Stories from Thursday, April 22, 2021

TRENTON, Neb. — One point and one final event decided two terrific team title chases at the Hitchcock County Invitational on Wednesday. Only a half-point separated the top boys’ teams, but Hitchcock County edged Southwest 109-108.5 thanks to its grand finale mile-relay championship...

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Cambridge High’s girls powered away from North Platte St. Pat’s and several other area rivals to win the Jim Mather Invite on Wednesday. The Trojans again scored 108 points mainly with high places in jmany events. Juniors Autumn Deterding (100 hurdles) and Schyler Hobarty (discus) took home the only event titles...

The McCook City Pool is again on the front page as there is progress on the project. Earlier this week, the McCook City Council unanimously approved the hiring of an outside engineer to oversee the development of the city pool project. It is great to see forward movement on this project which has been in the works for years...literally. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Increased water and sewer rates for McCook users will start in May. The McCook City Council unanimously approved the higher rates at the third and final reading of the ordinances Monday night. Water rates will increase by 2.5%. The increase should meet the 2020-21 budgeted expenditures in the water department at $2.2 million to $2.4 million, according to the city manager’s report. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council gave the green light to the McCook Economic Development Corp. to purchase land for residential housing. The MEDC plans to build 21 residential homes on the property to address the housing crunch in the area. The MEDC board is ready to move on this and “doesn’t want someone to buy (the property) and sit on it…we want it to get developed,” said MEDC director Andy Long at the McCook City Council meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two tax increment financing (TIF) projects were approved in the City of McCook in 2020, according to the City of McCook Tax Increment Financing annual report. The McCook City Council received and filed the report as part of the consent agenda Monday night at the regular council meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. — Meeting in McCook Wednesday, Mid-Plains Community College governors approved a $199,900 bid from Master’s Transportation for a 2020 39-passenger Freightliner M2 106 Executive Coach bus for North Platte Community College. Among those receiving recognition were:...

Donald Daugherty Oct. 8, 1928 - April 20, 2021 TRENTON, Neb. — This is not an exciting story. I was asked about some ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ so I will write some of the things that has happened to me. If the story gets too boring, you are allowed to skip...The first things I remember is the concrete two story house where I was born. ...

LaVeta Howard Dec. 5, 1926 - April 19, 2021 WAUNETA, Neb. — LaVeta May (Bernard) Howard was born Dec. 5, 1926, in rural Dundy County, Neb., to Henry (Hank) Adam and Helen Lucille (Louch) Bernard. LaVeta grew up near Benkelman and attended first through half of eighth grade at Hiawatha school. Her parents moved to their home place in rural Dundy County and she finished eighth grade at Hoover Country School...

Richard Davis March 22, 1928 - April 19, 2021 BENKELMAN, Neb. — Richard Donald Davis was born on March 22, 1928, in Grand Island, Neb., to Harry and Julia Theresa (Buhrman) Davis. Richard grew up and attended school in Grand Island, graduating from Grand Island High School in 1945. After graduation, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 1, 1946, in Hastings, Neb., and was honorably discharged on Dec. 1, 1947, in San Diego, Calif...

Beth Myers June 8, 1940 – March 27, 2021 ARVADA, Colo. — Beth Myers, loving mother and longtime Arvada community advocate and resident, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, March 27, 2021. Beth was born June 8, 1940, in McCook, Neb., to Marion and Harriet Smith. ...

Orian Fritz Feb. 27, 1927 - Dec. 10, 2020 McCOOK, Neb. — The family of Orian Fritz requests your presence at a memorial service in honor of her life on Saturday, May 1, 2021, 10 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in McCook with the Rev. Lonnie Felcher officiating...

Billy Dean Hansen Sept. 5, 1961 - April 20, 2021 McCOOK, Neb. — Billy Dean Hansen, age 59, passed away peacefully in his sleep with his fiancé by his side after receiving a blessing from the Chaplin on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The portfolio works of five Mid-Plains Community College students pursuing Fine Arts degree is on display through April 30 at the Wrightstone Fine Arts Gallery at McCook Community College. An opening reception is set for Friday from 5-8 p.m. in the gallery, which is open to the public...

Last week I received a few phone calls and emails regarding LB 271. Sometimes there are groups that will intentionally try and get people upset without giving all the facts. So I appreciate it when constituents reach out to me to find out what I know about a bill. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Liberal Democrats want to take our freedoms, guns, land, water and even our children, but getting involved with the Republican Party can help stop them, an Ogallala party activist told a crowd of about 80 people Tuesday night. Keith County GOP Chairman Ron Schmidt risked alienating the crowd with criticism of former President Trump and said Sen. ...

Junior varsity McCook 29, North Platte 1 Singles: Carley Peters, Abbie Johnson and Laci Stewart delivered 6-0 sweeps with Hayden Johnson, Carsyn Craig and Emily Alberts also winning. Doubles: Karragan Shaw/Krysta Henning and Harley Cribbs/ Kendra Rogers, Kaedin Waugh/Lexi Quint and Chayse Johnson/Ariana Pierson scored three victories each...

Chase County’s Kamrie Dillan and Chloe Dillan (left) speed to the finish of Wednesday’s 200-meter dash at the Chase County Invitational in Imperial on Wednesday. The Longhorns ran away with another team title, scoring 257 points. All results from Chase and Dundy County-Stratton will appear in Friday’s Gazette.

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College Volleyball Coach Hayley Kobza has announced the dates for summer volleyball camps for the summer and has added a new fitness camp for boys and girls this year. Three volleyball camp sessions for girls Kindergarten through eighth grade are set for June 23-25 and a new “Jump Into Fitness” camp is set for June 22 for boys and girls in the third through eighth grade...

TRINIDAD, Colo. – The McCook Community College baseball team split a pair of games here Wednesday, winning 8-3, then losing 8-7. MCC posted back-to-back four run innings in Game 1 to back the mound performance of starter Alex Lozada (sophomore, San Juan, Puerto Rico) and the save by Jordan Muschalek (freshman, Odessa, Texas)...