Ainsworth, NE

Funeral Service for Pauline A. Pilkington age 89 of Grand Island, NE formerly of Springview, NE and Ainsworth, NE will be held on Thursday (Nov. 5, 2026) at 10:30 AM at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Springview. Pauline Pilkington passed away Saturday (Oct. 31, 2026) at Eventide Prairie Commons Care Center in Grand Island. SURVIVORS INCLUDE: 2 Sons: Chuck (wife, PJ) Pilkington of Springview, NE & Cliff Pilkington of Cairo, NE.

Retail sales in Valentine for July of 2026 were only steady with 2025 levels according to the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Valentine sales were 1/10th of one percent lower than 2025. Given the rate of inflation this would indicate a decline in overall sales in 2026. This comes despite the height of the tourism season. By comparison, Ainsworth was down 1.6%, Gordon was down 3.5%, Chadron was down 10% and Gordon down 3.5%. Broken Bow was up 6%. With holiday season approaching, area citizens...

Funeral service for Betty Jean Perrett, age 97 of Valentine will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine. The burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the funeral service. Betty passed away on Oct. 12th at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth. Survivor Daughter-Jeannie Schelhaas of Valentine Sandoz Chapel of the Pines is entrusted with service arrangements.

A Memorial Service for Gordon Hitchcock age 83 of Ainsworth, NE. will be held on Monday (Oct. 19, 2026) at 2:00 PM in the Parkside Berean Church in Ainsworth. A Private Inurnment will be held at a later date. Gordon Hitchcock passed away September 26, 2026 at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth. SURVIVORS INCLUDE: Wife; Shirley of Ainsworth 3 Children: Jay (Krista) Hitchcock of Friend, NE Wes (Joy) Hitchcock of Sparks, NE & Kara Hitchcock and fiancé Gary Davie of Glenwood, I