Red Willow County

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.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — Making a transfer from inheritance, reducing the health department’s tax request and looking for cuts in the road budget may mean that Red Willow County can offset somewhat a nearly $32 million drop in valuation. McCook CPA Dan Miller, who prepares the budget for the county, told commissioners Monday morning that a preliminary budget indicates a tax levy of $0.318864, up from $0.0302105 in 2017-18, if they transfer $500,000 from inheritance and reduce the health department’ tax request by $15,000. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County’s attorney asked county commissioners Monday morning to reconsider their denial of his request to hire a second deputy attorney for his office, that he feels their denial last week was “personal.” One commissioner supported the idea, but his motion died for lack of a second and the issue was tabled...

McCOOK, Neb. — The disappearance of a white Ford pickup from a rural Red Willow County residence may be connected to the escape of an inmate from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services' Work Ethic Camp in McCook Thursday evening. The missing pickup is a white 2016 Ford F250 four-door Super Duty diesel with "48-114" and "Cappel Motors" dealer plates...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County assessor Kristi Korell has certified to county commissioners that the county’s 2018-19 valuation is $1,265,180,204, which is down $31,725,727 from the valuation of $1,296,905,931 in 2017-18. The drop in county valuation means to commissioners that the county has almost $32 million less upon which to generate the taxes its needs to fund its operations...

McCOOK, Neb. — Since issuing notices in October last year to 40 taxpayers with delinquent tax bills, the Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office collected on 33 distress warrants bringing in $9,740.05 in taxes and $668.41 in interest. The 40 warrants issued last year totaled $11,648.08 and demanded payment of late taxes ranging from $6.12 to $2,724.20, plus interest. The taxes are personal property taxes due Dec. 31, 2016, and delinquent May 1, 2017, and Sept. 1, 2017...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners perused several departments’ proposed budgets for 2018-19 at their weekly meeting Monday morning. The county budget will be finalized after the assessor validates the county valuation Monday and all paperwork and approved department budgets are forwarded to the county’s budget preparer Dan Miller...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood asked commissioners Monday morning to consider hiring a second part-time deputy attorney and to allow him to hire his daughter for the position. Wood broached the subject when he submitted his proposed 2018-19 budget with a $19,020 increase on the line for a deputy attorney’s salary. Wood said that his daughter, Emily, has taken the bar exam, and if she passes, she would be able to start Oct. 1...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners saw a $39,000 increase in the budget proposed for 2018-19 by the fair board, so Monday morning they went looking for places to cut by a figure close to that. By the end of their budget hearing, commissioners had slashed $26,900 from throughout the proposed budget and told the fair board secretary to find ways to shift more costs to the self-supporting Kiplinger arena complex budget and to keep all Kiplinger costs within the Kiplinger budget. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Rural Futures Institute interns Emily Frenzen and Sage Williams spent their summer at the Museum of the High Plains and in the office of McCook Economic Development, and will end their involvement in McCook with two events that they explained to Red Willow County Commissioners at their meeting Monday morning...

McCOOK, Neb. — At their weekly meeting Monday morning, Red Willow County commissioners agreed to contribute $10,096 for the 2018-19 budget of Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault Services based in McCook. That’s the same amount DASAS requested from the county last year, DASAS director Donna Goad told commissioners, despite the McCook office seeing a 21.5 percent increase in the number of crisis line phone calls its advocates answered...

A thunderstorm right before the 2018 Red Willow County Fair Demolition Derby made for a delightfully muddy mess. Results included: Limited weld: 1. Larry Steinbeck, McCook; 2. Wil Steinbeck, McCook; 3. Brenton Ellis, Indianola; 4. Tyler Neel, McCook. Most aggressive: Brenton Ellis. Trucks: 1. Travis Landreth, Wilsonville; 2. Tim Jauken, Wilsonville. Most aggressive: Travis Landreth. ’90s and newer (one of two finals) : 1. Matt Rippen, Culbertson; 2. AJ McDonald, Culbertson; 3. Cooper Breinig, Arapahoe; 4. Devin Bolio, Benkelman; 5. Tyson Karr, McCook; 6. Jason Wilson, McCook. Most aggressive: Devin Bolio. ’90s and newer (the second of two finals) : 1. Ozzie Romero, Cozad; 2. Isaac Watson, Edison; 3. David Vigneur, McCook; 4, Kristal Smith, McCook; 5. Litton Stute, Benkelman; 6. Austin Johnson, Benkelman. Most aggressive: Isaac Watson.

