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Aurora’s defense swarmed to the ball all night long in the Nov. 18 C1 semifinals against Boone Central, and will be put to the test Tuesday in the state championship game against Pierce at Memorial Stadium.

Aurora’s defense swarmed to the ball all night long in the Nov. 18 C1 semifinals against Boone Central, and will be put to the test Tuesday in the state championship game against Pierce at Memorial Stadium.

This week's top stories

Back to the finals (again) For the third year in a row and the fifth time since 2015, Aurora will play for a football state championship following a 40-19 win over Boone Central in the Class C1 semifinals.
Hamilton County voters cast more than 4,150 ballots in last week’s General Election, weighing in on a number of local and statewide races.

Hamilton County voters cast more than 4,150 ballots in last week’s General Election, weighing in on a number of local and statewide races.

County election results as yet unofficial

Hamilton County voters cast more than 4,150 ballots in last week’s General Election, weighing in on a number of local and statewide races. Listed here is a report of election results for Hamilton County only, which remain unofficial as of Monday until the canvassing board meets.
Pictured from left are International Workforce Services clients including James Mashumba, Mark White, Marshal Kadziri, Lancelot Masangudza and Nevson Zisusa. White is from South Africa, while the others are all from Zimbabwe. The IWS truck driving logo is pictured top right.

Pictured from left are International Workforce Services clients including James Mashumba, Mark White, Marshal Kadziri, Lancelot Masangudza and Nevson Zisusa. White is from South Africa, while the others are all from Zimbabwe. The IWS truck driving logo is pictured top right.

IWS trainees cherish opportunity in Aurora

Truck drivers with years of experience behind the wheel in their native countries are navigating new territory these days in Aurora, where they’ll spend a few weeks studying and training for their commercial driver’s license before moving on to fill vacant jobs all across in America.
The end of the year calls for family to gather together as the days grow darker and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s Come Home for Christmas, now in its fourth year, will provide that opportunity on the downtown square Nov. 26.

The end of the year calls for family to gather together as the days grow darker and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s Come Home for Christmas, now in its fourth year, will provide that opportunity on the downtown square Nov. 26.

Aurora planning 4th ‘Come Home to Christmas’

The end of the year calls for family to gather together as the days grow darker and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s Come Home for Christmas, now in its fourth year, will provide that opportunity on the downtown square Nov. 26.
Five local veterans were awarded their Quilt of Valor during last week’s Veterans Day program at Aurora High School. They were wrapped in their quilts by members of their family. These individuals included, from left: Scott Springer, John Springer, Dick Phillips, Pat Nuss and Leon Cederlind.

Five local veterans were awarded their Quilt of Valor during last week’s Veterans Day program at Aurora High School. They were wrapped in their quilts by members of their family. These individuals included, from left: Scott Springer, John Springer, Dick Phillips, Pat Nuss and Leon Cederlind.

Five local veterans earn distinguished Quilts of Valor

Friday’s Veterans Day program was highlighted, as is tradition, with the presentation of Quilts of Valor to local veterans in celebration of their service. This year’s group included Hamilton County veterans Leon Cederlind, Pat Nuss, Dick Phillips, John Springer and Scott Springer.
The Phillips Village Board of Trustees had one of the tightest races of the whole election night, with Les Dana finishing on top with 78 votes, Jason Fry with 77 and a three-way tie between Jim Crawford, Jordan Watson and an unannounced write-in candidate at 71 at time of publishing. 

The Phillips Village Board of Trustees had one of the tightest races of the whole election night, with Les Dana finishing on top with 78 votes, Jason Fry with 77 and a three-way tie between Jim Crawford, Jordan Watson and an unannounced write-in candidate at 71 at time of publishing. 

Election in Phillips still undecided

The Phillips Village Board of Trustees had one of the tightest races of the whole election night, with Les Dana finishing on top with 78 votes, Jason Fry with 77 and a three-way tie between Jim Crawford, Jordan Watson and an unannounced write-in candidate at 71 at time of publishing.
Pictured from left, Celie Holliday, Teresa and Todd Vettel stand in a remodeled building at 1206 L St., which offers desk space for rent as a new business venture known as The Office. The space is also used to help train foreign truck drivers as part of the Vettel’s International Workforce Services business.

Pictured from left, Celie Holliday, Teresa and Todd Vettel stand in a remodeled building at 1206 L St., which offers desk space for rent as a new business venture known as The Office. The space is also used to help train foreign truck drivers as part of the Vettel’s International Workforce Services business.

The Office opens on downtown square

A building on the south side of the downtown square has a new purpose as of this month, changing the interior look and layout of the structure as well as the lives of international guests spending time in Aurora while being trained to drive big-rig trucks in America.
Election 2022

Election 2022

Voter turnout tops 61 percent

Staff report The 2022 elections in Hamilton County ended with a calm and quiet conclusion. Hamilton County Clerk and election commissioner Jill DeMers reported a voter turnout of approximately 61 percent, with 4,154 ballots cast. In total 3,698 of these ballots came on election day, Nov.
Field work is wrapping up in Hamilton County and farmers are getting in the last bits of harvest, as shown here in a field near Highway 14. With the dry conditions effecting the soil, some farmers report a slow-down in field work after harvest.

Field work is wrapping up in Hamilton County and farmers are getting in the last bits of harvest, as shown here in a field near Highway 14. With the dry conditions effecting the soil, some farmers report a slow-down in field work after harvest.

This week's top stories

Harvest season ends a challenging, rewarding year In what has been a topsy-turvey year for local weather and inflation, farmers in Hamilton County report that with the crops now in from harvest the year has had its rewards despite the turbulent conditions of 2022.
Phil Essliinger sits by the water therapy pool at his new business, Esslinger Physical Therapy, which opened in August on L Street in Aurora.

Phil Essliinger sits by the water therapy pool at his new business, Esslinger Physical Therapy, which opened in August on L Street in Aurora.

Esslinger launches new PT venture

Phil Esslinger knew in his heart he wanted to own his own business someday, and that day has finally come. A native of Bertrand, Esslinger made his first connection to Aurora when he started dating local native Erin Oswald, who would later become his wife.