City of McCook

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. — 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...

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. — 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. — McCook City Library Director Jodi Crocker expressed relief at the upcoming HVAC improvements scheduled this year at the library. Speaking after the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night, where the council approved drawings and specs for HVAC repair work that will be done at the library, Crocker said although there is heat at the library, it has to be regulated manually so some areas of the library don’t get too warm...

McCOOK, Neb. — Estimated new construction, mechanical and plumbing, in and outside McCook City limits, finished the year off with a total of $26.2 million. Fees collected by the city for the year totaled $32,261, according to the City of McCook Building report...

McCOOK, Neb. —Two portable ballistic barriers to shield medical personnel during an active shooter incident have been purchased at the McCook City Police Department. Each bullet-proof barrier weighs 63 pounds and are 4x8-foot. Each comes with different sized rods to set up the barrier quickly. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Residential structures on West Fourth will be included in a blighted and substandard study the McCook Planning Commission has approved. But, the designation will not affect property valuations, according McCook City Manager Nate Schneider and Red Willow County assessor, Kristi Korell...

McCOOK, Neb. — A $60,000 purchase for the water department will be done without taking bids. Per city code, no bids are required if it’s determined that there is only one source for the required supplies, materials or services. City of McCook Utilities Director Jesse Dutcher notified the council Monday night of the line stopping equipment that will be purchased for the water department without the usual bidding process, as he said the equipment is highly specialized and available from only one source.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook will net an little extra money next year from the state department of transportation. The McCook City Council approved all 14 consent agenda items Monday in one motion at its regular meeting, including the renewal of Maintenance Agreement No. 17 between the Nebraska Department of Transportation and the Municipality of McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — City of McCook electric customers won’t get “scrooged” on their electric bills, at least for now. But the McCook City Council will still have the option to increase the percentage of lease payments that city electric customers pay, when it discusses the matter during the budget season next year...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will again discuss the option of increasing Nebraska Public Power lease payments to the city, at the regular meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m., at city council chambers in the McCook Municipal Building. The council first took up the item at the Nov. 18 regular meeting, when it was asked to increase the lease payments from NPPD to the city from 12.5% to 13% of retail sales, as allowed under the retail agreement...

McCOOK, Neb. — The number of Boutique Air passengers who deplaned last month at McCook Airport jumped, while the number of passengers flying out slightly decreased. In November, a total of 207 Boutique Air passengers flew in from Denver to McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, a 12.5% increase from November of last year with 184 passengers...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Planning Commission will consider adding the designation of West Fifth and D Streets as blighted and substandard, along with creating two new areas with the designation, at its meeting Monday, Dec. 9, 5:15 p.m. at city council chambers at the city municipal building...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Police Chief Isaac Brown is reminding residents that boats, campers and trailers cannot be parked on city streets for more than 72 hours after Nov. 1. “While City Ordinance 113.02 allows campers to be parked in front driveways from April 1 to Nov. 1 each year as long as they do not create a safety hazard, they are not allowed to be parked on the street longer than 72 hours...

McCOOK, Neb. — Taking a long shower will cost a little more in January. That’s because the McCook City Council approved on its third and final reading Monday night a 6% rate increase for city water. It also approved a 3% increase for sewer rates. But don’t turn that shower off yet. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved on its second reading to amend the local option economic development plan to include early childcare education and educational programs. Several years ago, McCook city voters approved the LB 840 economic development plan, that uses half of the .5 percent of the 1.5% city sales tax to fund programs at the McCook Economic Development Corp (MEDC). ...

Lorri sughroue Associate Editor McCOOK, Neb. — Call it the property in limbo. A dilapidated, burned-out alley house at 1107 W. Fourth had stood vacant for years, posing safety, health and structural problems for the neighborhood. The McCook City Council attempted the past few years to address the property with city staff trying to pinpoint the legal owner. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook collected $127,788 in hotel lodging taxes last year. The total amount of occupation taxes collected in 2018-19 for the city was $243,176. This includes the 4% hotel tax at $127,788; natural gas, $60,947; cable, $31,201; telecommunications, $16,077; beer and liquor, $6,720; and misc. - fireworks, $450...

