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October 20, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — The McCook City Council met Monday evening for a short and straightforward meeting. All items on the agenda were approved as presented. City Manager Updates City Manager Nate Schneider shared several announcements at the start of the meeting: The Nebraska Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting Friday, Oct. 24 at McCook Community College’s East Campus. The city’s annual audit is scheduled for Oct. 28–29. Council members can exp

McCOOK, Neb. — In the southwest corner of her kitchen, where sunlight pours through a wall of windows, oil painter Skyla Hegwood spends countless hours bringing portraits and stories to life. Her easel — a cherished gift from her college art instructor — fits perfectly in that bright corner, transforming the space into a home studio that’s part of her daily rhythm. “It’s where everything happens,” she said with a small laugh. “I love that I can paint right here, close to my

October 20, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — A beloved piece of McCook’s downtown history has officially come to a close. Embers Bakery & Café announced on Sunday night that Saturday was its final day of operation, marking the end of a 68-year tradition that began in 1957 as Sehnert’s Bakery. The announcement, shared in a Facebook post by owners Andrew and Alix Ambriz, was met with an outpouring of emotion from the community — from sadness and surprise to heartfelt gratitude. Many longtim

Lincoln, Neb. — As a result of new federal requirements, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is rolling out several changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility requirements. The required changes listed below will go into effect on October 20, 2025, immediately for new applicants, and households with active benefits will be reviewed at their next recertification, when a household member is added, or when other updates are add

October 17, 2025 OMAHA, Neb. — State Senator Megan Hunt today raised serious constitutional, fiscal, and transparency concerns regarding Governor Jim Pillen's agreement to convert Nebraska's Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook into a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. "The Governor cannot unilaterally hand over a state prison to the federal government," said Hunt. "The Nebraska Constitution gives the Legislature, not the Governor, authority over

McCook Neb. — We’ve all had that moment in the store — the one where you see something fancy, pick it up, and immediately start questioning your life choices. That was me this week, staring down the Lindt “Dubai Style” Pistachio & Kadaïf Chocolate with a $14.97 price tag. Fourteen. Ninety. Seven. For chocolate. Of course, curiosity (and my sweet tooth) won. I bought it in the name of journalism — or at least, dessert science — and here’s what I found out. The Taste Test: Fa

Oct. 16, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — A lawsuit filed Wednesday in Red Willow County District Court seeks to halt Governor Jim Pillen’s plan to repurpose McCook’s Work Ethic Camp (WEC) into a federal immigration detention facility. The case — filed Oct. 15 by Nebraska Appleseed and announced publicly Thursday morning — names former State Senator DiAnna Schimek and 13 Red Willow County residents as plaintiffs. It names Governor Jim Pillen and Rob Jeffreys, Director of the Nebraska Dep

McCook Neb. — A fifth positive case of rabies in an animal has been reported to Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD). This positive rabies test was from a bat in Frontier County. This is the second positive bat in southwest Nebraska for 2025, and the highest number of rabies cases in a year since 2015. Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and is found in bats and other warm-blooded animals. Rabies is spread through the saliva or blood of an infecte

McCook Neb. —  Hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska, Philip Daniel has built a career on emotion — weaving stories not with words, but with sound. A classically trained pianist and acclaimed film composer, Daniel’s music has been streamed more than 30 million times around the world, connecting deeply with audiences who crave music that feels as much as it sounds. Daniel’s journey began at the piano bench, earning a graduate degree in Piano Performance from the UMKC Conservatory and

McCook Neb.— One of America’s longest running traveling art exhibitions is in McCook for a six-week stop at McCook Community College’s Wrightstone Gallery. The 158th International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society continues through Oct. 27 at McCook Community College. This is one of America’s longest running traveling art exhibits, is free admission and housed in the Wrightstone Fine Art Gallery, 1203 E. Third. The gallery is open to the public seven days a week.

