Panhandle Scanner News

Thursday Feb 5 2026 - Scanner News

Several eyewitnesses reported smoke lingering in the area north of Scottsbluff yesterday. With no official word from any of the fire departments or emergency management agencies, the information that we have at this time, possibilities including farmers burning corn stocks or irrigation company burning the ditches.
Speaking of the fire department in Bridgeport on the 11th, they're having a volunteer fire department informational meeting. In small rural areas like Bridgeport, volunteer fire departments are the backbone of our communities. Without the volunteers, we'd have to go to a paid service or not have one at all, join them. February 11th at 6pm at the Bridgeport Fire Hall and find out how safety and training are the key to being a successful department.
The residents in several states can now rest easier knowing that the Rapid City South Dakota man who was wanted and labeled as armed and dangerous has been apprehended. Around 4.30pm on the 4th, law enforcement located Jeremy Taylor in an outbuilding near a residence in Fall River County. He was subsequently apprehended safely and taken into custody for his outstanding warrant out of Ohio. The agencies involved took the opportunity to express their collective gratitude for the public support during the search. Dozens of tips were received throughout the search aiding in an ongoing investigation.
More proof that crowdsourcing works in helping solve crimes.
For the story and more, visit PanhandleScanner.com or any of our social media accounts. And don't forget that public record every Monday through Friday when available, more than 20 counties included across the state, all on PanhandleScanner.com.

Wednesday Feb 4 2026 - Scanner News

Speaking of Gering, there will be scheduled power outages on Friday for addresses on Sentinel Circle and Lariat Loop. Please be aware those outages may occur between 9 and noon Friday.
At 2.37pm yesterday, Gering fire was called out to a possible structure fire on Q Street. Scanner traffic indicated a fire near a dog kennel and that a male needed attention for possible smoke inhalation. Ambulances arrived and were cleared from the scene with no patient transport. The Gering Fire Department was assisted by Scottsbluff Fire.
Everyone seems to know someone who has suffered a devastating house fire. How many personally know the volunteer firefighters who respond in those moments of greatest need? In small rural areas like Bridgeport, volunteer fire departments are the backbone of our communities. In a message from Fire Chief Casey Sides, the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department is holding a meeting at the Fire Hall on February 11 at 6 pm for anyone interested in more information about becoming a volunteer firefighter. 
Around 6 pm, a 10-44 or non-injury accident was reported. This was a single vehicle rollover off of Reddington Road. Amazingly, there were no injuries in this rollover accident.
Remember that giant concert out at 5 rocks each year called Horizon Fest? Well HorizonServe, the ministry arm of the organization, has a new website by Hale Multimedia. It's up on the web at HorizonServe.org.
Visit HorizonServe.org to learn about all of the ministries that serve the panhandle.

Tuesday Feb 3 2026 - Scanner News

This is a special breaking news report coming out of Lincoln, Nebraska, a disturbing unexpected update in the missing person's investigation of Hannah Neville and Roberto Tanner. In a Monday press release from the Lincoln Police Department, they are now investigating the disappearances of 26-year-old Hannah Neville and 27-year-old Roberto Tanner as homicides. Both are believed to be deceased and Lincoln Police Department is working to locate their bodies.
They wrote, "We are heartbroken for their families and our deepest condolences go out to their loved ones who are processing this tragic loss of this married couple and the child they were expecting."
The Lincoln Police Department has made two arrests in their deaths. 24-year-old Sterling James and 22-year-old Sadie Titus, a husband and wife from Lincoln. James is currently in the Lancaster County Jail on two counts of murder and the first degree. Titus is being held on two counts of eating and abetting first degree murder.
On Monday, February 2, around 11.30 a.m., this stolen vehicle bulletin came across the scanner. 10-59, 10-74, towards Alliance, a blue 1992 Chevrolet pickup, expired license plate, headed towards Alliance now. 11:31 (a.m.)
That's a blue 1992 Chevy pickup stolen from the Alliance area. If you know anything about this, please contact the Alliance Police Department, the Box Butte County Sheriff, or the Nebraska State Patrol.

Monday Feb 2 2026 - Scanner News

(SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.) -- Over the weekend, we had two missing juvenile bulletins come across. We're praying that by the time these hit the air, those two children have been returned  home safely. On Friday night, around 10.42 p.m., Arianna M. Salazar, 5'2", 100 pounds, black hair brown eyes, black leggings, black hoodie, wearing boots and has on glasses, was dropped off at Veterans Park in Scottsbluff. She was missing as of early Saturday. Prayers for her safe return.
Another bulletin came across on Sunday night. White male, 5'9", 120 pounds, [Jayden Fortner - spelling unclear], brown hair, hazel eyes, last seen January 12th. If you know anything about these two separate missing juvenile cases, please contact Scottsbluff Police Department. To keep track of all the missing, please visit our news page at panhandlescanner.com/missing.
Also over the weekend, the Scottsbluff Fire Department responded to a structure fire on East 11th Street in Scottsbluff. There's a follow-up on that story on our Facebook page.
We also had two disturbances, one in Alliance and one in Scottsbluff over the weekend, and a stolen truck in Chadron which we believe has been recovered. There were also two grass fires and several different assaults over the weekend.
Be sure to check out our weekly recap of the top stories from the past week as well as our January recap for the top stories for the month.  That can be found on Panhandle Scanner's Facebook page, or on our news page at panhandlescanner.com.  And don't forget the public record every Monday through Friday, when available, on panhandlescanner.com. 

