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A crowd estimated at 150 people attended Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting. Pictured here, Gary Bruns of Lincoln spoke on behalf of the Nebraska Professional Firefighters Association union, urging the council not to solicit bids from private EMS companies. Several people spoke both for and against the proposal.

A crowd estimated at 150 people attended Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting. Pictured here, Gary Bruns of Lincoln spoke on behalf of the Nebraska Professional Firefighters Association union, urging the council not to solicit bids from private EMS companies. Several people spoke both for and against the proposal.

Citizens speak for, against privatization option

News Staff
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Of the estimated 150 people attending Tuesday’s Aurora City Council meeting, 20 stepped forward to share their opinions or raise questions about the city’s ambulance service and the council’s consideration of a plan to solicit proposals from private EMS providers.
Members of the Aurora City Council heard feedback from 20 people during Tuesday’s meeting regarding a plan to solicit proposals from private EMS providers in light of the city’s EMS funding shortfall. Each speaker was given three minutes to share their thoughts.

Members of the Aurora City Council heard feedback from 20 people during Tuesday’s meeting regarding a plan to solicit proposals from private EMS providers in light of the city’s EMS funding shortfall. Each speaker was given three minutes to share their thoughts.

City to seek proposals from private EMS

News Staff
Thursday, April 16, 2026
The Aurora City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to seek requests for proposals from privately run ambulance services after hearing more than an hour of feedback from community members who spoke both for and against considering an alternative to the city’s existing fire-based EMS operation.
Pictured here is some of the action from two fields Saturday morning.

Pictured here is some of the action from two fields Saturday morning.

It's game on for Aurora youth soccer

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Soccer balls were flying Saturday morning as the Optimist Youth Soccer program kicked off the 2026 season. A total of 389 youths are participating in the program this year, which invites kindergarten through sixth graders to learn the game through practices and games during a six-week season.
Danish exchange student Caspian Eshtelaq has enjoyed spending his time in the United States playing football, wrestling and soccer. During his time in Aurora, he has also discovered an interest in business and plans to study it when he attends college back in Denmark. In a few weeks he will graduate with the AHS Class of 2026.

Danish exchange student Caspian Eshtelaq has enjoyed spending his time in the United States playing football, wrestling and soccer. During his time in Aurora, he has also discovered an interest in business and plans to study it when he attends college back in Denmark. In a few weeks he will graduate with the AHS Class of 2026.

Eshtelaq finds his place in Aurora

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Inspired by the stories of his older brother’s exchange year in Aurora, Danish student Caspian Eshtelaq arrived in Nebraska ready to see for himself what life in small-town America had to offer—and quickly found more than he expected.
One of the activities that families can participate in at the Bader Family Wilderness Event on Saturday is building birdhouses which they will be able to take home.

One of the activities that families can participate in at the Bader Family Wilderness Event on Saturday is building birdhouses which they will be able to take home.

COPE postpones 8th annual family wilderness event

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
The County Organization for Prevention Education (COPE) will be hosting its eighth annual Bader Family Wilderness event at Bader Memorial Park near Chapman Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free of charge.
St. Mary Catholic Church in Aurora celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communion Sunday.

St. Mary Catholic Church in Aurora celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communion Sunday.

1st communion

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
 St. Mary Catholic Church in Aurora celebrated the sacrament of First Holy Communion Sunday, honoring this year’s class of second graders. Pictured front from left: Catechist Michelle Hoff, Greyson Johansen, Tate Vlieger, Lane Carraher, Grace Winfield, Leo Lopez, Onni Taylor, Father Mark Sieker.
Aurora's new inclusive playground taking shape.

Aurora's new inclusive playground taking shape.

Inclusive playground progress

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
 Work has begun on assembling the specialized playground equipment at the Hamilton County Inclusive Playground along Old Creek Road. Dirt work began at the site last fall and the restrooms (which are situated just to the left of the area pictured) appear to have been substantially completed.
East Park Villa housekeeper Maddy (Barnes) Baker performs for residents at East Park Villa during the grand opening of The Grille on Friday, March 27. Baker has showcased her musical talents around the area, often performing songs from the 50s and 60s.

East Park Villa housekeeper Maddy (Barnes) Baker performs for residents at East Park Villa during the grand opening of The Grille on Friday, March 27. Baker has showcased her musical talents around the area, often performing songs from the 50s and 60s.

From mop to mic: Aurora janitor finds her voice

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
When Maddy (Barnes) Baker isn’t picking up a mop to clean local facilities in Aurora, she’s taking up a microphone and guitar to sing and perform for her newfound community.
Kathryn Dyer will end a 33-year career in education, spent almost entirely in Aurora, when she retires at the end of the school year. She is shown here working with a student in the preschool building where she spent most of her career.

Kathryn Dyer will end a 33-year career in education, spent almost entirely in Aurora, when she retires at the end of the school year. She is shown here working with a student in the preschool building where she spent most of her career.

Dyer reflects on 33-year career

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Kathryn Dyer needed only one day in the preschool classroom years ago to know she had found her life’s calling.A native of Aurora, Dyer earned a teaching degree at the University of Nebraska-Kearney back in 1993, then came home to begin a career that will end next month after 33 years in education.
Headsets allow 911 dispatchers at the Hamilton County Dispatch Center to have their hands free while they are taking calls from the public. The tabletop microphone in front of dispatcher Jessie Boroff (seated) is used for contacting police officers and other personnel in the field. Also pictured is fellow dispatcher Melissa Barry.

Headsets allow 911 dispatchers at the Hamilton County Dispatch Center to have their hands free while they are taking calls from the public. The tabletop microphone in front of dispatcher Jessie Boroff (seated) is used for contacting police officers and other personnel in the field. Also pictured is fellow dispatcher Melissa Barry.

The voices behind the call ...

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
The vital work of law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel and firefighters is readily recognized by the public and those individuals are often openly thanked for their service as they should be.