Stories from Friday, February 20, 2026

OMAHA, Neb. — The McCook Bison are ready for tonight’s “primetime lights” whether it’s coach Nick Umscheid’s colorful outfit or senior Tristan Campbell with his 41-0 record. “Oh yeah, it should turn a lot of heads,” Umscheid proclaimed about his style for the state semifinal round in Omaha’s CHI Health Center...

COZAD, Neb. — McCook High’s boys are getting closer and closer to taking down a high-rated foe with those best shots still ahead. Coach Joe Imus saw his basketball team trade several leads with a Cozad Haymaker team that’s lost only twice all season — both to unbeaten C-1 No. 1 Ogallala...

McCOOK, Neb. — The last chance to register is tomorrow for the 2026 Youth Soccer League sponsored by Valmont. Divisions will be formed for the following age groups: Pre-K/Kindergarten, 1st/2nd Grade, 3rd/4th Grade, 5th/6th Grade, 7th/8th Grade, and High School. The deadline to register for Youth Soccer is today!...

It is understandable that media interest was piqued in January, when NASA carried out what it described as the first medical evacuation from the International Space Station. A U.S. astronaut aboard the long-duration Crew-11 mission developed a serious, unspecified illness, and NASA issued press releases directing viewers to live coverage of the spacecraft’s return...

McCOOK, Neb. - Organizers of the Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation’s annual “Night on the Hill” fundraiser are calling this year’s event a success and are extending thanks to the many volunteers, sponsors and participants whose support they say will help sustain services and improvements at Hillcrest Nursing Home...

THORNTON Colo. — Marie E. (Junker) Almquist, 87, of Thornton, Colorado, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026. Born on October 30, 1938, Marie was known for her quiet strength, gentle spirit, and loving heart. A devoted homemaker, she dedicated her life to caring for her family, creating a home filled with warmth, faith, and kindness...

Latest results from the league bowlers facing off like Olympians at TJ’s Family Fun Center. Men’s Major Lickity Splitz 28-2 Fullmomentum 25-5 The Krips 24-6 Steve Lytle Fishing 24-6 Chipperfield Ag 18-12...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community College baseball players Aviv Bobrov and Dalton Berg have earned Region IX Baseball weekly honors as pitcher and player of the week for the second week of the season, Feb. 9-15. Bobrov, 5-11 right-handed pitcher from Shekhanya, Israel, opened the season in Texas tossing five scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out seven to earn the win...

McCOOK, Neb. — Because of the snow and cold temperatures, McCook Community College baseball has pushed back the start of this weekend’s home series one day. The four game-series with Dawson Community College which was to begin on Saturday will now start Sunday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at the Jaycees Sports Complex followed with two more games on Monday starting at noon...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — The area’s top girls basketball teams both advanced into district finals Thursday night while others will wait to see if they qualify. Dundy County-Stratton (23-1 record) showed again why the Tigers are No. 1 in Class D-2 for power points, delivering a 60-21 victory over D2-9 foe Cambridge...

OMAHA, Neb. — She’ll likely never wrestle an official match again, but never think this still “new” girls sport won’t play a role in the future of McCook High senior Alexis Steinbeck. “It’s taught me so much, like how to never stop no matter how tough things are,” the Bison Class A state medalist said moments after her third and final state tournament win on Omaha’s CHI Health Center mats...