This week's top stories

Austin Allen beginning NFL career in New York
It was a phone call Austin Allen will never forget, one he waited several days for which left him with a chip on the shoulder. 
Seven rounds had come and gone over a three-day period in the 2022 NFL draft and the former Aurora Husky’s name was never called as one of the 262 selections. 
While frustrating for the 2021 Big Ten tight end of the year, Allen was grateful for his phone to finally ring with an out-of-area phone number.
Specifically, a New York number. 
Allen was picked up as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants and over the past few months has gone through rookie mini camps, offseason workouts, finally beginning training camp last week. 

Ideal weather, high  attendance boost fair
As the dust settles on another jam-packed year of the Hamilton County Fair, those in deepest with fair planning, prep and execution had a chance to reflect on another successful event under their belts.
“Everybody talked like this was one of the best fairs we’ve ever had in Hamilton County,” said Ag Society Secretary Jeremy Brandt. “They said that there were plenty of different ideas and things to see, especially bringing back the demo derby. People were really pumped about that. They were so excited and want to see it (back) again.”
Tuesday and Wednesday’s crowds were on the lighter side, to no fault of the fair, as the day hosted smaller livestock shows and exhibit/livestock check-ins. After that, the fair was off with flying colors. 

Pepper-eating contest ends in dead heat
Four brave souls ate up an entire inventory of hot peppers during Saturday’s second annual eating contest at the Hamilton County Fair, swallowing “the world’s hottest pepper” -- the famed Carolina Reeper -- with no problem.
Chowing down in front of a capacity demolition derby crowd, a field of 10 competitors participated in this year’s event. Two of the 10 bowed out and needed a glass of cold milk to cool their tastebuds after swallowing giant jalapeno peppers in the second round, and the field was narrowed further still with a round of orange cobanero peppers. Only four remained after a tasting of Trinidad Scorpion peppers, which prompted all the remaining contestants to slip on plastic gloves to protect their finger tips.

Joshua Hillmann to be installed as pastor in Aurora
Joshua Hillmann will be installed as the pastor of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Aurora Saturday at 4 p.m., continuing his 20-year career as a spiritual leader.
Hillmann will lead worship on Aug. 14, replacing acting pastor Tom Schneider of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grand Island, who took over for pastor Wayne Obelender, becoming the first local pastor of the Aurora congregation in two years. Hillmann comes from Wisconsin, having served congregations in Broken Bow, Beatrice, Gordon and Martin, S.D.
“I think each community gives its own vibe and opens itself up to different things,” he said on his experience in travelling to various towns.

Tempo tap-dances to the top
Click-a-Clack-a, Click-a-Clack-a, goes two pairs of tap dance shoes at the Tempo Performing Arts Studio on the downtown square. Teaching her niece Lola Nissen to perform in time with “You Make Me Feel like Dancing” by Leo Sayer, Ashley Parker teaches with a mix of measured corrections and a showering of compliments. 
To Parker, this is an example of her approach when it comes to a passion she has had since she was 2 years old -- dancing. 
“My main thing is that I want the kids to learn, but I want them to enjoy it,” Parker described. “I never want to burn someone out... You know, I’ve had teachers before that are just strictly technique. We work on these things, but you don’t get to have any fun and then I’ve had teachers that are a little bit too fun, so it’s finding that happy medium.”
Before her career as a dancing instructor...

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