Friday Jan 30 2026 - Scanner News

(POLK COUNTY, Neb.) -- The Nebraska State Patrol has issued an endangered missing advisory for 26-year-old pregnant woman, Hannah Laine Neville, from Stromsburg, Nebraska after the car she believed to be driving was found abandoned and burned out in Lincoln County on January 16. Neville was seen on January 15, 2026, according to the Nebraska State Patrol, in the Stromsburg area. She was last known to be with Roberto Tanner, also known as Robbie Barker, who was spotted with a firearm the following day. She has missed important medical appointments and may have been carrying a light blue Nike backpack. Her tattoos include a rose on her right hand with the name Delaney, a skull on her right forearm with the word Rebel, and a sunflower on her left forearm with the word Ohana. Anyone with information should contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office or the Nebraska State Patrol.
(FREMONT, Neb.) -- In statewide news, a girl was taken to the hospital after being struck by an SUV during an anti-ice protest at Fremont High School. The event was non-school sponsored and the school has issued a statement. School administrators were supervising to ensure students were safe and peaceful. At one point, a few students entered the street. One student was hit by a car that stopped in front of the crowd and then began moving. Fremont Police Department and Fremont Fire responded and one student was taken to the hospital. Dr. Brad Dahl, Superintendent, wrote, We Value Our Relationship with Our First Responders with Our Help Today. We will continue to work together to keep our students and community safe. One video shows that the girl moved towards the car before it accelerated. An investigation is ongoing.

Thursday Jan 29 2026 - Scanner News

(BANNER COUNTY, Neb.) -- Yesterday, another structure fire. There's a follow up on Tuesday's structure fire on West 19th Street in Scottsbluff on our Facebook page and on paenhandlescanner.com, but yesterday around 1.32 p.m. scanner traffic indicated a structure fire on Highway 88 West. Banner County Volunteer Fire Department was called out, Mutual Aid was requested from Gering Fire Department as well as Scottsbluff Rural Fire. The family reportedly lost everything and they're still looking for some things like coats, jackets, shoes, hair ties, anything possible. Please see our post on our Panhandle Scanner Facebook page on that structure fire on West 88.
(CHADRON, Neb.) -- Due to radio repeaters and the internet, we have a lot of listeners up in the Chadron area, and when we posted that the Chadron Pizza Hut was closing, the post went viral. According to the corporate website, Pizza Hut plans to close more stores in 2026.
(LINCOLN, Neb.) -- Nebraska Senator Terrell McKinney from the Omaha district is proposing the lowering of the voting age to 16, and in further state level action, Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order requiring state agencies to review applicable laws, relevant rules and regulations regarding the use of synthetic THC in food beverages and other products intended for human consumption. In Nebraska synthetic is illegal and natural medical marijuana is legal, but the state legislators have failed to write the policies, creating an awful gray area for law enforcement around the state.

Wednesday Jan 28 2026 - Scanner News

There's a missing juvenile report immediately this morning. Let's listen to that first.
10-59 10-74 missing juvenile.Scottsbluff, January 27th.Avery (Inaudible), female, 11, 5-0, 100 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes.Mother has child, whereabouts unknown.Child is to be returned father.Signed, Scottsbluff PD.
If you have any information about Avery's whereabouts, please contact police.
On Tuesday evening, scanner traffic indicated a call from an individual whose power was out and reported flames coming from inside his wall.That was several minutes before the actual call came out to the fire department that said, "possible structure fire on West 19th and Avenue H. East of that location, north side of the roadway.  House full of smoke." Everyone got out, but the fire did serious damage. You can find that video on our Facebook page and a follow up report from the fire department as soon as that press release is issued.
Yesterday afternoon, a 10-44 or non-injury accident was reported involving an officer in Alliance. Scanner traffic indicated that an officer's vehicle was struck by another person's vehicle near 8th Street in Cheyenne. No injuries. Everyone is 10-4.
Last night around 6 p.m. Sheridan County deputies had one male 10-15 with offense codes 1073 and 1040, which according to the state of Nebraska offense code website is related to drugs.
Trooper 483 responded to a car versus deer accident last night around 620 p.m. between mile markers 70 and 71 on highway 20.
And we had your typical Cow Out on the highway on mile marker 31 on 87. Please watch for livestock and wildlife on the roadways.

