Category Archives: Central Nebraska News
Hastings Mayor Jay Beckby calls for shift in his second State of City address
HASTINGS - Hastings Mayor Jay Beckby called for a shift in focus during his second State of the City address during the city council meeting during the evening of Monday, March 9. Mayor Beckby appeare...
Mar 10, 2026 Mayor Jay Beckby, (City of Hastings, Courtesy)
State Patrol: Narcotics investigation leads to arrest of Kearney man
KEARNEY - Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Kearney Police Department and TRIDENT Task Force, arrested one person as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation. On...
Mar 10, 2026 Nebraska State Patrol, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
CPNRD board takes action on flood reduction plans
GRAND ISLAND - In 2020, the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) was selected to receive three Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) grants from the USDA Natural Res...
Mar 10, 2026 Turkey Creek overflowing its banks on May 30 due to localized flash flooding, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
Kearney school board recognizes students for athletic, artistic, academic achievement
KEARNEY - The Kearney Public Schools Board of Education recognized a number of students for their recent athletic, artistic and academic achievement during their meeting on Monday, March 9. The first ...
Mar 10, 2026 Kearney Public Schools Administration Office, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
Kearney school board accepts resgination of KHS principal Jeff Ganz
KEARNEY - The Kearney Public Schools Board of Education accepted the resignation of Jeff Ganz, Kearney High School principal, during their board meeting on Monday, March 9. Ganz submitted his resignat...
Mar 10, 2026
UNK students earn multiple awards in Nebraska advertising design competition
OMAHA - University of Nebraska at Kearney students earned top honors in the 2026 American Advertising Awards state competition, receiving multiple gold ADDYs and special recognition during the event. ...
Mar 10, 2026 UNK students in the Typography II class designed promotional materials for 50th anniversary screenings of “Jaws” at The World Theatre in Kearney. Their project earned a gold ADDY and two Judge’s Citations of Excellence in the 2026 American Advertising Awards state competition. Pictured, from left, are Ana Segura Rochin, Laura Carnahan, Ariah Peterson, Gracie Boe, Brianna Konwinski, Charlotte Hajda, Brianna Jorgenson and Lydia Vlcek. (Photo by Kollin Goff, UNK Communications)
New Westridge Middle School assistant principal named
GRAND ISLAND - Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) is announcing that Elizabeth "Libby" Banderas will be joining the district as an assistant principal at Westridge Middle School in the 2026-27 school ...
Mar 09, 2026 Elizabeth "Libby" Banderas (Courtesy photo)
Nebraska State Fair launches Marathon T-Shirt Design Contest
GRAND ISLAND - The Nebraska State Fair is inviting artists of all ages to help celebrate America's 250th anniversary in a creative new way. Submissions are now being accepted for the Nebraska State Fa...
Mar 09, 2026 (Courtesy)
Area fire departments fight ditch fire on Barrows Road in Adams County
HASTINGS - This morning, Monday, March 9 a Ditch Fire was reported 1648 E. Barrows Rd, 2 miles west of Hwy 281. Once on scene, crews found a wooded area and a ditch area involved with heavy fire. Hast...
Mar 09, 2026 Grass fire in progress, (Brian Neben, Courtesy)
Man arrested after making threat on social media regarding a false bomb
GRAND ISLAND - Grand Island police arrested Joshua Poppen, 45, of Grand Island after he made a threat on social media in an attempt to scare employees at a bank in central Grand Island. Poppen is accu...
Mar 09, 2026 Grand Island Police Department (Courtesy)