The Post Podcast

Widows Sons Donate $6,000 to Heartland Refuge for Victims of Trafficking

A local chapter of the Widows Sons motorcycle organization presented a $6,000 donation to Heartland Refuge on Friday morning, offering a significant boost to the nonprofit’s mission of supporting victims of sex trafficking in rural Nebraska.

The presentation took place during a live radio interview at Eagle Media in North Platte, where representatives from both groups spoke about their shared commitment to helping vulnerable individuals rebuild their lives.

Ogallala Public Schools Ready to Kick Off New Year with Exciting Updates and Community Focus

As the calendar turns to August, the energy is building at Ogallala Public Schools ahead of the first day of school on Wednesday, August 14. Superintendent Gene Russel stopped into the POST' radio studio in Ogallala to visit with Derek Beck. Russel says the district is eager to welcome students back with new programs, facility upgrades, and a strong emphasis on community support and student readiness.

Listen to full interview here.

 

Wild Card Fever, Chess Championships, Super Sub Ryan Lutinski and more. Another fun week in the Pecos League!

Evan and Bruce get together to talk about all the latest action in the Pecos League, playoff implications and more. And keeping with the catchphrase, "Anything can happen in the Pecos League" we talk about impromptu laundry service and chess boards, too. All of that, and North Platte RF/PH/jack of all trades Ryan Lutinski joins Evan for this week's interview. Don't miss it! 

Health Fair Offers One-Stop Services, Fun for Families at North Platte Community College

Maria Rodriguez of Hope Esperanza, a nonprofit helping bridge language gaps and connect underserved residents to resources, said the event is designed to streamline back-to-school preparations for local families — particularly those new to the area spoke with Derek Beck about the Community Health Fair Friday at North Platte Community College.

Recap of Ogallala City Council Meeting from July 22, 2025 with Kevin Wilkins

Recap of Ogallala City Council Meeting from July 22, 2025 with Kevin Wilkins

Perkins County Fair gears up for BIG Weekend

Kasey Kroeker with the Perkins County Fair spoke with Derek Beck about the closing days of the fair which will go out with a bang with two nights of concerts in Grant.

North Platte City Council Wraps Up Lengthy Meeting with Key Infrastructure, Development Votes

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — In a nearly three-hour session Tuesday night, the North Platte City Council tackled a packed agenda featuring major infrastructure investments, commercial redevelopment progress, and housing rehabilitation projects.

Mayor Brandon Kelliher said the council’s extended discussion reflected “a lot of good activity,” highlighting the reappointment of Lee Davies, Kathleen Matthews and Emily Worll to the city’s Planning Commission. “They dedicate three to six hours a month—sometimes more—on work that really shapes our community,” Kelliher said.

The council discussed the first reading of an ordinance outlining wastewater charges for users of the city’s new industrial wastewater plant, built to support Sustainable Beef. As the facility's sole user for now, Sustainable Beef will shoulder all operational and debt service costs. The city also authorized a contract with HDR Engineering to assist with the plant's construction phase.

“This isn’t costing taxpayers anything,” Kelliher noted. “And this infrastructure is already attracting interest from other major employers looking to bring about 150 jobs.”

In redevelopment matters, the council approved an amendment to the North Platte Mall project’s redevelopment contract, part of the District 177 site. The site, which now hosts successful retail additions like Five Below and TJ Maxx, could soon see further expansion in the near future. “This incentive-based model rewards developers who bring in retailers our community wants,” Kelliher said.

On housing and road expansion, council members discussed paving changes and awarded a contract to Paulsen Inc. to extend Francis Street eastward.

Lastly, the council reviewed a proposal from the North Platte Regional Airport Authority seeking budget distribution changes to avoid high-interest lines of credit, potentially saving taxpayers money. 

“We’re trying to be efficient with every tax dollar,” Kelliher said.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for August 6.

Lake Mac Report (July 11)

Anglers are seeing strong success with walleye this week, especially when trolling in 15 to 25 feet of water from Lone Eagle Campground to Sand Point, as well as along the south shore near Kelly Bay. Small Fire Tiger swimbaits have been a reliable lure of choice.

Smallmouth bass fishing has also remained productive, particularly along the rocky points on the south side of the lake and near the face of the dam during daylight hours. Many of the catches reported are of good size.

Water temperatures are holding steady between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lake Conditions:

• Lake Elevation: 3,230.3 feet

• Volume: 82,000 acre-feet (50.6% of capacity)

• Inflows (North Platte River): 411 cubic feet per second (CFS)

• Outflows: Approximately 1,527 CFS, which is below average due to recent rains and decreased irrigation demand.

Available Docks:

• Divers Bay

• Martin Bay (low water access)

• Both docks at Lake Ogallala

Reminders:
Campfires are currently allowed at Lake McConaughy, but visitors are urged to exercise caution and ensure all fires are well-contained.

As it is peak camping season, all campers are reminded to make reservations in advance.

Upcoming Events at Lake Mac:

• July 12–13: Nebraska Walleye Tournament

• July 19–20: Nebraska Walleye Trail

• July 25–26: Big Mac Spearfishing Tournament (hosted by Platte River Scuba Divers)

• July 26: Kites & Castles Sand Sculpture Competition

Special thanks to Patrick Schell of Nebraska Game and Parks for this week’s outdoor update.

100+ Women Who Care Keith County gearing up for 3rd meeting of the year

The local philanthropy group 100+ Women Who Care Keith County is preparing for its next quarterly giving event, set for Monday, July 14, at the Hayloft Meeting Room upstairs at Front Street Café in Ogallala. Derek Beck spoke with Kerri Anderson about Monday's upcoming meeting where the group will present one organization with around $10,000 in local money. 

Recap of Ogallala City Council Meeting from Tuesday, July 8 with City Manager Kevin Wilkins

OGALLALA, Neb. — Ogallala City Manager Kevin Wilkins recapped a busy Fourth of July weekend and discussed city updates during Tuesday’s “Sandhills Spotlight” segment on The POST, following a brief but productive Ogallala City Council meeting Tuesday evening.