News

Preschooler Belle Graham looks up at FFA member Morgan Bonifas who invites her to pet a lamb. The lamb’s mamma can be seen watching protectively.

Preschooler Belle Graham looks up at FFA member Morgan Bonifas who invites her to pet a lamb. The lamb’s mamma can be seen watching protectively.

FFA Week features petting zoo visitors

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Children of all ages had an opportunity to see and pet lambs, piglets, ponies, horses and cows at the annual FFA Petting Zoo held last week in observance of National FFA Week.
Giltner preschool teacher Amy Wilson shows her students a postcard received from Arizona as part of the ‘Valentines Across the Country’ project she started.

Giltner preschool teacher Amy Wilson shows her students a postcard received from Arizona as part of the ‘Valentines Across the Country’ project she started.

In the ANR Spotlight this week:

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Afternoons have become an exciting time for Amy Wilson’s preschool classes at Giltner. Since early February, at about 2 p.m. every day, valentines from all across America have been pouring into her classroom as part of her Hearts Around the United States effort.
Drive your tractor to school day.

Drive your tractor to school day.

In the ANR Spotlight this week:

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
As part of Aurora High School’s celebration of FFA week, Thursday was declared “Drive Your Tractor to School Day.” Fifteen students arrived at school piloting their families' tractors and paraded them around the square Thursday afternoon.
Side by side ziplines at the Pirnie inclusive playground in Grand Island feature the traditional disc on the left for able-bodied kids to straddle, while the zipline on the left features a swing seat to hold children with disabilities.

Side by side ziplines at the Pirnie inclusive playground in Grand Island feature the traditional disc on the left for able-bodied kids to straddle, while the zipline on the left features a swing seat to hold children with disabilities.

Group envisions inclusive playground project for county

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Beginning with a vision to create a play area in Hamilton County where kids with disabilities can play together safely with able-bodied kids, a group in Aurora is starting to see its project take wings.
Peyton and Rylee Hofmann from Polk will celebrate their 4th birthday on Thursday. The twins were born on Feb. 29, 2008 and because of their Leap Day birth have only celebrated on the date of their birth three times in their life.

Peyton and Rylee Hofmann from Polk will celebrate their 4th birthday on Thursday. The twins were born on Feb. 29, 2008 and because of their Leap Day birth have only celebrated on the date of their birth three times in their life.

Hofmann sisters celebrating an unbe-leap-able birthday

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
It’s an exciting time for a pair of twin sisters from Polk as they anticipate celebrating their 16th birthday on Feb. 29. However, because of their Leap Day birth, it will be only the fourth time they have celebrated their birthday on the actual date they were born.
The limbo was one of the many dances the girls got to participate in Sunday night at the Daddy/Daughter Dance. Here Macie High (center) shows how low she and her friends can go.

The limbo was one of the many dances the girls got to participate in Sunday night at the Daddy/Daughter Dance. Here Macie High (center) shows how low she and her friends can go.

Daddy/Daughter Dance brings fun to fairgrounds

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
The beloved Daddy/Daughter Dance made its way to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Sunday evening. The annual event, now in its fifth year in existence, was previously celebrated at the Aurora Community Clubhouse.
John Hewitt, Synergen Green Energy's vice president and head of projects, visits with local residents during a Q&A meeting regarding the company's proposal to build an ammonia plant west of Aurora.

John Hewitt, Synergen Green Energy's vice president and head of projects, visits with local residents during a Q&A meeting regarding the company's proposal to build an ammonia plant west of Aurora.

Synergen hosts Q&A on ammonia plant project

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
A Houston-based company proposing to build an ammonia plant on Highway 34 west of Aurora hosted a Q&A session last week which drew approximately 35 people to the Bremer Center.
Giltner Public Schools

Giltner Public Schools

Giltner School Board approves plan to put bond issue on ballot

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
After months of board discussions, community meetings and several revisions to the proposed school renovation plan, the Giltner School Board voted Monday night approving a resolution to put a bond issue on the May primary election ballot. The amount of the bond was set at $11,415,000.