News

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Red Willow County Health Department has 100 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine coming this week. Anyone who is 18 years and older can schedule an appointment by calling 308-345-1790. The vaccine is free to everyone.

LINCOLN, Neb. — Unemployment was 2.1% in March in the Red Willow-Hitchcock Labor Market Area, down from 2.2% in February and 3.3% in March 2020, according to the Nebraska Department of Labor. Nebraska’s unemployment rate was 2.9% for March and 3.1% in February, down 0.2% both for the month and for the same month last year...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Commissioners will consider a bridge and an armor coating project, a contract for commercial reappraisal and courthouse security cameras next week. Opening the meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, the board will meet with David Blau of Miller & Associates at 9:15 a.m. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — All systems are go at the Innovation Studio at the McCook City Library. Postponed from last year due to the pandemic, state-of-the-art technology tools will be available to the public in the library’s basement. This includes a 3-D printer, laser cutter, embroidery/sewing machine, camera/video green screen kit, Lego robotics kit and more. “These machines allow the community to experience technology they can’t get anywhere else,” said Jodi Crocker, library director...

McCOOK, Neb. – Sen. Dan Hughes told constituents that the investigation into St. Francis Ministries is important and there needs to be “some very bright light shone on the process” of awarding and managing the contract to provide child welfare services in Douglas and Sarpy counties for the State of Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. — Future upgrades at the McCook School District include installing a portion of a drainage line at Weiland Field. McCook School Board member and facilities committee chair Teresa Thomas reviewed topics from a recent meeting for the McCook School Board Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — Extended day programs that take place after school can be more than reading, writing and arithmetic. “After a long school day, putting students into another long learning session is not always beneficial,” Superintendent Grant Norgaard told the McCook School Board Monday night at the regular meeting. “It’s not just about learning objectives but learning experiences.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook School Board president is not in favor of new health standards proposed by the Nebraska Department of Education. McCook School Board president Tom Bredvick told the McCook Gazette Monday night at the regular school board meeting that said changes in curriculum are usually done on the administrative/superintendent level and board members usually don’t vote on those issues. ...

McCOOK, Neb. –– The controversial National Heritage Area proposal and cleaning up property lines scrambled by the 1935 flood were among topics for Monday’s meeting of the Red Willow County Commissioners. Dale Cotton of McCook Army Air Base Historical Society spoke in support of the National Heritage Area proposal, an idea opposed by Gov. Pete Ricketts and others concerned about government overreach...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — An Oxford man will be sentenced for one county of child abuse, a Class 3A felony, after accepting a plea deal in the sex trafficking case in Furnas County. Jacob Cramer, 22, will be sentenced at 1:15 p.m. July 8 in Furnas County District Court. Under the plea deal, a charge of first-degree sexual assault was amended to the lesser charge...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Some 9,300 Southwest Nebraskans have received the COVID-19 vaccine, and 74 deaths have been reported in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department district. The department received 1000 doses of the Moderna vaccine and 200 doses of Johnson & Johnson last week, but today authorities have paused administration of the latter over concerns about a rare and severe type of blood clot diagnosed in a Nebraska resident...

McCOOK, Neb. — Four teachers were hired by the McCook School Board Monday night. The McCook School district determines salaries on a “step” schedule, based on years of teaching combined with continuing education. Base salary starts at $37,450. The board unanimously approved contracts/salaries for: Tyler Jedlicki for industrial arts, BA (bachelor of arts), three years, $40,821; Rachelle Kotschwar for the Developmental Learning Center, BA, one year, 36 hours, $44,191; Trevor Hoins for sixth-grade math, master of arts plus nine, six years, $54,303; and Marisa Hoins, fifth-grade special education, master of arts plus nine, three years, $49,247.. ...

CURTIS, Neb. – Prospective college students can attend “Discovery Day” on Monday (April 12) at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis. Individuals of any age, including some changing careers or colleges, are welcome, says Gaylene Stinman, admissions recruiter...

CURTIS, Neb. -- Get your dog in dandy shape this spring at the NCTA Pet Spa Day on Saturday (April 10). Veterinary Technicians will bath dogs, trim toenails and clean ears at the NCTA Vet Tech Clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Grooming occurs at the Veterinary Teaching Clinic of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis...

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Tri Valley Health System has 40 doses of the COVID-19 Moderna vaccine available for: Individuals 18 years and older. This vaccination clinic will be held on Thursday, April 15th from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm. This clinic is limited to the first 40 to sign up. The vaccination clinic will be held at Cambridge Community Building (722 Patterson Street, Cambridge, NE 69022)...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Christian Church invites members of the community to a Silent Auction fundraiser to help fund a trip to a Christ In Youth Move Conference this summer. Move is a transformational experience for High School students that challenges them to be “Kingdom Workers.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — Public schools and colleges across the nation, including McCook Public Schools in McCook, are scrambling to figure out the best way to leverage funds they’re getting from the latest round of Coronavirus Aid, Recovery and Economic Security (CARES) Act...

McCOOK, Neb. — 3rd District Republican Party Chairman Ron Schmidt will be on hand Tuesday, April 20, for an informational / organizational meeting of Republican Party Patriots in Red Willow County. It will be 7 p.m. at the “Bedore Barn,” 38404 Rd 719, nor of McCook just off U.S. Highway 83...

McCOOK, Neb — The McCook City Council wants to try a new method to respond to citizen comments at meetings. Over the past few months, several people have presented their concerns to the council during “Citizens Comment” at the beginning of meetings. ...

McCOOK, Neb. – The perplexing problem of increasing state coffers, as well as a bill that is meant to provide transparency in property tax requests, were topics of discussion at Thursday’s legislative update with Nebraska Sen. Dan Hughes. Property taxes: LB644 won first-round approval 36-1 on Wednesday. ...

Hayes Center now ‘Sanctuary City for the Unborn’ HAYES CENTER, Neb. — Hayes Center has joined 23 Texas cities in outlawing abortion within the city limits. Meeting Tuesday, the village board of trustees passed an ordinance declaring “it shall be unlawful for any person to procure or perform an abortion of any type and at any stage of pregnancy in the Village of Hayes Center, Nebraska,” and “It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly aid or abet an abortion that occurs in the Village of Hayes Center, Nebraska.”. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Free drive-up mobile pantries have a new home and date; the third Saturday of the month, except for May and December, at the Armed Forces Reserve Center east of McCook. This month’s will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 17, a free program offering staples and fresh produce...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook High School’s graduation is planned to be at 100% capacity, but as rules now stand, masks will be required, according to a school official. Principal Jeff Gross said graduation is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 16 at the Graff Event Center on the McCook Community College campus...

McCOOK, Neb. — Several McCook citizens spoke to the McCook City Council Monday night about the “McCook Pool Committee” report and the lack of leadership concerning COVID-19 vaccinations. The council and city staff cannot comment on issues brought up by the public that are not on the meeting agenda, per the “Open Meetings” law. ...

SINGAPORE — A McCook High School graduate and Fulbright Scholar is helping bridge the gap between arcane academics and real-world applications. “It all started in my childhood, with Lego blocks,” said Clayton Miller, PhD., assistant professor at National University of Singapore. “I’ve always liked to build things.”...