The following information is from news releases by the Governor's office and federal, state, and local agency links.

Saline County was in a group of remaining Nebraska counties added to what are now statewide Directed Health Measures issued from Governor Pete Ricketts in effect until May 11. Read the Governor’s news release.

The City of Crete advises all residents to follow the statewide DHM from health officials during this COVID-19 outbreak. The city is in regular communication with health officials on the best courses of action for communities and will continue to share relevant and timely information. Directed Health Measures issued by the state are restrictions on individuals and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19. Current measures are in effect until May 11, unless renewed:

• Imposes an enforceable, 10-person limit on public gatherings;
• Prohibits medical and dental elective surgeries and procedures;
• Requires schools (public, private, and parochial) to operate without students through May 31; cancels all school-related extracurricular activities through May 31;
• Requires restaurants and bars to close their dining areas and move to takeout, delivery, and/or curbside service only;
• Requires individuals to home quarantine for at least 14 days if they have tested positive for COVID-19, have a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, have experienced sudden onset of a cough and/or shortness of breath or if they reside with or have resided with individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have the above symptoms;
• Failure to comply results in legal action for enforcement by civil or criminal remedies. 

The DHM’s limitation on public gatherings does not apply to:

• Retail or grocery stores where people should maintain six feet of distance from one another.
• Daycares that may be operated at a school per the Governor’s executive order regarding childcare
• Other locations detailed in the DHM

Additional measures can be found in the full DHM document and from DHHS ​​​​​​.

The public is advised to practice increased hygiene, stay home if they can, and to avoid unnecessary travel. The purpose is to socially distance people (spacing them more than 6 feet apart) and to avoid congregating in enclosed spaces. This guidance applies to all social gatherings including church services, funerals, weddings, parades, and festivals.\

Saline County is part of Public Health Solutions District Health Department with Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson and Thayer counties. Saline does not currently have any confirmed cases.

The following links provide information and resources on virus symptoms, seeking medical attention, protection, travel and more:

• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
  • Coronavirus information
  • Events, public gatherings, schools guidance 
• Public Health Solutions - District Health Department
  • COVID 19 resources & guidance
• Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
  • Latest update
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • How to protect yourself
  • CDC fact sheet

City of Crete: See additional information on the status of and access to city programs and services.

Crete Public Schools: Facilities are closed to the public and students are participating in online and at-home learning activities as of March 19. School activities and athletic events have been canceled. Meal distribution takes place each weekday at multiple locations within Crete and the school district communities. 

• information from Superintendent
• CPS grab n’ go meal locations

Doane University: On March 12, during the campus' regularly scheduled spring break, the school announced classes for March 16-22 were canceled and would resume on March 23 in an online format only for the remainder of the semester. Campus activities and the remainder of the athletic season have been canceled.

• more information and services available to the Doane community

(Information current as of Monday, April 6, 1 p.m.)

For the general public:

The City of Crete will continue to share relevant and timely information and recommendations from public health services - State of Nebraska and the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local Public Health Solutions.

Saline County was in a group of remaining Nebraska counties added to what are now statewide Directed Health Measures issued from Governor Pete Ricketts in effect until May 11. Read the Governor’s news release.

The City of Crete advises all residents to follow the statewide DHM from health officials during this COVID-19 outbreak. The city is in regular communication with health officials on the best courses of action for communities and will continue to share relevant and timely information. Directed Health Measures issued by the state are restrictions on individuals and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19. Read more about the DHM and find agency links.

Status of City of Crete facilities and services:

The City of Crete has the health and safety of employees and community residents in mind by increasing already routine cleaning and disinfection procedures during the current COVID-19 outbreak. City officials are in communication with local partners, schools and industries to discuss health and safety plans.

City Hall:

City Hall and Utilities Office is closed to all walk-in access, effective March 23 at 8 a.m. City staff are available by phone or email during regular business hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Other visitors to City Hall will be allowed by appointment only.

Utility Bills can be paid in the drive-thru during regular business hours or left in the night dropbox. Access the drive-thru/night drop by entering on Linden Ave. between the Post Office and the City Park tank and driving along the south side of City Hall, then turn left at the “Public Works Business Only” sign. Exit onto East 13th Street.

Utility payments can also be mailed to City Hall (243 East 13th Street, Crete, NE, 68333) or made online (with a convenience fee). Find more information on utility bills and payments.

City Hall phone numbers: 

• Administration, Utility Office, Public Works, Building Inspector: 402.826.4312
• Finance Director, City Clerk, Human Resources: 402.826.4313
• Parks and Recreation: 402.826.4314
• Community Assistnace Office: 402.826.6405 or email: nancy.tellez@crete.ne.gov
• Find more phone numbers and staff emails.
• See end of article for more online links

The City will provide updates and any changes in access to city services as they become available. Find information on the city website and social media accounts, @CreteNE.

