News

The 2025-26 Aurora city budget summary is in this issue

The 2025-26 Aurora city budget summary is in this issue

City budget cuts costs, raises tax request $158,000

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Eight local citizens attended a public hearing Monday to hear a review and share feedback on the proposed 2025-26 city budget, which was expected to be approved Tuesday by the Aurora City Council. The $19.
ANR's Fall Home Improvement section is in this week's issue.

ANR's Fall Home Improvement section is in this week's issue.

ANR's Fall Home Improvement section is here!

News Staff
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Christin and Peter Miller of Aurora have been working with Paschke Interiors to expand their 1965 home to create more space for themselves and their five children. The couple aims to have the renovations completed by October or November.
Brett Forsman (right) is a construction teacher at Grand Island Senior High School teaching students the trade and preparing them for a career in the construction industry. During the summer months he serves as a contractor at Grand Island Habitat for Humanity.

Brett Forsman (right) is a construction teacher at Grand Island Senior High School teaching students the trade and preparing them for a career in the construction industry. During the summer months he serves as a contractor at Grand Island Habitat for Humanity.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Throughout his 16 years of teaching construction classes at Grand Island Senior High School (GISH), Aurora grad Brett Forsman has found satisfaction in helping his students get involved in the construction industry one house at a time.
Weekend rains slowed work on 1st Street Monday morning, though crews are expected to be on site this week. This was the scene Monday near the Park Lane intersection, where the pavement currently ends.

Weekend rains slowed work on 1st Street Monday morning, though crews are expected to be on site this week. This was the scene Monday near the Park Lane intersection, where the pavement currently ends.

1st Street renovation making progress

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Progress continues on the 1st Street renovation project in Aurora, though work was stalled Monday due to wet conditions left in the wake of weekend storms.
Future site of the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground

Future site of the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground

Inclusive Playground groundbreaking set

News Staff
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
After more than 20 months of envisioning, planning and fundraising an official groundbreaking ceremony has been set for next Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the future site of the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground on Old Creek Road.
The Leadership Center Executive Chef John Boeder, center, works the serving line at TLC's prime rib sandwich booth at Husker Harvest Days.

The Leadership Center Executive Chef John Boeder, center, works the serving line at TLC's prime rib sandwich booth at Husker Harvest Days.

TLC beefs up for Husker Harvest Days

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Visitors to the Beef Showcase area of Husker Harvest Days last week didn’t have far to go to find a delicious beef prime rib sandwich.
Selena Longoria (left) and Faith Gustafson of the Aurora Branch of Pinnacle Bank give a presentation on how to avoid being the victim of a scam to an audience at the Aurora Senior Center on Friday.

Selena Longoria (left) and Faith Gustafson of the Aurora Branch of Pinnacle Bank give a presentation on how to avoid being the victim of a scam to an audience at the Aurora Senior Center on Friday.

Bank offers seniors tips for avoiding scams

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Faith Gustafson is the operations manager at the Aurora branch of Pinnacle Bank, but she told an audience at the Aurora Senior Center on Friday sometimes she thinks she should have the title of “Fraud Specialist.
Aurora City Council news

Aurora City Council news

City reviews proposed budget; public hearing set for Sept. 22

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Aurora citizens are invited to ask city leaders questions about the proposed 2025-26 budget during the next week, with the final opportunity to address the topic scheduled for a formal budget hearing Monday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.Council members discussed the budget during a brief meeting Sept.
New administrator Chad Thompson stands by the sign in front of the Westfield Quality Care facility.

New administrator Chad Thompson stands by the sign in front of the Westfield Quality Care facility.

Thompson new Westfield administrator

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Just over three months after accepting the job as administrator at Westfield Quality Care in Aurora, Chad Thompson said he is confident he made the right choice to come here.
Aurora grad Victoria du Preez has worked as a lactation consultant at Kearney Regional Medical Center for eight and a half years helping mothers. Recently, she has taken on a new role as a home visitation specialist helping parents teach their children from before birth to the age of 3.

Aurora grad Victoria du Preez has worked as a lactation consultant at Kearney Regional Medical Center for eight and a half years helping mothers. Recently, she has taken on a new role as a home visitation specialist helping parents teach their children from before birth to the age of 3.

Aurora grad finds joy in empowering young mothers

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
After working as a lactation consultant for the past eight and a half years, Aurora native Victoria du Preez is beginning a new chapter as a home visitation specialist.“I’m really excited with the demographic that we work with in home visitation,” du Preez said.