2020: A year unlike any other

McCOOK, Neb. — The year 2020 was dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and with it came new words we hope to never have to hear again: “unprecedented times,” “PPE,” “Zoom meetings” and “risk dials.” Like the rest of the world, Southwest Nebraska residents coped the best they could with lock-downs, to mask or not to mask and those ever-changing “directed health measures.”

The pandemic didn’t stop crime, as the area saw a couple of homicides, a sex trafficking ring busted and a shooter at large. But the pandemic did bring out the best in some people: A community foundation, along with matching donors, handed out thousands of dollars to schools and other groups in response to the economic fall-out from COVID-19 ; community residents stepped up to support local eateries with “Take out Tuesdays”; local businesses and individuals gave generously so the Christmas Toy Box could continue and a record amount was pledged in the annual “Big Give” fundraiser.

Southwest Nebraska at first appeared to escape the worse of it, with the first positive case not showing up in the area until April 17, with a few other cases reported sporadically throughout the month. But area residents endured with the rest of the nation the lockdowns in March and April and the ensuing bare grocery shelves due to people hoarding, job losses and trying to help their kids with online learning. The community breathed a little sigh of relief in May for the coming summer months, when the lock-down was lifted, city parks re-opened and toilet paper was easy to find. Hair salons and restaurants opened back up and in August, teachers welcomed students to their classrooms.

Then came October and November, when positive coronavirus cases began to surge in Southwest Nebraska. Pandemic politics came to the forefront in the nation, about the presidential election, the mask controversy and coronavirus-linked conspiracies. With the roll-out of the vaccines in December, a light at the end of the tunnel could be seen and local healthcare workers rolled up their sleeves for the vaccination. But for the general public, vaccinations may not become available until much later in 2021.

The pandemic is still lingering: state officials are now asking people to avoid small gatherings on New Year’s Eve so another wave of virus won’t be seen in January and the virus seems to have mutated into a more contagious variant.

But for the people of Southwest Nebraska, they’ll do what they’ve always done in hard times: put their head down, soldier on and maybe make a wisecrack or two.

Jan. 2

-Baffling drones: Reports and speculation run rampant on social media on drone sightings reported throughout Southwest Nebraska and even into the Platte Valley. Theories range from mundane to bizarre, from routine utility inspections, mapping and delivery companies, agricultural activities, to frightening speculation about terrorism and lost nuclear weapons.

Jan. 6

-Local construction: For December, new construction was lead by a new chemical storage unit, estimated at $1.9 million, by Next Generation Inc. at McCook’s Industrial Park. The company distributes and handles agricultural chemicals at its facility.

Jan. 7

-Store sale: The Schmick family announces the sale of Schmick’s Market in McCook to Gary’s Superfoods of North Platte and Broken Bow.

Jan. 10

-Goodwill to all: Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska opens its newest store and donation drop off Thursday in McCook.

Jan. 20

-Fire on West First: McCook fire personnel and a state fire investigator are searching for the cause of a fire at 510 W. First that forced a woman from her home at midnight Friday and caused about $175,000 in damage.

Jan. 28

-WEC escape: An inmate is apprehended shortly after jumping the fence at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook this morning. The escape occurred just before 9:30 a.m. Ryan Lykens #76263 (37) was taken into custody near the facility around 45 minutes later. McCook Public Schools were in lockdown for about 45 minutes this morning on the report of an escapee from the Work Ethic Camp.

Jan. 29

-Just a blip: An editorial in the McCook Gazette talks about the seasonal flu versus the emerging coronavirus and includes a quote from a health expert that said, compared to this year’s seasonal flu, which is widespread throughout the United States, “coronavirus will be a blip on the horizon in comparison.” Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventative medicine and health policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, said, “The risk is trivial” for the coronavirus, compared to the 60,000 killed by seasonal flu. “When we think about the relative danger of this new coronavirus and influenza, there’s just no comparison.”

Feb. 3

-New manager: Jiles Bowman is named the new Red Willow County fair board manager, replacing Deb Lafferty who is retiring.

Feb. 21

-Dog survives stabbing: Thanks to citizen reports, two dogs have been rescued and one man has been charged with felony animal cruelty in Red Willow County. Nebraska State Patrol was alerted to a severely injured dog in northwest Red Willow County. Troopers discovered that the dog had several stab wounds and transported it to the Red Willow Animal Clinic, where it underwent emergency surgery. The dog had more than 15 stab wounds. Earlier in the week, troopers had been called to a report of a transient man who was reportedly covered in blood, James Wagner, 29, who was later charged. On March 23, he pleaded no contest in Red Willow County Court and was sentenced to 60 days in jail for cruelly mistreating an animal, a Class I misdemeanor. He was given credit for 31 days already served.

