This week's top stories

top stories
Housing
Subdivision
Athlete of the Year
Gage
Eva
Operation Shine
Brick
History
FPS
  • This row of new townhomes is a visible sign of growth in the Streeter Subdivision west of 1st Street, where 60 lots are platted and planned for housing development.
    This row of new townhomes is a visible sign of growth in the Streeter Subdivision west of 1st Street, where 60 lots are platted and planned for housing development.
  • A sight to behold, for sure, the Dec. 26, 1911, edition of The Hamilton County Advocate explained that the laying of bricks in downtown Aurora was watched by a number of citizens.
    A sight to behold, for sure, the Dec. 26, 1911, edition of The Hamilton County Advocate explained that the laying of bricks in downtown Aurora was watched by a number of citizens.
  • Gage Griffith (left) and Eva Fahrnbruch were recognized as the Aurora News-Register male and female athletes of the year last week. The dynamic duo joined for a quick photo opp with ANR sports editor Richard Rhoden.
    Gage Griffith (left) and Eva Fahrnbruch were recognized as the Aurora News-Register male and female athletes of the year last week. The dynamic duo joined for a quick photo opp with ANR sports editor Richard Rhoden.
  • Cayl Diessner and her partner Ezra McConnel wave signs and cheer for “little campers” walking past. “Little campers” are given the choice of a loud welcome or a quiet welcome depending on their sensitivities.
    Cayl Diessner and her partner Ezra McConnel wave signs and cheer for “little campers” walking past. “Little campers” are given the choice of a loud welcome or a quiet welcome depending on their sensitivities.
  • Aurora students representing Nebraska at the Future Problem Solvers International Competition in June included, front row, from left: Annie Linehan, Wyatt Heiss, Dylan Ronnau, Shawn Morris, Dillon Karr and Grayson Oswald. Middle row, from left: Josie Daugherty, Lilian Ramaekers, Savanna James, Kendal Wineteer, Kayden Crosby and Canon Allen. Back row, from left: Jayden Slagle, Jaxson Slagle, Brett Mellies, Daniel Helzer, Jessica Mikkelsen, Max Penner and Willa Sharp.
    Aurora students representing Nebraska at the Future Problem Solvers International Competition in June included, front row, from left: Annie Linehan, Wyatt Heiss, Dylan Ronnau, Shawn Morris, Dillon Karr and Grayson Oswald. Middle row, from left: Josie Daugherty, Lilian Ramaekers, Savanna James, Kendal Wineteer, Kayden Crosby and Canon Allen. Back row, from left: Jayden Slagle, Jaxson Slagle, Brett Mellies, Daniel Helzer, Jessica Mikkelsen, Max Penner and Willa Sharp.

    Housing subdivision primed for growth
    The landscape is changing quickly just west of 1st Street in Aurora, where a 60-lot housing subdivision is beginning to take shape with new townhomes and single-family dwellings the first of many to come.
    The sudden growth comes as no surprise as community leaders announced in April of 2021 that Aurora had received a $1 million Rural Workforce Housing grant. Combined with approximately $750,000 in local donations and a $250,000 Nebraska Investment Finance Authority grant, a $2 million revolving loan fund was created to help prime the pump and lower costs for housing development going forward.

    Brick streets a well-walked treasure in Aurora, Nebraska
    Aurora’s brick-paved streets and main business square are some of the more noticeable historical features within the community. 
    Said streets have stood the test of time for over 100 years, bringing charm and a unique flare to the area. But how did they come to be? And how are they still here?
    “The story of paving the business section of Aurora” was published at length, including a number of photos, in the Dec. 26, 1911 edition of The Hamilton County Register.
    “Paving the streets in the business section of Aurora was one of the issues in the spring election and the election of F. J. Sharp mayor practically meant that the city was ready to go forward with the paving project,” the article begins.

    Coming up in the clutch
    Gage Griffith highlighted as ANR Male Athlete of the Year
    Throughout his senior season, everyone always knew where Gage Griffith was. 
    It was hard to hide on the football field, No. 74 blocking through the whistle and clearing running lanes for touchdowns. 
    In the shot put and discus ring, people flocked in droves, no ties to Aurora whatsoever, solely to see how far Griffith could throw on that particular day.
    And with it, the records fell. 
    Those moments have created one of the most decorated male athletes to ever pass through the hallways of AHS. 

    Eva Fahrnbruch tabbed ANR Female Athlete of the Year
    Eva Fahrnbruch is a quiet athlete. Her impact on any of the three sports she participates in, however, is loud. 
    Fahrnbruch has had quite the career wearing an Aurora uniform with a senior season waiting on the horizon. 
    Yet, her impact as a junior in softball, basketball and track was too much to ignore. 
    Fahrnbruch was awarded the second-ever Aurora News-Register female athlete of the year for the 2021-22 school year, an award that covers four schools and no shortage of talent.

     

    Diessner cultivates big smiles for children at Operation Shine Camp
    On a sunny day, an operation is underway in the woods surrounding Hordville, people lined up like soldiers armed with their signs and cheers for their incoming generals -- children.
    These people, “big campers,” ready to be assigned to their “little campers,” include Cayl Diessner, a local 16-year-old volunteer ready to do her duty to say “Yes!” to children on the autism spectrum.
    “Maybe at home or school they start running and they are told no,” Diessner said. “Here we give them options. If it’s possible, we say yes. As long as it is not hurting someone or themselves.”

     

    Aurora FPS students take international stage by storm
    Just one of a number of successful extracurricular activities within the Aurora Public Schools district, the Husky “Future Problem Solvers” (FPS) group has just returned from an appearance at the FPS International Competition in Massachusetts -- with hardware and a wealth of new knowledge. 
    “You work to solve problems that could potentially happen in the future,” said FPS team member Savanna James. “You have a general idea of what could happen in your future scene that you’ll be given in a two-hour session, but you don’t know which way they’re going to take it.”
    The gist of FPS is basically just what it sounds like -- solving hypothetical future problems by using knowledge and research to create an action plan.

     

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