Red Willow County

McCOOK, Neb. -- A week after passing the annual budget, one of their biggest tasks of the year, Red Willow County commissioners have a relatively light agenda Monday. After calling the meeting to order at 9 a.m., the board will meet with County Treasurer Sue Wesch at 9:25 a.m. on issuance of county sales certificates, and with County Assessor Kristi Korell at 9:30 regarding a contract with the Pritchard & Abbott appraisal firm...

McCOOK, Neb. -- With the chairman admonishing county offices to tighten their belts as much as possible, Red Willow County commissioners passed a $19 million budget with provisions for borrowing from the road and inheritance funds if that becomes necessary...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County commissioners won't ask Hillcrest Nursing Home to take over its own bond payments just yet, but will set up a system to rob Peter to pay Paul should that need to happen to meet state budgetary requirements. At the end of Monday's meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to put off purchase of a new motor grader, budgeted at $200,000, reduce the county's self-insurance health insurance funding from $1.866 million to $1.6 million, and set up a system, if it becomes necessary, for the general fund to borrow $400,000 from the roads budget and lend it to the self-insurance fund.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County Commissioners made some progress in chipping away at an $800,000 budget gap, but the most painful cuts may be yet to come. The fair board would not be able to spend a $200,000 windfall for a year if one should appear, the sheriff’s office is crossing its fingers in hopes that an obsolete jail security system holds up, the county health department hopes increasing cooperation with the regional health department results in a better bottom line, and the extension office agreed to continue taking advantage of virtual meetings.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County Commissioners will conduct a hearing on a property valuation protest and one- and six-year road plans before getting down to the business of the annual budget Monday. The regular meeting opens at 9 a.m. in the commissioners room on the third floor of the courthouse...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Department heads have offered some cuts, but more will have to be made to bring the Red Willow County budget increase in under the state-mandated lid. County commissioners set budget hearings at their next meeting, Monday Aug. 17, for the sheriff office, jail, county fair, county health and extension office. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County office holders are being asked to sharpen their pencils on both the income and expense side to trim more than $800,000 from a county budget shortfall. Meeting with commissioners Monday, Dan Miller, CPA, said preliminary figures showed increased income or decreased expenses would have to be found to keep the county budget increase under the state 2.5% lid as well as the additional 1% allowed as already approved by commissioners...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Red Willow County Commissioners will consider continued financial support of the local Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault Services for fiscal year 2020-2021. The item is listed for 9:15 a.m. Monday, with the regular meeting set for 9 a.m. in the commissioners room at the courthouse...

Monday as chairman Earl McNutt conducted the weekly meeting of the Red Willow County Commissioners from home quarantine via telephone with fellow commissioners Cayla Richards, left, Steve Downer, right, and County Clerk Tami Teel taking minutes. In public comments, Todd Weimer, who had filed a tax protest, complimented the board on its professionalism, commissioners a request by MPPD to bore a hole through a county road north of Indianola, approved a tax roll correction and three homestead exemptions, and began a budget workshop using a preliminary 2.5% raise for salaried and 50 cent an hour raises for hourly employees, as well as $1.8 million for employee health insurance. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Only three of 10 scheduled prairie chicken viewing sessions could be held because of the coronavirus pandemic, and tax receipts from hotel stays are down dramatically, Red Willow County Commissioners learned Monday. However, many of the prairie chicken tours are rescheduling for next year, and there are more requests for information on hunting and year-round camping, so things look brighter for next year, Red Willow County Tourism Director Carol Schlegel told the board...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County Commissioners on Monday discussed the future of the county's Household Hazardous Waste facility, as well as the noxious weed program. Long-time manager of both programs, Bill Elliott, retired as of July 1. Commission Chairman Earl McNutt said there was some interest in taking one or both programs, so that option will be explored further...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The retirement of a long-time county employee is among items on the agenda for Monday morning’s meeting of the Red Willow County Commissioners. The board will discuss Bill Elliott’s retirement as superintendent of the noxious weed program, as well as the future of the Household Hazardous Waste Program, which he administers...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County Commissioners approved a $16,900 contract with a Red Cloud construction company to redo $70,000 in repairs made last year to the road to Harry Strunk Lake. Figgins Construction was also the sole bidder for three armor coating projects, including one on Road 407 to the lake, one north and south of Danbury and one north of McCook, at 36 cents per square yard, 2,736 yards for a total of $34,553.64, with the county hauling the gravel...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County activities are slowly returning to normal, according to the few items on the Board of Commissioners agenda Monday. The commissioners approved a special event liquor license for Aug. 29, expected to be attended by about 400 people, and reviewed a letter from the Village of Bartley on plans to reopen the city office today...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County Commissioners approved a request from Jim Bowen of Southwest Weed Management for a letter of support for a grant application. This year, about three-fourths of a mile of Arikaree Creek was cleared of a heavy infestation of salt cedar and Russian olive trees. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Thanks to generous donations of time, money, clothing, in-kind services and many other items, the Family Resource Center in McCook is able to provide important services to families who may not be able to obtain them anywhere else. And, the center is able to do it on a relatively tiny budget, according to figures that director Kathy Haas provided to the Red Willow County Commissioners Monday...

