Stories from Tuesday, May 26, 2020

In the online version of my weekly column readers are offered a chance to respond to the thoughts that I’ve presented. It frustrates me a bit as the author of the responses are kept anonymous but I unhesitatingly sign my name to what I’ve written. Oh well...

DiAnna Lee “Dee” Bantam Feb. 28, 1946 - May 24, 2020 CAMBRIDGE, Neb — Graveside services for DiAnna Lee “Dee” Bantam, age 74, will be on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 2 p.m., at the Fairview Cemetery in Cambridge, She passed away at the C A Mues Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Arapahoe, Neb., following a long illness, on May 24, 2020...

Geraldine Adams Jan. 25, 1941 - May 24, 2020 McCOOK, Neb. — Geraldine Adams passed away, Sunday, May 24, 2020, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was 79 years old. Geraldine was born in Sturgis, Ky., on Jan. 25, 1941, to William Harrison “Harry” and Jewell Hope (Mott) Adams. She attended school in the Sturgis area. In 1961, the family moved to Kansas and since the 1980s, Geraldine made her home in McCook...

Keven R. Posvar Oct. 6, 1964 - May 24, 2020 ORLEANS, Neb. — Keven R. Posvar, 55, of Orleans, died Sunday (May 24, 2020), in Beaver City, Neb. He was born Oct. 6, 1964, in Norton, Kan., to Gene and Sharon (Alexander) Posvar. He graduated from high school in 1983 and worked various maintenance jobs...

Willa J. Ruzicka Aug. 27, 1936 - March 23, 2020 OBERLIN, Kan. — Willa J. Ruzicka, 83, died March 23, 2020, at her home in Oberlin. She was born Aug. 27, 1936, in Yuma, Colo., to Gerald T. and Christina (Ernest) Snider. She married George Ruzicka March 10, 1956, in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was a certified nursing assistant and certified medication aide at the Good Samaritan Society of Decatur County...

Unlike this year’s uneventful fiasco featuring nothing but endless corona virus blather, the 2018-19 high school sports year ended in grand fashion with state golf tournament at various Nebraska sites. Hitchcock County’s Darian Hutto (above) drove through windy conditions at Lake Maloney Golf Course to place 11th among more than 90 Class C state golfersin North Platte. ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. — McCook High alum Noah Hofman from the University of Ottawa (Ariz.) men’s golf team has been named a finalist for the 2020 Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by golf.com. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate golfer across Divisions I, II and III, plus the NAIA and NCJAA, and it is considered one of college golf’s most esteemed honors...

McCOOK, Neb. — Glorious 5 a.m. arrived today with the swimming pool re-opening to start “Phase 2” at McCook’s Ed Thomas YMCA. Only six people are allowed to swim at one time on a first-come, first-serve basis while water aerobics will be limited to 10 participants, so reservations are recommended...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to approve a resolution concerning opening the city ballparks, at a special meeting Wednesday, May 27, 12 p.m. noon at the city council chambers at the McCook Municipal Building. Gov. Pete Ricketts has relaxed COVID-19 directed health measures to allow for baseball and softball to resume on June 1, with a list of social distancing stipulations for teams and spectators to adhere to. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Despite the economic slump, there are opportunities in this pandemic to invest in, said the director of the McCook’s economic development program. Andy Long addressed the McCook City Council Monday night at a required public hearing for an update on the McCook Economic Development program. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Additional cases of COVID-19 have been reported to the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, but plans are still in place to loosen restrictions statewide. One is the first confirmed case in Chase County, a male in his 70s who is hospitalized and the case is under investigation...

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced updates to driver licensing services availability. DMV teammates are ready to provide services as and when counties open their offices to walk in traffic. Additional teammates and resources are being put in place to increase service capacity in the most heavily populated counties. ...