Stories from Thursday, March 6, 2025

KEARNEY, Neb. — The big smiles on “bookend” brothers Ethan Latta and August Shaw were a perfect way to cap Dundy County-Stratton’s 2024 district championship Wednesday night. “All through my injury, all through my recovery and all this season he (Shaw) has been there for me, been by my side,” Latta said after suffering an ACL tear that wrecked his basketball season one year ago. “We’ve been playing basketball together for I don’t know how long...

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Class D-1 No. 7 Dundy County-Stratton Tigers will start their state tournament against No. 2 Howells-Dodge Wednesday evening. NSAA officials released boys’ state pairings for the quarterfinals this morning. The DC-S Tigers (19-5 record) and D-1 No. 2 Howells -Dodge Jaguars (21-5) are set to meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in Lincoln’s Bob Devaney Center...

Obituary Clara M. Sprenkle Feb. 15, 1948 - March 4, 2025 BERTRAND, Neb. - Clara M. Sprenkle passed away surrounded by family and friends at Bertrand Nursing Home, Bertrand, Neb., and joined her husband in heaven on March 4, 2025, at the age of 77. Clara was born on Feb. 15, 1948, to parents William “Bill” E. and Lela M. (Smith) Davisson in Burlington, Colo. Clara grew up on a farm where she enjoyed being around the chickens, cows, and horses...

INDIANOLA, Neb. — A church building that closed five years ago is now bursting at the seams with members, led by a new pastor who understands the struggles of moving forward after tragedy. The Indianola Christian Church closed in January 2020, with about eight members left. Later that year, in July, the building re-opened as The Willow Christian Church, a satellite church of the McCook Christian Church in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. – As the population of McCook ages, the city’s Fire Department is facing an increasing demand for emergency medical services and volunteer support. The issue is not unique to McCook but part of a broader trend seen across Nebraska, where fire departments are struggling to keep up with rising call volumes due to an aging population along with the difficulty of recruiting new volunteers...

When the McCook Aquatic Center opened in July 2024, the sole goal was to get the doors open to the public. The fees were waived, thanks to a grant from the McCook Community Foundation Fund, just to get people through the doors quickly and into the water. And the hours were based on just recreational swim times with no other special opportunities offered the opening year...

Dear Editor, I appreciate the opportunity to provide clarification regarding recent discussions about the Red Willow County Fair Board and the use of the fairgrounds. While I respect Mr. Trail’s long history of service and his perspectives, I would like to correct some inaccuracies in his recent column to ensure the public has a clear understanding of the situation...

INDIANAPOLIS — Alexis Markowski led a complete team effort by Nebraska, as the Huskers rolled to an 84-60 win over Rutgers in the first round of the TIAA Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday evening. Nebraska, the tournament’s No. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Results from McCook YMCA Basketball games Tuesday evening. Men’s League Island of Wannabes 53, Swish Kebobs 33 Tuesday Hoopers 62, Team Bolli 40 Community Hospital 70, Goon Squad 68 Co-Ed League Team LaBrie 99, Team Haller 59 MC Ballers 118, Team Gillen 109...

KEARNEY, Neb. — No. 14-seed Medicine Valley had No. 3 Archangels Catholic backpedaling just a bit to start Wednesday’s D2-3 district title game. With senior Tyce Pate putting in two quick three-pointers, the Raiders took an early 8-0 lead at Kearney Catholic High School...

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Southwest Roughriders’ D-1 basketball tournament proved to be a tough one against traditional power Cedar Catholic from Hartington Wednesday night. The Roughriders played hard at Bob Devaney Sports Center, but fell in the game by a final of 54-27...

Linda Fricke CULBERTSON, Neb. - Linda Fricke, 81, formerly of Culbertson, passed away early Wednesday morning, March 5, 2025. Cremation was chosen and memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, March 8, 2025 at the New Life Fellowship Church in Culbertson, Neb. with Pastor Rick Bradley officiating...