McCOOK, Neb. - After being closed to the general public for more than nine weeks, the longest time in its 94-year history, the Red Willow County Courthouse is again open -- with restrictions. The public is still encouraged to wear masks and may be asked to have temperatures taken, observe social distancing and visitors may find themselves separated from the staff more than usual by plexiglass barriers or other enclosures...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Red Willow County courthouse is preparing to cautiously open June 1 after the state Directed Health Measure expires May 31, but visitors will still be restricted to enter by one door and are asked to avoid bringing children into the building...

McCOOK, Neb. -- While it is impossible to predict the scale of this Covid-19 pandemic and for our concerns for the health and safety of our community, the Red Willow County Fair Board has decided to cancel all public events for the 2020 fair including any vendors, entertainment and carnival. The...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Nebraska Extension office for Red Willow County has issued the following in connection with activities this summer: 'In light of the announcement that the 2020 Red Willow County Fair has been canceled, we would like to let our 4-H community know what is being planned in regard to the 4-H events. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Commissioners met with representatives of three insurance companies, one in executive session, to discuss the options as time grows short to select a health insurance plan for Red Willow County Employees. At a regular meeting Monday, they heard from Curtis Smith of Partners Health Alliance, Dennis Maggart of McInnes Group Inc., representing the state employee pool NACO, and, in executive session, with Mitch Lyster and Brad Swiggert of Northwestern Mutual...

McCOOK, Neb. — Several events are being planned to recognize McCook High School seniors graduating this year. Due to the COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, MHS graduation was postponed until July 31. A live Facebook recognition of 2020 McCook High School graduates is in the works for Sunday, May 17, at 6 p.m...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County Commissioners approved a Paycheck Protection Program application for Hillcrest Nursing Home which should provide two months' payroll for the nursing home. While the county owns the building, Hillcrest's budget is funded by Medicare, Medicaid and private pay. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Meeting as a board of equalization, Red Willow County Commssioners approved a tax exemption for an Indianola church property which was purchased by McCook Christian Church. The board heard from U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith's representative Eric Kamler via telephone in lieu of a regular mobile office, with discussion about the Payroll Protection Program, funding for rural hospitals and other issues...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Two new leaders are on duty at the Red Willow County Health Department. Brandy Bird RN, BSN was recently promoted to nurse director and Jaymie White was promoted to business manager at Red Willow County Health Department. She started part-time with Red Willow County Health Department in May 2017 as a Public Health Nurse. Brandy received her Bachelor’s in Nursing from UNMC-Kearney in 2006 and has had an array of experiences in Nursing...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A drop-box for early election ballots is in place at the Red Willow County courthouse, and a scarcity of poll workers and popularity of mail-in ballots means primary election polling places will be pared down to four, Red Willow County Commissioners learned Monday...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Commissioners will meet as a board of equalization and in closed session to discuss pending litigation Monday. After tax roll corrections as aboard of equalization at 9:15 a.m., and with County Attorney Paul Wood at 9:45 a.m. concerning the pending litigation...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A telephone conference with a bonding company is on the agenda for the Red Willow County Commissioners Monday. The county had planned to refinance jail construction debt before the market upheaval related to the coronavirus, but that has been put on hold until bond prices stabilize...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Chaos in the financial markets means Red Willow County taxpayers may not see savings from paying off jail bonds early, at least for a while. While county commissioners had hoped to save as much as $240,000 by paying off jail bonds a year early, the drop in the stock market and reaction in the bond market has made that saving less likely for the time being, board members learned in a teleconference with representatives of the D.A. Davidson Co. Monday...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County courthouse maintenance director Greg Holthus will hang a drop box at the front door of the courthouse in McCook, helping the county’s residents do business with county officials without personal contact. During orders to “keep your distance” and “limit your exposure” necessitated by the coronavirus crisis, customers can place their documents in the drop box at any time and officials will retrieve them in time for morning business...

