News

Mike Bish and his '71 Plymouth 'Cuda

Mike Bish and his '71 Plymouth 'Cuda

ANR's Spring Car Care Section is here with 383 cubes of American muscle

News Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Giltner native Mike Bish is anxious to hit the road and the car show circuit with his ‘71 ‘Cuda, which he recently finished reassembling after several years of restoration work. The story behind the remodel is the lead feature in this week’s ANR spring car care section, which begins on Page B1.
Hamilton County prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday

Hamilton County prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday

Committee plans big for America’s 250 celebration here

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
As Hamilton County prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday alongside the Plainsman Museum’s 50th anniversary, a wide range of projects—from a countywide video time capsule to interactive exhibits and summer events—are coming together to highlight local history and community pride.
This year's flu season appears to have peaked here

This year's flu season appears to have peaked here

Flu season appears to ebb as spring nears

News Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
While this year’s flu season appears to have plateaued in the local area, numbers of those impacted by various viruses still remain high in the community as we head toward the first day of spring this week.
Aurora City Council news

Aurora City Council news

City seeks to extend downtown grant program

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
City leaders approved a request last week to seek an extension for a downtown redevelopment grant project in hopes of spending what remains of a $400,000 pool of federal funds available to the community.
Planning ahead to avoid supply chain challenges, Hamilton Telecommunications has acquired all the materials necessary to handle fiber network projects planned in St. Paul and Ord.

Planning ahead to avoid supply chain challenges, Hamilton Telecommunications has acquired all the materials necessary to handle fiber network projects planned in St. Paul and Ord.

Hamilton building momentum in year of expansion

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
One year after announcing a new five-year strategic plan aimed at providing IT services across the state, Hamilton Telecommunications is reporting change and progress on several fronts.
Auctioneer Steve Gerritsen (right) shows ANR Co-publisher Kurt Johnson a few of the hundreds of historical items he has up for sale in an online auction. A number of the lots have connections to some of Hamilton County’s earliest residents.

Auctioneer Steve Gerritsen (right) shows ANR Co-publisher Kurt Johnson a few of the hundreds of historical items he has up for sale in an online auction. A number of the lots have connections to some of Hamilton County’s earliest residents.

Online auction features items from county’s early history

News Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
A number of artifacts related to some of Hamilton County’s earliest residents are among the hundreds of items currently being sold in an online auction by a Hastings man who says he plans to make Giltner his permanent home.
The combined team of 2007-11, the oldest team in the tournament, defeated 2024, the youngest team last year’s Aurora alumni tournament final, 43-40.

The combined team of 2007-11, the oldest team in the tournament, defeated 2024, the youngest team last year’s Aurora alumni tournament final, 43-40.

Alumni hoops to tip it up Saturday

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The 37th edition of the Bill Kropp and Curly Penner Memorial Alumni Basketball Tournament is set for tipoff Saturday morning.Eleven teams are bracketed for play Saturday with graduates dating as far back as 2007 up through last year’s graduating class.
The Comedic Playwright, played by Trent Stevens (left) and the Tragic Playwright (Scott Bennett) dual with pencils as they fight for control over “Hydrangea Albright: Comedy or Tragedy?”

The Comedic Playwright, played by Trent Stevens (left) and the Tragic Playwright (Scott Bennett) dual with pencils as they fight for control over “Hydrangea Albright: Comedy or Tragedy?”

Aurora cast turns family curse into comedy

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Audience members finally found the answer to the question posed in the title of Aurora High School’s spring play, “Hydrangea Albright: Comedy or Tragedy?” on March 8 and 9.
Mike Bish and his '71 Plymouth 'Cuda

Mike Bish and his '71 Plymouth 'Cuda

Bish's dream 'Cuda is back on road, winning awards

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
A year ago at this time, Mike Bish’s high school dream car – a classic ‘71 Plymouth ‘Cuda muscle car – was just dozens and dozens of parts basically scattered from his shop in Grand Island to Hampton.
Samuel Njuguna performs as American actor James Earl Jones while his mother, Cora records his presentation.

Samuel Njuguna performs as American actor James Earl Jones while his mother, Cora records his presentation.

‘People of the Past’ POP in for a visit

News Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Eighty-seven sixth grade students from Aurora participated in the annual ‘People of the Past’ (POP) night last Tuesday where a total of $2,647 was raised by the students to be equally donated to 12th Street Cinema, St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital and Fig Tree and Vine.