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The Diaz family of Aurora greets Danish exchange student Ludvig Bjerring (second from left) as he arrives in Nebraska for his exchange year. From left are Adrik Diaz, Bjerring and Sara and Dario Diaz.

The Diaz family of Aurora greets Danish exchange student Ludvig Bjerring (second from left) as he arrives in Nebraska for his exchange year. From left are Adrik Diaz, Bjerring and Sara and Dario Diaz.

Dane follows brother’s steps as exchange student to AHS

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Danish exchange student Ludvig Johan Bjerring has been having a ball during his first semester as a senior at Aurora High School  in the United States after arriving from Denmark in late July.
Candidates file to run in 2026 elections

Candidates file to run in 2026 elections

Seven more in the running for local offices

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Hamilton County Sheriff Jeromy McCoy and County Surveyor Adam Goertzen are among the latest candidates to file paperwork with the county clerk’s office to run for election or reelection to local office in Hamilton County.
Aurora resident Paul Friedrichsen has lived in Aurora for 40 years. During 15 of those years he and his wife, Marcia, raised 10 children and fostered several children. He continues to support his children, 25 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Aurora resident Paul Friedrichsen has lived in Aurora for 40 years. During 15 of those years he and his wife, Marcia, raised 10 children and fostered several children. He continues to support his children, 25 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A home for many: Friedrichsen’s life all about family

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Paul Friedrichsen, 80, has built a lasting legacy for himself and his family, having raised 10 children and countless foster children into responsible, hard-working adults.
Scott Barry, a damage prevention supervisor for Tallgrass, stands between two pipeline marker pillars he brought to a meeting of the county Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)last Wednesday. The marker on the left is green and marks a line that carries carbon dioxide and the marker on the right is yellow which represents the presence of a natural gas pipeline.

Scott Barry, a damage prevention supervisor for Tallgrass, stands between two pipeline marker pillars he brought to a meeting of the county Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)last Wednesday. The marker on the left is green and marks a line that carries carbon dioxide and the marker on the right is yellow which represents the presence of a natural gas pipeline.

Tallgrass pipeline now transporting CO2 locally

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
A group of local emergency responders received an update on the Tallgrass CO2 pipeline running through Hamilton County recently, and learned that the line is now operational and transporting compressed carbon dioxide produced by Aurora’s KAAPA ethanol plant.
Members of the informal group calling itself “League” sit at the bar of the Loading Chute in Hampton on Monday night. One of the members joked that the group got its name because the men “compete” with the pickleball league that plays at the City Auditorium. With the group is Loading Chute bartender Annette Miller. Members in attendance Monday were, from left: John Kohtz, Tom Williamsen, Gene Winter, Tom Lindburg, Ed Dick, Robin Williamsen and Dean Klute.

Members of the informal group calling itself “League” sit at the bar of the Loading Chute in Hampton on Monday night. One of the members joked that the group got its name because the men “compete” with the pickleball league that plays at the City Auditorium. With the group is Loading Chute bartender Annette Miller. Members in attendance Monday were, from left: John Kohtz, Tom Williamsen, Gene Winter, Tom Lindburg, Ed Dick, Robin Williamsen and Dean Klute.

Loading Chute still packing ’em in

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
When the Loading Chute restaurant and bar in Hampton was launched about 18 months ago now, people in the restaurant business told the ownership team business would slow down after the newness wore off. So far it hasn’t.
Aurora resident Paul Friedrichsen and his family frequently get together during the Husker football season for tailgates in Lincoln.

Aurora resident Paul Friedrichsen and his family frequently get together during the Husker football season for tailgates in Lincoln.

It's now time for Prime Time

News Staff
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Growing older has its inevitable questions and challenges but the golden years can also be prime time for living well. Look in Section B of this week's edition of ANR for our annual Prime Time issue which is for and all about seniors.
The City of Aurora has filed a notice of special assessment and lien for $323,805 against this lot, the former site of the Gambles building. The property is owned by Stan Valasek.

The City of Aurora has filed a notice of special assessment and lien for $323,805 against this lot, the former site of the Gambles building. The property is owned by Stan Valasek.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
The Aurora City Council voted last week to file a notice of special assessment and lien for $323,805 against the property on the east side of the square owned by Stan Valasek where the Gambles building once stood.
Jereme Jones

Jereme Jones

Jones to be Hampton’s next 7-12 principal/AD

Ron Burtz
Thursday, January 15, 2026
As promised, the Hampton School Board moved quickly to find a replacement for 7-12 principal Carson Klute who will move into the superintendent role next summer upon the retirement of Supt. Holly Herzberg.
Construction of Hampton water pipeline could begin as early as fall

Construction of Hampton water pipeline could begin as early as fall

Aurora OKs water contract with Hampton

Kurt Johnson
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The Aurora City Council approved plans Tuesday outlining terms of an agreement allowing the Village of Hampton to purchase water from Aurora by building a pipeline between the two communities in what was proposed as a long-term solution to address high nitrate levels in Hampton.
Laurel Marlatt recently began working as library director for the Alice M. Farr Library in Aurora. Marlatt said she is looking forward to updating the library’s facilities and providing a space for fun activities the whole community can enjoy.

Laurel Marlatt recently began working as library director for the Alice M. Farr Library in Aurora. Marlatt said she is looking forward to updating the library’s facilities and providing a space for fun activities the whole community can enjoy.

Marlatt begins new chapter at Aurora library

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Former Fullerton Public Library director Laurel Marlatt has entered a new chapter in her library career. The Aurora native recently took on the job of director at Aurora’s Alice M. Farr Library, replacing Jan Thomson who retired at the beginning of December.