Year in review: Wildfires, rec bond, election
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McCOOK, Neb. — In one of the biggest stories in McCook for 2022, voters approved in November to increase the city sales tax to 2% from 1.5%, to back a recreational bond for a new swimming pool and ballpark.
The election also brought McCook a new sheriff and county commissioners, along with a new mayor and school board members.
Other news this past year, from the serious to the not-so-serious, were wildfires that seemed to pop up repeatedly due to the ongoing drought, a new dog park that finally opened in Barnett Park, “pink postcards” and a goose round-up.
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A month-to-month synopsis of the year, according to stories published by the McCook Gazette, includes:
Jan. 6
— Jerome Knoll, along with his wife, Linda, make a $400,000 gift to the McCook Community Foundation Fund for the benefit of the Discovery Center of Southwest Nebraska project. The funds can be used for the construction or renovation of a facility to house the Discovery Center.
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Jan. 10
— Red Willow County will pay employees $1,000 if they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the end of the year.
Jan. 11
— KEARNEY, Neb. — A Kansas man who was involved in a high-speed chase last month died Monday after being taken off life support in a Kearney hospital. An ambulance was dispatched to the Red Willow County Jail at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, after the man, Keaneu Depe, 23, was found hanging in his cell. McCook police attempted to arrest Depe on Dec. 29 at Walmart in a truck stolen from Colby, Kan., when he drove north at speeds over 100 mph, turning around a pasture north of Maywood before finally being stopped between Maywood and McCook. He refused to get out of his vehicle and started a fire in the cab of the truck, suffering smoke inhalation. Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood said an autopsy would be conducted
Jan. 11
— McCook police are seeking information about telephone threats that disrupted shopping and a high school dance Saturday night. According to the McCook Police Department, telephone threats were received against Walmart, McDonald’s, the police department, and an individual. Walmart was evacuated and some shoppers spent an hour isolated in an employee break room as a safety precaution, according to witnesses. The Color Day dance at the high school was canceled because of the threats.
— Joshua Pittman, age 31, of McCook was arrested and charged with felony terroristic threats relating to his role in this incident. Pittman is being held in the Red Willow County Jail on a $250,000 bond. On Jan. 17, 2022, Border Patrol agents took into custody a 27-year-old Weslaco, Texas, man near the Mexico border based upon information gathered by McCook Police relating to the threats against McCook businesses.
Jan. 18
— The McCook City Council voted to recommend to the Department of Transportation the two-year proposal from Denver Air Connection as the new Essential Air Service airline provider at the McCook Airport. The Department of Transportation later approved the recommendation. Denver Air was one of five air services vying for the contract at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport. The federal EAS will pay Denver Air $2.91 million for the first year and $2.96 the second year. Service will start in June.
Jan. 21
— Katrina Frey is McCook’s newest postmaster.
Jan. 27
— KEARNEY, Neb — Scott Kutnink, 37, of Cambridge, who was shot by a Red Willow County sheriff’s deputy after allegedly striking the deputy with his car, died Saturday, Jan. 22, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Neb. An autopsy was done in Omaha, Neb., and pending those results, a grand jury inquiry will be called pursuant to state statute.
— Andy Long, executive director of the McCook Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announces his resignation with his acceptance of the position of Dean of Enrollment Services at Central Arizona College in Coolidge, Ariz.
Feb. 15
— LINCOLN, Neb. – Morgan Farquhar of Cambridge, currently the County Attorney for Furnas County, has been appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts to District Court Judge in the Tenth Judicial District. The Tenth District consists of Adams, Clay, Franklin, Harlan, Kearney, Nuckolls, Phelps, and Webster counties.
March 1
— North Platte lawyer Patrick Heng, 63, is sworn-in as District Court Judge of the 11th Judicial District by his wife, Douglas County District Court Judge, Leigh Ann Retelsdorf, at the Red Willow County District courtroom.
March 31
— One of McCook’s first hospitals, St. Catherine’s Hospital at 1200 W. Fourth Street, later St. Catherine’s Apartments, is purchased for $43,000 by Adamark Investments, LLC of Spring Grove, Pa, Maria Prusakowski, president.
April 5
— Charlie McPherson is hired as the new executive director for the McCook Economic Development Corp. He currently works as the McCook and North Platte director for the Nebraska Business Development Center.
April 8
— The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Humanities Nebraska presents “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” in McCook.
April 22
— McCook firefighters were bringing a grass fire under control on the north edge of McCook, only to be called out to another grass fire south of Wilsonville. Indianola and Bartley firefighters also responded to both fires. Officials have ordered the evacuation of Cambridge, Indianola and Bartley.
April 25
— More than 80 firefighters, emergency management personnel and others are helping to fight the fire, now known as the Road 702 Fire. It burned nearly 65 square miles (168 square kilometers) in Red Willow, Furnas and Frontier counties. John Trumble, 66, of Arapahoe, a retired Cambridge, Neb. Fire chief, died after his truck went off the road in a blinding haze of smoke and dust.
