Stories from Monday, March 16, 2020

LINCOLN, Neb. — They’d tore through Paxton and North Platte St. Patrick’s by 44 points entering the Nebraska boys basketball state finals. The Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Bears were even more ferocious against Southern Valley on Saturday. They ripped eight of 11 three-pointers through the Pinnacle Bank nets...

The National Junior College Athletic Association cancels spring sports for 2020, ending the season for McCook Community College baseball, golf and softball. "In light of the progressive evolvement of the COVID-19 situation, the NJCAA has decided to end all competition for the remainder of the academic year," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO...

Dear Editor You can thank the Chinese Communist Party for the Corona virus epidemic. Never forget that the Chinese government is first and foremost a tyrannical communist regime, and that the first organizing principle of communism is “the ends justify the means.”...

Helen Josephine Brannan June 11, 1919 - March 12, 2020 LINCOLN, Neb. — Helen Josephine Brannan was born June 11, 1919, in Grant, Neb., and passed away on March 12, 2020, in Lincoln, at the age of 100. Helen was born to John and Lora Stubblefield in Grant. ...

Nancy Jane Semler Dec. 11, 1946 - March 12, 2020 BIRD CITY, Kan. — Nancy Jane Semler, 73, of Bird City, Kan., died Thursday (March 12, 2020), in Bird City. She was born Dec. 11, 1946, in Benkelman, Neb. She was a registered nurse. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Gaylord Wright; and son, Kevin Wright...

McCook, Neb. —Beginning Monday, March 16, Community Hospital has discontinued visitors and added outpatient screenings until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Sharon Conroy, RN, Community Hospital Infection Preventionist. “At the moment, there are no known cases in our area,” she said. “But because there is no vaccine or anti-viral treatment for COVID-19, we feel this is the best way to protect our patients, visitors and staff.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County clerk’s office is encouraging early voting by mail prior to the primary election Tuesday, May 12, because of concerns about the possible spread of coronavirus in crowds. Mailing completed ballots to the courthouse will keep voters out of crowded places on election day...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two members of the McCook Community College men’s basketball team have received post season Region IX honors. Sophomore transfer Raheim Sullivan (Toronto, Ontario) and freshman LeTre Darthard (Denton, Texas) were both selected to the all-Region IX third team...

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Southwest Conference champion Ogallala Indians and Southern Valley Eagles both finished No. 2 in today’s Lincoln Journal-Star last state boys basketball rankings. A glance at how all area teams and familiar foes rated as we enter weeks of perhaps no interesting activity:...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Today Pinpoint announced two initiatives to support the proactive measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The first act Pinpoint offers is assurance that it will not disconnect services for customers impacted by any disruption the COVID-19 virus may cause over the next 60 days. While we don’t yet know what the effects may be to our consumers, Pinpoint wants to ensure our customers are able to be connected, even in times of distress...

The Nebraska School Activities Association has curtailed spring activities. The NSAA released a statement Monday saying all practices are suspended until March 30, and all competitions are suspended until April 2. Those suspensions may be extended should conditions warrant...

McCOOK, Neb. — All McCook Legion baseball try-outs set for this weekend have been canceled, McCook National Bank Seniors co-coach Jeff Holthus announced today. Holthus did say try-outs for the Seniors and First Central Bank Juniors will be scheduled at a later date as the nation-wide effort to halt spread of corona virus continues...

LINCOLN, Neb. – This morning, Governor Pete Ricketts met with cabinet members at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), as he unveiled new guidance further limiting public events and gatherings. “We are updating Nebraska’s guidance for closures and event sizes to align with new guidance issued by the CDC late yesterday,” said Governor Ricketts...

McCOOK, Neb. — Local governments, schools and organizations throughout Southwest Nebraska are closing temporarily to help lessen the possibility of exposure to the coronavirus. While exposure seems remote here and no confirmed cases of COVID-19 are reported, most of those in charge locally are taking a “better safe than sorry” approach, feeling “over-reaction” is preferable to regret at not having done enough when it was possible...

