Good morning, Grand Island.

Nearly 200 women at the Women Who Care meeting awarded a $17,500 preliminary grant to Wood River’s Stick Creek Kids childcare center today.

The funds, which support staff training and supplies, will be finalized after more contributions are received by Friday, Aug. 21.

Grand Island Area Community System collected 28,000 pounds of litter ahead of the Nebraska State Fair to prepare the community for an expected influx of visitors later this week.

Volunteers led the annual cleanup to keep our area welcoming.

Grand Island mourns the loss of longtime businessman and community leader Ray O’Connor (aged 79), known for his service on local boards and support for the Nebraska State Fair and the O’Connor Learning Center.

His contributions left a legacy of leadership that strengthened community efforts.

A storm swept through Grand Island early this morning, uprooting trees and damaging a mobile home while two people received treatment for minor injuries as an airport sensor recorded wind gusts of 79 mph around 1 a.m.

Hall County EMA Jon Rosenlund said a wind gust of up to 90 mph caused widespread tree damage + mobile home damage, which led to two minor injuries in Grand Island.

Grand Island Senior High School named Matt Hilligas of Live Well Physical Therapy as Community Partner of the Year and Eric and Jennie Wright of Summit Real Estate as Business Partner of the Year.

School officials visited their workplaces to honor their support for student learning.

Grand Island Central Catholic volleyball, led by second-year coach Melinda Podany, is aiming to improve on a 15-15 record.

The team will hold a scrimmage against Central City + Shelton on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and open its season with a match against Shelton on Thursday, Aug. 27.