Stories from Tuesday, February 3, 2026

McCOOK, Neb. - “This is a big year” was the assessment made by McCook Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Director Charlie McPherson at Monday’s meeting of the McCook City Council while speaking of activities at the McCook Business Park. McPherson noted that although efforts toward certification as a BNSF site had not yet proven successful, significant investment had been made in the park and that it is poised for development. ...

Matthew Eden of Armadillo Arms and Sporting Goods, LLC gives instruction on rod design as a part of Bison Days, an annual two-day February event where McCook High School students explore diverse careers, hobbies and skills taught by local community members. Seated are students (from left) T.J. Puckett (junior), Tyce Hammerlun ( junior), Sam Hoyt ( senior) and Korbin Williams ( junior). Keep an eye out for a feature story about Eden later this week...

McCOOK, Neb. - Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff reminded residents over the weekend that the City of McCook strictly prohibits anyone from entering onto the ice-covered ponds at Barnett Park, citing safety concerns tied to fluctuating winter temperatures. ...

Oh, but it was a good time. This last week, your old aviation addicted columnist met in Kearney with statewide friends at the Nebraska Aviation Symposium. Pilots, professional plus general aviation guys and gals, along with federal, state experts and those in the business of support all met together...

LB 1067 is one of those bills that does not grab headlines at first glance, but it is worth watching closely, particularly in a community like McCook that has seen steady residential growth and is actively working to expand its housing stock. The measure would increase the documentary stamp tax on real estate transfers by about 65 percent, with the stated goal of providing a more reliable funding stream for two housing programs that lawmakers say have delivered outsized returns...

Mechelle Jackson, 56, of Arapahoe, Nebraska passed away January 13, 2026 at the Tri-Valley Health System in Cambridge, Nebraska. Mechelle was born on August 5, 1969. Mechelle married Bill Jackson and to this union, they were blessed with five children...

Alicia Fantasia Tracy, 35, of Arapahoe, Nebraska passed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, as the result of an auto accident northeast of Arapahoe, Nebraska. She was born on September 10, 1990 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Armando Escamilla and Marietta Porcupine. At the age of eight, Alicia came to live with Duane and Lois Bishop of Beaver City, who became a loving and steady presence in her life...

Glenvil resident Duane A. Schliep, 91, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Harvard Rest Haven, Harvard. Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, west of Glenvil, NE with Pastor Steve Byrne officiating. ...

Albert Louis Kompus Jr. was born to Albert Louis Kompus and Frances Josephine (Holub) Kompus on June 9, 1949, at McCook, Nebraska and grew up on a farm east of Atwood, Kansas. Al passed away at a hospice center in Panama City, Florida on December 26, 2025, following a long and courageous battle with cancer...

Alice Norman, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 surrounded by family at her home in Cambridge, NE. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church in Cambridge, NE at 4:30PM, with Dr. Geoffrey Plummer as officiant...

Darren M. Burns, age 58, passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, NE. Cremation was chosen. A memorial service to honor Darren will be held at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, CO at a later date...

MCCOOK, Neb. — Barbara Lyons of McCook will celebrate her birthday on Feb. 5. She was born Feb. 5, 1936. Family and friends extend their best wishes in honor of the occasion. Cards of congratulations may be sent to Barbara Lyons at Kinship Pointe, 1500 East 11th Street, Room 204...

MCCOOK, Neb. — Jean Lacey of McCook will celebrate her 90th birthday Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. Her sons, Bill (wife Linda) and Tom (wife Susan) are requesting a card shower to bless and honor her. Cards may reach her at 1406 West 14th St; McCook, NE 69001...