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Hampton native Jodi (Rehrs) Jefferson baked special cookies for the Kyle Ediger Scholarship fundraiser, boosting the donation total by more than $5,000.

Hampton native Jodi (Rehrs) Jefferson baked special cookies for the Kyle Ediger Scholarship fundraiser, boosting the donation total by more than $5,000.

Ediger fundraiser pushes fund over $40,000

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Hampton residents past and present raised more than $10,000 Saturday in a scholarship fundraiser honoring the late Kyle Ediger, pushing the fund's grand total to more than $40,000.
Commercial property owners in Aurora may be in for some sticker shock when they get their revised 2022 valuation notice in June.

Commercial property owners in Aurora may be in for some sticker shock when they get their revised 2022 valuation notice in June.

Assessor: Prepare for sticker shock

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Commercial property owners in Aurora may be in for some sticker shock when they get their revised 2022 valuation notice in June.
The city’s recently completed EMS living quarters was one of the highest spending items noted on the financial audit.

The city’s recently completed EMS living quarters was one of the highest spending items noted on the financial audit.

City financial audit outlines approval, recommendations

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
The Aurora City Council approved an audit of last year’s fiscal statement March 22, which included recommendations based on comparisons to audits of 75 like-sized towns in Nebraska.  Michael Hoback, a partner with AMGI, P.C.
County commissioners approved a request to use a portion of the courthouse lawn for the popular Bands on the Bricks summer concert series Monday, with the exception of the Friday night that falls during the Hamilton County Fair.

County commissioners approved a request to use a portion of the courthouse lawn for the popular Bands on the Bricks summer concert series Monday, with the exception of the Friday night that falls during the Hamilton County Fair.

Bands on the Bricks stirs county debate

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
County commissioners approved a request to use a portion of the courthouse lawn for the popular Bands on the Bricks summer concert series Monday, with the exception of the Friday night that falls during the Hamilton County Fair. This year’s schedule includes Friday afternoons from 5-9:30 p.m.
A big milestone for the heart of the art culture in Aurora is coming to fruition in the form of Cottonwood Gallery & Arts’ first ever juried art show. 

A big milestone for the heart of the art culture in Aurora is coming to fruition in the form of Cottonwood Gallery & Arts’ first ever juried art show. 

Cottonwood Gallery to host juried show

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
A big milestone for the heart of the art culture in Aurora is coming to fruition in the form of Cottonwood Gallery & Arts’ first ever juried art show.  The event will welcome over 20 different artists from all over Nebraska, as well as visitors to the gallery, April 7 from 5-8 p.m.
More than 40 Giltner Public School students from three different classes pose in front of the first Jen Stark inspired mural on March 16. The project represents months of work under the direction of art teacher Jenna Hermann.

More than 40 Giltner Public School students from three different classes pose in front of the first Jen Stark inspired mural on March 16. The project represents months of work under the direction of art teacher Jenna Hermann.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Giltner students complete two murals inspired by modern artist Walk down the halls and there will be color oozing out the walls of Giltner Public Schools. The fourth, fifth and sixth grade art classes made The Jen Stark-inspired art installation over the course of two semesters.
Clarissa Orman and Wyatt Philippi help adults paint the wall of the Youth Center. Children have offered both help and insight into the center’s renovation.

Clarissa Orman and Wyatt Philippi help adults paint the wall of the Youth Center. Children have offered both help and insight into the center’s renovation.

Youth Center gets a fresh new look, plan for the future

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Paul Johnson’s goal of reopening the Hamilton County Youth Center has grown a lot since just four weeks ago.  While 19 volunteers helped redecorate the center on Saturday, Johnson related what has been accomplished at the center as interest in the project has grown rapidly.
Pictures from Hampton Lutheran School’s proud past will be shared in a commemorative book to be distributed at Saturday’s celebration.

Pictures from Hampton Lutheran School’s proud past will be shared in a commemorative book to be distributed at Saturday’s celebration.

Hampton Lutheran School plans celebration as closure draws near

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
The Hampton Lutheran School community will gather Saturday to celebrate a tradition of Lutheran education that dates back to the 1860s, while also marking the emotional end of an era.
Dist. 34 Sen. Curt Friesen converses with Aurora City Administrator Rick Melcher after his town hall speech at the Bremer Community Center Friday. Friesen is nearing the end of his final session, since he is being term-limited out at the end of the year.

Dist. 34 Sen. Curt Friesen converses with Aurora City Administrator Rick Melcher after his town hall speech at the Bremer Community Center Friday. Friesen is nearing the end of his final session, since he is being term-limited out at the end of the year.

Friesen focused on budget fights

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Sen. Curt Friesen delivered perhaps his last town hall speech in Aurora Friday before being term-limited out of office later this year.
A crowd favorite and always smiling, Jessica Rodriguez took center stage as pop icon Selena Quintanilla during Aurora Middle School’s March 17 P.O.P. event.

A crowd favorite and always smiling, Jessica Rodriguez took center stage as pop icon Selena Quintanilla during Aurora Middle School’s March 17 P.O.P. event.

Lights, camera, People of the Past!

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Back again for another year, the long awaited P.O.P (People of the Past) event put on by Aurora middle schoolers filled the commons and middle school gym Thursday. There were nearly 100 students serving as living wax figures!