News

Marquette High School grad Scott Beyer worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 36 years as a silviculturalist and timber planner in Oregon. Now retired, he spends his time carving wood. Pictured with him are his terriers, Baxter and Toby.

Marquette High School grad Scott Beyer worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 36 years as a silviculturalist and timber planner in Oregon. Now retired, he spends his time carving wood. Pictured with him are his terriers, Baxter and Toby.

Beyer carves out a legacy in U.S. Forest Service

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Scott Beyer has carved a name for himself over his 36 years in the U.S. Forest Service and now through his retirement hobby of woodcarving. The Hamilton County native, who now lives in Bend, Ore.
These deteriorating foundation stones on the curving bow bay window portion of the south side of the courthouse will be replaced soon following action by the county commission on Monday. The Colorado sandstone blocks have been weakened by water that has seeped into them over the years. That problem is being corrected by the concrete ground level gutter system that is being installed and which can be seen at the bottom of the photo.

These deteriorating foundation stones on the curving bow bay window portion of the south side of the courthouse will be replaced soon following action by the county commission on Monday. The Colorado sandstone blocks have been weakened by water that has seeped into them over the years. That problem is being corrected by the concrete ground level gutter system that is being installed and which can be seen at the bottom of the photo.

County OKs courthouse change order

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
As exterior renovation of the Hamilton County Courthouse progresses apace this week, the cost of the project grew by more than $26,000 on Monday.
Workers install forms in preparation for pouring new walkways on the west side of the courthouse

Workers install forms in preparation for pouring new walkways on the west side of the courthouse

West courthouse entrance nears completion

News Staff
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Workers were busy building forms on Monday morning for the walkways on the west side of the Hamilton County Courthouse in preparation for pouring concrete this week.
Aurora junior Calvin Miller recently won a Nebraska Young Artist Award from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.

Aurora junior Calvin Miller recently won a Nebraska Young Artist Award from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.

Miller wins NE Young Artist Award

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Calvin Miller, a junior at Aurora High School, has won a Nebraska Young Artist Award from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.
Easter egg hunters fill their baskets on Saturday

Easter egg hunters fill their baskets on Saturday

Kids, candy & chaos at the courthouse

News Staff
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
The courthouse lawns were littered with more than 5,000 candy-filled and brightly colored Easter eggs at 1 p.m. on Saturday, all set for the second annual Ultimate Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Hamilton County Youth Center.
A pair of young boys express their delight at finding lots of Easter eggs at the courthouse Saturday afternoon.

A pair of young boys express their delight at finding lots of Easter eggs at the courthouse Saturday afternoon.

Egg-cited for the hunt

News Staff
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Dozens of kids and their parents turned out for Saturday's Ultimate Easter Egg Hunt at the Hamilton County Courthouse sponsored for the second year in a row by the Hamilton County Youth Center.
Trucks from all over are bringing hay to ranchers in western Nebraska where last month's wildfires destroyed thousands of acres of grazing

Trucks from all over are bringing hay to ranchers in western Nebraska where last month's wildfires destroyed thousands of acres of grazing

Area producers donate hay for Sandhills fire relief

News Staff
Thursday, April 2, 2026
With thousands of acres of late winter forage in western Nebraska having been destroyed by the recent wildfires at multiple locations, help has been on the way in the form of hay donations from around the region and even from right here in Hamilton County.
Caleb Arnett

Caleb Arnett

Not guilty plea entered in Arnett case

Ron Burtz
Thursday, April 2, 2026
A not guilty plea has been entered by the court on behalf of Caleb Arnett, the Aurora man charged with the stabbing death of his step-father, Ross Nickolaus, and the wounding of his mother and step-brother in December of 2023.
Darbro, council members warn of mounting deficits, unsustainable operations

Darbro, council members warn of mounting deficits, unsustainable operations

City considers privatizing EMS, sewer rate hike

News Staff
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
In response to last week’s alarming audit review, city officials have announced plans to consider contracting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to a private provider, as well as adjusting sewer rates in hopes of addressing operations that have drained the city of all its cash reserves.
Children will get an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny at several egg hunts planned for this weekend.

Children will get an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny at several egg hunts planned for this weekend.

Egg-citing hunts planned for Easter weekend

News Staff
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
The Easter Bunny is hopping down the bunny trail with plans to attend Easter egg hunts all over Hamilton County this upcoming weekend. Several local organizations are planning hunts and other activities to celebrate Easter beginning on Saturday.