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School counseling staff at the 4R district is taking steps ahead with digital class registration, and updated professional titles, just in time for National School Counseling Week. Together, Aurora’s counseling staff includes, from left, Michelle Sutter (HS counseling administrative assistant), Emily Hoegh (district mental health therapist), Erlinda Amen (elementary school counselor), Barb Bonifas (high school counselor), Jake Willems (high school counselor) and Angie Moural (middle school counselor).

School counseling staff at the 4R district is taking steps ahead with digital class registration, and updated professional titles, just in time for National School Counseling Week. Together, Aurora’s counseling staff includes, from left, Michelle Sutter (HS counseling administrative assistant), Emily Hoegh (district mental health therapist), Erlinda Amen (elementary school counselor), Barb Bonifas (high school counselor), Jake Willems (high school counselor) and Angie Moural (middle school counselor).

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Aurora counseling office welcomes many changes

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Things are changing for students at Aurora High School thanks to a little leg work done by school counselor Jacob Willems and the rest of the counseling staff. The age-old task of registering for next year’s classes just got a whole lot easier.
High Plains educator Sue Wilgocki is hanging up her hat at the end of this school year after a successful lifetime of teaching.

High Plains educator Sue Wilgocki is hanging up her hat at the end of this school year after a successful lifetime of teaching.

Sue Wilgocki recounts years well spent in education

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
A familiar face at High Plains Community School is hanging up her hat after a lifetime of teaching. Currently the family and consumer science teacher, Sue Wilgocki has had quite the run and wore plenty of hats since she started her educational journey.
Aurora Public Schools is reaching out to the community with support and information about mental health next week, part of an ongoing effort to help kids and families reach their full potential.

Aurora Public Schools is reaching out to the community with support and information about mental health next week, part of an ongoing effort to help kids and families reach their full potential.

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AHS puts focus on mental health

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Aurora Public Schools is reaching out to the community with support and information about mental health next week, part of an ongoing effort to help kids and families reach their full potential.
High Plains duo Vaughn Pedersen (left) and Nathan Ertzner got a number of laughs out of the room with their varsity duet acting piece.

High Plains duo Vaughn Pedersen (left) and Nathan Ertzner got a number of laughs out of the room with their varsity duet acting piece.

Aurora Speech Invite welcomes familiar faces

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
The Aurora Speech Invitational was hosted Saturday, seeing more than a dozen schools from across Nebraska. Teams from Aurora, Giltner, Hampton and High Plains were caught in action doing what they do best. For full results from the Aurora team, please see this week's print or e-edition.
According to Hamilton County Emergency Manager Kirt Smith, COVID case numbers have gone up and then back down since the last time he met with commissioners. 

According to Hamilton County Emergency Manager Kirt Smith, COVID case numbers have gone up and then back down since the last time he met with commissioners. 

Smith notes decline in COVID cases

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
According to Hamilton County Emergency Manager Kirt Smith, COVID case numbers have gone up and then back down since the last time he met with commissioners.
Hampton firefighters were on the scene immediately Thursday morning when a faulty furnace in the basement of the Zion Lutheran Church fellowship hall sent smoke throughout the building.

Hampton firefighters were on the scene immediately Thursday morning when a faulty furnace in the basement of the Zion Lutheran Church fellowship hall sent smoke throughout the building.

Furnace causes scare at Zion Lutheran

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
There were some anxious moments at Zion Lutheran Church north of Hampton early Thursday morning after a furnace motor in the basement caught fire in the fellowship hall adjacent to the main church structure, sending smoke throughout the building and triggering an alarm.
Hamtpon firefighters battled freezing temperatures early Thursday morning while finding the cause of smoke in the basement of the fellowship hall next to Zion Lutheran Church north of Hampton.

Hamtpon firefighters battled freezing temperatures early Thursday morning while finding the cause of smoke in the basement of the fellowship hall next to Zion Lutheran Church north of Hampton.

Furnace triggers alarm at Zion Lutheran Church

Kurt Johnson
Thursday, February 3, 2022
There were some anxious moments at Zion Lutheran Church north of Hampton early Thursday morning after a furnace motor in the basement burned up in the fellowship hall adjacent to the main church structure, sending smoke throughout the building and triggering an alarm.
Caden Carlson, left, is gaining experience in the tech sector through an internship with the Grain Weevil Corporation. Pictured here observing the Grain Weevil in action at the Aurora Technology Center are Ben Johnson and Zane Zents.

Caden Carlson, left, is gaining experience in the tech sector through an internship with the Grain Weevil Corporation. Pictured here observing the Grain Weevil in action at the Aurora Technology Center are Ben Johnson and Zane Zents.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Technology is in their futures Area seniors contemplating what they want to pursue or study next year have a running start when it comes to all things technology. They grew up with it. They embrace it.
Aurora Chamber of Commerce

Aurora Chamber of Commerce

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Aurora Chamber of Commerce banquet goes virtual again

News Staff
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce went virtual again this year, recognizing award winners with an online presentation and reviewing a busy year of activities after a late decision to cancel the planned awards banquet due to continuing COVID concerns.
Ernesto Franco, pictured here with his wife Karen and children Victoria, Brayden, Aliana and Ayden, has announced plans to open Blazin’ Wings N More at 850 Q St., in Aurora.

Ernesto Franco, pictured here with his wife Karen and children Victoria, Brayden, Aliana and Ayden, has announced plans to open Blazin’ Wings N More at 850 Q St., in Aurora.

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Blazin’ Wings restaurant coming to Aurora

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
A Grand Island man announced plans this week to open a new restaurant on Highway 34 in Aurora, sharing the details for the pending debut of Blazin’ Wings N More. Ernesto Franco brings more than 20 years of experience in the food industry to his new venture, which he hopes to open sometime in March.