City of McCook

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council accepted Monday night a $61,424.55 insurance dividend refund Monday night from EMC Insurance Co., the insurance provider for the city’s capital equipment and facilities. The city has received a dividend refund from EMC before, mostly recently around $40,000 last year. Denise Broomfield, MNB Insurance Services agent, commended the city on the lack of losses that resulted in the dividend check...

McCOOK, Neb. — A farmer south of McCook is hoping the City Council will be willing to address a long-time drainage problem he alleges is caused by a drainage ditch owned by the city. Bob Wilcox, who’s owned his property since 1976, told the McCook City Council Monday night that a city drainage ditch, that directly abuts his property, does not allow water to drain properly and is causing a backflow of river water onto his land. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Police Department receives over 4,000 emergency 911 calls per year. There are also innumerable calls for other service, McCook City Police Chief Ike Brown told the McCook City Council Monday night at the regular meeting. The council approved the proclamation of April 14-20 as “National Public Safety Telecommunications Week,” with Brown commending the dispatching staff for their work...

McCOOK, Neb. — A local nonprofit that will soon be homeless asked city leaders for help in finding a new location. Kathy Haas, director of more than 20 years of the Family Resource Center, asked the McCook City Council at its regular meeting Monday night if the center could use the former safety center, located behind Pinnacle Bank by the railroad...

McCOOK, Neb. — Last year, a “Safewise” survey put McCook as the ninth safest city in Nebraska. This year, the city jumped three spots in the survey to sixth safest, City of McCook Police Chief Ike Brown said. Speaking to the McCook City Council Monday night at the regular meeting, Brown said the crime rate in the city is “well below” state and national averages and he commended citizens and the police department for these low numbers. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will start off its regular meeting Monday night by accepting more than $60,000 in a safety dividend check from the city’s insurance company. The council will meet 6:30 p.m., at city council chambers in the Municipal Building...

Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers and University of Nebraska representatives were on hand as Gov. Pete Rickets declared the second week of April at Public Transit Week in Nebraska. For Public Transit Week this week, the City of McCook Public Transit will celebrate by holding a drawing for a book of tickets for all riders during the week. ...

CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor McCOOK, Neb. — A newly-formed non-profit corporation called "McCook K9 Korner" wants to develop an off-leash dog park in McCook's Barnett Park. K9 Korner organizers would go before McCook's city council members sometime this spring with their plans for a dog park in the southwest corner of the rustic city park that meanders with the Republican River on the south edge of the community...

McCOOK, Neb. — Repairs have been made to the outdoor warning sirens and many of them are back in service. The siren located on East Ito Street near Kelly Creek Apartments and the siren located in the 100 block of West 11 near Fastenal are in the process of being repaired and are not currently in operation...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Planning Commission will review proposed zoning changes, Monday, 5:30 p.m. at the city council chambers in the City of McCook Municipal Building. According to the agenda, city staff has begun revamping the ordinances in hopes of making it easier to use and to make some needed clarifications. Instead of reviewing the entire document at one time, it will be presented to the commission in sections...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook Parks Advisory Board will hear a presentation on a dog park, at its meeting on Monday, 12 p.m., at the Heritage Senior Center. After the presentation, the board will be asked to make a recommendation on the dog park project...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council asked for more information for a retail event proposed this summer in downtown McCook. In a letter to the council, Jamie Mockry, executive director of the McCook Chamber of Commerce, requested that certain streets near Norris Avenue be closed down for “Third Thursdays,” a monthly event for the community from May to September. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Nearly $1 million in new building took place in March in and outside of city limits. Total costs for new building in March came to $990,001. Total year-to-date new building, inside and outside city limits, now stands at $19,234,654. Of that amount, $474,400 is outside city limits and $18,760,254 inside the city...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved a new pay category to the city’s classification and pay plan, to acknowledge seasonal workers who return year after year. By a unanimous vote, and suspending the usual three-reading rule for ordinances, the council approved Monday night at the regular meeting to add the “Season II Employment” category, at $10.20 to $13 per hour, to the pay grade for the City of McCook...

