Stories from Thursday, January 11, 2024

The Omaha World-Herald reported on Jan. 5th that Nebraska’s level of “brain drain” outmigration is now one of the worst in the nation, based upon the percentage of the population, and is continuing down a long-term unfavorable trend. At both the state and local level, it is getting ever more challenging to attract and retain workers. And that competition is not going to ease anytime soon due to significant demographic challenges...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Commissioners gathered for their annual reorganization and discussed various other matters Tuesday, in a regular meeting delayed a day by the weather. Doug Terry, the county surveyor, and Roger Nelms were among the citizens who shared their thoughts during the public participation portion of the meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. — Community Hospital is delighted to announce the arrival of the New Year’s baby, Kira Elizabeth Zuck, born at 12:53 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 19.5 inches long, Kira is the joyous addition to the family of first-time parents Cassidy and Allen Zuck...

Dorothy May Smith April 4, 1927 - Dec. 26, 2023 NORTH PLATTE, Neb. - Dorothy May Smith of North Platte passed away Dec. 26, 2023, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook at the age of 96. Dorothy was born April 4, 1927, to Edward and Josephine Hopkins in Chadron where she grew up. After graduating from Chadron High School, Dorothy held several different jobs, her favorite was as a bookkeeper at a Chadron Car Dealership...

In a recent attempt to overhaul the higher education system, State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City has proposed a bill that seeks to eliminate tenure in Nebraska’s state universities and colleges. The motivation behind Legislative Bill 1064 is framed as a pursuit of accountability and the eradication of what Lippincott terms as “woke ideology” on campuses. ...

Emma Geraldine “Geri” Fisher Feb. 11, 1930 - Jan. 8, 2024 ARAPAHOE, Neb. - Emma Geraldine “Geri” Fisher, age 93, of Arapahoe, Neb. passed away on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 at the Beaver City Manor, Beaver City, Neb. She was born northwest of Oxford, Neb. on the family farm to George and Myrtle (Johnson) Baily on Feb. 11, 1930...

David Duane Anderjaska Sep. 11, 1954 - Jan. 9, 2024 BUFFALO, MO. - David Duane Anderjaska, age 69, of Buffalo, MO, formally of McCook, Neb., entered into rest on Monday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Colonial Springs Healthcare Facility in Buffalo, MO. David was born on Sep. 11, 1954, in McCook, Neb. to Gerald and Joyce (McLeland) Anderjaska...

Frances L. Hilker Oct. 21, 1936 - Jan. 6, 2024 BENKELMAN, Neb. - Frances L. Hilker was born in Vernon, Tex. on Oct. 21, 1936 to Bud and Eva (Stanfield) Nunn. She attended school in Vernon and graduated with the Vernon High School class of 1955. Not long after graduating high school, Frances made many trips to McCook, Neb. ...

HARVARD, Neb. — Aurora Cooperative Elevator Co., based in Harvard, Nebraska, has agreed to pay an $82,677 civil penalty following allegations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding violations of the federal Clean Air Act's chemical risk prevention provisions. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Weather permitting, construction was set to begn today for the District 7 Wetland Bank project situated on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property one mile southwest of Orleans on USACE Road 16, as announced by the Nebraska Department of Transportation...

Latest results from the Men’s League bowling at TJ’s Family Fun Center in McCook: Men’s Major Burton Well Drilling 68-22 Glass Express 60-30 Quality Irrigation 54.5-35.5 Fullmomentum 54-33 TJ’s Family Fun 51-39 The Krips 45.5-44.5...

FREDERICK, Colo. — There were a lot of things that prompted Luke Justice’s decision to attend McCook Community College in Nebraska. The former Frederick High School player drew some interest from Valley City State University in South Dakota, Waubonsee Community College in Illinois and schools in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference...

MAYWOOD, Neb. — Maywood-Hayes Center’s 23-3 basketball teams were so scary close to matching each other Tuesday night: May-Hay girls (12-1 record) 60, Maxwell 35 ; May-Hay boys (11-2) 60, Maxwell 34. Sophomore Blayklee Farr’s 19 points fueled the girls on this snowy evening as she blazed from beyond the arc at a 75% success rate (three for four)...

CURTIS, Neb. — Medicine Valley girls did plenty of indoor sprints as 37 steals and 11 blocked shots ignited their 53-8 victory over visiting Sandhills Valley Tuesday evening. The Raiders (5-6 record) made sure everyone got warm as 10 players swiped basketballs from 0-10 Mavericks...

Remember, the top 16 teams in each class for power points have inside tracks to state tournament-qualifying district fnals next month. A look at how all the Class B and D-1 or D-2 area teams stand through contests earlier this week. Class B boys 1. Norris (9-1, 45.3 points), 2. Crete (11-0, 44.81), 3. Scottsbluff (9-2, 44.18), 4. Elkhorn (9-1, 43.8) 5. Elkhorn North (6-3, 43.3); 15. McCook (7-5, 39.416), 19. Hastings (5-6, 38.72)...

OBERLIN, Kan. — McCook’s varsity boys are aiming at building numbers and momentum entering tonight’s annual triangular at Decatur Community, Kan. The Bison are aiming at filling 11 of 14 weight classes as they dual both Decatur’s Red Devils and those Phillipsburg (Kan.) Panthers...

Chester (Chet) Leroy Hayes Sep. 9, 1936 - Jan. 8, 2024 GRINNELL, Kan. - Chester (Chet) Leroy Hayes, Grinnell, Kan. was born Sep. 9, 1936, and died on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley, Kan. at the age of 87. Chet was born to parents Clarence Albert (Jack) and Virda (Latimer) Hayes on the family farm north of Rexford, Kan. Chet was the third of five children; two older sisters, and a younger brother, and sister, completed the family...