Stories from Tuesday, August 9, 2022

The McCook High fall sports teams are all going full speed as pre-season practices officially began on Monday. McCook High‘s volleyball girls are preparing for their Pre-Season Jamboree on Aug. 22 against Dundy County-Stratton and Hitchcock County.

Football teams clearly change a lot from year to year whether it’s high school, college, peewee or pro. What’s really sad is watching two brothers pushing into the 50s, trying to run some old Oklahoma Sooner option plays alas Barry Switzer. Most neighbors politely retreated inside during this horrific display...

McCOOK, Neb. — The process for approving the budget will change this year, according to McCook Public Schools' business manager. Jeff Gross, MPS business manager, told the McCook Board of Education Monday at the regular meeting Monday night that per state law, a joint public hearing of Red Willow County, the City of McCook and the MPS district will be held if their budgets for this year are more than 2% higher than last years’. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — As it stands now, Red Willow County’s tax request is $800,000 more than last year, but that number is likely to come down. For one, commissioners plan hearings with individual office holders to see where trims can be made. Another factor affecting the final budget will be property valuations, which the county assessor has a few more days to provide...

McCOOK, Neb. — If you think you have to haul a lot of salt to your water softener, you should work for the city. Sixty-one times last year, a semi-truck loaded with about 30 tons of solar salt arrived from Utah to keep McCook’s water treatment plant in operation. During heavy use in the summer, two trucks a week are required, at $5,000 a load, for a cost of $286,000, about $66,000 more than budgeted for...

Kory E. Kitt March 1, 1972 - July 27, 2022 SARGENT, Neb. — Kory E. Kitt, 50, of Sargent, passed from this life into the Lord’s presence Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Kory was born March 1, 1972, in Benkelman, Neb., to parents, Keith and Karla (Stock) Kitt. ...

Mary Ann Lemmon Ebmeier July 29, 1938 - Aug. 4, 2022 COZAD, Neb. — Mary Ann Lemmon Ebmeier, 84, passed away peacefully at Emerald Care Center in Cozad on Aug. 4, 2022. She was born on July 29, 1938, in rural Crawford, Neb., to Calvin and Florence (Cullers) Lemmon. She attended country school, riding a horse to school with her brothers...

Allan Dean Powell Aug. 2, 1943 - Aug. 2, 2022 TRENTON, Neb. — Allan Dean Powell was born on Aug. 2, 1943, in Decatur County, Kan., to James Monroe and Irene Faye (Jolly) Powell. He attended school in Decatur County and graduated from Norcatur High School with the Class of 1961...

Elsie Mae (Noland) Grube April 4, 1928 - Aug. 5, 2022 INDIANOLA, Neb. — Mrs. Elsie Mae (Noland) Grube, age 94, of Indianola, Neb., passed away at Kinship Pointe in McCook on Aug. 5, 2022. Elsie was born on April 4, 1928, to parents, John and Mary (Barette) Noland. She married Clifford L. Grube on Jan. 10, 1945. God gave them three children, Judy, Ellen, and Calvin...

Randal R. Emmons Oct. 1, 1961 - July 11, 2022 OXFORD, Neb. — A memorial service and celebration of life for Randal R. Emmons will be held on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Hilltop Event Center in Oxford, with Mr. David Hunt officiating. The family requests casual attire...

James W. Cox May 2, 1941 - May 29, 2022 SEWARD, Neb. — James W. Cox, age 81, passed away May 29, 2022, in Seward, Neb. He was born May 2, 1941, in Yuma, Colo., to James and Pearl (Chandler) Burrows. James grew up around Beaver City, Neb., and graduated from Beaver City High School in the Class of 1959. He married his wife, Julie Bruening, soon after and celebrated 63 years together...

Michael Allen Geihsler-Jensen GRESHAM, Ore. — Michael Allen Geihsler-Jensen, 56, of Gresham, formerly of Benkelman, Neb., died Jan. 13, 2022. Graveside services are, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, 11 a.m., at the Benkelman Cemetery with the Rev. Gary Brethour officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow services...

Stephen Edward Martin McCOOK, Neb. — Stephen Edward Martin, 78, of McCook, died Feb. 28, 2022, at his home in McCook. Graveside service with Military Honors is Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, 10:30 a.m., at the Oberlin Cemetery in Oberlin, Kan. Memorials can be given in his name for future designation to Tony Martin, 3421 East 32nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50317. Online condolences can be left at www.carpenterbreland.com...

Beverly Ann Aschliman McCOOK, Neb. — Beverly Ann Aschliman, 64, of McCook, died Monday (Aug. 8, 2022). Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook.

INDIANOLA, Neb. — Anyone interested in old-time harvesting and farming methods or just a good old-fashioned farm show will want to mark this Sunday, Aug. 14 on their calendar. That is the date of the 14th Annual Bum Malleck Memorial Threshing just 4 miles South of Indianola, Nebraska. The event is held in conjunction with the annual Indianola Old Settlers Celebration...

McCOOK, Neb. — The entry fee for athletic events at McCook Public Schools may go up in the future. Currently, it costs $5 to enter events at MPS. While discussing student fees at the public hearing Monday night prior to the regular McCook Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Grant Norgaard said there is room in the policy to increase entry fees to $6. ...

This weekend we had occasion to drive from Omaha south to Nebraska City. It is interesting to see how diverse this wonderful State of Nebraska truly is. From the nearly barren hills around Scottsbluff to the verdant farmland of our eastern reaches agriculture is king but truly varies from west to east...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander met with members of the media following day 10 of fall camp Monday. Chinander spoke on Monday’s practice and the defensive progression through fall camp. “I think there is a lot of good and a lot of stuff to clean up,” Chinander said. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Results from the latest Go-Kart races at McCook Mini Speedway on Saturday. Next races are Aug. 20. Rookies 1. Cole Osborn 2. Jaxson Eagleburger 3. Briar Canas Junior 1 1. Carter Green 2. Cale DeWester 3. Zach Osborn Junior 2 Jessia McDougal...

Dear Editor, I read in the August 2, 2022 edition of The McCook Gazette, about the very generous gift by the Benjamins to build a huge ballpark complex north of McCook. The article also lists additional monies from an unnamed donor plus revenue from the McCC and hospital Foundations. ...

NORTON, Kan. — A California bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a semi truck near Norton on Monday. Robert C. Schlage, 68, of Sierra City, Calif., was riding a bicycle westbound on US Highway 36 west of Norton when he was struck from the rear by a truck driven by Ronald D. Steelsmith, 41, of Phillipsburg, Kan., at 7:57 p.m., according to the Kansas Highway Patrol...