McCOOK, Neb.— A new law that would have prohibited engine braking within McCook city limits came to an abrupt halt Monday night, with one City Councillor casting the deciding vote. The council has been discussing the measure since the beginning of the year, with Mayor Mike Gonzales in February reading a letter from a business owner on B Street complaining about the noise. A McCook citizen also spoke to the council about noise...

MCCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook will begin crack sealing various streets in the community on Tuesday, March 19, weather permitting. It should take two to three days to complete, weather permitting. The contractor will be Stripe and Seal out of Hays Kan. The city asks that citizens remove any vehicles, including trailers, that are parked on the following streets beginning Tuesday morning:...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to approve a new seasonal employment category, at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m., at city council chambers at the Municipal Building. Seasonal employees who have returned year after year to work for the city in the summer is the impetus behind the new Seasonal II employment category. ...

Work being done on the Barnett Park lift station includes new controls, sensors and electrical connections that are being transferred to a small, above-ground building, shown center of the picture. Currently all the connections and equipment are in an underground vault, said City of McCook Utilities Director, Jesse Dutcher. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — It may seem like this winter will never end, but once it does, construction can begin on six street improvement projects scheduled for this summer. Here’s a look at the streets earmarked for improvements this year, starting with the most costly:...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook has accumulated over $400,000 in state/federal dollars for street projects. Councilman Gene Weedin pulled from the consent agenda item the annual certification form that confirms that the funds have been used according to the Federal Aid Transportation Fund Purchase-Sale agreement. At Monday night’s regular council meeting, he asked Kyle Potthoff, City of McCook Public Works Director, what the funds will be used for...

McCOOK, Neb. — Some water customers on the west side of the city will see better pressure on hot days after a major improvement project is completed on West Fifth and G. The McCook City Council approved Monday night with other consent agenda items an engineering agreement with Miller & Associates, Consulting Engineers, P.C., for the project. The agreement includes designs and construction inspection for a new water main on West 5th Street, from West "G" Street to West "M" Street...

McCOOK, Neb. — It will be back to 1967 for McCook city staff, as they research city law back then to determine the best way to vacate a street that was platted but not developed. Commerce Street is between Block 1 in the Lyons Addition, owned by Donna Loop to the west and Block 2, owned by Gale and Becky Loop, on the east. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved an application for federal assistance for a $1.3 million rehabilitation project at the McCook airport. Along with other consent agenda items, the council approved Monday night the Application for Federal Assistance, the Certification for Drug-Free Workplace and all other associated paperwork with the Federal Aviation Administration for the project slated this summer at the McCook airport...

McCOOK, Neb. — After hearing from a McCook citizen and discussing the issue, the McCook City Council went full speed ahead in the process of prohibiting engine brakes used inside city limits. Mayor Mike Gonzales asked city staff to come back with an ordinance modeled after one used in Kearney, Neb. and an action item prohibiting the use of engine brakes...

McCOOK, Neb. — Building activity remains strong in McCook, with commercial buildings estimated at over $400,000 topping new construction for last month. For February, grain bins estimated at $454,723 led new commercial building, according to the City of McCook’s building report...

McCOOK, Neb. — A meeting for all city ballfield users is set for 6 p.m. Monday, March 11, upstairs at the City Municipal Center in the training room. "We will be getting ideas as well as going over any issues you may have with the ballfields," said Kyle Potthoff, public works director...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will discuss potentially vacating a street on the golf course as requested by a landowner and engine brake ordinances adopted by other Nebraska communities, at the regular meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers at the Municipal Building...

Lorri sughroue Associate Editor McCOOK, Neb. — A temporary easement requested by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in 2005 for a drainage pipe to discharge treated groundwater is no longer needed and the McCook City Council on Feb. 18 approved a resolution to terminate it...

