Anticipation, angst rise as musical curtain time draws near

As opening night of the musical draws closer and closer my excitement continues to grow. But, of course, my anxiety is starting to grow as well. This happened with Newsies too. We were a couple weeks out from having our first audience, and everything felt like a mess.

Community embraces Proctor family after long, painful search

A two-month search for an elderly Aurora couple that drew state and national attention ended Saturday, though not with the final result the community had been praying for. Tragically, Bob and Loveda Proctors’ lives ended on a rural road northeast of Kearney, two long months ago in mid-January.

Small rural communities and young adult singles -- are they compatible

I have observed something over the years. Aurora is a great place to raise a family. People move to town, start a family, raise the family, kids graduate then move away, only coming back when they, themselves are ready to raise their new family; and the cycle repeats.

Transparency strenghthens life, democracy at every level

The sun is shining a little brighter this week, though perhaps not outdoors in the up and down weather of March.

LB753 would hurt NE public schools

Dear Editor: The Nebraska Legislature’s revenue committee heard testimony Feb. 3 on a bill that would create a school voucher program.

Sharing memories of Bill Holliday

Dear Editor: My dad (who lives in Aurora) recently shared with me that Bill Holliday had passed. I had the privilege of playing basketball for him my senior year at AHS, which bridged 1974-75.

When tragedy strikes, ANR thinks family first

Sharing bad news is hard to do, period. Whether it’s with friends and family, or in our case with the entire community through the hometown newspaper, it can be gut-wrenching to look people you know in the eye and deliver details about a horrible crime or accident.

Teacher shortage issue demands legislative review

A workforce shortage issue amplified in recent years by the pandemic is having a real and sometimes dramatic impact on our community, state and nation, perhaps nowhere more than in our public schools.

DC trip sheds light on important ag issues

In February I had the opportunity to go to Washington DC with the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. You can also read more about this trip in this week’s Aurora News-Register from my husband’s perspective as president of Hamilton County Corn Growers.

Being overly involved comes at a high price

This time of year is hard. As high school students, mental health is preached at us from many different people. Coaches and teachers always tell us to take care of ourselves, but activities and school make that almost impossible to do, so how are we expected to always stay afloat?