In consideration of the COVID-19 situation the National Junior College Athletic Association has suspend all spring athletic competition beginning Saturday, March 14 through Friday, April 3. For McCook Community College, that affects 32 games/tournaments that were scheduled through April 3 including 16 softball games, 13 baseball games and three men’s golf tournaments...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Family YMCA has set guidelines starting today though Sunday because of COVID-19 corona virus concerns: — No youth high school age or younger will be allowed in the YMCA as well as no non-members; — No adult sports; — No organized classes;...

The National Junior College Athletic Association has cancelled all spring competition. The announcement ends the 2020 season for Mid-Plains teams. “In light of the progressive evolvement of the COVID-19 situation, the NJCAA has decided to end all competition for the remainder of the academic year,” stated Dr. ...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- In its continued efforts to promote public protection and safety, Pinpoint responded to today’s notice of closure of McCook Public Schools with an announcement that it, too, will implement established company safety protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus by temporarily suspending service at its McCook office location - 312 W B St...

McCOOK, Neb. — Starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020, McCook Public Schools will begin serving free meals to all children age 18 and under in the household if at least one child attends McCook Public Schools. This is in response to school closings due to the coronavirus pandemic. A waiver has been granted by the United States Department of Agriculture providing additional flexibilities based on the exceptional circumstances relating to the declaration of a public health emergency due to COVID-19. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- At a Special YMCA Board of Directors meeting this morning and in conjunction with the closing of school for one week, it was decided that all YMCA organized activities have been suspended for a one week period. No youth soccer games or practice, no adult volleyball or coed basketball. ...

KEARNEY, Neb. -- Academic operations will transition fully to remote learning at the University of Nebraska at Kearney beginning Wednesday (March 18), Chancellor Doug Kristensen announced today. This is in response to changing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local officials in response to the health threat from the coronavirus (COVID-19)...

IMPERIAL, Neb. -- Mid-Plains Community College has canceled the groundbreaking ceremony for its Imperial Campus expansion that had been scheduled for Wednesday. It’s part of an effort by the college to assist in the mitigation of the spread of COVID-19 and to protect MPCC’s students, staff and the communities that it serves.The cancellation follows a recommendation by the CDC on Sunday that organizers of in-person events, consisting of 50 people or more, cancel or postpone activities throughout the U.S. ...

OMAHA, Neb. — As Americans throughout the country do their part to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) will modify the procedure for fingerprinting services to protect both the public and NSP personnel. Starting Tuesday, March 17, the NSP Troop A Office, located at 4411 S. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Visitation with inmates housed in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has been suspended indefinitely amid concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19). NDCS Director Scott. R. Frakes said the decision comes at the right time for limiting the spread of the illness across the agency’s 10 facilities...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state rises, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is sharing additional guidance on alternate learning environments, nutrition, and assessment. In all recommendations, the priority remains the safety and well-being of all students, educators, staff, and community members...

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tennessee – March 16, 2020 – Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) announced plans to dedicate the first hour of each shopping day to senior shoppers, as well as amend store operating hours beginning tomorrow, March 17, 2020. Senior Hour Encouragement...

GRAND ISLAND, Neb/ -- Fonner Park will oblige Grand Island, Nebraska Mayor Roger Steele’s request to close the Fonner Park live Thoroughbred racing season until further notice, to comply with Nebraska Governor Rickett’s request to limit sporting events to less than 250 people within the COVID-19 protocols established by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services...

This past weekend was a great weekend of supporting McCook businesses! Saturday included Citta' Deli and their 5th annual St. Patrick's Day party that ties in closely with their 5 year anniversary of being in business! Congratulations Jade and Bill and thank you for all that you do in our community! Sunday lunch was (mostly) homemade pizza with a crust from Matt and Sehnert's which was awesome! And Sunday night finished off a great weekend with shrimp from Tyler McCarty and boy was it delicious, I even convinced myself to try a whole shrimp which was quite the experience!. ...