News

Carl Smith and Jannelle Seim plan to run for city council in their respective wards in 2026.

Carl Smith and Jannelle Seim plan to run for city council in their respective wards in 2026.

Former write-ins announce intent to serve at City Hall

News Staff
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Two Aurora residents who both ran unsuccessfully as write-in candidates in the 2024 election for city council have announced their intentions to put their names on the ballot in their wards in next year's general election.
Island breezes are blowing in Booster Days 2025

Island breezes are blowing in Booster Days 2025

Surf’s up for Hampton Booster Days 2025

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Can’t afford a trip to the Hawaiian islands? Well, then say “Aloha Hampton!” That’s the theme for the village’s annual Booster Days celebration which starts on Friday and runs through Sunday evening and features a luau of fun for everyone.
Pictured are watering team volunteers Julie Wasem (left) and Dawn Haymart, giving the newly planted flowers a drink using their golf cart water wagon.

Pictured are watering team volunteers Julie Wasem (left) and Dawn Haymart, giving the newly planted flowers a drink using their golf cart water wagon.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
A team of volunteers planted the flower baskets on the square Thursday, working quickly to finish before an anticipated afternoon rain shower.
Jonathan Scheerer-Hamm

Jonathan Scheerer-Hamm

Former High Plains coach facing numerous charges

News Staff
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
A former para educator and coach at High Plains Community Schools is behind bars. According to the Merrick County Sheriff’s Office, Jonathan Scheerer-Hamm of Clarks is accused of being in a “sexual relationship with a student.” The 28-year-old, who went by the name J.T.
Ron Elge stands and salutes the presentation of colors during the Memorial Day service at the Aurora Cemetery on Monday.

Ron Elge stands and salutes the presentation of colors during the Memorial Day service at the Aurora Cemetery on Monday.

True heroes remembered

Samuel Wishman
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
After a weekend of much-needed rain, the showers stopped briefly for the Memorial Day service at the Aurora cemetery, hosted by the American Legion Post 42 of Aurora.While the overcast day may have turned away some from the event, many showed up to honor the veterans of Hamilton County.
Tammy Morris presents the Eloe Award to Scott Phillips.

Tammy Morris presents the Eloe Award to Scott Phillips.

Phillips adds to teaching honors

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Just a few months after completing a one-year stint as Nebraska’s Teacher of the Year, Aurora Middle School math teacher Scott Phillips was announced Thursday as the 2025 winner of the William C. and Delight M. Eloe Award for Inspirational Academic Leadership.
Students in Hampton and Heartland Community Schools were given the opportunity to see what each of the two logo choices for the new H&H sports coop would look like on equipment and apparel prior to voting for their favorite on May 14.

Students in Hampton and Heartland Community Schools were given the opportunity to see what each of the two logo choices for the new H&H sports coop would look like on equipment and apparel prior to voting for their favorite on May 14.

Students select H&H Bearcat logo

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
The students of the new H&H Sports Cooperative formed between Hampton and Heartland Schools of Henderson have spoken again and we now know what the coop’s mascot will look like.
Celebrate the Class of '25

Celebrate the Class of '25

Celebrating area graduates

News Staff
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
A full page of photos on A11 of this week's ANR takes a look back at a full month of graduations at Aurora, Giltner, Hampton and High Plains high schools.
From left: Clinton Griess, Damaris Olsen, Dane Schafer, Todd Roehrs, Danielle Bamesberger and Gene Winters, members of the Hampton Veterans Memorial Committee, stand beside the memorial project display board.

From left: Clinton Griess, Damaris Olsen, Dane Schafer, Todd Roehrs, Danielle Bamesberger and Gene Winters, members of the Hampton Veterans Memorial Committee, stand beside the memorial project display board.

Hampton’s veterans memorial project moving forward

Samuel Wishman
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
A growing effort to honor Hampton veterans is gaining momentum, with the committee hosting a fundraising event.Plans for the Hampton Veterans Memorial started with Rodger Bamesberger, the late owner of Bamesberger Welding, who passed away in 2022.
Lori Thiele and Michaela Perry

Lori Thiele and Michaela Perry

HCF staff change brings new leadership to WIP, YEP

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
The Hamilton Community Foundation’s (HCF) outreach programs, Women in Philanthropy (WIP) and Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) will be under new leadership when they start up again in the fall.