NLB Blog

Do you believe in ghosts? Dennis and Evelyn McConnell certainly do! Dennis and Evelyn are the lead investigators of RIPA (Research and Investigation of Paranormal Activity). The couple has been performing investigations for over nine years in and around the North Platte area. Listen in as they share their stories and experiences from well known places like Buffalo Bill's Ranch and the Fox Theater. In this episode we also learn about the different types of ghosts and the special equipment used to interact with them. EEekkk!

We are not sucking up when we say, this is an episode you won't want to miss. We finally let the President and CEO of NebraskaLand Bank, Mike Jacobson, join us on the podcast and he doesn't disappoint. We are inspired by his own personal success story and loved his advice on how to approach life after forty. We learn about growing wealth, his outlook on the economy and what's most important in a growing, thriving community. 

We're breaking the rules and launching our next episode early, just in time for North Platte's Community Build Days for the North Platte Community Build Playground at Centennial Park. In this episode, we visit with Tauni Morris, Project Coordinator and Kyle Cundy from Playgrounds by Leathers to learn more about how this project came to fruition and how wildly successful their fundraising efforts have been. We also learn about what to expect from the community build days and what we can look forward to upon completion of the project. 

You might not think of peeling beets as romantic, but it was for this sweet couple! Join us for episode 18 as we sit down with Mo and Jennie Cabrera, owners of North Platte's beloved Popcorner. We get to learn how they met and fell in love, what brought them back to Nebraska and how they have grown the Popcorner into the culinary treasure it is today. Also, be the first to hear about a new item to hit the menu soon.  We'll give you a hint...southern charm. You'll have to listen to the episode to find out more! 

We love those Friday night lights! This episode we sit down with North Platte High School's Football Coach, Todd Rice and St Pat's Football Coach, Kevin Dodson, just before their first games of the season. Listen in to learn more about their programs, how they handle criticism, and how they approach coaching. Here's to great football season!

Derek Minshull, Senior Vice President Senior Credit Analyst at NebraskaLand Bank, has graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado’s state-of-the-art graduate school of banking program. Minshull was among 141 graduates of the class of 2021 honored in a ceremony on July 29, 2021, in Boulder, Colo.

We had a great time this episode chatting with Pro MMA Fighter, Jayson Scott. We learned more about the sport and what motivates Jayson to step into the cage. Since recording the episode, Jayson competed in his Pro Bantamweight Debut on July 31st and walked away with an amazing win. Give this episode a listen to become an instant fan of this North Platte native. We loved getting to know him and we think you will too. 

Listen to Episode 15 with special guest, Trudy Merritt, founder and director of the Platte River Fitness Series. In this Episode, we talk with Trudy about the 20th anniversary of the Platte River Fitness Series. We also talk with her about the multiple races and clubs inside of the series and the impact they have on individuals and the community. We learn about Leading Ladies, Fit Kids and the local couch to 5k by Great Plains Health. 

Danielle is back!  Get the answer to the burning question: Who did better in the Spartan Race, Danielle or Garod?  Our episode 14 guest is Mel McNea, Chief Executive Officer at Great Plains Health. Ty, Danielle and Mel talk about the culture shift that happened at GPH and how they worked together to overcome a ransomware attack and a pandemic, while gaining national attention for all the right reasons.  We get a glimpse of what the future holds for GPH in addition to how they are working to recruit young professionals to the community. Mel also talks about his two big announcements, retirement and his candidacy for Nebraska Legislature, District 42. Most importantly, find out whether or not his house is for sale. 

Ty Lucas and Kim Schroll host Episode 13 with Gary Person, President and CEO of the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation. Gary discusses economic development in the North Platte community and shares how important  collaboration is to our success. Gary also shares about various ways communities can remain competitive. We also gain perspective about how history has helped shape our future.