News

, Neb. — Two cowboys used to working with beef cattle worked a herd of American bison one recent morning, and their eyes were opened to the differences. Herd owner Darrell Meister knew the differences would be apparent. Bison are bigger, more powerful, less accustomed to human interaction, more determined not to cooperate. Their heads are huge, and dangerous...

Atwood, Kan. – Rawlins County Health Center has announced the addition of telebehavioral health in its specialty clinic. It started Jan. 9. Rawlins County Health Center is one of 10 sites in The University of Kansas Health System’s Care Collaborative that is participating in an outpatient telebehavioral health network to further support rural primary care needs by extending scarce specialty resources across Kansas...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Flu and stomach bugs (gastrointestinal illnesses) are circulating throughout the nine-county health district as well as in the rest of the state. With these illnesses, a fever often comes along with all the other symptoms. Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that if you are sick with a fever you need to stay home from work, school or daycare...

McCOOK, Neb. — The city is looking for a new concessionaire at the ball park. The current concessionaire, Terri Grey, informed the city that she is no longer interested in providing concessions at the Jaycee Ball complex. Grey was awarded the concession contract in January 2019 for three years. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The words “blighted and substandard” are so unappealing that state legislators sought last year to change the designation, to no avail, said Craig Bennett of Miller and Associates. Bennett spoke at the public hearing Monday night at the regular McCook City Council meeting, on the amended Blighted and Substandard Study done by Miller and Associates...

McCOOK, Neb. — Fences and decks are no longer exempt from permits under the updated city building code. The McCook City Council approved the updates on first reading at the regular council meeting Monday night. McCook Building Inspector, Barry Mooney, briefly explained some of the changes in response to City Councillor Jerry Calvin’s request as to what the changes will mean for the “average homeowner.”...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Reducting your carbon footprint and keeping soil healthy are two upcoming events planed by Conservation Nebraska’s Common Ground program. A “Going Green in 2020,” “carbon footprint” event is set Thursday, Jan. 23, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the McCook Public Library at 802 Norris Ave...

McCOOK, Neb. — According to a McCook citizen, over half of the homes in Red Willow County have high radon levels, prompting a discussion by city staff and the McCook City Council. Jaune Lyons addressed the council Monday night and cited a recent assessment that found 54% of homes in Red Willow County have high radon levels. Lyons said cancer is the number one killer in Red Willow County, with radon the number two cause of lung cancer...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Although the large-scale search for a missing Beaver City man was suspended over the weekend because of poor weather, Furnas County Sheriff Doug Brown said this morning that small groups are still looking, and he is encouraging landowners to continue searching their outbuildings, vehicles, equipment and grain bins...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council paved the way Monday night in approving a new townhouse development. After a public hearing and an unanimous vote, the council approved a “Planned Development” and replat of lots sought by Jay and Susan Hancock of McCook, that was needed before they can build six duplexes with two townhouses each. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook fire personnel and a state fire investigator are searching for the cause of a fire that forced a woman from her home at midnight Friday and caused about $175,000 in damage. Carol Stensvad escaped her home unharmed, despite heavy smoke and fire coming from the front of her house at 510 W. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska Department of Energy and Environment has announced the rebate recipients of the $1.8 million for Electrical Charging stations funded under the VW Mitigation Trust. The Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust for State Beneficiaries, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia (VW State Trust)...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- One bridge in southern Hitchcock County and four culvert pipes in Furnas County were selected for removal and replacement under the fourth round of the County Bridge Match Program announced today by the Nebraska Department of Transportation...

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation has selected Arlys Cupp for the 2020 Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year honor. The Teacher of the Year is awarded to outstanding teachers that incorporate agriculture into their classroom through innovative ideas and lessons...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Cordials understand sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference. Members gathered for their annual Christmas party and brought small toys, crayons/markers, playdough, dolls, toy cars, and other youth trinkets. For their second year, they donated the toys to Community Hospital’s Prizes for Pokes program through the Community Hospital Health Foundation...

McCOOK, Neb. — A local couple wants to build condominium-like duplexes in McCook but first needs a green light from the McCook City Council before they can start. The McCook City Council will be asked to approve a “Planned Development” at the regular council meeting Monday night, 5:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers at the City Municipal Building. The council will also be asked at Monday’s meeting to amend certain city ordinances concerning building codes...

McCOOK, Neb. — TeamMates coordinators and staff are saying thank you to mentors for simply being there for students in McCook. January 1 marked the start of National Mentoring Month. Nationwide, programs are honoring mentors for their service and the impact they’re making on youth...

McCOOK, Neb. — While health care is not one of Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts’ four priorities for 2020, its cost and availability weigh heavily on residents who talked to him during a “State of the State” stop-over this morning in McCook. Ricketts outlined his priorities — property tax relief, flood and blizzard relief, veterans’ tax benefits relief and workforce development/career scholarships — before listening to residents’ concerns regarding health care...

Red Willow County Judge Anne Paine suggests to McCook Elementary students Wednesday morning that they encourage their families to sit down often and eat together as a family. “Eating together builds strong family bonds, lowers stress and the likelihood of obesity as adults, increases nutrition and boosts vocabulary,” Judge Paine said. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts plans a stop in McCook Thursday morning, and District 44 Sen. Dan Hughes suggested to several McCook residents Tuesday that they reinforce with him the need for property tax relief and ask him about utilizing the Work Ethic Camp in McCook to help decrease the state’s prison overcrowding...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook School Board member acknowledged the efforts of two local citizens who’ve helped enhance security at the school. McCook School Board vie president Brad Hays, at the “Positive Comments” portion of the regular meeting Monday night, gave a shout-out to Howard Kool and Gene Weedin of McCook. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County district court sentencings on Dec. 11, 2019, and January 6, 2020, were: — Amanda J. Hake, 34, of Oberlin, pleaded no contest and sentenced to 18 months with the Nebraska Department of Corrections on one count of possession of controlled substance (m ethamphetamine) and to 18 months on one count of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Spring classes begin this week at McCook Community College and college officials have announced some of the key dates for key events this semester. The Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center will host four home MCC basketball games this week (Friday 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 2 and 4 p.m.) and one more home game later this month (a women’s game Jan 29 at 6 p.m.) In addition to the MCC games, the Events Center will host several other events in the coming weeks including:...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Board of Education accepted a resignation/retirement submitted Monday by a teacher who has taught decades in McCook. With gratitude for years served, the board accepted Monday night at the regular meeting the retirement of kindergarten teacher Bev Klein. In her letter read by board president Tom Bredvick, Klein said she has taught at McCook Schools for 30 years...

McCOOK, Neb. — Nebraska District 44 Sen. Dan Hughes sees the state’s Work Ethic Camp in McCook as part of the state’s solution to overcrowding in its prisons. “We need to reduce our prison population, but the population still increases. We’re going to have to have more beds,” Hughes told constituents in Grant, Imperial, Curtis and McCook joining in on a party-line telephone call this morning. ...