Tuesday March 10 2026 - Scanner News

Well, get ready for a cool down for the next couple of days before it warms up a little more, again on Thursday, and we're also expecting some high winds for the next several days. So be prepared for that.

 

A former deputy and garden county pastor, Bruce Neal, has pled not guilty to charges of first-degree sexual assault, felony child abuse, and felony tampering with evidence, in a case out of Garden County. Last month, his attorneys filed for a motion to change that venue, which has been granted to Scotts Bluff County and will occur between June 10th and June 18th. Neal is accused of sexually assaulting a teen in the church's youth group and making unwanted contact with another. Find a link to this original story by KNEB on our News page at Panhandle Scanner, where you can also find our Look Who's Hiring section, as well as our free community calendar.

 

On Saturday, March 7th, a Perkins County Sheriff's deputy was running traffic patrol in Highway 61, north of Grant. That's in southwest Nebraska. A southbound vehicle bearing Texas place was observed, traveling above the posted speed limit.  A traffic stop was conducted and during the encounter, it was determined that the passenger, Felicia Orta, had a full extradition warrant for drugs and assault out of Bexar County, Texas. The warrant was confirmed, the driver was cited and released, and Ms. Orta was placed under arrest and given a ride to the Keith County Jail where she is awaiting extradition back to Texas.

 

And don't forget our public record for more of those crime stories, published every Monday through Friday whenever available.  That's all on PanhandleScanner.com or on Facebook by the same name.

 

 

 

Photo : Wyoming Highway Patrol

 

Drinking and driving is never a good idea. Drinking underage and driving just makes a bad situation worse.

Several young people in Campbell County are lucky after walking away from a frightening crash. At approximately 8:20 p.m. on March 8th, troopers were dispatched to mile marker 84 on WY 59 for a three vehicle crash. Troopers found a Chevy Impala with four passengers was northbound when it went into the southbound lane to pass three vehicles in a no passing zone. While attempting to pass, the car was struck in an offset head-on fashion by a semi-truck. The collision caused the Impala to bounce back into the northbound lane where it was hit again by a northbound semi-truck. The crash took out the driver side wheel and panel along with the driver side door.

 

Troopers discovered the vehicle was occupied by four teenagers. Troopers also discovered alcohol in the vehicle and that minors had been drinking alcohol.

 

The driver of the vehicle, Trystin Smith, 18, of Gillette was arrested for DUI. He was also cited for Careless Driving, Driving Under Suspension (DUS), Minor in Possession of Alcohol, and for not wearing his seatbelt.

Two juveniles who were in the car were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries and released.

Safe driving starts outside the car with good decision making. This crash involved highway speeds, alcohol, and minors in possession of alcohol - and it could have been much, much worse than it was. The Wyoming Highway Patrol implores all drivers to never drink and drive and always buckle up.

 

PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE - PERIOD.