Stories from Tuesday, February 24, 2026

I note that a dynamic young lady from North Platte, Macey Budke, has submitted her name as a candidate to represent us, Third District, in the U.S. House of Representatives. She has filed as an Independent. I know not her history but suspect that possibly she has observed that a registered Democrat has little, slim to none, chance of being elected from our strongly leaning conservative rural area of political thinking here in Nebraska. ...

There was an interesting article last week in The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists titled “The ick factor won’t stop alt meat,” a review of a new book by cultivated-meat advocate Bruce Friedrich. The Bulletin review describes Friedrich, founder of the Good Food Institute, and the visceral resistance many people feel toward meat grown from animal cells. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - Thomas and Nancy Corey, McCook, have been married 50 years and one of the things they share an interest in is genealogy. These two aren’t just amateur “name collectors”. They are determined to find out who came before them, their accomplishments, their struggles, and how they fit into prominent events in history...

McCOOK, Neb. - The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners met Monday morning, Feb. 23, 2026, at the Red Willow County Courthouse, convening in regular session at 8:30 a.m. Chairman Gans called the meeting to order. Commissioners Dean and Fritsche were present. The agenda was approved as presented, and the board reviewed accounts payable and payroll claims before opening the floor to public comment at 9 a.m...

McCOOK, Neb. - Nebraska State Senator Geno Thomas (Tom) Vickers passed away on February 20, 202,6 at McCook Community Hospital in McCook. He was 89 years old. Vickers served two terms in the Nebraska Legislature, representing the 38th District from 1979 to 1987. During that time, he chaired the Education Committee and was selected as chair of a joint committee that included both the Education Committee and the Legislature’s Executive Board...

Geno Thomas (Tom) Vickers passed away on February 20, 2026 at McCook Community Hospital in McCook, NE. Tom was born in Gothenburg on March 7, 1936 to George and Sylvia Vickers, and moved to the ranch at Farnam, NE when he was 8 years old. Tom met the love of his life, Shirley Messersmith, in Farnam, and they were married on May 27th, 1956. Three children were born to this union – Matt, Mark, and Cindy...

Gordon George Gessleman passed away at his home in Culbertson, NE, at the age of 86, on February 20, 2026. Gordon was born on October 24, 1939, to parents Charles and Elsie (Worley) Gessleman in McCook, NE. Gordon was raised on the family farm where he graduated from Culbertson High School in 1957...

Dean Leroy Cook, 61, of Brighton, Colorado, passed away at his home on February 20, 2026. Dean was born on April 20, 1964 in Stratton, Nebraska to John and Janice (Daniel) Cook. After graduating from high school, he worked various jobs before deciding to join the United States Navy in November of 1986. In April of 1989 he was sent aboard the USS Carl Vinson...

James Gorman Jenkins, born on April 17, 1944, in Bangor, Maine, to Roy and Estelle (Betts) Jenkins leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories. He graduated from high school in Bangor, where he laid the foundation for a life filled with love and appreciation for the great outdoors...

WAUNETA, Neb. — The Wauneta-Palisade Broncos are playing great basketball again at a perfect time as they trounced Sutherland, 59-26, for a Class D-2 subdistrict title Saturday afternoon. Coach Matt Cox’s teams are known to battle through rugged RPAC seasons so they are ready for post-season basketball...

OMAHA, Neb. — Looking at senior Tristan Campbell should raise one burning question in every McCook Bison wrestler’s feisty noggin after this season: Where else would one want to be in mid-February but on that state medal stand? Campbell made it his home for four consecutive years on Nebraska’s Championship Saturday with his fourth and final medal-winning performance at CHI Health Center...