News

This grass fire on Saturday burned about five acres near the intersection of county roads M and 10. While the flames threatened farm buildings, the only structure damage was to a vinyl fence near a house. Due to the extremely dry conditions statewide, Gov. Jim Pillen has issued an executive order prohibiting burn permits from being issued by local fire chiefs.

This grass fire on Saturday burned about five acres near the intersection of county roads M and 10. While the flames threatened farm buildings, the only structure damage was to a vinyl fence near a house. Due to the extremely dry conditions statewide, Gov. Jim Pillen has issued an executive order prohibiting burn permits from being issued by local fire chiefs.

Burn ban sends clear message: Don’t risk it!

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Gov. Jim Pillen’s executive order banning burn permits statewide due to dry conditions and frequent spring winds across Nebraska is being viewed as welcome news to local fire chiefs.Pillen issued the order on March 14, prohibiting fire chiefs from granting an open burn permit for any purpose.
An excavation crew began moving dirt on the north side of the downtown Roe Chevrolet dealership this week, where a service department expansion project is being planned.

An excavation crew began moving dirt on the north side of the downtown Roe Chevrolet dealership this week, where a service department expansion project is being planned.

Construction begins on Roe Chevrolet service expansion

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Dirt work began this week at Roe Chevrolet in Aurora in preparation for pending construction of a new service department to the north of the existing downtown facility.Company officials announced the plans last spring and a $1.59 million building permit was issued in January.
High Plains senior Brodey Spurling

High Plains senior Brodey Spurling

Spring sports preview

News Staff
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
This week’s edition features ANR’s annual spring sports preview section, highlighting teams from Aurora, Giltner, High Plains and H&H. The athlete featured in the cover photo is High Plains senior Brodey Spurling, who hopes to defend his triple jump crown.
The fire on Saturday near roads 10 and M southwest of Aurora burned into this shelter belt where there was quite a bit of dead wood for fuel. Aurora Fire Chief Tom Cox says because of smoldering in piles of wood, firefighters had to spend several hours on Sunday watching for hot spots and flareups due to the wind.

The fire on Saturday near roads 10 and M southwest of Aurora burned into this shelter belt where there was quite a bit of dead wood for fuel. Aurora Fire Chief Tom Cox says because of smoldering in piles of wood, firefighters had to spend several hours on Sunday watching for hot spots and flareups due to the wind.

Area firefighters contain Saturday grass fire southwest of Aurora

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Firefighters from Aurora, Hampton and Giltner were all involved in battling a grass fire in a tree line that threatened a farm home near the intersection of county roads 10 and M southwest of Aurora on Saturday. Aurora Fire Chief Tom Cox said the fire call came in shortly before 3 p.m.
Aurora High School art students work on a new mural for the children's section of the Farr Library

Aurora High School art students work on a new mural for the children's section of the Farr Library

High school students paint cozy new mural for Aurora library

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
A new mural will soon decorate a wall of the children’s section of Aurora’s Alice M. Farr Library. The art installation being created by art students at Aurora High School iS intended to bring more color and fun to the area.
German exchange student Amy Burrows is spending this school year as a sophomore at Giltner High School. Along with playing volleyball, serving as student manager for the girls basketball team and competing in speech, Burrows has enjoyed trying popular restaurants around Grand Island.

German exchange student Amy Burrows is spending this school year as a sophomore at Giltner High School. Along with playing volleyball, serving as student manager for the girls basketball team and competing in speech, Burrows has enjoyed trying popular restaurants around Grand Island.

From Germany to Giltner: Exchange student embraces small town life

News Staff
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
After trading the busy sidewalks and train stops of Markkleeberg, Germany, for the wide-open spaces of rural Nebraska, Giltner sophomore Amy Burrows is discovering just how different — and exciting — life in America can be.
Aurora Prom Candidates

Aurora Prom Candidates

Aurora prom candidates chosen

News Staff
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Aurora High School announced its king and queen candidates for Prom, which is set for Saturday. Those seated include, from left: Brooks Handrup, Carter Schuetze, Jayden Slagle, Ryan Staehr. Back row: Ella Eggleston, Paityn Wyatt, Maddie Ramaekers, Eva Yllescas. 
The Giltner Fire Department extinguished a grass fire at mid-day onday

The Giltner Fire Department extinguished a grass fire at mid-day onday

Giltner firefighters put out grass fire along C Road

News Staff
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
The Giltner Fire Department was called to a grass fire on Monday at 11:40 a.m. The blaze was burning along the west side of C Road west of Giltner. Giltner Fire Chief Brad Consbruck reported that, while the cause of the fire isn’t known, it may have been started by a discarded cigarette.
Former Aurora resident Ethan Mowery (right) has published three plays within the past two years ranging from 10-minute play to one-acts. While building himself as a playwright Mowery has participated in numerous plays and events at Newman University, one of them being the 14th annual 24-hour theatre in January where played Dimitri in “Gladiators of Zenova.” On stage with Mowery were, from left: Corbin Molina, who played Hamlet, and Steve Brown, who played Horiato.

Former Aurora resident Ethan Mowery (right) has published three plays within the past two years ranging from 10-minute play to one-acts. While building himself as a playwright Mowery has participated in numerous plays and events at Newman University, one of them being the 14th annual 24-hour theatre in January where played Dimitri in “Gladiators of Zenova.” On stage with Mowery were, from left: Corbin Molina, who played Hamlet, and Steve Brown, who played Horiato.

Mowery sets the stage for career as a playwrite

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
When it comes to bringing characters to life on stage or from a script, former Aurora resident and Giltner student Ethan Mowery has been working to make a name for himself within the theatre scene.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

County approves funding for Ryde Transportation

News Staff
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Following its annual visit from Ryde Transportation director Charles McGraw on Monday, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners took action to approve a resolution to help fund the public transportation agency which serves county residents.