News

Despite the cold and snow, Shortstack the miniature horse kept his appointment for Come Home to Christmas on Saturday, and was rewarded by a visit to Santa Claus inside Svoboda Benefit Solutions. No word on what he asked Santa to bring him for Christmas.

Despite the cold and snow, Shortstack the miniature horse kept his appointment for Come Home to Christmas on Saturday, and was rewarded by a visit to Santa Claus inside Svoboda Benefit Solutions. No word on what he asked Santa to bring him for Christmas.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Come Home to Christmas, Take 2

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
For the first time in its 7-year history, Aurora’s Come Home to Christmas celebration has had to reschedule most of its events to other weekends.
The Hamilton County, Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee started selling its newly published “Our Signature Recipes” cookbook during the Thanksgiving weekend. The books are on sale at the Plainsman Museum. Also available for purchase are America 250-themed t-shirts, bistro cups, stadium cups, stickers and magnets.

The Hamilton County, Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee started selling its newly published “Our Signature Recipes” cookbook during the Thanksgiving weekend. The books are on sale at the Plainsman Museum. Also available for purchase are America 250-themed t-shirts, bistro cups, stadium cups, stickers and magnets.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘Our Signature Recipes’ on sale now at Plainsman

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
After cooking up a collection of recipes from residents and families connected to Hamilton County, the Hamilton County, Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee has released its cookbook, “Our Signature Recipes.
In keeping with its UNL Extension function, the exterior of the new Extension office building will be “Husker Red” with a stone wainscoting around the bottom. The roof will be a galvanized steel color.

In keeping with its UNL Extension function, the exterior of the new Extension office building will be “Husker Red” with a stone wainscoting around the bottom. The roof will be a galvanized steel color.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Extension building on track for spring completion

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
If the current construction schedule holds, the folks who work in the Hamilton County Extension office should be in their new quarters at the fairgrounds well ahead of the county fair next July.
Sandra ‘Sandie’ Lundquist will be marrying her fiance Kel French on Dec. 21. The family makes annual trips to Nebraska to visit family and watch the Husker games in Lincoln.

Sandra ‘Sandie’ Lundquist will be marrying her fiance Kel French on Dec. 21. The family makes annual trips to Nebraska to visit family and watch the Husker games in Lincoln.

This week's top stories

News Staff
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Every day when R.R. Oehrli Elementary School principal and Aurora grad Sandra “Sandie” Lundquist walks through the halls of her school in Montague, Mich., she looks forward to making a fun and welcoming learning environment for her students and teachers.
Too much snow, wind & cold

Too much snow, wind & cold

Weather causes postponement of Come Home to Christmas events

News Staff
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Due to todays snow, wind and cold temperatures, some Come Home to Christmas events scheduled for today have been postponed. See below for the latest updates. Come Home to Christmas updates:  Tractor parade has been moved to next weekend Dec 6th.
Annie De La Cruz sits in her new office space at Seeds of Change Counseling and Consulting, located at 207 S. 16th Street in Aurora.

Annie De La Cruz sits in her new office space at Seeds of Change Counseling and Consulting, located at 207 S. 16th Street in Aurora.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

De La Cruz opens new counseling venture

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
A Hampton mother of four with more than a decade of experience in the counseling field has ventured out on her own to start a new practice in Aurora, selecting a name that reflects her rural background.
'Our Signature Recipes' contains hundreds of recipes from Hamilton County

'Our Signature Recipes' contains hundreds of recipes from Hamilton County

Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘Our Signature Recipes’ goes on sale starting Friday

Elizabeth Hunter
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
After cooking up a collection of recipes from residents and families connected to Hamilton County, the Hamilton County, Nebraska Celebrate America 250 Committee is ready to release its cookbook, “Our Signature Recipes.”Local residents can purchase their own copy of the cookbook from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Adelynne Hendrickson and Violet Carstensen walk around tables showcasing the cakes in the Harvest Gala’s dessert auction Saturday night.

Adelynne Hendrickson and Violet Carstensen walk around tables showcasing the cakes in the Harvest Gala’s dessert auction Saturday night.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

TLC marks 11th annual Harvest Gala

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Saturday night was a celebration of accomplishments and future aspirations at The Leadership Center’s 11th annual Harvest Gala.Approximately 153 guests from across Nebraska and beyond attended the event to support TLC’s future.
Hamilton County 911 dispatchers Melissa Barry (standing) and Sidney Fochtman have spent numerous hours being trained on how to use the RapidSOS software which allows dispatchers to receive vital medical information when a caller who has elected to share that information calls using a smart phone.

Hamilton County 911 dispatchers Melissa Barry (standing) and Sidney Fochtman have spent numerous hours being trained on how to use the RapidSOS software which allows dispatchers to receive vital medical information when a caller who has elected to share that information calls using a smart phone.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Smart phone users can now instantly share vital medical info with 911

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Local folks now have the option of instantly sharing vital medical information with first responders, thanks to new technology now in place in the Hamilton County 911 Dispatch Center.
New members of the Hamilton Community Foundation Legacy Society recognzied Thursday include, from left: Jim and Tammy Morris, Roberta Cool, Richard Schaffert (back row), Lori Waddell, Virginia and Jim Koepke, Nancy and Butch Furse.

New members of the Hamilton Community Foundation Legacy Society recognzied Thursday include, from left: Jim and Tammy Morris, Roberta Cool, Richard Schaffert (back row), Lori Waddell, Virginia and Jim Koepke, Nancy and Butch Furse.

HCF celebrates 60th anniversary

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
The Hamilton Community Foundation celebrated 60 years of generosity Thursday, tracing the history of the nonprofit organization and the impact it has had on literally thousands of lives.