News

Scott Phillips outlines to the Aurora Rotary Club his plans and goals for his year of representing the state and Aurora as the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year.

Scott Phillips outlines to the Aurora Rotary Club his plans and goals for his year of representing the state and Aurora as the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year.

Phillips excited to begin tour as NE Teacher of the Year

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The flip of the school calendar to 2024 meant more than just a new semester for Aurora Middle School math teacher Scott Phillips. It also signaled the beginning of his tour of duty as Nebraska’s Teacher of the Year.
From left, Tyson Kottwitz, Leland, Angie and Reis Stump alongside their dog shadow.

From left, Tyson Kottwitz, Leland, Angie and Reis Stump alongside their dog shadow.

Flightline Repairs finds home in Giltner

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The Giltner Area Development Corporation (GADC) recently welcomed a mechanic business which has made its permanent home in Giltner. Flightline Repairs mechanic and co-owner, airman veteran Leland Stump, commented that he and his wife, Angie, are nearing a year since opening up shop in Giltner.
Healthy Living Health Fair set for Feb. 10

Healthy Living Health Fair set for Feb. 10

Live Healthy Health Fair to return

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The staff at Aurora’s Memorial Community Health Institute (MCHI) invites members of the community to attend the 27th Annual Live Healthy Health Fair on Feb. 10 at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hamilton County news

Hamilton County news

County approves CUP for Narber home

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Several months after their first appeal to the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners for a land use variance, father and son Conn and Cal Narber of Phillips Township made a return trip to Monday’s commission meeting, and this time they left with what they wanted — permission to add an additional...
The new Memorial Hall at Phillips

The new Memorial Hall at Phillips

Phillips awards bid for old Memorial Hall demo

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
With the date for the final closing of the sale of the Phillips Memorial Hall to the Phillips Community Foundation coming soon, the village board is moving ahead with plans to demolish the old Memorial Hall. At its first meeting of the new year on Jan.
The 146 acres of Hamilton County farm ground owned by Mt. Edna Farms, a shell company owned by billionaire Bill Gates, is in two adjoining parcels (outlined in red) near the intersection of Highway 34 and Nebraska 2.

The 146 acres of Hamilton County farm ground owned by Mt. Edna Farms, a shell company owned by billionaire Bill Gates, is in two adjoining parcels (outlined in red) near the intersection of Highway 34 and Nebraska 2.

Billionaire down the road

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The revelation that tech billionaire Bill Gates has purchased more than 22,000 acres of Nebraska farmland in the past several years may not seem like much to most Nebraskans, until they find out that some of that property is just down the road in your own county.
The sign at the entrance to Rex Ranch. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon church, now owns this ranch and a total of at least 365,000 acres of Nebraska agricultural land. In the past five years, it is the No. 1 buyer of ag land by acre in Nebraska. (Photo by Carrie Ryan, courtesy of AgReserves)

The sign at the entrance to Rex Ranch. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon church, now owns this ranch and a total of at least 365,000 acres of Nebraska agricultural land. In the past five years, it is the No. 1 buyer of ag land by acre in Nebraska. (Photo by Carrie Ryan, courtesy of AgReserves)

After shopping spree, Mormon church is top NE land purchaser

News Staff
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
This article is courtesy of the Flatwater Free Press, Nebraska's first independent, non-profit newsroom. Early in the summer of 2018, a nonprofit few Nebraskans have heard of bought a 22,613-acre chunk of land in Garden County.The next year, the nonprofit, tied to a P.O.
Billionaire Bill Gates, known for buying farmland across the United States, recently purchased more than 22,000 acres of Nebraska ag lands.

Billionaire Bill Gates, known for buying farmland across the United States, recently purchased more than 22,000 acres of Nebraska ag lands.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
This week's ANR takes an in depth look into who is buying Nebraska ag land.
ANR

ANR

City declares snow emergency

Kurt Johnson
Monday, January 8, 2024
Mayor Marlin Seeman declared a “Snow Emergency” in the City of Aurora, to be in effect beginning at noon Monday and ending noon Tuesday, Jan 9.The City of Aurora has declared this snow emergency based on the forecast from the National Weather Service.
October: Aurora’s Kendal Wineteer, front left, Lexi Ericksen (middle) and Ella Eggelston were near the front of the pack at the bottom of the first hill at the Class C State Championships in October.

October: Aurora’s Kendal Wineteer, front left, Lexi Ericksen (middle) and Ella Eggelston were near the front of the pack at the bottom of the first hill at the Class C State Championships in October.

A look back at the second half of 2023

News Staff
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
The year 2024 is here, but while 2023 is still fresh on our minds, this week's ANR again takes a look back at the stories that defined life in Aurora in the year past.