This week's featured stories

  • Rush lives in Charlottesville, Va., with his wife, Rehn, whom he met at the University of Wyoming.
    Rush lives in Charlottesville, Va., with his wife, Rehn, whom he met at the University of Wyoming.
  • Carson Klute
    Carson Klute
  • Dressing in festive holiday attire is part of the fun at the annual Edgerton Explorit Center gala. Pictured here are winners of the best dressed group, dressed as representatives of “The Christmas Story.” From left are: Ashley and Brian Luhr, Kristi and Jad Walters, Mike and Carrie Crosby, Anne and Zack Danhauer
    Dressing in festive holiday attire is part of the fun at the annual Edgerton Explorit Center gala. Pictured here are winners of the best dressed group, dressed as representatives of “The Christmas Story.” From left are: Ashley and Brian Luhr, Kristi and Jad Walters, Mike and Carrie Crosby, Anne and Zack Danhauer
  • When Glenn Obermeier (right) bagged this year’s pheasant for the Upland Slam, he was hunting with his son-in-law and grandson, Ross and Graydon Golden from Florida. Many out of state hunters have completed the Upland Slam since its inception in 2018.
    When Glenn Obermeier (right) bagged this year’s pheasant for the Upland Slam, he was hunting with his son-in-law and grandson, Ross and Graydon Golden from Florida. Many out of state hunters have completed the Upland Slam since its inception in 2018.
  • Pictured above are members of Friends of the Library and library board. From left are board member Bonnie Kruse, Friends of the Library member Pat Willis, retiring librarian Jan Thomsen, Friends of the Library members Diana Shaffer, Susan Wamberg, Carol Ratzlaff, Diane Haden, board president Ron Haden and board member Nancy Larson.
    Pictured above are members of Friends of the Library and library board. From left are board member Bonnie Kruse, Friends of the Library member Pat Willis, retiring librarian Jan Thomsen, Friends of the Library members Diana Shaffer, Susan Wamberg, Carol Ratzlaff, Diane Haden, board president Ron Haden and board member Nancy Larson.
  • Grand Island native Casey Hoins has been hired as the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition’s first paid staff. As coordinator she will oversee the everyday operations of the organization and, as she puts it, “keep the train on the tracks.”
    Grand Island native Casey Hoins has been hired as the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition’s first paid staff. As coordinator she will oversee the everyday operations of the organization and, as she puts it, “keep the train on the tracks.”

    There were many hurdles Aurora grad Gavin Rush tackled during his football career at Aurora and the University of Wyoming that he has now channeled towards his role as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. “It’s been a really fun year for us, because we have been able to be part of a program that wasn’t relevant, but on a national stage, nobody really talked about,” Rush said. “Then we have had a year where we have been in the public spotlight on a national stage for much of the year.” Rush is the subject of this week's “Where are they now?” article on Page A6.

    Hampton native and current high school principal Carson Klute has been chosen by the Hampton School Board to serve as the replacement for current superintendent Holly Herzberg when she retires next summer. Klute was one of four finalists for the job to be interviewed over the weekend by members of the board, school staff and community members. Klute was offered a contract at the conclusion of Monday night's December school board meeting. Read about the hiring process in a Page 1 story in this week's ANR.

    The Edgerton Explorit Center celebrated its 30th anniversary Friday with a Christmas-themed gala that raised more than $125,000 in a festive community fundraiser while also announcing the launch of a new Trades on the Move initiative. Mary Molliconi, the center’s executive director, thanked a crowd of more than 135 people for its support, pledging to continue the work of honoring Doc Edgerton’s legacy with a facility that celebrates science as it continues to evolve. Read about the annual gala and see photos from the event in this week's edition.

    In baseball a “grand slam” refers to a home run hit in which all the bases are loaded leading to four runs total. Here in Nebraska an “Upland Slam” is when a hunter bags birds from four upland species in one hunting season. Three hunters from Hamilton County have completed that challenge at least five times over the past few years, and this year Glenn Obermeier of Aurora, completed the Upland Slam for the sixth year in a row to get his name put in the hat to possibly win a brand new Winchester shotgun. The story can be found on Page C4 of this week's edition, part of our annual hunting wrap up.

    The Alice M. Farr Library honored retiring library director Jan Thomsen at a reception held Dec. 2 at the library. Thomsen has worked at the library for 41 years, dedicating 29 of those years as library director. She was honored with a plaque in commemoration of her work.

    The new coordinator and first paid staff member of the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition (NSHC) is no stranger to central Nebraska agriculture, nor to Hamilton County for that matter. Casey (Mader) Hoins, who grew up on a 5th generation dairy and row crop farm near Grand Island in Hall County, has been announced as the coalition’s coordinator who will oversee the organization’s programming and manage grants as well as other duties. Meet Hoins and learn about her ties to Hamilton County in this week's Ag Life section.

    This week's edition of ANR has so much to offer. It's four full sections of the latest news, hunting stories and trophy pictures, the scores and more from the start of area winter sports, plus previews of all the local teams. Open up the print or e-edition today!