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Nebraska Commissioner of Education, Brian Maher, left, presents Aurora Middle School teacher Scott Phillips with the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year award on Wednesday morning.

Nebraska Commissioner of Education, Brian Maher, left, presents Aurora Middle School teacher Scott Phillips with the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year award on Wednesday morning.

Aurora's Scott Phillips named 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Scott Phillips was teaching his 7th Grade math class at Aurora Middle School at about 9:30 Wednesday morning when suddenly the door opened and a flood of TV and print reporters, school officials and Phillips' own family members poured into the classroom.
Musical artist Myles Jasnowski performs outside the courthouse during Art Walk Aurora Sunday afternoon.

Musical artist Myles Jasnowski performs outside the courthouse during Art Walk Aurora Sunday afternoon.

Art Walk marks 10th anniversary

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
A splash of fall color made its way early at the Hamilton County Courthouse lawn Sunday as artists presented their artwork for the 10th annual Aurora Art Walk. Since 2014, Art Walk has been a fall event that helps promote the arts within the community.
Zion Lutheran Church near Hampton will celebrate its 150th anniversary Sunday.

Zion Lutheran Church near Hampton will celebrate its 150th anniversary Sunday.

Zion Lutheran celebrates 150 years

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
When German Lutheran immigrants were homesteading in eastern Hamilton County in the late 1860s, they knew they needed two things — a place to worship and a place to educate their children.
The 4R School Board passed the FY 2023/24 budget on Monday night

The 4R School Board passed the FY 2023/24 budget on Monday night

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4R budget drops levy, tax asking

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
The Aurora 4R School Board approved a $15.26 million budget for fiscal year 2023-24 Monday, which due to a $1.7 million increase in state aid and other factors will result in an estimated 8 percent decrease for local taxpayers.Supt.
Barbie and Clint Mickey with their sons Creighton and Corbin and friend Emerson Myers discuss the process of wood carving with spoon carver Alex Brechbill on Sunday in the newly renovated Wesley Huenefeld Agricultural Museum during Day on the Farm on Sunday.

Barbie and Clint Mickey with their sons Creighton and Corbin and friend Emerson Myers discuss the process of wood carving with spoon carver Alex Brechbill on Sunday in the newly renovated Wesley Huenefeld Agricultural Museum during Day on the Farm on Sunday.

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Day on Farm wet but well-attended

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Although much-needed rain showers brought dampness to the activities at the Plainsman Museum’s biennial Day on the Farm Sunday afternoon, it didn’t dampen the attitude of the dozens of people in attendance.
Sara Brown runs in The Blade 5K using her state-of-the-art running blade.

Sara Brown runs in The Blade 5K using her state-of-the-art running blade.

Sara Brown’s world turned upside down

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
“It literally just turned our lives upside down in a matter of minutes!”Sara Brown of Aurora is talking about the February, 2008 car accident in western Nebraska that left her with a shattered right leg which eventually resulted in having her leg amputated below the knee 12 years later.
NDE Commissioner Brian Maher addresses the Aurora teaching staff last week during a three-day visit here, which included a Friday board meeting at The Leadership Center.

NDE Commissioner Brian Maher addresses the Aurora teaching staff last week during a three-day visit here, which included a Friday board meeting at The Leadership Center.

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State Board of Education, new commissioner visit local schools

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
The Nebraska State Board of Education and staff spent three days in Aurora last week, culminating Friday with the first public board meeting to be conducted in outstate Nebraska under newly-hired commissioner Brian Maher.
The FY 2023/24 budget for Giltner School District was approved this week.

The FY 2023/24 budget for Giltner School District was approved this week.

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Giltner school budget given approval Monday

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Giltner School Board members approved a budget Monday for the 2023-2024 fiscal year following a presentation by Supt. Nick Mumm.The tax asking was decreased by 6 percent from last year’s rate. The approved rate is 82.004 cents per $100 of valuation, a decrease of 3 percent from last year.
Street, sewer districts created for Hampton development project

Street, sewer districts created for Hampton development project

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Street, sewer districts created for Hampton development project

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Infrastructure needs for the new residential subdivision at Hampton and the funding for providing them advanced on Monday at the September meeting of the Hampton Village Board.
The 10th annual Aurora Art Walk is Sunday.

The 10th annual Aurora Art Walk is Sunday.

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Art Walk 2023 moves to Sunday

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Downtown Aurora will look and feel like a giant art gallery Sunday, with the 10th annual Art Walk offering a combination of art and music.Cindy McClellan, one of the event’s founders and organizers, said several changes have been made to this year’s event, beginning with the move to Sunday.