News

Hamilton County Commissioners proclaimed the county a second amendment sanctuary Monday.

Hamilton County Commissioners proclaimed the county a second amendment sanctuary Monday.

County deemed 2nd Amendment Sanctuary

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
A long-awaited act by the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, the signing of a proclamation declaring Hamilton County a Second Amendment Sanctuary, drew a large crowd during Monday’s meeting.
Nebraska Auctioneers Association vice president Scott Jarman (left) presents Mark Kliewer with the champion plaque after winning the bid calling competition.

Nebraska Auctioneers Association vice president Scott Jarman (left) presents Mark Kliewer with the champion plaque after winning the bid calling competition.

Kliewer named champion at Nebraska Bid Calling contest

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Aurora’s Mark Kliewer with Kliewer Auction Services took his talent to the Nebraska Bid Calling contest and walked away this year’s champion. When asked how it felt to be selected to represent Nebraska at the international level of competition, Kliewer said it felt great.
Commissioners signed a proclamation against the 30 by 30 executive order Monday.

Commissioners signed a proclamation against the 30 by 30 executive order Monday.

Proclamation against 30x30 order signed by county board

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
One of two proclamations on the agenda for the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday was a proclamation against the Biden Administration’s 30 by 30 executive order.
Josh Salmon stands with the two children’s books he has written and his newest creation, a book of poetry.

Josh Salmon stands with the two children’s books he has written and his newest creation, a book of poetry.

Josh Salmon shares ‘Ponderings of a Guppy’

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Everyone has their own experiences throughout life, but many people find themselves in similar situations. Josh Salmon has found that a way to help connect with people and their daily challenges is through the art of poetry.
Abbey Arndt has reason to smile as she walks out of the Hampton gymnasium Saturday as a Hawk graduate.

Abbey Arndt has reason to smile as she walks out of the Hampton gymnasium Saturday as a Hawk graduate.

Hawks set sail

Kurt Johnson
Saturday, May 8, 2021
The Hampton Class of 2021 gathered for one final time as Hawks Saturday, turning the tassels to officially become alumni during afternoon graduation ceremonies. For complete coverage and photos, see this week's ANR.
Members of this year’s A’ROR’N Days planning committee include, front from left: Dillan Olson, liaison member Justise Rhoden, Merna Yoder, Jenny Wyatt. Back row: Jody Griffith, Roger Scott, Amber Parker, BJ Merrihew, Jayne Smith. Not pictured: Shana Merrihew.

Members of this year’s A’ROR’N Days planning committee include, front from left: Dillan Olson, liaison member Justise Rhoden, Merna Yoder, Jenny Wyatt. Back row: Jody Griffith, Roger Scott, Amber Parker, BJ Merrihew, Jayne Smith. Not pictured: Shana Merrihew.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
A’ROR’N Days - ‘Let’s celebrate’ After a one-year pause prompted by a global pandemic, A’ROR’N Days is back on the calendar for 2021 with plenty to celebrate.
Dan Fitzgerald, plant manager at the BonnaVilla Homes plant in Aurora, reflected on a most challenging fiscal year, concluding that “at the end of the year I would say we had a pretty damn good year, given everything that was thrown at us.”

Dan Fitzgerald, plant manager at the BonnaVilla Homes plant in Aurora, reflected on a most challenging fiscal year, concluding that “at the end of the year I would say we had a pretty damn good year, given everything that was thrown at us.”

BonnaVilla reports solid, but most challenging year

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
The past fiscal year at BonnaVilla Homes felt like one, long, stressful roller-coaster ride thanks to a global pandemic, but at the end of the day plant manager Dan Fitzgerald said it ended up being a solid year for one of Aurora’s largest employers.
Pictured is the 2021 Aurora Unified Track and Field team, including front row from left: Sammie Weddle, Sammi Hoos, Bailey Howland, Ethan Wert, Lexie Johnson. Back row: Mackenzie Hoos, Daniel Fourcloud, Sofia Hendrickson, Kate Glinn, coach Jeff Sutter.

Pictured is the 2021 Aurora Unified Track and Field team, including front row from left: Sammie Weddle, Sammi Hoos, Bailey Howland, Ethan Wert, Lexie Johnson. Back row: Mackenzie Hoos, Daniel Fourcloud, Sofia Hendrickson, Kate Glinn, coach Jeff Sutter.

Smiles, high fives and medals

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
The view at the finish line is unlike any other in sports. For those competing in Unified Track and Field, that idea is not only reinforced, but possibly unmatched.   There isn’t a frown or growl to be had. Surely no disappointment, either.
Jeromy McCoy

Jeromy McCoy

McCoy named county sheriff

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to name Aurora resident Jeromy McCoy as the new Hamilton County Sheriff.  McCoy will start May 19 and will fill out the remainder of former sheriff Kirk Handrup’s term, which he vacated in April to celebrate retirement.
Coaches Tim Martin and Joanne Haidle break a team huddle with a cheer, all part of the action on a busy Saturday morning of youth soccer in Aurora.

Coaches Tim Martin and Joanne Haidle break a team huddle with a cheer, all part of the action on a busy Saturday morning of youth soccer in Aurora.

Youth soccer becoming wildly popular in Aurora

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Soccer balls are flying every which way on a typical Saturday spring morning in Aurora, even more so this year as the Optimist Youth Soccer program reports a record number of participants.