McCOOK, Neb. — “Luckily,” there are no cases of confirmed COVID-19 in Southwest Nebraska, and, Red Willow County commissioner Earl McNutt said Monday morning that he wants the county government to help keep it that way. “The Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department and the Red Willow County Health Department are monitoring this situation closely,” McNutt said, during the commissioners’ weekly meeting Monday morning. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Keeping a close eye on activities and events that affect U.S. stock and bond markets, Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning authorized the bonding company D.A. Davidson, of Omaha, to prepare documents and continue analysis of re-financing the bonds sold in 2013 to build the new county jail...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners talked about roads and bridges at their weekly meeting Monday morning. Drivers are concerned with the condition of “the lake road” in eastern Red Willow County and a country road that seems to be used “as a race track” in western Red Willow County. And reports on 2019 bridge inspections indicate that bridges need new load postings and attention to debris and erosion...

McCOOK, Neb. — The deadline for incumbents to file for re-election, Feb. 18, has passed, and these are the latest and last incumbent filings in the Red Willow County clerk’s office in McCook: -- Bradley Hays, of McCook, McCook Public Schools board of education, filed Feb. 10...

McCOOK, Neb. — The president of the McCook Army Air Base Historical Society asked Red Willow County commissioners at their meeting Monday morning to retain an old county easement adjoining the society’s property and to help preserve 70-some-year-old concrete, which he says will help the air base qualify for historic recognition and create history tourism and jobs in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — Andy Long, executive director of the McCook Economic Development Corp., told Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning about MEDC incentives to provide early childhood care in McCook. Deadlines — one in February and one in March — to participate in two programs are approaching quickly...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners decided at their weekly meeting Monday morning to have the bonding company the county has worked with for years help them investigate refinancing the bonds sold in 2013 to build the new county jail. Commissioners heard proposals from Paul Grieger and Andy Forney of D.A. Davidson, of Omaha, and from Brad Slaughter of Piper Jaffray, of Lincoln, (formerly Ameritus), each firm foreseeing savings by refinancing the jail bonds...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Second District commissioner Steve Downer of rural Bartley said this morning he’s not filing to run again for the commissioner’s position he has held since 2020. Twenty years will be plenty, Downer said at the commissioners’ weekly meeting this morning...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County’s fair board manager for 28 years sees changes on the horizon, and she says, “They’ll all be good.” Deb Lafferty introduced Jiles Bowman of Gordon, the new fair board manager, to county commissioners at their meeting Jan. 6. It’s time that the fairgrounds office moves forward technologically, she said, and Bowman was the best of 80 applications for her position. “The board interviewed seven really good applicants,” Deb said...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County doesn’t have a lot of salt cedar or phragmites; musk and Canada thistles are just always going to be a challenge; and cedar trees … what about redcedars? “Redcedars are a giant issue,” Bill Elliott, the county’s weed superintendent, told county commissioners Monday morning in his report on 2019 weed control efforts...

McCOOK, Neb. — Southwest Weed Management, with the Red Willow County Noxious Weed Control Authority, plans a public meeting to inform landowners of programs to remove eastern red cedar, russian olive trees, salt cedar and phragmites from property in Red Willow County. The meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., in the 4-H Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds in the 1500 block of West Fifth in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County sheriff’s deputies’ investigation of a multi-vehicle accident west of McCook Thursday evening unscrambles the movements of a semi truck, three pickups and one SUV, and identifies the driver of each. The accident happened at 6:05 p.m., at the intersection of Highway 6&34 and County Road 380 (at the “Perry” Frenchman Valley Coop grain elevator three miles west of McCook), as a westbound pickup (pulling a trailer) stopped on the highway to turn south onto County Road 380 and waited for oncoming, eastbound traffic. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Prairie chicken dance tours in March and April are selling out quickly, and this year, one dedicated bird-watching couple will make their third trip in three years to Red Willow County to watch the elusive greater prairie chickens perform their annual mating dance...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County’s District 1 representative, Earl McNutt, of McCook, was unanimously re-elected chairman of the county’s board of commissioners Monday morning during the commissioners’ first meeting of 2020. This will be McNutt’s 17th year as chairman of the three-member board of commissioners...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners accepted the resignation of the county's veterans service officer during their weekly meeting this morning. A letter from Tom Stritt, of Indianola, dated Friday, Dec. 13, indicated that he is resigning the veterans service office position effective March 1, 2020...

