Election

McCOOK, Neb - The Red Willow County GOP (Republican Party) has announced its regular monthly meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 23. The meeting will take place at the Bedore Barn/Marlene’s Kitchen, 38404 RD 719 north of McCook. All area Republicans are invited and encouraged to attend...

McCOOK Neb. - One candidate was missing from the Red Willow Republican candidate forum on March 17, 2024. Shane Messersmith had been called to a family emergency. Messersmith is also running for the Red Willow County District 2 Commissioner position...

Accompanied by Barry and Marian Richards of Hayes Center, left, John Walz dropped into the Gazette on Monday following his appearance at a GOP Candidates’ Forum in McCook on Sunday. Walz, who seeks to unseat U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith in Congress, received endorsement by the Hitchcock county Republican Party, along with John Glen Weaver, who is opposing incumbent Sen. ...

McCOOK Neb. - A representative for Senator Deb Fisher responded to some heated questions from a community member at the Red Willow County Republican’s forum on Sunday, March 17th, 2024. Three federal candidates were represented at the forum: Cole Lumsden represented Senator Deb Fischer, John Walz for the House of Representatives 3rd District, and John Glenn Weaver for the US Senate...

McCOOK Neb.— Local candidates had a chance to make their case at the Red Willow County Republican Candidate’s forum Sunday Candidates for local races included Rose Weskamp, Randy Dean, and John O’dea. Weskamp is running for sub-district one for the Middle Republican Natural Resources District. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A multi-county Republican Candidates’ Forum for all local, state, and federal Republican candidates is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Bedore Barn/Marlene’s Kitchen, 38404 Road 719. Candidates will address the group beginning at 2:30 pm. All three of our federal representatives are up for reelection this year and have been invited. Sen. Deb Fischer is running unopposed on the Republican ticket and a representative from her campaign has confirmed the date...

McCOOK, Neb. — A multi-county candidate’s forum for all local, state, and federal Republican candidates will begin with a meet-and-greet at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 17 at Bedore Barn/Marlene’s Kitchen, 38404 Road 719 in McCook. Candidates will address the group beginning at 2:30 pm. ...

HOLDREGE, Neb. — Team scores along with all top placers from Southwest and Dundy County-Stratton in Friday's Holdrege Track-Field Invitational at Keifer Field. GIRLS Teams: 1. Cozad 98, 2. Hastings 91, 3. Gothenburg 89, 4. Holdrege 74, 5. Lexington 51, 6. Dundy County-Stratton 40, 7. Southwest 28, 8. North Platte 26, 9. Pleasanton 9...

McCOOK, Neb. — A little more than half the county’s registered voters turned out to cast a ballot as McCook voted to raise the sales tax to pay for a new swimming pool and ball complex. The first precinct reported to the Red Willow County Clerk’s office shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m. ...

OMAHA, Neb. — Nebraska voters approved a trio of statewide ballot initiatives Tuesday, which means: Workers will get a minimum wage boost; people will have to provide photo ID in order to vote; and airports gained the power to use public funds to expand commercial flight offerings...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – A past educator who also holds a current Nebraska teaching certificate would like to represent District 7 on the Nebraska State Board of Education. Elizabeth Tegtmeier holds a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction. She lives in North Platte, Neb., where she has home-schooled her five children through the 8th grade. Her husband is also involved in education as the IT Director for North Platte Public Schools...

McCOOK, Neb. – Some candidates seeking statewide positions attended a candidate forum hosted by KICX Radio last week, informing listeners about their platforms and answering questions from a three-person panel. The panel consisted of Community Hospital CEO Troy Brunz, McCook Chamber board member Tyler McCarty, and Gazette Publisher Shary Skiles...

McCOOK, Neb - During a recent KICX candidate forum, Red Willow County Sheriff hopeful, Kevin Darling, told constituents about his approach to law enforcement. Current Red Willow County Sheriff Alan Kotschwar is not seeking re-election. Two names will be on the ballot for the position, Darling (Republican) and Jaeden Carter (Libertarian). Carter was not in attendance...

