This week's featured stories

  • Jim and LaVonne Clarke posed for a family photo in the new Aurora store at the time of the purchase in October of 1974. Children pictured from left include Peter, Anthony, James and Amie. Youngest son Patrick was not yet born.
    Jim and LaVonne Clarke posed for a family photo in the new Aurora store at the time of the purchase in October of 1974. Children pictured from left include Peter, Anthony, James and Amie. Youngest son Patrick was not yet born.
  • The High Plains Marching Band strikes up for the attending crowd during Saturday morning’s parade in Grand Island.
    The High Plains Marching Band strikes up for the attending crowd during Saturday morning’s parade in Grand Island.
  • The Hampton High School Marching Hawks soared with their performance at the Harvest of Harmony parade on Saturday.
    The Hampton High School Marching Hawks soared with their performance at the Harvest of Harmony parade on Saturday.
  • The Giltner High School Marching Hornets swarmed in formation to perform at the Harvest of Harmony parade Saturday morning.
    The Giltner High School Marching Hornets swarmed in formation to perform at the Harvest of Harmony parade Saturday morning.
  • The Aurora Marching Huskies competed at the 82nd annual Harvest of Harmony, receiving a superior for its field show, first place in Class B and Best Class A/B Band from the morning parade. Performing in the drumline are, from left: Evan Hermanson, Tucker Sherman, Henry Christenson and Korey Caudill.
    The Aurora Marching Huskies competed at the 82nd annual Harvest of Harmony, receiving a superior for its field show, first place in Class B and Best Class A/B Band from the morning parade. Performing in the drumline are, from left: Evan Hermanson, Tucker Sherman, Henry Christenson and Korey Caudill.
  • Comfort dog, Finn, sits in the middle of a group of his special friends and shows off the supplies that were donated for Aurora Adopt a Pet in honor of his first birthday at Memorial Community Care. In the front row, from left, are Mary Crawford, Geri Hartzell, Finn, Jane Larsen, Noni Troester and MCC activities director and Finn’s handler, Jessie Morales; back row, Laurie Wessels, Katelyn Honas, Carol Hauf, Rhonda Cloet and Dawn Haymart.
    Comfort dog, Finn, sits in the middle of a group of his special friends and shows off the supplies that were donated for Aurora Adopt a Pet in honor of his first birthday at Memorial Community Care. In the front row, from left, are Mary Crawford, Geri Hartzell, Finn, Jane Larsen, Noni Troester and MCC activities director and Finn’s handler, Jessie Morales; back row, Laurie Wessels, Katelyn Honas, Carol Hauf, Rhonda Cloet and Dawn Haymart.

    The Clarke family passed a major milestone this week, celebrating 50 years of owning and running a “one-stop shop” grocery store and crediting the community for much of their continued success. Jim and LaVonne Clarke sat down this week to reflect on a decision that would change their lives back in 1974, when the Market Basket Supermarket in Aurora came up for sale. The story of the Aurora Mall's growth and evolution over half a century can be found on this week's ANR Business Page (A7). READ

    Bands from all four local high schools marched and played in the 82nd annual Harvest of Harmony Parade in Grand Island on Saturday, and the Marching Huskies from Aurora again came away with top honors from both the parade and the field competition in the afternoon. Read the full story of the Huskies' participation in the event on Page A1 of this week's Aurora News-Register.

    Although Finn just turned 1 year old last month, he already knows his way around Memorial Community Care and has even learned which of the residents has the best treats. He even did his part to raise money for Aurora Adopt a Pet as part of his first birthday celebration last month. That’s because Finn is a comfort dog who lives with MCC Activities Director Jessie Morales and he goes to work with her several days a week where he makes the rounds and helps bring smiles to faces of the residents. Read his story on Page A4 of the latest edition of the Aurora News-Register.

    For these stories and much more pick up the print or e-edition of this week's Aurora News-Register on news stands now.