This week's top stories

  • Federal low-income and elderly housing vouchers from Hall County can now be used here.
    Federal low-income and elderly housing vouchers from Hall County can now be used here.
  • There were lots of hugs, smiles and a few tears last Wednesday in Giltner as a whole new group of Little Hornets showed up for the first day of school. Pictured above is Allison Kleier, smiling as she hugs her daughter, Liesel.
    There were lots of hugs, smiles and a few tears last Wednesday in Giltner as a whole new group of Little Hornets showed up for the first day of school. Pictured above is Allison Kleier, smiling as she hugs her daughter, Liesel.
  • The action was fast and furious at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds track Saturday night as drivers competed in the NeFigure8n Racing Association’s championship night finals.
    The action was fast and furious at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds track Saturday night as drivers competed in the NeFigure8n Racing Association’s championship night finals.
  • The Nebraska State Fair is set to begin its 15th run in Grand Island Friday, offering a combination of familiar favorites and new events to fairgoers through Sept. 2.
    The Nebraska State Fair is set to begin its 15th run in Grand Island Friday, offering a combination of familiar favorites and new events to fairgoers through Sept. 2.
  • The Aurora Aquatic Facility had the daily average of 238 swimmers throughout the summer with Saturday, June 22, having the pool’s highest attendance of the season with 525 patrons.
    The Aurora Aquatic Facility had the daily average of 238 swimmers throughout the summer with Saturday, June 22, having the pool’s highest attendance of the season with 525 patrons.
  • School Supplies Campaign volunteers Laura Jobman and Marilyn Vrana alongside nine churches in Hamilton County help provide 108 backpacks to students in time for the new school year.
    School Supplies Campaign volunteers Laura Jobman and Marilyn Vrana alongside nine churches in Hamilton County help provide 108 backpacks to students in time for the new school year.

    Federal low-income housing vouchers that have gone unused in Hall County can now be used here in Hamilton County following a decision by the county commission several weeks ago. That could be a good thing for both renters and for the community at large, according to Amber Beck, executive housing director for the Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Inc. based in Loup City. 

    The new school year launched last week at all four area schools and soon football games will be kicking off and homecoming parades will begin. ANR was there to capture the first day of school hugs and tears and we'll be there for all the rest of the activities throughout the year, so stick with us for all the details on sports and other school events.

    A crowd estimated at approximately 1,000 people enjoyed a night of championship Figure 8 racing in Aurora Saturday, celebrating the return of an event that started here more than 30 years ago. The NeFigure8n Racing Association invited its field of championship qualifiers to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, where 41 entries competed. By the end of the evening, checkered flags flew in three different categories — Open Class, Stock and Compacts — though Jamie Bergmark said he felt like the Hamilton County fairgrounds were filled with winners on Saturday night.

    For the 15th consecutive year Grand Island will turn into a hub of learning and fun starting Friday and running through Sept. 2 with an event that celebrates the state’s ag-based heritage. The theme for this year’s Nebraska State Fair is “All roads lead to fun,” which has multiple meanings, according to Executive Director Jaime Parr. “There are so many different components of the State Fair, and ‘All roads lead to fun’ kind of encompasses all of them,” Parr explained in an ANR interview.

    The Aurora Aquatic Facility ended its 2024 season with a consistent turnout through the season with the reporting average daily attendance of 238. According to co-manager Madison Farris, the pool had remained open the entire season with only few delays due to weather. “It was a cooler year, but I feel like we were open most days and if we did close, we were open part of the day and then weather would close us down,” Farris stated.

    Providing backpacks and school supplies to Hamilton County students in need has been a passionate mission for the School Supplies Campaign (SSC), formerly known as the Backpack Campaign. During Aurora Elementary School’s open house last Wednesday night, student and family liaison Paige McQuiston shared that 45 elementary students in Hamilton County received backpacks for the new school year, though 108 received them in total.


    For details on these stories and much more, including the conclusion of Sports Editor Richard Rhoden's three-part series on Aurora Football Legend Austin Allen, check out the print or e-edition of this week's Aurora News-Register.