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As he steps away from his role as Aurora city administrator, Rick Melcher reflected on the many projects he helped with that involved support and involvment from various community organizations. One example is this 2024 picture in the Streeter Subdivision. From left are Dick Phillips, council president; Mayor Marlin Seeman; Gary Warren, Streeter LLC; Melcher; and Jacob Arendt, Streeter LLC.

As he steps away from his role as Aurora city administrator, Rick Melcher reflected on the many projects he helped with that involved support and involvment from various community organizations. One example is this 2024 picture in the Streeter Subdivision. From left are Dick Phillips, council president; Mayor Marlin Seeman; Gary Warren, Streeter LLC; Melcher; and Jacob Arendt, Streeter LLC.

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From utility foreman to city leader: Melcher reflects on career

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Rick Melcher wakes up every morning and grabs his phone to check his calendar, assuming there is some place he is supposed to be.
High Plains Community Schools

High Plains Community Schools

HPC approves handbooks for 2025-26

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The High Plains school board spent much of Monday’s regular monthly meeting discussing, adjusting and ultimately approving its student, activity and staff handbooks for the 2025-26 school year.
Pictured is Sandi VanWormer in the concession stand during the Swingin’ for Sandi softball tournament in April. VanWormer was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has been a recipient of cancer fund donations. The tournament was the latest event held to support the cancer fund.

Pictured is Sandi VanWormer in the concession stand during the Swingin’ for Sandi softball tournament in April. VanWormer was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has been a recipient of cancer fund donations. The tournament was the latest event held to support the cancer fund.

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Cancer fund supports those undergoing treatment

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
For over 20 years, the Hamilton County Cancer Fund has been dedicated to its mission of ensuring that cancer patients receive local support while undergoing cancer treatment.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

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Sheriff’s FY 2025-26 budget to decline

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Hamilton County Sheriff Jeromy McCoy presented the budgets for his office as well as the County Jail and Dispatch Center, 911 and E911 at the regular meeting of the county commissioners on Monday morning.
Aurora 4R School Board news

Aurora 4R School Board news

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4R board reviews strategic plan, hears request for MS soccer

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Aurora 4R School Board reviewed progress and status of various focus areas of the district’s strategic plan Monday while also hearing a request from parents and students to add soccer as a middle school sport for boys and girls.
The Hamilton County Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild will be hosting a Barn Quilt Painting Workshop at the Aurora Messiah Lutheran Church

The Hamilton County Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild will be hosting a Barn Quilt Painting Workshop at the Aurora Messiah Lutheran Church

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Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild to host barn quilt workshop

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Hamilton County Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild will be hosting a Barn Quilt Painting Workshop at the Aurora Messiah Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 22 from 1-4 p.m.
This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.

This photo of the large official county zoning map hanging in the Planning and Zoning office at the courthouse shows the various zoning districts in the county established by the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The highest percentage of the land in the county is A-1 Agricultural Preservation District while the section marked F-1 along Highway 34 and part of Highway 14 is known as the Flex District.

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Clearing reported confusion on rural zoning regulations

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Homeowners who live in Hamilton County’s towns and villages are generally aware that building permits are needed before construction projects are started and that zoning ordinances come into play when making changes to one’s property.
Adam Darbro

Adam Darbro

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Darbro named new city administrator

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Adam Darbro moved to the head of the table at City Hall last week after being confirmed as Aurora’s new city administrator.Darbro, a 2003 Aurora graduate, joined the city staff in 2015 and has worked in the public works department since that time, also handling the role of zoning administrator.
Though not confirmed as an EAB infested ash, this tree, located between East Park Villa and the Bremer Center, shows signs of blonding, bark scraping and EAB exit holes, according to Aurora arborist Ben McEndarfer.

Though not confirmed as an EAB infested ash, this tree, located between East Park Villa and the Bremer Center, shows signs of blonding, bark scraping and EAB exit holes, according to Aurora arborist Ben McEndarfer.

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Emerald Ash Borer confirmed in county

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Nebraska Forest Service reported last week that infestations of Emerald Ash Borer have been confirmed in Hamilton County, bringing the total of counties impacted in Nebraska to 16.