City of McCook

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council, acting as the McCook Community Development Agency, will be asked to transfer a tax increment financing project currently underway to an affiliated organization. The council will meet for its regular meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers at the City Municipal Building...

McCOOK, Neb. — About 75 McCook citizens attended the capital improvement meeting Thursday at the city auditorium, with many comments citing partnerships, a plan and a pool. The majority of the comments, about 10 in all, were in favor of a pool and partnering with other entities was repeated as well...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council is hoping for a good turnout tonight for the capital improvement meeting, 7 p.m. at the city auditorium. The council wants to hear public input on potential capital improvement projects the city could take on in the future, such as the swimming pool, athletic facilities, infrastructure concerns and how to proceed with the city auditorium...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council voted unanimously to repair the steps at the city auditorium and award the nearly $65,000 bid to do so, although one city councilman questioned if spending that kind of money was the best decision. The item was pulled from the consent agenda by Councilman Jared Muehlenkamp, who agreed the steps were a public safety issue but wanted to get public input on the matter before committing that amount of money. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Several McCook citizens voiced their concerns to the McCook City Council Monday night, including those on the capital improvement meeting on Thursday, COVID-19 data and the health board. Ronda Graff asked what citizens could do if they were unable to attend the capital improvement meeting Thursday. ...

McCOOK, Neb — With one bid received, the cost of repairing the crumbling steps at Memorial Auditorium is still $15,000 over what the City of McCook budgeted. City staff has recommended using safety funds to make up the difference, according to a consent agenda item the McCook City Council will be asked to approve Monday night at the regular meeting. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the Municipal Building...

McCOOK, Neb. — The temperatures below zero and destined to stay that way, the City of McCook is offering these tips to prevent frozen plumbing: • Allow cold faucets to drip. Moving water is less likely to freeze. • Open cabinet doors under sinks, allowing heat from the room to reach the plumbing...

McCOOK, Neb. — First responders can have lifesaving information at their fingertips with a little help from the McCook residents they serve. Flyers went out with this month’s water bills encouraging residents to fill out Community Connect online profiles that will help first responders have valuable information before they ever arrive at the scene...

McCOOK, Neb. — The city will get $19,652 from the community-owned natural gas supplier, ACE. Councilman Gene Weedin, the city’s representative to the ACE cooperative, made the announcement at the end of the regular council meeting Monday. ACE is part of the Choice gas program, where consumers can choose their gas supplier between March 18 to April 22. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council unanimously approved restricting parking on a street exiting from U.S. Highway 83, but other measures could be implemented in the future to ease traffic concerns. City Councilman Jerry Calvin pulled the resolution from the consent agenda Monday night at the city council meeting, so discussion and a separate vote could be taken. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Like other governmental entities and private companies, the City of McCook also received COVID-19 related funding. City Manager Nate Schneider confirmed to the McCook Gazette Monday night before the meeting that the city received $650,000 in “Presumptive Payroll” funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency...

McCOOK, Neb. — Parking concerns on a city street first brought to the McCook City Council’s attention by a city councilman will be addressed Monday night at the regular council meeting, 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers in the Municipal Building. In July of this year, McCook City Councilman Jerry Calvin discussed his concerns about parking and traffic on West H, just off of North U.S. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Last year, City of McCook water customers had to swallow a 6% increase in rates. This year, a lower rate increase of 2.5% has been recommended. That’s because the 6% increase and a dry year had water sales at an all-time high, according to a financial analysis of the water enterprise fund presented to the McCook City Council Monday night via Zoom...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Firefighters were hampered by strong winds and endangered by exposed power lines in a fire that destroyed a garage and extensively damaged an adjacent house in McCook Sunday morning. Heavy smoke and fire were reported coming from a garage at 209 E. Second at 5:30 a.m., and the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department was called in at 5:51 a.m. to assist the McCook Fire Department...

McCOOK, Neb. — Robust water sales in 2020 netted the city 20.8% more in revenue than in 2019. That’s from a report that will be presented to the McCook City Council Monday night on the city’s water and sewer utility funds. PFM Financial Advisors, LLC, annually presents a cashflow report to the city on the water and sewer utility funds...

