Stories from Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Motorcyclists love the feeling of freedom they get when they take to the open road, and naturally resist anything that takes away from it. There are stories about helmets littering the roadsides every summer, when riders no longer need their headgear when leaving the Cornhusker state on their way to the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook man who was rescued Jan. 5 by the McCook Fire Department is starting a funding raising campaign to purchase ice rescue suits. Lucas Kotschwar talked to the McCook City County Monday night and related how the fire department tried to rescue his dog Jan. 5, who had fallen through the ice at a pond at Barnett Park. Kotschwar said he tried to rescue his dog himself but could not reach him in the water and had to turn back...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Streets scheduled for improvements this year and for the next 20 years were approved by the McCook City Council Monday night at a public hearing. Only one street is slated for improvements in 2017, finishing up East J Street from East 11th. Street superintendent Greg Wolford told the council that total costs of the project are estimated at $278,000, with annual state funds (gas tax) providing $137,000 and city sales tax, $250,000...

CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor McCOOK, Neb. -- Randy Dean likened it to a football coach yanking his two most experienced players during a championship game and putting in a couple rookies, when Red Willow County commissioners considered Monday morning removing him and Jim Howard from their positions on the Hillcrest Nursing Home board of trustees...

Phil Phares June 16, 1915 - Jan. 22, 2017 GRANT, Neb. -- Phil Phares, 101 of Grant, formerly of Palisade, passed away Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017 at the Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant. Phil was born June 16, 1915, in Hayes County, Neb., to Rueben L. and Anna D. (Romersheuser) Phares. He attended rural school east of Palisade, before graduating from Palisade High School in 1933...

Yes it was out of sight and out of my mind until ... The septic system for my hangar was working fine until the big mess backed up and over ran the stool. The septic tank with leach field was installed as there is no city sewer system connecting to our airport. My system is shared with the local air ambulance group for the crew lounge building when they, thankfully, located at our airport. It is what it is...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Costs to upgrade or renovate the city pool can be staggering and city residents will have a say in that. The city's pool committee met Jan. 31 with several design teams concerning renovating the pool, said City Manager Nate Schneider at the regular city council meeting Monday night, with costs estimated from $3 to $10 million. ...

MCCOOK, Neb. -- Freshman Alexis Moeaki's home run and a 6-4 closing win highlighted McCook Community College's tough 1-6 opening softball road trip last weekend. The Indians blasted ahead 4-2 on Friday against host Western Texas College. Sophomore catcher Alexis Ramirez started a three-for-three hitting day...

HERSHEY, Neb. -- The tall and tough Hershey Panthers dealt Dundy County-Stratton's boys a rare defeat, 60-48, Monday night. Senior Phalen Sanford netted 19 game-high points for the Tigers, who brought an 18-2 record into this contest. Teammate Brandon Baney slipped another 11 points through the nets while shooting better than 50 percent...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Haley Hudson was born in Waco, Texas in 1995. After she turned one, her family moved to McCook. Haley started and ended school in McCook. Throughout her years she loved playing sports. She played volleyball and threw shot-put and discus in track until the end of her sophomore year...

BARTLEY, Neb. -- Kansans conquered a close Southwest Invitational as Decatur Community scored 171 points to take home Saturday's team title. The Red Devils won four weight classes and needed every while fighting off runner-up Chase County. Chase won three titles including a big championship match win for Byson Fisher over Southern Valley's Chase Becker at 160 pounds...