Author Archives: Brian Neben
Christopher Milke sentenced to life in prison for first degree murder of Tammy Leslie
GAGE CO. - Christopher Milke was sentenced by Judge Rick Schreiner to life in prison for the 1st Degree Murder of Tammy Leslie of Beatrice, Nebraska. The jury trial began on February 2, 2026, and ende...
Mar 19, 2026 Kesu01 / Depositphotos.com
Cause of structure fire on W. 34th St. in Kearney still under investigation
KEARNEY - The cause of a fire that substantially damaged the garage of a home on West 34th St. in Kearney remains under investigation. According to the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD), at 2:3...
Mar 19, 2026 Kearney firefighters battle the structure fire on W. 34th St. during the afternoon of March 18, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
Cottonwood Fire is now 78 percent contained, fire most active near Jeffrey Reservoir
NEBRASKA - The Cottonwood Fire in central Nebraska is now considered 78 percent contained. Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 is managing the Cottonwood and Morrill Fires under the dire...
Mar 19, 2026 Map of the Cottonwood Fire, (Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1, Courtesy)
NDOT: Work will begin on N-4, east of Davenport
DAVENPORT - Weather permitting, work will begin March 23 on Nebraska Highway 4 (N-4), from reference post 97.65 to reference post 110.55, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Vontz ...
Mar 19, 2026 wabeno / Depositphotos.com
NPPD hosting open house in Central City for new transmission line
CENTRAL CITY - Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) will host an open house on March 26 in Central City to gather public input for a new transmission project in the area. NPPD plans to build an appro...
Mar 19, 2026 Nebraska Public Power District, Courtesy
Tentative trial dates listed for Axtell man charged with three counts of motor vehicle homicide
HOLDREGE - Tentative trial dates have been listed for an Axtell man who is charged with three counts of motor vehicle homicide following a fiery crash near Funk in August 2025. Brock Schneider, 35, ha...
Mar 19, 2026 Local Court News, (Central Nebraska Today)
Fire Weather Watch issued across central Nebraska on Saturday
HASTINGS - A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for central Nebraska for the late morning through the evening of Saturday, March 21. The National Weather Service - Hastings has issued the Fire Weather...
Mar 19, 2026 A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for central Nebraska on Saturday, March 21, (NWS Hastings, Courtesy)
Public comment period extended for Ag Committee hearing due to wildfires
LINCOLN - Niobrara Sen. Barry DeKay, chairperson of the Agriculture Committee, announced today that he requested the Speaker of the Legislature extend the public comment period for a Thursday hearing ...
Mar 19, 2026 Nebraska State Capitol, (Dallas Nau, Central Nebraska Today)
Gov. Pillen, Adjutant General Strong tour Cottonwood Fire, visit Brady community
BRADY - Governor Jim Pillen and Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard, viewed the Cottonwood Fire from the air before meeting with firefighters, ranchers and oth...
Mar 19, 2026 This is the second time Gov. Pillen has surveyed fire damage from the air, (Gov. PIllen Office, Courtesy)
City of Hastings to take part in statewide tornado drill on March 25
HASTINGS - The City of Hastings in conjunction with Adams County Emergency Management encourages participation in the statewide tornado drill 10 a.m., Wednesday March 25. This is a great opportunity f...
Mar 19, 2026 All Adams County Outdoor Warning Sirens will be tested during the drill on March 25, (City of Hastings, Courtesy)