Government & Public Meetings

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

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

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Board of Education approved the 2026-27 school calendar, adopted new district reading and math improvement goals, and took action on staffing, contracts and other business during its regular meeting Monday night. Among the personnel matters, the board accepted the resignations of Jacob Obrecht, band teacher at McCook Junior and Senior High School, and Laura Nokes, a resource teacher for McCook Public Schools. Board members also approved a contract fo

Ordinance No. 2026-3111 This ordinance updates McCook’s rules for camping, sleeping, and use of public areas across the city. It applies to everyone, not just people without housing. 1. Where camping is allowed • Overnight camping is not allowed in most public places. • The only public location where overnight camping may be allowed is Karrer Park, and only with a permit from the City. • Camping is limited to a designated area and for a limited number of days. 2. Sleeping in

McCook Neb. — At Monday night’s City Council meeting, council approved a new ordinance updating the City’s rules for camping, sleeping, and use of public spaces. The ordinance passed on second reading and has been under discussion since the temporary closure of Karrer Park in July 2025. It was not created in response to any single individual. City officials emphasized that the ordinance is meant to regulate behavior — not housing status — and that it applies equally to anyon

MCCOOK, Neb. — After sitting vacant for more than a decade, the former St. Catherine’s Apartments and convent property may finally be moving toward a new future — one that could help address McCook’s growing need for affordable and workforce housing. During Monday night’s meeting, the McCook Community Development Agency (CDA) discussed a proposed structure that would allow the property to move out of long-term limbo and into a redevelopment process led by McCook Economic Dev

Dec. 15, 2025 MCCOOK, Neb. — McCook City Council met Monday evening for a lengthy agenda that included housing development actions, redevelopment studies, updates on the youth sports complex, a new ordinance governing use of public spaces, and a Community Development Agency discussion regarding the St. Catherine’s property. City announcements City Manager Nate Schneider announced: City offices will close at noon on Dec. 24 and remain closed on Christmas Day. Repairs are under

December 1, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council met Monday evening for a relatively short meeting covering infrastructure updates, upcoming planning items, funding policy presentations, and reminders of several community events scheduled in the coming days. Injection Well Repairs Completed After 14-Day Operation Water Department staff presented a detailed update on the city’s deep injection well, which is used to safely dispose of waste from the water treatment plant

Nov. 18, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — The McCook City Council covered a full slate of community updates Monday night, highlighted by a major donation, housing progress, and several routine approvals. $500,000 Pledge Announced The McCook Community Foundation Fund pledged $500,000 to the Gerald L. Walters Youth Sports Complex. City Manager Nate Schneider said the pledge brings fundraising and grant support to around $3 million. Foundation members attending the meeting were recognized by

November 10, 2025 McCook, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse, covering a range of regular business items including a 2.5% annual salary increase for county officials for the 2027–2030 term, appointments to county boards, and the approval of more than $679,000 in claims. Chairman Ted Gans called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. with Commissioner Randy Dean present. Commissioner Charles Fritsche was absent. Gans opened by

11/04/2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council moved forward on a major financing step Monday night, approving a $5 million bond ordinance to fund infrastructure improvements tied to the city’s new sports complex project — a development City Manager Nate Schneider called a reflection of McCook’s remarkable growth. “I’ve never seen this kind of growth in McCook,” Schneider said, noting the scale of recent development projects underway across the community. “This project is

Operations Still Expected “Imminently,” According to Pillen McCOOK, Neb. (October 28, 2025) — Governor Jim Pillen confirmed Tuesday that the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in McCook will not open this week as previously announced. The site, located at the former Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in northeast McCook, had been slated to begin operations on Saturday, November 1, following federal inspections and security upgrades. However, during a call

October 27, 2025 McCOOK Neb.— A Red Willow County District Judge has denied a request from 13 McCook residents and former State Senator DiAnna Schimek to temporarily block the State of Nebraska from converting the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) into a federal ICE detention facility. Judge Patrick Heng ruled that Nebraska Department of Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys has the authority to move forward under the agreement between the State of Nebraska and the U.S. Department of Homela

Oct. 27, 2025 McCOOK Neb.— The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners moved through a full agenda Monday, adopting the county’s One- and Six-Year Road & Street Improvement Program, responding to an audit finding on personal-property tax collections, and directing the clerk to prepare a salary resolution for the next elected-official term. One- & Six-Year Road Plan adopted Commissioners held a public hearing with engineer Kevin Petros of Miller & Associates before approving

October 24, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — A Red Willow County District Court judge heard hours of arguments Friday in the case challenging the State of Nebraska’s plan to repurpose the Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook into a temporary detention facility for federal immigration detainees. The lawsuit, filed by former State Senator Diana Schimek and 13 Red Willow County residents, names Governor Jim Pillen and Department of Correctional Services Director Rob Jeffreys as defendants. The pl

October 23, 2025 CONTACT: Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495   LINCOLN, NE  – Governor Jim Pillen is providing an update on progress made at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, which will allow the facility to be utilized for the detention of illegal detainees in support of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE. In preparation for receiving detainees, the facility underwent a final walk-through by ICE inspectors this week and was approved for use.  

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

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