Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Sorted by date Results 1955 - 1979 of 3090
Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have risen 15.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.13 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has increased 12.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.17 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices Sunday were $1.05 per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 11 cents per gallon h... Full story
OMAHA, Neb. – Two Nebraska State Patrol troopers escaped injury and two people were taken into custody after shots were fired at a patrol car during an attempted traffic stop in Omaha. Just after midnight on Thursday, Feb. 5, a trooper attempted a traffic stop of a 2002 Hyundai Accent, for a broken taillight, near the Interstate 680/I-80 split. The vehicle traveling at a slow speed failed to stop, continuing northbound onto I-680. The vehicle continued at a slow speed turning east onto Center S...
KIMBALL – A jury has found Vencil Leo Ash III guilty of first-degree murder in the 2003 death of Ryan Guitron. Monday's verdict came about 7:15 p.m. and ended a weeklong trial. Ash will return to court early next month for sentencing. The end of the trial marks the second time Ash has been found guilty in the case. He was convicted of Guitron's murder by a jury in July 2012. However, the Nebraska Supreme Court overturned the ruling in October 2013, stating that the defense didn't have proper t...
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – Are you or is someone you care about struggling with weight issues? Join us for a free educational seminar hosted by our surgeons and learn how weight loss surgery can help you gain control of your weight, regain health, and start a new life. Regional West Medical Center’s Surgical Weight Loss Options will host a free bariatric surgery seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6:30-8 p.m. in Regional West Medical Center’s Scotts Bluff I and II meeting rooms. Bariatric surgeon Jason LaTowsky, M.D., and bariatric nurse coord...
The Panhandle Resource Conservation and Development Council of Scottsbluff, Neb., has been reauthorized as a “premier” member of the NARC&DC Circle of Diamonds program, one of the few RC&D Councils out of 375 to qualify for this elite status. The NARC&DC Circle of Diamonds program provides a means for RC&D Councils to demonstrate that they’re complying with legal requirements and the best nonprofit management practices. The program has three tiers or levels: basic, enhanced and premier. By earning premier level membership, Panhandle RC&D Counc...
MULLEN, Neb. – The Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway will hold the 8th Annual Polar Bear Tank Race on March 6-7 on the Middle Loup River north of Mullen. Teams of at least four members race down the river in metal stock tanks with winning teams determined by time. The event kicks off on Friday evening with team registration and a soup cook-off. Soup entries from communities along the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway are taste-tested by tank racers and winners selected in the categories of taste, theme and decorations. Tank race teams meet for b...
Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have not moved in the past week, averaging $1.93 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.02 per gallon. Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices Monday were $1.25 per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 25.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 27.1 cents per g...
LINCOLN, Neb. – Beef feedlot managers, owners, employees and supporting industry personnel will learn the latest in feedlot nutrition, health, and economics at the 2015 Beef Feedlot Roundtables Feb. 10-12 in Bridgeport, Lexington and West Point, with remote connections to locations in Iowa and South Dakota. The Nebraska Extension Roundtables will be offered Feb. 10 at the Prairie Winds Community Center in Bridgeport, Feb. 11 at the Holiday Inn Express in Lexington, and Feb. 12 at the Nielsen Community Center in West Point. Registration begins a...
The latest information for reduced inputs for sustainable, organic farming will be offered at the Organic Farmers Conference on Wednesday, Feb. 11 in Torrington, Wyo. The second annual conference, presented by the University of Wyoming Extension and Nebraska Extension, is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Rendezvous Center on the Goshen County Fairgrounds. “Eliminating pesticides and altering fertilizer sources are key factors for growing organic products for the modern society,” said Alex Pavlista, UNL Crop Physiologist at the UNL Panhandle Research and Ex...
Twelve people were killed in traffic accidents on the state’s roadways during December, according to data collected by the Nebraska Department of Roads. There were 20 fatalities on the roads in December 2014. Last month, the 12 fatalities occurred in 12 crashes. In those accidents, eight of the 10 vehicle occupants who died were not wearing safety belts. One of the fatalities occurred on interstate roads, with five happening on non-interstate highways and six on local roads. Six of the fatalities occurred in rural locations and the other six w...
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – Regional West Foundation will officially open the Platte Valley Companies’ Sorensen Education Center on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The open house will be held on the upper level of the main hospital entrance beginning at 5 p.m. The community is invited to attend. The new 3,000-square-foot conference room features state of the art technology for presentations and teleconferencing and has a moveable wall system to convert the space into smaller meeting rooms. The construction project also included renovation of the Monument Room, the...
The Western Nebraska Community College Foundation named two new board members who have joined its existing group of volunteers. Senator John Harms and Jordan Colwell, both of Scottsbluff, formally joined the Foundation Board of Directors in October 2014. Harms and Jordan are members of a number of local volunteer organizations and boards, and they bring their years of expertise and experience to the Foundation Board. Harms, a lifelong panhandle resident, has served the 48th legislative district since 2006 and reached his term limit in December...
LINCOLN, Neb. – As part of its continuing effort to reduce the number of serious injury and fatality crashes on state roadways, the Nebraska State Patrol will begin a six-month long initiative focusing on teen drivers and seat belt usage. Beginning this month and continuing through the end of June, the agency will provide educational programs utilizing its rollover simulators, seat belt convincers and driving simulator. The educational programs are made possible thanks in part to a $24,500 grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety. A...
