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The Hamilton County, Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee continues to gear up for the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in July. Window clings with the America 250 logo will be mailed out soon for businesses to display.

America 250 plans shift into high gear

Elizabeth Hunter

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

The United States Semiquincentennial is kicking off in the new year with the Hamilton County, Nebraska America 250 Committee setting the pace for Hamilton County.

Giltner Public Schools

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Giltner School Board releases annual report

Elizabeth Hunter

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

The Giltner School Board released its annual report during Monday’s monthly meeting. The 2024-2025 report contains enrollment numbers over the past five years, an audited financial summary, student demographics and statistics regarding NSCAS proficiency and ACT college readiness.

Hampton Village Board

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Hampton continues sales tax discussion

Ron Burtz

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

At its first meeting of the new year the Hampton Village Board continued to discuss the possibility of enacting a 1 percent village sales tax, in part to help fund the community daycare facility.

Annual Chamber Awards Banquet is Jan. 29.

Chamber to present awards Jan. 29

News Staff

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Plans are underway and invitations are going out for the annual Aurora Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet set to take place on Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Bremer Center.

Sarah Lyon, left, and University of Nebraska Medical Center professor Jesse Bell are pictured here during a podcast Lyon hosted last fall, which is now posted on her website, OTPotential.com

Study associates nitrates in drinking water with cancer

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Ever since a friend of Sarah Lyon’s was diagnosed with cancer back in elementary school, she remembers worrying that farm chemicals in area drinking water were related to the high rates of pediatric cancer in Hamilton County.

Cody Hoegh

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Hoegh appointed elementary principal

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

The Aurora 4R School Board confirmed the appointment of Cody Hoegh Monday as principal of the elementary school effective next school year. He will replace Mark Standage, who will retire at the end of May. Supt.

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

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Wife of murder victim brings Dexter complaint to commission

Ron Burtz

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

The Ross Nickolaus murder case which was back in the news this week (See the article about Caleb Arnett on Page 2 of this week’s edition) was brought up at Monday’s county commission meeting.

The Hamilton County, Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee continues to gear up for the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in July. Window clings with the America 250 logo will be mailed out soon for businesses to display.

This week's featured stories

News Staff

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

The United States Semiquincentennial is kicking off in the new year with the Hamilton County, Nebraska America 250 Committee setting the pace for Hamilton County.

This photo was taken by Laura Oswald during a wedding in downtown Omaha with Laura Oswald using a newer flash setup to add a different dynamic in capturing the couple as the champange sprays.

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Best of the Best captured ‘In Laura’s Lens’

Elizabeth Hunter

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Capturing the light of happiness has driven Laura Oswald in her 10 years of photography through her business, In Laura’s Lens.

William J. Sisson

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Sisson faces 25 felony counts

Ron Burtz

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

The man arrested in connection with the execution of a search warrant in Aurora on Dec. 23 has been charged with 25 separate felonies including weapons and drug charges. William J.