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Hi Kearney, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Vintage bookstore reborn, Good Life District ballot question, and 1920s murder mystery fundraiser + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Nebraska drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

A hometown literary renaissance: Retired UNK history professor Carol Lilly opened The Open Book Vintage Bookstore, now volunteer run with 12,000 titles and most under $5, after her parents never discarded books in Kearney — read the full story.

Economic program decision ahead: Kearney City Council approved sending a Good Life District economic development question to the May 12 primary ballot, and voters will decide whether to authorize the council to create the program — get details on the ballot question.

Statewide turnout expected: The sandhill crane migration is underway in central Nebraska, drawing visitors to Kearney. The Crane Trust reported 115,000 already here, and tourism is estimated to generate about $28 million — see the statewide impact.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Dine at 1920s murder mystery fundraiser
• Enjoy a community Lenten fish fry
• Enjoy T-themed stories and rhymes

💎 This week’s top finds

Upgrade your lunch game: Craving a toasted sammie that isn’t swaddled in corporate paper? At The Toasted Goat, hearty oven-baked sandwiches and cozy soups deliver maximum flavor with zero fuss, perfect for a quick bite before errands or a low‑key hang with friends.

Petal pick-me-up: Rose & Co. Flower Shop pairs pretty with playful, offering custom arrangements, a rentable bouquet bar for DIY bloom fun, and quick online ordering when you’re in a pinch. Fresh stems for your kitchen table or group text, any week.

Easy Vietnamese pickup: Craving a low-effort, high-reward dinner? VietKearney Taste is a licensed local kitchen serving Vietnamese favorites you order online and pick up on your way home. Thoughtful packaging, clear reheating tips, and fresh market-sourced ingredients make it feel like a treat you didn’t have to work for.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🍴 March Talk and Taste @ Hy-Vee (5212 3rd Ave, Kearney, NE) | Tuesday (3/17) at 12:00 PM – Food noise got you negotiating with your snack drawer? Swing by Kearney Hy-Vee for a free Talk & Taste with dietitian Kaiti, where you’ll learn easy protein and fiber moves, build more balanced meals, and sample good stuff while dialing down the constant what-when-how-much chatter.

🧶 Knot Just Knitting @ Kearney Public Library | Tuesday (3/17) at 1:00 PM – Bring that half-finished scarf, the crochet granny squares, and your best stitch gossip to this informal fiber arts hangout. Knit, crochet, cross-stitch, or whatever keeps your hands busy, then trade tips and company with folks who get it. No sales pitches, just stitches.

👪 Free Family Fun Night @ Kearney Area Children’s Museum | Thursday (3/19) at 4:00 PM – Whether your kids are climbing the walls or you appreciate a freebie, the Kearney Area Children’s Museum is hosting Free Family Fun Night. Let the little tornadoes push buttons, build stuff, and burn energy, while you enjoy AC and rare silence on the ride home.

🐟 Lenten Fish Fry @ Old Town Hall | Friday (3/20) at 5:00 PM – If your Lenten discipline involves crispy cod and neighborly gossip, the Old Town Hall has you covered Fridays during Lent. $15 gets you a plate piled high, sides, and that small-town tradition we secretly love. No preaching, just tartar sauce and community.

🛍 Funky Junk-N-Market @ Buffalo County Fairgrounds | Saturday (3/21) at 12:00 AM – Buffalo County Fairgrounds turns into a free treasure hunt when Funky Junk-N-Market rolls in, with 60 plus booths of vintage finds, handmade goods, and quirky decor. Less yard sale chaos, more curated rummage, local makers, neighborly chats, and those irresistible I-didn’t-need-this purchases.

📖 Clumsy Cleo the Crane Reading and Book Signing @ Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary (Gibbon) | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – Rowe Sanctuary is hosting a family story time featuring Clumsy Cleo the Crane by Rebecca Lillyman, plus extra reads and a hands-on activity. Bring your brood, skip the screens, and let littlest crane enthusiasts learn why these river legends steal the show, binoculars optional.

🛍 Sunday Market @ Gibbon NE Vendor Market | Sunday (3/22) at 12:00 PM – Craving fresh peaches, a decent coffee, and the thrill of running into three neighbors you actually like? Sunday Market brings farmers, artisans, and small businesses together for homegrown, handmade, locally made finds. Bring a tote, your small talk A-game, and a healthy respect for sourdough.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Kearney report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 29°F – Low: 10°F – Precip: 12%

Patchy blowing dust. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. North northwest wind around 40 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Later: Patchy blowing dust between 7pm and 9pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -7. North northwest wind 20 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 36°F – Low: 18°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 36. North northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Most popular house this week

This 5-bed, 3-bath home pairs an open floor plan with a primary suite and 2-car garage. Outside, a fenced yard features a newly poured patio, 6-foot privacy fence, and underground sprinklers. Near Kearney’s newest hospital and high school, it is walkable to Yanney Park, trails, and an elementary school, with quick I-80 and Highway 30 access in a low-traffic setting.

Take a peek inside →