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Marni and Jim Danhauer welcome the two-week trial of this robo server as a means to reduce the workload of their current staff members and add to the business at JoJo’s Gelato & Grill.

Marni and Jim Danhauer welcome the two-week trial of this robo server as a means to reduce the workload of their current staff members and add to the business at JoJo’s Gelato & Grill.

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JoJo’s starts trial with robo-server

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
A new staff member has joined the team at JoJo’s Gelato & Grill, starting Wednesday of last week.  It stands at almost 3-1/2 feet tall, can carry two trays and a bus-bin and can run for 8-12 hours at a time.  Who is this mystery employee?
The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2021-22 budget after a sparsely attended public budget hearing Monday morning.

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2021-22 budget after a sparsely attended public budget hearing Monday morning.

COVID funding boosts county’s budget by 22%

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2021-22 budget after a sparsely attended public budget hearing Monday morning.
The midway was a popular place over the weekend.

The midway was a popular place over the weekend.

Nebraska State Fair welcomes all

News Staff
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
The Nebraska State Fair is back in Grand Island for the 2021 season. Local students from Aurora and Hampton will join the fun today for Nebraska's Largest Classroom. See additional coverage in next week's ANR.
A large crowd attended a Wiles benefit Friday in Giltner

A large crowd attended a Wiles benefit Friday in Giltner

Wiles benefit in Giltner

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
The community of Giltner came together Friday night in an effort to help one of its own in a tough time. Coinciding with the Hornet football scrimmage, community members held a hamburger benefit with a free will donation towards the Wiles family.
Julie Wetherington helps explain the floor plans for the Temple Craft Restoration Project, which were revealed Saturday evening.

Julie Wetherington helps explain the floor plans for the Temple Craft Restoration Project, which were revealed Saturday evening.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Party debuts plans for ‘boutique hotel experience’ A large crowd gathered in the shadow of the historic Temple Craft Building Saturday evening to hear plans revealed about a potential renovation project that could change the look of one corner of Aurora’s downtown square.
Judge Paul Hay offers Hampton students some tips during last year’s FFA exhibit show. Members pictured from left are Maya Lewis, Kelsey Mersch, Landon Parsley and MaKenna Clinch.

Judge Paul Hay offers Hampton students some tips during last year’s FFA exhibit show. Members pictured from left are Maya Lewis, Kelsey Mersch, Landon Parsley and MaKenna Clinch.

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State Fair hoping to get back to normal

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
The Nebraska State Fair is set to unfold this week just 20 miles down the road in Grand Island, where organizers are hoping for a return to normal in 2021.
The sign posted on Highway 34 currently shows Aurora’s population at 4,479, though that is dated information. According to the 2020 Census, a tract including the city shows a population of 4,926. The report did not specifically break out Aurora’s total population.

The sign posted on Highway 34 currently shows Aurora’s population at 4,479, though that is dated information. According to the 2020 Census, a tract including the city shows a population of 4,926. The report did not specifically break out Aurora’s total population.

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Census: County grew 3.3 percent

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Population change is a guarantee over time and with the completion of the 2020 United States Census, the window has been opened to look into local population changes, growth and decline, across Hamilton County.
Hamilton County will now be served by two ladder trucks at the Aurora and Giltner fire departments. Aurora passed off its green 65-foot ladder truck to Giltner Fire Chief Brad Consbruck (left) last week, and Aurora Fire Chief Tom Cox welcomed a 100-foot ladder truck to the Aurora fleet.

Hamilton County will now be served by two ladder trucks at the Aurora and Giltner fire departments. Aurora passed off its green 65-foot ladder truck to Giltner Fire Chief Brad Consbruck (left) last week, and Aurora Fire Chief Tom Cox welcomed a 100-foot ladder truck to the Aurora fleet.

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Aurora, Giltner welcome ladder trucks

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Thanks to conversation between friends and a special program offered by the Nebraska (and U.S) Forest Service, both the Aurora and Giltner volunteer fire departments received new pieces to their firefighting fleet. The exchange took place Aug. 18, much to the appreciation of both departments.
The valuation of property in Hamilton County rose by approximately 1 percent for the second straight year, with ag land values holding steady across the board.

The valuation of property in Hamilton County rose by approximately 1 percent for the second straight year, with ag land values holding steady across the board.

Valuation up 1 percent to $2.93 billion total

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
The valuation of property in Hamilton County rose by approximately 1 percent for the second straight year, with ag land values holding steady across the board. Hamilton County Assessor Pat Sandberg posted the 2021 valuation totals for all taxing subdivisions last week, noting an increase of $31.
Monday’s Hamilton County Board of Commissioners meeting was greeted by a full house.

Monday’s Hamilton County Board of Commissioners meeting was greeted by a full house.

County signs proclamation on National Heritage Area

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Monday’s Hamilton County Board of Commissioners meeting was greeted by a full house, both via Zoom and in-person at the courthouse.  The topic of discussion that brought so many?