Stories from Thursday, August 14, 2025

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook High’s bright, clean and brilliantly remodeled front hallway reveals another super new message. “Our trophy cases are overflowing,” principal Craig Dickes said during a chat with the Gazette Wednesday afternoon. “It’s a good problem to have.”...

Please be advised that the following spaces on the lower level will be temporarily unavailable August 11-18 due to construction: Gymnasium, Locker-rooms, and Cardio Room. For your safety, we ask that you refrain from attempting to access the lower level while is being completed...

Naomi Ruppert of McCook will celebrate her 90th birthday on August 21. The family of Naomi Ruppert would like to request a card shower in honor. Cards of congratulations may be sent to: Naomi Ruppert 38219 Rd. 736 McCook, Ne 69001

DeAnna Sue Schutte, a mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025, in Ravenna, at the age of 84. DeAnna was born on October 20, 1940, in Palisade, to parents Harley L. and Dessa F. (Richter) Phares. She was Baptized at the Palisade Untied Methodist Church on March 30, 1941...

Ralph Louis LaSalle, age 85, died August 7, 2025, in Omaha. Ralph was born November 10, 1939, to Elden and Wilma (Brooks) LaSalle in rural Norton County, Kansas. Ralph was raised there, on the farm. He attended school in Clayton and Norcatur, Kansas and graduated from High School in 1957...

Stacy Lee Maret, 60, of Farnam, NE passed away on August 09, 2025 in Farnam, NE. Stacy was born on August 15, 1964 in Cambridge, NE to Lavern and Gene (Arington) Maret. Visitation will be held Monday, August 18, 2025 from noon until 2:00 PM at the Stockville Congregational Church in Stockville...

Darrel and Lucile Banzhaf will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on August 20, 2025. The couple was married on August 20, 1955, in Hugo, Oklahoma. Their family includes the late Russell and Dorris and family of Lincoln; Kathy and Tom Brabury of Bellevue; the late Linda and daughter; and Gloria and Brad Masoner and family of Bazine, Kansas. They are blessed with five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren...

Brigham Larington McCook Gazette McCOOK, Neb. - Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke and his fellow justices gathered in McCook on Monday evening for a dinner meeting with judges and judicial service members from across the region. The event brought together court staff, probation officers, and judges from Red Willow County and surrounding areas, offering a chance to meet the state’s highest jurists and personally welcome Funke to his role as chief justice...

McCOOK, Neb. - It was a disappointing night for McCook Public Schools administrators gathered at the Courthouse, waiting for the final results of the bond election. What was expected to be a 45-minute wait stretched into nearly four hours. When Business Director Jeff Gross received the printout, his quiet reaction said it all: the bond had failed to pass...

McCOOK, Neb. - Red Willow County Sheriff Kevin Darling has taken to social media to warn residents of a phone scam in which callers pose as members of his office. Darling said the latest attempt involves callers claiming they are trying to locate someone and asking recipients to confirm that they are not that person. The scammers then request personal details such as name, birthdate, or address...

As part of the Nebraska Community Foundation’s Summer Hometown Intern program, the college interns are asked to write “love letters” to their hometown, sharing what they love about the community they call home. Natalie Roberts, a 2023 McCook High School graduate, was one of two interns for the McCook Community Foundation Fund during the summer of 2025. Natalie was also a member of Youth Change Reaction, MCFF’s youth group, and chronicles how her feelings for her hometown have evolved...

It’s official — both the McCook and Cambridge school bond proposals have gone down to defeat, and by strikingly similar margins. In McCook, the final tally came in at 1,124 “yes” votes to 1,929 “no” votes, about 37 percent in favor and 63 percent opposed. ...