Stories from Friday, October 1, 2021

O’NEILL, Neb. — A 257-mile road trip on Monday only means the McCook softball girls will see familiar foes to start their B-9 subdistridt title. The Bison (7-18 record) are seeded third and will take on No. 2 Holdrege (10-15) at Carney Park in O’Neill...

Area football teams hit highs and lows in Week 6 of the regular season but without a doubt, Dundy County-Stratton's 52-42 loss at Hi-Line has to be Friday night's big shocker. The defending D-1 state champ Tigers were unbeaten since a 2019 state semifinal at Burwell. They'd won 18 straight including a 42-36 victory over those same Longhorns for their historic first football state title...

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — September finished in fantastic style with McCook junior Samantha Rodewald winning Thursday’s Gothenburg Invitational at Wildhorse Golf Course. Just three days after conquering Class B in the UNK Invite, Rodewald broke 20 minutes by two seconds (19:58) to hold off Minden’s Jesse Hurt (20:00)...

AURORA, Neb. — Junior Lucas Gomez-Wilson's 80-yard fumble return was the only McCook touchdown during a McCook Bison 32-10 loss at Class B powerhouse Aurora Friday night. The Huskies (4-2 record) have won four straight since a defeat to No. 1-ranked Bennington...

McCOOK, Neb. — For most people, making a cake means a mix, some frosting and maybe some candles. For specialty cake artist Kasha Messersmith of Omaha, Neb., formerly of McCook, Neb., it can mean dry ice, nuts and bolts, even flashing lights. For her recent 10-year McCook High School reunion, she made a cake sculpted into the school mascot, a bison, with jaw-dropping, realistic details. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to confirm the location of exterior signs at the city library for the new technology center, at the regular meeting Monday night, 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the Municipal Building. The other regular agenda item is to amend a city ordinance relating to the city treasurer, to harmonize with state law. ...

Earlier this month, I paddle boarded down the Middle Loop River for 5 hours and 41 minutes. That is not a typo. And I was one of the first ones to cross the finish line; others were out there longer. Aside from seeing a few fellow paddlers at the beginning and a scattering of spectators waving from bridges, I was by myself for nearly six hours. ...

50th anniversary The family of Denny and Shirley Ferguson of Palisade, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. They were married at the United Methodist Church in Palisade in 1971. Their family includes children, Dennis and Jessica Ferguson of Hampton, Neb., and Derek and Cheryl Ferguson of Columbus, Neb.; and 5 grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 102 S Churchill St., Palisade, NE 69040...

Draxton Joseph Guess Robert Guess Jr. and Vallie Guess of Cambridge, Neb., announce the birth of their son, Draxton Joseph Guess, who was born Aug. 8, 2021, at Cambridge. He weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 20.75 inches long. He has two brothers, Maverick, 4 and Arius, 2. ...

Marching bands bring tears to my eyes just like looking at our flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I’m not an emotional type of person but the sound of the drums, the cadence as they march down the street with their backs straight and their heads held high….what’s not to like?...

George L. Hosea SUMNEYTOWN, Pa. — George L. Hosea passed away on Aug. 26, 2021, at age 92 and went home to be with his parents, George Davis Hosea and Anna Pearl Palmer Hosea; beloved wife of 55 years, Ruth Arlene Imbody Hosea; grandson, Bryan Charles Lamb; brother, Dale (Janet) Hosea; and dear friend, Joyce Howie...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Cambridge’s Jordyn Cross and Macy Jones claimed two of the top three places at Wednesday’s Dundy County-Stratton Golf Invite. Cross shot 96 for second behind only champion Madi Preece from North Platte’s JV with her 92. Jones was two strokes behind Cross at 98...

STAMFORD, Neb. — The Cambridge Trojans quickly resumed their victorious routine with two wins at Thursday’s Southern Valley Triangular. The Trojans (12-4 record) recovered from a surprise two-set loss in McCook Tuesday evening. On Thursday, they edged Hoxie (Kan.) 25-23 and then won 25-12 which finished this opening sweep...