McCOOK, Neb. — By their meeting Monday morning, Red Willow County commissioners had received just one bid for a new four-wheel-drive vehicle for the sheriff's office. The bid, for a 2020 Dodge Durango, came from Deveny Motors, McCook. Commissioners unanimously approved the $24,147 purchase. Commission chairman Earl McNutt said he and his fellow commissioners were surprised they received just one bid...

Ericka Hoyt and Grant Dixon of Farm Credit Services of America, McCook offices, serve pancakes and sausage patties this morning to Lori and Robert Goltl of rural Palisade at the free breakfast opening event of the annual "McCook Farm, Ranch and Hemp Expo." Coordinator Darren Dale of Star Expos has more than 400 venders from 20 states, Canada and Australia, presenters, demonstrators, booths, live cattle displays and ranch horse sales for "farmers and ranchers, home decorators and those seeking education on all things ag." One of Dale's presenters is Brian Waldrip who has 13 years in cannabis-specific cultivation and is a leader in sustainable practices of the emerging U.S. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Myra Stoney, director of the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, told Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning she wants them to consider "No Smoking," "No Tobacco" and "No Vaping" restrictions on county property. Stoney would also like to see more school children vaccinated against the flu, and changes in the procedure of reporting flu vaccinations...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County's sheriff will attempt to collect $42,313.61 in unpaid taxes after the county's treasurer presented him with 52 distress warrants on Oct. 31. There are penalties for filing late, and the sheriff shows up when they're not paid at all...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners adopted the county's 2020 One- and Six-Year Road Plan at their regular weekly meeting Monday morning. During a short public hearing on the plans, David Blau, an engineer with Miller and Associates, which performs the work of the county road superintendent, explained projects on the One-Year Plan:...

McCOOK, Neb. — At their weekly meeting Monday morning, Red Willow county commissioners approved a total county operating budget of $18,604,853, a property tax request of $4,058,114 and a tax levy rate of $0.320068 per $100 of property valuation for 2019-2020...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Commissioners will take a number of steps connected to the annual budget Monday. After acting as a board of equalization, the commissioners will vote on increasing the base of restricted funds by an additional 1%, conduct a public hearing and consider adoption of the fiscal 2019-20 budget, and take action concerning the final tax request, transfer of 2019 levy taxes from the general fund to the road/bridge fund and self-insurance fund and transfer of $500,000 from the inheritance fund to the general fund as needed.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Ah, gee. It's tough to cuss rain … However, an over-abundance of it makes a mess of graveled county roads. Add that to shortages of gravel suppliers and gravel, and the situation is trying the patience of rural residents and county commissioners alike...

LINCOLN, Neb. — The World War II German prisoner-of-war camp north of Indianola has been nominated for inclusion in the "National Register of Historic Places." The Nebraska State Historic Preservation Board is considering the nomination, and will discuss it at a board meeting in McCook on Friday, Sept. ...

Connie jo discoe Regional Editor McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners reviewed proposed 2019-2020 budgets with the veterans services officer, Extension officers and the health department director during their weekly meeting Monday morning...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners and county treasurer Sue Wesch were impressed Monday morning with the number of distress warrants upon which the sheriff's office collected $49,726.83 in taxes and interest for the county. Wesch reported to commissioners during their weekly meeting that the sheriff collected on 52 of the 56 warrants issued to delinquent tax payers in August, October and November 2018 and in February 2019. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners conducted two tax valuation protests at their weekly meeting Monday morning, ultimately reducing the valuation on the two properties by $122,742.50. They also conducted a public hearing to listen to comments on a tax exemption application from the McCook First Church of the Nazarene...

