The Post Podcast

Comedian Tyler Walsh will be in North Platte Wednesday night at Axes N Aces

EAGLE'S Derek Beck spoke with Omaha comedian Tyler Walsh this week, see him in person at Axes N Aces at Lake Maloney Wednesday night. Tickets available inside. Show starts at 7:30pm

Nebraska Author Colby Coash to Visit North Platte Library for “Author Talk” Event Saturday

The North Platte Public Library will welcome Nebraska author Colby Coash this Saturday, June 14 at 1 p.m. for its next "Author Talk," hosted by the library’s One Book 4 North Platte: Lincoln County Reads committee.

Coash, who grew up near the Niobrara River in Bassett, Nebraska, will discuss his book Running Naked, a memoir that reflects on personal challenges, healing, and renewal. This marks the first time since 2019 that a featured author has visited the group in person.

“This is our seventh book, and only the second time we've featured a Nebraska author,” said committee member Sherry Polk. “It’s really exciting to have someone local whose story can resonate with our community.”

Polk spoke with EAGLE'S Paxton Gordon 

Baseball's Last Frontier: Stories from the Pecos League - Pat Jordan Joins Us This Week!

Episode #3 is live with Pat Jordan! Pat Jordan is an American sports writer. His work has been included in the Best American Sports Writing anthology series seven times. Pat is also the author of A False Spring, a bittersweet memoir about his minor league baseball career, which is ranked #37 on Sports Illustrated's Top 100 Sports Books of All Time and which Time called “one of the best and truest books about baseball, and about coming to maturity in America..." 

This episode is sure to please the baseball history buffs and Pecos League fans alike. You'll love the tales spun by Pat, and the stats and updates reported by Evan. Join us!

David P. Huebner Announces Run for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District

David P. Huebner visit's with POST about running for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against incumbant Adrian Smith who has held that seat since 2007.

Wild West Soap Box Derby holding championship races this Saturday, Conversation with local director Dave Barrett

EAGLE's Derek Beck spoke this week with Wild West Soap Box Derby local director Dave Barrett about this Saturday's (June 7) big races in Ogallala.

The POST visit's with Keith County Big Give's Caitlin Fuller about lofty 2025 donation goals

Enjoy this POST Podcast with Keith County Big Give's Caitlin Fuller and EAGLE'S Derek Beck

 

OGALLALA, Neb. — The Keith County Big Give is off to a fast start, raising more than $160,000 in its first week as it aims for a $325,000 goal by June 15.

Presented by the Keith County Foundation Fund (KCFF), the Big Give is a countywide fundraising campaign supporting 50 local nonprofit organizations—up from 37 last year. Caitlin Fuller, event organizer, said the campaign not only highlights groups doing vital behind-the-scenes work but also encourages donors to discover and support new causes.

“When I first moved here, I didn’t know many of these organizations existed,” Fuller said in an interview with Sandhills Post. “Now, more people are learning about their impact and donating to causes they hadn’t considered before.”

Donors can give online at keithcountybiggive.org, by mailing checks to P.O. Box 104 in Ogallala, or by dropping off contributions at local banks, senior centers, and the Ogallala Chamber of Commerce. A matching fund of $75,000 provided by KCFF will help boost donations, and a “Love Them All” option splits gifts evenly across all nonprofits.

Many groups outline specific fundraising goals on the campaign site, from domestic violence support services to community volleyball courts. Fuller says both visible and behind-the-scenes projects benefit from the effort.

The Big Give will culminate with a check presentation event in July, where awards are also handed out to participating organizations.

For more information or to donate, visit keithcountybiggive.org.

North Platte City Council Reviews Property Acquisitions, Rezoning, and Community Projects in June 3 Meeting

The North Platte City Council reviewed a wide range of agenda items during its June 3 meeting, with Mayor Brandon Kelliher addressing property rehabilitation efforts, rezoning proposals and infrastructure agreements.

Among the first major topics discussed were the approvals of agreements to purchase deteriorated properties at 504 and 506 North Bryan Avenue. Using state grant funds, the city aims to acquire and potentially rehabilitate blighted properties through a program designed to address urban decay.

“These properties have sat empty for years, and in many cases are beyond private repair,” Kelliher said. “But we’ll inspect them after purchase. If structurally sound, we’ll fix and sell them for rehab. Otherwise, we tear them down.”

He added that these acquisitions bring the total to seven properties under the city’s blight remediation efforts, with plans to auction or solicit bids on cleared lots later this summer.

