This week's featured stories

  • Pictured are watering team volunteers Julie Wasem (left) and Dawn Haymart, giving the newly planted flowers a drink using their golf cart water wagon.
    Pictured are watering team volunteers Julie Wasem (left) and Dawn Haymart, giving the newly planted flowers a drink using their golf cart water wagon.
  • Speaker Dan Kuester tells the attendees at the Hampton Veterans Memorial Fundraiser that the veterans park will be the community’s own version of Arlington National Cemetery.
    Speaker Dan Kuester tells the attendees at the Hampton Veterans Memorial Fundraiser that the veterans park will be the community’s own version of Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Opportune Acres’ Special Swimmers offers water safety and instruction for individuals with disabilities and other special needs. Its adaptive swim lessons and aquatic therapy to help children with autism and other disabilities learn how to swim and become comfortable in the water. Pictured from left are, instructor Andrea Krueger, swimmer Sutton Hake and Opportune Acres executive director and president Kari Valentine.
    Opportune Acres’ Special Swimmers offers water safety and instruction for individuals with disabilities and other special needs. Its adaptive swim lessons and aquatic therapy to help children with autism and other disabilities learn how to swim and become comfortable in the water. Pictured from left are, instructor Andrea Krueger, swimmer Sutton Hake and Opportune Acres executive director and president Kari Valentine.
  • Melinda Montoya of Hampton was one of several area students to graduate from Nebraska colleges and universities last month. Montoya graduated cum laude with high distinction in Studio/Digital Art and Marketing.
    Melinda Montoya of Hampton was one of several area students to graduate from Nebraska colleges and universities last month. Montoya graduated cum laude with high distinction in Studio/Digital Art and Marketing.
  • Jannelle Seim, president of the Aurora Housing Development Corporation, and Ravi Singh, an Aurora resident who is credited with the initial vision for a housing development on 9th Street, helped create a partnership with BonnaVilla Homes that will end with four single-family homes built and installed by BonnaVilla in the newly created Singh Subdivision.
    Jannelle Seim, president of the Aurora Housing Development Corporation, and Ravi Singh, an Aurora resident who is credited with the initial vision for a housing development on 9th Street, helped create a partnership with BonnaVilla Homes that will end with four single-family homes built and installed by BonnaVilla in the newly created Singh Subdivision.
  • Aurora native Steve Willis retired in January after working 40 years at Stephens and Smith Construction in Lincoln where he served the last 15 years as company CEO. During his career, Willis was involved in helping build data centers, jails and substations. He is pictured here with his wife, Audrey.
    Aurora native Steve Willis retired in January after working 40 years at Stephens and Smith Construction in Lincoln where he served the last 15 years as company CEO. During his career, Willis was involved in helping build data centers, jails and substations. He is pictured here with his wife, Audrey.

    A team of volunteers planted the flower baskets on the square Thursday, working quickly to finish before an anticipated afternoon rain shower. Project coordinator Carla Jacobs said between private and business donations, the $3,000 goal for the project has almost been met and donations are still be accepted. Donations by cash or check can be dropped off during business hours at Honeysuckle Lane.

    The planned Hampton Veterans Memorial Park took a big step forward in its fundraising Saturday night when nearly 150 people turned out from near and far for a meal and program at the City Auditorium. After tallying up the receipts from the event, committee member Danielle Bamesberger said on Monday that a total of $36,854 was brought in from the event before expenses, toward the project’s overall goal of $350,000.

    A 2.8-acre parcel of ground on the south end of 9th Street in Aurora will soon become home to the community’s newest housing subdivision, mirroring a successful partnership from previous years with one of the area’s largest employers. Ravi Singh, who lives on 9th Street across the street from the development, is credited by two of the other three parties involved for coming up with the concept, which city leaders recently approved as the Singh Subdivision. Read about this innovative cooperative effort on this week's ANR Business Page, B1.

    A number of local students have earned their degrees and graduated this spring from colleges and universities around the region, and many of them have earned academic awards along the way as well. An article on page B12 of this week's ANR lists a number of the students, their schools, and the degrees earned.

    The nonprofit organization Opportune Acres in Marquette is gearing up to provide adaptive swimming lessons and aquatic therapy sessions this summer for area children with special needs. Opportune Acres president and executive director Kari Valentine first created Special Swimmers in 2022 to help children with autism and other disabilities learn water safety, swimming skills and become adjusted to the water. “Being a parent of a child with a disability, I knew how difficult it was to put my son in traditional swim lessons,” Valentine said.

    From learning to lay brick and pound nails as a boy growing up in Aurora in the 1970s, to now being retired from a more than 40-year career in construction, Steve Willis has built a life around the work ethic and values he learned in his hometown. Recently retired from the position of CEO of Stephens and Smith Construction of Lincoln, Willis is now taking time to enjoy life with those closest to him. His “Where Are They Now?” story can be found on Page A7 of this week's paper.

    These and other stories are making news this week and you'll find it all in the print or e-editions of the Aurora News-Register, on your news stand now.