McCOOK, Neb. — New building and plumbing/HVAC work done inside and outside city limits in November totaled over $600,000. Total building/ plumbing/mechanical work came to $698,600, according to the City of McCook permit report for November. This was led by a new single family home outside city limits with estimated construction costs at $483,000, followed by a 24 by 75 foot garage outside city limits at $150,000...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook City Council will be asked to address demolishing an abandoned house in McCook, at the regular council meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers in the city municipal building. As a consent agenda item that will not be discussed unless pulled by a council member, the council will be asked to authorized city staff to prepare a resolution fixing as a special assessment all costs incurred by the City for the demolition of the property located at 1107 West 4th Street, owned by Elisabeth Kleckner of North Platte, Neb. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook Public Works Department is asking for your assistance with our snow removal efforts. “Due to the snowfall that is predicted for tonight and Tuesday, we are requesting that citizens of McCook remove their vehicles from the streets, in particular the emergency snow routes which are marked with emergency snow route signs. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Financing for a 2020 wheel loader for the City of McCook street department will be done through MNB. The total amount being financed is $114,040 with a 3.75% interest rate. In the loan agreement with MNB, the four annual payments will be approximately $31,201.06 with the first payment due on Nov. 1, 2020...

McCOOK, Neb. — Of the 15 applicants for housing down payment assistance, eight are from McCook. That was part of the update given to the McCook City Council Monday night from Andy Long, McCook Economic Development Corp. director. “So McCook is well represented,” he said...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Humane Society Board of Directors appointed a new member at its meeting Wednesday night. The meeting drew about 15 in attendance, including former board members, Karen Storrs and Linda Koetter, who resigned with two other board members at last month’s meeting. About two weeks ago, Storrs posted on her Facebook page allegations of illegal activity going on at the shelter, with shelter director, Lorie Prestes, later refuting these claims in a McCook Gazette article...

McCOOK, Neb. — To clarify a story Tuesday on lease payments to the city from Nebraska Public Power District, the city is expected to collect $1,305,000 for the current year from NPPD lease payments, according to McCook City Clerk, Lea Ann Doak.  The McCook City Council was asked Monday to consider increasing the lease payment from 12.5% to 13% of NPPD electric sales revenue in McCook, as allowed under the retail agreement...

McCOOK, Neb. — Finding quality childcare for infants (six weeks to 18 months) is tough, said McCook Economic Development Corp. director Andy Long at the public hearing Monday night at the McCook City Council meeting. “For over three (years old), there’s all kind of spots,” he said. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — In the near future, cross walks for pedestrians will be painted at a busy intersection in McCook. After a brief discussion, the McCook City Council approved Monday night to install cross walks at Norris Avenue and H Streets. At the Oct. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Lorie Prestes, manager of the McCook Humane Society animal shelter, has issued a response to a Facebook post by former Humane Society board member Karen Storrs, who listed a number of concerns about the shelter’s operations. A Gazette story, with a link to Storrs’ posting, can be viewed here...

McCOOK, Neb. — More than $125,000 in damage to a home and contents was reported in what was initially called in as a chimney fire. The City of McCook Fire Department responded to a reported chimney fire Friday evening, Nov. 8. The initial call was paged out at 5:49 p.m. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — With the McCook City Council approval Monday night, the city’s transfer station will now have four semi tractors to haul trash. The new 2020 Western Star 4700SF Semi Tractor will be purchased from Wick's Sterling Trucks, Inc. of Omaha, Neb., using the State of Nebraska bid of $127,395. Funds set aside in the transfer station’s reserve account will be used to pay cash for this purchase...

McCOOK, Neb. — New building in and outside the City of McCook in October came to $47,300, led by two new garages with estimated construction costs of $30,000. Inside the City of McCook, a total of $32,300 of estimated construction costs took place in October; outside city limits, $15,000, according to the City of McCook building permit report for October...

McCOOK, Neb. —Enplanements and deplanements both dropped in October compared to a year ago, for Boutique Air at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport. Boutique Air is the essential air service at the McCook airport, that offers daily flights to Denver, Colo...

