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Pastor Tim Wells of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Aurora leads a special worship service on Sunday, Oct. 26 to celebrate the church’s 15th anniversary as a congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Wells celebrated his 10th anniversary as pastor in July.

Pastor Tim Wells of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Aurora leads a special worship service on Sunday, Oct. 26 to celebrate the church’s 15th anniversary as a congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Wells celebrated his 10th anniversary as pastor in July.

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Aurora observes 15th anniversary

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
The congregation at Aurora’s Cross of Christ Lutheran Church on South 16th Street gathered for a 15th anniversary celebration of the founding of the church on Sunday, Oct. 26. Following a special worship service which featured a video of the church’s original pastor, Rev.
ANR's annual Salute to Veterans is in this week's issue. Veterans Day is November 11.

ANR's annual Salute to Veterans is in this week's issue. Veterans Day is November 11.

Veterans, we salute you

News Staff
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
This year's ANR Salute to Veterans issue features 10 pages of the photos and names of area veterans who have proudly served their county.
Hampton senior Porter Dose shares a moment with assistant coach Bo Kingery following the final whistle.

Hampton senior Porter Dose shares a moment with assistant coach Bo Kingery following the final whistle.

Hampton’s final flight touches down

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Hampton’s football team hosted its first playoff game since 2009 Friday night but a combination of injuries, bad luck and a stout Wallace squad spelled the end of the Hawks’ season with a 51-20 loss to the Wildcats. The game was tied at 20 before Wallace scored 31 unanswered points to end the game.
This drone photo shows the progress made on demolishing the Hampton opera house on Thursday morning

This drone photo shows the progress made on demolishing the Hampton opera house on Thursday morning

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Hampton opera house is history

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Hampton’s historic IOOF Opera House took months to build in 1892 and ‘93 and it took 10 months after being condemned as unsafe for demolition to begin, but once the crew from Broken Arrow Excavating started to tear it down on Thursday, the building was gone in less than nine hours.
The new Toast to the Holidays event is set for Nov. 13

The new Toast to the Holidays event is set for Nov. 13

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Aurora retailers are preparing a “Toast to the Holidays” Nov. 13 hoping to kick off the Christmas shopping season with an event designed to offer a fun experience as well as holiday gift ideas.
Hamilton County District Court Clerk Wendy Dethlefs (center) was presented with the Marjorie Schaffer Memorial Award for Outstanding Clerk of the District Court for 2025 at a ceremony in Lincoln on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Pictured with her are Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke (left) and State Court Administrator Corey Steel.

Hamilton County District Court Clerk Wendy Dethlefs (center) was presented with the Marjorie Schaffer Memorial Award for Outstanding Clerk of the District Court for 2025 at a ceremony in Lincoln on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Pictured with her are Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke (left) and State Court Administrator Corey Steel.

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Dethlefs named Outstanding District Court Clerk

Ron Burtz
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Hamilton County District Court Clerk Wendy Dethlefs was honored by the Nebraska Supreme Court at a ceremony in Lincoln on Tuesday.
Pictured above, junior quarterback Wyatt Pollet celebrates after scoring a TD to extend the lead to 27-6.

Pictured above, junior quarterback Wyatt Pollet celebrates after scoring a TD to extend the lead to 27-6.

No trick – Just a rematch treat

News Staff
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Aurora’s football team won its sixth game in a row Friday, downing previously undefeated Central City 27-12 to claim the C1-5 district championship. It sets up a rematch this week in the opening round of the C1 playoffs with the Huskies set to visit the Bison on Halloween night.
Annual tribute to Hamilton County workforce focuses on 2nd careers

Annual tribute to Hamilton County workforce focuses on 2nd careers

New paths, new purpose: Career shifts offer fresh start

News Staff
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
ANR's annual Workforce edition, which introduces readers to many of the men and women who keep Hamilton County running day after day, begins this year with three feature stories reflecting a trend in the national job market where for one reason or another employees pursue a new career.
Hank Robinson, executive director of Aksarben Full Value Agriculture, shared some sobering projections about the state’s ag economy during the Aurora Development Corporation’s annual meeting Oct. 21.

Hank Robinson, executive director of Aksarben Full Value Agriculture, shared some sobering projections about the state’s ag economy during the Aurora Development Corporation’s annual meeting Oct. 21.

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Aksarben leader outlines sobering ag forecast

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Hank Robinson shared some dire predictions about the 10-year future of the state’s ag economy last week in Aurora, followed by initiatives his organization is working on to remove “last-mile” barriers for alternative revenue options for Nebraska producers.
Avery Miller makes a quick escape from the Wolff Building as a clown (Brenden Zucco) chases after her Sunday night. Over 480 people visited the Hamilton County Haunted Fairgrounds during the opening weekend with many braving the maze twice or three times.

Avery Miller makes a quick escape from the Wolff Building as a clown (Brenden Zucco) chases after her Sunday night. Over 480 people visited the Hamilton County Haunted Fairgrounds during the opening weekend with many braving the maze twice or three times.

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Ag Society to debut ‘Not-So-Scary’ Haunt

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
For the young and the squeamish, the Hamilton County Haunted Fairgrounds will be hosting a ‘Not-So-Scary Haunt’ night for the community to visit on Thursday night only this week. The event will take place from 5-8 p.m.