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The combined team of 2007-11, the oldest team in the tournament, defeated 2024, the youngest team last year’s Aurora alumni tournament final, 43-40.

The combined team of 2007-11, the oldest team in the tournament, defeated 2024, the youngest team last year’s Aurora alumni tournament final, 43-40.

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Alumni hoops to tip it up Saturday

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The 37th edition of the Bill Kropp and Curly Penner Memorial Alumni Basketball Tournament is set for tipoff Saturday morning.Eleven teams are bracketed for play Saturday with graduates dating as far back as 2007 up through last year’s graduating class.
The Comedic Playwright, played by Trent Stevens (left) and the Tragic Playwright (Scott Bennett) dual with pencils as they fight for control over “Hydrangea Albright: Comedy or Tragedy?”

The Comedic Playwright, played by Trent Stevens (left) and the Tragic Playwright (Scott Bennett) dual with pencils as they fight for control over “Hydrangea Albright: Comedy or Tragedy?”

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Aurora cast turns family curse into comedy

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Audience members finally found the answer to the question posed in the title of Aurora High School’s spring play, “Hydrangea Albright: Comedy or Tragedy?” on March 8 and 9.
Mike Bish and his '71 Plymouth 'Cuda

Mike Bish and his '71 Plymouth 'Cuda

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Bish's dream 'Cuda is back on road, winning awards

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
A year ago at this time, Mike Bish’s high school dream car – a classic ‘71 Plymouth ‘Cuda muscle car – was just dozens and dozens of parts basically scattered from his shop in Grand Island to Hampton.
Samuel Njuguna performs as American actor James Earl Jones while his mother, Cora records his presentation.

Samuel Njuguna performs as American actor James Earl Jones while his mother, Cora records his presentation.

‘People of the Past’ POP in for a visit

News Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Eighty-seven sixth grade students from Aurora participated in the annual ‘People of the Past’ (POP) night last Tuesday where a total of $2,647 was raised by the students to be equally donated to 12th Street Cinema, St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital and Fig Tree and Vine.
City officials heard input at the March 10 city council meeting regarding the concept of allowing backyard chickens within the city limits.

City officials heard input at the March 10 city council meeting regarding the concept of allowing backyard chickens within the city limits.

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City hears support for backyard chickens

News Staff
Thursday, March 12, 2026
A formal request for input on the concept of adopting regulations allowing chickens within the city limits drew approximately 30 people to Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting, with all who spoke up generally favoring the idea.
This drone photo shows the path of the fire that burned through nearly a mile of fields near Giltner on March 8.

This drone photo shows the path of the fire that burned through nearly a mile of fields near Giltner on March 8.

Field fire threatens farmsteads near Giltner Sunday

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
A corn stubble fire whipped up by gusty winds burned about 200 acres of cropland and threatened four farmsteads on Sunday near Giltner.
Student involvement in a number of extracurricular activities both inside and out of school, requires a skillfull juggling act of managing time, energy and expectations. School counselors say heavily involved students need to give themselves permission to step back for a time if need be.

Student involvement in a number of extracurricular activities both inside and out of school, requires a skillfull juggling act of managing time, energy and expectations. School counselors say heavily involved students need to give themselves permission to step back for a time if need be.

Schedule juggling: The other extracurricular

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
If readers take the time to look closely at the photos in this week’s Extra Extracurriculars section they will notice something interesting – often the same faces appear in multiple photos.
An advisory committee that has been studying the district’s facility needs tours a school facility during a recent meeting.

An advisory committee that has been studying the district’s facility needs tours a school facility during a recent meeting.

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High school emerges as top priority in facility talks

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
An advisory committee that has been studying the district’s facility needs for several months came to a general consensus last week that addressing needs at the high school should be considered a top priority.In what Supt.
Aurora 4R School Board news

Aurora 4R School Board news

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4R calendar to retain early-out Wednesday format

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Early-out Wednesdays will remain on the calendar for the 2026-27 school year after the Aurora School Board voted Monday to approve a similar schedule to this year’s, dropping a revised plan proposed last month to eliminate the weekly early dismissal format.Supt.
The newly renovated Love’s Travel Stops offers an expanded coffee and drink bar area, as well as fresh food items and an overall updated look and feel.

The newly renovated Love’s Travel Stops offers an expanded coffee and drink bar area, as well as fresh food items and an overall updated look and feel.

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Love’s Travel Stops completes renovation

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Twenty-three years after Love’s Travel Stop planted its flag in Aurora, the Oklahoma-based company has completed a $3 million renovation/expansion at its I-80 facilities.