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Zangger Popcorn Hybrids employees (from left) Dianne Vancura, Jocelyn Hinrich and Alvaro Nevada Cecetka conduct a population count in one of the company’s research plots in North Loup. (Photo by Troy Brodsky/iNk Photography for the Flatwater Free Press)

Zangger Popcorn Hybrids employees (from left) Dianne Vancura, Jocelyn Hinrich and Alvaro Nevada Cecetka conduct a population count in one of the company’s research plots in North Loup. (Photo by Troy Brodsky/iNk Photography for the Flatwater Free Press)

A popcorn seed giant located in small-town Nebraska

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
On a bitter October morning in 1982, Chuck Zangger stood in his field near North Loup, staring at the brittle, ruined stalks of corn. The early frost had stolen the popcorn grower’s harvest — 600 acres of kernels that would never pop.
H&H Cheer Clinic participants cheer on the home team.

H&H Cheer Clinic participants cheer on the home team.

Can’t hide that Bearcat pride!

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Over 70 youngsters braved the chilly weather conditions Friday night to provide an extra boost to the H&H Bearcat basketball teams in their efforts against Sandy Creek.
The west side entrance to the Hamilton County Courthouse

The west side entrance to the Hamilton County Courthouse

One door opens, another closes

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The new granite steps on the east side of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been substantially completed so that the east entrance, closed since last summer, could finally be reopened to the public. One of the last items to be finished was the installation of the new stainless steel handrails.
Girl dad Paul Cramer shows how low he can go during the limbo dance.

Girl dad Paul Cramer shows how low he can go during the limbo dance.

Families share moments at Daddy/Daughter Dance

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Young girls and their fathers danced and sang along to their favorite songs at the sixth annual Daddy/Daughter Dance at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Sunday evening. A total of 43 fathers and 50 girls participated in this year’s event. 
Students at both the high school and middle school in Aurora were on lockdown Monday

Students at both the high school and middle school in Aurora were on lockdown Monday

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Aurora schools reported safe after lockdown

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Both the middle school and high school in Aurora were in lockdown mode for nearly 2-1/2 hours starting at mid-morning on Monday, due to a potential threat reported in a 911 call.Aurora Police Chief Paul Graham reported in a news release Monday afternoon that at approximately 10:15 a.m.
The Bolis family poses for a picture with the laying hens they acquired so their children could go into the egg business. From left are Kevin, Jay, Sally, Emmett, Adalie and João.

The Bolis family poses for a picture with the laying hens they acquired so their children could go into the egg business. From left are Kevin, Jay, Sally, Emmett, Adalie and João.

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Crossing the transition bridge from Asia to America

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Kevin and Sally Bolis and their children have been living back in Hamilton County for close to two years now, but after serving as missionaries in a country half-way around the world for 12 years, the adjustment hasn’t been easy.
Seeds of Growth looks at the science & business of hybrid seeds

Seeds of Growth looks at the science & business of hybrid seeds

Seeds of Growth: The science & business of seeds

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Section C of this week's ANR contains our annual Seeds of Growth section which is all about the science and business of growing hybrid seeds in Nebraska.
During his more than 30-year career, Aurora native Scott Hadley worked as a consultant for major oil companies, working in 20 countries around the world. Since his retirement in 2016, he and his wife Brenda have spent time traveling across the country and in Europe.

During his more than 30-year career, Aurora native Scott Hadley worked as a consultant for major oil companies, working in 20 countries around the world. Since his retirement in 2016, he and his wife Brenda have spent time traveling across the country and in Europe.

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Hadley: ‘They kept calling me a cowboy’

Elizabeth Hunter
Thursday, January 22, 2026
While he appreciates the fact that he had the opportunity to grow up in Aurora, retired welder and engineering inspector Scott Hadley says the town couldn’t hold him because he was too much of a wanderer at heart. “I was always a wanderer,” Hadley said.
Tiffany Cure is escorted to trial Thursday morning by a deputy sheriff.

Tiffany Cure is escorted to trial Thursday morning by a deputy sheriff.

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Cure murder trial underway

Ron Burtz
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Witnesses for the prosecution continued presenting testimony Thursday morning in the first degree murder trial of Tiffany Cure in Hamilton County District Court. Cure, 22, is charged with causing the death of 3-month-old Stormi Swartz while the infant was in her care in Marquette in August of 2024.
Tiffany Cure

Tiffany Cure

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Jury selection now underway for Cure trial

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
The process of selecting a jury for the first degree murder trial of Tiffany Cure of Marquette was set to get underway Tuesday morning in Hamilton County District Court.