Category: Local News

Hastings City Officials Give Update on Coronavirus; Encouraging Masks and Social Distancing

HASTINGS - Hastings City Officials gave an update on the coronavirus pandemic during a press conference on Friday morning. They all encouraged residents to continue to social distance and wear face masks. Eric Barber, CEO of Mary Lanning Healthcare, says that the hospital currently has six patients that have the coronavirus and one of them...

Today is the Last Day to Request Mail in Ballots for November General Election

HASTINGS - Today is the last day to request an early ballot by mail for the November General Election and you can pick one up from the Adams County Clerk’s office up until November 2, the day before the election. Those ballots must be turned in by November 3 at 8pm, the time the polls...

Hastings College, UNO, UNMC Announce Academic Partnership

HASTINGS - Hastings College, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) announced today an academic partnership that will provide additional educational opportunities at UNO and UNMC for Hastings College students. This unique agreement leverages the best features of both educational settings — public and private, as well as...

South Heartland District Health Department Offers Recommendations for Safer Halloween

HASTINGS - Say “Boo!” to COVID-19. According to local health officials, Halloween doesn’t need to be cancelled during COVID-19, but there are some safety precautions everyone should know about and put in place. “Halloween activities can be celebrated safely,” said Michele Bever, executive director for South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD). “We know what we...

South Heartland District Health Department Reports More than 250 Students and Staff in Quarantine

HASTINGS - South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) executive director Michele Bever reported on current COVID-19 conditions in the South Heartland District. The district COVID-19 risk summary score moved from 2.5 to 2.6, continuing at “elevated” risk (orange).  For the week ending October 17, SHDHD’s test positivity was 17.1%. “Of note, we had 219 positive tests...

Area Agencies Taking Back Expired, Unwanted Drugs October 24

HASTINGS - Local law enforcement agencies, Area Substance & Alcohol Abuse Prevention (ASAAP), and the South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) are partnering with the National Drug Enforcement Agency to give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  The service...

Hastings City Council Discusses City Buildings Closing and Wearing Masks at Worksession

HASTINGS - The Hastings City Council on Monday discussed the recent closure of City Buildings due to a rise in coronavirus cases in the city. The department heads and City Administrator Dave Ptak  met last Friday morning and decided to temporarily close down the city buildings. Ptak said it was done to send a message...

Governor Ricketts Proclaims October 20 as Bigfoot Crossroads of Nebraska Day

HASTINGS - The Bigfoot Crossroads of America Museum and Research Center (1205 E. 42nd Street, Hastings, NE) is announcing that the date of October 20, 2020 has been officially proclaimed the BIGFOOT CROSSROADS OF NEBRASKA DAY by Governor Ricketts and the State of Nebraska. Also, that Harriett McFeely has officially been named “Nebraska Bigfoot Lady”...

South Heartland District Health Department Reports Positivity Rate Increased to 17 Percent

HASTINGS - South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) officials reported 99 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past four days (Friday – Monday), bringing the cumulative total number of cases in the four-county health district to 1160. The new confirmed cases for the four-day period include: 47 in Adams, 13 in Clay, 18 in Nuckolls and 21...

South Central Economic Development District Offering Grants to Landlords

HASTINGS - The South Central Economic Development District is offering assistance to landlords through grants provided by the CARES act. There will be $800,000 available for direct statewide assistance to landlords. Eligible landlords are those who have documented financial loss due to the pandemic and lease to low to moderate income tenants. Josh Young, a...