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Seven members of Giltner’s class of 2026 are honored in the Aurora News-Register's Making the Grade edition for their academic success. PIctured front from left are: Avery Reeson, Kailyn Wilson, Eliana Bish, Gracie Kreutz. Back from left: Cody Holtzen, Ayden Scott, Owen Nuss.

Seven members of Giltner’s class of 2026 are honored in the Aurora News-Register's Making the Grade edition for their academic success. PIctured front from left are: Avery Reeson, Kailyn Wilson, Eliana Bish, Gracie Kreutz. Back from left: Cody Holtzen, Ayden Scott, Owen Nuss.

Giltner to graduate 19 on Sunday

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Nineteen seniors from Giltner High School’s Class of 2026 will receive diplomas during graduation ceremonies planned for the high school gym this Sunday at 2 p.m.This year’s guest speaker will be Giltner school bus driver Jim Happold.
Workers pour a concrete walkway that will go through the middle of the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground. At right in the background is the framework for the zipline that will allow disabled children to ride next to their able-bodied friends.

Workers pour a concrete walkway that will go through the middle of the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground. At right in the background is the framework for the zipline that will allow disabled children to ride next to their able-bodied friends.

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Inclusive Playground on target for summer debut

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
The rain storms this past weekend may slow progress down a bit, but so far the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground appears to be on track for an early summer opening.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners agrees to do a trial use of the TimeTrakGo app.

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners agrees to do a trial use of the TimeTrakGo app.

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County to test TimeTrakGO for time, attendance

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Hamilton County will experiment with a different way of keeping track of employee hours and time off in the days ahead following a decision made by the county board of commissioners on Monday. Following a lengthy discussion with Highway Supt.
Rich Kinsey, left, poses with his son Kody Bengston and grandson Tatum on the new Kinsy Auto used car lot located along Highway 34 in Aurora.

Rich Kinsey, left, poses with his son Kody Bengston and grandson Tatum on the new Kinsy Auto used car lot located along Highway 34 in Aurora.

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Kinseys open used car lot in Aurora

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
More than 20 years after leaving the auto sales business to pursue a career in law enforcement, Rich Kinsey is back behind the wheel as he and his wife announce the debut of Kinsey Auto on a prime location along Highway 34 in Aurora.
Ashlee Cool has a variety of primitive antiques including dressers, cabinets, chairs, decorative items and more at Millhouse 1901. Cool also sells vintage clothing and jewelry.

Ashlee Cool has a variety of primitive antiques including dressers, cabinets, chairs, decorative items and more at Millhouse 1901. Cool also sells vintage clothing and jewelry.

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New Hampton business finds history in primitive antiques

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Co-business owners Ashlee Cool and her husband, Josh, a 2005 Hampton graduate, have been welcoming the Hampton community to their antique business, Millhouse 1901, since December and are now excited to host an open house this weekend.
Aurora native Nate Boerkircher holds a Jacksonville Jaguar hat in his hands, shortly after hearing his name called in the second round of the NFL draft. Pictured with him are his fiance, Paxtyn Dummer, and mother Sherry.

Aurora native Nate Boerkircher holds a Jacksonville Jaguar hat in his hands, shortly after hearing his name called in the second round of the NFL draft. Pictured with him are his fiance, Paxtyn Dummer, and mother Sherry.

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From D1 walk-on to NFL

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Most people cannot stand and completely ignore spam callers these days. It was a really good thing Nate Boerkircher answered that call Friday night. Despite the former Husky’s caller ID reading “potential spam,” it turned out all of Boerkircher’s hopes and dreams were on the line.
Members of the Aurora City Council heard feedback from 20 people during last week’s meeting regarding a plan to solicit proposals from private EMS providers in light of the city’s EMS funding shortfall. Each speaker was given three minutes to share their thoughts.

Members of the Aurora City Council heard feedback from 20 people during last week’s meeting regarding a plan to solicit proposals from private EMS providers in light of the city’s EMS funding shortfall. Each speaker was given three minutes to share their thoughts.

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City to seek proposals from private EMS

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The Aurora City Council voted unanimously last week to seek requests for proposals from privately run ambulance services after hearing more than an hour of feedback from community members who spoke both for and against considering an alternative to the city’s existing fire-based EMS operation.
Harlan Schafer, right, plays a guitar he made especially for Friday’s Memorial Foundation auction. The item drew a winning bid of $2,200. Pictured with Schafer are auctioneers Mark and Kelly Kliewer.

Harlan Schafer, right, plays a guitar he made especially for Friday’s Memorial Foundation auction. The item drew a winning bid of $2,200. Pictured with Schafer are auctioneers Mark and Kelly Kliewer.

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Annual MCHI gala nets $37,000

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
A crowd of more than 220 people, many dressed in 18th Century era clothing, raised nearly $37,000 Friday to support Memorial Community Health’s commitment to providing healthcare close to home.
Edgerton Raptor Specialist Deb Miller introduced the program's two newest raptors to students last week. The owl has been given the name, Strix and the red-shouldered hawk was named Valor.

Edgerton Raptor Specialist Deb Miller introduced the program's two newest raptors to students last week. The owl has been given the name, Strix and the red-shouldered hawk was named Valor.

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Edgerton’s feathered faculty

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The Edgerton Explorit Center’s two newest education ambassadors – a barred owl and a red-shouldered hawk brought from Virginia recently by wildlife rescuer Tommy White – have their official names and have already appeared before hundreds of people from around Nebraska.
The seven candidates for Hamilton County Commission are, top from left, Nicole SaBell, Matt Snoberger, Andrew Holtorf, Rich Nelson, Chris Slocum, Francis McDonald and Allan Coats.

The seven candidates for Hamilton County Commission are, top from left, Nicole SaBell, Matt Snoberger, Andrew Holtorf, Rich Nelson, Chris Slocum, Francis McDonald and Allan Coats.

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Candidates for county commission share views, histories, goals

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Races for Hamilton County Board of Commissioners in three of the county’s five districts will effectively be decided in the May 12 primary.