Panhandle Scanner News

It's been hot. We all know that.   Trooper Kleich with the Nebraska State Patrol spotted a moose in the canal near Scottbluff yesterday. He is just cooling down, evidently, from the heat wave that continues to batter the region. If you don't have to be outside in these extreme temperatures, we remind you to stay indoors and stay hydrated.   Also, watch out for livestock and wildlife on the roads,...

Well, there's a weekend heat advisory again. Please remember to stay hydrated and indoors or in the shade whenever possible as temperatures could reach 100 degrees.   One exception, be sure to come out for the Minatare Tabor Days celebration tonight and tomorrow. Have no fear, the Broken Spoke Bar and Grill has air conditioning. The event kicks off tonight at 8pm with live entertainment.       Las...

Gering, Scottsbluff, Bayard, those were the three cities that were hit. Early on July 15th, SWAT activities were reported in those three cities, in Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties.   Panhandle Scanner News Team was in close contact with authorities that executed high-profile warrants in Scottsbluff, Bayard, and Gering in the early morning hours of July 15th. Media personnel, Cody Thomas with the...

We are thankful to the sponsors and to this radio station, which is not only heard on their flagship station in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, licensed out of Terrytown, but KCMI Radio is also heard in Sidney on 93.5 FM and in Rushville at 99.1. And you can also listen to KCMI on the web, streaming on their website through Live 365 Radio and also on TuneIn.   Speaking of that Sidney area, the Potter Volun...

  Yesterday did have some significant scanner traffic.   On Monday at 10:37 am, traffic indicated a stolen vehicle.  A 2024 Jeep Wrangler with a lift kit. License plate Nebraska 60FEET6. Last known location heading west on Highway 88 from Highway 71.    Based on that license plate number and our experience on the mound and behind the plate, this Jeep may belong to a baseball player.   In any case,...

The City of Gering officials would like to inform citizens that Pacific Boulevard from Holly Drive to Beverly Drive will be closed beginning today, July 13th through Friday, the 31st of July. Residents on Pacific Boulevard will have access to their houses. Officials respectfully request that drivers use caution if traveling in this area.    Also, the City of Scottsbluff would like to advise the pu...

Well, speaking of Gering, that's the place to be this weekend. Thousands have traveled from all over the state and possibly the country to come to Gering, Nebraska's oldest and largest celebration.   That's right, last night, the Oregon Trail Days BBQ kicked off the celebration. Lots of activities planned for today, including that five-mile run and mud volleyball that started early this morning. T...

Well, if you're not busy today and you are in the Gering area around 11th and P Streets, if you want to make $100, go out and find that missing iguana! That's right, we have a missing iguana right now. Goncho's owners are offering a $100 reward if you can safely return him. Contact us if you know anything or have found a missing iguana in Gering.   Both Scottsbluff and Gering have road closures to...

More Gering City news, not only do we have the big Oregon Trail Day celebration kicking off on Thursday, but the City put out a message asking residents to voluntarily reduce their water usage. Due to excessive water use, the City's water storage reservoirs are not filling to capacity during the evening and nighttime hours. The request is intended to help avoid the need for mandatory water restric...

Panhandle Scanner News is brought to you by R&C Welding in Gering, Nebraska.   Speaking of Gering, the Horizon Music Fest is coming up Labor Day weekend, September 5th and 6th, giant free concert with national artists at Five Rocks Amphitheater. But before that, we've got Oregon Trail Days kicking off here in a couple of days. Thursday night, July 9th is the kickoff barbecue in downtown Gering...

Do you miss the fat Sunday paper with lots of stories and coverage from everything that happened throughout the week? There once was a day when the community had a big fat Sunday newspaper.   We understand that especially with the news cycle being so short and news happening every day, that people need a reminder from week to week on what actually happened. We've put together a new weekly publicat...

It was a busy night over Scanner traffic, but fortunately, not very many calls for fireworks fires. One call involving fireworks was out at the State Recreation Area in Bridgeport, where a juvenile was cited for fireworks and released to his parents.    If you spotted some black smoke yesterday in the area of Scottsbluff Airport, that was a controlled burn, according to airport personnel.    East...

