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Dan Fitzgerald, plant manager at the BonnaVilla Homes plant in Aurora, reflected on a most challenging fiscal year, concluding that “at the end of the year I would say we had a pretty damn good year, given everything that was thrown at us.”

Dan Fitzgerald, plant manager at the BonnaVilla Homes plant in Aurora, reflected on a most challenging fiscal year, concluding that “at the end of the year I would say we had a pretty damn good year, given everything that was thrown at us.”

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BonnaVilla reports solid, but most challenging year

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
The past fiscal year at BonnaVilla Homes felt like one, long, stressful roller-coaster ride thanks to a global pandemic, but at the end of the day plant manager Dan Fitzgerald said it ended up being a solid year for one of Aurora’s largest employers.
Pictured is the 2021 Aurora Unified Track and Field team, including front row from left: Sammie Weddle, Sammi Hoos, Bailey Howland, Ethan Wert, Lexie Johnson. Back row: Mackenzie Hoos, Daniel Fourcloud, Sofia Hendrickson, Kate Glinn, coach Jeff Sutter.

Pictured is the 2021 Aurora Unified Track and Field team, including front row from left: Sammie Weddle, Sammi Hoos, Bailey Howland, Ethan Wert, Lexie Johnson. Back row: Mackenzie Hoos, Daniel Fourcloud, Sofia Hendrickson, Kate Glinn, coach Jeff Sutter.

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Smiles, high fives and medals

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
The view at the finish line is unlike any other in sports. For those competing in Unified Track and Field, that idea is not only reinforced, but possibly unmatched.   There isn’t a frown or growl to be had. Surely no disappointment, either.
Jeromy McCoy

Jeromy McCoy

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McCoy named county sheriff

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to name Aurora resident Jeromy McCoy as the new Hamilton County Sheriff.  McCoy will start May 19 and will fill out the remainder of former sheriff Kirk Handrup’s term, which he vacated in April to celebrate retirement.
Coaches Tim Martin and Joanne Haidle break a team huddle with a cheer, all part of the action on a busy Saturday morning of youth soccer in Aurora.

Coaches Tim Martin and Joanne Haidle break a team huddle with a cheer, all part of the action on a busy Saturday morning of youth soccer in Aurora.

Youth soccer becoming wildly popular in Aurora

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Soccer balls are flying every which way on a typical Saturday spring morning in Aurora, even more so this year as the Optimist Youth Soccer program reports a record number of participants.
Susan Gray, pictured at right, can be seen chatting and selling her bags to customers at a craft show last year.

Susan Gray, pictured at right, can be seen chatting and selling her bags to customers at a craft show last year.

Susan Gray has crafting in the bag

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
After many people are done eating a bag of candy or chips they toss it into the trash, but not Susan Gray. A few years ago she started turning bags and wrappers into coin purses, clutches, bags and more.
Hampton’s gymnasium is converted into a badminton court three times a week as part of a new badminton club for students in the fifth through eighth grade. Participants compete Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and on Saturday mornings in a five-week spring season.

Hampton’s gymnasium is converted into a badminton court three times a week as part of a new badminton club for students in the fifth through eighth grade. Participants compete Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and on Saturday mornings in a five-week spring season.

Young Hawks get taste of badminton

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Growing up in Northern California Desiree Christenson enjoyed the sport of badminton, so much so that she continued playing on her high school team and later in college as a club sport.
Navy veteran Aaron Nilson takes his time at the Omaha National Cemetery, waiting for the perfect headstone to place his red “Rembrence Rose.”

Navy veteran Aaron Nilson takes his time at the Omaha National Cemetery, waiting for the perfect headstone to place his red “Rembrence Rose.”

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Family bond grows stronger through Heroes & Huskies  Aurora juniors Colin Kennedy and Rylee Olsen had the privilege of experiencing this year’s Heroes and Huskies project in a different light.
Matt Messner of Polk gave the thumbs up Thursday as he received his COVID-19 vaccination during an MCHI clinic at the Bremer Center.

Matt Messner of Polk gave the thumbs up Thursday as he received his COVID-19 vaccination during an MCHI clinic at the Bremer Center.

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COVID vaccinations hit 20% in county

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The number of Hamilton County residents receiving COVID-19 vaccinations topped 20 percent last week, with both Memorial Community Health and Jim’s U-Save Pharmacy offering regular clinics to anyone interested age 16 or over, depending on the type of vaccine. Memorial Community Health Inc.
Keal Bockelman purchased this Cessna 172 airplane last year for personal use, but eventually saw an opportunity and launched a new business to begin offering private flying lessons.

Keal Bockelman purchased this Cessna 172 airplane last year for personal use, but eventually saw an opportunity and launched a new business to begin offering private flying lessons.

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Bockelman hopes to ‘GROW Aviation’ with new business

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Keal Bockelman earned his pilot’s license at a young age and now hopes to help other aviation enthusiasts do the same.
Ben Johnson, left, and Zane Zents show the latest model of the Grain Weevil, which earned them a prestigious MIT prize.

Ben Johnson, left, and Zane Zents show the latest model of the Grain Weevil, which earned them a prestigious MIT prize.

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Grain Weevil earns prestigious MIT prize

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The Grain Weevil robot introduced last year by local inventors earned national acclaim this week as one of seven recipients of the 2021 Lemelson-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Student Prize.