Stories from Thursday, January 29, 2026

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College women’s basketball team snapped an eight-game losing streak against Wester Nebraska Wednesday night at home, nipping the first-place Cougars 58-56. “That was a fun game. It had a little bit of everything,” said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett. “I think we gave everybody an effort that was worth the price of admission.”...

This past weekend, I hopped the train to Colorado in search of snow. Somehow, we have made it to the end of January with no significant snowfall in McCook or Southwest Nebraska. While we received snow while we were gone - almost enough to warrant getting out a shovel - it wasn’t enough to cross-country ski on, the reason for the trip...

We recently received a note from the communications director for one of Nebraska’s federal representatives asking that any press covering an upcoming in-state event keep the location and time private. The message explained that the gathering was intended for local leaders and media only, adding that recent events elsewhere had experienced disruptions...

The McCook Powerlifting Club turned in a standout performance on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Peru State Powerlifting Meet, earning second place overall against teams from across Nebraska. Despite not being officially recognized by McCook High School athletics, the McCook club defeated a school-sponsored team from Lexington High School...

McCOOK, Neb. - Educators have been sounding the alarm for years, and national test scores confirm the concern that lawmakers are attempting to address through proposed legislation: reading proficiency is startlingly low. Only about 30% of America’s fourth graders are meeting reading standards. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - The Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival planning committee invites those who have had enough of winter to hear stories of balmy and tropical locales. Trevor Taylor has just returned from a family trip to Costa Rica and will be the featured speaker at their First Tuesday event on Feb. 3 from 7 – 8 pm at The Scoop (305 West 10th Street)...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College men’s basketball team had a 15-point first-half lead Wednesday but faltered in the second half in an 87-76 loss to Western Nebraska Community College at home. “This was a disappointing night. We just didn’t show up,” said MCC Assistant Coach Drake Henderson...

McCOOK, Neb. — Chipperfield Ag had to be feeling more chipper than most Denver Bronco fans after taking the Men’s League team lead narrowly over Hayes Construction . Men’s Major Chipperfield Ag 181-112 Hayes Constr. 181-119 Rednecks 180-120...

HOLDREGE, Neb. — Oh, those McCook girls took 14-3 Holdrege down to the final shot before falling 44-41 in Tuesday’s Southwest Conference tournament quarterfinal game. Junior Cali Crawford continued her sizzlin’ three-point shooting with three of four from beyond the arc...

PAXTON, Neb. — Any idea RPAC boys brackets were in permanent “ink” went flying out the Paxton High gym where West Division’s top two seeds lost on Tuesday. First, No. 3-seed Hitchcock County hit 11 three-pointers to spark a 52-49 win over No. 2 Maywood-Hayes Center...

McCOOK, Neb. — Somebody hit the “turbo button” on Tuesday’s McCook-Minden basketball game and some may still be wondering how this happened Tuesday night. The Bison put ESPN legend Chris Berman’s “fastest three minutes in sports” to shame. Because in exactly 3:06, McCook scored 19 points to turn a 62-55 deficit into one 74-64 Southwest Conference tournament victory...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook High’s wrestling boys host their annual dual tournament on Friday starting at 2 p.m. in the Graff Events Center. Coach Nick Umscheid provids some more details: “We have a good field of teams coming to McCook on Friday. North Platte is probably the favorite to win it all...

cCook’s Blake Willis brilliantly bowled a 235 in his final B-3 district game on Wednesday to reach the Nebraska State Tournament. Willis was one of only five B-3 competitors who earned a spot at Lincolon for state on Feb. 9. Bison teammate Hudson Werkmeister placed ninth overall with only 12 pins separating him from reaching state...