Stories from Thursday, July 12, 2018

McCOOK, Neb. — Brandt Spath became two bad, bad words for McCook National Bank batters Wednesday night. Spath was far from unhittable, but the Kearney Jerseys Sports Grill pitcher turned eight singles into a buffet of brussel sprouts and cauliflower...

Thelma “Myrt” Burtch Dunn-Howard Aug. 29, 1925 - May 4, 2018 LINCOLN, Neb. — Thelma “Myrt” Geraldine Burtch Dunn-Howard died on May 4, 2018, in her home. A Celebration of Life is Saturday, July 14, 2018, 10 a.m., at St. James United Methodist Church at 1501 Franklin St., Bellevue, NE. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners who listened Monday afternoon to property owners protest their homes’ property valuation assured them that none of them are writing the rules. “No one in this room made the rules,” commissioner and board of equalization chairman Steve Downer told several homeowners who are upset — “I’m mad … mad,” one said — about the property valuation that will determine their tax bills after levies are set in October...

Papa John’s founder John Schnatter probably thought he was in a “safe space” last May when he decried today’s political correctness. He turned out to be wrong. Schnatter was on a conference call to a marketing firm in a role-playing exercise to try to prevent further public relations fumbles like the ones he committed earlier while talking about National Football League national anthem protests...

Last week I drove a combine down the highway for 15 miles from one field to another. I’m in a combine that takes over half the road even as I hang out on the left shoulder. Every time I do this, I end up being completely appalled at the many drivers who do not understand how dangerous it is to speed by me, pass on double lines, pass on my side of the middle line or cut in too soon in front of me...

Twenty-three members of the Good Earth Garden Club tour Patty Brown’s yard and garden at 1301 Country Club Drive Tuesday evening. Mark and Patty and their kids moved from Indianola to their home in McCook in 1992. “The landscape has changed so much,” Patty said, walking along the south side of the house. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Heritage Hills Men’s Golf League continued Wednesday night with Culbertson Bank and Trenton Agency Purple leading tight races. A League Culbertson Bank 46 Old Sarge’s 44.5 McCook Lettering40.5 Trenton Ag. Red 38 Golight 35.5...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the second straight year, the McCook Community College men’s basketball team has been named an “Academic Excellence Award” winner by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). These awards recognize outstanding academic achievement by a team with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better for the 2017-18 season...

The McCook Rebels 14-an-under softball team line up after winning a fastpitch tournament June 30-July 1. From left, kneeling: coach James Taylor, Carley Peters, Riley Bortner, Katie Taylor and coach Wayne Bortner. Standing are Sierra Kotschwar, Kerigan Shaw, Kennedy Walter, Tesa Nelson, Hanna Messersmith, Graci Nelson, Kaedin Waugh and coach Nate Waugh...