Category: Local News

Fatal Accident on Highway 30 and Webb Road in Grand Island

GRAND ISLAND - At 7:49 am, on 10/14/21, the Grand Island Police Department received a call of a serious accident near the intersection of Highway 30 and Webb Road. The accident involved a black full-size Dodge pickup and a motorcycle. On arrival, the driver of the motorcycle, a 52 year old male, was pronounced dead...

Two Rivers Public Health Department Weekly Risk Dial Remains in Pandemic Level

KEARNEY - Two Rivers Public Health updated the weekly risk dial on Thursday, October 14, 2021.  The risk dial remains in the red “Pandemic” level of risk.   318 cases of COVID-19 were recorded in TRPHD between October 6 - October 12. In the past month, a little over 300 new cases have been detected on...

American Rescue Plan Grants Given to CCC Students

GRAND ISLAND - More than $4.9 million in grants have been disbursed to Central Community College students as part of the American Rescue Plan. More than 6,000 CCC students received the funds, with awards ranging from $350 to $2,000. The amount received is based on enrollment and financial aid status. Students may use the dollars...

Tri-Cities Walks to End Alzheimer’s Are Over; Fundraising Season Continues

GRAND ISLAND - Although the Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings Walks to End Alzheimer’s are done, the fundraising season for the Alzheimer’s Association continues through the end of the year. The Grand Island walk raised $17,000 with 37 teams registered, the Kearney Walk raised $39,000 with 51 teams at a new location, Harmon Park, and...

Health Department Reports Reduction in COVID Cases; Community Transmission Remains High

HASTINGS - The South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) executive director Michele Bever provided COVID-19 updates for the four-county health district which serves Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster counties. The health district logged 130 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases last week (ending October 9) and received another 42 so far in the present week.  The cumulative total since the beginning of...

Hastings Police Department Releases Information on Fatal Shooting That Occured in July

HASTINGS - On July 23, 2021, at approximately 9:46 p.m. Hastings Police Officers responded to a shooting at 411 South Pine Avenue. Upon arrival, it was determined that Santinorey Gonzalez, age 28, was fatally shot. Crime Scene Investigators and Officers completed an investigation at that location throughout the next day. Throughout the past 3 months,...

Grand Island Police Arrest Man for Multiple Felonies

GRAND ISLAND - At shortly after 11:00 am on October 12, 2021,  40 year old Grand Island male, Billy J. Lechleitner was arrested without incident at his place of  employment for Terroristic Threats, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, and Use of a Weapon in  the Commission of a Felony. All are felony offenses. This arrest...

Board of Regents Approves UNK Library Project, Update to Greek Housing Plan

KEARNEY - The University of Nebraska Board of Regents gave its approval to a major renovation project that will modernize the University of Nebraska at Kearney library. The roughly $25 million project will enhance Calvin T. Library’s role as the center of learning on campus by creating an inviting and engaging environment that combines physical...

Hastings City Council Approves First Agreement with UP for Old Viaduct

HASTINGS - The Hastings City Council unanimously approved an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad in relation to the 16th Street Viaduct. This will be the first of two agreements made with UP and this one is a Closure Removal Agreement. This one defines the cost the city will have to pay UP during the demotion....

Fundraising Goal for Hastings and Bryan College’s Nursing Facilities Nearing Goal

HASTINGS - Hastings College and Bryan College of Health Sciences announced that they have raised $2.5 million of the $3.1 million needed to build out and equip education facilities for a second location for Bryan’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, a workforce development partnership that will help address South Central Nebraska’s nursing shortage. The...