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Jesse Harding Campbell, pictured at left, conducts an interview with Sen. Pete Ricketts while walking through the Nebraska State Fair. Campbell, founder of Marsh Wren Creative, recently moved with her family to the rural Phillips area.

Jesse Harding Campbell, pictured at left, conducts an interview with Sen. Pete Ricketts while walking through the Nebraska State Fair. Campbell, founder of Marsh Wren Creative, recently moved with her family to the rural Phillips area.

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Former farm broadcaster brings ag communications venture to county

News Staff
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Jesse Harding Campbell may be a relative newcomer to Hamilton County, but she is certainly no stranger to Nebraska agriculture.
The Nebraska State Fair runs through Labor Day in Grand Island.

The Nebraska State Fair runs through Labor Day in Grand Island.

It’s go time at the Nebraska State Fair

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
The 2026 Nebraska State Fair is off and running just 20 miles west of Aurora, marking the 17th year the annual event has been staged in Grand Island. The grounds have been brimming with livestock, people and activities for people of all ages since opening day Aug.
Aurora city leaders ponder budget cuts.

Aurora city leaders ponder budget cuts.

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Council weighs tax relief, benefit cuts

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
The Aurora City Council began preliminary discussions regarding this year’s budget last week by reviewing existing employee pension and benefit plans, as well as results of a wage analysis study, all with an eye on sharpening the pencil when finalizing the 2026-27 budget next month.
A group of children prepares to cut the ribbon to officially open the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground on Saturday morning.

A group of children prepares to cut the ribbon to officially open the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground on Saturday morning.

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Let’s play ... together!

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
With a countdown from five, the snip of an outsized pair of scissors and a united shout of “Let’s play!” the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground officially opened its gates to the public on Saturday morning.
Retired Aurora High School teacher Rod Havens recently joined the staff of the Aurora Library as the coordinator for the library’s new makerspace.

Retired Aurora High School teacher Rod Havens recently joined the staff of the Aurora Library as the coordinator for the library’s new makerspace.

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Library making space for creativity

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
As soon as Oct. 1 the Alice M. Farr Library in Aurora hopes to have its new makerspace up and running to give library patrons an outlet for their creative expression.
Mark Dunn

Mark Dunn

Dunn stepping down from city council post

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Aurora City Councilman Mark Dunn announced this week that he will be vacating his position due to a pending move outside the city limits.Dunn, a Ward 3 councilman who was first elected in the fall of 2020, made his decision public at the end of the Aug.
The Opportune Acres event at the Nebraska State Fair Event is set for Friday at Thompson Indoor Arena

The Opportune Acres event at the Nebraska State Fair Event is set for Friday at Thompson Indoor Arena

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Opportune Acres to host Adaptive Horse Show at State Fair

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Opportune Acres will host a unique adaptive horse show on Friday at 11 a.m. at the U.S. Foods Outdoor Arena at the State Fair in Grand Island.
Pictured here is one of the city’s existing trails running through Streeter Park. A local trails committee has applied for a $250,000 federal grant to help expand the trail system with new segments in the Streeter and Northridge subdivisions.

Pictured here is one of the city’s existing trails running through Streeter Park. A local trails committee has applied for a $250,000 federal grant to help expand the trail system with new segments in the Streeter and Northridge subdivisions.

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Trail groups seeks $250,000 grant

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Aurora’s recreational trails committee is moving forward with plans to expand the community’s trail network, including an application for $250,000 in federal funding and more than $350,000 already raised through local fundraising efforts.
The main driveway and parking area outside the airport manager’s office were replaced with new concrete during construction this summer at the Aurora Airport.

The main driveway and parking area outside the airport manager’s office were replaced with new concrete during construction this summer at the Aurora Airport.

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City council approves airport levy

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Work recently completed at the Aurora Municipal Airport represents the latest in more than $10 million worth of improvements made over the past eight years, with a majority of that covered by federal grants.