McCOOK, Neb. — A grant that will help with costs for repairing Ravenswood Road is being reviewed by city staff. Some of the aspects in a $137,000 grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation are being re-evaluated, said McCook City Manager Nate Schneider at the regular meeting of the McCook City Council Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Economic Development Corp. will pause its facade grant program in the near future to focus on other projects. After the final three facade projects are completed, the MEDC will turn to workforce improvement, said MEDC director, Andy Long at the public hearing Monday night for a report by the Economic Development Plan Citizen’s Advisory Review Committee meeting in January. Long did not elaborate on what the workforce improvement would entail...

McCOOK, Neb. — Six city street projects are slated to begin this year, with the McCook City Council adding another for good measure. Street Superintendent Greg Wolford, with McCook Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff, outlined for the McCook City Council Monday night the upcoming street improvements in the one and six-year plans. Total costs of the projects this year come to $1.20 million...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook City Councilman is concerned about applications for liquor licenses not including security measures. Councilman Jerry Calvin pulled from the consent agenda two applications for liquor licenses that were up for approval, one for the McCook Chamber of Commerce for a college rodeo at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds and another for Citta Deli’s anniversary party at their parking lot...

McCOOK, Neb. — Six public hearings are slated Monday night at the regular McCook City Council meeting and later, a discussion of prohibiting “jake brakes” within city limits, 6:30 p.m. at the city council chambers in the McCook Municipal Building. From the regular agenda, the council will also hear an update on the Ravenswood project, be asked to approve on its second reading an ordinance vacating the platted East G Street and dividing the property between adjacent property owners and on its first reading, an ordinance that terminates an easement with Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Planning Commission will conduct public hearings regarding subdivisions, voluntary annexation and a zoning change, at its meeting Monday, Feb. 11, 5:15 p.m. at the City Council Chambers at the McCook Municipal Building. After the hearings, the McCook Planning Commission will be asked to approve the requests...

McCOOK, Neb. — Compared to a year ago, a 45.24 percent difference was seen in the number of passengers deplaning Boutique Air at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport A total of 126 passengers flew into the McCook airport from Denver in January, compared to 222 passengers in 2018...

McCOOK, Neb. — City department expenses came in under an audit’s recommended amount, lowering the overall cost for McCook citizens. And McCook homeowners on average paid less in property taxes in per capita costs. Those were some of the findings presented by Terry Galloway of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway, & Luth, in a presentation he gave of the city’s financial statements at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook citizen made her concerns known about an eyesore west of McCook that seems to be growing. Bethine Vontz told the McCook City Council at its regular meeting Monday night that Old Highway 6, where it joins U.S. Highways 6 and 34, is being used as a dump, littered with abandoned furniture and other debris. She asked what if the city, or county, is doing anything to address it...

McCOOK, Neb. — Fumes from a gasoline-powered generator started a fire that caused more than $50,000 damage to a house and contents Monday evening, according to an investigation by the McCook Fire Department. According to a release: at approximately 5:44 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, the City of McCook Fire Department responded to a reported fire at 811 East 2nd Street...

McCOOK, Neb. — How to resolve property ownership on a piece of land on East 11th would have made a great test question for a first-year law student, said the McCook City Manager Monday night. In fact, it took research in Lincoln, done by a research assistant on state law back to 1881, that finally resolved the property dispute, said McCook City Manager Nate Schneider at the regular McCook City Council meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport was awarded the “Part 139 Airport of the Year” at the recent Nebraska Aviation Symposium in Kearney, Neb. The award and sign were presented to the McCook City Council Monday night. The sign will be posted at the McCook airport...

