Stories from Wednesday, December 19, 2018

The University of South Dakota Coyotes have been calling and McCook High all-time tackles leader DJ Gross (second from right) made it official with his signing ceremony this morning at MHS. Big sister Lexi (top left), mom Diana and dad/Bison football coach Jeff Gross got a closer view while many Bison fans, teammates and friends witness this moment on College Football’s National Signing Day. ...

You’ll probably see a lot of national news stories about a federal criminal justice bill designed to counteract the excesses of the nation’s failed war on drugs. The Senate passed the bill Tuesday, the House is expected to do the same this week, and President Donald Trump says he’s anxious to sign reform into law...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is trying to determine the extent of contamination of an underground Benzene plume. Three groundwater monitoring wells will be installed in the 100 block of East Fourth, the alley of the 100 block between East Fourth and East Fifth and 190 feet south of U.S. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — It will be back to the drawing board for city staff, in determining what do about a strip of land on East 11th that has never been developed. The McCook City Council and City Manager, Nate Schneider, discussed briefly Monday night at the regular meeting the best way to proceed with a piece of property on East 11th, south of the intersection of East H, that was platted as East G but never developed. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A minor subdivision and the location of a proposed future road were okayed by the McCook City Council Monday night, in areas outside of city limits but within the two-mile radius of city jurisdiction. Public hearings were held for both requests, with the council approving the requests afterward...

LEFT: Nebraska Association of County Officials President Earl McNutt of McCook presents NACO President’s Awards to Marleen (Garcia) Bales and RIGHT: Sandra Kotschwar during a state-wide NACO conference Nov. 14 in Kearney. Garcia Bales retired as Red Willow County treasurer in July 2016, after working for the county for 41 years. Kotschwar’s last day as county assessor was Dec. 8, 2017, following 411⁄2 years of service to the county...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College Golf Coach Tyler Loop has signed his first player for the 2019-2020 season. Dillon Wise, Kimball, signed a letter of intent at ceremonies Thursday at Kimball High School. “Dillon is a talented kid with a lot of drive and upside,” Loop said...

AXTELL, Neb. — Southern Valley’s boys are sizzling at 6-2 after their 71-31 over host Axtell Tuesday night in Axtell’s Holiday Tournament. The Eagles took a 23-7 lead that reached 44-17 by halftime. No individual stats were obtained. Championship games take place on Thursday...

SUTHERLAND, Neb. — Top 10 team scores and some top area wrestling placers at the Sutherland Invitational on Saturday: Teams: 1. Amherst 159, 2. Mullen 157, 3. Maxwell 146, 4. Sutherland 92, 5. Bayard 71, 6. Morrill 69, 6. North Platte St. Patrick’s 69, 8. Garden County 60, 9. Hyannis 55.5, 10. Southwest 52. Medicine Valley finished 14th (41 points), Dundy County-Stratton 15th (40), Hitchcock County 15th (40) and Rawlins County, Kan., 17th (36) among 22 teams competing...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Dundy County-Stratton’s boys put a strong punctuation mark on their pre-Christmas schedule with Tuesday’s 79-57 win over Wray, Colo. The Tigers (8-1) unleashed a 30-point first quarter to build their 30-10 lead. Wray closed within 45-28 by intermission, but an 18-6 third quarter ended any slim Coloradan comeback hopes...