Nebraska residents can ring in the New Year with 10 free, flowering trees by joining the Arbor Day Foundation during January. By becoming part of the nonprofit foundation, new members will receive two Sargent crabapples, three American redbuds, two Washington hawthorns and three white flowering dogwoods. "These beautiful trees will give your home in Nebraska lovely flowers with pink, yellow and white colors," said Matt Harris, chief executive of the foundation. "These trees are perfect for...
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – A traffic stop for speeding Tuesday on Interstate 80 in Hamilton County led to the seizure of 58 pounds of marijuana and one arrest. Just after 2 p.m. Tuesday, a trooper stopped an eastbound 2015 Chevy Suburban for speeding about a mile east of the Giltner exit on I-80. An NSP canine indicated to the odor of drugs coming from the vehicle. A search of the SUV led to the seizure of the marijuana. The marijuana was located in three duffle bags in the cargo area of the vehicle. The driver and lone occupant, George B. Kuckly, 4...
The Panhandle NE National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors his accepting applications for two $500 scholarships to be awarded in April. Applicants must be 2015 graduating seniors attending an accredited high school in Western Nebraska, have an above-average GPA, demonstrate good character and leadership in school, church and community and be planning to further his/her education after graduation. Preference will be given to candidates interested in courses of study including education, business, management, finance, marketing,...
LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s rural communities received nearly $190 million in USDA Rural Development funding in federal fiscal year 2014, completed on September 30. In five years, USDA has invested nearly $1.5 billion in Nebraska, according to Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul. In the 19-year history of the agency, the funding total is nearly $2.7 billion in Nebraska. The total portfolio of current loans, loans and loan guarantees under management by the Nebraska Rural Development staff is $1.3 billion. The program funds assist hou...
PAXTON, Neb. – An Arizona man was arrested and jailed for driving while intoxicated after a Nebraska trooper stopped his vehicle for speeding 127 mph in a 75-mph zone on Interstate 80 in Keith County. Just before 4 p.m. on Dec. 24, Troop D-North Platte received a report of a white BMW sedan traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on I-80 in Keith County. A trooper observed a vehicle matching the description east of Paxton on I-80. The trooper clocked the vehicle at 127 mph in the 75-mph zone and initiated a traffic stop. Upon approaching t... Full story
In a report issued by the United Health Foundation earlier this month, Nebraska moved up one notch after ranking No. 11 last year. The five states surrounding Nebraska ranked between 18 and 36. “We are heading in the right direction,” said Ali S. Khan, M.D., M.P.H., dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health. “With a real concerted effort, we can reach No. 1 by 2020.” Since joining UNMC in July, Dr. Khan has traveled across the state to talk about how to improve the state’s health indicators. He supports...
Constituents of Third District Congressman Adrian Smith will be able to meet with a representative of Congressman Smith’s office for a “mobile office” on Wednesday, Dec.17. The “office” will be set up at the Cheyenne County Courthouse, 1000 10th St., Sidney, from 9-10 a.m. A mobile office allows constituents to meet directly with one of Smith’s staff members about federal issues and take advantage of the constituent services available through his office, such as assisting individuals with challenges they face while working with a federal age... Full story
KEARNEY, Neb. – Shane Greckle of Bloomfield was selected as the winner of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 2014 Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet, and Ben and Jamie Keep of Cotesfield was named the recipient of the 2014 Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture award. Both awards were given at the NFB Foundation for Agriculture’s Fundraiser and Auction Dinner at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation’s 97th Annual Convention held Dec. 8 in Kearney. Greckel received the top score of three contestants who advanced to the final round o... Full story
Brian Hiett, the Cheyenne County weed superintendent, recently attended the Nebraska Weed Control Fall Training Seminar, held in Kearney. This was the third opportunity during 2014 to obtain 10 of the required 20 hours of continuing education needed by county weed superintendents statewide. All 13 of Nebraska’s Weed Management Area groups gave an update during the two-day training. The results show thousands of acres of noxious and invasive plants being monitored, mapped, and controlled as well as successful awareness and outreach being a...
Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have fallen 7.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.71 per gallon today, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has fallen 6.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.69 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices yesterday were 37.7 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 37.0 cents per gallon l... Full story
Sixteen people were killed in traffic accidents on the state’s roadways during October, according to data collected by the Nebraska Department of Roads. There were 11 fatalities on the roads in October 2013. Last month, the 16 fatalities occurred in 16 separate crashes. In those accidents, none of the 14 vehicle occupants were using safety belts. Two of the fatalities occurred on interstate roads, with eight happening on non-interstate highways and six on local roads. Fifteen of the fatalities occurred in rural locations. Ten of the f... Full story
Cabela’s announced plans Tuesday to open stores in two new markets: Gainesville, Va., and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Cabela’s anticipates a spring 2017 opening for the 79,000-square-foot store in Gainesville. It will be located adjacent to the Virginia Gateway Center, a 1.3-million-square-foot shopping center featuring national retail, restaurant and hotel brands. Gainesville is now Cabela’s third announced location in Virginia, joining the 82,000-square-foot Bristol store scheduled to open in fall 2015, and the 97,500-square-foot Short Pump...