Stories from Thursday, February 16, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. -- McCook senior Eric Langan and junior Kaleb Taylor have reached the Class B state semifinals set for Friday after both won two huge matches Thursday night at Omaha's Century Link Center. Langan(28-6) conquered two-time defending state champ Trevor Nichelson of Ashland-Greenwood (39-5 record) by a 13-7 decision in today's 182-pound quarterfinals...

On the surface, national security adviser Michael T. Flynn's resignation seems cut-and-dried. In the cold war years, any hint of collusion with Russia, then the Soviet Union, would have resulted in the immediate death of an American political career, if not a prison sentence or worse...

So another Valentine's Day has passed and it's not that I don't appreciate the special day or enjoy the sweetness of it, but it's not a day I really look forward to or worry too much about. Hubby always has done a good job of making me feel like his Valentine each year, probably much better than me if you were to compare but it'd be okay with me if we just kept it pretty simple. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- An investigation into whether Nebraska Sen. Ernie Chambers doesn't live in the district he represents is advancing. The special committee looking into the election challenge filed an order to show cause Wednesday with the Clerk of the Legislature. The order gives both parties until the end of the month to file written responses...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Community College softball team split with Northeast Community College from Norfolk during their home openers on Friday, winning game one, 4-2, and falling in the night cap, 6-5. The split puts the Lady Indians at 2-8 for the young season...

The McCook Community College basketball team struggled away from the Peter & Dolores Graff Events Center this past weekend. MCC fell to Region IX leaders and national No. 25-rated Western Nebraska 90-67 on Friday and lost to Eastern Wyoming 89-64 on Saturday...

OBERLIN, Kan. -- Red Devil freshman James Garner thrilled the Decatur Community home fans with seven first-quarter points Tueday night. However, the visiting Wheatland-Grinnell Silverhawks still soared to a 20-10 lead and eventually won 59-52 Tuesday evening...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Indians basketball team lead basically from start to finish, defeating Northwest Kansas Tech 85-73 on Wednesday night. The win gives the Indians a sweep over NWTC on the year and pushes their overall record to 14-11 on the year...

Being uncomfortable is not a bad thing. Things that make you uncomfortable: Having your picture taken in your swimsuit. Admitting that you ate the entire bag of potato chips by yourself in one sitting. Sweeping your entire house every night because it looks like a movie theater since your husband bought a commercial popcorn maker for Christmas...

KEARNEY, Neb. -- It's official: McCook High football players aren't the only Bison athletes who can dominate 100 yards. Junior Shayne Coleman proved this point on Saturday while showing again why 2017 has been one super season for McCook's swimming team...

OMAHA, Neb. -- Class D foes delivered a tough start for McCook area qualifiers during Thursday's Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament. Cambridge senior Konner Banzhaf avenged a recent defeat, edging Hitchcock County's Wyatt Standiford 4-3 in their 152-pound match. Heayvweights delivered the other best success to close this first round...

SINGAPORE -- A 2002 graduate of McCook Senior High and the son of a rural Culbertson couple presented his PhD research results at a "Future Cities Laboratory" conference in Singapore on Jan. 25. Dr. Clayton Miller, the son of Jerry and Mel Miller, explained his four-year research into the energy efficiency of 1,238 buildings equipped with computers that measure energy usage and efficiency. ...

Dorothy Henton, vice president of the High Plains Historical Society and Museum in McCook, left, accepts the donation of framed historical memorabilia and a walnut memorial plaque from Liana and Harry Rich, representing American Legion McDonald Ryan Post 276 and its Auxiliary in Danbury. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Pantry started the new year with well-stocked cupboards, a fuller bank account and a heart full of thanks for the generosity of donors who responded to requests for help at the end of the year. Pantry officials said Thursday they are very appreciative of the outpouring of monetary and food donations that help them help the people who rely on the Pantry in their struggle against food insecurities and food deficiency...

So another Valentine's Day has passed and it's not that I don't appreciate the special day or enjoy the sweetness of it, but it's not a day I really look forward to or worry too much about. Hubby always has done a good job of making me feel like his Valentine each year, probably much better than me if you were to compare but it'd be okay with me if we just kept it pretty simple. ...

On the surface, national security adviser Michael T. Flynn's resignation seems cut and dried. In the cold war years, any hint of collusion with Russia, then the Soviet Union, would have resulted in the immediate death of an American political career, if not a prison sentence or worse...

AMES, Iowa -- Agronomy students from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture captured team and the top four individual rankings in collegiate crops judging this weekend. A foursome of NCTA sophomores won the Iowa State University Crops Judging Contest on Saturday, topping four other schools from 2-year colleges. The Aggies are repeat champions, also taking first place team in 2016...

Runnells, Iowa -- A college sophomore with the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture earned two fifth-place awards in livestock judging last week at the Iowa Beef Expo. Emilye Vales, an agricultural education major from DeWitt, Neb., placed fifth overall individual and also was fifth in oral reasons among 126 students from 2-year colleges...

CURTIS, Neb. -- Water-level changes from 2002 to 2015 were examined in wells screened in the High Plains aquifer within the Republican River Basin and the results are now available in a new U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map. Changes ranged from a rise of 9.4 feet to a decline of 43.2 feet. ...