Early in the morning on March 18, 2025, at approximately 1:10A.M. Officer Hanson and Sergeant Young witnessed a fight occurring in front of a bar on the 100 block of Main Street. Officers attempted to intervene to break up the fight and while doing so, a male subject identified as 25-year-old Patrick McLachlan attempted to strike a member of the public with a closed fist and struck officer Hanson in the face. 

McLachlan was placed into handcuffs immediately and the fight was ended. 

Eyewitnesses were interviewed, and as a result of the investigation McLachlan was arrested and transported to the Dawes County Jail without further incident for 3 rd Degree Assault on an officer, a Class IIIA Felony where he was held on a 10% of $25,000 bond. 

Officers also learned of another male subject who had been involved in the fight that was injured during the altercation. 

The Chadron Fire Department was called to the scene and transported the male to the hospital for medical treatment. The injured male was later issued a citation for 3 rd Degree Assault, a Class III Misdemeanor for his involvement in the fight.

The Chadron Police Department was assisted by the Chadron Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department

Chadron man arrested for assaulting an officer

The Alliance community is invited to an evening of creativity, music, and culinary delights at the upcoming "Lotus &amp; Lanterns: A Serpent’s Glow" Art Gala on March 27, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alliance High School Common's area of the Performing Arts Center.&nbsp;

The event will showcase student artwork alongside live performances by the jazz band and choir, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere. Guests can also enjoy hors d’oeuvres crafted by the school’s Culinary classes as they explore the artistic talent on display.

Organizers promise a night filled with fun, beauty, and excitement, celebrating the artistic achievements of students in a lively setting. The gala will take place at [venue not specified in the flyer], and all are encouraged to attend this unforgettable experience.

Alliance High School to host 'Lotus & Lanterns: A Serpent’s Glow' Art Gala 

The Bar Flies will perform at The Ridge in Chadron on Saturday, March 15 starting at 9pm.&nbsp;

Bar Flies to perform in Chadron 

The Victory Underground will play at Gathering Spot in Alliance on March 15 starting at 9pm.&nbsp;

Victory Underground to play in Alliance 

The Shon Townsend Band will perform at Golden Hour BBQ in downtown Alliance on Saturday, March 15 from 6pm - 9pm during the businesses' St. Patrick's Day event.&nbsp;

Shon Townsend Band to rock in Alliance 

Click <a href="https://panhandlepost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a> to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This message is to inform you of an upcoming change to our obituary policy in the Panhandle Post. Beginning July 1st, 2024, there will be a $50 fee associated with publishing obituaries on PanhandlePost.com.&nbsp;

We understand that obituaries are an important way to honor the memory of loved ones and share their life stories with the community. We remain committed to providing this service, and the fees collected will help us continue to offer high-quality obituaries while maintaining the overall sustainability of the Panhandle Post.&nbsp;

We would like for you to include Panhandle Post as an offering for families to place an obituary.&nbsp;

To submit an obituary for publication after July 1st, please send it electronically to tammy.griffee@eagleradio.net.&nbsp;

For more information about the new obituary fees and submission guidelines, please visit our website at PanhandlePost.com/category/obituaries or contact our Tammy Griffee at 308-762-1400 or <a href="mailto:tammy.griffee@eagleradio.net" target="_blank">tammy.griffee@eagleradio.net</a>.&nbsp;

Obituaries posted will be billed directly to the funeral home for the postings for that current month. Invoices will be received in the mail at the end of each month or early the following month.&nbsp;&nbsp;

We appreciate your understanding and continued support of the Panhandle Post.&nbsp;

Recent obituaries and service times

The SWANN Board Meeting will be held on March 20 at 7pm in the Platte Valley Bank Meeting Room in Chadron.&nbsp;

SWANN board meeting scheduled 

CHADRON, Neb. — Young performers will take the stage at the Stars of Tomorrow talent show, hosted by Kiwanis International, on Saturday, March 30, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Chadron High School Auditorium.

The event offers participants the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a live audience, with a chance to shine on stage. Organizers encourage performers of all ages to enter for a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment.

Those interested in participating can scan the QR code on promotional materials for entry details.

For more information, visit the Kiwanis International website or contact event organizers.

Chadron Kiwanis to host ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ Talent Show 

Alliance, NE – Due to the forecasted high winds, the Alliance Public Landfill construction and demo area, and loose fill area, will be closed to the public Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Operations in these areas will resume once the wind gust lowers to 25 mph or less.

