Downtown Colby was buzzing this past weekend as the Sunflower Festival lit up Fike Park for not just one-but two days of food, music, games, and community fun. What started back in 2018 as a small grassroots idea has now grown into one of Colby’s favorite end-of-summer traditions, and this year’s expanded schedule proved that bigger really can be better.

Saturday evening at the Goodland High School Auditorium, our community came together for something more than just a ceremony. It was a moment of gratitude, reflection, and healing as we honored the first responders who faced one of the darkest days northwest Kansas has ever seen. On March 14, 2025, a sudden dust storm swept across Interstate 70 near Edson. Within minutes, visibility dropped to nothing. Cars and trucks piled up in chain reaction crashes-71 vehicles in all.

It was a lively early afternoon at the NWKS Radio studios on Range Avenue as rising country artist Dallas Pryor joined Kristina live on FlyOver Country 97.9. Dallas, who’s been making waves in the Texas/Red Dirt country scene, was all smiles as he rolled into Colby, calling it a familiar town he’s glad to stop in. “I’m absolutely stoked to be here,” he said. “It’s fun to be back in a familiar place.”

Live in the FlyOver Country 97.9 Studio and on-air is Kansas's own Dallas Pryor. You may recognize him from The Lazy Wayne Band and now he's just released his first single "Woman Like You" under his own name. Listen to an interview and maybe even a few songs when Dallas visits the studios tomorrow. Listen on air to FlyOver Country 97.9 or stream the station at nwksradio.net

March 16, 1954 — August 16, 2025 Fort Collins, CO David Joseph Hirsch, age 71, of Fort Collins, CO, passed away on August 16, 2025, in Burlington, CO. Dave was born in Loveland, CO on March 16, 1954, to Joseph and Barbetta Hirsch. David spent his youth visiting his father’s barber shop and even picked up playing the accordion! Dave graduated from Loveland High School. He went on to enlist in the United States Navy but was honorably discharged in bootcamp due to a lung bi

The Colby City Council will meet tonight, Tuesday, August 19, at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at 585 N. Franklin. The meeting will cover a number of important topics that affect the community, ranging from budget hearings to updates on parks and housing.

Dennise Dianne Dible, 73, of Colby, died Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Citizens Medical Center. Dennise was the second child of seven, born on November 21, 1951, in Oberlin, KS to Donald and Bonnie (Knitig) Dible. After graduating from Rexford High School, Dennise entered the United States Army in 1970.

Patricia Jane Lilly Stegman March 14, 1957 — August 15, 2025 Burlington, Colorado

Alva Mae (Bretton) Horn, 76, of Colby, died Friday, August 15, 2025. She was born on August 28, 1948, in Norton, KS, and was the beloved daughter of Gerald and Helen (McDonald) Bretton. The youngest of six children- four boys and two girls- Alva grew up surrounded by family and love.

Last night it poured rain in portions of our listening area to cause flash flood advisories and warnings and in other places.... nothing.

Wind causes damage to poles and roofs in Thomas County.

Downtown Colby will be buzzing with activity this weekend as the annual Sunflower Festival takes over Fike Park on Friday, August 22, and Saturday, August 23. What started in 2018 as a grassroots idea to bring back community celebrations downtown has now grown into one of Colby’s biggest end-of-summer traditions.

Picture this: It’s still blistering hot at Rock the Plains. Sweat is dripping off everyone’s faces (myself included), but none of that stops Braxton Keith, clad in those signature overalls — with no shirt this time. That “guy-next-door energy” made him as approachable as anyone I’ve met backstage. We caught up with him right after his set. He had that breezy, laid-back vibe: “I had to hunt you down,” I joked, and he just laughed and apologized that I was hunting him down!

On a sweltering Saturday afternoon at Rock the Plains, Adam Hood took the stage with the kind of soulful voice that makes you stop mid-sentence and just listen. He wasn’t just there to play and disappear -- Adam was the only artist I know of who made his way to the merch tent after his set, meeting fans and talking with the media. That kind of accessibility is rare these days, and it says a lot about the kind of artist (and person) he is.

Saturday afternoon at Rock the Plains, the heat index was somewhere between “sauna” and “walking on the sun,” but that didn’t stop Kansas’ own Logan Mize from lighting up the stage. Even before his official Saturday set, Logan made a surprise Friday appearance, jumping on stage with Jenna Paulette to perform their brand-new duet (which just so happens to release tonight). It was a fun sneak peek for the crowd — and a great reminder of why live music is magic.

Kristina from FlyOver Country 97.9 interviews Kaitlin Butts at Rock the Plains. Rock the Plains was hot -- like sunscreen-mixed-with-dirt hot-- but the music was worth every sweaty second. And one of the artists I was most excited to talk to was the incredibly talented (and wonderfully real) Kaitlin Butts. She told me how much she loved the energy from the Rock the Plains crowd - even in the blazing afternoon heat.

Rock the Plains 2024 brought Texas Country and Red Dirt music back to Tuttle Creek Park in Manhattan, KS, August 8–9. Hosted at the former Country Stampede grounds, the inaugural festival featured Curtis Grimes, Kaitlyn Butts, Randy Rogers Band, Pat Green, Casey Donahew, and more. FlyOver Country 97.9’s Kristina covered the action live, sharing backstage interviews, contest winners’ experiences, and two unforgettable days of music and community.

Fort Hays Tech Northwest is excited to welcome Dr. Corey Isbell as its new president, bringing with him more than a decade of leadership experience and a genuine understanding of small-town Kansas life. Dr. Isbell joins us after 13 years at North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit, where he served as Dean of Instruction before becoming Vice President of Student & Instructional Services. His background includes overseeing academic and student services, securing federa

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran made stops in Colby and Goodland this morning to honor the law enforcement officers, first responders, tow crews, and medical staff who played critical roles in responding to the devastating multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 70 near Edson earlier this year.

BURLINGTON, Colo. (KKTV) - A 3-year-old girl, the daughter of a Colorado police chief, was killed in a dog attack involving a former K9, acc