Stories from Tuesday, December 30, 2025

MALCOLM, Neb. — The McCook Bison finally fought off feisty Arlington, 69-65, today and will play Northwest from Grand Island in Wednesday's Malcolm Holiday Tournament title game. Junior Tripp Raile delivered many of his 15 points during those last eight minutes after McCook fell behind 52-41...

MALCOLM, Neb. — McCook High's girls could not overcome a cold 10-point first half and fell short 46-41 against Arlington in today's Malcolm Holiday Tournament third-place game. Junior Cali Crawford scored 22 points with senior Jaylea Walgren adding most of her 11 during the second-half comeback attempts...

McCOOK, Neb. - For many residents, particularly young families and first-time homeowners, taxes are a reality paid regularly but rarely examined closely amid the demands of everyday life. Pay stubs, receipts and property tax statements arrive, some with little explanation of how the pieces fit together or where the money ultimately goes...

In today’s Gazette, we present a feature we have wanted to write for several months. It’s one of those important-but-not-urgent issues that kept being pushed aside by squeakier wheels. A relative lull during the holidays finally provided an opportunity to step back and address a subject that has been quietly complicating public conversations across the community: how government projects are funded and how easily those mechanisms are misunderstood...

Dear Editor, Having family in McCook, Cambridge and nearby areas, I read the McCook Gazette article “Independent conservative Sasse discloses terminal cancer” (Dec. 24 issue). I have to admit, when I was in Nebraska myself, I often disagreed with some of Sasse’s proposed political platform planks. But now is not the time to quibble over his talking points...

Your old columnist finds it hard to see the why of resistance to Jewish believers in our beloved USofA. Southwest Nebraska has only a small Jewish population, a reflection of settlement patterns rather than sentiment. The presence or absence of Jewish neighbors has never been a point of concern here, and it would not be one. Therefore, it is hard to understand why all the Jewish hatred that we see is demonstrated on the nightly TV news...

Joan Atwood (Monasmith) Mathews was born October 5, 1931, to Ruth A (Pribbeno) Monasmith and Marion Monasmith at the home of her grandparents, Edward G and Fern A. (Tibbetts) Pribbeno ranch 12 miles southeast of Imperial, NE on the south divide. She attended kindergarten to eighth grade at Dist. ...

CHADRON, Neb. — The Chase County boys didn’t care Chadron was averaging about 15 more points per game entering Monday’s contest. They didn’t blink even though Cardinal Derek Bissonette was dropping in more than 20 a game so far this season. Nor did they let this better than three-hour road trip disrupt their holiday break...

e No. 13 Nebraska men’s basketball team closes non-conference action tonight as the Huskers host New Hampshire at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tipoff is set for shortly after 8 p.m. (central) and the game will be carried on BTN and broadcast on the Huskers Radio Network, as well as on Huskers.com and on the official Huskers app...

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — The Southern Valley boys will play for today’s Braithwait Holiday Tourney title following a 62-36 triumph over Franklin on Monday. Those S.V. boys improved to 3-6 overall and advance into tonight’s 7:15 p.m contest vs. Blue Hill. Southern Valley took a 20-10 lead after only one quarter which reached 29-15 by halftime...

Mark E. Heskett of McCook, NE passed away Friday, December 26 peacefully at home. He was 76 years old. He was born in McCook on July 6, 1949, the eldest child of Melvin & Mary (Jones) Heskett. He grew up in southwest Nebraska and graduated from McCook High School with the class of 1967.

Joyce Jesse celebrates her 80th birthday on January 8. Friends and family are invited to flood her mailbox with cards of birthday wishes! Warm thoughts will reach her at Joyce Jesse, 37966 Dr. 715, McCook, Neb. 69001.