This week's top stories

  • The new Toast to the Holidays event is set for Nov. 13
    The new Toast to the Holidays event is set for Nov. 13
  • Army infantry veterans Marlin Seeman, left, and David McKimmey talked for more than 90 minutes about their experiences of being wounded in conflicts in Vietnam and Iraq almost exactly 40 years apart.
    Army infantry veterans Marlin Seeman, left, and David McKimmey talked for more than 90 minutes about their experiences of being wounded in conflicts in Vietnam and Iraq almost exactly 40 years apart.
  • Tempo dancers show their fangs during a performance at Scare the Square
    Tempo dancers show their fangs during a performance at Scare the Square
  • Work crews are getting closer to the end of the 1st Street renovation project, focusing their efforts this week on pouring tie-ins to the newly-poured roadway. The target date for substantial completion is Nov. 15.
    Work crews are getting closer to the end of the 1st Street renovation project, focusing their efforts this week on pouring tie-ins to the newly-poured roadway. The target date for substantial completion is Nov. 15.
  • Startling an attendee was a woodland cultist, played by Isaac Graham (left) and a bloody crusader (Christian Alvarez).
    Startling an attendee was a woodland cultist, played by Isaac Graham (left) and a bloody crusader (Christian Alvarez).
  • Rudy Flores, pastor of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Aurora, helped deliver a timely donation of 500 pounds of food last week, one of many local food drives anticipated in the next few weeks.
    Rudy Flores, pastor of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Aurora, helped deliver a timely donation of 500 pounds of food last week, one of many local food drives anticipated in the next few weeks.

    Aurora retailers are preparing a “Toast to the Holidays” Nov. 13 hoping to kick off the Christmas shopping season with an event designed to offer a fun experience as well as holiday gift ideas. Kelsey Hofmann, owner of Urban Chic Boutique, is helping coordinate an event which was launched several years ago by the Retail Renegades, expanding the list of activities to create a night out on the town type of experience.

    Outwardly, the two U.S. Army infantry veterans are vastly different. They come from different generations, different backgrounds and served in conflicts separated by many miles and 40 years of time. However, when Purple Heart recipients Marlin Seeman and David McKimmey were put into a room last week and asked to tell the circumstances surrounding their wounding, those differences melted away and the commonalities of the military experience began to multiply. By the time the two men went their separate ways nearly two hours later, it was obvious that although they had previously met only casually, they were part of a unique brotherhood, bound together by their common experiences and their love for country and their comrades in arms. Read the story of their conversation and experiences beginning on Page C1 of our annual Salute to Veterans, and read about fellow Army veteran Ron Elge in an article beginning on Page 1A.

    Hundreds of costumed trick-or-treaters haunted Aurora's downtown square on Thursday for the annual Scare the Square Halloween fest. There were costume contests, a dance performance and lots of sweet treats for everyone. A full page of photos from the event can be found on Page A6.

    The Aurora City Council revised two personnel policies and heard an update on the 1st Street renovation project during a brief meeting Oct. 28. The first item on the agenda was a proposal to amend the benefit package for city staff members by providing a taxable cash payment to eligible employees who opt out of the city-sponsored group health insurance plan due to coverage under an alternative qualifying plan. Steve Parr with JEO Consulting then addressed the council, explaining the details behind a $702,396 pay application to Mid-Nebraska Land Developers for work completed on 1st Street.

    It was an event to die for at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The fourth annual Haunted Fairgrounds event drew a massive turnout, with a total of 954 daring adventurers entering the maze over two weekends. Many of those brave souls went through more than once. Hamilton County Ag Society member Jeff Fink said the fair board received great feedback from attendees after escaping the maze.

    The shelves were mostly bare last week at the Hamilton County Food Pantry, though a donation of 500 pounds of food was delivered Thursday which board members say is likely the first of many community-based food drives in the weeks ahead. Long-time food pantry board member Bruce Ramsour said he was not alarmed by the low level of supplies last week, knowing how supportive local school groups and organizations have been about collecting food this time of year.

    For these stories and more, plus our annual salute to veterans, take a look at the print or e-edition of this week's ANR.