Government & Public Meetings

McCook, Neb. — The McCook Fire Department’s newest ambulance is officially in service, offering upgraded safety features and a smoother ride for patients and crew. Firefighter and Paramedic, James Slaten showed the vehicle to City Council members before Monday’s meeting, pointing out its major improvements. He explained that the new ambulance follows the blueprint of the department’s previous unit with only minor changes, which made setup simple. “The day it showed up, we w

McCook, Neb. – Karrer Park, McCook’s long-used free camping area, has been closed until further notice as city officials work to address rising safety concerns and increased misuse of the facility. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff said while the park was originally intended for travelers making short stops, it has increasingly been used as a permanent residence by individuals with nowhere else to go. “We’ve had abuse of the facility for several years, but this year it’s g

McCook, Neb. – The McCook City Council covered a full agenda Monday night, ranging from community clean-up efforts to updates on the much-anticipated sports complex. All members were present except Councilman Darcy Rambally, who was excused. New Ambulance Now in Service Residents will soon have the chance to see McCook’s newest ambulance up close. The upgraded Horton 4WD model was partially funded by a $75,000 grant, making it a cost-effective addition to the city’s emergency

McCook, Neb. — The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners tackled a packed agenda Monday morning, covering everything from school nursing contracts and gravel bids to budget requests from community partners. Consent Agenda Approved The meeting began with standard business, including the approval of past meeting minutes, payroll claims, surplus items, and a resolution (No. 1561) related to a Tyler Technologies agreement. The board also approved a roadway occupancy agreement

McCook, Neb. - Karrer Park, McCook’s free camping area located at 1628 East B Street, has been closed until further notice due to growing safety concerns. The closure, announced by the City of McCook, is not permanent but comes after repeated issues with misuse of the facility. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff said that while Karrer Park was designed for short stays, some individuals have been using the area as a permanent residence. “We have had a lot of abuse of the faci

McCOOK, Neb. – For more than 50 years, McCook’s public transit system has quietly helped residents stay connected to the places and services they rely on. This dial-a-ride program, open to all ages, offers affordable, accessible transportation across the city for just $2 per ride. On Monday night, the McCook City Council got a first look at the newest addition to the fleet—a Ford Transit bus that’s been six years in the making. Senior Services Director and Transit Manager Bet

McCook Neb. - The Red Willow County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. Key Actions: Personnel Matter: The board entered executive session to discuss a personnel matter related to the Road Department. Following the closed session, they approved a Separation Agreement for Road Department employee Earl McNutt, finalizing the terms with the county’s attorney. Budget Workshop: Commissioners began preliminary discussions on the upcoming county budget. More

McCook Neb. - The McCook City Council met Monday evening, July 7, to finalize projects and discuss policies affecting local residents. Playground Contracts Approved, Projects Moving Forward The Council ratified contracts for two playground projects that had been previously approved as part of the Rural Community Recovery Program (RCRP) grant. This vote allowed the city to lock in equipment and installation for: A new inclusive playground at Kelley Park, designed to be access

McCOOK Neb. - I typically focus on local news here at McCook News Now, but I believe this national story deserves our attention. The One Big Beautiful Bill is a sweeping piece of legislation that could have a significant impact on Nebraskans-from healthcare access and food assistance to taxes and energy policy. Because of the size and scope of the bill, and the speed at which it's moving through Congress, I wanted to provide a straightforward, unbiased summary so that readers

McCOOK Neb. - The Red Willow County Visitors Committee met Tuesday morning, July 1, at the Keystone Business Center to review fund balances, approve expenses, and discuss ongoing promotional efforts for the county. Committee members present included Chairman Daniel Stramel, Chris Wagner, Kerri Unger, and Andrea Harms. Member Natalie Allard was absent. As of June 30, the Promotion Fund held $63,158.78, and the Improvement Fund held $202,075.96. Petty cash on hand was reported

