Stories from Tuesday, September 28, 2021

KEARNEY, Neb. — McCook’s Samantha Rodewald handled the hot and hilly UNK Invitational better than anyone as she won a Class B championship Monday. In what some often call a “state preview” for next month’s ultimate race, Rodewald conquered the Kearney Country Club course with a time (20:03.47) more than six seconds faster than York runner-up Kassidy Stuckey (20:09.66)...

Brandi and her crew of volunteers at the McCook Chamber of Commerce in McCook are to be complimented on how our annual Heritage Days celebration went off. The weather cooperated, a big parade, vendors in Norris Park and good events in the Band Shell. The royalty was organized, honored and presented. Then, too, the motels were full with returning visitors for various class reunions. From my viewpoint all very well done. Let’s do it all again next year...

Dale Allen CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Dale Allen, 80, died Saturday (Sept. 25, 2021), at the Cambridge Hospital. Cremation was chosen. A private family service will be at a future date. Memorials may be left in his name to the Cambridge Museum. Online condolences can be left at lockenourfh.com. Lockenour Jones Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements...

Courtesy photo McCook High School Class of ‘71 The Class of 1971 met during the Heritage Day’s weekend celebration at T.J’s Fun Center Friday evening and at the Knight’s of Columbus Hall Saturday evening for their 50th class reunion celebration. Those in attendance included, first row, from left, Barb (Blume) Miller, Susan (Wittwer) Plautz, Marla (Wegener) Sanders, Pam (Thielbar) Messinger, Becky (Lenhart) Berry, Sandi (Boyd) Pettera, Nancy (Gohl) Rippen. ...

Courtesy photo McCook High School Class of ‘70 The Class of 1970 celebrated their 50 plus 1 reunion with many activities Sept. 24-26.  Classmates that attended included, first row, from left, Vic Larson, Dick Rogers, Allen Huff, Steve Wilcox, Michael Chrisman, Mike Neiman, Clyde Davis, Scot Rainbolt, Dana Mackey, Jim Gohl, Larry Tincher, Steve Sines, Rich Linegar. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — COVID continues to be a top priority for the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, and the public needs to know how much hospitals are struggling, a regional health official told county commissioners Monday. “I don’t know that the public understands how bad the hospitals are struggling right now,” said Heidi Wheeler, assistant director of the SWNPHD...

McCOOK, Neb. – At the advice of the Secretary of State, Red Willow County will probably be changing websites and email addresses to include a .gov domain rather than .org. That change will also come with an increased price tag. Penny Cooper, Deputy Clerk, told commissioners that election offices have been contacted across the state and “because of all the weird stuff going on in the world”, the clerk’s office was asked to make the change for election security before the end of the year. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Fire Department will start charging for lift assists beginning Oct 1. Each resident or facility is allowed six lift-assist responses at no charge.  After six, there will be an $85 fee per occurrence that will be billed directly to the patient or facility. The hope is by charging this fee, it will dissuade calls for service for non-emergency matters, said Marc Harpham, City of McCook Fire Chief...

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, one day before he was scheduled to announce his re-election bid, his office confirmed Tuesday. A spokeswoman said Evnen has been fully vaccinated against the virus, and his symptoms are not severe. She said Evnen is working from his home office...

HAIGLER, Neb. — The Trail of Treasures Garage Sales Extravaganza extends along Highway 34 across southern Nebraska this weekend, Oct. 1-3, including Haigler to McCook. Watch for the Trail of Treasures and Garage Sale signs. Site maps are available at the Haigler Country Café and the Cornerstone Center for Community Service. Most sites are open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-3 p.m. on Sunday...

The 2020 census is an important tool for understanding population trends and demographic shifts in our Greater Nebraska hometowns, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Articles lamenting the shrinking population of rural areas abound, but we know better...

OBERLIN, Kan. — The Decatur Community (Kan.) Red Devils were on fire throughout a 50-0 first half against Stockton (Kan.) Friday evening. In fact, the Devils needed no more points while competing their 50-0 shout in front of home fans. Decatur Community’s now 3-1 nearing the regular-season midway point...

SUTHERLAND, Neb. — Chase County’s now 14-3 this season after winning the Sutherland Invite on Saturday with a 25-18, 25-15 over talented Southwest. Juniors Bryn McNair (12) and Gisselle Acuna (10) launched 22 of 33 Longhorn kills past the Roughrider defense...

LEXINGTON, Neb. — The McCook Bison were big-play touchdown machines throughout their recent 42-7 JV football win over Lexington. Sophomore Brett Fraker’s 10-yard run started the fun before classmate Canyon Hosick picked off a Lex pass and took it 23 yards to six more points...

KEARNEY, Neb. — McCook High freshman Joshua Wilkinson placed 39th among 219 Class B runners who finished the UNK Cross Country Invite on Monday. Wilkinson recorded a time of 18:57.47 which topped those 180 others on a 90-degree afternoon running across Kearney Country Club...

HOLDREGE, Neb. — McCook’s volleyball girls won a 25-23, 26-24 thriller over Minden for their second victory this season at Saturday’s Holdrege Invitational. Coach Audrey Feeney offered these remarks entering today’s home triangular against Cozad and Cambridge...

EXINGTON, Neb. — Sadly, no impressionable young McCook football foes have started following Nebraska Cornhusker late-game routines this fall. Race down and cover a punt but see the ball kicked to someone else... Touchdown! Nope. Instead, the Lexington Minutemen stood stall even though they were never close to scoring a point against McCook through those final three quarters...

Robert James Wright Aug. 13, 1940 - Sept. 23, 2021 PUEBLO, Colo. — Robert James Wright passed away Sept 23, 2021, in Pueblo. He was born Aug. 13, 1940, in McCook, Neb., one of six children, to Edith and Robert “Whitey” Wright.  Bob enjoyed playing cribbage with family and friends, fishing with his brother and all the boys, as well as watching football, especially the Denver Broncos and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was also a fan of the Colorado Rockies. Bob loved to make people laugh and seemingly never met a stranger. . ...