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St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Pastor Dan Barbey and long-time church member Kathy Johnson stand outside the church building on H Street in Hampton. The church will hold its last Sunday morning worship service on Sept. 7.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Pastor Dan Barbey and long-time church member Kathy Johnson stand outside the church building on H Street in Hampton. The church will hold its last Sunday morning worship service on Sept. 7.

St. Peter’s Church prepares for final service

After 115 years of serving the community of Hampton, the congregation of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (LCMS) is preparing to hold its final church service on Sunday, Sept. 7.
This graphic compares the price of three items, including a Twix candy bar, a bottle of Coke and the Aurora News Register over 30 to 50 years.

This graphic compares the price of three items, including a Twix candy bar, a bottle of Coke and the Aurora News Register over 30 to 50 years.

You likely paid 85 cents for this newspaper. It’s not enough

by Teri FinnemanRemember this number: 85 cents.It’s the number I’m repeating as I work with local newspapers as part of a national experiment to help save local news.That number, 85 cents, is about how much it costs you as a subscriber to get this paper every week with your $44 annual subscription.
Featured on this year’s cover are Hampton senior Sophia Schulze and Heartland senior Riley Quiring, members of the H&H volleyball team. Hampton seniors about to begin the “Final Flight” of Hawk football include Porter Dose and Tyler Mollevik.

Featured on this year’s cover are Hampton senior Sophia Schulze and Heartland senior Riley Quiring, members of the H&H volleyball team. Hampton seniors about to begin the “Final Flight” of Hawk football include Porter Dose and Tyler Mollevik.

ANR's fall sports preview is here

This week’s ANR features the annual fall sports preview, highlighting team photos and coaches’ preseason comments for all Aurora, Giltner, High Plains and Hampton teams.
Brylee Mickey (right) keeps her eyes locked on the judge as she participates in 4-H Junior Showmanship at the State Fair in Grand Island Saturday afternoon. Mickey received blue ribbons on both showmanship and breeding ewe. She is the daughter of Clint and Barbie Mickey of Aurora.

Brylee Mickey (right) keeps her eyes locked on the judge as she participates in 4-H Junior Showmanship at the State Fair in Grand Island Saturday afternoon. Mickey received blue ribbons on both showmanship and breeding ewe. She is the daughter of Clint and Barbie Mickey of Aurora.

This week's featured stories

From thrilling rodeos and llama shows to milking demos and mac & cheese contests, the 2025 Nebraska State Fair is offering an unforgettable lineup of agriculture-centered experiences that celebrate Nebraska’s heritage while inspiring the next generation.
The preliminary design for the new Hamilton County Extension headquarters

The preliminary design for the new Hamilton County Extension headquarters

Fairgrounds Extension building plan advances

The proposed Extension headquarters building at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds took another step forward toward becoming a reality on Monday morning.
Jeremy Cattau

Jeremy Cattau

Cattau to lead public works dept.

Jeremy Cattau was confirmed last week as the city’s new public works director, stepping in to fill a void left after Adam Darbro was appointed last month as city administrator.Cattau, a native of Columbus, has been employed by the city for 10 years, having moved to Aurora in 1995.
Work began last week on cleaning up the site of the former Gambles building and by Monday morning the job was almost complete.

Work began last week on cleaning up the site of the former Gambles building and by Monday morning the job was almost complete.

Gambles cleanup almost complete

Work has progressed rapidly over the past week on clearing out the rubble from the site of the former Gambles building on the square which was demolished by the city several weeks ago.
Bill Gowen stands next his red 1970 Dodge Challenger in his garage in Aurora. He originally bought and modified the car in high school and is excited to restore it in coming days.

Bill Gowen stands next his red 1970 Dodge Challenger in his garage in Aurora. He originally bought and modified the car in high school and is excited to restore it in coming days.

Gowen, high school sweetheart on wheels reunited

Forty-six years after he sold the red 1970 Dodge Challenger A-66 he owned in high school, Bill Gowen finally has the car back and plans to make restoring it one of his retirement projects.
Christian Resource Center’s Travel Camp has now impacted three generations of campers who have gone on trips to get in touch with nature and grow closer together in faith. Travel Camp has become a beloved family tradition for the family of Caroline Epp (center). Current and former Epp family travel campers include, from left, Mercedez and Alexis McMillan, Epp, Brittany Rice and Emalee Kumke.

Christian Resource Center’s Travel Camp has now impacted three generations of campers who have gone on trips to get in touch with nature and grow closer together in faith. Travel Camp has become a beloved family tradition for the family of Caroline Epp (center). Current and former Epp family travel campers include, from left, Mercedez and Alexis McMillan, Epp, Brittany Rice and Emalee Kumke.

CRC Travel Camp impacts three generations of local families

For nearly 50 years, the Christian Resource Center near Giltner has inspired hundreds of area youth  through its High School Travel Camp, and through those camps three generations of some local families have gotten to experience the beauty of nature and reflect on their faith through trips to...
Susan Hamlin displays a copy of her first book, ‘Echoes of Mercy’ which she wrote about the couple’s many years of struggle in raising their adopted son, Nate. Her husband, Newton, a retired Bible translator, served as editor on the project.

Susan Hamlin displays a copy of her first book, ‘Echoes of Mercy’ which she wrote about the couple’s many years of struggle in raising their adopted son, Nate. Her husband, Newton, a retired Bible translator, served as editor on the project.

‘Echoes of Mercy’ whispers of God’s love

At first glance it might appear as if the book “Echoes of Mercy” by first-time author Susan Hamlin of Aurora is about about a prodigal son.