Stories from Tuesday, November 12, 2024

BARTLEY, Neb. — Senior Trenton Williams set a Nebraska Six-Man football record with his 16 receptions for 243 yards on Sept. 27 against Wallace. Williams delivered four of his 15 receiving touchdowns during a remarkable 2024 campaign. He caught 69 throws overall for 981 yards in nine games as Southwest (5-4 record) again reached the Six-Man state playoffs...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Commissioners voted unanimously to increase their annual financial support for the McCook Economic Development Corp. by 10%, raising the contribution from $2,500 to $2,750 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This decision reflects an acknowledgment of rising costs and a commitment to support MEDC’s ongoing and future housing projects to address local housing needs...

BEATRICE, Neb. — What began as a routine property clean-out turned into a scene from history last week when local authorities discovered approximately 40 WWII-era ordnances in a Beatrice home. The cache, reported by the Beatrice Police Department following the homeowner's passing, brought Nebraska's Bomb Squad and the 155th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Nebraska Air National Guard to the scene...

Ilene Bessie (Vaughn) Pruett Aug. 19, 1946 - Nov. 5, 2024 SALINA, Kan. - Ilene Bessie (Vaughn) Pruett, 78, of Salina, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. She was born Aug. 19, 1946, in McCook, Neb. Ilene and her husband, John, ran a typewriter sales and repair shop in Ann Arbor, Mich., and later she worked many years at Target in Garden City, Mich., before retiring. In her free time Ilene loved to crochet, do puzzles and arts and crafts, and watch her gameshows...

Obituary Andrew “Andy” C. Knepp Feb. 25, 1936 - Nov. 7, 2024 NORTH PLATTE, Neb. - Andrew “Andy” C. Knepp, 88, of North Platte, formerly of Curtis, Neb. passed away Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 at Great Plains Health Hospital. Andrew was born on Feb. 25, 1936 in Paradise, Kan., the son of Claude and Lela (Mead) Knepp. ...

Norbert Klumpe MAYWOOD, Neb. - Norbert Klumpe, 88, of Maywood, Neb., died Oct. 24, 2024 at his home in Maywood, Neb. Register book signing will be held, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the St. James Catholic Church, 313 East 6th, St, Curtis, Neb. with a rosary to follow at 6:00 p.m...

Obituary Marian Arlene (Cross) Acton June 24, 1935 - Nov. 9, 2024 TRENTON, Neb. - Marian Arlene (Cross) Acton, of Trenton, passed away peacefully on Nov. 9, 2024, at Linden Court in North Platte, Neb. She moved to North Platte in September of 2021 to reside at the Linden Estate Assisted Living Facility, where she lived until she fell ill...

Obituary Verda M. (Richter) Wegener Aug. 26, 1932 - Nov. 10, 2024 McCOOK, Neb. - Verda M. (Richter) Wegener lived her life full of love for her family and friends, savored a good meal, and enthusiastically cheered for the Huskers. She left the earthly world on Nov. 10, 2024 to be with her Lord. She had a strong faith and showed it by the things she did...

80th birthday The family of Joann Schafer of Culbertson, Neb. is hosting a birthday open house on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Culbertson Ambulance Barn in honor of her 80th birthday. Joann was born Dec. 12, 1944. Joann’s family includes her late husband Ron Schafer of Culbertson, Neb.; daughter Peggy (Luke) Brenn of Arlington, Neb.; sons Brian (Donnetta) Schafer and Clint (Kayla) Schafer of Culbertson, Neb.; and seven grandchildren...

NEWPORT, RI - McCook native Ted Chancellor was recently commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy Reserves, graduating Officer Development School on Sept. 27, 2024, in Newport, R.I. Chancellor’s military journey began with active duty service from 2005 to 2010, after which he transitioned to the Navy Reserves, serving from 2010 to the present...

Elf the Musical kick off the holiday season. McCOOK Neb. – “Elf The Musical,” billed as “a heartwarming, joyful celebration of the holiday season that will delight audiences of all ages,” will be performed at the Fox Theater, Thursday through Sunday at the historic Fox Theater in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. – Jordan was nominated by MPCC cabinet members based on his ongoing support to the institution. He was recently recognized during the Nebraska Community College Association’s annual meeting in Norfolk. When Clay Jordan signed up for an EMT class his senior year of high school, he had no idea it would change his life. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook High tennis coach Matt Wiemers praised all his participants who finished a three-week intramural season Friday afternoon. “Despite cooler and wet weather, along with high wind warning days, things went really well,” he remarked. “We used and filled all six courts as our numbers continue to be awesome!”...

INCOLN, Neb. — Southwest’s early-morning dance to “We Will Rock You” was no waste of energy on Thursday before the Class D-1 state volleyball tourney. The Roughriders went out and rocked Diller-Odell in three sets while achieving one big goal: a win at Lincoln’s Pinnacle Bank Arena without going five...

McCOOK, Neb. — Three members of the McCook Community College volleyball team have claimed post-season Region IX South awards, as voted on by Region IX coaches. In addition, post-season awards for the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference were announced with three players and Coach Hayley Kobza winning honors...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Cambridge sculptor Sondra Jonson is having a banner year. Her bronzes, imbued with themes of remembrance, faith, and Americana, have traveled far and found permanent homes in parks, memorials, and shrines across the Midwest. Known for her ability to capture deep emotion and quiet dignity, Jonson’s works have been celebrated with honors and praised by communities who find her sculptures to be both inspiring and profoundly relatable...

With Thanksgiving arriving late this year, it's appropriate that Christmas lighting is already being installed along Norris Avenue in McCook.

Anna LaBay McCook Gazette McCOOK, Neb. - The Wild Ass Soap Company, owned by Justin and Kaylynn Harris, has been awarded the Quarterly Honor Business Award by the McCook Chamber of Commerce. This recognition highlights the Harris family’s commitment to quality products, sustainable practices, and community engagement...

BENNINGTON, Neb. — Leading tacklers Davien Hanson and Gabe Roberts made one final “sandwich” of a Bennington Badger that showed McCook Bison never quit Friday night. Yet the Bison could also never score against what coach Joe Vetrovsky noticed most about Friday’s Class B state playoff showdown...

Dennis McFarland McCOOK, Neb. - Dennis McFarland, 68, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Cremation was chosen and memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 at McCook Christian Church with Pastor Clark Bates officiating; casual dress is suggested by the family . A private family inurnment will take place at a later date...