Stories from Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Despite no student section at Friday’s basketball varsity season opener, the McCook Starz dancers like Makynna Cunningham (above) delivered a great halftime performance for Bison family members Friday evening at McCook High.

Robert George Beck Dec. 23, 1951 - Nov. 11, 2020 NIXA, Mo. — Robert George Beck, age 68, was born in Holyoke, Colo., on Dec. 23, 1951, to George Martin and Bona Ruth (Anderson) Beck. Robert passed away unexpectedly the morning of Nov. 11, 2020, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Mo...

David Christian McKinney May 16, 1944 - Nov. 16, 2020 FALLBROOK, Calif., — David Christian McKinney, Ph.D., 76, of Falbrook, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 16, 2020. David was born in McCook, Neb., in 1944 to John Y. McKinney and Doris (Petersen) McKinney, and was raised in South Bend, Ind. ...

Jerry Reiners April 4, 1946 - Nov. 30, 2020 CALHOUN, Mo. — Jerry Reiners, 74, of Calhoun, died Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. After a two-year battle with renal cell carcinoma, he succumbed to COVID-19 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. He was born April 4, 1946, in McCook, Neb., the son of William Henry Reiners and Dorothea Sophie Hofman. ...

Fran L. Follett Nov. 27, 1947 - Nov. 25, 2020 YORK, Neb. — Fran L. Follett was born in 1947 in Boonville, Mo., the daughter of Dewitt and Berniece Cline and passed away from this earth peacefully at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, Neb., on Nov. 25, 2020, at the age of 72...

Arthur J. Werner Jan. 16, 1961 - Nov. 22, 2020 PALISADE, Neb. — Arthur John Werner, age 59, of Palisade, passed peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, surrounded by family at his son’s home in Lincoln, Neb. John (as he was known,) was born Jan. 16, 1961, in Sacramento, Calif. He graduated in 1979 from John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento. John moved to Tahlequah, Okla., and joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged...

McCOOK, Neb. — It’s not up to the city to decide whether to have a mask mandate but the city’s health board, said McCook’s city manager. Nate Schneider told the McCook City Council Monday night at its regular meeting that according to Nebraska state law, 16-238, the decision-making authority regarding a mask mandate is with the city’s health board. ...

Official: COVID-19 safety not just wearing a mask McCOOK, Neb. -- There’s more to protecting yourself and others to the COVID-19 virus than wearing a mask, according to the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. Washing hands, staying home when sick and other measures work better in combination than any single act such as wearing a mask, SWNPHD officials remind...

McCook Professional Firefighters Local IAFF 2100 donate $500 to the annual Toy Box giveaway, which will take place all next week, by appointment only. New toys can be dropped off up until the final day of the giveaway (Saturday, Dec. 19) at these locations: Hot Tub Brokers, 210 W. ...

Grannie Annie and the old guy took a leisurely drive through our fair city to enjoy people’s efforts at decorating for Christmas. It seems that there are more festive colored lights and displays than ever before. A jewel to be admired is Santa Claus Lane a far-sighted legacy of Norma Strunk aided by local sponsors. The festive light poles along Norris Avenue add to municipal pride in our City...

Dear Editor, I agree with the recent letter to not live in fear. I was watching an old movie the other evening. It was about the taking of countries in WWII by the Germans. I was put in mind of our current situation. In the movie, the local people were very afraid of the invading country. ...

A cloudy future greeted Rhonda Schuessler as she assessed the state of the world in March 2020. Here Wee Grow Child Development Center, the daycare she operates in Sidney, had recently closed its doors to protect families and staff from the novel coronavirus. Though temporary, the closure created uncertainty...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Weston Morrow scored 16 points on seven-of-11 shooting in Maywood-Hayes Center’s 61-26 victory over Southwest Saturday afternoon. Morrow, a junior, led the Wolves to a 30-12 halftime advantage. Sophomores Kyler Cox added 13 points and Jhett Seller totaled 12...

WAUNETA, Neb. — As coach Jarrod Albers expected, Cambridge got a good test from Wauneta-Palisade’s girls but prevailed, 47-43, Friday evening. The Trojans (2-0) took a strong 18-10 lead through one quarter only to see W-P whittle within 35-34 through three periods...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Southwest’s Matt Van Pelt and Cole Downey dominated four foes while winning Roughrider Invitational titles on Friday. Top placers: TEAMS: 1. Minden 171.5, 2. Southwest 141.5, 3. Franklin 94, 3. Southern Valley 94, 5. Hershey 66, 6. Elm Creek 60.5, 7. Central Valley 41, 8. Pleasaanton 20, 9. Shelton 14...

OBERLIN, Kan. — A 14-6 fourth quarter led Decatur Community’s 45-39 comeback win over Rawlins County as this Kansas rivalary started their basketball seasons Friday evening. Sophomore Brayanna Gehring’s 12 points powered the Red Devils though several teammates hit huge shots. Senior Melody Koerperich netted nine points , junior Brynna Addleman added eight, Riley Ketterl six and sophomore Gabrielle Vontz netted another six points...

OBERLIN, Kan. — Sunflower state rivals went to overtime in their season opener with Rawlins County edging Decatur Community, 48-44, Friday evening. Isaac Domsch drilled a huge three to cap his terrific 22-point performance for the 1-0 Buffaloes. Stat Chessmore added an inside basket while reaching 10 points...

HASTINGS, Neb. - The McCook High School swim and dive team opened up the 2020-21 season in Hastings over the weekend, but with a very different schedule. To spread out teams and participants, events took place over two days with divers taking to the boards Friday night. Half the teams swam Saturday morning at the Hastings YMCA, with McCook joining the remaining teams Saturday afternoon. Then all the times were posted against each other for final results...

COZAD, Neb. — The McCook High wrestlers won three duals at Friday’s Cozad Invitational to warm up for their home debut Thursday night. Sophomore returning state qualifier Alex Anthony and freshman new varsity powerhouse Canhon Hosick were both 4-0 with four pins in a talented tournament field...

McCOOK, Neb. — Even on a warm December night, Chase County’s big-game girls showed they still have ice water in their veins at winning time Friday. Tied 48-48, Bryn McNair calmly buried a corner three which all but finished the Longhorns’ 52-48 victory over spirited McCook...

VALENTINE, Neb. — McCook High’s girls forced 30 turnovers and tipped 27 passes while allowing just 28 points in a 53-28 victory over Valentine Saturday. The Bison (1-1) also shot well with top scorers Liviya Wier, Peyton Doucet and Tiara Matson teaming to hit 12 of their 21 two-point shots (62 percent)...

VALENTINE, Neb. — Senior Ty Stevens hit 10 of 13 shots and the McCook Bison showed why brilliant chess clubbers aren’t likely lighting up nets for 90-plus points during most Saturdays. “I felt like we were thinking too much Friday night and not playing basketball,” coach Joe Imus said as his Bison followed up 44 points Friday night with 51 before halftime in a 91-52 win over Valentine Saturday afternoon. “We corrected a lot of issues that we had the night before.”...

Marvin Dale Bubak June 10, 1931 - Dec. 5, 2020 TEKAMAH, Neb. — Private family services are planned for Marvin Dale Bubak, age 89, of Tekamah, Neb. He passed away Dec. 5, 2020, at his home, with his family by his side. Dale was born June 10, 1931 in Ansley, Neb., to Jerry and Dorothy (Oschner) Bubak. ...