Power has been restored to all services affected by the Tuesday evening storms around Lake McConaughy. Emergency responders were dispatched at around 10:38 pm Tuesday night after reports that multiple campers had been overturned near Beach Area 5. Thankfully, there were no hospitalizations, and all power has been restored.   In Box Butte County, the Sheriff's Office is investigating an infant deat...

Yesterday, shortly before noon, Engine 1 of the Scottsbluff Fire Department had cleared a previous call for service when they observed smoke in the area around South Beltline and 9th Avenue. Crews went to investigate, and upon arrival observed staff members utilizing heavy equipment to remove debris that had accidentally caught on fire after cutting operations. Fire personnel assisted with extingu...

Derived from the Declaration of Independence and legally codified in the U.S. Constitution, American freedom functions as a negative constitution, explicitly dictating what the government cannot do to its citizens. Rather than granting rights, the American system is built on the philosophy that human liberties are inherent, unalienable, and merely protected by the state.   And we do all enjoy our...

Things that go boom Fireworks and thunderstorms. That's what the news has been lately. People still have questions about when and where fireworks can be discharged, therefore we've put together a comprehensive article of every town's decision that we could obtain and put it into one article for you, it's called panhandle fireworks decisions. You can find it on the web or on our Facebook page Panha...

On June 23rd, the Kimball County Sheriff's Office and Kimball County EMS responded to a one-vehicle rollover on Interstate 80. There were no injuries, unfortunately. Please buckle up and drive safe.   A train derailment was captured south of Cheyenne. Intense winds blew over multiple train cars along the tracks, with hail covering the roadside. A semi-truck also reportedly blew over on southbound...

As many towns and counties are still declaring their preference whether or not to ban or allow fireworks for the 2026 season, weather permitting, Gering's Allred Brothers display will be held at the Five Rocks Amphitheater again this year. That's the Allred Brothers display at Five Rocks.   Meanwhile, the Banner County Fire Chief has declared a burn ban in Banner County until further notice. No bu...

Our top story of the day comes from last night's Sidney City Council meeting. The Sidney Nebraska City Council voted to allow fireworks this year, from July 1st at 8am to July 5th at 1am.  However, the conversation got very heated and police were called to the scene, despite the fact that the police chief was on scene at the meeting. We were getting live updates when Mr. Balfour stopped by to spea...

Unfortunately, natural disasters, and especially hailstorms, can make several people in the community a target. Well, the storms certainly cause damage all throughout the Panhandle, and we feel our job at Panhandle Scanner is to help the community. Over the years, we have acquired major sponsors in several different categories that can be trusted and called upon in emergencies like this.    First...

A lot of excitement over the weekend for possible inclement weather, but thankfully, no tornadoes in Nebraska, at least not in our immediate panhandle. A tornado did touch down, however, in Wyoming, with a video captured by a local sheriff that made it onto national news. It was in a rural area, and there was no damage reported.    The panhandle is certainly in a drought. A drought like this, acco...

The Pony Express rode through yesterday through Gering, Nebraska, and through several parts of the Panhandle. In fact, one of the riders called us from Bridgeport to confirm the transfer location. Michelle Hunter LaTowski was a rider from Scottsbluff, who did several different legs of the re-ride. Find pictures and video from the Pony Express on our page at Panhandle Scanner, and some interesting...

Scanner traffic indicated a grass fire just around midnight, County Road 26, County Road S, Minatare. Several pages went out including a request for mutual aid from Scotts Bluff Rural Fire Protection District.   Speaking of fires, a lot of cities have made decisions on the fireworks ban for this year, although some cities and counties have not yet posted their decisions. Those we do know about tha...

Well, the talk of the town is definitely the fireworks decisions. Those are really heating up the conversations. A lot of confusion has come between jurisdictions. Rural versus city limits. Statewide rules versus local rules. A fire ban versus a fireworks ban. So much confusion. Red flag warnings, fire bans, and fireworks bans.   What are the differences and how do they relate? Due to the recent c...

(CRAWFORD, Neb.) -- There is some good news up north. Northwest Nebraska is thrilled to announce that Fort Robinson State Park is back open on a limited basis. All fort lodging and camping, the fort restaurant, the trailside museum, the history center and historical buildings, the post playhouse theater, historical tours and fishing at the ponds are all open. There is still active firefighting goi...