Stories from Tuesday, October 19, 2021

TRENTON, Neb. — Higher-seeded RPAC volleyball teams played up to expectations while advancing into today’s tournament semifinals at McCook Community College. Only West No. 3 Wauneta-Palisade pulled off the road win over No. 2 Hitchcock County in four sets. The Broncos (14-10) earlier swept No. 6 Maxwell, 3-0...

McCOOK, Neb. — The surging Cambridge Trojans, Alma Cardinals and Wauneta-Palisade Broncos join defending RPAC champion Maywood-Hayes Center in today's tournament final rounds at McCook Community College's Graff Events Center. Cambridge (24-5 record) meets Alma to decide the East champion set with a 3 p.m. start time...

The weather was right—severe clear, breezes light and thermometer reading about 60. My old Aeronca Champ, born in 1946, smiled as I opened the hangar doors. It was time to launch into the blue and just rejoice at being alive. We took off to the south and bent right to fly over the farm fields that I used to attend to. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Plans for a regional land bank moved forward Monday night at the regular McCook City Council meeting. City of McCook attorney Nate Mustion presented to the council a draft of an interlocal agreement establishing the Southwest Nebraska Municipal Land Bank...

McCOOK, Neb. — New signs prohibiting the use of engine braking have been installed at city entrances. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff told the McCook City Council Monday night at the end of regular meeting that the city paid for the signs and they were installed by the state. ...

Ila Ann Widger Aug. 21, 1930 - Sept. 11, 2021 WAUNETA, Neb. — Ila Ann Widger, age 91, of Wauneta, passed away at Wauneta Care and Therapy on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. She was born on the family homestead in Washington County, near Herman, Neb., on Aug. ...

Cynthia Lou Pohl March 1, 1951 - Oct. 15, 2021 HEBRON, Neb. — Cynthia Lou Pohl of Hebron, the daughter of Melvin and Delores (Kirkowsky) Gafford, was born March 1, 1951, in Milwaukee, Wis. She departed this life Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at St Elizabeth Health Center in Lincoln, Neb., at the age of 70 years...

Bea Bauerle Dec. 12, 1932 - Oct. 17, 2021 IMPERIAL, Neb. — Burnetta “Bea” Silvester was born on Dec. 12, 1932, in rural Champion, Neb., to Frank and Hattie (Bevans) Silvester. She was the 11th child of 12 children, seven boys and five girls. Bea passed away at the Chase County Hospital on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, at 8:15 p.m. The doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital took wonderful care of Bea until the end...

MINDEN, Neb. — The McCook Bison are seeded sixth among eight teams who will compete in Friday’s Southwest Conference volleyball tournament at Minden. McCook (8-18 record) takes on No. 3 Ogallala in the middle school gymnasium. They’ll play either No. 2 Gothenburg or No. 7 Valentine at 2 p.m...

WALLACE, Neb. — The explosive Wallace Wildcats averaged more than 10 yards per play while scoring a 52-6 victory over Wauneta-Palisade Friday evening. Dynamite junior Carson Glunz dashed 50 and 55 yards to the first two touchdowns. Senior quarterback Kolton Hager soon found junior Kyler Flaming with a 10-yard TD pass as the Wildcats (6-1 record) were on their way to 38-0 by intermission...

Three more COVID-19 deaths reported in district McCOOK, Neb. — Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department received a report last week of three additional deaths due to COVID-19 in the health district. “While the number of deaths from COVID-19 has thankfully stayed low in our area, this is a time to remember that there are still people and families being harmed by this virus,” said Myra Stoney, Health Director at SWNPHD. ...

Visitors to the 14th annual Haigler fall Tumbleweed Festival were greeted with a warm, calm autumn day, with the museum grounds, adorned with tumbleweeds, straw bales, pumpkins, ghosts, scarecrows, and more, bustling with activity from sunrise to sunset. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — When Omaha couldn’t top McCook Bison boys tennis, the eventual Class B state champs turned to a Class A Omaha Creighton Prep transfer student. No. 1 singles player Gavin Forster joined the Elkhorn Mount Michael Knights this fall, and he finished his 43-4 season with a well-earned 6-3, 6-4 over finals foe Isaac Hinze from McCook...

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — It’s a harsh reality that bad cats named Sebastien keep showing up on Scottsbuff’s football team. Sebastien Boyle became the newest McCook Bison nemesis Friday night, rushing for 244 yards and a decisive 72-yard touchdown in Scottsbluff’s 21-14 victory Friday evening...

I think it is important to tell my constituents where I stand on Covid-19 vaccine and mask mandates. As you might imagine, I have received several calls and emails lately on this topic. There is great concern about federal overreach and the idea of being forced to do something that violates personal choice and possibly religious beliefs...