Stories from Wednesday, October 17, 2018

McCOOK, Neb. — Midnight never arrived as East No. 3-seed Bertrand finished its Cinderella RPAC title quest at 10:59 p.m. over Dundy County-Stratton Tuesday night. The Bertrand Vikings (14-9 record) took down East No. 2 Alma Monday night, then stopped defending RPAC Southern Valley in Tuesday’s second semifinal match...

McCOOK, Neb. — The organizer of the McCook Farm and Ranch Expo in November said the event draws an average of 15,000, making parking a premium. Darren Dale told the McCook City Council Monday night that he and his wife, Tana, have been coordinating the event for the past 11 years. He asked if this year, attendees could park on West Q, at the north entrance of Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Parking on West Q near the fairgrounds is not allowed...

McCOOK, Neb. — Buying a semi-tractor from an Omaha vendor that supplies the state with vehicles will save the city about 40 percent. “That’s not just good news, that’s great news,” noted City Councilman Bruce McDowell. “It would be foolish not to take advantage of it.”...

Without much fanfare, newspapers across America celebrated National Newspaper Week, from Monday, Oct. 7, 2018, through Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. As usual, I’m a little late getting around to saying something about newspapers, which are important to me since they have provided my life-long professional career...

Southern Valley leading hitter Lauryn Samuelson attacks the net against Bertrand's Erin Boggs (3) and Johanna Ford (12) during their RPAC tournament semifinal match on Tuesday in McCook. The Vikings were able to knock off defending champ S.V. and later claim its own title by downing Dundy County-Stratton...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Southern Valley Eagles and Hitchcock County Falcons both had reasons to happily host their RPAC tournament prizes Tuesday night. These consolation finals foes didn’t pout about tough losses in the afternoon/early-evening semifinal...

McCOOK, Neb. — Don’t wake the Tigers! Especially that one with red hair who suddenly ruined a fun Hitchcock County visit into Tuesday’s RPAC tournament semifinals. Falcon fans were enjoying popcorn and watching their girls take down the West Division’s No. 1 seed, 25-13, in the opening set...

LEXINGTON, Neb. — McCook’s eighth-grade football team shut out Lexington until the final quarter of a 20-6 victory on Tuesday. The Bison finished their season with an excellent 4-1 record. Adam Dugger threw two touchdown passes as the Bison pulled away following a scoreless first quarter...

The McCook Community College men’s basketball team is holding an open practice Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center. Coach Brandon Lenhart is inviting anyone to come out for the first look at the 2018-2019 Indians. Last year the team finished the season at 18-13 last year and open the season at home Nov. 2 in the Men’s and Women’s MCC Invitational. The men take on Louisiana Christian Prep at 7 p.m...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two McCook Community College student-athletes have been named the first winners of scholarships established to recognize team players. Ron Rice, a sophomore from Hudson High School in New York playing for the men’s basketball team has been named winner of the Myron Mingo Male Teammate of the Year...