News Flash

Community input sought for 2023 Public Transit Community Survey

It only takes residents just a few minutes to answer 17 easy survey questions and have their thoughts about local public transportation taken into consideration.

The City of Columbus, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Platte County, the Columbus Area United Way and other local partners are seeking the Columbus region’s input for the “2023 Public Transit Community Survey."

"As one ...

CITY GOVERNMENT 101 - Appointments and how YOU can get involved

Your neighbor Nick serves on the park commission board; Robert, the businessman you know, is on the board of airport commissioners; your friend’s friend Erin is on the tree board – “wait, Columbus has a tree board?!” you question out-loud.

NOTE TO READERS: “City Government 101” is an ongoing weekly series debuting in April 2023 that highlights different aspects of municipal government as it pertains to Columbus, Nebraska, in hopes to provide information on how the City of...

Float your boat – Community collaboration powers Loup River Water Trail creation

Teamwork among numerous area organizations and one state agency has resulted in a new outdoor destination just in time for summer.

Recently, community leaders gathered to celebrate the official grand opening of the new Loup River Water Trail in Platte County which will give people a chance to enjoy an extensive float using boats or kayaks while taking in the views the local area has ...

City gearing up for 'Kids to Parks' free outdoor celebration

Despite the dozens of recreational opportunities and facilities in Columbus, the City Parks and Recreation Department team has long wished to bring the 1993 classic sports movie “The Sandlot” to life.

In the film, a young boy named Benny Rodriquez is depicted running around the neighborhood each summer day and gathering a group of friends to play a little pickup baseball game.

“I’d love for our kids to go to the park and know how to ...

Riding out of town - Bird electronic scooters no longer available in Columbus

Area residents will no longer be able to rent a Bird electronic scooter to cruise through town for the foreseeable future.

Bird Rides Inc., an electric scooter rental company based in Los Angeles, has informed the City of Columbus that it opted to terminate service in Columbus due to its commitment to “sustain and expand our services in a way that meets the need of ...

City announces Memorial Day closures and schedule changes

Numerous City of Columbus offices will be closed Monday, May 29th, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is an American holiday on which those who died in active military service are remembered. It has been traditionally observed on May 30 but now officially recognized on the last Monday in May.

Animal Control, Columbus Area Transit and all offic...

Inspirando el cambio – Administrador de la ciudad, Centro Hispano reflexionan sobre el viaje

Intercambio de ComunidadesCuando la administradora municipal, Tara Vasicek, y la directora de Bienvenida y Pertenencia del Centro Hispano, Liz Rodríguez, llegaron a la séptima planta del rascacielos de 18 pisos de Adobe en San José, California, se quedaro...

Road near Bradshaw Park undergoing complete reconstruction

You can still go out to the ballgames at Bradshaw Park while road construction is underway along 48th Avenue to improve travel.

The project, a complete reconstruction of 48^th Avenue from south of 23^rd Street down to the entrance of Bradshaw Park, began in March 2023. It’s a complete reconstruction of the roadway, transforming it from asphalt to a more urban area with a c...

Pawnee Plunge to open for summer Memorial Day weekend with new season, daily pass options

City Parks and Recreation officials are hoping to offset the waves of inflation caused by the pandemic by introducing a new admission structure at the Pawnee Plunge this summer.

“Unfortunately, since the pandemic, we’ve had a significant increase in our chemical and other costs to run our facilities, and that includes the Aquatic Center and Pawnee Plunge,” Parks and Recreation Manager Betsy Eckhardt said. “All the costs to run ou...

Council aims to push soccer organizations toward ‘more formal’ agreement on Wilderness Park use

The Columbus City Council has given a trio of local organizations about nine months to work together on creating a new formal agreement for the future collective use of Wilderness Park Soccer Complex.

Many residents and several people representing Columbus Soccer Club and American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) addressed the Council during its April 17th regular meeting to lament their frustrations and concerns, which seemed to equate to a desire for...

Plans to upgrade Memorial Stadium, Pawnee and Gerrard parks in very early development

Another step toward making improvements to Pawnee and Gerrard parks was taken this month.

Recently, members of the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation and Engineering departments, as well as other City leaders and an advisory committee, met at both locations to discuss potential ideas with Confluence. The latter is a professional creative fi...