For more information, please contact the Alliance Landfill at (308) 762-2705.

Partial closure at the Alliance Landfill

Take the 4-Day School Week Survey and share your thoughts!

Scan the QR code and take 5 to 10 minutes to share how the 4-day school week might impact your childcare arrangements next fall in Box Butte County.&nbsp;

You can also complete the survey at <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/APS4Day">www.surveymonkey.com/r/APS4Day</a>

4-Day School Week Survey for Box Butte County 

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is planning a 600-acre prescribed burn at Fort Robinson State Park that, if weather conditions permit, could happen as early as Monday, March 3.

The burning will occur west and north of the 22,000-acre park’s water towers. The goal is to remove thatch and improve grazing conditions for the park’s captive bison and longhorns, as well as wildlife species such as pronghorn and mule deer.

Fort Robinson is one of several Game and Parks wildlife management areas, state parks and state recreation areas that have prescribed fires planned.

Historically, wildlife habitats were shaped by wildfires that occurred throughout the year. Prescribed burning is used to increase the diversity of native plants while setting back undesirable species that invade native woodlands and prairies.

Prescribed fire planned at Fort Robinson State Park 

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.

-Benjamin Ritchie, Class 2 Felony, Del/dsp/dst/man/pos except haz drug, Class 2A Felony, Del/dsp/dst/man/pos cntrl subs - Sch 1, 2, 3

-Colton A Lewis, Class 2A Felony, Del/dsp/dst/man/pos cntrl subs - Sch 1, 2, 3

-Colton J Williamson, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance

-Joshuah J Dunovsky, Class 3A Felony, Terroristic threats, Resis arrest-2nd/subsequent offense

-Dreyson I McCormick, Class 2 Felony, Assault 1st degree, Class 2A Felony, Assault 2nd degree

-Jeremy L Pascale, Class 1B Felony, Possess methamphetamine 140 + grams, Class 2 Felony, Del/dsp/dst/man/pos except haz drug, Class 4 Felony, No drug tax stamp

-Santos Gutierrez,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Obstructing, DUS

-Emmanuel Cabello,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Marco Dubray,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Ashlee Salazar-Seda,&nbsp;Shoplifting, Poss cont sub

-Nikita Sutton, Class 4 Felony, Drive while revoked from DUI/refusal

-Karissa Byington, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance, Class 3A Felony, Commit child abuse intentional/no injury

Panhandle police activity, March 1 - March 18 

CHADRON – The Open Frontier Creative District in Chadron has been awarded $100,000 in development grant funding by the Nebraska Arts Council.

The award, announced March 6, will assist in several projects that will either enhance or sustain the arts in Chadron.

The development grant will support four separate organizations,” said Kerri Rempp, director of Discover Northwest Nebraska and the chair of the Creative District Committee. “The committee was dedicated to incorporating multiple projects into the grant application.”

“The project aligns with the mission of supporting local/regional artists and fostering creative expression. It has strong potential to enhance the local arts scene, benefiting both established and emerging artists,” wrote the judging panel in its award notice.

Most of the funds - $87,500 – will go toward the purchase of a portable stage for live performances within the community. The stage will be owned by Fur Trade Days, Inc., but organizers will be able to make the stage available for other live performance events.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to bring new infrastructure to the community,” said Dave Hockenbary of Fur Trade Days. “This is a great first step toward acquiring a new stage as the current one is showing its age. We will be launching additional fundraising efforts to complete the project.”

Chadron Open Art will be allocated $6,000 to sustain the organization’s mission, and the Chadron Arts Center will receive $5,000 for infrastructure repairs.

“This grant is an incredible opportunity for Chadron Open Art to enrich our community through continued arts programming, art shows, and cultural events. It empowers us to continue nurturing local creativity, strengthening community connections, and making Chadron a more inspiring and inviting place for everyone,” said Chadron Open Art board member Danny Anderson.

“This grant will enable the Chadron Art Center to repair the roof and interior damage, and allow the building to continue to be a beautiful venue for promoting the arts,” said Don Foulk, president of the Art Center board.

Finally, the Chadron Public Library will start a seed bank with $1,500 in funding. The library will distribute growing pots and establish a library of tools and implements for gardeners to check-out with the goal of fostering a sense of community and the ability to produce healthy foods at home. In addition, the library will provide classes on techniques and useful tips, host a harvest feast for participants and engage the community in an art show, said Head Librarian Rossella Tesch.

