Friday Aug 21 2026 - Scanner News

Panhandle Scanner was made aware of a video that was circulating rapidly. We do appreciate everyone who shared it with us, and when we receive serious information, we take time to evaluate it with our full team involvement.

We originally posted about the incident very early in the morning, and then later attached the video once we were able to speak with law enforcement at the county level. We're talking about a disturbing video with an obvious use of force action in it. We emphasize we do not know the circumstances of what led up to the charges of his assault on the police officer and disorderly conduct, amongst other charges.

But please understand that our local police officers are held to a strict standard, and in any use of force action, an automated investigation is triggered. We did get verification from law enforcement at the county level that the video did involve Scotts Bluff police officers with no other agencies believed to be present. With an automatic investigation triggered and a use of force action, we look forward to the investigation by the Scotts Bluff Police Department.

In another unfortunate incident, an accident on Interstate 80 near Grand Island on Thursday morning prompted a response from multiple agencies and remains under investigation. Unfortunately, a woman was driving the wrong way down Interstate 80 and was hit head-on by a semi, resulting in her death. Our prayers for the Roberts family in their time of loss and also for Mr. Wakefield, the driver of the other vehicle, in his recovery.

But it's not all bad news here. It's the Beef, Beans & Bluegrass Festival starting today. That's gonna do it for today's Scanner News.