Stories from Friday, December 19, 2025

McCOOK, Neb. - McCook’s downtown was abuzz on Sunday as residents and visitors gathered on Norris Avenue for an afternoon that blended seasonal festivities with local history and pride. While families enjoyed free mini-golf at the Keystone and sampled stollen bread from the temporarily opened Lucy’s Bakery, the highlight of the day was the return of a cherished community tradition: the Holiday Home Tour...

INDIANOLA, Neb. - One year into its restoration, Indianola’s one-room schoolhouse has shifted from preservation effort to public asset, with plans now forming for how it can be used and shared.On the corner of D Street and Main 4th sits a quaint one-room schoolhouse and a blacksmith shop that the entire community has come to be proud of this year...

McCOOK, Neb. - The December 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month may be found sweeping leaves in Norris Alley between the Fox Theater and Keystone Business Center. Or she may be overseeing the installation of holiday lights on B Street and Norris Alley. And not to mention, she is likely picking up trash that has blown down Norris Avenue onto the sidewalk near B Street...

Douglas “Doug” Wayne Gilliland, husband to Kathy Weddle, passed away peacefully in Lincoln, Neb., surrounded by his loving family on December 14, 2025. Doug was born May 15, 1951, in Frontier County, Nebraska in a tiny farmhouse near Stockville to Mildred “Millie” Marie Johnson (1932- 2020) and Gerald “Gerry” Dean Gilliland (1930-2011). He was the oldest of four children: Jeanne Marie Gilliland (1953-1972); Duane Dean Gilliland (1956-1972), and Judy Gilliland (1961- )...

Marilyn Ruth (Trail) Newcomb, 86, passed away December 7, 2025 at Oak View in Autumn Lake, Silver Springs, MD. She was born January 8, 1939 to Rollin A. and Elynnor M. (Hoyt) Trail in Greeley, Weld County, CO. In early childhood, the family homesteaded a farm in southwest McCook NE. She attended District 8 in rural McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1957. She attended McCook Community College, and later the Lincoln School of Commerce...

Joanne Dueland celebrates her 90th birthday on December 31st. To make this event truly unforgettable, her family is asking friends and community members to flood her mailbox with cards. If you have a memory to share or simply want to send a warm wish, please mail your card to Joanne Dueland, 1500 East 11th St., Room 311, McCook, Neb. 69001...