Regional 

Cowboy poets, musicians from across the region gather for Old West Days
Cowboy poets, musicians from across the region gather for Old West Days

A gathering of cowboy poets, artists and musicians from across the West is happening in Valentine this weekend.

Man gets 37-year sentence for kidnapping FBI employee in South Dakota

Man gets 37-year sentence for kidnapping FBI employee in South Dakota

One of three people convicted of carjacking and kidnapping an FBI employee in South Dakota has been sentenced to 37 years in prison.

Valentine High School placed on ‘hold’ due to medical emergency

Valentine High School placed on ‘hold’ due to medical emergency

Valentine High School was placed on “hold” Wednesday morning. A “hold” is when people are not allowed to be moving around the building.

Valentine students' PSA focused on texting & driving headed to state

Valentine students' PSA focused on texting & driving headed to state

According to the latest statistics from the Nebraska Department of Transportation, distracted driving played a role in almost 4,000 car crashes in 2020, including 19 deaths.

North central Nebraska radio station honoring military heroes

North central Nebraska radio station honoring military heroes

Flood Communications in Gordon and Valentine announced a new way to honor active duty military members.

Power restored after lightning caused substation failure north of Valentine

Power restored after lightning caused substation failure north of Valentine

Electricity has been restored after a lightning strike caused a substation failure north of Valentine.

Fires contained in northcentral Nebraska

Fires contained in northcentral Nebraska

Three fires in northcentral Nebraska that Region 26 Emergency Management says were sparked by dry lighting are now contained.

Homicide suspect kills himself after fleeing through 3 states, authorities say

Homicide suspect kills himself after fleeing through 3 states, authorities say

Authorities said they’re investigating a case of domestic violence that ended with a man dead and a woman injured in South Dakota, and the suspect fleeing through Wyoming before killing himself in Colorado.

Details on four fires in northcentral Nebraska

Details on four fires in northcentral Nebraska

Firefighters are battling several fires in northcentral Nebraska that Region 26 Emergency Management says were sparked by dry lighting.

The Big Event still going strong in second decade

The Big Event still going strong in second decade

More than 450 volunteers signed in and served at 60 jobsites Saturday during Chadron State College’s eleventh annual The Big Event (TBE).

Details on four fires in northcentral Nebraska

Details on four fires in northcentral Nebraska

Firefighters are battling several fires in northcentral Nebraska that Region 26 Emergency Management says were sparked by dry lighting.

Footloose in small town USA: Rise of dance programs

Footloose in small town USA: Rise of dance programs

What activities did you take part in growing up—maybe basketball, FFA or speech? For a growing number of children across the country, their after-school programs include dance.

Gordon teen accused of murdering newborn will be tried as adult

Gordon teen accused of murdering newborn will be tried as adult

A Gordon teen accused of murdering her newborn baby will be tried as an adult. 17-year-old Chloe Coplen-Anderson made an appearance in Sheridan County District Court on Friday to withdraw her motion to move her case to juvenile court.

Troopers Locate Thousands of Suspected Fentanyl Pills in Traffic Stop

Troopers Locate Thousands of Suspected Fentanyl Pills in Traffic Stop

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Utah man after locating nearly five pounds of suspected fentanyl pills during a traffic stop in North Platte.

CSC hosts annual Rising Sophomore ceremony

CSC hosts annual Rising Sophomore ceremony

Chadron State College students and employees gathered for the ninth annual Rising Sophomore awards ceremony Wednesday.

Master of Arts in Teaching degree approved

Master of Arts in Teaching degree approved

The Coordinating Commission for Post-Secondary Education has approved a proposal for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree to be offered by all three Nebraska State College System campuses.

Library renaissance: Unveiling the modern face of Nebraska’s libraries

Library renaissance: Unveiling the modern face of Nebraska’s libraries

With this week being National Library Week, we're introducing you to today’s modern library where they’re using more than just books to empower a new generation of readers.

Thin blue line: Inside Nebraska town’s battle for more officers

Thin blue line: Inside Nebraska town’s battle for more officers

Law enforcement is essential to keep everyone safe, but across the country, police departments are struggling to hire enough officers. In Nebraska, they’ve seen a 30% reduction in forces.

Four VPAA finalists named at Chadron State College

Four VPAA finalists named at Chadron State College

Chadron State College has announced four finalists for the Vice President for Academic Affairs position. Dr. Jim Powell, who has been the college’s top academic officer since 2020, announced his retirement in November 2023.

Patterson pledges to lead Chadron State College, honor its legacy and listen to stakeholders

Patterson pledges to lead Chadron State College, honor its legacy and listen to stakeholders

Several speakers noted the excitement and energy in the air during the investiture of Chadron State College’s twelfth president, Dr. Ron K. Patterson, Friday in Memorial Hall.

