News

Following an inspection by a structural engineer, this 1893 opera house building in Hampton has been declared by the village board of trustees to be unsafe and a hazard to the public.

Following an inspection by a structural engineer, this 1893 opera house building in Hampton has been declared by the village board of trustees to be unsafe and a hazard to the public.

Former Hampton Opera House declared unsafe

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
A crumbling building on Hampton’s downtown 3rd Street that has been under scrutiny by the village board has been determined to be unsafe and a hazard by a structural engineer.
Food pantry volunteers help distribute bags packed with ham or turkey and all the trimmings for a special meal during Saturday’s annual holiday food distribution event.

Food pantry volunteers help distribute bags packed with ham or turkey and all the trimmings for a special meal during Saturday’s annual holiday food distribution event.

Holiday food pantry distribution warms hearts

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
There was ice on the ground but warmth all around Saturday morning at the Hamilton County Food Pantry in Aurora.Individuals from 68 families braved the cold to collect their choice of ham or turkey to go along with bags filled with all the makings for a festive holiday meal.
Young Stetson Avina creates a photo op for mom Heather, posing as an elf shortly after sitting on Santa’s lap during the Come Home to Christmas celebration Nov. 30 in Aurora.

Young Stetson Avina creates a photo op for mom Heather, posing as an elf shortly after sitting on Santa’s lap during the Come Home to Christmas celebration Nov. 30 in Aurora.

Merry Christmas from ANR!

News Staff
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
It's here! Our biggest issue of the year with 52 big pages of holiday cheer, plus all the latest Hamilton County news, sports, commentary and ag news.
The owners, including brothers Todd, Tim and Trevor Vettel, along with newly-hired staff of the Scooters Coffee location in Central City were on hand Monday as barista training began for this week’s Friday opening.

The owners, including brothers Todd, Tim and Trevor Vettel, along with newly-hired staff of the Scooters Coffee location in Central City were on hand Monday as barista training began for this week’s Friday opening.

Vettels to open 2nd Scooters Coffee location

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Three years after planting a Scooters Coffee flag in Aurora, the Vettel family will open a second store this week 17 miles north in Central City.
This photo taken last Wednesday shows the Commercial Building nearly complete with only the upper trim steel and other trim pieces yet to be installed.

This photo taken last Wednesday shows the Commercial Building nearly complete with only the upper trim steel and other trim pieces yet to be installed.

Fairgrounds Commercial Building in the midst of a major makeover

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
When the Commercial Building at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds reopens in a few days it will have a whole new look, which the Ag Society hopes will make it an even more attractive venue for both public and private events in the future.
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

Hamilton County Board of Commissioners news

County health plan cost to go up 26 percent

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Higher than normal usage of Hamilton County’s employee health benefit plan has led to a 26 percent increase in the county’s share of the Blue Cross plan offered to employees of the county.
Car stolen in Aurora found in Hastings

Car stolen in Aurora found in Hastings

Area experiences another round of car thefts

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The Aurora Police Department is once again reminding residents to lock their parked cars and, above all, not leave the keys in them. The recommendation comes after a car stolen in Grand Island was discovered in town over the weekend, followed by a car being stolen from a residence in Aurora.
Zach Tesar and his dog, Sioux, pose for a photo after earning Senior hunting retrieving titles last summer.

Zach Tesar and his dog, Sioux, pose for a photo after earning Senior hunting retrieving titles last summer.

Chasing dreams, one scent at a time

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Zach Tesar has always been a dog person. He grew up with hunting labs and jokingly admitted he likes dogs more than people. Eventually, Tesar wanted a new challenge within his passions -- dogs and hunting. That curiosity led to training his own dogs for the hunt.
Nikki Bosak and her son, Krew, pose for a photo opp on opening day of deer hunting season. This photo was selected as the top entry in this year’s ANR Super Shot Contest.

Nikki Bosak and her son, Krew, pose for a photo opp on opening day of deer hunting season. This photo was selected as the top entry in this year’s ANR Super Shot Contest.

Bosak’s target during deer season is family time

Kurt Johnson
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Hunting is all about family for Nikki (Senff) Bosak.The Hampton native and 2004 HHS grad has looked forward to November outings each year when her parents, Dean and Karla, brother Mark and extended family members gear up and head out before dawn.