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning accepted a bid from a Kearney manufacturer for the corrugated tubes that will replace two bridges in Red Willow and Frontier counties between now and the end of 2019. During their weekly meeting, commissioners Steve Downer and Earl McNutt (Jacque Riener was not in attendance) authorized the purchase of two 8 1/2x40-foot corrugated metal pipes with welded headwalls for a Red Willow County project on the Beaver Creek northwest of Danbury, and of one 7-foot corrugated metal pipe for a Frontier County project over Mitchell Creek northeast of Stockville.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Talk of politics, religion and schools isn’t allowed at Moore family get-togethers. So, Eldon Moore, the family patriarch, came to the Red Willow County commissioners’ meeting Monday morning to talk politics. Within about 20 minutes, Moore shared his views on taxes and land values, the county sheriff’s department, its jail and dispatching, the sheriff’s department and the McCook police department, and … oh, county budgets...

Kenna McConville 9 enters a one layer cake with frosting and other edible items this morning. She told the judge Julie Vrbas that she wanted to do a horse but she couldn't figure out how to do a horse in frosting, so she did the beach. She said her stepmother had to put a sign on the cake that said, “Do not eat,” because this is for the county fair. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — After meeting as a board of equalization for tax roll corrections and a hearing on a motor vehicle tax exemption application, the Red Willow County board of commissioners will reconvene to open bids for Red Willow and Frontier County bridge replacement projects...

McCOOK, Neb. — When McCook cowboy and roper Tom Kiplinger died on July 29, 2017, he left behind a lifetime of adventures and lots of laughter and a legacy of charitable giving. A close friend said, “There’s been no one before in this area who has ever been as charitable as Tom Kiplinger.”...

McCOOK — Red Willow County’s newest extension educator is an example of the life-changing influence that 4-H can have on the career choices of members. Born and raised an hour north of New York City — in Westchester County — Katherine “Kat” Caswell became involved in 4-H at a young age, inspiring her to major in agriculture in college and to pursue employment in the ag field following graduation...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners who listened Monday afternoon to property owners protest their homes’ property valuation assured them that none of them are writing the rules. “No one in this room made the rules,” commissioner and board of equalization chairman Steve Downer told several homeowners who are upset — “I’m mad … mad,” one said — about the property valuation that will determine their tax bills after levies are set in October...

Connie Jo Discoe Regional Editor McCOOK, Neb. — Two days before Independence Day 2018, Red Willow County commissioners agreed to prominently post “In God We Trust,” the “National Motto” since 1956, in at least one place in the courthouse in McCook. At their weekly meeting Monday morning, commissioners decided to ask Indianola artist Roxann Owens to create at least one “In God WeTrust” display for the courthouse...

McCOOK, Neb. — The new Miss Southwest Nebraska Rodeo Queen and her court will be crowned following competition on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds in McCook Saturday. Watching the competition among eight girls and lending them support and encouragement will be last year’s royalty, queen Chyanne Friehe of Culbertson and junior queen Lacey Langer of Superior, and the new “Miss Teen Rodeo,” Rebel Sjeklocha of Hayes Center...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners will continue on with their plan to incorporate juvenile pretrial diversion services into the county attorney’s office, following the additional action at their weekly meeting Monday morning. Commissioner Jacque Riener said this is the county’s “one-time chance” to change its diversion program since a contract was terminated two months ago with Lutheran Family Services, which coordinated the county’s juvenile diversion program for 12 years...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County’s road superintendent Tyson Bardsley will return to the commissioners’ weekly meeting next week to finalize some road and bridge work that he and commissioners discussed at their meeting this morning. Commissioners took no action on three items today, but will at their June 25 meeting:...

McCOOK, Neb. — A staff member of Nebraska Third District Rep. Adrian Smith assured owners of trailers houses on three Southwest Nebraska lakes that, by staying in touch with Smith's office, they've done what they need to do in their effort to keep their trailers at the lakes...

McCOOK, Neb. — In the 60-some Nebraska counties that Barb Otto has visited in the last three years, not a single courthouse had the National Motto, "In God We Trust," displayed anywhere. After Barb's visit, most of them have either installed signs or have approved a project to hang signs. Red Willow County commissioners will vote on the issue at an upcoming meeting...

