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Hampton Booster Club plant sale co-chair Melissa Weedin and her daughter, 5th grader Makenna fill an order for plants on Saturday

Hampton Booster Club plant sale co-chair Melissa Weedin and her daughter, 5th grader Makenna fill an order for plants on Saturday

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Hampton’s Community Auditorium was a busy place Saturday morning, April 26 for the conclusion of the Hampton Booster Club’s annual spring plant sale. Hundreds of people showed up to pick up the plants they had ordered and cash-and-carry plants were available for sale as well.
“Road closed” signs went up Thursday at the Highway 34 intersection when demolition of 1st Street in Aurora began.

“Road closed” signs went up Thursday at the Highway 34 intersection when demolition of 1st Street in Aurora began.

1st Street now closed for major renovation

Construction has begun in earnest now on the city’s planned 1st Street renovation project, prompting a change of travel routes throughout what is scheduled to be a summer-long venture.“Road closed” signs went up Thursday when demolition initially began at the Highway 34 intersection.
This historic photo looking south on Hampton’s 3rd Street in 1915 shows the IOOF Opera House at right towering over the other buildings. It that time it was a bee hive of activity, hosting theatrical performances, concerts, lectures, dances and many other community events.

This historic photo looking south on Hampton’s 3rd Street in 1915 shows the IOOF Opera House at right towering over the other buildings. It that time it was a bee hive of activity, hosting theatrical performances, concerts, lectures, dances and many other community events.

A possible reprieve for Hampton’s opera house

Just as the Hampton Village Board was preparing to take action to demolish the brick 1893 opera house several doors north of city hall, the building has received a sort of stay of execution.
After performing at the speech districts competition in Hampton on Saturday, March 22, Sophie Faltys was announced district champion in persuasive receiving two perfect scores, a silver medal in POI and a bronze medal in informative.

After performing at the speech districts competition in Hampton on Saturday, March 22, Sophie Faltys was announced district champion in persuasive receiving two perfect scores, a silver medal in POI and a bronze medal in informative.

Sophie Faltys is all in for senior year at Giltner

When Giltner senior Sophie Faltys went on stage Friday, March 28 for the 2025 Nebraska State Speech Championships, she never expected to return home as a Class D2 state champion.“The girl who got second (Lauren Winkelbauer of St. Mary’s Catholic School), her speech was so good,” Faltys said.
This photo of the upper floor of the Hampton Opera House looks east toward the stage of the building’s hall where many events took place. The picture was included in the documentation for the building’s inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

This photo of the upper floor of the Hampton Opera House looks east toward the stage of the building’s hall where many events took place. The picture was included in the documentation for the building’s inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

IOOF Opera House was once Hampton’s cultural center

If a proposed plan to save and restore the Hampton IOOF Opera House is successful it will mean the preservation of a structure that has been a part of Hampton’s history and culture for more than 130 years.
Shown here is a graphic illustration of the four town homes Casey Nunnenkamp will be building on 12th Street. He noted that the units appear to be built as one structure, but in fact have two-hour firewall separation, which means they are each considered their own structure.

Shown here is a graphic illustration of the four town homes Casey Nunnenkamp will be building on 12th Street. He noted that the units appear to be built as one structure, but in fact have two-hour firewall separation, which means they are each considered their own structure.

Nunnenkamp to build 4 new town homes

Prep work has begun on a 12th Street site which will soon be home to a four dwelling unit town home expected to help diversify the community’s rental properties.
Emma Ellis-Sack, center, and Kash Majerus, right, have both been named recipients of the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program scholarship. Pictured at left is Dan Pachta, owner of the Aurora Veterinary Clinic.

Emma Ellis-Sack, center, and Kash Majerus, right, have both been named recipients of the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program scholarship. Pictured at left is Dan Pachta, owner of the Aurora Veterinary Clinic.

AHS students among first to receive new vet scholarships

Two Aurora seniors have a running start toward their goal of becoming veterinarians as recipients of this year’s Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program scholarships.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Extension office presents budget for FY 25-26

The lengthy process of crafting the Hamilton County budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year got underway in earnest on Monday with an early visit to the weekly board of commissioners meeting by Extension office lead educator Mariah Newmyer.
Not only waterfowl, but wading birds like this kildeer benefit from Teal View wetland. But look again, there’s also the track of a wandering raccoon in search of a meal.

Not only waterfowl, but wading birds like this kildeer benefit from Teal View wetland. But look again, there’s also the track of a wandering raccoon in search of a meal.

Teal View wetland hides in plain sight north of Hampton

An evolving wetland on 39 acres north of Hampton, Neb., welcomes birds, bugs, furry critters, reptiles, amphibians and plants.Humans, too, are welcome to check out this nearby, diverse habitat.
Emma Ellis-Sack, center, and Kash Majerus, right, have both been named recipients of the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program scholarship. Pictured at left is Dan Pachta, owner of the Aurora Veterinary Clinic.

Emma Ellis-Sack, center, and Kash Majerus, right, have both been named recipients of the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program scholarship. Pictured at left is Dan Pachta, owner of the Aurora Veterinary Clinic.

This week's featured stories

Two Aurora seniors have a running start toward their goal of becoming veterinarians as recipients of this year’s Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program scholarships.