Stories from Friday, January 31, 2025

McCOOK, Neb. — Whoever said it’s all about team obviously had no idea what he or she was talking about. Just ask McCook coach Nick Umscheid following Thursday’s home dual against the Colby, Kan., Eagles. Unofficially, the Bison were 30-24 winners based on actual matches...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook’s first varsity bowling season delivered a truly grand finale with the Bison girls and boys both winning on Thursday against the Southern Valley Eagles. Coach Jana Sides provided these details about the final competition before districts next week...

Obituary Kimberly Jo Solko March 10, 1981 - Jan. 27, 2025 OBERLIN, Neb. - Kimberly Jo Solko, 43, was born in Oberlin, Kan. to Ronald and Diana (Yost) Solko on March 10, 1981. She passed away in Oberlin, Kan. on Jan. 27, 2025. Kimberly graduated from DCHS in May of 1999. ...

Obituary Colleen McVicker April 7, 1949 - Jan. 29, 2025 PALISADE, Neb. - Colleen McVicker, age 75, passed away in her home in Palisade, Neb. on Jan. 29, 2025. Colleen was born on April 7, 1949, to Ivan Clinton and Ruth Rosella (Matson) Moreau in McCook, Neb.. She grew up in the McCook area and graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1969. She was a homemaker throughout her life, but she also went to beauty school and was a farmhand...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Junior High’s wrestling girls hosted a tournament on Monday. Here are all the Bison top placers and victories. Girls 93-102 Corbyn Jordan’s place is 3rd and scored 9 points. Round 3 - Corbyn Jordan (McCook) won by forfeit over Angelina Williams (Sunrise Middle School) (FF)...

On Thursday, the RPAC West and East each hosted three games: a pair of consolations and the semifinals to determine who will play in the RPAC Title Game on Saturday. On the West, Wauneta-Palisade was the host, and on the East, Alma was the host. RPAC WEST...

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — Senior Jonathan Patel’s 20 points led a McCook boys 71-25 Southwest Conference tourney victory over Valentine Thurdsay night. The Bison (13-5 record overall) finish fifth among eight SWC teams. Patel hit eight of his nine shot attempts and finished four-for-four with free throws...

ORTH PLATTE, Neb. — For years - if not decades, the North Platte-McCook swim dual at the North Platte Recreational Center has ended with a “fun-run relay” between the two friendly rivals. Part of the Rec Center’s pool depth is not legal for dive-in starts, so in-water starts are used for every race...

Reagan-era Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, is widely credited for coining the phrase “Third rail of politics” when discussing Social Security. The implication was that the reform of Social Security was an untouchable topic that should be avoided at all costs. “Third rail” is a powerful metaphor that describes the third rail on a subway track, a metal bar running parallel to the tracks carrying a deadly 600 volts of electricity...

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has announced the award of $9,798,781 in grants to support 136 projects across the state, including a grant for $150K for Red Willow County. The grants will help fund waste and litter reduction projects and recycling programs, as well as pay costs for scrap tire cleanups and collections for household hazardous waste, electronic waste, and pharmaceuticals...

McCOOK, Neb. - The McCook Fire Department held its annual volunteer appreciation banquet and awards earlier this week. Chief Marc Harpham offered a special “thank you” to members for being in the profession characterized by “Odd Hours, No Pay, and Cool Hats.” Harpham added congratulations to the volunteers for their community service and making the department a success...

McCOOK, Neb. - At Monday night’s meeting of the McCook City Council, City staff will update the council regarding the sports complex project and also discuss details of a collaboration with Mid Plains Community College. MPCC has said it has $4.5 million to build out championship fields, with the possibility of more, if MPCC were to own the championship fields. ...

West Lafayette, Ind. - Freshman Britt Prince scored 11 of her game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter to help Nebraska escape from Mackey Arena with a 74-68 women's basketball win over Purdue on Thursday night. The 5-11 point guard from Omaha finished 7-of-15 from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 at the free throw line to secure Nebraska's third consecutive Big Ten road victory to improve to 16-5 overall and 7-3 in the conference. The Boilermakers slipped to 7-14 overall and 0-10 in the league...

An overtime takeover from Brice Williams helped the Nebraska men’s basketball team knock off No. 18 Illinois, 80-74, Thursday night in Lincoln. Williams scored eight of his game-high 27 points in overtime, as Nebraska (13-7, 3-7 Big Ten) snapped a six-game losing streak and a nine-game losing streak to the Fighting Illini dating back to the 2018-19 season...

BARTLEY, Neb. – Several months of strife in Bartley, Nebraska will soon reach a point of resolution, if not a conclusion. Bartley, with a population of 270 people as of the 2020 census (it had 355 in 2000), has been the center of a controversy with all the makings of a daytime drama