Local News 

Niobrara Council may face state funding cut after loss of federal funds
Niobrara Council may face state funding cut after loss of federal funds

The Niobrara Council could see a reduction in state funding following the loss of federal support, according to information shared during the council’s December meeting.

Chadron State College announces academic honors for students

Chadron State College announces academic honors for students

Chadron State College has announced the undergraduate students on the Fall 2025 President’s and Dean’s Lists.

Mountain lion population in Niobrara Unit estimated at 34

Mountain lion population in Niobrara Unit estimated at 34

Nebraska Game and Parks estimates about 34 mountain lions live in the Niobrara Unit as the state prepares for the January mountain lion hunting season.

Protecting Nebraskans from domestic violence

Protecting Nebraskans from domestic violence

Over the past year, Nebraska has witnessed a deeply troubling rise in domestic violence.

Tree removal to begin at Merritt Reservoir

Tree removal to begin at Merritt Reservoir

A tree removal project beginning at Merritt Reservoir aims to restore prairie habitat in areas choked by undesirable trees.

Birders in Valentine join nationwide Christmas Bird Count

Birders in Valentine join nationwide Christmas Bird Count

Bird enthusiasts across the country are taking part in one of the longest-running community science projects in the world, and Valentine is once again part of the effort.

Training in Long Pine focuses on preventing deadly secondary crashes

Training in Long Pine focuses on preventing deadly secondary crashes

According to the Federal Highway Administration, about one in five crashes is a secondary crash, meaning it happens because of an earlier accident. 

Person rescued from burning vehicle after crash sparks grass fire near Mission

Person rescued from burning vehicle after crash sparks grass fire near Mission

A bystander rescued a person from a burning vehicle after a crash sparked both a vehicle and grass fire five miles east of Mission on Tuesday, according to preliminary information from the Mission Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Medicaid work requirement plans announced for Nebraska

Medicaid work requirement plans announced for Nebraska

Nebraska is officially the first state in America to sign on to the Trump Administration's Medicaid work requirement rules. 

Soto encourages Chadron State graduates to embrace compassion, curiosity, and hope

Soto encourages Chadron State graduates to embrace compassion, curiosity, and hope

One hundred and seventy Chadron State College undergraduate and graduate candidates for graduation were honored Friday during Winter Commencement in the Chicoine Center.

Volunteers needed for Valentine-area Christmas Bird Count

Volunteers needed for Valentine-area Christmas Bird Count

The Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association invites birders and nature enthusiasts to take part in the nation’s longest-running community science survey this week.

Six crashes reported in Valentine in one week as winter driving conditions return

Six crashes reported in Valentine in one week as winter driving conditions return

Valentine’s police chief is urging drivers to use extra caution after six vehicle crashes were reported in the city within a single week.

Hundreds of wreaths placed on veterans’ graves in Valentine for Wreaths Across America

Hundreds of wreaths placed on veterans’ graves in Valentine for Wreaths Across America

In single-digit temperatures Saturday, volunteers gathered at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine to honor those who served, placing hundreds of wreaths on veterans’ graves as part of the national Wreaths Across America.

House destroyed in fire south of Valentine

House destroyed in fire south of Valentine

A house south-west of Valentine is a total loss after a fire started in an attached garage Saturday afternoon, spread to the house, and then reignited early Sunday morning.

Avera releases top baby names for 2025

Avera releases top baby names for 2025

The top baby names have been released from Avera for 2025.

Water and sewer rates increasing in Valentine

Water and sewer rates increasing in Valentine

At Thursday night’s city council meeting, members approved a 9.1 percent increase for water and a 35 percent increase for sewer.

Bluffs Middle School, Crawford Elementary students among winners in NDOT snowplow contest

Bluffs Middle School, Crawford Elementary students among winners in NDOT snowplow contest

Students from Bluffs Middle School and Crawford Elementary were named winners in NDOT’s 2025 Name-a-Snowplow contest, with their snowplow names now displayed across the state.

CSC alum receives NSCS’s Counseling Excellence award

CSC alum receives NSCS’s Counseling Excellence award

Chadron State College alum Cherokee Rotherham received this year’s Nebraska State College System Counseling Excellence Award for her dedication and commitment to students at Scottsbluff High School.

Hundreds of wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves in Valentine Saturday

Hundreds of wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves in Valentine Saturday

Volunteers in Valentine will help honor veterans Saturday by placing hundreds of wreaths on their graves as part of the national Wreaths Across America campaign.

Nebraska senator, homeschool families urge Valentine School Board to change extracurricular policy

Nebraska senator, homeschool families urge Valentine School Board to change extracurricular policy

homeschool students, sports, extracurricular activities, Valentine School Board, Dave Murman, Home School Legal Defense Association, Darren Jones

Gordon woman arrested for child abuse in connection to sexual assault case

Gordon woman arrested for child abuse in connection to sexual assault case

A Gordon woman is charged with felony child abuse after a Gordon man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager, along with making and possessing child sexual abuse material.

