News

American Legion Post 203 is the latest to get in the holiday spirit, donating $250 to the McCook Toy Box project. From left are Chris Mehringer and Dan Stramel of the Legion, Barb Ostrum, Kyle and Delbert Kunkee of the Legion and Blaine Budke. Donations of new toys can be left at Hot Tub Brokers, 210 W. Third, Farrell’s Pharmacy, 120 West B, Main Street Clothing, 124 Norris Ave., and Dollar General, 210 Westview Plaza. Monetary donations can be dropped off at Ostrum’s office,108...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have brought a standoff of more than six hours to a safe conclusion in Hayes Center. The situation began this morning when the Hayes County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible kidnapping that had occurred in Lincoln County during the evening hours of Tuesday, December 1. The suspect was believed to be in Hayes Center. NSP was notified just after 6:00 a.m. today and troopers proceeded to the area to assist...

McCOOK, Neb.-- McCook Police, Red Willow County Sheriff’s Officers and the Nebraska State Patrol were involved in a chase and arrest early this morning. Records indicate a McCook Police pursuit began at 8:12 p.m. in west McCook and continued into rural McCook at 8:37 p.m. with the Nebraska State Patrol and a Red Willow County deputy...

McCOOK, Neb. -- With the Community Risk Dial in the Red, health officials are asking residents to stay at home whenever possible. In the case of essential errands, residents are asked to wear a mask or face covering. Southwest Nebraska Public Health District had 303 new cases of COVID-19 Nov. 24 to Nov. 30 at noon. That includes Chase 24, Dundy 7, Frontier 16, Furnas 39, Hayes 6, Hitchcock 21, Keith 71, Perkins 22, Red Willow 97...

Members of the Red Willow County Ministerial Association plan this year’s Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, during a socially-distanced regular meeting this morning at Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook. This year’s drive is more important than ever, according to coordinator Traci Taylor, with high demand for the Salvation Army’s services. ...

Hillcrest residents safely enjoyed somce bovine visitors Friday afternoon. Jake and John G. O’Dea brought their show calves Whitney and Dolly for a visit to the nursing home in McCook, Neb.

Officer Kyle Kunkee and other members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 57 present a $500 check to Barb Ostrum, Owen Budke, 8, and Lexi Budke, 5, of the McCook Toy Box. Blaine Budke of Hot Tub Brokers, back left, helped revive this year’s holiday event after it was threatened by the pandemic. ...

BEAVER CITY, Neb.-- Two Arapahoe men are set for trial April 13 in connection with a Furnas County sex trafficking case. Justin Brooks, 30, and Paul Brooks, 61, have both pleaded not guilty to first degree sexual assault of a child. In addition, Justin Brooks has plead not guilty to sex trafficking of a minor...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A man arrested in McCook early this morning is suspected of being the same man who escaped a chase and manhunt last month. Police Chief Joel Smith said Javier Casarez, 24, McCook, was cited for numerous charges following a vehicle and foot chase this morning and is believed to be the same driver who escaped in a similar chase Oct. 1 which ended eight miles north of McCook...

Residents urged to continue using TestNebraska drive-through events at Red Willow Fairgrounds McCOOK, Neb. -- Residents of Nebraska are encouraged to continue using the free TestNebraska program to test for COVID-19. Community Hospital has added drive-through TestNebraska events on Wednesdays in December and January from 8 to 10 AM at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds Merchant building. Dates are December 2, 16, 30 and January 13 and 27...

McCOOK, Neb. — It was looking like a grim Christmas for those who counted on the McCook Toy Box, the annual toy give away that provided free bikes, toys and other gifts for children whose parents otherwise couldn’t afford them. Supported entirely by local volunteers, community members and businesses, the donations were usually taken throughout November and crowds thronged the doors of the city auditorium for the afternoon event...

McCOOK, Neb. -- While the emphasis has previously been on large gatherings, it’s now the small gatherings of family and friends that are causing the spread of COVID-19, according to the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. That means Thanksgiving and Christmas will best be spent with your immediate household while connecting with family and friends via socially distanced or online options...

McCOOK, Neb. — Community Hospital administered its first doses of Bamlanivimab, a monoclonal antibody drug last week. The drug recently received emergency use authorization from the FDA in the treatment of COVID-19. Community Hospital received a supply of the drug on November 18 and has already treated several patients. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The COVID-19 Risk Dial remains at orange (elevated) for McCook Public Schools, although the risk dial for the community is higher. That’s because the public school system in McCook has its own risk dial, under the guidance of the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, said McCook Public Schools Superintendent Grant Norgaard...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Pantry will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

McCOOK, Neb. -- Meeting as a board of equalization Monday, Red Willow County Commissioners granted a homestead exemption and denied a valuation change requested in another protest. Commissioners voted unanimously to not change valuation for property owned by Scott Snyder, who filed a protest after three buildings, previously omitted from property rolls, were added at a prior meeting. Snyder can take the case to the Tax Equalization Review Commission as a next step...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook’s Central Elementary School was locked down as a precaution, but a nearby incident was resolved within a short time Thursday. McCook Police Chief Joel Smith said the incident occurred when police were asked to perform a welfare check on a male subject at an address near the school...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two consent agenda items were pulled for further discussion Monday night at the McCook City Council meeting. The council usually approves items on the consent agenda in one motion, unless an item is pulled for a separate vote by a member of the council, city staff, or member of the public...

McCOOK, Neb. — The backbone of communities, small businesses, received a shout-out from the McCook City Council Monday night. The council approved the proclamation designating Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, as “Small Business Saturday,” submitted by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council unanimously approved a special exception Monday night for a daycare to be located in a residential area. The daycare will be owned and operated by Community Hospital in McCook, on house and property at 605 East 11th owned by the hospital. The daycare designation is temporary in nature, as it will only be in operation if other daycare facilities in the area are shut down due to COVID-19 and available to hospital employees only...

McCOOK, Neb. – Gathering virtually, the McCook Chamber of Commerce board of directors focused the November meeting on exploring ways to promote local businesses during the upcoming holiday season. “We owe it to them,” Chamber President Dawson Brunswick said of shopping at local businesses. “Small businesses make up a good portion of our community, as does agriculture.”...

OGALLALA, Neb. -- Meeting in Ogallala Wednesday, the Mid-Plains Community College board of governors approved a 4% raise for faculty for 2021-22. The agreement with the Mid-Plains Faculty Association also includes a retirement contribution match of up to 9.25%...

MCCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council was asked for a $25,000 pledge from ACE funds to be used in revolving loan fund to address workforce housing. Andy Long, McCook Economic Development Corp. director, told the council at its Monday night meeting that housing is still an issue in the area, with a 2013 study showing there is a need for 147 new owner housing units and 132 new rental units by 2023. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- More than 400 vendors were getting ready for visitors at the McCook Farm, Ranch & Hemp Expo early Wednesday, but the long line was at the TestNebraska session at the merchants building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Masks and social distancing are requested at the event, which continues to 7 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Mid-Plains Community College will close Nov. 25 for Thanksgiving break. That includes all campuses in McCook, North Platte, Broken Bow, Imperial, Ogallala and Valentine. The college will reopen Nov. 30.