Trio of dreams: Valentine couple transforms three storefronts

Trio of dreams: Valentine couple transforms three storefronts

Buying a storefront can be intimidating, but imagine buying not one, not two, but three.

Large wildfire prompts evacuations in Yuma County, Colorado

Large wildfire prompts evacuations in Yuma County, Colorado

A large wildfire prompted evacuations in the southeast corner of Yuma County in northeast Colorado Saturday afternoon. 

Mother, child rescued from Lincoln County canal

Mother, child rescued from Lincoln County canal

No major injuries were reported when a driver drove her car into a canal in Lincoln County at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Alliance Police compare Carhenge burglary to movie scene

Alliance Police compare Carhenge burglary to movie scene

The Alliance Police Department is asking for the public’s help to solve a crime that they say was like a scene straight out of a movie.

‘They had lost everything’: Nebraska museum tells stories of Japanese-Americans during dark chapter

‘They had lost everything’: Nebraska museum tells stories of Japanese-Americans during dark chapter

Chadron rancher Sharon Hagihara Bartlett walked the nearly empty, grass-covered grounds of the Amache National Historic Site in southeast Colorado and thought about her mother, her aunt, her grandmother.

Three students earn Golden Leaf awards

Three students earn Golden Leaf awards

Three CSC students received Golden Leaf awards from the Northern Plains Collegiate Media Association (NPCMA) during the association’s conference at Wayne State College March 23.

Chadron State College professor discovers new beetle species

Chadron State College professor discovers new beetle species

A Chadron State College professor has quite the honor—a new species of beetle he discovered has been named after him.

Gordon airport getting potentially life-saving improvements

Gordon airport getting potentially life-saving improvements

Rural airports can be life-saving during an emergency. That’s why a small town Nebraska airport is getting a facelift.

Teenager dies from injuries sustained in crash near Thedford

Teenager dies from injuries sustained in crash near Thedford

A teenager has died from her injuries in a crash near Thedford on Saturday.

Nebraska grain handling locations likely getting new owners

Nebraska grain handling locations likely getting new owners

Several Nebraska grain handling locations will likely be switching owners.

Increase in drug-related crimes in Sheridan County

Increase in drug-related crimes in Sheridan County

Illicit drugs are now the number one killer of Americans ages 18 to 45. Nebraska is not immune to that trend.

Steps to mitigate deluge of sand into remote trout stream doesn’t include fine

Steps to mitigate deluge of sand into remote trout stream doesn’t include fine

A Sandhills rancher and Cherry County won’t be fined for unleashing a deluge of sand into a remote trout stream, but they will have to take several steps to prevent further damage.

Two adults killed, two minors injured in crash near Thedford

Two adults killed, two minors injured in crash near Thedford

Two adults died and two minors were injured during a two-vehicle crash near Thedford on Saturday

Tchona presents at national conference

Tchona presents at national conference

Two Chadron State College students and Assistant Professor Dr. Mary Keithly attended the National American Chemical Society Spring Conference in New Orleans recently.

New details released in officer-involved shooting in Chadron

New details released in officer-involved shooting in Chadron

The Nebraska State Patrol identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting in Chadron, Nebraska, on Friday.

Small town Nebraska school accommodating more English as second language learners

Small town Nebraska school accommodating more English as second language learners

English language learners are the fastest growing student population in the US, according to the National Center for Education.

April Fools' Day snow hits areas of Nebraska

April Fools' Day snow hits areas of Nebraska

Nebraska 511 reports that highways in the area are completely covered with snow.

Chadron State College theatre to present The Revolutionists

Chadron State College theatre to present The Revolutionists

Chadron State College’s Theatre will present a play titled The Revolutionists in the Memorial Hall Black Box Theatre April 11-13 and April 20 at 7 p.m., and April 14 and April 21 at 2 p.m.

Apartments destroyed in Chadron fire

Apartments destroyed in Chadron fire

Several people are without a home after a fire at a housing complex in Chadron.

Man dies in officer-involved shooting in Chadron

Man dies in officer-involved shooting in Chadron

The Chadron Police Department confirmed that an officer shot a person in a car while responding to a report of a stolen vehicle.

USPS holds public meeting on proposed changes to North Platte Processing and Distribution Center

USPS holds public meeting on proposed changes to North Platte Processing and Distribution Center

On Thursday, many people voiced their opinions about the changes coming to the North Platte Processing and Distribution Center at the USPS public meeting.

CSC alumna receives Early Career National Award

CSC alumna receives Early Career National Award

CSC alumna Andrea Westlake of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, received the Early Career National Award during the Society for Range Management’s (SRM) 77th Annual Meeting in Sparks, Nevada, in February.

Officials express concerns over future of Postal Service’s North Platte facility

Officials express concerns over future of Postal Service’s North Platte facility

Earlier this year, the United States Postal Service announced its intention to conduct an evaluation of current operations at the North Platte Processing and Distribution Center.

