How The Morrill Fire Started

(BRIDGEPORT, Neb.) – Governor Pillen in the press conference stated he believed the Morrill Fire was started by an electrical pole, but deferred a formal report to the professionals. According to a post by a Bridgeport resident, that’s exactly what happened. Here is the post with photos from Danielle Jacobson.

This pole snapped due to 70mph+ wind gusts and started the biggest wildfire in Nebraska history. This is just north of the fence line of my father-in-law’s pasture, located north of Bridgeport, close to Reilly Hill. The fire quickly moved through his pastures and on to neighbors to the east. Then it exploded across the western end of the state, burning 450,000 acres of land in a little over 24 hours.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost property and livestock, as well as all affected by the blaze. A special thank you to all volunteer firefighters and first responders, as well as everyone who has volunteered to help. ❤️

God Bless Nebraska, and please God, send us some rain! 🙏 – Danielle Jacobson

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Friday March 13 2026 - Scanner News - Panhandle Scanner News

We cannot start today's news without thanking the area volunteer firefighters and emergency response personnel all over the Panhandle and beyond. The state of Nebraska was on fire last night. With too many individual stories to report, please see our news page at PanhandleScanner.com or our Facebook page by the same name. There is an important message posted at the top of our page from the Bridgeport Fire Department. The Bridgeport Fire Hall is open this morning for donations that everyone was asking about, including the need for Tylenol, Ibuprofen, baby wipes, eye drops, Chapstick, water, Gatorade, snacks, chips and sandwich fixins. That's what they could use if you fill inclined to help out by supporting the firefighters, take those items to the Bridgeport Fire Hall today. Before the fire started, wind was causing severe damage around the valley, a shed blew over and struck a man causing an injury, and a hotel roof in Sidney was coming apart. While trampolines were slamming into the sides of people's houses, if it hadn't been for the devastating, fast-moving fires, the wind would have been the biggest story of the day. But it didn't even come close. In fact, there was a fatality crash on I-80 as well yesterday morning. In a minivan, rear ended a jeep causing it to go off the road with the driver succumbing to their injuries. The person in the suspect vehicle was arrested and charged initially with vehicular homicide. There must have been mitigating circumstances to levy that charge from the get-go. Typically, an accident that causes a death would be involuntary manslaughter. Stay tuned for more on this fatality on I-80 in the North Platte area.

NSP Night Shift: Traffic Stops, Citations and a Morrill County Arrest - SCANNER TRAFFIC

(PANHANDLE OF NEBRASKA) -- Nebraska state troopers were active from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Feb. 25, handling traffic stops, warnings, citations, VIN checks, vehicle releases, and arrests across multiple highways. Highlights include a DUI with a positive breathalizer test, several vehicle tows and VIN investigations, and a notable conflict-of-interest call in Morrill County that resulted in a female being arrested. #nsp #nebraskastatepatrol #rushville #sheridancounty #arrests #citations #warnings #scottsbluffcounty #morrillcounty #conflictofinterest #weaponreturned #womanarrested #highway385

Junk Under Your Bed (Give it to God) - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

If there is any space at all under our beds, we usually stuff junk under there, out of sight, out of mind. It may or may not be precious to us. I want to keep the junk under my bed, but my husband wants to throw it away. Did you know that most of us stuff more than actual objects under our “beds,” so to speak? Most of us are trying to sleep on top of our emotional junk, too, but it never works! Let’s look at some emotional junk keeping us awake at night and see if we can get rid of it. First is fear—a highway the enemy drives down, straight into your heart and mind. Fear will steer you toward believing lies about God, yourself, those you love and your future. John 15:5-11 ESV I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he … bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. You pay a price for traveling down the road of fear. Exit that highway by reminding yourself of who God is and how much He loves you. Then come addictions, old habits that die hard. Addiction is an evil spirit with many forms. People can become addicted to anything—drugs, alcohol, work, food, people, even ministry. Psalm 34:17-18 ESV When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. The world tries to deal with addictions without Christ’s help. That doesn’t work! You have to surrender addictions to God and ask for His help to get rid of them and get back on track with His good plans for you. Unforgiveness brings torment, yet people hang on to it anyway. When we won’t pardon someone for a wrong, it opens the entryway for our own torment. As Jesus told us in Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV) “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” The bottom line is that we must forgive others if we want God to forgive us. Unforgiveness disconnects us from Him, which is torment. Forgiveness demonstrates that we love Him and live in His love. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Prayerlessness and doubt are more junk that needs to go. One of the best ways to confront prayerlessness is to confront another kind of junk cluttering our lives—busyness. Add hopelessness (doubt) to busyness, and it is a recipe for spiritual disaster. Do you need disaster relief? Then don’t let anyone or anything block you from an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. Speak with Him as 1 Corinthians 14 guides us to do, praying both with the Spirit and with the understanding. It has changed my whole life and it will do the same for you. Mark 11:24-25 ESV Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. The Holy Spirit is a faith-boosting Mastermind, and He wants to live with you, in you and upon you. He is God’s gift to you. Your Helper in everything, even prayer. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 ESV Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Outside Your Window and Inside Your Head (Give it to God) - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

