This week's top stories

  • Sarah Lyon sits in her downtown podcast studio.
    Sarah Lyon sits in her downtown podcast studio.
  • Aurora High School 2008 graduate Emily (Larson) Dykema (left) teaches concert band and jazz band at Alan B. Shepard Middle School in Deerfield, Ill.
    Aurora High School 2008 graduate Emily (Larson) Dykema (left) teaches concert band and jazz band at Alan B. Shepard Middle School in Deerfield, Ill.
  • An elementary student excitedly runs out onto the field alongside a member of the team at the beginning of the Aurora softball team's home game on Thursday evening.
    An elementary student excitedly runs out onto the field alongside a member of the team at the beginning of the Aurora softball team's home game on Thursday evening.
  • Get's get into the act attracting the attention of drivers at the Scooter's Coffee Day of Giving on Friday.
    Get's get into the act attracting the attention of drivers at the Scooter's Coffee Day of Giving on Friday.
  • Bids to be let for courthouse project
    Bids to be let for courthouse project
  • FedEx driver Todd Gimpel of Aurora is presented with a plaque proclaiming him as the National Trucking Associations’ Rookie of the Year in the twins class at the National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. last month. Presenting the award is Patti Gillette, NTDC Chairman and director of safety and member services for the Nevada Trucking Association.
    FedEx driver Todd Gimpel of Aurora is presented with a plaque proclaiming him as the National Trucking Associations’ Rookie of the Year in the twins class at the National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. last month. Presenting the award is Patti Gillette, NTDC Chairman and director of safety and member services for the Nevada Trucking Association.

    What started out as a blog offering personal insight on all things occupational therapy has turned into a growing online business venture for Aurora native Sarah Lyon. Now more than 13 years after first sharing her thoughts in a blog she titled OT Potential, Lyon said she underestimated the potential of a business that still goes by that same name. “For me, it started when I moved from New York City back here to Aurora,” Lyon recalled of her unintended entrepreneurial journey. Read the full story of that journey on this week's ANR Business Page (C8).

    When walking up to the director’s podium every day, band teacher Emily (Larson) Dykema strives to help her students at Alan B. Shepard Middle School in Deerfield, Ill., learn and grow as musicians. While growing up in Aurora, Larson dedicated most of her high school years to participating in the school’s band program through her graduation in 2008. (She is the daughter of Tina and Karl Larson of Aurora.) “I played a lot of different instruments starting off in high school and I really enjoyed playing them,” Dykema said. “That kind of started me on the path of considering being a teacher.” Learn the story of Dykema's journey from Aurora to the suburbs of Chicago on Page C1 of this week's print or e-edition. 
     

    It was a big night for some little Huskies Thursday as the Aurora softball team hosted its annual Lil' Huskies night. Area youngsters got to run out onto the field with the varsity starting lineup during pregame festivities. The Aurora team also wore special uniforms for Mission 22, raising money for the organization which supports veterans and their families.

    The stream of customer traffic was steady last Friday at Scooter's Coffee in Aurora, with patrons interested in more than a caffeinated beverage or smoothie. Half the proceeds from the Day of Giving sales went to Aurora's Inclusive Playground Project. Managers reported the event resulted in the largest single day of sales in the store's history.

    Despite a last-minute suggested alteration to the plans from County Commissioner Francis McDonald, the board of commissioners on Monday voted to go forward with plans to begin a long-planned courthouse renovation and restoration project. Preservation architect Jerry Berggren from Lincoln was on hand for the meeting to present a set of revised plans for the first phase of the project, which will include improve drainage around the structure, replace some deteriorating stones near the foundation and replace the front and back steps of the nearly 130-year-old building. The bid opening is set for Oct. 15.

    An Aurora-based FedEx driver recently won the title of national Rookie of the Year after representing Nebraska in his truck class at the National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. Todd Gimpel also placed 6th in the nation in the twin trailer truck class. Gimpel said maneuvering an 18-wheeler inside the Indianapolis Convention Center was a nerve wracking experience but he said he is considering signing up for the state competition again next year. Read the story of Gimpel's entry into the world of competitive truck driving on page A6 of this week's ANR.

    Get all the details on these stories and more in the print or e-edition of this week's Aurora News-Register, on news stands now!