McCOOK, Neb. — When it comes to taxpayer property, a McCook City Councilman wants to make sure there are security measures in place when alcohol is involved. At issue for McCook City Councilman Jerry Calvin was the lack of information about what kind of security would be utilized for a comedy show scheduled at McCook Memorial Auditorium that would include serving alcohol. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Several McCook moms and another citizen brought their requests and concerns to the McCook City Council Monday night. The city council did not respond to any of the concerns as those presented were not on the agenda, although Mayor Mike Gonzales thanked each person for their comments...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook is not alone is raising water rates, according to a city council member and the city utilities director. Both made the observations during discussion about increasing water rates at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to approve on first reading higher water and sewer rates, at the regular meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers in the city municipal building. The higher rates, 6% for water and 3% for sewer, are based on the recommendations given to the council by PFM Financial Advisors LLC at the Oct. 21 council meeting. The rate increases will take effect January 2020, if approved as city ordinances for a total of three times...

McCOOK, Neb. — By 3 to 1, the McCook City Council approved an upgraded liquor application sought by Casey’s General Stores in McCook. The convenience store/gas station, with three locations in McCook, currently sells only beer with a Class B liquor license. A Class D liquor license that Casey applied for allows the sale of wine and distilled spirits, off-sale only, as well as beer...

McCOOK, Neb. — A busy intersection in McCook was discussed by the McCook City Council, City staff and pubic citizens Monday night. After discussing options concerning kids crossing the Norris Avenue and H Street intersection, Mayor Mike Gonzales directed city staff to bring back to a future council meeting an analysis of those options and a possible an action item...

McCOOK, Neb. — Water rates for City of McCook residents have been recommended to increase again, this time by 6%, according to the city’s water and sewer financial advisor. Last year, the McCook Council approved a 3% rate increase for city water users, based on the cash flow analysis prepared annually by PFM Financial Advisors...

McCOOK, Neb. — A zoning change to permit a local feed mixing plant to make upgrades is not a “spot zoning” situation, said McCook’s city manager. Nate Schneider said the request from Frenchman Valley at 301 West A “is not changing the rules for one applicant,” but rather, extending the Industrial Heavy zoning at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad property to the the immediate north to Frenchman Valley...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to change the way the city purchases equipment, at the regular meeting Monday night, 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the city municipal building. Currently, per city ordinance, any purchase over $30,000 must go through the formal bidding process and be put out for bid. ...

Lorri Sughroue Associate Editor McCOOK, Neb. — An unexpected expense in the cost of improvements currently underway at the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport totaled $6,284.25. The additional cost will be covered 90% by the federal government, or $5,655.83 and the city will contribute 10%, or $628.42. The McCook City Council approved the change order with other consent agenda items Monday night at the regular meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. — Major city projects that have been on the back burner for years, such as the swimming pool, auditorium and Barnett Park renovations, are getting a second look from the McCook City Council. The council discussed these and other projects, as well as how to fund them, at the regular meeting Monday night. At the request of Mayor Mike Gonzales, city staff will meet with him to prioritize these projects, form committees specific to each project and to bring that back to the council...

McCOOK, Neb. — An ADA accessibility ramp to Bolles Canyon, along with a pergola, will be funded 100% by a McCook couple in honor of their late son. The McCook City Council unanimously approved Monday night the request from Dave and Lucy Lines of McCook to construct a concrete, eight-foot wide ADA ramp from the existing walking trail down to Bolles Canyon and a 12-foot by 20-foot pergola in the canyon...

McCOOK, Neb. — A dog park could be installed at Barnett Park, if it gets the go-ahead from the McCook City Council Monday night. The McCook City Council will be asked to enter into a lease agreement requested by McCook K9 Korner, to establish a dog park for off-leash dogs in the southwest portion of Barnett Park, at the regular meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m. at the city council chambers at the city’s municipal building...

McCOOK, Neb. — The new K-9 officer at the McCook Police Department is still getting used to her new role. “She still has a lot of puppy left in her,” said her handler, Officer Bill Watts. But that’s to be expected as Kailah (pronounced Kayla) is still only one and half years old...

McCOOK, Neb. — One of McCook’s practice ball fields is hanging in the balance between a local landowner and the City of McCook. Bob Wilcox owns a portion of land southwest of McCook on river road that he’s leased to the city for practice ball fields. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Estimated costs of new building, remodeling, plumbing and other projects in the city and Red Willow County topped out at $187,578 for the month of September, according to the City of McCook monthly building permit report. Building activity in September included: two garages, $58,300; eight residential remodels, one outside city limits, $56,178; six roofing/decks, $33,600; four fences, $13,600; and one carport, $900...

