News

The Hamilton County, Nebraska, Celebrate America 250 Committee is preparing to meet with organizations and businesses throughout Hamilton County to invite them and the community to join in the America’s 250th anniversary of the country’s indepenance. Representing the Public Relations Committee for the local celebration are Jennifer Dennis (left) and Dixie Ziegler.

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Hamilton County plans local America 250th celebration

Elizabeth Hunter

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday (what’s known as a “semiquincentennial”) on July 4, 2026, the Hamilton County Historical Society is getting into the act and planning to bring the celebration home.

Election set for Phillips regarding keno

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Phillips voters to decide on allowing keno

Ron Burtz

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

The 265 eligible voters of the Village of Phillips will be asked to vote in a special mail-only election on June 10 to decide if a keno gaming should be allowed in the village.

First Street project

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1st Street renovation to begin near school

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Construction crews will be shutting down 1st Street from the railroad tracks to Mark Street the day after Memorial Day, continuing a project that started weeks ago at the Highway 34 intersection.

Aurora City Council news

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City approves housing subdivisions

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

The Aurora City Council approved final plats for two small housing subdivisions at last week’s meeting, which combined will add five new single-family dwellings to the community’s growing housing inventory.

Hampton School Board news

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Hampton board OKs math curriculum

Ron Burtz

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

An updated K-5 math curriculum was approved by the Hampton Board of Education at its May meeting held on Monday the 12th, two days after the school’s 2025 graduation ceremony. The bid from Bridges in Mathematics, the producer of the school’s current math curriculum, was approved, according to Supt.

Firefighters and residents wait outside East Park Villa on Tuesday afternoon while fire officials inside the building seek out the source of an alarm that had sounded, prompting an evacuation of residents and staff.

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East Park Villa evacuated after alarm activated

Ron Burtz

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Having just practiced their evacuation plan the day before, residents of Aurora’s East Park Villa exited the building in record time last Tuesday afternoon when an automatic fire alarm was activated on the 3rd floor. The alarm came into dispatch at about 2 p.m.

Kirk Handrup

Handrup throwing hat in for 2nd ward

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Aurora native Kirk Handrup served the community for 30 years as Hamilton County Sheriff and he announced this week that he would like to continue his involvement in local affairs as a Ward 2 representative on the Aurora City Council.

Harlan Schafer

Former councilman to run for mayor

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Harlan Schafer, an Aurora native, businessman and former member of the Aurora City Council has announced his intentions to file as a candidate in the 2026 election for mayor.

HCF announces 2024-25 scholarship recipients

News Staff

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

The Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) has significantly expanded its scholarship program, made possible by the generosity and vision of local donors committed to investing in education.

Aurora 4R School Board news

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4R board focused on MS theater issues

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Lighting and equipment upgrades needed at the middle school theater dominanted discussion at Monday’s Aurora 4R School Board meeting, with the board ultimately voting to table the issue until more bids and information can be presented in June.