Temporary water outage planned in parts of Valentine Monday

Temporary water outage planned in parts of Valentine Monday

The City of Valentine will temporarily shut off water service on Monday, December 8, from 2 to 6 p.m. while crews replace valves at 2nd and Wood streets.

Kyle man sentenced to four years for causing deadly drunk driving crash

Kyle man sentenced to four years for causing deadly drunk driving crash

A Kyle man has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for causing a deadly crash while driving drunk.

Rosebud man sentenced for failing to register as a sex offender

Rosebud man sentenced for failing to register as a sex offender

A Rosebud man has been sentenced to just over a year in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender.

Alumna, Math educator to speak at Chadron State Winter Commencement

Alumna, Math educator to speak at Chadron State Winter Commencement

Chadron State College’s Winter Commencement Speaker will be Dr. Hortensia Soto.

Hay Springs man charged with assault after man found unconscious with brain bleed

Hay Springs man charged with assault after man found unconscious with brain bleed

A 25-year-old Hay Springs man is facing a first-degree assault charge after a man was found unconscious and seriously injured in the street.

Pine Ridge man charged with failing to register as a sex offender while working in Gordon

Pine Ridge man charged with failing to register as a sex offender while working in Gordon

A Pine Ridge man has been charged in Sheridan County with failing to update his information on the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry.

Valentine restaurant owner offers free meals to encourage local shopping

Valentine restaurant owner offers free meals to encourage local shopping

As online shopping reaches record highs, a Valentine business owner is trying a new approach to get residents off their screens and back into local stores.

FDA recalls over 1.5 million bags of cheese due to metal fragments

FDA recalls over 1.5 million bags of cheese due to metal fragments

Over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese from major retailers are being recalled nationwide.

Valentine teen wins Junior Official Strongman Games World Finals

Valentine teen wins Junior Official Strongman Games World Finals

A Valentine teenager has earned a world championship title at the Official Strongman Games Junior World Finals.

Walz to hold listening tour across state

Walz to hold listening tour across state

A local politician is holding ten listening sessions across the state before officially deciding if she is running for governor. 

Rapid City man sentenced to over 24 years for distributing meth on Pine Ridge Reservation and in Rapid City

Rapid City man sentenced to over 24 years for distributing meth on Pine Ridge Reservation and in Rapid City

A Rapid City man has been sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Rapid City.

Disabled veterans to receive tax and fee exception

Disabled veterans to receive tax and fee exception

Disabled veterans in Nebraska will be able to receive an exception for their vehicle taxes and fees.

Kyle man sentenced to eight years for assaults involving cigarette, bat and metal chair

Kyle man sentenced to eight years for assaults involving cigarette, bat and metal chair

A Kyle man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for two separate assaults that left a woman with serious injuries.

Eight new businesses open along Gordon’s Main Street in one year

Eight new businesses open along Gordon’s Main Street in one year

In small towns, even one new business can make a noticeable difference. In Gordon, eight of them have opened on Main Street in the past year — a change city leaders say is helping breathe new life into the community.

Federal funding cuts could impact Valentine Public Library services

Federal funding cuts could impact Valentine Public Library services

Libraries across the country are bracing for reductions after a loss of federal funding, and the Valentine Public Library is among those feeling the effects.

Sentence upheld in deadly beating over alcohol in Rushville

Sentence upheld in deadly beating over alcohol in Rushville

The Nebraska Court of Appeals has upheld the prison sentence of a Lincoln man convicted of manslaughter in Rushville.

Rosebud man sentenced to ten months for failing to register as a sex offender

Rosebud man sentenced to ten months for failing to register as a sex offender

A 35-year-old Rosebud man has been sentenced to 10 months in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender.

Valentine decks the downtown with holiday storefront competition

Valentine decks the downtown with holiday storefront competition

The Valentine Chamber of Commerce has launched a new storefront decorating contest aimed at encouraging residents to shop local — and perhaps attracting visitors from outside the area.

Valentine True Value store prepares to reopen under new ownership

Valentine True Value store prepares to reopen under new ownership

Even with paper still covering the windows, people have been slipping into Huskerland Hardware and Appliance in Valentine ahead of opening day.

City of Valentine testing water to determine how long chlorination will continue

City of Valentine testing water to determine how long chlorination will continue

The City of Valentine plans to take additional water samples this week to determine whether it can end temporary chlorination of the community’s water system.

Mission man sentenced for brandishing knife at federal officer

Mission man sentenced for brandishing knife at federal officer

A Mission man has been sentenced to eight months in federal prison for assaulting a federal officer during a disturbance call earlier this year.

Hay Springs to be without power in coming weeks, scheduled outage

Hay Springs to be without power in coming weeks, scheduled outage

All Hay Springs electric customers will be without power due to required maintenance.