As district administrator for the Open Frontier Creative District, the City of Chadron will oversee the grant with assistance from the creative district committee. The grant cycle lasts two years.

“I’m grateful to the Creative District and all those who had the out-of-box thinking on capturing some of this grant money for several projects,” said City Manager Tom Menke.

NAC Awards Chadron Open Frontier Creative District $100,000

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: Press Your Luck

Awesome king-size mattress and repurposed material for bedding. Plenty of space and solitude. We did not even notice the passing trains!

We suspect this “historic Panhandle building” is really a recycling center trying to supplement grant funding. Will look for better eco chic options next time in town.

The bedroom, featuring cardboard bale walls, was roomy though the mattress seemed a little too broken in. And part of the fruit cup contents at the breakfast bar may have been missing.

Arrived early and was asked to volunteer sorting curbside recycling bags to earn a lower weekend rate. Thought we’d give it a go then left upon finding a dirty diaper and rotten taco. Yuck! KAB Airbnb overrated!

Wow, the Airbnb work dream again. Actually, that enormous quilted-top mattress somebody left went to the loose fill section of the Alliance Municipal Landfill last week. I think someone took the doors home. That toilet was no good and there is already a functional one at the Keep Alliance Beautiful recycling center. Rodney may charge us to take that odd tire left in a bag – so it wouldn’t get wet? None of the televisions dumped after hours worked. Who ever heard of spending the night in a recycling center anyway? Crazy.

KAB’s recycling center is located at 107 ½ Cheyenne Ave. in Alliance, NE. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed major holidays and during inclement weather. To learn about materials accepted before stopping by, call the center: 308-763-1410, or our downtown office: 308-762-1729. We appreciate and value all our dedicated and responsible recyclers.

KAB: Airbnb Overrated

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity

President Trump and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon have announced more cuts to the Department of Education, with the intent of eliminating the department. Education is primarily a state and local responsibility. So just what do they do at the federal level?

The department's allocation was $238 billion in fiscal year 2024 - less than 2% of the total federal budget. The agency had about 4,400 employees, the smallest of any cabinet-level department. At this time, the Trump administration has laid off about half the department.

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed a bill creating the Department of Education. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was divided into Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (DHHS) in 1980. The idea was that each of these areas had so many responsibilities that it would be more efficient to separate them into two agencies.

Disbursing billions in student loans each year

Operating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which allows students to apply for loans, grants and other college aid

Providing funding to help poor and disabled students enrolled in K-12 schools

Ensuring equal access to education through its Office of Civil Rights

Operating the Pell grant program, which provides qualifying low- and middle-income students with up to $7,400 per year to attend college

Assisting states in funding public charter schools and specialized programs like Career and Technical Education 

Overseeing the college accreditation system by reviewing all federally recognized accrediting agencies

Collecting data on education and student outcomes, from early to higher education 

Supporting research in education to find the most effective teaching methods

Low-income students hoping to go to college or enroll in vocational programs fill out the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for scholarships, grants, or federally-guaranteed loans. FAFSA is completed by about 17 million students every year. The college loan portfolio is currently $1.5 trillion. Some other agency would have to pick up the responsibility of managing these funds and the repayment of student loans. According to Project 2025, the most logical destination is the Treasury Department.

Much of the Education Department's money for K-12 schools is funneled through large federal programs. These programs direct resources to low-income schools and to specific programs within schools. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds go to schools to support students with disabilities and the services they desperately need. It has been suggested that those functions could be transferred to DHHS.

The collection of data and the measuring of student progress - could it really be moved to Census?

The department enforces civil rights laws designed to prevent race or sex-based discrimination in schools. Can this be transferred to the Justice Department?

These programs are important enough that somebody has to provide them. If all responsibilities for education are shifted to states, that means a significant increase in our local taxes.

It is difficult for me to believe that it would be more efficient to move all these functions to other departments, or to shift them to states. There are valid reasons why Congress established each of them, and why the Education Department was created as a separate agency. Laying off over 2000 people from roles where they have expertise in such things as Special Education and civil rights guidance doesn't make sense. It's not as if that work doesn't have to be done.

The department's primary responsibilities are funding for low-income schools, special education for disabled students, loans for low-income college students, and guidance for schools on civil rights. Abandoning any of these responsibilities would harm students and families - and our nation's economic future.

