The Prairie Club narrowly escapes wildfire damage near Valentine

A fast-moving wildfire that tore through parts of the Nebraska Sandhills came dangerously close to The Prairie Club and nearby homes Thursday, forcing evacuations and leaving residents fearing the worst.

March 20, 2026Updated: March 20, 2026

By Casey Wonnenberg

Regional

Two arrested in Cheyenne infant homicide investigation

Wyoming man gets probation for hitting wolf with snowmobile, bringing it into bar

Niobrara Valley Preserve near Norden pursuing Dark Sky designation

Four train cars derail in North Platte

Train derails in North Platte

State

Skills USA Championships brings thousands to Grand Island

Pine Ridge woman sentenced to more than 19 years for fentanyl, meth distribution

Crews contain grass fire north of Sidney; three homes evacuated

The Prairie Club narrowly escapes wildfire damage near Valentine

Regional

Two arrested in Cheyenne infant homicide investigation

Wyoming man gets probation for hitting wolf with snowmobile, bringing it into bar

Niobrara Valley Preserve near Norden pursuing Dark Sky designation

Four train cars derail in North Platte

State

Skills USA Championships brings thousands to Grand Island

Pine Ridge woman sentenced to more than 19 years for fentanyl, meth distribution

Crews contain grass fire north of Sidney; three homes evacuated

Employee in Fairbury school district placed on administrative leave

Downtown Norfolk Association celebrates 45 years

Education Government & Politics Bill to expand support for struggling Nebraska K-3 readers falls to filibuster

Sports

Michael Lorenzen throws efficiently into the 6th, Rockies beat Astros 9-1 to complete 3-game sweep

Scottsbluff edges Sidney to win Red Raider Golf Invite

North Platte St. Patrick’s sweeps team titles at Storm Invite in Chappell

WNCC softball falls twice to Southeast in exciting action

Colorado sports notes: Avalanche beat the Blues 3-1 to clinch Central Division and top seed in the Western Conference

Norfolk announces new coaches for girls basketball, cross country, dance

Ag & Outdoor

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

Outdoor notes: Haag shares 100 years of Nebraskaland