This week's top stories

  • This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.
    This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.
  • Sarah Bailey reads the yellow-hat group a story about floating in the river. After listening to this short story, SOAR campers did the “SOAR float.” They laid down, reached their hands above their heads, toward the mountains, and pointed their toes toward the Gulf of Mexico, and let the current take them downstream.
    Sarah Bailey reads the yellow-hat group a story about floating in the river. After listening to this short story, SOAR campers did the “SOAR float.” They laid down, reached their hands above their heads, toward the mountains, and pointed their toes toward the Gulf of Mexico, and let the current take them downstream.
  • Pictured is the muddy mess left at the 1st Street construction site as of Friday morning, after nearly 1-1/2 inches of rain fell Thursday night.
    Pictured is the muddy mess left at the 1st Street construction site as of Friday morning, after nearly 1-1/2 inches of rain fell Thursday night.
  • The Bands on the Bricks summer concert series kicked off its eighth season Friday with a performance by the Real Joey Leone.
    The Bands on the Bricks summer concert series kicked off its eighth season Friday with a performance by the Real Joey Leone.
  • This map provided to the Village of Hampton by its engineering firm, Miller and Associates, shows the route of a proposed pipeline linking Hampton to Aurora’s well field north of town.
    This map provided to the Village of Hampton by its engineering firm, Miller and Associates, shows the route of a proposed pipeline linking Hampton to Aurora’s well field north of town.
  • Pictured is Sandi VanWormer in the concession stand during the Swingin’ for Sandi softball tournament in April. VanWormer was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has been a recipient of cancer fund donations. The tournament was the latest event held to support the cancer fund.
    Pictured is Sandi VanWormer in the concession stand during the Swingin’ for Sandi softball tournament in April. VanWormer was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has been a recipient of cancer fund donations. The tournament was the latest event held to support the cancer fund.

    Homeowners who live in Hamilton County’s towns and villages are generally aware that building permits are needed before construction projects are started and that zoning ordinances come into play when making changes to one’s property. However, it’s apparent that many who live in the more rural parts of the county may be unaware that since about 2019 similar zoning regulations may apply to them as well. An article on Page A3 of this week's ANR provides details on what rural property owners need to know before starting a building or rebuilding project.

    Prairie Plains Resource Institute is in the midst of hosting its two weeks of SOAR (Summer Orientation About Rivers)program for kids grades 3-6, which allows students to learn more about the natural resources in our area. From the Platte River to the prairie, these kids get a taste of all that the land can provide and basic stewardship principles to help take care of it. See a full page of SOAR photos on Page B10 of this week's edition of ANR.

    The full-court press is on for construction crews working on the 1st Street renovation project as continued rains are making it a challenge to complete the south end of the project in order to allow access when school bells ring in mid-August. JEO Consulting hosted a meeting on site Monday with subcontractors for its regular bi-weekly update after meeting with school officials last week to report the latest progress. The “substantial completion date” has been set for Aug. 8, with a goal of allowing access to 1st Street from the railroad tracks to north of Mark Street by the time school starts.

    The Bands on the Bricks summer concert series kicked off its eighth season Friday with a performance by the Real Joey Leone. There was a notable change in this year’s debut, as the stage was moved to the west side of the downtown square due to safety concerns around the former Gambles building, which has been deemed an unsafe structure. There was a good crowd on hand for Friday’s event. The free open-air concert series continues this Friday as  Ashley Wineland rolls in with powerhouse vocals and feel-good country hits.

    The Village of Hampton took a major step forward Monday night in its plan to pipe water from Aurora to help solve the high nitrate problem with its existing municipal water wells. Following a public hearing to hear the engineering report on the proposed pipeline project, the board voted to approve a standard agreement with Miller and Associates Engineering to plan and guide the project to completion.

    For over 20 years, the Hamilton County Cancer Fund has been dedicated to its mission of ensuring that cancer patients receive local support while undergoing cancer treatment. The fund was started by former Aurora resident Mike Bair and he, along with a cancer support group, advocated for a cancer fund. Learn more about the fund and how you can help it grow in an article on Page A4 of this week's edition.

    Find these stories and much more in this week's print or e-editions of the Aurora News-Register!