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Six-year-old Cara Dennis puts in some time at the Aurora tennis facility early Monday morning. Aurora’s facility will host a six-week tennis clinic for anyone ranging from 5 years old to adults.

Six-year-old Cara Dennis puts in some time at the Aurora tennis facility early Monday morning. Aurora’s facility will host a six-week tennis clinic for anyone ranging from 5 years old to adults.

This week's top stories

Tennis lessons getting first serve in Aurora  Four years after cutting the tape on a brand-new tennis facility, the next phase of growing the game in Aurora is underway.
Trucker Trey Nowak stands in front of his XPO Logistics 18-wheeler before he heads out for a delivery. XPO Logistics’ less than trailer load (LTL) shipping provides flexibilty in completing orders.

Trucker Trey Nowak stands in front of his XPO Logistics 18-wheeler before he heads out for a delivery. XPO Logistics’ less than trailer load (LTL) shipping provides flexibilty in completing orders.

Transportation industry truckin’ past supply chain issues

Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of articles focused on supply chain shortages and delays and how they are impacting local business and industry. This report highlights feedback from local companies involved with transportation logistics.
Head of marketing Heather Griffrow (left) and escrow closer Hannah Prusia stand in Charter Title & Escrow in downtown Aurora. The offices have recently been renovated from a photography studio.

Head of marketing Heather Griffrow (left) and escrow closer Hannah Prusia stand in Charter Title & Escrow in downtown Aurora. The offices have recently been renovated from a photography studio.

Charter Title opens location in Aurora

There is a new title company on the block, ready to open its newly-renovated doors to those who wish to sell property with a bit more security.
A group of more than 10 people gathered at the Phillips Village Board meeting Thursday.

A group of more than 10 people gathered at the Phillips Village Board meeting Thursday.

Phillips village meeting features lively debate

A group of more than 10 people gathered at the Phillips Village Board meeting Thursday to discuss a variety of issues that may be voted on as agenda items in coming months regarding curfew, well water, property nuisance abatement and the Memorial Hall committee.
Hampton Village Board members reviewed details of fiscal year financials from a new auditor Monday while also agreeing to send notices to property owners in violation of vacant property and nuisance abatement regulations.

Hampton Village Board members reviewed details of fiscal year financials from a new auditor Monday while also agreeing to send notices to property owners in violation of vacant property and nuisance abatement regulations.

Hampton village board hears detailed report from new auditor

Hampton Village Board members reviewed details of fiscal year financials from a new auditor Monday while also agreeing to send notices to property owners in violation of vacant property and nuisance abatement regulations.
High Plains Community Schools will see a raise in substitute pay for the 2022-23 school year, based on the school board’s vote during its regular meeting. 

High Plains Community Schools will see a raise in substitute pay for the 2022-23 school year, based on the school board’s vote during its regular meeting. 

HPC raising substitute pay for 2022-23 year

High Plains Community Schools will see a raise in substitute pay for the 2022-23 school year, based on the school board’s vote during its regular meeting.  A year ago, HPC paid substitutes $60 for a half day and $120 for the full day.
Though a relatively short mid-summer meeting for the 4R school board featured a brief agenda, a number of timely and important updates were provided Monday afternoon. 

Though a relatively short mid-summer meeting for the 4R school board featured a brief agenda, a number of timely and important updates were provided Monday afternoon. 

4R approves use of logo on city water tower

Though a relatively short mid-summer meeting for the 4R school board featured a brief agenda, a number of timely and important updates were provided Monday afternoon.  Perhaps the more immediately visible of the two action items, Supt.
Artist Brandon Marr stands next to the mural of Merwyn Davidson.  Marr had used the design for a sticker made around the time of Davidson’s passing painted mostly in vibrant red and black outline.

Artist Brandon Marr stands next to the mural of Merwyn Davidson. Marr had used the design for a sticker made around the time of Davidson’s passing painted mostly in vibrant red and black outline.

This week's top stories

Muralist returns to Aurora to paint Merwyn Davidson A bit of the old attitude has returned to the walls of the Hamilton County Youth Center. Marketing graphic designer and artist Brandon Marr has returned to his hometown to paint a mural of passed Youth Center founder Merwyn Davidson.
Crew members at Diamond J Custom Services are keeping busy throughout spray season, though old equipment must be fixed as new machines are a year out at best.

Crew members at Diamond J Custom Services are keeping busy throughout spray season, though old equipment must be fixed as new machines are a year out at best.

Supply chain shortfalls hit, miss in ag industry

Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of articles focused on supply chain shortages and delays and how they are impacting local business and industry. This report highlights feedback from Hamilton County-based ag companies.
Prairie Plains Resource Institute’s Sarah Bailey, center, helps Youth Naturalist campers gather insects last week on the Gjerloff Prairie west of Marquette.

Prairie Plains Resource Institute’s Sarah Bailey, center, helps Youth Naturalist campers gather insects last week on the Gjerloff Prairie west of Marquette.

PPRI center put to good use by Youth Naturalists

A group of 10 students took a deeper dive into learning about the diverse Hamilton County landscape around them last week, enjoying a full slate of activities as part of the Prairie Plains Resource Institute’s Youth Naturalist Program.