Stories from Tuesday, October 3, 2023

KEARNEY, Neb. — Who are the real stars of B-9 subdistrict softball?

McCOOK, Neb. — Heritage Hills never looked greener because of good groundskeeping and ... The McCook High golf girls were absolutely “money” on Monday with their clutch B-4 district performance. “We’re pretty excited,” coach Carol Brown said because McCook placed top three and qualify its entire team for next week’s Class B state championships at Scottsbluff. “They played really well yesterday (Monday)...

McCOOK, Neb. — Practice? Who needs practice? We’re talking about practice which was something that coach Trevor Hoins was happy to not do on Monday. “I think the best thing for us was to get playing again,” Hoins confirmed following McCook’s morale-boosting 25-22, 17-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-13 victory over the visiting Hershey Panthers...

OGALLALA, Neb. — Tricky and tough best describes that wing-T offense Ogallala brought to play McCook Friday night. The Bison built two early leads as they aimed to even their season record at 3-3 in this crucial district game. Unfortunately, Ogallala’s revamped tactics worked all too often...

Each year during Heritage Days one of the highlights is the Annual George Norris Institute Prayer breakfast. McCook has been fortunate to attract a variety of good speakers honoring the works and successes of one of McCook’s more illustrious former residents. TVA and enabling our rural electrical system to be built and Nebraska’s unique non-partisan Legislative Body come to mind...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Cambridge totaled seven sacks of Alma quarterbacks while Jayden Ruf ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-22 Trojan triumph Friday evening. Senior Hunter Perks broke through the 4-2 Cardinals’ line four times with two QB sacks...

LOOMIS, Neb. — Sophomore Ethan Latta totaled 394 rushing-receiving yards and seven touchdowns in the Tigers’ sixth straight win Friday. Latta gained 261 yards on 14 rushes to four TDs, including a 73-yard gallop. However, E.L. also caught four Lane Brown passes gained 133 yards with three more TDs...

Grace Marie McKenzie Sept. 16, 2008 -Sept, 27, 2023 OMAHA, Neb. - Grace Marie McKenzie, age 15 of Omaha, lost her battle with osteosarcoma bone cancer Wed., Sept, 27, 2023. Grace passed away peacefully at home with her mother, Carrie Messinger, and service dog Snickerdoodle...

Joan Kay Wetzel Jan. 3, 1936- April 5, 2023 CORVALIS, Ore. -Joan Kay Wetzel, 87, died peacefully of natural causes on April 5, 2023 with family and friends surrounding her at home in Corvallis, Ore. Joan Hathaway was born to Cloyd Heston Hathaway and Alma Zenobia (Elson) on Jan. ...

Scott Russell Wiese Aug. 1, 1955 - Sept. 30, 2023 BENKELMAN, Neb. - Scott Russell Wiese passed away on Sept. 30, 2023 at the age of 68. He was born to his parents, Lyle and Esther Wiese, on Aug. 1, 1955, in Pierce, Neb. He was raised in the Norfolk, Neb. area and attended Christ Lutheran Parochial school until age 10. In 1965, Scott and his family moved to Benkelman, Neb., where he would forge lasting friendships and lay the foundation for his future endeavors...

Ronald Barnett Jan. 24, 1938 - Sept. 23, 2023 GREELEY, Colo. - Ronald Barnett was born to Ralph and Velma (Schieffer) Barnett on the family farm in Gem, Kan. on Jan. 24, 1938. He was the first of three boys in the family. Ron passed away in Greeley, Colo. at the Pathways Hospice Care Center on Sept. 23, 2023...

LINCOLN, Neb. — The McCook Creative District is the latest community to be named a certified Nebraska Creative District and has been awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification Grant. The Nebraska Creative District Program utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts...

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the article titled “Climate Change: An age-old religion,” published on Sept. 14, 2023. Climate Change has always been an issue when it comes to thinking about the state of our Earth. I would agree with the fact that our planet goes through stages of different climates...

Dear Editor, Corn is a major grain crop, which originated in the Americas and the New World. Grain in the Bible was actually wheat, barley and oats, but called corn. Dried corn and smoked dried buffalo meat provided a winter food supply for Native Americans...

McCOOK, Neb. — After pleading no contest to sexual assault of a child and other sexual assault charges, a former McCook martial arts instructor was sentenced to up to 86 years in prison. On Monday, Red Willow County District Court Judge Patrick M. Heng sentenced Robert Botsford, 63, to 30-40 years in prison each on two counts of first-degree sexual assault, amended from first-degree sexual assault of a child, with credit for 185 days served...

McCOOK, Neb. — Bright, vibrant colors have been selected to make McCook’s new swimming pool attractive to families, and final plans have been approved so that construction can start next week, City Council members learned Monday night. The project is on track to be completed by Memorial Day 2024...

OMAHA, Neb.– The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) on Wednesday, Oct. 4.This is inclusive of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). A test alert will be sent to all wireless phones...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Southwest sophomore Houston Billeter threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns, but unbeaten Arthur County still prevailed 71-36 Friday afternoon. The Roughriders (3-2 record) saw another amazing effort from junior receiver Trenton Williams, who took in 10 passes and gained 147 yards...

The men on the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team are back on top following a weekend of competition in Dickinson, N.D. MPCC’s cowboys and cowgirls competed Friday and Saturday at the Blue Hawk Stampede hosted by Dickinson State University. The Mid-Plains’ men’s team finished first in overall standings, and the women’s team was fifth...