Stories from Friday, November 14, 2025

McCOOK, Neb. - As a self-admitted former teen rebel, one McCook author is grateful she’s been given a second chance to give back to the community. However, it’s been in ways she never would have anticipated. Looking back over the years, Alicia Witt can see how her faith and life experiences have brought her writing full circle–and now she’s hoping her journey will be a light in the darkness for others...

CULBERTSON, Neb. - Ten-year-old Kellan Shuler lives for ranch work. Whether he’s helping his dad with cattle or roping steers in the arena, he’s happiest in the saddle, chasing the life he dreams of building on his family’s ranch. But this summer, that dream was tested in a way no one saw coming...

The Rev. Robert Samuel Williams, Major, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), of Pleasantville, PA died on November 5, 2025 in Erie, PA after a prolonged battle with congestive heart failure and a serious fall that led to complications. Born in Ste. Genivieve, MO in 1940, of the highly spirited Depression-era Merlin (Moon) & Marion Williams, from an early age Williams, who went by “Sam,” was gifted with a righteous clarity on how he wanted to live his life, with honor as a Marine and a Minister...

• The No. 1 Nebraska volleyball team heads to California for matches at UCLA and No. 17 USC this weekend. • The Huskers and Bruins will square off at 9 p.m. (CT) on Friday in the 13,800-seat Pauley Pavilion. The match will be televised on Big Ten Network with Paul Sunderland and Holly McPeak on the call...

Gazette scribbler R.B.E. (Really Big Eater) takes a break from walking corgys with seven girlfriends along the way to mention his Top 10 National Football League teams in reverse order: 10. Kansas City Chiefs Still dangerous, healthy and time to do late-season damage starting at Denver this Sunday...

EL DORADO, Kan. – Fourteenth ranked Butler Community College raced past the McCook Community College women Thursday in the Butler Classic. The Grizzlies won 72-41. After the Lady Indians scored the first bucket of the game, Butler scored 10 straight points to lead 10-2 with 4:51 left in the first period and led at the quarter break 19-6. MCC turned the ball over nine times and made just three of 10 shots from the field...

State finalist Cambridge and qualifier Southwest claimed five of the seven RPAC East Division first-team selections. The Roughriders reached their fourth consecutive state tournament after making a historic first in 2022. Cambridge has a similiar streak which includes state runner-ups in 2023 and last week...

Dundy County-Stratton earned four of the seven RPAC West Division first-team spots this fall. The Tigers (27-8 record) captured fourth in Class D-2 after ending a 109-match losing streak early in their 2024 season. Maywood-Hayes Center surpassed 20 victories yet again with three firsdt or second-team RPAC selections...

McCOOK, Neb. — The YMCA of McCook announces registration is now open for its 2026 Adult Basketball League. The only division will be formed for Men’s 5 vs. 5 full court. Due to space limitatnions, a Co-ed 4 vs. 4 will not be offered this season. “We are looking forward to offering Co-ed in the future,” sports director James Mockry commented. “We apologize for any inconvience this brings.”...