January 1, 2025
Continuing the Family Business: Returning to Alliance following their stints at college, Charlie and Josie Otto are excited to join their father, Rich Otto, in his practice, serving clients at Edward Jones as part of the Otto Wealth Management Team.
January 8, 2025
APD Reminds Drivers to Use Caution in School Zones, Around School Buses: With school back in session, the Alliance Police Department is asking drivers to slow down in school zones and to drive cautiously around school buses.
January 15, 2025
Alliance Public Schools Reports Data Breach: On Thursday afternoon, Alliance Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Troy Unzicker announced, out of an abundance of caution, that APS suffered a data breach, through PowerSchool.
January 22, 2025
Many Brave the Cold for a Good, Old Fashioned Barn Dance: The Eagles Auxiliary in Alliance hosted a barn dance Saturday, January 18, and with the weather at one degree above zero at 9:00 p.m. there was a bit of fear that the turnout would not be good. But the weather did not hinder anyone’s plan.
January 29, 2025
Alliance City Council Chooses New Airline, Focuses on Competitive Edge: Beginning on June 1, pending approval from the Department of Transportation, Alliance will see a new airline begin serving the community by providing essential air service at the Alliance Municipal Airport.
February 5, 2025
APD Foot Pursuit Leads to Arrest: On February 1, at approximately 08:30 am., officers were dispatched to the Rainbow Motel for a complaint of a physical disturbance. The reporting party advised that a male, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, was kicking on his door attempting to get in.
February 12, 2025
7th Street Dance Studio Donates Christmas Proceeds to WCHR Respite Program: On Monday, February 3, 7th Street Dance Studio presented their check to Western Community Health Resources Respite Program. 7th Street Dance Studio has been committed to giving back to their community and were delighted to give their entire ticket sales from their 2024 Christmas recital, “Winter Wishes,” to this wonderful organization.
February 19, 2025
Outsmarting the Scammers: Recently, Dalsey Lambley, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, gave a presentation at the Alliance Public Library, giving tips on how people can stay safe by avoiding scams.
February 26, 2025
Tax Program Returns to Alliance After 14 Years: A program that offers free tax preparation service has returned to Alliance after a 14-year pause. The Tax Aid Program, which is offered through the AARP Foundation, recently restarted in Alliance after it was able to gain traction once again, and is open to anyone.
March 5, 2025
Zaro Selected for Nebraska Intercollegiate Band: Ten University of Nebraska at Kearney students have been selected as members of the 2025 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band. They’ll perform 11:30 a.m. March 8 in the ballroom of the Graduate Hotel in Lincoln as part of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association’s annual conference.
March 12, 2025
City of Alliance Reminds Citizens of Nuisance Abatement: The City of Alliance would like to remind our neighbors that we are enforcing Chapters 20 and 24 of the Alliance Municipal Code regarding property maintenance nuisances and obstructions in the City rights of way.
March 19, 2025
APD Places Newly Acquired Patrol Vehicles in Service: In late October, the Alliance Police Department took delivery of three low-mileage, used patrol cars purchased from Chicago Motors in Chicago, Illinois.
March 26, 2025
Kiddie Kampus Celebrates World Down’s Syndrome Day: It was a day of celebration at Kiddie Kampus in Alliance on Thursday, as students gathered together to celebrate World Down’s Syndrome Day, honoring one of their classmates, Leah Gonzalez, 3, by wearing colorful and mismatched socks.
April 2, 2025
Law Enforcement Searches for Salway: Law enforcement is on the lookout and asking for assistance in locating Harley Salway III, who was released from jail without posting bond.
April 9, 2025
Juvenile Arrested Following Recovery of Stolen Firearm: On April 4, 2025, at approximately 12:22 PM, officers with the Alliance Police Department responded to a report of a stolen firearm involving a juvenile suspect.
April 16, 2025
APD to Host Community Forum: On Thursday, April 17th, the Alliance Police Department will host its next Community Forum at the Knight Museum.
April 23, 2025
Volunteers – The Heart Of The Community: Volunteers make an impact in the community and this week, they are being recognized as part of Volunteer Appreciation Week.
April 30, 2025
Hope on the Horizon: New Mental Health Center Opens Its Doors: Alliance has a new mental health center that is home to Pathways to Hope Counseling and Therapy, Langford Behavioral Services and Western Nebraska Behavioral Health. The center opened March 3 and is located at 224 West 2nd St.
