Stories from Tuesday, April 26, 2022

LINCOLN, Neb. — Class B’s fastest 400-meter relay times are getting closer just like the ultimate showdown at Omaha Burke Stadium next month. Just since Saturday, McCook’s three closest pursuers have ran their best times all season. The Bison foursome of juniors Jacob Gomez-Wilson, Adam Dugger, Lucas Gomez-Wilson and senior Cole Thomas still own Class B’s best time (43.57) according to athletic net...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook High’s boys edged Gothenburg, 135-132.5, to win their nine-team home JV track and field meet on Monday. Meanwhile, the McCook High girls totaled 228 points while running away from seven other teams competing. Several were Gazette-area schools but complete results did not appear in time for today’s press deadlines...

We here in McCook have been fortunate to miss, so far, the Southwest Nebraska grass fires. To date two firefighters dead and too many farmsteads destroyed. For those affected it is hard to appreciate how their lives will be altered. Roads closed to travel. Dry conditions and strong winds are spreading the devastation. Hopefully, relief will be in sight soon...

Bruce Crosby Editor McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners are changing the county’s health insurance plans in hopes of saving money over the long term. Whether that happens, however, depends on the number of employees who need it, thanks to the county having a self-insurance plan...

Rick Welch April 23, 1968 - April 24, 2022 IMPERIAL, Neb. — Rick Lee Welch was born April 23, 1968, in Omaha, Neb., and became the first child of his proud parents, Jack and Karen Welch, by adoption in June 1968. Rick was baptized into the Christian faith at United Methodist Church in Imperial, shortly after his adoption...

McCOOK, Neb. — The charm and character of older homes in McCook will be explored at an upcoming Historical Homes of McCook tour at McCook Community College on Tuesday, May 3. Set for 7-9 p.m., the virtual tour and class will include less-known vintage homes in McCook and be moderated by McCook Gazette columnist, Sue Doak. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Public Schools is hosting its annual HAL (High Ability Learners) showcase on Thursday, April 28, in the Junior High School cafeteria from 5-6 p.m. The HAL showcase will display and share some of the work and projects students have created. Students do NOT have to be identified as HAL students in order to showcase their projects; classroom projects that merit recognition will also be presented in the showcase. ...

ATWOOD, Kan. — The Rawlins County (Kan.) golfers earned a top three place in their home tournament on Saturday. Junior Isaac Domsch placed third overall with an 84 as the Buffaloes totaled 370 overall behind champion Hoxie’s 352 and Colby at 358. Goodland finished 39 strokes behind those rival Colby Eagles while Greeley County shot 424 and the Decatur Community Red Devils finished at 438...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College’s D’Andre Dennis signed his letter of intent Wednesday to continue playing basketball at Dakota Wesleyan University, an NAIA school in Mitchell, S.D. “This is a special one for me because I spent the first eight years of my actual coaching duties up in Mitchell as a graduate assistant and associate head coach,” said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl. ...

LEXINGTON, Neb. — Coach Tom Sughroue praised his McCook Bison for conquering “gale force” winds and achieving some great feats at Friday’s Don Bader Invitational. “Branson McDonald vaults 15’ in the windy conditions is very impressive!” Sughroue confirmed. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Molly Smith will join the McCook Chamber as the new President & CEO. Smith is currently finishing a role at the McCook Junior High as a paraprofessional. She plans to start in the chamber role on May 2. “With the many goals slated for the remainder of 2022 and into 2023, we are excited to have Molly leading the chamber,” said Lori Beeby, chamber board president...

McCOOK, Neb. — A contender in the Nebraska governor’s race has McCook ties. State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, Neb., who is seeking the Democrat nomination in the governor’s race, was born in McCook; her father, Harry Vacek, operated Harry’s Apco in the early 1960s. The family moved to a farm in Adams County near Hastings, Neb., when she was four...

HAIGLER, Neb. — This Saturday, April 30, everyone is invited to the 5th annual Haigler Tractor Show, Parade, and Rodeo.  Weather the winds that continue to blow; bring your tractor to display, drive in the parade, and compete in the tractor rodeo; and bring the family and lawn chairs to watch the rodeo and games events.  The event is held at the Cornerstone Center for Community Service and sponsored by the Haigler Community Foundation and other generous sponsors listed on the posted fliers—all making it happen in Haigler! . ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook will be having its annual Arbor Celebration on Thursday, April  28, at 9 a.m., at the new dog park, K-9 Korner, located on the south side of Barnett Park. The public is invited to attend.

McCOOK, Neb. — A gravel supplier has asked the Gazette to provide further details of the sale of gravel to the Red Willow County Fairgrounds last summer. At the April 18 Red Willow County Commissioner’s meeting, another supplier criticized commissioners for the purchase. Zach Richards, who hauled the gravel that was purchased last year, presented the Gazette with a copy of the invoice from the Richards Cattle Co. that indicated a total sale cost of $9,036...