Gordon man facing several felonies related to sexually assaulting a child and producing material from it

Gordon man facing several felonies related to sexually assaulting a child and producing material from it

A 44-year-old Gordon man is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager, along with making and possessing child sexual abuse material.

Texas man arrested in 2023 Chadron bank robbery

Texas man arrested in 2023 Chadron bank robbery

A Texas man has been arrested in connection with a 2023 armed robbery at the Chadron Federal Credit Union

Sandhills students learn real-world budgeting skills through ‘An Intro to Life’ event

Sandhills students learn real-world budgeting skills through ‘An Intro to Life’ event

High school sophomores from across the Sandhills stepped into adulthood for a day during “An Intro to Life,” a budgeting and life-skills simulation held in Valentine.

Chadron State students gain valuable experience during summer internships

Chadron State students gain valuable experience during summer internships

Chadron State College students Gretchen Kallemeyn of Denver, and Josiah Heger of Hermosa, South Dakota, took different paths during the summer of 2025, but both returned with a deeper understanding of their academic fields and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Nebraska veterans share Vietnam stories through new project

Nebraska veterans share Vietnam stories through new project

Hundreds of veterans from across the state are now sharing their experiences—some for the first time—through the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Project “Share Your Story.”

ROTC cadets participate in FTX and Ranger Challenge

ROTC cadets participate in FTX and Ranger Challenge

Three Chadron State College Army ROTC cadets recently participated in the Ranger Challenge and Field Training Exercise (FTX), two programs designed to forge well-rounded leaders.

Sexual assault, terroristic threats in Valentine Police weekly report

Sexual assault, terroristic threats in Valentine Police weekly report

During the week of November 9th to November 15th, Valentine police made two arrests and responded to more than 40 calls for service.

One arrested after shots fired in Kilgore

One arrested after shots fired in Kilgore

One person was arrested after reports of shots fired in Kilgore Saturday night.

New subdivisions planned as Valentine looks to grow

New subdivisions planned as Valentine looks to grow

Valentine city leaders and developers are laying the groundwork for new growth.

Electric rates set to rise in Valentine

Electric rates set to rise in Valentine

Electric rates in Valentine are going up. The city council approved the increase Thursday night after Valentine’s wholesale power provider substantially increased its rates.

Valentine record-setting high jumper signs with North Dakota State

Valentine record-setting high jumper signs with North Dakota State

As a junior, Isaac Cronin cleared 6 feet, 10 inches at the state meet — a mark that not only tied the Nebraska Class C record but also ranked 28th in the nation last season.

Fire near Mullen burns hundreds of acres Thursday

Fire near Mullen burns hundreds of acres Thursday

About a dozen fire departments joined forces Thursday to battle a large grass fire south of Mullen.

All District Football Team Announced for Nebraska Class C-2 District 6

All District Football Team Announced for Nebraska Class C-2 District 6

Several area athletes are being recognized in Nebraska Class C-2 District 6.

Red Flag Warning issued for Nebraska panhandle Friday

Red Flag Warning issued for Nebraska panhandle Friday

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the entire Nebraska Panhandle Friday as dry, windy conditions could cause any fire to spread rapidly. Officials urge residents to avoid outdoor burning.

Cherry County Hospital debating possible expansion

Cherry County Hospital debating possible expansion

Cherry County Hospital is exploring a potential expansion that could add space for rehab services, the specialty clinic, an in-house MRI and additional storage.

Cherry County Zoning Department remains closed as commissioners search for new administrator

Cherry County Zoning Department remains closed as commissioners search for new administrator

Those needing zoning permits for projects in Cherry County will have to wait a little longer.

Nebraska state colleges launch system-wide initiative to re-enroll thousands of adults

Nebraska state colleges launch system-wide initiative to re-enroll thousands of adults

The Nebraska State College System—which serves more than 9,000 students across its three campuses annually—today announced the launch of an ambitious new system-wide initiative, Reengage Nebraska.

Economic leaders gather in Valentine to explore creative community growth

Economic leaders gather in Valentine to explore creative community growth

Economic development leaders from across the Sandhills and Panhandle gathered in Valentine to share ideas and learn from each other’s successes.

Standing room only at Valentine Elementary’s Veterans Day program

Standing room only at Valentine Elementary’s Veterans Day program

When you think of school concerts, you might picture winter or spring performances. But in Valentine, they go big for Veterans Day.

SMART program benefits future teachers, K-12 students

SMART program benefits future teachers, K-12 students

For Chadron State College education majors, the Nebraska SMART tutoring program is more than a job.

New outdoor weather warning siren installed in Merriman

New outdoor weather warning siren installed in Merriman

Residents in the Merriman area now have a new way to be alerted about severe weather.

Native American Heritage Museum created by Valentine middle schoolers

Native American Heritage Museum created by Valentine middle schoolers

As part of National Native American Heritage Month, fifth graders at Valentine Middle School have transformed their class hallway into a museum celebrating Native American history and culture.