Sometimes you can create the perfect refuge in your bedroom, will yourself to bed and master all your monsters, yet you still can’t get to sleep. The reason is that sometimes the chaos that keeps you awake once you crawl into bed continues, either outside your window or inside your head. You see things on the news, or you read things on social media that create a political or cultural theatre far more disturbing than entertaining. And you may not have a lot of control over what goes on outside your window—but you can still worry if you so choose, letting it steal your peaceful rest. 2 Corinthians 10:1-5 ESV I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, Try using God-given dreams and prayers at night to deal with that world outside your window. This will help you feel less fearful as night falls. It’s also important to watch your words both day and night, on social media and elsewhere. Don’t pray for peace and then make war with your conversations! Put down those electronic devices at bedtime. Their glowing light hits your optic nerve and cues your pineal gland to stop producing melatonin. Melatonin is the drowsy hormone, and without it you’ll never go to sleep. Instead use that time to ask God for direction (even in your dreams) and pray for whatever is going on outside your window. John 14:25-27 ESV These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Inside your head, certain voices might keep clamoring for your attention. It can be hard to shut them off, even after you switch off the lights. You have to choose which one to pay attention to as you lay yourself to rest. The only voice that matters belongs to the One who has promised you His peace. The other voices probably include your own discouraging self-talk and the voices of the skeptics, those naysayers without the heart to see you succeed in your calling or purpose. When the voice keeping you awake is your own, it’s time to silence the inner critic. The only way to do that is to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, as Romans 12:2 tells us. Romans 12:1-2 ESV I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Replace negative self-talk with God’s mind-transforming words about His love and care for you. As for the naysayers, it’s imperative that you become convinced of who God says you are, so other voices cannot change your mind. Knowing God’s voice is knowing peaceful sleep. Isaiah 54:17 ESV no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

The Weapons Under Your Pillow (Give it to God) - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

Remember the Disney Pixar movie Monsters, Inc., which introduced a hidden world of monsters that generated energy by scaring human children, even though the movie was a comedy? Kids were toxic to these monsters’ plans for world bedtime domination. As adults, we have overcome our fear of monsters in our closets. Or have we? Indeed, entities are hiding just out of sight—not in your closet, but in the wings of your life. James 5:13-16 ESV Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. If you are God’s child, His enemies are your enemies, and they lie in wait for you to open the door to fear. I’ve noticed three common “monsters” that want to intimidate people of faith, and they start growling at nighttime in an attempt to steal our peace, our sleep and our dreams. They are monitoring spirits, some of them are familiar spirits, and all want you to dress yourself in garments of fear, worry and other devastating outfits. Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Must you fall victim to these monsters, or is there something you can do? I believe that if you’re brave enough to open the closet door and walk straight into the monster factory, you’ll find that you are not afraid of them, but they are actually afraid of you! Your faith is toxic to them. You can dismiss the spirits tracking your steps each day to steal your future, one peaceful night’s sleep at a time. Freedom awaits you through prayer that takes authority over these interfering enemies, in Jesus’ name! A powerful arsenal is at your disposal each and every night. Slip your hand under your pillow and take advantage of the weapons waiting for you there. These weapons include your dreams, your prayers and your rest. Your dreams especially are your direct pipeline to heaven’s wisdom. That’s why it is so important to get to sleep and have some! Acts 2:17-18 ESV And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. Throughout the Bible, God used dreams to communicate with people. What He did for those in Scripture, He will do for you. You just have to be in a relationship with Him to hear His voice. There are waking dreams that call for action, encouraging dreams, warning dreams that protect you or your loved ones, and directional dreams. If God gives you a dream, He’ll give you the grace to pray it forth. Between your dreams from God, your prayer and your rest, you and God can handle any monster that comes your way! Psalm 91:1-5 ESV He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day

Sleep is the Mattress of Dreams (Give it to God) - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

