News

Bands on the Bricks will return to Aurora for season six, starting Friday evening.

Bands on the Bricks will return to Aurora for season six, starting Friday evening.

Bands on the Bricks to return downtown

Richard Rhoden
Monday, July 3, 2023
Tune up the band because the downtown bricks are ready for a good time. Now a strong mid-summertime tradition in Aurora, Bands on the Bricks returns for a sixth year on the downtown square.
A group of approximately 40 people carried a banner and waved rainbow-colored flags along Highway 14 during the third annual Pride march Saturday in Aurora.

A group of approximately 40 people carried a banner and waved rainbow-colored flags along Highway 14 during the third annual Pride march Saturday in Aurora.

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Sallans shares story at Pride event

Kurt Johnson
Monday, July 3, 2023
Ryan Sallans is known nationally as an inspirational speaker and author who utilizes storytelling to help federal magistrate judges and others willing to listen understand the differences between sex, gender orientation and expression.
Foreign exchange student Asya Shendag, right, poses for a picture back home in Bulgaria with her grandmother Manuela Russeva, who is a longtime friend of Aurora resident Thomas Goetz.

Foreign exchange student Asya Shendag, right, poses for a picture back home in Bulgaria with her grandmother Manuela Russeva, who is a longtime friend of Aurora resident Thomas Goetz.

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Visit to Aurora rekindles 30-year international friendship

Ron Burtz
Monday, July 3, 2023
An international friendship between an American businessman and a citizen of Bulgaria that began nearly 30 years ago after the fall of the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe was extended to a third generation recently, and it happened right here in Hamilton County.
This lot at 415 10th St. in Aurora is one of four properties scheduled to become Habitat for Humanity homes in the coming year.

This lot at 415 10th St. in Aurora is one of four properties scheduled to become Habitat for Humanity homes in the coming year.

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Habitat for Humanity buys 4 lots in Aurora

Kurt Johnson
Monday, July 3, 2023
Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity (GIAHFH) has announced the acquisition of four pieces of land in the City of Aurora. This expansion is a part of the board of director’s strategic plan to expand programming into all four counties within the organization’s service area.
The wall of this Hamilton Telecommunications building on 12th Street will serve as a canvass for a mural project planned by the Hamilton Community Foundation.

The wall of this Hamilton Telecommunications building on 12th Street will serve as a canvass for a mural project planned by the Hamilton Community Foundation.

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Artist, proposal sought for downtown mural

Kurt Johnson
Monday, July 3, 2023
The Hamilton Community Foundation Fine Arts Committee is looking for an artist to create a mural that creates a sense of place within the community.
Kari Valentine, one of the organizers of Opportune Acres, instructs many of the swim lessons herself during a four-week program at the Leadership Center.

Kari Valentine, one of the organizers of Opportune Acres, instructs many of the swim lessons herself during a four-week program at the Leadership Center.

This week's top stories

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Opportune Acres offering a water good time for allProviding all children the same possibilites has been a lifelong goal for Kari Valentine and those passions have led to quite the program.
Fireworks will light the night sky July 3 in Phillips.

Fireworks will light the night sky July 3 in Phillips.

Phillips ready to light up with 4th celebration

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
The growing village of Phillips is gearing up for its summer celebration, the annual Fourth of July shindig which features food, fireworks, kids games and a car/tractor show.
The Hamilton County Courthouse.

The Hamilton County Courthouse.

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County mulls courthouse renovation

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
The $2 million renovation and preservation of Hamilton County’s 150-year-old courthouse was front and center at Monday’s regular meeting of the county Board of Commissioners.
Several Eloe family members gathered with winners of the William and Delight Eloe Award Friday. Pictured front from left are Beth Eloe-Reep, Howard Eloe, Paul Eloe, Julie Taylor, Bill Eloe. Back row, from left, with the year they received the Eloe Award in parenthesis are: Laurie Anderson (2018), Doug Monson (2020), Karrie Wiarda (2014), Jason Frew (2017), Jessica Gallagher (2015), Amy Wilson (2016), Haley Sigler (2023), Maggie Rasmussen (2012). Eloe award recipients not pictured include Randy Maahs (2022),

Several Eloe family members gathered with winners of the William and Delight Eloe Award Friday. Pictured front from left are Beth Eloe-Reep, Howard Eloe, Paul Eloe, Julie Taylor, Bill Eloe. Back row, from left, with the year they received the Eloe Award in parenthesis are: Laurie Anderson (2018), Doug Monson (2020), Karrie Wiarda (2014), Jason Frew (2017), Jessica Gallagher (2015), Amy Wilson (2016), Haley Sigler (2023), Maggie Rasmussen (2012). Eloe award recipients not pictured include Randy Maahs (2022),

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Eloe family, award winners share love for education

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Friday was a special night for Aurora educators named winners of the William and Delight Eloe Award as they were able to meet and spend time with members of the Eloe family, sharing their passion for education.
Maddie “Mad Dog” Barnes performs an original song on her way to taking first place in the 18+ Division at AGT.

Maddie “Mad Dog” Barnes performs an original song on her way to taking first place in the 18+ Division at AGT.

Aurora’s Got Talent crowns 2023 winners

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Aurora’s got musical talent and it was on display Thursday night during Family Night of A’ROR’N Days 2023.