News

Espressions co-owners Lisa Montoya (left) and Maile Ilac Boeder show off some of the new books and other items that have been added to the newly renovated shop.

Espressions co-owners Lisa Montoya (left) and Maile Ilac Boeder show off some of the new books and other items that have been added to the newly renovated shop.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘A space and a place for everyone’

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
After being closed most of the summer, Espressions reopened its doors to a brand new chapter last Tuesday, taking on a new venture as a coffee shop and bookstore called Espressions: Coffee & Community.
Miss America 2027, Regan Hutsell of Texas, poses for a picture with her parents Romanda and Robert Hutsell after winning the title on Sunday, Sept. 6 in West Palm Beach, Fla. Robert is a 1976 graduate of Hampton High School.

Miss America 2027, Regan Hutsell of Texas, poses for a picture with her parents Romanda and Robert Hutsell after winning the title on Sunday, Sept. 6 in West Palm Beach, Fla. Robert is a 1976 graduate of Hampton High School.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

New Miss America has local family ties

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
When Miss Texas, Regan Hutsell, was crowned Miss America on Sunday, Sept. 5, her name possibly had a familiar ring to it for many local folks. That’s because her uncle, Dave Hutsell, lives in Hampton and her father, Dr.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County tax asking grows by 4%

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Aurora Mayor Marlin Seeman was the only member of the general public to attend public hearings held Monday morning by the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners to hear testimony regarding the county’s budget summary and final tax request before setting the county’s FY 2026-27 budget.
Aurora High School was on lockdown for about an hour Thursday.

Aurora High School was on lockdown for about an hour Thursday.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

AHS locked down Thursday

News Staff
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Aurora High School was on lockdown for about an hour Thursday morning due to what school officials termed an anonymous threat. Parents and staff members were notified of the lockdown via an email sent out by school officials at 9:12 a.m. The email stated: “At approximately 8:20 a.m.
Work on Hampton's water pipeline project could begin soon.

Work on Hampton's water pipeline project could begin soon.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Water project boosts Hampton’s budget 458%

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
While only a handful of members of the public turned out for Monday night’s budget hearing for the Village of Hampton, a question was raised about the exponential growth of the village’s 2026-27 budget. Hampton’s operating budget is set to grow from the current $1.39 million to $7.
Dustin McCord

Dustin McCord

Exclusive Subscriber Content

McCord begins new manager role at Timpte

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
A Wood River area native who worked on Timpte trailers in his younger years has been named branch parts and service manager at the Aurora facility. Dustin McCord assumed his new role in July and said he is excited about the opportunity with Timpte.
Hampton native Josh Klute has worked for several decades in turf management. After working at minor league and collegiate stadiums in Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma and Lincoln, in 2020 he started the turf management business K&J Elite Sports Turf. Above he works to prepare the baseball diamond for the Colorado Rockies MLB team in Denver.

Hampton native Josh Klute has worked for several decades in turf management. After working at minor league and collegiate stadiums in Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma and Lincoln, in 2020 he started the turf management business K&J Elite Sports Turf. Above he works to prepare the baseball diamond for the Colorado Rockies MLB team in Denver.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Hampton native Klute keeping playing fields in the game

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Players, coaches and fans are always rooting for the best field conditions for their teams while they play, and Hampton grad Josh Klute, a co-owner of K&J Elite Sports Turf and an experienced athletic turf manager, is determined to make that happen.
This map shows the nine fire districts scattered across the county. The website also lists contact information for the fire chiefs in those districts for the purpose of obtaining burn permits.

This map shows the nine fire districts scattered across the county. The website also lists contact information for the fire chiefs in those districts for the purpose of obtaining burn permits.

County posts burn permit info on website

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
As hot as the weather has been recently, it’s hard to even think about purposely starting a fire. Nobody wants to roast hot dogs over an open flame when nighttime temperatures are hovering around 70 degrees.