This week's top stories

  • The glow of the Red Light Therapy room can be seen behind Tri-Fit owners Nick and Amy Owens.
    The glow of the Red Light Therapy room can be seen behind Tri-Fit owners Nick and Amy Owens.
  • Nearly 150 classic cars lined two blocks of Hampton's main street on Friday evening.
    Nearly 150 classic cars lined two blocks of Hampton's main street on Friday evening.
  • Teachers joining the staff of Aurora Public Schools this fall include, front from left: Breanna Patsios (HS/MS FCS), Linda Troester (HS science), Ashley Gibson (PEAK/Life Skills teacher). Back from left: Devin Solko (MS social studies), Trevor Patsios (HS social studies), Tyson Horn (Elementary art).
    Teachers joining the staff of Aurora Public Schools this fall include, front from left: Breanna Patsios (HS/MS FCS), Linda Troester (HS science), Ashley Gibson (PEAK/Life Skills teacher). Back from left: Devin Solko (MS social studies), Trevor Patsios (HS social studies), Tyson Horn (Elementary art).
  • Myles Jasnowski (left) and the Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal band performing at the 2025 ZooFest in downtown Lincoln.
    Myles Jasnowski (left) and the Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal band performing at the 2025 ZooFest in downtown Lincoln.
  • Aurora High School Marching Band flute players pictured above are, from left, Katelyn Dieckmann, Madelyn Freeman and Jessica Rodriguez.
    Aurora High School Marching Band flute players pictured above are, from left, Katelyn Dieckmann, Madelyn Freeman and Jessica Rodriguez.
  • The Zhakata family moved from Zimbabwe to Aurora in 2023, where father Stephen completed a CDL Academy offered by Aurora-based International Workforce Services. PIctured from left are Emmanuel, Amos, Agnes and Stephen Zakhata.
    The Zhakata family moved from Zimbabwe to Aurora in 2023, where father Stephen completed a CDL Academy offered by Aurora-based International Workforce Services. PIctured from left are Emmanuel, Amos, Agnes and Stephen Zakhata.

    Four years after purchasing a local fitness center and rebranding the venture as Tri-Fit, owners Nick and Amy Owens have announced a recent expansion which Amy describes as “a dream come true.” “For me, Tri-Fit has always been about the whole body,” she explained. “It’s not just weight loss. It’s not just strength. It’s not just cardio. You have to have all those things and it’s all encompassed here now because of the changes we’ve been able to make.”
    Originally debuting in one suite of the triplex facility at 1218 K Street in Aurora, Tri-Fit expanded in 2022 to double in size and as of last week now utilizes all three suites to offer a growing list of services. Read the whole story on this week's ANR Business Page (B12).

    It was a hot night but there were plenty of cool cars in Hampton Friday night for the 24th annual TDLC Cruise Night. Several hundred car lovers braved the heat and humidity to come out and admire the nearly 150 classic cars and pickups from a wide area that were on display lining most of two blocks of 3rd Street. Organizer Danielle Bamesberger said about 250 people were served a pulled pork meal at the event and ice cream was available for a donation to keep everyone cool.

    With classes starting at all four local public schools this week, those schools are all welcoming new teachers and other staff members. You'll find photos of the new staff members at Aurora and Giltner schools in this week's ANR.

    A familiar face in both the Lincoln music scene and in Aurora will be playing with the soul funk band Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal at the final Bands on the Bricks concert of the season this Friday. Lincoln-based guitarist Myles Jasnowski will help perform new songs that will be featured on the band’s latest album set for release early next year as well as a new song called “Sticky Situations.” The Aurora grad said he is excited to return home and spend time with his family and friends. Read about Jasnowski's musical journey in the latest edition of our “Where are they now?” series on Page B7 of this week's ANR.

    The Aurora Marching Band had a fun start to its 2025 marching band season with a week-long band camp, where they began practicing the opener of their new show, “Dark Horse.” The band will perform at each halftime show during home football games as well as at Harvest of Harmony in Grand Island, the Links Marching Contest in Lincoln and the NSBA State Marching Festival in Kearney.

    The lure of a good job, a better education for his children and an opportunity to build a better future convinced Stephen Zhakata to leave his homeland in Africa back in 2018, and seven years later he and his family are proud to call Aurora home. A truck driver by trade, Zhakata had learned about a program that helped international drivers attain the visas and training needed to work and live in America. He completed what he admitted can be a challenging transition with the help of International Workforce Services and has been working for Sunrise Express in Grand Island for the past three years. Read the fascinating story of the Zhakata family's journey from Zimbabwe to their adopted hometown of Aurora on Page B1 of this week's edition.

    These stories and more can be read in their entirety in the print or e-editions of the Aurora News-Register on news stands now.