Stories from Tuesday, March 22, 2022

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook became the only Southwest Conference boys basketball team with multiple first-team selections this week. McCook juniors Evan Humphrey and Adam Dugger both earned all-SWC top team after helping the Bison win 20 games during a memorable 2021-22 season...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook High activities director Darin Nichols made this announcement on Monday: "We will be postponing our Tennis Triangular with Hershey and Lexington scheduled for tomorrow and moving it to Friday with the following schedule: Noon, McCook vs Hershey...

About every channel you watch on TV shows terrible scenes of the damage that Russia is wreaking on the Ukrainian people. Apartment buildings burned out, shopping malls blown up, streets littered with fragments from bomb explosions, automobiles and buses destroyed the list goes on. Citizens by the millions escaping and finding refuge in neighboring countries. All that destruction and displacement makes one wonder what is the aim of the Russians?...

Dear Editor, My husband enjoyed the state [basketball] tourney, but I felt it was the same-old-same-old for the last 40 years or better. Has anyone noticed that very seldom do teams from public schools in the western part of the state show up in the finals?...

ERIA, Pa. —In a sure sign that spring is not far behind, the first Purple Martins of the year have been spotted in Nebraska. The birds were seen on March 20 in the city of McCook, Nebraska by a Purple Martin enthusiast – one of many throughout the eastern and central United States who track and report on the birds’ annual migration on behalf of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. ...

While our friends in the oil industry are enjoying prices above $100 a barrel, the rest of us, especially those of us with long commutes, are feeling the pinch of fueling up at nearly $4 a gallon. Whether we blame the current U.S. administration, the Russians, or someone else for rising gas prices, there’s not much we can do about it in the short term...

McCOOK, Neb. — After debating whether water rates for City of McCook customers should increase by 6% or 4.5%, the McCook City Council voted unanimously to go with the higher increase. For some councilmen, going with the higher rate appeared to be a struggle. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Major improvements are planned for the sewer department this year, at about $1.9 million. Those improvements, as well as sewer usage, operating revenue and expenditures, were part of the discussion prior to the McCook City Council unanimously approving on first reading a 3% increase in sewer rates. After two more readings, the new rates will go into effect in May...

Paul G. Ahrens Oct. 6, 1928 - March 19, 2022 McCOOK,Neb. — Paul G. Ahrens, age 93, of McCook, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022, surrounded by family at his home in Kinship Pointe in McCook. Paul was born on Oct. 6, 1928, in Shelton, Neb., to parents, Leopold and Emma (Arnold) Ahrens...

Nichole “Niki” Brendarae Bales April 1, 1975 - March 18, 2022 LINCOLN, Neb. — Nichole “Niki” Brendarae Bales, age 46, formerly of McCook, Neb., passed away on March 18, 2022, at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln. Niki was born in McCook on April 1, 1975, to Steve and Denise (Pinkal) Bales. She grew up in McCook, attended McCook Schools and graduated in 1993...

Shelly Ervin April 20, 1962 - March 16, 2022 ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Shelly Ervin, age 59, of Arapahoe, a loving wife and mother, passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at home surrounded by family. She was born on April 20, 1962, in Cambridge, Neb., to Myron and Joyce (Stagemeyer) Hilker...

Ethel (Breitling Baumbach) Ball Aug. 17, 1917 - March 19, 2022 BERTRAND, Neb. — A funeral service for Ethel (Breitling Baumbach) Ball will be Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bertrand, with Pastor Kenton Birtell officiating. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand...

McCOOK, Neb. — Nearly 400 of the brightest and best students from 15 area high schools will be in McCook Wednesday for the annual Inter-high Day Scholastic Competition. Nearly $20,000 in scholarships and another $25,000 in free tuition credits are up for grabs at this annual competition...

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska freshman Bryce McGowens (Pendleton, S.C.) announced Monday that he is declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft and will sign with an agent. McGowens, who was named the Big Ten Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press, averaged a team-high 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game during the 2021-22 season en route to third-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the media...

A Husker "insider" plans to give local Nebraska football fans an in-depth look at the NU program and the 2021 Husker recruiting class ans Spring Wrap up during a special presentation in McCook, Monday, April 11th, 2022 Sean Callahan will speak to fans at the The Coppermill Steakhouse. ...

CURTIS, Neb. — A rundown of all Republican Plains Activities Conference second-team basketball players and honorable mentions announced this week: GIRLS RPAC East Second Team Cambridge 5’10” senior Autumn Deterding; Arapahoe 5’6” junior Emerson Swanson; Southwest 5’8” junior Bailey Truksa; Cambridge 5’9” sophomore Jalen Kent; and Alma 5’7” junior Riley Scott...

CURTIS, Neb. — Only one senior among the 10 all-RPAC girls on first team shows how much basketball talent could be returning to this league next senior. The Republican Plains Activities Conference leaders announced their all-basketball teams on Monday...

KEARNEY, Neb. — McCook High power throwers garnered five top eight places in Class A/B competition at the UNK Indoor Invitational last weekend. The 2022 season debut showed senior Sierra Kotschwar’s ready to rumble. This returning state medalist took second among all discus and shot put throwers among the A/B division...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook High senior Peyton Doucet and junior Shawna Wilkinson were named to the all-Southwest Conference basketball second team for this 2021-22 season. They were McCook’s two top scorers while being leaders in most all categories during a district finals-reaching season...