McCOOK, Neb. — It's early in the budget process, according to Red Willow County commissioners, and numbers are "very preliminary," the county's budget preparer told them at their regular weekly meeting Monday morning. Commissioners are tentatively considering 2 1/2 percent wage increases, and commission chairman Earl McNutt doesn't foresee much change in the county's valuation over last year...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners are asking drivers on the county's rural roads to proceed with caution — watch for washouts and patchy gravel cover after frequent, heavy rains this spring and summer have pounded some roads to smithereens...

McCOOK, Neb. — Neb. Sen. Dan Hughes told Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning that he was glad to hear earlier in the year from concerned constituents when Medicaid reimbursement shortfalls challenged the county-owned nursing home. "I appreciated the community involvement," Hughes said, explaining that he feels lawmakers...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners agreed to continue support for the Family Resource Center and the McCook Humane Society through 2019-2020, at their weekly meeting Monday morning. On a motion by commissioner Cayla Richards, commissioners increased the county's support for the Family Resource Center from $5,500 to $6,000. Fellow commissioner Steve Downer said, "Five hundred dollars won't break us. These are dollars well spent."...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County will pay Figgins Construction of Red Cloud $58,071.16 for the labor and equipment used to complete the county's six armor coating projects for 2019. Figgins Construction of Red Cloud once again was the only bidder for the county's summer AC projects. Commissioners opened Gary Figgins' bid at their weekly meeting Monday morning...

McCOOK, Neb. — It seems to be a problem for law enforcement agencies across the state, not just in Red Willow County. But locally, Red Willow County commissioners are going to have to figure out a budget that attracts and keeps quality employees in the sheriff's department and on the jail staff...

Red Willow County Sheriff Alan Kotschwar, left, and Red Willow County jail administrator Gerry Hunter display the 2018 "Excellence in Detention Facility Administration" award presented to the county's jail by the Nebraska Jail Standards Board during the NJS annual banquet in Kearney April 19. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — At their regular weekly meeting Monday morning, Red Willow County commissioners finalized plans for 14 miles of armor-coating projects to be completed this summer. Tyson Bardsley, the county's roads superintendent, estimates the per-mile cost at $15,333, compared to $14,772 per mile in 2018. The summer 2019 AC projects are expected to cost about $214,662, although commissioners have not yet set a date to accept bids...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County's new zoning administrator will be in Kearney. After the resignation of county assessor Kristi Korell as the county's zoning administrator effective April 15, commission chairman Earl McNutt went looking for a replacement who could provide services within the courthouse or at least within the county...

McCOOK, Neb. — At their meeting Monday morning, Red Willow County commissioners agreed to renew the county employees' existing health insurance coverage with Northwestern Mutual as broker, RCI as third party administrator and claims processor, and American National as insurance carrier...

Ninety high school rodeo competitors are expected for the two-day Southwest Nebraska High School Rodeo Friday and Saturday in the Kiplinger Arena on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds in the 1500 block of West Fifth in McCook. Rodeo events start at 9 a.m. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — At their weekly meeting Monday morning, the Red Willow County commissioners unanimously accepted a recommendation from the planning board and will add the words "and private" to their zoning regulations for airports. The county's zoning book will now state that the intent of Section 4.09.01 is "to protect the safe use of public and private airports and their airport hazard area, in the county, by limiting the location and height of structures within the operation, approach, transition and turning zones around airports, as designated on the official zoning maps of Red willow County.". ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners will discuss the county's airport zoning regulations at a public hearing at their next meeting Monday, April 15. The county's zoning board recommends to commissioners that the intent of the county's airport zoning regulations now add the words "and private" to read, "the safe use of public and private airports, and their airport hazard area, in the county, by limiting the location and height of structures within the operation, approach, transition and turning zones around airports as designated on the official zoning map of Red Willow County, Nebraska.". ...

