Stories from Wednesday, March 6, 2019

WAUNETA, Neb. — The fireball of a first grader taking shots at one side basket really says it all about Wauneta-Palisade’s tradition. No flashing colors or Facebook videos are needed to keep this youngster’s focus. His eyes rarely wander from dribbling, jumping and making sure no one else gets hold of his favorite basketball...

Ronald Reagon once joked that the “nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’” The folks around Beauregard, Alabama, will certainly welcome offers of help from whatever source, although we’re sure it will initially come from neighbors and friends, the American Red Cross and other private organizations long before the federal government steps in. FEMA money, provided it hasn’t been diverted to The Wall, will arrive slowly if at all...

According to the story in Monday's Gazette, State Sen. Dan Hughes intends to erase party lines in small-town votes with his bill, LB 144, and I believe this effort would cause more harm than good. I've interviewed Sen. Hughes several times and enjoyed his openness over the last decade when I was previously tasked with covering his weekly legislative conference calls for the Gazette. ...

Thomas Henry Weiss June 18, 1951 - March 1, 2019 IMPERIAL, Neb. — Thomas Henry Weiss was born June 18, 1951, at Chase County Hospital to Donald and Anastacia (Shutze) Weiss. Tom was raised on the family farm northwest of Imperial and graduated from Chase County High School in 1969. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved an application for federal assistance for a $1.3 million rehabilitation project at the McCook airport. Along with other consent agenda items, the council approved Monday night the Application for Federal Assistance, the Certification for Drug-Free Workplace and all other associated paperwork with the Federal Aviation Administration for the project slated this summer at the McCook airport...

McCOOK, Neb. — It will be back to 1967 for McCook city staff, as they research city law back then to determine the best way to vacate a street that was platted but not developed. Commerce Street is between Block 1 in the Lyons Addition, owned by Donna Loop to the west and Block 2, owned by Gale and Becky Loop, on the east. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Some water customers on the west side of the city will see better pressure on hot days after a major improvement project is completed on West Fifth and G. The McCook City Council approved Monday night with other consent agenda items an engineering agreement with Miller & Associates, Consulting Engineers, P.C., for the project. The agreement includes designs and construction inspection for a new water main on West 5th Street, from West "G" Street to West "M" Street...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook has accumulated over $400,000 in state/federal dollars for street projects. Councilman Gene Weedin pulled from the consent agenda item the annual certification form that confirms that the funds have been used according to the Federal Aid Transportation Fund Purchase-Sale agreement. At Monday night’s regular council meeting, he asked Kyle Potthoff, City of McCook Public Works Director, what the funds will be used for...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College Lady Indians basketball team (21-10) is headed to Scottsbluff Thursday for a second-round, 3 p.m. (MT) Region IX tournament game against Eastern Wyoming (23-8). After first-round games at various sites across Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska, the remainder of the tournament will be played at Cougar Palace in Scottsbluff, home of Western Nebraska Community College...

McCOOK, Neb. — A total of eight McCook Community College softball games scheduled for this week have been postponed. In addition a pair of road doubleheaders at Lamar, Colo., scheduled for later this month has been moved up so the Lady Indians can get in a couple doubleheaders in Colorado Thursday and Friday...

VALENTINE, Neb. — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a Valentine man in connection with the shooting death of his wife on Monday, March 4. NSP was initially called by the Valentine Police Department after they had responded to a shooting at 301 Edna Street in Valentine at approximately 7 p.m. The victim, Pamela Nickisch, 71, was found deceased. Her husband, Paul Nickisch, 70, and a juvenile grandson were also present at the residence...