Wednesday March 25 2026 - Scanner News

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.