Feb. 24

-First release: The Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department issues its first COVID-19 release, addressing residents’ concerns about COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, that “is creating disruption elsewhere in the world.”  The release reported 75,748 confirmed cases globally, with the United States at 26 confirmed cases. 

March 9

-Hoarders: As the coronavirus tightens its grip on the U.S., health officials recommend the most important things people can do to prevent the spread is frequent hand washing and to stay home when sick. Many respond by stocking up on toilet paper, bottled water and sanitizers. There’s a run on food items, too, with some local businesses designating special “senior citizen” hours of shopping in the morning. About 564 people in the U.S. have been confirmed to have the virus, with 22 deaths.

March 11

-Retirement: Mike Gonzales announces he will retire after 45 years with the Ed Thomas YMCA.

March 13

-No visitors: Hillcrest Nursing Home is restricting visitors to only those who absolutely need to be in the home, citing the risk of the coronavirus to its residents, according to a release.

March 16

-No visitors, again: Community Hospital has discontinued visitors and added outpatient screenings until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Sharon Conroy, RN, Community Hospital Infection Preventionist. 

-Early voting: The Red Willow County clerk’s office is encouraging early voting by mail prior to the primary election Tuesday, May 12, because of concerns about the possible spread of coronavirus in crowds.

-Sports suspended: The NSAA releases a statement saying all high school sport practices are suspended until March 30, and all competitions are suspended until April 2. Those suspensions may be extended.

-State restrictions: Gov. Pete Ricketts Public limits events and gatherings to 50 people or less statewide.

-City closings: The City of McCook closes the public library and senior center through the end of the week, but the senior center will continue to prepare meals for take out or delivery.

-More closings: McCook Public Schools is closing through the end of this week; Head Start will not meet. St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools closes.  McCook Community College cancels classes through Saturday, March 28.

Business closings: Local restaurants start to offer daily delivery specials and online-only contactless delivery option.

Don’t flush: Cambridge city officials warn citizens not to flush paper towels or handiwipes in place of rare, hoarded toilet paper, since it will plug up sewer systems.

March 17

 -Free meals: With funding by the USDA, McCook Public Schools begins serving free meals to all children age 18 and under in the household if at least one child attends McCook Public Schools, in response to the school district closing. Meals can be picked up at the junior high cafeteria.

March 18

-Online schooling: The Nebraska Department of Education recommends that all schools across the state move to an alternate learning structure with students no longer reporting to a traditional school setting, until further notice.

-Postponed or canceled: The Nebraska Legislature postpones its session until further notice. Athletic events are shut down, along with college events, community plays, club meetings and fund-raising events.

March 19

-Courthouse closes: Red Willow County courthouse is closed to the public but remains fully staffed. Business can still be conducted via telephone or email.

-More limited access: Walmart announces limited hours from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and customers can access the store by one entrance only.

-Online churching: Many churches in the area announced that all activities have been canceled, but services will be conducted online.

- City parks off-limits: The City of McCook announces it’s canceling all meetings and gatherings at all city facilities including at the McCook Public Library, McCook City Auditorium, Jaycee Complex and Felling Field. and city ballparks and parks are closed.

-Funeral gatherings limited: According to local funeral directors, due to the growing concerns of COVID-19, the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association has advised all funeral homes to only allow public gatherings of 10 or less. 

-Food pantry delivery: The McCook Food Pantry will deliver food items to people in their cars or at the back of the building, instead of people waiting inside the building.

March 20

-Extended: McCook Public Schools announces it will extend school closures for three more weeks.

-City offices closing: City offices will be locked down from the public beginning today, including the Municipal Center. People can contact the police department via the telephone. City staff members will continue to work their normal hours and police and fire will continue 24 hour services.

March 23

-State-wide shutdown: Public events and gatherings are limited to 10 people or fewer statewide, under directed health measures from Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts. The restrictions are in effect until at least through the end of March and may be extended. This includes concerts, festivals, conferences, worship service/church, weddings, funerals, gyms, theaters, sports and other such events.

-Y closing: The YMCA announces it will close until further notice.

