News

Murder suspect Caleb Arnett arrives for his arraignment hearing on Dec. 5

Murder suspect Caleb Arnett arrives for his arraignment hearing on Dec. 5

Arnett declared mentally incompetent to stand trial for murder

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Following a court-ordered evaluation by the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and a hearing in Hamilton County Court, murder suspect Caleb Arnett has been declared mentally incompetent to stand trial for the December stabbing death of his stepfather. Judge Lynelle D.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

County evaluates use of space in courthouse

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
A lengthy discussion at Monday’s weekly Hamilton County Board of Commissioners meeting focused on the subject of space, or more specifically, the lack thereof in the county’s nearly 130-year old courthouse.
Three of Giltner’s best spellers competed in the Hamilton County Spelling Bee last Tuesday at the fairgrounds. From left are, Jaxyn Eastman (eighth grade), Jack Nuss (seventh grade) and Tanner Schelkopf (eighth grade).

Three of Giltner’s best spellers competed in the Hamilton County Spelling Bee last Tuesday at the fairgrounds. From left are, Jaxyn Eastman (eighth grade), Jack Nuss (seventh grade) and Tanner Schelkopf (eighth grade).

Spelling Bee students display erudition

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
The excitement mounted round after round as 30 fifth through eighth grade students competed in the annual Hamilton County’s Spelling Bee Feb. 20.
Local elections in 2024

Local elections in 2024

List of local candidates grows by six to 23

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Six more Hamilton County residents filed paperwork last week to run for various local boards and commissions, including two incumbents who missed the incumbent candidate filing deadlines and must now run as write-in candidates.
Eileen Chader admires the wooden rose crafted by Nancy Ronnau as part of her Valentine’s Day donation, Roses for Residents. Flowers were gifted to the residents in attendance at East Park Villa’s Valentine’s Day Banquet.

Eileen Chader admires the wooden rose crafted by Nancy Ronnau as part of her Valentine’s Day donation, Roses for Residents. Flowers were gifted to the residents in attendance at East Park Villa’s Valentine’s Day Banquet.

Roses for Residents goes viral 

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
A generous donation of crafty beauty brought a splash of color and style to the annual East Park Villa Valentine’s Day Banquet recently. Decorating each of the tables this year were unique handcrafted wooden flowers created by Nancy Ronnau, owner of All Things Fancy in Marquette.
Preschooler Belle Graham looks up at FFA member Morgan Bonifas who invites her to pet a lamb. The lamb’s mamma can be seen watching protectively.

Preschooler Belle Graham looks up at FFA member Morgan Bonifas who invites her to pet a lamb. The lamb’s mamma can be seen watching protectively.

FFA Week features petting zoo visitors

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Children of all ages had an opportunity to see and pet lambs, piglets, ponies, horses and cows at the annual FFA Petting Zoo held last week in observance of National FFA Week.
Giltner preschool teacher Amy Wilson shows her students a postcard received from Arizona as part of the ‘Valentines Across the Country’ project she started.

Giltner preschool teacher Amy Wilson shows her students a postcard received from Arizona as part of the ‘Valentines Across the Country’ project she started.

In the ANR Spotlight this week:

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Afternoons have become an exciting time for Amy Wilson’s preschool classes at Giltner. Since early February, at about 2 p.m. every day, valentines from all across America have been pouring into her classroom as part of her Hearts Around the United States effort.
Drive your tractor to school day.

Drive your tractor to school day.

In the ANR Spotlight this week:

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
As part of Aurora High School’s celebration of FFA week, Thursday was declared “Drive Your Tractor to School Day.” Fifteen students arrived at school piloting their families' tractors and paraded them around the square Thursday afternoon.
Side by side ziplines at the Pirnie inclusive playground in Grand Island feature the traditional disc on the left for able-bodied kids to straddle, while the zipline on the left features a swing seat to hold children with disabilities.

Side by side ziplines at the Pirnie inclusive playground in Grand Island feature the traditional disc on the left for able-bodied kids to straddle, while the zipline on the left features a swing seat to hold children with disabilities.

Group envisions inclusive playground project for county

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Beginning with a vision to create a play area in Hamilton County where kids with disabilities can play together safely with able-bodied kids, a group in Aurora is starting to see its project take wings.