Stories from Tuesday, February 28, 2023

LINCOLN, Neb. — It has been nearly 40 years since a McCook swimmer returned home from the Nebraska State Championship meet with a medal. But senior Leah Spencer ended her high school career Saturday by bringing home hardware from the state meet, finishing 8th in the girls 50 yard freestyle at the Devaney Center in Lincoln...

Dear Editor, The McCook Gazette published a weekly opinion article on Thur, Feb. 23 from an Indianola resident titled “To heck in a handbasket” — appearing underneath the author's area of focus: “Frolics in Farming” and “Observations on farm life.” A friend from the McCook community sent me the article and noted it was “absolutely enough to make me ill” and showed why “two of my kids say they would never return to McCook.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — “Henrietta Solway,” an original production based on the writings of Willa Cather, will be appearing live on McCook’s historic Fox Theater stage Thursday. “Henrietta Solway” combines the short fiction and serialized novels of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Nebraska-native Willa Cather into one epic story by the Animal Engine Theater Company...

Date night for Grannie and this old guy. Went to the just-released Jesus Revolution movie. Good movie for those of us with Christian beliefs. Set in the years around 1971 and America’s hippy culture was going strong. Positive, upbeat with love stories intertwined. Good entertainment...

McCOOK, Neb. — Buying a vehicle with 300,000 miles on it might seem outrageous to the average driver, but for truck drivers who expect to get a million miles or more out of their vehicles, it’s just like new. Red Willow County Commissioners Monday gave conditional approval to purchase a 2016 Peterbilt semi-tractor with 280,000 miles for $76,500 from a dealer in British Columbia...

Laura Lynn (Iwan) Devries July 9, 1975 - Feb. 10, 2023 OGALLALA, Neb. — Laura Lynn (Iwan) Devries, 47, of Ogallala, passed away on Feb. 10, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb., as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Laura was born on July 9, 1975, in Ogallala to Tim and Sandy (Michal) Iwan. ...

Violet Lorraine (Spiers) Shaw July 15, 1932 - Feb. 26, 2023 OBERLIN, Kan. — Violet Lorraine (Spiers) Shaw was born on July 15, 1932, in rural Decatur County, Kan.,to Frank and Thelma (Clawson) Spiers. She passed Feb. 26, 2023, at Decatur Health Systems in Oberlin at the age of 90...

Delmar Lee Solko HERNDON, Kan. — Delmar Lee Solko, 77, of Herndon, died Friday (Jan. 24, 2023), at the Central Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Kearney, Neb. Cremation was chosen and a memorial service will be at a later date. Inurnment with Military Honors will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Herndon...

90th birthday The family of Preston Phillips of Cambridge, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday on Wednesday, March 1. He is a veteran of the Korean War and served in Alaska. His family includes children, Dennis and Marty Petersen of Cambridge, Steven and Julie Phillips of Grand Junction, Colo., Jim and Noelle Phillips of Gretna, Neb., and grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at Hilltop Estates, 2520 Ave. M, Gothenburg, NE 69138...

DALLAS, Texas – The McCook Community College golf team started the second half of the season Monday at the 4-HIM Classic at Luna Vista and are in second place after 36 rounds of golf. MCC trails the hosts, Central Christian College (Texas) by two shots. Jacksonville College (Texas) is in third place seven shots back of MCC, followed by Ottawa University (Kan.), Lyon College (Ark.) and Coffeyville Community College (Kan.)...

LA JUNTA, Colo. – The McCook Community College men got hot from the 3-point line in the final five minutes of the game Friday to take a road game over Otero Junior College 93-84. “We had a lot of good stuff from a lot of guys,” said MCC Coach Jacob Brandl...

KEARNEY, Neb. — Say good-bye to one of the most successful senior groups in Nebraska prep sports during these past four seasons. With a 93-13 record since 2020, the Maywood-Hayes Center girls were super determined to make it 94 wins and their third state basketball tournament...