News

McCOOK, Neb. - The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on Tuesday, addressing a range of topics, including motor vehicle exemptions, the scheduling of public hearings, and the appointment of a new county assessor. The meeting began with the approval of the agenda, followed by a review of accounts payable and payroll claims...

McCOOK, Neb. - In a step toward enhancing local recreational facilities, the McCook City Council convened a special meeting at noon on Monday to finalize an agreement with Mammoth Sports Construction for the design and pre-construction phases of a new sports complex...

McCOOK Neb.- Monday marked a heartwarming moment for the McCook community as local entrepreneur Thatcher Skolout returned home after a nine-month journey of hospitalization and rehabilitation. His homecoming, just in time for Christmas, has been celebrated as a testament to the power of community support...

(Ogallala, Neb.) — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people following two pursuits in western Nebraska. Sunday, at approximately 12:40 a.m. MT, troopers were notified that the Ogallala Police Department was in pursuit of a Toyota sedan westbound on Highway 30. ...

The Nebraska State Patrol and the Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Office are looking for this early 90s Jeep Cherokee that drove into the front of the Dollar General in Trenton at about 6:15 this morning. The driver entered the store wearing a black hoodie with a logo on the chest, a bandana over the face, and latex gloves. The Jeep has an aftermarket front bumper and may have suffered front-end damage. If you see it, or have any information, call 911 or NSP Dispatch at 308-535-8047...

LINCOLN, Neb. – Following a news conference during which Dr. Charity Evans, chief of trauma for Nebraska Medicine and Dr. Hillman Terzian, a trauma surgeon at Nebraska Medicine, updated media regarding Governor Jim Pillen’s medical status and recovery, the Governor’s office issued the following statement with further updates regarding his care:...

LINCOLN - The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) has announced that Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for November 2024 is 2.8 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is up 0.1 percent from the October 2024 rate and is up 0.3 percentage points from the November 2023 rate of 2.5 percent. Nebraska's rate is ranked fifth lowest in the nation. National unemployment rate rankings are available here: bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm...

McCOOK, Neb. — The Salvation Army is in need of volunteers to support its annual holiday bell-ringing campaign in McCook, running through Dec. 23. By ringing the bell, participants help support the Red Kettle Campaign, with 90% of funds benefiting Red Willow County and Southwest Nebraska...

The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Equalization will hold their regular meetings on Monday, Dec. 23, beginning at 9 a.m. at the county courthouse. The agenda includes time for citizens’ comments, although no action can be taken on those items, as well as reviews of accounts payable and payroll claims...

The City of McCook has scheduled a special meeting for noon on Dec. 23, 2024, in the City Council Chambers to consider an agreement with Mammoth Sports Construction for the design and pre-construction of a new sports complex. The meeting marks a significant step forward in the city’s efforts to develop a state-of-the-art sports facility for local and regional use...

McCOOK, Neb. — Red Willow County Sheriff Kevin Darling shared an important update Thursday regarding the investigation into the recent shooting of a gestating mare, an incident that has shocked the local community. “We appreciate the public’s help in providing bits of information,” Sheriff Darling said. “Keep it up; that one piece of information is out there that will give us a clear picture of who did this.”...

McCOOK, Neb. - Pizza Hut in McCook will hold a fundraiser on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, to support Mark and Patty Brown, who recently lost their home and two beloved pets in a devastating fire. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 15% of all sales will be donated to the Browns to help ease their financial burden...

McCOOK, Neb. - Recently, over fifty people took to Facebook to answer the question: “What gift would you send someone to remind them of McCook?” The responses reflected a deep nostalgia and local pride, showcasing this vibrant community’s unique offerings...

McCOOK, Neb. – A transformative educational initiative takes shape in Nebraska as high school students embrace the Jobs for American Graduates (JAG) program. Established in 1980 and introduced to Nebraska in 2019, JAG is designed to equip students with the skills and confidence necessary to navigate the workforce and achieve personal success...

CHADRON, Neb. - Chadron Community Hospital & Health Services has announced the appointment of Jonathan (Jon) Reiners as Chief Executive Officer. Reiners will officially assume the role on Jan. 6, 2025, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to rural health care and community engagement...

Anna Labay McCook Gazette McCOOK Neb. – In a celebration of safety and community spirit, Valmont Industries in McCook hosted its inaugural Light Parade and Ugly Safety Vest Contest on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Organized by the Valmont STOP (Safety Through Our People) Committee, the event drew enthusiastic participation from employees and local community members, including judges from the McCook Fire Department, Community Hospital, the Gazette, and McCook Chamber of Commerce...

McCOOK, Neb. - The City of McCook Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire early Wednesday morning, Dec. 18, in McCook. Numerous 911 calls advised the fire was located at 1301 Country Club Drive. Heavy flames could be seen from several blocks away and first-arriving fire department crews reported heavy fire coming from an attached garage that had spread into the residence at that location...

TRENTON, Neb. – A Texas truck driver has entered a plea deal in a case stemming from a fatal crash in Hitchcock County earlier this year. Keith B. Gesegnet, 51, of Stephenville, Texas, pled no contest to nine charges, including misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide, in Hitchcock County District Court. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2025, at 1 p.m...

Today, McCook city staff announced that the City of McCook Transfer Station will close at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and will remain closed through Wednesday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. The Transfer Station will resume regular hours on Thursday, Dec. 26, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m...

McCOOK, Neb. – The recent meeting of the McCook City Council began on a positive note as City Manager Nate Schneider read a heartfelt letter from Sarah Schneider, Director of the McCook Chamber of Commerce. In her message, she expressed immense gratitude for the city’s support during the successful “Noel on Norris” holiday event...

McCOOK, Neb. – The McCook Rotary Club will host a western-themed New Year’s Eve celebration at the McCook City Auditorium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. The event will run from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and will feature food, dancing, and other entertainment...

McCOOK, Neb. – A gestating mare has been shot, prompting an investigation by local authorities. On Saturday evening, Red Willow County Sheriff Kevin Darling shared the following announcement via social media: “Hello all. I want to put this out to the public and request your help with an investigation that began this afternoon. The Sheriff’s Office was contacted and responded to a horse having been shot and killed sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning.”...

WASHINGTON –Following weeks of floor speeches and maneuvering, the Senate passed legislation to transfer the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR) Swanson Reservoir land to Hitchcock County and the BoR Red Willow Reservoir land to Frontier County. The bill, introduced by U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03), now heads to the President’s desk...

LENEXA, Kan. – On Friday, Dec. 13, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a statement announcing that Kugler Oil Company of McCook, Neb., had agreed to pay a $119,000 civil penalty. The settlement is associated with alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act’s chemical accident prevention provisions at its liquid fertilizer manufacturing business in Culbertson...