McCOOK, Neb. – There are three reasons city leaders decided to combine the swimming pool and the ballparks into one ballot question, according to Jeff Gross, a representative of the McCook On the Move Committee at Wednesday night’s KICX Candidate’s Forum...

McCOOK, Neb. – McCook Public School patrons will be asked to choose three board members from a slate of four individuals, one incumbent and three newcomers, in the November election. All four candidates spoke at a recent KICX Candidate Forum held Wednesday at Sehnert’s Bakery and Bieroc Café. The entire forum can be viewed on KICX’s Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKwYuNxkflU...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County GOP is meeting Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Bedore Barn/marlene’s Kitchen three miles north of McCook at 6:30 p.m. with a meet and greet and a business meeting at 7 p.m. Area Republicans are encouraged to become informed and involved...

McCOOK, Neb. — It’s rural Nebraska that has decided who gets elected as governor in past elections, said State. Sen. Carol Blood, Democrat gubernatorial candidate at her town hall meeting on Oct. 7 in McCook. Yet, when those people are elected, even though they’ve promised otherwise, rural people end up being forgotten again, she said. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The City of McCook, McCook Public Schools and McCook Community College would enter into an arrangement for the maintenance and operation of a new proposed ballpark. That way, costs would be spread equally, said City Manager Nate Schneider at the town hall meeting Tuesday night. The meeting, attended by about 50 at the McCook Evangelical Free Church, concerned the recreational bond backed by city sales tax, that voters will decide upon at the Nov. 8 general election...

OMAHA, Neb. — Nebraska Democratic Party to hold inaugural Kerrey Nelson Gala on Friday, Oct. 14 in Omaha. The keynote speaker at the event will be U.S. Rep. Grace Meng of New York, who is serving her fifth term in the House. Several Democratic candidates and officials will also be in attendance giving speeches, including gubernatorial candidate Sen. ...

The biggest crowd yet turned out for Community Hospital Health Foundation benefit concert Saturday at the Kiplinger Arena on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Opener Bexar, above and third row, left, got the crowd going before Jerrod Neimann, top, took the stage as the main act, taking time to sign a guitar for a fan...

CURTIS, Neb, — A North Platte television news director and anchor who was fired after helping circulate a petition to put an abortion ban on the November ballot in her hometown has been named chair of the county Republican Party. Melanie Standiford of Curtis was appointed to the Frontier County position temporarily until a former election could be held...

McCOOK, Neb. — Gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen will bring his Nebraska Values Town Hall Tour to McCook, Imperial and four other towns next week. On Monday, Oct. 3, he will be at Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Cafe 9:30 to 11 a.m. and at St. Patrick’s Friendship Hall in Imperial, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m...

McCOOK, Neb. — Southwest Nebraska Republicans are planning events leading up to the fall election. The Red Willow and Frontier County GOP plan an event Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Bedore Barn, three miles north of McCook with a meet and greet at 6:30 p.m. followed by a business meeting at 7 p.m...

McCOOK, Neb — The Red Willow County Republican Party June meeting will begin with a meet and greet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 28 at Bedore Barn — Marlene’s Kitchen, with a business meeting at 7 p.m. The agenda includes information about the state convention in Kearney on July 9, and Elizabeth Tegtmeier, the candidate for the State Board of Education, invites everyone to a general election campaign kickoff at the Homestead Pumpkin Patch in North Platte on June 30. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A long-time McCook police officer and the son-in-law of a late sheriff will face a former Marine and son of a Dundy County sheriff’s deputy in the general election in November. MPD Senior Sgt. Kevin Darling defeated Red Willow County Sheriff’s Deputy Dalton Downing in the Republican race to replace retiring Sheriff Alan Kotschwar in the fall election. ...

Jasmine Dimas and Tammy Gonzales of the Red Willow County Clerk's Office tally early votes in Tuesday's election. County commissioner incumbents Earl McNutt and Cayla Richards lost to challengers Ted Gans and Charles Fritsche respectively, and Kevin Darling defeated Dalton Downing in the Republican race for county sheriff, to go on to face Libertarian candidate Jaeden Carter in the fall election. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Three candidates with local ties had good showings but finished in second place, according to preliminary results from the Nebraska Secretary of State's office. Kathy Wilmot of Beaver City won 20,128 votes for University of Nebraska Regent District 7, with 41.58% of the vote...

