News

The well head for the Village of Hampton’s newly dug test well sits in a grassy area between the parking lots at the ball park on the west side of town. Water from the well tested at over 15 for nitrates so it cannot be used for drinking water.

The well head for the Village of Hampton’s newly dug test well sits in a grassy area between the parking lots at the ball park on the west side of town. Water from the well tested at over 15 for nitrates so it cannot be used for drinking water.

Hampton test water well determined to be no go

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
High hopes for a timely and relatively cost-effective solution to Hampton’s ongoing water problems were dashed Monday night when it was announced that water test results from the recently-drilled test well came back showing high levels of nitrates.
One of the highlights of his recent trip to California for Nebraska Teacher of the Year Scott Phillips was a visit to Google Headquarters in Mountain View in Silicon Valley. Phillips can be seen in the back row peeking through the capital G. Pictured with him are fellow teachers of the year from around the country who formed his “home room” group during the orientation event.

One of the highlights of his recent trip to California for Nebraska Teacher of the Year Scott Phillips was a visit to Google Headquarters in Mountain View in Silicon Valley. Phillips can be seen in the back row peeking through the capital G. Pictured with him are fellow teachers of the year from around the country who formed his “home room” group during the orientation event.

The first of many firsts for Teacher of Year Phillips

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Aurora math teacher Scott Phillips’s year as Nebraska’s Teacher of the Year is leading to many firsts in his life and — as seems to be typical of the outgoing educator — he is making the most of all of it.
Aurora 4R School Board news

Aurora 4R School Board news

4R board adds snow make-up days to calendar

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
The Aurora 4R School Board faced a full agenda at its regular monthly meeting Monday, spending nearly 40 minutes discussing the best options to add a day and a half of classes before the end of the school year, then ending the nearly three-hour meeting with two executive sessions regarding possible...
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

County finds solution to space issue

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
After three county commission meetings in a row and several hours of behind-the-scenes activity by a subcommittee of the board, Hamilton County arrived at a solution for its space concerns at the county courthouse on Monday.
Volunteers from the Hamilton County Backpack Program have been busy preparing for Friday’s Soup Bowl Fundraiser.

Volunteers from the Hamilton County Backpack Program have been busy preparing for Friday’s Soup Bowl Fundraiser.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
More than 75 ceramic soup bowls have been hand-crafted in preparation for this Friday's Soup Bowl Fundraiser at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ (PUCC) in Aurora.
Aurora Speech Team members Sam Elge and Ansley Harvey share a range of emotions in a duet titled “Anna at the End,” a story about a young couple falling in love, then facing the emotions of the young girl getting sick, and eventually passing away.

Aurora Speech Team members Sam Elge and Ansley Harvey share a range of emotions in a duet titled “Anna at the End,” a story about a young couple falling in love, then facing the emotions of the young girl getting sick, and eventually passing away.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Aurora Speech ShowcaseA good crowd was on hand Sunday evening for the Aurora High School’s 2024 Speech Showcase. Several team members performed for the public, previewing end-of-the-season presentations with the team scheduled to compete Saturday at districts in Gothenburg.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Courthouse space discussion continues for second week

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
The lack of space for essential services and storage at the courthouse continued to dominate discussion at Hamilton County Board of Commissioners meeting for the second week in a row on Monday.
Several grass fires reported locally

Several grass fires reported locally

Wind causes fire concern

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
The high winds of late have played a part in at least two of several grass and stubble fires in the area over the last week. Aurora Fire Chief Tom Cox says his department answered calls to three fires in the area within a 24-hour period beginning last Monday afternoon, Feb. 26.
KAAPA Ethanol, which operates the ethanol plant on the west edge of Aurora, has partnered with Tallgrass, a large energy infrastructure company which has announced plans to capture, store and sell the carbon dioxide (CO2) now being released into the atmosphere during the fermentation process.

KAAPA Ethanol, which operates the ethanol plant on the west edge of Aurora, has partnered with Tallgrass, a large energy infrastructure company which has announced plans to capture, store and sell the carbon dioxide (CO2) now being released into the atmosphere during the fermentation process.

Tallgrass announces $98M project

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
A large energy infrastructure company has announced plans to invest an estimated $98 million in Hamilton County over the next two years, converting its existing Trailblazer natural gas pipeline south of Aurora into a carbon dioxide (CO2) transportation service based in part on a new partnership...
Mike and Georgia Eberhardt stand on the front porch of their home in Aurora just five weeks after he had surgery to receive a new kidney.

Mike and Georgia Eberhardt stand on the front porch of their home in Aurora just five weeks after he had surgery to receive a new kidney.

‘Dear God, open these doors now’

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
“I’m just really glad God has allowed me to live in a community like Aurora!