This week's top stories

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  • Fire crews from Marquette, Aurora, Hampton and Central City worked together to tame the blaze that claimed this Marquette family home in the early morning hours on Thursday.
    Fire crews from Marquette, Aurora, Hampton and Central City worked together to tame the blaze that claimed this Marquette family home in the early morning hours on Thursday.
  • Photo courtesy of KSNB // High Plains grad Danielle Shenk went from participating in HPC-TV to sitting behind the anchor desk at KSNB Local 4.
    Photo courtesy of KSNB // High Plains grad Danielle Shenk went from participating in HPC-TV to sitting behind the anchor desk at KSNB Local 4.
  • Courtesy photo // Aurora sophomore Kehlanee Bengtson shows off her plaque that she received for being named the Outstanding Wrestler at Friday’s 10-team Lexington Invitational. Bengston went 4-0 on the day, all by pins.
    Courtesy photo // Aurora sophomore Kehlanee Bengtson shows off her plaque that she received for being named the Outstanding Wrestler at Friday’s 10-team Lexington Invitational. Bengston went 4-0 on the day, all by pins.
  • The Giltner Library will be no more, as soon as the books and furniture have been removed from the inside.
    The Giltner Library will be no more, as soon as the books and furniture have been removed from the inside.
  • Caden Gooder (left) awaits a fresh batch of food from fry-master Mike Peard.
    Caden Gooder (left) awaits a fresh batch of food from fry-master Mike Peard.
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Fire destroys Marquette home

An early morning blaze in below-freezing temperatures claimed a Marquette family home Thursday, drawing response from Marquette, Hampton, Aurora and Central City volunteer departments. The glow from the fire and fire and rescue vehicles made the scene visible from Highway 14.

The cause of the inferno, which was confirmed to have started in the basement of the home, was reported to be electrical. All occupants were out of the house by the time rescue crews arrived and two of the three individuals were transported via Aurora ambulance.
Aurora crews were dispatched as mutual aid around 2:30 a.m. that morning, Aurora Fire Chief Tom Cox reported.
“When I got on scene there was quite a bit of smoke coming from a two-story wood frame, single-family dwelling,” he continued. “It was a deep-seated fire.”

High Plains grad claims anchor spot on nightly news
News can come from many different sources in today’s world and local native Danielle Shenk is working hard to keep Nebraskans informed through a nightly television broadcast. 
This 2015 High Plains Community Schools graduate has taken her passion for media on the air and officially joined KSNB Local 4 as both an anchor and producer.

Bengtson dubbed Outstanding Wrestler at Lex
Kelanee Bengtson was in no mood.
The Aurora sophomore took no prisoners, stealing the show at the 10-team Lexington Invite on Friday, pacing the Lady Husky wrestlers to a third place team finish behind Grand Island and the host school.
Bengtson pinned all four of her opponents in the 138 weight division, going on to be voted as the outstanding wrestler of the tournament.
“She not only has a great desire and motivation to win, but has the wrestling knowledge to go with it,” Aurora girl’s wrestling coach Sheri Thompson voiced regarding Bengtson. “She has only wrestled past the first period in two matches this year.”

Giltner Library closed by 5-0 vote 
After a 5-0 vote during the Village of Giltner’s last board meeting Jan. 10 it has been determined that the Giltner Public Library will be closing.
“This facility has not been used or updated in a very long time,” board chairman Cody Nuss confirmed in a later interview. “There has been slight interest in doing something with it for the public, but it never came to fruition.”
Though unanimous, the decision was difficult, Nuss added. 
“Obviously we want to offer our community all that we can,” he said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t get used and updated for many years so it was that reason that helped us move forward.”
The building had been a staple in the community for many years, Nuss noted, adding that it will be missed.

Triple B Feed sees huge turnout
Phillips was filled to capacity, plus some, on Thursday for its annual Triple B Feed. Volunteers at the event served approximately 520 meals this year.

 

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