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Hamilton County's property valuation has increased by $265 million

Hamilton County's property valuation has increased by $265 million

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Valuation jumps $265M in county

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
The valuation of property in Hamilton County rose by a significant 6.7 percent in 2026, pushing the cumulative total to a record $4.2 billion.
ANR's fall sports preview features the inaugural season of H&H Football!

ANR's fall sports preview features the inaugural season of H&H Football!

Check out ANR's fall sports preview

News Staff
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
This week’s ANR features the annual fall sports preview, highlighting team photos and coaches’ preseason comments for all Aurora, Giltner, High Plains and Hampton teams.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

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County says no to EMS increase

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
A roll call vote of the Hamilton County Commissioners on Monday morning took much longer than usual as some commissioners mulled over how they should vote on a motion before them related to the county’s annual contribution to the Aurora EMS subsidy.
The new Hamilton County Extension building at the fairgrounds is done and ready for move-in.The 5,000 square foot office, meeting and storage space is expected to be fully open for business by mid-September.

The new Hamilton County Extension building at the fairgrounds is done and ready for move-in.The 5,000 square foot office, meeting and storage space is expected to be fully open for business by mid-September.

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New Extension HQ ready for occupancy

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
After more than eight months of construction and years in the planning, the new headquarters of the Hamilton County Extension office is complete and ready for occupancy.
The first stop on Tom and Patti Kell’s trip in the fall of 2025 to visit towns named Aurora was Aurora, S.D., where they had this picture taken of them at the city park. South Dakota’s Aurora is near Brookings and close to the Minnesota border.

The first stop on Tom and Patti Kell’s trip in the fall of 2025 to visit towns named Aurora was Aurora, S.D., where they had this picture taken of them at the city park. South Dakota’s Aurora is near Brookings and close to the Minnesota border.

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To Aurora, Maine and back again

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
It took 46 days, traveling 8,273 miles across 23 states, staying in 18 different campgrounds and goodness knows how many gallons of fuel (including coffee), but Aurorans Tom and Patti Kell managed to visit a total of 15 other towns named Aurora across the eastern half of the U.S. last fall.
Time trials for Aurora's cross country teams were held on Friday.

Time trials for Aurora's cross country teams were held on Friday.

The clock is ticking for Aurora cross country teams

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Aurora’s middle and high school cross country teams heard their families and friends cheering them on during time trials at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Friday afternoon. The high school teams will begin their competitive season at Grand Island Northwest at Ryder Park on Friday at 4 p.m.
A ribbon cutting and grand opening for the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m.

A ribbon cutting and grand opening for the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m.

Inclusive playground grand opening set for Saturday

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
The work is almost done and playtime is about to begin at the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground. After construction delays caused the original A’ROR’N Days date to be pushed back, organizers have now set the grand opening and ribbon cutting at the facility for Saturday at 10 a.m.
Students from Giltner pose for a picture during last year's Largest Classroom day at the State Fair.

Students from Giltner pose for a picture during last year's Largest Classroom day at the State Fair.

157th State Fair starts Friday in G.I.

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
It All Happens Here! The 2026 Nebraska State Fair returns to Fonner Park in Grand Island for its 17th year, running Friday, Aug. 28 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.
Joseph Young, CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, shared goals and priorities of the organization Thursday in a presentation at the Bremer Center which drew approximately 50 people.

Joseph Young, CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, shared goals and priorities of the organization Thursday in a presentation at the Bremer Center which drew approximately 50 people.

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NE Chamber urges ‘growth mindset’

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Nebraska has plenty going for it, but Joseph Young believes the state needs to do a better job of thinking, and acting, like a state that wants to grow.
Newly-appointed Hamilton County Attorney Nathan Heinz

Newly-appointed Hamilton County Attorney Nathan Heinz

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Heinz appointed county attorney

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Working to beat a Sept. 1 election filing deadline, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has confirmed York attorney Nathan Heinz as the choice to replace Douglas Dexter as the next full-time county attorney.