Stories from Tuesday, February 10, 2026

McCOOK — All members of the McCook School Board were present Monday evening as Superintendent Grant Norgaard delivered his annual report, highlighting district-wide academic performance and outlining next steps in the district’s new five-year improvement cycle...

McCOOK, Neb. - During his biweekly legislative call on Thursday, Sen. Dave Murman outlined his views on property tax reform and the Legislature’s broader movement toward a consumption-based tax system, before fielding questions from participants. Murman opened by arguing that property taxes in Nebraska were “the taxes in Nebraska that are farthest out of line,” and said the Legislature was exploring ways to shift revenue away from property taxes and toward a broader-based sales tax. ...

Sharon Mae (Snyder) Orrell, 75 was born July 31, 1950 to Pete Sr. and Lela (Wonderly) Snyder in Imperial, NE. Sharon passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Imperial Manor. On February 11, 1966 she married William Pankonin in Imperial, NE. To this union, 4 children Donald, Sandy, Melinda and Kristie were born...

The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners met Monday, Feb. 9, at the Red Willow County Courthouse, with the meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by the chair. All members were present. Commissioners reviewed accounts payable claims and approved the agenda as presented...

Pastor Gary Lewis Howitt went home to meet his Lord and Savior on Friday, February 6, 2026 with his family by his side. He was born on August 28, 1940, in Chappell, Nebraska, to Lewis and Freida Howitt. From his earliest years, Gary’s life was grounded in faith, family, and hard work—values that would guide him throughout his life and ministry...

Deborah “Debbie” Ann Kerchal, 66, of Wauneta, Nebraska, passed into the arms of the Lord on February 4, 2026. Born on May 10, 1959, in Delaware, Ohio, to Robert Fetty and Elizabeth Fendrich, Debbie spent much of her youth in Aurora, Colorado, before moving to Trenton, Nebraska, in 1977. ...

KEARNEY, Neb. — The Cambridge Trojans’ strong season led to Saturday’s Class D state duals tournament but those six-seeded Trojans finished 0-2 Shelby-Rising City 48, Cambridge 33 285 - Coy Vrbka (Shelby-Rising City) over Angel Torres (Cambridge) Fall 0:17...

LINCOLN, Neb. — McCook sophomore Blake Willis rolled through a solid Class B state bowling performane on Monday as Bison coach Jana Sides reported: “Pretty amazing first trip to state for Sophomore Blake Willis.  He stayed in the middle of the pack and navigated the changing oil conditions-- they tracked out pretty quickly,” Sides said this morning...

Mary Ellen Long, a longtime resident of Holbrook, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at CountryHouse in Kearney, Nebraska. She was 89 years of age. Cremation was chosen and services are pending at this time. Memorials are suggested to the family of Mary Ellen Long for future designation. Online condolences may be left at lockenour.com. Lockenour-Jones Mortuary of Cambridge has been entrusted with arrangements...

Darren M. Burns, age 58, passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, NE. Darren was born to parents Clearence and Patricia (Douds) Burns in Denver, CO on September 18, 1967. Darren graduated from Machubeuf High School in 1985. He then graduated in May of 1990 from Doane University in Crete, NE with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English...

Robert E. Sitzman, age 73, of Culbertson, NE passed on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Great Plains Hospital in North Platte, NE. Bob was born August 14, 1952, in McCook, NE to parents Henry “Curly” and Anita M. (Taul) Sitzman, Jr. He was one of three siblings and attended school in Culbertson, graduating high school with the Class of 1970. Bob then went on to attend McCook Community College, earning an associate of arts degree in business...

Wow, what a weekend! The Olympics are on. It was the weekend of the Super Bowl. The weather is beautiful (for Nebraska in February). Sadly, my favorite TV station relentlessly carries the tragic abduction of an elderly lady, Nancy Guthrie, the mother of popular NBC anchor Savannah. So sad watching her three adult children suffer, not knowing whether their mother, 84 years old and suffering from poor health, is dead or alive...