LINCOLN, Neb.– By a vote of four-to-one, on Tuesday, the Nebraska Public Service Commission approved entering into a contract with Lumen (formerly CenturyLink) to provide Next Generation 911 (NG911) services. “I’d like to thank everyone involved in this process for their support,” said District 3, Commissioner Tim Schram. “This is a collaborative effort and we are excited to continue the process to bring improved 911 services to all Nebraskans.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — Roofing and decks topped construction jobs in November, with construction costs estimated at $90,875, according to the City of McCook building permit report. All four roofing/deck jobs in November were inside city limits. Total construction costs in November came to $198,744...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook Board of Zoning Adjustment is meeting at noon on Thursday to take up a variance request from a homeowner who wants to build a carport. Mike Stevens has submitted a variance request application for his residential property at 806 E. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — After being postponed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the McCook City Council settled on a date Monday night for a capital improvement meeting with the public. The council will meet at the city auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m., to hear what kind of projects the public is interested in pursuing...

McCOOK, Neb. — An amended state law approved by the Nebraska Legislature last session could be a way for small communities to finally clear up nuisance properties tied up with legal issues. But it will take other communities to get on board, said City of McCook attorney Nate Mustion at the City Council meeting Monday night. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to allow the McCook Economic Development Corp. to use funds from “Vision McCook,” at the regular council meeting Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, 5:30 p.m., at the city council chambers. The request is on the consent agenda, which can be approved with other consent agenda items in one motion...

McCOOK, Neb. — PFM Financial Advisors, a company that advises the City of McCook on its cash flow expenses/revenue for the water and sewer departments, will have a completed forecast for the city sometime in January. Typically, the company presents its findings to the city in October, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented that from happening this year, said McCook City Manager Nate Schneider at the regular city council meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — The pandemic is not hurting city sales tax receipts for the City of McCook. In his report to the McCook City Council on fourth quarter expenses at the McCook Chamber of Commerce, chamber director Dawson Brunswick noted that sale and use taxes were up from last year, with $207,080 in sales and use taxes in 2019 and $228,717 for 2020...

McCOOK, Neb. —Time is of the essence when it comes to scheduling a strategic planning meeting for capital improvement projects, the McCook City Council agreed. But how to do that with participation from community, in the middle of a pandemic, is the fly in the ointment...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council unanimously approved dividing one lot in Clary Village into two similar-sized lots. The two new lots, located at West Ninth and Q, will each have a new manufactured home from Wardcraft, consisting of three-bedrooms, two baths and an attached garage. Individuals that qualify for these homes will need to be 120% of the county median income, or a family of four with an income up to $85,000...

McCOOK, Neb. — While the newest COVID-19 vaccine is on its way, local leaders are being asked to help remind us that wearing masks and other precautions are still necessary. “Each of you reaches a different segment of people, so I’ll be asking each of you to show it’s important,” said Ronda Graff Monday night at the McCook City Council meeting. Graff is organizing a local campaign of McCook people in leadership positions to commit to promotional activities for social media, radio and newspaper...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The pandemic continues to delay a town hall-type meeting on major capital expenditures, but Monday night’s City Council meeting includes an item to help pay for planning for one major item, swimming pool replacement or rehabilitation...

McCook and Red Willow Western fire departments battle a house fire on East C in McCook, bringing in a ladder truck and several tankers to try to control the fire. A neighbor said the owner escaped the fire, but more information was not immediately available. The house appeared to be a total loss...

McCOOK, Neb. — Both the Red Willow County Commissioners and McCook City Council are considering a pledge of $25,000 local matching funds for a housing grant. MEDC director Andy Long requested the City of McCook contribute $25,000 of ACE funds to be committed toward the local match amount of $150,000...

McCOOK, Neb. — In an effort to help out local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the McCook City Council signed a proclamation Monday night for “Take Out Tuesdays.” The proclamation was requested by the McCook Chamber of Commerce and “Take Out Tuesdays” was successful during March of this year earlier in the pandemic, said Dawson Brunswick, chamber director...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council unanimously voted to pledge $25,000 for a housing fund grant. MEDC director Andy Long requested the City of McCook contribute $25,000 of ACE funds to be committed toward the local match amount of $150,000. MEDC is proposing to create a $750,000 fund that can be used for low interest, deferred loans with the hope of lowering the cost of building eligible housing and/or provide housing rehabilitation assistance. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook residents will be able to give their two-cents worth via a survey that will be available Monday, Dec. 14. The McCook Economic Development Corp. is applying for a rural workforce housing grant and part of that application includes a survey, said MEDC director, Andy Long, at Monday’s McCook City Council meeting. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — It’s not up to the city to decide whether to have a mask mandate but the city’s health board, said McCook’s city manager. Nate Schneider told the McCook City Council Monday night at its regular meeting that according to Nebraska state law, 16-238, the decision-making authority regarding a mask mandate is with the city’s health board. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook man wanted on several charges was apprehended in a former convent associated with a former hospital Friday afternoon. Zachary Shepherd, 41, McCook, was found hiding in an elevator shaft at the building across from the former St. Catherine's Hospital, 1201 W. Fourth in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two councilmen will be sworn in and officers chosen at a regular meeting of the McCook City Council, 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers. Incumbent Jerry Calvin and newly-elected councilman Darcy Rambali will be given the oath of office...