May 7, 2025
Police Respond to Incident Near Alliance Middle School: On 5/1/2025 at approximately 3:46 PM, the Alliance Police Department responded to a report of a juvenile possibly in possession of a firearm near Alliance Middle School. Officers arrived quickly and located the juvenile near 12th Street and Laramie Avenue.
May 14, 2025
Alliance City Council, Public Discuss Information Leaks: At a special meeting on April 28, the Alliance City Council discussed their option following a leak of information regarding the proposal brought to the Council Members that would have allowed City Clerk Shelbi Pitt to work remotely for a period of time to transition the role to somebody new.
May 21, 2025
Coordinated Efforts Result in the Capture of Fugitive Harley Salway: On May 18th 2025 members of the US Marshall Service were in Alliance conducting drone surveillance in an effort to locate Harley Salway. Mr. Salway had been on the run since late March and was wanted on multiple felony warrants.
May 28, 2025
AHS Performs ‘Little Shop of Horrors’: Actors recently took to the stage at the Alliance High School to perform the musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” acting out the story of a unique plant that is hungry for more than plant food.
June 4, 2025
Blomenkamp Sentenced in Child Porn Case Following Plea Agreement: Tanner Blomenkamp, the former manager at the Alliance Runza, has been sentenced following a plea agreement in March. Judge Travis O’Gorman sentenced Blomenkamp to a term of four to six years in prison for possession of child pornography, and two additional years for enticement by electronic device.
June 11, 2025
Rally Planned For June 14: America has always been the land of opportunity, and a group of concerned citizens is rallying in Alliance on Saturday to ensure that those ideals will continue. The Rally for America will be Saturday, June 14, 10:30 a.m. to noon at 3rd and Box Butte in Alliance.
June 18, 2025
A 30 Year-Old Business Under New Name, Ownership: An investment and financial firm that has been open on Box Butte Ave in Alliance for the past 30 years is now under new ownership. Maverick Churchill of Alliance, Nebraska, went to work at Independent Plan Investments as a financial advisor in the fall of 2022.
June 25, 2025
Demonstrators Rally for America: Organizers of the Rally for America were thrilled with the turnout, engagement of like-minded and not-so-like minded public and look for future activities in the same vein in days to come.
July 2, 2025
BBDC’s $1.125 Million Housing Fund is Active, Accepting Applications: The Box Butte Development Corporation (BBDC) is actively deploying its Rural Workforce Housing Fund (RWHF), a substantial $1.125 million resource designed to boost housing availability in Alliance.
July 9, 2025
AVFD Responds to Garage Fire: An early-morning fire summoned firefighters for a quick response last Tuesday in the 1600 block of Emerson.
July 16, 2025
Box Butte County Launches “Big Idea” Grant with $40,000 Fund Boost Entrepreneurs: Local entrepreneurs in Box Butte County have a new opportunity to launch or expand their businesses thanks to a combined $40,000 grant awarded to the Big Idea Box Butte County program.
July 23, 2025
Alliance, Hemingford Firefighters Battle Blaze at Acosta Trucking: High winds and access to the scene made it difficult for firefighters to battle a fire at Acosta Trucking last Monday afternoon.
July 30, 2025
Busch Solves a Trash Problem at Laing Lake: When you think of Laing Lake you picture walking paths, kids fishing and community fun. What you don’t picture is the amount of trash found in and around the lake.
August 6, 2025
Alliance Fire Department Receives State Recognition for Pediatric Readiness: On August 1, 2025, the Alliance Fire Department was recognized by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for pediatric readiness to provide emergency care for children in Nebraska.
August 13, 2025
Arrest Made After Felony Assault on Alliance Assistant Fire Chief: On August 8, 2025, at approximately 6:44 p.m., Alliance Police Officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Laramie Avenue for a report of an assault.
August 20, 2025
BBGH Updates Patient Payment Policy with Expanded Financial Assistance Options: Box Butte General Hospital is committed to ensuring accessible and compassionate care for every patient. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the financial experience and transparency for those we serve, we are implementing an updated patient payment policy.
August 27, 2025
Chief Leavitt Announces APD Switch to New Radio System: Beginning last Tuesday at 4 p.m., the Alliance Police Department began using a new Motorola P25 Radio System. This advanced system replaces the current UHF network, which will now be reassigned to Alliance area schools and school buses, created a dedicated emergency communications system for staff and drivers.
