Stories from Tuesday, December 18, 2018

OMAHA, Neb. — It’s official: diva quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ number of All-State commercials can barely keep pace with all-state McCook Bison this week. The Bison feature seven football players among Class B’s best on both Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal-Star teams...

Budgets can be tight this time of year, so it’s easy to imagine an essential bill — like natural gas or electricity — might fall through the cracks. If you receive a call about one of the above, however, don’t assume you’re at fault. The McCook Police Department reports that it’s received several reports of callers claiming to be a utility provider, advising the victim that their bill is past due, and directing them to send payment immediately via Money Pak, a wire transfer service...

Recently Grannie Annie signed herself up to ring bells for the Salvation Army at our local big box store. Really a nice day—very little wind. Grannie donned the red apron, took the bell and happily started to ring. I was along to carry her stool as long-term standing is a bit of a pain for the lady. Just stood there and gave moral support as she cajoled people into dropping a few coin and dollar bills into the bucket...

McCOOK, Neb. — Based on a similar law in Lincoln, Neb., the McCook City Council ratified on its first reading an ordinance that makes it a crime to enter a person’s car without consent. Although there are laws applying to theft, there is a gap in state statute regarding individuals going into another person’s vehicle without the owner’s permission, McCook City Police Chief Ike Brown said at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night. ...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Junior Michael Frederick’s 28 points helped Dundy County-Stratton score just enough for a 52-49 conquest of visiting Perkins County Staurday night. The Tigers (6-1 record) only permitted seven fourth-quarter points while erasing a 42-39 deficit...

The tiny dancers of the “MHS Starz” annual “Mini Dance Camp” will perform with the high school dance team members Thursday at halftime of the McCook High School Bison vs. Broken Bow Indians boys varsity basketball game in the MHS gym. Dancers from kindergarten through fifth grade practiced all week for the performance and for a Christmas dance complete with jingle bells and reindeer antlers. ...

BARTLEY, Neb. — A tight 12-10 first quarter only awoke the Maywood-Hayes Center Wolves from any Saturday afternoon slumber. Oh my, how the 5-2 Wolves woke up. They blocked 16 shots and only permitted five more points through the next three quarters of a 50-17 road victory over still-determined host Southwest...

McCOOK, Neb. — Sentencings in Red Willow County District Court on Dec. 3 included: — Tynia Turenne Miles, 31 year old, of North Platte. Sentenced to 180 days in jail (credited for 89 days) on a charge of probation violation. Miles was sentenced to 18 months of probation in October 2016 (from Oct. ...

WAUNETA, Neb. — Wauneta-Palisade’s boys only allowed seven points before halftime and dominated throughout a 54-21 win over South Platte Friday night. The Broncos (5-2 record) completed a well-earned weekend sweep when they fought off Hyannis 59-53 Saturday...

VALENTINE, Neb. — McCook High’s wrestlers placed seventh among 17 teams with 126 points as heavyweights Hunter Cunningham, Colin Giron, Alec Langan and Austin Kreutzer led the Bison on Saturday. A glance at all McCook victories along with season record:...

HOLDREGE, Neb. — McCook’s girls shook off a 19-point Duster first quarter and only allowed 19 more through the next three of a 44-38 win over Holdrege Saturday night. “We started the game off very poorly,” coach Amy Scheil admitted about a 19-11 deficit that soon became 22-11. “We didn’t play man-to-man defense very well.”...

HOLDREGE, Neb. — He made a mockery again of anyone who doubted McCook’s victory chances Saturday evening. Returning to the town where he pitched a superb district baseball title game last summer, senior James Mockry was ready for another good challenge along with his hoops teammates...

McCOOK, Neb. — During their last meeting of 2018, Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning approved a 10 percent bonus for the director of the county’s tourism efforts. Dan Stramel, chairman of the county’s visitors committee, describes the job of Tourism Director Carol Schlegel as “not your typical 8-to 5 job. Carol is on the road as much as she’s in her office. She is involved in so many state tourism activities at which Red Willow County’s presence and visibility are so important.”...

OTTAWA, Kan. -- McCook Community College sophomore Onyessah Rocha signed a letter of intent Monday to continue her volleyball career next year at Ottawa University in Kansas. The defensive specialist from Topeka said when the MCC volleyball season ended, she weighed her options for next year and thought she might be done with the sport, but an email from Ottawa coach Melissa Blessington renewed her hopes. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A van and a loaded cattle truck and trailer collided in the intersection of North Highway 83 and West J Street in McCook Thursday, Dec. 13, resulting in the death of nine of the cattle and a broken collarbone for the driver of the van...

STAMFORD, Neb. — Southern Valley’s boys shut out Eustis-Farnam through the first quarter of a 54-19 victory for their fifth win this season Monday evening. Junior Beau Baily scored 15 points and Carter Bose added 11 to lead the 5-2 Eagles. Sophomore Brody Yant netted nine points with Jaden Quinn and Clayton Berry adding six apiece...

CAMBRIDGE — The top 10 teams and best area placers at Saturday’s Fran Jorgensen Wrestling Invitational: Teams: 1. Norton (Kan.) 187, 2. Neligh-Oakdale 170, 3. Minden 131.5, 4. Decatur Community, Kan., 98; 5. Alma 90, 6. Ansley-Litchfield 89, 7. Cambridge 77, 8. Arapahoe 65, 9. Axtell 52, 10. Elwood 49...

ATWOOD, Kan. — Ho-ho-ho! Levi Poindexter should probably savor every Christmas considering all the Monday evening stress. “Yes, it took some years off my life,” the Rawlins County Buffaloes’ new basketball coach said though still able to laugh about tangling with Hitchcock County Falcons. “It was never more than a four-point game throughout. We went down by two a couple of times but kept fighting back.”...

OMAHA, Neb. — A glance at Gazette-area football players who earned Omaha World-Herald All-State honorable mention this week. Arapahoe: Gentry Anderson, Yordi Gutierrez and Branigan Schaben. Chase County: Evan Fisher, Parker Dillan, Scott Wheeler and Trevor Peterson...

McCOOK, Neb. — It’s always risky holding a race in December in Nebraska, where snow and freezing temperatures are always a possibility. Thankfully, runners and walkers at the fourth annual Reindeer Run on Saturday faced just a few patches of snow and...

C. Allen “Al” Currie July 29, 1930 - Dec. 16, 2018 ORD, Neb. — C. Allen “Al” Currie, 88, of Ord, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, at the CHI Health Good Samaritan Health Center Hospital in Kearney, Neb. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. ...

John A. Malcolm CHICAGO, Ill. — John A. Malcolm, Lt Col. USAF (ret.), passed away at Smith Village, Chicago, on Dec. 12, 2018, at the age of 98. John was born in Naponee, Neb., and grew up in McCook, Neb. He was active in the YMCA and attended McCook Junior College before enlisting after the attack on Pearl Harbor. ...