McCOOK, Neb. — A contender in the Nebraska governor’s race has McCook ties. State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, Neb., who is seeking the Democrat nomination in the governor’s race, was born in McCook; her father, Harry Vacek, operated Harry’s Apco in the early 1960s. The family moved to a farm in Adams County near Hastings, Neb., when she was four...

McCOOK, Neb. — Much of the latest candidates’ forum was as one would expect — candidates with extensive experience pointing to that experience as their best qualification, while younger contenders said it is time for a change. But in the biggest surprise of the night, one of the candidates pointed to his experience as the reason he was withdrawing from the race...

McCOOK, Neb — The Red Willow County GOP will meet on April 26, 2022, at Marlene’s Kitchen (Bedore Barn, 3 miles north of McCook). Coffee (fellowship) begins at 6:30 pm.  The business meeting begins at 7:00 pm. This is the beginning of year two for the local organization.  Last month at the County Convention, officers for the new year and delegates to the State Convention were elected.  The State Convention will be held in Kearney on July 8 and 9, 2022.  All Republicans in the state of Nebraska are invited to attend the State Convention.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. – Coyote Country 105.3 is hosting a candidate forum on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the McCook Senior Center. Candidates for local races for Red Willow County Commissioner, District 1 and 3; Red Willow County Sheriff; and Nebraska State Legislature District 38 will be represented...

McCOOK, Neb. — Next Friday, April 22, is the last day to register to vote by mail in the May 10 primary election, and May 2 is the deadline to register in person, according to the Red Willow County Clerk’s Office. To confirm you are registered, call 308.345.1552 or go to https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview/ to find out...

Shary Skiles Publisher Bruce Crosby Editor McCOOK, Neb. — A collection of candidates cited motivations ranging from a simple desire to serve their communities to more personal reasons such as wanting to spend more time with their families at a candidate’s forum hosted by McCook radio stations KICX and KBRL Tuesday night at the Bieroc Cafe...

McCOOK, Neb. — With changes resulting from the census, Red Willow County voters should call the county clerk to confirm where they should cast their ballots, county officials said Monday. Rural residents who have concerns about road maintenance, for instance, can still contact the same commissioner they have called in the past, but they may find themselves voting at a different polling place...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Republican Party will hold its 2022 County Convention on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at Bedore Barn/Marlene’s Kitchen (38404 Road 719, McCook). Coffee/fellowship begins at 6:30 pm followed by the business meeting at 7 pm...

McCOOK, Neb. – Red Willow County Republican voters will be asked to choose a Republican candidate for Sheriff on May 10. The candidates are Dalton Downing, Bill Watts, and Kevin Darling. The winner of the Republican primary will move on to the November general election and run against Jaeden Carter, who filed as a Libertarian...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Kathy Wilmot of Beaver City has announced her candidacy for District 7 Board of Regents. District 7 is comprised of the western 45 counties of Nebraska, reaching from the Colorado/Wyoming line to the eastern edges of Holt and Harlan counties...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. – David Gale, the Chief Executive Officer of Sandhills State Bank in North Platte, filed today to run for the Nebraska Public Power District Board of Directors, Subdivision 4, covering the counties of Lincoln, Red Willow, Gosper, Frontier, and Hayes, in Southwestern Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County GOP will meet on January 25 at Bedore Barn, 3 miles north of McCook, Neb.  The doors will open at 6:30 for coffee and the business meeting will begin at 7:00. It is nearing the time for the annual county Convention so dates and details will be presented.  Several items of business will be discussed.  All are welcome.  For information call/text 308-350-3155. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Newly-announced candidate for Nebraska Attorney General Sen. Mike Hilgers vows to continue the fight against government overreach started by current AG Doug Peterson. A member of the Legislature since 2017 and current speaker, Hilgers told the Gazette Thursday he planned to continue the fight against the federal government “either stretching its regulatory, statutory or constitutional authority to try to dictate to states like Nebraska or Nebraska families or companies, how we ought to operate.”. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, one day before he was scheduled to announce his re-election bid, his office confirmed Tuesday. A spokeswoman said Evnen has been fully vaccinated against the virus, and his symptoms are not severe. She said Evnen is working from his home office...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County GOP plans its September meeting on Tuesday, September 28, at Bedore Barn-Marlene’s Kitchen at 7 p.m.  All area Patriots are welcome to attend.  Patriots will report on local/state meetings attended recently, including the legislative redistricting meeting in Grand Island...

