News

Auctioneer Jamie Bergmark, left, calls for bids during Monday’s live auction at the Plainsman, while volunteers Greg Bonifas and Eric Lohrmeyer assist.

Auctioneer Jamie Bergmark, left, calls for bids during Monday’s live auction at the Plainsman, while volunteers Greg Bonifas and Eric Lohrmeyer assist.

Plainsman marks 50th anniversary with fundraiser

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
The Plainsman Museum, Hamilton County’s prized historical archive, celebrated its own 50 years of history Monday with a fundraiser dinner and auction which raised more than $25,000 for the cause.
Tiffany Cure

Tiffany Cure

Tiffany Cure found not guilty on all charges

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
A Hamilton County jury of 10 women and four men has found Tiffany Cure of Marquette not guilty of all charges related to the death of infant Stormi Swartz in August of 2024. The jury deliberated for about 2-1/2 hours on Wednesday afternoon, Jan.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Mid Air IT wins county computer maintenance contract

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
After hearing in recent weeks proposals from three local companies for providing cybersecurity and computer repair services for computers in all county offices, the board of commissioners decided Monday to enter into a one-year contract with Mid Air IT of Aurora.
A photo from the 2025 edition of the Healthy Living Health Fair

A photo from the 2025 edition of the Healthy Living Health Fair

Live Healthy Health Fair coming Feb. 14

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Twenty-five vendors are currently set to have booths at the Memorial Community Health’s Live Healthy Health Fair set for Feb. 14 at the Schaffert Commercial Building at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The event is set to run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jeff Lash and his wife, Dottie, are both 1973 graduates of Aurora High School. After working in a variety of fields for 44 years, mostly in Lincoln, he is now retired and living in Ozark, Mo.

Jeff Lash and his wife, Dottie, are both 1973 graduates of Aurora High School. After working in a variety of fields for 44 years, mostly in Lincoln, he is now retired and living in Ozark, Mo.

Lash: ‘If you say you can or can’t, you’re right’

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Aurora native Jeff Lash is a living example of the old adage, “Choose a job that you enjoy and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Through his many years of working in Lincoln (mostly in sales) he found joy in what he did and rarely had to look for new job opportunities.
This temporary exhibit at the Alliance Heritage Center at New Jersey’s Stockton University features the contributions of many people who served during WWII in nearby Atlantic City.

This temporary exhibit at the Alliance Heritage Center at New Jersey’s Stockton University features the contributions of many people who served during WWII in nearby Atlantic City.

Carol Robotham featured in New Jersey WWII exhibit

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Long time Marquette resident Carol Robotham, who passed away last year at the age of 102, is currently among those being honored in a WWII exhibit at the Alliance Heritage Center at Stockton University near Atlantic City,  N.J. where she served in the Women’s Army Corps.
Hampton students Noah Miller (left) and Brayden Wolinski performed in Varsity Duet at the Ardys Dunsmoor Memorial Speech Invite on Saturday.

Hampton students Noah Miller (left) and Brayden Wolinski performed in Varsity Duet at the Ardys Dunsmoor Memorial Speech Invite on Saturday.

Hawks speech team takes 3rd at Ardys Dunsmoor

News Staff
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Hampton High School hosted the annual Ardys Dunsmoor Memorial Speech Meet on Saturday and took third in the team sweepstakes for the event. A total of nine schools participated in the meet which was the first of the season for Hampton and Giltner.
Former Hampton volleyball team members display some of the trophies they won in past years

Former Hampton volleyball team members display some of the trophies they won in past years

Hampton honors volleyball heritage

News Staff
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Hampton welcomed back members of its state tournament qualifying and championship teams Friday Jan. 23 to be recognized during the H&H basketball doubleheader against Sandy Creek. The former Hawks were honored between games with many of their stats, accolades and trophies on display. 
Avery McCarthy ponders a way to get out from under her Sutton opponent.

Avery McCarthy ponders a way to get out from under her Sutton opponent.

Ready, set wrestle

News Staff
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Both gymnasiums at Aurora Public Schools were brimming with action and emotion Sunday during a day-long youth wrestling tournament which featured nearly 500 competitors from throughout Central Nebraska. A full page of photos from the event can be found on Page A9 of this week's Aurora News-Register.
The Hamilton County Spelling Bee is Wednesday

The Hamilton County Spelling Bee is Wednesday

Hamilton County Spelling Bee set for Wednesday

News Staff
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Some of Hamilton County's top spellers will be putting their skills to the test at the annual Hamilton County Spelling Bee on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The contest will be held at the Ag Building at the Hamilton County fairgrounds. Registration begins at 8:45 with the contest beginning at 9 a.m.