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Giltner native Teresa White retired last week from her job as site admin at the Mars Petcare dog and cat food plant west of Aurora. White was the first person hired (as a secretary) when the plant was under construction in 1984.

Giltner native Teresa White retired last week from her job as site admin at the Mars Petcare dog and cat food plant west of Aurora. White was the first person hired (as a secretary) when the plant was under construction in 1984.

White retires after 40 years at Mars Petcare plant

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
There’s probably not one local resident who knows more about the history of the production pet food in Hamilton County over the past four decades than Teresa White.
Some of Randy Beckman's oil company signs on his property in Marquette.

Some of Randy Beckman's oil company signs on his property in Marquette.

Signs of trouble in Marquette

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Randy Beckman and a team of volunteers are planning to take down pieces of several vintage signs in Marquette during the next month, part of what he hopes is a short-term solution to a dispute involving the village’s ordinances regarding commercial signage.
Camper Jaxon Bayne holds the molt of a crawdad. After, he let it back into the river as the molts provide vital nutrients to crawdads.

Camper Jaxon Bayne holds the molt of a crawdad. After, he let it back into the river as the molts provide vital nutrients to crawdads.

PPRI’s annual SOAR camp off to a hot start

Emma Bullerman
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Another year of Prairie Plains Resource Institute’s summer camp SOAR (Summer Orientation About Rivers) began during last week’s sweltering heat. For two weeks each summer, Prairie Plains hosts SOAR for kids in grades three through six.
Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly was one of several speakers during a press conference Thursday in Grand Island kicking off the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative in the Central Region. Pictured behind him from left are K.C. Belitz with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development; CCC President Matt Gotschall; Nebraska Chamber President Brian Sloan; and Region 6 co-chair Dave Rippe. Not pictured is Region 6 co-chair Jim Ediger of Aurora.

Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly was one of several speakers during a press conference Thursday in Grand Island kicking off the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative in the Central Region. Pictured behind him from left are K.C. Belitz with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development; CCC President Matt Gotschall; Nebraska Chamber President Brian Sloan; and Region 6 co-chair Dave Rippe. Not pictured is Region 6 co-chair Jim Ediger of Aurora.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
A broad coalition of state and local leaders convened in Grand Island Thursday to announce a “6 Regions, One Nebraska” initiative designed to reflect a new era of economic development. K.C.
As a member of the American Legion color guard, Robert ‘Bob’ Leach, folded and presented dozens of American flags to family members of deceased veterans. In May he joined the color guard again to present a flag to the family of fellow veteran and long-time friend Richard ‘Dick’ Grosshans.

As a member of the American Legion color guard, Robert ‘Bob’ Leach, folded and presented dozens of American flags to family members of deceased veterans. In May he joined the color guard again to present a flag to the family of fellow veteran and long-time friend Richard ‘Dick’ Grosshans.

A lifetime of service to country, community

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
As he turns 95 this month, long-time American Legion Post 42 member and Aurora businessman Bob Leach reflects back on a life which has been guided by a life-long mindset of always doing what was best for his community and country.
Mike Semrad and the Nighthawks deliver tunes to Aurora’s downtown square. This is the band’s fourth time playing at Bands on the Bricks.

Mike Semrad and the Nighthawks deliver tunes to Aurora’s downtown square. This is the band’s fourth time playing at Bands on the Bricks.

Bands back on the bricks

Emma Bullerman
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Bands on the Bricks kicked off its seventh season Friday night with music by Mike Semrad and the Riverhawks.With perfect weather and great music, the turnout for 2024’s first Bands on the Bricks was all they could ask for, said organizer Sara Sutherland.
Aurora native and veteran Omaha broadcaster Vonn Jones speaks at the ceremony in which he was inducted into the Omaha Press Club Journalists of Excellence Hall of Fame on June 8.

Aurora native and veteran Omaha broadcaster Vonn Jones speaks at the ceremony in which he was inducted into the Omaha Press Club Journalists of Excellence Hall of Fame on June 8.

Jones inducted into Journalists of Excellence Hall of Fame

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Signing off from his 28-year career with KETV (Channel 7) Television, Aurora High School graduate Vonn Jones was inducted into the Omaha Press Club Journalists of Excellence Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 8.
The crew at Danish Oak in Hampton includes, from left: Grant Ferguson, Justin Kliewer, owners Jennifer and Dane Schafer, Shauna Pursley and Drake Schafer.

The crew at Danish Oak in Hampton includes, from left: Grant Ferguson, Justin Kliewer, owners Jennifer and Dane Schafer, Shauna Pursley and Drake Schafer.

Danish Oak expands staff, equipment

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Exactly 20 years after opening a furniture refinishing and restoration business in downtown Hampton, Dane Schafer and his family are celebrating success while also announcing exciting changes.
EMT captain Erin Ditloff goes waist deep in the training trailer to help firefighters train for a grain rescue scenario. Coffer dams were used to prevent grain from falling back as firefighters dig Ditloff and a training dummy out throughout the evening.

EMT captain Erin Ditloff goes waist deep in the training trailer to help firefighters train for a grain rescue scenario. Coffer dams were used to prevent grain from falling back as firefighters dig Ditloff and a training dummy out throughout the evening.

Hampton firefighters receive grain rescue training at Bradshaw event

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Hampton Fire and Rescue joined together with the Bradshaw Fire Department and Henderson Fire & Rescue to test out Central Valley Ag’s (CVA) grain training trailer on June 11.