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. — 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. — A McCook citizen and former city councilman urged the McCook City Council Monday night to take more action in light of the surging cases of COVID-19. The COVID-19 Community Risk Dial from the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department was moved to red on Monday, meaning residents of Southwest Nebraska are at severe risk of contracting COVID-19. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Community Hospital has requested a special exception from the city to have a temporary daycare facility for hospital employees. The daycare would be located at property owned by the hospital at 605 East 11th, zoned residential high density. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council adopted a resolution Monday night at the regular meeting so it could pay for three new cots purchased for city ambulances. On Oct. 5, the McCook City Council voted unanimously to award the bid for new ambulance power cots to Stryker, who submitted the lowest responsible bid of $140,740. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — It’s a problem faced by cities large and small: dilapidated, abandoned properties. Besides posing health and safety issues to neighboring properties, nuisance properties are expensive and time-coming for cities to deal with: legal wrangling in and outside of courts to establish ownership and demolition/clean up costs that cities have to absorb, using money that could be put elsewhere...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Board of Zoning Adjustment will meet Monday, Oct. 26, to consider granting a variance from side yard setback requirements. A variance request has been submitted by Robert Portz and Penelope Cooper, for property at 1702 W. Second, zoned residential medium district. The house sits on a corner lot and the applicants have requested a reduction of the side yard setback for corner lots from 10’0” to 0’0”, to construct a carport off of their existing garage...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will meet Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. at the McCook Heritage Senior Center, for a strategic planning session concerning future capital improvement projects. During this years’ budget discussions, members of the council talked about scheduling a planning session to get a feel on how the public feels about capital improvement projects, such as a new swimming pool or updates to ballparks...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved two bids Monday night, one to replace the roof at Memorial Auditorium and another for new furniture at the police department’s dispatch center. To replace the roof at the auditorium, funded by city sales tax revenue, the city council approved the bid from Weathercraft at $74,980 as the lowest responsible bid. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook City Councilman pulled from the consent agenda two requests from a telecommunications company that wants to install 40-inch tall communication cabinets at residential locations. At Monday night’s regular council meeting, Councilman Jerry Calvin pulled for a separate discussion Pinpoint Communications request to occupy city right-of-ways at the northeast corner of 411 E. ...

McCOOK, Neb. —City Manager Nate Schneider said that city staff are wearing masks in an effort to prevent staff from being exposed to COVID-19 and having to quarantine. “It’s not a political statement, we just want to continue to operate,” he told the McCook City Council Monday night at the regular meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to approve a daycare in a residential neighborhood, at the regular council meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m., at city council chambers at the McCook Municipal Building. The meeting Monday night will begin with a public hearing for a special exception sought by Lexis Jones and Courtney Williams (Project Sponsor) who want to open Chickadees Childcare at 910 West L. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Significant changes are coming to the Nebraska Choice Gas program said a McCook City Councilman. The Nebraska Choice Gas Program allows Nebraska customers on the Black Hills Energy distribution system to choose their natural gas supplier each year. If customers don’t choose a supplier, their account will roll over to their current supplier and pricing option...

McCOOK, Neb — The McCook City Council approved the lowest bid received for three new ambulance power cots. The power load systems and power cots allow for patients to be transferred in and out of the ambulance safely without putting further strain on EMTs. The system also has a safer mounting system so that in case of an ambulance accident, the cot will not disconnect from the mounting bracket in the ambulance...

