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Aurora native Steve Willis retired in January after working 40 years at Stephens and Smith Construction in Lincoln where he served the last 15 years as company CEO. During his career, Willis was involved in helping build data centers, jails and substations. He is pictured here with his wife, Audrey.

Aurora native Steve Willis retired in January after working 40 years at Stephens and Smith Construction in Lincoln where he served the last 15 years as company CEO. During his career, Willis was involved in helping build data centers, jails and substations. He is pictured here with his wife, Audrey.

Aurora grad Willis has built a strong career in construction

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
From learning to lay brick and pound nails as a boy growing up in Aurora in the 1970s, to now being retired from a more than 40-year career in construction, Steve Willis has built a life around the work ethic and values he learned in his hometown.
Market on the Square begins for a new season this Saturday

Market on the Square begins for a new season this Saturday

Market on the Square kicks off

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Market on the Square will be kicking off its annual summer event this Saturday at the Hamilton County Courthouse parking lot.Taking place each Saturday from 8-11 a.m. until Saturday, Aug.
Melinda Montoya of Hampton was one of several area students to graduate from Nebraska colleges and universities last month. Montoya graduated cum laude with high distinction from Hastings College with a degree in Studio/Digital Art and Marketing.

Melinda Montoya of Hampton was one of several area students to graduate from Nebraska colleges and universities last month. Montoya graduated cum laude with high distinction from Hastings College with a degree in Studio/Digital Art and Marketing.

Hamilton County area students receive college degrees, diplomas

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
A number of local students have earned their degrees and graduated this spring from colleges and universities around the region, and many of them have earned academic awards along the way as well.
Opportune Acres’ Special Swimmers offers water safety and instruction for individuals with disabilities and other special needs. Its adaptive swim lessons and aquatic therapy to help children with autism and other disabilities learn how to swim and become comfortable in the water. Pictured from left are, instructor Andrea Krueger, swimmer Sutton Hake and Opportune Acres executive director and president Kari Valentine.

Opportune Acres’ Special Swimmers offers water safety and instruction for individuals with disabilities and other special needs. Its adaptive swim lessons and aquatic therapy to help children with autism and other disabilities learn how to swim and become comfortable in the water. Pictured from left are, instructor Andrea Krueger, swimmer Sutton Hake and Opportune Acres executive director and president Kari Valentine.

Opportune Acres offers swimming lessons for special needs kids

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
The nonprofit organization Opportune Acres in Marquette is gearing up to provide adaptive swimming lessons and aquatic therapy sessions this summer for area children with special needs.
Speaker Dan Kuester tells the attendees at the Hampton Veterans Memorial Fundraiser that the veterans park will be the community’s own version of Arlington National Cemetery.

Speaker Dan Kuester tells the attendees at the Hampton Veterans Memorial Fundraiser that the veterans park will be the community’s own version of Arlington National Cemetery.

Vets memorial event brings in nearly $37K

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
The planned Hampton Veterans Memorial Park took a big step forward in its fundraising Saturday night when nearly 150 people turned out from near and far for a meal and program at the City Auditorium.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Population increasing at county jail facility

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
The quarterly inspection of the Hamilton County Jail by the county commissioners on Monday turned up some notable statistics about the jail’s current population.
Carl Smith

Carl Smith

Smith to seek seat as Ward 3 councilman

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
An Aurora businessman who ran unsuccessfully as a write-in candidate for Aurora City Council last November announced his plans to throw his hat in the ring again for the Ward 3 seat on the ballot in 2026.
Jannelle Seim, president of the Aurora Housing Development Corporation, and Ravi Singh, an Aurora resident who is credited with the initial vision for a housing development on 9th Street, helped create a partnership with BonnaVilla Homes that will end with four single-family homes built and installed by BonnaVilla in the newly created Singh Subdivision. Not pictured on the project site is Mike Morrow, general manager at BonnaVilla Homes.

Jannelle Seim, president of the Aurora Housing Development Corporation, and Ravi Singh, an Aurora resident who is credited with the initial vision for a housing development on 9th Street, helped create a partnership with BonnaVilla Homes that will end with four single-family homes built and installed by BonnaVilla in the newly created Singh Subdivision. Not pictured on the project site is Mike Morrow, general manager at BonnaVilla Homes.

Four-unit Singh Subdivision reflects partnership involving 3 local entities

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
A 2.8-acre parcel of ground on the south end of 9th Street in Aurora will soon become home to the community’s newest housing subdivision, mirroring a successful partnership from previous years with one of the area’s largest employers.
Golf carts and UTVs are now allowed to be operated on city streets in Aurora under new ordinances passed last week by the city council. (News-Register illustration by Ron Burtz)

Golf carts and UTVs are now allowed to be operated on city streets in Aurora under new ordinances passed last week by the city council. (News-Register illustration by Ron Burtz)

City gives golf carts, UTVs green light

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Golf carts and utility-type vehicles may be legally driven on the streets of Aurora as of Monday, based on citizen requests that led to unanimous votes of the Aurora City Council at its May 27 meeting.