Arts, Culture & Community

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

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

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

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. — 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 Neb. — Every January 6, families across Mexico and Latin America celebrate Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) with a special bread called Rosca de Reyes — and thanks to Miguel and Mayra Camacho, owners of Carnicería CB, this beautiful cultural tradition is now part of the McCook community. The Rosca de Reyes traces its roots back to ancient Roman Saturnalia celebrations, later evolving through medieval Spain and France before arriving in Mexico during the Spanish

McCOOK Neb. — While many of us fumble through December with coffee and chaos, McCook resident Michelle Ervin has been greeting each morning with something entirely different — a cup of noodles and a Christmas movie. Her daily tradition, which she called “Christmas Movie Mornings,” began with a 25-cent find in Walmart’s discount aisle: pumpkin-spice-flavored noodles. She never even ate them. “I found them when I was stuck in the aisle waiting for people to move,” Ervin said. “

December 6, 2026 McCOOK, Neb. — Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre Association (SWNCTA) is bringing a classic whodunit to the stage this spring with its 2026 production of Clue, directed by Rachel Witt. Auditions will be held December 7–9 at Central Elementary in McCook. Witt, a longtime SWNCTA volunteer and McCook High School graduate, said she’s thrilled for the chance to direct a show she has loved since childhood. “Clue has always been one of my favorite movies,” she s

McCOOK Neb. — When Tanner Lytle turned 40, he gave himself a birthday present most people only daydream about: he decided to bet on his art full-time. “Starting today, I will be a full-time tattoo artist at the shop,” he wrote in a recent Facebook announcement, sharing that he’s “jumping all-in” at The Clever Fox Tattoo & Body Piercing in McCook, specializing in black and grey realism. It sounds sudden. It isn’t. A long road back to art Lytle has always been an artist. His gr

McCook Neb. — The holiday season is officially underway in downtown McCook, and the Chamber of Commerce has rolled out a full calendar of family-friendly activities, local shopping incentives, and festive community traditions through mid-December. From carriage rides to caroling, downtown tours to gingerbread creations, the coming weeks are set to bring light, music, and holiday cheer to Norris Avenue. Chamber/City/MEDC Mixer at the Keystone As holiday preparations continue,

McCOOK Neb.— Every December, something magical happens behind the scenes at McCook Public Schools. Throughout the school day, trays of freshly baked cookies roll out of the cafeteria kitchens — more than 1,000 cookies every single day — all part of a tradition lovingly known as the “12 Days of Cookies.” Tammy Fawver, Director of Nutrition Servicesm for Opaa! Food Management, has been leading the effort for nine years. During that time, the Opaa! team has baked and served more

Alicia’s Story — Love, Loss, and Building Families Through Openness McCook Neb. — November is National Adoption Month a time meant to honor families, raise awareness, and shed light on one truth many don’t often hear clearly enough: adoption begins with brokenness, but it does not have to end there. For Alicia, that truth lives inside her home every single day. She and her husband were already raising five biological children when adoption entered their lives, not through a

McCOOK, Neb. — In a quiet corner of Memorial Park Cemetery stands a large pine tree that, every December, becomes something extraordinary. What began more than two decades ago as one family’s gesture of love has grown into a community-wide tradition of remembrance, healing, and connection. A Tradition Rooted in Love Twenty-three years ago, Nancy and Jerry Renard hung a single ornament on the pine tree in honor of their son, Greg, who passed away on December 29, 2000. With the

McCOOK Neb. —  When you meet Jason and Chandele Hilker, you can tell right away they’ve been through a lot together — and not just the usual life stuff. Both served 20 years in the Marine Corps, raised kids through deployments, and somehow managed to retire still married, still laughing, and now finally settled here in McCook. It’s not common to meet a couple who both wore the uniform, especially for that long. Jason said it best: “You’ll see dual veterans, but you’ll rarely

McCOOK Neb. — A new local effort is coming together this week to help make sure no family in McCook goes without a good meal. McCook Meal Kits, a collaboration between local churches, businesses, and volunteers, will host its first free Meal Kit Giveaway on Wednesday, November 12, from 2–6 p.m. at the McCook Community Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Each kit will include shelf-stable ingredients and seasonings to prepare full family meals such as Chili Mac, Co