Government & Public Meetings

Based on ongoing coverage of City Council meetings following the temporary closure of Karrer Park in July 2025, discussion and development of public-space and camping regulations has been underway for several months. The ordinance approved this week follows that extended period of review and is not the result of any single individual situation.

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

Oct. 16, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — A lawsuit filed Wednesday in Red Willow County District Court seeks to halt Governor Jim Pillen’s plan to repurpose McCook’s Work Ethic Camp (WEC) into a federal immigration detention facility. The case — filed Oct. 15 by Nebraska Appleseed and announced publicly Thursday morning — names former State Senator DiAnna Schimek and 13 Red Willow County residents as plaintiffs. It names Governor Jim Pillen and Rob Jeffreys, Director of the Nebraska Dep

October 6, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council met Monday evening for its regular session, hearing a presentation on the city’s ongoing Water and Wastewater Rate Study, approving a Fire Prevention Week proclamation, and receiving an update on progress at the youth sports complex. Water and Wastewater Rate Study Overview Representatives from PFM Financial Advisors LLC presented preliminary findings from a detailed review of McCook’s current water and sewer rates. The r

McCOOK Neb. — The City of McCook is continuing its investment in water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable service for residents well into the future. City officials outlined several projects currently underway or in planning stages. Water System Improvements Upgrades are in progress at the city’s water treatment plant, including new filter media, tank rehabilitations, and salt tank improvements. A major manganese removal project is also moving forward, whi

September 22, 2025 McCOOK, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners held budget and tax-request hearings Monday morning, adopted the county’s 2025–26 budget, and advanced a series of routine items, including a 12-month moratorium on data centers while zoning updates are drafted. A proposed professional services agreement with the West Central Nebraska Development District (WCNDD) to update the county comprehensive plan was tabled to Oct. 6 for review by the county

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 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