News

Evan Pankoke (left) of Hampton was one of eight local FFA members to be awarded their American FFA Degrees at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo held recently in Indianapolis, Ind. He is pictured with his high school FFA advisor, Joel Miller.

Evan Pankoke (left) of Hampton was one of eight local FFA members to be awarded their American FFA Degrees at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo held recently in Indianapolis, Ind. He is pictured with his high school FFA advisor, Joel Miller.

Eight area FFA members get American Degrees

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
A group of local collegiate FFA members were awarded their American Degrees at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo held recently in Indianapolis, Ind. Eight students from Aurora, Hampton and High Plains were among the more than 5,162 FFA members to receive the organization’s highest award.
Both Giltner and HPC will switch from 8- to 6-man football next fall

Both Giltner and HPC will switch from 8- to 6-man football next fall

Giltner, HPC to play 6-man football

News Staff
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
School boards at both Giltner and High Plains voted Monday to declare to the Nebraska School Activities Association plans to field six-man football teams for the next two-year cycle. Board and community feedback reflected similar concerns.
Randy (left) and Emmett Franz pose for a picture after their interview with ANR News Editor Ron Burtz at the Little Opry Theater in Branson, Mo. where Emmett plays dobro and Randy is the sound man for the Petersen Family.

Randy (left) and Emmett Franz pose for a picture after their interview with ANR News Editor Ron Burtz at the Little Opry Theater in Branson, Mo. where Emmett plays dobro and Randy is the sound man for the Petersen Family.

Franz Family hasn’t lost touch with Nebraska roots

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
From Hampton area farmer to traveling family bluegrass band leader hitting the road with his wife and children to perform concerts across America, Henderson native Randy Franz has had quite a journey over the years.
XPO celebrated the team achievement of driving 1 million combined miles without an accident, either on the road or at the Aurora service center.

XPO celebrated the team achievement of driving 1 million combined miles without an accident, either on the road or at the Aurora service center.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
The XPO service center in Aurora added a sixth banner above the front door this week, celebrating another million miles with no accidents for any of its drivers.
Rudy Flores, pastor of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Aurora, helped deliver a timely donation of 500 pounds of food last week, one of many local food drives anticipated in the next few weeks.

Rudy Flores, pastor of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Aurora, helped deliver a timely donation of 500 pounds of food last week, one of many local food drives anticipated in the next few weeks.

Bare shelves mark need, generosity at local food pantry

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
The shelves were mostly bare last week at the Hamilton County Food Pantry, though a donation of 500 pounds of food was delivered Thursday which board members say is likely the first of many community-based food drives in the weeks ahead.
E-4 Specialist Ron Elge served in the U.S. Army from 1964-1966 during the Vietnam War. He worked in radio repair for his battalion while stationed at his base camp in An Khe. Elge displays his certificate that received after his service for being a parachute infantryman in the 1st Battalion (Airborne) 8th Cavalry.

E-4 Specialist Ron Elge served in the U.S. Army from 1964-1966 during the Vietnam War. He worked in radio repair for his battalion while stationed at his base camp in An Khe. Elge displays his certificate that received after his service for being a parachute infantryman in the 1st Battalion (Airborne) 8th Cavalry.

Elge continues to stand tall with the color guard

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
As he and the American Legion Post 42 prepare for the upcoming Veterans’ Day program at Aurora High School, long-time American Legion member and Vietnam War veteran Ron Elge looks back proudly on his service to his country.
Army infantry veterans Marlin Seeman, left, and David McKimmey talked for more than 90 minutes about their experiences of being wounded in conflicts in Vietnam and Iraq almost exactly 40 years apart.

Army infantry veterans Marlin Seeman, left, and David McKimmey talked for more than 90 minutes about their experiences of being wounded in conflicts in Vietnam and Iraq almost exactly 40 years apart.

Brotherhood of the Purple Heart

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Outwardly, the two U.S. Army infantry veterans are vastly different. They come from different generations, different backgrounds and served in conflicts separated by many miles and 40 years of time.
Startling an attendee was a woodland cultist, played by Isaac Graham (left) and a bloody crusader (Christian Alvarez).

Startling an attendee was a woodland cultist, played by Isaac Graham (left) and a bloody crusader (Christian Alvarez).

Haunting event terror-rific

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
It was an event to die for at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The fourth annual Haunted Fairgrounds event drew a massive turnout, with a total of 954 daring adventurers entering the maze over two weekends. Many of those brave souls went through more than once.