McCOOK, Neb. — Possible changes to McCook High School’s grading system were a key topic at Monday’s school board meeting. Superintendent Grant Norgaard reported that the district will review its current seven-point grading scale — in place for about two decades — as many Nebraska schools have transitioned to a ten-point scale to help students remain more competitive for college admissions and scholarships. Any proposed updates will involve input from teachers, administrators

McCOOK, Neb. — Longtime children’s librarian Diane Lyon joined the McCook Rotary Club this week to share the remarkable story of how McCook’s public library came to be — and how it continues to evolve as a vital community resource. From Temperance to Carnegie: The Birth of a Library McCook’s first public reading space appeared in 1885, when the Women’s Temperance Union offered newspapers and magazines in their reading room. At the time, most libraries were private or charged

McCOOK, Neb. — For nearly a decade, TJ Peterson has been reading tarot cards — first for herself, then for friends, and now, for anyone curious enough to sit down with her at Familiar Finds, where she offers walk-in readings on Saturdays from 10-3 p.m. ✨ Introductory pricing — $5 for a single card or $10 for a three-card spread — runs through the end of October. “This is the first time I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone to do in-person readings for other people,” TJ says. Wi

McCOOK, Neb. — At just 19 years old, Addison Corey is doing something many twice her age would hesitate to try: running her own business. The admittedly shy and soft-spoken young woman has stepped into ownership of the shop once known as “Plants by Ashley,” a vibrant hub for local makers, artists, and dreamers — all while continuing to grow as a creator herself. What began as a vendor booth for her handmade jewelry has blossomed into a full-fledged small business, and Addison

McCOOK, Neb. — A familiar location in McCook’s ag community is getting new life — and a new vision — as Hi-Line Cooperative officially celebrates the opening of its expanded agronomy services facility. The business, which takes over the former site of Red Willow Chemical, aims to bring comprehensive solutions for area farmers while honoring the legacy of customer service that made the location a trusted name in local agriculture. At a recent ribbon cutting hosted by the McCo

McCook Neb. — The McCook Rotary Club welcomed guest speaker Mariah Pierson at their September 16 meeting. Pierson is the founder of Rise Therapy, a mobile outpatient occupational therapy practice serving McCook and Omaha. Pierson, who grew up in Indianola, shared her journey from working as an occupational therapy assistant at Community Hospital to pursuing her master’s degree and ultimately starting her own pediatric-focused practice. After nearly a decade in the hospital s

October 6, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council met Monday evening for its regular session, hearing a presentation on the city’s ongoing Water and Wastewater Rate Study, approving a Fire Prevention Week proclamation, and receiving an update on progress at the youth sports complex. Water and Wastewater Rate Study Overview Representatives from PFM Financial Advisors LLC presented preliminary findings from a detailed review of McCook’s current water and sewer rates. The r

McCOOK, Neb. — The Fox Theatre came alive this morning as area students filled the seats for a special matinee by Omaha Street Percussion (OSP), a high-energy percussion ensemble that turns everyday objects into instruments. The group is in McCook as part of the Lied Center’s Arts Across Nebraska program, and tonight, the community will get their chance to experience the rhythm. What makes OSP stand out isn’t just their unconventional instruments — buckets, paint cans, garbag

McCOOK Neb. — The City of McCook is continuing its investment in water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable service for residents well into the future. City officials outlined several projects currently underway or in planning stages. Water System Improvements Upgrades are in progress at the city’s water treatment plant, including new filter media, tank rehabilitations, and salt tank improvements. A major manganese removal project is also moving forward, whi

September 22, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners held budget and tax-request hearings Monday morning, adopted the county’s 2025–26 budget, and advanced a series of routine items, including a 12-month moratorium on data centers while zoning updates are drafted. A proposed professional services agreement with the West Central Nebraska Development District (WCNDD) to update the county comprehensive plan was tabled to Oct. 6 for review by the county