Stories from Friday, October 14, 2022

A former assistant coach at McCook Community College is coming back to head the softball program. Mike Mendenhall, Sterling, Colo., has been named Success Coach/Head Softball Coach at MCC and will begin this month according to MCC Athletic Director Jon Olsen...

My family doctor and I recently had a gentleman’s disagreement about mandatory motorcycle helmets. I offered my usual, libertarian view that government should protect us from each other, but not from ourselves. My doctor argued the irrefutable truth that helmets save lives...

McCOOK, Neb. — If the McCook sales tax for the recreational bond issue passes Nov. 8, the McCook Community Foundation Fund has pledged to remove several financial barriers related to the new city swimming pool. The fund’s advisory committee has agreed to grant funds to the city which will cover the admittance fee for all users of McCook’s aquatic center when it opens, most likely in the spring/summer of 2024. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council meeting Monday night will open with a public hearing concerning a request for a zoning change, 5:30 p.m. at the city council chambers at the Municipal Building. The request comes from Northrop Grumman, through its project sponsor Jennifer Hiatt of Baird Holm LLP,  to rezone two lots from Agricultural to Highway Commercial, for property owned by Northrop Grumman at 38672 U.S. Highway 6, McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — Careers in the skilled trade industry are booming and administrators at McCook Public School hope they can offer students opportunities in the field. “It’s an area that really needs to be pushed and the school district is willing to jump on board to support those students who are interested,” said Superintendent Grant Norgaard at the McCook Board of Education meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — Should McCook School Board meetings start earlier? Or later? It was an idea brought up by McCook School Board member Tom Bredvick, as a way to get more patrons to attend the meetings. “I’m not saying we should or shouldn’t,” Bredvick said at Monday’s school board meeting, but maybe a different time would allow more citizens to attend a meeting. He asked fellow board members to ask around and see what people wanted and maybe the board could revisit the issue at a later date...

McCOOK, Neb. — The “pink postcard” public hearing required last month for McCook Public Schools turned out to be a good experience, according to one school administrator. Due to new state law, political entities with property tax requests over 2% were required to attend a county public hearing to explain their budgets. Pink postcards were mailed to property owners, notifying them of the public hearing and the amount of taxes they would pay to the school district...

Kim R. McGuire April 24, 1962 - Sept. 23, 2022 LINCOLN, Neb. — Kim R. McGuire passed away on Sept. 23, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, at the age of 60. She was born on April 24, 1962, in McCook, Neb., to Carlton Walter (Walt) McGuire and Elaine Schnoor McGuire. Kim loved gardening, plants and all animals, especially her cats and dogs. She lived in Holdrege, McCook and Lincoln, Neb...

As you probably know, I love grand old buildings. Based on that fact, I’m wandering a bit from history and genealogy today. Over the years, I’ve been a huge proponent of saving buildings that are of historical importance in our community. It is not always a winning proposition but the transformation of the Keystone, Valentine School (East Ward) and the original YMCA shows what can be done when enough money and initiative come together.St. ...

90th birthday The family of Mary Lebsack of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. Her family includes husband, Harry Lebsack; children, Connie (Jim) Meixner of McCook, Brenda (Bob) Wergin of Lincoln, Neb., and Joni (Shawn) Cantrell of Lincoln; 5 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 14 South Street, McCook, NE 69001...

When I think of heritage, I think of my Granny Ruby who had green shag carpet and when the kids would descend on her kitchen, she would make us coffee (⅓ coffee, ⅔ cream and sugar). I think of my Grandaddy who grew catfish in a stock tank in the back pasture and chewed the end of the wheat during harvest. ...

STAPLETON, Neb. — Starr Jaxton again played up to its first name with 194 yards and two touchdowns during Sandhills Valley’s 50-6 win over Arapahoe Thursday evening. Jaxton caught four passes for 105 yards, scoring both his TDs on throws from quarterback Connell Leyton. The 7-1 Mavericks also ran for 195 yards as Jaxton gained 89 and Johnston Coy added 87 yards. Coy delivered three rushing TDs to help Sandhills Valley build a 50-0 lead. Arapahoe (4-4) delivered one late TD when Grayson Koller covered nine yards. The Warriors were coming off a 69-42 win over Southern Valley last week. They rushed for 128 yards with quarterback Trenton Roskop gaining 67 on 14 carries. Will Shaw added 10 rushes for 31 and Rafe Hill gaining 21 on seven runs. Koller ganed nine yards during five rushes. Arapahoe only completed one of nine passes. The margin was just 8-0 through one quarter, but Sandhills Valley added 28 points before halftime. Hill’s eight solo tackles topped the Warrior defense. Roskop made five stops, Kade Fisher four and Dylan Bahe another three. Bahe also broke through for two stops behind the S.H. line.

A recap of area volleyball teams in Thursday’s RPAC tournament play where the higher seeds advanced into Monday’s championship semifinals. At Hayes Center, West Division No. 1 Maywood-Hayes Center swept past Wauneta-Palisade 25-12, 25-13, 25-16. Senior Olivia Hansen hammered 18 kills and Mataya Roberts blasted 10 as the Wolves are now 21-1 this season...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — The Cambridge girls earned a D-5 district title on Thursday while Southwest senior Cole Barnett and Medicine Valley freshman Kael Garrett will join them at state next week. A recap of the D-5 top five teams, top 10 placers and area high finishers:...

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — A few too many miscues in Vikings territory cost the McCook High reserves during their 33-20 loss at Grand Island Northwest on Monday. The Bison (2-2 final recovered) delivered big plays like freshman Tristian Campbell’s 92-yard kickoff return. Ethan Schmidt gained 94 yards on just nine carries while Jackson Dellevoet (six for 36) and Campbell (seven for 38) both averaged better than five yards a rush. Dellevoet and Trenton Raile both ran to touchdowns. Miles Pollmann also caught a 25-yard pass.However, the Vikings completed several clutch throws to secure this win. “Defensively, I thought we stopped the run very well, but struggled against their pass game,” Bison coach Jeremy Young commented. “Northwest had the best QB I’ve ever seen at the JV level,r eceivers who ran great routes and caught the ball.” “Great season overall,” he added. “A lot of growth from game 1 to game 4, which is what you want to see from your JV squad. “

The Ed Thomas YMCA is excited to announce that registration is now open for Fall Adult Volleyball. Divisions for Competitive and Recreational in both Women’s and Co-Ed. Season begins the week of October 25. Registration deadline is today and no late entries will be accepted...

LINCOLN, Neb. — They played their gameplans to perfection on Thursday and now McCook High’s tennis boys are leading that Class B state championship race. “On Wednesday night, we looked at everything we needed to do and the boys did just that,” coach Matt Wiemers said as five Bison have advanced into today’s semifinal round...

OGALLALA, Neb. — The letter class change only meant McCook High’s cross country girls delivered another ‘A’ district performance Thursday afternoon. Coach Tom Sughroue’s team won the C-7 district championship just as they ruled most every Class B league or district showdown during recent seasons...