Panhandle Public Health District is seeing a rise in respiratory illnesses such as Influenza A, Covid, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses.

Nebraska recently received notification that we have been awarded $218.5 million dollars through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, the eighth largest state allocation nationwide.

A Burke, South Dakota florist’s work has received a national award. Dave Engelmeyer helped create the float for Travel South Dakota in the Pasadena Rose Parade.

Hunters may begin purchasing 2026 spring turkey season permits from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission beginning at 1 p.m. Central time Jan. 12.

A transformer fire at the Solar Array Field on the northeast side of Scottsbluff caused a power outage Sunday afternoon before crews extinguished the blaze.

Nebraska faces a severe child care shortage with 11 counties lacking even a single licensed child care facility. In Valentine, local leaders have been working to fill the gap for years, and they’re kicking off the New Year with some positive news.

Regional West welcomed its first baby of the new year at 12:05 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

An 18-year-old from Colorado was arrested after a high-speed pursuit on I-80 in western Nebraska that reached 140 mph and ended near Sutherland, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Savor & Grace owner Jill Sauder announced the Sidney cheese and sandwich shop is for sale after three years, citing a desire to pursue new opportunities while finding the right person to carry the business forward.

A stolen e-bike was quickly recovered and returned after officers realized the suspect had ridden it straight to the Sterling Police Department.

A New Year’s Day structure fire in Ogallala caused only minor damage thanks to quick action by occupants and a rapid response from fire crews. No injuries were reported.

From destructive storms and wildfires to court cases that drew national attention, 2025 was a year that left a lasting mark on the Nebraska Sandhills.

Cherry County elected officials, excluding county commissioners, will receive an 18 percent pay increase beginning in 2027.

Firefighters responded to a rural Cheyenne County home after a trailer loaded with hay caught fire, destroying the entire load. No injuries were reported.

For just the second time ever, Miss Nebraska has been crowned Miss USA, and over the holidays, Audrey Eckert brought her national title back to one of the places she calls home.

Firefighters responded before dawn on Christmas morning to a garage fire in Iliff that threatened nearby buildings, officials said.

A bizarre incident in southwest Nebraska involving a cow led to one person being injured and an officer shooting the animal.

Christmas Day 2025 went down as the warmest on record across the region, with widespread record highs set for the fourth straight day, according to the National Weather Service.

A group of Sidney High School students spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day spreading holiday cheer by singing Christmas carols throughout Sidney.

Unseasonable warmth set multiple record highs Monday across western Nebraska and southeast Wyoming, with near-70-degree temperatures continuing into Christmas.

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.

A proposed wind farm near Kilgore will be back in court as Cherry County officials ask a judge to dismiss a lawsuit tied to the project.

A 36-year-old homeless man has been sentenced to nine to 18 years in prison for threatening another man with a gun at a Valentine bar.

A 43-year-old transient man who stole several guns, swords and hunting and fishing equipment in Valentine has been sentenced to five to 10 years in prison.

Sidney police, fire and EMS held a large-scale active shooter training exercise Sunday at Sidney High School while students were on winter break.

One of the oldest buildings in Valentine is getting new life. Brian Magiera, an American Family Insurance agent, has purchased the historic building on the southwest corner of Main Street and 2nd Street.

After more than three decades behind the headset, longtime dispatcher Nancy Neal is retiring from the Scotts Bluff County Communications Center.

A $1,000 Shopping Spree turned into a full “treat yourself” day Saturday for Nate Rahmig and his girlfriend Ashton Van Anne.

ALLIANCE -- The Alliance Police Department announces its newest officer, Chris Laake, to the department’s team of dedicated professionals. “We are proud to welcome Chris to the Alliance Police Department family,” said Chief David Leavitt

Strong winds, low humidity and dry grasses are creating dangerous wildfire conditions across southeast Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle, with officials urging extreme caution Friday.

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.

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

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

Fire crews battled a blaze at Dinklage Feed Yards west of Sidney Wednesday night. The fire damaged a feeder mixer and building, injured two firefighters - both now released from the hospital - and remains under investigation.

High winds continue to hammer the Sidney region tonight, with gusts over 60 mph reported locally. Power outages hit Pine Bluffs, and extreme winds fueled a wildfire near Cheyenne earlier this evening.

Congrats to Nate Rahmig of Bridgeport, our $1,000 Shopping Spree winner! Nate and a guest will be chauffeured Saturday to spend the cash from Sutton Home Gallery and 987 The Big Boy.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Potter-Dix took third place at the Class D2 NSAA State Play Production Championships in Norfolk with The Witch’s Princess, earning 167 points on the state stage.

Pine Bluffs police are investigating a stolen 2013 gray Ford Fusion and are asking residents to check security camera footage from early Wednesday morning.

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

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.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigations is seeking the public's help in identifying a deceased man whose remains were found near Bailey, Colo. in 2024. Investigators believe the remains may have been there since 2022 or 2023.

Smash up our Christmas tree this month and win BIG prizes from The Big Boy! Join Hunter at 9:40 a.m. weekday mornings to play Ornament Smash. Text SMASH to (308) 254-5804 to play.

A security camera has been installed in hopes of preventing future vandalism of the bathrooms an portable toilets at Legion Park.

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.

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

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

Register to win a BIG $1,000 Christmas Shopping Spree from Sutton Home Gallery, The Big Boy and Cheyenne County Country by Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The Nebraska Community College Association hosted its annual awards ceremony in Lincoln in November, and two WNCC employees and an alum were recognized.

Hastings man sentenced in federal court to 180 months in prison for distribution of fentanyl.

Sidney Police Chief Sam Lovato introduced three new officers and the promotion of an officer to sergeant at the December 2 Sidney City Council meeting. In January, the Department will be testing for three more officers.

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.

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

Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Director Joe McCarn reminds the community Shop Cheyenne County Days continues through December 13. The drawing is December 18.

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.

Flooring and lane restoration at the Potter Duckpin Bowling Alley is complete in part due to support of the Sidney And Greater Area Fund.

Sergio Martinez, 29, of Fort Morgan, was found guilty in Morgan County District Court. He was arrested March 20 on charges of Second Degree Assault and Kidnapping.

Interim Sidney City Manager Josh Hanson announced in Tuesday's council meeting the Transportation Department is eliminating Saturday services due to State funding cuts.