Stories from Friday, April 17, 2020

McCOOK, Neb. -- A male in his 30s is the first person to test positive for the COVID-19 virus in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department district. SWNPHD reports that he is self-isolating in his home in Red Willow County. SWNPHD is working with healthcare providers and DHHS to identify additional people who came into close contact with this person...

The Nebraska American Legion baseball leaders issued this statement today: “There appears to be rumors out there that Nebraska has a set date to decide on a season or not, which is not true. So far, 15 Departments have now canceled their season. Nebraska is NOT one of them...

Ruth Marie Bridgmon (Edghill) July 16, 1927 - April 9, 2020 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Ruth Marie Bridgmon (Edghill), 92, wife of the late Raymond Lyle Bridgmon of Palisade, Neb., was granted her angel wings peacefully due to the Corona Virus on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs...

Alma I. Romine WHITING, Iowa — Alma I. Romine, 83, longtime resident of Palisade, Neb., died today (April 17, 2020), in Whiting. Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook.

Beverly J. Adams TRENTON, Neb. — Beverly J. Adams, 80, of Trenton, died Thursday (April 16, 2020), at El Dorado Manor in Trenton. Services are pending with Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook.

40th anniversary The family of Gene and Deb Goodenberger of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple’s 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday, April 19, 2020. They were married in 1980 at Kearney, Neb. Their family includes children, Wade Goodenberger (McKinsey) of Rochester, Minn., Carli (Ross) Oberg of Minden, Neb., and Hannah (Dylan) Ash of McCook; and 5 grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 70681 Road 387, McCook, NE 69001...

85th birthday The family of Lorrie Anderson of Arapahoe, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of her 85th birthday on Thursday, April 23, 2020. She was born in Marion, Neb. Her family includes children, J.D. Anderson, JoDee Walbridge, Janell Anderson-Ehrke and Jason Anderson; 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach her at 1010 2nd Street, Apt 113, Arapahoe NE 68922...

The basement is cleaned, the garage too and so in an attempt to forget what a mess my genealogy files are, I headed to the flower gardens. While I am not particularly grieving about the “social distancing”, my flower beds have always had a mind of their own and to decide to attack them is folly at its best. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska is holding a video game simulation of its Red-White Spring Game on Saturday, featuring dueling lineups of all-time great Cornhuskers. The 1 p.m. affair, which is set to stream on NU’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitch accounts, will be between the typical Red and White teams...

NORMAN, Okla. — McCook Community College sophomore golfer Chesney Tatman of North Platte was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association all-District team this week. The team was selected by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Tatman was also one of three MCC golfers to be named to the All-Region IX second team along with sophomores Kyle Zimbelman, also from North Platte, and KC Carlson of Delta, Colo...

McCOOK, Neb. — Three members of the McCook Community College men’s basketball team have signed letters of intent to continue their careers at NCAA Division 1 and Division II programs. Sophomores Raheim Sulivan and Tyrik Singh signed with Marist and Saginaw Valley State respectively and freshman Le’Tre Darthard is leaving MCC after one year to continue his basketball career at a Division I school...

The 32nd annual Community Hospital Health Foundation Pro-Am is now set to be played August 21, 22 and 23 at McCook’s Heritage Hills Golf Course. Executive director Jessica Bortner confirmed the change to local media this morning. “Heard from some (golfing) pros that it will work,” Bortner commented as some are pictured above. it is hoped the COVID-19 social restrictions will be lifted in most areas and economic conditions will have improved...

McCOOK, Neb. — The gifts given this year to his family and friends by six year old Cashous Pearson are one’s you’ll never find in the store. That’s because they are exact replicas of Cashous’ drawings of monsters, sewed by his grandma, Lori Pearson...

As a reminder to our readers, the Gazette will begin a new publication schedule next week, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. While there will be no Monday or Wednesday paper, breaking local news will be published online as soon as it becomes available, and will be included in the next print edition.Thank you to our loyal readers for your understanding. The original announcement is available here...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to temporarily suspend water disconnections for city water customers impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also be asked to approve tax increment financing for a proposed gas station, at the regular meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the city Municipal building...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Commissioners will meet as a board of equalization and in closed session to discuss pending litigation Monday. After tax roll corrections as aboard of equalization at 9:15 a.m., and with County Attorney Paul Wood at 9:45 a.m. concerning the pending litigation...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska Tourism is celebrating International Dark Sky Week (April 19-26) by encouraging people to participate in a lights out campaign. Light pollution plagues approximately two-thirds of Earth’s population, making it difficult or impossible for residents in some areas to experience a truly dark sky at night and enjoy an unadulterated view of the stars. Luckily, the solution to reducing light pollution is a simple one: turn off the lights...

Well, this is the third week in a row that I have tried to write about something other than COVID-19. We could all use a break from it, but what else defines our times and occupies our discourse as much as a global Pandemic? It’s hard to top. I am afraid that the toughest part of this journey is still ahead of us. ...

In times of emergency, misperceptions can prove deadly. That's certainly the case today, amid widespread belief that COVID-19 mainly threatens older Americans. In reality, those of any age suffering from an underlying health condition are at significant risk of complications from COVID-19. And when these patients fail to take proper precautions, they put their own lives -- and the health of millions of people -- in jeopardy...

DAVID CITY, Neb. -- The bindings are broken, and the pages are falling out. But, two Bibles dated from the 1800s that Dann Watson purchased for only $1 have given him surprising blessings in his life. Several years ago, Watson attended an auction in David City containing antiques collected by his aunt and uncle, Jeannie and Cleo Pope...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- This Sunday evening, Nebraska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gary Anthone and Nebraska Commissioner of Education Dr. Matt Blomstedt will participate in a Facebook Live discussion with the president and the executive director of the 28,000-member Nebraska State Education Association...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Due to the low supplies, Community Hospital is seeking people to sew masks which will be used for non-clinical staff as well as outpatients who do not have a mask. A mask pattern can be found on the CDC website here. People making masks are asked to follow the flat rectangle mask pattern mentioned in the link above. ...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Nebraska pharmacist was arrested today on charges related to an alleged conspiracy to use explosives, specifically Molotov cocktails, to firebomb and destroy a competitor pharmacy. According to court documents, Hyrum T. Wilson, 41, of Auburn, told an alleged co-conspirator: “This is the last shipment he will get from me as long as the other pharmacy is still standing.”...

Roger Henthorn's 1968 Dodge Charger cruises down Norris Avenue Friday night, one of dozens of classic and late-model cars that took part in the second social distancing Cruise Night, organized by Wagner Chevrolet Buick in McCook, with many businesses offering specials for the evening, as well as a special chamber bingo game...