News

Kirt Smith stepped into the role as captain of the city’s ambulance service in November. He and City Administrator Rick Melcher shared revenue and expense reports through seven months of the fiscal year as part of an effort to communicate with the public.

Kirt Smith stepped into the role as captain of the city’s ambulance service in November. He and City Administrator Rick Melcher shared revenue and expense reports through seven months of the fiscal year as part of an effort to communicate with the public.

City forms advisory committee to help evaluate EMS

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Two months after an auditor’s report raised concerns about a growing ambulance service budget which is dwindling cash reserves, city officials shared this week that a citizens advisory committee has been formed as part of a focused effort to improve the financial efficiency of local EMS operations.
Aurora native Becky Graham, center, was named the first winner of what will be the annual Angel in Action Award at CHI Health St. Francis. Pictured with her are Kiley Grzywa, left, vice president of patient care services, and Sarah Williams, Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit manager.

Aurora native Becky Graham, center, was named the first winner of what will be the annual Angel in Action Award at CHI Health St. Francis. Pictured with her are Kiley Grzywa, left, vice president of patient care services, and Sarah Williams, Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit manager.

Aurora CNA earns Angels in Action Award

Samuel Wishman
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Aurora native Becky Graham was recognized as CHI Health St. Francis’ first recipient of the Angel in Action of the Year award during Patient Experience Week.
The Hamilton County, Nebraska, Celebrate America 250 Committee is preparing to meet with organizations and businesses throughout Hamilton County to invite them and the community to join in the America’s 250th anniversary of the country’s indepenance. Representing the Public Relations Committee for the local celebration are Jennifer Dennis (left) and Dixie Ziegler.

The Hamilton County, Nebraska, Celebrate America 250 Committee is preparing to meet with organizations and businesses throughout Hamilton County to invite them and the community to join in the America’s 250th anniversary of the country’s indepenance. Representing the Public Relations Committee for the local celebration are Jennifer Dennis (left) and Dixie Ziegler.

Hamilton County plans local America 250th celebration

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday (what’s known as a “semiquincentennial”) on July 4, 2026, the Hamilton County Historical Society is getting into the act and planning to bring the celebration home.
Election set for Phillips regarding keno

Election set for Phillips regarding keno

Phillips voters to decide on allowing keno

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
The 265 eligible voters of the Village of Phillips will be asked to vote in a special mail-only election on June 10 to decide if a keno gaming should be allowed in the village.
First Street project

First Street project

1st Street renovation to begin near school

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Construction crews will be shutting down 1st Street from the railroad tracks to Mark Street the day after Memorial Day, continuing a project that started weeks ago at the Highway 34 intersection.
Aurora City Council news

Aurora City Council news

City approves housing subdivisions

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
The Aurora City Council approved final plats for two small housing subdivisions at last week’s meeting, which combined will add five new single-family dwellings to the community’s growing housing inventory.
Hampton School Board news

Hampton School Board news

Hampton board OKs math curriculum

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
An updated K-5 math curriculum was approved by the Hampton Board of Education at its May meeting held on Monday the 12th, two days after the school’s 2025 graduation ceremony. The bid from Bridges in Mathematics, the producer of the school’s current math curriculum, was approved, according to Supt.
Firefighters and residents wait outside East Park Villa on Tuesday afternoon while fire officials inside the building seek out the source of an alarm that had sounded, prompting an evacuation of residents and staff.

Firefighters and residents wait outside East Park Villa on Tuesday afternoon while fire officials inside the building seek out the source of an alarm that had sounded, prompting an evacuation of residents and staff.

East Park Villa evacuated after alarm activated

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Having just practiced their evacuation plan the day before, residents of Aurora’s East Park Villa exited the building in record time last Tuesday afternoon when an automatic fire alarm was activated on the 3rd floor. The alarm came into dispatch at about 2 p.m.
Kirk Handrup

Kirk Handrup

Handrup throwing hat in for 2nd ward

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Aurora native Kirk Handrup served the community for 30 years as Hamilton County Sheriff and he announced this week that he would like to continue his involvement in local affairs as a Ward 2 representative on the Aurora City Council.