Good morning, Grand Island.

NDOT data show that in August 2025, 22 people died in 19 traffic crashes with 15 fatalities occurring in rural areas plus low seatbelt use among the 110 vehicle occupants killed, with 3 pedestrians and 4 motorcyclists among the victims.

Chick-fil-A will open its first location in Grand Island Thursday at 6:30 a.m. at Conestoga Marketplace next to Target — owner and operator Carl Dann said the restaurant will donate $25,000 to Feeding America and partner with Crossroads Mission while offering free food to customers in cow costumes.

Big Idea Grand Island is accepting submissions for a competition (similar to Shark Tank) where local entrepreneurs will pitch ideas on Nov.

3 at the Grand Theater; ten finalists will be chosen from entries that opened on Sept. 1 and the top prize is $10,000 (to help start or grow a business).

Linda Graybill, an 86-year-old volunteer who taught at the Literacy Council for more than 10 years, is reducing her hours for health reasons.

Her students already miss her clear guidance in learning English—many even thanked her in several languages.

Grand Island City Council approved a 9—1 budget for a new fiscal year beginning Oct.

1 with an operating budget of $321,909,972 that increases spending by 11% while keeping property taxes unchanged. Council member Doug Lanfear voted no because he opposed high-dollar projects such as the $16 million water park improvement that he said wastes public money.

Governor Jim Pillen signed Tuesday an executive order to distribute an extra $20M in property tax relief to Nebraska taxpayers (the funds come from increased casino revenue and unspent tax credit funds).

He said the order is a common-sense step to ease the tax burden while he pushes for further reforms.

Nebraska hunters are set to begin fall turkey hunting season on October 1 and it will run until November 30.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters to report turkey harvests via Telecheck within 48 hours and requires them to wear hunter orange during the firearm deer season from November 15 to 23—each hunter is allowed one permit with a bag limit of one turkey.

The South Heartland District Health Department reported that more mosquitoes in Adams County tested positive for West Nile virus.

Health officials advised residents to use insect repellent (EPA approved) and drain standing water to reduce breeding sites.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a central Nebraska dairy herd — the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service assisted in the investigation.

A new collegiate summer baseball team will come to Grand Island in 2026 to play in the Diamond League run by National Sports Services in Lawrence, KS.

The city plans nearly $4 million in renovations to Ryder Park to add turf, lights, a scoreboard, bleachers and dugouts with a vote scheduled in October.

Oktoberfest Celebration

4-10 p.m. — Liederkranz — Members $5, Non-Members $10 — Enjoy live music by The Killigans, food, and family fun at this festive event.

Platte Valley Boer-Nanza Goat Sale

11 AM – 11:59 PM — Fonner Park — Free entry — Experience the excitement of the annual Boer goat sale in Grand Island.

Colten Wyatt Band: Boot Barn Grand Opening

3-7 p.m. — Old Town Boot Barn — Free entry — Enjoy live music and vibes at the Boot Barn's Grand Opening celebration in Grand Island, Nebraska.