News

Construction crews were busy Friday putting down forms to pour the first basement in 14 homes expected to be built this year in a new housing subdivision on the east side of Phillips. Rising lumber costs increased the target price from $217,000 to $259,000.

Construction crews were busy Friday putting down forms to pour the first basement in 14 homes expected to be built this year in a new housing subdivision on the east side of Phillips. Rising lumber costs increased the target price from $217,000 to $259,000.

Housing development a go in Phillips

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Progress is visible in Phillips this week, where several large, fresh holes in the ground reflect major steps forward in a 56-lot housing redevelopment project announced earlier this year.
High Plains Community Schools

High Plains Community Schools

HPC establishes girls wrestling

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
The High Plains Community School (HPC) Board of Education met Monday night to discuss changes to their activity programs. First on the table was whether or not to establish girl’s wrestling as its own sport, separate from the boy’s.
The CDHD and MCHI have provided a local COVID-19 update.

The CDHD and MCHI have provided a local COVID-19 update.

CDHD, Memorial Community Health share COVID-19 update

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
As variants of COVID-19 continue to spread throughout Nebraska, Central District Health Department health director Teresa Anderson shared how they are affecting the area counties and what people should be on the lookout for.
Power poles were snapped in half by this weekend's winds.

Power poles were snapped in half by this weekend's winds.

Commissioners approve disaster declaration Monday

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Hamilton County Emergency Manager Kirt Smith approached the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners during Monday’s meeting in hopes to approve a disaster declaration due to the weekends’ storms.
Heavy damage was sustained to the grain bins at the intersection of Highway 14 and 6 Road south of Aurora.

Heavy damage was sustained to the grain bins at the intersection of Highway 14 and 6 Road south of Aurora.

Storm clean-up plans in Aurora

Kurt Johnson
Monday, July 12, 2021
The City of Aurora has announced that the city landfill will be open Monday and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., and Wednesday from 9:30-noon, 1-7 p.m. accepting tree debris from Saturday’s storm.
Friday was a big day for Edgerton campers who chose the Air Academy camp to get in some summer fun -- and learning. One of the day’s pilots, Keal Bockelman, is seen here with his group of campers going over a quick safety brief before making their flight for the day.

Friday was a big day for Edgerton campers who chose the Air Academy camp to get in some summer fun -- and learning. One of the day’s pilots, Keal Bockelman, is seen here with his group of campers going over a quick safety brief before making their flight for the day.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Edgerton campers take to sky The Edgerton Explorit Center’s newest summer camp brought children to the sky.  After a week of aviation inspired lessons and activities, the camp culminated Friday with a series of flights, in actual airplanes, as well as up-close instructionals with RC model planes.
Ian Boerkircher (left) visited his sister Abbie Woodward along with other brother Nate Boerkircher. Stopping by to snap a picture with the Husker players were fellow Aurora alumni Kerry McBride and John Leininger.

Ian Boerkircher (left) visited his sister Abbie Woodward along with other brother Nate Boerkircher. Stopping by to snap a picture with the Husker players were fellow Aurora alumni Kerry McBride and John Leininger.

Aurora alumni find education to be a small world

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Many say that it’s a small world, even in America and for three Aurora alumni this saying rang true as they discovered that all of them took teaching positions in the same small town of Essex, Iowa.
Megan Newman, left, and Georgia Berthelsen are partners in a new business on the downtown square called AfterGlow Tanning. Both women work at Hello Gorgeous and decided recently to venture out with a new line of service.

Megan Newman, left, and Georgia Berthelsen are partners in a new business on the downtown square called AfterGlow Tanning. Both women work at Hello Gorgeous and decided recently to venture out with a new line of service.

AfterGlow Tanning debuts in hair salon

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Ten years after opening Hello Gorgeous in Aurora owner Georgia Berthelsen is branching out with a new partner and new product line, introducing AfterGlow Tanning at the downtown hair salon.
Bands on the Bricks is starting back up for summer 2021.

Bands on the Bricks is starting back up for summer 2021.

Bands on Bricks set for 4th year

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Long days and hot nights herald the peak of summer and for those looking to enjoy some live music the annual Bands on the Bricks summer concert series kicks off this week.  The free community event, now in its fourth year, is set to begin Friday with the band The People.
Atticus Miller, left, and Willa Sharp, right, observe bumble bees and practice identifying different species that they found at Gjerloff Prairie. Katie Lamke (center), Conservation biologist with the Xerces Society, presented to students about the Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas and helped them net bumble bees so they could be studied up close and identified as a part of a survey out on the prairie.

Atticus Miller, left, and Willa Sharp, right, observe bumble bees and practice identifying different species that they found at Gjerloff Prairie. Katie Lamke (center), Conservation biologist with the Xerces Society, presented to students about the Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas and helped them net bumble bees so they could be studied up close and identified as a part of a survey out on the prairie.

Young NE Ecologists debuts with more in-depth look at nature

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Five high school students completed Backpacking 101 and studied various ecosystems in the first ever Young Nebraska Ecologists program last week.