McCOOK, Neb, — Red Willow County will continue its support of the McCook Humane Society animal shelter after commissioners agreed at their weekly meeting this morning to contribute $3,000 for 2018/19. Commissioner Jacque Riener said that commissioners don’t know the county’s money situation for next year yet, as budget work for 2018-19 is just beginning. She said, however, that with some farmland valuations going down, a contribution to the animal shelter “probably can’t go up.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — A Nebraska fire marshal and a Red Willow County sheriff’s deputy are investigating fires inside and near a wind-damaged shop on Old Highway 6 west of McCook Sunday evening. Red Willow Western rural firefighters responded to the fire call about 10 p.m., Sunday, to find an SUV burning outside and a small fire inside the building owned by Neal Coyle...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioner Jacque Riener wants safety meetings for the county’s three road crews before commissioners get busy with 2018-19 budget work this summer. Riener wants more detailed safety policies for the road crews spelled out, for the protection of employees, the county and the public. Safety policies and a safety committee for the courthouse, fairgrounds and Hillcrest Nursing Home are separate from the safety policies for the county’s road crews...

McCOOK, Neb. — Out of frustration, a member of a Red Willow County road crew who is also a county commissioner slid a garden rake in front of a moving school bus on May 10. He and his supervisor, another commissioner, spoke to the school superintendent on May 11. He has apologized publicly, and county road crews have been instructed to sign their work zones better...

McCOOK, Neb. — At their weekly meeting Monday morning, Red Willow County commissioners will discuss traffic safety and the county’s personnel manual and employment records at 9:30 a.m. The discussion is likely in response to an incident in which county road crew member and commissioner Earl McNutt slid a rake in front of a school bus on Thursday, May. 10...

McCOOK, Neb. — At their weekly meeting Monday morning, Red Willow County commissioners accepted a bid to air condition the 4-H Building on the county fairgrounds in McCook. The restrooms and a meeting room within the building are already air-conditioned. 5 Starr LLC of McCook will now install air conditioning in the large exhibit hall at a cost of $13,754...

McCOOK, Neb. — A large portion of the county’s road budget will most likely be spent this summer to armor coat about 6 1/2 miles of County Road 402 north out of Bartley. County commissioner Steve Downer told fellow commissioners during their weekly meeting Monday morning that the Bartley road is cracked, crumbling and alligatoring. It was last armor coated in 2014...

McCOOK, Neb. — Starting the first of July, Red Willow County’s juvenile pretrial diversion program will be coordinated by the county attorney’s office. County commissioners Monday morning voted unanimously not to continue a contract with Lutheran Family Services to coordinate the county’s juvenile diversion program...

McCOOK, Neb. — A Danbury man was transferred to a hospital in Kearney following a fiery one-vehicle roll-over accident south of McCook early Saturday morning. Red Willow County Sheriff Alan Kotschwar reported this morning that Casey Hardy, 23 years old, was injured when his car rolled near Mile Marker 7, near the big curve on Highway 83 south of McCook...

CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor McCOOK, Neb. — The ink was barely dry on their certificates of completed training when two of the newest CASA volunteers were immediately assigned to cases in Furnas County. Cathy McDowell of McCook, CASA director, said the program is always seeking new volunteers, and particularly in the six Southwest Nebraska counties around Red Willow. She was thrilled Tuesday morning that two of the newest volunteers will serve children in Furnas County...

McCOOK, Neb. — At their weekly meeting Monday morning, Red Willow County commissioners approved a conditional use permit for an irrigator to use waste water from a dairy northeast of McCook. Brad Randel of rural Indianola, representing Randel Family Ltd. and Randel Family Trust, sought the county’s permission to pump waste water from Kingdom Dairy to irrigation pivots (an existing system and a system to be installed) in Section 34, Township 4, Range 29...

Connie jo Discoe Regional Editor McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County sheriff and his deputies investigated “accordion style” accidents involving seven vehicles Friday afternoon and evening, blaming slick roads and white-out conditions on a winter-like spring storm that roared in on 60-70-mile-an-hour north winds...

OXFORD, Neb. — The Red Willow Household Hazardous Waste Program plans collection events in Furnas County Saturday, April 7. The schedule will be: Oxford fire hall, 8-9 a.m. Beaver City county shop, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Arapahoe county shop, 11 a.m.-noon...

McCOOK, Neb. — Myra Stoney, the director of the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department headquartered in McCook, told Red Willow County commissioners during their meeting Monday that SWNPHD provided $135,426 in services to county residents between July 2016-June 2017, at no cost to the county...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners were surprised, and pleased, that they received five bids for tuck-pointing the county’s 92-year-old three-story limestone and brick courthouse. This will be the first time the courthouse, which measures 70x100 feet, is tuck-pointed since its dedication on May 25, 1927. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County commissioners and roads superintendent Tyson Bardsley discussed possible armor coating projects for the summer of 2018 during the commissioners’ weekly meeting Monday morning. Each year, the county tries to do about 10 miles of armor coating; the average cost is usually $15,000-16,000...