Getting Ahead: The role of the Department of Education 

By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing Coordinator

CHADRON – March is designated as Chadron State College’s Advising Month. Summer 2025 enrollment opens on&nbsp;Monday, March 24 for all students. Fall 2025 enrollment also begins on Monday, March 24 for graduate, post-baccalaureate, and ROTC students. Seniors can enroll starting Tuesday, March 25, juniors on Wednesday, March 26, sophomores on Thursday, March 27, and freshmen on&nbsp;Friday, March 28.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly Paddock-O’Reilly said she encourages students to schedule a time to meet with their faculty advisor to ensure they are on track for graduation.&nbsp;

“We encourage students to prepare for Advising Month by placing their course selections in their shopping carts prior to registration week to make the process easier,” Paddock-O’Reilly said.

A tutorial video on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/academics/faculty-advising/" target="_blank">faculty advising webpage</a>&nbsp;demonstrates how to place classes into the shopping cart.

Courses in high demand will fill up quickly, Paddock-O’Reilly said.

“The sooner you register, the more likely you are to secure a seat in the course,” she said.

If a course is full, faculty may also help complete a waitlist request.&nbsp;Students who have a double major are encouraged to visit with an advisor for each program.

Guidelines on the web page outline students' responsibilities for learning the name of their faculty advisor from their MyCSC account, making an appointment to meet with them to register, and making follow-up appointments to monitor progress toward graduation.

The page recommends that students complete these steps before the advising appointment: review the online catalog and specific major or endorsement requirements and make a list of possible future courses and write down any questions about courses.

During the advising appointment, faculty advisors may discuss any of the following with their advisees: career plans, extracurricular activities, academic goals, and areas of interest, previous coursework, and time remaining for complete a desired degree program.&nbsp;

Students and their faculty advisors may decide from a variety of options for enrolling in courses including registering for courses, reserving courses in the&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/Fej0lqzF2iA?si=4ietGTPEjGnuikWO" target="_blank">shopping cart</a>&nbsp;feature in MyCSC, or creating a list of desired courses and scheduling a registration appointment with a START advisor.&nbsp;

A list of Frequently Asked Questions on the web page includes how to find a faculty advisor, how to request a different advisor, best methods to contact a faculty advisor, how to find office hours, how to drop a class, and how to know which classes are needed to graduate.

March is CSC’s Advising Month

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: Nicknames R Us

On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Officer Cafferty and Officer Parrett were called to the 200 block of King Street for a disturbance. When the officers arrived on scene, they began investigating a domestic disturbance, which lead them to a residence on the 300 block of East Third Street.

While at the residence on the 300 block of East Third Street, Officer Cafferty and Officer Parrett, detected the odor of marijuana coming from the residence. The officers applied for and obtained a search warrant to search the residence.

During the search of the residence, the officers located suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, and suspected drug paraphernalia within the residence. There were also two young children inside the residence at the time of the search that lived in the residence.

As a result of the investigation, 25-year-old Karissa Byington was placed under arrest for Possession of Methamphetamine, Child Abuse, Possession of Marijuana 1 oz or less, and Possession of Drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at 10% of $10,000.00. The two children were removed from the residence and placed into the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Chadron Police Department received assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol and the Department of Health and Human Service on this investigation.

Chadron search warrant results in meth, child abuse, marijuana, drug paraphernalia

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: Worms and Stuff

🏀 Nebraska Boys State Basketball Local Scoreboard

Scottsbluff v Elkhorn North - Friday, 6:45 MT

🏀 UPDATE: Nebraska Boys State Basketball Local Scoreboard

By: Paxton Ritchie CSC Sports Information Director

KEARNEY, Neb. – Chadron State softball split a doubleheader against in-state rival Nebraska-Kearney, losing 5-1 before winning 3-2 in CSC's final nonconference games of the year. 

The Eagles came from behind in the nightcap, scoring two runs in the fifth inning to tie the score and taking the lead for good in the sixth inning on Brogan Allen's tie-breaking solo home run. The day's results bring Chadron State's overall record to 9-13 on the season.

With Wednesday's doubleheader coming just two days after the conclusion of a delayed series with Black Hills State and with another RMAC series coming up this weekend, the Eagles used the nonconference games as an opportunity to rotate players.

