High winds cause outages, spark fires and prompt evacuations across region

Wind gusts over 70 mph, power outages across the Panhandle and a large wind-driven wildfire in Morgan County prompting evacuations. High Wind and Red Flag Warnings remain in effect.

February 17, 2026Updated: February 17, 2026

By News Channel Nebraska

Regional

Tegtmeier, Evnen headline Cheyenne County Republican Assembly

Several county offices are uncontested races in Primary

Grants awarded to support Lodgepole Panther Activity Center renovations

Meet the aircraft, crews on standby in Ainsworth following Sandhills fires

City Council offers City Manager duties to Hanson

Gordon man sentenced for sexually assaulting children

State

Tegtmeier, Evnen headline Cheyenne County Republican Assembly

High winds cause outages, spark fires and prompt evacuations across region

Regional

Tegtmeier, Evnen headline Cheyenne County Republican Assembly

Several county offices are uncontested races in Primary

Grants awarded to support Lodgepole Panther Activity Center renovations

Meet the aircraft, crews on standby in Ainsworth following Sandhills fires

City Council offers City Manager duties to Hanson

Gordon man sentenced for sexually assaulting children

State

Tegtmeier, Evnen headline Cheyenne County Republican Assembly

Several county offices are uncontested races in Primary

Downtown Norfolk set for annual Putt Putt Pub Crawl this Saturday

Nebraska budget back in $72M deficit after tax revenues hit below forecast

Grants awarded to support Lodgepole Panther Activity Center renovations

Wildfire relief fund now open for Nebraska farmers and ranchers

Sports

Johnson-Brock earns eight top medals

Scottsbluff, Hemingford highlight strong day at Mitchell golf invites

Potter-Dix boys, Ogallala girls claim titles at Leyton Invite

Kimball Junior High Track begins track season, setting personal records

Cougar notes: WNCC baseball sweeps Otero on Sunday

Eagles Wrap Up Series With Orediggers

Ag & Outdoor

Outdoor notes: Bighorn sheep regular lottery applications begin April 20

Outdoor notes: NGPC offering pastures, hay tracts to those affected by wildfires

Outdoor notes: Work to begin soon on Smith Lake WMA Aquatic Habitat Project

Outdoor notes: Game and Parks urges caution when recreating outdoors due to wildfires

Outdoor notes: Temporary closure of Clear Creek WMA for safety

‘Worst-case scenario’: Fertilizer, fuel cost spikes hitting Nebraska farmers hard