Stories from Monday, December 31, 2018

BRADY, Neb. — New Year’s Eve means a great basketball showdown in Brady when 7-1 Hitchcock County takes on the 8-1 Pleasanton Bulldogs. The Falcons (7-1 record) earned a Brady Holiday Tournament title shot with Saturday’s 53-47 semifinal win over Anselmo-Merna...

Catch-Up Year for City GENE O. MORRIS McCook Gazette McCOOK -- The year 2019 will be catch-up time in the City of McCook. After putting things off for seven years -- while paying off the bonds for the $3 million-plus Municipal Building -- the city is getting ready to roll forward with a bunch of equipment purchases and infrastructure projects...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Along with county and community leaders all across America, the commissioners of Red Willow County and the Hillcrest Nursing Home board of directors will face major decisions in 2019 regarding the future of nursing home care. Red Willow County Commission Chair Earl McNutt focused attention on the nursing home issue in his 2019 outlook statement, saying one of the county's major challenges in the year ahead "will be making sure we maintain a strong and viable nursing home."...

Wilma Wioma (DeGarmo) Ferguson March 23, 1929 - Dec. 29, 2018 IMPERIAL, Neb. — Wilma Wioma (DeGarmo) Ferguson was born March 23, 1929, in Haigler, Neb., to Glen DeGarmo and Iva (Samson) DeGarmo. She was welcomed home by big brother Mervin Berdell DeGarmo...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As he looks ahead to 2019, U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith, who represents Nebraska's Third District including the counties of Southwest Nebraska, says his major focus will be "to improve market access for our ag producers." To help accomplish this, Smith says he will encourage the negotiation of new trade agreements and the resolution of current trade disputes as soon as possible...

Lenna R. Berry May 6, 1942 - Dec. 2, 2018 OSBORNE, Kan. — Lenna R. Berry, 76, died Thursday (Dec. 27, 2018), at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kan. She was born in Benkelman, Neb., on May 6, 1942, to Elsie (McCallister) and Leonard Gauger. She was a certifed nursing assistant at Parkview Care Center in Osborne...

Michael E. Pollnow Sept. 2, 1952 - Dec. 26, 2018 CULBERTSON, Neb. — Michael E. Pollnow, 66, of Culbertson, died Wednesday (Dec. 26, 2018), at Community Hospital in McCook. He was born Sept. 2, 1952, in Oberlin, Kan., to Vollie and Elizabeth Suzanne (Broderick) Pollnow. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Local volunteer Jeff Gross, McCook, was recently recognized for countless hours of service to the community during a Modern Woodmen of America member event on December 20, 2018. Gross was honored through Modern Woodmen’s Hometown Hero Program for spending multiple hours serving on organizations such as McCook Chamber of Commerce, McCook Optimist, American Legion Baseball, McCook Midget Football, McCook Midget Baseball, and Rebel softball. ...

CURTIS, Neb. – A lifelong dream for a Sandhills cowgirl is coming true. Eva Oliver, an NCTA Aggie, receives her crown and official title as Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2019 on January 5 at the Cherry County Fairgrounds in Valentine. Oliver graduated in May, 2018 from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis with an associate of science degree in veterinary technology...

It’s with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of my lifelong friend, Chris Buethe. Chris loved his trips to McCook and gained many friends through the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival. Today we remember this professor, storyteller, friend...

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Cambridge’s girls dominated Fullerton, 49-35, as junior Korynn Clason scored 28 points in the Grand Island Central Catholic Holiday Tournament consolation final Saturday night. The Trojans (5-4 record) took charge quickly with a 16-3 first quarter. They shook of the sting from Friday’s 73-32 loss to tourney host GICC (8-1 record)...

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Senior Duncan Rector’s 29 points were just enough for Wauneta-Palisade to win a wild 62-59 challenge over Arapahoe Friday evening. Rector hit 67 percent of his shots (12 for 18) and needed every one against Arapahoe’s excellent 1-2 punch...

McCook Bison GNAC tournament results along with season records through Saturday: Final team scores: 1. Columbus 211, 2. Hastings 150, 3. North Platte 125, 4. McCook 106, 5. Gering 80, 6. Scottsbluff 48. 120 pounds: Talyn Campbell (14-7 record) placed fourth and scored 10 points. He lost 10-6 to T. Kobza, COL; pinned R. Wilkens, SCOT, in :50; won 13-2 over A. Stone, GER; lost 8-7 to D. Miller, HAST; and pinned by B. Little, NP, in 2:59...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook’s wrestlers more than doubled Class B No. 3 Scottsbluff, 106-48, while finishing a solid fourth in the Greater Nebraska Activities Conference meet on Saturday. The six-team tourney didn’t disappoint as Class A power Columbus finished first while tough Hastings Tigers took second...