Crete Police Department - lobby:

The lobby of the police station (1945 Forest Ave.) is closed to all walk-in access effective March 23. Certain services conducted for the public at the station will not be offered during the closure or will be waived. Conditions will be reevaluated in three weeks.

• Burn permits are now available online. Permits will not be provided at the station. 
• Animal licensing will not be conducted. Pets with expired licenses or new pets will be granted an extended time to get updated and licensed.
• Police Reports will be sent only by email. Paper reports will not be provided.
• Parking tickets may be paid with no penalty for late payment, after the lobby opens.
• Equipment repair notices (fix it tickets) will be waived. Just get whatever it was, fixed. It doesn't mean vehicle owners should continue to drive the car with broken equipment.

If residents wish to report a crime that doesn't immediately need a police officer to respond, please call 402.826.6422 for the administration/records section Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and from 12 p.m.-5 p.m. For police response call 402.826.4311. An officer may contact you by phone or in person, depending on the call type.

Crete Public Library:

The Crete Public Library building is closed to walk-in access, effective Wednesday, March 18, until further notice. Programs and meeting room reservations have been canceled or postponed. The new library’s grand opening event on April 9 is postponed with a future event to be determined. Library staff is on hand and can provide limited services through the pickup window on the south side of the building and through phone calls, 402.826.3809. Read more about current library access.

The Library service hours are as follows:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.;
• Tuesday and Thursday - 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.;
• Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Parks and Recreation:

Update, March 19, 2020: The Parks & Recreation Department has made the unfortunate decision to cancel the Youth Soccer & Micro Soccer programs due to COVID-19 and based on the current Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.

Registration fees for both programs will be refunded to all participants via mail as soon as possible. Youth Soccer participants (grades 1-6) that have not yet received their soccer shirt may pick it up at the recreation office at City Hall after April 13. Read more...

Recreation questions can be directed to Dan Dunaway, Recreation Coordinator, 402.826.4314, or email dan.dunaway@crete.ne.gov

The city provides an abundance of information on departments, services, and programs online. See tabs above or these links:

• City Hall phone numbers and emails
• Full City Code, with searchable keywords; 
• City Zoning Regulations;
• Forms & Documents;
• Building Inspector: Building permits and Call Before You Dig information;
• Community and Economic Development programs (LB 840 and TIF);
• Parks and Recreation information, including park locations and amenities and recreation program signup on RecDesk;
• Crete Public Library - staff contact information; Overdrive audio and ebooks;
• Living in Crete - community links for agencies, programs, recreation

Update March 18: Access to the Library building is closed to the public, effective Wednesday, March 18 until further notice. Programs and meeting room reservations have been canceled or postponed. Library staff is on hand and can provide limited services through the pickup window on the south and through phone calls, 402.826.3809.

Limited services and materials from the library are available:

• Normal due date and other circulation policies will remain in effect, i.e. length of checkout and damaged materials. There will be a limit of eight (8) items per checkout.
• The Library pickup window hours are as follows:
  • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.;
  • Tuesday and Thursday - 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.;
  • Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Drive-thru pickup of items is available at the pickup window on the south side of the building, near the 15th Street and Forest Avenue intersection.
  • Patrons may call the library and request that items be held at the for them at the library.
  • Or reserve items from the online Library Catalog. Log in to your account using your patron card number (without the P), and the phone number you have listed on your library account (without the 402 or hyphen. Only include the area code if the phone number does not have a 402 area code). Find the item you wish to check out and click on the title. Click on 'Reserve this item.' You will then be asked your reserve preferences. Click on the drop-down to hold your reserve at the 'pickup window.' Find more information on reserving materials.
  • All materials are available to be reserved except board books and magazines
  • When you arrive at the pickup window, please call the library phone number (Listed on a sign at the window) and we will be there to help you as soon as possible.
• All returned materials are wiped down with disinfectant and put in “quarantine” for four days. Then they will be checked in. This is to ensure that items on hold are not made available until the quarantine is complete. If a patron receives a reminder to return a book that was already returned, patrons are requested to ignore these messages. If fines start accruing during the quarantine period, these will be forgiven.
• OverDrive offers patrons access to online, downloadable AudioBooks and eBooks. To use these resources, you’ll need either an individual or a family library card in good standing. 
• The Interlibrary Loan service will be unavailable.
• Patron WIFI is available in the seating areas outside the library. Password is: CreteLibrary

The City of Crete provides forms and documents online related to city programs and services. Forms are in a pdf fillable format or can be printed and completed by hand. Links are also shown for forms available in other sections on this site.

Still can't find what you're looking for? Contact City Hall, 402.826.4312, or view a list of city officials and department contacts: City Hall & Officials, Parks & Recreation, Public Works Directory.

