Stories from Tuesday, September 27, 2022

SIDNEY, Neb. — McCook senior Layten Bortner knew he’d reach his ultimate goal just like Bison delivered another win Friday afternoon. “I’m going to get there,” Bortner said after he lunged while dragging Holdrege Dusters to inside the one-yard line one week earlier...

LINCOLN, Neb. — A Denver woman was sentenced to 57 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and her co-defendant, a McCook man, is scheduled to enter a plea of guilty on Oct. 13. Tina Smith, 35, Denver, will begin a three-year term of supervised release following release. There is no parole in the federal prison...

Just as advertised Grannie and your scribe made the short trip to join in Stratton’s Fall Festival. Actually, we just took in the Parade down their main street. I tickled a bit as we took our place in the shade of the Methodist Church by the announcer and judges’ station. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A few weeks ago, many McCook and Red Willow County residents received a phone call or email about their opinion on the bond issue for a new swimming pool and sports complex. The results have been tabulated and support for the McCook sales tax issue looks favorable at this point...

McCOOK, Neb. — On a split vote, Red Willow County commissioners approved a $2,000 retention bonus for full-time employees who have worked for the county at least three months. Randy Dean voted against the motion, saying he was sympathetic with county employees, “but everybody’s facing the same thing,” said Dean, who is also on the board of Hillcrest Nursing Home. He said ARPA funding that will provide the bonuses was intended to hold down tax...

McCOOK, Neb. — “We kind of survived,” Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department Director Myra Stoney told Red Willow County Commissioners Monday, delivering the 2021 annual report a year late, thanks to the pandemic. The 2022 annual report, which she hopes will be available by the end of the year, will show a nine-county regional health department that grew from seven employees to 30 during the pandemic and has now dropped to 15 employees. ...

Doug McCann May 5, 1942 -Sept. 20, 2022 EDISON, Neb. — Doug McCann, 80, of Edison, died Tuesday (Sept. 20, 2022), at Phelps Memorial Hospital, Holdrege, Neb. He was born May 5, 1942, to Howard and Lois (Brawner) McCann in Oxford, Neb. He worked at the Edison Co-op...

FORT DODGE, Iowa — A Mid-Plains Community College cowboy was left standing in the winner’s circle after the dust had cleared and the last gate had closed on two days of competition in Fort Dodge, Iowa over the weekend. Kaden Wooters, of Elwood, took the Men’s All-Around title at the Triton Stampede Saturday night. He also claimed the honors of both steer wrestling and tie-down champion and helped lead the MPCC Rodeo Team to a fourth-place finish in the men’s team standings...

SUTHERLAND, Neb. — The Southwest Roughriders were just three points from beating powerhouse Overton in Saturday’s Sutherland volleball tournament finals. Southwest (13-4 record) swept two matches earlier starting with a 25-16, 25-10 triumph over always feisty Hitchcock County...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Go ahead and call it one of the season’s best football games considering how Cambridge and Arapahoe battled Frday evening. The Trojans triumphed, 26-24, thanks to junior Kohan Grindle scoring touchdowns on a run, pass reception and kickoff return...

HOLDREGE, Neb. — McCook delivered a strong 25-20, 25-20 sweep of Cozad Haymakers to finish the Holdrege Invitational play on Saturday. Senior Lexi Quint and junior Kori Rippen both walloped five kills while senior Joy Rippen served two aces. The Bison saw seniors Tori Honn, Gracie Wiemers and Quint all step up to deliver a big stuff block...

KEARNEY, Neb. — McCook freshman Josiah Wilkinson placed 13th among 301 Class C runners while leading the Bison at Monday’s University of Nebraska-Kearney Invitational. The Bison claimed 16th place in this 36-team event where all state championship races will take place next month...

KEARNEY, Neb. — Just wait until next month! McCook High’s cross country girls became re-acquainted with Kearney Country Club Monday afternoon. They’ll be planning to run he Class C state championship meet at this same hilly location in October. Though it wasn’t their finest performance on Monday, the Bison still reached top four among 26 Class C teams competing at this annual University of Nebraska-Kearney Invitational...

McCOOK, Neb. — Flagship Romance will return for another McCook performance with local opener Jon Reiners next Thursday night, Oct. 6, at Norris Alley as part of the Heritage Days celebration, sponsored by the McCook Community Foundation Fund. The MCFF is inviting everyone to come enjoy the evening of “food, music and community.”...

Over the last few years, communities across Legislative District 38 (LD-38) have been recognized by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Nebraska Diplomats for achievements in growth, modernization, business expansion, retention, leadership, agri-business, and preparation to succeed in competitive environments. Today, I’m recognizing some of those achievements and putting the great success across our district into context...