Tuesday Jan 27 2026 - Scanner News

(NEBRASKA) -- Over the weekend, the Nebraska State Patrol responded to a total of 234 motorist assist calls with 18 crash responses. From Friday to Sunday, troopers helped well over 200 people on the roads who needed assistance in the frigid conditions. Thank you, Nebraska State Patrol.
(PANHANDLE) -- Prizes are rolling out at Panhandle Scanner. Over 70% of the prize winners have been tracked down and the prizes have been delivered. There are still some out there we need to locate. If you won a prize during the 60 days of giveaways on Panhandle Scanner, please make sure you contact us, SBCOScanner at gmail.com. In total, 275 gifts were given away, valued over $10,000 during our third annual season of giving. Panhandle Scanner gave away 70 gifts, valued at over $1,500, with 40 of them delivered so far. More than 200 more gifts were given away by local donors and 90% of those have been picked up directly from the businesses. Remember if you won a prize from a business and have not picked it up, please contact them directly.
(MITCHELL, Neb.) -- The Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department put out their annual report. They were busy last year, responding to a total of 266 calls. Of the 266 calls, 206 of them required EMS to respond, 76 required fire, and they responded to 10 mutual aid calls. In addition to all the calls they respond to yearly, their members also spend countless hours training and completing other commitments with the Fire Department to best serve the community. Thank you, Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department!
 

Monday Jan 26 2026 - Scanner News

When troopers aren't busy or active with traffic stops or other emergency situations, they take on the role of investigators, like 771 who was checking ice fishermen on Friday, while 769 was out with two hunters south of Henry, and 290 was assisting SBPD with a hit and run accident in Scottsbluff.
(CHEYENNE COUNTY, Neb.) -- On Friday, scanner traffic also indicated two males talking about going on a booze cruise at a party and who were traveling, possibly 10-47, or drunk driving with an infant in the vehicle in their 2014 Chevy Cruz, westbound on Link 17J. It was unknown if they turned towards Sidney or Bridgeport, and no further traffic was heard on this incident. We're hoping that means they made it home safely. A reminder, please, never drink and drive, especially with children in the vehicle.
(SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.) -- On Saturday, a rollover accident was reported on County Road 19 in Experiment Farm Road, single occupant who was up and out of the vehicle and called his boss to report the accident before calling 911. The patient refused transport to the hospital.
(SIDNEY, Neb) -- It is with heavy hearts that the Sidney Police Department and the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office are reporting that the body of Kara Bancroft-Westman, the woman who was missing from Sidney, was discovered at approximately 11 am on January 25th. If you have any information about this case, please contact the Sidney Police Department or the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office. Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones during this time. For more missing cases, visit PanhandleScanner.com and click on Missing under the News tab.
 
Photo used in cover art is from the U.S. Department of War, showing the National Guard helping in response to the recent storms.
 

Disgraced Local Jailer Arrested

Hello and welcome to this special report from Panhandle Scanner via breaking news from the Nebraska State Patrol involving a local former jailer here in Scotts Bluff County. We'll be back with that story right after this.
Hey everyone, this is Brian Hale. If you've heard this program before, you know I have been offering website help for many years. In fact, we've been in the business for over 20 and we'd love to help you for anything website related, even if you just need some advice. It's free. Email support @ Hale Multimedia . com or call 940-224-6315. Portfolio pricing and contacts all on HaleMultimedia.com.
At 11:30 Thursday morning, Trooper #321 had a Colorado temporary plated black Audi and ran the registration on that.
3-2-1.10-39 Colorado temp, just advise Colorado 8097 654, 8097 654.Should return to a black Audi 2026.North Platte, 3-2-1.Go ahead.That was Chris Schlosser, Chris Schlosser.
Scanner traffic indicated that there was a 10-35 or warrant for a local individual.
3-2-1.Do you have a copy of that 10-35?No.No.
And after a short discussion about the warrant, or 10-35, there was one male 10-15 headed to Scotts Bluff County Jail.
5-2-4 North Platte.5-2-4.1 male 10-15.12:15.Scotts Bluff County Detention Center.12:31.5-2-4 North Platte.5-2-4.I'll be 10-8 from the scene, or from that E. 29th address, and then Scotts Bluff County Detention Center with 3-2-1.12:32.3-2-1.(Inaudible codes) then 4-9-1-0.
According to the Nebraska State website, 4910 is fugitive from justice. One fugitive removed from the street!
 
 
Editors Note;
Back in October of 2025, the defendant resigned from the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center after the sexual abuse allegations came to light. According to witnesses and affidavits, sexual activity among staff and even inmates has been evident for several years. This isn't the first time they have come under fire; and we have not hesitated to report on it before.