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McCOOK Neb. — Questions have surfaced on social media about the City of McCook’s role in the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport and whether taxpayers are footing the bill for recent changes. Charlie McPherson, executive director of the McCook Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), said the city continues to own and operate the airport, just as it always has. The airport itself — including the runways, city-owned buildings, and emergency services — remains a city responsibil

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners meets Monday, Sept. 22, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Room at the courthouse. The agenda includes a budget hearing and a special hearing to set the county’s final tax request for the 2025–26 fiscal year, followed by several related resolutions. A Board of Equalization meeting is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Citizens’ comments are listed from 9 to 9:30 a.m. (No action may be taken during this period.) Agend

September 20, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — As text messages and social media posts about possible concerns spread through McCook on Friday night, McCook News Now reached out to local law enforcement to confirm the facts. McCook Police Chief Kevin Hodgson responded directly to an inquiry from McCook News Now on Saturday morning, confirming that officers had investigated the rumors and found no credible threat. “The rumors were investigated and we could not confirm they were credible,”

September 19, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — Despite a wave of complaints on social media, only a handful of residents turned out for Thursday night’s “Pink Postcard” budget Q&A, where city leaders fielded questions about water quality, nuisance properties, and rising taxes. Water & Treatment Plant Challenges Manganese buildup in several wells was a major concern. “When I saw the manganese buildup, I didn’t realize how much… if the plant had been built north of town, we wouldn’t be wor

September 19, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — Residents pressed city leaders on water quality, taxes and the pace of growth at a “Pink Postcard” budget Q&A Wednesday night, a sometimes tense but wide-ranging discussion that touched on manganese in city wells, nuisance properties and the costs of fire and public works equipment. City Manager Nate Schneider said manganese buildup has been detected in three wells, including two high-production sources, and argued that the decades-old decis

September 18, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — Heritage Days officially opened Tuesday evening with the MNB Bank Mixer, a community tradition that blends celebration with recognition of local service and leadership. Resilience After the Storm Welcoming guests, MNB Bank CEO Brian Esch noted the resilience of McCook residents, many of whom were still recovering from Monday’s hailstorm. “This says something about all of you to show up tonight after what happened,” Esch said. “You should be

McCOOK, Neb. — Prairie Plains CASA invites the community downtown tonight, Thursday, September 18, for Come to the Table, a special event on Norris Avenue as part of the Third Thursday series. The initiative was first started by Judge Anne Paine before the COVID-19 pandemic, when she visited schools to talk with students about the importance of sitting down with their families for dinner. Since then, a coalition of community partners — including CASA, Nicole Peterson from HHS

September 17, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook High School Class of 1965 has come together to honor two of their classmates in a lasting way. As part of their reunion during Heritage Days, members of the class dedicated two new picnic tables in Norris Park in memory of Ernest “Ernie” Weyeneth and Garrett Wagner. Classmates first set out to recognize Ernie, who passed away in 2022 after a long career in business and community service. When the idea of a picnic table came up, the

September 17, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The countdown is over. Heritage Days 2025 kicks off this week, bringing four days of community celebration, food, music, and tradition to McCook. Organizers say the festival will once again fill Norris Park, downtown streets, and Norris Alley with activities for all ages. The official schedule runs Wednesday, Sept. 17 through Saturday, Sept. 20, highlighted by the annual parade, family-friendly contests, live music, and the always-popular Okt

McCOOK, Neb. — It’s homecoming week at McCook Community College and there are a number of events leading up to Friday’s homecoming volleyball match against Otero College.   Prior to the 6 p.m. match against the Lady Rattlers, MCC is partnering with the McCook Chamber of Commerce for a pre-homecoming tailgate party starting at 4 p.m. in Kelley Park, just east of the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center. Alumni, friends and members of the public are invited to hang out with M

September 15, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council moved through a full agenda Monday night, approving its 2026 street improvement plan, granting several special exceptions for vacation rentals, and finalizing budget and utility rate increases for the coming year. The meeting opened with announcements about ongoing community projects, including progress on the all-inclusive playground at Kelley Park. City staff reported that four semi-loads of new playground equipment

September 15, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will gather for its regular meeting tonight, Monday, September 15, at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at the Municipal Center. The evening will begin with announcements, recognitions, and a proclamation marking September 17–23 as “Constitution Week.” Much of the meeting will focus on public hearings. Council members will consider three separate requests to allow short-term rental or bed and breakfast operations in re

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council held a special noon meeting on September 10 to finalize agreements that set the course for the future of Ben Nelson Regional Airport. The actions clear the way for the McCook Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to assume ownership of four hangar buildings while the City retains ownership of the land. Council members approved two memorandums of understanding (MOUs). The first outlines MEDC’s role in acquiring the hangar assets, creati

September 13, 2025 🎄Christmas may still feel far away, but as of today there are 103 days until December 25. That means if you start now, you have a full 100-day window to give yourself the most meaningful gifts—gifts that don’t come from a store, but from small, steady changes you make each day. And here’s the best part: with 3 extra days between now and Christmas, you can set those aside for life’s big moments—Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and one extra buffer day—because w

September 9, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — The McCook Board of Education approved the district’s 2025–26 budget and tax request Monday night after holding back-to-back public hearings. The all-funds budget is set at $24,220,971, with a 4% decrease in the overall levy (from 0.899 to 0.863) and a property-tax request of about $9.7 million. School Business Manager Jeff Gross said the higher tax ask is largely offsetting a drop in state aid. “We’re asking for about $240,000 extra property

September 9, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — County commissioners voted Monday to join the West Central Nebraska Development District (WCNDD) after a heated discussion that stretched well beyond routine business. The one-year membership, costing $2,730, is intended to allow the county to hire WCNDD to rewrite its comprehensive plan at an estimated cost of $25,000. Previous quotes for the same work were closer to $50,000. Commissioners argued the update is overdue — the current plan dates

September 7, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners met three times in August, addressing budgets, agreements, and community questions. Here are the highlights: August 11 Meeting Commissioners approved accounts payable claims totaling $244,834.73. Approved contracts with MIPS for JPH postcards and Applied Connective for cyber security services. The Board of Equalization approved a motor vehicle exemption for Community Hospital (2025 Toyota Rav4) and a

September 7, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — The Board of Education will meet Monday, September 8, immediately following the district’s annual budget hearing and tax request resolution. Oath of Office for Student Board Member One of the first items on the agenda will be the swearing in of Quinn Taylor, who will serve as a student representative on the board for the school year. Reports and Updates Board members will review administrator reports from each building, as well as committee up

September 4, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — Omaha-based artist and industrial designer Christopher Prinz visited McCook in late August with hundreds of pounds of meticulously formed metal, headlining an exhibit at ArtBank titled “Prototypes.” The presentation offered a close look at his process—how flat steel sheets become rigid, terrain-like sculptures and furniture through a unique wrinkling technique executed on a large press brake—and how small, hand-creased models in aluminum foil

September 3, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council held its annual budget hearing Tuesday and moved forward on a series of ordinances tied to the 2025–26 fiscal year, including planned increases to water, sewer and solid-waste rates to fund major utility projects. Council later entered executive session for collective-bargaining strategy with firefighters. Budget snapshot City Manager Nate Schneider presented his five-page transmittal letter and summary, noting the FY