News

Members of a citizens focus group (seated at center table) present their findings during a report to the Aurora City Council at a May 26 meeting which drew approximately 40 people to the Bremer Center.

Members of a citizens focus group (seated at center table) present their findings during a report to the Aurora City Council at a May 26 meeting which drew approximately 40 people to the Bremer Center.

EMS focus group advises city: The issue is about leadership

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
A citizens focus group offered in-depth data analysis of Aurora’s EMS funding dilemma last week, concluding that cost should not be the deciding factor on whether the city decides to stay with its public operations or contract with a private provider.
Amelia Guenther, left, and Chris Hyde address the Aurora City Council during last week’s meeting, where the local firefighters union made its case as to why Aurora’s ambulance service should remain public, not go private.

Amelia Guenther, left, and Chris Hyde address the Aurora City Council during last week’s meeting, where the local firefighters union made its case as to why Aurora’s ambulance service should remain public, not go private.

Firefighters union defends public EMS service

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
The local firefighters union made its case to the Aurora City Council last week as to why its public EMS service would be better for the community than a proposal being considered from a private entity, while also raising concerns with a lack of support and clear leadership from the city in recent...
Booster Days in Hampton is this weekend

Booster Days in Hampton is this weekend

Summer Lovin’ Booster Days starts Friday

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
“Summer Lovin’ in Hampton” is the theme for this year’s Booster Days celebration set to kick off on Friday evening. That theme, according to organizing committee chair Corbin Fagan, is a loose nod to America’s 250th birthday this summer and the way the nation’s bicentennial was celebrated in 1976.
Committee members and other supporters of the new Hampton Veterans Memorial Park gathered at the site on the grounds of the City Auditorium on Memorial Day to celebrate the beginning of construction on the monument. Organizers hope to have the major part of construction on the park completed by this fall.

Committee members and other supporters of the new Hampton Veterans Memorial Park gathered at the site on the grounds of the City Auditorium on Memorial Day to celebrate the beginning of construction on the monument. Organizers hope to have the major part of construction on the park completed by this fall.

Veterans Memorial Park taking shape in Hampton

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Many of the folks who attended the Memorial Day services at the Hampton Cemetery took a few minutes to pose for a historic photo op before going in for the luncheon at the City Auditorium on May 25.
Todd Jensen, left, is sworn in as a new member of the Aurora City Council May 26 by Deputy Clerk Di Ana Leininger. Jensen will fill out the remaining 2-1/2 years of Wayne Roblee’s Ward 1 term.

Todd Jensen, left, is sworn in as a new member of the Aurora City Council May 26 by Deputy Clerk Di Ana Leininger. Jensen will fill out the remaining 2-1/2 years of Wayne Roblee’s Ward 1 term.

Jensen appointed to fill council seat

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
The newest member of the Aurora City Council was approved and sworn into office May 26 and wasted no time getting involved in the proceedings.
The bridge just north of the intersection at Kronborg will be replaced later this summer

The bridge just north of the intersection at Kronborg will be replaced later this summer

Bid for Kronborg bridge goes to Norfolk company

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
As expected after bids from five construction contractors were opened at the May 18 meeting of the Hamilton County Commission, the bid for replacing the Kronborg Bridge on North T Road was awarded to Norfolk Contracting on Monday.
Edgerton's Power Up Day Camp

Edgerton's Power Up Day Camp

Power Up Camp

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Linemen from Southern Public Power District demonstrated what happens when a powerline falls on a car at the Edgerton Explorit Center’s Power Up Electrical and Circuits Day Camp on Thursday.
The Students 4 Sustainability Club from CCC drilled holes in the ground and then placed nearly 30 different types of annuals and perennials for the garden, to provide food sources and a breeding grounds for butterflies, bees and other types of insects.

The Students 4 Sustainability Club from CCC drilled holes in the ground and then placed nearly 30 different types of annuals and perennials for the garden, to provide food sources and a breeding grounds for butterflies, bees and other types of insects.

CCC students plant pollinator garden in Phillips

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
The consistent rain last Friday kept many people indoors, but not the members of Students 4 Sustainability, who eagerly spent their morning planting a new pollinator garden in Phillips.
Little Stingers Childcare had its two modulars relocated to the lot south of Giltner Elementary School last week to expand its facilities in order to meet the growing needs for children and staff. Little Stingers will be hosting a womens nine-hole golf scramble on June 12 to raise money for the ongoing construction and facility needs.

Little Stingers Childcare had its two modulars relocated to the lot south of Giltner Elementary School last week to expand its facilities in order to meet the growing needs for children and staff. Little Stingers will be hosting a womens nine-hole golf scramble on June 12 to raise money for the ongoing construction and facility needs.

Little Stingers buzz over to new location

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
It was a sight to behold for the children at Little Stingers Childcare as they watched the tan modular be moved from Giltner Public Schools to the lot across from the elementary school playground where they were playing last Wednesday afternoon.
Siblings Grace and Noah Ziegler both graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Nebraska Omaha this spring. They are the children of Dan and Dixie Ziegler of Aurora.

Siblings Grace and Noah Ziegler both graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Nebraska Omaha this spring. They are the children of Dan and Dixie Ziegler of Aurora.

Local students graduate from area institutions

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
   Several students from or with connections to Hamilton County recently graduated from institutions of higher learning located around the area and region.    Among them was Tate Pfeifer, grandson of Aurora residents Jim and Laurie Pfeifer.