The Scottsbluff County Communications Center sent out an urgent message yesterday that the phone lines were down. That included all of their administrative lines as well as 911 service in Scotts Bluff County, but don't worry, 911 service is still available thanks to Cheyenne County Dispatch.

Continue to call 911 if needed, and your call will be rerouted. Residents may recall early on July 15, 2026, SWAT activities were reported in Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties, focusing on high-profile criminals with felony warrants. Operations occurred in Scottsbluff, Baird, and Gering, led by local sheriffs.

In the end, seven were arrested, all ages 15 to 19. The 19-year-old Scottsbluff man, Rochne Gukeisen, is facing multiple felony firearm charges after law enforcement allegedly uncovered social media photos showing him with a handgun equipped with a device that can convert it to a fully automatic weapon. Under federal law, it is illegal to modify a handgun in such a manner. Some very interesting comments on the Second Amendment can be found under our post on Panhandles Sanner's Facebook page. There is a debate on whether or not weapon modifications are an infringement on the Second Amendment. Court records show Gukeisen pled not guilty to both counts during his initial appearance, and he appeared for a bond review hearing on the 25th in Scottsbluff County District Court. A pretrial is scheduled for October 21 at 1 p.m. For all these stories and more, including several new articles from our Courthouse Reporter, visit Panhandlescanner.com or our Facebook page by the same name.

Five puppies found in a box in a Mitchell alley have prompted questions from community members about where the animals came from and how they came to be abandoned. The Panhandle Humane Society of Scottsbluff said the puppies were found in an alley near 16th Street and are now in the shelter's care.

The organization asked anyone with information about the puppies or their owner to contact the shelter or to come in between 1 and 4 p.m. The original post generated numerous comments from community members expressing concern for the puppies and asking whether the animals had been abandoned or neglected. Some commenters questioned whether the puppy's mother could also be at risk. In response, the Humane Society said Mitchell police brought the puppies to the shelter overnight and that staff had discussed the circumstances with officers.

The shelter said it cannot legally keep animals on an abuse or neglect hold unless an officer places them on such a hold. The Humane Society also explained that if an owner comes forward, the person would be contacted by police and the puppies would remain in the shelter's custody. Several community members offered support, including donations of food and other supplies, while others expressed interest in adopting the puppies.

Anyone with information about these abandoned puppies, or if you're looking to adopt, please contact the Panhandle Humane Society, Local Area Code 308-635-0922. You can find a picture of those puppies on our Facebook page at Panhandle Scanner. For all these stories and more, including several new articles from our Courthouse Reporter, visit Panhandlescanner.com or our Facebook page by the same name.

In rural Scottsbluff, neighbors along the Seip Canal Road and County Road 25 reported multiple motocross bikes last night driving in the Tri-State Canal ditch. We all like to have fun, but if you're a motocross rider, stay out of the ditches.

Our court reporter, Raul Fernandez, has been busy at the courthouse. In one case we just posted, Wing scores a meth arrest. A Terrytown man was arrested for selling multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from a Gearing motel room.

And our report on the DUI driver who was confused using sign language to say, I'm drunk, and blew twice the legal limit. Juan Castro Zelaya, 44, was jailed for 30 days after a DUI arrest with a blood alcohol content of 0.177 and no valid driver's license. And a DUI for a driver with a rollover who tried to claim that he was swerving to miss a deer.

A 19-year-old man pled no contest to a DUI and reckless driving after the rollover crash happened near Henry recently. Price G. Harpstreith pled no contest and was found guilty of driving under the influence of a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher. On September 20th, deputies found a Wyoming-plated GMC Sierra pickup resting on its roof off the southwest side of the roadway on Highway 26. No injuries were reported among Harpstreith or his four teenage passengers. Deputies noted tire marks and other physical evidence indicating rapid acceleration and a spin out while attempting a sharp turn onto the highway. Sentencing is scheduled for October 26 at 215 in room 1 of Scotts Bluff County Court.

Yesterday there was a large-scale community-wide emergency response simulation. The response included members of the Scottsbluff Police Department, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office, Scottsbluff Fire Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Region 22 Emergency Management, and 9-1-1 Communications.

James Todd, the Scottsbluff Public Schools Director of Safety and Security, oversaw the operation. The simulation incorporates advice from each of these agencies to help all schools improve response protocols and enhance security practices. Yesterday our staff was on hand for a first-hand look and actually got called into the principal's office to make sure that our media coverage is coordinated in line with their efforts.

We appreciate the open line of communication between Panhandle Scanner and Scottsbluff Public Schools, as well as the police departments in the area. We thank you for your cooperation.

The exercise is intended to operationalize the procedures detailed in SBPS's Emergency Operations Plan, which follows guidelines from the National and State Emergency Management Systems, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FEMA Incident Command System, and the "I Love You Guys Foundation", as well as the Nebraska Department of Education School Safety Center.

Yesterday's drill scenario was a mysterious package dropped off by a student outside a door in a potential bomb threat situation. Special thanks to our primary admin, Tim Mendez, for leading the charge in gathering this media coverage.

For these stories and more, be sure to check our page at Panhandle Scanner on Facebook or our website for our news blog on our website at panhandlescanner.com. That's going to do it for today's scanner news.