Four CSC players – Devyn Thornton (LF in game one), Ella DeLozier (CF in game one), Brogan Allen (3B in game two) and Kendall Petty (RF in game two) – made their first appearances of the season in the starting lineup across Wednesday's action, while freshman pitcher Destrie Greiman made her first career collegiate start. 

Greiman performed well in her longest outing to date, pitching 4.1 innings against the Lopers while allowing just two hits and two runs, one earned. Greiman struck out two and walked five while lowering her season ERA to 5.00 in her fourth appearance of the season. 

Veteran Tori Haug came on in relief and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Haug was game two's winning pitcher after the Eagles' late rally. 

Trailing 2-0, Chadron State tied the score in the fifth when Elizabeth Thorngren led off with a double. A Katelynn Czerpak bunt single moved Thorngren over to third before a one-out sacrifice fly from Jazlyn Arvizo put the Eagles on the board. Ashland Baca then reached on an error, which allowed Czerpak to come around and score prior to Baca getting thrown at second trying to advance and ending the inning.

Allen gave the Eagles the lead by homering on a full count to lead off the sixth. Chadron State threatened by putting runners on second and third with one out later in the inning, but the Lopers escaped the jam. 

Haug did some tightrope walking of her own, keeping UNK off the scoreboard despite two walks and two hits in the inning with the help of a timely out on the bases. There would be less drama in the seventh inning, when after a one-out single, Haug struck out the final two batters of the game to seal the win. 

Game one featured a complete-game effort from Belle Akins in the loss. The freshman threw 121 pitches and went the full six innings, allowing five runs on nine hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Aliyah Rothstein drew a bases-loaded, two-out walk in the second inning to force home CSC's only run.

🥎 CSC softball splits games at rival UNK

Match-ups are set for the three Eagle competitors at men's wrestling nationals and women's golf competes in Arizona!

🔊 CSC Sports Journal: Wrestling National Pairings & Women's Golf - 3/12/25

Indianapolis&nbsp;- Big Ten All-Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/player/britt-prince">Britt Prince</a>&nbsp;scored a team-high 17 points, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/player/jessica-petrie">Jessica Petrie</a>&nbsp;scored nine points in the fourth quarter to help the Huskers rally from a nine-point third-quarter deficit for a 74-70 win over Illinois in the TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament second round on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

With its fourth victory in the last five games, 10th-seeded Nebraska improved to 21-10 overall (10-8 Big Ten) and advanced to Friday's quarterfinal against No. 2 seed UCLA. Tip-off against the AP No. 4 Bruins (27-2,) is set for 5:30 p.m. (CT) with live television coverage by the Big Ten Network.

Seventh-seeded Illinois slipped to 21-9 (11-7 Big Ten) on the season, as Nebraska avenged a 77-68 loss to the Fighting Illini in Champaign on Feb. 16.

Prince hit 6-of-10 shots from the field including all three of her three-point attempts in the game, while adding a team-high five assists for the Big Red. Prince hit back-to-back short jumpers to tie the game at 65 with 2:18 left, after the Huskers fell behind 56-47 in the closing seconds of the third quarter.

Petrie, a 6-2 sophomore forward from Gold Coast, Australia, then gave Nebraska the lead for good with a huge three-pointer from the left wing to make it 68-65 with 1:34 left.&nbsp;

Genesis Bryant, who scored 17 of her game-high 20 points for the Illini in the second half, hit a pair of free throws to cut the margin to one with 1:16 left. Petrie then provided a layup on a baseline inbounds play that included an outstanding screen from&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/player/logan-nissley">Logan Nissley</a>&nbsp;with 26.8 seconds left after Nissley had kept the possession alive with two enormous offensive rebounds for the Huskers.

Nebraska then got a defensive stop that ended with an&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/player/alexis-markowski">Alexis Markowski</a>&nbsp;defensive rebound.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/player/callin-hake">Callin Hake</a>&nbsp;was fouled and calmly stepped to the free throw line with 11 seconds left to sink both free throws to give NU a 72-67 edge.&nbsp;

Prince sealed the victory with two more free throws.

Petrie finished with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting while adding five rebounds, two assists and two early blocked shots in the game. Nissley, who started Nebraska's late rally with a layup at the buzzer to end the third quarter, finished with eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.&nbsp;

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/player/petra-bozan">Petra Bozan</a>&nbsp;gave a huge lift to the Big Red inside with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including a three-point play midway through the fourth quarter that pulled Nebraska within 60-59.

