This week's featured stories

  • The Hamilton County, Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee continues to gear up for the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in July. Window clings with the America 250 logo will be mailed out soon for businesses to display.
    The Hamilton County, Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee continues to gear up for the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in July. Window clings with the America 250 logo will be mailed out soon for businesses to display.
  • New Aurora Library Director Laurel Marlatt
    New Aurora Library Director Laurel Marlatt
  • The east entrance to the Hamilton County Courthouse has been reopened after construction of new stairs.
    The east entrance to the Hamilton County Courthouse has been reopened after construction of new stairs.
  • While taking photos for her business, In Laura’s Lens, Laura Oswald focuses on the articulation of the lighting to capture moments for the bride and groom to relive for years to come.
    While taking photos for her business, In Laura’s Lens, Laura Oswald focuses on the articulation of the lighting to capture moments for the bride and groom to relive for years to come.
  • Rebecca (Obermeier) Golden is the director of resource development for Florida Gateway College’s nonprofit foundation, which helps students receive the financial support and resources they need to succeed. She is pictured with her husband, Ross, her son, Graydon and daughter, Raylen.
    Rebecca (Obermeier) Golden is the director of resource development for Florida Gateway College’s nonprofit foundation, which helps students receive the financial support and resources they need to succeed. She is pictured with her husband, Ross, her son, Graydon and daughter, Raylen.
  • The steel skeleton of Hamilton County’s new Extension office headquarters building at the fairgrounds rises above the concrete pad and parking area poured late last year.
    The steel skeleton of Hamilton County’s new Extension office headquarters building at the fairgrounds rises above the concrete pad and parking area poured late last year.

    The United States Semiquincentennial is kicking off in the new year with the Hamilton County, Nebraska America 250 Committee setting the pace for Hamilton County. Thanks to the committee members and community support throughout the year, Plainsman Museum director Tina Larson said it has been a wonderful experience leading up to 2026. “We have had a great time,” Larson said. “The banners went out over a period of months. Some of the street pole banners went up and Aurora is now putting them back up (after Christmas).”

    Former Fullerton Public Library director Laurel Marlatt has entered a new chapter in her library career. The Aurora native recently took on the job of director at Aurora’s Alice M. Farr Library, replacing Jan Thomson who retired at the beginning of December. Marlatt said she is excited to bring new innovations to her hometown library. “Libraries are transforming themselves to best meet the needs of their communities,” Marlatt said. Learn about Marlatt's plans and goals for the library on Page 1 of this week's ANR.

    The east entrance to the Hamilton County Courthouse has been reopened for use by the public. While, as can be seen in the photo above, there are still a few details to be finished up, the doors have been reopened. The west entrance is now closed so that those steps can be replaced as well. The architects designed the new granite steps to look like the original ones built when the the building was constructed in 1995. 

    Capturing the light of happiness has driven Laura Oswald in her 10 years of photography through her business, In Laura’s Lens. Celebrating a decade of smiles, love and joy, Oswald recently received recognition from Junebug Wedding Magazine after submitting one of the 50 photos featured in Junebug’s 2025 Best of the Best Wedding Photos contest. Having never submitted a photo before last year, she felt she was ready to “throw her hat in the ring.” The full article on Oswald's honors can be found on this week's Business page (A9).

    While she still misses her home town, Aurora native Rebecca (Obermeier) Golden and her family are thriving in Lake City, Fla. where she serves as the director of resource development for Florida Gateway College’s nonprofit fundraising organization known as The Foundation. Through that and other projects she has taken on over the past several years, Golden has had many opportunities to build into young lives in her community. Golden is the subject of this week's “Where Are They Now?” that can be found on Page A6.

    Hamilton County’s new Extension office headquarters building at the fairgrounds is taking shape on the concrete pad and parking area poured late last year. Construction on the building which will house the Extension office and provide the fairgrounds with more meeting spaces is expected by to complete by this summer.