City of McCook Utilities Director Jesse Dutcher shows the commemorative plaque that recognizes the 10 billion gallons of water taken into the city’s water treatment plant, since the plant first began operations Feb. 15, 2006, 5,329 days of operation. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a subject who led officers on a high-speed chase, crashed his car and escaped on foot. According to a release from the McCook Police Department: “On Oct. 1, 2020, at 2:26 pm, an officer with the McCook Police Department attempted to stop a silver 2-door vehicle with no license plates for a traffic violation near West 4th and D Streets in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will take up only one regular agenda item Monday, the use of Community Betterment Funds to cover rental fees for the annual Toy Box event at Memorial Auditorium. The council is expected to approve the request, as it did last year. Community Betterment funds are derived from Keno sales in the city...

Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 McCook Police reports by block number. Call 308-345-3450 if you have information. 03:07 700 EAST 5TH - noise complaint 04:35 1300 WEST K - suspicious activity 04:46 1200 WEST 3RD - dispatched Ambulance personnel 05:27 SOUTHWEST MCCOOK - intrusion alarm...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook City firefighter was recognized for his work in applying for a grant that netted the department more than $150,000. Steve Yager, a six-and-half-year member of the McCook City Fire Department, researched what grants were available and eligibility requirements, City of McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham said at the McCook City Council meeting Monday. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook City Councilman wants to make sure the council is updated quarterly about McCook Chamber of Commerce events. And the executive director of the chamber has no problem with that. “The (chamber) events fall about every three months and I’m here at the council meetings anyway,” said Dawson Brunswick, chamber director...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to approve a re-platting request from MNB so the bank can build a professional building. A public hearing on the request is Monday night at the McCook Council meeting, 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the City of McCook Municipal Building...

McCOOK, Neb. — The number of Boutique Air passengers deplanning at the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport dropped by 77.36% for second quarter totals. The second quarter includes the months of April, May and June. In April, a 88.37% drop was seen in enplaned passengers, followed by an 85.43% decrease in May and a 58.95% decrease in June...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook Planning Commission will meet Monday for a public hearing on a replatting request at the Westview Plaza Subdivision. The city received an application from MNB Bank, through its project developer, Engineering International, for the approval of a replat of a portion of Block 1 of Westview Plaza Subdivision. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council unanimously approved the new salary of the city manager at $112,453, at the regular meeting Tuesday night. Beginning Oct. 1, the 12-month salary of City Manager Nate Schneider will increase from its current $106,545 to $112,453. The new salary includes a cost of living raise at 2%, a 2.5% merit raise and a 1% longevity raise. The salary was approved on first reading, the council voting to suspend three readings...

McCOOK, Neb. — The loss of highway allocation dollars has put the brakes on funding a long-time street improvement project in the city. Of the two projects slated next year in the City of McCook’s 2021 McCook Plan of Street Improvements, only one is funded. That project is Phase III of the B Street payments with the final payment this year of $181,000, said city engineer Greg Wolford at the public hearing Tuesday night for the 2021 McCook Plan of Street Improvements...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved the 2020-21 budget Tuesday night at its regular meeting, with a 4% increase seen in its property tax request. Yet, the operating budget for the city decreased from last year by 6%, from $36.5 million in 2019-20, to $34.51 million for 2020-21...

McCOOK, Neb. — Toxicology reports from the City of McCook’s waste water treatment plant accident are still pending. Two city employees, Ken Keslin, 43, and Larry Dicke, 65, were found dead inside the city’s wastewater treatment facility on Sept. 6. A welfare check was made after one of the employees did not return home after a routine check of the facilities...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Fire Department plans a 9/11 Stair Climb fundraiser Friday to honor 343 first responders lost in the September 11, 2001, attacks. A donation boot will be placed by the stair climbers at the YMCA and Anytime Fitness in McCook all day Friday as participants try to climb 110 floors to honor those lost that day...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council added two requests to be included in the the 2020-21 city budget, before approving the budget Tuesday night. Upon the request of Mayor Mike Gonzales, funds will be set aside in the budget next year to repair the steps at Memorial Auditorium. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Toxicology reports from the City of McCook’s waste water treatment plant accident are still pending. Two city employees, Ken Keslin, 43, and Larry Dicke, 65, were found dead inside the the city’s wastewater treatment facility on Sept. 6. Due to toxic gases and hazardous material inside the facility, McCook Fire and Rescue and the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department Hazardous Material Team were dispatched to the scene to recover the deceased employees...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Two City of McCook employees died in an incident Sunday at the city's wastewater treatment plant. They were identified as Larry Dicke, 65, and Kenneth Keslin, 43. According to a media release, police were called to the plant on Ravenswood Road at 12:17 p.m. Sunday after one of the employees did not return home after a routine check of the facilities...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The City of McCook Fire Department has been awarded a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $154,768 to purchase three replacement ambulance power cots and one mechanical CPR chest compression device...

