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A 30-40 minute fireworks display will conclude the July 3rd Celebration in Phillips

A 30-40 minute fireworks display will conclude the July 3rd Celebration in Phillips

Phillips to light up night sky July 3rd

Anticipation is building for Phillips’s 7th annual July 3rd Celebration this Friday. Memorial Hall will be the rallying point for a variety of family activities starting at 6 p.m. which will lead up to the annual fireworks display after dark.
Caleb Arnett

Caleb Arnett

Insanity defense planned for Arnett

It appears the first degree murder trial of Caleb Arnett may not take place as scheduled in August following the recent filing of a motion by defense attorneys.
The original lodge building at CRC was replaced by this new one 12 years ago, which has given the facility more room for indoor activities on hot summer days. A rack with the campers’ lunch bags stands out front.

The original lodge building at CRC was replaced by this new one 12 years ago, which has given the facility more room for indoor activities on hot summer days. A rack with the campers’ lunch bags stands out front.

CRC marks a half century of Christian ministry

Years that end in the number 76 seem to be good ones for starting things that last. The year 1776 was, of course, the birth year of the United States of America, which has stood strong now for 250 years.
Volunteers carry food donations into the food pantry during last week's Can Care-A-Van

Volunteers carry food donations into the food pantry during last week's Can Care-A-Van

Annual Can Care-A-Van drive exceeds collection goal

The Hamilton County Food Pantry (HCFP) saw a strong turnout during the 39th annual Can Care-A-Van last Tuesday. After seven hours of volunteers collecting donations from local organizations and individuals, the food pantry had collected 24,502 pounds of non-perishable foods.
The Aurora City Council gave first reading approval last week to an ordinance that would lower the speed limit to 35 miles per hour on an expanded area along Highway 34 running through Aurora.

The Aurora City Council gave first reading approval last week to an ordinance that would lower the speed limit to 35 miles per hour on an expanded area along Highway 34 running through Aurora.

Slow down advised on Highway 34

The Aurora City Council approved the first reading last week of an ordinance that would reduce the speed limit on portions of Highway 34 running through Aurora from 45 to 35 miles per hour, based on recommendations from the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
The sandstone base blocks along the west side of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been replaced with new ones cut from the same Colorado quarry.

The sandstone base blocks along the west side of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been replaced with new ones cut from the same Colorado quarry.

County board reviews next phases of ongoing courthouse project

With the initial phase of the courthouse renovation project moving toward an expected summer completion date, Jerry Berggren, the Lincoln preservation architect who has been overseeing the work since its inception, paid a visit to the Hamilton County Commission Monday morning.
Aurora photographers Triniti Jensen (left) and Laura Oswald both took home awards from the 2026 Nebraska Wedding Day Best of the Best Awards Gala June 16 in Omaha.

Aurora photographers Triniti Jensen (left) and Laura Oswald both took home awards from the 2026 Nebraska Wedding Day Best of the Best Awards Gala June 16 in Omaha.

Jensen, Oswald earn Wedding Day honors

Two Aurora-based photographers won top honors for their work at an event hosted by Nebraska Wedding Day, adding to their growing list of accolades.
The six veterans recognized at a Quilts of Valor ceremony during A’ROR’N Days Friday night were from left: Amy Lou Emaneul-Bassett, Paul G. Duey, Richard Hock, Bruce Nilson, Jason Trumble and Jeff Trumble.

The six veterans recognized at a Quilts of Valor ceremony during A’ROR’N Days Friday night were from left: Amy Lou Emaneul-Bassett, Paul G. Duey, Richard Hock, Bruce Nilson, Jason Trumble and Jeff Trumble.

Six veterans honored with Quilts of Valor

Six veterans from Hamilton County were honored for their service with quilts of valor during a ceremony that took place on the downtown square Friday evening as part of A’ROR’N Days.
Saturday’s A’ROR’N Days parade included a total of 76 entries (an appropriate number given the America 250 theme of this year’s celebration), making it one of the biggest in recent history. As always, antique tractors were a big part of the event as seen in this birds-eye view of the downtown square.

Saturday’s A’ROR’N Days parade included a total of 76 entries (an appropriate number given the America 250 theme of this year’s celebration), making it one of the biggest in recent history. As always, antique tractors were a big part of the event as seen in this birds-eye view of the downtown square.

Hometown pride shines

As Aurora kicked off the local celebration of  America’s 250th birthday, the community had plenty of reasons to celebrate its own hometown tradition as well.
This section of Highway 34 by the Aurora swimming pool will be the focus of a study to consider the concept and cost of building an undercrossing in conjunction with an NDOT highway improvement project planned for approximately 2030.

This section of Highway 34 by the Aurora swimming pool will be the focus of a study to consider the concept and cost of building an undercrossing in conjunction with an NDOT highway improvement project planned for approximately 2030.

Council approves undercrossing study

The Aurora City Council initiated a design study last week to explore the possibility and cost of installing an undercrossing on Highway 34 near the swimming pool in the area of 12th and 13th streets.