ARAPAHOE, Neb. -- Tyler Cappel, 35, was getting tired of the combative nature of politics over the past few years, The self-described “keyboard warrior” found himself on social media frustrated with the fact that his political views and values were not being represented. “Of course, nothing changes when you’re just complaining on Facebook or other social media, so I figured I might as well just get out and try to do something myself.”...

ARAPAHOE, Neb. --- Area business owner and personal trainer, Tyler Cappel has announced his bid for theDistrict 44 Legislative seat that is up for grabs in the November 2022 election. Sen. Dan Hughes is unable to run for reelection because of term limits...

COLUMBUS, Neb. -- State Sen. Dan Hughes has endorsed Republican Jim Pillen’s candidacy for governor. ““Our next governor must have a deep understanding of agriculture, and with his experience, Jim Pillen is agriculture,” said Hughes, a farmer from Venango. “Jim is one of us, and that’s why I trust him to look out for rural Nebraska, advance ag interests, and get us where we need to be on property taxes.”...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A local group called “Nebraska Speaks Out” will host national speaker Trent Loos next week in McCook. Loos will speak about President Joe Biden’s 30x30 executive order (https://bit.ly/2Q9QBtZ) of Jan. 27, more commonly called the 30x30 plan...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Patriots of Red Willow County will be meeting to elect leadership for the County Republican Party on May 18, 7 p.m. at “Bedore Barn,”  38404 Road 719, McCook. Leadership positions to be filled include Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Precinct Captains...

McCOOK, Neb. — Liberal Democrats want to take our freedoms, guns, land, water and even our children, but getting involved with the Republican Party can help stop them, an Ogallala party activist told a crowd of about 80 people Tuesday night. Keith County GOP Chairman Ron Schmidt risked alienating the crowd with criticism of former President Trump and said Sen. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — 3rd District Republican Party Chairman Ron Schmidt will be on hand Tuesday, April 20, for an informational / organizational meeting of Republican Party Patriots in Red Willow County. It will be 7 p.m. at the “Bedore Barn,” 38404 Rd 719, nor of McCook just off U.S. Highway 83...

McCOOK, Neb. — Voters in 26 counties in Nebraska, as well as five in Southwest Nebraska, were in favor of keeping slavery in the Nebraska Constitution as form of punishment. Nebraska voters overall, at 68.16%, in the 20202 general election ballot, approved the state constitutional amendment that removed slavery from the Nebraska constitution as a punishment for crime...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Red Willow County Clerk’s office is warning voters about misinformation being spread on social media regarding counting of provisional ballots. The following statement was issued today: “Please be careful what you believe and spread on social media...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Three candidates for McCook City Council and one candidate for Red Willow County Commissioner attended Tuesday’s Coffee with a Cop hosted by McCook Gazette. Candidates answered questions about their motivations for running, government’s role in workforce development, need for collaboration with other entities, and investing in the community, among other topics...

McCOOK, Neb. --- The Red Willow County Clerk is urging voters who are concerned about the pandemic to take advantage of early voting. Every registered voter in the county will receive an early ballot application this week, and voters are urged to complete it and mail it back or place it in the drop box next to the front door of the courthouse, Norris and E in McCook...

McCOOK, Neb. — Voters in the November 2020 general election will have the choice of one incumbent and two challengers vying for the two open seats on the McCook City Council. Incumbent Jerry Calvin has filed to retain his seat on the council. Current council member Janet Hepp has not re-filed, leaving another position open...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Randy Dean received 351 votes to Tim Burke's 217 to represent Red Willow County Commissioner District 2 in the only local race to be decided in Tuesday's election. In another race of interest, Hayes Center voters approved keno on a vote of 47-19...

