News

Phillips resident Dorothy Benton reads her oath of office to become the village’s newest trustee. The retired attorney replaces Jason Fry who resigned from his seat on the board and his position as fire chief at the board’s May meeting.

Phillips resident Dorothy Benton reads her oath of office to become the village’s newest trustee. The retired attorney replaces Jason Fry who resigned from his seat on the board and his position as fire chief at the board’s May meeting.

Benton to replace Fry on Phillips Village Board

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The Phillips Village Board moved July 10 to replace former trustee Jason Fry who abruptly resigned from the board and from his position as Phillips’s fire chief at a meeting in May.
Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly was one of several speakers during a press conference Thursday in Grand Island kicking off the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative in the Central Region.

Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly was one of several speakers during a press conference Thursday in Grand Island kicking off the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative in the Central Region.

‘6 Regions, One Nebraska’ campaign begins

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
A broad coalition of state and local leaders convened in Grand Island Thursday to announce a “6 Regions, One Nebraska” initiative designed to reflect a new era of economic development.K.C.
The Upper Big Blue NRD Water & Regulations Committee

The Upper Big Blue NRD Water & Regulations Committee

NRD Water Committee seeks to move on from Synergen issue

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) Board of Directors appears to be determined to put the issue of the Synergen Green Energy water permit and also any discussion of a moratorium on large water user applications in the district behind it.
The preliminary design for the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground is seen in this artist rendering from the designers. Playground organizers are awaiting the final design which will add about 6,000 square feet to the project. The top of the photo represents Old Creek Road where the playground will be located.

The preliminary design for the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground is seen in this artist rendering from the designers. Playground organizers are awaiting the final design which will add about 6,000 square feet to the project. The top of the photo represents Old Creek Road where the playground will be located.

Playground receives $25K donation

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The Hamilton County Inclusive Playground project received a financial boost recently when the Aurora Lodge #68 A.F & A.M presented organizers with a donation of $25,000 pushing the fundraising total so far to $142,000.
Aurora City Council news

Aurora City Council news

Aurora City Council annexes Streeter 6th into city

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The Aurora City Council officially annexed the Streeter’s Sixth Addition into the city limits last week, further expanding the housing subdivision located west of 1st Street.Council members approved the third and final reading during a brief meeting July 9.
Fire near Phillips destroys container.

Fire near Phillips destroys container.

Thursday fire near Phillips destroys storage container

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Thick black smoke could be seen for miles Thursday morning after a shipping container being used for storage at the TC Machine welding shop near Phillips caught fire. Phillips Fire Department assistant chief Rob Evans said he’s not sure what caused the fire that broke out shortly before 10 a.m.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners

Voters express concerns about election integrity

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
About a dozen citizens of Hamilton County created a standing-room-only situation in the commission meeting room on Monday morning, but most of them left following the public comment time which is now at the top of the agenda.
Hampton Public Schools

Hampton Public Schools

Hampton to stay with Memorial for PT services

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Presented with two competing offers for physical therapy services at no cost to the district, the Hampton School Board has decided to stick with Memorial Health of Aurora, which has provided the service to the school for the past several years.
Giltner native Teresa White retired last week from her job as site admin at the Mars Petcare dog and cat food plant west of Aurora. White was the first person hired (as a secretary) when the plant was under construction in 1984.

Giltner native Teresa White retired last week from her job as site admin at the Mars Petcare dog and cat food plant west of Aurora. White was the first person hired (as a secretary) when the plant was under construction in 1984.

White retires after 40 years at Mars Petcare plant

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
There’s probably not one local resident who knows more about the history of the production pet food in Hamilton County over the past four decades than Teresa White.
Some of Randy Beckman's oil company signs on his property in Marquette.

Some of Randy Beckman's oil company signs on his property in Marquette.

Signs of trouble in Marquette

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Randy Beckman and a team of volunteers are planning to take down pieces of several vintage signs in Marquette during the next month, part of what he hopes is a short-term solution to a dispute involving the village’s ordinances regarding commercial signage.