News

McCOOK, Neb. — Longnecker Jewelry is marking its 30th anniversary in April 2026, celebrating a business that has grown from a one-man operation into a regional leader in fine jewelry across southwest Nebraska and northwest Kansas. Founded in August 1996 by Bill Longnecker, the store opened at a time when McCook supported six competing jewelers. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - In the April 29 edition of the McCook Gazette, a reader’s letter raised questions about the city’s decision to name the new sports complex after a single fallen service member and its connection to the purchase agreement for the property, which he noted was acquired at roughly $27,000 per acre. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Trent Jollensten is a well-rounded guy. He’s worked in tar and asphalt, heating and air conditioning, concrete and pivots. He’s been employed as a general manager for Fastenal and a territory account manager for Hillman Group. He’s also been a finance manager and a salesman at a car dealership. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - McCook Public Schools hosted its annual HAL (High Ability Learners) showcase Wednesday evening in the Junior High School cafeteria. The showcase gave teachers and students an opportunity to display and share work and projects that students had created throughout the year. Students did not have to be identified as HAL students to participate; classroom projects that merited recognition were also presented...

McCOOK, Neb. - Counties across Nebraska are preparing for the May 12 primary election, with required testing underway to verify ballot-counting equipment. In an April 17 press release, Secretary of State Bob Evnen said county election offices are conducting logic and accuracy testing as part of their preparations...

McCOOK, Neb. — On a patch of prairie south of McCook stands a quaint one-room church. Its towering steeple beckons folks to its doors on Sunday mornings. A new voice can now be heard echoing throughout the century-old building. James Helms took up the duty of pastor at St. John’s Lutheran (Ash Creek) Church, just 20 minutes southeast of McCook, in February, and he has no regrets...

Four of the five candidates running for Nebraska’s 38th District have filed first primary reports with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission (NADC). In Nebraska, candidate committees follow an election-based reporting schedule rather than quarterly deadlines, with filings tied directly to the primary and general elections. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - The signing of a memorandum of understanding between McCook Public Schools and the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing marked a significant step toward addressing the region’s healthcare workforce needs, as local and state leaders gathered Wednesday at McCook Senior High School to formalize a new nursing pathway for students...

McCOOK, Neb. — This year, the McCook Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 95th anniversary. And with that, the Chamber has decided it’s time for a change. Not a change for change’s sake, but for something bigger and more impacting to the entire area. A community-driven branding system has been proposed and built around four core community strengths, anchored by the flexible word “Here,” designed to unify the county, boost local pride and make the area more visible and attractive...

McCOOK, Neb. - After 17 years, McCook Public Schools will see a changing of the guard. At a special meeting on Tuesday, the McCook Public Schools Board of Education formally accepted the resignation of Superintendent Grant Norgaard and began discussing next steps for district leadership...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Little Eleanor doesn’t know it now, but she’s the inspiration for her grandfather’s recent unexpected journey. At just four months old, her grandfather is already planning for her future, but not in the typical way grandparents do. Brandon Burton, who grew up in Bartley, realized after grandparenthood was staring him in the face for the first time that he wanted to leave more than simple oral stories as a legacy for her...

This is the second installment in a series of reflections on the Decision 26 Candidate Forum presented by the McCook Gazette and High Plains Radio on Tuesday, April 14. All five candidates for the 38th District seat in the Nebraska Legislature appeared at the gathering...

McCOOK, Neb. - The McCook City Council has approved a request to establish an arboretum in Kelley Park, setting the stage for what organizers hope will become a long-term community asset. Bruce Hoffman, a consulting arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, told council members on behalf of Rotary that the project would create a curated collection of trees—featuring a variety of species and cultivars—affiliated with Plant Nebraska, a statewide program supported by the Nebraska Forest Service and the University of Nebraska.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — It was all just a dream. Or so she thought. Edna June Jolly of McCook went to sleep one evening like she always does, but had a dream that inspired an adventure. Now, Jolly, who will turn a century old in February, can call herself an author...

McCOOK, Neb. — It might be three months away, but excitement for the Red Willow County Fair is already in the air. Fair Manager Jiles Bowman says that changes are coming, and fair week is bound to be a memorable one. There will be some alterations to the format this year, but Bowman says the changes will only improve the annual experience for everyone involved. ...

Family ties and community connections were as prominent as the expected themes of property taxes, economic development and public safety at Tuesday night’s Candidate Forum at the McCook Senior Center. Twenty-six candidates across nine races, including all five contenders for the 38th District Legislature, took part...

McCOOk, Neb. - The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners has accepted the resignation of Sheriff Kevin Darling, effective April 13. The timing ensures the board can meet its statutory obligation to appoint a replacement within 45 days, while placing that deadline after the May 12 primary election...

McCOOK, Neb. - New hires took center stage at Monday’s McCook School Board meeting, as administrators reported strong progress filling open teaching positions ahead of the coming school year. District leaders expressed optimism that quality educators have been secured at nearly every level...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Tourism Board met last week for its monthly meeting, and with summer events already in planning mode, the board has devised some clever ways to increase tourism to the area. In collaboration with area hotels, county tourism will craft hotel keycard sleeves featuring a QR code linking to the new Red Willow County Tourism app that features area attractions, events, places to shop, places to stay, restaurants, and it allows for the ordering of food for delivery...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook YMCA CEO Mitch Gross hasn’t let the small setbacks in the YMCA renovation project diminish his excitement about where the facility is heading. He’s all smiles when it comes to construction talk. He sees the big picture, and he’s thrilled for the increased opportunities for community-wide involvement that will come...

McCOOK, Neb. — The number of applications for McCook city employees has declined over the last few years, and the reason is still a mystery. City of McCook Human Resources Coordinator Lilia Dimas isn’t sure whether the issue stems from the COVID era or another cause. Regardless of the reason, the positions need to be filled...

Army National Guard sergeants Billy Straub and Brant Scherbarth watch on as Tristen Watts, senior, (floor left) and Dominic Hixon, junior, take on a pushup challenge during the Spring Job Fair at McCook High School. The fair was sponsored by the McCook Chamber of Commerce...

McCOOK, Neb. - A simplified schedule of swimming pool admission fees has been approved by the McCook City Council. An ordinance amending the city code was introduced, and City Manager Nate Schneider explained that while the rates were discussed at length last year, the city saw a need to streamline the fee schedule...

As children of the Cold War, we Boomers grew up with a clear, if over-simplified, understanding of the world. The nations of the Eastern Bloc possessed the capacity to destroy us, and that fact alone was enough to command attention. Yet the deeper lesson, repeated in classrooms and public discourse alike, was that those societies had not yet embraced the 17th-century Enlightenment philosophies that shaped our own system. In short, they lacked what Americans broadly understood as freedom...