County offices closing during eclipse

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners agreed to close the courthouse and all county offices on Monday, Aug. 21, from noon until 2 p.m., so that county employees can watch the solar eclipse that will provide a once-in-a-lifetime viewing experience expected to start — weather permitting — about 11:30 a.m.

And the weather may be just right. During the commissioners’ weekly meeting Monday morning, commissioner Jacque Riener checked next week’s forecast — clear and 85 degrees.

According to experts, McCook will experience 98 percent coverage of the sun at 12:55 p.m.

The best viewing time in McCook will be 12:45 p.m. through 1:05 p.m. CT. The eclipse here will be completely over by 2:23 p.m.

There is a narrow swath through Nebraska that will ease into about two minutes of total darkness — starting at Lyman, Morrill and Mitchell in the Panhandle and moving east to Falls City in the southeast.

County treasurer Susan Wesch told commissioners that her office is busiest during the noon hour, and she and her staff members won’t be able to see the eclipse “if we don’t close. It is a once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Commissioners decided that county employees will be expected to take their lunch hour between noon and 2 p.m., and then have one hour paid time off to watch the eclipse.