Nebraska
Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation honors Eric Seacrest at retirement ceremony
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – The Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation honored outgoing President and Executive Director Eric Seacrest in a retirement ceremony at Venue 304 on Friday, celebrating his decades of leadership and commitment to the region.
Throughout his tenure, Seacrest played a key role in supporting and advancing numerous community projects across Lincoln County, helping shape growth and opportunity in North Platte and surrounding areas.
During the ceremony, he was recognized with an award highlighting his years of hard work and dedication, as well as the lasting impact he leaves behind.
In a special moment, North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher presented Seacrest with the key to the city, thanking him for his service and contributions to making the community a better place.
“In my hardest touch I’m very grateful to see so many people here that I care about, that I care about deeply. They care about this communities in this region and these are people that I love to have in my life,” Seacrest said.
Seacrest acknowledged his colleagues, community partners, and the residents of North Platte for their support throughout his career.
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Copyright 2026 KNOP. All rights reserved.
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – On this day in 1930, a new addition was hoisted atop Nebraska’s Capitol Building.
The statue of “The Sower,” modeled after the traditional method of hand-sowing grain for planting, stands 19-and-a-half feet tall.
It was created by New York sculptor Lee Lawrie.
The Sower is represented as a barefoot man, with his sleeves and pant legs rolled up as he works.
It stands as a symbol of the importance of agriculture in Nebraska.
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Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
GRETNA, Neb. (WOWT) – A new recreation area opened Thursday in Gretna, honoring a notable Nebraska Native American while reducing flooding risks.
The Sergeant Mad Bear Recreation Area, located just off 168th and Giles, was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The park is named after Sergeant Mad Bear, a Pawnee warrior who lived in the area during the 1860s. He was wounded in battle and became the first Native American in the country to receive the Medal of Honor.
“This lake that we’re here for is named after one of our soldiers. And a revered soldier,” said Pat Leading Fox, head chief of the Pawnee Nation Chiefs Council.
Honoring Pawnee heritage
Leading Fox said he was honored to see Mad Bear’s name live on at the site.
“He’s a Pawnee member. He’s a member of the band that I represent, Skidi Band, S-K-I-D-I. And to stand here, you know, where he could possibly have, you know, walked, you know, really is touching,” Leading Fox said.
For Leading Fox, the park represents more than a place to relax.
“This is our homeland here so you I always say home, we’re home,” he said.
Dual purpose: recreation and flood control
The park also serves as a flood reservoir, one of many managed by the Papio Missouri River NRD.
“This is part of a larger plan to control flows downstream. It works in conjunction with the levees and with the other reservoirs,” said Ian Ghanavati of the Papio Missouri River NRD.
The reservoir is currently empty but designed to fill with rainwater.
“Where the rock is, where you can kind of see the edge of the earth, that’s where the shoreline will come up to. We just need some rain to fill it,” Ghanavati said.
Community amenity
The empty reservoir has not deterred park visitors, who are already using the area’s other amenities.
Jen Boswell, a park visitor, said she uses the walking trail regularly.
“They just put in the trail from our street down to the path here. So yeah, I try to come down and walk at least three times around,” Boswell said.
Boswell said she is looking forward to using the park more as it develops.
“Walk, play, ride our bikes, scooters around here, fish. I think you could even put maybe like a kayak in here once it’s ready. So it’s going to be a great addition to the area for sure,” she said.
Sergeant Mad Bear is the second reservoir to open in the Papio NRD, following the Forest City Reservoir which opened last fall.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
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