McCook News Now

12/11/2025

Holiday stress is real — and you’re not alone.
Here’s a quick reminder from Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department to help you stay balanced.
🔗Read the full press release in the comments.

12/10/2025

Community Hospital - McCook Announces Open House for New ROOTS Apartment Complex

Community Hospital is inviting the public to a Community Open House celebrating the completion of the new ROOTS Apartment Complex — a major investment in strengthening rural healthcare by providing modern housing for healthcare students, interns, and residents.

Thursday, December 18
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting at 4:00 PM with the McCook Chamber of Commerce
409 West 1st Street, McCook, NE 69001
Free and open to the public

Attendees can tour the newly completed apartments, visit with hospital and community leaders, and learn how the ROOTS (Rural Opportunities Offering Tomorrow’s Success) program supports the recruitment and training of future healthcare professionals in southwest Nebraska. Refreshments will be available.

ROOTS includes 12 state-of-the-art units featuring modern furnishings, high-speed internet, and dedicated study areas—designed to help students thrive while experiencing the benefits of rural community life.

Community Hospital shared that this project is a long-term investment in ensuring high-quality, compassionate healthcare for the region.

🔗Read the full press release on the McCook News Now website, linked in the comments.

12/10/2025

12/10/2025

🎄The Southwest Nebraska Family Resource Center shared that several Giving Tree locations across McCook still have holiday tags representing local children who have not yet been selected. Community members are encouraged to visit any participating Giving Tree site, choose a tag, and help brighten a child’s holiday season.

For those who want to help but prefer not to shop, the Southwest Nebraska Family Resource Center also has families who were not selected. Monetary donations are welcome, and board members will shop for any remaining children to ensure every kiddo receives something special.

In addition, food donations are being collected for families needing support during the holidays or throughout the year.

Giving Tree locations include:
Peace Lutheran McCook NE
First Interstate Bank
Midwest Liberty Federal Credit Union
First Central Bank
MNB Bank
Anytime Fitness of McCook
McCook Evangelical Free Church
Horizon Bank
Lincoln Federal Savings Bank – McCook
McCook YMCA
McCook Christian Church
McCook Memorial Methodist

Community members are invited to choose a tag, shop for gifts, and help bring joy to local families in need this holiday season.

12/10/2025

December 2nd Red Willow Visitors Committee meeting available to view on the McCook News Now YouTube Channel.

https://youtu.be/eRS8Bf1S3Qc?si=g8b7RBy9tgvuJYST

12/09/2025

12/09/2025

Starting soon, I will go live during the tour.

12/09/2025

The City of McCook, NE plans to begin crack sealing various streets in the community on Friday December 12th, weather permitting. It should take roughly 2 weeks to complete, weather permitting. The contractor will be Shelco Construction out of Elsie, NE. We ask that citizens remove any vehicles that are parked on the following streets beginning Friday morning December 12th by 7:00 a.m.. The order of streets will be determined by the contractor.


West 7th Street from West “H” Street to West “J” Street

West 9th Street from West “B” Street to West “C” Street

West 10th Street from West “B” Street to West “J” Street

West “I” Street from Westridge to West 10th Street


West “L” Street from Westridge to West 10th Street

West “M” Street from West 1st Street to East 1st Street

West “R” Street from West 3rd Street to West 4th Street

West Circle Drive from West “O” Street to West “Q” Street

Kelley Park Drive from East “M” Street to East “O” Street

Park Avenue from Norris Avenue to East “O” Street


Cheyenne Road from Park Avenue to Seminole Drive

Sioux Road from Parkview Drive to Seminole Drive

Parkview Drive from Sioux Drive to Seminole Drive

East 1st Street from East “B” Street to East “J” Street

East 5th Street from East “H” Street to East “M” Street

East 7th Street from East “E” Street to East “H” Street

East 10th Street from East “A” Street to East “B” Street

East 11th Street from East “A” Street to East “B” Street

East 13th Street from East “A” Street to East “B” Street

East “E” Street from the alley between Norris Avenue and East 1st Street to East 1st Street

East Cedar Motel Drive from East “B” Street to East “C” Street

Apollo Street from East 14th Street to East “F” Street

Airport Road from East “B” Street to the Airport Terminal

Once the crack sealing has been completed on a street, the street will be open for normal use.

This list of streets can be found on the City of McCook’s website at www.cityofmccook.com. We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation and apologize for any inconveniences.

12/09/2025

What started as McKenzie Schmitz trying not to waste an overgrown garden has grown into The Prairie Sage Canning Co. — and her custom Jingle Baskets have become a Christmas tradition for a lot of local families.

Jingle Baskets are build-your-own gift baskets that can include jams, pickles, sauces, seasoning salts, dip mixes, popcorn, scones, cookies, candy, jerky, and more. Everything is assembled by hand, and this year McKenzie is also featuring items from other local makers.

🔗Read more about how McKenzie got started and what makes this year’s baskets special on the MNN website, linked in the comments.

12/09/2025

A gentle reminder from Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department:
Small steps can make the holidays feel a little lighter.
🔗Full press release is linked in the comments.

12/09/2025

Tonight, the McCook Public Schools Board of Education accepted two donations from the McCook Community Foundation Fund:

$4,000 to support Bison Days
$3,300 for the district’s new Construction (CTE) class

Superintendent Norgaard noted that these contributions will directly impact students by helping fund opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to provide. The construction course in particular carries high equipment costs, making the support especially meaningful.

A big thank-you to the McCook Community Foundation Fund for continuing to invest in local students and hands-on learning opportunities.

Look for a full School Board recap on the McCook News Now website in the morning.