March 25

-School sports again postponed: Nebraska school sports are now suspended until May 1

-Alleviating the impact: The McCook Community Foundation Fund has established the COVID-19 Response Account in an effort to raise funds and make grants to local governmental and 501(c)(3) entities working to address the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the community, region, and vulnerable community members. The MCFF Advisory Committee approved allocating $25,000 from its 2020 spring grant cycle to start the account. The account will also be open to others in the community to make local, tax-deductible donations to focus on the response and recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 1

-Courthouse closing: Hitchcock County officials in Trenton announce that public access to the Hitchcock County Courthouse is suspended until further notice.

April 2

-Spring sports shot down: All remaining NSAA activity practices and competitions, including district and state competitions, have been canceled for this school year. These cancellations are part of a new Directed Health Measure issued by Governor Pete Ricketts.

-Time to garden: Nicole Siebrandt opens a new greenhouse in McCook, Garden Thyme Greenhouse and Garden Center, on West J Street.

April 3

-New schedule: The McCook Gazette announces that in light of the COVID-19 threat and ongoing challenges, it will go from printing five days a week to three: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

-Classrooms closed: McCook Public Schools announces it will be closed for the rest of the year, but online learning will continue.

-Relief in sight? The CARES Act is passed and individuals who earn less than $75,000 will get a $1,2000 payment and taxpayers with children will receive an extra $500 for each dependent child under the age of 17. Additionally, the CARES Act provides $349 billion to help small businesses - those with fewer than 500 employees - retain workers and avoid closing up shop. A significant part of this small-business relief is the Paycheck Protection Program. This initiative provides federally guaranteed loans to small businesses that maintain their payroll during this emergency.

April 6

-New YMCA leader: Mitch Gross is hired as the new McCook YMCA executive director/CEO.

-Weekend meals: Thanks to funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, McCook Public Schools will offer weekend meals that can be picked up on Friday and consist of three breakfast meals and three lunches.

 -School robbery: Authorities are seeking the public’s help in connection with a burglary at McCook Senior High, when a person or persons broke into the school and stole a Bluetooth speaker and money from several locations, as well as damaging the building.

April 7

-Payment plan: City Manager Nate Schneider said at the city council meeting that City of McCook water/sewer/trash customers are urged to contact the city to work out a payment plan if they are “in a bad spot” due to a job loss from COVID-19. City staff is looking at options of waiving or postponing payments for water, sewer and trash bills. 

April 9

-Masks needed: Community Hospital announces it will require non-clinical employees to wear cloth masks while working at the hospital. The hospital is seeking people to sew masks using a specific pattern found on the CDC website.  The masks will be used for outpatients who come to the hospital for appointments, and also for area community partners who are short on mask supplies, such as clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and home health departments. An Incident command planning team will meet twice a week with multiple sub teams  

-Updates: The McCook Gazette starts publishing “COVID-19 Updates” from the Southwest Nebraska Public Health District, that breaks down coronavirus cases in its nine-county region.

April 14

-CARES Act money: The McCook Public School district may get about $200,000, according to preliminary estimates, from the $13.5 billion allocated in the CARES Act as “Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Fund.” Nebraska will receive $60.8 million for education.

April 15

-Covid Cash: The McCook Community Foundation Fund provides a $10,000 grant to create McCook’s Stimulus Spending Program.

-Virus testing: Air Force and Army National Guard personnel conduct a community testing event at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds today, planning to take samples from about 100 subjects who met criteria such as displaying symptoms or having traveled to COVID-19 “hotspots” recently.

April 17

-First virus case in area: A male in his 30s is the first person to test positive for the COVID-19 virus in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department district.

-Cruise Night: Dozens of classic and late-model cars took part in the second social distancing Cruise Night, organized by Wagner Chevrolet Buick in McCook, with many businesses offering specials for the evening, as well as a special chamber bingo game.

April 20

-Fund grants awarded: LINCOLN, Neb. — Arapahoe and Cambridge were among 22 winners of a total of some $5.3 million in Civic and Community Center Financing Fund grants, according to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The City of Arapahoe will receive $327,172 for public library renovations, and the City of Cambridge will receive $310,000 for municipal swimming pool renovations.

April 21

-Waiver: The McCook City Council approve unanimously a resolution that allows customers to get a temporary waiver from paying city utility bills if they can prove financial hardship due to the COVD-19 pandemic.

April 28

-Grants to schools: Over the past month, McCook Community Foundation Fund provides three grants to McCook Public Schools to help with specific issues during this crisis: $8,500 to help purchase 30 Chromebooks to be used by students at home, $17,500 to buy carts for the district’s cafeteria, to provide additional storage and keep food at the right temperature; and $3,000 for site licenses for students most at-risk of dropping out or failing to complete school due to a variety of reasons and needing specialized help to graduate from McCook High School.