— Molly Smith joins the McCook Chamber as the new President and CEO.
May 1
— After years of planning and fund-raising, the McCook K9 Korner Dog park will celebrate with an official grand opening Sunday, May 1.
May 17
— The McCook City Council voted to give the USDA the go-ahead for a “goose roundup” at Barnett Park during the molting season in June. Several hundred geese are year-round residents at the park, but that can grow to several thousand during migration. As a result, there is so much goose excrement in the ponds that it has caused fish kills and interfered with Nebraska Game and Park’s efforts to count the fish using electricity, due to the high levels of nitrogen, ammonia and phosphorous. Recreational fields at the park, used for soccer and flag football, have also at times been nearly unusable due to waste from the large goose population.
May 24
— Community members were invited to share their ideas at listening sessions in McCook on April 30, for the “McCook Mural” project.
May 26
— After an adjoining property owner expressed interest, the Mid-Plains Community College Board of Governors agree to authorize President Ryan Purdy to sell approximately 3,613 square feet of real estate near 1015 Country Club Drive, for $750 with the buyer paying the cost of the sale including any survey costs. The board also authorized the president to take steps required to divide and sell the real estate generally described as the North Lot of the McCook Community College East Campus.
June 8
— BENKELMAN, Neb. — Despite concerns over water, waste and smell, the Dundy County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Monday to allow a Canadian company to build a 100,000-head feedlot, in north central Dundy County, provided it follows the board’s conditions. Blackshirt Feeders officials said the feedlot will create 85 jobs and purchase 10 million bushels of corn locally each year. In July, Blackshirt Feeders LP proposed a new site, located west of Haigler along the Colorado state line. Once in full capacity, the feedlot will be able to house 150,000 cattle.
June 9
— A woman is killed and an infant passenger injured when a car struck the rear of a parked utility truck in McCook. According to a report from the McCook Police Department, Ketra Vlasin, 26, McCook, was the driver of an eastbound car in the 800 block of West Q that struck a parked truck owned by the Nebraska Public Power District, with emergency equipment activated, while maintenance was being performed on electrical infrastructure.
June 15
— BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Rowdy L. Baxter, 64, was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 60 months probation in connection with an ongoing Furnas County sex trafficking case. In March, he pleaded no contest to one count of sexual assault of a child abuse intentional/no injury in exchange for the reduction of the charge from the first-degree sexual assault of a child, and another count of the same charge was dropped.
July 14
— Multiple departments and aircraft are called in for a pair of wildfires that break out north of McCook near Hugh Butler Lake. A small structure was lost and areas around the cabins were damaged.
July 22
— “The Fifties in Focus” is the theme for Nebraska Chautauqua, which will be brought to McCook from July 28-30.
July 28
— BEAVER CITY, Neb. – Beaver City recently completed an upgrade of its water system with assistance from USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loans and Grants program. Mayor Leighton Schmidt applied for the program and the city was awarded more than $1.2 million in grants and a low interest long-term loan for just over $2 million. The funds provided for two new larger wells, new piping, and a new elevated water storage tank.
July 28
— Almost two weeks after it started, the “Mile Marker 26” fire near Hugh Butler Lake has been declared 100% contained, according to the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department. However, after making the announcement, the department was called out to a wildfire in a pasture and cornfield northwest of McCook later that day.
Aug. 4
— Traffic was diverted for several hours after fiery crash killed a Hitchcock County man Wednesday. Red Willow County Sheriff Alan Kotschwar said Patrick Bryan Grossman, 48, lost control of an eastbound truck on U.S. Highway 6-34 and the truck rolled and burst into flames.
Aug. 11
— The largest expenditure at McCook Public Schools using federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) is updating HVAC equipment at the Junior High at $901,316. Since 2020, the school district received almost $2 million, or $1,933,295, in three allocations from ESSER.
Aug. 30
— Results from the 2022 McCook Community Housing Study reveal demand is greatest for units with three or more bedrooms at or above the $345,000 purchase price or two or three-bedroom rental units between $396-$890/month. To meet workforce population needs, the community also needs three-bedroom units at the $180,000 price and three-bedroom rental units at $580/month. On a scale of 1-5, single-family housing scored the highest need but was closely followed by rental housing and housing for first-time homebuyers.
Sept. 16
— For the first time, pink postcards notify property owners of hearings for political subdivisions that request more than a 2% increase in their property tax collections for 2023. A hearing is scheduled for McCook Public Schools on Sept. 19 for a presentation of its 2023 budget.
Sept. 20
— Courtney D. Steer, 27, McCook, was killed in the accident involving an Amtrak train early Tuesday morning. According to a release from the McCook Police Department, the McCook Fire Department and Police Department responded to an access road between the railroad tracks and East A near East 11th after the accident was reported at about 4:01 a.m.
Sept. 28
— CHAMPION, Neb. — Both drivers and 11 students who were passengers on a school bus were taken to Chase County Hospital following a collision with a truck Tuesday afternoon, three of the children with more serious injuries were later flown out to regional trauma centers. At least one of the children was reportedly pinned under the bus following the collision.
