Kimball I-80 exit is still under construction and will be for quite some time, and the road outside of Minatare, that's County Road P that links to 79E link, will be closed for several weeks. That's the road that leaves Minatare to the south, that will be closed for the next few weeks.

Yesterday, the Sidney School District partnered with local law enforcement and emergency responders for a full day of safety training following the swatting call incident you may remember on March 2nd. Sydney Schools writes that they have a strong sense of urgency to work closely with local first responders to expand their knowledge and deepen their understanding of area safety protocols as they apply to school emergencies. Local first responders worked alongside teachers, staff and administrators walking through a variety of scenarios that schools across the country may face, and discussed how to respond effectively in each situation.

For those not familiar with what swatting is, it's the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services and an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address. For more information on the Sidney response and swatting in general, see our news page at Panhandle Scanner.

There was a motorcycle accident on Sunday at the monument in Gering that happened on Summit Road right before tunnel number one. We heard from the victim and received a photo of the large pothole in the road that the gentleman hit before crashing. He informed us that authorities were told about the pothole and were aware of it, and he reported to us that other motorcycles have crashed there as well. We're hoping that pothole on Summit Road gets fixed soon. If you're a motorcycle rider, please use caution while driving the monument road.

(BAYARD, Neb.) -- An exciting announcement coming out of Bayard today, the Bayard Community Foundation has been established to uplift the community, accept donations, and invite founding supporters for future initiatives. To ensure a strong and immediate start, the Bayard Community Foundation has affiliated with the Oregon Trail Community Foundation. Through this partnership, the organization operates under an established 501c3 designation, allowing it to begin accepting donations and supporting community-focused initiatives right away. For more information or to get involved, contact our friend KC Heath at 308-641-8587 and look for that post on Panhandle Scanner. Let's support Small Town America, the Bayard Community Foundation.

(BAYARD, Neb.) -- Speaking of Bayard, scanner traffic indicated a structure fire on Main Street in Bayard on Saturday. One patient reportedly had burns to their face and hands, our prayers for that situation and everyone involved.

(GERING, Neb.) -- On Sunday, in Gering, a five-year-old girl was bitten by a dog while hiking at the monument. It happened just after noon. The mother was then alerted and met them at the hospital and reported back to us that the child will make a full recovery and did not need stitches. Special thanks to the park ranger for assistance, the dog was located and was current on his shots.

(SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.) -- Also on Sunday on scanner traffic, a large burn pit fire was reported on County Road 29 just south of County Road J. Minatare Fire was paged to this incident. Please follow the State Fire Marshal and Governor's directive; NO BURNING, unless it falls under the tight exceptions of portable grills and other non-open-flame devices.

The Alliance Police Department announces the sentencing of two feathers bueno, following a criminal investigation involving a child exploitation case. On Wednesday, bueno was sentenced in Boxview County District Court for multiple felony convictions. Specifically, bueno was sentenced to 14 to 18 years for incarceration for three counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, along with three additional years for incarceration on one count of third degree sexual assault of a child. He will be required to register as a sex offender. Anyone with information related to crimes involving child exploitation is encouraged to contact your local police department.

We have an update on the Ashby and minor fires. The operations section chief tells us that the forward progress of the fires has been stopped and aircraft are being utilized to work the flanks of the two fires along with the resources on the ground. At the time they were measured, Ashby showed 43,641 acres and minor was at 22,486. That's from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

And last night, the Lagrange Fire Department responded to a grass fire south of Bear Creek Road and west of Four Corners Road caused by dry lightning. With the help of Yoder, Hock Springs, Laramie County District 5 and Albin, they were able to extinguish the fire. They'd also like to recognize the brave ranchers who they see out on almost every grass fire. It's not just the landowners, but the neighbors, ranch hands and friends, protecting and fighting for their livelihood. Many times people just bring whatever they can to work the fire and then they step aside when the professionals step in and often aren't recognized for their hard work and bravery. Thank you to the farmers and ranchers who are helping out there.

Breaking news for you this morning, there is an active fire with an evacuation in place right now in Ashby, Nebraska. Officials were going to evacuate Hyannis, Nebraska, but winds shifted and now Hyannis High School is closed for the day, but the parking lot can be used for trailers and such. A current fire evacuation is in place for Ashby, Nebraska. Ashby is in Grant County and has resulted in some road closures on Highway 2 and Highway 61. And officials in Garden County are asking people to not call 911 because they are aware of the fire in nearby Grant County. We certainly understand everybody being on edge after what Nebraska just went through. Stay tuned to Panhandle Scanner for updates on this situation throughout the day.

A single vehicle rollover accident occurred around 4:40 a.m. this morning just west of L79E on Highway 26 near Minatare. Scanner traffic indicated that a male got out of the vehicle and was walking around. Airlink was on standby and they were canceled, sounds like minor injuries, and the reporting party detected alcohol on his breath. Remember, all parties are innocent until proven guilty. We're thankful that there weren't any more serious injuries than our prayers for the victim of the accident.

