Stories from Friday, May 9, 2025

VALENTINE, Neb. — It’s unconfirmed whether coach Ben Vetrovsky loves the groovin-movin’ country music like big brother Joe, but Thursday’s long trip from Valentine still had to be real fun for his McCook golfers. Thanks to an almost perfect rock star-like 300, the Bison rode home with a Southwest Conference team title...

40th anniversary INDIANOLA, Neb. - The family of Shawn and Michele Malleck are requesting a card shower for the couple’s 40th wedding anniversary. Their family includes children, Ashley Kurkowski (Wade Shipman); Brandon (Jordan) Malleck; and Candace (Matt) Nelson...

Susan Doak SW Nebraska Genealogical Society There were so many multi-talented men in my parent’s generation, using the description Renaissance Man would be flung around like cottonwood seeds in a good year. I don’t really want to wear the phrase out, but Ora Spaid was special...

Jennifer Ann (Weskamp) Fortkamp Aug. 15, 1954 - May 4, 2025 LINCOLN, Neb. - Jennifer Ann (Weskamp) Fortkamp, went to join her Jesus on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in her home with family by her side in Lincoln, Neb.. Jennifer was born Aug. 15, 1954, in McCook, Neb., to Leo and Bonnie (Beachler) Weskamp. Jennifer worked for many years in McCook at the Community Hospital and Medical Specialist Center...

Kenneth “Ken” Wells Sept. 4, 1947 - Jan. 8, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. -Kenneth “Ken” Wells made his journey to heaven at the age of 77. He passed away surrounded by family at the Community Hospital in McCook, Neb. on Jan. 8, 2025. Ken was born in Monroe, Wis. on Sept. 4, 1947, to parents Guy and Edith (Reynolds) Wells. The Wells family moved from Wisconsin to McCook, Neb. for milder weather. Ken graduated from McCook High School in 1965...

Parents joined Cambridge High track and field top athletes JoLie Farr (above) and Rachel Harris (below) as the seniors signed to continue their careers for collegiate programs on Tuesday. Farr joined the Wayne State College Wildcats in Wayne while Harris will compete for Concordia University at Seward. Both Trojans are among the Class D state leaders in multiple events entering districts next week...

ALMA, Neb. — The Cambridge girls topped rivals Southern Valley and Southwest in a tight race to win Thursday’s Dale Harsin Invitational. Cambridge edged Southern Valley, 82-78, while Southwest totaled 68 points. The Alma boys easily won an 11-team title race. A glance at scores along with top four area placers:...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. ­ — Team scores along with all McCook JV and McCook Junior High top four placersduring Monday’s North Platte JV/Junior High track-field meet. PRs are personal records. Junior Varsity BOYS Teams: 1. North Platte 264, 2. McCook 157, 3. Ogallala 68, 4. Lexington 44, 5. Gothenburg 21, 6. Sidney 17...

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — The McCook High JV golfers won a playoff over Holdrege to claim Thursday’s Southern Valley Invitational title. Coach Ben Vetrovsky provided more details about these Bison: “The Bison won the invite in a team playoff with Holdrege’s JV team shooting team scores of 350...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two McCook Community College sophomore players signed their letters of intent Thursday to continue their careers at NCAA Division 2 schools. Romina Martinez Castro (Cochabamba, Bolivia) signed to play at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania while Kayten Hagan (Kearney/Amherst High School) is moving on to Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas...

PUEBLO, Colo. — The McCook Community College baseball season came to an end Thursday with a pair of losses on the first day of the Region IX double-elimination tournament at Damon Runyon Park. The Indians lost to Otero 6-5 in the first game and ended the season with a 6-3 loss to Western Nebraska in the second game...

KEARNEY, Neb. — Consider McCook’s three senior tennis leaders are now 75-1 this season and undefeated against everyone except Class A Kearney. No wonder the Bison aren’t just focused on getting their varsity girls ready for Class B state in less than two weeks...

McCOOK, Neb. —Standing up for some of the region’s most vulnerable children, three area residents have completed training to become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Ginamaria McCarty and Erica Ruzicka of McCook, along with Craig Mead of Beaver City, Neb., will now represent children in the court system who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect...

McCOOK, Neb. - McCook Community College awarded Dr. Cassandra Pfeifer winner of the 2025 Gene Budig Outstanding Faculty Award. The announcement came Friday during MCC’s Commencement ceremony at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center. Also at Friday’s Commencement, Ken Foster received the President’s Award for outstanding service to the college. Sophomore Natalie Harmata delivered the student commencement speech...

McCOOK, Neb. - The McCook Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m. in the Junior High conference room. The agenda includes updates on the district’s strategic planning efforts, administrator reports, and discussion of state legislation concerning school library transparency (LB 390)...

McCOOK, Neb. - The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners and Board of Equalization will meet Monday, May 12, beginning at 9:45 a.m. at the courthouse. Commissioners will discuss the 2025 armor coat road project and receive legislative updates from staff representing Congressman Adrian Smith...

Everyone remembers where they were when history happened. Some events stop the world in its tracks—when a president was shot, when a shuttle exploded, when towers fell. These are the moments people recall in hushed tones over coffee, voices trailing off as they gaze into the middle distance...

Jane Blume-McConville McCOOK, Neb. — Jane Blume-McConville, 90, formerly of Indianola, passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Hillcrest nursing home in McCook. Services are pending at this time. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook...