The Post Podcast

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte is getting ready for its annual Block Party this weekend. Allison Peck talks with Father Jonathan Sorenson and Maddie Krebs about two days of food, live music, games, bounce houses, raffles and community fellowship.

Saturday night is geared more toward adults, with a nacho bar, beer garden, live music from Kim Baxter and the Husker game on TV. Sunday brings family activities, a meal, bake sale, bounce houses and more.

The event is open to everyone, whether you’re a member of St. Pat’s or not.

Keith County Commissioner Lane Anderson joins Allison Peck for an update on what's happening around the county. Anderson discusses the newly adopted Prairie Dog Management Plan, the county budget, road and equipment needs, planning and zoning changes and a recent juvenile diversion fund transfer.

Anderson also gives an update on efforts to advocate for Lake McConaughy, which remains at about 20% capacity. He discusses the potential impact on the Keith County economy, irrigation decisions, water needs at the Gerald Gentleman Station and his upcoming meeting with U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts.

Elizabeth Thayer with People's Health and Betsy Jurgensen with the West Central District Health Department join Allison Peck to discuss the upcoming Community Health and Wellness Event in North Platte. They explain how the event can help adults connect with primary care providers, vaccines, insurance resources, preventive screenings and other health services. The event is September 22 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, with sessions from 6 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.

 

Holly Carlini with the Prairie Arts Center joins Allison Peck to talk about what's coming up this fall, including new gallery exhibits, the third annual Cigars Under the Stars event, upcoming Halloween activities and silent auction, and ongoing yoga classes at the Arts Center.

Brett Gartrell joins Allison Peck to talk about a special 9/11 memorial planned for Thursday, September 10. A flag that has flown over the 9/11 Memorial in New York will travel from Wallace through Elsie, Paxton, Sutherland and Hershey before arriving in North Platte.

The flag will then be carried by firefighters from the Pizza Ranch to North Platte Fire Department Station 1, where the North Platte Professional Firefighters Honor Guard will receive it. The flag will fly at Station 1 throughout September 11.

Gartrell explains how the event came together, why area firefighters are taking part, and why remembering the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice remains so important 25 years later.

The Ogallala Regional Arts Council is kicking off its new season with New Blue on October 8. Allison Peck talks with Erin Barnhill and Barb Jeffries about the upcoming bluegrass-inspired concert, how ORAC chooses its performers, and what else is coming to Ogallala this season. They also discuss the importance of memberships in keeping affordable, high-quality live entertainment available in the community.

Shelby Borer with the Ogallala YMCA joins Allison Peck with an update on what's happening at the Y this fall. Borer discusses new operating hours, staffing needs, the growing after-school program at Prairie View School and the YMCA's need for peanut-free snack donations. She also previews the October Daddy Daughter Dance, flag football and the updated Rug Rats program at the library.

Ogallala has a new city manager. Allison Peck sits down with Tell Jensen during his first month on the job, along with outgoing City Manager Kevin Wilkins, who is helping with the transition.

Jensen talks about why he chose Ogallala, how the first month has gone and the similarities he sees between Ogallala and his hometown of Burwell. Wilkins also discusses the search process and what comes next as he steps away from the city manager role.

North Platte Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Terri Burchell joins Allison Peck to talk about a busy Homecoming week, including Wednesday night's downtown parade, Friday night's Homecoming football game and a special Foundation presentation benefiting Bulldog Productions.

Burchell also previews Change Wars, which runs September 29 through October 6, and explains how community members — including those without children in the school district — can participate and support a specific school or teacher.

The conversation also looks at the importance of community support for North Platte students and the Foundation's upcoming October 9 celebration and tailgate.

Allison Peck talks with Jane Wilkinson of the North Platte Pickleball Club about two upcoming fall tournaments — the fifth annual Queen of the Court and Fall Classic. They discuss the Queen of the Court fundraiser for the Callahan Cancer Care Center, the more than $10,000 raised over the past four years, the club's growing membership, the new Cody Park courts and how anyone can get involved with pickleball in North Platte.