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Not only waterfowl, but wading birds like this kildeer benefit from Teal View wetland. But look again, there’s also the track of a wandering raccoon in search of a meal.

Not only waterfowl, but wading birds like this kildeer benefit from Teal View wetland. But look again, there’s also the track of a wandering raccoon in search of a meal.

Teal View wetland hides in plain sight north of Hampton

News Staff
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
An evolving wetland on 39 acres north of Hampton, Neb., welcomes birds, bugs, furry critters, reptiles, amphibians and plants.Humans, too, are welcome to check out this nearby, diverse habitat.
Emma Ellis-Sack, center, and Kash Majerus, right, have both been named recipients of the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program scholarship. Pictured at left is Dan Pachta, owner of the Aurora Veterinary Clinic.

Emma Ellis-Sack, center, and Kash Majerus, right, have both been named recipients of the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program scholarship. Pictured at left is Dan Pachta, owner of the Aurora Veterinary Clinic.

This week's featured stories

News Staff
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Two Aurora seniors have a running start toward their goal of becoming veterinarians as recipients of this year’s Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program scholarships.
Barricades were put up on the north end of Hwy 34 in Aurora, marking the beginning of a summer-long renovation project on 1st Street.

Barricades were put up on the north end of Hwy 34 in Aurora, marking the beginning of a summer-long renovation project on 1st Street.

1st Street closed at Hwy 34

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
1st Street is now closed in Aurora at the Highway 34 intersection on the north end of town. Prep work has begun for a summer-long renovation project that will widen, lower and replace the street all the way to the railroad tracks.
Hampton’s nine month old Loading Chute restaurant outlasted 63 competing restaurants in central Nebraska to be crowned ‘Chompion’ of the 2025 Tournament of Taste competition.

Hampton’s nine month old Loading Chute restaurant outlasted 63 competing restaurants in central Nebraska to be crowned ‘Chompion’ of the 2025 Tournament of Taste competition.

Loading Chute crowned ‘Chompion’ in Tournament of Taste

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
The new Loading Chute restaurant has had a great deal of success and publicity in the less than one year it has been open in Hampton.
Pre-GIVE set to begin Monday, April 21

Pre-GIVE set to begin Monday, April 21

Go Big GIVE event to aid 31 nonprofits in county

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Nonprofit organizations across Hamilton, Hall, Howard and Merrick counties will take part in the 12th annual Go Big GIVE online campaign opening with pre-GIVE Monday, April 21, and continuing until the one-day fundraising event on May 1.
The proposed layout of the new Extension building to be built at the fairgrounds

The proposed layout of the new Extension building to be built at the fairgrounds

County board selects criteria developer for Extension building

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
“It’s an important step,” commented Hamilton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rich Nelson on Monday morning as the board approved the hiring of a Beatrice man to serve as the criteria developer who will oversee the design and construction of a new building at the fairgrounds to house the...
Nancy Wheeler (right) has spent 75 years of her life collecting spoons from around the country and the globe. She gets help maintaining the collection from her granddaughter, Gracie Wheeler-James (left).

Nancy Wheeler (right) has spent 75 years of her life collecting spoons from around the country and the globe. She gets help maintaining the collection from her granddaughter, Gracie Wheeler-James (left).

Wheeler home a museum of spoons from all over

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
More than 1,300 spoons from all over the world decorate the wall of Nancy Wheeler’s home in Aurora, the fruit of a collection process that has spanned more than seven decades.
Sandi VanWormer was all smiles behind the concession stand during this weekend’s Swingin’ for Sandi softball tournament. VanWormer was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago and said she is feeling good now.

Sandi VanWormer was all smiles behind the concession stand during this weekend’s Swingin’ for Sandi softball tournament. VanWormer was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago and said she is feeling good now.

Softball tournament benefits Hamilton County Cancer Fund

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
The lady behind the concession stand was the guest of honor for this weekend’s Swingin’ for Sandi softball tournament in Aurora, and the smile on her face said it all.
Aurora City Hall

Aurora City Hall

City: Downtown improvement project extended by one year

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
City leaders were advised last week that a request to extend the Aurora Downtown Revitalization Project by a year has been approved.City Administrator Rick Melcher made the announcement during a brief city council meeting April 8, announcing that he had received a letter earlier that day.