This evening, Friday, April 3, 2020, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts announced the State’s ninth COVID-19 related Directed Health Measure (DHM), which adds the remaining counties not already under one.  The DHM will be in effect beginning today at 10 p.m. and will last until May 11 unless renewed.

COVID-19, formally known as the novel coronavirus, is a virus that causes respiratory illness with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases difficulty breathing. It spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze. It can also spread when a…

Winter weather has hopefully come to an end. Snowfall reports for April 2-3, 2020 totaled 1-2 inches throughout central and northern Nebraska.

Thursday, April 2, 2020, Governor Pete Ricketts held a press conference to announce that the State has entered into an agreement with the University of Nebraska System to provide quarantine housing.  He also gave an update on coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) testing in Nebraska and reviewed the S…

Wintery weather is expected to continue through tonight (Thursday, April 2, 2020). Winter weather advisories remain in effect for portions of Nebraska and surrounding states.

The fifth death related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Wednesday, April 1, 2020. The person was a Madison County resident in her 70s with underlying health conditions - https://elvphd.org/.

In a proactive effort to prevent the potential for spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will prohibit overnight camping at state parks, state recreation areas and wildlife management areas starting Monday, April 6, 2020 through Friday, May 8, 2020 with a p…

Check out this week's issue of the Custer County Chief for another photo of Hearts for Health Care Providers.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT FRIDAY (04/03/2020) for the following counties in Nebraska Keya Paha-Boyd-Brown-Rock-Holt-Blaine-Loup-Garfield-Wheeler including the cities of Springview, Spencer, Butte, Lynch, Ainsworth, Bassett, Rose, Oneill, Atkinson, Dunning, Pu…

A March 31, 2020 press release from the Nebraska Joint Information Center addressed a rumor that the Department of Homeland Security is mobilizing the National Guard in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The press release states, "There is NO truth to the rumor that Homeland Security is pre…

Speaking at today's 2 p.m. press conference (Wednesday, April 1, 2020) in addition to the governor were Mark Quandahl, Director of Nebraska Dept. of Banking and Finance, and Kathy Sifken, Executive Director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association.

The fourth death related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today. The person was a Buffalo County resident in his 90s - https://www.trphd.org/ .

Schools may be shut down but the Custer County Chief is still bringing you articles featuring local students!

Wintery weather is expected to develop later tonight (Wednesday, 04/01/2020) and last into Thursday night.

Look for a colorful front page in the April 2, 2020 issue of the Custer County Chief! Readers have sent in photos of chalk drawings by children who are home from school!

According to Captain Dan Hanson of the Broken Bow Police Department, at approximately 11:30 am Monday (March 30, 2020), a Midwest Transport Services van was stopped at Pump N Pantry in Broken Bow, Neb. While stopped, the prisoner somehow got out of his restraints and assaulted the driver of …

Below is a statement from the City of Broken Bow, Neb., dated today, March 27, 2020.

Flooding is possible late tonight through Saturday as moderate to heavy rainfall falls on ground with high soil moisture across north central Nebraska. Total rainfall of 0.75 to 1.5" inches is currently forecast.

We at the Custer County Chief thank Glen and Linda Ann Emert, Tena Marie Long, and Deb Kennedy and Joni Kaczanowski at the Broken Bow Chamber for participating in "Hearts for Health Care Workers."

Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts announced  the state’s second COVID-19 related Directed Health Measure (DHM) which includes Lancaster, Dodge, and Saunders counties, will be in effect until May 6 unless renewed.  Washington County will also now be under a DHM until May 6.

Two community-transmitted cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were identified March 25, 2020 – one in Lancaster County and one in Saunders County. Both cases were reported yesterday. Another community transmitted case was identified yesterday in Sarpy County. Community transmission …

Are you following guidelines and staying home during the coronavirus pandemic, or are you venturing out a bit or a lot? Weigh in using our poll at our home page and let us know how you feel about travel right now.

The Blaine County Courthouse in Blaine County, Neb., will be closed to public access starting Thursday, March 26, 2020.

