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Musician 3rd Class Anton du Preez gets a group hug from the women of the Kingdom of Tonga as part of his 2011 Pacific Partnership tour. The Pacific Partnership is multinational tour that prepares Pacific-bordering nations for national disasters and provides medical assistance since 2004.

Musician 3rd Class Anton du Preez gets a group hug from the women of the Kingdom of Tonga as part of his 2011 Pacific Partnership tour. The Pacific Partnership is multinational tour that prepares Pacific-bordering nations for national disasters and provides medical assistance since 2004.

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All measures taken: a local’s voyage for peace

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Dec. 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, a day that lives in infamy, when the Japanese Empire attacked the U.S. Navy at its Hawaiian naval base.  In that moment, more than 2,000 U.S.
Tom Cornwell was featured in a February cover story of Toy Farmer magazine.

Tom Cornwell was featured in a February cover story of Toy Farmer magazine.

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Cornwell proud of auctioneering legacy

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Like a lot of boys growing up in rural Nebraska Tom Cornwell loved playing with farm toys as a kid, a fascination sparked by an Allis-Chalmers D17 he was given on his fifth birthday.
Jill Kottwitz is congratulated by Tom Dinsdale shortly after winning a 2022 GMC Terrain in Thursday’s Heartland United Way 25 Keys of Christmas car give-away.

Jill Kottwitz is congratulated by Tom Dinsdale shortly after winning a 2022 GMC Terrain in Thursday’s Heartland United Way 25 Keys of Christmas car give-away.

Kottwitz wins car in UW give-away

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
An Aurora woman who has supported the Heartland United Way for the past 25 years and believes in its mission was a winner herself Thursday when her number was drawn in a 25 Keys of Christmas car give-away.
This vehicle hit a pivot and went over the curb, causing damage to the left rear door panels. Police Chief Paul Graham stated that the driver caused the accident while pulling out underneath the pivot.

This vehicle hit a pivot and went over the curb, causing damage to the left rear door panels. Police Chief Paul Graham stated that the driver caused the accident while pulling out underneath the pivot.

Car-pivot collision blocks weekday flow on Highway 14

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
A driver collided with the back of a pivot on Highway 14, or 16th Street, near the Aurora Mall on Friday afternoon, with the overturned pivot blocking traffic for nearly an hour, according to Aurora Police Chief Paul Graham.
Iowa Teacher of the Year Krystal (Beed) Colbert, pictured here with her husband, Jason, and children Jamison and Emersynn.

Iowa Teacher of the Year Krystal (Beed) Colbert, pictured here with her husband, Jason, and children Jamison and Emersynn.

Aurora grad named Iowa’s top teacher

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Local native Krystal (Beed) Colbert, who credited Aurora teachers and coaches for inspiring her to pursue a career in education, was named last week as Iowa’s Teacher of the Year. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds made the announcement Nov.
From left to right, teacher and coach Nancy Lockmon, Principal Chris Pietrzak, Hamilton County deputy sheriff Drew Scott, counselor Ashley McCarter and paraeducator Karissa Bish observe and take record as teacher Dani Trosper performs CPR and preschool teacher Amy Wilson stands by to deliver shocks by automated external defibrillator. The members of the Emergency Response Team took turns with CPR in order to continue the quality of the action for the drill for Project ADAM Heart Safe program.

From left to right, teacher and coach Nancy Lockmon, Principal Chris Pietrzak, Hamilton County deputy sheriff Drew Scott, counselor Ashley McCarter and paraeducator Karissa Bish observe and take record as teacher Dani Trosper performs CPR and preschool teacher Amy Wilson stands by to deliver shocks by automated external defibrillator. The members of the Emergency Response Team took turns with CPR in order to continue the quality of the action for the drill for Project ADAM Heart Safe program.

Giltner Public School on track to becoming Heart Safe

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
An 18-year-old student collapses on the floor near the restrooms at Giltner Public Schools at around 1:05 p.m. He is unresponsive, not breathing and has no heartbeat. School staff members have just seconds to respond while waiting for emergency services, first from Giltner and then Aurora.
Working hard to get donations ready for their trip to the food pantry after a week of collecting, Aurora fifth graders Josiah Peterson (center) and Cody Rinke (far right) spent time choosing the perfect items to balance out boxes. Parent volunteers like Kim Eberly also assisted, including helping to transport goods to their end destination.

Working hard to get donations ready for their trip to the food pantry after a week of collecting, Aurora fifth graders Josiah Peterson (center) and Cody Rinke (far right) spent time choosing the perfect items to balance out boxes. Parent volunteers like Kim Eberly also assisted, including helping to transport goods to their end destination.

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News Staff
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Aurora fifth grade CmPS crew celebrates successful Food Fight Just before Thanksgiving a not-so-small act of goodwill had all involved feeling the spirit of the holidays.  The Aurora fifth grade Community Problem Solvers (CmPS) group culminated its week-long Food Fight Nov.
Three boys, Christian Jividan, Milo Gustafson and Ryder Retzlaff play an Xbox video game at the Hamilton County Youth Center. Paul Johnson claimed $40,000 in renovation to modernize the Youth Center with $50,000 raised for those costs and continued operations since reopening in June.

Three boys, Christian Jividan, Milo Gustafson and Ryder Retzlaff play an Xbox video game at the Hamilton County Youth Center. Paul Johnson claimed $40,000 in renovation to modernize the Youth Center with $50,000 raised for those costs and continued operations since reopening in June.

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Youth Center parties on six months after reopening

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
The Hamilton County Youth Center has been reopened for six months to middle and high school students and Paul Johnson has been busy with keeping the operation running as a hot spot of teenage activity.
The Master Stylists team poses for a photo at the salon in Grand Island, front from left: Abbie Hayes, Andi Niles, Shannon Aldana and Rebecca Pfeifer. Back from left: Paula Vazquez, Linda Douglas, owner Jennifer Archie, Floyd Archie, Amy McIntosh, Kathy Vowels and Rachel Jerke. Jennifer stated that her business is like a family to her, something she said she wants to continue from founder Jeanene Campos.

The Master Stylists team poses for a photo at the salon in Grand Island, front from left: Abbie Hayes, Andi Niles, Shannon Aldana and Rebecca Pfeifer. Back from left: Paula Vazquez, Linda Douglas, owner Jennifer Archie, Floyd Archie, Amy McIntosh, Kathy Vowels and Rachel Jerke. Jennifer stated that her business is like a family to her, something she said she wants to continue from founder Jeanene Campos.

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Hamilton County grad cuts path from stylist to salon owner

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Jennifer (Carriker) Archie graduated from Aurora High School in 2014 and has gone from hairdresser to salon owner in Grand Island in just over 15 years.  Archie has dedicated herself to Master Stylists Salon and to a career that she said required hard work and passion to get ahead.
Hamilton County Highway Supt. Jeremy Brandt presented on the timely topic of the county’s snow plan during last week’s Hamilton County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Hamilton County Highway Supt. Jeremy Brandt presented on the timely topic of the county’s snow plan during last week’s Hamilton County Board of Commissioners meeting.

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Hwy dept. releases county snow plan

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Hamilton County Highway Supt. Jeremy Brandt presented on the timely topic of the county’s snow plan during last week’s Hamilton County Board of Commissioners meeting. Brandt explained that the county has always had a snow plan, it’s just never been in writing as far as he can find.