News

Greetings from your State Capitol. The Legislature is nearly two thirds of the way through the second session of the 107th Legislature. Each meeting of a Legislature is divided into two sessions over two years. The first session of a Legislature can last no longer than 90 days and the second session can last no longer than 60 days. The State’s biennial budget is set during the 90 day session and budget adjustments are worked through during the 60 day session.

Those currently holding elected offices had until Feb. 15 to determine if they wished to serve another term and file for re-election, or give up their seat. Meanwhile, nonincumbents seeking to be on the May 10 ballot had until March 1 to file.

Donna Hogg has fond memories of days spent with her husband, Wayne, and their three children - Tim, Micki and Roxi - exploring the countryside around Callaway. It was a different time then, without cell phones and video games. Quality family time was not considered a luxury - it was the norm.

A few months ago the Board of Education of Callaway Public Schools approved moving forward with replacing the outdated and inefficient boiler system at the school, and at the Feb. 14 school board meeting Superintendent Bryon Hanson updated the board on the progress of that project. The district has now purchased the boiler and has purchased a propane tank from Progressive Fertilizer with plans to have that installed this spring.

Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts celebrate 50 years in 2022. With more river miles than any state, the deepest depths of the Ogallala Aquifer, and the Sandhills, it’s no wonder that Nebraskans are longtime conservation leaders.

Annual subscription and advertising rates for the Callaway Courier newspaper will increase effective March 10, 2022. A thriving local newspaper is an important part of the local economy, and the rise of postage, supply, and printing costs have necessitated the increase.

Greetings from your State Capitol. The Legislature finished the first round of debate on LB939 this week. LB939 would lower the corporate and personal income tax rates to 5.8% over the next several year. I believe lowering the tax rate will be beneficial to many Nebraskans. The bill now awaits the second of three rounds of debate by the Legislature.

The Callaway Community Foundation Fund board held its regular business meeting the evening of Monday, Feb. 21. President Corby Leeper called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. There were eight current and two incoming members present and two current members absent.

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, the stories to be told through beautiful images taken within the Lower Loup Natural Resources District are endless. Officials hope for a flood of stunning entries with the announcement of their 2022 Lower Loup NRD Photo Contest.

Area residents were treated to songs and stories of the American West during an evening of entertainment at the Nigel Sprouse Memorials Library in Callaway on Feb. 21.