How are our local assisted living and nursing home facilities handling the COVID-19 health crisis and protecting our senior citizens?

Today (March 25, 2020), Governor Pete Ricketts hosted a Facebook Live event to discuss ideas on flexibly continuing business operations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  He was joined by Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) Director Tony Goins; Natalie Micale, Owner o…

Additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Saunders, Washington and Lancaster counties.

Broken Bow students will be learning remotely for the foreseeable future, according to a statement released by Broken Bow Public School Superintendent Darren Tobey. Students and parents wil be able to retrieve books, Chromebooks and other materials Monday, March 30.

The leadership of the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, (NNFG) takes the safety of our personnel, contractors, volunteers, and visitors seriously. COVID-19 poses unique and unprecedented risks to our workforce, visitors, and the communities we live in and support.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Fire Weather Zones 210 & 219 Wednesday afternoon (March 25, 2020) into early evening. Low humidity values coincident with winds gusting up to 30 mph will be favorable for rapid spread of any fire starts.

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson today issued guidance and a warning to Nebraskans to avoid potential scams related to coronavirus (COVID-19). Unfortunately, scammers often exploit difficult times by preying on the consumer’s fear and sense of urgency. Attorney General Peterson remind…

The Broken Bow Police Department will be closed to walk-in traffic beginning Wednesday, March 25, 2020, according to a statement from the BBPD. If needed, the Police Department can be reached for non-emergency issues at 308-872-6424. For emergencies, call 911.

The Custer County Sheriff's Office in Broken Bow Neb. will suspend walk-in traffic beginning March 25, 2020, according to a statement by Sheriff Dan Osmond. For those needing to arrange for handgun permits, title inspections and sex offender registrations, call the Sheriff's Office at 308-87…

Two additional cases of COVID-19 were identified in two Nebraska counties:

U.S. Attorney Joe Kelly of the District of Nebraska  today (March 23, 2020) urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address disaster@leo.gov.

Did you see the Homework Challenge in the March 23 X-tra?

Show your appreciation to our health care workers as they go to work in the midst of the COVID-19 crises. Put a pink heart on your front door, take your photo and share it with us.  Send your photos to generalmanager@custercountychief.com!

Four additional cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were identified in three Nebraska counties.

Yesterday, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts hosted a press conference to update Nebraskans on the reliability and accessibility of the state’s food supply.  The Governor also clarified the State’s guidance on social gatherings.  Gov. Ricketts was joined by Kathy Sie…

Today (Thursday, March 19, 2020), Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts announced the State’s first Directed Health Measure (DHM) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).  The DHM imposes an enforceable limit on public gatherings.  The measure comes after the Douglas County Public Health Departmen…

Custer County Treasurer Sheri Bryant has announced that the Custer County Courthouse in Broken Bow, Neb., will be closed as of today, Thursday, March 19, 2020. That is a change from yesterday's announcement that the courthouse would close at 5 p.m. today.

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM CDT /NOON

The second community spread case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was identified in Douglas County yesterday, Wednesday, March 18, 2020 - a man in his 40s who is currently hospitalized. The Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) determined he did not become infected while traveling or…

At about 5 p.m., today (03/18/2020), Broken Bow Fire and Rescue responded to a call at 13th and North B Avenue. For a few minutes, smoke could be seen coming out of a second story window. Three fire trucks and an ambulance were on scene. Look for more information on this website and in print.

The following is a statement released the afternoon of Wed., March 19, 2020.

The following is a March 18, 2020 letter from Broken Bow Superintendent Darren Tobey.

Given the updates on COVID-19, the Custer County Foundation is cancelling the scholarship awards ceremony.

Don’t be surprised if you hear a rumble or two of thunder as the next major storm system moves in to the region.

"Grab & Go" meals will be available for children ages 1-18 Monday-Friday through the BBPS closure.

Additional cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Currently there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Custer County or the City of Broken Bow.  There is still uncertainty of the impact that COVID-19 will have on our community.