News

Heritage Days 2017 celebrates the 150th birthday of Nebraska and the 135th birthday of McCook. In the “Birthday Bash” parade Saturday morning, Barb Dailey, left, and Billie Jo Hueftle rode the “Red Willow Cowboy Church” float, and Billie Jo snuggled with Felicia, her baby donkey. Peace Lutheran Church announced its annual Christmas “Live Nativity” presentation with a chariot driven by Phil Bamesberger. His “soldiers’ included his wife, Janice, and Brian Strauch...

McCOOK, Neb. — A trio of changes to city ordinances was approved on final reading last week, getting a local board in compliance with state law, expanding parking space width requirements and lumping carports in with garages for setback requirements...

McCOOK, Neb. — A trio of changes to city ordinances was approved on final reading last week, getting a local board in compliance with state law, expanding parking space width requirements and lumping carports in with garages for setback requirements...

McCOOK, Neb. — This week’s Heritage Days festivities will include a barbecue rib fundraiser to benefit a non-profit group focused on providing children with new school clothes. The “L2 for Kids Rib Fundraiser” will offer Lucky Chucks 12-bone barbecue ribs for $20 and available for pickup in either a frozen or ready-to-eat format at the L2 for Kids booth in Norris Park this weekend. The booth will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook woman sentenced to probation last fall for attempted possession of methamphetamine was sent to jail last week in Red Willow County District Court on probation violations. The woman, 27-year-old Cynthia S. Valentine of Oberlin, Kan., was originally sentenced to 18 months probation in November of 2016 on the attempted possession conviction. ...

Helper Jordan, 4, tries out a variety of magic wand sizes until finding one that would finally make the silk handkerchief disappear from magician Adam White’s hand, in a performance Thursday at the Fox Theater. The Fox will be the venue for a performance by Hotel California, an Eagles tribute band, at 7 p.m. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A pair of McCook charity events are looking for a few good volunteers to help in the coming weeks and perhaps even usher in a new era. Organizers for the annual “Christmas Toy Box” and “Coat Closet Winter Clothing Giveaway” are asking for volunteers who can help prepare and coordinate the events...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook is budgeted for a sharp drop in Keno revenue in the coming fiscal year. The 2017-18 fiscal year budget approved by City Council earlier week is forecasting a 33.33 percent decline in Community Betterment Funds, which stem from local Keno sales...

McCOOK, Neb. — The best way to pay tribute to George W. Norris is to follow his example, doing all we can as citizens to preserve the principles of the U.S. Constitution. That was the message delivered this morning by Andy Long, the keynote speaker at the 2017 George W. Norris Prayer Breakfast at the McCook Christian Church...

Shary skiles Publisher McCOOK, Neb. — The 2017 Heritage Days Parade Marshals will be John and Judy Anderson. When they are not leading the Heritage Days Parade, you can find this couple throughout the community, volunteering with various organizations, including helping to plan the Heritage Days events. “She sits on the Heritage Day committee at the Chamber of Commerce,” said Chamber Executive Director Jamie Mockry, “and yes, I think we have kept it a secret from them.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — Every summer since 2003, the theater has come to Southwest Nebraska, specifically to the children of the area thanks to the Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre Association. This summer, SWNCTA once again hosted the Missouri Children’s Theatre and put on the production, The Frog Prince...

McCOOK, Neb. — The baby girl injured in a stroller-car accident Tuesday morning is back home after being treated at Children’s Hospital in Omaha. Bill Larington of McCook said this morning that his 4-month-old daughter, Ellanor, has bruises, but is doing well. She was home by Wednesday evening...

McCOOK, Neb. — City staff acknowledged earlier this week a long-time city park isn’t up to state standards, prompting the McCook City Council to request cost estimates and upgrade options, as well as a market analysis should selling the land be the best option...

McCOOK, Neb. — With a promise “to work very hard to give legendary service,” Kathy Gerver has returned to McCook as manager of the Tractor Supply Co. store in Westview Plaza. Born and raised in McCook, Kathy worked for Burlington Northern for 19 years before embarking on a business management and ownership career which took her to many places in the U.S. and several foreign countries...

McCOOK, Neb. — A Curtis woman was sentenced to probation time earlier this month in Red Willow County District Court following her conviction for felony possession of methamphetamine The woman, 31-year-old Kaitlin D. Suda, accepted a plea agreement in July admitting guilt to the Class IV felony for possession of meth, while dismissing an infraction alleging possession of drug paraphernalia...

McCOOK, Neb. — An action-packed week is in store as McCook prepares to host the community’s 48th annual Heritage Days celebration. That was the focus Tuesday morning as police, chamber and community members gathered for the September “Coffee with a Cop” get-together at Sehnert’s Bakery and the Bieroc Cafe...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook airport could be expanding hangar options in the near future which would allow larger aircraft to be stored indoors. A request from Red Willow Aviation owner Griff Malleck to construct a 150-foot by 225-foot hangar at the airport was unanimously approved by City Council Monday evening...

McCOOK, Neb. — Funeral services for Don Einspahr, a firefighter and fire chief for the City of McCook from 1969 until 1984, were this morning in Imperial. Einspahr died at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on Sept. 15; he was 89 years old. Marc Harpham, who is now McCook’s fire chief, said he went on one call with Einspahr before Einspahr retired. “A wonderful guy … full of knowledge,” Harpham said about Einspahr...

McCOOK, Neb. — A four-month-old girl was injured in an accident early Tuesday morning at the intersection of West First and J streets in McCook. The baby, Ellanor R. Larington, was transported to Community Hospital after the stroller she was riding in was struck at 8:05 a.m. by a car driven by Joel M. Gray, 16, of 419 Seminole...

TRENTON, Neb. — A man has been sentenced to at least 50 years in prison in connection with the death of another man who had been left in a rural area of southwest Nebraska and died of hypothermia. The Nebraska attorney general’s office said 25-year-old John R. Leahy was sentenced Monday in Hitchcock County District Court to 24 to 30 years for kidnapping, 18 to 20 years for manslaughter and 8 to 10 years of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — An Oxford man is in jail on drug charges following the search of a home at 508 Central Street in Oxford Thursday evening. Robert E. Shafer, 49, was arrested after Furnas County sheriff’s officers located methamphetamine pipes, plastic storage bags with meth residue and drug paraphernalia in the house...