News

Seeds of Growth looks at the science & business of hybrid seeds

Seeds of Growth looks at the science & business of hybrid seeds

Seeds of Growth: The science & business of seeds

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Section C of this week's ANR contains our annual Seeds of Growth section which is all about the science and business of growing hybrid seeds in Nebraska.
During his more than 30-year career, Aurora native Scott Hadley worked as a consultant for major oil companies, working in 20 countries around the world. Since his retirement in 2016, he and his wife Brenda have spent time traveling across the country and in Europe.

During his more than 30-year career, Aurora native Scott Hadley worked as a consultant for major oil companies, working in 20 countries around the world. Since his retirement in 2016, he and his wife Brenda have spent time traveling across the country and in Europe.

Hadley: ‘They kept calling me a cowboy’

Elizabeth Hunter
Thursday, January 22, 2026
While he appreciates the fact that he had the opportunity to grow up in Aurora, retired welder and engineering inspector Scott Hadley says the town couldn’t hold him because he was too much of a wanderer at heart. “I was always a wanderer,” Hadley said.
Tiffany Cure is escorted to trial Thursday morning by a deputy sheriff.

Tiffany Cure is escorted to trial Thursday morning by a deputy sheriff.

Cure murder trial underway

Ron Burtz
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Witnesses for the prosecution continued presenting testimony Thursday morning in the first degree murder trial of Tiffany Cure in Hamilton County District Court. Cure, 22, is charged with causing the death of 3-month-old Stormi Swartz while the infant was in her care in Marquette in August of 2024.
The City of Aurora has filed a notice of special assessment and lien for $323,805 against this lot, the former site of the Gambles building. The property is owned by Stan Valasek.

The City of Aurora has filed a notice of special assessment and lien for $323,805 against this lot, the former site of the Gambles building. The property is owned by Stan Valasek.

City files $323,000 lien on former Gambles building lot

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
The Aurora City Council voted last week to file a notice of special assessment and lien for $323,805 against the property on the east side of the square owned by Stan Valasek where the Gambles building once stood.
The Diaz family of Aurora greets Danish exchange student Ludvig Bjerring (second from left) as he arrives in Nebraska for his exchange year. From left are Adrik Diaz, Bjerring and Sara and Dario Diaz.

The Diaz family of Aurora greets Danish exchange student Ludvig Bjerring (second from left) as he arrives in Nebraska for his exchange year. From left are Adrik Diaz, Bjerring and Sara and Dario Diaz.

Dane follows brother’s steps as exchange student to AHS

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Danish exchange student Ludvig Johan Bjerring has been having a ball during his first semester as a senior at Aurora High School  in the United States after arriving from Denmark in late July.
Candidates file to run in 2026 elections

Candidates file to run in 2026 elections

Seven more in the running for local offices

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Hamilton County Sheriff Jeromy McCoy and County Surveyor Adam Goertzen are among the latest candidates to file paperwork with the county clerk’s office to run for election or reelection to local office in Hamilton County.
Aurora resident Paul Friedrichsen has lived in Aurora for 40 years. During 15 of those years he and his wife, Marcia, raised 10 children and fostered several children. He continues to support his children, 25 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Aurora resident Paul Friedrichsen has lived in Aurora for 40 years. During 15 of those years he and his wife, Marcia, raised 10 children and fostered several children. He continues to support his children, 25 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A home for many: Friedrichsen’s life all about family

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Paul Friedrichsen, 80, has built a lasting legacy for himself and his family, having raised 10 children and countless foster children into responsible, hard-working adults.
Scott Barry, a damage prevention supervisor for Tallgrass, stands between two pipeline marker pillars he brought to a meeting of the county Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)last Wednesday. The marker on the left is green and marks a line that carries carbon dioxide and the marker on the right is yellow which represents the presence of a natural gas pipeline.

Scott Barry, a damage prevention supervisor for Tallgrass, stands between two pipeline marker pillars he brought to a meeting of the county Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)last Wednesday. The marker on the left is green and marks a line that carries carbon dioxide and the marker on the right is yellow which represents the presence of a natural gas pipeline.

Tallgrass pipeline now transporting CO2 locally

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
A group of local emergency responders received an update on the Tallgrass CO2 pipeline running through Hamilton County recently, and learned that the line is now operational and transporting compressed carbon dioxide produced by Aurora’s KAAPA ethanol plant.
Members of the informal group calling itself “League” sit at the bar of the Loading Chute in Hampton on Monday night. One of the members joked that the group got its name because the men “compete” with the pickleball league that plays at the City Auditorium. With the group is Loading Chute bartender Annette Miller. Members in attendance Monday were, from left: John Kohtz, Tom Williamsen, Gene Winter, Tom Lindburg, Ed Dick, Robin Williamsen and Dean Klute.

Members of the informal group calling itself “League” sit at the bar of the Loading Chute in Hampton on Monday night. One of the members joked that the group got its name because the men “compete” with the pickleball league that plays at the City Auditorium. With the group is Loading Chute bartender Annette Miller. Members in attendance Monday were, from left: John Kohtz, Tom Williamsen, Gene Winter, Tom Lindburg, Ed Dick, Robin Williamsen and Dean Klute.

Loading Chute still packing ’em in

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
When the Loading Chute restaurant and bar in Hampton was launched about 18 months ago now, people in the restaurant business told the ownership team business would slow down after the newness wore off. So far it hasn’t.