April 29

-Virus count: Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department is notified of three additional persons from SWNPHD’s health district that have tested positive for COVID-19, in Furnas, Frontier and Hitchcock counties.

May 2

-Virus count: Two have tested positive for the coronavirus in Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, bringing the total to 11 positive COVID-19 cases: four in Furnas County, four in Red Willow County, one in Frontier County, one in Hitchcock County and a recovered case in Keith County.

May 4

-New eatery: Braxton’s Brisket Barbique opens on Norris Avenue.

-Altercation: A McCook man was taken to Community Hospital, reportedly with with a stab wound following an altercation with police shortly after noon today.

May 5

-Pool closed: The McCook City Council unanimously approves not open the city pool due to current COVID-19

-Nursing home funds: Red Willow County Commissioners approve a Paycheck Protection Program application for Hillcrest Nursing Home, which should provide two months’ payroll for the nursing home. about $889,000.

May 8

-Equipment: The McCook Community Foundation Fund awards the McCook City Fire Department $1,232  to purchase COVID-19 protective equipment.

May 14

Election records: More than 42% of Red Willow County’s 6,830 eligible voters turned out for the election, 2,160 of them voting early and 729 the day of the election.

May 15

-Fair cancelled: the Red Willow County Fair Board decides to cancel all public events for the 2020 fair including any vendors, entertainment and carnival. The exception to these events being cancelled are the 4-H and FFA.

-Technolgy funds: McCook Community Foundation Fund is awarded a $20,000 by an anonymous donor and the Alice DeVoe Donor-Advised Fund, an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation and MCFF provided a $20,000 matching grant from its new COVID-19 Response Account, to help McCook Public Schools narrow the growing homework gap as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 15

-Total number of positive cases in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health District is at 14.

May 19

-Re-openings: McCook’s Ed Thomas YMCA re-opens today with expanded operating hours. The city’s ball parks re-open, if participants sign a waiver releasing the city from any liability.

June 2

-Courthouse re-opens: The Red Willow County Courthouse opens, with restrictions.

June 4

-Lightning fire: Lightning creats random havoc throughout the area Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, destroying the home of Gayle Kircher northwest of Indianola, and creating numerous grass fires, including one in southwest Frontier County.

June 6

 -Protest: About 50 people gather on Norris Avenue Saturday night to protest the killing of George Floyd and other social injustices. Most participants wore masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and other than a few loud pickup trucks roaring by, the event seemed to take place without incident.

June 9

 -Virus death: Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department has been notified of a COVID-19 death from SWNPHD’s health district.

June 22

Refusal: Citing concerns over privacy and just how useful the information would be, the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department will not issue a list of COVID-19 patients to local first responders, law enforcement and emergency managers.

June 26

-Virus update: There are 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases in SWNPHD district.

June 30

-Donation: McCook Rotary Club members donate over $2,000 to purchase food for the McCook Food Pantry, and the District/Rotary International matched that with a $2,000 grant.

July 1

Virus update:  There are 23 positive COVID-19 cases in the area, with 19 recovered and one death in the district.

July 7

-Sex ring: Two more men have been arrested in connection with an alleged child sex trafficking ring, bringing the total to 10 now facing charges. Justin Brooks, 30, and Paul D. Brooks, 61, both of Arapahoe were arrested last week, both on Furnas County charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child and Justin Brooks with an additional charge of sex trafficking of a minor, all felonies. Others facing various charges in connection with the alleged ring include Robert Mustin, 46, Oxford; William Quinn, 55, Oxford; Carl Kramer, 49, Oxford; Dylan Brooks, 24, Omaha; Joseph H. Baumbach, 59, of McCook, Terry L. Smith, 37, Oxford; Jacob Kramer, 21, Oxford

July 14

-Salary increase: The McCook Board of Education unanimously approved an increase to the salary of Superintendent Grant Norgaard to $168,500 from $167,500. July 15

July 16

-Spike in cases: The Southwest Nebraska Health Department reports spike in COVID-19 cases, with total number of positive cases in the district at 34.

July 17

-New tech center: Former U.S. senator and Nebraska governor, Ben Nelson, a McCook native, is donating $500,000 to fund a technology center at the McCook City Library in honor of his mother.

