News

Gazette scribbler R.B. Headley does a quick college football playoff rundown despite already past today’s press deadline: First round No. 9 ALABAMA gets revenge over No. 8 Oklahoma after a late-season Sooners win at Tuscaloosa got OU into this playoff...

McCOOK, Neb. - Rita Messersmith has been in the framing business for 44 years, but she is preparing to retire by the end of this month. She started framing at McCook Fabrics and Crafts, located in the building on Norris Avenue near West B St. (where Anytime Fitness is today). Her love of crafts had brought her to work there, but she was not interested in framing at first...

McCOOK, Neb. - Nearly two years after a Piper Malibu Mirage plunged into a McCook neighborhood, killing the pilot and seriously injuring his passenger, federal investigators have released their final report on the accident, citing a combination of excess weight, improper loading and a loss of engine power that left the pilot with no chance to recover...

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Nebraska Department of Revenue has released sales tax receipts for September 2025, offering a delayed but detailed look at taxable sales activity across southwest Nebraska. Red Willow County reported $15.18 million in net taxable sales for the month, a 1.9 percent increase from September 2024. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - Horses might dream of lazy days grazing in the pasture, but the team at Dusty Trails, LLC of North Platte gives them another kind of joy — spreading Christmas cheer. Christmas fans were blessed by three of the ranch’s horse-drawn carriages and a wagon for the fourth year at Saturday’s Noel on Norris in McCook. ...

CULBERTSON, Neb. - Culbertson and Trenton firefighters responded to a major blaze early Sunday morning after a backyard shed fire spread to a nearby garage and ignited a propane tank, sending flames 30 feet into the air. The fire was paged out at 4:19 a.m. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - The McCook School Board met Monday evening to review student achievements, safety updates, financial matters, and upcoming opportunities for staff and students. Highlights included a collaborative art project, strong academic ratings, and approval of a summer science trip...

McCOOK, Neb. - The renewal of the contract for Carol Schlegel as Red Willow County Tourism Director has been rejected on a 3-0 vote. That was one of many developments at Monday’s meeting of the Red Willow Board of Commissioners. Earlier in the morning, Charlie McPherson, Executive Director of the McCook Economic Development Corporation and Director of Housing Development, Amanda Engell addressed the board during the citizens’ comments opportunity. ...

One of many entries in the McCook Chamber of Commerce gingerbread house contest on display at the Keystone Building. The winner will be announced on Friday evening.

McCOOK, Neb. - McCOOK, Neb. - Just a bit more than a very busy month from now, on January 5, candidates for the 2026 election cycle will be able to file for office. That “opening day” applies to all federal, state and local offices. February 17 will be the next important date to watch. ...

KEARNEY, Neb. - In late November, the Gazette attended a panel discussion at the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) led by MONA director Karissa Johnson on the work of Dana Fritz. Fritz has a multi-project exhibit currently up at MONA featuring black-and-white photography from the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey, Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. - Although Karrer Park remains closed, city staff are working to resolve the issues that led to its shutdown and to address broader concerns about the misuse of public spaces in McCook. City Attorney Nathaniel Mustion is in the throes of crafting a string of city ordinances that will address the increasing issue of misuse of public spaces in town, mainly the city parks, where people have been sleeping in restrooms and “doing other inappropriate things” to cause unsafe environments for park-goers.. ...

Production Manager Russ Kennedy explains the finer points of color registration to St. Patrick’s School’s fourth-grade class on a recent field trip to the Gazette.

McCOOK, Neb. - The city’s deep injection well is aging and may be nearing the end of its practical service life, but that life has been extended by an expensive repair. That was one takeaway from Monday evening’s meeting of the McCook City Council. At 5:30 p.m., the meeting was called to order and proceeded with the agenda as published, with council members Muehlenkamp, Taylor, Weedin, and Rambali present. Council member Calvin was excused...

McCOOK, Neb. - In 1930, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation published the Curtiss-Wright Review, a 35-page, professionally produced slick magazine. Today, the company is known as an American engineering and manufacturing firm that develops advanced technologies and specialized products for the aerospace and defense industries. In 1930, however, Curtiss-Wright was primarily a manufacturer of small to mid-sized aircraft for both military and civilian use...

McCOOK, Neb. - Keeping the spirit of Third Thursday alive, members of the High Plains Museum welcomed local families last week for an evening of fun and games despite the brisk, rainy weather. Kid-friendly activities were scattered throughout the exhibits, encouraging attendees to dive in and even act a little silly among McCook’s largest historical collection. ...

For more than a century, communities across the Midwest and Great Plains have understood that prosperity begins at home. “Trade at home and home will trade with you” was a familiar refrain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, appearing in booster ads, railroad-town newspapers and the early promotions of Chambers of Commerce. It spoke to a simple truth: towns that supported their own merchants tended to prosper, while those that sent their dollars elsewhere often struggled to stay afloat...

While many people think volunteering is for older residents, serving your community has no age restrictions. And young people can regularly be found lending a hand or offering their services in their hometown. The November 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month recognizes one of many young people are working to make their community an even better place to call home: Grady Riemenschneider...

McCOOK, Neb. -Community Hospital Rehabilitation Center has announced that 11 members of its care team have earned Clinical Cancer Exercise Specialist (CCES) certification through the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute (UNCCRI). The group includes ten rehabilitation professionals—physical and occupational therapists and two physical therapist assistants—along with Community Hospital’s Oncology Director...

McCOOK, Neb - McCOOK, Neb - Recent news of the impending closure of the Tyson meatpacking plant in Lexington has prompted communities across Nebraska to question whether a similar economic shock could strike closer to home. Economies, of course, fluctuate and businesses will come and go, but the loss of more than 3,000 jobs in a city of just over 10,000 is devastating. ...

LINCOLN, Neb. - On Thursday afternoon, Governor Pillen’s office issued a press release with the provocative headline, “Gov. Pillen Urges Elimination of Confusing TEEOSA Formula Following NDE Error.” According to the release, Gov. Jim Pillen is sharing his frustration with an error by the independent Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) that resulted in millions of dollars being overpaid to school districts receiving state equalization aid. ...

LEXINGTON, Neb. - Tyson Foods announced Friday that it will shut down operations at its beef processing plant in Lexington, a move that immediately drew strong reactions from Nebraska officials, members of the state’s congressional delegation and the Nebraska Cattlemen...

In August, the Trump administration began reallocating programs from the Department of Education to other federal agencies, part of a broader effort, officials say, intended to reduce federal involvement in schools and return oversight to the states...

GRAND ISLAND — The aroma of mulled wine, the sound of live music, and the hum of conversation filled the air as TOAST Nebraska returned to Grand Island for its annual holiday wine festival, drawing 22 vineyards from across the state to showcase their craft. Now in its fifth year at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center at Fonner Park, the event has become a seasonal staple for vintners and wine lovers alike...

McCOOK, Neb. - Karen Land, a professional dog musher, author and public speaker, brought the rugged world of long-distance sled-dog racing to the McCook Public Library, sharing stories from the trail and introducing the audience to one of her veteran canine partners. ...