From Give It To God And Go To Bed by Laura Harris Smith on YouVersion Matthew 6:25-32 ESV “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Many people bring sleep-disturbing distractions to bed with them every night in the form of stress, work and worry. These are what I call the three main thieves that steal your sleep, your dreams and your health. At some point after the sun goes down each day, you’ll have to make the choice to give it all to God and go to bed. The alternative is that your troubles do jumping jacks in front of you and keep you up too late, either eating in the kitchen, vegging out on the living room sofa or slaving away in your home office. Those other rooms and the activities you do in them distract you from making your way down the hall to the bedroom, where you rest and sleep, and where prophetic directional dreams from God await you. It’s vital for you to learn how to decompress nightly so your sleep can be sweet, your peace can be full and your health can be protected. Job 33:14-18 ESV For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. One thing I’ve learned from my own experience with sleep deprivation is that if you don’t go to bed and sleep, your organs will go to sleep for you. Trust me, you don’t ever want to experience that scenario the way I did when I suffered adrenal burnout. The key to good physical health is not just diet and exercise; it’s diet, exercise and sleep. And as I now believe and will never tire of saying, sleep doctors could put all the other doctors out of business, because once you fix your sleep, you fix your whole health! Your bedroom is the room where you should spend one-third of your day—one-third of your life—resting. But sometimes we treat our bedrooms like a pit stop where we plunk down and lie unconsciously for a few hours after a hard day. But look around you. Your bedroom should be a treasured place full of items that make you smile and bring you peace. It should be much more than a pit stop for you, your bills and your dirty laundry. It should be a place of inspiration, a sanctuary where the cares of your day melt away. A place where you can sleep so that God can communicate with you through your dreams, which can change your life. That is what happens when you give it all to God and go to bed! John 10:27-30 ESV My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me,is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

From Shadows To Light (Faith in the Dark) - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” – John 3:21 ESV Nicodemus came to Jesus in the shadows. But shadows don’t stay shadows when you’ve been with the Light. We meet him first in John 3—coming quietly, seeking truth under cover of night. Then again in John 7—cautiously speaking up for Jesus among religious leaders. And finally, in John 19—boldly stepping forward after the crucifixion, carrying burial spices and helping lay Jesus in the tomb. Publicly. Openly. Unashamed. His journey wasn’t fast. But it was real. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. – Proverbs 4:18 ESV Faith doesn’t always erupt like fireworks. Sometimes it unfolds like sunrise—slow, steady, and full of grace. Nicodemus didn’t make a loud conversion speech. Jesus never pressured him to. But transformation was happening the whole time. From whispered questions to quiet defense to undeniable devotion—grace was growing into boldness. for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light – Ephesians 5:8 ESV And it’s the same with us. Maybe you still feel like you’re in between—still unsure, still stepping cautiously, still learning what it means to be fully His. That’s okay. Nicodemus reminds us that Jesus honors the journey. He sees every step, even the small ones. Especially the small ones. Faith is not measured by speed. It’s measured by direction. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. – Matthew 5:14 ESV If you’re moving toward Jesus—even slowly—you’re moving into the light. And the light changes everything. Ask Yourself Where in your life are you still hiding? What would it look like to step into the light—even just a little? Let’s pray together Jesus, You never rushed Nicodemus—and You’re not rushing me. Thank You for walking with me through every hidden corner of my heart. I want to live in the light… but I’m scared. Give me courage. Give me clarity. Give me one small step. Amen.

When Faith Comes at Night (Faith in the Dark) - Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

From Faith In The Dark on YouVersion Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” – John 3:1-4 ESV Nicodemus didn’t come with a crowd. He came at night. Quietly. With questions. With a flicker of faith and a heart full of wonder. He wasn’t trying to hide from Jesus. He was trying to get close—without the eyes of others watching. His approach wasn’t bold or loud, but it was real. Sincere. Risky in its own way. even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. – Psalm 139:12 ESV Faith doesn’t always show up with confidence. Sometimes, it shows up with curiosity. A whisper that asks, “Is this really You?” Nicodemus came seeking truth, not attention. And Jesus met him with grace and revelation. He didn’t shame him for coming in the dark. He didn’t demand a louder faith. Instead, He spoke about being born again, about the Spirit’s work, and the love of God so deep He gave His Son for the world. Faith often begins like this—in quiet moments, uncertain steps, and secret prayers. Before it becomes bold, it begins with a question. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13 ESV If your faith feels small or hesitant right now, you’re in good company. Jesus welcomes seekers. He honors even the faintest light of belief. You don’t need to have it all figured out to come to Him. Nicodemus reminds us that even a quiet knock on the door of truth can open into a conversation that changes everything. Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. – Jeremiah 33:3 ESV So come, even if it’s in the dark. He will meet you there. Ask Yourself What questions have I been holding back from asking Jesus? Let’s pray together Jesus, I don’t always come boldly. Sometimes I come afraid, with doubts I don’t know how to say out loud. But I’m here. In the dark. Seeking You. Will You meet me here? Amen.