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The Aurora City Council gave first reading approval last week to an ordinance that would lower the speed limit to 35 miles per hour on an expanded area along Highway 34 running through Aurora.

The Aurora City Council gave first reading approval last week to an ordinance that would lower the speed limit to 35 miles per hour on an expanded area along Highway 34 running through Aurora.

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Slow down advised on Highway 34

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
The Aurora City Council approved the first reading last week of an ordinance that would reduce the speed limit on portions of Highway 34 running through Aurora from 45 to 35 miles per hour, based on recommendations from the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
The sandstone base blocks along the west side of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been replaced with new ones cut from the same Colorado quarry.

The sandstone base blocks along the west side of the Hamilton County Courthouse have been replaced with new ones cut from the same Colorado quarry.

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County board reviews next phases of ongoing courthouse project

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
With the initial phase of the courthouse renovation project moving toward an expected summer completion date, Jerry Berggren, the Lincoln preservation architect who has been overseeing the work since its inception, paid a visit to the Hamilton County Commission Monday morning.
Aurora photographers Triniti Jensen (left) and Laura Oswald both took home awards from the 2026 Nebraska Wedding Day Best of the Best Awards Gala June 16 in Omaha.

Aurora photographers Triniti Jensen (left) and Laura Oswald both took home awards from the 2026 Nebraska Wedding Day Best of the Best Awards Gala June 16 in Omaha.

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Jensen, Oswald earn Wedding Day honors

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Two Aurora-based photographers won top honors for their work at an event hosted by Nebraska Wedding Day, adding to their growing list of accolades.
The six veterans recognized at a Quilts of Valor ceremony during A’ROR’N Days Friday night were from left: Amy Lou Emaneul-Bassett, Paul G. Duey, Richard Hock, Bruce Nilson, Jason Trumble and Jeff Trumble.

The six veterans recognized at a Quilts of Valor ceremony during A’ROR’N Days Friday night were from left: Amy Lou Emaneul-Bassett, Paul G. Duey, Richard Hock, Bruce Nilson, Jason Trumble and Jeff Trumble.

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Six veterans honored with Quilts of Valor

News Staff
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Six veterans from Hamilton County were honored for their service with quilts of valor during a ceremony that took place on the downtown square Friday evening as part of A’ROR’N Days.
Saturday’s A’ROR’N Days parade included a total of 76 entries (an appropriate number given the America 250 theme of this year’s celebration), making it one of the biggest in recent history. As always, antique tractors were a big part of the event as seen in this birds-eye view of the downtown square.

Saturday’s A’ROR’N Days parade included a total of 76 entries (an appropriate number given the America 250 theme of this year’s celebration), making it one of the biggest in recent history. As always, antique tractors were a big part of the event as seen in this birds-eye view of the downtown square.

Hometown pride shines

Staff Reports
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
As Aurora kicked off the local celebration of  America’s 250th birthday, the community had plenty of reasons to celebrate its own hometown tradition as well.
This section of Highway 34 by the Aurora swimming pool will be the focus of a study to consider the concept and cost of building an undercrossing in conjunction with an NDOT highway improvement project planned for approximately 2030.

This section of Highway 34 by the Aurora swimming pool will be the focus of a study to consider the concept and cost of building an undercrossing in conjunction with an NDOT highway improvement project planned for approximately 2030.

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Council approves undercrossing study

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
The Aurora City Council initiated a design study last week to explore the possibility and cost of installing an undercrossing on Highway 34 near the swimming pool in the area of 12th and 13th streets.
Aurora fireworks display set to return July 2.

Aurora fireworks display set to return July 2.

Aurora fireworks return with a bang

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Fireworks will be returning to Aurora with a bang this year as the beloved Fourth of July event returns to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds on Thursday, July 2, with the show to begin at 10 p.m.The fireworks display was discontinued in 2024 due to the cost of organizing the event.
A Hampton village riding mower came to rest in a ditch on the south side of Highway 34 in Hampton after it was struck by a pickup truck last Tuesday afternoon. The driver of the mower, village maintenence worker Patrick Reisdorff was airlifted to Lincoln where he is being treated for his injuries.

A Hampton village riding mower came to rest in a ditch on the south side of Highway 34 in Hampton after it was struck by a pickup truck last Tuesday afternoon. The driver of the mower, village maintenence worker Patrick Reisdorff was airlifted to Lincoln where he is being treated for his injuries.

Hampton man hurt in pickup/mower collision

News Staff
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
 A Hampton man was hospitalized with multiple injuries last Tuesday afternoon after the riding mower he was operating next to Highway 34 in Hampton was struck by another vehicle.
A'ROR'N Days will begin a few hours earlier this year as Hamilton Telecommunications sponsors a community appreciate dinner Wednesday evening.

A'ROR'N Days will begin a few hours earlier this year as Hamilton Telecommunications sponsors a community appreciate dinner Wednesday evening.

A’ROR’N Days kicks off USA’s birthday party

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
With the star-spangled theme of “Celebrating America 250,” A’ROR’N Days 2026 is serving as an early kickoff this week with local events celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday. Having witnessed America’s Bicentennial celebration as a child in 1976 Jody Griffith, president of A’ROR’N Days, Inc.
Hamilton County Attorney Douglas Dexter has announced his resignation

Hamilton County Attorney Douglas Dexter has announced his resignation

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County approves Dexter’s exit

News Staff
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Less than four years after being elected as Hamilton County’s first full-time county attorney in a number of years, Douglas Dexter is stepping down early next Month.