Stories from Wednesday, December 21, 2022

PAXTON, Neb. — Nothing says hello then goodbye! like a 17-2 start and a 19-0 fourth quarter. Maywood-Hayes Center’s girls did just that during a 68-19 victory over Paxton in the Paxton Holiday Tournament title game Tuesday night. The host Tigers were 6-0 entering this championship contest, but clearly Santa has brought a few more gifts coach coach Kim Stengel...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska State Troopers will get the largest raise in 20 years, including a $5.43 per hour hike to $30 an hour for new officers, according to an announcement by Gov.-Elect Jim Pillen. Pillen said his team's agreement with the State Law Enforcement Bargaining Council that will take effect July 1, 2023...

Crowds gathered Tuesday at 83 Repair west of the Orscheln's store in McCook, where some 43,000 pounds of potatoes were being given away rather than being wasted by being frozen. The giveaway was to continue today until 4 p.m.

Sam Griesel's 16 points led five Huskers in double figures, as Nebraska closed out non-conference action with a 75-65 win over Queens in Campio's Battle in the Vault Tuesday evening. Griesel, who hit 6-of-9 shots and added three assists, keyed a balanced attack that saw the Huskers shoot 53 percent from the field, including 56 percent in the opening 20 minutes. Nebraska (7-6) never trailed in snapping a three-game losing streak...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Much of central and eastern Nebraska looks to be in store for potential blizzard conditions from Wednesday night through Thursday, with dangerous travel conditions, including extreme cold, impacting travelers. Temperatures in some parts of the state will get no higher than -30 degrees along with potential wind chills of -70 degrees...

McCOOK, Neb. — Due to extreme forecasted temperatures, the YMCA will close early on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. The Y will be open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Dec. 22. Youth basketball practices on Dec. 22 are canceled. The pool will close at 4 p.m. on both days. Please check the Y's Facebook page for additional updates...

OMAHA, Neb. — A former postal carrier was sentenced to two years' probation for discarding mail instead of delivering it. Matthew J. Doherty II, 36, Omaha, was sentenced Monday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson. U.S. Attorney Steven Russell said Doherty, then a mail carrier in Tekamah, Neb., threw at least 46 pieces of mail in a dumpster between Feb. 28 and March 9, 2022...