McCOOK, Neb. — Construction in the City of McCook started off with a bang in January, with total estimated construction/plumbing costs at $17.77 million. Total permit fees to the city for construction came to $18,704 according to the City of McCook permit record for January...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to approve an ordinance that splits a piece of city property between two landowners, at its regular meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m., at council chambers at the City Municipal building. The strip of land is on East 11th directly south of H Street, the location of platted but never developed East G Street. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Boutique Air, the Essential Air Service (EAS) provider at the McCook Airport, is opening a maintenance area in Chadron, Neb. It’s one of a number of new steps the airline has been implementing recently, said McCook Public Works director, Kyle Potthoff...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two financing agreements with MNB Bank will help the city purchase new equipment. The McCook City Council Monday night approved two loan agreements at the rate of 4.5 percent each for the financing of a street sweeper for the street department and an ambulance for the fire department...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council unanimously approved a $50,000 loan from the McCook LB840 McCook Economic Development Plan, toward the purchase of an existing laundromat in McCook. Because real estate is involved, council approval was needed for a loan already approved and reviewed by the McCook LB840 McCook Economic Development Plan loan committee, for Scott Repass and Margaret Repass. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The state pays the City of McCook $16,789 annually for maintaining highways inside city limits. As a consent agenda item, the McCook City Council Monday night approved the renewal of Maintenance Agreement No. 17 between the Nebraska Department of Transportation and the Municipality of McCook...

McCOOK, Neb — The sewer department of the City of McCook needs a new camera. Bid specifications for a new camera that inspects sewer mains were approved by the McCook City Council Monday night, along with other consent agenda items. The camera is used to assess mains and collects information from service taps, low areas in the main, cracks in the pipe joints, deposits of grit and the detection of tree roots, the “nemesis” of any sewer system, according to Utilities Director Jesse Dutcher in the city staff report.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two McCook City councilors questioned the difference of bids for concessions at McCook’s two ballfields. The city takes bids every three years to operate the concession stands at Felling Field and the Jaycee Ball Complex, where individuals or organizations pay the city a fee to operate concessions. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Sometimes it takes days or weeks to process applications to lay underground cable or fiber optic lines, said a McCook City staff member Monday night. That’s because, with pre-existing infrastructure and the current number of other lines, it’s getting congested underground so records have to be checked and re-checked, said Kyle Potthoff, City of McCook Public Works director at the regular McCook City Council at its regular meeting...

McCOOK, Neb. — The number of passengers in December flying out of McCook Airport to Denver using Boutique Air dropped by nearly half, compared to the prior year. A total of 152 passengers in December enplaned Boutique Air at Ben Nelson Regional Airport in McCook this December, compared to 274 in December 2017, a 44.53 percent decrease...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two McCook citizens brought their concerns to the McCook City Council Monday night, about traffic visibility at intersections and safety issues. Scott Felker asked the council to look into visibility problems on West Fifth and D, where oncoming traffic, because of the incline of the street, cannot see vehicles turning at the intersection. ...

LORRI SUGHROUE Associate Editor McCOOK, Neb. — Exactly how to sell or vacate city property between two adjacent landowners will be discussed further at a future McCook City Council meeting. The city will be conferring with outside legal counsel to make sure everything is done by the book, in vacating or selling a strip of land on East 11th that was platted as a street but never developed. ...

McCook, Neb. — The McCook City Council will revisit the issue of vacating or selling a piece of property on East 11th that was never developed into a street, at the regular meeting Monday night, 6:30 at city council chambers at the McCook Municipal Building...

Catch-Up Year for City GENE O. MORRIS McCook Gazette McCOOK -- The year 2019 will be catch-up time in the City of McCook. After putting things off for seven years -- while paying off the bonds for the $3 million-plus Municipal Building -- the city is getting ready to roll forward with a bunch of equipment purchases and infrastructure projects...

McCOOK, Neb. — The cause of a Christmas eve fire was apparently electrical in nature, according to an update issued by the McCook Fire Department. According to the release, the department responded to a reported structure fire at approximately 2:14 p.m., on Monday, Dec. 24 at 1100 East A Street, Lot 1...

McCOOK, Neb. — A minor subdivision and the location of a proposed future road were okayed by the McCook City Council Monday night, in areas outside of city limits but within the two-mile radius of city jurisdiction. Public hearings were held for both requests, with the council approving the requests afterward...

