News

The Hamilton County Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild will be hosting a Barn Quilt Painting Workshop at the Aurora Messiah Lutheran Church

The Hamilton County Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild will be hosting a Barn Quilt Painting Workshop at the Aurora Messiah Lutheran Church

Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild to host barn quilt workshop

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Hamilton County Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild will be hosting a Barn Quilt Painting Workshop at the Aurora Messiah Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 22 from 1-4 p.m.
This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.

This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.

Clearing reported confusion on rural zoning regulations

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Homeowners who live in Hamilton County’s towns and villages are generally aware that building permits are needed before construction projects are started and that zoning ordinances come into play when making changes to one’s property.
Adam Darbro

Adam Darbro

Darbro named new city administrator

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Adam Darbro moved to the head of the table at City Hall last week after being confirmed as Aurora’s new city administrator.Darbro, a 2003 Aurora graduate, joined the city staff in 2015 and has worked in the public works department since that time, also handling the role of zoning administrator.
Though not confirmed as an EAB infested ash, this tree, located between East Park Villa and the Bremer Center, shows signs of blonding, bark scraping and EAB exit holes, according to Aurora arborist Ben McEndarfer.

Though not confirmed as an EAB infested ash, this tree, located between East Park Villa and the Bremer Center, shows signs of blonding, bark scraping and EAB exit holes, according to Aurora arborist Ben McEndarfer.

Emerald Ash Borer confirmed in county

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Nebraska Forest Service reported last week that infestations of Emerald Ash Borer have been confirmed in Hamilton County, bringing the total of counties impacted in Nebraska to 16.
The former Gambles building has been declared a dangerous building by the city, with owner Stan Valasek ordered to repair or demolish it immediately.

The former Gambles building has been declared a dangerous building by the city, with owner Stan Valasek ordered to repair or demolish it immediately.

‘Do it now!’: City gives owner last chance on unsafe building

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The former Gambles building in downtown Aurora was declared a “dangerous building” last week by the Aurora City Council, with owner Stan Valasek being told he must vacate, repair and/or demolish the building immediately as a matter of public safety.
This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.

This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Homeowners who live in Hamilton County’s towns and villages are generally aware that building permits are needed before construction projects are started and that zoning ordinances come into play when making changes to one’s property.
The former Gambles building has been declared a dangerous building by the city, with owner Stan Valasek ordered to repair or demolish it immediately.

The former Gambles building has been declared a dangerous building by the city, with owner Stan Valasek ordered to repair or demolish it immediately.

‘Do it now!’: City gives owner final chance to save or demolish unsafe structure

Kurt Johnson
Thursday, July 10, 2025
The former Gambles building in downtown Aurora was declared a “dangerous building” Tuesday by the Aurora City Council, with owner Stan Valasek being told he must vacate, repair and/or demolish the building immediately as a matter of public safety.
This trail in Streeter Park is one of many mentioned in a detailed JEO Consulting trails report, which is now being used as a key reference by the Hamilton County Trails Committee.

This trail in Streeter Park is one of many mentioned in a detailed JEO Consulting trails report, which is now being used as a key reference by the Hamilton County Trails Committee.

Trails committee shares vision for expanding network

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
A new sidewalk planned on the east side of the renovated 1st Street project will be widened from five to six feet in the coming weeks, with the expansion funded by a newly formed committee announcing the change as Phase I of a long-term mission to expand and possibly connect existing trail systems...
The east side steps of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been removed for the first phase of a major reconstruction project

The east side steps of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been removed for the first phase of a major reconstruction project

Courthouse restoration begins

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
There’s one less option for entering or exiting the historic Hamilton County Courthouse this week. The first phase of restoration and renovation by Kingery Construction of Lincoln is underway and the first project is to replace the steps to the main entrance on the east side by the parking lot.
Kids dance to the music at one of the 2024 Bands on the Bricks Fridays.

Kids dance to the music at one of the 2024 Bands on the Bricks Fridays.

Bands on the Bricks event to begin 8th year

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Bands on the Bricks returns to the downtown square to begin its 2025 season Friday with performances each Friday until Aug. 15.Event organizer Sara Sutherland said Bands on the Bricks is set to create fun-filled memories for all who attend the six-week series.