News

Housing infrastructure costs will soon be a boost locally thanks to a $1M state grant.

Housing infrastructure costs will soon be a boost locally thanks to a $1M state grant.

Aurora receives $1M housing grant

Kurt Johnson
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Aurora was announced Thursday as one of several recipients of a Rural Workforce Housing Fund grant. The $1M grant, doubled by local matching funds, will create a $2M revolving loan fund to help provide housing infrastructure. For details and reaction see next week's ANR.
Pictured from left, Aurora pilots Dr. John Wilcox, Keal Bockelman and Brett Mitchell have agreed to share their aviation experience during the Edgerton Explorit Center’s first-ever air academy beginning June 28. At right is Mary Molliconi, the center’s executive director.

Pictured from left, Aurora pilots Dr. John Wilcox, Keal Bockelman and Brett Mitchell have agreed to share their aviation experience during the Edgerton Explorit Center’s first-ever air academy beginning June 28. At right is Mary Molliconi, the center’s executive director.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Edgerton programming to go airborne The Edgerton Explorit Center will soar to new heights in June, expanding its popular summer camp series to include an air academy that will put youngsters in flight with the help of three local pilots.
Local concern is mounting surrounding President Biden’s January executive order.

Local concern is mounting surrounding President Biden’s January executive order.

Local voices express concern over 30 by 30 executive order

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Local concern is mounting surrounding President Biden’s January executive order. Many citizens, figureheads and organizations have come forth with worries, questions and pushback. Among them, Hamilton County resident Debbie Sorensen addressed the issue with commissioners during last week’s meeting.
Photos courtesy of UNK // UNK professor Tim Obermier displays the devices used to collect bandwidth readings through the Rural Measures project, which was launched by Obermier and UNK associate professor Angela Hollman to more accurately measure internet speeds in rural Nebraska.

Photos courtesy of UNK // UNK professor Tim Obermier displays the devices used to collect bandwidth readings through the Rural Measures project, which was launched by Obermier and UNK associate professor Angela Hollman to more accurately measure internet speeds in rural Nebraska.

Visualizing the rural/urban digital divide

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
The demand for reliable, high-speed internet service hit a whole new plateau in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, echoing the research and strategic goals of two University of Nebraska-Kearney professors working to identify and bridge gaps in Nebraska’s rural/urban digital divide.
High Plains Community Schools

High Plains Community Schools

HPC co-op talks raise concerns

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Parents and community members came forth during the High Plains Board of Education meeting Monday in a passionate plea for the school to not join another sports cooperative with Hampton.
The City of Aurora and surrounding six villages in Hamilton County are projected to receive a combined $1.03 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The City of Aurora and surrounding six villages in Hamilton County are projected to receive a combined $1.03 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Area municipalities to receive $1M in COVID relief funding

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
The City of Aurora and surrounding six villages in Hamilton County are projected to receive a combined $1.03 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to estimates released last week.
In their last installment of a three-part panel discussion, this year’s fleet of local veterans participating in the Heroes and Huskies project reflected on a variety of topics.

In their last installment of a three-part panel discussion, this year’s fleet of local veterans participating in the Heroes and Huskies project reflected on a variety of topics.

Heroes, Huskies meet again for military life discussion

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
In their last installment of a three-part panel discussion, this year’s fleet of local veterans participating in the Heroes and Huskies project reflected on a variety of topics related to their time in the service.
Aurora Huskies

Aurora Huskies

Masks now optional for 4R staff

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Though the topic of masks and COVID reopening phases at the 4R district had not drawn heavy discussion since shortly before the beginning of the school year, Supt. Jody Phillips brought the issue back into the light at Monday’s board meeting.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been paused.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been paused.

CDHD pauses Johnson & Johnson (JANSSEN) vaccine

News Staff
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
At this time, CDHD has paused administration of Johnson and Johnson (J&J, or Janssen) vaccine per recommendation of Nebraska DHHS, the CDC and FDA. The CDC/FDA are reviewing data related to six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine.
Chris Decker, an 18-year employee at the Aurora Cooperative, was named this week as the company's new president and CEO.

Chris Decker, an 18-year employee at the Aurora Cooperative, was named this week as the company's new president and CEO.

Decker named new Aurora Cooperative CEO

Kurt Johnson
Friday, April 9, 2021
The Aurora Cooperative announced Friday that Chris Decker has been named as the new president and CEO, replacing Chris Vincent, who was granted a personal leave of absence in accordance with his request.