McCOOK, Neb. — It will be back to the drawing board for city staff, in determining what do about a strip of land on East 11th that has never been developed. The McCook City Council and City Manager, Nate Schneider, discussed briefly Monday night at the regular meeting the best way to proceed with a piece of property on East 11th, south of the intersection of East H, that was platted as East G but never developed. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is trying to determine the extent of contamination of an underground Benzene plume. Three groundwater monitoring wells will be installed in the 100 block of East Fourth, the alley of the 100 block between East Fourth and East Fifth and 190 feet south of U.S. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Based on a similar law in Lincoln, Neb., the McCook City Council ratified on its first reading an ordinance that makes it a crime to enter a person’s car without consent. Although there are laws applying to theft, there is a gap in state statute regarding individuals going into another person’s vehicle without the owner’s permission, McCook City Police Chief Ike Brown said at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Police Chief Ike Brown warns drivers that they must clean their windshields of snow and ice before driving, or they will get pulled over. He said drivers can’t drive safely peeking through a small circle they’ve cleared from their windshields. He said he knows it’s tempting to “just jump in and go,” but windshields and side windows must be cleaned off to allow full visibility...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Planning Commission will meet Monday, 5:15 p.m., at the McCook Municipal building for a public hearing for the creation of a minor subdivision. Marshall D. Tucker and Randy and Carol Lashley are requesting the creation of a minor subdivision on Drive 716, north of Cappel Industrial Park. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A wide range of bids was received for the 2019 crack sealing of the city’s streets and alleys. The McCook City Council, at its regular meeting Monday night, unanimously awarded the bid to Stripe and Seal LLC of Hays, Kan., for $36,000...

McCOOK, Neb. — The biggest street repair project next year, at almost half a million dollars, got the green light Monday night regarding construction. The McCook City Council, at its regular meeting, awarded the bid for the Park Avenue paving project to McCormick Excavating and Paving of Stratton, Colo., in the amount of $437,519, that being the lowest bid received...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook City Councilman who declined to run for re-election will still be attending council meetings, he said. Bruce McDowell attended his last meeting Monday night. Council members who were re-elected, Mike Gonzales and Gene Weedin, took the oath of office Monday night at the regular meeting, along with newly-elected Jared Muehlenkamp...

McCOOK, Neb. — Newly elected McCook City Council members will be officially sworn in Monday night and two bids are expected to be approved, at the regular council meeting 6:30 p.m., city council chambers, at the McCook Municipal building. Taking the oath of office will be re-elected members, Mike Gonzales and Gene Weedin and recently elected, Jared Muehlenkamp...

McCOOK, Neb. — A tree service from Grand Island will be trimming trees in McCook, possibly starting today, for Nebraska Public Power District’s state-wide effort to address safety issues and to prevent power outages caused by improper tree clearance from power lines...

McCOOK, Neb. — Growth of McCook’s business park has triggered a nearby street improvement project, with the majority of costs paid for by the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Sometime later next year, Ravenswood Road will be substantially re-done, to the tune of $251,500. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook police officers will issue citations after Thursday, Nov. 15, for campers, trailers and boats parked on the city streets in violation of city ordinances. Police chief Ike Brown said Tuesday that City Ordinance 113.02 allows these vehicles to be parked in front driveways from April 1 to Nov. 1 each year as long as they do not create a safety hazard; however, they are not allowed to be parked on the street longer than 72 hours...

McCOOK, Neb. — A major street renovation of Park Avenue is slated this summer, at the estimated cost of $440,000. Plans and specifications of the project were approved unanimously by the McCook City Council Monday night with other consent agenda items. The date to receive bids was set for 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 27...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Board of Education will be asked to acknowledge two monetary donations to the school district and approve two district policies, at its regular meeting Monday, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m. at the junior high conference room. Donations from DonateWell at $2,500 and from MNB Debit Card program at $2,375.05 are on the regular agenda Monday night...

