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Mark Janzen, a mill room operator at Grain Place Foods, is shown making organic bird food at the plant near Marquette.

Mark Janzen, a mill room operator at Grain Place Foods, is shown making organic bird food at the plant near Marquette.

This week's top stories

Shortage puts premium on quality workers Hamilton County has prided itself for decades on its quality workforce and strong work ethic, which were more important than ever this past year with all the uncertainties in the midst of a pandemic.
Recruiting new business and/or industry to the 150-acre Mission Critical site along Highway 14 on the I-80 corridor will be a focus of the Aurora Development Corporation in the year ahead, board president Kirk Penner told stockholders and guests at last week’s annual meeting.

Recruiting new business and/or industry to the 150-acre Mission Critical site along Highway 14 on the I-80 corridor will be a focus of the Aurora Development Corporation in the year ahead, board president Kirk Penner told stockholders and guests at last week’s annual meeting.

ADC focused on growth, Mission Critical site

The Aurora Development Corporation had a productive though challenging fiscal year in 2020-21, prompting its president to tell stockholders during the annual meeting last week that groundwork has been laid which could lead to real and significant growth in the next five years.
The Hampton High School FFA land judging team took home the impressive title of “state champion” after scoring well in last week’s competition. They are, from left: Lillian Dose, Evan Pankoke, Brayden Dose, Drake Schafer and advisor Joel Miller.

The Hampton High School FFA land judging team took home the impressive title of “state champion” after scoring well in last week’s competition. They are, from left: Lillian Dose, Evan Pankoke, Brayden Dose, Drake Schafer and advisor Joel Miller.

Hawks win state in land judging

Wednesday, Oct. 20 was a big day for local FFA land judging teams, as students from Aurora, Hampton and High Plains gave it their all on a section of land outside Bertrand.  Among students from 39 high schools, local names fared well.
Enjoying an activity at the Aurora Child Care center are, from left, Emily Burson, Finn Dirkschneider, Charlie Mitchell, Cannon Dunn and Harrison Hunnicutt.

Enjoying an activity at the Aurora Child Care center are, from left, Emily Burson, Finn Dirkschneider, Charlie Mitchell, Cannon Dunn and Harrison Hunnicutt.

Demand for daycare rising

More than a year after closing its doors when the pandemic hit in March of 2020, Aurora Child Care is reporting growing enrollment and continued support for community-based daycare services.
The Edgerton Explorit Center’s annual Halloween Spooktacular is back again this year with even more festive fun for guests of all ages.

The Edgerton Explorit Center’s annual Halloween Spooktacular is back again this year with even more festive fun for guests of all ages.

Edgerton Spooktacular planning festive fun

The Edgerton Explorit Center’s annual Halloween Spooktacular is back again this year with even more festive fun for guests of all ages. Running from 1-4 p.m.
The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners addressed a previously discussed resolution to abandon a portion of Road W during its Monday meeting. 

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners addressed a previously discussed resolution to abandon a portion of Road W during its Monday meeting. 

Road abandonment tabled

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners addressed a previously discussed resolution to abandon a portion of Road W during its Monday meeting.  This topic garnered a good amount of public input in a board meeting in September.
Jerry and Mary Ann Hinrichs have some guests in their yard that have been catching the eye of those passing through Giltner for a while now.

Jerry and Mary Ann Hinrichs have some guests in their yard that have been catching the eye of those passing through Giltner for a while now.

Waving to the pumpkin people

Jerry and Mary Ann Hinrichs have some guests in their yard that have been catching the eye of those passing through Giltner for a while now.  These pumpkin people have been greeting traffic for years now with a friendly wave and a reminder of the fall season.
Aurora firefighters on the scene of a field fire Tuesday near Marquette.

Aurora firefighters on the scene of a field fire Tuesday near Marquette.

Field fire near Marquette

Marquette and Aurora firefighters battled wind and dry conditions Tuesday afternoon in putting out a field fire just east and north of Marquette. Aurora Fire Chief Tom Cox reported that the fire was apparently ignited by a pickup in the field and quickly spread to the north.
The AVFD’s Oct. 11 training night consisted of RIT team training and firefighter safety.

The AVFD’s Oct. 11 training night consisted of RIT team training and firefighter safety.

This week's top stories

Aurora fire training center ensures ‘everyone goes home’ The Aurora Volunteer Fire Department has been hard at work, training to keep both themselves and their community safe.  Though not always faced with situations they can predict, it’s important to be ready for it.
The Prairie Plains Resource Institute staff pictured from left: Amy Jones, Jared Sullivan, Jeff Gustafson, Mike Bullerman and Sarah Bailey.

The Prairie Plains Resource Institute staff pictured from left: Amy Jones, Jared Sullivan, Jeff Gustafson, Mike Bullerman and Sarah Bailey.

Jones takes the helm as PPRI’s new director

Long-time employee Amy Jones has been named executive director of the Prairie Plains Resource Institute, stepping into her new role Oct. 4. “The board is very excited to have Amy Jones take on the executive director role for PPRI,” said board president Brad Bangs.