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Keagen and Emmah White work on a bracelet making kit together. In front of them is a seed tray that Emmah has started working on.

Keagen and Emmah White work on a bracelet making kit together. In front of them is a seed tray that Emmah has started working on.

A changing educational landscape

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Tasha White sits at a table with her children, 5-year-old Emmah and 11-year-old Keagan as her daughter writes her name again and again on a practice sheet and her son works on creating a bracelet with small beads.
John and Jeannie Wilkinson stand beside the boom truck and wood chipper machine purchased recently to help launch their home-based JNJ Tree Service business.

John and Jeannie Wilkinson stand beside the boom truck and wood chipper machine purchased recently to help launch their home-based JNJ Tree Service business.

Wilkinsons launch JNJ Tree Service

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
John and Jeannie Wilkinson have launched a new home-based business in Aurora, offering their time, talent and energy to area home owners in need of help with tree trimming and various yard cleanup projects.
The event is set to take place from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 29.

The event is set to take place from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 29.

Aurora’s Scare the Square will haunt the bricks again, Oct. 29

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Back for another year of spooktacular fun, Scare the Square will take over the bricks surrounding the courthouse for a night of family-friendly -- and safe -- fun.  The event, scheduled for Oct. 29 from 5-7 p.m. will look a little different this year, however.
An update announcing East Park Villa and MCC's closure to visitors has been released.

An update announcing East Park Villa and MCC's closure to visitors has been released.

MCC, East Park Villa now closed to visitors after positive staff tests

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Residents and family members with loved ones at Memorial Community Health’s long-term care facility, Memorial Community Care, as well as East Park Villa, were sent a letter Sunday notifying of a confirmed positive case of a staff member/employee within both facilities’ walls.
The 4R school district has entered Phase Yellow as of Monday, Oct. 12.

The 4R school district has entered Phase Yellow as of Monday, Oct. 12.

4R district in Phase Yellow

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Though Monday’s 4R school board meeting was brief, it included a discussion and comments from administration and Supt. Jody Phillips on the district’s recent transition into its “yellow phase” of COVID-19 operation plans.
Giltner's 7-12 will enter a quarantine period for the coming weeks due to COVID-19.

Giltner's 7-12 will enter a quarantine period for the coming weeks due to COVID-19.

Giltner 7-12 to be quarantined

News Staff
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Due to COVID-19, Giltner students grades 7-12 will be quarantined for the coming weeks, according to the Giltner Public Schools’ website Wednesday morning.  Online classes are set to begin Thursday for those junior and high school students according to the school’s e-learning plan, Supt.
From right, Callie Gaskill, Jessica Mikkelsen, Caryn Sparks and other Aurora musicians add their clarinet sound to the Marching Huskies performance during Saturday’s marching band exhibition.

From right, Callie Gaskill, Jessica Mikkelsen, Caryn Sparks and other Aurora musicians add their clarinet sound to the Marching Huskies performance during Saturday’s marching band exhibition.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Marching Exhibition a 1-hit wonder The Aurora COVID Marching Exhibition was beyond successful, according to a handful of visiting band directors and evident by the copious amounts of fun had by band students in the stands between performances.
The caption below this original photo reads ‘A.J. McConaughey and family first custodian of the Hamilton County Poor Farm, Section 22, Orville Precinct 1884-1892.’ Those pictured are, from left: B. E. McConaughey, A. J. McConaughey, May (Mrs. May Fowler) McConaughey, Mrs. A. J. (Drussila) McConaughey and Ora T. McConaughey. Mr. James Bird is in the wagon on the left.

The caption below this original photo reads ‘A.J. McConaughey and family first custodian of the Hamilton County Poor Farm, Section 22, Orville Precinct 1884-1892.’ Those pictured are, from left: B. E. McConaughey, A. J. McConaughey, May (Mrs. May Fowler) McConaughey, Mrs. A. J. (Drussila) McConaughey and Ora T. McConaughey. Mr. James Bird is in the wagon on the left.

Documents at Plainsman paint picture of County Poor Farm

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Another Hamilton County historical location has a plethora of information on file at the Plainsman Museum, and though it may not physically exist anymore, is remembered in writing by pioneers of the past.
Roger Scott’s last day on the job at BonnaVilla Homes will be Friday, ending a 45-year career with the Aurora-based manufactured housing company.

Roger Scott’s last day on the job at BonnaVilla Homes will be Friday, ending a 45-year career with the Aurora-based manufactured housing company.

Roger Scott sees massive change during 45-year career

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
The product rolling off the line at BonnaVilla Homes looks nothing like it did when Roger Scott first came on the job.
Sue and Wayne Deininger stand by the 1958 Buick Special which Sue was given by her parents and drove years ago while in high school.

Sue and Wayne Deininger stand by the 1958 Buick Special which Sue was given by her parents and drove years ago while in high school.

Her high school wheels ride again

Jeni Obermier
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Getting your first car is every teenager’s dream, but when Sue Deininger saw her father Tony pull into the yard years ago with a 1958 Buick Special, she was anything but excited to see a larger, older vehicle.