News

City crews remove snow in downtown Aurora.

City crews remove snow in downtown Aurora.

City declares snow emergency, again

Kurt Johnson
Friday, January 12, 2024
Based on the forecast from the National Weather Service, Mayor Marlin Seeman has declared a “Snow Emergency” in the City of Aurora, to be in effect beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, and ending at 6 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13.
Billionaire Bill Gates, known for buying farmland across the United States, recently purchased more than 22,000 acres of Nebraska ag lands.

Billionaire Bill Gates, known for buying farmland across the United States, recently purchased more than 22,000 acres of Nebraska ag lands.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
This week's ANR takes an in depth look into who is buying Nebraska ag land.
The Specialty Ag Formulations building on the Mission Critical site started going vertical last week with construction crews working in cold weather on a facility expected to be operational by later this year. This project involved a $12 million building permit, the largest in 16 years.

The Specialty Ag Formulations building on the Mission Critical site started going vertical last week with construction crews working in cold weather on a facility expected to be operational by later this year. This project involved a $12 million building permit, the largest in 16 years.

Construction heats up in 2023

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Construction activity surged in 2023 with 133 total permits adding up to $26.7 million.That year-end tally got a boost from five permits topping the $1 million mark, including the largest single building permit issued in 16 years at Aurora City Hall.
A chart provided by the Central District Health Department shows the rise and fall of the flu seasons of 2019-2023.

A chart provided by the Central District Health Department shows the rise and fall of the flu seasons of 2019-2023.

Flu, respiratory viruses spread quickly in area

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
While the flu bug appears to be arriving a bit later than for the rest of the country here in Nebraska, there’s no shortage of upper respiratory virus in the local area, leaving people coughing, blowing their noses and dealing with fevers and other symptoms.
Scott Phillips outlines to the Aurora Rotary Club his plans and goals for his year of representing the state and Aurora as the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year.

Scott Phillips outlines to the Aurora Rotary Club his plans and goals for his year of representing the state and Aurora as the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year.

Phillips excited to begin tour as NE Teacher of the Year

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The flip of the school calendar to 2024 meant more than just a new semester for Aurora Middle School math teacher Scott Phillips. It also signaled the beginning of his tour of duty as Nebraska’s Teacher of the Year.
From left, Tyson Kottwitz, Leland, Angie and Reis Stump alongside their dog shadow.

From left, Tyson Kottwitz, Leland, Angie and Reis Stump alongside their dog shadow.

Flightline Repairs finds home in Giltner

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The Giltner Area Development Corporation (GADC) recently welcomed a mechanic business which has made its permanent home in Giltner. Flightline Repairs mechanic and co-owner, airman veteran Leland Stump, commented that he and his wife, Angie, are nearing a year since opening up shop in Giltner.
Healthy Living Health Fair set for Feb. 10

Healthy Living Health Fair set for Feb. 10

Live Healthy Health Fair to return

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The staff at Aurora’s Memorial Community Health Institute (MCHI) invites members of the community to attend the 27th Annual Live Healthy Health Fair on Feb. 10 at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hamilton County news

Hamilton County news

County approves CUP for Narber home

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Several months after their first appeal to the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners for a land use variance, father and son Conn and Cal Narber of Phillips Township made a return trip to Monday’s commission meeting, and this time they left with what they wanted — permission to add an additional...
The new Memorial Hall at Phillips

The new Memorial Hall at Phillips

Phillips awards bid for old Memorial Hall demo

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
With the date for the final closing of the sale of the Phillips Memorial Hall to the Phillips Community Foundation coming soon, the village board is moving ahead with plans to demolish the old Memorial Hall. At its first meeting of the new year on Jan.
The 146 acres of Hamilton County farm ground owned by Mt. Edna Farms, a shell company owned by billionaire Bill Gates, is in two adjoining parcels (outlined in red) near the intersection of Highway 34 and Nebraska 2.

The 146 acres of Hamilton County farm ground owned by Mt. Edna Farms, a shell company owned by billionaire Bill Gates, is in two adjoining parcels (outlined in red) near the intersection of Highway 34 and Nebraska 2.

Billionaire down the road

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The revelation that tech billionaire Bill Gates has purchased more than 22,000 acres of Nebraska farmland in the past several years may not seem like much to most Nebraskans, until they find out that some of that property is just down the road in your own county.