News

A 21-gun salute is performed near the end of the Memorial Day service at the Aurora Cemetery on Monday morning.

A 21-gun salute is performed near the end of the Memorial Day service at the Aurora Cemetery on Monday morning.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
MCHI nearly fully staffed with nursesThough not immune from the challenges of hiring and retaining nurses locally in the midst of a reported nationwide nursing shortage, Memorial Community Health Inc.
Kevin and Kayte Partch pose for a family photo with daughters, from left, Kendall and Kellan. The family lives in Lincoln where Kayte is the USDA Child Nutrition director for the Nebraska Board of Education.

Kevin and Kayte Partch pose for a family photo with daughters, from left, Kendall and Kellan. The family lives in Lincoln where Kayte is the USDA Child Nutrition director for the Nebraska Board of Education.

Keeping pace: Hampton native’s race for child nutrition, marathons

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Becoming a runner takes both the proper food and mental determination to use that fuel to the limit. One Hampton graduate knows the importance of both continuing to run for herself and helping kids in Nebraska to have the basic nutrition to push themselves.
The BRANDT plant will have state-of-the-art product filling and packaging equipment, including lifting “robots” and automated assembly lines.

The BRANDT plant will have state-of-the-art product filling and packaging equipment, including lifting “robots” and automated assembly lines.

BRANDT to build specialty products manufacturing plant here

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
An Illinois-based company known as a leading retailer of professional agronomic services and manufacturer of specialty ag products will soon be planting its flag in Aurora.
The Aurora City Council approved of construction of a new disc golf course at Streeter Park and an upgrade of the one at Refshauge Park.

The Aurora City Council approved of construction of a new disc golf course at Streeter Park and an upgrade of the one at Refshauge Park.

Council OKs new disc golf course in Streeter Park

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Aurora city council members approved of the installation of a disc course golf at Streeter Park, and an upgrade of the disc golf course at Refshauge Park, at a meeting on May 23.
Notices for ag land values in Hamilton County will be mailed June 1.

Notices for ag land values in Hamilton County will be mailed June 1.

Ag land values will be going up in county

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Hamilton County farmers will be getting letters in the mail this week advising of a pending increase in ag land valuations, with irrigated acres going up as much as 10.3 percent and drylands acres rising as much as 8 percent.
A vendor helps a customer during last year's Market on the Square, a series of Saturday events which begins this weekend.

A vendor helps a customer during last year's Market on the Square, a series of Saturday events which begins this weekend.

Market on Square kicks off 2023 season Saturday

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Market on the Square is popping up again on June 3 lasting through the long, hot summer months until Sept. 16, running every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the courthouse parking lot. Vendors and businesses from around Hamilton County and beyond will come to showcase their wares and services.
Youngsters enjoy opening day at the swimming pool in Aurora Friday.

Youngsters enjoy opening day at the swimming pool in Aurora Friday.

Aurora pool opens

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
The Aurora Aquatic Facility opened at high noon Friday, the unofficial start to summer in Hamilton County. Youngsters showed up in droves with temperatures already in the low 80s over the long weekend. Open swim hours are from 12-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. daily.
Shawn Morris, center, is the new Pi Bee record holder, having recited 402 digits of pi on the last day of school. He is pictured with his cousin and former record holder, Alex Peters at left, and math teacher Scott Phillips.

Shawn Morris, center, is the new Pi Bee record holder, having recited 402 digits of pi on the last day of school. He is pictured with his cousin and former record holder, Alex Peters at left, and math teacher Scott Phillips.

This week's top stories

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Amanda Senkbile, pictured front and center, became the first female to earn her Commercial Driver’s License through International Workforce Services. Pictured back from left are: Celie Holliday, Crystal, David and Todd Vettel.

Amanda Senkbile, pictured front and center, became the first female to earn her Commercial Driver’s License through International Workforce Services. Pictured back from left are: Celie Holliday, Crystal, David and Todd Vettel.

IWS looks to put women behind wheel

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
An Aurora business is expanding its mission to try and help fill the growing demand for over-the-road truck drivers by training women to get behind the wheel.
New Hamilton County Director of Planning and Zoning, Melissa Barry sits at her desk on the second floor of the courthouse. Berry has been working as a dispatcher for the county for nearly a year and took over her new position on May 10.

New Hamilton County Director of Planning and Zoning, Melissa Barry sits at her desk on the second floor of the courthouse. Berry has been working as a dispatcher for the county for nearly a year and took over her new position on May 10.

Barry takes helm as Planning & Zoning director

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
With nearly two weeks on the job now behind her, Hamilton County’s new planning and zoning director says she is excited to be a part of helping plan for the future of the area she and her husband adopted as home almost a year ago.