Stories from Thursday, September 14, 2017

ALLIANCE, Neb. — Call him the bellcow, centerpiece, anchor of a McCook offensive line leading two backs to better than 100 rushing yards per game. There’s no doubt junior Nick Baker has become exactly what the Bison want to accomplish at Alliance this week...

Don’t you hate those fall colds? Coughing, sneezing, runny eyes — only it may not be a cold at all. There’s a good chance you’re really suffering allergic rhinitis or hay fever. According to www.pollen.com, Southwest Nebraska is at a medium risk for allergies, with ragweed, nettles and chenopods the top risk. Allergies are worse as one travels to eastern Nebraska, and worse still southward into Kansas...

Well, I guess it was time for me to be reminded of my humanness. It’s been a good 3-4 years so I apparently I was due. However, the last time I was reminded, it was in the middle of the night and no one was around. Same is true for the reminder a few years before that, not dark but I was alone. Guess I was saving up for a doozy!...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook and Red Willow County will partner with a group called “South Central Nebraska Regional 911” to provide updated E911 service to city and county residents. At their weekly meeting Monday morning, county commissioners unanimously approved signing an interlocal agreement that will address the approaching “end of life” of the E911 system that the county and city have shared for 15 years. City council members approved the agreement at their meeting Sept. 5...

MCCOOK, Neb. — Deonne Hinz, art teacher at St. Patrick School in McCook, has been awarded “Elementary Art Educator of the Year” by the Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA). Going on her 10th year at St. Pat’s, Hinz said she was surprised by the award. “Deb (Goodenberger, art teacher at McCook Public Schools, who nominated Hinz), won it last year, so I really didn’t think they would give it to someone out here again,” she said. Hinz said it was especially gratifying to be nominated by a peer...

McCOOK, Neb. — Teachers may take an extra day to train for a new state writing assessment. No action was taken at Monday night’s regular McCook School Board meeting with the request made by Kate Repass, Central Elementary principal, to have elementary teachers receive all-day training on Wednesday, Oct. 19, for the new assessments. This would help teachers learn how to teach students for the assessment and also the best ways to incorporate it into their curriculum...

McCOOK, Neb. — Area residents are gearing up to celebrate the end of summer and the start of the fall season at the 43rd annual St. Patrick Fall Festival this Sunday, Sept. 17, in McCook. The annual fundraising event is open to the public with all proceeds to benefit St. Patrick Elementary School...

ATWOOD, Kan. -- Don’t blame Matt Smith if he looks a little exhausted by the end of this week...

A preview of Week 4 football games involving area teams...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Whether it’s summer weights, memorable roadtrips, or jamming out to “old school” Taylor Swift, Jaden Bryant and Riley Sis have had a lot of experiences playing volleyball for McCook...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The tax rate for property owners in the Mid-Plains Community College service area will be less than last year. The MPCC Board of Governors approved the college’s 2017-18 fiscal year budget on Wednesday. The document lists a tax rate of 7.5453 cents per $100 of assessed valuation – down from 7.7403 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in 2016-17...