Stories from Tuesday, March 3, 2026

LINCOLN, Neb. - The McCook High School swim and dive Team spent nearly the entire 2025-26 season on the road with one goal: reaching the final day in Lincoln at the Nebraska State Swim and Dive Championships. This is a similar goal every year, but it was extraordinary this season because the Bison swimmers and divers were without a pool the entire season...

ELKHORN, Neb. — Trailing just 37-30 deep into Monday’s third quarter, the McCook boys saw Class B No. 5 Elkhorn North unleash two decisive late runs to finish a 72-45 district finals victory. McCook actually has matched North’s 18 wins this season, but those Wolves broke away for a Class B state tourney spot...

McCOOK, Neb. — Janet “Lynn” Carfield was born on December 31, 1953 in Concordia, Kansas to Sidney and Joan (Charbonneau) Allen. She was one of eight children. ..

AURORA, Neb. — Lynn Anthony Kinne, the son of Bryan and Lois (McConville) Kinne was born at McCook, Nebraska, on January 11, 1974, and passed away on February 25, 2026, at Aurora, Nebraska at the age of 52...

McCOOK, Neb. - For the Gazette’s most recent Coffee Talk discussion, the Gazette and guests spoke with ISA Certified Arborist Bruce Hoffman. Many readers will know Bruce and his wife, Deb, from Common Scents, a family-owned greenhouse and nursery located immediately south of McCook that sells trees and other landscape plants, and also provides landscaping and arborist/tree-care services for Southwest Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. - For the Gazette’s most recent Coffee Talk discussion, the Gazette and guests spoke with ISA Certified Arborist Bruce Hoffman. Many readers will know Bruce and his wife, Deb, from Common Scents, a family-owned greenhouse and nursery located immediately south of McCook that sells trees and other landscape plants, and also provides landscaping and arborist/tree-care services for Southwest Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. - It was a relatively short evening for the McCook City Council as it met in regular session Monday night. Mayor Linda Taylor called the meeting to order and noted that all members were present. During the announcements and recognitions portion of the meeting, City Manager Nate Schneider reminded council members of a planning committee meeting scheduled for Monday, March 9, at 5:15 p.m. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - After being away from government for over a decade, Dennis Berry of McCook filed for a seat on the city council on Monday. “I really love McCook, and I think that McCook is on the right path. There’s been a lot of progress in the last four years, and I’d like to see that it continues,” Berry said. “And I do feel I have a lot of experience, being a past mayor and in a lot of other different organizations and leadership posts.”...

McCOOK, Neb. - Yesterday was the last day for candidates to file for the May 12 primary election. The two most contested fields in Southwest Nebraska’s upcoming elections are those in the McCook City Council and in the Nebraska Legislature’s 38th District...

QUINTER, Kan. — The Decatur Community, Kan., girls slipped to 16-6 with a 63-40 loss to Quinter, Kan., Friday evening. Junior Kamry Getz’s 30 points paced the winners as no other details were obtained. The Rawlins County-Atwood girls dropped a 45-28 contest to Smith Center, Kan., on Friday...

BLOOMFIELD, Neb. — Bloomfield’s 74-45 district finals win over Wauneta-Palisade Friday night showed why the Bees are No. 1 overall in Class D-1 power points. The Bees (25-0 record) scored 28 points before eight minutes were even finished as sophomore Madison Mlady began her 29-point effort where she would hit 10 of 12 shots...

SHELTON, Neb. — Sophomore Sawyer Shafer’s 27 points were one of many reasons why the Arapahoe girls beat Shelton, 67-55, to win a Class D1-2 district title Friday night. The Warriors (21-5 record) shot to a 21-14 lead through one quarter and controlled this contest behind 75 percent shooting from junior Clara Hilker, who hit three of four shots en route to another 13 points...

ter’s terrific top trio teamed for 62 points in a 69-55 district finals win over Weeping Water Friday night. Junior Kaylie Softley always makes noise on the court with 25 points, senior Karissa Stengel scored 23 and senior Blayklee Farr 14 for coach Kim Stengel’s champions...

GOODLAND, Kan. – The McCook Community College softball team swept a pair of games Monday against Fort Hays Tech Northwest taking down the Tigers 16-0 and 12-2, both games were shortened to five innings. ​“It was a good day all around,” said MCC Coach Mike Mendenhall. “Our pitchers threw really well and we hit the ball around the park.”...

PALISADE, Neb. — Beth Arlene Smith, born in Hayes County Nebraska, April 12, 1936, departed this life February 28, 2026, at the age of 89...