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The latest design rendering for the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground shows the location of the various pieces of playground equipment, a shaded picnic area in the upper left and the restrooms at right. The view is looking south as seen from above Old Creek Road.

The latest design rendering for the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground shows the location of the various pieces of playground equipment, a shaded picnic area in the upper left and the restrooms at right. The view is looking south as seen from above Old Creek Road.

Construction could begin this fall on Aurora’s new inclusive playground

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Groundbreaking ceremonies could take place as early as next month for the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground planned for the north side of Aurora along Highway 14.
The 2025 Hamilton County Fair results tab has it all

The 2025 Hamilton County Fair results tab has it all

All the 2025 Hamilton County Fair results at your fingertips

News Staff
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
The 2025 Hamilton County Fair results tab has it all, from winners of the various animal shows to the livestock buyers to 4-H and FFA ribbon winners. Readers will find 48 big pages of fair information and photos tucked into every print edition of this week's ANR. 
This drone photo shows the footprint of the Love’s Travel Stop location at Aurora’s Interstate 80 intersection. The company has announced plans for a $3 million renovation/expansion project, with specific construction details still pending.

This drone photo shows the footprint of the Love’s Travel Stop location at Aurora’s Interstate 80 intersection. The company has announced plans for a $3 million renovation/expansion project, with specific construction details still pending.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Twenty-two years after Love’s Travel Stop planted its flag in Aurora, the Oklahoma-based company is upgrading its I-80 facilities with a $3 million renovation/expansion.
The proposed layout of the new Extension building to be built at the fairgrounds

The proposed layout of the new Extension building to be built at the fairgrounds

County to hire Chapman firm for Extension construction project

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
It didn’t happen without quite a bit of tense discussion, but the plan to construct a new home at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds for the county Extension office took another huge step forward on Monday.
Five veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor in a ceremony hosted by the Hamilton County Thimble Quilt Guild at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Sunday afternoon. Veterans who received their quilts includes from left: Marvin Weir, Larry Tournor, Dale Saddler, Jerald Reichert and Mike Powell.

Five veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor in a ceremony hosted by the Hamilton County Thimble Quilt Guild at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Sunday afternoon. Veterans who received their quilts includes from left: Marvin Weir, Larry Tournor, Dale Saddler, Jerald Reichert and Mike Powell.

Five veterans honored with Quilts of Valor during county fair

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Five veterans were honored with their own Quilts of Valor presented by the Hamilton County Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild and the Hamilton Community Foundation at the Hamilton County Fair Sunday.
This north to south view of 1st Street taken Monday morning shows that half of the street has been poured from just beyond Park Lane all the way to the railroad tracks. Crews plan to begin pouring the other half this week, with hopes of having the street accessible in the school area by the time school bells are scheduled to ring Aug. 14-15.

This north to south view of 1st Street taken Monday morning shows that half of the street has been poured from just beyond Park Lane all the way to the railroad tracks. Crews plan to begin pouring the other half this week, with hopes of having the street accessible in the school area by the time school bells are scheduled to ring Aug. 14-15.

City council reviews 1-, 6-year street plan

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
The Aurora City Council reviewed a proposed one- and six-year street plan last week which included several new short- and long-term projects.
Giltner grad Carmen (Wagner) Samples served as a drug prevention volunteer for over 30 years to help people make healthier decisions. She made 15 trips to Lithuana with Operation Snowball to work with youth and adults in drug prevention.

Giltner grad Carmen (Wagner) Samples served as a drug prevention volunteer for over 30 years to help people make healthier decisions. She made 15 trips to Lithuana with Operation Snowball to work with youth and adults in drug prevention.

Samples takes drug prevention training to Lithuania

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Serving in Operation Snowball and teaching Lithuanians about health and drug abuse prevention has given Giltner native Carmen (Wagner) Samples an opportunity to help young people in that eastern European country live healthy lives.
A cascade of dust falls from the roof and second floor of the former Gambles Store building in downtown Aurora as two huge excavators bring down the building a little at a time.

A cascade of dust falls from the roof and second floor of the former Gambles Store building in downtown Aurora as two huge excavators bring down the building a little at a time.

Gambles building leveled in hours

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
The former Gambles building on the east side of the square in Aurora was reduced to a pile of brick and debris Thursday, all in a matter of hours. Demolition started at about 8 a.m.
Aurora EMS

Aurora EMS

Darbro offers insight on EMS operations

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Even before Adam Darbro accepted the appointment as Aurora’s new city administrator, he knew full well that one of the biggest challenges on his plate would be to get a handle on the city’s ambulance service in terms of the impact it is having on city finances.
Hamilton County Ag Society member Richard Schaffert (center) was recognized for his service within the Ag Society and Hamilton County for more than 50 years on Thursday night at the opening ceremonies of the county fair. The fairgrounds Commercial Building was renamed the Richard & Stella Schaffert Exhibit Hall in their honor.

Hamilton County Ag Society member Richard Schaffert (center) was recognized for his service within the Ag Society and Hamilton County for more than 50 years on Thursday night at the opening ceremonies of the county fair. The fairgrounds Commercial Building was renamed the Richard & Stella Schaffert Exhibit Hall in their honor.

Commercial Building renamed after Richard Schaffert

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Aurora resident Richard Schaffert was recognized last week for his more than 50 years of dedication as a member of the Hamilton County Fair and Agricultural Society.