Stories from Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Back in January of 1959 your old columnist was in trouble with the school authorities. For a long weekend I had flown a T-34 of the Academy Aero Club back to McCook for some family event. The weather turned sour and we left the airplane and my dad drove me back in a blizzard. We almost made it back in time but I was a few minutes late clocking back in...

Neal Leslie Meints, Sr. July 25, 1944 - Jan. 25, 2024 MANHATTAN, Kan. - Neal Leslie Meints, Sr. died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Neal was born on July 25, 1944 to Lucille and Reinke Meints in McCook, Neb. Neal worked and resided in McCook until moving to Sterling, Colo. in 1970. After leaving Sterling in 1991, he spent his time traveling together with his wife, Sharon. He lived in Nebraska, New Mexico, Idaho, Washington and Kansas where he has resided with his family for the past nine years...

Lynette J. Gunnerson Aug. 11, 1936 - Jan. 25, 2024 GOTHENBURG, Neb. - Late Thursday Jan. 25, 2024, Lynette J. Gunnerson passed away surrounded by family. Lynette was born in Gothenburg, Neb., Aug. 11, 1936 to Emil and Judith (Bratten) Aden. Lynette spent a majority of her life living in Gothenburg, where she graduated high school with honors in 1954, met and married her husband Larry in 1960, and raised their three sons Alan, Kirk, and Kevin...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. - The Merle Jane Harpst awards are presented by the Tri Valley Medical Foundation and was set up in 1998 to honor the late Merle Jane Harpst and her 20 plus years as an employee and administrator at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Tri Valley Health System...

80th birthday The family of Jim Dusatko of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of his 80th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. He was born on Feb 3, 1944. Jim’s family includes daughter Lori (Mark) of Omaha, Neb.; daughter Lisa (Larry) of Kearney, Neb.; son Jeff (Stephanie) of Broomfield, Colo.; and grandchildren: Jessica, Christopher, Aaron, Ethan, Kensington and Keegan...

HOUSTON — In a surprise announcement this week, Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner unveiled a new benefit for store managers across Nebraska and the entire United States. Starting this year, all Walmart store managers, including those in Nebraska, will receive an annual stock grant of up to $20,000, Furner revealed in an announcement shared on his LinkedIn profile...

TRENTON, Neb. — Maywood-Hayes Center overcame a 14-5 first quarter to beat Dundy County-Stratton, 49-39, in Friday night’s RPAC boys semifinal. The Wolves avenged one of their only two defeats as seniors Gage Gerlach, Haydn Farr and Jeremiah Ingison tallied 12 points apiece...

McCOOK, Neb. — An early birthday present arrived for coach Kris Freeland as a 40-16 second half ignited his Dundy County-Stratton Tigers to RPAC victory Saturday afternoon. Freeland’s celebrating his special day today, but the 61-33 RPAC tourney victory over Cambridge was likely even better than any cake...

McCOOK, Neb. — A screaming dad showing some dance moves almost always looks good during the Southern Valley basketball season. “Yeah, that’s my dad Dan Hunt,” junior Adi Hunt proclaimed about a man doing some shuffling in the Graff Events Center Hallway Saturday night. “He’s a farmer, rancher, family man. He likes to scream.”...

LINCOLN, Neb.. — Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen's administration has marked a significant milestone, announcing an unprecedented fundraising achievement during his inaugural year in office. In a press release today, Governor Pillen revealed that his campaign amassed an astounding $2.1 million in cash contributions over the course of the past year, setting a new record for gubernatorial fundraising in Nebraska...

James “Jim” J. Helm Dec. 29, 1943 - Jan. 28, 2024 DANBURY, Neb. - James “Jim” J. Helm passed away on Jan. 28, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colo. Jim was born on Dec. 29, 1943, in McCook, Nebraska to John F. and Helen M. (Sughroue) Helm. He attended grade school at Spring Branch 202, one mile west of Lyle, Kan. Jim graduated from Norcatur High School, Kan., in 1961. Later, he obtained an associate degree from McCook Junior College...