Arrest Made in Child Abuse Case

(BENNINGTON, Neb.) — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into allegations of the sexual assault of a child.

As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued on July 6, 2026, for Mark Crawford, 45, of Bennington, Nebraska.

Crawford has been charged with:

• Child Abuse – Intentional, No Serious Bodily Injury, a Class IIIA Felony; and
• Sexual Assault of a Child in the Third Degree, a Class IIIA Felony.

Crawford was arrested by the Bennington Police Department on July 6, 2026, in Bennington.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Bennington Police Department for its assistance with this investigation.

As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Wednesday Jul 8 2026 - Scanner News - Panhandle Scanner News

More Gering City news, not only do we have the big Oregon Trail Day celebration kicking off on Thursday, but the City put out a message asking residents to voluntarily reduce their water usage. Due to excessive water use, the City's water storage reservoirs are not filling to capacity during the evening and nighttime hours. The request is intended to help avoid the need for mandatory water restrictions. The City is asking people to reduce their water usage by 10%. The City of Terrytown reiterated the message as water is purchased from them and this would probably apply to Minatare as well. It wouldn't hurt to just reduce water usage by 10%. In weather news, a landspout video was shot by Serdafied Trucking at Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. You can find that on our Facebook page, as well as the results of a torrential rainstorm with some small hail in it in the City of Rushville. They were pummeled last night and had some flash flooding in the streets. But a heads up on the first heat wave warning of the summer. Highs ranging from 95 to possibly 105 degrees and may break some records. Limit your outdoors activities, hydrate, and check on your pets. Last night, scanner traffic indicated a car versus deer accident with possible injuries. To catch that live scanner traffic as it happens, visit our Panhandle Scanner Facebook page. And for the follow up and longer stories, our website at panhandlescanner.com. Click on the news section. And just 10 days away, July 18th is that Tabor Day celebration with the parade, pancake feed, and more. July 18th in Minatare, Nebraska, Tabor Days.