Council members also approved the third readings of Ordinances 4209 and 4210. The former rezones land at 3001 West 9th Street from highway commercial to R3 dwelling district to allow a homeowner to build an additional residence. The latter rezones land on East Philip Avenue for a new mobile home park development.

Another item on the agenda involved the beginning phase of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) process for a property just west of Adams and Rodeo Road. A new ownership group plans to redevelop a former motel into efficiency apartments. A blight and substandard declaration will first go before the city planning commission before returning to the council for approval.

The council then voted against a proposed zoning change for properties located at 801–807 South Elm Street. Jason and Kayla Jensen, owners of Enzo Athletic Performance, a local fitness business, had proposed expanding into the area.

“This is one of the toughest decisions a council makes,” said Kelliher. “There’s no right or wrong here—it’s about what’s the best use for the land.”

Kelliher noted that the lots have remained undeveloped for decades despite multiple home-building cycles, likely due to high costs. While the votes had more nays, he expressed hope the city could assist the Jensen's in finding a location to help with their expansion search.

“These are good problems to have,” Kelliher said. “We’d rather have successful businesses looking to expand than vacant buildings with no plans.”

As the meeting concluded, Kelliher encouraged residents to take part in upcoming community events, including the Miss Nebraska Pageant, Grape and Sizzle fundraiser, and Miss Rodeo Nebraska, all leading into Nebraskaland Days and the Buffalo Bill Rodeo.

“If you can’t find something to do in June in North Platte, you’re not looking hard enough,” Kelliher said with a laugh.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for June 18.

Ropin' The Rodeo- Two Weeks Out, Justin Thompson & Levi Fisher

Buffalo Bill Rodeo Board Members Justin Thompson and Levi Fisher sit down with Derek Beck to talk about the rodeo, it starts Wednesday, June 18. 

Sponsored by Kelsey's Place, Lashley Land and Recreational Brokers' Jordan Maassen, Larry's Glass and Doug Kohler's Outlaw Trailer and Repair

Visit North Platte accepting Tourism Grant Applications ahead of July 1 Deadline

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Local tourism organizers are encouraging event planners and community groups to apply for Visit North Platte’s promotional grant programs before the fast-approaching deadline of July 1.

Lisa Burke, Executive Director of Visit North Platte, discussed the trio of quarterly grants available for events scheduled between October and December 2025.

“We do a quarterly grant process, so four times a year our board accepts applications,” Burke said. “We have about $200,000 every year that we give back to our tourism partners — attractions, events, and sporting events that bring in people from out of town.”

There are three types of grants available:

• Promotional Fund Grants, which help support marketing efforts such as social media campaigns, printed materials, and advertising.

• Event Promotion & Incentive Grants, which cover operational costs like facility rental, equipment, and speaker or entertainer fees.

• Sports Promotion & Incentive Grants, which support sporting events by funding referee fees, lodging for officials, and event bid costs.

Promotional Grants are used to promote, encourage, and attract visitors to come to Lincoln County. These grants are designed to market to visitors outside of a 100-mile radius of North Platte who will be utilizing lodging facilities to attend the event/activity being promoted. 

Burke emphasized that all applicants must focus their marketing at least 100 miles outside of North Platte.

“Our sole purpose is to bring people in to stay in our hotels,” she said. “Visit North Platte is 100% funded by lodging tax collected at those hotels. If an event doesn’t bring visitors, it impacts our ability to fund future events.”

Sporting events have been a growing focus for Visit North Platte’s board. The organization has invested in local sports infrastructure, including $100,000 for a new pickleball and tennis complex and support for the North Platte Rec Center rebuild.

“Those indoor courts are crucial, especially in the off-season,” Burke said. “We’re bringing in two college lacrosse tournaments in October, two pickleball tournaments, and a youth tackle football tournament in early August expected to draw 30 teams.”

Grant applications are available at VisitNorthPlatte.com. From the homepage, applicants can click on the “Industry” tab in the upper right corner to access forms for each grant type. The online application allows users to save their progress and return later.

“If you have questions about what you can or can’t apply for, our contact information is right there,” Burke said. “Just don’t wait. July 1 is going to sneak up fast.”

For more information or to explore upcoming events, visit the community calendar also available on VisitNorthPlatte.com.

Miss Nebraska Week 2025 Kicks Off in North Platte with Reigning Titleholders Reflecting on Their Reign

2024 Miss Nebraska Raechel Warren and 2024 Miss Nebraska's Teen Janae Harris spoke with the POST's Derek Beck about the last year and what to expect this week as the 2025 Miss Nebraska schedule begins.