Good morning, Grand Island.

Heartland United Way makes holiday giving easy in Grand Island with its Christmas Cheer Food Program, Toy Collection and Toys for Tots Distribution, and Adopt a Family Program—local banks and community sites from Nov.

7 to Dec. 7 accept donations to help provide holiday meals and gifts to those in need.

A Fall Festival of Faith will be held Sunday, November 9 at Resurrection Church in Grand Island—gathering community members for a celebration of shared faith.

The Grand Island Fire Department announced winners of its annual Fire Escape Plan contest as 15 third-grade students from local schools earned a ride to school on a fire truck— the overall winner also experienced a ride in the aerial platform truck.

The contest teaches fire safety by having students design plans that include two exits per room and a safe meeting spot.

A new McDonald’s Restaurant opened on November 5th at 2209 S.

Locust St.—its grand opening on November 7th featured a giant inflatable Ronald McDonald with a red, white, and yellow balloon arch over the entrance. Special events are scheduled, including a meet Grimace event today from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and promotions until November 13th while the restaurant is hiring crew and managers at $15.50 and $18.50 per hour respectively.

The Grand Island Public Library is teaming up with the Grand Island Concert Association to offer free tickets for the Omaha Symphony Orchestra concert at Grand Island Senior High School Auditorium on Dec.

21 at 3 p.m.—each ticket admits two adults and four children and is limited in number.

Railside Christmas will take place on Friday, Nov.

21 in downtown Grand Island from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Families will follow Santa’s wagon through town for a tree lighting at Amur Plaza and enjoy live holiday music, food, and fun activities + the event will be rescheduled to Nov. 25 if inclement weather occurs.

The city of Grand Island plans to remove 11 cottonwood trees from Pier Park lake (citing liability concerns).

Neighbor Joann Nietfeld said keeping the trees is more important (she added that a tree causing death would be very unusual).

The Nebraska Loan Repayment Program is offering up to $90,000 in student loan relief for Registered Dietitians who secure jobs in rural communities and designated shortage areas—applicants must secure a qualifying job and meet a 50/50 funding match with local employers.

The program also extends similar relief to primary care, dental and mental health professionals, with doctors and dentists eligible for up to $180,000 and others for up to $90,000.

Nebraska volleyball players Andi Jackson, Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly were named among the 14 AVCA Player of the Year semifinalists by the American Volleyball Coaches Association after posting strong stats in recent matches—Jackson led the Big Ten in hitting percentage while Murray recorded a team-high 22 aces and Reilly averaged 10.06 assists per set. The No. 1 Cornhuskers will face Minnesota today at 2:30 p.m. with pregame coverage at 1:30 p.m. on B-107.3.

Dashing for Donuts

8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Grand Island YMCA — Registration fee required — Participate in a delightful 1-mile dash and enjoy some sweet treats in Grand Island.

2025 NICCA Annual Meeting

12:30-6:30 p.m. — Bosselman Conference Center — Pre-registration required — Engage in insightful agricultural discussions and networking opportunities.