McCOOK, Neb. — Water sales are up but revenue is down for sewer, the City of McCook utilities director said Monday night. Jesse Dutcher spoke to the McCook City Council Monday night on the water and sewer budgets for next year. The council will be asked to approved the 2020-21 budget at its next meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council unanimously approved a new subdivision Monday night at its regular meeting. Eugene and Joan Koch of McCook purchased the lot off of Drive 716 at the Southeast Quarter of Section 24, Township 3 North, Range 30 West of the 6th P.M., in Red Willow County, Neb. The Kochs requested that the lot be divided into two lots, with a business on one of the lots and on the other, a residence. After a public hearing, the council approved the application...

McCOOK, Neb. — City sales tax forecast for the City of McCook is looking sunnier. Despite gloomy predictions earlier in the year due to the economic shut-down in March, money the city garners from the 1.5% city sales tax is projected better than expected. “It’s trending where we anticipated, maybe a little more,” City Manager Nate Schneider said Monday night at the McCook City Council meeting, during discussion of the 2020-21 budget...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A few little-known facts were revealed about Police Chief Ike Brown at Tuesday’s “Coffee with a Cop,” sponsored by McCook Gazette: Chief Brown is a 1971 graduate of McCook High School. He also graduated from McCook Community College...

McCOOK, Neb. — Libraries are not just for books anymore but a place for people young and old to access technology. And a $500,000 endowment will fund a new technology center at the McCook Public Library to help with that. On Monday night, The McCook City Council formally approved the Birdella Nelson Technology Center that will be located at the McCook Public Library. The endowment comes from McCook native and former Nebraska governor and U.S. senator, Ben Nelson...

Senior Center opening on hold New Keystone office space available for remote workers lorri sughroue Associate Editor McCOOK, Neb. — Any plans to open the city’s Heritage Senior Center, shut down since March because of coronavirus, have been put on hold...

McCOOK, Neb. —Thanks to a local couple, it will now be easier to access a popular outdoor venue in Kelley Park. Dave and Lucy Lines of McCook funded a concrete path down to Bolles Canyon in Kelley Park, along with a covered gazebo. The site is a popular location for weddings and other events...

McCOOK, Neb. — The city sales tax revenue drop In March during the pandemic shut-down was not as drastic as first believed, McCook’s city manager said. But there was a higher than expected decrease in the electric franchise fee the city collects from Nebraska Public Power District, said Nate Schneider at the McCook City Council meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — Sgt. Joel Smith of the Nebraska State Patrol has been selected as the new City of McCook police chief. Ike Brown, current police chief, is retiring at the end of the month after 39 years. City Manager Nate Schneider made the announcement at the McCook City Council meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The City of McCook is asking residents not to soften their water any more than necessary. In a letter sent to water customers this month, Utility Director Jesse Dutcher said the city has been told by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy that it needs to reduce the amount of chlorides being released from the wastewater treatment facility into the Republican River...

McCOOK, Neb. — There may be only two, instead of the usual three, readings this year of the city’s 2020-21 budget and to make up for that, a discussion session on the budget is slated Monday night at the regular city council meeting, 5:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers at the McCook Municipal Building...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook native is honoring his mother by providing support for the local institution that helped him excel in reading, and eventually in his long political and professional career. Many years before a nationwide pandemic forced parents to provide educational support from home, former U.S. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Monday’s City Council meeting included a public hearing on a new Bishop Acres 3 subdivision, including a small area platted as commercial because of a radio tower. Craig Bennett of Miller & Associates explained details of the planned subdivision, as well as annexation issues in general...

McCOOK, Neb. — Former U.S. senator and Nebraska governor, Ben Nelson, a McCook native, is donating money to fund a technology center at the McCook City Library. Nelson would like to fund the center in honor of his mother, Birdella Nelson. The total amount of the gift is $500,000 to the McCook Library Endowment...

