Stories from Tuesday, October 31, 2017

McCOOK, Neb. — Bigger really does mean better for the RPAC and now Class C2-10 subdistrict champion Southern Valley Eagles. Coach Jessi Thalheim’s 25-5 team clinched both titles on the same Peter & Dolores Graff Events Center floor with their 25-19, 27-25, 25-20 triumph over rival Cambridge Monday evening...

CURTIS, Neb. -- Medicine Valley head coach Scott Johnsen sees a lot of similarities between Cambridge and Hemingford...

McCOOK, Neb. -- They came from as far away as Hawaii and England to meet again in Southwest Nebraska...

This weekend, the Kiplinger Arena at the Red Willow Fairgrounds in McCook was abuzz with horses and riders. Entries came from at least six states and they came to compete and enjoy. It is not unusual as the Kiplinger has become the go-to place year around for those of equine interests. This was a five-day reining event (Note your columnist was raised on a farm but we had milk cows and I’ve never learned the horse language) and the promoter told me that there were 160 horses present...

A website named a couple of Omaha neighborhoods as the best place in the state to trick-or-treat, but we bet they’ve never seen McCook’s Norris Avenue on Halloween. There’s something about a small town that makes Halloween special — the first citywide celebration was in Anoka, Minn., storyteller Garrison Keillor’s hometown, none other than the original “Lake Woebegone.”...

Lewis F. Hayes Jan. 21, 1930 - Oct. 18, 2017 GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Lewis F. Hayes, 87, of Grand Island, formerly of McCook, Neb., died Wednesday, (Oct.18, 2017), at Good Samaritan Society – Grand Island Village. He was born Jan. 21, 1930 to parents, Fred and Hannah (Thompson) Hayes. ...

Patty L. Becker Jan. 22, 1930 - Oct. 26, 2017 BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Patty L. Becker, 87, of Beaver City, died Thursday (Oct. 26, 2017), at Beaver City Manor at Beaver City. She was born on Jan. 22, 1930 at Beaver City, to Wesley R. and Gladys P. (Thulin) Hardin. ...

TRENTON, Neb. — St. James and Holy Family Catholic Churches plan their annual fall dinner at St. James Church in Trenton on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Turkey, ham and homemade desserts will be served buffet style. Two $100 cash prizes, as well as a Husker yard sign, wet-dry vac and other prizes, will be raffled off, winners do not need to be present to win...

Rick and Kim Johnson’s extended family takes over the sidewalk on a sunny Sunday afternoon just in time for today’s Halloween festivities. The first snow of the season added temporary frosting to outdoor decorations today.

McCOOK, Neb. — Words of praise and appreciation flowed from McCook golf enthusiasts — past and present — when it was announced that Bill Bieck, the man in charge of maintenance at Heritage Hills Golf Course since 1980, will be stepping away from full-time duties at the conclusion of the 2017 golfing season...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — An armed Missouri man arrested last week after engaging the emergency brake on an Amtrak near Oxford appeared in Furnas County Court Monday. His preliminary hearing was rescheduled for next month to allow for health officials to determine whether he is competent to stand trial...

McCOOK, Neb. — Boys are just plain hard on their clothes. That's why Coat Closet coordinator Barb Ostrum and her volunteers at the annual "Coat Closet and Winter Clothing Giveaway" need warm winter coats and clothes for boys. "We need boys clothing … anything for boys, except maybe socks," Barb said this morning. "We have plenty of warm socks."...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — A pair of familiar McCook Bison foes will play for the C1-11 subdistrict title after Gothenburg knocked out Chase County in Monday’s semifinal round. The Longhorns (17-14 final scored) one impressive 25-11 victory following a 25-18 setback...

McCOOK, Neb. — Southwest played tough but fell 25-17, 25-17, 25-19 to No. 1 Southern Valley in the C2-10 subdistrict on Monday. Seniors Bailee Miller, Jaydenn Miller, Ashley Kragelund, Kayliegh Sughroue, Stevie Wadle and Kaitlynne Ellis completed their Southwest volleyball careers...

OXFORD, Neb. — The D1-11 subdistrict volleyball tourney was not kind to Gazette-area teams Monday evening. No. 4-seed Arapahoe scored the only win among three squads by sweeping area foe Medicine Valley 25-17, 25-17 and 25-8. Senior Melonie Meyers’ nine kills and 10 digs helped the Warriors continue their late-season surge featuring six wins in October...

McCOOK, Neb. — Sophomore Korynn Clason’s 17 kills helped Cambridge conquer a five-set semifinal marathon over Dundy County-Stratton at the C2-10 subdistrict on Monday. The Trojans rallied from down 2-1 in sets with 25-16 and 15-8 victories. DC-S had shaken off a 25-18 opening defeat to win the next two sets 25-13 and 25-20...