In my house, we have a bookshelf in every bedroom and on those bookshelves is every genre of book. But I repeatedly return to one book on our shelves, which I stumbled upon years ago at the McCook LIbrary and then had to purchase because little hands like to color in inappropriate places but am glad I own.
It’s simply titled “Traffic.” It is all about how traffic works, why traffic is the way it is and how we could improve our experience on our roads and make it safer to be on our roads. I also listen to podcasts and read articles about traffic, picking up many interesting facts.
Such as why narrower lanes are actually safer because people have to pay attention more, why drivers should use zipper merging to use every last inch of available road and how speed limits are sometimes determined by the speed drivers have decided to go rather than the other way around.
So after a couple local incidents this week, it is time once again for the annual public service announcement to be a little more aware while out and about, whether driving, biking or even just walking the dog. As the weather gets nicer and more people are outside enjoying themselves, It is time to look out for others - literally.
As someone who is on the roads and streets biking and walking and who puts people on the streets and trails for the fitness series, I have a vested interest in keeping people (including myself and my family) safe.
And it isn’t just those on the outside of the vehicles I am concerned about, but also those inside.
One of my side gigs is driving the St. Patrick Elementary school bus to activities.
On Wednesday as I was taking the St. Pat track team back and forth to a meet in Trenton, the bus was passed not once, twice but three times by an impatient driver. I say impatient because it isn’t unusual for the bus to be passed because it is a large vehicle struggling to reach the speed limits sometimes.
What was different this time was that I had to slam on the bus brakes not once, not twice but three times as these vehicles passed the bus just as an oncoming car was traveling toward us. I didn’t want to see that vehicle get into an accident, nor did I want the kids on my bus to witness the accident.
I have no idea if these were local drivers or out-of-staters, but no appointment, no meeting, no destination is worth getting into an accident over just to save a few minutes. And most likely, that is all the time they were saving...a few minutes.
In college, I opted to take a Safety Training Option Program or STOP class to avoid a ticket and higher insurance. After four hours sitting in a classroom with a former police officer, I learned two things.
First, it is O.K. to drive a few miles over the speed limit if you are traveling long distances, perhaps from Omaha to Chicago. Yes, we were told it was OK to speed. Those extra five miles an hour will add up and could ultimately save you an hour of drive time and it is safe to do so.
But the second thing I learned was that speeding over short distances was pointless, wasteful and dangerous. The point the officer made was that speeding across town doesn’t save much time, maybe a few seconds. But are those few seconds worth the possible accident you could cause if you aren’t able to stop in time?
When it comes to traffic, it isn’t just the speed which we need to consider. We need to be looking at accessible sidewalks so people don’t have to walk in the road; it is bike lanes so people are encouraged to ride their bicycle in a safe environment; it is cross-walks so both drivers and pedestrians know each other will be interacting.
I have to admit that I was driving down B Street the other day, envisioning a bike lane. How could that happen? Kurt Vosburg at the Department of Roads would say I’m nuts, but I would take away a foot from each of the four lanes to create a three-foot wide bike lane on one side of B Street. It is hard to imagine, but turn signals, crosswalk signs and even yellow lights didn't exist at some point but are now hard to imagine living without.
Perhaps you would like to see a walking trail in one of our parks. Maybe you would like to see a walking bridge over the highway to safely cross to a business. Or what about a stoplight which is just in use during McCook’s “rush hour”...dropping kids off at school. Just because something doesn’t exist right now doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
There is movement on adding to McCook’s walking trail, which is great to see. But if you would like to see more miles of trails or if you have ideas about bike lanes or crosswalks, get involved. Contact the city. Contact the county. Contact the Games and Parks. It is up to each and every one of us to make McCook an even better - and safer - place to call home by looking out for one another.
Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month
Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards
Bison Days brings high schoolers and community members to learn about job possibilities but also interests and hobbies in their hometown.
With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.
To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.
Master Storyteller Will be Missed but Memories Remain
Maintaining the status quo or not doing anything may be cheaper initially but long-term, the costs are more.
Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.
