Category Archives: Central Nebraska News
UNK student joins Rowe Sanctuary research protecting sandhill cranes
GIBBON - Each spring, the distinctive calls of sandhill cranes echo across the Platte River Valley in central Nebraska. More than a million of these majestic birds converge on a 70-mile stretch of the...
Mar 18, 2026 Amanda Hegg, left, and Katie Arens observe sandhill cranes and their reactions to power lines from blinds located along the Platte River. They’re part of a research team studying the use of an ultraviolet light system to reduce the number of nighttime collisions. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)
Lexington man charged with child enticement after Hastings Police sting pleads no contest
LEXINGTON - A Lexington man who was charged after a child enticement sting operation involving the Hastings Police Department has pleaded no contest to amended charges. Jesus Octavio Sanchez-Ramirez, ...
Mar 18, 2026 Local Court News, (Central Nebraska Today)
Late week heat could set temperature records across central Nebraska
HASTINGS - A surge of late week heat could set new daily temperature records across central Nebraska on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21. According to the National Weather Service - Hastings, a...
Mar 18, 2026 Mid-March sunset across central Nebraska, (Brian Neben, Courtesy)
City of Kearney announces start of 2026 yard waste collection season
KEARNEY - The City of Kearney announces that the 2026 Yard Waste Collection season will begin on Tuesday, March 31. Yard waste collection will run through the first week of December, with no collectio...
Mar 18, 2026 Katkov / Depositphotos.com
Hastings Police Department's activity from March 17
HASTINGS - The Hastings Police Department released their daily activity from Tuesday, March 17. Reported Offenses: On March 17, 2026, a 75-year-old Hastings resident reported a theft in the 700 block ...
Mar 18, 2026 Hastings Police Department, Courtesy
Dinardo to explore 'coolest stuff in the universe' during Invited Faculty Lecture at Hastings College
HASTINGS - Dr. Brad Dinardo, associate professor of physics at Hastings College, will give an Invited Faculty Lecture titled "Lasers! And the coolest stuff in the universe!" at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Ma...
Mar 17, 2026 Dr. Brad Dinardo is associate professor of physics at Hastings College. (Courtesy photo)
Cottonwood Fire now 40 percent contained, has burned 131,559 acres
NEBRASKA - The Cottonwood Fire is now considered 40 percent contained and has burned 131,559 acres since it began on Thursday, March 12. Special Notes: Fire managers subdivide the fire perimeter on la...
Mar 17, 2026 Map of the Cottonwood Fire, (Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1, Courtesy)
G.I. Public Schools Board of Education approves district's 2024-2025 annual report
GRAND ISLAND - The Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education voted 7-0 to approve the district's 2024-2025 Annual Report at its March 16 meeting. Board members Lisa Albers and Eric Garcia-Mendez ...
Mar 17, 2026 (Courtesy)
Dr. Kent Mann sworn in as G.I. Public Schools Board of Education member
GRAND ISLAND - Dr. Kent Mann was sworn in March 16 as the newest member of the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education. The Board of Education appointed Mann at its Feb. 12 meeting to replace J...
Mar 17, 2026 Grand Island Public Schools Associate Superintendent Dr. Summer Stephens swears in Dr. Kent Mann as the newest member of the Board of Education. (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
Nebraska State Fair welcomes Christian stars Phil Wickham and Jamie MacDonald
GRAND ISLAND - Contemporary Christian artist Phil Wickham is bringing a night of worship and music to the Nebraska State Fair, joined by special guest Jamie MacDonald on Sunday, Aug. 30, inside the He...
Mar 17, 2026 Phil Wickham (Courtesy photo)