Stories from Tuesday, July 21, 2020

NSAA – The Nebraska School Activities Association is preparing to begin the 2020 fall sports season as currently scheduled. First practices for football, volleyball, cross country, girls golf, boys tennis, and softball are set to begin August 10. The health and safety of our student participants, coaches, and officials has been our priority as we work to provide activities for our member schools. ...

Aug. 22, 1969 - July 18, 2020 TRENTON, Neb. — Kenneth Patrick Brennan, age 50, of Trenton passed away at his home on July 18, 2020.  He was born in Stratton, Neb., on Aug. 22, 1969, to John Edward and Anna Mae (Randall) Brennan.  Kenneth went to school in Stratton graduating from Stratton High School in 1988.  He then traveled to Salmon River, Idaho, to attend a Hunting Guide School...

May 4, 1931 – July 13, 2020 BELLEVUE, Neb. — Elsie Mae Frogge passed away on Monday, July 13, 2020 in Bellevue at the age of 89 years. She was born on Friday, May 4, 1931, in Arapahoe, Neb. She was a former resident of McCook.  Elsie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Tobias and Elsie DeVries; her loving husband of 36 years, Richard R. ...

June 11, 1957 - July 19, 2020 BARTLEY, Neb. — Delvin Lee Leibbrandt, age 63, of Bartley, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at his home. He was born on June 11, 1957 to Alvin and Dorothy (Reiners) Leibbrandt in McCook, Neb. He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cambridge, Neb. ...

CURTIS, Neb. — Richard “Dick” W. Hald passed peacefully at Senior Living Choices in Curtison July 16, 2020. Services were Monday, July 20, 2020, at the Curtis Methodist Church. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, Edwin and Alfred, all of Cozad, Neb., and his son, David...

May 30, 1971 - July 15, 2020 BENKELMAN, Neb. - Shanan Rae (David) Pollmann was born on May 30th, 1971, at Dundy County Hospital to Mike and Cathy (Lutz) David. She entered the family of two sisters, Brigitte and Stefani, being the baby of the family until her brother, Kendall, was born. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Monday’s City Council meeting included a public hearing on a new Bishop Acres 3 subdivision, including a small area platted as commercial because of a radio tower. Craig Bennett of Miller & Associates explained details of the planned subdivision, as well as annexation issues in general...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook native is honoring his mother by providing support for the local institution that helped him excel in reading, and eventually in his long political and professional career. Many years before a nationwide pandemic forced parents to provide educational support from home, former U.S. ...

Monday as chairman Earl McNutt conducted the weekly meeting of the Red Willow County Commissioners from home quarantine via telephone with fellow commissioners Cayla Richards, left, Steve Downer, right, and County Clerk Tami Teel taking minutes. In public comments, Todd Weimer, who had filed a tax protest, complimented the board on its professionalism, commissioners a request by MPPD to bore a hole through a county road north of Indianola, approved a tax roll correction and three homestead exemptions, and began a budget workshop using a preliminary 2.5% raise for salaried and 50 cent an hour raises for hourly employees, as well as $1.8 million for employee health insurance. ...

Grannie Annie walked into our big box store and a lady greeted her. “You are Dick Trail’s wife,” was her statement. Grannie wondered how in the world the lady made the connection and the answer had to do with the lady reading this column. Roxy and her husband live about 50 miles away in a rural setting and have converted their big red barn into a lodging and event center. It sounds like an adventurous place to visit and maybe spend the night with my bride...

Dear Editor, Since 1984 I have been a loyal fan of Alex Trebek and Jeopardy. When I visited my parents in Denver we always watched his show. It was educational as well as entertaining. Last year, when he was disgnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer I was shocked. A long time friend of mine from my days as a student at East Denver High School and the University of Denver had pancreatic cancer and passed away from it...

McCOOK, Neb. — Coach Kaden Sitzman continues to marvel about his McCook First Central Bank Juniors following their 16-1 win over Minden Friday evening. “We started 1-6 and now we’re 6-6,” Sitzman proclaimed about the team’s fifth consecutive win. “We had almost all new guys to start, but they are all executing and playing really well.”...

The McCook Rebels 18-and-under fastpitch team finished a marvelous several years together at a tournament in Hays, Kan., last weekend.Coaches at top from left - Darin Morgan, Steve Miller and Pat Fawver. Middle row - Graci Nelson, Emma Kehler, Brolin Morgan, Kori Uerling, Tiara Matson and Kaylin Martin.Front row - Narissa Fawver, Savannah Donovan, Ashley Miller and Tesa Nelson...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook National Bank’s Seniors will not play home doubleheaders against Hays, Kan., and Russell, Kan., this week. Legion baseball coach and spokesman Greg Larson confirmed this morning both dates have been canceled. MNB was set to host Hays Thursday evening and Russell Saturday afternoon. The Seniors will have just one game remaining against Minden Monday night at McCook’s Jaycees Complex...

HAYS, Kan. — The McCook Rebels Black 14 softball team avenged earlier defeats to win their division with three magnificent wins at Hays, Kan., fastpitch tournament on Sunday. More details including photos will appear in Thursday’s Gazette. The Rebels and McCook Storm softball teams will compete at state this weekend...

McCOOK, Neb. — The ominous black clouds stood back and swirled above McCook National Bank's crazy whirlwind of a comeback Monday night. Who could really complain about going from 10 runs down to a potential game-winning run taking the final swing? It’s true the 4-0, 6-0, 9-2 and 12-2 Buckley leads probably felt like hailstones bouncing off a car hood...

A daily COVID-19 update published Tuesday was incorrect; the corrected version appears here. The Gazette regrets the error.

IMPERIAL, Neb. — Imperial’s Juniors will play for the Mid-Nebraska League Legion baseball title after winning the West Division tournament last weekend in Imperial. Imperial reached 14-3 this season with a 5-2 semifinal win over Holdrege where Triston Hite struck out 14 while pitching a seven-inning complete game on Saturday...