McCOOK, Neb. — Voters in the May 12 primary will be asked to choose between two Republican challengers for the District 2 Red Willow County Commissioner seat. Current District 2 Red Willow County commissioner Steve Downer did not file for re-election...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Because of concerns associated with the coronavirus, Red Willow County is limiting the number of poll workers and polling places for the May 12 primary election. The following information was released by the county clerk: If you usually vote at: Please go to:...

McCOOK, Neb. — County parties across Nebraska have announced the dates of their local conventions, where they will elect local party officers and delegates to the State Democratic Convention. All conventions will be held by phone due to the coronavirus...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The League of Women Voters of Nebraska is offering an online voters guideline to all candidates, whether their campaigns are well-funded or not. “It is a great way for candidates to inform voters about their ideas and values, especially in this time of social distancing due to the novel coronavirus,” according to a release signed by Linda Duckworth, of Omaha of Dianne Bystrom of Plattsmouth, co-presidents of the League of Women Voters of Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Nebraska’s representatives in Washington too often forget about Western Nebraska, Matt Innis, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate said Thursday. On his third campaign swing through the region, Sen. Ben Sasse’s primary opponent said the senator was silent when it came to the decision by parent company Bass Pro Shops to decimate the Sidney, Neb., economy by cutting most of the jobs there...

STOCKVILLE, Neb. — It appears there were plenty of candidates for positions in races in the general election Tuesday in Frontier County. More than one school board and village board had more candidates than available positions. Eustis/Farnam school board: (3 positions) Tyler Pieper, 202 votes; Neil Jack, 186 votes; Michelle Fasse, 183 votes; Shannon Rupe, 174 votes; Sharon Portenier, 115 votes; 9 write-in votes...

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Two incumbents on the Dundy County-Stratton school board retained their positions and two did not after votes were counted Tuesday at the courthouse in Benkelman. At the polls Tuesday, school District 117 patrons were asked to select five board members from seven candidates, and Benkelman residents could could pick from two candidates for mayor...

TRENTON, Neb. — The majority of voters in Trenton and Stratton at the polls Tuesday said “no” to taxes earmarked for general tax relief. The village of Trenton was asking for a 1 1/2 percent sales and use tax to help pay for infrastructure, streets, economic development and bonded indebtedness. The vote was 109 against the tax and 68 in favor of it...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook voters retained two members of their City Council and added a new face to the mix during the general election Tuesday. In other contested races in Red Willow County, Indianola voters needed to select two members from three candidates for City Council and vote for a mayor from among write-in candidates...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — After elections Tuesday, Furnas County has a new sheriff, Cambridge has a new mayor, two incumbent county commissioners are unseated and the Oxford village board will be rearranged. Doug Brown, a write-in candidate for sheriff, came out ahead of Sheriff Kurt Kapperman, 1,118 votes to 955. These are the initial vote totals and are final until after the county’s canvassing board meets...

McCOOK, Neb. — Republican officials including Lt. Gov. Mike Foley, Attorney General Doug Peterson, GOP candidates John Murante for state treasurer and Bob Evnen for secretary of state will be in McCook for a rally Friday. It will be 10 to 11 a.m. at Sehnert’s Bakery, 312 Norris Ave...

McCOOK, Neb. — The time to stop voter fraud is before it begins, said Lincoln attorney Bob Evnen, candidate for Nebraska Secretary of State. “We can have voter ID without disenfranchising groups of voters,” he said Wednesday during a visit to McCook...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Within the past two years, Nebraska hospitals lost more than $175 million by providing care to people who couldn’t pay. That’s why hospital officials see next month’s vote on expanding Medicaid as important to their financial future...

McCOOK, Neb. — An informational meeting on Initiative Measure 427, Medicaid Expansion, is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the McCook Fire Department Training Room in the McCook Municipal Building, West Fifth and C in McCook. The issue will appear on the November ballot...

