MITCHELL - Brandon Ritterbush is hoping that someone will step forward with information leading to the arrest of individuals that burglarized his Phantom Fireworks stand early Thursday morning.
Ritterbush said approximately $5,000 in merchandise was stolen, including two products that are not sold anywhere else in the area.
He said a Strategic Air Defense item and Whistling Phanbemonium, both priced at $109.99, were stolen from his stand and that the items are only sold through Phantom

Early Tuesday evening, irrigation water began pouring out of a section of the Farmers Irrigation District canal seven miles east of Bayard on County Road 106. The rupture is being blamed on a gopher.

A Scotts Bluff County grand jury will consider two cases involving the deaths of two men in police custody during hearings July 14-15.

CRAWFORD - The 2008 Old West Trail Rodeo Royalty was crowned Wednesday evening before the Old West Trail PRCA Rodeo as part of the Fourth of July festivities.
Old West Trail Rodeo Queen Board Member Jody Bass said they ran the contest a little different this year by having the entire competition in one day, opposed to the usual two days.
"Our idea to compress it all into one day this year was to make it more convenient for the contestants traveling any distance," Bass said.

Americans are concerned with rising prices at the grocery stores, at the gas pumps, in restaurants and overall costs of living. Because of that, many are being forced to take a good look at where they spend their money.

While the Fourth of July is a fun time for many of us, animals can become terrified by the noise and flashes of light. Deb Schutte, director of Panhandle Humane Society, said she sees a 50 percent increase in animals brought to the shelter this time of year because dogs get scared and are more likely to get out of their cages.

Victory in 11 innings extends Colorado's win streak to 3

Hard work, dedication helps Torrington star to high state finishes in three different sports

FORT LARAMIE - National Park Service Historian Kay Threlkeld will explore the life on women on the western trails when she presents her special program "Women's Voices from the Emigrant Trails" at 2:30 p.m. on July 4, at Fort Laramie National Historic Site.

LAGRANGE - The LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department will conduct a fireworks display and ice cream social Thursday, July 3.