This week's top stories

  • Doris Winkler performs “The Plowshare Song” during a Monday night program celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Aurora.
    Doris Winkler performs “The Plowshare Song” during a Monday night program celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Aurora.
  • Volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse pause for a photo opp while helping provide aid near the fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Aurora native Brian Kremer is pictured third from left.
    Volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse pause for a photo opp while helping provide aid near the fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Aurora native Brian Kremer is pictured third from left.
  • Lucas Talkington (center) was among the first drivers to renew his license at the new facility. Also featured is Talkington’s mother, Holly (left) and DMV examiner Amy Scamehorn.
    Lucas Talkington (center) was among the first drivers to renew his license at the new facility. Also featured is Talkington’s mother, Holly (left) and DMV examiner Amy Scamehorn.
  • Mike Peard (left) and Kenny Vincik oversee the frying of the main course for the annual Triple B Feed in Phillips Thursday night.
    Mike Peard (left) and Kenny Vincik oversee the frying of the main course for the annual Triple B Feed in Phillips Thursday night.
  • Andrew ‘Andy’ Jones works alongside his canine partner Samson to check baggage for potential explosives at the Los Angeles International Airport during his time with the TSA.
    Andrew ‘Andy’ Jones works alongside his canine partner Samson to check baggage for potential explosives at the Los Angeles International Airport during his time with the TSA.
  • This year's health fair is set for Feb. 8
    This year's health fair is set for Feb. 8

    A group of 30 area residents gathered at the Alice Farr Library Monday to celebrate Martin Luther King Day and reflect on the continuing struggles toward racial unity in America. Dorothy Molczyk led the hour-long program which featured a viewing of King’s famed “I have a dream speech” as well as reflections on how things and perspectives have changed since that day in 1963, both nationally at here at home.

    Footage of fire-ravaged Southern California on the nightly news has seared images of horrific loss here in Nebraska, but for local native Brian Kremer the devastation hits very close to home. The 1986 AHS graduate spent 22 years as an engineer/paramedic for Ventura City Fire not far from Los Angeles, driving a ladder truck and working on both the urban search and rescue and hazmat teams. He retired in 2023, but remains active in an organization called Firefighters for Christ, which sent a team of volunteers not far from where he lives to provide relief for what is already being called one of the largest natural disasters in American history.

    The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver’s licensing facility reopened its doors on Tuesday, allowing drivers to renew their licenses in Hamilton County at its new testing facility inside the 4-H Building at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The drivers licensing office will be open every Tuesday from 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

    It wouldn’t have taken much to beat last year’s attendance at Phillips’s 38th annual Triple B Feed held at Phillips Memorial Hall on Thursday night. The 2024 edition of the annual fundraiser for the Phillips Community Foundation took place in the middle of a powerful snow squall that caused accidents and shut down many community events. Only about 400 people showed up and things were wrapped up pretty quickly so folks could get home. Milder temperatures and clear roads this year helped bring out a total of 661 hungry patrons, setting a new record attendance.

    It can be a ‘ruff’ job making sure every passenger is safe before they board a commercial flight, but with the help of his canine companions Army veteran Andrew ‘Andy’ Jones, has spent the last 20 years protecting travelers. As a boy, Jones moved with his family to Aurora after his father, Leland, retired from the U.S. Navy in 1977. Growing up alongside his three siblings, he was determined to follow his father and brother into military service. Read on Page A4 of this week's ANR about Jones's long career of serving his country both in the U.S. Army and the Department of Homeland Security.

    The Live Healthy Health Fair is returning to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds for its 28th annual run Saturday, Feb. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year, the health fair will take place inside the Commercial Building, where the community and visitors can meet and learn about health resources provided by healthcare professionals and organizations, according to Tina Hunt, Memorial Community Health marketing director and a co-coordinator alongside Memorial Foundation director ReAnn Regier of the health fair.

    Find these stories and more, plus our annual Prime Time edition with a salute to seniors, in the print and e-editions of this week's Aurora News-Register.