Stories from Tuesday, February 17, 2026

McCOOK, Neb. - Valentine’s evening, the Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation hosted a fundraising event at the City Auditorium, inviting local businesses to join them for a “Night on the Hill” complete with dinner, drinks, and dueling pianos. Fun Pianos—a professional traveling dueling pianos company known for “playing popular music to generate positive interaction”—did exactly that, encouraging laughter, sing-alongs, and even more giving throughout the night. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - It was a short night in the City Council chambers as the McCook City Council met Monday evening. Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order with all members present. No recognitions or announcements were made at the outset of the meeting...

It seems that we have no choice but to watch the investigative trauma of the search for the abducted Nancy Guthrie—mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. The Tucson, Arizona, Sheriff’s Department and our Federal FBI seem to be turning over every approach possible to finding who did it and to determine if 84-year-old Nancy is still alive. ...

ELWOOD Neb. — Eunice I. Miller, age 89, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026, surrounded by love and memories of a life well lived at Elwood Care Center, Elwood, NE. Eunice was born on December 30, 1936, in Trenton, Nebraska, to Garrett Alfred Parsons and Esther Irene Patten Parsons. She grew up with strong family values that shaped her caring nature throughout her life...

KEARNEY Neb. — Edward LeRoy Kester, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on February 11 in Kearney at 87 years. He was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma on June 8, 1938, to Dr. Howard and Louise (Mayo) Kester. The family lived in several more states as Howard served the government as a federal veterinarian, including Arkansas, Illinois, and Maryland. When Ed was in first grade, they moved to a farm north of Cambridge. Ed attended Orafino Country School from first through eighth grades. He then attended Cambridge High School, graduating in 1957. During high school Ed was active in football and track...

McCOOK Neb. — Rex Leon Messersmith, age 67, of McCook, NE passed away at his home in McCook on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Rex was born November 11, 1958 in McCook to parents Leland I and Gloria M (Cox) Messersmith. He was one of eight siblings who grew up in Cozad, NE and graduated from Cozad High School with the Class of 1978...

McCOOK Neb. — Russell Lynn Carpenter, a beloved father and husband, passed away at Community Hospital in McCook, NE on February 14, 2026, at the age of 57. On October 26, 1968, Rodney and Thelma (Halley) Carpenter welcomed Russell into the world. Russell was born and raised in McCook, NE where he graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1988...

ELWOOD, Neb. — John Frank Peterson, age 63, of Elwood, NE passed away at his home in Elwood on Monday, February 16, 2026. John was born March 14, 1962 in McCook, NE to parents Alfred Frank and Ethel J. (Vaughn) Peterson. He was one of five siblings and attended school in Trenton, NE, graduating with the Class of 1980. John then went on to attend the Vocational Technical College in Sidney, NE, obtaining a degree in Diesel Mechanics...

McCOOK Neb. — Donald Harvey Neel passed away at his home north of McCook on Monday, February 16, 2026. He was 67 years of age. Don was born on March 16, 1958 to Stanley E. and Margaret D. (Barber) Neel at St. Catherine Hospital in McCook, he was the youngest of four children. Don spent his life doing what he loved, farming with his family! He graduated from Republican Valley High School with the class of 1976. On November 29, 1980 he was united in marriage to Patricia Gates in Palisade, Nebraska. To this union four sons were born: Joshua Wayne, Ira James, Tyler Scott, and Bret Andrew...