Stories from Wednesday, February 3, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — New COVID-19 cases have dropped below 100 for the week for the first time since October, according to Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department officials While the number of new cases is still high — 71 — it comes as a relief to public health workers and the hospitals and clinics who have been under a heavy burden since the fall wave began...

Mid-Plains Community College head rodeo coach Garrett Nokes sustained a head injury from a horse after returning to his home after rodeo practice on the evening of January 28. Nokes was taken to the McCook Community Hospital and then life flighted to Kearney where he underwent surgery to treat his head injury...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested two people after a pursuit that ended near North Platte Tuesday afternoon. At approximately 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, a trooper observed an eastbound Buick Encore speeding near Hershey, at mile marker 164, on Interstate 80. The trooper performed a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, the trooper learned that the passenger of the Encore, Taylon Hill, 22, of New York, New York, had an active warrant for his arrest...

It has been an interesting first few weeks here at the capitol. Lincoln received the second-highest snowfall which brought most of the city to a stop but the Legislature kept on track. We also had complications this past week of some staff and senators having to quarantine due to exposure to Covid. We are doing all we can to keep everyone as safe as possible in the building. Testing is still ongoing on a weekly basis for those staff and senators who choose to get tested...

A roundup of RPAC championship and consolation boys' basketball games that did not appear in Tuesday's McCook Gazette: East championship Southern Valley 55, Medicine Valley 33 The East No. 1 S.V. Eagles were dominant with senior Clayton Berry hitting 11 of 16 shots (69 percent) for 22 points and deflecting five Raider passes Friday evening...