Stories from Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Joy Farr McCook Gazette McCOOK, Neb. — As questions, concerns, and discussions about Ai are more prevalent than ever, both the Unicameral and Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA)have engaged in real conversations and enacted policies to push back on what to many feels like an unstoppable force. ...

Susan Doak Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society Buffalo Commons is taking place this weekend and many of the activities are free, including a presentation on Sunday, June 14, by Deb Carpenter-Nolting: Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History. This is a free event sponsored by Humanities Nebraska...

Gregory Hock McCOOK, Neb. — Gregory Hock, 75, of McCook, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Neb. Full obituary and service details will be published at a later time. Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, Monuments and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit our website at www.carpenterbreland.net to sign the online guestbook for the family...

Adolph John “A.J.” Horinek March 23, 1931 - June 11, 2026 ATWOOD, Kan. — Adolph John “A.J.” Horinek, 95, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, in Atwood. A.J. was born on March 23, 1931, in Atwood, to Adolph and Mary (Dozbaba) Horinek and was the fourth child in a family of six. He was baptized into the Catholic Church at St. Cyril & Methodius Church...

Lanore Marie Walker Jan. 22, 1938 - June 5, 2026 COLFAX, Iowa — Lanore Marie Walker was called home to heaven on June 5, 2026. She passed peacefully at the age of 88 in Colfax, Iowa. Lanore was born on Jan. 22, 1938, in La Harpe, Ill., to John Sherman and Elsie Rhea (Southard) Altizer. Her father was a horse trainer and racer, and she spent much of her early life traveling to horse races. One of her cherished early jobs was walking the horses after races to cool them down...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Col. Scott R. Henrickson was promoted to the rank of Colonel at a ceremony March 24, 2026, at Joint Force Headquarters in Lincoln. Major Gen. Craig W. Strong conducted the ceremony. Col. Henrickson grew up in McCook and is a 1991 graduate of McCook High School. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Chris Hiatt didn’t come all the way from Des Moines, Iowa, just to see her sister in Culbertson. She also wanted to take part in the 29th annual Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook man is facing arraignment next week on drug charges stemming from a multi-agency investigation...

McCOOK, Neb. — As city leaders look to enhance the appearance of downtown with decorative streetscape improvements designed to attract residents and visitors, they are also working to clean up neglected properties elsewhere in the community...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook First Central Bank Juniors 2026 defeated Ogallala Adams Insurance Advisors Juniors 15-7 on Sunday at McCook thanks in part to eight runs in the first inning.  Trevan Rundle doubled, scoring two runs, Oliver Wilcox drew a walk, scoring one run, Kaden Riggins drew a walk, scoring one run, Cooper Rupp drew a walk, scoring one run, Calvin Schaffert was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Kohyn Cock singled, scoring one run, and Max Van Stelton grounded out, scoring one run...

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The East Team defeated the West in the annual West Nebraska all star volleyball game at Cougar Palace in Scottsbluff Saturday afternoon. The match went five sets with the East winning 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 25-12, 23-25, 15-9). Sumnert-Eddyville-Miller’s Taryn Arbuthnot was selected as the East team MVP...

McCook coach Joe Vetrovsky (above) still had plenty of great remarks about coaching the West All-Star team in Saturday’s West Nebraska All-Star football game at Scottsbluff with brother Ben Vetrovsky (first photo below) assisting at Bearcat Stadium in Scottsbluff. ...

MCCOOK - With three dozen McCook athletes competing, the McCook Summer Swim Team hosted dozens of swimmers Saturday, June 13, during their lone home swim meet of the 2026 season. As part of the Plains Tsunami Swim League (PLTSL), the McCook swim team was joined by teams from Indianola, St. Francis and Benkelman at the McCook Aquatic Center. The league encompasses central and southwest Nebraska, northwest Kansas and eastern Colorado...

Wayne Edward Awtry McCOOK, Neb. — Wayne Edward Awtry, age 78, of McCook, passed away in Imperial, Neb., on June 12, 2026. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, can be given to the McCook Humane Society, P.O. Box 13, McCook, NE 69001. Service details and full obituary will be published at a later time...

Albin Ruzicka STRATTON, Neb. — Albin Ruzicka, 93, of rural Stratton, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. Visitation is Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 5-7 p.m., at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. A Rosary will be recited, following the visitation, beginning at 7 p.m...

Dale Friehe McCOOK, Neb. — Dale Friehe, 87, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Kinship Pointe in McCook. Cremation was chosen and services are pending at this time. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook...

Janet Hackney HERNDON, Kan. — Janet Hackney, 84, of Herndon, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026 at Decatur Health in Oberlin, Kan. Cremation was chosen and memorial services are being planned for a later date. Memorials are suggested to Decatur Health, the hospital in Oberlin, Kansas. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook...