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It took over two hours for area firefighters to extinguish this fire which destroyed a trailer loaded with eggs along I-80 Sunday afternoon. The photo was taken by a motorist passing by in the eastbound lane and posted to social media.

It took over two hours for area firefighters to extinguish this fire which destroyed a trailer loaded with eggs along I-80 Sunday afternoon. The photo was taken by a motorist passing by in the eastbound lane and posted to social media.

Fire fries load of eggs on I-80

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Aurora and Hampton firefighters spent several hours battling a fire that destroyed a refrigerated semi trailer loaded with eggs Sunday afternoon. The fire occurred on the westbound lane of I-80 near the Aurora exit and the stubborn blaze tied up traffic on the interstate for quite some time.
Several new members were welcomed Monday to the Aurora Public Schools staff. Pictured from left: Cacia Barnes (HS English), Paige Cellar (1st grade), Tracy Jakubowski (assistant principal/curriculum), Jaylee Wessels (resource), Tracy Eckhardt (early childhood special education), Zane Abler (3rd grade), Andee Felber (5th grade), and Nicholas Lonowski (assistant elementary principal).

Several new members were welcomed Monday to the Aurora Public Schools staff. Pictured from left: Cacia Barnes (HS English), Paige Cellar (1st grade), Tracy Jakubowski (assistant principal/curriculum), Jaylee Wessels (resource), Tracy Eckhardt (early childhood special education), Zane Abler (3rd grade), Andee Felber (5th grade), and Nicholas Lonowski (assistant elementary principal).

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APS staff: ‘We’re ready’ for the new school year

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
The energy level was high throughout Monday’s regular monthly Aurora School Board meeting as administrators reviewed final plans to welcome students back to the classroom later this week.
Aurora 4R School Board news

Aurora 4R School Board news

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4R budget review a ‘trial run’ hearing

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
The Aurora 4R School Board heard a 30-minute presentation highlighting the district’s budget history and early projections for the coming fiscal year Monday in what business manager Cole Ashby called a trial run of a “pink postcard” type hearing which state lawmakers have mandated for all taxing...
Hampton Public Schools

Hampton Public Schools

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Hampton board reviews insurance quote

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Discussions regarding insurance renewals, the extended warranty on the new HVAC system and security cameras were among the items of business handled by the Hampton School Board at its August meeting Monday night. In Supt.
The Aurora Husky football team holds its afternoon workout on Monday.

The Aurora Husky football team holds its afternoon workout on Monday.

Fall activities begin

News Staff
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Though the temperature reflects a late summer heat wave, the fall season has officially arrived at all area schools. Practices began for area sports teams on Monday. The Huskies open the season Aug.
City council scrutinizes funding for non-profits in light of budget crunch

City council scrutinizes funding for non-profits in light of budget crunch

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City debates funding for nonprofits

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
A short agenda involving annual requests for funding from local nonprofit agencies stirred considerable conversation last week reflecting the city council’s growing concern with budgetary spending.Council members ultimately voted to approve a $4,000 request from Willow Rising, Inc.
The Edwin Gomez family poses for a picture with Federal Judge Susan Bazis following the July 17 ceremony in Lincoln in which Edwin and a group of others were sworn in as U.S. citizens. Included in the picture are Gomez’s wife, Allie (Mitchell) and their four sons, from left: Benji, Zeke, Eliseo and Zeb.

The Edwin Gomez family poses for a picture with Federal Judge Susan Bazis following the July 17 ceremony in Lincoln in which Edwin and a group of others were sworn in as U.S. citizens. Included in the picture are Gomez’s wife, Allie (Mitchell) and their four sons, from left: Benji, Zeke, Eliseo and Zeb.

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Long journey ends with an oath as Gomez becomes US citizen

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Nearly two dozen family members of Aurora’s Edwin Gomez, including his mother on an extended visit from Columbia, crowded into a federal courtroom in Lincoln July 17 to witness the ceremony in which he was sworn in as a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Aurora City Administrator Adam Darbro speaks to the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners on Monday to ask for an increase in the EMS subsidy for FY 2026-27.

Aurora City Administrator Adam Darbro speaks to the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners on Monday to ask for an increase in the EMS subsidy for FY 2026-27.

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City asks county for hike in EMS subsidy

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
As it prepares to start its three-year contract for city/county ambulance service with EMS Unlimited later this month, the City of Aurora approached the Hamilton County Commission on Monday with a request to significantly increase the county’s share of the subsidy.
Seven Hamilton County veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor at the Hamilton County Fair on Sunday. Pictured from left are James Garfield, Barry Horner, Jim R. Nachtigal, Harold Skidmore, Arlie Johnson, Dale Quick and Cody Quick.

Seven Hamilton County veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor at the Hamilton County Fair on Sunday. Pictured from left are James Garfield, Barry Horner, Jim R. Nachtigal, Harold Skidmore, Arlie Johnson, Dale Quick and Cody Quick.

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Seven veterans celebrated with Quilts of Valor at county fair

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
In its largest ceremony yet this year, the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild honored seven veterans with their own Quilts of Valor Sunday afternoon at the Hamilton County Fair.
Hamilton County Planning and Zoning Director Hillary Betka now greets visitors to the county highway department office. Her office was recently moved out of the county courthouse to the office on B Street, where she also provides part-time administrative help to the highway department.

Hamilton County Planning and Zoning Director Hillary Betka now greets visitors to the county highway department office. Her office was recently moved out of the county courthouse to the office on B Street, where she also provides part-time administrative help to the highway department.

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County Planning & Zoning moves down the road to highway dept.

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
The relationship between the Hamilton County Planning and Zoning Department and the county highway department has become closer in the past several weeks.