Stories from Tuesday, April 19, 2022

McCOOK, Neb. — State auditors have questions about the process Red Willow County uses to purchase road gravel, but the chairman of the board of commissioners said those questions arose only a few weeks before the primary election as part of a political attack...

McCOOK, Neb. — Local pool players were recently recognized for winning the Fall Session of the American Poolplayers Association (APA) 8-Ball and 9-Ball Pool Leagues. The Sunday 8-Ball titles were claimed by “Smallballz” and “KWITCHERSNIVLIN”, both out of TJ’s Family Fun Center in McCook...

McCook senior Ian Brown sends a shot out of some high grass at Heritage Hills during Tuesday's annual Ron Coleman Invitational. Many area teams were competing with the Bison including Holdrege, North Platte, Lexington, Gothenburg, Cozad, Alliance and others. Watch for results and more details Wednesday and in Thursday's McCook Gazette...

McCOOK, Neb. — Despite the 6% increase in city water rates the McCook City Council approved Monday night, residential customers may still see a slight decrease in their bills compared to last year. That’s because the Nebraska Legislature passed a law last year that exempts sales tax on residential water bills, said Jesse Dutcher, City of McCook utility director. The law went into effect in October 2021, Dutcher told the city council...

Is a wonderful holiday. Not only is it’s message inspiring it is a good occasion to gather with family and friends to celebrate in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Some forty of our fellow congregants gathered at my hangar, at McCook’s quiet (that time of day) airport, to watch the sun peek over the horizon to officially start our Easter day. ...

Lois Heller McCOOK, Neb. — Lois Heller, 81, died April 11, 2022, in Thornton, Colo. She born Dec. 9, 1940, to Aubrey and Virginia Heller. Survivors include husband, Steven Kai; children, Steven (Linda) Sorenson and John Sorenson; sister, Laura Pfeffer; two grandchildren and two grea- grandchildren...

Marlin and Gloria Lutz BENKELMAN, Neb. — Marlin D. Lutz, the son of Martin and Ella (Penn) Lutz, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at Elk Ridge Assisted Living in Elkhorn, Neb. Marlin was 88 years of age. Gloria L. Lutz, the daughter of Floyd and Ethel (Enfield) Parman followed, passing away on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at CHI Lakeside Hospital in Omaha. Gloria was 86 years of age...

Catherine Elizabeth (Shields) Neal June 16, 1927 - April 17, 2022 OBERLIN, Kan. — Catherine Elizabeth (Shields) Neal, 94, passed away on April 17, 2022, in Oberlin. She was born on June 16, 1927, to Joseph John and Elizabeth Catherine (Schlageck) Schiltz in Angelus, Kan...

Lt. Col. Jon Calvert Dawson July 29, 1935 - March 28, 2022 ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Lt. Col. Jon Calvert Dawson (ret.), 86, passed away on March 28, 2022, peacefully at home with family by his side. Jon was born in McCook, Neb. He met the love of his life, Phyllis Marie Ditus, while in high school, and married Phyllis when the two of them were seniors at the University of Nebraska. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Kids in McCook will be looking elsewhere for an outdoor city swimming pool. The McCook City Council agreed Monday night at the regular meeting that the city swimming pool will be closed this summer, due to safety concerns for employees...

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Southern Valley reached top five of the Arapahoe Golf Invitational where players from 15 schools competed last week. The Eagles took fifth with a 396 behind champion Overton (369), Amherst (370), Loomis (381) and Elm Creek (394). Hitchcock County and Medicine Valley shared ninth overall at 444 while Maywood-Hayes Center placed 12th (484), one stroke ahead of Southwest (485)...

BERTRAND, Neb. — Southern Valley sophomore Ann Bose and senior Brianna Russell soared to 1-2 in the high jump at Thursday’s Bertrand Invitational. Both Eagles cleared 5’2” at the site where RPAC championships will be decided later this month. Bose earned first place with fewer misses while continuing to challenge two-time Class B state medalist Russell...

SUTHERLAND, Neb. — Chase County’s Bryn McNair outran Sutherland freshman phenom Story Rasby while helping the defending Class C champion Longhorns win Thursday’s Sutherland Invitational title. Rasby raced around her home track in 58.69 seconds, a time which ranks No. 4 all-class .....

LINCOLN, Neb. — All Gazette-area athletes who rank among Class D top eight, according to athletic.net this week. 100 meters: 1. Kiley Hejtmanek, Maywood-Hayes Center, 12.78; 2. A. McCarter, Overton, 13.1; 4. Paige Sickels, Cambridge, 13.18. High jump: 1. (tie) Paige Klumpe, Cambridge, 5’2”; 1. (tie) R. Nordhausen, Axtell, 5’2”...

CRETE, Neb. – After leading 6-1 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs Monday, the McCook Community College baseball team held on for a 6-5 win over the Doane JV team. “It is obviously good to get out with the win but always a bitter taste in your mouth to not finish it off like you should,” MCC coach Jon Olsen said...

McCOOK, Neb. — Dan Beers, the man behind KC Wolf, the Kansas City Chiefs mascot, will be featured speaker at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services Sunday at the McCook Evangelical Free Church, 602 E. 14th in McCook. KC Wolf will also be on hand for photos at the Spring into Action event, beginning at noon, along with hot dogs, face painting, games and other activities...

McCOOK, Neb. – Farm Credit Services team members won’t have far to move their belongings come next June, the anticipated completion date of their new retail office building in McCook. Ground-breaking on the lot just north of the current building on North Highway 83 took place Monday afternoon using a good old-fashioned mule team provided by Lee Janssen...

McCOOK, Neb. – Coyote Country 105.3 is hosting a candidate forum on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the McCook Senior Center. Candidates for local races for Red Willow County Commissioner, District 1 and 3; Red Willow County Sheriff; and Nebraska State Legislature District 38 will be represented...

McCOOK, Neb. — While the county usually plans to armor coat 10 miles of road a year, commissioners voted to do less than eight miles this year because of increasing costs for oil, gravel and labor. After discussing options with David Blau of Millier & Associates, commissioners voted unanimously to have armor coating applied to more than two miles of round south in Indianola and 5 1/2 miles of road south of Bartley...

McCOOK, Neb — The Red Willow County GOP will meet on April 26, 2022, at Marlene’s Kitchen (Bedore Barn, 3 miles north of McCook). Coffee (fellowship) begins at 6:30 pm.  The business meeting begins at 7:00 pm. This is the beginning of year two for the local organization.  Last month at the County Convention, officers for the new year and delegates to the State Convention were elected.  The State Convention will be held in Kearney on July 8 and 9, 2022.  All Republicans in the state of Nebraska are invited to attend the State Convention.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Rural fire departments are issuing burn bans as dry and windy Red Flag warning conditions continue. Red Willow Western Rural Volunteer Fire Department has officially posted a burn ban for the fire district. That means no burning of any sort. Campfires, fire pits, tanks and burn barrels or anything that can spark a wildfire. “Thank you for doing your part to help out and let’s hope we see some rain soon,” according to the release...

McCOOK, Neb. — Auditions will be held for the Missoula Children's Theatre's production of JOHNNY APPLESEED Monday, April 25 at the McCook Junior High Cafeteria from 4 to 6 pm. Those auditioning should arrive shortly before 4 pm and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some of the cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition. Pizza will be provided for those who are asked to stay...