. — The McCook City Council will decide Monday night if engine brakes, also known as “jake brakes,” will be banned within city limits, at the regular meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the City Municipal Building. After hearing from several McCook citizens complaining about the loud noise of engine brakes and also from one citizen who defended their use on some occasions, the council asked city staff at the July 19 meeting to create an engine braking ordinance. ...

Joyce Ann Hilker May 20, 1932 - July 28, 2021 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Joyce Ann Hilker, age 89, of Arapahoe, formerly of Cambridge, Neb., passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at C.A. Mues Good Samaritan Center in Arapahoe. She was born on May 20, 1932, on a farm north of Arapahoe to Emil and Emma (Hilker) Stagemeyer...

25th anniversary The kids of Travis and Colette Balderston of McCook are requesting a card shower in honor the couple’s 25th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. They were married in 1996 at the United Methodist Church in McCook. Their family includes children, Desarae, Chism Newkirk of Kansas, Ashlyn Balderston of Lincoln, Neb., Rylie Balderston, Joslyn Rivera of McCook. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 71162 Road 382, McCook, NE 69001...

85th birthday The family of Marilyn Hawkins of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of her 85th birthday on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. Her family includes sons, John Hawkins, Jim Hawkins and wife, Liz, and Steve Hawkins and wife, Judy; daughter, Cheryl Hawkins; and grandchildren, Andrew, Emily and Crystal Hawkins. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 309 West 7th Street, McCook, NE 69001...

25th anniversary Jon and Carrie Johnson of McCook will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. They were married in 1996 at United Methodist Church in McCook. Their family includes children, Abigail and Chayse Johnson. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 1008 East 1st Street, McCook, NE 69001...

91st birthday The family of Mick Helberg of Hamlet, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of his 91st birthday on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021.He was born in Arnold, Neb. He was the Hayes County Extension Agent for many years, working with 4-H members and also for Central Sandhills Extension Counties before retiring. ...

Algebra and I never agreed on anything. In my mind, letters are letters and numbers are numbers. The only algebra class I took in high school was in Indianola as a 9th grader and the one memory I retain from the class is a scar from a lead pencil that I most deservedly (my big Scotch-Irish mouth got ahead of my brain) received for a comment I made to one of my classmates. Today, one of the two of us would have been in big trouble, but in those days you shook it off and got on with life...

McCOOK, Neb. – Heritage Days turns 50 this year, so the theme will be “Retro 1971” according to Chamber President Brandi McConnell. Brandi said planning is just beginning, but vendor applications for Norris Park are available online at https://bit.ly/3rDrBcG, or they can be picked up at the chamber office...

McCOOK, Neb. — New league leaders Samway/Michaelis and MNB Financial Group both took their leads Wednesday evening. Old Sarge’s Bar and Mead Lumber/CTE slipped into close second places. A League Samway/Michaelis 78 Old Sarge’s Bar 76.5 Studio 205 73.5...

A final rundown of McCook National Bank Seniors’ Legion baseball season leaders. The Legion Post 203 team (12-17 final record) reached B-6 tourney finals before losing to Broken Bow. Total hits: TANNER JACOBS 31, Alex Anthony 28, Adam Dugger 23. Runs scored: TANNER JACOBS 27, Dugger 25, Coleton Lentz 14, Layne Stevens 14...

Dear Editor, I read the article in The McCook Gazette and one news item that really stood out was: ““Oddfellows Local 151 25th Annual Bingo Night and Spaghetti Feed” Thursday night at Sehnert’s Bakery.” I am pleased that the theater actors are conducting tryouts now, rehearsals in August, and Spaghetti and BINGO for the audience in September and October. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College Volleyball Coach Hayley Kobza has announced that Mia Pena, a transfer from Northwestern Colorado Junior College is the final recruit for the fall season, which begins Aug. 20. “I have watched Mia play since she was a senior, and I am glad that our paths have crossed again for this upcoming season,” Kobza said. “I believe she will be a great asset to our program and will be bringing in some great leadership qualities as well.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College Assistant Baseball Coach Kregg Snook has been named the head coach at Clarendon College in Texas. “I am extremely happy for Kregg, I know that he worked very hard while he was here and his new position is well deserved,” said MCC Baseball Coach Jon Olsen. “It didn’t matter what I asked out of Kregg, he was there to get it done. He was great on the recruiting trail and did an excellent job with our players.”...

McCOOK, Neb. -- In “desperate need of funds to be able to stay on the air,” KNGN radio is accepting donations for a rummage sale. Donations can be brought to the basement of Peace Lutheran Church, 411 E. Sixth, on Monday, Aug. 2 and Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m...

McCook’s Caden Edwards (above) displays three Cornhusker State Games medals for his powerlifting performance at Lincoln recently. Edwards won two golds and a silver in the Men’s Raw Teen division. Meanwhile, McCook Bison tennis Isaac Hinze (below) won three Cornhusker Games state tennis matches and placed second for Singles age 18 and Under. All the area state medalists were mentioned in Tuesday’s Gazette...

McCOOK, Neb. — It’s time again for the Annual Bison Boosters Hamburger Feed which will be held on Thursday, Aug. 19 prior to the start of the Football Scrimmage. On the menu are hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, chips, cookies and drinks available from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a free-will donation to support the McCook High School athletic programs. The Scrimmage is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Weiland Field...