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Prairie Plains Resource Institute’s Sarah Bailey, center, helps Youth Naturalist campers gather insects last week on the Gjerloff Prairie west of Marquette.

Prairie Plains Resource Institute’s Sarah Bailey, center, helps Youth Naturalist campers gather insects last week on the Gjerloff Prairie west of Marquette.

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PPRI center put to good use by Youth Naturalists

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
A group of 10 students took a deeper dive into learning about the diverse Hamilton County landscape around them last week, enjoying a full slate of activities as part of the Prairie Plains Resource Institute’s Youth Naturalist Program.
Familiar tunes will ring out over the bricks on the downtown square soon.

Familiar tunes will ring out over the bricks on the downtown square soon.

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Bands on the Bricks returns for 5th year

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Familiar tunes will ring out over the bricks on the downtown square, week after week through the long, hot summer. Bands on the Bricks is back for its fifth year of high afternoon fun every Friday through Aug. 12 starting Friday with the Devon Worley Band. Performances run from 6 to 9 p.m.
Jeremy Otto tosses a bean bag in the outside cornhole competition during Phillips’ annual July 3 celebration.

Jeremy Otto tosses a bean bag in the outside cornhole competition during Phillips’ annual July 3 celebration.

Phillips kicks off Independence Day

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
On July 3, Phillips residents came out to celebrate in their typical fesitve fashion. Starting at 5 p.m there were bursts of activities for all ages and a dinner at 6.
More super detailed replicas can be found on display at the Plainsman Museum.

More super detailed replicas can be found on display at the Plainsman Museum.

Scaled-down history alive at Plainsman

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Now open again to public viewing, the Plainsman Museum welcomes guests to its Wesley Huenefeld Agricultural Museum.  Alongside other special exhibits, or rather atop other special exhibits, sits a number of scale buildings that most may recognize as local pieces of history.
Aurora City Council members voted June 28 to enter into a municipal rental agreement for two 2022 Caterpillar skid steers with a new financing company, Arvest Equipment Finance in Arkansas.

Aurora City Council members voted June 28 to enter into a municipal rental agreement for two 2022 Caterpillar skid steers with a new financing company, Arvest Equipment Finance in Arkansas.

City council approves rental agreement for pair of skid steers

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Aurora City Council members voted June 28 to enter into a municipal rental agreement for two 2022 Caterpillar skid steers with a new financing company, Arvest Equipment Finance in Arkansas.
The winners of the 2022 “Aurora’s Got Talent” from left to right: Maddy “The Maddog” Barnes, Ethan Wishman, Stephen Knudsen, Alyssa and Bobby Jacobs.

The winners of the 2022 “Aurora’s Got Talent” from left to right: Maddy “The Maddog” Barnes, Ethan Wishman, Stephen Knudsen, Alyssa and Bobby Jacobs.

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News Staff
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
‘Aurora’s Got Talent’ headlines for second year The second annual “Aurora’s Got Talent” show sponsored by the Hamilton Community Foundation gave a stage to the gifts of six local residents Thursday on the courthouse parking lot.
The pre-Independence Day celebration at Memorial Hall and neighboring ball field in Phillips comes once again Sunday, with fireworks set to light the night sky at 10 p.m. 

The pre-Independence Day celebration at Memorial Hall and neighboring ball field in Phillips comes once again Sunday, with fireworks set to light the night sky at 10 p.m. 

Fireworks, fun planned in Phillips

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
The pre-Independence Day celebration at Memorial Hall and neighboring ball field in Phillips comes once again Sunday, with fireworks set to light the night sky at 10 p.m.  Starting at 5 p.m. the celebration kicks off with a flurry of old and new activities.
Pictured last week on a backpacking hike into camp at Niobrara Valley Preserve are, from left: Sarah Bailey, Zildjian Sandberg, Kim Evans, Alex Briner, Atticus Miller and Jacob Fink.

Pictured last week on a backpacking hike into camp at Niobrara Valley Preserve are, from left: Sarah Bailey, Zildjian Sandberg, Kim Evans, Alex Briner, Atticus Miller and Jacob Fink.

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Youth take deeper dive into nature through PPRI program

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
A group of area students took their understanding of nature to a higher level last week with a four-day Young Nebraska Ecologist program designed to help youth study and compare how habitat and ecosystems vary by region.
Mechanic Josh Moellenberndt (right) points out something to Blake Delarnn as they change out the tires on a state patrol vehicle in the background. Common parts like tires can now take days to arrove, while hard parts can take weeks up to a month.

Mechanic Josh Moellenberndt (right) points out something to Blake Delarnn as they change out the tires on a state patrol vehicle in the background. Common parts like tires can now take days to arrove, while hard parts can take weeks up to a month.

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Cars, parts run into supply chain traffic jam

Jacob Courtney
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of articles focused on supply chain shortages and delays and how they are impacting local business and industry. This report highlights feedback from Aurora-based automotive companies. Summer seems made for all things related to cars and vehicles.
Hamilton County Commissioners were back in action Monday after a week’s hiatus in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday. 

Hamilton County Commissioners were back in action Monday after a week’s hiatus in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday. 

Problem Solving Court updates Hamilton County

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Hamilton County Commissioners were back in action Monday after a week’s hiatus in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday.