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This railroad crossing on N Road, located on the west side of the Aurora ethanol plant, is one of three sites where accidents within the past two years have prompted railroad and NDOT officials to propose installing automated crossing signals later this year.

This railroad crossing on N Road, located on the west side of the Aurora ethanol plant, is one of three sites where accidents within the past two years have prompted railroad and NDOT officials to propose installing automated crossing signals later this year.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Accidents prompt 3 railroad crossings County commissioners learned Monday that Burlington Northern Railroad and the Nebraska Department of Roads are making plans to install three new railroad crossings in Hamilton County within the next year, based on reports of recent accidents at those locations.
Award winners recognized at Thursday’s Aurora Chamber of Commerce banquet included, from left: Cellie Holliday, Teresa and Todd Vettel with Scooter’s Coffee (Large Business of the Year); Bridgett Svoboda (Community Leader of the Year); Georgia Berthelsen and Megan Newman with Hello Gorgeous (Small Business of the Year); Paul and Brooke Johnson with the Hamilton County Youth Center (Civic Business Award). Not pictured is Loren Berthelsen with Grape Frog (Rising Star Award).

Award winners recognized at Thursday’s Aurora Chamber of Commerce banquet included, from left: Cellie Holliday, Teresa and Todd Vettel with Scooter’s Coffee (Large Business of the Year); Bridgett Svoboda (Community Leader of the Year); Georgia Berthelsen and Megan Newman with Hello Gorgeous (Small Business of the Year); Paul and Brooke Johnson with the Hamilton County Youth Center (Civic Business Award). Not pictured is Loren Berthelsen with Grape Frog (Rising Star Award).

Chamber banquet back with awards, celebration

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce celebrated a year of local business growth and success with its first in-person annual awards banquet in several years Thursday.
Giltner graduate Lance McKay now offers mowing, yard service, power washing and auto detailing through his new buisness, McKay HP, which stands for high performance.

Giltner graduate Lance McKay now offers mowing, yard service, power washing and auto detailing through his new buisness, McKay HP, which stands for high performance.

McKay launches new lawn care business

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Lance McKay began mowing lawns as a way to make some extra money while attending high school in 2018 and turned that and other skills into a business as of April 2022.
Two to three months is perhaps how long 12th Street Cinema could remain open, according to Bruce Hall, president of the nonprofit Hamilton Recreation, Inc., board which runs the local theater.

Two to three months is perhaps how long 12th Street Cinema could remain open, according to Bruce Hall, president of the nonprofit Hamilton Recreation, Inc., board which runs the local theater.

12th Street Cinema in danger of closing soon

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Two to three months is perhaps how long 12th Street Cinema could remain open, according to Bruce Hall, president of the nonprofit Hamilton Recreation, Inc., board which runs the local theater.
Hamilton County commissioners passed a resolution Monday declaring February as National 4-H Month. Pictured from left after the brief ceremony are commissioners Francis McDonald, Nancy Salmon, Nicole SaBell, John Thomas, Rich Nelson, along with 4-Hers Sarah Mead and Logan McKay, and newly-hired 4-H coordinator Emily Soll.

Hamilton County commissioners passed a resolution Monday declaring February as National 4-H Month. Pictured from left after the brief ceremony are commissioners Francis McDonald, Nancy Salmon, Nicole SaBell, John Thomas, Rich Nelson, along with 4-Hers Sarah Mead and Logan McKay, and newly-hired 4-H coordinator Emily Soll.

County, ag society agree on plans for Extension bldg

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
County commissioners approved an interlocal agreement Monday with the Hamilton County Ag Society, setting in motion plans to build a new Extension office at the fairgrounds.
Betty Marikova has carved out her own path at Aurora High School and is set to graduate with the rest of the seniors in May.

Betty Marikova has carved out her own path at Aurora High School and is set to graduate with the rest of the seniors in May.

Exchange student Betty Marikova finds purpose in Aurora

Emma Bullerman
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Coming all the way from the Czech Republic, Aurora High School senior Betty Marikova is learning to step outside of her comfort zone and take advantage of the opportunity that comes alongside being an exchange student.
Students and their families are in a rush to finalize college plans and getting financial aid applications done across the nation.

Students and their families are in a rush to finalize college plans and getting financial aid applications done across the nation.

‘A matter of hope:’ Counselors discuss their role

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Students and their families are in a rush to finalize college plans and getting financial aid applications done across the nation.
This artist’s rendering shows the layout of a youth golf project proposed for the south side of the new Aurora Community Clubhouse.

This artist’s rendering shows the layout of a youth golf project proposed for the south side of the new Aurora Community Clubhouse.

Youth golf project teed up for local fundraising

Kurt Johnson
Friday, January 27, 2023
Fundraising has begun for a project designed to encourage local youth to play the game of golf by utilizing a planned putting and chipping practice facility adjacent to the new Aurora Community Clubhouse and Poco Creek Golf Course.
A blanket of 4-6 inches of snow and two days out of school provided the perfect combination for some outdoor fun last week.

A blanket of 4-6 inches of snow and two days out of school provided the perfect combination for some outdoor fun last week.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
‘A good old-fashioned winter storm’ It’s been awhile since residents in Hamilton County have seen a significant winter storm in the form of several inches of powdery white snow that blanketed the streets, canceled school and provided perfect snowball fight material.
Scanning this QR code at the Plainsman Museum will take viewers to a new display featuring narrated scripts and archive photographs explaining the exhibit.

Scanning this QR code at the Plainsman Museum will take viewers to a new display featuring narrated scripts and archive photographs explaining the exhibit.

Museum tapping technology to enhance viewer experience

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
The Plainsman Museum hosted its annual meeting Sunday, reviewing progress and updates made during the past year while also sharing a first glimpse of technology being developed to enhance guests’ experience with videos and historical scripts narrated by local volunteers.