This week's top stories

Mayor Seeman dedicates plaques honoring 25 fallen WWI veterans
Mayor Marlin Seeman honored 25 soldiers who died while serving their country from 1917 to 1918 Monday, reinstating the plaques that held their names in Veteran’s Circle at the Aurora Cemetery. 
The men, most of whom died in World War I, had their plaques reading their names spread out through Aurora at Cole Park, Streeter Park, Refshauge Park and Mitchell Field. Now they are finally all in one place after more than 10 years of planning. 
 “We don’t want these names to be forgotten,” Seeman said. “And so if you go to a park and you see it, you don’t really understand like context, the magnitude of that loss to all of those families and now we can bring them together.”

Moeller reflects on NSP career: ‘Always loved working the road’
Nebraska State Patrol officer Brad Moeller retired March 1 after 32 years in law enforcement, 23 of which was spent with the state patrol. 
Moeller, 58, reflected on what has changed with the NSP, what challenges officers have to overcome to be a part of the organization and why he joined. 
“I did like the idea of being able to actually retire at a younger age and not have to put in quite so many years, like we would with the sheriff’s office, because they did have the pension program,” he said. “And that was what put me over the top. Plus, it was a challenge. I knew it would be a challenge, especially at 34 years old to go through the training academy.”

Aurora unified tracksters make first-ever appearance at state
For the first time ever Aurora High School’s unified track team made an appearance at the state track competition in Omaha. 
It was surely just as exciting for the athletes as it was everyone else involved.
“It was a pretty exciting year,” agreed Emily McCartney, coach and special education teacher at Aurora. “I had nine students on the unified track team this year and this is actually the first year that Aurora has ever made it to state in a unified sport.”
Though the events are pretty similar to that of a usual track meet, a unified sports team holds a few more personal goals for the athletes, peers and their coach.

A Memorial Day tribute, dedication
Despite high winds and a little spit of rain, more than 60 people crowded Veteran’s Circle at the Aurora Cemetery Monday to honor passed soldiers who served their country during war.
The opening of the ceremony was conducted by Commander Ron Paider who lead into the event with a short speech before Boy Scout Troop 28 advanced the colors. The Pledge of Allegiance was given, Pastor Penny Plock Shultz gave the invocation and then the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries laid two wreaths near the podium. 
“The least we can do is express our gratitude to those who have given their lives and to their families,” Paider said. “And to extend our appreciation to those are now putting their lives on the line for the cause of freedom.”

Walters rallies for Class B state medal
With just nine holes left in his high school golf career and the possibility of a medal slipping away, Cauy Walters summoned the birdie train. 
The Aurora senior birdied four of the next eight holes, finishing the back nine one-under par to steal a 15th place finish and the last position on the medal stand at last week’s Class B state golf tournament played at the Scottsbluff Country Club.
The mood coming off the 18th green was a bit nervy until the rest of the scores came in, then it was relief. 
“I was so relieved,” Walters said. “That entire day was pretty stressful. The pressure was there to earn a medal and it wasn’t easy the way the front nine turned out.”

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