Building Inspector's Office:

• Building Permits
• Call Before You Dig

Public Works - Utility Office:

• all forms must be returned to City Hall Public Works Office in person.
• Utility Service Account Application (Find more information about city utility accounts.)
• Authorization Agreement for Pre-authorized Payments - City utility account
• Commercial Snow Removal Permit
• Wood Cutting Permit - on City property

City Clerk:

• City Clerk's office handles the following registrations and permits:
  • Business Registration
  • Fireworks Sales Permit
  • Door-to-door Sales Permit

Community and Economic Development:

• LB840 Economic Development
• Tax Increment Financing

Crete Fire and Rescue Department:

• Burn Permits
• CVFD Membership Application

Parks and Recreation Department:

• RecDesk - online registration for recreation programs

Human Resources:

• View City of Crete employment opportunities

Program Update, March 19, 2020: The City of Crete Parks & Recreation Department has made the unfortunate decision to cancel the Youth Soccer & Micro Soccer programs due to COVID-19 and based on the current Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.

Registration fees for both programs will be refunded to all participants via mail as soon as possible.

Youth Soccer participants (grades 1-6) that have not yet received their soccer shirt may pick it up at the recreation office at City Hall after April 13.

We are disappointed that we are unable to have the soccer season, but feel that canceling the program is the correct and prudent decision to keep our community safe and slow the spread of the Coronavirus Disease.  Thank you for your understanding and hopefully we’ll see you next soccer season! Questions should be directed to Dan Dunaway, Recreation Coordinator.

Youth Soccer: Registration ended on Friday, Feb. 28

• boys and girls
• divisions for grades 1st & 2nd, 3rd & 4th, and 5th & 6th
• Sunday afternoons in March and April (March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 19)
• Armory Park, 515 East 1st Street

Micro Soccer: Registration ended on Friday, March 20

• boys and girls
• divisions for ages 3 & 4, and 5 & 6
• Wednesday evenings in April (April 8, 15, 22, 29)
• Rotary Park, 9th Street and Kingwood Ave

City of Crete 
Parks & Recreation Department 
Daniel Dunaway, Program Coordinator

City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
Phone: 402.826.4314
Fax: 402.826.4334
dan.dunaway@crete.ne.gov

Update March 18: Access to the Library building is closed to the public, effective Wednesday, March 18 until further notice. Staff is available during modified hours; pickup window is open. Read more about services available.

Borrowing Materials

The Crete Public Library provides access to more than 27,000 print and audio visual resources. These include adult and juvenile fiction and non-fiction books, audio books, DVDs and videos, large print books, newspapers and magazines. The Library also provides access to eBooks and audiobooks through OverDrive. A variety of databases are also available for patron use. Microfilm records of past and present area newspapers are also available for viewing and printing.

• Present your library card when checking out materials.
• Individual card holders may borrow up to twenty items from the library at one time. Patrons with a family card may borrow up to forty items.
• Books, magazines, audio books, cake pans and DVDs may be checked out for two weeks.
• DVDs are limited to eight per household.
• Books, magazines, audio books and DVDs all have a seven-day grace period that follows their due date during which no fines accrue.
• Material may be renewed as long as there have been no other requests for it. Generally, a maximum of two renewals is allowed, but this is determined on a case by case basis.

Reserve Materials online

Patrons can reserve items through the online catalog or call the library (402.826.3809) and talk to a staff member about reserving materials for pickup at the window. 

• Log in to the Library Catalog (upper right corner) with your library card numbers only and the phone number (no dashes) assigned to your account.
  • 402 area code, use only the 7-digit phone number
  • Other area codes, use the 10-digit phone number
• Find materials (upper left) by searching subjects, titles, and authors. In the search results, click on titles to view more information and library availability. When viewing a title:
  • Click 'Reserve This Item'
  • Choose 'Pickup Window' for drive-thru or 'Inside' to pickup in the library
  • Confirm your phone or email for notifications
  • Click 'Place Reserve'
• Check your phone or email for notifications when items are ready
• Drive through the pickup lane at 15th and Forest Ave. during regular library hours to pickup your materials.

Applications are now available for Crete residents to rent a plot for the upcoming growing season at the Crete Community Garden, located at 10th and Thornwood Ave.

Cost to rent one plot is $25 with a $20 deposit. Plots, typically measuring 7 by 12 feet, will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Gardeners may rent an additional plot at $20, depending on demand. No plots will be assigned after June 1.

Gardeners may begin planting on May 1. All plants should be removed and plots cleaned by Nov. 30. Gardeners are expected to maintain their own plots weekly unless notice is given to garden coordinators. Gardeners will be given access to the storage shed on the property with a supply of tools and extra seeds; the city provides a water hydrant at the site.

The application packet includes specific garden information, season schedule, map, and general rules. Packets are available online, on the community garden page of the city website. Printed copies are also available at City Hall. The Community Garden is on Facebook with updates posted during the season.

Individuals, families, church groups, and service clubs in Crete are all welcome to rent garden plots for the season by filling out the applications and providing names of those who will be responsible for its care. Prospective gardeners under 18 years of age can have a parent sign the application with them.