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Students in grades 7-11 at Hampton and Heartland schools chose the name Bearcats as the mascot for the new sports coop.

Students in grades 7-11 at Hampton and Heartland schools chose the name Bearcats as the mascot for the new sports coop.

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Hampton/Heartland students pick mascot

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The 7-11 grade students of Hampton and Heartland schools have spoken and the mascot for the new sports cooperative between the two schools will be (drum roll, please) the “Bearcats!” The simultaneous voting by underclassmen at both schools was to have taken place on Thursday last week.
The Leadership Center hosted its first Farm Toy Show on Sunday with visitors and vendors coming from all over Nebraska eager to find antique farm toys in addition to dolls, games and other pop culture items offered at the show. Event co-organizer Chaz Boeder (right) showcases his farm toy model to brothers Jake and Garrett Byerly.

The Leadership Center hosted its first Farm Toy Show on Sunday with visitors and vendors coming from all over Nebraska eager to find antique farm toys in addition to dolls, games and other pop culture items offered at the show. Event co-organizer Chaz Boeder (right) showcases his farm toy model to brothers Jake and Garrett Byerly.

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Farm Toy Show brings fun to Aurora’s Leadership Center

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The Leadership Center in Aurora presented its first ever Farm Toy Show on Sunday and received praise from patrons and vendors alike. Organizers say it will become an annual event.
Chad Farrall (center left) will be relocating his business, Farrallbuilt, to Hatfield Street where Lindquist Welding previously operated. Farrallbuilt is expected to be fully moved to its new location in early March. Pictured from left are: Farrall’s daughter Ellie Brown, his wife Becky, and Kay and Jim Lindquist.

Chad Farrall (center left) will be relocating his business, Farrallbuilt, to Hatfield Street where Lindquist Welding previously operated. Farrallbuilt is expected to be fully moved to its new location in early March. Pictured from left are: Farrall’s daughter Ellie Brown, his wife Becky, and Kay and Jim Lindquist.

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News Staff
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Five years after Lindquist Welding closed its doors, the shop on Hatfield Street in Giltner will become a new home for Farrallbuilt Welding.
The Aurora City Council approved a maintenance agreement with the state last week which doubled the cost of snow removal and maintenance on state highways running through town to $28,770. Pictured here, a state road crew plows snow from Highway 14 after last week’s storm.

The Aurora City Council approved a maintenance agreement with the state last week which doubled the cost of snow removal and maintenance on state highways running through town to $28,770. Pictured here, a state road crew plows snow from Highway 14 after last week’s storm.

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City’s rate for state road maintenance doubles to $28,770

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
The Aurora City Council voted to renew a maintenance agreement with the State Department of Roads last week, noting a price increase which doubles the rate to $28,770, an increase of $14,189.
Giltner Public Schools

Giltner Public Schools

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Gordon picked as Giltner supt.

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
In an unusual Sunday afternoon special meeting, the Giltner School Board approved the issuance of a superintendent contract to Matt Gordon for the 2025-2026 school year. Gordon is currently the superintendent of the Amherst Public School near Kearney.
Aurora Cooperative CEO Chris Decker shares his thoughts during a “State of the Coop” session at last week’s annual meeting in Grand Island.

Aurora Cooperative CEO Chris Decker shares his thoughts during a “State of the Coop” session at last week’s annual meeting in Grand Island.

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Aurora Coop: ‘Our strength lies in our unity’

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
The Aurora Cooperative shared a spirit of unity at its annual meeting in Grand Island, reflecting on a year of operation under the “AuroraOne” management plan introduced a year ago on the same stage.
The Aurora 4R School District will be joining the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program next fall

The Aurora 4R School District will be joining the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program next fall

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Aurora schools to join Jobs for America’s Graduates

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
The Aurora 4R School District will be joining the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program next fall, tapping into a curriculum sponsored by the United Way of Nebraska which is designed to help prepare high school students to enter the workforce.
Demolition of Hampton's 1893 opera house is expected to begin in March

Demolition of Hampton's 1893 opera house is expected to begin in March

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Opera house demolition could begin in March

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Demolition of the old Hampton opera house at the corner of North 3rd and B streets could begin next month under a plan discussed at the Hampton Village Board meeting last week. At the Feb.
Hampton and Heartland school district finalize sports cooperative.

Hampton and Heartland school district finalize sports cooperative.

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Hampton/Heartland sports coop is a go

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
A vote taken at a special meeting held by the Heartland Community Schools Board of Education last Wednesday night in Henderson confirmed a new sports cooperative agreement between Heartland and Hampton Public Schools, just 12 miles down the road.
Volunteers at the United Methodist Church completed the fabric restoration project on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Volunteers at the United Methodist Church completed the fabric restoration project on Saturday, Feb. 2.

United Methodist Church completes fabric restoration

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Members of the Aurora United Methodist Church were able to admire the new glow of the church’s large cross in the sanctuary during their Feb. 2 Sunday worship after spending two weeks restoring the fabric around the cross.