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Aurora High School graduating senior Elena Kuehner has been named a National Merit Scholar.

Aurora High School graduating senior Elena Kuehner has been named a National Merit Scholar.

This week's top stories

Kuehner a National Merit Scholar It’s official. Aurora High School senior Elena Kuehner has been named a National Merit Scholar. Kuehner has held on throughout the process, where somewhere near 1.
From left, Tessa, Hudson, Lyla and John Beck pose in front of the inflatable unicorn-themed bouncy house in their backyard. The family moved their business to Marquette after starting it in Kenesaw back in 2019.

From left, Tessa, Hudson, Lyla and John Beck pose in front of the inflatable unicorn-themed bouncy house in their backyard. The family moved their business to Marquette after starting it in Kenesaw back in 2019.

Beck’s Inflatables Rentals continues to expand in Hamilton County

A new business has been inflating and expanding in the town of Marquette.  John and Tessa Beck moved to the town last year, bringing with them a family-run inflatable business that has provided children hours of fun leaping in the backyards of Hamilton County.  “I love kids,” Tessa said.
Local nonprofit organizations are hoping to tap into the area community’s spirit of philanthropic giving next week with the ninth annual Go Big Give online giving campaign.

Local nonprofit organizations are hoping to tap into the area community’s spirit of philanthropic giving next week with the ninth annual Go Big Give online giving campaign.

Go Big Give campaign begins

Local nonprofit organizations are hoping to tap into the area community’s spirit of philanthropic giving next week with the ninth annual Go Big Give online giving campaign.
The Phillips Village Board passed several resolutions Thursday to approve Tax Increment Financing for Darren Bartunek and Jeff Reed to rebuild Winchester’s Bar and Grill.

The Phillips Village Board passed several resolutions Thursday to approve Tax Increment Financing for Darren Bartunek and Jeff Reed to rebuild Winchester’s Bar and Grill.

TIF approved for Phillips venture

The Phillips Village Board passed several resolutions Thursday to approve Tax Increment Financing for Darren Bartunek and Jeff Reed to rebuild Winchester’s Bar and Grill. The initial TIF bond was $49,300, which will be reclaimed in taxes to a maximum of $81,000 over 15 years.
A member of the Aurora High School varsity football team, Yoonsang was congratulated by host parents Maile Ilac-Boeder and John Boeder after his team finished as Class B runner-up.

A member of the Aurora High School varsity football team, Yoonsang was congratulated by host parents Maile Ilac-Boeder and John Boeder after his team finished as Class B runner-up.

Yoonsang Nam gets full rural experience at AHS

Corn.  Corn and the color red were the first things South Korean exchange student Yoonsang Nam noticed when he traveled from Seoul to Grand Island last fall. This 16-year-old student has joined Maile Ilac-Boeder and John Boeder for the 2021-22 school year in Aurora.
Hamilton County Emergency Manager Kirt Smith visited county commissioners Monday morning for a brief update on a number of small items.

Hamilton County Emergency Manager Kirt Smith visited county commissioners Monday morning for a brief update on a number of small items.

Smith reports low COVID numbers in district

Hamilton County Emergency Manager Kirt Smith visited county commissioners Monday morning for a brief update on a number of small items. “I’ll just give you a quick update on where things have been,” he began.
Republican candidate for governor Brett Lindstrom greets Gary Warren of Aurora during Monday's meet and greet.

Republican candidate for governor Brett Lindstrom greets Gary Warren of Aurora during Monday's meet and greet.

Brett Lindstrom brings campaign message to Aurora

With 15 days left until the primary election Brett Lindstrom brought his campaign for governor through Aurora Monday for a meet and greet where he spoke with confidence about his reasons for running, voting record as a senator and even the negative attack ads targeting him on television.
Pam Emahizer will welcome retirement after 36 years in education. She is set to be replaced after this school year by one of her former fourth grade students, Ashley (Pachta) Gustafson.

Pam Emahizer will welcome retirement after 36 years in education. She is set to be replaced after this school year by one of her former fourth grade students, Ashley (Pachta) Gustafson.

This week's top stories

Pam Emahizer reflects on 27 years at Aurora, 36 in education Aurora Public Schools is saying goodbye, for now, to another one of its teaching greats. After 36 years in education, Aurora fourth grade teacher Pam Emahizer will be retiring at the end of this school year.
Sandhill Cranes have come and gone for another migration season, bringing a rare spectacle to central Nebraska which draws viewers from around the world.

Sandhill Cranes have come and gone for another migration season, bringing a rare spectacle to central Nebraska which draws viewers from around the world.

Sandhill Crane migration inspires all

The annual mass migration of the Sandhill Cranes has come and gone across the Platte River Valley in Nebraska. With it came upwards of 600,000 or more cranes at once to the sandbanks of the river and hundreds of eager guests to the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary.
County commissioners reviewed a proposal Monday to award county employees premium pay for time worked on site during early stages of the pandemic, while also discussing plans to remove and/or trim trees around the courthouse square.

County commissioners reviewed a proposal Monday to award county employees premium pay for time worked on site during early stages of the pandemic, while also discussing plans to remove and/or trim trees around the courthouse square.

County ponders premium pay for staff who worked through pandemic

County commissioners reviewed a proposal Monday to award county employees premium pay for time worked on site during early stages of the pandemic, while also discussing plans to remove and/or trim trees around the courthouse square.