McCOOK, Neb. — Four candidates vying for three seats on the McCook City Council gathered at the Bieroc Café Tuesday for the Gazette’s monthly “Coffee with a Cop” meeting. The fifth candidate, Bill Longnecker, was out of town and unable to attend. Political newcomers Bruce Baker and Jared Muehlenkamp joined with incumbents Mike Gonzales and Gene Weedin to discuss their reasons for running for office and what they would like to get accomplished if elected. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. – Sen. Bob Krist, and Sen. Lynne Walz, will continue their Property Tax Listening Tour Thursday, July 19 with stops in Gibbon, Holdrege, and McCook. The tour is a statewide, border-to-border trip during the month of July listening to Nebraska landowners and homeowners whose property taxes continue to skyrocket out of control...

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Roger Roose of Scottsbluff, Neb., has announced his campaign for president of the United States in 2020. Roose was born in McCook, the son of Sonia Roose Clingerman, who died in 2011, and Reginald E. Roose of Rio Linda, Calif. Roose, 65, said he is running as a Democrat...

CONNIE JO DISCOE Regional Editor McCOOK, Neb. — In a very close contest that see-sawed most of the evening Tuesday between the incumbent and one of her three challengers, the race in the primary election for Red Willow County’s District 3 commissioner seat took an interesting turn when the final three precincts were counted about 10 p.m...

Two Southwest Nebraska sheriffs retained their offices and Cambridge voters authorized the establishment of a Keno lottery in the 2018 primary election Tuesday. The race for Cambridge mayor ended in a tie and the two candidates, Mark Harpst and David Gunderson, will advance to the general election in November...

McCOOK, Neb. — Two write-in candidates filed by the deadline Friday, according to Red Willow County election officials. Charles Fritsche is seeking write-in votes for County Commissioner District. 3, for the May 15 election. Travis VanPelt filed as a write-in candidate for Indianola mayor, but that position will be decided by voters in November...

McCOOK, Neb. — Republican lawmakers aren’t doing anything to deal with the ballooning national debt, and it will only get more difficult to deal with in the future, a retired University of Nebraska at Omaha math professor said. Jack Heidel, a Republican who is running for U.S. Senate, pointed to incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer, who although she did vote against the omnibus bill, had already voted to raise the debt limit...

LINCOLN, Neb. — Deadlines are approaching for voting in the Nebraska-wide primary election on Tuesday, May 15. According to the office of the Secretary of State: Monday, April 30 is: The postmark deadline for mailed-in voter registration; The last day voter registrations can be completed online...

McCOOK, Neb. — There’s not as much acrimony in Congress as portrayed in the media, Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District Rep. Adrian Smith said Tuesday. Speaking at a meet-and-greet at the Keystone Business Center hosted by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, Smith said after the meeting that “there’s more bi-partisanship than what makes the news.”...

McCOOK, Neb. — District 3 Commissioner Candidate Andrea Wolfe said she can offer a combination of experience and education to contribute to the management and growth of Red Willow County. She earned a bachelor of arts degree with cum laude honors in Biology and Agriculture, and holds current Nebraska insurance licenses...

A Palisade woman will challenge Sen. Dan Hughes for the District 44 seat in the Legislature, and a Red Willow County Clerk’s office employee will challenge Jacque Riener for District 3 Red Willow County commissioner. Stephanie L. Malcolm of Palisade is a teacher and small business owner, and will challenge Hughes, who is seeking his second and final consecutive four-year term in the Legislature...

McCOOK, Neb. — Meeting the 5 p.m. Thursday deadline to file as non-incumbents, three McCook men filed for one seat on the McCook City Council, and two McCook woman filed for a seat on the Red Willow County board of commissioners. Two men filed for two open seats on the McCook Public Schools board of education...

McCOOK, Neb. — As of the incumbent filing deadline at 5 p.m., Thursday, six of those who were required to file in the Red Willow clerk’s office in McCook had not done so. In addition, two Middle Republican Natural Resources District directors, Steve Cappel/District 4 and Brad Randel/District 6 — required to file with the Secretary of State’s office in Lincoln — did not file for re-election to those two district seats. Jay Schilling/District 5 did file by the incumbents' deadline...

