Hello Grand Island! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Tenant support forum, String Beans concert, and Heartland celebration of freedom + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New tenant support effort: Hastings is launching renter support as disputes rise, will host a Housing Advocacy Forum at Hastings Municipal Airport on Saturday, June 27 to connect tenants with rights and help -- learn more about the forum.
Endless prairie panorama: From Grand Island, the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway unfurls 360 miles of rolling dunes to Alliance, with layered vistas at Valentine Refuge and the hand-planted Bessey Forest anchoring unforgettable views -- read the full story.
New leadership for Hope Harbor: Hope Harbor announced Kendra Lutz as Operational Executive Director, a leader with experience at Central Nebraska Youth Services, Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, and Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska -- read the full announcement.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
A quick green fix: When your week starts feeling loud, sneak over to Eagle Scout Park for a quiet walk, a little unstructured kid energy, or a brain-clearing sit on the grass. No big agenda, just an easy neighborhood reset this week that fits between errands and dinner.
Where to exhale for a bit: When you need easy, low-key outside time close to home, Stolley Park delivers… shady greens for strolls, wide-open space for a quick catch, and a big playground that tires out tiny humans so you can actually sip your coffee while it’s still hot.
Instant home jungle: The Vintageleaf Boutique is the local spot for easy care houseplants, fun collector picks, pretty pots and plant care goodies that make your living room breathe a little easier. Keep an eye on their hands-on workshops, they’re a low-key great way to learn and leave with something thriving.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
⚾ Bambinos Field of Dreams Night @ Duncan Field (Hastings) | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:30 PM – Baseball weather calls for a nostalgia fix at historic Duncan Field, where the Bambinos step onto the same dirt that hosted Yogi Berra, Frank Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Alex Gordon. That 408-foot brick wall still looms, the smiles are even bigger.
🎻 String Beans @ Hamilton County Courthouse (Aurora) | Thursday (6/25) at 7:30 PM – A'ROR'N Days under the Hamilton County Courthouse shade means The String Beans are back, and yes, the kids will dance circles around us. Expect goofy, catchy songs, inclusive fun, and singalongs you secretly enjoy. Perfect for grandkids, cousins, and the kid you still are.
🏃 MCHI Fun Run & Wellness Walk @ Memorial Rehabilitation (Aurora) | Saturday (6/27) at 7:00 AM – Kick off A'ROR'N Days with a no-pressure Fun Run and Wellness Walk at Memorial Rehab in Aurora, perfect for all ages and all paces. The Kids’ Color Run returns, so expect laughing mini sprinters, Technicolor laundry, and neighborly high-fives. A wholesome start, coffee after.
🛒 A'ror'n Days Bazaar @ Hamilton County Fairgrounds (Aurora) | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Aurora’s A'ror'n Days Bazaar is taking over the Hamilton County Fairgrounds with hometown makers, vendor finds, and the kind of small-town charm you cannot buy, except you totally can. Expect stained-glass sparkle, handmade goods, and plenty of neighborly chatter, all wrangled by K&A Promotions.
🌞 2nd Annual Family Fun in the Sun @ Ryder Park (South Side) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats a neighborhood day where the kids burn energy and you actually meet the folks you wave to every morning. Expect hands-on activities, partner orgs doing good stuff, kid-friendly giveaways, and treats like pizza, snow cones, and the sweet relief of shared chaos.
🌞 Summer Fun @ Barn Festival (Hastings) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Clear the calendar for a free countryside hang at the barn, with new and favorite vendors, food trucks, yard games, and easy parking. The Battle Bus corrals the kiddos with gaming, you peruse sourdough, smoked salts, fair-trade finds, and other dangerously giftable goodies.
🎆 2026 Heartland Celebration of Freedom @ Third City Christian Church | Saturday (6/27) at 5:00 PM – Skip the backyard bottle rockets and let Third City Christian Church handle the sparkle with a free, family bash honoring military and first responders. Pony rides, putt putt, inflatables, and a parade of local eats, then fireworks you can actually see, not smell.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Grand Island report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 6%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. North wind around 5 mph. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 1am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 70°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 64%
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. This house is wildThis 4-bed, 2.5-bath ranch sits on just under an acre and packs 1,372 square feet of easy living. Granite countertops and a gas fireplace add warmth and polish, while three bedrooms stay on the main level. The full basement brings a family room, bonus space, and conforming bedroom. A massive 6,800-square-foot outbuilding seals the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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