Stories from Friday, October 4, 2024

HASTINGS, Neb. — Anyone who expected McCook to relax Thursday night after earning subdistrict at home next week should be considered not too bright.

Gazette-area teams Hastings 38, McCook (4-2) 23 Arapahoe (6-0) 56, Alma 16 Familiar foes Sidney 46, Ogallala 0 Lexington 34, Alliance 18 Aurora 21, Adams Central 7 Arthur County 60, Cody-Kilgore 0 Broken Bow 26, Holdrege 7 Milford 21, Minden 8 Mullen 45, Maxwell 32...

Daniel David O’Dea Sept. 6, 1957 - Sept. 28, 2024 KEARNEY, Neb. - Daniel David O’Dea, 67 of Kearney passed away Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at The Grace Space in Lincoln, Neb. A memorial mass will be held 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov, 2, 2024 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney. Inurnment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home followed by a 6:00 p.m. Vigil/Prayer Service...

Scott R. Walgren WAUNITA, Neb. - Scott R. Walgren, lifelong resident of Wauneta, NE passed away on Wednesday, October 2nd at Chase County Hospital surrounded by family. Scott was born on August 6, 1954 to Robert and Sharon (Voorhees) Walgren. Visitation with family receiving friends will be held on Monday, Oct. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The first of four informational meetings about the proposed $43.5 million school bond is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday in the McCook Junior High Cafeteria, 800 W. Seventh in McCook. Another meeting is set for 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. Open house tours are set for 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, and Thursday, Oct. 24...

McCOOK, Neb. – Financial decisions will take center stage at the McCook City Council meeting Monday as the council reviews property tax requests for the upcoming fiscal year, considers amendments to solid waste collection and sewer rates, and evaluates funding for a local fundraising event...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Visitors Committee approved a $25,000 contribution Tuesday toward the YMCA of McCook’s Capital Improvement Project during a meeting focused on boosting tourism and funding local initiatives. This marks a continuation of the committee’s support for the project, adding to a previous $25,000 pledge. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - Now in its ninth year, the Southwest Nebraska Big Give on Nov. 7 is bigger than ever, with more non-profit organizations participating in the 24 hours of giving. The 2024 Big Give includes 41 groups, which represent nearly a dozen communities and an even wider variety of interests and topics, programs and projects...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) announced his constituent casework staff will be hosting Mobile Office Hours around the state. They include 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 18, at the Hitchcock County Courthouse, 229 East D in Trenton, and 1-2 p.m. at the Dundy County Courthouse, 117 W. Seventh in Benkelman...

Mandy Dame brings creativity and awareness to the windows of Spotlight Studios as part of McCook Community Hospital’s Cancer Awareness Decorating Contest. The first photo captures the white background stage, setting the canvas for her artistic vision, while the final image showcases the vibrant completed piece. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Nebraska Public Service Commission has approved nearly $5.5 million in funding (NUSF-92.64) for constructing 10 cellular towers through the Nebraska Universal Service Fund Dedicated Wireless Fund Program. “Utilizing the Nebraska Universal Service Fund for the support and buildout of cell towers has proven to be yet another avenue the Commission employs to help improve communication to unserved and underserved areas,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier...

Nebraska Initiative 436, on the ballot in November 2024, seeks to mandate paid sick leave for all employees. While it may seem beneficial, this measure imposes significant costs, particularly on small businesses. First, it is important to note that two-thirds of full-time workers in Nebraska already have access to paid sick leave. ...

LOOMIS, Neb. — The Loomis Wolves reached 5-0 with their 48-22 takedown of Hitchcock County’s Falcons Thursday evening. Sophomore Jace Shukar’s 292 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries powered the home team. Schukar also caught a touchdown pass from soph quarterback Graham Trompke...

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — McCook junior Emma Cappel’s top three finish led the McCook cross country girls into fifth overall at Thursday’s Gothenburg Invitational. Cappel completed the 5K challenge across Wildhorse Golf Course in 21:13. Only freshman Scout Bell from the host Swedes (20:36) and Wallace Wildcat superstar Ashley Robertson (21:05) ran faster times among 64 varsity finishers...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Sophomore Jacob Barber clipped off 230 rushing yards and junior Houston Billeter threw four more touchdowns in Southwest’s 51-20 conquest of Medicine Valley Thursday night. Barber delivered three TDs to give the Roughriders (3-2 record) superb run-pass balance...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — A trio of 100-yard efforts and awesome Trojan defense fueled Cambridge’s 42-0 win over Maywood-Hayes Center Thursday evening. Freshman quarterback Abram Norton passed for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, senior Tayten Koeppen gained 107 rush yards and classmate Jayden Ruf reached 100 with both also crossing the home goal lines...

BARTLEY, Neb. — There’s no oops we did it again...the Southwest Roughriders are just that good as they swept defending Class D-1 champ Overton Thursday evening. The Roughriders are now 21-0 as they also topped those Eagles in Saturday’s Sutherland Invite title match...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Another shot at an undefeated proved far better for Dundy County-Stratton Thursday evening. Coach Mike Spargo’s Tigers brilliantly regained their teeth following a narrow loss at Arapahoe last week to defeat North Platte St. Patrick’s, 42-21...

McCOOK, Neb. - Public health in Nebraska is well-organized, with the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) serving a significant nine-county region. The department covers Keith, Perkins, Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock, Frontier, Red Willow, and Furnas counties...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has announced upcoming roadwork projects on US-136 in Oxford and US-34 near Haigler, both expected to cause minor traffic disruptions. US-136 Railroad Crossing Project in Oxford Starting Thursday, Oct. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Tax levies and other financial topics are high on the agenda as the Red Willow County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Equalization convene on Monday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. on the third floor of the Red Willow County Courthouse. At 9:15 a.m., the Board of Equalization will hold a public hearing on the 2024 final levies and levy the necessary taxes for the upcoming year. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. — With the Huskers set to play at Memorial Stadium this Saturday, the Nebraska State Patrol is advising fans to prepare for heavy traffic and scorching temperatures. Troopers will be in full force, including assistance from the NSP AirWing, to ensure safe travel to and from the game...

OMAHA, Neb. — The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a key economic indicator for a nine-state region, fell below the 50.0 growth-neutral threshold for the fifth time this year, signaling ongoing economic challenges. The index, which covers states from Minnesota to Arkansas, dropped to 48.1 in September, down from 48.7 in August. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) issued a reminder on October 2, 2024, regarding the unlawful placement of signs, including political campaign signs, within state highway and interstate right-of-way (ROW) areas. These areas include intersections, medians, entrance and exit ramps, sidewalks, and ditches bordering the roadways. NDOT maintenance crews will remove improperly placed signs, which can be reclaimed by coordinating with local district offices...