McCOOK, Neb. - The number of passengers in October flying to Denver on Boutique Air from McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport rose by 10.9 percent compared to last year this time. A total of 234 passengers enplaned in October, compared to 211 passengers in October 2017. October’s enplanements were the highest recorded so far for this year. April 2018 had the lowest number of enplanements this year, at 158 passengers...

McCOOK, Neb. — Water and sewer rates will go up as approved unanimously Monday night by the McCook City Council. The rate increases were approved on their third and final reading and were recommended by the financial management firm, PFM Financial Advisors, based on moderate inflationary increases, trends in water usage and planned capital purchases. PDF recommended for this year and in upcoming years small, incremental increases for both departments...

McCOOK, Neb. — A long-time McCook businessman concerned about the safety of students is spearheading a donation drive to buy a bullet-proof barricade. Howard Kool explained to the McCook City Council Monday night at the regular meeting his plans for a fundraiser to purchase a ballistic barrier that can be used at schools and other areas needing protection during an active shooting incident...

McCOOK, Neb. — Larger storm sewers and drainage pipes will help move surplus rainwater away from Westridge Parkway. The McCook City Council Monday night heard from Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff and Street Superintendent Greg Wolford on proposed plans to fix drainage problems in that area. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A highway repair project slated next year in McCook will cost the city over $700,000. The McCook Council will be asked Monday night to approve an agreement with the Nebraska Department of Transportation concerning this project, 6:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the city municipal building...

McCOOK, Neb. — Buying a semi-tractor from an Omaha vendor that supplies the state with vehicles will save the city about 40 percent. “That’s not just good news, that’s great news,” noted City Councilman Bruce McDowell. “It would be foolish not to take advantage of it.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — The organizer of the McCook Farm and Ranch Expo in November said the event draws an average of 15,000, making parking a premium. Darren Dale told the McCook City Council Monday night that he and his wife, Tana, have been coordinating the event for the past 11 years. He asked if this year, attendees could park on West Q, at the north entrance of Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Parking on West Q near the fairgrounds is not allowed...

McCOOK, Neb. — The number of passengers taking Boutique Air flights out of McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport was down in September. A total of 182 passengers flew out of McCook Airport in September on Boutique Air, a decrease of 27.20 percent from last years’ September enplanements at 250...

McCOOK, Neb. — Charging a fee and requiring a permit to install underground cables beneath city sidewalks, alleys and right-of-ways is a no-brainer. That seemed to be the consensus among the McCook City Council Monday night, in discussing annual fees and a 30-day permit to install, operate, and maintain fiber cable, coaxial cable, or communication cable on, above, or underneath the surface of city streets, alleys, sidewalks, or other public ground. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will be asked to purchase from the state a semi-tractor that will haul trash for the city, at the regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the Municipal Building. A city ordinance allows the city, whenever applicable, when using a state contract, to buy supplies, equipment or services without the bidding process...

McCOOK, Neb. — Building activity worth over $2 million began in the City of McCook in September, led by a new, million-dollar home being constructed. New, single-family homes that began construction last month include a $1.6 million home, along with a new house at $218,250 and a 12-by-20-foot building at $6,211...

Washington – U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith and Sen. Deb Fischer lauded passage and President Trump’s signing into law of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 as an important win for rural Nebraska served by the Essential Air Service program it includes. “I appreciate President Trump signing this FAA Reauthorization into law, which ensures continued support for rural airports including the seven Essential Air Service airports in Nebraska’s Third District,” Smith said...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook’s Tree Board has expanded its “Focus Tree” division, adding the ginkgo tree to its “short list” of sometimes obscure but climatically suitable trees that the board members would like to see more of growing along city stress...

McCOOK, Neb. — In exchange for a longer lease term with a utility company, the City of McCook will realize a slight uptick in revenue payments. At its regular meeting Monday night, the McCook City Council unanimously approved a resolution that authorized a professional retail operations agreement between the City of McCook and Nebraska Public Power District. The current agreement expires Dec. 31...

