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This wrecked minivan parked along Highway 14 near the Aurora Cemetery on Friday morning was one of several vehicles involved in a pileup caused by Thursday afternoon’s surprise snow squall that blew through this area. As many as a dozen cars were damaged in several multi-vehicle collisions

This wrecked minivan parked along Highway 14 near the Aurora Cemetery on Friday morning was one of several vehicles involved in a pileup caused by Thursday afternoon’s surprise snow squall that blew through this area. As many as a dozen cars were damaged in several multi-vehicle collisions

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Freak snow squall blasts county

Staff Reports
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
When Giltner area farmer Zach Hunnicutt left for Central City Thursday afternoon to pick up his daughter, he had no idea that a few minutes later he would be stuck in the middle of a surprise snow squall whiteout, much less that he would be explaining to a TV audience just exactly what a snow...
This rendering shows a typical ammonia plant using electrolyzer technology for hydrogen feedstock production. The same elements shown here would be utilized on a plant being proposed by Synergen Green Energy near Aurora.

This rendering shows a typical ammonia plant using electrolyzer technology for hydrogen feedstock production. The same elements shown here would be utilized on a plant being proposed by Synergen Green Energy near Aurora.

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Ammonia plant proposed in Hamilton County

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Houston-based Synergen Green Energy Inc. announced plans this week for a proposed ammonia plant along the Highway 34 corridor west of Aurora, having narrowed its focus to a 160-acre Hamilton County site after a nationwide search that began almost two years ago.
Members of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District conduct a meeting Thursday at the NRD offices in York. Pictured second from left is board member Bill Kuehner of Aurora.

Members of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District conduct a meeting Thursday at the NRD offices in York. Pictured second from left is board member Bill Kuehner of Aurora.

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NRD board approves Synergen’s large water use permit

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
The Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District Board stood by its decision Thursday to approve a permit application from Synergen Green Energy Inc. to build a proposed ammonia production plant on a site south of Highway 34 near the Mars Petcare plant in Hamilton County.
The official Hamilton County ballot dropbox outside the courthouse stands lonely and covered in snow now, but for about three weeks in May and November it will be well used by voters dropping off their mail-in or early voting ballots.

The official Hamilton County ballot dropbox outside the courthouse stands lonely and covered in snow now, but for about three weeks in May and November it will be well used by voters dropping off their mail-in or early voting ballots.

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Election year means 12 months of preparatory work for county clerk

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
With the Iowa Presidential Caucuses now more than a week behind us and with the New Hampshire Primary taking place on Tuesday of this week, it should be no surprise to anyone that the 2024 election season is well underway.
This photo taken by Zach Hunnicutt as he waited out Thursday’s snow squall on 8th Road north of Giltner shows conditions as the storm began to pass by. Hunnicutt had waited in his vehicle for nearly 40 minutes for this moment so he could see to drive again.

This photo taken by Zach Hunnicutt as he waited out Thursday’s snow squall on 8th Road north of Giltner shows conditions as the storm began to pass by. Hunnicutt had waited in his vehicle for nearly 40 minutes for this moment so he could see to drive again.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Freak snow squall blasts county A brief and fast-moving storm dubbed by the National Weather Service as a snow squall passed through Hamilton County last Thursday afternoon just about the time school was being dismissed.
ANR's annual Prime Time edition is here

ANR's annual Prime Time edition is here

ANR's annual Prime Time issue is here!

News Staff
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Growing older has its inevitable questions and challenges but the golden years can also be prime time for living well. ANR is here to help with our annual Prime Time edition for and about seniors. See the B Section of our print or e-ditions for advice and encouragement and to answer your questions.
Now living at East Park Villa, former senior center director Barbara Graham now helps the Aurora Police Department by sewing on police patches and repairing uniforms.

Now living at East Park Villa, former senior center director Barbara Graham now helps the Aurora Police Department by sewing on police patches and repairing uniforms.

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Former senior center director Graham continues to serve Aurora

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
For the past six years, 75-year-old Barbara (Friesen) Graham has been playing quite a sentimental role for the Aurora Police Department.
Nebraska's teacher shortage is real and growing

Nebraska's teacher shortage is real and growing

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4R board hears report on teacher shortage

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Aurora Supt. Jody Phillips advised the 4R School Board Monday that the statewide teacher shortage is real, though to date Aurora Public Schools has been able to hire qualified candidates and remain fully staffed.
Pictured from left are Aurora Police Sgt. Nate Friesen, Rose and Bruce Larson, and Carlin Engert. Friesen and Engert received Life Saver Award certificates from the city after administering CPR to help save Bruce Larson’s life on May 28, 2023.

Pictured from left are Aurora Police Sgt. Nate Friesen, Rose and Bruce Larson, and Carlin Engert. Friesen and Engert received Life Saver Award certificates from the city after administering CPR to help save Bruce Larson’s life on May 28, 2023.

Neighbor, police officer credited for lifesaving actions

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Rose Larson and her husband Bruce were watching TV last Memorial Day weekend when all of a sudden something went terribly wrong.
Dr. Sean Flor began his new role Monday as a family physician at Memorial Community Health in Aurora.

Dr. Sean Flor began his new role Monday as a family physician at Memorial Community Health in Aurora.

MCHI welcomes new family physician

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Sean Flor grew up in north Omaha dreaming of one day being a military aviator and a doctor, perhaps not realizing he would eventually do both.