ANR's top 10 stories of 2024

Local sports fans had a front row seat to a feel-good sports story about a hometown boy who saw his NBA dreams come true in 2024. That impressive run from the hometown hero made an impression on ANR readers, who cheered for Baylor Scheierman on and off the court while voting his achievements as the top story of the year.
Scheierman turned heads when he was a Husky, made magic happen while leading the Creighton Bluejays to consecutive March Madness runs, and in June his dream came true when the defending champion Boston Celtics called his name as the final pick in the first round of the NBA draft.
Looking back over the year’s ANR coverage, the month of March provided Scheierman with some of his fondest memories in sports. It’s also been where he’s had some of his biggest heartache. The latest and possibly most painful came March 29 in Detroit as the curtain fell on Scheierman’s college basketball career with an 82-75 loss to Tennessee in the Sweet 16. 
In June, Big No. 55 invited ANR sports editor Richard Rhoden to Omaha, where Scheierman waited, and waited, then waited some more for a phone call that would change his life. He tried to hold conversations with friends and family, but his attention quickly went back to his phone and the TV. Scheierman had nearly chewed through a plastic water cup. Why wasn’t the phone ringing? 
“I was at peace with whatever may happen,” Scheierman shared following his draft selection. “It was getting towards the end of the first round and I was okay with it (not being selected in the first round).” 
Shortly after 10 p.m., the Boston Celtics were on the clock when Scheierman’s phone finally rang. Chaos ensued.
The hometown hero ended the year rotating between the Boston Celtics, where he scored his first NBA basket in November, and the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G-League affiliate where Scheierman is scoring points in buckets and learning the ropes of professional basketball.
In 11 games played with the Maine Celtics, Scheierman is averaging just over 18 points per contest with nearly seven rebounds and three assists. 
2. PINK POSTCARD HEARING -- Coming in at No. 2 on this year’s list was a story with a very different vibe. City leaders sharpened their pencils after a “pink postcard” meeting in September drew criticism from a crowd of more than 130 citizens regarding a budget proposing a 38 percent increase. Four days later, Mayor Marlin Seeman presented a revised “bare bones, balanced budget” during a special public hearing at the Fire Hall reflecting a reduction in the proposed tax increase from $751,816 to $334,805 -- a 22.2 percent final increase. The issue prompted three people to file as late write-in candidates for seats on the Aurora City Council, with one of the three -- Esther Bergen -- winning a spot in November’s General Election.
3. MISSION CRITICAL -- No. 3 on this year’s list was a repeat from last year’s poll as Aurora’s front door entrance along Highway 14 changed dramatically in 2024 with visible progress at the new Mission Critical Subdivision. Ground was broken for a new anchor tenant in 2023, and this last year both Specialty Ag Formulations and AAIM Data Centers finished construction and prepared to open for business in the 135-acre subdivision. Streets and infrastructure are now in place for continued business development, with opening day for both companies expected in the first quarter of 2025.
4. SALES TAX PROPOSAL --  The Aurora City Council voted in February to place a question on the May primary ballot asking citizens of Aurora if they want to approve a 1-1/2 percent city sales tax. The issue prompted considerable discussion during the weeks that followed, with Mayor Marlin Seeman explaining the rationale and timing behind the resolution, defining the proposal as a tax shift from a reliance on property taxes to a sales tax. Aurora citizens soundly rejected the proposal in May’s primary election, with 822 votes cast against the sales tax and 325 votes in favor. 
5. PAC SOLD -- A competition gymnasium built by the Penner family 14 years ago on the west edge of Aurora was sold to a community-based organization committed to maintaining its use as a recreational facility. It was announced in October that the Bremer Center is now the new owner, with terms of the deal reflecting a long-term commitment by both parties to offer gymnasium space for community use.
6. LOADING CHUTE OPENS -- To say the folks in Hampton were excited about the opening of the village’s new Loading Chute Bar & Grill could be the understatement of year. After several years of being without a place to eat in the village, folks were hungry for the Chute to open and the owners said they felt the community’s eager anticipation as well as its loyal support. By year’s end, that support was confirmed with reports of steady traffic at the new eatery.
7. SYNERGEN PROPOSAL -- Eight weeks after a proposed Synergen Green Energy ammonia plant first came to the attention of the general public in Hamilton County, the project hit a snag when the county’s Joint Planning and Zoning Commission voted 10-1 against recommending a conditional use permit (CUP) for the plant to be located along Highway 34 west of Aurora near the Mars Petcare factory. The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners eventually approved the withdrawal by Synergen of its conditional use permit application. 
8. NEW APARTMENTS IN AURORA --  Two new apartment complexes were showcased in October during an open house celebrating the cooperation and partnerships required to expand Aurora’s housing inventory. The Aurora Housing Development Corporation hosted the event at the new Streeter Apartments, where many of the individuals and entities which helped make the project happen were recognized and thanked. The project represents the first new apartment complex built locally in more than 20 years.
9. ADAMS FOUND GUILTY --  The Marquette man found guilty of first degree murder in connection the death of his wife will spend the rest of his life in prison following a sentencing hearing in Hamilton County District Court. Judge Christina Marroquin, who had presided over the June jury trial, sentenced Jeffrey Adams to life in prison for the beating and strangulation death of his wife, Angela in their Marquette home on Feb. 26, 2023. 
10.  HAMILTON REACHES FIBER MILESTONE -- Seven years after beginning the process of burying fiber to extend high-speed internet access to customers throughout its local exchange territory Hamilton Telecommunications reached a milestone. Company officials announced in July that a multi-year, multi-million dollar project to provide direct fiber access throughout its local territory is now complete, with approximately 1,187 miles of fiber laid throughout Hamilton County and parts of Clay and Adams counties.

A look back at 2023
For those who many be wondering, here is a recap of the Top 10 stories making ANR headlines in 2023: 
1. An emotional two-month search for Bob and Loveda Proctor ends in tragedy with the discovery of their bodies northeast of Kearney.
2. Crowds gathered, dignitaries spoke and golden shovels turned earth at the Mission Critical Subdivision, signaling both the beginning of a new manufacturing business for Hamilton County and the culmination of more than a decade of work by public and private entities.
3. Tragedy struck Hamilton County twice in 2023, with homicide charges filed against Jeffrey Adams of Marquette and Caleb Arnett of Aurora.
4. The drought situation was grim in 2023, with Hamilton County slipping to the most severe category on the National Drought Monitor map.
5. Aurora Middle School teacher Scott Phillips was named Nebraska Teacher of the Year.
6. Two years after being awarded a $1 million Rural Workforce Housing Grant, the Aurora Housing Development Corporation became one of 27 recipients in a second round of funding, adding another $1 million to the cause.
7. More than $1 million worth of interior renovations were completed at the Bremer Center Community Center, with announcement also made in 2023 of plans to build permanent pickleball and bocce ball courts on a vacant lot near the center.
8. Aurora newest and largest outdoor art project was unveiled with a new mural adding a creative look to the southwest corner of the downtown square.
9. The Hampton Village Board forged an agreement with Hampton Community Development Corp. to create a new subdivision on the town’s western edge.
10. BonnaVilla Homes marked a milestone, gathering its staff and largest dealers to celebrate the 35,000th home produced at the plant on the west edge of town.