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Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

County says no to EMS increase

A roll call vote of the Hamilton County Commissioners on Monday morning took much longer than usual as some commissioners mulled over how they should vote on a motion before them related to the county’s annual contribution to the Aurora EMS subsidy.
The new Hamilton County Extension building at the fairgrounds is done and ready for move-in.The 5,000 square foot office, meeting and storage space is expected to be fully open for business by mid-September.

The new Hamilton County Extension building at the fairgrounds is done and ready for move-in.The 5,000 square foot office, meeting and storage space is expected to be fully open for business by mid-September.

New Extension HQ ready for occupancy

After more than eight months of construction and years in the planning, the new headquarters of the Hamilton County Extension office is complete and ready for occupancy.
The first stop on Tom and Patti Kell’s trip in the fall of 2025 to visit towns named Aurora was Aurora, S.D., where they had this picture taken of them at the city park. South Dakota’s Aurora is near Brookings and close to the Minnesota border.

The first stop on Tom and Patti Kell’s trip in the fall of 2025 to visit towns named Aurora was Aurora, S.D., where they had this picture taken of them at the city park. South Dakota’s Aurora is near Brookings and close to the Minnesota border.

To Aurora, Maine and back again

It took 46 days, traveling 8,273 miles across 23 states, staying in 18 different campgrounds and goodness knows how many gallons of fuel (including coffee), but Aurorans Tom and Patti Kell managed to visit a total of 15 other towns named Aurora across the eastern half of the U.S. last fall.
Time trials for Aurora's cross country teams were held on Friday.

Time trials for Aurora's cross country teams were held on Friday.

The clock is ticking for Aurora cross country teams

Aurora’s middle and high school cross country teams heard their families and friends cheering them on during time trials at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Friday afternoon. The high school teams will begin their competitive season at Grand Island Northwest at Ryder Park on Friday at 4 p.m.
A ribbon cutting and grand opening for the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m.

A ribbon cutting and grand opening for the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground has been set for Saturday at 10 a.m.

Inclusive playground grand opening set for Saturday

The work is almost done and playtime is about to begin at the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground. After construction delays caused the original A’ROR’N Days date to be pushed back, organizers have now set the grand opening and ribbon cutting at the facility for Saturday at 10 a.m.
Students from Giltner pose for a picture during last year's Largest Classroom day at the State Fair.

Students from Giltner pose for a picture during last year's Largest Classroom day at the State Fair.

157th State Fair starts Friday in G.I.

It All Happens Here! The 2026 Nebraska State Fair returns to Fonner Park in Grand Island for its 17th year, running Friday, Aug. 28 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.
Joseph Young, CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, shared goals and priorities of the organization Thursday in a presentation at the Bremer Center which drew approximately 50 people.

Joseph Young, CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, shared goals and priorities of the organization Thursday in a presentation at the Bremer Center which drew approximately 50 people.

NE Chamber urges ‘growth mindset’

Nebraska has plenty going for it, but Joseph Young believes the state needs to do a better job of thinking, and acting, like a state that wants to grow.
Newly-appointed Hamilton County Attorney Nathan Heinz

Newly-appointed Hamilton County Attorney Nathan Heinz

Heinz appointed county attorney

Working to beat a Sept. 1 election filing deadline, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners has confirmed York attorney Nathan Heinz as the choice to replace Douglas Dexter as the next full-time county attorney.
The 2026 season of Bands on the Bricks concluded Friday night with a performance by Maddog and the Bone Fetchers. Pictured from left: Carlos Vargas, Maddy “Maddog” Baker and Taygun Rothchild.

The 2026 season of Bands on the Bricks concluded Friday night with a performance by Maddog and the Bone Fetchers. Pictured from left: Carlos Vargas, Maddy “Maddog” Baker and Taygun Rothchild.

Bands on Bricks finale ‘perfect’

The weather turned out perfect for live music, games and community interaction for the final night of the 2026 Bands on the Bricks season Friday night.
Carson Klute sits at his desk in the superintendent’s office at Hampton Schools a few days before the start of the new school year. The Hampton High School grad took over the position July 1 and said he was looking forward to the new school year. Klute’s family history at Hampton is evidenced by his grandfather Fred Klute’s Hawks letter jackets on the wall behind him. His father’s Hampton High School diploma hangs on another wall.

Carson Klute sits at his desk in the superintendent’s office at Hampton Schools a few days before the start of the new school year. The Hampton High School grad took over the position July 1 and said he was looking forward to the new school year. Klute’s family history at Hampton is evidenced by his grandfather Fred Klute’s Hawks letter jackets on the wall behind him. His father’s Hampton High School diploma hangs on another wall.

Moving a few feet, Klute taking a big step

Carson Klute’s move this summer at Hampton Schools was just a few feet down the hall — from the high school principal’s office to the superintendent’s. And while the leap in responsibilities is far greater, he appears to be taking it all in stride.