Scanner FM

Jim Felton, a third-generation Angus breeder from Deer Lodge, Montana, discussed the details of the 53rd annual bull sale which is scheduled for Friday the 13th. The event will feature about 90 Angus bulls, including 70 two-year-olds and 20 that are 16 months old. Additionally, they will offer 50 commercial replacement heifers. Despite being on a superstitious date, Jim expressed confidence in proceeding with the sale, emphasizing the ranch’s proximity to Interstate 90 for ease of access.
Jim elaborated on his commitment to Angus cattle, attributing it to his lineage and personal experience in breeding. He acknowledged the competitive nature of the Angus market but highlighted the established reputation of his ranch in raising quality cattle.

At 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Keith County was paged for two children in a raft that had gotten blown into Lake McConaughey between beach axis 13 and 14. Keystone-Lemoyne Fire, Ogallala Fire, Keith County Sheriff's Office, and Keith County EMS all responded. Keystone-Lemoyne Fire Department launched two marine craft and picked up both young men in the raft just southwest of Arthur Bay about the middle of the lake. They were both wearing life jackets and were very glad to see the rescue boat pull up. Both were exhausted and hypothermic.

We had a disturbing call come across scanner traffic yesterday afternoon in Alliance. Scanner traffic indicated a gunshot wound. And around that same time, eyewitnesses were reporting to us that several police vehicles were speeding down Mississippi Avenue. Eventually, they found the individual at 6th and Grand. And unfortunately, the self-inflicted wound was fatal. Our prayers for that situation in Alliance and for all mental health crisis.

Seems there have been quite a few mushroom busts lately. The drug known as psilocybin has been the talk of several departments lately. Lancaster County Sheriff's Deputy Houchin recently gave a press conference on the young man who took some illegally enhanced gummies and ended up in a coma for two days. He didn't say exactly what substance that was in the gummies, but it was likely psilocybin.

Recently, a Scottsbluff business was busted for selling illegal mushrooms. Read more about that story on our page at Panhandle Scanner or on our news page at PanhandleScanner.com.

And don't forget our brand new Morrill County Scanner page. If you're interested in news for Morrill County, Nebraska, be sure to follow it at Morrill County Scanner.

Cole Buffo is a prominent community leader, city councilmember, and cattle rancher based in Jetmore, Kansas. He plays an active role in local municipal governance and the regional agricultural sector.

Agricultural Leadership

Beyond his public office, Buffo is a well-known livestock producer in the Kansas ranching community.

Buff Tuff Cattle Co.: He operates Buff Tuff Cattle Co. based out of Jetmore, which specializes in raising Gelbvieh, Balancer, and Red Angus cattle. The operation focuses on advanced crossbreeding genetics and hosts annual open-house silent auctions for regional cattle buyers.
Kansas Gelbvieh Association: Highlighting his standing in the livestock industry, Buffo serves as the President of the Kansas Gelbvieh Association, promoting the breed's development throughout the state.

A very busy day yesterday for Panhandle Scanner admins. So much activity that we've hired two new admins.

This is a big announcement for Morrill County. Starting today, you will see a new page on Facebook for Morrill County Scanner. And for more improved local weather and news coverage in the Scottsbluff and Gearing area, we've hired another local reporter.

Welcome to both Bridget and Cody and a big show of appreciation for our primary admin, Tim Mendez. Yesterday, Timothy was very busy tracking the South Fork Fire near Crawford. According to the Watch Duty app, the fire is just under 9,000 acres per the perimeter uploaded to the National Interagency Fire Center or NIFC.

The South Fork Fire has crossed Nebraska Highway 20 and is moving southeast. The highway is currently closed. US 20 between Main Street and Harrison and Nebraska 71 near Crawford is impassable per Nebraska 511.

US Forest Service and local volunteer fire departments began the initial attack on the South Fork Fire yesterday around 4 45 p.m. in the area of Soldier Creek Wilderness in the Nebraska National Forest Pine Ridge Ranger District. And don't forget our public record every Monday through Friday when available. And of course our Look Who's Hiring section and our community calendar all on panhandlescanner.com. For more fire coverage and the rest of our stories, please visit panhandlescanner.com or our page by the same name.

Well, our big story overnight was the flooding that occurred north of Bayard on L62A. That's the link that goes from the North Bayard Junction to the Angora Hill Junction, a very vital roadway that is now closed due to major flooding last night.

We issued a flash flood warning at 8.09 p.m., but by just after 10 p.m., a major water rescue was underway on L-62A. According to the Bayard Fire Department, County Road 83 is also closed, as well as Roads 104 and 106 due to one or more bridges out. Many roads north of Highway 26, L-62A, and east of CR-73 are also impassable, or nearly so.

Stay tuned to Panhandle Scanner today for news on that reopening.

In other Scanner traffic, around 8.30 p.m., a two-vehicle accident was reported, with a family of three being transported to Regional West Medical Center with minor injuries.

In the 9 p.m. hour, Nebraska State Patrol and Kimball County Sheriff's Office had one female 10-15 after a 10-6 PC or probable cause search turned up code 3572. For those codes, check our website at panhandlescanner.com under Resources. Her vehicle was towed from the scene, and the Nebraska State Patrol transported one male 10-12, or non-arrested subject, also to the jail.

For all these stories and more, be sure to visit our news page every day at panhandlescanner.com, or our social media accounts by the same name.

Let's take a look at today's scanner news brought to you by R&C Welding in Gering, Nebraska. I'm your host Brian Hale and here's a look at the last 24 hours.

We want to start off by issuing a fire weather warning again for the next two days at least. Please be aware of the fire dangers.

Finally a solution is in the works. We've known about this for a while and it still isn't a complete reality but you can help make it happen. Is there a need for a mental health services inpatient treatment center here in the Panhandle? We believe so and so do thousands of others. Well we have good news. The Sandhills Center for Hope is giving the community hope and is now taking donations. Please see their page Sandhills Center for Hope or our page at Panhandle Scanner for more information about this exciting development.

Good news for the dog that was lost in the fiery crash that killed one I-80 traveler last month. The owner reportedly let the dog out because he feared for his life and just days later people in the community helped make this reunification possible.

The dog that was lost in the fiery crash has been reunited with his family. Speaking of dogs in that dog murder case in Torrington, local news reports are indicating the Goshen County Sheriff's Office has had someone turn themselves in. However to this point we do not know of any arrests or charges that have been filed.

We've received some stunning weather photos from contributors on Panhandle Scanner motivating us to go ahead and hold a new photo contest. If you have storm photos, submit them to the current post on Panhandle Scanner under severe storm photo contest.