Airport closed down for suspicious package

Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport is closed as a Nebraska State Patrol explosive technician works to render a suspicious package safe.

According to a release from the McCook Police Department, the suspicious package was observed on the outside wall of the fire station about 9:35 a.m. today.

"With an abundance of caution, the McCook Police Department and McCook Fire Department responded," according to a release from McCook Police Chief Ike Brown.

A perimeter was established around the area to protect the public and the State Patrol technician was brought in in in accordance with protocol. Authorities are investigating to determine how the package came to be at the airport fire department.

The airport is closed to air traffic and further updates will be issued as time permits.

Brown noted that nothing can be seen from nearby roads and asked to public to avoid the area as it uses up resources and congests the area.