Stories from Wednesday, February 28, 2024

LINCOLN, Neb. — All the Nebraska boys state tournament pairings were announced today with any Gazette-area fans likely familiar with Dundy County-Stratton's Class D-1 quarterfinal opponent on Thursday. The No. 5-seed Tigers (21-5 record) will take on No. 4 Ainsworth (18-7), a Southwest Conference member who was able to defeat McCook twice during this season...

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A mower sparked a prairie fire that has burned a huge swath of grassland in central Nebraska roughly the size of the state's largest city of Omaha, state officials said Tuesday. The fire, first reported Monday morning less than 10 miles (16.1 kilometers) northeast of North Platte, destroyed one home, damaged another and burned down about five outbuildings, but no injuries have been reported, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency reported...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Firefighters persist in their battle against the Betty’s Way Fire, located north of North Platte as the blaze continues to challenge containment efforts. With containment now at 82%, approximately 60 personnel are dedicated to managing this expansive and intricate wildfire...

McCOOK, Neb. — It's not every day that a senior citizen turns 21. A Leap Year baby, Phyllis Ogg only celebrates her actual birth date once every four years on Feb. 29. When asked about her unique birthday, Ogg humorously remarked, "I tell everybody I just get to choose the day." on years when her "actual" birthday doesn't occur. Remarkably, Phylis recalls having a classmate who shared this elusive leap-year birthday with her during childhood...

Dear Editor, Nebraska has chronically underfunded our Disability Services for so long that we are now dangerously understaffing services and supports for these vulnerable individuals. The recent economic study conducted by Ernie Goss (Fueling Prosperity: The Positive Economic Ripple Effects of Increasing Wages for Nebraska’s Direct Care Workforce) underscores the significant positive impact that such investments can have on both individuals with disabilities and the broader economy...