A new year is finally upon the community. With any other new beginning, looking on the past can be both educational and enjoyable.
    Included is a look of highlights found in 2017.

January
    Senator Dan Hughes sought out a seat on the Natural Resource Committee which is a year three of four-year term in the beginning of January. Hughes garnered 30 votes for the chairmanship compared to 19 for Sen. Rick Kolowski of Omaha, who also sought the seat.
    The Wauneta-Palisade school board re-elected all previous officers including Jon Anderjaska as board president for one more year, Bill Bischoff as vice-president, Laurie Maris as treasurer and Allison Sandman as secretary.
    After reviewing other options presented by Nebraska Game and Parks officials, the Village of Wauneta’s board of trustees voted to lift the firearm restriction, for shotguns only, within village limits to allow residents to hunt turkeys through the end of turkey season, Jan. 31.
    Chuck Vette was voted in as the Chase County Commissioners new chairman with Dave Hogsett as vice-chairman.
    The Wauneta Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) put out an engine fire on a Park Avenue (year unknown) owned by Mary Kitt. Kitt had gone out to warm up the car and charge the battery. After starting the car it caught on fire.
    Construction on Wauneta-Palisade Schools’ green house commenced with the laying of concrete.
    The Village of Wauneta Board of Trustees made an offer on the land adjacent to Wauneta’s Riverside Cemetery which consists of approximately 10 acres between the southern board of the current cemetery and HIghway 6.
    Members of the Chase County Community Hospital (CCCH) board heard the first report last week on a study to develop a master campus plan for the hospital.

February
    Firefighters from the Imperial and Wauneta volunteer departments responded to a mid-morning fire Saturday at the rural Wayne Bartels farm home.
    Community members and representatives from the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department were on hand at the Jan. 24 Chase County Commissioners meeting to express concerns over discussions the commissioners have had about the Chase County dispatch center.
    The Wauneta Chamber showed a free previously released kids’ movie at the Chateau Theatre. Admission was free and concessions were available.
    A request was made at the Palisade Village Board meeting to allow chickens within city limits. No action was taken.
    Nine area organizations are able to better support their missions in 2017 thanks to donations from the Western States Bank “Giving from the Heart” program.
    Colton Barrett qualified for state wrestling.
    Governor Pete Rickett’s proposed biennium budget bill (LB 327) includes a three percent aggregate rate cut for health care providers accepting Medicaid.
    The Wauneta Village Board of Trustees approved funds to complete work on well no. 3 and went into executive session to discuss possible land acquisition for the new well field south of town.

To read the full story, subscribe to the e-edition online or call the Breeze at 308-394-5389 to subscribe to the print edition