Game and Parks investigating illegal shooting of mule deer in Cherry County

Game and Parks investigating illegal shooting of mule deer in Cherry County

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information on the illegal shooting and wanton waste of two mule deer in Cherry County, northwest of Cody, Nebraska.

Chadron State College makes improvements to facilities

Chadron State College makes improvements to facilities

CSC Housing Director Taylor Osmotherly recently announced a number of improvements in the residence halls.

Road crews battle ice in north-central Neb.

Road crews battle ice in north-central Neb.

Spring storms like these can be the most difficult for road crews.

Dog killed in house fire near Ainsworth, Nebraska

Dog killed in house fire near Ainsworth, Nebraska

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire northeast of Ainsworth, Nebraska that destroyed a house.

WCCA Board of Governors to fill District 1 vacancy

WCCA Board of Governors to fill District 1 vacancy

The Western Community College Area Board of Governors has declared a vacancy in District 1 due to the passing of Dr. Margaret R. Crouse,

CSC professor documents far-ranging grasshopper species

CSC professor documents far-ranging grasshopper species

In a recently published academic paper a Chadron State College professor has documented the presence of a particular species of grasshopper in Wisconsin, some 300 miles away from the closest known occurrence.

Motorcyclist loses control of vehicle while attempting to avoid traffic stop near North Platte, sheriff’s office says

Motorcyclist loses control of vehicle while attempting to avoid traffic stop near North Platte, sheriff’s office says

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office aiming to increase presence in policing motorcycle operators breaking the law

Train collision with vehicle injuring 16-year-old near Sutherland

Train collision with vehicle injuring 16-year-old near Sutherland

Sunday afternoon, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle colliding with a train at O’Fallons Crossing a mile east of Sutherland.

Troopers arrest three people following pursuit, manhunt in Lincoln County

Troopers arrest three people following pursuit, manhunt in Lincoln County

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, arrested three people following a pursuit and manhunt in southwest Nebraska Friday evening.       

Nebraska Property Assessment Division releases report on Cherry County Assessor's Office compliance

Nebraska Property Assessment Division releases report on Cherry County Assessor's Office compliance

The Nebraska Department of Revenue's Property Assessment Division released its initial report highlighting compliance issues within the Cherry County Assessor's Office.

Rollover accident south of North Platte injures six people

Rollover accident south of North Platte injures six people

Six people were taken to the hospital Tuesday afternoon after a rollover accident south of North Platte.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree program earns accreditation

Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree program earns accreditation

CSC master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling meets the rigorous standards set by the counseling profession.

Propane tank explosion critically injures McCook man

Propane tank explosion critically injures McCook man

The Red Willow County Sheriff’s Office said Thatcher Skolout was critically injured in a explosion Monday.

Rodeo team helps authorities lasso loose bulls in McCook

Rodeo team helps authorities lasso loose bulls in McCook

Members of the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo team assisted the McCook Police Department wrangle nine bulls that got out at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds at approximately 12:46 a.m. on Thursday. 

History Day contestants advance to state contest

History Day contestants advance to state contest

All 19 high school and middle school students who competed at the Western District History Day at Chadron State College will advance to the Nebraska National History Day State Contest in Lincoln on April 20.

Chadron State sets inauguration date for new president

Chadron State sets inauguration date for new president

The inauguration of Chadron State College’s twelfth president, Dr. Ron K. Patterson, is set for Friday, April 5, at 3 p.m. at Memorial Hall.

Poppe named February Student of the Month

Poppe named February Student of the Month

Chadron State College student Isabella “Bella” Poppe of Hastings, Nebraska, is the February Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month.  

Fire destroys bunkhouse south of Rushville

Fire destroys bunkhouse south of Rushville

An electrical issue is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a bunkhouse on the Casey Hinn Ranch 22 miles south of Rushville on Monday.

A mower sparked a Nebraska wildfire that has burned an area roughly the size of Omaha, officials say

A mower sparked a Nebraska wildfire that has burned an area roughly the size of Omaha, officials say

State officials say a mower sparked a wildfire that has burned about 110 square miles of prairieland in central Nebraska.

Mowing operations blamed for Betty's Way Fire northeast of North Platte

Mowing operations blamed for Betty's Way Fire northeast of North Platte

On Feb. 26 at 10:32 a.m. North Platte 911 center received a phone call reporting a wildfire from a resident on Betty’s Way, approximately 8.6 miles northeast of North Platte.

State deploys resources to central Nebraska wildfire

State deploys resources to central Nebraska wildfire

Local officials in Custer and Lincoln counties have declared emergencies and requested state assistance due to a large wildfire affecting the area.

Large grass fire burning northeast of North Platte, evacuations ordered

Large grass fire burning northeast of North Platte, evacuations ordered

A large grass fire is burning north of North Platte a few miles east of Highway 83 and north of Hall School Road.