McCOOK, Neb. — Annual testing of the city’s deep injection well, that’s used to dispose part of the waste from the water treatment plant, has determined that the well is meeting state limits. The results of the Annual Reservoir Falloff Test for the Class I Non-Hazardous Deep Injection Well were approved with other consent agenda items by the McCook City Council at the regular meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — The owner of a local HVAC business received the green light from the McCook City Council to locate his shop in a residential neighborhood. At a public hearing Monday night before the regular city council meeting, Derek Zipperlen spoke to the council about the special exception he was requesting to allow his HVAC shop and business to be located at 704 E. ...

McCOOK, Neb. —An engineering agreement approved by the McCook City Council Monday night is for repairing the air conditioning at the McCook City Library. The agreement, with James N. Marshall Engineering of Elm Creek Neb., as the mechanical engineer for replacement of the HVAC system at the city library, has already been signed by City Manager Nate Schneider on Aug. 30...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved a 5.5% raise to the city manager’s annual salary and increased trash collection rates. With no discussion, the council approved the annual salary for Nate Schneider that will increase his current salary of $101,957. The new salary includes a 2% cost of living adjustment ($2,039) and a 2.5% merit raise ($2,549), for a new base pay of $106,545. With a 1% longevity raise at $1,065, the total annual salary is $107,610...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce will receive funds from the city, but not as much as requested. Before the McCook City Council approved the 2019-20 budget Monday night, Mayor Mike Gonzales said the chamber will receive $2,000 from the city’s Community Betterment Funds. These funds are derived from Keno sales in the city...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook has been informed by the contractor that the armor coating of city streets will begin Monday, Sept. 16. The city requests that citizens who live in these areas remove all vehicles from the streets listed below. Once the oil and gravel are applied on your street, the street will be opened for use...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook City Council will be asked to approve the 2019-20 salary for the city manager on its first reading, at the regular meeting Monday night, 5:30 p.m., at city council chambers at the McCook Municipal Building. The council will also be asked Monday night to approve on its final reading the city budget for 2019-20, and suspending the three-reading rule, increased rates for trash collection...

McCOOK, Neb. — The city has signed an engineering contract to address repairing the air conditioning at the city library. Councilman Jerry Calvin asked at Tuesday night’s regular City Council meeting, during the budget review, as to the status of the library’s air conditioning.The library has been without air conditioning since June, when the system quit working. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A city purchase that’s been sitting on the books for some time will finally materialize. That’s because the one-time electric utility payment the city receives next year will help pay for the upgrades to the city’s warning sirens. A new agreement with Nebraska Public Power District netted the city an extra $275,000. That money has been earmarked in the 2019-20 budget for a variety of purchases, including the warning siren upgrades...

McCOOK, Neb. — Only one project is scheduled for next year in the 2020 McCook Plan of Street Improvements. Although two were initially slated, the state highway concrete repair at $275,000 and North Cherokee at $493,000, it was decided to commit to one project instead...

McCOOK, Neb. — Increased property valuations, no bond indebtedness and an unexpected revenue payment from electric utilities has boosted the City of McCook’s general fund account. City Manager Nate Schneider reviewed highlights of the 2019-20 budget with the city council Tuesday night, before the council unanimously approved the budget on its second reading. The third and final reading of the budget is Monday, Sept. 16...

McCOOK, Neb. — It’s a purchase the city hopes it never has to use. The McCook City Council approved Monday night at its regular meeting to use ACE funds, up to $6,182, to purchase a portable ballistic barrier for active shooter incidents. Total cost of the barrier is $11,842...

McCOOK, Neb. —A decades-old building that used to be a neighborhood grocery store may see new life as a HVAC business, if a special exception is approved by the McCook Planning Commission. Derek Zipperlen, owner of Veteran Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC, is seeking a special exception to allow an office at 704 E. Third, in an area zoned residential medium density...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council held off on making any kind of decision on the former safety center. With concerns about city equipment stored in a portion of the building and another area leased by the Family Resource Center, the council on Monday night at the regular meeting asked for more information and a detailed plan from James Hegwood, a contractor from Culbertson Neb., who has expressed interest in buying the facility...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook woman is claiming $18,000 in damages for sewer charges she’s paid for 32 years, without being hooked up to the city sewer. Kathy Kautz of 1305 East B said in the claim that when sewage backed into her basement on March 27, it was discovered that the house was never connected to the city sewer as a cesspool is used. She is claiming $18,000 in sewer charges since she bought the house in 1982...