Oct. 4
— The McCook City Council approves the creation of the North Pointe Addition, from property located north of West R and west of West Seventh, north of the current Clary Subdivision. The addition will consist of three blocks that can be developed in phases, with 27 single-family residential housing lots planned.
Oct. 7
— Norris Alley outdoor space, located between the Keystone Business Center and the Fox Theatre in downtown McCook, is officially dedicated.
Oct. 10
— Someone broke into the City of McCook Transfer Station over the weekend and a large amount of cash was taken, according to the McCook Police Department.
Oct. 13
— BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — McCook’s Orscheln Farm and Home Store has been sold to Bomgaars Supply Inc. as part of Federal Trade Commission clearance for Tractor Supply Co. to purchase Orscheln Farm and Home.
Oct. 17
— Red Willow County Commissioners hear a presentation from Jeff Cook-Coyle, chief project development officer, who said his company, Premier Energy, is planning a 40-megawatt solar farm, with some power storage, northwest of McCook.
Oct. 18
— Tera (Loop) Koetter, most recently of Seward, Neb., is introduced to the McCook City Council as the new assistant city manager.
— LINCOLN, Neb. – Community Hospital in McCook recently completed an addition and remodel of their facilities with a $16 million investment from USDA Rural Development and Thayer County Bank. The work took four years to complete and was finished in August 2022. Renovations included renovations include a specialty clinic, cardiac rehab, mobile imaging garage, rehabilitation therapies, urgent care, clinic registration, kitchen, pharmacy, lab, materials management, offices, and a conference room.
Nov. 8
— The vote to increase local sales and use tax, from 1.5% to 2%, for a recreational bond, is approved by voters, with 1,524 votes in favor and 962 against, or 61.30% in favor and 38.70% against.
Nov. 23
— Linda Taylor is elected to the McCook City Council, along with incumbents Jared Muehlenkamp and Gene Weedin. She is later voted in as mayor.
— Scott Barger and Charlie McPherson are elected to the McCook Board of Education, along with incumbent, Mike Langan.
— Incumbent Dave Murman is re-elected to represent District 38 in the state legislature.
— Ted Gans is elected as a Red Willow County Commissioner for Dist. 1 and Charles Fritsche for Dist. 3.
— Kevin Darling is elected as Red Willow County Sheriff.
Nov. 23
— The McCook City Council unanimously approved the creation of the Southwest Nebraska Land Bank, as a way for cities and towns to pool funds to address vacant, dilapidated properties. Towns that are interested in participating are Cambridge, Holbrook, Curtis and Beaver City.
Nov. 25
— Imperial, Neb. — The Imperial Police Department and Chase County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a shooting overnight at a residence in the 100 block of 12th street in Imperial. A victim was located with a gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Jesse Krausnick, 19, was transported to the hospital in Imperial but passed away shortly after arrival. A suspect, identified as Tristan Ferguson, 19, was taken into custody by the Imperial Police Department at the scene.
Dec. 5
— COLUMBUS, Neb. — Despite a Grand Island company’s plan to build a solar farm near McCook, the Nebraska Public Power District has no plans for such a plant or commitments to use it, according to an NPPD spokesman.
Dec. 12
— Robert Weindorff, #214465, age 47, dies at Community Hospital in McCook. He was incarcerated at the Work Ethic Camp. While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Weindorff was receiving treatment for a medical condition. As is the case whenever an inmate dies in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, a grand jury will conduct an investigation.
Dec. 15
— About 50 neighbors and concerned citizens turned out Wednesday night to collect concerns and questions they want to be answered before permits are issued for facilities proposed by Premier Energy and McCook Solar northwest of McCook.
Dec. 20
— As promised, The Masonic Templecraft presents at $250,000 check to the city to be used in the construction of a new pool. The organization promised the funds to the city earlier in the year, contingent on the recreational bond being approved by voters in the November election.
Most Clicks
The most-read online stories in 2022 on mccookgazette.com, followed by the number of page views, were:
1. Obituary: Douglas Charles ‘Fitz’ Simmons (Aug. 18, 2003), 8,129
2. Local News: Proposed feedlot in Dundy County draws crowd to zoning meeting (Feb. 4, 2022), 5,504
3. Local News: Cambridge man in critical condition after being shot by the deputy he struck with car (Jan. 19, 2022), 5,025
4. Obituary: Derek Dame (Dec. 23, 2021), 4,501
5. Local News: $400,000 gift gives a major boost to Discovery Center (Jan. 6, 2022), 4,007
6. Local News: Unsealed documents reveal new details on infamous murders (Jan. 10, 2014), 3,225
7. Obituary: Ketra Vlasin (June 9, 2022), 2,848
8. Local News: Fatal accident reported west of McCook (Aug. 3, 2022), 2,770
9. Local News: Man killed, women injured in a collision (Aug. 5, 2020), 2,661
10. Local News: Subject shot, officer injured (Jan. 18, 2022), 2,615