Stories from Tuesday, December 21, 2021

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Kansas man following an investigation into child enticement. On Thursday, Dec. 16, investigators arrested Steven Elliott, 39, of Oberlin, Kan. Elliott had used electronic communications to arrange a meeting with what he believed was a 15-year-old girl...

SUPERIOR, Neb. — Sophomore Ann Bose tied both a Nebraska state record and Southern Valley High mark during Saturday’s 52-47 win over Superior. Bose made 18 consecutive free throws during her 35-point performance which tied the Eagles’ all-time record, coach Richard McDonald reported...

John Thomas “Tom” McBee July 19, 1941 - Dec. 16, 2021 TRENTON, Neb — John Thomas “Tom” McBee, age 80, of Trenton, passed away at Community Hospital of McCook on Dec. 16, 2021. He was born on July 19, 1941, to Frank and Lucille (Ball) McBee in McCook, Neb. Tom served in the Army National Guard from 1964 to 1969 and was honorably discharged...

Douglas Kent Howard April 12, 1949 -Dec. 7, 2021 DENVER, Colo. — Douglas Kent Howard was born on April 12, 1949, in St. Francis, Kan., to John F. and Maxine Leebrick Howard in the midst of a snowy wet spring. Doug’s Uncle Charlie had to pull his parents over the bills through the snow and mud with the tractor so that they could reach the highway on the way to the hospital. ...

50th anniversary The family of Charles and Christina Coleman of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. They were married at the Peace Lutheran Church in McCook in 1971. Their family includes children, Chad and Kristin Coleman of Eagle, Neb., Craig and Miranda Coleman of Lincoln, Neb., Cinda and Matt Schmit of Columbus, Neb.; and 9 grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach them at 301 N Cherokee, McCook, NE 69001...

McCOOK, Neb. — A proposed sports complex for the City of McCook is still in the discussion phase. The complex was brought up at the Dec. 13 Planning Commission meeting by Commissioner Ron Friehe, under future business items. Friehe said as an adjacent property owner, he’s aware of a potential sports complex that is being proposed and as the project moves forward, would like to see the Planning Commission be more involved in the development...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook celebrated a successful business transition as Jody and Wayne Stewart recently purchased Hot Tub Brokers from Blaine and Ann Budke. Jody has been the general manager of the business for the last 10 years. Blaine Budke has been selling hot tubs for the last 20 years and built the business into a regional destination business with a 6,000 square-foot store to display a variety of choices. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — At the last meeting of the year, the McCook City Council approved the state bid for three police vehicles and to purchase a new columbarium for the cemetery. The bid approved came from Anderson Ford of Lincoln for $34,496 per vehicle. This won’t cover the equipment needed for the vehicle but there’s about $40,000 in the budget for each vehicle and that will be enough for the equipment, said City Manager Nate Schneider at the council meeting Monday night...

Each year Grannie Annie and I look forward to receiving and sending a flurry of Christmas Cards. Having made friends in many parts of this old USofA the celebration of our Savior’s Birth is about the only time of the year that we are touched by these good people. ...

“I don’t have to listen to this, this isn’t Russia!” The 70-something woman abruptly left a public meeting, where the speaker was making a pitch for vaccination. A few days later, despite not feeling well, she hosted a holiday gathering, where the guests, many of them in their 80s, expressed concern about her appearance...

McCook Chamber of Commerce help Joyce Anderson CPA celebrate her new office location in the Temple Building at 322 Norris Ave., on the first floor in Suite 4. Anderson opened her office in 2018 after working for another firm for several years. She told a chamber gathering at a ribbon-cutting Tuesday morning that she and her staff are happy to be in the new location with more organized space. ...

SUTHERLAND, Neb. — Class D top-ranked Sutherland hosted its wrestling tourney on Saturday where both Hitchcock County and Rawlins County (Kan.) placed top four among 25 teams. The Rawlins Buffaloes were third with 113 points behind only champion Sutherland (200.5) while Mullen took second (122)...

PAXTON, Neb. — Junior Olivia Hansen made the Paxton Pre-Holiday Tournament opener a happy one indeed for Maywood-Hayes Center fans Monday evening. Hansen scored 29 points, swiped seven steals and grabbed five rebounds in the unbeaten Wolves’ 54-41 victory over Mullen...

GRANT, Neb. — The Wallace girls featured four double-figure scorers in a 69-33 Perkins County Holiday Tournament win over Creek Valley Monday night. Sophomore Kendyl Flaming’s 18 points, senior Mariah Gardner’s 15, 13 from sophomore Dajana Garrison and junior Karlie Finley’s 12 helped the Wildcats even their record at 3-3...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook swiped 16 steals, raced to a 33-16 halftime lead and never looked back during the reserve girls’ 48-27 triumph over Holdrege on Saturday. Freshman Paige Bortner was the master thief with four basketballs taken from Dusters. McCook’s defense also deflected 13 passes in this three-quarter game leading into the varsity contest...

McCOOK, Neb. — Even Santa would be proud of the workshop on display for McCook High hoops fans Saturday evening. Nobody’s calling these Bison elves, but they certainly delivered some great holiday moments to take into the break. How about a 20-3 first quarter?...

DURANGO, Colo. — Christmas Week festivities at Ignacio (Colo.) High School began Monday, Dec. 13, with seniors asked to dress up as none other than Santa Claus himself. Considering that the 12th-graders had probably worn more IHS red-and-white than most anyone on campus, one could say the request was apt...

Our state’s rural areas have much to be proud of: low crime rate, outstanding community pride and neighbors willing to lend a hand are just a few. But it’s no secret that collectively, Nebraskans have watched our rural populations decline over the decades. ...