The double-figure efforts from Bozan and Petrie supplied substantial support inside to Markowski, who was held to nine points and four rebounds. Markowski added two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Hake added seven points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/player/alberte-rimdal">Alberte Rimdal</a>&nbsp;also pitched in seven points off the bench. Illinois natives&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/player/kendall-moriarty">Kendall Moriarty</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/player/amiah-hargrove">Amiah Hargrove</a>&nbsp;rounded out the scoring for the Huskers with two points apiece in a true team effort in which Nebraska's bench outscored the Illini, 22-7.

For the game, Nebraska hit 28-of-57 shots (.491), including 8-of-16 threes. The Huskers also connected on 10-of-12 free throws, including all five in the decisive fourth quarter.&nbsp; The Big Red won the rebounding battle, 30-27, including 12-6 in the fourth quarter.

Illinois connected on 26-of-57 shots (.456), including 5-of-14 threes (.357), while going 13-for-15 at the line. The Illini won the turnover battle, 15-12.

Kendall Bostic scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds but was held to just one second-half field goal and was scoreless in the fourth quarter. Adalia McKenzie added 16 points and a game-high 10 assists - all in the first three quarters for the Illini.

In an entertaining first half, Illinois jumped out to a 13-2 lead before Nebraska responded with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to four points at 19-15 at the end of the first quarter.

The Huskers continued to cut lead in the second quarter, trimming the margin to one point on two occasions, before the Illini took a 32-30 lead to the half.

Prince and Bozan led Nebraska with eight points apiece. Bozan went 4-for-4 in the half, while Prince hit 3-of-5 shots including both of her three-point attempts. Prince added three assists for the Huskers.

Nebraska hit 12-of-28 shots (.429) in the half, including 3-of-7 threes (.429), while going 3-for-4 at the line.

Illinois got 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting from Bostic, while McKenzie added nine points and six assists in the half.

The Fighting Illini hit 14-of-28 shots, including 1-of-3 threes and 3-of-4 three-point attempts. Both teams committed seven first-half turnovers, while Illinois won the first-half battle of the boards, 16-13.

Nebraska started the second half strong with a three from Nissley, a layup from Hake and a three from Prince to take its first lead of the game at 38-37 with 7:11 left in the third period. Nissley's second three-pointer put NU up 41-39 with 6:04 left, and a Rimdal three-point play kept the Huskers in front at 44-42 with 4:29 left in quarter.&nbsp;

However, McKenzie and Bryant then teamed up on an 8-0 Illini run to claim a 50-44 lead with 2:26 left in the third. The lead grew to 56-47 before Nissley's third quarter buzzer beater. Illinois won the third quarter 24-19, before Nebraska responded with a decisive 25-14 edge in the fourth.

Husker Women Rally for Win Over Illini, into Big Ten Quarterfinals

Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team members Kahiwa Augustiro, of Ho’olehua, Hawaii, and Laynee Ohm, of Hyannis, are recognized with $1,500 Dual Excellence Scholarships. The presentation was made Saturday night at Venue304 in North Platte during the team’s annual banquet.

Dual Excellence Scholarships are awarded every year by the Wranglers booster committee. They are given to rodeo team athletes who excel in both the classroom and the arena. Selection is based upon GPA and overall points earned.

Also at the banquet, two $500 scholarships from the Phillipsburg, Kansas Rodeo were awarded.

This year the recipients are rodeo team members Clay Meyer, of Loomis, and Erin Osmotherly, of Hot Springs, S.D.<a></a>

Rodeo team member Laysha Cottrell, of Waianae, Hawaii, was also awarded $500 for being the top raffle ticket seller this year.

Hyannis native earns Dual Excellence Scholarship for MPCC Rodeo Team

GOLDEN, Colo. – Chadron State put up a valiant fight against Colorado School of Mines, but the top-seeded Orediggers held their nerve and pulled out a 79-74 victory over the Eagles in the quarterfinals of the RMAC Tournament. 

The Eagles came back from a 12-point halftime deficit to not only take the lead but hold it for large stretches of the second half, but the Orediggers took the lead back for good with 1:27 to go and made enough plays down the stretch to earn the win, as well as the right to host Friday and Saturday's tournament semifinals and finals. 

