Stories from Tuesday, September 15, 2020

KEARNEY, Neb. — Check out those McCook tennis boys blasting Kearney Catholic and edging Grand Island Central catholic during varsity dual action Monday afternoon in Kearney. Also remember the Bison team plays at home today with a 4 p.m. start time against Lexington. Matches take place on both the McCook High and Elks Park courts...

YORK, Neb. — On a Friday night perfect for fishing, piranhas in red were starting to feel rage. “I was getting very upset,” McCook senior Mason Schmoker said following a 98-yard York touchdown drive. The Dukes clearly weren’t satisfied as they started moving downstream again with less than two minutes remaining in this damp Class B Top 10 showdown...

Nita Joyce Wolters Sept. 20, 1926 - Sept. 13, 2020 McCOOK, Neb. — Nita Joyce Wolters, age 93, of McCook, passed away at her home on Sept. 13, 2020. She was born in Atwood, Kan., on Sept. 20, 1926, to Leo Bernard and Nellie Florence (Dunn) Bowles. Joyce grew up in Atwood and graduated from Atwood High School in 1944...

Derek J. Jonson March 25, 1929 - Sept. 7, 2020 LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Derek J. Jonson passed away Sept 7, 2020. Derek was born on March 25, 1929, to Jay and Helen Jonson in Rawlins, Wyo. He was a graduate of East Denver High School and the University of Denver. He was married to Sharon Jonson (Berger) for 56 years. He served served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1946-1949...

McCOOK, Neb. — The total operating budget for McCook Public Schools for 2020-21 increased by 2.22% from last year. The total operating budget for next year is set at $22.8 million, up from the $22.3 million in last year’s budget. John Brazell reviewed the 2020-21 budget with the McCook School Board Monday night, before the board unanimously adopted the budget and the tax request for next year...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) has had 10 new cases of COVID-19 reported since September 8th. SWNPHD has also received confirmation of one additional death due to COVID-19 in the health district. This brings the totals for the health district to 174 cases with 151 cases recovered...

Grannie Annie and I were privileged to attend a retirement party (celebration!) for Fire Chief Bill Elliott of the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department this past weekend. Bill served for over 40 years in many roles as he worked his way up to Chief. Forty years is the entire history of the RWRFD since it was formed to serve the rural communities and empty spaces of most of the area of Red Willow County...

TORRINGTON, Wyo. — The McCook Community College golf team opened the fall exhibition schedule with a couple one-day matches over the weekend. On Thursday the team battled Eastern Wyoming in a match-play dual. The Lancers won 4-3 in matches. “We had a couple players play well and a few struggle but we definitely had an opportunity to win the duel, we just couldn’t overcome a few mistakes we had during those matches we lost,” said MCC Coach Tyler Loop...

HASTINGS, Neb. — McCook’s two-run final rally gave the Bison a 6-5 softball win over Holdrege at Saturday’s Hastings Invitational. Trailing 5-4, junior Tesa Nelson drilled a double past the Duster left fielder to start this Bison comeback. Abbie Johnson then battled to put another ball into play and Nelson scored from second base on this bumbled fielder’s choice...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Southern Valley won a battle of big-play touchdowns over the Cambridge Trojans, 36-26, Friday afternoon. The Eagles (2-1) are certainly excelling at eight-man football as they’ve scored 34, 38 and now 36 points in three contests. Their best performance had to be against the Trojans on Friday where senior receiver Brody Yant caught nine passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Little Richie Bauer knelt in the dust before a chalked outline at 12th and O. Two of his friends sat across on a rough, uneven section of pavement awaiting their turn in the ring. Jimmy reached forward, planted his knuckle, and nervously fingered his emerald “killer” into position. A sharp flick of his thumb launched the orb, scattering three smaller marbles to the outside; they were now his to keep...