Stories from Friday, October 20, 2023

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — The pre-game chili dog meal needed some “fresh air” to get Arapahoe’s machine rolling Thursday evening. So how about a little aerial attack against the physical Hemingford Bobcats in this D-1 state playoff opener? “We haven’t been throwing the ball enough the last couple of games,” coach Dustin Kronhofman said. “But we certainly can throw it.”...

CHADRON, Neb. — The Chadron Cardinals knocked off McCook, 28-21, and likely ended those Bison Class C-1 state football playoff hopes Friday night. McCook (4-5 record) was 17th in the C-1 state power points while Chadron (6-3) owned 16th place among 16 who qualify for state playoffs...

An old saying has been attributed to everyone from Thomas Jefferson to George Bernard Shaw. “We get the government that we deserve” is, if nothing else, the battle cry of sore losers. When we win, however, our public officials reflect our aspirations or, at the very least, reveal our willingness to research a candidate or position before going to the polls...

McCOOK, Neb. — Southwest Area Training Service is joining the U.S. Department of Labor in observance of Disability Employment Awareness Month. The purpose of the tribute is to acknowledge the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation’s workforce diverse and inclusive. ...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. – Cambridge invites the community to attend a free program designed to arm Nebraskans with the latest information and tools to guard against consumer fraud and financial abuse. Join the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, at noon on Monday, Nov. 6, Cambridge Community Center, 722 Patterson Street in Cambridge. A complimentary lunch will be served at 11:30, for those who want to come early...

David (Dave) Alden Olson Feb. 7, 1952 - Oct. 6, 2023 KEARNEY, Neb. - David (Dave) Alden Olson of Kearney, Neb., passed away on Fri., Oct. 6, 2023 at Madonna Rehab Hospital, Omaha, Neb. Dave was born Feb. 7, 1952 to Alden (Hank) and Macalene (Mac) (Barnhart) Olson in Atwood, Kan. ...

Bertha (Thummel) Simeon Dec. 22, 1926 - Oct. 17, 2023 KEARNEY, Neb. -Bertha (Thummel) Simeon, 96, of Kearney, Neb., died Oct. 17, 2023 at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Mon., Oct. 23, 2023 at St. James Catholic Church. Burial will take place at Trenton Cemetery at a later date...

Joseph “Jody” Donald Bopp II Sept. 27, 1951 - Oct. 18, 2023 McCOOK, Neb. - Joseph “Jody” Donald Bopp II was born to Joseph Bopp and Mary (Casebeer) on Sept. 27, 1951 in Imperial, Neb.. Joseph, or “Jody” as he was affectionately known by many, grew up in Imperial and graduated from Chase County High School in 1969...

80th birthday The family of Ceclia Koch of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday on Thur., Nov. 2, 2023. She was born in Greenville, Tex. on Nov. 2, 1943. Best wishes for Ceclia can be sent to 1500 East 11th Street, Apt. 209,...

80th birthday Delbert Kunkee is turning 80. A birthday open house will be held Sat. Oct. 28, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Marlene's Kitchen, North Highway 83, McCook. Please no gifts.

The reunion was wonderfully noisy with everyone trying to catch up with each other (several of us having trouble hearing in the first place), update what is happening in our lives and our families. We still have a few that have not turned in the keys to their professions, and more power to them, but punching a time clock for most of us is done...

Plans finalized for Big Give 2023 McCOOK, Neb. — As the 2023 Southwest Nebraska Big Give grows closer, the organizers are making final preparations for the one-day of giving on Nov. 2. The final meetings about the Big Give have taken place, the giving-station envelopes have been printed and the activities scheduled for Nov. 2 are being finalized. The Big Give continues to grow and has the most organizations to date, with 39 non-profit organizations taking part in the 8th annual event...

McCOOK, Neb. – A celebration that spanned generations, the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s annual party on the bricks of Norris Avenue was worth postponing for a week in anticipation of milder weather. Originally scheduled to be held the week of Heritage Days, organizers made the wise decision to move it back a week because of a brutal dip in temperatures last week...

McCOOK, Neb. — ArtBank opened its doors Sat., Oct. 14 after the Heritage Days parade and attracted more than 400 visitors throughout the day and for its evening celebration.  “It was fantastic,” said Chad Graff.  “There was a steady flow of visitors throughout the afternoon, and our evening party welcomed a great mix of locals and visitors.”...

Halloween, a cherished holiday for children across the nation, is once again on the horizon. It’s a time when little ghouls and goblins roam the streets in search of sweet treasures, and the Poison Center in Nebraska has a critical message for parents and caregivers: let’s make it a safe and happy Halloween. ...

EDITOR’S NOTE: Helen Ruth Arnold was a retired teacher and long-time contributor to the Gazette’s Open Forum columns. Dear Editor, One day while I was in elementary school, I shared the facts I had learned about Thomas Alva Edison, the famous inventor, with my father, Ted Hancock...

McCOOK, Neb. — This past Sunday, Oct 15, 2023 the faithful people of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church celebrated their 60th year of being part of the body of Christ in McCook. Our Savior’s Lutheran began as a mission church of the American Lutheran Church.  Rev. ...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team has the No. 1 breakaway roper in the Great Plains Region. Now that the dust has cleared and the last gate has closed on the fall rodeos, it’s Whitney Jennings, of Seneca, who has come out on top in the regional standings. ...

BARTLEY, Neb. — Southwest likely clinched a Six-Man state football playoff with its 50-35 home win over Paxton Thursday evening. The Roughriders (6-2 record) produced enough power points for one of those 16 state playoff spots. Watch for updates on mccookgazette.com...

SARGENT, Neb. — Hitchcock County fought to start another D-2 title run as the Falcons ran 71 plays to Twin Loup’s 33 Thursday night. The young squad achieved 17 first downs with 22 points scored before halftime. However, nothing could match Twin Loup senior Quincy Ryker...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Dundy County-Stratton never gave Elm Creek a chance during the 38-6 Tiger victory to start their D-2 state playoff run on Thursday. The Tigers tallied touchdowns in all four quarters while reaching 9-0 this season. A slow 6-0 opening period grew to 22-0 by halftime and 30-0 through three periods...

ATWOOD, Neb. — In June of 2023, Atwood Junior Senior High School experienced a fire that caused significant damage to the building. After learning about the fire, Linda Young-Vap knew their business would find a way to help contribute. “We are very proud of our community,” says Linda, “our schools are a critical part of life in Atwood, and we knew we needed to help.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Medicaid & Long-Term Care division is holding its Fall Listening Tour, titled “Navigating Medicaid: Exploring Updates and Changes to Health Plans, Coverage, and the Unwind”. A stop is planned for McCook on Monday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Mid-Plains Community College – McMillen Hall Room 213 at 1205 E. 3rd St. ...