Dr. Michael Chipps, at left, presents the award to Jon Burkey. Former school superintendent and college administrator Jon Burkey of McCook is Mid-Plains Community College's 2009 Alumni of the Year.

Southwest Public Schools board of education president Duane Teter and vice president Crinda McConville, above right, cut a two-tone blue ribbon during the grand opening Sunday afternoon of the new Southwest Junior and Senior High School in Bartley.

There is one spot between Bartley and Indianola that has seen more than it's share of dispatched raccoons lately.

Several members of the National Weather Service were recently in the area searching for the "high water marks" made in 1936 by Cambridge monument maker, D. F. Neiswan-ger. The monuments were made to indicate the highest water level from the 1935 Republican River Flood.

Red Willow County's fair board cut $5,500 more from budgeted expenditures Monday morning to help commissioners maintain the county's $.036 tax levy.

Community Hospital Association in McCook, Neb., is the recipient of a $15 million loan from the Thayer County Bank of Hebron, Neb.

Kristin Kometscher, above, of Lawrence shares a laugh with judges of the 2009 Miss Southwest Nebraska Rodeo Queen horsemanship competition Saturday morning.

Bulls and steers and sheep are center-stage at the Furnas County Fair rodeo Thursday evening in Beaver City.

The McCook City Council will be asked to consider renaming McCook Regional Airport after Sen.

Red Willow County commissioners, at their weekly meeting Monday morning, slashed in half the county's annual membership contribution to the McCook Economic Development Corp.