McCOOK, Neb. — A tiny city park that has seen better days was authorized to be sold on its first of three readings Monday night by the McCook City Council, although one council member was adamant that an alternative be provided at some point for the neighborhood...

McCOOK, Neb. — Small increases in water rates this year and in the coming years are easier to swallow than a big hike all at once. Speaking to the McCook City Council Monday night at its regular meeting, McCook Utilities director Jesse Dutcher related that at one time a few years ago, rates were increased by about 45 percent, something he doesn’t want to see happen again. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A house fire in McCook early Sunday morning is blamed on an extension cord short that ignited nearby combustibles. City of McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham said this morning that Patricia Grenier and her son were not hurt when they left their home, at 1002 West K, after smelling smoke and calling 911 just before 4 a.m...

McCOOK, Neb. — As of Monday, cell phone users in Red Willow County can send a text message to 911 to request emergency assistance. McCook Police Chief Ike Brown announced this morning that the “text to 911” system is designed primarily for deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired citizens. “However,” he said, “if making a voice call would directly endanger the person calling 911, then texting would be an option.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook budget was approved Monday night on its final reading, with the property tax levy remaining the same (.349) and additional funds directed to drainage problems. Changes in the budget that the McCook City Council approved in the final reading included reducing general fund expenditures and using city sales tax revenue instead, due to leasing instead of buying of buying a mini excavator in the cemetery department. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — City water rates have been suggested to increase by three percent and sewer rates by two percent, by a financial management company. The McCook City Council will hear a presentation of the cash flow analysis of the water and sewer enterprise funds by PFM Financial Advisors, at the regular meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the city Municipal Building...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook police officers responded to a report Monday evening of a woman at a local motel/inn who had locked herself in the trunk of her car. At about 9:50 p.m., it was the fourth call of the evening about the same woman, who was not a motel guest and was earlier reported in the lobby bothering guests. ...

McCOOK,Neb. — Both enplanements and deplanements for Boutique Air at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport decreased for the month of August, compared to the same time last year. The total number of passengers enplaning Boutique Air in August was 219, a 10.25 percent drop from last year’s 244 enplanements in August...

Daycare center gets okay from council McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council approved a special exception Tuesday night at its regular meeting, so a daycare center can operate in a residential neighborhood. Brittany “Bee” Samms was granted the special exception to operate “Bumble Bee’s Daycare” at 107 N. Cherokee. The exception was requested by Samms and the owner of the property, Edward Rockenfield...

McCOOK, Neb. — New building activity last month in McCook, including plumbing and roofing, topped out at over $200,000. Total estimated costs for the month of August were $202,044. This included new plumbing at $15,000 and roofing at $2,000. Other construction/building projects in August were: two fences, $15,183; one sign (marquee replacement), $1,200; one house demolition, $7,900; six residential remodeling (three egress windows, enclose breezeway, cantilever and finished basement), $14,261; and two commercial remodels (addition and new ATM), $146,500.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — “Flipping,” or updating a residence in the city, would be eligible for funding assistance, under the new economic development plan approved by the McCook City Council Tuesday night. Details of the plan are still being worked out, however...

McCOOK, Neb. — Due to the city leasing instead of buying some equipment next year, funds derived from the savings will go toward drainage problems and the Norris Park band shell. The McCook City Council approved on its second reading the City of McCook 2018-19 budget Monday night at its regular meeting. Public hearings were held for the adoption of the annual budget and setting the final tax request...

McCOOK, Neb. — A McCook City Councilman asked whether the purchase of a dog for drug detection included in the 2018-19 budget would be multi-trained to perform other tasks as well. Saying it was an important investment for the city police department and timely, Councilman Jerry Calvin asked at the McCook City Council meeting Monday night if the drug detection dog, included in the city police department’s 2018-19 budget, could help out in other instances, such as tracking individuals or police protection.. ...