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The west entrance to the Hamilton County Courthouse is now closed for reconstruction

The west entrance to the Hamilton County Courthouse is now closed for reconstruction

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The new granite steps on the east side of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been substantially completed so that the east entrance, closed since last summer, could finally be reopened to the public. One of the last items to be finished was the installation of the new stainless steel handrails.
Tiffany Cure is escorted to trial Thursday morning by Deputy Sheriff Victoria Peters. Jurors heard a fourth day of testimony from witnesses for the prosecution on Monday.

Tiffany Cure is escorted to trial Thursday morning by Deputy Sheriff Victoria Peters. Jurors heard a fourth day of testimony from witnesses for the prosecution on Monday.

Cure trial continues into second week

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Prosecutors continued presenting witnesses Monday in the first degree murder trial of Tiffany Cure of Marquette. The 22-year-old Cure is charged with causing the death of 3-month-old Stormi Swartz while the infant was in her care in Marquette on Aug. 6, 2024.
The 2025 edition of the Hamilton County Home & Garden Show

The 2025 edition of the Hamilton County Home & Garden Show

Vendor list grows for Home & Garden Show

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Preparations for the 30th annual Hamilton County Home & Garden Show are underway with the winter event set to open its doors to the public on Friday, Feb. 13, 3-8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dr. Jeff Muilenburg (left) and his wife, Cindi, share a laugh with Laurel and Rob Marlatt at a reception held at Memorial Hospital on the occasion of his retirement from medical practice.

Dr. Jeff Muilenburg (left) and his wife, Cindi, share a laugh with Laurel and Rob Marlatt at a reception held at Memorial Hospital on the occasion of his retirement from medical practice.

Muilenburg reflects on 30+ years of health relationships

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Growing up as a preacher’s kid who was fascinated by nature and science, Dr. Jeff Muilenburg absorbed life lessons early on in a way that would eventually lead him to a career as a small-town family doctor in Aurora.
St. John’s Lutheran Church member Opal Christensen shows some of the raffle prizes that will be offered during the church’s annual Aebleskiver feed on Sunday, Feb. 8.

St. John’s Lutheran Church member Opal Christensen shows some of the raffle prizes that will be offered during the church’s annual Aebleskiver feed on Sunday, Feb. 8.

Willing volunteers at the heart of Aebleskiver Feed

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Aebleskiver pans and cookers are going to be warming up soon for St. John’s Lutheran Church’s annual Aebleskiver Feed on Sunday, Feb. 8.After taking part in 50 years of the Kronborg church’s annual tradition, church member and event co-chair Opal Christensen revels in welcoming everyone to the feed.
Zangger Popcorn Hybrids employees (from left) Dianne Vancura, Jocelyn Hinrich and Alvaro Nevada Cecetka conduct a population count in one of the company’s research plots in North Loup. (Photo by Troy Brodsky/iNk Photography for the Flatwater Free Press)

Zangger Popcorn Hybrids employees (from left) Dianne Vancura, Jocelyn Hinrich and Alvaro Nevada Cecetka conduct a population count in one of the company’s research plots in North Loup. (Photo by Troy Brodsky/iNk Photography for the Flatwater Free Press)

A popcorn seed giant located in small-town Nebraska

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
On a bitter October morning in 1982, Chuck Zangger stood in his field near North Loup, staring at the brittle, ruined stalks of corn. The early frost had stolen the popcorn grower’s harvest — 600 acres of kernels that would never pop.
H&H Cheer Clinic participants cheer on the home team.

H&H Cheer Clinic participants cheer on the home team.

Can’t hide that Bearcat pride!

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Over 70 youngsters braved the chilly weather conditions Friday night to provide an extra boost to the H&H Bearcat basketball teams in their efforts against Sandy Creek.
The west side entrance to the Hamilton County Courthouse

The west side entrance to the Hamilton County Courthouse

One door opens, another closes

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The new granite steps on the east side of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been substantially completed so that the east entrance, closed since last summer, could finally be reopened to the public. One of the last items to be finished was the installation of the new stainless steel handrails.
Girl dad Paul Cramer shows how low he can go during the limbo dance.

Girl dad Paul Cramer shows how low he can go during the limbo dance.

Families share moments at Daddy/Daughter Dance

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Young girls and their fathers danced and sang along to their favorite songs at the sixth annual Daddy/Daughter Dance at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Sunday evening. A total of 43 fathers and 50 girls participated in this year’s event. 
Students at both the high school and middle school in Aurora were on lockdown Monday

Students at both the high school and middle school in Aurora were on lockdown Monday

Aurora schools reported safe after lockdown

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Both the middle school and high school in Aurora were in lockdown mode for nearly 2-1/2 hours starting at mid-morning on Monday, due to a potential threat reported in a 911 call.Aurora Police Chief Paul Graham reported in a news release Monday afternoon that at approximately 10:15 a.m.