Stories from Friday, February 28, 2025

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska High School State Swim and Dive Championships kicked off Thursday at the Devaney Center in Lincoln with the dive portion in the spotlight. In the second appearance for both divers, McCook seniors Emma Graff and Maryann Kassner both earned at least 300 points during the regular season to qualify for the state dive meet and represent the Bison in Lincoln...

LINCOLN, Neb. — A field of four girls teams and likely four boys teams once the McCook Bison are finalized will play district final/state basketball qualifying games this week. Hitchcock County, Medicine Valley and Dundy County-Stratton all secured boys district finals while most expect the McCook Bison will be that fourth team despite a loss Thursday night...

92nd birthday The family of Mary Ellen Monzon of McCook is requesting a card shower in honor of her 92nd birthday on Saturday, March 1, 2025. She was born on March 1, 1933 in McCook, Neb. to John and Florence Wakefield. Mary Ellen’s family includes her late husband, Victor Monzon; six children: Debra and Kevin Hayes of Kolaf, Alaska; Pam and Gary Hartwell of McCook; Jeanne Moody of McCook; Vicki and Gary Pevoteaux of Pratt, Kan.; Michelle Clapp of Indianola; and Greg and Collett Monzon of Cheyenne, Wyo. ...

90th birthday The family of Pat Schmid of McCook, Neb. is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday on Sunday, March 2, 2025. She was born on March 2, 1935. Best wishes for Pat can be sent to: 1500 East 11th Street, Apt. 204 McCook, NE 69001...

The house sparrow mystery is solved! I can still learn something at my age: If the house sparrows disappear, pack a bag, and follow them! Those babies left a week before the freezing weather set in and returned Monday. Now how did they know? I did accomplish quite a lot of sorting and throwing, so the weather wasn’t a terrible thing because it forced me to organize and empty some totes, four large ones to be exact, two new photo albums and several trash bags later I’m ready for gardening and the lake!. ...

URTIS, Neb. — Medicine Valley’s Raiders surged to a D-2 subdistrict championship as four double-figure scorers led a 66-55 conquest of Southwest Thursday. The Raiders rolled out a 37-point second half to break open this 29-26 contest halfway through...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College sophomore Madara Liepniece has been named Region IX Player of the week for Week 14 of the season (Feb. 17-23). The point guard from Riga, Latvia, averaged 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game in games against Northeastern Junior College and Western Nebraska. She shot 34 percent from the field and 43 percent from the 3-point line in those games...

MCCOOK, Neb. – The new comprehensive plan for the City of McCook is nearing completion, with the fourth and final public input meeting Thursday night. The comprehensive plan is what guides the city for growth and development, so there are no surprises when it comes to such things as annexation or zoning changes, said McCook City Manager Nate Schneider Thursday night. ...

McCOOK, Neb. – The YMCA of McCook has announced that after a successful fundraising campaign, construction is scheduled to begin in early March on a transformational project to renovate and expand the current facility. The capital improvement project will create a modern, vibrant gathering place for all. The renovated YMCA will provide increased opportunities for wellness, recreation and community connection...

McCOOK, Neb. - On the consent agenda for the Monday night’s McCook City Meeting are an offer to Van Kirk Bros. of a contract valued at $499,950.25, the adoption of a resolution regarding federal assistance for the Ben Nelson Airport and a request to close East F Street for an event sponsored by St. Patrick’s School...

Lincoln, Neb. — The suspect who had been arrested on charges of first-degree murder in connection with a homicide in rural Harvard last Friday evening has died. Toby Gray, 39, was pronounced deceased this morning at Bryan Health West Campus. Gray had been in custody at the hospital since he was initially located with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the homicide scene last Friday evening...