News

The seven justices of the Nebraska Supreme Court will be at Aurora High School next Wednesday to hear oral arguments in two actual cases being appealed to the state's highest court.

The seven justices of the Nebraska Supreme Court will be at Aurora High School next Wednesday to hear oral arguments in two actual cases being appealed to the state's highest court.

Nebraska Supreme Court to hear oral arguments at AHS

News Staff
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The Nebraska Supreme Court will be taking its proceedings on the road next week when the justices come to Aurora High School to hear oral arguments in two actual cases being appealed to the high court.
Italian exchange student Beatrice Donati has spent most of her life learning new languages with the hope that she could one day become an exchange student. She has spent this semester at Giltner High School where she says she has enjoyed an authentic American experience.

Italian exchange student Beatrice Donati has spent most of her life learning new languages with the hope that she could one day become an exchange student. She has spent this semester at Giltner High School where she says she has enjoyed an authentic American experience.

Donati makes the most of semester at Giltner

Elizabeth Hunter
Thursday, April 16, 2026
With just a semester to spend in the United States, Italian exchange student Beatrice Donati is making the most of her time away from her home in Rome.
A crowd estimated at 150 people attended Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting. Pictured here, Gary Bruns of Lincoln spoke on behalf of the Nebraska Professional Firefighters Association union, urging the council not to solicit bids from private EMS companies. Several people spoke both for and against the proposal.

A crowd estimated at 150 people attended Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting. Pictured here, Gary Bruns of Lincoln spoke on behalf of the Nebraska Professional Firefighters Association union, urging the council not to solicit bids from private EMS companies. Several people spoke both for and against the proposal.

Citizens speak for, against privatization option

News Staff
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Of the estimated 150 people attending Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting, 20 stepped forward to share their opinions or raise questions about the city’s ambulance service and the council’s consideration of a plan to solicit proposals from private EMS providers.
Members of the Aurora City Council heard feedback from 20 people during Tuesday’s meeting regarding a plan to solicit proposals from private EMS providers in light of the city’s EMS funding shortfall. Each speaker was given three minutes to share their thoughts.

Members of the Aurora City Council heard feedback from 20 people during Tuesday’s meeting regarding a plan to solicit proposals from private EMS providers in light of the city’s EMS funding shortfall. Each speaker was given three minutes to share their thoughts.

City to seek proposals from private EMS

News Staff
Thursday, April 16, 2026
The Aurora City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to seek requests for proposals from privately run ambulance services after hearing more than an hour of feedback from community members who spoke both for and against considering an alternative to the city’s existing fire-based EMS operation.
Pictured here is some of the action from two fields Saturday morning.

Pictured here is some of the action from two fields Saturday morning.

It's game on for Aurora youth soccer

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Soccer balls were flying Saturday morning as the Optimist Youth Soccer program kicked off the 2026 season. A total of 389 youths are participating in the program this year, which invites kindergarten through sixth graders to learn the game through practices and games during a six-week season.
Danish exchange student Caspian Eshtelaq has enjoyed spending his time in the United States playing football, wrestling and soccer. During his time in Aurora, he has also discovered an interest in business and plans to study it when he attends college back in Denmark. In a few weeks he will graduate with the AHS Class of 2026.

Danish exchange student Caspian Eshtelaq has enjoyed spending his time in the United States playing football, wrestling and soccer. During his time in Aurora, he has also discovered an interest in business and plans to study it when he attends college back in Denmark. In a few weeks he will graduate with the AHS Class of 2026.

Eshtelaq finds his place in Aurora

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Inspired by the stories of his older brother’s exchange year in Aurora, Danish student Caspian Eshtelaq arrived in Nebraska ready to see for himself what life in small-town America had to offer—and quickly found more than he expected.
One of the activities that families can participate in at the Bader Family Wilderness Event on Saturday is building birdhouses which they will be able to take home.

One of the activities that families can participate in at the Bader Family Wilderness Event on Saturday is building birdhouses which they will be able to take home.

COPE postpones 8th annual family wilderness event

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
The County Organization for Prevention Education (COPE) will be hosting its eighth annual Bader Family Wilderness event at Bader Memorial Park near Chapman Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free of charge.
St. Mary Catholic Church in Aurora celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communion Sunday.

St. Mary Catholic Church in Aurora celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communion Sunday.

1st communion

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
 St. Mary Catholic Church in Aurora celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communion Sunday, honoring this year’s class of second graders. Pictured front from left: Catechist Michelle Hoff, Greyson Johansen, Tate Vlieger, Lane Carraher, Grace Winfield, Leo Lopez, Onni Taylor, Father Mark Sieker.
Aurora's new inclusive playground taking shape.

Aurora's new inclusive playground taking shape.

Inclusive playground progress

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
 Work has begun on assembling the specialized playground equipment at the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground along Old Creek Road. Dirt work began at the site last fall and the restrooms (which are situated just to the left of the area pictured) appear to have been substantially completed.
East Park Villa housekeeper Maddy (Barnes) Baker performs for residents at East Park Villa during the grand opening of The Grille on Friday, March 27. Baker has showcased her musical talents around the area, often performing songs from the 50s and 60s.

East Park Villa housekeeper Maddy (Barnes) Baker performs for residents at East Park Villa during the grand opening of The Grille on Friday, March 27. Baker has showcased her musical talents around the area, often performing songs from the 50s and 60s.

From mop to mic: Aurora janitor finds her voice

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
When Maddy (Barnes) Baker isn’t picking up a mop to clean local facilities in Aurora, she’s taking up a microphone and guitar to sing and perform for her newfound community.