September 3, 2025
Alliance Police Officers Apprehend Juvenile Burglary Suspect: At approximately 4:00 AM Friday, officers with the Alliance Police Department responded to a report of an attempted burglary at 935 Toluca Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed a broken window adjacent to the side entry door.
September 10, 2025
Fire Chief Shoemaker Graduates from Fire Service Chief Executive Officer Program: Fire Chief Shoemaker successfully graduated from the Fire Service Chief Executive Officer (FSCEO) Program, a partnership between the TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute and the Texas A&M Mays Business School, on Friday, August 29th.
September 17, 2025
NSP Arrests Two After Body found in Box Butte County: Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested multiple people in connection with a suspected homicide in western Nebraska. Thursday, investigators located human remains in rural Box Butte County.
September 24, 2025
Alliance High School Incident Quickly Resolved After Juveniles Display Weapons: At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16th, Alliance High School was placed on “hold” following reports that juveniles were driving past the school and displaying weapons from their vehicle. One report indicated a gun had been pointed at students.
October 1, 2025
$6,000 Pick 4 Winning Ticket Sold in Alliance: One lucky player who bought a Nebraska Pick 4 ticket for the Thursday, September 25 drawing is holding a ticket worth $6,000. The ticket was sold at Nick’s Gas & Liquor, 224 E 3rd St., in Alliance.
October 8, 2025
City Manager Resigns: After four years of serving as Alliance’s City Manager, Seth Sorensen has announced his resignation, noting he accepted a position in Texas.
October 15, 2025
Carr Places Second at American Legion Nationals, Sets New Record: Ashley Carr attended the 34th American Legion Junior Air Rifle National Championship at Hillsdale college in Hillsdale, Michigan. Shooting four 60 shot matches in two days in sporter air rifle, her total scores for each match were 563-27, 565-23, 564-23 and 560-22.
October 22, 2025
Council to Approve Interim City Managers: With just a couple weeks left before Alliance City Manager Seth Sorensen leaves the position, the Alliance City Council has tapped two department heads to fill the vacancy on an interim basis.
October 29, 2025
Dr. Mark Chu Announces His Retirement from BBGH After 23 Years: Box Butte General Hospital announced that after 23 years of dedicated service to the Box Butte County community, Dr. Mark Chu will retire.
November 5, 2025
West 3rd Street Vehicle Burglary Suspect Arrested: On Wednesday afternoon, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Special Agent Cody Buskirk with the BNSF Police received a report of a suspicious person trespassing on railroad property. While checking the area, Special Agent Buskirk observed an individual matching the description of the auto burglary suspect near Cheyenne Avenue and 2nd Street.
November 12, 2025
Stronger Together: Police Radios Connect Alliance Schools Directly to Emergency Responders: The Alliance Police Department recently completed an upgrade to a new public safety-grade radio system. While the department’s former radio system no longer met the demands of modern law enforcement, it proved to be an ideal solution to enhance safety for local schools and students.
November 19, 2025
Community Support Helps Make APS Foundation Fundraiser Successful: For the last five years the big annual fundraiser, held by the Alliance Public Schools Foundation was online only due to COVID. This year the Foundation brought it back to an in person event.
November 26, 2025
Hamburger to Play at Carnegie Hall: AJ Hamburger, of Alliance, is one of 350 students from around the world who were selected for the prestigious honor of performing clarinet at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Hamburger, who is the son of Julie and Aaron Hamburger, Sr., is a multi-talented musician, capable of playing eight instruments.
December 3, 2025
SNAP Back Group Organizes Donation Program: A group of local citizens has created a donation program available in both Alliance grocery stores, to help feed hungry families and children during the shutdown of SNAP (food stamp) benefits. A large gray tote will be placed at the front of both grocers, where patrons can drop off nonperishable food and personal hygiene items to be distributed through the Community table in Alliance.
December 10, 2025
AMS Principal Mach Named Principal of the Year: The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals has selected Mr. Troy Mach as the 2026 Middle School Principal of the Year. This award is presented annually to a Middle School Principal who has demonstrated outstanding leadership at the school, region, and state levels.
December 17, 2025
Suspect Enters Occupied Residence; Authorities Urge Community Vigilance: The Box Butte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of 12/9/2025, when a suspect unlawfully entered an occupied residence near Wyoming Ave. and Ord St., within Hemingford Nebraska, while the residents were asleep.
December 24, 2025
Alliance Police Department Welcomes New Officer Chris Laake: The Alliance Police Department is pleased to announce the addition of its newest officer, Chris Laake, to the department’s growing team of dedicated professionals.