Ediger’s memory chosen year’s top story

The Hampton school and community suffered a devastating loss in February with the tragic death of Kyle Ediger, a 31-year-old teacher and coach who local residents say personified the Hawk Pride tradition. The reaction to that tragic night resonated throughout the community, so much so that almost 10 months later local residents participating in a nonscientific, subjective poll honored Ediger once again by choosing his memory as the top story of the year.
Hampton Supt. Holly Herzberg reported an outpouring of support and condolences in the days after the Feb. 8 car/train collision, which spoke volumes about the respect Hawk Nation and others had for this personable young man. Ediger’s memory was honored days later, when family and friends paid tribute during an emotional Hawk game played in his honor. 
“Kyle meant a lot to the Hampton community in so many different ways,” Herzberg said at the time. “In the classroom he was an outstanding math teacher, very patient, always kid-focused. From the coaching side of it he was obviously a product of Jerry Eickhoff so he scouted teams and had an in-depth scouting report every single night, but he always kept the focus on the kids. He always wanted them to give 100 percent effort regardless of what the scoreboard said. He just wanted kids to work hard and be committed.”
That commitment was reflected in an emotion-packed basketball game that following week, when Ediger’s Hawk team hosted Giltner in the regular season finale. A crowd estimated at more than 400-plus paused in silent prayer and tribute before the game, then stayed long after the final buzzer, sharing hugs, tears and condolences.

2. HOUSING SPURT -- Coming in at No. 2 on this year’s list is the next chapter of last year’s top story of the year, which some predict will continue to make headlines for years to come. The landscape changed throughout the year just west of 1st Street in Aurora, where a 60-lot housing subdivision began to take shape with new townhomes and single-family dwellings, the first of many to come. 
The sudden growth comes as no surprise, as community leaders announced in 2021 that Aurora had received a $1 million Rural Workforce Housing grant, which was matched to create a $2 million revolving loan fund to help prime the pump and lower costs for housing development going forward. In November, local and state officials met in the Streeter Subdivision almost a year to the   day after announcing the grant, this time standing in the form of single-family dwellings and townhomes built using some of the grant funding.

3. NEW COMMUNITY CLUBHOUSE -- Two local entities focused on meeting the community’s recreational needs created a new facility to share with the completed construction of the Aurora Community Clubhouse overlooking Poco Creek Golf Course. The golf course board had been contemplating what to do with the existing clubhouse structure after acquiring the Vet’s Club building in 2019, and the end result is a new clubhouse built and owned by Hamilton Recreation Inc.  Plans for the joint project were announced last year, and the facility came to life in 2022 after the site was cleared of the old clubhouse, making way for a beautiful new facility that is already being used.

4. YOUTH CENTER REOPENS -- The Hamilton County Youth Center reopened in June after undergoing a major facelift both inside and out. Paul Johnson remembered how much it meant for him to have someplace to go when he was a kid, thus he spearheaded the effort to bring the 12th Street facility back to life. The effort was launched in March, when planning and fundraising began, culminating three months later when youth began coming to the center to spend time together while enjoying a variety of games, concessions and activities.

5. TOUGH CROP YEAR -- In what has been a topsy-turvey year for local weather and inflation, farmers in Hamilton County reported a strong harvest despite the turbulent conditions of 2022. The year started tough for many area farmers with an extended cold period and high winds delaying planting at the beginning of growing season in May, followed by a severe lack of moisture during the growing season. 

6. SUPPLY CHAIN ECONOMICS -- Local business and industry, as well as consumers, experienced supply chain woes especially early in the year, when global economics made it hard to get parts, products and even certain food items due to after effects of the lingering pandemic, a situation made worse by war and inflation. Local business owners and managers reported staff spending more time than ever dealing with purchasing, shipping and logistics nightmares. The News-Register summarized the vast impact in a multi-part series. 

7. PHILLIPS REVIVAL -- Partners of Barrcon Development Darren Bartunek and Jeff Reed, who are behind the 56-lot construction of housing in Phillips, announced plans to bring the Winchester’s Saloon back to life. At year’s end the building is nearing completion, with opening day expected in early 2023. The “Phillips revival” made the list of top 10 stories for the second year in a row, having broken in at No. 5 last year when the redevelopment project first began.

8. NO MORE LOCAL STORK DELIVERIES -- Memorial Community Health, Inc. announced in February that obstetrical care provided through its clinic and hospital has transitioned to a shared care model, which means that babies will no longer be delivered in Aurora. The policy change, based on a shared decision that included the administration, physicians and board, ended a tradition of local deliveries, and was designed to provide the convenience and consistency of receiving prenatal, postpartum and newborn care with one’s local physician, while delivering at a larger facility nearby. 

9. BACK-TO-BACK STORMS -- Severe weather struck Hamilton County with back-to-back storms three days apart in June, with the bulk of the damage reported in area fields hit hard by hail stones as big as golf balls. Massive storms were tracked all across the state on June 4 and again on June 7, bringing high winds, heavy rain and sporadic hail storms with them. Local insurance agents reported that by far the most severe impact was in the ag community. 

10. LADY WRESTLERS TAKE THE MAT -- The NSAA held its first-ever girls state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in February as the girls competed alongside the boys in a sport which not long ago girls weren’t even allowed to put the headgear on. Aurora senior and foreign exchange student Tia Tiegre picked up the sport faster than anyone, wrestling her way to a silver medal. 

Just missing the cut by a single vote was a feel-good story that may yet have a chapter remaining to be told. Aurora native and former Nebraska football captain Austin Allen signed on as an undrafted free agent deal with the New York Giants following the final round of the NFL draft. Allen spent several months on the practice squad, practicing with the team and attending games, until he was released in October. While frustrating for the 2021 Big Ten tight end of the year, Allen said he was grateful for the experience and remains in training, hoping to continue his pro career. 
For those who many be wondering, here is a recap of the Top 10 stories making ANR headlines in 2021: 1. Housing development in Aurora; 2. Austin Allen shines for Huskers; 3. COVID lingers on; 4. Hamilton County Courthouse marks 125th anniversary; 5. Progress in Phillips; 6. Giltner native Lyle Reab comes home, 76 years after being listed as missing in action; 7. Jeromy McCoy becomes new sheriff in town; 8. Edgerton Explorit Center earns statewide recognition with Outstanding Tourism Attraction Award; 9. Aurora Huskies make second consecutive trip to state title game; 10. Grain Weevil invention gains traction and credibility.