Combines roll as 2026 harvest begins in Hamilton County

Burn ban issued locally due to hot winds, dry fields 

Mitch Oswald, with the help of his dad, Mike driving the combine, begins harvesting a cornfield west of Aurora on Friday.
Mitch Oswald, with the help of his dad, Mike driving the combine, begins harvesting a cornfield west of Aurora on Friday.

The brilliant yellow/orange sunsets of the last few evenings are a sure sign that harvest is underway in Hamilton County. Another indication is reports of field fires around the area due to the dry and dusty crops and strong hot winds that have blown on recent afternoons.  The glowing sunrises and sunsets are a result of the large volume of dust (and some smoke) being thrown into the atmosphe…