Ryan Hurd will open for High Valley in the headline concert at this year’s Red Willow County Fair, July 24-28. The concert is Friday, July 26 in the grandstands, weather permitting, with gates open at 7 p.m. and concert at 8. In case of bad weather, it will move to the Alice arena. “Free” SundayFunday is set for the last day of the fair again this year. Call the Fair Board office for details or if you would like to be a vendor or sponsor 308 345-4650...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioner Earl McNutt hoped Monday morning it was an "April Fool's Joke," but Kristi Korell assured him it wasn't, that she was resigning her position as the county's zoning administrator effective April 15. Korell told commissioners at their weekly meeting that she doesn't feel she can do well both her full-time job as county assessor and the additional duties of the zoning administrator. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners bought a new road grader and accepted a non-taxed "buffer zone" around the Work Ethic Camp at their weekly meeting Monday morning. The new grader, for commissioner Cayla Richards' District 3, is a 2018 Caterpillar 12M3 to be purchased from NMC in North Platte, with $10,000 parts and service credit, a 5-year-, 5,000-hour warranty and immediate delivery...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County's armor-coated roads are a mess. County commissioner Earl McNutt said at the commissioners' weekly meeting Monday morning, "Our roads have taken a beating this winter," as commissioners and Tyson Bardsley, the county's roads superintendent, discussed the county's armor coating projects for the summer...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners approved two new subdivisions northwest of McCook — again — at their weekly meeting Monday morning. Commissioners needed to act on Jerry Gohl's "Heritage Pointe Addition" and Mark Bishop's "Bishop Acres Second Subdivision" a second time, since Feb. 11, because the county's planning commission also had to approve it for recommendation to commissioners a second time...

McCOOK, Neb. — Groundhog’s Day has come and gone, but members of the Red Willow County Planning Commission may have felt they were part of the 1993 Bill Murray flick that featured the main character who lived the same day over and over again. The Monday meeting of the planning commission was a re-do of a Feb. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook/Red Willow County Visitors Committee has completed writing and revising the process and forms required of businesses and organizations applying for grants to promote events and offset facility rental costs. Visitors committee director Carol Schlegel told county commissioners at their weekly meeting Monday morning that the written guidelines will make grant awards less subjective than they have been in the past and indicate to grant applicants and recipients what is expected throughout the process and at the conclusion of an event.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners approved proposals for two new subdivisions on the northwest edge of the City of McCook at their weekly meeting Monday morning. The two subdivision are Jerry Gohl's "Heritage Pointe Addition" and Mark Bishop's "Bishop Acres Second Subdivision." Both were recommended for commissioners' approval by the county's zoning commission, which met Feb. 7...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Red Willow County's proposal to replace a wooden bridge west of Marion with culverts has been approved for funding from the county bridge match program of the Nebraska Department of Transportation. On Friday, the NDOT announced the approval of 66 bridge repair/replacement proposals at a total construction cost of $10.1 million, of which $4.12 million is from the county bridge match program that addresses deficient county bridges. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — New District 3 Red Willow County commissioner Cayla Richards attended her first board of commissioners' meeting Monday morning, and District 1 commissioner Earl McNutt was elected to another term as chairman of the board. District 2 commissioner Steve Downer will continue as vice chairman of the board and as chairman of the board of equalization. Richards will serve as the vice chair of the board of equalization...

CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners took no action Monday morning to change or eliminate the county's existing zoning regulations that govern public airports and private airstrips. After nearly an hour of discussion during their regular meeting, commissioners passed the issue back to the county's zoning board, asking zoning board members to revisit their recommendation that commissioners accept a change in wording that separates regulations for public airports from those for private airstrips, retaining existing regulations for both entities.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Along with county and community leaders all across America, the commissioners of Red Willow County and the Hillcrest Nursing Home board of directors will face major decisions in 2019 regarding the future of nursing home care. Red Willow County Commission Chair Earl McNutt focused attention on the nursing home issue in his 2019 outlook statement, saying one of the county's major challenges in the year ahead "will be making sure we maintain a strong and viable nursing home."...

McCOOK, Neb. — During their last meeting of 2018, Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning approved a 10 percent bonus for the director of the county’s tourism efforts. Dan Stramel, chairman of the county’s visitors committee, describes the job of Tourism Director Carol Schlegel as “not your typical 8-to 5 job. Carol is on the road as much as she’s in her office. She is involved in so many state tourism activities at which Red Willow County’s presence and visibility are so important.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County will participate in a 6-county interlocal agreement to address mental health, truancy and legal issues for juveniles in Southwest Nebraska. Red Willow County commissioner Earl McNutt said Tuesday morning that Red Willow County will still operate its own in-house juvenile diversion program through the county attorney’s office, but will now also have access to mental health counseling and truancy assistance through the new six-county cooperation...

