News

Auctioneer Kelly Kliewer, with help from several others including John Thomas out front, watches for bids during the annual MCC Auction this weekend in Aurora.

Auctioneer Kelly Kliewer, with help from several others including John Thomas out front, watches for bids during the annual MCC Auction this weekend in Aurora.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

MCC relief auction tops $204,000

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
A tradition of praising God and raising money for global relief efforts resumed this weekend at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, where hundreds of people from all across Nebraska and the central United States gathered for the annual Mennonite Central Committee relief auction.
Sarah Havlik, a barista at the Scooter’s Coffee location in Aurora, placed eighth in a field of 55 competing March 22 at the Barista Cup competition in Omaha.

Sarah Havlik, a barista at the Scooter’s Coffee location in Aurora, placed eighth in a field of 55 competing March 22 at the Barista Cup competition in Omaha.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Havlik shines at Scooter’s Barista Cup competition

Emma Bullerman
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
On March 22, local Scooter’s assistant manager Sarah Havlik competed in the second annual Scooter’s Barista Cup competition held at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
Cyber security

Cyber security

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Grant sought for cyber security

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
County commissioners approved a plan Monday to pursue grant funding to help cover costs and potential improvements to the county’s cyber security system. The unanimous vote to proceed came after a brief presentation by Ryan Wineteer, business development manager at Hamilton Telecommunications.
Lester Williamsen in his apartment at East Park Villa. Williamsen turned 100-years old on April 4, and has experienced the Great Depression, World War II and lived to see his great-great-grandchild.

Lester Williamsen in his apartment at East Park Villa. Williamsen turned 100-years old on April 4, and has experienced the Great Depression, World War II and lived to see his great-great-grandchild.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County resident Williamsen celebrates 100 years of life

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
East Park Villa resident Lester Williamsen turned 100 on April 4, having been born in a hospital in York, but ever since remaining a lifelong Hamilton County resident with few exceptions. Williamsen grew up on a farm between Hampton and Hordville in what he called the “Dirty 30’s.
Announcing the debut of The Leadership Center at Espressions are, from left: shop manager Lisa Montoya, barista Wyatt Griess and Maile Ilac Boeder, executive director of The Leadership Center.

Announcing the debut of The Leadership Center at Espressions are, from left: shop manager Lisa Montoya, barista Wyatt Griess and Maile Ilac Boeder, executive director of The Leadership Center.

Leadership Center reopens Espressions

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
The Leadership Center expanded its reach and mission this week by reopening a downtown coffee shop as a venue which now offers far more than beverages and entrees. As of Monday morning, the well-known eatery at 1117 M St.
Aurora senior Carsen Staehr crashes into the sand pit during his final run through the long jump event, winning by half an inch over second place at Friday’s home invite.

Aurora senior Carsen Staehr crashes into the sand pit during his final run through the long jump event, winning by half an inch over second place at Friday’s home invite.

This week's top stories

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Staehr, Huskies Carsen Staehr nearly picked up right where he left off from last season. In Aurora’s first outdoor meet of the spring season, a home invite, Staehr swept the long and triple jumps, doing so not far off from his best marks.
Aurora High School prom candidates were announced this week, with coronation of king and queen scheduled for Saturday evening at The Leadership Center. Candidates, pictured front from left: Eva Fahrnbruch, Aleah Vinkenberg, Kylie Svoboda, Kasey Schuster. Back from left: Wyatt James, Carsen Staehr, Carlos Collazo, Gabe Peterson.

Aurora High School prom candidates were announced this week, with coronation of king and queen scheduled for Saturday evening at The Leadership Center. Candidates, pictured front from left: Eva Fahrnbruch, Aleah Vinkenberg, Kylie Svoboda, Kasey Schuster. Back from left: Wyatt James, Carsen Staehr, Carlos Collazo, Gabe Peterson.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

AHS prom moving to Leadership Center

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Prom 2023 will have a different look and location for Aurora High School students as the venue will be moved for the first time to The Leadership Center.
Banana Rams owner Justin Blase is excited about this weekend's event in Hordville.

Banana Rams owner Justin Blase is excited about this weekend's event in Hordville.

Concert coming to Hordville April 1

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Banana Rams owner Justin Blase is holding a concert at the Hordville Event Center featuring opening act Tim Buck Too and main act country singer Logan Mize on April 1 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Eli and Amy Lewis show off their basket full of eggs ready for laying this upcoming Easter season. Eli is raising money for Aurora Adopt-A-Pet animal shelter to buy items on their Amazon wish list.

Eli and Amy Lewis show off their basket full of eggs ready for laying this upcoming Easter season. Eli is raising money for Aurora Adopt-A-Pet animal shelter to buy items on their Amazon wish list.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Mother, son duo ask ‘Let Us Egg Your Yard’

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
The Easter Bunny is getting some help this year. Nurse Amy Lewis and her 10-year old son Eli are offering a friendly “egging” of county residents’ yard for a fee to help raise funds for the Aurora Adopt-A-Pet animal shelter.
Aurora students participating in the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation’s Future Builders Challenge March 17 and 20 included, from left: Israel Dominguez, Mackenzie Kluck, Lucas Talkington, Kaden Johnson, Owen Lubbe and Cara Thomas

Aurora students participating in the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation’s Future Builders Challenge March 17 and 20 included, from left: Israel Dominguez, Mackenzie Kluck, Lucas Talkington, Kaden Johnson, Owen Lubbe and Cara Thomas

Aurora students compete in GI Builders Challenge

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Brain-storming ideas for starting a new business was the name of the game last week in the first-ever Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation’s Future Builders Challenge, which included several students from Aurora.