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Kaja Brondel (left), followed by her mom Jessica and brother William, runs away from a swamp monster played by Kolby Lautenschlager and a Ghostface (Isacc Graham) at last year’s Haunted Fairgrounds. This year’s event will take place Oct. 24-26 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1.

Kaja Brondel (left), followed by her mom Jessica and brother William, runs away from a swamp monster played by Kolby Lautenschlager and a Ghostface (Isacc Graham) at last year’s Haunted Fairgrounds. This year’s event will take place Oct. 24-26 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1.

Ready for a ghoul time at Haunted Fairgrounds?

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Something wicked is coming to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds with the Haunted Fairgrounds set to open Friday night. The annual scare-a-thon is presented by the Hamilton County Ag Society and will take place over two weekends, Oct. 24-26 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
Firefighters and local farmers work to mop up after Saturday's field fire.

Firefighters and local farmers work to mop up after Saturday's field fire.

Saturday fire near Marquette burns field of corn stubble

Ron Burtz
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Fast action by local firefighters and at least half a dozen area farmers kept a corn stubble fire along County Road 19 south of Marquette from spreading to nearby unharvested fields Saturday afternoon.
This artists rendering shows the proposed layout of a new pocket park expected to open next spring.

This artists rendering shows the proposed layout of a new pocket park expected to open next spring.

New pocket park planned for Streeter Subdivision

Kurt Johnson
Thursday, October 16, 2025
City leaders approved a memorandum of understanding Tuesday involving four local nonprofit entities committed to developing a pocket park and walking/bicycle trail in the new Streeter Subdivision on the west edge of Aurora.
Jana Gibson, left, and Haley Bamesberger of the Hamilton County Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee present a commemorative banner to the Village of Hampton Monday night. Accepting the banner on behalf of the village is village board chairman James Parsley.

Jana Gibson, left, and Haley Bamesberger of the Hamilton County Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee present a commemorative banner to the Village of Hampton Monday night. Accepting the banner on behalf of the village is village board chairman James Parsley.

Hampton prohibits using RVs as dwellings

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Leaders of the Village of Hampton are taking steps to deal with a situation that has become a nuisance lately – individuals living in RVs as permanent dwellings.
Rowan Bilslend enjoys his first ride as Arley McEndarfer guides horse Harley during the afterschool program’s horseback riding session on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Rowan Bilslend enjoys his first ride as Arley McEndarfer guides horse Harley during the afterschool program’s horseback riding session on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Edgerton Afterschool Program saddles up for fun, learning

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
When kids get dropped off at the Edgerton Explorit Center on Wednesdays, they are excited to partake in an afternoon of fun and learning in the Edgerton Afterschool Program.
High Plains Community Schools

High Plains Community Schools

HPC considering 6-man football

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Football classifications was the topic of conversation during Monday’s High Plains Community school board meeting. With the looming Nov. 30 deadline to declare 11, 8 or 6-man football for the upcoming new two-year cycle, the board received updated enrollment numbers from HPC administration.
A drone captured this photo of the Homecoming pep rally on Friday

A drone captured this photo of the Homecoming pep rally on Friday

‘It’s a great day to be a Husky’

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Ashlyn (Lackore) Cramer said what all 1,255 Aurora students gathered Friday at the football field were thinking on a sunsplashed afternoon during the annual Homecoming pep rally: “It’s a great day to be a Husky!
The contractors who will be constructing a Habitat for Humanity home in Aurora next summer have plenty of experience in building a house in just one week. Above is a blitz build completed in 2021.

The contractors who will be constructing a Habitat for Humanity home in Aurora next summer have plenty of experience in building a house in just one week. Above is a blitz build completed in 2021.

Habitat for Humanity plans 1-week home build

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
 Anyone who remembers ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition reality show may be interested to know that a similar kind of project is coming to Aurora next summer.
In this week's issue it's the fall edition of Extra Extracurriculars

In this week's issue it's the fall edition of Extra Extracurriculars

ANR highlights those extra extracurriculars

News Staff
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
ANR presents the fall edition of Extra Extracurriculars, a look at school activities beyond athletics. Section C of this week's print and e-editions contains photos of those involved in band, one acts, FFA and other extracurricular activities at our four local high schools.