News

Brett Mellies and Savanna James were crowned AHS Homecoming king and queen.

Brett Mellies and Savanna James were crowned AHS Homecoming king and queen.

Homecoming royalty

Kurt Johnson
Friday, October 10, 2025
Brett Mellies and Savanna James were crowned king and queen Friday night, capping off a week of Homecoming celebration at AHS. Husky Nation had plenty to celebrate as the football team defeated Lincoln Christian 48-0 to improve to 4-3 and remain undefeated in district play.
Karla Ericksen and Kris Willcock stand in the display area of their new business, which features the combined creativity of Ruthie Kay Boutique and Krash Grafix.

Karla Ericksen and Kris Willcock stand in the display area of their new business, which features the combined creativity of Ruthie Kay Boutique and Krash Grafix.

New Aurora business a joint venture in creativity

Kurt Johnson
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Karla Ericksen and Kris Willcock both had a vision to expand their creative businesses and recently found the ideal space to combine their ventures in a downtown location on the south side of the square.
Kirk Penner is pictured at the first of two press conferences conducted by Advocates For All Nebraskans (AFAN) in the rotunda of the state capitol.

Kirk Penner is pictured at the first of two press conferences conducted by Advocates For All Nebraskans (AFAN) in the rotunda of the state capitol.

AFAN proposes Apple Tax Plan

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Representatives from Advocates For All Nebraskans (AFAN) , including Kirk Penner of Aurora, announced last week the launch of two statewide ballot initiative petitions proposed to raise the minimum salary for certified public school teachers in Nebraska to $50,000.
Local schools report official fall enrollments

Local schools report official fall enrollments

Area enrollments a mixed bag

Staff Reports
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
When fall enrollment numbers were officially reported to the state last week, the four local public school districts reported either modest gains or fairly dramatic losses.
The Aurora Marching Huskies had another superior day at the 83rd annual Harvest of Harmony parade and field competitions. In addition to its Best Class A/B and first place Class B trophies, the band was the only Class B band to receive a Division I in the field competition. Performing in the field competition are trumpet players, from left: Ellie Brown, Ryan Benger and Ashlyn Yockey.

The Aurora Marching Huskies had another superior day at the 83rd annual Harvest of Harmony parade and field competitions. In addition to its Best Class A/B and first place Class B trophies, the band was the only Class B band to receive a Division I in the field competition. Performing in the field competition are trumpet players, from left: Ellie Brown, Ryan Benger and Ashlyn Yockey.

Marching Aurora Huskies ride high on their ‘Dark Horse’

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
The Aurora Marching Huskies rode out of Grand Island with their heads held high after winning awards at the 83rd annual Harvest of Harmony band competition.The Huskies brought back to Aurora the Best Class A/B and first-place Class B parade trophies, as well as another superior rating.
Linda Ross-Happy said her husband Gary Happy, to whom she was married for more than 30 years, was one of the biggest supporters of her musical endeavors.

Linda Ross-Happy said her husband Gary Happy, to whom she was married for more than 30 years, was one of the biggest supporters of her musical endeavors.

Key change: Ross-Happy transitions from teaching to writing

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
After 30 years of teaching as a professor of music at Missouri State University in Kansas City, Aurora High School grad Linda Ross-Happy has turned the page to a new career as a writer.Last year, Ross-Happy published her first book, “Keys to Faster Learning.
Work continues on residing and reroofing the Cornwell Building on the square

Work continues on residing and reroofing the Cornwell Building on the square

Progress on downtown project

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Construction crews worked hard last week to install a new roof and north wall on the Cornwell building, located on the east side of the downtown square. The wall and roof had been damaged during demolition of the adjacent Gambles building in August.
Members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War visited the Hampton Cemetary to recognize the legacy of the late Civil War veteran Clinton B. Condon.

Members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War visited the Hampton Cemetary to recognize the legacy of the late Civil War veteran Clinton B. Condon.

Group honors county’s last Union Civil War vet

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
It was a clear, warm Saturday afternoon on Sept. 27, when 12 members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) conducted a ceremony dedicating a plaque on the grave of Pvt. Clinton B. Condon at Hampton Cemetery.
Members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War visited the Hampton Cemetary to recognize the legacy of the late Civil War veteran Clinton B. Condon.

Members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War visited the Hampton Cemetary to recognize the legacy of the late Civil War veteran Clinton B. Condon.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
It was a clear, warm Saturday afternoon on Sept. 27, when 12 members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) conducted a ceremony dedicating a plaque on the grave of Pvt. Clinton B. Condon at Hampton Cemetery.