Weekly Reports

KEARNEY – Two Rivers Public Health Department’s office will be closed on the following days and times:
• Internal staff planning meeting, on Friday, October 31st from 12:30pm to 4:30pm
• Veteran’s Day, on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 all-day
Two Rivers Public Health’s regular office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office can be contacted at 888-669-7154.

KEARNEY- Cottonmill Swimming Pond in Kearney has tested positive for E. Coli bacteria, according to samples taken Monday, September 15th. When E. coli bacteria levels test above 235 colonies/100 ml a Health Alert is not issued. However, conditions are at a higher risk to human health when swimming. Considering the more rapid changes in bacteria conditions, signs are not posted with these higher levels. Although, we want people to be aware of beach conditions and use their own judgment as to whether they use a listed water body. There is a risk of infectious disease when swimming in any recreational body of water.

Cottonmill Swimming Pond in Kearney has tested positive for E. Coli bacteria, according to samples taken Monday, August 11th . When E. coli bacteria levels test above 235 colonies/100 ml a Health Alert is not issued. However, conditions are at a higher risk to human health when swimming. Considering the more rapid changes in bacteria conditions, signs are not posted with these higher levels. Although, we want people to be aware of beach conditions and use their own judgment as to whether they use a listed water body. There is a risk of infectious disease when swimming in ANY recreational body of water.

KEARNEY - Two Rivers Public Health Department (TRPHD) has received three national awards from the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO).

The awards given to TRPHD were received for the following practices:
• Model Practices:
o Engaging diverse stakeholders for Community Health Needs Assessment in a Local Health Department in Rural Nebraska
o Bridging the Gaps: Mobile Vaccination Clinics
• Promising Practice: Advancing Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiatives Through Environmental Action

Model Practices are awarded to local health departments across the country for implementing programs that demonstrate exemplary and replicable outcomes in response to an identified public health need. Promising Practices are exciting approaches and strategies to local public health issues that are on track to become Model Practices. A committee of peers reviewed each awarded practice, made up of other local health department professionals, and selected from a competitive collection of applications.

Two Rivers Public Health Department is alerting residents in Buffalo, Dawson, Franklin, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney, and Phelps Counties of poor air quality due to smoke from ongoing fires in Canada and the mountain west. Air pollution levels are currently unhealthy for all populations, but especially for children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions.