Stories from Tuesday, September 14, 2021

McCook High football players had enough pep left to rush senior Nate Renner (below) and congratulate him for being named 2021 Homecoming King following a 17-14 win over York at Weiland Field Friday night. Renner and Homecoming Queen Gabriella Rogers (above) donned their crowns as the celebration continued through Saturday evening’s dance. The Bison did some sort of dancing along with plenty of jumping following their victory. They’ll take a 2-1 record into another home game vs. Seward Friday...

On September 11th this year I, along with my best friend/cousin and his wife, were privileged to journey through Nebraska’s magnificent Sandhills to attend a funeral in Martin, South Dakota. Sharon was another first cousin and we grew up together as close neighbors. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County has no interest in maintaining the Jaycees Ball Complex, so commissioners voted unanimously to renew a $1-a-year lease to the City of McCook until 2042. Commissioner Randy Dean voted in favor of the lease, although he said he had been approached by residents with concerns over the contract...

McCOOK, Neb. — Higher property tax valuations could affect the amount of state aid McCook Public Schools receives next year, said a school administrator. The McCook Board of Education received the budget for the 2021-22 school year at the regular meeting Monday night and after a special hearing, unanimously approved the budgets for all funds next year as well as the property tax request of $8.9 million, up from $8.6 million last year. ...

M. Elaine Stagemeyer Lueders Feb. 15, 1938 - Sept. 4, 2021 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — M. Elaine Stagemeyer Lueders, age 83, of Arapahoe, formerly of Holbrook, Neb., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at the Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge, Neb. She was born Feb. 15, 1938, in Cambridge to Guy E. and Lela E. (Remington) Fetters...

Ila A. Widger WAUNETA, Neb. — Ila A. Widger, 91, died Saturday (Sept. 11, 2021), the Wauneta Care and Therapy Center in Wauneta. Services are pending with Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Online condolences can be left at herrmannfh.com.

Michelle Renae Unger-Grier STRATTON, Neb. — Michelle Renae Unger-Grier, 43, of Stratton, died Friday (Sept. 3, 2021), at Community Hospital in McCook from injuries sustained in a car accident. A celebration of life service is Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, 5 p.m. (MT), at the Fire Hall in Benkelman, Neb. No visitation; cremation was chosen. A private family inurnment will take place in Fairview Cemetery in Cambridge, Neb...

Joel Petersen FAIRMONT, Neb. — Joel Petersen, 61, formerly of Cambridge, Neb., died Sunday (Sept. 12, 2021), at the Fairview Assisted Living Facility in Fairmont. Services are pending with Lockenour Jones Mortuary in Cambridge. Online condolences can be left at lockenourfh.com...

McCOOK, Neb. — With 89 new cases in the last week and an average of 84 cases per week over the last month, the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department is emphasizing the possible long-term effects of the COVID-19 virus. Of the new cases, a breakdown by age includes: 0 to 19 – 25; 20 to 29 – 17; 30 to 39 – 15; 40 to 49 – 6; 50 to 59 – 7; 60 to 69 – 13; 70 to 79 – 5; 80 and over – 1. The total number of cases is 4,414. Vaccination rates across the health district have reached 48%...

McCOOK, Neb. – Transforming the High Plains Museum into a “have-to” place for visitors and locals is one of the goals of the High Plains Historical Society according to Carol Schlegel, President. “We are a fairly new board. The makeup of our board is a little different than it has been in the past, and we’re excited about moving forward with the museum and making it a have-to place. ...

TORRINGTON, Wyo. — Northeastern Junior College outshot Eastern Wyoming and MCC to win the Region IX tournament this week at Eastern Wyoming. NJC shot a one-over 577 for the two-day event, five shots better than the hosts and 36 strokes ahead of MCC...

IMPERIAL, Neb. — Team scores and top area cross country placers from Thursday’s Chase County Invitational. GIRLS Cambridge and the Wallace Wildcats tied for third place among eight teams. Chase County senior Jordan Jablonski again led area runners, taking sixth overall just ahead of Trojan sophomore Brenna Deterding...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Unbeaten Red Cloud blanked Southwest, 38-0, Friday night even though sophomore quarterback Nathan Rippe completed 12 of 16 passes for 93 yards. Senior Jacob Kerns caught six Rippe throws and gained 46 yards besides his team-best 64 on 19 rushes...

Garrett Hanna’s three touchdown strikes to Hunter Miner covering 59, 39 and 29 yards fueled Wauneta-Palisade’s 54-14 pummeling of South PlatteFriday evening. Hanna added a fourth TD pass covering 18 yards as senior Grant Walker gave the Broncos (1-2) a 42-14 advantage. Ashton Wheeler then motored 43 and five yards to those final two W-P TDs...

A fantastic fourth Friday of the season has been finalized with four area football teams all bringing 3-0 records into this week. The Cambridge Trojans (3-0) and Arapahoe Warriors (3-0) will tangle at Arapahoe. Here are summaries from both of their victories last weekend:...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook coach Matt Wiemers offered these remarks to cap a whirlwind week where his tennis boys won a York Invitational team title among other highlights. Getting tired...at least this old man is!! The guys have been competing well this season and we needed our best effort at York, as we got to see the east schools, which those matches play into the seeding process for state...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook’s fantastic 274th rushing yard of Homecoming almost turned into disaster with one word Friday evening: “FUMBLE!!!” No, say it ain’t so. The pigskin was loose just when McCook appeared ready to break a 14-14 tie with those always potential party pooping York Dukes...

om Brittni Kinne’s triple to a Brenna Carner rocket over the center fielder’s head, McCook got extra-base hot during its 11-3 softball win over Holdrege Monday evening. The Bison (5-10 record) erased an early 3-0 deficit while also dusting off three defeats at Saturday’s Hastings round-robin tourney...