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Randy Sabata proudly stands by “Miss Vicky,” a 1933 Ford Vicky which was sort of a retirement gift to himself. Sabata was honored for his 45-year career with the Nebraska Department of Roads/Transportation by more than 100 family, friends and colleagues during a reception Sept. 24.

Randy Sabata proudly stands by “Miss Vicky,” a 1933 Ford Vicky which was sort of a retirement gift to himself. Sabata was honored for his 45-year career with the Nebraska Department of Roads/Transportation by more than 100 family, friends and colleagues during a reception Sept. 24.

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End of the road: Sabata retires from NDOT

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Randy Sabata put a lot of miles on the road with the Nebraska Department of Transportation, working hard behind the scenes to make the highways safer for traveling motorists.
The Nimble Thimble Quilt celebrated its 40th anniversary on Tuesday, Sept. 23 with 25 members still carrying on their love of quilting.

The Nimble Thimble Quilt celebrated its 40th anniversary on Tuesday, Sept. 23 with 25 members still carrying on their love of quilting.

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Quilt Guild celebrates 40th anniversary

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Aurora’s Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild celebrated its 40th anniversary last Tuesday afternoon with games and prizes. Among those celebrating the milestone was cofounder and original vice president Lorna Epp.Epp founded Nimble Thimble with the original president, Brenda Groelz, in October of 1985.
The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners was presented with an America 250 banner to be put on display in the county courthouse in preparation for the nation’s 250th birthday celebration in 2026. The presentation was made by members of the Hamilton County Nebraska Celebrate 250 Committee. Pictured from left are Jennifer Dennis, Commission Chairman Rich Nelson, Commissioner Francis McDonald and Kathryn Larson.

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners was presented with an America 250 banner to be put on display in the county courthouse in preparation for the nation’s 250th birthday celebration in 2026. The presentation was made by members of the Hamilton County Nebraska Celebrate 250 Committee. Pictured from left are Jennifer Dennis, Commission Chairman Rich Nelson, Commissioner Francis McDonald and Kathryn Larson.

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County hears report on Aurora Habitat blitz build

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Hamilton County commissioners learned on Monday morning that Aurora will be the site of a Habitat for Humanity blitz build in 2026, in which a crew of workers will build a home in just one week’s time.
The Faith Moving Forward Foundation hosted a first-ever two-day pickleball tournament this weekend at Streeter Park in Aurora.

The Faith Moving Forward Foundation hosted a first-ever two-day pickleball tournament this weekend at Streeter Park in Aurora.

Faith Moving Forward hosts pickleball tourney

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Pickleballs were flying at Streeter Park both Saturday and Sunday in a first-ever two-day event which raised both money and awareness for the Faith Moving Forward Foundation.
Aurora City Hall

Aurora City Hall

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City gives final nod to fiscal year budget

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
The Aurora City Council gave final approval last week to a $19.5 million 2025-26 fiscal year budget, which features a property tax request of $2.56 million, representing a $158,468 (7 percent) increase from the previous year.
Moxon Mann turns the corner and hits the afterburner in the Aurora ground game.

Moxon Mann turns the corner and hits the afterburner in the Aurora ground game.

Sundays aren’t just for the pros

News Staff
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Aurora’s youth football program has been on a tear through the month of September, sporting a 3-1 record so far. The Huskies have wins over Adams Central, Crete and most recently Beatrice Sunday on a sun-splashed afternoon.
Playground committee members and local children participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $1.7 million Hamilton County Inclusive Playground last Wednesday, Sept. 24. The children were provided with plastic shovels which they put to use both before and after the formal groundbreaking.

Playground committee members and local children participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new $1.7 million Hamilton County Inclusive Playground last Wednesday, Sept. 24. The children were provided with plastic shovels which they put to use both before and after the formal groundbreaking.

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HCIP meets fundraising goal

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Even before the official groundbreaking ceremony had taken place, children of varying physical abilities were already at play at the site of the future Hamilton County Inclusive Playground last week.
Crews were busy painting lines on the new portion of 1st Street near the school Thursday afternoon. Weather permitting, crews will begin pouring 1st Street north of Park Lane as early as this week.

Crews were busy painting lines on the new portion of 1st Street near the school Thursday afternoon. Weather permitting, crews will begin pouring 1st Street north of Park Lane as early as this week.

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South portion of 1st Street project near completion

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
The 1st Street renovation project is essentially completed from Park Lane south to the railroad tracks, it was reported last week, with crews expected to begin pouring the east side of the street north to Highway 34 within the next week.
Rotarian Justin Wolf helps unload boxes of paint cans at the Clean Community Systems facility in Grand Island. Pictured behind him is Jacob Arendt.

Rotarian Justin Wolf helps unload boxes of paint cans at the Clean Community Systems facility in Grand Island. Pictured behind him is Jacob Arendt.

Rotary collects 12,000 lbs of hazardous waste

News Staff
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Hamilton County has approximately 12,000 pounds of paint and hazardous materials less in area basements and garages after Saturday’s Aurora Rotary Club collection effort, which drew more than 150 people to the fairgrounds.
Moxon Mann turns the corner and hits the afterburner in the Aurora ground game.

Moxon Mann turns the corner and hits the afterburner in the Aurora ground game.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Aurora’s youth football program has been on a tear through the month of September, sporting a 3-1 record so far. The Huskies have wins over Adams Central, Crete and most recently Beatrice Sunday on a sun-splashed afternoon.