News

Santa visits Hamilton County Fairgrounds

Santa visits Hamilton County Fairgrounds

Family fun with Santa

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Santa and his elf shared lots of smiles and candy canes this weekend at the inaugural Craft, Toy and Gun Show. This young family from Shidler, Okla., was in town for the event, making sure to find their way over to Santa to share their Christmas wish list.
Salvation Army bellringers

Salvation Army bellringers

The bells are ringing

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
The sound of Christmas is in the air for patrons at Aurora Mall, where the Salvation Army bells are ringing. Among the many volunteers helping ring the bells and collect donations this year were Elena Kuehner, left, and Hailey Hanneman, representing the Aurora High School National Honor Society.
Sighting in this plastic gun with expert precision were Trent Vap (left), Bentley Vap and VaNessa Vap, who were very excited about the various vendors during day one of the inaugural Craft, Toy and Gun Show at the fairgrounds.

Sighting in this plastic gun with expert precision were Trent Vap (left), Bentley Vap and VaNessa Vap, who were very excited about the various vendors during day one of the inaugural Craft, Toy and Gun Show at the fairgrounds.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Craft, Toy and Gun Show on target The inaugural Craft, Toy and Gun Show hosted at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds by the Ag Society was a welcomed success this past weekend.  The event saw multiple vendors displaying a wide range of products, and two days worth of eager holiday shoppers.
Fun on the boardwalk at the Plainsman Museum.

Fun on the boardwalk at the Plainsman Museum.

Plainsman Museum restructures memberships, looks toward future

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Much like other non-profits across Hamilton County where many things have been in the works over the unprecedented times this year created by the coronavirus, Aurora’s Plainsman Museum has been hard at work, expanding opportunities for engagement, revamping membership structures and more.
Local health care administration speaks out on pain from isolation.

Local health care administration speaks out on pain from isolation.

Protocol, emotional support often create conflicting goals

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
The challenge of caring for the county’s most vulnerable population has grown exponentially during this pandemic, with health care facilities striving to address the elder community’s emotional needs while also following COVID-19 protocol.
The staff at Sozo Family Services includes, from left: Carole Denton, Chelsea Wier, Theresa Arnett Nickolaus and board member Fairy Hattan. Not pictured are Dr. Thomas Wilson, Chandra Phelps and Crystal Wilson. The nonprofit organization recently moved to this new location on Highway 14.

The staff at Sozo Family Services includes, from left: Carole Denton, Chelsea Wier, Theresa Arnett Nickolaus and board member Fairy Hattan. Not pictured are Dr. Thomas Wilson, Chandra Phelps and Crystal Wilson. The nonprofit organization recently moved to this new location on Highway 14.

Sozo Family Services expands, relocates

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Sozo Family Services has expanded its scope of services in Aurora, prompting a move to a larger facility on Highway 14 at a time when staff and board members say there is a growing need for a wide range of emotional support.
Art Van Luchene (left) is wrapped in his Quilt of Valor during the ceremony held up by Jim Willis and Claire Frevert. Jeanette Friesen gives an explanation of the meaning of the quilt.

Art Van Luchene (left) is wrapped in his Quilt of Valor during the ceremony held up by Jim Willis and Claire Frevert. Jeanette Friesen gives an explanation of the meaning of the quilt.

Local veteran Art Van Luchene presented his Quilt of Valor

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Art Van Luchene found himself wrapped up in a quilt during the VFW meeting on Dec. 1, but not just any ordinary quilt -- a Quilt of Valor. Jeanette Friesen spoke on behalf of the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild as she and Claire Frevert presented the quilt to the honoree.
Kirt Smith provided the county another COVID-19 update Monday.

Kirt Smith provided the county another COVID-19 update Monday.

County hears good news on COVID front

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Monday’s Hamilton County Board meeting saw three of the five commissioners joining via Zoom, with the remainder of the usual meeting attendees at the courthouse.  First up on the agenda was another COVID-19 update provided by Hamilton County Emergency Manager Kirt Smith.
Hampton senior cheerleader Lexie Wolinski shows her form during a Hawk football game this fall.

Hampton senior cheerleader Lexie Wolinski shows her form during a Hawk football game this fall.

Hampton senior Lexie Wolinski named All-American cheerleader

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Hampton senior Lexie Wolinski has been named an All-American by the National Cheerleaders Association, one of the highest honors high school cheerleaders can achieve. The recognition came as welcome news to Wolinski, who has been on the Hawk cheer squad for all four years at Hampton High.
Kelly Boshart, Aurora’s new girls basketball coach demonstrates during a drill in preseason workouts ahead of Thursday’s season-opener.

Kelly Boshart, Aurora’s new girls basketball coach demonstrates during a drill in preseason workouts ahead of Thursday’s season-opener.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Come Home to Christmas Come Home to Christmas highlighted a beautiful Saturday in Aurora, with a large number of popular events for the community -- young and old -- to enjoy. “We felt this year was a huge success,” said Justise Rhoden, executive director of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce.