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It’s Friday, Nebraska Panhandle! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Carhenge’s origin story, eight Nebraska cities under $800 rent, and Winter Farmers Market + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around the Nebraska Panhandle protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Funding boost for local students: NPPD donated $15,000 to WNCC from the 34th Wells Fargo Nebraska Open, with funds set for Alliance, Scottsbluff, and Sidney campuses. Since 1992, the tournament provided over $415,000 to WNCC — see how funds are distributed.

Small-city culture and comfort: An article highlights eight underrated Nebraska cities where rent is $800 or less, with Scottsbluff at $600 for one bedroom, utilities around $150, and cheaper groceries and healthcare — see the full list.

A whimsical roadside marvel: Alliance’s Carhenge uses vintage cars to mirror Stonehenge. Built in 1987 by Jim Reinders as a memorial to his father, it welcomes visitors with a center offering restrooms and exhibits — explore its origins and features.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Feel the rhythm at salsa class
• Dueling pianos fundraiser supports student mentorship
• Shop the final Winter Farmers Market
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Your midweek art boost: Rotating exhibits at West Nebraska Arts Center change before your “I’ll go next week” reminder… the gift shop stocks locally made pieces that fit that blank spot at home. When inspiration lags, classes pop up to give you a creative nudge.

Deck daydreams, delivered: Plotting a new backyard hangout or reviving tired boards? Blue Ladder Renovations, LLC builds and renovates decks in Scottsbluff, plus tackles windows, doors, gutters, and kitchens. Smart plans, solid craftsmanship, and local know-how keep projects humming… so patio season shows up right on time.

Sushi night upgrade: Whether you’re after crisp shrimp tempura, loaded specialty rolls, or a sizzling hibachi plate, Genji Hibachi – Ramen – Sushi Bar makes weeknights easy. Sushi, ramen, and hibachi favorites let you keep it simple or go all-out feast, all without leaving Scottsbluff.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Around town this weekend

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧘 Rise and Shine Yoga @ The Yoga Collective (Gering) | Friday (3/13) at 5:30 AM – Up for greeting the day before your inbox does? Rise and Shine Yoga with Lisa is a gentle, 45-minute flow of breathing and stretching you can do from home with The Yoga Collective. Coffee after, smug calm included, and pajamas absolutely acceptable.

🌕 Blue Moon @ Midwest Theater (Scottsbluff) | Friday (3/13) at 1:30 PM – Blue Moon slips into 1943, where lyricist Lorenz Hart nurses a bruised ego in a bar while his ex-partner, Richard Rodgers, toasts Oklahoma! across town. A sharp, R-rated music bio at 1h40m, and tickets top out at eight bucks, which feels almost pre-war.

🌳 Family Nature Club @ Scotts Bluff National Monument (Gering) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Remember when “interactive” meant touching a tree? Family Nature Club gets kids and their grown-ups outside, year-round, for real-world games, hands-on learning, and the kind of fresh air you can’t download. Mud happens, curiosity wins, and everyone sleeps better.

🥕 Winter Farmers Market @ Legacy of the Plains Museum (Gering) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Hit Legacy of the Plains in Gering for the Winter Farmers Market, where cabin fever meets fresh bread, honey, and root veggies. Entry is free, and if you want to wander the museum, grab admission at the front desk, pretend it was for educational purposes.

🐂 Annual Bull Sale @ Sugar Valley Stockyards (Gering) | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – The annual bull sale at Sugar Valley Stockyards is your chance to pick the next pasture heartthrob. Sons of Berwald Confident 2044, LEM Stockyard 2001ET, and other proven Red Angus sires sell in the ring, or on DVAuction if your boots prefer the couch.

🌸 Floral Plate Workshop @ Elodie’s Oddities (Scottsbluff) | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – This hands-on workshop has you painting two ceramic plates, layering vibrant green leaves and abstract orange and violet florals over a rich, dark glaze. Basically, art you can eat off of. Finally, something worthy of your famous Costco salad, and those polite dinner parties.

🚗 Car Seat Check Up @ Scottsbluff Public Safety Building | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Nothing beats a sanity check for the car seat, because YouTube confidence is not a safety feature. Swing by the Scottsbluff Public Safety Building for a free check with certified techs who fit, install, and answer questions, no appointments, just pull up.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/17 AHS Art Gala @ Alliance High School Performing Arts – 6:00 PM
• 3/24 Dig Deep @ The Union Bar (Gering) – 7:00 PM
• 3/27 Spring Gala | Songs of Protest @ Gering Civic Center – 6:00 PM
• 3/27 Dueling Pianos Fundraiser @ Country Inn & Suites by Radisson (Sidney) – 7:00 PM
• 3/28 Next Stop Comedy @ Papa Moon Headquarters (Scottsbluff) – 7:30 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Nebraska Panhandle report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 69°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 5%

Sunny. High near 69, with temperatures falling to around 67 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 10 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. West northwest wind 10 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 71°F – Low: 18°F – Precip: 10%

Partly sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 10 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Later: Rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

This house is wild

This 5-bed, 2-bath Meadows gem blends modern updates with bonus spaces and views of Scotts Bluff National Monument. An updated kitchen has solid surface counters and stainless appliances, and engineered wood floors run through the main level. A finished basement adds an egress bedroom and flex fifth, plus a fenced yard, dual gates, workshop, shed, sprinklers, and off-street parking.

Take a peek inside →

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