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Three-year-old Kellen Peterson joins dozens of other kids in picking up Easter eggs on the courthouse lawn in the spring of 2009. The photo was snapped by his mom, Sunny Wendt, who remembers that as being one of the last Easter egg hunts held on the square.

Three-year-old Kellen Peterson joins dozens of other kids in picking up Easter eggs on the courthouse lawn in the spring of 2009. The photo was snapped by his mom, Sunny Wendt, who remembers that as being one of the last Easter egg hunts held on the square.

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Easter egg hunt returns to city’s downtown square

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
It’s been a long time since an Easter egg hunt took place on the expansive grounds of the Hamilton County Courthouse on the town square. So long, in fact, that the community’s collective memory of just when the last one was held there has gotten a bit... fuzzy.
Jacob Inman, as Patrick Star, and Eva Yllescas (center right), pose together after singing “BFF.” Holding the “BFF” signs are from left: Piper Oswald, Hannah Janda and Makenna Oswald.

Jacob Inman, as Patrick Star, and Eva Yllescas (center right), pose together after singing “BFF.” Holding the “BFF” signs are from left: Piper Oswald, Hannah Janda and Makenna Oswald.

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SpongeBob makes splash with audiences

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
The Aurora High School musical cast and crew gave it their all with their production of SpongeBob the Musical last week.
Jason Roe stands in front of the Roe Chevrolet dealership in downtown Aurora, where plans have been announced to expand the service department.

Jason Roe stands in front of the Roe Chevrolet dealership in downtown Aurora, where plans have been announced to expand the service department.

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Changes planned at Roe Chevy dealership

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Roe Chevrolet announced this week to customers and community members in Aurora and Grand Island pending changes with the dealerships. Jason Roe, president of Roe Chevrolet and Roe Automotive, Inc., explained that new Buick vehicles will no longer be available at the Grand Island location.
Tiffany Cure leaves the courtroom following her preliminary hearing on Friday. The state presented evidence in an attempt to upgrade the homicide charge against Cure to first degree murder.

Tiffany Cure leaves the courtroom following her preliminary hearing on Friday. The state presented evidence in an attempt to upgrade the homicide charge against Cure to first degree murder.

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Hearing reveals details of infant’s cause of death

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
More details about the injuries that led to the death of 3-month-old Stormi Swartz in Marquette last August were revealed in a two-hour hearing in Hamilton County District Court on Friday.
The Aurora Meat Block brought home eight honors from the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors convention in Kearney. Pictured from left are co-owners Andrea and Brent Winfield, Josh Dick and Ed Van Landingham.

The Aurora Meat Block brought home eight honors from the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors convention in Kearney. Pictured from left are co-owners Andrea and Brent Winfield, Josh Dick and Ed Van Landingham.

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Aurora Meat Block earns state honors in meat processing

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
The Aurora Meat Block was recognized as one of the state’s top meat lockers this weekend, earning eight awards at the annual convention of the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors in Kearney.
Nebraska LEAD Class 42 Fellows celebrate their graduation after completing the two-year leadership development program. With their completion, the Nebraska LEAD Program now boasts more than 1,200 alumni dedicated to strengthening Nebraska’s agricultural industry and rural communities.

Nebraska LEAD Class 42 Fellows celebrate their graduation after completing the two-year leadership development program. With their completion, the Nebraska LEAD Program now boasts more than 1,200 alumni dedicated to strengthening Nebraska’s agricultural industry and rural communities.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
“It’s a little bit of a time commitment, but it’s 100 percent worth it; it’s good!” That’s how Aurora agronomist Matt Oswald sums up the last two years he spent as a member of UNL’s Nebraska LEAD program.
ohn Boeder, operations manager and executive chef at The Leadership Center, stands by his best producing silver maple tree.

ohn Boeder, operations manager and executive chef at The Leadership Center, stands by his best producing silver maple tree.

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Sweet harvest is nearing its end here

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
It has probably never occurred to most Nebraskans that they could top their morning pancakes with real maple syrup made from maple sap harvested from trees on their own property. Not only is it possible, but it’s being done by several people right here in Aurora.
Josh Paisley is the subject of this week's 'Where Are They Now?'

Josh Paisley is the subject of this week's 'Where Are They Now?'

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Aurora grad Paisley makes connections built for life

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Aurora native Josh Paisley, a general manager at the Timpte dry bulk trailer plant in David city, has had an interest in manufacturing since he was a kid growing up in Hamilton County.
Tiffany Cure steps off the elevator on the top floor of the Hamilton County Courthouse last August for her initial court appearance on charges of child abuse resulting in death.

Tiffany Cure steps off the elevator on the top floor of the Hamilton County Courthouse last August for her initial court appearance on charges of child abuse resulting in death.

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Cure released from jail to give birth

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
A Marquette woman charged in the death of an infant last August was released briefly from the Hamilton County Jail briefly in the past week in order to give birth to her own child.
The preliminary design for the Hamilton County Extension office to be located at the fairgrounds.

The preliminary design for the Hamilton County Extension office to be located at the fairgrounds.

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County passes resolution to use design-build on Extension bldg

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
One more step in the process of designing and building a new facility at the county fairgrounds for the Hamilton County Extension office was taken Monday morning at the regular meeting of the county commission.