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Pictured from left are: Dereck Djernes, Chamber president; Kathryn Larson and Jana Gibson representing the Plainsman Museum, Civic Business of the year; Faith Gustafson, Ambassador of the Year; Jennifer Dennis, Ambassador of the Year; Paul Johnson with the Youth Center, Rising Star Award; Brock Wyatt, Community Leader of the Year; and Justise Rhoden, executive director of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. Not pictured is Deanna Powell, owner of Dream Designs, which was recognized as Small Business of the Year

Pictured from left are: Dereck Djernes, Chamber president; Kathryn Larson and Jana Gibson representing the Plainsman Museum, Civic Business of the year; Faith Gustafson, Ambassador of the Year; Jennifer Dennis, Ambassador of the Year; Paul Johnson with the Youth Center, Rising Star Award; Brock Wyatt, Community Leader of the Year; and Justise Rhoden, executive director of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. Not pictured is Deanna Powell, owner of Dream Designs, which was recognized as Small Business of the Year

Chamber celebrates year of growth

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce celebrated a year of growth and success Thursday, hosting its annual banquet at the Bremer Center.
Pat Shaw of Aurora was announced as the new county business manager to replace Scott Stuhr who resigned last summer.

Pat Shaw of Aurora was announced as the new county business manager to replace Scott Stuhr who resigned last summer.

Shaw takes helm as county business manager

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
At the end of a six-month search process that started last summer, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners introduced its newly hired county business manager at its regular meeting on Monday.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s premier show choir, the Big Red Singers is seen here in one of their past performances in Aurora.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s premier show choir, the Big Red Singers is seen here in one of their past performances in Aurora.

Big Red Singers to perform here Sunday

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
The Big Red Singers are set for a return engagement at Aurora High School this Sunday afternoon and there will be at least one familiar face to Aurorans in the popular UNL musical group.
Polk United Methodist Church members brought new games and cornhole sets for mentors and their mentees to play with. From left, Audrey Samuelson, Sharon Johnson, Pastor Duncan Ibuuri and Karen Stevens.

Polk United Methodist Church members brought new games and cornhole sets for mentors and their mentees to play with. From left, Audrey Samuelson, Sharon Johnson, Pastor Duncan Ibuuri and Karen Stevens.

HPC TeamMates program receives ‘gifts from heart’

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
The High Plains Community Schools’ TeamMates chapter hosted a lunch for mentees, their mentors and members of the Polk United Methodist Church as a thanks for the church’s $2,000 donation to the program Thursday afternoon.
Caleb Arnett arrives for his first court appearance in Dec. 2023

Caleb Arnett arrives for his first court appearance in Dec. 2023

Arnett preliminary hearing delayed

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
March 19 has been set as the next time for Caleb Arnett of Aurora to be back in Hamilton County Court to face charges of first degree murder related to the stabbing death of his stepfather.
ANR presents annual College Bound edition

ANR presents annual College Bound edition

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Exactly four years ago the world was about to enter a period of unprecedented chaos with the onset of a global pandemic.
Aurora native Trevor Dvorak, left, works with Dr. Haishi Cao and fellow student Madeline Riesberg in a UNK chemistry lab. Dvorak is one of several area students sharing how the COVID pandemic impacted his educational experience.

Aurora native Trevor Dvorak, left, works with Dr. Haishi Cao and fellow student Madeline Riesberg in a UNK chemistry lab. Dvorak is one of several area students sharing how the COVID pandemic impacted his educational experience.

Dvorak says COVID was surreal for students, but didn’t impact his plan to become a physician

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Trevor Dvorak has always wanted to be a physician. A global pandemic that rocked the healthcare world didn’t deter the Aurora graduate, though looking back he said the COVID-19 era did cause disruption in what he remembers as a surreal time in his young life.
Hannah Preissler, a three-time state pole vault champion for Giltner, went on to compete for the Big Red over the last four years.

Hannah Preissler, a three-time state pole vault champion for Giltner, went on to compete for the Big Red over the last four years.

Preissler discovers career opportunity through lens

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Hannah Preissler remembers her senior year spring break from high school quite well. The 2020 Giltner graduate only wished it was under better circumstances.
Dylan Soule, a member of the High Plains Community Class of 2020, is set to graduate from Chadron State College this spring.

Dylan Soule, a member of the High Plains Community Class of 2020, is set to graduate from Chadron State College this spring.

Soule shares unique Chadron State College experience

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
March of 2020 wasn’t the best time for Dylan Soule. The former Storm standout athlete had just gotten his wisdom teeth removed. His first day back at school also just happened to be his last day of high school.“The spring semester of 2020 is a time no one will forget,” Soule shared.