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September 2, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. – Members of the McCook Rotary Club welcomed guest speaker Dr. Richard Lawton, orthopedic surgeon at Community Hospital, during their Tuesday meeting at the McCook Community College East Campus. Lawton was invited by Rotarian Lori Savery-Hinze to share updates on orthopedic care available locally. From Denver Broncos to McCook Lawton completed his medical degree at Emory University, followed by an orthopedic residency at the Mayo Clinic and a fe

✨ Exciting News ✨ I’m honored to share that I’ve accepted the position of McCook Creative District Coordinator beginning this month. This new role feels like a natural extension of what I’ve been building with McCook News Now — telling our community’s stories, highlighting local talent, and making sure people feel connected to the place we call home. As coordinator, I’ll be working to support arts, culture, and creative opportunities in McCook, while continuing to report on t

September 1, 2025 CURTIS, Neb. — Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn will hold a town hall meeting Friday, Sept. 5, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Curtis Community Center. Osborn, of Omaha, is a graduate of Roncalli Catholic High School. He served four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Constellation and later joined the Nebraska Army National Guard and the Tennessee National Guard. Since 2004, he has worked as an industrial mechanic at the Kellogg’s plant in Omaha

September 1, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council will meet Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers following a public hearing on the proposed 2025/2026 budget. The hearing allows residents to provide input before the council formally adopts the annual spending plan. Immediately after the hearing, the council will convene its regular meeting, beginning with announcements and recognitions. A second hearing will follow to set the city’s final property tax

McCook, Neb. — Opposition is growing against Governor Jim Pillen’s plan to convert the Work Ethic Camp in McCook into a federal immigration detention facility. Nebraska Appleseed, a nonprofit advocacy group, announced this week that more than 18,300 Nebraskans from 386 communities signed a petition rejecting the proposal. The petition was delivered to the governor’s office along with thousands of public comments from across the state. Numerous McCook residents voiced objectio

McCOOK, Neb. — A request from several state senators, including Megan Hunt, for a public hearing on the Governor’s plan to convert McCook’s Work Ethic Camp into a federal ICE detention facility has been denied. Senator Carolyn Bosn, chair of the Judiciary Committee, responded that questions about the transition should be directed to the executive branch and attorney general’s office rather than through a legislative hearing. Sen. Hunt and others say the decision raises const

August 27, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — Thirteen Nebraska state senators are calling for a public hearing after Gov. Jim Pillen announced plans to convert the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. Lawmakers say the decision was made without legislative approval, public input or transparency. In a letter sent Wednesday to Sen. Carolyn Bosn, chair of the Judiciary Committee, the senators urged the committee to hold a public

August 27, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — Community member Jason Hilker recently submitted a detailed list of questions to city and county officials regarding the transition of the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) and its possible impacts on McCook. Both McCook News Now and The McCook Gazette were copied on the request. City Manager Nate Schneider invited local media to meet so he could provide clarification to the extent possible. Many of Hilker’s questions reach into state and federal jurisdic

August 27, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — Community member Dr. Jason Hilker recently submitted detailed questions about the transition of the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) facility to federal use. In response, City Manager Nate Schneider met with local media to provide answers to the extent possible. Schneider emphasized that the City of McCook has not been part of the planning or decision-making process and is still awaiting information from state and federal officials. The following summarize

August 26, 2025 McCook, Neb. – Pharmacist, Katie Stagemeyer, was selected as Community Hospital’s 2025 Caring Kind Award recipient. Chosen by her peers for her outstanding compassion, dedication, and commitment to patient care, Katie exemplifies the values that define excellence in healthcare. Nominated by co-workers and chosen by Community Hospital employees and the PACT Committee (Pride, Activities, Communication, Team), her nomination reads: “Katie consistently goes above

August 26, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners met Monday, August 25, 2025, tackling a wide-ranging agenda that included budget workshops, department inventories, and consent agenda approvals. During the citizens’ comments portion, community member Dr. Jason Hilker raised questions about a recent news report on a $600,000 interfund transfer from the inheritance tax fund to balance the county’s budget. Commissioners clarified that while the inheri

The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners and Board of Equalization met on August 19, 2025 at the courthouse. The meeting opened with approval of the agenda, though no citizens offered comments during the public participation period. Commissioners approved minutes from previous meetings, authorized a special designated liquor license for HoJo’s Hideaway, and signed an oversized load permit for Ward Craft Homes. The board also worked on budget discussions. The meeting adjou

McCOOK, Neb. – St. Patrick Elementary School is celebrating 40 years in its current building, which first opened its doors to students on August 28, 1985. Catholic education in McCook began in 1918, but by the early 1980s, it was clear a new facility was needed. Parishioners raised $287,000 toward the project, with the remainder covered by the Mary Brady Estate. Construction began in 1984 and wrapped up the following year. When the time came to move, about 120 volunteers carr

News Release For Immediate Release For more information contact: Molly Smith, Public Information Officer 308-345-1200 (option 3) or pio@mccookne.org August 21, 2025 Neb. - Officials from Red Willow County, the City of McCook, and the McCook Economic Development Corporation, speaking as part of a unified collective, are committed to transparency and community-focused development as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announces plans to establish a new facility in McCo

August 21, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — I want to be clear: I oppose the creation of an ICE detention center in McCook. Not because I believe our community is unsafe, and not because I think immigration is something that can be solved with razor wire and steel bars — but because the system itself feels like a violation of human rights. If I trusted that only dangerous criminals were being detained, that might be one thing. But the truth is harder. Immigration in the U.S. is made delibe

August 20, 2025 McCOOK Neb. - Dr. Jason Hilker, who has stated plans to run for McCook city council, has been vocal in recent days about the state’s plan to convert the McCook Work Ethic Camp into an ICE detention facility. Dr. Hilker says he is not opposed to a facility in principle, but believes the current proposal would result in a net loss for McCook. He has criticized what he sees as a lack of transparency and respect for the community: “Governor Pillen called McCook a

Dear Editor: My family and I lived in McCook for 8 1/2 years, and though we now reside in southern Arizona, our hearts remain with this town. It is with that love that I write to express my profound concern about the proposed conversion of the McCook Work Ethic Camp into a 300-bed ICE detention facility. The lack of public process and the hasty nature of the decision, made with no transparency and announced just three days after local officials were informed, with plans to be

August 19, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. – Governor Jim Pillen on Tuesday announced a new partnership with the federal government to convert the McCook Work Ethic Camp into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. The plan will also involve members of the Nebraska National Guard and State Patrol assisting with federal immigration enforcement. Pillen said the move is part of a larger effort to enhance public safety by targeting “criminals and terrorists” who ha

McCOOK, Neb. — National media outlets are reporting that McCook could be part of a nationwide expansion of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. According to the Washington Post, internal planning documents indicate ICE is preparing to open a 300-bed facility near the Work Ethic Camp in Red Willow County, potentially as soon as next month. The reports come as part of a broader plan to more than double detention capacity nationwide — from 41,000

McCOOK, Neb. — August 18, 2025 The McCook City Council covered a full agenda Monday evening, ranging from nuisance property abatements to budget planning and upcoming utility rate increases. The meeting opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief announcement noting that questions about a rumored detainment facility in Red Willow County should be directed to the State of Nebraska. Nuisance Property Actions Emma Castor of the West Central Nebraska Development Dis