July 17

-Risk dial: SWNPHD releases its new “Risk Dial,” a  color-coded dial that depicts the phase of the pandemic in the nine-county health district . The dial for the week of July 13th is in the yellow, or “moderate.”

July 29

-Uptick: SWNPHD will move into Phase 4 of reopening with Directed Health Measures (DHM) from the governor that will go into effect Saturday. “Even with a recent upward trend of COVID-19 cases due to a cluster we are actively managing, the health district is still reporting the lowest numbers in Nebraska, “ said Myra Stoney, SWNPHD director.

July 30

-New administrator: James Foster is named the new administrator at Hillcrest and replaces Brad Cheek, the administrator for the past three years.

July 31

-Graduation: Despite having their last year of school abruptly cut short, seniors at McCook High School are able to experience graduation on July 31. Commencement took place at the Peter and Delores Graff Center. 

Aug. 3

-Trimming the budget: Red Willow County Commissioners are being asked to sharpen their pencils to trim more than $800,000 from a county budget shortfall.

-New police chief: Sgt. Joel Smith of the Nebraska State Patrol is selected as the new City of McCook police chief.

Aug. 18

-Schools reopening: Temperature-taking and plexiglass dividers greet returning students at the first day of classes today at McCook Elementary.

-Virus update: Twenty-one new positive COVID-19 tests are reported in the SWNPHD district. These cases bring the total to 112 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the district, with 73 cases having recovered and eight deaths.

-Names released: Police release the names of a man and woman involved in a disturbance Thursday that resulted in the man’s death and the woman’s arrest. Officers were called to a disturbance at 807 E. Third in McCook at 9:22 a.m., and found Larry Langdon, 78, dead. A 79-year-old female identified as Lavetta Langdon was taken into custody at the house and is in jail pending a court appearance on charges.

-Firefighters grant: The City of McCook Fire Department is awarded a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $154,768 to purchase three replacement ambulance power cots and one mechanical CPR chest compression device.

Aug. 27

-Bank donation: WAUNETA, Neb. — Sandhills State Bank in Wauneta announces a $25,000 donation to the Wauneta-Palisade Schools. 

Aug. 27

-Learning gap: Using funds from MCFF’s Covid-19 Response Account along with matching grants awards McCook Public Schools with a $34,000 grant to hire staff to assist students who are at a greater disadvantage because of the pandemic and $7,170 to St. Pat’s to purchase additional technology for the elementary school.

Sept. 1

-Virus increase: Southwest Nebraska has seen a 48% increase or 74 more cases of COVID-19 since adopting the more open Phase 4 Directed Health Measures Aug. 1, according to the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department.

Sept. 7

-City employee deaths: Two City of McCook employees die in an incident Sunday at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. They were identified as Larry Dicke, 65, and Kenneth Keslin, 43. The McCook Police Department’s investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available, according to the city’s press release.

Sept. 11

-Bound over: Casey T. Heinen, 33, Arapahoe, is bound over to Furnas County Court on Friday on charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child and child abuse. He is charged with four counts of sexual assault of a child, as well as child abuse, which allegedly involved two attempted abortions.

-Salary approved: The McCook City Council unanimously approve the new salary of city manager Nate Schneider at $112,453, almost a $6,000 increase from Schneider’s prior salary of $106,545. 

Sept. 28

No dance: Because of a recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in the community, McCook High School cancels the homecoming dance.

Oct 2

-Explosion: A rural Culbertson man is flown out for medical care after being injured in an explosion reportedly caused by an attempt to relight a water heater. The Culbertson Fire Department, along with mutual aid from Trenton, Neb., responded at 8 a.m. to a house 10 miles southwest of Culbertson on Road 710.

Oct. 5

-Community spread: In Southwest Nebraska, the COVID-19 Community Risk Dial for the week of Oct. 5th is changed to orange, meaning residents of Southwest Nebraska have a high risk of contracting COVID-19. The risk level was raised due to an increase in community spread across several counties and higher demand on the healthcare system.

Oct. 6

Giving back: Former McCook Gazette owner and publisher Allen Strunk donates $500,000 to the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s unrestricted endowment account.

  McCook Public Schools will now require staff, students, and visitors to wear masks while in or on school facilities.

Oct. 11

-Preliminary hearing: A preliminary hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 3 for Alva C. Decker, 33, Indianola, who faces first degree murder and other felony charges in connection with an incident on Oct. 8 near Indianola that left two other men dead. Decker’s brother, Charles Edward Decker, 36, Indianola, was killed as a result of a motor-vehicle accident at about 2 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, about a mile west of Indianola, and Steven Lee Weaver, 30, of McCook was also found dead at the scene.

