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Joseph and Kylee Ochsner stand outside their new five-bedroom home on L Street with their children Gideon, Eden, Boaz, Zipporah and Leah. Pictured below is the fire scene at their home on July 14, 2023.

Joseph and Kylee Ochsner stand outside their new five-bedroom home on L Street with their children Gideon, Eden, Boaz, Zipporah and Leah. Pictured below is the fire scene at their home on July 14, 2023.

Ochsner’s share redemption story

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Just over a year after seeing their newly renovated L Street home engulfed in flames the Joseph Ochsner family is moving into their new house on the same site in what they now view as a redemption story.
The special session of the Nebraska Legislature ended last week after just over three weeks of work on lowering property taxes.

The special session of the Nebraska Legislature ended last week after just over three weeks of work on lowering property taxes.

Lippincott weighs in on NE special session outcome

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
The special session of the Nebraska Legislature ended last week after just over three weeks of working on its intended goal of bringing about property tax relief for the state’s property owners.
Josh Weedin opens his HAWK egg on the first day of school at Hampton to learn he is a member of the Honorable Family along with other elementary and high school students as well. At left is Melori Bennett and at right is Cole Haberer.

Josh Weedin opens his HAWK egg on the first day of school at Hampton to learn he is a member of the Honorable Family along with other elementary and high school students as well. At left is Melori Bennett and at right is Cole Haberer.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
The first day of school on Aug. 14 held an extra surprise for elementary students at Hampton Public School. They learned which of the four HAWK Families they will be a part of starting this year.
Hamilton County’s valuation grew by $546 million this year

Hamilton County’s valuation grew by $546 million this year

County’s valuation jumps $546 million

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
The valuation of property in Hamilton County rose by 16.7 percent in 2024, pushing the cumulative total to a record $3.81 billion.Hamilton County Assessor Pat Sandberg reported this week that total valuations for all taxing subdivisions rose by $546.
The Hamilton County Commission took its meeting outdoors for a time Monday morning so that board members could see first-hand what was being proposed in the first phase of a courthouse renovation and preservation project. From left are Commissioner Francis McDonald, civil engineer Chris Lane, preservation architect Jerry Berggren, Commissioner John Thomas, County Attorney Douglas Dexter and Commissioners Nancy Salmon and Nicole SaBell.

The Hamilton County Commission took its meeting outdoors for a time Monday morning so that board members could see first-hand what was being proposed in the first phase of a courthouse renovation and preservation project. From left are Commissioner Francis McDonald, civil engineer Chris Lane, preservation architect Jerry Berggren, Commissioner John Thomas, County Attorney Douglas Dexter and Commissioners Nancy Salmon and Nicole SaBell.

Bids may be let in Sept. for courthouse project

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
The weather on Monday morning was cooler and pleasant for mid-August, but that’s not why the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners decided to move part of its weekly meeting outdoors.
This trail in Streeter Park is one of many suggested for a concrete upgrade in a report submitted last week to the Aurora City Council by a team of JEO Consulting interns.

This trail in Streeter Park is one of many suggested for a concrete upgrade in a report submitted last week to the Aurora City Council by a team of JEO Consulting interns.

City reviews JEO’s proposed Aurora Trails Study

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
A team of JEO Consulting interns spent the summer studying Aurora’s existing trail system, then shared its findings on how the city might consider expanding its trail network in a final report presented at the Aug. 13 council meeting.
The action was fast and furious at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds track Saturday night as drivers competed in the NeFigure8n Racing Association’s championship night finals.

The action was fast and furious at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds track Saturday night as drivers competed in the NeFigure8n Racing Association’s championship night finals.

Figure 8 racing returns to Aurora

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
A crowd estimated at approximately 1,000 people enjoyed a night of championship Figure 8 racing in Aurora Saturday, celebrating the return of an event that started here more than 30 years ago.
The Nebraska State Fair is set to begin its 15th run in Grand Island Friday, offering a combination of familiar favorites and new events to fairgoers through Sept. 2.

The Nebraska State Fair is set to begin its 15th run in Grand Island Friday, offering a combination of familiar favorites and new events to fairgoers through Sept. 2.

State Fair kicks off Friday in Grand Island

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
For the 15th consecutive year Grand Island will turn into a hub of learning and fun starting Friday and running through Sept. 2 with an event that celebrates the state’s ag-based heritage.
The Aurora Aquatic Facility had the daily average of 238 swimmers throughout the summer with Saturday, June 22, having the pool’s highest attendance of the season with 525 patrons.

The Aurora Aquatic Facility had the daily average of 238 swimmers throughout the summer with Saturday, June 22, having the pool’s highest attendance of the season with 525 patrons.

Smooth year for Aurora swimming pool

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
The Aurora Aquatic Facility ended its 2024 season with a consistent turnout through the season with the reporting average daily attendance of 238.According to co-manager Madison Farris, the pool had remained open the entire season with only few delays due to weather.
School Supplies Campaign volunteers Laura Jobman and Marilyn Vrana alongside nine churches in Hamilton County help provide 108 backpacks to students in time for the new school year.

School Supplies Campaign volunteers Laura Jobman and Marilyn Vrana alongside nine churches in Hamilton County help provide 108 backpacks to students in time for the new school year.

School Supplies Campaign expands reach

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Providing backpacks and school supplies to Hamilton County students in need has been a passionate mission for the School Supplies Campaign (SSC), formerly known as the Backpack Campaign.