Stories from Thursday, June 20, 2024

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Texas A&M is going to play for a national championship in baseball for the first time in its program’s 130-year history. Jim Schlossnagle had a breakthrough, too. The 53-year-old coach has brought seven teams to the Men’s College World Series since 2010 -- five when he was at TCU and two in his first three seasons at Texas A&M -- and never made it to the finals until now...

COZAD, Neb. ­ — McCook’s 14-and-under Rebels earned their 10th win this season with a 6-4 conquest of Cozad Classics Grey Wednesday evening. The Rebels (10-6-1) scored all six runs during their first two innings then held off any Classics comebacks...

MCCOOK, Neb. — Aiden Lauer struck out four Horns late and started First Central Bank’s decisive rally in a 5-4 victory over Imperial Tuesday evening. The Juniors (9-4 record) trailed 302 until Lauer singled to lead off FCB’s fifth. Cruz McCarty ran for Lauer and reached third on Trey Junker’s huge double just over the Imperial center fielder...

What better tribute to the late great Willie Mays’ last day on earth than a diving, tumbling, dirty-good catch or two? Make that three as the McCook National Seniors needed a night of improv against always tough Imperial Tuesday. “We’ve had good success against them lately,” coach Chris Conroy said following MNB’s much-needed 8-4 victory. “But Imperial always seems to hang around. And they always have guys who throw with velocity.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — A little over a year ago, Barbie Long painted three rocks, the beginning of a rock snake. She painted the head green and gave it googly eyes, a bright red tongue, and two pieces in pink and purple to start the body. She placed it on the south side walking trail, which her family calls the snake side because her son swears he has seen snakes there twice...

McCOOK, Neb. - In the last printing, the McCook Gazette incorrectly reported the purchase price for the new Sports Complex land and future development. The city clarified the actual price paid for the 127 acre property was $3,186,000.00, with plans to repurpose it for future recreational, residential, retail, and commercial use, aiming to enhance its value...

McCOOK, Neb. - Several students participated in an eight-day journalism camp where they listened to speakers and wrote their own news stories based on what they learned during their time at the camp. The camp was part of a youth journalism program to help eliminate news deserts in rural parts of the country...

Ronald “Bud” Baum Nov. 17, 1945 - June 16, 2024 LUBBOCK, Tex. - Ronald “Bud” Baum passed away on June 16, 2024, of Supernuclear Palsy. He was 78 years old. He had been sick for about five years. Ronald was born in Denver, Colo. on Nov. 17, 1945, to Geraldine (Hansen) Baum and Alfred Baum. He lived his early life in McCook, Neb., moving to Lubbock in the 1970’s. When he moved to Lubbock, he started a trucking business which he made a great success. He helped many people become very successful...