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Giltner grad Carmen (Wagner) Samples served as a drug prevention volunteer for over 30 years to help people make healthier decisions. She made 15 trips to Lithuana with Operation Snowball to work with youth and adults in drug prevention.

Giltner grad Carmen (Wagner) Samples served as a drug prevention volunteer for over 30 years to help people make healthier decisions. She made 15 trips to Lithuana with Operation Snowball to work with youth and adults in drug prevention.

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Samples takes drug prevention training to Lithuania

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Serving in Operation Snowball and teaching Lithuanians about health and drug abuse prevention has given Giltner native Carmen (Wagner) Samples an opportunity to help young people in that eastern European country live healthy lives.
A cascade of dust falls from the roof and second floor of the former Gambles Store building in downtown Aurora as two huge excavators bring down the building a little at a time.

A cascade of dust falls from the roof and second floor of the former Gambles Store building in downtown Aurora as two huge excavators bring down the building a little at a time.

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Gambles building leveled in hours

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
The former Gambles building on the east side of the square in Aurora was reduced to a pile of brick and debris Thursday, all in a matter of hours. Demolition started at about 8 a.m.
Aurora EMS

Aurora EMS

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Darbro offers insight on EMS operations

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Even before Adam Darbro accepted the appointment as Aurora’s new city administrator, he knew full well that one of the biggest challenges on his plate would be to get a handle on the city’s ambulance service in terms of the impact it is having on city finances.
Hamilton County Ag Society member Richard Schaffert (center) was recognized for his service within the Ag Society and Hamilton County for more than 50 years on Thursday night at the opening ceremonies of the county fair. The fairgrounds Commercial Building was renamed the Richard & Stella Schaffert Exhibit Hall in their honor.

Hamilton County Ag Society member Richard Schaffert (center) was recognized for his service within the Ag Society and Hamilton County for more than 50 years on Thursday night at the opening ceremonies of the county fair. The fairgrounds Commercial Building was renamed the Richard & Stella Schaffert Exhibit Hall in their honor.

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Commercial Building renamed after Richard Schaffert

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Aurora resident Richard Schaffert was recognized last week for his more than 50 years of dedication as a member of the Hamilton County Fair and Agricultural Society.
One of the participants in the peewee beef showmanship event on Friday leads her calf around the arena.

One of the participants in the peewee beef showmanship event on Friday leads her calf around the arena.

County fair numbers up across the board

Staff Reports
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
No matter who you ask, from fair board members to exhibitors to carnival attendees to out of town livestock show judges, the 2025 Hamilton County Fair was a rousing success!
Thursday was an historic day for downtown Aurora as demolition of the Gambles building began at 8 a.m. and was mostly done before noon.

Thursday was an historic day for downtown Aurora as demolition of the Gambles building began at 8 a.m. and was mostly done before noon.

Gambles building demolished

News Staff
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The former Gambles building on the east side of the square in Aurora was reduced to a pile of brick and debris Thursday, all in a matter of hours. Demolition started at about 8 a.m.
Cones were put up Tuesday night blocking a portion of 13th Street on the east side of the square, in preparation for demolition equipment to be set up Wednesday so that demolition of the former Gambles building can begin on Thursday.

Cones were put up Tuesday night blocking a portion of 13th Street on the east side of the square, in preparation for demolition equipment to be set up Wednesday so that demolition of the former Gambles building can begin on Thursday.

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Gambles building to be demolished

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The Aurora City Council approved plans Tuesday night to take down the former Gambles building on the east side of the downtown square, with demolition crews expected to begin the two-day process on Thursday.
Aurora 4R School Board news

Aurora 4R School Board news

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4R school’s strategic plan remains a work in progress

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The Aurora 4R School Board reviewed the status of various focus areas of the district’s strategic plan last week with Supt. Jody Phillips emphasizing the need to follow through with a process initiated to improve all aspects of operations, beginning with academic programming and student achievement.
This year's ANR photo contest winners all share an eye for what makes a great photo

This year's ANR photo contest winners all share an eye for what makes a great photo

An eye for eye-catching images

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
This year’s winning photos in the ANR Amateur Photo Contest were taken with everything from high-end cameras with special lenses to cell phones, but whether the images were captured with a DSLR at precise settings or snapped in the spur of the moment on an i-Phone, all show an eye for framing,...