LAMAR, Colo. – The McCook Community College golf team is one shot back of Eastern Wyoming Community College after the opening round of Region IX play in the Lamar Community College Tournament. “It was a very pleasant weather day for golf,” said MCC Assistant Coach Nick Nothnagel. “Everyone gave a great, competitive effort today.”...

LAMAR, Colo. – The McCook Community College volleyball team came back from two sets down Thursday to take down Region IX foe Lamar Community College in five sets. After losing both the first two sets 21-25, MCC rebounded with set wins of 25-11, 25-13, and 15-11...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Only a dreaded plague of pink eye could stop fans from seeing Southwest’s super potential vs. Top 10-ranked volleyball foes Thursday night. The Roughriders rallied and won 25-23 to push Overton into one decisive third set. During both sets against Alma on “Pink Out Night” recognizing cancer awareness, Southwest played the Cardinals within 25-23...

HAYES CENTER, Neb. — Nothing sharpens the Wolves of Maywood-Hayes Center like a visit from always challenging Wauneta-Palisade. “It’s always a great game when us and Wauneta-Palisade play,” coach Kory Rohde declared. The Broncos (10-7 record) arrived with wins in four of their last five matches...

Formed 50 years ago in Kearney, Timberline opened a five-stop reunion tour Thursday night in the Alice Arena on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Original members, upper right, Jim and Chuck Salestrom and Craig Link were joined by Jim’s son, James, above right, and keyboardist Ken Miller. ...

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — McCook’s outlook is only getting brighter after the cross country boys captured sixth place among 16 teams at Thursday’s Gothenburg Invitational. Sophomore Grant Cappel picked up his pace and placed 10th (18:06) among a field of nearly 100 runners conquering Wildhorse Golf Course...

HASTINGS, Neb. — It you wanted to see a team fight off some unbelievable adversity, it was the Hastings College volleyball team that did just that in amazing fashing in its 19-25, 16-25, 25-22, 25-23, 17-15 come-from-behind upset of No. 10 College of Saint Mary on Wednesday night...

Jonathon Solorzano (below) motors to the finish line while posting Saturday’s fastest Heritage Road Race time overall in McCook on Saturday. Meanwhile, race enthusiasts declared Dari Olson (above) brought the biggest smile to her finish of this annual 5K road race. The Gazette hopes to include more results and details in an edition next week. Also watch for that information at mccookgazette.com...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Bill Hoyt has spent a lifetime looking out for those around him. He wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m a guard dog by nature,” Hoyt said. “I have no problem focusing my time and energy taking care of those in need.” It’s a philosophy he developed at an early age thanks to his background in agriculture. Hoyt was raised on a farm south of McCook where he had many day-to-day responsibilities, including caring for his family’s animals...

McCook JV Triangular McCook Vs Cozad (Mccook wins) Set 1: 25-13 Set 2: 25-13 Ashlyn Randel 7 kills Olivia Eschliman 10 Aces and 8 Assists McCook Vs Cambridge (McCook wins) Set 1: 25-10 Set 2: 25-8 Jaci Meyers 4 aces and 6 Assists Lexi Quint 4 Kills and 4 Aces...

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners on Sept. 29 appointed Arapahoe, Neb., native Tim McCoy to become the agency’s new director. McCoy, currently the deputy director, succeeds Jim Douglas, who is retiring Nov. 2 following 47 years at Nebraska Game and Parks, the last nine as director...

Hudson Werkmeister, Mitchell Johnson, Mike Burton and Tucker Gillispe (not pictured, Flight 3) were winners of the Red Willow County GOP blue rock shoot Sunday at the McCook Gun Club. In spite of a hot day, folks gathered to celebrate some local shooters. ...

LAMAR, Colo. – The McCook Community College golf team improved on the second day of the Lamar Community College Tournament Friday but finished 12 shots back of an Eastern Wyoming team that shot six-under par to win the win tournament.