Oct. 13

-Public urged to step up: With an alarming increase of COVID cases in McCook and the surrounding area, Community Hospital, the SWNPHD and the City of McCook urge the public to step up personal precautions of mask wearing, social distancing and diligent hand washing.

Oct. 20

-Masks required: Masks are now required for those visiting the senior center and city library.

Oct. 28

-Virus hotspot: Public health officials are urging Southwest Nebraska residents to follow COVID guidelines in the face of 183 new cases in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department district. Red Willow County is the hotspot for community spread, with 74 new cases from Oct. 20 to 26. So far, the health district has reported 755 cases with 488 recovered

Nov. 2

-Elections: In locally contested races, incumbent Jerry Calvin keeps his seat on the McCook City Council with 2,210 votes, and will be joined on the council by Darcy Rambali with 1,903. Republican Randy Dean earns the District 2 spot on the Red Willow County board of commissioners with 1,253 votes.

Nov. 6

-Record amount: The Big Give in McCook nets over $200,000, with sponsorship funds, “power hour” matches and online and in-person donations.

Nov. 1o

-. SWNPHD reports 184 new cases from Nov. 2-Nov. 9

Nov. 13

-Power couple: LINCOLN, Neb. -- LaNeta and Stan Carlock of Haigler are the 2020 recipients of AARP Nebraska’s most prestigious annual volunteer award, the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service.

-Toy Box: After local coordinators call off the McCook Toy Box, originally planned at the city auditorium, due to COVID-19 concerns, Blaine Budke offers his store, Hot Tub Brokers, as a site for the annual toy giveaway and challenges other businesses to match his monetary donation. Local groups, area businesses and individuals pitch in and contribute toys and donations.

Dec. 1

-Drugs and weapons: A North Platte man, Merrill Johnston III, 36, wanted on drug and weapons charges is arrested after exiting a mobile home south of McCook early Tuesday morning following a 4 1/2-hour standoff.

-Sex trafficking: BEAVER CITY, Neb.— Two Arapahoe men are set for trial April 13 in connection with a Furnas County sex trafficking case. Justin Brooks, 30, and Paul Brooks, 61, have both pleaded not guilty to first degree sexual assault of a child. Trials for both men are set for April 13.

Dec. 2

-Kidnapped: HAYES CENTER, Neb. — A Hershey man, Robert Smith, 44, accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint, was taken into custody after a six-hour standoff in Hayes Center.

Dec. 4

-Drug possession: A McCook man, Zachary Shepherd, 41, wanted on several charges is apprehend.

Dec. 9

-Retirement: Jeff Gross announces he is stepping down as head football coach at McCook Senior High after 23 years. He will continue to serve as principal at MHS.

Dec. 11

-Arrest: Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team arrest Travis G. Terwilliger, 45, of McCook, wanted in connection with a homicide investigation in Red Willow County.

-Fire destroys home: Smoke detectors are credited with saving the life of a McCook resident whose house was destroyed by fire Friday night.

Dec. 17

-Teacher honored: The McCook Chamber of Commerce announces that Janet Stalder of McCook Community College has been named the 2020 Educator of the Year.

Dec. 18

-Shooter at large: PALISADE, Neb. — A man was shot in Palisade this morning, and no suspect has been identified and is still at large, according to the Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Office. A 58-year-old man was taken to the Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte to be treated for a gunshot wound.

Dec. 23

-Vaccines: Employees at Community Hospital in McCook are the first to receive Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, delivered to McCook this week. Healthcare workers, EMTs and those in long-term care facilities are the first to receive the vaccinations. The vaccines won’t be available to the general public until later in the year, possibly in March or April.

-Restrictions relaxed: Gov. Pete Ricketts designates all Nebraska counties in the “Blue” zone on the COVID-19 Risk dial, effective Dec. 24. The measures allow gatherings up to 75% of the maximum capacity of indoor spaces and recommend, but don’t require, that people be seated in groups of eight or fewer at restaurants, bars, weddings, funeral receptions and other venues.

Dec. 29

-The SWNPHD reports 166 new positive cases were identified the week of Dec. 22-28. The department also requests the public to stop calling healthcare facilities and health departments in search of the COVID-19 vaccine. State officials also urges residents to avoid New Year’s parties and public gathering in bars that could lead to more virus cases. As of Dec. 29, Nebraska has 162,849 positive cases and 1,587 deaths due to the virus.