McCOOK, Neb. — A $209,250 bid was awarded to a Kearney company to renovate the lift station at the golf course. With other consent agenda items, the McCook City Council approved the bid from Midlands Contracting, Inc. of Kearney, the lowest of five bids received for the project. The bid was about 25% higher than estimated costs, but the total cost is still within budget, said David Blau of Miller and Associates after Monday’s meeting. Funds will come from the city’s capital improvement budget...

McCOOK, Neb — McCook City staff is still debating whether to open up the McCook Heritage Senior Center, closed since March due to the COVID-19 virus. Beth Siegfried, center director, told the McCook City Council Monday night during a discussion on re-opening city facilities that she’s received calls from senior citizens who want to resume playing activities at the center but she’s hesitant to open it up completely...

McCOOK, Neb. — No restrictions for city water users are in effect — for now. But with high temperatures and no rain in the forecast for the week, that could change. On Monday, 5,000 gallons of water per minute were used between 3 and 10 a.m., the time many residential underground water sprinklers were in use, said City Utilities director Jesse Dutcher at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook City Councilman would like to discuss parking concerns on a street near his residence, at the regular meeting Monday, 5:30 p.m., at the city council chambers at the City Municipal Building. Upon the request of Councilman Jerry Calvin, the council will discuss creating a no-parking designation on the north side of the 1500 block of West “H” Street, specifically the area of the north 1500 block of West “H” Street, west of the existing alley. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved all the consent agenda items Monday night without discussion, including: - the request from Garrett Wagner to close streets on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, for “4th Annual Cruisin’ the Bricks Cruise Night” and car show;...

McCOOK, Neb. — At a special meeting Wednesday, the McCook City Council unanimously approved waivers/user agreements for those who want to use Memorial Auditorium and the Heritage Senior Center. The waivers /agreements holds the city harmless concerning COVID-19 exposure and requires any individual, organization or group using the auditorium or senior center comply with all directed health measures currently in place...

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 These items are taken from reports filed by the McCook Police Department on the day indicated. Where numbered addresses are used, they refer to block numbers, not specific addresses. If you have information about any of these reports, call...

McCOOK, Neb. — By 4 a.m. Monday morning, water usage in the city was about 4,000 gallons of water per minute. That’s because everyone’s underground sprinklers were operating due to the previous days’ windy and hot conditions, surmised McCook City Utilities director, Jesse Dutcher at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — City officials are bracing themselves for a lean budget. Numbers are still being compiled for next year’s budget and City Manager Nate Schneider told the McCook City Council Monday night that preliminary data he’s seeing about revenue sources will keep requests from city department heads at a minimum...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Because of high temperatures and windy conditions, McCook city officials are asking residents not to water their lawns or gardens between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The city water system has seen very high usage, according to Utility Director Jesse Dutcher, and the daytime break will give storage tanks time to refill...

McCook Police Department reports, by block number. Call 308-345-3450 if you have information Friday, June 12th, 2020 06:40 200 East I - Dispatched Ambulance 08:01 1100 East B - Disturbance 09:01 500 West C - Report of Civil Complaint 12:08 700 West 4th - Dispatched Ambulance...

McCOOK, Neb. — As directed health measures ease, the McCook City Council will discuss with city staff the most recent COVID-19 directed health measures and how it relates to the city, at the regular meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m., at the City Council chambers in the Municipal Building...

McCOOK, Neb. - Local firefighters and utility crews joined forces Tuesday evening to keep a lethal combination of electricity, fire and natural gas from causing a disaster.  Homeowner Bill Marshall said quick action by his neighbors, Dale and Cindy Fahnholz helped save his house and property after they noticed fire in trees next to his house and called him and the fire department about 5 p.m...

Friday, June 5, 2020 McCook Police Department reports, listed by block number, not specific address. Call 308-345-3450 if you have information about any of these reports. 00:41 Southwest McCook - Intrusion Alarm 04:20 Rural South McCook - Dispatched Ambulance...

A Nebraska National Guard hovers over McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, stopping for fuel between bases in Nebraska and Colorado. Civilian activities dropped considerably from last year; Boutique Air enplanements down 85.58% at 30 passengers this year compared to 208 in May 2019. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A total of $403,032 worth of new building, plumbing and mechanical work was recorded in May for the City of McCook. The largest project was an 8 by 120-foot commercial building with the estimated cost at $300,000, according to the City of McCook Building Permit report for May...