News

Since President Trump signed his executive order to “return education to parents and communities” by directing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education,” everyone in the educational space has been contemplating the ramifications. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Humane Society is preparing for a significant renovation project set to begin on Tuesday, April 1, which will address ongoing plumbing issues and replace the shelter’s aging kennels. The current kennel structure, which has been in use for about 40 years, has faced numerous plumbing issues over the years, sometimes requiring the shelter to close for short periods of time. ...

McCOOK, Neb. – Best known in McCook for his business, Longnecker Jewelry, a longtime fixture on Norris Avenue, Bill Longnecker is also a person of many avocations – from writing and painting to community theater and the occasional foray into politics...

was a matter of timely subject matter or a fortunate convergence of schedules, Wednesday morning’s “Coffee Talk” offered a rare blend of community perspectives in an informal, unscripted setting. Alongside featured guests – McCook Economic Development Director Charlie McPherson and MEDC Director of Housing Development Amanda Engell – attendees included a Community Foundation representative, a Norris Avenue business owner, a civil engineer, a retired educator, a current City Council member, and a former mayor, with a remarkable amount of overlap among those titles.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. - The McCook Economic Development Corporation will host an open house at the North Pointe Addition, McCook’s newest single-family residential subdivision, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. With newly installed infrastructure, fiber communication services, and natural gas access, the addition is build-ready. Residential lots are available for purchase at $20,000, and MEDC is offering incentives for timely building completion...

INDIANOLA, Neb. – A piece of local history has found a new home in the heart of Indianola. A one-room schoolhouse, originally built in the 1880s and located five miles south and west of Indianola, was moved on Tuesday to its new spot at the corner of U.S. ...

The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners convened for its regular meeting Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. After a brief review, commissioners approved the day’s agenda with one modification: approval of a tractor lease for the fairgrounds was removed from the consent agenda for further discussion due to a change in terms from the seller. The board proceeded with its regular review of accounts payable and payroll claims...

McCOOK, Neb. — Drugs and alcohol have not been ruled out as a factor involved in a motor vehicle collision on March 23. According to a press release from Michael Jordan, Frontier County Sheriff, at around 3:39 p.m., an accident occurred on U.S. Highway 83 near the Red Willow-Frontier County line. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — For many people, firefighting is about rushing into a burning building. But that’s only part of the picture, said Kyle Kunkee, a McCook City volunteer firefighter for 14 years. In fact, only a few firefighters actually enter a burning building, Kunkee said, with many others having a job to do on the outside...

McCOOK, Neb. — The cause of a fire at Red Willow State Recreation Area in Red Willow County on March 22 remains under investigation, although it’s suspected to have started from an unattended campfire at a campsite. Approximately 85 acres were burned, fueled by gusty winds and dry vegetation. The Red Willow Western Fire Department was dispatched around 12:51 p.m., with 85% of the fire contained by 6:22 p.m. There were no injuries...

McCOOK, Neb. — In December 2024, Terry Hilker of McCook marked a significant milestone: 50 years since he first opened his doors to his auto repair and classic car restoration shop. What began in a small, rented space at 17 South Street has grown into a thriving business and for Hilker, it’s been a life-long passion...

McCOOK, Neb. — There’s a new food truck in town and it lives up to its name, ‘Fast Eddie’s.’ Owned by Blaine and Ann Budke, Fast Eddie’s 10-inch pizzas are oven-baked within eight minutes and can be delivered out the window shortly after. At the March 20 ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the McCook Chamber of Commerce, Blaine Budke said the truck was built to exact specifications, with brand-new equipment from top to bottom, including refrigerators, a pizza press, ovens, and a cooler. ...

The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners will convene for its regular meeting on Monday, March 24, 2025, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse. Following approval of the agenda and review of claims, the board will hold a public comment period at 9:00 a.m., inviting citizens to share concerns not already listed on the agenda...

After promising to end the Department of Education (DOE), President Trump has signed an executive order to do just that. Newly appointed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was chosen to implement changes that would give states control over their own education...

KEARNEY, Neb. — The Nebraska Aviation Trades Association (NATA) posthumously honored Griff Malleck with the 2025 “Airman of the Year” award, recognizing his lifelong dedication to aviation and agricultural aerial application. Malleck’s widow, Vicki, accepted the award on his behalf at a February ceremony in Kearney, where industry colleagues gathered to celebrate his lasting contributions to the field...

McCOOK, Neb. - Nebraska as a whole, and McCook in particular, is in a position to take advantage of a historic opportunity for growth, according to Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director K.C. Belitz, who presented at McCook Economic Development Corporation’s annual meeting on Wednesday...

McCOOK, Neb. – The new executive director of McCook’s Family Resource Center knows what it’s like to face tough circumstances. “Having grown up in foster care, I already felt a step behind my peers,” said Kaye T. Bieck, who assumed the role of executive director at the Family Resource Center with the retirement of Kathy Haas. ...

The city of McCook will move forward with the construction of the Athletic Complex without financial support from Mid-Plains Community College after disputes over ownership of the championship fields proved insurmountable. With the college withdrawing its pledged $4.5 million, the city has opted to proceed independently, and the council has given initial approval to a $16 million bond issue on first reading...

McCOOK, Neb.— With an eclectic mix of new and vintage items, there’s something for everyone at James and Tammy Stevens’ new store, “Rustic Market on 1st.” Located at 210 W. First, it’s the shopping destination for those seeking quirky home decor to nostalgic finds, with eight local vendors showcasing their goods. ...

McCOOK, Neb. – A diner that kicks it up a notch is now open in McCook. The Bison Café, open until 9 p.m. today, offers a variety of Bison burgers, New York style and deep dish pizza and a whole lot more. Located at the “Top of the Bricks” on Norris Avenue, the eatery offers its signature Bison burgers, regular beef burgers, New York-style pizza with a more fluffier crust and deep dish pizza, made in original Detroit steel pans for that deep-fried, crunchy crust...

On March 14, 2025, at 3:22 PM, on I-70 near milepost 28 in Sherman County, a strong weather front with high winds moved into northwest Kansas from Colorado, causing a severe dust storm. With near zero visibility, traffic began to slow, resulting in multiple crashes...

McCOOK, Neb. - Council members will move forward with the authorization of a $16 million bond for infrastructure associated with the sports complex at Monday evening’s meeting of the McCook and consider suspension of the three-reading rule. The meeting will open with the presentation of an annual financial and cash flow update for water and sewer utility funds, presented by Public Financial Management, Inc...

LINCOLN, Neb. - In February 2022, the Wauneta-Palisade school library came under fire for allowing an elementary student to check out ‘inappropriate’ books. Since then, Nebraska libraries have received more requests for removal and review than in the previous decade combined. The trend was not unique to Nebraska. Nationwide, 2023 set a 21-year record with the American Library Association, reporting nearly 1,300 attempts to challenge books, a 90% increase...

McCOOK, Neb. – A striking canary-yellow 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster coupe, a car that always turns heads when cruising through the streets, will soon be up for auction to benefit St. Patrick Catholic School. The car, owned by Vickie and the late Griff Malleck, will be sold through an online auction as part of the school’s annual fundraising event. Proceeds from the auction will go directly to support the school...

McCOOK, Neb. — As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, Nebraska’s gardeners are starting to see signs of an early spring. David Lott, a horticulture educator at the Lincoln-Logan-McPherson Extension Office in North Platte, recently shared his insights into the weather patterns and gardening challenges residents might face in the coming months. He warns of the potential for a hot, dry summer, emphasizing the need for gardeners to adapt early...