A 1,000 sq.-ft. expansion at Hairy Situations Dog Spa and Self Wash, located at 1621 9th St., now offers six large kennels and a play area for dogs.

Ben Buller of Hampton flies his DJI drone, which he uses as part of his new aerial photography business.

Dan Fitzgerald, plant manager at the BonnaVilla Homes plant in Aurora, reflected on a most challenging fiscal year, concluding that “at the end of the year I would say we had a pretty damn good year, given everything that was thrown at us.”

Keal Bockelman purchased this Cessna 172 airplane last year for personal use, but eventually saw an opportunity and launched a new business to begin offering private flying lessons.

Photos courtesy of UNK // UNK professor Tim Obermier displays the devices used to collect bandwidth readings through the Rural Measures project, which was launched by Obermier and UNK associate professor Angela Hollman to more accurately measure internet speeds in rural Nebraska.

Anya Griffith, pictured at right, is the new owner of Hometown Roots Salon, which opened March 8 on the southeast corner of the downtown square. Pictured with her, from left, are employees Joni Retzlaff, Jessica Clark and Keri Hastings. Note the exposed brick in the background, reflecting the historic nature of the renovated structure.

Founder and executive director Mick Anderson, left, and safety specialist Mark Dunn stand outside the new headquarters of Great Plains Safety and Health Organization, now located at 1312 L St. in Aurora.

Eric Joseph stands in front of the Highway 34 structure where he currently bases his Midwest Spray Foam business. Joseph is planning to tear down the former gas station when the weather allows and build a new structure in its place.

Retail events like this Toast to the Holidays, celebrated pre-pandemic in 2019, help showcase what local retailers have to offer. Total retail sales were the focus of a ‘pull factor’ report created by the Nebraska Public Power District which tracks retail leakage by community.

Tyler Nunnenkamp polishes the inside of a vehicle as part of his new business, Nunnenkamp Auto Detailing. He started his home-based Aurora business in November and said he has been pleased with the initial response.