News

Aurora Supt. Jody Phillips leads a tour of the Aurora High School facilities Monday night during the first of several sessions planned with a newly formed community advisory committee.

Aurora Supt. Jody Phillips leads a tour of the Aurora High School facilities Monday night during the first of several sessions planned with a newly formed community advisory committee.

Citizens advisory group to gather, share feedback on school needs

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
A group of local citizens was invited to the first of several community advisory committee meetings Monday to begin an in-depth conversation about how to address the Aurora School District’s facility needs. Supt.
Tyler Nunnenkamp works out on a physical therapy machine at Memorial Rehab in Aurora. With him is his good friend and physical therapist, Kyle Shaffer.

Tyler Nunnenkamp works out on a physical therapy machine at Memorial Rehab in Aurora. With him is his good friend and physical therapist, Kyle Shaffer.

Nunnenkamps grateful for community’s prayers

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
From the outside looking in, it would appear that Tyler and Stacey Nunnenkamp don’t have a great deal to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.
Todd Bingham, president/CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, was the keynote speaker during the Aurora Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.

Todd Bingham, president/CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, was the keynote speaker during the Aurora Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.

State Chamber CEO outlines growth strategy

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce’s new president and CEO commended the Aurora Chamber Monday for its efforts to focus on growth initiatives, then shared an early vision he is working on to foster community and economic development growth statewide.
Administrative assistant Jenny Scheil takes a picture of resident Loretta Bykerk (center) with her family. The Christmas tree was declared one of the winners of East Park Villa’s employee decoration contest. It was decorated by Jenny Scheil and the maintenance department.

Administrative assistant Jenny Scheil takes a picture of resident Loretta Bykerk (center) with her family. The Christmas tree was declared one of the winners of East Park Villa’s employee decoration contest. It was decorated by Jenny Scheil and the maintenance department.

East Park Villa hosts its second Grateful Celebration

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Chatter and laughter decorated every floor at East Park Villa as residents and their families took part in the facility’s second annual Grateful Celebration Thursday evening.EPV administrator Laurie Andrews was pleased with the event’s overwhelming turnout and excitement.
Construction work is visible now just north of the main entrance of Love’s Travel Stop at Aurora’s I-80 location. Love’s will be partially closed as of Dec. 1, though Arby’s will remain open throughout the renovation process, which is expected to be completed in March 2026.

Construction work is visible now just north of the main entrance of Love’s Travel Stop at Aurora’s I-80 location. Love’s will be partially closed as of Dec. 1, though Arby’s will remain open throughout the renovation process, which is expected to be completed in March 2026.

Renovation work begins at Love’s

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Twenty-two years after Love’s Travel Stop planted its flag in Aurora, the Oklahoma-based company is upgrading its I-80 facilities with a $3 million renovation/expansion.
This empty space on the lot which is home to Hampton’s City Auditorium (seen at far left) is the new location for the planned veterans memorial park to be constructed in Hampton.

This empty space on the lot which is home to Hampton’s City Auditorium (seen at far left) is the new location for the planned veterans memorial park to be constructed in Hampton.

Hampton Veteran Memorial to be next to Aud

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Organizers of the planned Hampton Veterans Memorial have received the okay from the village board to move the park to a different location, one that will give the memorial more room for future expansion if necessary.
U.S. Army veteran Ken Werner was presented with a Quilt of Valor during a ceremony hosted by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild on Veterans Day. Pictured with Werner are his children Scott and Mickie.

U.S. Army veteran Ken Werner was presented with a Quilt of Valor during a ceremony hosted by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild on Veterans Day. Pictured with Werner are his children Scott and Mickie.

Werner receives Quilt of Valor at MCC

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Ken Werner was honored with a Quilt of Valor during a ceremony hosted and presented by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild at Memorial Community Care in Aurora on Veterans Day. Warner went to boot camp at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas.
These veterans were each honored with a quilt of valor during Giltner Public Schools’ Veterans Day program on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Pictured from left are Robert "Jody" LaBrie, Thomas Lambert, Chris Most and Daniel Most.

These veterans were each honored with a quilt of valor during Giltner Public Schools’ Veterans Day program on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Pictured from left are Robert "Jody" LaBrie, Thomas Lambert, Chris Most and Daniel Most.

Giltner veterans earn Quilts of Valor

News Staff
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Four Giltner area veterans were honored with their own quilts of valor during Giltner Public Schools’ Veterans Day program last Tuesday afternoon. The quilts were made and presented by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild and financially supported by the Hamilton Community Foundation.
Former Aurora city administrator Rick Melcher was recognized during last week’s council meeting for his service on the League of Municipalities Nebraska City/County Managers Association, where he served the last year as president. Presenting the plaque is Mayor Marlin Seeman.

Former Aurora city administrator Rick Melcher was recognized during last week’s council meeting for his service on the League of Municipalities Nebraska City/County Managers Association, where he served the last year as president. Presenting the plaque is Mayor Marlin Seeman.

City approves downtown improvement project

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
The Aurora City Council approved a downtown revitalization project grant last week for work at M Robertshaw Insurance, tapping into a CDBG forgivable loan program set to expire in May of next year.
BonnaVilla Homes’ Prairie Meadows model was set up at Husker Harvest days in September, showcasing one of the company’s 2024 models.

BonnaVilla Homes’ Prairie Meadows model was set up at Husker Harvest days in September, showcasing one of the company’s 2024 models.

BonnaVilla Homes booming as demand for attached housing spurs growth

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Business is booming at BonnaVilla Homes in Aurora, where an influx of orders for multi-unit housing projects has kept the docket full while also creating a demand for additional employees.