McCOOK, Neb. — General revenue to the City of McCook, other than user fees for water, trash and sewer, totals $8.7 million in the proposed 2019-20 budget. Last year, $8.1 million was budgeted. Year-to-date totals of general revenues currently are at $6.3 million...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved a bid for next year’s water system improvements that came in over estimated costs and will cost a half million dollars. The council Monday night approved the bid of $582,325.71, the lowest bid, to Myers Construction Inc. of Broken Bow, Neb., for water system improvements on West Fifth and East 14th...

McCOOK, Neb. — A Culbertson contractor is working on plans to revamp the former safety center into restaurants and business space. James Hegwood told the McCook City Council Monday night at the regular meeting that he has been talking with City Manager Nate Schneider on purchasing the former safety center. Showing a design concept to council members, Hegwood said a lot depends on enough parking space in the area...

McCOOK, Neb. — The request from the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce for money from the city has not been included in the city budget for next year - yet. That may change with the public hearing for the city’s 2019-20 budget on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Or, it may not. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A new police vehicle has been retained but a secondary firing range for the police department has not, in a slighted pared down version of the City of McCook’s 2019-20 budget. With property valuations just being released today, until those are plugged in, a significant part of the budget is still unknown, City of McCook Nate Schneider told the McCook City Council Monday night at the regular meeting.The Council unanimously approved on first reading the preliminary budget for next year. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved on first reading new ordinances to city law that prohibits the use and possession of vaping products by minors. State law prohibits the use of vaping products by minors but not the possession of them, said McCook City Police Chief Ike Brown at the city council meeting Monday night. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Police are seeking information about a missing 17-year-old girl they say is a runaway. According to a Friday press release, Madyson Brunswick, 17, ran away from her McCook home, leaving a note saying she had found a ride to Omaha...

McCOOK, Neb. — Department purchases next year and how to allocate city sales tax revenue are some of the items the McCook City Council may discuss before adopting the 2010-20 budget, at Monday night’s regular meeting, 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the McCook Municipal Building...

McCOOK, Neb. — Boutique Air enplanements and deplanements at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport were both down for the month of July, compared to last year. It marks the seventh straight month since January that numbers were down at the airport compared to the previous year...

McCOOK, Neb. — Repairs are needed at one of the shelter houses at Barnett Park. At the budget workshop Monday night, the McCook City Council was told that in addition to major work being needed at the Elks tennis courts, the upper shelter house at Barnett Park needs to be renovated or replaced...

McCOOK, Neb. — Water is getting as precious as gold. It’s becoming a precious commodity and nationwide, the question is how long communities will be able to provide and allocate water to cities, said City of McCook Utilities director Jesse Dutcher at the budget workshop Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook citizens shared their priorities Monday night at the City Council budget workshop, citing crumbling curbs, a sweltering library, a busy crosswalk and funds for the Chamber of Commerce. Before the McCook City Council dived into its first look at the preliminary 2019-2020 budget, the floor was opened up to citizen input...

McCOOK, Neb. — The good news is the city’s property tax levy will not increase from last year. The not-so-good news is that fees for trash collecting will be bumped up. City Manager Nate Schneider told the McCook City Council at the budget workshop Monday night that although property valuations will not be released from the county until Aug. 20, it appears so far that the city’s property tax levy of .349044 per $100 valuation, the same as the previous year, will remain the same...

McCOOK, Neb. — It is still unknown why the power outage occurred at the City of McCook water treatment plant last week. In response to a question by McCook City Councilman Jerry Calvin at the council meeting Monday night, Jesse Dutcher, Utilities director, said he was alerted about 5:49 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, that the power was out at the water treatment plant...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will get its first look at the initial budget for next year, at the budget workshop scheduled for Monday, Aug. 12, 5:30 p.m. at the city council chambers at the city municipal building. The meeting is open to the public. McCook City Manager Nate Schneider told the council at the regular meeting Monday night that the preliminary budget will be presented at the workshop with city department heads on hand to answer questions about department budgets...

