This week's top stories

  • Hamilton County Food Pantry volunteer Craig Ratzlaff offers a pie to a young girl and her great-grandmother as part of the annual holiday meal food distribution event Saturday.
    Hamilton County Food Pantry volunteer Craig Ratzlaff offers a pie to a young girl and her great-grandmother as part of the annual holiday meal food distribution event Saturday.
  • Alexis Ericksen has earned a number of trophies, and one special belt buckle, with four-legged partner Decked All Out in Gold, AKA ‘Decka May.’ She says competing brings her joy.
    Alexis Ericksen has earned a number of trophies, and one special belt buckle, with four-legged partner Decked All Out in Gold, AKA ‘Decka May.’ She says competing brings her joy.
  • Thursday’s class of helpers included, back row from left: Harper Schott, Reid Olsen, Raelynn Lawson, Knox Petersen; front row, from left: Josh Weedin, Addison Friesen, Ryder Eastman.
    Thursday’s class of helpers included, back row from left: Harper Schott, Reid Olsen, Raelynn Lawson, Knox Petersen; front row, from left: Josh Weedin, Addison Friesen, Ryder Eastman.
  • Wednesday’s interview consisted of half the class at Hampton. They were, back row from left: Dalayna White, Owen Griess, Sydney Hansen, Grayson Arnett, Shelby Yost (teacher); front row, from left: Kynzler Friesen, Kooper Majerus, Felix De La Cruz and Sophia Clinch.
    Wednesday’s interview consisted of half the class at Hampton. They were, back row from left: Dalayna White, Owen Griess, Sydney Hansen, Grayson Arnett, Shelby Yost (teacher); front row, from left: Kynzler Friesen, Kooper Majerus, Felix De La Cruz and Sophia Clinch.
  • Aurora’s Trevor Kluck set the new school record for wins last week, breaking Garret Johns’ mark of 142 set in 2012. Kluck has a 10-1 record so far with 145 wins and counting.
    Aurora’s Trevor Kluck set the new school record for wins last week, breaking Garret Johns’ mark of 142 set in 2012. Kluck has a 10-1 record so far with 145 wins and counting.
  • A recent donation of 97 deer hides was received by the Elks Lodge this year.
    A recent donation of 97 deer hides was received by the Elks Lodge this year.

Holiday meal a Food Pantry tradition
Volunteers and citizens in need could all see their breath in Saturday’s cold morning air, but they shared a feeling of warmth at the Hamilton County Food Pantry’s annual holiday distribution event.
Nearly 125 local families in need of a little extra holiday cheer were invited as guests of honor at an annual tradition which dates back almost 25 years. Thanks to the generosity of others, those families will share a holiday meal of turkey or ham with all the trimmings. The Kreutz family from Giltner stepped up and made a large donation this year, offering 75 hams.

Alexis Ericksen brings dedication, love to competition riding
It is true that a handful of people have unsuspected talents, and are often quite good at them. This is the case of 13-year-old horse lover and riding champion, Alexis Ericksen. 
“When I was little I liked animals, and I begged my mom to have horse lessons,” Alexis began.
Eventually, when mom caved, Alexis started riding at Timberlake Ranch Camp at around 6-years-old, borrowing one of their ponies. 

Hampton experts help uncover the mysteries of the big man in red
There comes a time in every reporter’s life when he or she wonders about the facts. For this reporter, this year she wondered about Santa. What was the truth about the big man in the red suit? 
Only one group would know for sure, and she had to be sure. So off she went to the Hampton afternoon preschool classes. These were the experts!

Brandt, Elks Lodge supports veterans through deer hides
Deer hunting is a popular pasttime across Nebraska, but many hunters face a dilemma at the end of the season -- what to do with the deer hide they now have.
This is where the Grand Island Elks Lodge 604 has stepped in with a solution. Lodge president Jeremy Brandt explained that their veteran’s committee collects deer hides every year. 

Kluck sets new school win mark
Aurora has a new career wins leader in its decorated history. 
Trevor Kluck has won more matches than anyone else in an Aurora uniform, breaking Garret Johns’ mark of 142 during the Bellevue West duals Friday night. 
Aurora coach Derek Keasling pointed out that Kluck has always had the tools to be successful and couldn’t be happier for someone that puts in the time like Kluck does.

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