From the admins, to the owners, contributors, and the great followers of Panhandle Scanner. We all express our great love and support to the Eckerberg family on the recent passing of Margaret. Philip has served as a Scottsbluff police officer for many years, as did his father before him. Our deepest condolences to the family and our prayers for the Eckerberg family. Many warm reflections about her service at the school.

Lori Johnson said, "Margaret was amazing. It's going to be a little bit hard calling the kid in for school. Margaret always answered the phone and every time we laughed. She was a light."

Shannon Bruner wrote, "She always had the most beautiful smile and was a pleasure to talk to."

And Brenda Manley wrote, "The Prime Cut family is so sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed you on Tuesdays."

And Mrs. J wrote from the school, "Always so kind and respectful to me as a new sub. You will be missed. Prayers to the family and all who loved her."

That was from Tammy Adams-Johansen.

Deborah Gardner wrote, "Such a wonderful lady. She will be missed by so many. Deepest sympathy to Phil and the family. Lifting the family in my prayers."

For more of those condolences, see Panhandle Scanner's Facebook page.

A minor two vehicle accident happened yesterday afternoon, Highway 26 and Avenue B in Scottsbluff. Scanner admins were on scene and reported that one truck had its drive shaft off. Unknown damage to the other vehicle. No injuries were reported.

And don't forget our public record every Monday through Friday from over 20 counties across Nebraska.

For these stories and more, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Panhandle Scanner or our website at Panhandlescanner.com and click on our news page.

Gering residents may be frustrated with the frequent power outages, but there's one thing they won't have to worry about....

The City of Gering says no, by saying yes.

This past week, the Gearing City Council voted 7-0 to approve a new zoning ordinance regulating future adult entertainment businesses within the city. The ordinance establishes specific standards governing where such businesses may locate and the manner in which they may operate. The regulations were adopted after the city officials reviewed legal limitations that prevent municipalities from banning adult entertainment businesses outright. City Engineer Annie Folck prepared the ordinance in lieu of the attempted opening of a similar club in the heart of downtown Scottsbluff.

The new operational and conduct rules in Gering for any future establishments would include no alcohol, completely prohibited on the premises, no full nudity, and specific sexual activities are also banned.

Dancers may be semi-nude but must perform on a stage at least 18 inches high inside a room spanning at least 600 square feet. And no touching. Employees must remain at least 6 feet away from patrons at all times, with absolutely no touching allowed.

Venues must close their doors by 12am, that's midnight, and remain closed until 6am. And no individuals under the age of 18 are permitted on the property. And businesses must provide their own security.

For these stories and more, follow Panhandle Scanner on Facebook or visit our website by the same name.

On Thursday, just before 3pm, at least three cars were involved in an injury accident in Scottsbluff. Scanner traffic indicated a three vehicle accident with unknown injuries on Highway 26 and 21st Avenue in Scotts Bluff. Nebraska State Patrol called it in as a 10-45 and asked for 10-18, which means hurried response. There was severe damage to all three vehicles in the highway speed collision. Triage was set up, and we are happy to report that all three patients were conscious and breathing, and were transported to Regional West Medical Center.

Yesterday, a female officer from the Scottsbluff Police Department saved a baby's life. An incredible video was submitted to us of a Scotts Bluff Police officer apparently saving the life of a choking child. We called the Scottsbluff Police Department to get the name of the heroic officer. Regardless of who that female officer was, we are so thankful for the training and response of our local officers. The video showed an infant child choking, with a female officer working diligently to save a life. After what seemed like minutes, the child responded and was breathing, before medics were able to arrive on scene. We personally called Captain Carissa Brass and thanked her department for the training and asked for the name. In any case, we appreciate the service of our local officers.

For these stories and more, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Panhandle Scanner or our website at Panhandlescanner.com and click on our news page.

And don't forget that popular public record every Monday through Friday covering more than 20 counties across Nebraska.

That's going to do it for today's Scanner News.

Panhandle Scanner is expanding! If you are interested in joining our team, please contact us through the page or our telephone number, also listed right there. Our new service is growing, and we're now accepting contributors to write stories for the paper. The Sunday Scanner comes out each week, and it's a recap of the week's top stories. Get recognized as an author or photographer, and join us at Panhandle Scanner for our digging deeper news blog.

A 13-year-old boy was injured Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle while crossing East 20th Street at 3rd Avenue in Scotts Bluff. The juvenile was transported by ambulance to Regional West Medical Center for treatment, and about 15 minutes later, officers located the Kia and stopped it in the 1900 block of Avenue K. The driver, identified as 18-year-old Daneah Gomez-Vallejo of Scottsbluff, was arrested following an investigation and booked into the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an injury accident.

And don't forget, Andi works really hard on that public record every day. It covers 20-plus counties across the state of Nebraska. The Nebraska Public Record, a service of Panhandle Scanner. And we're also delighted to have the services of our courthouse reporter Raul Fernandez. We look forward to more quality content from him.

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 at halemultimedia.com or call 940-224-6315. Portfolio pricing and contacts all on halemultimedia.com.

That's going to do it for today's news.