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Otto House reno kicks off Fall Home Improvement section

Otto House reno kicks off Fall Home Improvement section

Preserving the past, building for the future

After five years of operating the Otto House as an Airbnb, Andrew and Taylor Willis decided to turn this historic house into their forever home. The couple is pictured in front of the newly restored house with their children, Ledger and Austyn.
City Attorney Ross Luzum (right) administers the oath of office to newly appointed Ward 3 Councilman Carl Smith on Tuesday.

City Attorney Ross Luzum (right) administers the oath of office to newly appointed Ward 3 Councilman Carl Smith on Tuesday.

Candidate Smith becomes Councilman Smith

Aurora resident Carl Smith, who had been challenging incumbent city councilman Dan Bartling for his Ward 3 city council seat, has taken a seat on the council more than a month before the election. Smith was appointed Tuesday night to fill the unexpired term of Ward 3 Councilman Mark Dunn.
Art Walk Aurora featured over 30 artists at the Hamilton County Courthouse lawn on Sunday with patrons of all ages getting a chance to see and buy the various art pieces on display. Casey Hollingsworth, the inventor of The Music Kitchen, showcases an instrument he made inspired by the Kora, a stringed instrument traditionally made in West Africa.

Art Walk Aurora featured over 30 artists at the Hamilton County Courthouse lawn on Sunday with patrons of all ages getting a chance to see and buy the various art pieces on display. Casey Hollingsworth, the inventor of The Music Kitchen, showcases an instrument he made inspired by the Kora, a stringed instrument traditionally made in West Africa.

An artist’s rain dance

An array of colors, mediums and fun illuminated the dreary landscape of the 13th annual Art Walk Aurora Sunday.Over 30 artists, both new and returning, offered recent art pieces and even demonstrated their craft on the Hamilton County courthouse lawn.
Brenda Groelz of Aurora has been appointed by The Leadership Center as its new executive director

Brenda Groelz of Aurora has been appointed by The Leadership Center as its new executive director

Groelz named new TLC director

The Leadership Center (TLC) in Aurora has announced the appointment of Brenda Groelz as its new executive director. In the role, Groelz will oversee year-round business operations, facility utilization and venue management across TLC’s 43.5-acre campus. The appointment became effective Sept. 11.
Hampton School Supt. Carson Klute explains the reasons for the districts 2026-27 property tax asking increase at a public hearing Monday night.

Hampton School Supt. Carson Klute explains the reasons for the districts 2026-27 property tax asking increase at a public hearing Monday night.

Hampton school budget set for 8% increase

The Hampton School Board plans to put the district’s 2026-27 budget to a final vote at a special meeting Wednesday evening, just a week before the document is required to be filed with the State of Nebraska. The board held its annual budget hearing ahead of its regular monthly meeting on Sept.
Republican incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen invited local supporters to consider becoming “a blackshirt” during his campaign stop in Aurora last week, which would involve encouraging 11 people to get out and vote in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Republican incumbent Gov. Jim Pillen invited local supporters to consider becoming “a blackshirt” during his campaign stop in Aurora last week, which would involve encouraging 11 people to get out and vote in the Nov. 3 General Election.

Pillen pitches ‘second half’ agenda during Aurora visit

Gov. Jim Pillen referred to his football background during a campaign stop in Aurora Tuesday, asking voters to give him an opportunity to make adjustments at “halftime” of his commitment to Nebraskans by electing him to a second four-year term as governor.
YouTube creator Laura “Laura Farms” Wilson displays her children’s book, “Roger’s Hay Day” that will be released next month. The book was created in collaboration with FFA to introduce young children to different fields in agriculture.

YouTube creator Laura “Laura Farms” Wilson displays her children’s book, “Roger’s Hay Day” that will be released next month. The book was created in collaboration with FFA to introduce young children to different fields in agriculture.

Laura Farms breaks new ground with first children’s book

Turning the page to a new adventure, Laura Wilson of Aurora, known to her hundreds of thousands of YouTube viewers as “Laura Farms,” is publishing her first children’s book. “Roger’s Hay Day,” a story about a little girl and an old tractor named Roger, will be released Oct.
First grader Elijah Driewer receives some quarterback handoff advice from former Aurora QB1 Ethan Shaw (right) and his coach, Maddex Dummer.

First grader Elijah Driewer receives some quarterback handoff advice from former Aurora QB1 Ethan Shaw (right) and his coach, Maddex Dummer.

Fake button hook roll-out, on two!

Flags have been flying all over the Husky football turf in a good way every Saturday in September as the Aurora flag football program is off and running. Eleven teams with over 100 kids, including two H&H Bearcat squads are participating.
Giltner Homecoming king and queen, Braxton Cady and Jayci Buettner.

Giltner Homecoming king and queen, Braxton Cady and Jayci Buettner.

Giltner crowns Homecoming royalty

Giltner High School crowned its 2026 Homecoming king and queen Friday night in the midst of a lengthy rain and lightning delay during the Homecoming football game. 
Vehicles line North Lincoln Avenue in downtown York in mid-August. Rural Nebraskans living in or near larger communities, over 5,000 residents, are more likely to say their community has changed for the better during the past year, according to the 2026 Nebraska Rural Poll. (Photo credit Liz McCue | University Communication and Marketing)

Vehicles line North Lincoln Avenue in downtown York in mid-August. Rural Nebraskans living in or near larger communities, over 5,000 residents, are more likely to say their community has changed for the better during the past year, according to the 2026 Nebraska Rural Poll. (Photo credit Liz McCue | University Communication and Marketing)

Poll finds community pride is strong in rural Nebraska

Most rural Nebraskans continue to think positively about their communities, according to the 2026 Nebraska Rural Poll.