McCOOK, Neb. — Todd Watson, born and raised in Lincoln, explained a platform based on the U.S. Constitution as he seeks to represent Nebraska and conservative Republicans in the U.S. Senate. Watson said Thursday in McCook that those who support his opponent, Sen. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — About 20 people turned out Sunday afternoon to learn more about a grassroots movement designed to ensure the government follows its original purpose “purpose … to secure our rights, not to run our lives.” Host Ernie C. Sears, who retired as an engineer with the Omaha Public Power District, said most are familiar with the Declaration of Independence's statement that governments “are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” but most aren't aware of the next sentences:. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — An Aurora High School graduate and small business owner, Kirk Penner, plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith next year. Penner shared his vision for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District during a visit with the Gazette Wednesday. At the top of his priority list is leveling the playing field for small business when it comes to taxes and getting rid of the oversized mega-bills he says provide all the opportunity needed for Washington D.C. corruption...

VENANGO, Neb. — Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango, Nebraska announced today that he will seek a second term in the Nebraska Legislature, running for the 44th District seat. Hughes was elected in 2014. Hughes was elected to the Executive Board of the Legislature in 2015 and in 2017. Senator Hughes is the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, he also serves on the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. Hughes also serves on the Building Maintenance and Reference Committees...

TRENTON, Neb. -- Hitchcock County commissioners named an acting county assessor during their meeting Monday. As acting assessor, Pat Albro takes the place of Marlene Bedore, who was removed from office through a recall election Nov. 8. Bedore had been assessor since January 2015...

TRENTON, Neb. -- After the election Tuesday, and with provisional ballots counted Wednesday and this morning, it's clear that Hitchcock County voters have recalled their assessor. Provisional ballots increased Tuesday's count from 738 for the recall of assessor Marlene Bedore and 683 against it, to a count of 738 for and 691 against...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County voters turned out in force for Tuesday's General Election, leading to lines at polling places not seen in the last 20 to 25 years, according to county election officials. In years past, Red Willow County voting lines typically only occurred during lunch hours, according to County Clerk Tami Teel. She said polling places all over Red Willow County were experiencing lines of voters Tuesday and many starting at 8 a.m. in the morning...

McCOOK, Neb. -- With a record 1,029 advance ballots cast in Red Willow County, Donald Trump is leading 773 or 78 percent of the vote compared to 17 percent or 171 votes for Clinton. The vote to repeal state law and reinstate the death penalty shows 65 percent in favor...

McCOOK, Neb. -- With eight of 13 precincts reporting in Red Willow County, Donald Trump is leading Hillary Clinton 3,082 to 467. County voters favor repealing legislation that ended the death penalty in Nebraska, 2,404 to 1,189.

CULBERTSON, Neb. -- Facing a recall election, Hitchcock County Assessor Marlene Bedore said much of the controversy surrounding her performance in office stemmed from her efforts to reduce expenses. That included switching from an expensive computer system that required expensive training to a lower-cost system used by 51 other counties in Nebraska, lowering her training budget, and bringing appraisals into compliance based on market value and deterioration of buildings...

RED WILLOW COUNTY, Neb. -- Nebraska voters will be asked to decide the future of the death penalty in the state during next week's General Election, in addition to casting their vote for President and Vice President. Tuesday's ballot includes a "Retain" or "Repeal" referendum which targets Nebraska legislation passed in 2015 changing the maximum penalty for the crime of murder in the first degree to life imprisonment. ...

RED WILLOW COUNTY, Neb. -- Contested races for several seats on the Cambridge and Hitchcock County school boards, as well as candidates vying for two seats on the Village of Bartley Board of Trustees, will likely provide the majority of the local intrigue for Red Willow County voters next week...

CULBERTSON, Neb. -- The Culbertson Women's Club plans an election forum Sunday with Hitchcock County assessor Marlene Bedore and with candidates for the Hitchcock County Schools Board of Education and the Village of Culbertson Board of Trustees. The public is invited to meet the candidates and ask questions at the forum scheduled at 2 p.m., at the Ambulance Barn in Culbertson...