McCOOK, Neb. — More than $200,000 in estimated costs for new construction was seen in July for the City of McCook and in rural McCook, according to the city’s monthly permit record. New building led the way at $132,714, with nine projects inside the city and one outside...

Lorri Sughroue Associate Editor McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook will be getting a little extra money from state and federal agencies in a public transportation agreement. The McCook City Council will be asked to approve the supplemental agreement with the Nebraska Department of Transportation to obtain additional state and federal funding, at its regular meeting Monday, Aug. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A power failure at the drinking water treatment plant and water wells has forced city officials to ask customers to not use outside water today. The outage caused the storage tank levels to become dangerously low, said Jesse Dutcher, utility director...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A 19-year-old McCook man was taken into custody after allegedly firing a gun at someone in an alley July 13. Hunter J. Koetter, 19, was jailed in connection with the incident. According to the McCook Police Department, a report was received at 6:59 a.m. Saturday, July 13, that someone had shot a gun at individuals in the 800 block of the alley between East Second and Third...

LINCOLN, Neb. – The McCook Police Department has received a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Office to purchase one in-car camera system and two mobile radar units, according to Mark Segerstrom, Administrator for the NDOT Highway Safety Office...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook will spray for mosquitoes tonight, beginning around sun down, weather permitting. Although the chemical used is not harmful to people or pets, if you have any concerns please stay indoors. To eliminate prime mosquito habitat, please remove any standing water or unwanted vegetation on or around your property...

Lorri Sughroue Associate Editor McCOOK, Neb. —About 500 people visited the Third Thursday event last month in downtown McCook. In fact, two food trucks at the event ran out of food, McCook Chamber of Commerce director Jamie Mockry told the McCook City Council Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — It couldn’t have happened at a worse time: A rendering truck spilled refuse on B Street Friday night, right before the Crazy Days Cruise Night. The accident occurred on the 600 block of B Street and city employees were quickly on the scene, diverting traffic and cleaning up the offal...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook City councilman wanted clarification in an application to install an underground fiber optic cable. Specifically, Councilman Jerry Calvin wanted to know the dimensions of an above-ground control cabinet that Great Plains Communications will establish as part of its installation of underground cable for high speed internet for downtown businesses...

McCOOK, Neb. — The regular McCook City Council meeting will be relatively short Monday night, with the heavy lifting coming afterwards in the closed session when the council will evaluate the job performance of the city manager. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the City Council chambers at the McCook Municipal Building, with a public hearing for a special exception, followed by the consent agenda and one action item...

McCOOK, Neb. — The number of passengers flying to and from the McCook City airport on Boutique Air are looking up for second quarter totals. Boutique Air, the federally subsidized essential air service at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, reported a total of 579 passengers flying out of the airport from April to June. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — While the focus tree of the City of McCook Tree Board's tree rebate program will change in 2020 to the sugar maple, its "focus" this fall remains on ginkgo trees and Kentucky coffee trees. Trees on the tree board's "focus list" short list of rebate trees are native, non-invasive and climatically-suitable trees that tree board members would like to see more of growing along McCook city stress...

McCOOK, Neb. — Fighting fires by air will get a boost from below at the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport. The McCook City Council voted unanimously in favor Monday night to approve a lease with the Nebraska Forest Service, Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, to lease and occupy a parcel of ground at the McCook city airport to aid in the purpose of regional wildland fire suppression...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook City councillor and city staff member pulled two items from the consent agenda to be discussed before approval. Consent agenda items are usually approved by one motion, unless pulled for separate consideration. Councilman Jared Muhlenkamp pulled the request from the Prairie Roots Festival Committee for the use of Barnett Park for the the Prairie Roots Festival food, brew and music festival on Saturday, Aug. 24...

McCOOK, Neb., — Two major projects scheduled for the city this summer received the green light from the McCook City Council Monday night, with both running over budgeted estimates. The council approved awarding the bid for the paving project on Ravenswood Road Paving Project to BSB Construction of Curtis, Neb., in the amount of $268,727.25, that being the only bid received...