This week's top stories

  • Westfield Quality Care LPN Chrissie Logston, left, talks with resident Linda Hecht at the facility in Aurora. Over the past year the skilled-care facility has directly hired more local nurses and aides, reducing its dependence on more expensive staffing agency personnel.
    Westfield Quality Care LPN Chrissie Logston, left, talks with resident Linda Hecht at the facility in Aurora. Over the past year the skilled-care facility has directly hired more local nurses and aides, reducing its dependence on more expensive staffing agency personnel.
  • Co-owners Rogelio and Angie Caloca of the new Chinese restaurant Wok ‘N Roll stand near their location on Highway 34 on the corner of 9th Street. The new restaurant will open June 7.
    Co-owners Rogelio and Angie Caloca of the new Chinese restaurant Wok ‘N Roll stand near their location on Highway 34 on the corner of 9th Street. The new restaurant will open June 7.
  • An asphlat milling machine from Paulsen Inc. grinds up the old taxiway at the Aurora Municipal Airport on Thursday. The taxiway will be moved 75 feet to align with the four-year-old runway, a project expected to be completed by November.
    An asphlat milling machine from Paulsen Inc. grinds up the old taxiway at the Aurora Municipal Airport on Thursday. The taxiway will be moved 75 feet to align with the four-year-old runway, a project expected to be completed by November.
  • Former Huskies Carlos Collazo (35) and Jack Allen (59) were each voted upon by their South teammates as captains for the 65th annual Shrine Bowl game, played on a wet evening Saturday night in Kearney. Collazo scored a rushing touchdown while Allen recorded multiple tackles defensively as the South won the game, 17-7. The game featured a lot of local flair on the coaching staff, from Aurora coaches Kyle Peterson, Cole Ashby and James McCartney to former player and coach Garret Johns as well as Aurora native
    Former Huskies Carlos Collazo (35) and Jack Allen (59) were each voted upon by their South teammates as captains for the 65th annual Shrine Bowl game, played on a wet evening Saturday night in Kearney. Collazo scored a rushing touchdown while Allen recorded multiple tackles defensively as the South won the game, 17-7. The game featured a lot of local flair on the coaching staff, from Aurora coaches Kyle Peterson, Cole Ashby and James McCartney to former player and coach Garret Johns as well as Aurora native

    Westfield less dependent on agency staff

    One of the lingering impacts of the COVID pandemic is a nationwide shortage of registered nurses (RNs) and other medical professionals. When one adds in the predictions being made about coming shortages due to retirements and fewer nurses being trained, a larger crisis appears to be looming. However, for now, Westfield Quality Care in Aurora is nearly fully staffed with direct-hire nurses and aides. 

     

    Construction begins at Aurora Municipal Airport 

    After months of preparation, construction started on the taxiways of the Aurora Municipal Airport last week with Paulsen Inc. of Cozad serving as contractor doing the renovations. 

     

    Wok ‘N Roll ready to rock and roll

    Chinese food is coming to Aurora thanks to husband and wife co-owners Rogelio and Angie Caloca, who will be introducing their new restaurant Wok ‘N Roll June 7. 

     

    Former Huskies savor Shrine Bowl 

    Carlos Collazo finds end zone in 17-7 South victory and Jack Allen wreaks  havoc amongst Mother Nature’s wrath. BigRich covers the 2023 Shrine Bowl from every perspective, with input from players and coaches.