We did have some good fire news from yesterday. Emergency personnel have determined that the largest fire in the history in the state of Nebraska is now at 100% containment, consuming 642,000 acres and requiring the assistance of nearly 200 personnel. Memories of the Morrill Fire will last a long time.

Be prepared for that statewide tornado drill this morning at 9 am mountain, 10 am central. Emergency Management Agencies run periodic tests to make sure equipment is working properly. Remember, outdoor tornado sirens are intended for those who are outdoors. Please make sure you have all of your emergency apps up to date and that your online 911 profile is current. In the case of a real emergency, notifications are typically through cell phone networks.

Please don't forget the statewide burn ban. We continue to hear of people who are violating this burn ban. Please, no burning unless it falls under the specific exceptions, said forth by the statute.

Great news in Banner County, having updated equipment and qualified personnel, are the best way to accomplish a mission properly if you're in the emergency services business and we are grateful for their new acquisition in Banner County. Yesterday, Chief Tim Grubs and Robin Darnell delivered the new ambulance to Banner County. The new ambulance was purchased in part with grant funds from the state of Nebraska and it will replace the ambulance that has served Banner County since 2002. Banner County Volunteer Fire and Rescue wrote that they are excited to have an updated ambulance and equipment to better serve Banner County. Look for that new pretty blue and white ambulance and remember, always yield to emergency personnel.

If you heard some commotion on the west side of Gering yesterday, the gearing police department held a training exercise that involved some gunfire and other noises in movement. So if you heard something yesterday, it was just a training exercise. We posted that on our news page prior to the event. Be sure to check it daily at PanhandleScanner.com or on Facebook by the same name.

(GERING, Neb.) -- We want everyone in Gering to be aware of the police training exercises that will be taking place today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the West edge of Gering. Residents in the Meadows subdivision may hear periods of simulated gunfire and loud noises throughout the day. Please be aware that this training is not occurring in the neighborhood but sound may carry into the nearby areas. For your safety, please stay away from the training area as these exercises involve simulated law enforcement response scenarios. We appreciate your understanding as officers continue important training to better serve the community.

Also want to pass along some burn ban information to you on the definition of these burn bans. Nebraska State statute 81-520.01 for the statewide burn ban applies only to bonfires, outdoor rubbish fires and fires for the purpose of clearing land. This statute is always in effect, meaning you have to obtain a burn permit in order to have a bonfire, outdoor rubbish fire or fire to clear land. The statute does not apply to portable outdoor fireplaces and fire pits and charcoal propane or wood burning grills. Please keep in mind that if you are out of state park or campground there may be tighter restrictions on what you can do and may vary from district to district. If you live in an apartment complex and you have a balcony, you cannot have a fire pit or grill on the balcony unless it is sprinkled. It is also prohibited to burn any trash or yard waste.

We hope that helps you understand the burn ban currently in effect. For more information visit our page at Panhandle Scanner or our website at PanhandleScanner.com.

(KIMBALL, Neb.) -- On Saturday night, law enforcement officials were tracking down a drunk driver in the Kimball area. After much coordination, they found the proper vehicle and a female was taken into custody.

Here's a sample of actual scanner traffic.

[ We have a drunk driver headed down East 1st Street headed west on 1st Street ]

[ We have the vehicle. It's reported as annihilated. ]

[ I'll be enroute with the female 10-15. ]

[ Copy that. 1940 ]

That's just an example of actual scanner traffic. For the entire night's traffic, visit our website and look for Scanner Traffic on the home page.

Well, good news with the Morrill Fire update this morning. Firefighter hand crews are at work mopping up and cold trailing. Firefighters have been working the ground methodically on the Clear Creek Wildlife Management area to identify and extinguish any remaining heat sources that could threaten the line. The Clear Creek Management area was impacted during the fire's intense push to the east and south last week along with nearby Omaha Beach. The fire burned through an area of brush and cottonwood trees near the North Platte River. While the act of burning has stopped, the hard work of identifying and eliminating hotspots has been underway for the past few days. Crew members are working together, walking a grid, digging up any roots and stumps that show heat, and use water to extinguish the fire. They also use a method called cold trailing, in which a firefighter feels the soil or wood with the back of a hand to make sure the ground is cold and with no signs of remaining fire. Reports indicate that the Morrill Fire is now 98% contained.

You may remember us reporting on an accident that was a fatality near North Platte on I-80 last week on March 12th. We've received confirmation that it was a Scottsbluff man who was blessed and proud as the oldest member of Grace Chapel who has gone to be with the Lord after a distracted driver caused that fatal crash on the 12th. Our prayers and condolences to all the family and friends of Mr. Richard Nuss, 90 of Scottsbluff.

An important reminder, it is a state law now in Nebraska that you must move over when you see emergency vehicles. As always, please continue to yield to all emergency personnel.