McCook, Neb. - The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Equalization met on Monday, June 23, 2025, covering a full agenda that included road improvements, community funding, tax assessments, and legislative updates. Chairman Ted Gans and Commissioner Randy Dean led the respective meetings, with Commissioner Charles Fritsche also present. Emergency Preparedness Plan Updated To ensure the county remains ready for disasters, the board approved an updated Loc

McCook Neb .- At a recent McCook City Council meeting, the board discussed a range of topics, from ongoing infrastructure projects to community development and recreational initiatives. Parks and Recreation Updates The Parks Board is set to convene on Wednesday at noon at the Senior Center to discuss several park improvement projects. A major focus will be the Kelly Park inclusive playground and Barnett Park improvements, both funded in part by an RCRP grant. The city is work

McCook, Neb. - Pat Fawver, the city's Utilities Director, wants everyone to know that McCook's drinking water is safe. He explained that the water is regularly tested and meets all health standards, especially for harmful things like arsenic, nitrates, and uranium. Fawver noted that some people worry about "Total Dissolved Solids" (TDS) based on meters they buy online. He clarified that these small meters aren't for testing drinking water and can give wrong information. The

McCook Neb.– The Red Willow County Board of Commissioners and Board of Equalization recently convened to address a range of critical county matters, including budget increases, public safety services, and infrastructure maintenance. The meeting began with the standard Board of Commissioners Meeting proceedings, including the call to order, agenda approval, and review of accounts payable claims. A period for Citizens' Comments was held, though no action could be taken on publi

McCOOK Neb. - City Council Addresses Key Community Issues at Latest Meeting McCook, NE – The McCook City Council convened on Monday, June 2, 2025, for a meeting that saw discussions and actions on a range of topics crucial to the city's development and daily operations. The session, which concluded at 6:31 PM, covered everything from infrastructure projects and event planning to animal control and potential new revenue streams. Community Events & Enhancements City Manager Nat

McCook Neb. During their Monday meeting, Red Willow County Commissioners addressed several items with unanimous 3-0 votes. They approved routine payables (except a food service bill for further review) and a tax roll correction. Roadwork plans for 2025 were finalized, earmarking Roads 403, 383, and 716 for armor coating, while the Cambridge Lake Road's maintenance was discussed. Val Jansante from Congressman Smith's office provided a legislative update, focusing on efforts to

McCook Neb. - The McCook City Council meeting celebrated Jennifer Doucet, McCook's 911 Coordinator, who received the prestigious 2025 Laura Becker Memorial Award from the Nebraska Emergency Communication Services Association (NESCA). This award recognized her exceptional dedication to dispatch centers in the south-central panhandle, particularly her work in policy creation, multi-site system coordination, and inter-agency communication. Chief Kevin Hodgson lauded Doucet's con

McCOOK, Neb. - Red Willow County Commissioners unanimously accepted the "voluntary resignation" of 47-year employee and former commissioner Earl McNutt at Monday's meeting, following a closed-door session regarding his potential termination. After convening in executive session for over an hour to discuss the matter, the board reconvened and approved the resignation, effective June 30, 2025, without providing further details. The "voluntary" designation reportedly allows McNu

McCook, Neb. – The McCook City Council approved the final plat for the Walters First Edition, a new addition to the city. This plat includes the sports complex area and commercial lots. Infrastructure development, including street, water, sewer, and storm sewer, is planned for the area. Craig Bennett from Miller Associates presented details of the plat, highlighting the future land use designations for recreational, commercial, and multi-family development. A significant step

McCOOK Neb.- The Red Willow County Visitors Committee, is seeking two new members following the resignations of Tyler Loop and Bill Lesko, leaving the committee with only three active members. The committee's main role is to fund events that promote tourism through a 2% lodging tax, split into two separate funds for improvement and promotion. During their recent meeting, chaired by Dan Stramel, the committee discussed the importance of distinguishing between commerce and tour