News

Adam Darbro

Adam Darbro

Darbro named new city administrator

Adam Darbro moved to the head of the table at City Hall last week after being confirmed as Aurora’s new city administrator.Darbro, a 2003 Aurora graduate, joined the city staff in 2015 and has worked in the public works department since that time, also handling the role of zoning administrator.
Though not confirmed as an EAB infested ash, this tree, located between East Park Villa and the Bremer Center, shows signs of blonding, bark scraping and EAB exit holes, according to Aurora arborist Ben McEndarfer.

Though not confirmed as an EAB infested ash, this tree, located between East Park Villa and the Bremer Center, shows signs of blonding, bark scraping and EAB exit holes, according to Aurora arborist Ben McEndarfer.

Emerald Ash Borer confirmed in county

The Nebraska Forest Service reported last week that infestations of Emerald Ash Borer have been confirmed in Hamilton County, bringing the total of counties impacted in Nebraska to 16.
The former Gambles building has been declared a dangerous building by the city, with owner Stan Valasek ordered to repair or demolish it immediately.

The former Gambles building has been declared a dangerous building by the city, with owner Stan Valasek ordered to repair or demolish it immediately.

‘Do it now!’: City gives owner last chance on unsafe building

The former Gambles building in downtown Aurora was declared a “dangerous building” last week by the Aurora City Council, with owner Stan Valasek being told he must vacate, repair and/or demolish the building immediately as a matter of public safety.
This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.

This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.

This week's top stories

Homeowners who live in Hamilton County’s towns and villages are generally aware that building permits are needed before construction projects are started and that zoning ordinances come into play when making changes to one’s property.
The former Gambles building has been declared a dangerous building by the city, with owner Stan Valasek ordered to repair or demolish it immediately.

The former Gambles building has been declared a dangerous building by the city, with owner Stan Valasek ordered to repair or demolish it immediately.

‘Do it now!’: City gives owner final chance to save or demolish unsafe structure

The former Gambles building in downtown Aurora was declared a “dangerous building” Tuesday by the Aurora City Council, with owner Stan Valasek being told he must vacate, repair and/or demolish the building immediately as a matter of public safety.
This trail in Streeter Park is one of many mentioned in a detailed JEO Consulting trails report, which is now being used as a key reference by the Hamilton County Trails Committee.

This trail in Streeter Park is one of many mentioned in a detailed JEO Consulting trails report, which is now being used as a key reference by the Hamilton County Trails Committee.

Trails committee shares vision for expanding network

A new sidewalk planned on the east side of the renovated 1st Street project will be widened from five to six feet in the coming weeks, with the expansion funded by a newly formed committee announcing the change as Phase I of a long-term mission to expand and possibly connect existing trail systems...
The east side steps of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been removed for the first phase of a major reconstruction project

The east side steps of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been removed for the first phase of a major reconstruction project

Courthouse restoration begins

There’s one less option for entering or exiting the historic Hamilton County Courthouse this week. The first phase of restoration and renovation by Kingery Construction of Lincoln is underway and the first project is to replace the steps to the main entrance on the east side by the parking lot.
Kids dance to the music at one of the 2024 Bands on the Bricks Fridays.

Kids dance to the music at one of the 2024 Bands on the Bricks Fridays.

Bands on the Bricks event to begin 8th year

Bands on the Bricks returns to the downtown square to begin its 2025 season Friday with performances each Friday until Aug. 15.Event organizer Sara Sutherland said Bands on the Bricks is set to create fun-filled memories for all who attend the six-week series.
Gary Ross now lives in East Park Villa with his wife of 64 years, Jo Ellen. In recent years he has developed a passion for wood carving.

Gary Ross now lives in East Park Villa with his wife of 64 years, Jo Ellen. In recent years he has developed a passion for wood carving.

Gary Ross carves out a legacy in Aurora

Whether serving his country in the U.S. Army or working to improve his hometown, Army veteran Gary Ross has dedicated his life to serving his community. Recently he took some time to reminisce about his service both at home and abroad.
Sarah Bailey and Lua Cao carefully inspect the organisms that find home in bison patties. On day two of the Youth Naturalist Program, the cohort spent the morning at the Crane Trust in Wood River, NE. Here, they went on a hayrack ride to see the Crane Trust’s bison herd and learned about the ecosystems that can be found in dark, warm, wet places–like bison patties.

Sarah Bailey and Lua Cao carefully inspect the organisms that find home in bison patties. On day two of the Youth Naturalist Program, the cohort spent the morning at the Crane Trust in Wood River, NE. Here, they went on a hayrack ride to see the Crane Trust’s bison herd and learned about the ecosystems that can be found in dark, warm, wet places–like bison patties.

PPRI hosts Youth Naturalist Program

    From June 9 through June 12, Prairie Plains Resource Institute hosted its middle school education curriculum, called The Youth Naturalist Program.