Stories from Tuesday, January 20, 2026

McCOOK, Neb. - With almost 36 years under his belt at the McCook Fire Department, Fire Chief Marc Harpham has seen a lot of changes. While many of those changes have been positive, such as a drastically lowered Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, he’s also seen a decline in volunteer firefighters and ambulance service personnel...

McCOOK, Neb. - Community leader, businessman and friend to all, Cal Siegfried passed away on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Community Hospital in McCook. He was 70 years of age. Born and raised in McCook, Siegfried grew up on a farm and carried those agricultural roots with him throughout a career spanning more than four decades in the cattle and meat-processing industries. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - The McCook City Council met in regular session on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Four members were present, with Councilman Rambali excused. After opening procedures, the meeting moved to announcements and recognitions. Library Director Jodi Crocker announced that the Library had recently received renewed accreditation (see Jan. ...

A funeral service for Sharon E. Schluntz will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Huntley Methodist Church in Huntley, Nebraska, with Pastor Jean Clayton officiating. Interment will follow at the Bainbridge Cemetery near Huntley...

Joan Kay Calvin passed away at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska on January 18, 2026, she was 83 years old. Joan was born on February 11, 1942, to Harold and Faye (Loomis) Shepherd. She grew up on a farm near Spring Creek and attended a one room country school. She graduated from McCook High School. On October 11, 1959, Joan married her high school sweetheart, Keith Calvin...

Eugene Fred Koch, a devoted family man, proud Marine, and lifelong agricultural professional, passed away on January 17, 2026 following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 71 years old. Eugene was born on September 5, 1954, in Queens, New York, to Henry and Anita (Williams) Koch. ...

Corvin Dean Stark, age 88, of Holbrook, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at this home. He was born at Cambridge, Nebraska August 23, 1937, to Henry G. and Hilda (Harm) Stark. He was baptized and confirmed at the Salem Lutheran Church, at Elwood, Nebraska. He grew up on the farm north of Holbrook...

Blaine Allen Frerichs, born on July 24, 2003, in Grand Island, Nebraska, was a treasured son, brother, and uncle whose vibrant spirit touched the lives of all who knew him. The beloved child of Chad and Lena (Pike) Frerichs, Blaine embraced life with enthusiasm and warmth. He graduated from Southwest Public Schools in Bartley, Nebraska proudly finishing a year early alongside his brother, Kaleb...

Thomas L. Buresh, born on July 21, 1944, in Lincoln, Nebraska, was the son of Joseph E. and Carrie (Adkins) Buresh. Growing up in McCook, Tom formed lifelong friendships and memories beginning at West Ward Elementary School, alongside his best friend, Daryle Pasquan. ...

Calvin Lamoine Siegfried, born June 6, 1955, at St. Catherine Hospital in McCook, Nebraska was the beloved son of Larry and Ethyl Siegfried. Cal graduated from McCook High School and Northeastern Jr. College in Sterling, Colorado. Cal spent the majority of his life in McCook Nebraska, where he was born and raised. ...

Me thinks that the radical mullahs controlling today’s Iran may have made a bit of an error. Killing by the thousands, their demonstrating citizens, they have gotten the attention of President Trump. Under Trump’s watch, things have changed since the days of Carter’s feckless administration and the handful of our Presidents since that allowed Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to do what he wanted. ...

MIAMI, Fla. — The Indiana Hoosiers are the college football national champions for the first time ever. Top-seeded Indiana defeated No. 10 Miami (Fla.) in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship Game 27-21 to secure the win. “A lot of guts. That’s what it took to win a national title,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said...

p three boys wrestling placers from other area schools at the Chase County Invitational on Saturday. Hitchcock County 285 pounds: Jayden Loghry (25-6 record) placed second. He pinned A. Bercomo, Holyoke, in :54; pinned T. Ebert, MC, in 3:25; won 4-2 over D. Cunningham, SEDG (16-6); and was pinned by S. Steinbeck, MC, in 1:17...

MINDEN, Neb. — McCook High’s girls were matching nine-win Minden shot for shot into the second half Saturday afternoon. “The girls did a nice job running their offense and really doing a nice job defensively,” coach Amy Scheil observed. Junior Cali Crawford was catching fire with 11 points during that opening half. She’s a handful driving inside or popping that three-pointer outside — which she did twice...

MINDEN, Neb. — Slump? More like a hiccup the McCook High boys fired out of their system fast at Minden Saturday afternoon. The Bison brought an 8-3 record — but 0-2 during their most recent weekend showdowns with Sidney and Gothenburg. They spit that out like an old piece of gum as six Bison drilled three-pointers before the first quarter was even finished vs. these confident eight-win Whippets...

It has been a tough few weeks for law enforcement. Last week, a local resident died while in custody at the Red Willow County Detention Center. Earlier in December, a McCook resident suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound while speaking on the phone with the McCook Police Department. Recent national headlines have not helped matters, adding heat where clarity is still required and emotion where patience is necessary...

Michael Christner, of Hayes Center, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Grand Island Regional Medical Center in Grand Island, Nebraska. He was 65 years of age. Cremation was chosen and memorial services are scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday morning, January 24, 2026 at the Union Congregational Church in Hayes Center with Chaplain Tyler Thiessen officiating. Burial in the Hayes Center Cemetery will follow services...