Stories from Thursday, May 29, 2025

OGALLALA, Neb. — It was an all-”thumbs up!” season debut for the McCook National Bank Seniors Tuesday night after pitcher Trey Tiller shook off a little pre-game pain. “Trey jammed his thumb in basketball that morning. I wasn’t sure if he would go more than two or three innings,” coach Chris Conroy recalled. “Turned out he threw a seven-inning complete game.”...

The Big Ten Conference and its television partners announced the kickoff time and television information for five Nebraska football games on Thursday. The announcement includes a date change, as the Huskers’ game at Minnesota was moved to Friday, Oct. 17...

90th birthday Bernelda Nelson of Bartley, Neb., is celebrating her 90th birthday on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Her family is requesting a card shower to help celebrate her day. Cards of congratulations will reach her at P.O. Box 9, Bartley, NE 69020.

McCOOK, Neb. — Calving season for bison is often called the season of the “cinnamon” calves due to their unique orange-red coloring. The bison herd at Hugh Butler Lake recently welcomed 20 new baby bison. The herd, started in 2016 by Darrell Meister, a former McCook resident now living in Hawaii, had all 20 cows give birth this spring, the third year in a row with 100% breed-back rate...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting May 27 in the Commissioners’ Room at the county courthouse. Commissioners Ted Gans, Randy Dean and Charles Fritsche were present for the session, which included routine approvals, budget matters, and updates from department heads...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office has announced the addition of a new certified law enforcement deputy. Milton “Blaine” Varney recently completed Nebraska’s reciprocity testing requirement after joining the department from Kansas...

When we say the word “season,” most people’s minds immediately go to summer and fall or winter and spring. Understandable because they are literally seasons. But many families have just wrapped up a different season - graduation season. People’s fridges were covered in party announcements. Stacks of cards piled up on kitchen counters. Or in our case, a spreadsheet of dates and times detailed all the receptions over the course of a month...

Executive orders are sometimes necessary, but they are never enough. When major national policy shifts come from the stroke of a pen rather than the scrutiny of a legislative body, they are not only fragile—they are undemocratic in the most literal sense. They bypass the very people elected to represent us...

Terry “Mike” Hotchkiss CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Terry “Mike” Hotchkiss, of Cambridge, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, Neb. He was 59 years old. Cremation was chosen and services and a celebration of Mike’s life are being planned for a later date. Service details will be shared when they are available...