Stories from Friday, April 2, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook High’s boys brilliantly edged a powerhouse Hays, Kan., team competing at the Leroy Hoehner Invitational on Thursday. VARSITY A look at all champions, top six Gazette-area placers and McCook Bison personal records:Team scores: 1. McCook 146.5, 2. Hays (Kan.) 145, 3. Lexington 85.5, 4. Holdrege 60, 5. Southern Valley 34, 6. Colby (Kan.) 29, 7. Cambridge 22...

McCOOK, Neb. — What a way to move into the holiday weekend! The McCook High girls earned both a team title and top individual honors while outperforming six visiting teams at Thursday’s Leroy Hoehner Invitaitonal. Final results showed it wasn’t even that closer...

We have a complex relationship with our elected officials in this country. On one hand, they are elected to represent our wishes, yet we tend to distrust those who rely upon polls rather than their personal principles. A politician with a finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing has become a perennial negative stereotype...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Guests visiting four Southwest Nebraska state park areas this year will experience more opportunities for recreation, including with a new hike and bike trail and the chance to borrow bikes at Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area...

Megan Allison's children Scarlet, 1 1/2, and Aiden, 5, are ready to go find some prizes at MNB’s annual Sparky’s Kids Club Easter Egg hunt Thursday afternoon, but they’ve got plenty of company in Norris Park.

McCOOK, Neb. -- Sen. Dan Hughes told a group of constituents that the Legislature is “passing a lot of legislation rather quickly”, but he expects the pace to slow down in the upcoming weeks as more contentious legislation like the budget, medical marijuana, and police reform makes it to the floor. Sen. Hughes spoke at the chamber’s weekly Legislative Update via Zoom on Thursday...

City Council will review property sale, potential city projects McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will have the opportunity to designate priority projects for the upcoming year and beyond, at the regular council meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m., at the City Council Chambers at the City Municipal Building...

Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark.” ~R. Tagore Summer is just around the corner. Although Covid-19 is curtailing Church camps, Scout camps and 4-H camps, they are still distributing brochures, cleaning cabins, and gearing up for a smaller than usual invasion of antsy, wildly energetic people under four feet tall. The camping season is almost upon us...

Emery A. Kathka May 25, 1936 - March 31, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Emery A. Kathka, 84, of McCook, passed away March 31, 2021, at his home. He was born May 25, 1936, to Gustave and Laura Pearl (Jennings) Kathka in Oberlin, Kan Emery grew up on the family farm four miles north of Oberlin and attended East Liberty School until the family moved to Oberlin. He then attended Oberlin Grade School. He graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1954...

Gary L. Edwards Sept. 17, 1946 - March 30, 2021 SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Gary L. Edwards, 74, of Scottsbluff, was taken by our Heavenly Father to his final resting place after a peaceful passing in the morning of March 30, 2021. His memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., at the Berean Bible Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Scott Clark officiating. ...

50th anniversary The family of David and Margaret Ruf of Wilsonville, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, April 11, 2021. Their family includes children, Ami and Bryan Hauxwell of McCook, Carey and James Rohr of Eustis, Neb., Mary Ann and Brad Sides of Seward, Neb., Heath and Vickie Ruf of Wilsonville, Ella and Chris Pachta of Belleville, Kan.; and 14 grandchildren, with one on the way. ...

80th birthday The family of Vern Esch of Indianola, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday on Thursday, April 15, 2021. It is also the same day of the 59th wedding anniversary with wife, Sara. His family includes children, Brian and wife, Mary of McCook, Darren and wife, Tyler of Indianola, Gene and wife, Leigh Ann of West Simsbury, Conn., and the late Christopher; 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 71832 Drive 391,...

The Stringtown article resulted in quite a bit of interest in trying to find out where exactly Stringtown existed. Was it a town? Probably not in the strict sense of the word, but it was a community of early settlers in Red Willow County’s Bondville Precinct...

LAMAR, Colo. – The McCook Community College golf team shot an opening round 294 at the Lamar Community College tournament, but finished the day in second place, 10 strokes back of leader Eastern Wyoming. “It was perfect weather at Lamar today and the course is in great condition for this time of year,” MCC coach Tyler Loop said. “The boys did a good job..”...

CASPER, Wyo. — Eleventh-ranked Western Nebraska had cruised past the first two opponents in the Region IX Tournament in six sets, but MCC put an end to that Thursday, opening the match with a 26-24 first-set win. However, the Cougars responded taking the next three sets and advance to the first championship match Friday against No. 12 Northeastern Junior College...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — McCook High’s tennis girls took second to only Class A Kearney among 12 teams competing at Thursday’s North Platte Invitational. No. 2 doubles champions Lexi Hauxwell and Emily Kjendal led the Bison 57-point attack while Kearney captured the title with 65...