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This empty space on the lot which is home to Hampton’s City Auditorium (seen at far left) is the new location for the planned veterans memorial park to be constructed in Hampton.

This empty space on the lot which is home to Hampton’s City Auditorium (seen at far left) is the new location for the planned veterans memorial park to be constructed in Hampton.

Hampton Veteran Memorial to be next to Aud

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Organizers of the planned Hampton Veterans Memorial have received the okay from the village board to move the park to a different location, one that will give the memorial more room for future expansion if necessary.
U.S. Army veteran Ken Werner was presented with a Quilt of Valor during a ceremony hosted by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild on Veterans Day. Pictured with Werner are his children Scott and Mickie.

U.S. Army veteran Ken Werner was presented with a Quilt of Valor during a ceremony hosted by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild on Veterans Day. Pictured with Werner are his children Scott and Mickie.

Werner receives Quilt of Valor at MCC

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Ken Werner was honored with a Quilt of Valor during a ceremony hosted and presented by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild at Memorial Community Care in Aurora on Veterans Day. Warner went to boot camp at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas.
These veterans were each honored with a quilt of valor during Giltner Public Schools’ Veterans Day program on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Pictured from left are Robert "Jody" LaBrie, Thomas Lambert, Chris Most and Daniel Most.

These veterans were each honored with a quilt of valor during Giltner Public Schools’ Veterans Day program on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Pictured from left are Robert "Jody" LaBrie, Thomas Lambert, Chris Most and Daniel Most.

Giltner veterans earn Quilts of Valor

News Staff
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Four Giltner area veterans were honored with their own quilts of valor during Giltner Public Schools’ Veterans Day program last Tuesday afternoon. The quilts were made and presented by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild and financially supported by the Hamilton Community Foundation.
Former Aurora city administrator Rick Melcher was recognized during last week’s council meeting for his service on the League of Municipalities Nebraska City/County Managers Association, where he served the last year as president. Presenting the plaque is Mayor Marlin Seeman.

Former Aurora city administrator Rick Melcher was recognized during last week’s council meeting for his service on the League of Municipalities Nebraska City/County Managers Association, where he served the last year as president. Presenting the plaque is Mayor Marlin Seeman.

City approves downtown improvement project

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
The Aurora City Council approved a downtown revitalization project grant last week for work at M Robertshaw Insurance, tapping into a CDBG forgivable loan program set to expire in May of next year.
BonnaVilla Homes’ Prairie Meadows model was set up at Husker Harvest days in September, showcasing one of the company’s 2024 models.

BonnaVilla Homes’ Prairie Meadows model was set up at Husker Harvest days in September, showcasing one of the company’s 2024 models.

BonnaVilla Homes booming as demand for attached housing spurs growth

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Business is booming at BonnaVilla Homes in Aurora, where an influx of orders for multi-unit housing projects has kept the docket full while also creating a demand for additional employees.
Speaker Chris Hochstetler explained the meaning of the arrangment of medals on his Army uniform to the audience at the Veterans Day program at Hampton last Tuesday.

Speaker Chris Hochstetler explained the meaning of the arrangment of medals on his Army uniform to the audience at the Veterans Day program at Hampton last Tuesday.

Hochstetler: ‘The Army was my father’

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Veterans in the Hampton area were honored on their special day at a Veterans Day program held at Hampton Schools last Tuesday.
BonnaVilla Homes’ Prairie Meadows model was set up at Husker Harvest days in September, showcasing one of the company’s 2024 models.

BonnaVilla Homes’ Prairie Meadows model was set up at Husker Harvest days in September, showcasing one of the company’s 2024 models.

This week in pictures

News Staff
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Business is booming at BonnaVilla Homes in Aurora, where an influx of orders for multi-unit housing projects has kept the docket full while also creating a demand for additional employees.
Pictured from left, Warren Anderson, Richard Carnes, Don Harvey, Oscar Lundquist and Travis Stevens received their quilts of valor during a Veteran’s Day program at AHS.

Pictured from left, Warren Anderson, Richard Carnes, Don Harvey, Oscar Lundquist and Travis Stevens received their quilts of valor during a Veteran’s Day program at AHS.

Five quilts of valor presented at AHS Veteran’s Day Program

Richard Rhoden
Friday, November 14, 2025
American flags fluttered throughout the Husky gym as Aurora honored area veterans during a program Nov. 11.The AHS band and choir worked hand-in-hand in a “Salute to America’s Finest,” playing each branch’s service song as area veterans stood for their branch.
Paige McQuiston, the student and family liaison at Aurora Public Schools, focuses her time and effort on making food and various supplies available to local families in need.

Paige McQuiston, the student and family liaison at Aurora Public Schools, focuses her time and effort on making food and various supplies available to local families in need.

APS family liaison expands network of help for local families

Kurt Johnson
Friday, November 14, 2025
Three years into her role as the Aurora Public School District’s first-ever student and family liaison, Paige McQuiston said she feels like progress is being made bridging the gap between area families in need and local organizations with resources available to help meet those needs.