McCOOK, Neb. — Nebraska Extension has an important role in supporting Nebraska agriculture, and needs to do a better job getting that point across, State Sen. Dan Hughes told extension representatives last week. Hughes said he wouldn’t “sugar coat” the funding challenges extension faces as part of the University of Nebraska, the third largest state budget behind K-12 education and Health and Human Services and Medicaid...

Nov. 15, 2018, attendees of the first annual Bacon & Brews Fest at Cambridge, Neb., enjoyed bacon accented treats and refreshments cooked up by 16 participating Cambridge businesses. Tickets were sold out in advance of the event and those with an appetite strong enough to visit all 16 businesses were entered in a drawing for a grand prize gift basket. The event was coordinated by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and Furnas County Visitors Committee.

McCOOK, Neb. — Following action by Nebraska’s Tax Equalization Review Commission in Lincoln, several taxing entities in McCook will have to refund their portions of $5,477.72 paid to them in taxes. Red Willow County treasurer Sue Wesch told county commissioners at their meeting Monday morning that the TERC board has reduced the 2017 real estate tax valuation on the Sixth Street Foods property in McCook, and taxing entities in McCook must now refund the $5,477.72 in taxes that Sixth Street has already paid.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Andy Long of the McCook Economic Development Corp. will speak to Red Willow County Commissioners about a grant at their regular meeting Monday. Long is slated to address the board at 9:45 a.m. about the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska grant...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning authorized the Nebraska Department of Transportation to begin “remonumenting” section corners along Highway 6&34 construction between McCook and Indianola. District 3 Commissioner Jacque Riener said the project involves resetting any section markers that may have been disturbed during highway construction. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County’s newest “One- and Six-Year Road Plan” envisions replacing three bridges with tubes or culverts, and someday paving County Road 719 to create a short-cut loop from Highway 83 to Community Hospital in McCook. During a public hearing at the commissioners’ weekly meeting, Monday, commissioners Earl McNutt and Steve Downer (Jacque Riener was absent) and road superintendent Tyson Bardsley discussed the county’s bridge and road plans and explained that several of them are dependent upon “if and when” funding is available.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The flu season is coming, and the Red Willow County Health Department is ready to help protect you and your family. “We have a full shipment of flu vaccine and can give flu shots immediately,” said Director Pam Harsh. To that end, a number of flu clinics have been scheduled at area businesses as well as having nurses available every day of the week at our location at the fairgrounds (1400 West 5th Street) in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners approved a nearly $20 million budget and a $0.312556 tax levy for 2018-19 during their weekly meeting Monday morning. Budget preparer Dan Miller said that the budget for Hillcrest Nursing Home, which is owned by the county, is $7.9 million and is included in the county’s total budget of $19,878,799.20...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County and City of McCook planners are proposing a new map that redraws the outer ring of the city’s two-mile jurisdiction along quarter-section and section lines in the county. The current map shows an undulating circle that delineates the area in which properties are within the city’s planning and zoning jurisdiction. Outside the circle, properties owners are bound by the county’s zoning regulations...

McCOOK, Neb. — The director and public health nurse of the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department questioned Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning about their intentions to let the county’s health department work beyond county lines. Myra Stoney, SWPHD director, and Melissa Propp RN told commissioners they have had a good working relationship with the county’s health department and were surprised two weeks ago that the county’s health department is considering providing services in areas that SWPHD covers outside of Red Willow County.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County’s tax levy for 2018-19 will increase 1 cent, from $0.302105 to $0.312565, per $100 of valuation. “The levy’s going up … we can’t stop it,” third district commissioner Jacque Riener said during the commissioners’ weekly meeting Monday morning. But, she added, she feels commissioners did a good job of holding it down as much as they did...

McCOOK, Neb. — At their weekly meeting Monday morning, Red Willow County commissioners adopted resolutions allocating final levies and tax dollars for subdivisions subject to the county levy: Danbury Cemetery: Taxes allocated, $3,745; levy rate, $0.007425...

McCOOK, Neb. — As Nebraska Sen. Dan Hughes waited for his time slot on the agenda of the Red Willow County commissioners meeting Monday morning, he witnessed commissioners’ struggle to make a new budget balance. A transfer from the county’s $1.9 million inheritance tax fund would take a bit of the hurt off of a tax levy increase, commissioners figured, and commissioner Steve Downer said, “It doesn’t hurt anything to use the inheritance tax fund when we’re trying to offset increases.”...