Just a quick reminder about the road construction on 21st Avenue, or Sugar Factory Road, that will be going on today and tomorrow. According to NPPD, they will be replacing some power poles north of 27th Street. So be aware, Sugar Factory Road, north of 27th Street, closed today and tomorrow for replacement of power poles.

National Night Out was a big hit, I presume all over the country, it certainly was a big hit here in western Nebraska. Cities from all over the panhandle hosted the event, featuring interaction with local police departments.

National Night Out is an annual community building campaign designed to foster police-community partnerships and enhance neighborhood camaraderie, aiming to create safer, more caring environments. Held on the first Tuesday in August for most of the U.S., the event involves millions of participants, fostering positive connections between residents and local public safety officials, including police and firefighters.

Helping bring awareness to missing persons cases is one of our most important jobs here at Panhandle Scanner. With so many runaways and other extenuating circumstances, many people question why or why we do not post particular missing persons cases. If you are interested in what our policies are, or how we handle missing persons cases, visit our website at PanhandleScanner.com, and visit our missing persons section. Every case is different, and we handle it with the utmost caution and compassion possible. And we appreciate everyone who shares our posts and helps with these missing cases.

Don't forget our public record every Monday through Friday, whenever available, now for over 20 counties in Nebraska, all on PanhandleScanner.com.

In Torrington, Officer Smith and Officer Cross took on a little nope-rope relocation project yesterday after a slithering friend found his way into the community without invitation. Fortunately, he wasn't a dangerous fellow and was safely removed and taken to a more favorable location down by the river.

The heat and dry conditions have a big impact on wildlife. They may be looking for some cool relief or water in places where we don't normally find them. Please keep an eye out, give them space, and give the police a call if you need a hand.

One of the joys of being a police officer is that you never know what adventures you will find in a day's work. By the way, if you can't tell from the photos, Officer Cross loves snakes.

Kimball, Nebraska, will be the site of a training exercise, the Region 1 Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Team Training. September 14-18 in Kimball, Nebraska, two people were arrested following a traffic stop in Chadron on the evening of July 27th after officers allegedly discovered suspected methamphetamine during the investigation. According to the Chadron Police Department, Officer Colin Deines stopped a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Blaine Rowland after recognizing him and knowing his driver's license was suspended. During the stop, Officer Deines developed suspicion that Rowland may have been under the influence of alcohol.

Following a DUI investigation, Rowland was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving under suspension. Officer Orsborn and K-9 Sukey assisted with the investigation. Approximately 3 grams of suspected methamphetamine were found allegedly on a passenger identified as 23-year-old Johanna Black Eyes. She was arrested on possession of methamphetamine. Both Rowland and Blackeyes were transported to the Dawes County Jail.

Well, it's fair season. The Scottsbluff County Fair just wrapped up, and it's time for two more.

The Kimball Banner County Fair begins August 9th and goes through the 15th, and it's the Box Butte County Fair starting tomorrow, August 4th through the 9th. And for our followers in the far northeastern portion of the Panhandle, a little bit outside the Panhandle is our Cherry County friends. They're also kicking off their County Fair this week. That started on Saturday and goes through the 9th.

Be sure to stay hydrated, as hot temps baked the region again this past week, with temperatures over 100 all over the Panhandle. 100 in Pine Bluffs, 102 in Alliance and Gordon, 103 in Bridgeport, 104 in Torrington and Scottsbluff, 105 in Gearing, and 106 degrees in Chadron.

There was a train delay yesterday that got some people hot. Multiple different crossings were closed, as 9th Avenue, 5th Avenue, Broadway, Avenue B, 20th Street, and Avenue I were all blocked due to a train that had broken down. BNSF sent a team to address the issue for the three-mile-long iron blockade, while the Nebraska State Patrol helped direct traffic.

The Sunday Scanner is out, and you'll catch all kinds of great stories in that weekly edition of our printable version, similar to a weekly newspaper. Catch it on Panhandlescanner.com or Panhandle Scanner on Facebook. It's the Sunday Scanner Weekly Edition in a newspaper format, complete with that late-night, last-minute, high-speed, well, slow-speed chase through town on Saturday night.