Jalen Thomas scored 19 points on 7 of 18 shooting to lead the Eagles, who had four players finish in double figures. Darrius Miles added 18 points and seven rebounds, Zy Wright had 14 points and Julio Phipps had 12. Wright and Thomas had three steals apiece. 

Jaylen Davis played a big role off the bench, playing a season-high 26 minutes and logging six points, four rebounds and two assists. Defensively, Davis took on the primary responsibility of guarding Mines's leading scorer Majok Deng, who finished with only seven points, less than half his season average. 

The Orediggers did get contributions from Cade Mankle, who had 22 points, and Markus Pastorcic-Straun, who had 13 points with most coming down the stretch. CSC outrebounded Mines 33-29 and outscored the Orediggers 38-28 in the paint. 

Chadron State ends its season 15-14 overall, sealing the program's second winning season in the last 10 years. With the loss in the quarterfinals, however, the Eagles have now lost 10 consecutive RMAC Tournament games, dating back to the 1992-93 season. 

The Eagles completely reversed their fortunes in the second half to get in position to win the game, as the first half was all Mines. The Orediggers shot a staggering 65.4 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from three-point range (10-for-16), building a 45-33 halftime cushion. 

Understandably, that shooting percentage was not sustainable for Mines in the second half, and Chadron State pounced to turn the tide, as the Eagles went on a 14-3 run in the first 3:48 of the second half. 

Jaylen Davis and Zy Wright hit back-to-back threes on CSC's first two possessions as CSC cut the dozen-point halftime deficit in half just 35 seconds into the second period. Darrius Miles had a 1-for-2 trip to the line followed by a dunk before a Julio Phipps three and Miles jumper cut the lead to just a point at 48-47 when Mines called timeout with 16:12 to play. 

Out of that timeout, Zy Wright splashed a three-pointer to give CSC its first lead of the game at 50-48. The lead would see-saw from there, changing hands six times in the next four minutes of play. 

With the score tied at 60-60, the Eagles got two free throws from Jalen Thomas before Julio Phipps poked the ball away, raced to the loose ball and threw down a one-handed slam at the other end to put CSC up by four. Two-and-a-half minutes later, Thomas hit a contested turn-around jumper to give the Eagles their largest lead of the night at 67-62. 

From there, Mines clawed back. The Orediggers tied the score 69-69 with a pair of free throws from Markus Pastorcic-Straun. Those would be the first of six straight Oredigger points by Pastorcic-Straun, the last of which gave Mines a 73-71 lead. 

Pastorcic-Straun hit another bucket to put the Orediggers up 77-73 with 39 seconds to go. Needing to press and hit difficult shots as time wound down, Chadron State missed their last five field goals of the contest. 

Chadron State finished the game 47.4 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from three (6-21) and 70 percent from the line (14-20). Mines was 53.8 percent from the field, 48 percent from three (12-25) and just 55 percent from the line (11-20). The Orediggers finished 48 percent from deep despite shooting just 2 of 9 from distance in the second half. 

Colorado School of Mines advances to face Black Hills State in the tournament semifinals on Friday in Golden while the Eagles' season ends. 

🏀 CSC nearly pulls off 8-over-1 RMAC Tournament upset

Michael Baker - Alliance Activities/Athletic Director

Alliance High School competed in their first-ever HOSA-Future Health Professionals competition at Districts in Scottsbluff!

There were over 135 Panhandle HOSA members present.

Sivia Acosta placed 1st in her skill- "Nurse Assisting."

Maci Cornish finished tied for 4th in the general online testing portion (with Breanna Meggison close behind).

All 3 HOSA members will compete at the HOSA State Leadership Conference in Omaha from March 9th-11th.

Congratulations to our Skills USA welding fabrication team, Carson Thomas, Will Nollette, and Ashley Carr qualified for the State Conference.&nbsp;

Sat 3-1 results Gering Speech Invitational

Alliance finished as runners up in the class A/B sweepstakes

Kaden Gasseling - 1st humorous prose, 4th entertainment honors

Emily McCune - 3rd extemporaneous&nbsp;finals, 4th informative finals

Chile&nbsp;Potmesil - 6th extemporaneous finals

Ryleigh Mashburn - 4th entertainment finals, 6th persuasive finals

Brylee Rasmussen - 4th serious prose honors, 3rd informative honors

M 3-3 1st day of spring sports practice (boys golf, girls tennis, and track &amp; field)

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