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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

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

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.
City receives audit report

City receives audit report

Auditor warns city of depleted reserves

The city’s auditor pulled no punches for the second year in a row last week, advising city leaders that the ambulance service, combined with a wastewater treatment plant that is operating in the red, have essentially drained Aurora’s cash reserves.Michael Hoback of AMGL, P.C.
A crowd estimated at 60-70 people held up signs along Highway 14 Saturday as part of a nationwide No Kings rally, protesting actions and policies of the Trump administration.

A crowd estimated at 60-70 people held up signs along Highway 14 Saturday as part of a nationwide No Kings rally, protesting actions and policies of the Trump administration.

Aurora group joins nationwide No Kings rally

Aurora was one of more than 3,100 communities participating Saturday in a nationwide No Kings rally, a peaceful event designed to protest the actions and policies of the second Trump administration.U.S.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who is up for reelection in November, was the keynote speaker at Saturday’s Hamilton County GOP convention.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who is up for reelection in November, was the keynote speaker at Saturday’s Hamilton County GOP convention.

AG Hilgers urges unity in GOP

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers urged fellow Republicans to be strategic in their efforts to support conservative candidates and principals Saturday in Aurora, saying it is critically important now to be unified in the fight against out-of-state influence.
Dist. 34 Sen. Loren Lippincott speaks to local residents Friday morning at the Bremer Center. About 25 people turned out to hear the senator speak on this year’s legislative session and participate in a Q&A session.

Dist. 34 Sen. Loren Lippincott speaks to local residents Friday morning at the Bremer Center. About 25 people turned out to hear the senator speak on this year’s legislative session and participate in a Q&A session.

Lippincott presents legislative briefing

With only a few days left in this short 60-day legislative session in Lincoln, Dist. 34 State Sen. Loren Lippincott was in town Friday morning to update local residents on legislative matters. The senator from Central City spoke to a group of about 25 residents gathered at the Bremer Center.
The Phillips Easter Egg Hunt was Sunday afternoon

The Phillips Easter Egg Hunt was Sunday afternoon

Phillips hosts first egg hunt of the Easter season

Children move with haste to collect as many eggs as possible during Phillips’ Easter Eggstravaganza Sunday afternoon. Phillips Fire & Rescue volunteers had scattered approximately 1,300 eggs for children of all ages to find.
East Park Villa hosted its grand opening of the Grille Friday where residents and their guests could dine inside and enjoy music and arts brought together by East Park Villa’s employees. The Grille was constructed in EPV’s east dining room area.

East Park Villa hosted its grand opening of the Grille Friday where residents and their guests could dine inside and enjoy music and arts brought together by East Park Villa’s employees. The Grille was constructed in EPV’s east dining room area.

East Park Villa debuts new Grille facilities

East Park Villa residents gathered within the lobby Friday in anticipation of the grand opening ceremony of the Grille.
Raptor rescuer Tommy White with one of two birds he brought to the Edgerton this week

Raptor rescuer Tommy White with one of two birds he brought to the Edgerton this week

Rebuilding the Edgerton raptor program

Tommy White of Alton’s Keep Wildbird Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Suffolk, Va. talks to one of two raptors he brought to the Edgerton Explorit Center this week to rebuild the raptor program after the recent fire. The bird is a barred owl that White rescued after it was hit by a car.
Mike and Teri Goertzen have made it their goal to visit every stadium in the Big Ten Conference. They are pictured here attending a game at the University of Iowa.

Mike and Teri Goertzen have made it their goal to visit every stadium in the Big Ten Conference. They are pictured here attending a game at the University of Iowa.

Back to the drawing board

After stepping away from a decades-long career in architecture in 2017, Aurora native Mike Goertzen thought he was done designing hospitals. Instead, retirement turned into a brief pause, as he soon returned to the profession he loved — and nearly a decade later, he’s still at it.