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Just minutes after the first coins had been inserted into the slot machines last week, the new Grand Island Casino was already being touted as a major new entertainment attraction and source of growth for the area.

Just minutes after the first coins had been inserted into the slot machines last week, the new Grand Island Casino was already being touted as a major new entertainment attraction and source of growth for the area.

New GI casino expected to have regional impact

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Just minutes after the first coins had been inserted into the slot machines last week, the new Grand Island Casino was already being touted as a major new entertainment attraction and source of growth for the area.
The Grand Island Casino opened Tuesday with 300 slot machines available. Plans have been announced for a large casino and hotel to open on the same site, with construction set to begin this fall.

The Grand Island Casino opened Tuesday with 300 slot machines available. Plans have been announced for a large casino and hotel to open on the same site, with construction set to begin this fall.

Game on in Grand Island

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Tuesday was opening day for the new Grand Island Casino at Fonner Park, where hundreds of people flooded in the doors after a noon ribbon-cutting ceremony. For details and reaction to the new gambling facility, watch next week's ANR.
A new year is almost here, but before we close the book for good on 2022 here is a look back at the events that made headlines on the local front. What follows is a week-by-week capsule summary of the top news stories from January through June 2022.

A new year is almost here, but before we close the book for good on 2022 here is a look back at the events that made headlines on the local front. What follows is a week-by-week capsule summary of the top news stories from January through June 2022.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
'22 in review A new year is almost here, but before we close the book for good on 2022 here is a look back at the events that made headlines on the local front. What follows is a week-by-week capsule summary of the top news stories from January through June 2022. * Jan.
A single, empty seat at the head of Hampton’s bench was the focus of the night Feb. 11 as a gymnasium full of family and friends paid tribute to Coach Kyle Ediger, who was killed in a car/train accident earlier that week.

A single, empty seat at the head of Hampton’s bench was the focus of the night Feb. 11 as a gymnasium full of family and friends paid tribute to Coach Kyle Ediger, who was killed in a car/train accident earlier that week.

Ediger’s memory chosen year’s top story

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
The Hampton school and community suffered a devastating loss in February with the tragic death of Kyle Ediger, a 31-year-old teacher and coach who local residents say personified the Hawk Pride tradition.
After a three-year pandemic pause, the MCHI Live Healthy Health Fair is coming back Jan. 14, in conjunction with the Craft and Vendor Show at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. 

After a three-year pandemic pause, the MCHI Live Healthy Health Fair is coming back Jan. 14, in conjunction with the Craft and Vendor Show at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. 

Health Fair promotes Hamilton County well-being

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
After a three-year pandemic pause, the MCHI Live Healthy Health Fair is coming back Jan. 14, in conjunction with the Craft and Vendor Show at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds.  The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farr Building, with the vendor and craft show lasting until 2 p.m.
Sen. Curt Friesen

Sen. Curt Friesen

Friesen signs off as senator

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Eight years after first being elected to the Nebraska Legislature, Curt Friesen is preparing to drop the word senator from his title this week, offering insight and reflection as he steps away from a role he said he has no regrets about leaving.
A group of kind-hearted Aurora Jaycees distributing Christmas fruit baskets in 1989 included, from left: Wayne Roblee, Gordon Hope, Larry Jones, Darrell Walla,Greg Meier, Dave Laferla and Steve Vrana.

A group of kind-hearted Aurora Jaycees distributing Christmas fruit baskets in 1989 included, from left: Wayne Roblee, Gordon Hope, Larry Jones, Darrell Walla,Greg Meier, Dave Laferla and Steve Vrana.

What did Christmas look like back in ’89?

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
The holidays in Hamilton County looked a little different in 1989.  Diving backwards in time for a bit of a historical recap, the News-Register sought out what it could in the form of old bound editions from the year, housed at the Plainsman Museum in Aurora. The Dec.
Dawn and Rusty Ogden stand by an RV with sewer pipe and skeletal Cousin Eddie from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” as well as the “Hanging with my Gnomies” sign won last year Hampton’s Annual House Decorating contest. A second place winner this year in the Hampton Christmas decorating contest, Rusty enjoys the work and community appreciation that comes with his decorations.

Dawn and Rusty Ogden stand by an RV with sewer pipe and skeletal Cousin Eddie from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” as well as the “Hanging with my Gnomies” sign won last year Hampton’s Annual House Decorating contest. A second place winner this year in the Hampton Christmas decorating contest, Rusty enjoys the work and community appreciation that comes with his decorations.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
‘Land of Misfit Decorations:’ Ogden shares Christmas wonderland It’s that time, Christmas time is here, and everybody knows there is no better time of year!
Local flu and COVID cases are reportedly on the rise heading into the holiday season, prompting health officials to urge residents to use caution to protect themselves and others.

Local flu and COVID cases are reportedly on the rise heading into the holiday season, prompting health officials to urge residents to use caution to protect themselves and others.

Flu, COVID cases spiking in area

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Local flu and COVID cases are reportedly on the rise heading into the holiday season, prompting health officials to urge residents to use caution to protect themselves and others. “I can tell you from Dec.
Gathered together, from left, special education teacher Kirsten Kreutz, Jacob, Becky and Kevin Wiles reflected on the Wiles’ journey since Jacob’s accident. More than a year after the accident, they shared the story of Jacob’s journey of reclaiming skills having sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Gathered together, from left, special education teacher Kirsten Kreutz, Jacob, Becky and Kevin Wiles reflected on the Wiles’ journey since Jacob’s accident. More than a year after the accident, they shared the story of Jacob’s journey of reclaiming skills having sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Progress every day: Wiles family shares struggles, triumphs

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Faith, community and charity are traits that are renewed around the Christmas season, yet Hamilton County oftentimes displays these traits year-round.