The Post Podcast

An Art Affair is back this Saturday!

Celebrate creativity at the Prairie Arts Center on August 9th from 11 AM – 3 PM with FREE admission!

Free Art Classes & Open Studio Ceramics (11 AM – 2 PM)

From origami to watercolor minis, Q-tip painting to wooden pumpkins — try something new in 30-minute quick classes! (First come, first serve.)

Artist Market & Live Demos (11 AM – 2 PM)

Shop from talented local artists, enjoy woodcarving, clay wheel throwing, painting & drawing demos.

Bob Ross Costume Contest (11 AM – 2 PM)

Dress like everyone’s favorite happy little painter for a chance to win a prize!

Amateur Hour Painting Competition (2 PM – 3 PM)

Watch locals show off their painting skills — for free!

Plus: face painting, raffles, downtown sculpture walk tours, art & food vendors, and so much more.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The North Platte City Council worked through a packed agenda Tuesday night, tackling key issues from airport funding to conditional use permits including a well-attended public hearing on a proposed daycare center at the former Osgood School building.

Despite the many things on the agenda, the meeting remained civil and productive, Mayor Brandon Kelliher said.

“If you come out alive and don’t feel like you were beating each other up, I think we’re going to claim that as an overall success,” Kelliher said.

Airport Funding and Port of the Plains Expansion

The Council approved a resolution allowing city administration to draft an agreement with the North Platte Regional Airport Authority to provide monthly advances of its annual property tax revenues. The move aims to help the airport avoid taking out costly lines of credit by smoothing its revenue stream.

“It’s really a tax control measure,” Kelliher said, explaining that consistent monthly advances will eliminate the need for interest payments and reduce future tax burden.

The council also supported a resolution recommending the inclusion of the airport within the boundaries of the Nebraska International Port of the Plains. The move would allow for future cargo operations and potential commercial development on airport grounds—possibly making North Platte the first city in Nebraska with a port designation at an airport.

Dog Training Rules and Court Protection

With new tennis and pickleball courts now open, councilmembers addressed concerns about damage from off-leash dogs during training sessions. The council held the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting animals on the new court surfaces and introduced plans to install a fenced dog training area at Kriz Park.

“We’re not trying to displace dog trainers permanently,” Kelliher said. “We just can’t have the surface of the tennis courts damaged.”

The designated dog training area won’t be a full dog park but will offer space for off-leash training, fetching, and classes. The mayor said future expansions could be considered depending on how the area is used.

Public Hearing: Daycare at Former School Approved

The most anticipated item of the night was a public hearing and conditional use permit application by Trucks N Tiaras Academy, a local daycare operator seeking to move to 491–495 W. State Farm Road, formerly Osgood School.

“Usually when there's something contentious, someone will speak against it—even just one person,” Kelliher said. “But in this case, all public comments were in favor.”

Ryan Purdy, president of Mid-Plains Community College, which purchased the building earlier this year, shared the college’s future plans during the meeting. While Trucks N Tiaras will operate in the facility under a two-year lease, the college is preparing to develop academic programs at the site thereafter.

Civic Participation Encouraged

Mayor Kelliher took a moment to remind residents of the importance of public hearings and civic involvement.

“You make the best decisions when you have all the facts,” he said. “Just because you don’t agree with something doesn’t mean your facts are wrong. That’s how the democratic process works.”

Kelliher encouraged residents to attend council meetings, ask questions, and share their perspectives — especially on issues that matter directly to them.

“There’s nothing wrong with coming out and saying you disagree with something. It’s not only welcomed, it’s essential.”

The next North Platte City Council meeting is scheduled for later this month.

North Platte – After a 2024 Football campaign that saw North Platte High barely miss out on the Class A football playoffs, Head Coach Kurt Altig is ready to usher in a new era of Bulldog Football – one defined by the team's youth and a huge emphasis on fundamentals.   

Coming off a 4-5 season, the Bulldogs were one of several teams in the mix for the final playoff spot before ultimately finishing 17th out of the playoffs. “It’s crazy how it comes down to hundreds of points,” Altig said. “You have to control your own destiny.” Despite a below .500 record, North Platte was able to put up competitive showings against some of the stronger teams in Class A, like Lincoln Southeast and Lincoln East  

Now, after years of small roster movement, Altig heads into the season with the largest turnover of talent he has seen since taking over the head coaching duties at North Platte High. The Bulldogs graduated 19 starters and more than 24 total players, leaving the depth chart largely blank heading into the season's start. “We’ve got a whole bunch of new faces,” he said. “It’s our job now to find the right spots for them.”  

The youth movement will be anchored by returning starters Jake Kincaid and Treyton Burke, two players Altig is counting on to lead both vocally and by example. “You know, those guys, they have the most varsity experience coming in,” Altig said. “We're really going to lean on them.” Burke, who has recently committed to Chadron State, and Kincaid bring rare varsity experience to a group that is largely making its Friday night debut soon.  

Despite the new faces, North Platte won’t stray far from their identity. Expect more of the Bulldog way with their Flex-bone offense, and a defense designed to stop the run and frustrate opponents. “Coaches hate playing us, they hate playing our offense,” Altig said. “That’s why we run it.”  

North Platte opens the season at home against Kearney on August 29th. While Altig didn’t want to commit to making record predictions, he said the team’s main goal is simple. Get back to the playoffs. “We're going to play our brand of football and give ourselves a chance,” he said. “That's all we can ask for.” 

Paxton Gordon sat down with Paul from Pal’s Brewing Company to preview an action-packed weekend of events. This Friday, Pal’s hosts its 7th Annual Craft Beer Festival, featuring a wide selection of regional breweries, live music, and a lively atmosphere perfect for beer lovers. Then on Saturday, it's the return of the 2nd Annual Boots 'N Beef Music Festival, celebrating Nebraska’s best beef with great food, country music, and cold brews. Paul shared all the details, inviting everyone out for a weekend full of flavor and fun at Pal’s.

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.

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.

 

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! 

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

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.