In rural Scottsbluff, neighbors along the Seip Canal Road and County Road 25 reported multiple motocross bikes last night driving in the Tri-State Canal ditch. We all like to have fun, but if you're a motocross rider, stay out of the ditches.

Our court reporter, Raul Fernandez, has been busy at the courthouse. In one case we just posted, Wing scores a meth arrest. A Terrytown man was arrested for selling multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from a Gearing motel room.

And our report on the DUI driver who was confused using sign language to say, I'm drunk, and blew twice the legal limit. Juan Castro Zelaya, 44, was jailed for 30 days after a DUI arrest with a blood alcohol content of 0.177 and no valid driver's license. And a DUI for a driver with a rollover who tried to claim that he was swerving to miss a deer.

A 19-year-old man pled no contest to a DUI and reckless driving after the rollover crash happened near Henry recently. Price G. Harpstreith pled no contest and was found guilty of driving under the influence of a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher. On September 20th, deputies found a Wyoming-plated GMC Sierra pickup resting on its roof off the southwest side of the roadway on Highway 26. No injuries were reported among Harpstreith or his four teenage passengers. Deputies noted tire marks and other physical evidence indicating rapid acceleration and a spin out while attempting a sharp turn onto the highway. Sentencing is scheduled for October 26 at 215 in room 1 of Scotts Bluff County Court.

Yesterday there was a large-scale community-wide emergency response simulation. The response included members of the Scottsbluff Police Department, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office, Scottsbluff Fire Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Region 22 Emergency Management, and 9-1-1 Communications.

James Todd, the Scottsbluff Public Schools Director of Safety and Security, oversaw the operation. The simulation incorporates advice from each of these agencies to help all schools improve response protocols and enhance security practices. Yesterday our staff was on hand for a first-hand look and actually got called into the principal's office to make sure that our media coverage is coordinated in line with their efforts.

We appreciate the open line of communication between Panhandle Scanner and Scottsbluff Public Schools, as well as the police departments in the area. We thank you for your cooperation.

The exercise is intended to operationalize the procedures detailed in SBPS's Emergency Operations Plan, which follows guidelines from the National and State Emergency Management Systems, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FEMA Incident Command System, and the "I Love You Guys Foundation", as well as the Nebraska Department of Education School Safety Center.

Yesterday's drill scenario was a mysterious package dropped off by a student outside a door in a potential bomb threat situation. Special thanks to our primary admin, Tim Mendez, for leading the charge in gathering this media coverage.

For these stories and more, be sure to check our page at Panhandle Scanner on Facebook or our website for our news blog on our website at panhandlescanner.com. That's going to do it for today's scanner news.

From the admins, to the owners, contributors, and the great followers of Panhandle Scanner. We all express our great love and support to the Eckerberg family on the recent passing of Margaret. Philip has served as a Scottsbluff police officer for many years, as did his father before him. Our deepest condolences to the family and our prayers for the Eckerberg family. Many warm reflections about her service at the school.

Lori Johnson said, "Margaret was amazing. It's going to be a little bit hard calling the kid in for school. Margaret always answered the phone and every time we laughed. She was a light."

Shannon Bruner wrote, "She always had the most beautiful smile and was a pleasure to talk to."

And Brenda Manley wrote, "The Prime Cut family is so sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed you on Tuesdays."

And Mrs. J wrote from the school, "Always so kind and respectful to me as a new sub. You will be missed. Prayers to the family and all who loved her."

That was from Tammy Adams-Johansen.

Deborah Gardner wrote, "Such a wonderful lady. She will be missed by so many. Deepest sympathy to Phil and the family. Lifting the family in my prayers."

For more of those condolences, see Panhandle Scanner's Facebook page.

A minor two vehicle accident happened yesterday afternoon, Highway 26 and Avenue B in Scottsbluff. Scanner admins were on scene and reported that one truck had its drive shaft off. Unknown damage to the other vehicle. No injuries were reported.

And don't forget our public record every Monday through Friday from over 20 counties across Nebraska.

For these stories and more, be sure to visit our Facebook page at Panhandle Scanner or our website at Panhandlescanner.com and click on our news page.