One year after the devastating March 14, 2025 dust storm on Interstate 70 near Edson between Goodland and Colby, Northwest Kansas remembers the 71-vehicle pileup that claimed eight lives and injured dozens. The tragedy highlighted the courage of local first responders and the importance of staying weather aware while traveling during dangerous dust storms on the High Plains.

Wildfires burning near North Platte and Lexington, Nebraska have scorched tens of thousands of acres and are sending smoke and ash into Northwest Kansas. Several large grass fires remain active across central and western Nebraska as firefighters work to contain the blazes fueled by dry conditions and strong winds.

If you’re looking for something to do in Northwest Kansas this week, you’re in luck. From community breakfasts and museum events to weather classes, live music, and a big home show, the region is packed with activities for all ages.

A late-night power outage early Friday morning briefly knocked out electricity for about 2,500 customers across Colby, Gem, Rexford, and Winona. At first word going around town was that a raccoon might have been the culprit, but after checking with Midwest Energy, officials confirmed that some kind of critter managed to sneak inside the Colby substation and caused the outage.

Alan Lee Carlson July 3, 1951 — March 10, 2026 Burlington, Colorado Burlington, Colorado resident Alan Lee Carlson, 74, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2026 at his home in Burlington.

Colby residents may have noticed smoke Friday morning as the Colby Fire Department conducted a controlled burn around Villa High Pond. The annual burn removes brush and weeds from the rocks surrounding the pond. The burn was closely monitored by firefighters and helps maintain the pond area while protecting water quality by avoiding chemical herbicides.

Smoke drifting into Northwest Kansas overnight caused concern for many residents in Colby and Thomas County. Authorities say the smoke came from large grass fires near North Platte and Lexington, Nebraska. At the same time, a raccoon caused a Midwest Energy power outage affecting Colby, Winona, Gem, and Rexford, keeping emergency crews busy responding to alarms and checking on residents.

Wheatland High School in Grainfield will present the comedy murder mystery “The Butler Did It” on Sunday, April 12 with a 2 PM matinee and a 5 PM dinner theater. Students recently visited 100.3 The Ride to talk with Joel Navarro about the play, rehearsals, and what audiences can expect from the fun whodunit performance featuring dinner and dessert prepared locally.

Colby Middle School eighth graders showcased their creativity and business skills at the annual Entrepreneurship Trade Show at the Colby Event Center. Students spent nine weeks developing business ideas, writing plans, creating videos, and presenting their products to judges and the public. Teacher Brandi Jones says she is “so proud of these kids” as they demonstrate entrepreneurship, public speaking, and real-world business skills.

Colby Middle School hosted its annual 7th Grade Career Fair at the Colby Event Center, giving students the chance to explore careers from more than 20 local businesses. NWKS Radio joined the event, with Chad Jones and Joel Navarro visiting with students about careers in broadcasting, sales, marketing, and media. Several students even had the chance to go live on-air on 100.3 The Ride.

Fred Page Waters, 90, of McDonald, KS, died on March 8, 2026. He was born on May 21, 1935, in St. Francis, KS to Lloyd and Ione (Page) Waters. Fred was blessed with four sisters: Janetta, Jeneva, Bonnie, and Dolly.

Adalie Jolie Marie Jennings November 9, 2025 — March 8, 2026 Kanorado, Kansas Obituary and service information is pending. Koons Russell Funeral Home

The entry to KXXX studios and Villa High Park from Range in Colby is getting widened! And we're extremely excited here at the station! It's going to make in and out for us and for all the park goers SO MUCH easier and safer! Previously, only one car could easily get on and off Range---

Judith Lorraine Shockey, age 87, born on July 8, 1938, in North Dakota, peacefully departed this life on March 6, 2026, in Goodland.

Gerald Lee Collins, more commonly known as George, Geo, Dad and Grandpa, left this Earth feeling very loved by family and friends on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 10:49 a.m. in Colby, Kansas. He was a man defined by his steady hands, his devotion to his family, and the quiet strength of a life lived outdoors.

Edna Elizabeth Hawkins, age 76, passed away March 5, 2026, at Wheat Haven Home in McDonald, KS. She was born on April 17, 1949, in Leavenworth, KS to the late Frank L and Josephine Mary (Mages) Turner.

Richard D. Calliham, 84, of Colby, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026. He was born April 24, 1941, in Thomas County, Kansas, to Thomas and Bessie (Dawes) Calliham.

Pioneer Memorial Library in Colby is celebrating its 100th anniversary with two special events March 13–14. The celebration includes a Friday night gala with live music from world-famous guitarist Peter Fletcher and a family fun day on Saturday featuring pizza pie, games, trivia, an arcade bus, and a nationally recognized surprise guest appearing from noon to 2 p.m. at the library.

Smoke was visible over central Colby Sunday afternoon as the Colby Fire Department responded to a fire behind a home in the 200 block of South Cleveland. Firefighters blocked the street for less than two hours while extinguishing the blaze, which damaged a fence and shed near the alley. No homes were damaged, no injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. 🚒

‼️‼️𝟯𝟬 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗦----𝟱 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦‼️‼️                      𝗭𝗭 𝗧𝗼𝗽 & 𝗗𝘄𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗺                      𝗗𝗼𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗼𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 - 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹                     MARCH 28 7 PM AT INTRUST BANK ARENA 📻𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐗𝐗𝐗 𝟕𝟗𝟎 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐓 𝟏𝟎𝟐.𝟓 ➡Here's how to make sure you can be entered in to win a pair of tickets: 📻Be listening t