On Thursday, Aug. 5, Doane University is hosting a Back to School Community Picnic to kick off the school year for members of the Crete community. This event will take place in Cassel Outdoor Theatre from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. and will include free food and drinks, music, performances, a dunk tank, a bounce house, and more. During the event, over 300 bags of school supplies will be distributed to Crete elementary school students in attendance.

The Back to School Community Picnic is a collaboration between Doane University, the City of Crete and Community Assistance Office, Blue River Arts Council, and the Crete Police Department. This event is financially supported by many local businesses in Crete.

At 8:30 p.m., the Blue River Arts Council will be showing "Coco" in Cassel Theatre. There is no admission cost for the movie, however free will donations will be accepted.

View a campus map from Doane University - Cassel Theatre #11.

Access to the library collections and meeting rooms is open to the public with increased capacity limits. Read more about current library services.

New in 2021: Bilingual Spanish-English story time on Saturdays for preschoolers will start on Aug. 7, 10:30 a.m. at the library.

Preschool Story Time at Crete Public Library runs during the school year, starting in August, and includes stories on each week's theme with activities or songs and a craft. Story time craft kits are available at the library, inside or at the pickup window at 15th and Forest Ave.

Special story times are held weekly during the Summer Reading program in June.

Crete Public Library
1515 Forest Ave.
Crete, NE 68333
Phone: 402.826.3809
crete.library@crete.ne.gov

The City of Crete Departments of Public Works, in partnership with its wholesale electric power supplier, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, is adding a high efficiency heat pump program to its suite of energy efficiency programs for local residential utility customers.

The program provides cash incentives to upgrade or convert to a high efficiency heat pump. Cash incentives vary depending on the type of heat pump installed. Program details and an application can be downloaded here.

Along with the high efficiency heat pump program, the City of Crete also continues to provide other energy efficiency programs in partnership with the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska. The programs are available through March 31, 2022 or while program funds last. Here is a rundown of the other programs:

• Smart Thermostat Program: Provides a cash incentive of up to $100 paid directly to residential customers to help cover the cost of installing a qualifying smart thermostat. 
• Attic Insulation Program: Provides cash incentives of $0.15 / per square foot with a maximum incentive of $300 per existing residential dwelling for attic insulation. 
• Cooling System Tune-Up Program: Provides a $30 cash incentive to residential homeowners who have their cooling system tuned up by a HVAC contractor, regardless of what type or age of cooling system (air conditioner/air or water source heat pump).
• Commercial LED Lighting Program: Provides cash incentives paid directly to commercial customers to help cover the cost of lighting upgrades and replacements.

For more information on these programs, contact the Utility Office at City Hall, 402.826.4312, or go online to the link above to download program guidelines and application forms.

City Hall - 243 East 13th Street
(Utility Office main entrance on south side)
Crete, NE 68333
Phone: 402.826.4312