News

City officials heard input at the March 10 city council meeting regarding the concept of allowing backyard chickens within the city limits.

City officials heard input at the March 10 city council meeting regarding the concept of allowing backyard chickens within the city limits.

City hears support for backyard chickens

News Staff
Thursday, March 12, 2026
A formal request for input on the concept of adopting regulations allowing chickens within the city limits drew approximately 30 people to Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting, with all who spoke up generally favoring the idea.
This drone photo shows the path of the fire that burned through nearly a mile of fields near Giltner on March 8.

This drone photo shows the path of the fire that burned through nearly a mile of fields near Giltner on March 8.

Field fire threatens farmsteads near Giltner Sunday

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
A corn stubble fire whipped up by gusty winds burned about 200 acres of cropland and threatened four farmsteads on Sunday near Giltner.
Student involvement in a number of extracurricular activities both inside and out of school, requires a skillfull juggling act of managing time, energy and expectations. School counselors say heavily involved students need to give themselves permission to step back for a time if need be.

Student involvement in a number of extracurricular activities both inside and out of school, requires a skillfull juggling act of managing time, energy and expectations. School counselors say heavily involved students need to give themselves permission to step back for a time if need be.

Schedule juggling: The other extracurricular

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
If readers take the time to look closely at the photos in this week’s Extra Extracurriculars section they will notice something interesting – often the same faces appear in multiple photos.
An advisory committee that has been studying the district’s facility needs tours a school facility during a recent meeting.

An advisory committee that has been studying the district’s facility needs tours a school facility during a recent meeting.

High school emerges as top priority in facility talks

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
An advisory committee that has been studying the district’s facility needs for several months came to a general consensus last week that addressing needs at the high school should be considered a top priority.In what Supt.
Aurora 4R School Board news

Aurora 4R School Board news

4R calendar to retain early-out Wednesday format

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Early-out Wednesdays will remain on the calendar for the 2026-27 school year after the Aurora School Board voted Monday to approve a similar schedule to this year’s, dropping a revised plan proposed last month to eliminate the weekly early dismissal format.Supt.
The newly renovated Love’s Travel Stops offers an expanded coffee and drink bar area, as well as fresh food items and an overall updated look and feel.

The newly renovated Love’s Travel Stops offers an expanded coffee and drink bar area, as well as fresh food items and an overall updated look and feel.

Love’s Travel Stops completes renovation

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Twenty-three years after Love’s Travel Stop planted its flag in Aurora, the Oklahoma-based company has completed a $3 million renovation/expansion at its I-80 facilities.
Cassidy Goertzen (right) as Little Orphan Annie sings with her faithful dog Sandy (played by Sophia Clinch) by her side.

Cassidy Goertzen (right) as Little Orphan Annie sings with her faithful dog Sandy (played by Sophia Clinch) by her side.

‘Annie’ takes stage in Hampton

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Hawk Harmonies had its dress rehearsal Thursday afternoon before its performance of the Broadway musical “Annie” later that evening at Hampton School. Pictured playing the lovable orphan is Cassidy Goertzen (right) with Sophia Clinch playing her dog Sandy.
HPC School Board

HPC School Board

HPC approves engineering bid

News Staff
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
The High Plains Community School Board voted Monday night to continue with an engineering firm working with Facility Advocates in ongoing discussions about its Clarks building.
Aurora grad Ashleigh (Suck) Banuelos is a quarter finalist in the 2026 Ms. Health and Fitness competition. If she wins and gets her picture on the cover of Muscle & Fitness HERS magazine she says she will donate her winnings to help others.

Aurora grad Ashleigh (Suck) Banuelos is a quarter finalist in the 2026 Ms. Health and Fitness competition. If she wins and gets her picture on the cover of Muscle & Fitness HERS magazine she says she will donate her winnings to help others.

Aurora native competing for Ms. Health and Fitness title

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Aurora native Ashleigh (Suck) Banuelos, now a resident of Pasadena, Calif., is turning her passion for fitness into a national platform, competing for the Ms. Health and Fitness title while using the opportunity to promote healthy living and support charitable causes.
Holes in the ground reflect new single-family dwellings soon to be built along Highlander Lane in the new Streeter Subdivision.

Holes in the ground reflect new single-family dwellings soon to be built along Highlander Lane in the new Streeter Subdivision.

Single-family dwellings boost February building permits

News Staff
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
A surge of new single-family dwellings boosted the February building permit report at Aurora City Hall, with all three of the permits listed featuring homes in the new Streeter Subdivision.