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McCOOK Neb. — For Kim Johnson, Project Paint has never been about creating perfect art. Instead, it’s about giving people a place to try something new, be creative and leave with something they feel proud of. Johnson has been leading paint classes in McCook for years, though the project originally started in a much smaller way when her daughter, Lindi, was in high school. “It was just a way to help pay for dance uniforms and pom poms,” Johnson said. “I started small, maybe ei

McCOOK, Neb. — When someone in Red Willow County calls 911, the calm voice on the other end is often the first link in a chain of help. As Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed April 12–18, 2026, recognizes dispatchers across the country, McCook’s communications team is also being highlighted for the work they do behind the scenes every hour of every day. While the public often sees police officers, deputies, firefighters, and EMS crews responding on scene, those res

Editorial: What I’ve Seen and What the Record Shows About McCook’s Water System There’s been a lot of frustration about the appearance of McCook’s water. That frustration is understandable. No one wants to turn on their faucet and see discolored water. But I want to add context, not as the City, not as a candidate, but as someone who has been consistently showing up and reviewing the public record. Over the past two years, I have attended nearly every McCook City Council meet

McCOOK, Neb. — New hires and staffing updates highlighted Monday night’s McCook School Board meeting, as the district reported strong progress filling teaching positions ahead of the upcoming school year. The board approved five teaching contracts: Kaylee Eckert was hired as a kindergarten teacher after working as a paraeducator while earning her degree. Shaelin Stiver will serve as the special education teacher for McCook St. Pats, a role provided through McCook Public Schoo

McCOOK, Neb. — A team of high school artists from Norton claimed the team title Friday at McCook Community College’s 51 st annual Paint-In Competition. Also the results of the Paint-In exhibition were announced and McCook High School’s Hanna Huff received this year’s “Best of Show” award.   Norton wins MCC Paint-In   Friday’s results were announced by MCC Art Instructor Rick Johnson. The event took place at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.   The judge for this year

McCOOK, Neb. — From now until Wednesday, April 22, 2026, thousands of Western Nebraska residents have a rare power: the ability to choose who they buy their energy from.  The annual Choice Gas Selection Period is officially underway, and while the mailers filling up local mailboxes might look like junk mail, officials say they are actually the key to controlling your utility budget for the next year. The Breakdown: How It Works It is a common misconception that switching gas

McCOOK, Neb. — A new photography exhibit opening at ArtBank is turning a lens toward a familiar, yet often overlooked, reality of life across the Great Plains: the quiet transformation of the American small town. Photographer Roger Bruhn is in McCook this week for the debut of “Welcome to Our Town,” a collection of black-and-white images that capture the landscapes left behind when communities lose their schools, businesses, and momentum. While Bruhn’s work primarily focuses

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council met Monday evening for its regular meeting, approving several routine items along with funding for a Fourth of July celebration and updates to local swimming pool fees. Dispatchers Recognized as “First First Responders” Council approved a proclamation designating April 12–18 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. McCook Police Chief, Kevin Hodgson, highlighted the role of dispatchers, noting they handle approximately 24,000 calls per

Southwest Neb. — What started as a few simple videos has turned into something much bigger for Justin and Holly Hamilton. The southwest Nebraska couple has recently begun sharing pieces of their life online answering questions, telling their story, and helping others understand a rare condition that many people have never heard of. Justin was born with congenital erythropoietic porphyria, or CEP, a rare genetic condition that makes exposure to ultraviolet light extremely pain

McCOOK, Neb. — Road construction season is ramping up across southwest Nebraska, with multiple projects planned throughout District 7 over the coming months. According to Nebraska Department of Transportation officials, maintenance work is already underway, with crews focusing on crack sealing in several areas, including Highway 61 near Grant and Highway 17 south of Culbertson. Drivers should expect short delays of around 10–12 minutes in flagged work zones over the next few

BARTLEY, Neb. — In the basement of Josh Keenportz’s home, you won’t find stacks of storage bins or forgotten holiday decorations. Instead, you’ll find spices, wall to wall and ceiling to floor. It’s a working laboratory for a man who has spent most of his life chasing the perfect bite. What started as a childhood fascination cooking alongside his mom and grandfather has grown into Cooking with Keenportz, a digital platform where Josh shares family recipes, barbecue technique

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners declined to formally accept Sheriff Kevin Darling’s resignation during their Monday, March 23 meeting, opting instead to table the matter until April 13. The decision comes as commissioners weigh how to handle the transition during an active election cycle. Timing and the Statutory Clock Sheriff Darling, who is retiring after 40 years in law enforcement, presented his resignation with an effective date of March 31, 2

McCOOK, Neb. — Doing Good Here Spotlight: Beautify McCook volunteers This morning, volunteers were out helping clean and freshen up Downtown McCook picking up trash, sweeping, and doing the kind of work that often goes unseen, but makes a big difference. This is exactly what Doing Good Here is all about. There are so many people, groups, and organizations quietly showing up and making an impact every day, and they deserve to be seen. If your group, your kids, your organizatio

McCOOK, Neb. — If you’ve stopped into Mint 217 lately, you may have noticed something a little different not just in the racks, but in the atmosphere. That change starts with new owner Keatra Krause. Since taking over the store in January, Krause has been balancing something many would find overwhelming: running a business, raising three children, and homeschooling, all while staying actively engaged online and in the community. But talking with her, it’s clear she wouldn’t h

McCOOK, Neb. — The Every {little} Thing Kids’ Pop-Up Consignment Sale is back in McCook for its spring event, bringing families together for a weekend of affordable shopping and a practical way to reuse outgrown items. Organized by Julie Cuellar, the sale was inspired by a larger consignment model in Indiana and has since grown into a local event designed to help families both buy and sell gently used children’s items. The sale features more than 2,000 items, including clothi

INDIANOLA, Neb. — What started as a grassroots effort to bring back a long-lost tradition has grown into one of the area’s most unique and community-driven attractions. Now, with new arena lighting being installed, the Indianola ranch rodeo arena is entering its next phase, one that organizers say will open the door to more events, more visitors, and even greater impact for the region. “We’re not even done with them yet,” said Jon Harris, referring to the new lights currentl

McCOOK, Neb. — A new consignment shop in downtown McCook is quickly becoming more than just a place to shop, it’s a space built on community, connection, and second chances. The Style Exchange, owned by Jenna Morris, opened just over two weeks ago, bringing years of experience from selling clothing online through platforms like Poshmark and eBay. After spending 13 years as a stay-at-home mom, she said the decision to open a storefront came at the right time in life. “I did th

McCook marks 52 years of city transit with a record-breaking year for ridership, while the Masonic Temple pledges $100,000 to the youth spor

Deon J. Allen, 34, was sentenced in Red Willow County Court. Judge Anne Paine sentenced Allen to 30 days in the Red Willow County Jail and 24 months of intensive supervised probation.

McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to table a request from the Red Willow County Health Department for an additional $20,000 to support vaccine purchases. Health Department Director Rhea Hernandez requested the funding to help maintain vaccine supplies for local children and students amid rising costs and demand. Commissioners acknowledged the increased costs but determined the additional funding was not immediately necessary because the