This week's top stories

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  • Anna Johnson, bottom left, sits with her Gamma Phi Beta sorority family at Oklahoma City University.
    Anna Johnson, bottom left, sits with her Gamma Phi Beta sorority family at Oklahoma City University.
  • Aurora Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Justise Rhoden (left) sits down with business owner Sara Sutherland for an upcoming podcast appearance.
    Aurora Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Justise Rhoden (left) sits down with business owner Sara Sutherland for an upcoming podcast appearance.
  • Hampton native Jaylen Arndt (second from right) is pictured here with Wesleyan roommates Maisie Ohlrich, Molly Mohr and Karlie Cerveny.
    Hampton native Jaylen Arndt (second from right) is pictured here with Wesleyan roommates Maisie Ohlrich, Molly Mohr and Karlie Cerveny.
  • UNK offensive lineman and Giltner graduate Corey Hoelck played football this fall through strict COVID protocols as the Lopers put together a 2-0 record.
    UNK offensive lineman and Giltner graduate Corey Hoelck played football this fall through strict COVID protocols as the Lopers put together a 2-0 record.
  • Mack Owens made quick work Dec. 30, defeating Northwest’s Joseph Stein in 58 seconds as Aurora earned a dual victory over the Vikings.
    Mack Owens made quick work Dec. 30, defeating Northwest’s Joseph Stein in 58 seconds as Aurora earned a dual victory over the Vikings.
  • Ag land values were a topic of discussion at Husker Harvest Days.
    Ag land values were a topic of discussion at Husker Harvest Days.
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Students adjust to college in COVID era
Several college students who call Hamilton County home say they are learning lessons not necessarily listed in the curriculum, thanks to a global pandemic that rewrote time-honored traditions on campuses near and far.
Home now for a holiday break, the News-Register was able to catch up with Anna Johnson of Aurora, Jaylen Arndt of Hampton, Corey Hoelck of Giltner and High Plains graduate McKenna Morris. 

Huskies flex on Viking competition
Practice was limited, but the results were still there for the Husky grapplers last week. 
After missing a practice with the winter storm that blew in, the Huskies made up a workout hours before a dual with Northwest Dec. 30 as Aurora picked up a victory, 49-30.
Aurora coach Derek Keasling pointed out after the match that he was happy with how the guys responded with little practice and even coming off a workout the morning of.

Rhoden, Aurora Chamber of Commerce to debut new podcast series for 2021
In an effort to boost community engagement and offer local businesses a chance to tell their story, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce will be rolling out a new monthly podcast -- all set to debut within the coming weeks. 
“When we were in the midst of COVID we had a meeting with our digital website team and we updated a bunch of stuff on our website,” said Aurora Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Justise Rhoden. “We were trying to think of new ideas to bring into 2021.” 

Jansen shares thoughts on land values, cash rental rates
A topic that no one in a rural community can escape revolves around land and its related values and cash rental rates. 
To help review the year and look to the future, Jim Jansen, an agricultural economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, spoke during a seminar on land in the wake of COVID.
He began by explaining that when doing the study that the state is divided into 93 counties and eight agricultural statistic districts.