This week's top stories

  • Angie Wall became the owner of Honeysuckle Lane as of Aug. 1, purchasing the business from Bonnie Bamesberger.
    Angie Wall became the owner of Honeysuckle Lane as of Aug. 1, purchasing the business from Bonnie Bamesberger.
  • A three part series on Aurora hometown hero, Austin Allen begins in this week's ANR.
    A three part series on Aurora hometown hero, Austin Allen begins in this week's ANR.
  • At the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Scott Phillips and other Teachers of the Year, participated in simulated space missions. Pictured navigating the space shuttle as commander is Phillips (front right) assisted by his teammates Ryan Hardesty of Pennsylvania (front), Cory Hafer of Delaware and Aimée Couto of Rhode Island.
    At the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Scott Phillips and other Teachers of the Year, participated in simulated space missions. Pictured navigating the space shuttle as commander is Phillips (front right) assisted by his teammates Ryan Hardesty of Pennsylvania (front), Cory Hafer of Delaware and Aimée Couto of Rhode Island.
  • It's back to school time for students in Hamilton County
    It's back to school time for students in Hamilton County
  • A shortage of school bus drivers is causing the 4R school district to curtail some bus routes
    A shortage of school bus drivers is causing the 4R school district to curtail some bus routes
  • This artist’s rendering shows the proposed design of a facility which if funded and built would be known as the Kyle Ediger Comfort Station.
    This artist’s rendering shows the proposed design of a facility which if funded and built would be known as the Kyle Ediger Comfort Station.

    A changing of the guard occurred Thursday at a downtown business as Angie Wall purchased Honeysuckle Lane from long-time owner Bonnie Bamesberger. Wall and Bamesberger, who both live in Hampton, know each other well having worked together years ago to launch the business on the north side of the downtown square. At that time, both women had booths at Village Square Mall which continued to grow and prosper, and in 1997 they made the decision to go into business together. As of Aug. 1 Wall has become the sole owner of the business.

    It was a 4th and 1. There was 1:07 remaining on the clock, game tied up. This was the Class B state semifinals, the winner taking a first-class trip to Memorial Stadium. A moment every Nebraska kid dreams about. Many believe the Legend of Oz was born on that chilly November night in McCook on Weiland Field. “Oz” is legendary Husky football standout Austin Allen who recently retired from professional football, and in this week's ANR Sports Section (Pages B1 & B12) you can read part 1 of ANR Sports Editor Richard Rhoden's 3-part series chronicling Oz's storied football history.

    The role of Teacher of the Year continues to be an eye-opening experience for Aurora math teacher and Nebraska Teacher of the Year Scott Phillips. Alongside his cohort of 55 others who were selected as Teachers of the Year throughout the United States and its territories, Phillips recently participated in the Space Academy for Educators at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. Find the full story on Page A9 of this week's ANR.

    Believe it or not, students in four local school districts will be headed back to the classroom next week and practices for some students have started already. See the article with details on starting days, open houses, school hours and changes facing some students this year starting on page A3 of this week's issue.

    A shortage of bus drivers prompted Aurora school officials to cancel all remaining in-town bus routes for the 2024-25 school year, which begins Aug. 15-16. In a letter emailed to all district patrons Thursday, Supt. Jody Phillips explained the decision, noting that in-town bus routes have been eliminated “for the foreseeable future.”

    Fund-raising efforts have begun for a “comfort station” to be built at Poco Creek Golf Course in memory of Kyle Ediger. The former Hampton teacher and coach enjoyed golfing and was a member of the local course, where he participated in both the Monday and Thursday men’s leagues. The Ediger family wanted to initiate a project they felt would address a need while honoring Kyle’s memory and love of golf.

    Find the details on these stories and more, plus our annual county fair results tab, in this week's print or e-editions of the Aurora News-Register.