Stories from Thursday, August 27, 2020

HASTINGS, Neb. — Unlike many of us, older and heavier certainly doesn’t mean slower when watching the Hastings Tigers this fall. “I see the same team as last year except they are more experienced,” McCook coach Jeff Gross said about his Bison’s season-opening football foe Friday evening at Hastings College. “Those receivers are the same group that won the state 4 x 100 (relay) as sophomores and would have again last spring had there been one (Class B meet).”...

Last weekend, I took the latest Graff child to college in northwest Iowa. It is a small school with a swimming program. Additionally, it was located in a small community, where he won’t get lost in the shuffle or just be a number. (The same can be said for McCook Community College and yet another reason for kids to stay here, if only they had a swim team.)...

Sandra “SanDee” (Coolidge) Michaelson July 19, 1946 - Aug. 24, 2020 FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Sandra “SanDee” (Coolidge) Michaelson of Fort Collins died Aug. 24, 2020. She was born July 19, 1946, to Dave and Louise Coolidge. She grew up in McCook, Neb., attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, lived in Lincoln, Neb., and retired in Fort Collins...

Gerald Thomas Mitchem June 21, 1943 - Aug. 26, 2020 TRENTON, Neb. — Gerald Thomas Mitchem, age 77, of Trenton, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, at his home in El Dorado Manor. Mitch was born on June 21, 1943, in McCook, Neb., to parents, Vernon and Catherine (Worske) Mitchem. He was one of four siblings born to this union. He attended West Ward Elementary, McCook Junior High and graduated from McCook Senior High School in 1961...

WAUNETA, Neb. — Sandhills State Bank in Wauneta announced a $25,000 donation to the Wauneta-Palisade Schools.   Brenda Anderson, Sandhills State Bank Senior Vice President, said, “We’re excited to be able to help support the children in our community by funding the new math curriculum at the elementary school.”...

SIDNEY, Neb. — Senior Kaylie Puckett’s 99 led the McCook High golfers in Sidney Invitational 18-hole play on Tuesday. Joslyn Dwyer followed with a 100 as the Bison totaled 496 overall for seventh place. Scottsbluff won the tournament with 328, a 76-stroke vicotry over closest challenger Alliance and its 404...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The Mid-Plains Community College Stampede will continue as planned Sept. 17-19. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. each night at the Wild West Arena in North Platte. The Stampede is sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and is also a qualifying rodeo – meaning any points contestants earn will count toward an end of year shot at nationals...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Lettering made a strong move but still looks up to Red Willow Aviation in A League first place following week five of this season’s second half. Pinnacle Bank cashed in on another solid Wednesday night to remain B League leaders over Hauxwell Motors and MNB Financial Group...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Heritage Hills Ladies finished a glorious 2020 season with their Six-Lady Scramble Tuesday evening. Great competition continued until the final putt as two teams scored 33 to tie for first place: — Mary Hazlitt, Michelle Wilson, Leigh Miller, Rebecca Vosburg, Connie Buhr and Martha Chmiel;...

MAYWOOD, Neb. — New eras are starting across the area when high football season openers kick off Friday night. The Southwest Roughriders begin Six-Man football at 7 p.m., and they’ll face a great first test against Top 10-ranked Wilcox-Hildreth in Bartley...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook vs. Lexington always means spirited competition and expect nothing less on the McCook High volleyball court tonight. McCook’s senior-led team is ready to unleash their attack on Lex with varsity action set for around 7 p.m. following JV action...

HASTINGS, Neb. — Hastings High officials have announced some COVID-19 policies for McCook Bison fans attending Friday night’s varsity football game at Hastings College. McCook fans are asked to all enter through visitors gates on the south side of Lloyd Wilson Field...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Hillcrest Board of Trustees discussed shortfalls in July revenue Wednesday morning. The lack of new residents and additional expenses due to COVID-19 has taken a toll on the facility. The July budget for Hillcrest was projected to be $14,000 in the black but instead, was down by $82,000 for the month, said board president, Randy Dean. The drop was due to the facility’s decreased population and COVID-19-related expenses, he said...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Community Foundation Fund Name is part of a nearly $1.2 million statewide effort to bridge the learning gap in the face of Covid-19. Using funds from MCFF’s Covid-19 Response Account along with matching grants from the Nebraska Community Foundation, McCook Public Schools and St. Patrick Elementary School will receive more than $40,000 in funds...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- The Mid Plains Community College board of governors approved Specialized Engineering Services of Ogallala as engineers for the HVAC upgrade at Brooks Hall in McCook, approved a proposed budget for publication prior to a public hearing Sept. 16, and took steps to purchase property on State Farm Road for $181,500, about seven acres for a rodeo practice arena...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Community for Kids group has recently been awarded $15,000 from Nebraska Children and Families Foundation to continue their initiative work. McCook and 28 other communities across the state of Nebraska were granted funds to support their local initiatives. ...