Stories from Tuesday, October 21, 2025

McCOOK, Neb.- The McCook Gazette has obtained a copy of the federal detention contract that will govern operations at the former Work Ethic Camp site in McCook. The contract itself is 37 pages long, but with its 18 attachments, the total length of the document reaches 183 pages, encompassing detailed operational blueprints, legal and regulatory requirements, wage and labor provisions, transportation protocols, infrastructure responsibilities and performance standards...

McCOOK, Neb. - The McCook City Council met Monday evening to conduct regular business, begining with announcements from City Manager Nate Schneider who noted several upcoming events: a Nebraska Department of Transportation meeting at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the McCook Community College East Campus, an audit visit scheduled for Oct. 28–29, and agenda items slated for the Nov. 4 meeting...

This has been a difficult column to write, as I may be trampling on some good friends’ toes. Forgive me if you are a bit offended, but maybe there is a message that you need to listen to. It has been “interesting” to look over the thirteen names of locals who signed off in support of the lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) taking over our local State-owned McCook facility. ...

Monday was a sad day on Norris Avenue. On Sunday evening, ownership of what had long been McCook’s best-known eatery and gathering place announced it was closing its doors effective immediately. In a social media post, the owners wrote, “With deep sadness, we’re here to share that Saturday was Embers Bakery’s final day.”...

he 2025 Class B state tennis champion McCook High girls were honored during halftime of Friday’s home football game vs. Scottsbluff at Weiland Field. Bison alum Roslyn Wiemers (above) shows a softball catcher/big hitter’s strength while holding that impressive championship trophy (center). ...

KIMBALL, Neb. — Chase County entered the SPVA volleyball championship tilt with Perkins County on Saturday with seven consecutive wins but they’ll enter their next game with eight. They walked away with a 2-0 win over the Plainsmen. That’s the second time they’ve managed to beat them this season, as they also won 3-0 last Thursday...

COZAD, Neb. — The McCook Bison will play a Southwest Confence consolation match vs. Broken Bow today following a 25-13, 25-18 loss to Gothenburg on Monday. The Bison (15-13 record) beat Bow during their home match last week, 3-1. No other details were obtained as SWC tournament play concludes today at Cozad High...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Bison allowed zero pass yards and featured four seniors with 15 tackles or more Friday night. Normally, that would look real good against a tough opponent like Class B big-school Scottsbluff. Yet the Bearcats really didn’t need to pass as senior quarterback Nate Kelley rushed for 205 yards including a clinching 64-yard dash in this 21-7 Scottsbluff victory...

Wanda J Michaelis passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 16, 2025 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook Nebraska. She was 85. Wanda was born on January 21, 1940 in Dover, TN where she lived as a little girl until her family moved to Lincoln, NE. ...

A memorial service for Reita J. Anderson will be held on October 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart Jr. officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska...