News

Giltner kindergartners pose for a class photo during their day at Nebraska’s Largest Classroom at the State Fair’s on Aug. 27.

2025: The year in pictures - Part 2

News Staff

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

A new year is here, but before closing the book for good on 2025 ANR takes a look back at the events that made headlines on the local front in Section B of this week's issue.

Love’s Travel Stops is currently a construction zone, with the main structure now being remodeled and expanded as part of a full-scale renovation project. The $3 million building permit was the largest issued in 2025.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Construction tops $17M in 2025

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

A continued surge in housing developments and six projects topping the $1 million plateau pushed construction activity in 2025 to more than $17.3 million, the third highest total in the past decade as documented at Aurora City Hall.

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County sets salaries for elected officials through 2030

Ron Burtz

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Following nearly an hour of discussions among county officials which resulted in several changes to the resolution, the Hamilton County Commission approved Resolution 1205 on Monday morning which sets salaries and pay raises for elected officials over the next four years.

Candidate filing for the 2026 elections has begun

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Candidates begin filing for local elected offices

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Nine people, including five incumbents and four challengers, officially threw their hats into the ring for local elected offices Monday, the first official day candidates were allowed to file.

A look back at the year that was, 2025

Exclusive Subscriber Content

'25 in review - Part 2

News Staff

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

A new year is here, but before we close the book for good on 2025 here is a look back at the events that made headlines on the local front. What follows is a week-by-week capsule summary of the top news stories from July through December 2025.

Hamilton County Sheriff Jeromy McCoy (left) and Deputy Joseph Dearth

Deputy Dearth graduates top of class

News Staff

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Hamilton County Sheriff Jeromy McCoy has announced that incoming Deputy Joseph Dearth recently graduated from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and was awarded the Outstanding Class Leader by his fellow students and staff members. Dearth begins his field training this week.

Caleb Arnett

Arnett declared mentally competent to stand trial

Ron Burtz

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

More than two years after he was arrested for the stabbing death of his stepfather in Aurora, Caleb Arnett has been declared mentally competent to stand trial for first degree murder and five other charges. In a hearing in Hamilton County Court on Tuesday morning Jan. 6, Judge Lynelle D.

Rebecca (Obermeier) Golden is the director of resource development for Florida Gateway College’s nonprofit foundation which helps students receive the financial support and resources they need to succeed. She is pictured with her husband, Ross, her son, Graydon and daughter, Raylen.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Golden draws on Aurora upbringing in work at Florida Gateway College

Elizabeth Hunter

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

While she still misses her home town, Aurora native Rebecca (Obermeier) Golden and her family are thriving in Lake City, Fla. where she serves as the director of resource development for Florida Gateway College’s nonprofit fundraising organization known as The Foundation.

Sen. Loren Lippincott gives his perspective on the upcoming 2026 session of the Unicameral

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lippincott prepares for ’26 session

Ron Burtz

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

With a projected state budget shortfall of more than $470 million looming over the upcoming 2026 session of the Nebraska Legislature, the state budget rises to the top of the list as the most pressing issue state senators will face starting next week. However, in a recent interview Dist. 34 Sen.

ANR readers have made their choice of the top 10 news stories of 2025

Exclusive Subscriber Content

City’s budget woes top story of 2026

Kurt Johnson

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

The city’s auditor pulled no punches in March, advising city leaders that the ambulance service has all but drained Aurora’s cash reserves over the past five years, to the point that EMS or other departments will have to be cut in next year’s budget.