Anniversaries were celebrated and historic buildings lost in Seward County during 2007. From the first baby of the year to the destruction of JD's Beaver Lounge in Beaver Crossing, here is a look back at the year that was.
    January
     Broderick Asch Splittgerber was the first baby born at Memorial Hospital, Seward, in 2007. He was born to Cassandra and Kelly Splittgerber Jan. 4.
     The Seward County Sheriff's Department arrested Ray Mason of Hebron, 51, for robbing Jones National Bank and Trust Company in Seward Jan. 3.
     The Seward School Board began looking for candidates to replace retiring high school principal Ron Lamberty.
     The village of Cordova continued to consider leaving Seward County and joining York County. The village was upset because the county continues to put off paving 462nd Road from Interstate 80 to Denton Road, giving the town paved access to the interstate.
     Seward County continued its work on the county comprehensive plan.
    February
     The Lied Senior Center of Seward celebrated its 10th anniversary in February.
     Some schools in the area closed their doors in late January because of student illness and absenteeism.
     Dr. Marlene Uhing, superintendent of Seward Public Schools, resigned her position and accepted a post as superintendent at Norfolk Public Schools.
     The Wissmann family of Seward survived a crash of their family tour bus in Mississippi Feb. 6. None of the 15 people aboard the bus was injured.
     The Seward High wrestling team had seven wrestlers qualify for the state tournament and won the District B-3 team title. Malcolm sent five wrestlers, Centennial four and Milford three.
     The Seward School Board hired Chad Denker of Kimball as the new high school principal. Denker replaced Ron Lamberty, who retired at the end of the 2006-07 school year.
     Matt Mueller of Malcolm was the Class C 160-pound champion at the state wrestling tournament Feb. 15 through 17 at the Qwest Center in Omaha.
     Jon Ziegler, a senior at Concordia University, scored a career-high 47 points, passed the 2,000-point mark for his basketball career and set Concordia's all-time career scoring mark during CU's 87-78 upset win over the University of Sioux Falls, ranked 11th in the NAIA polls, Feb. 17.
     Dr. Trisha Sams was hired by Memorial Health Care Systems to be the full-time doctor at the clinic in Utica.
     The Malcolm girls' basketball team qualified for the state tournament with a 47-29 victory over Tecumseh in the District C2-2 championship game Feb. 23.
    March
     Dr. Brian Maher, superintendent of Centennial Public Schools, announced that he would be leaving Utica to take the superintendent's position at Kearney Public Schools.
     The Goehner Fire Department celebrated the 50th anniversary of its annual spaghetti feed.
     Concordia University hosted its annual health fair March 7 with the theme of "The Pursuit of Healthyness." Approximately 240 students, faculty and staff visited the booths.
     Milford High School was locked down March 14 after a message stating that there was a bomb in the school was found in the boys' bathroom.
     Concordia University's drama department performed Dead Man Walking with panel discussions about the death penalty following.
     The Seward High Winterguard took its show on the road in March, performing Pulling Rabbits Out of Hats at a competition in Florida.
    April
     The Seward County Commissioners conducted a public hearing on the county's comprehensive plan and heard no positive comments. The plan is designed to regulate where development of any sort may take place. Residents were concerned that residential and commercial development areas were encroaching on traditional agricultural ground.
     Lucas Peterson, 22, Bee, was arrested in connection with the death of his 11-month-old daughter, Trista. Trista's body was found in rural Butler County April 13.
     The Seward School District hired Dr. Greg Barnes of Bertrand to fill its vacant superintendent position.
     Centennial Public Schools hired Dr. Tim DeWaard of Tri County as its new superintendent.
     Students at Concordia University organized a world record-breaking game of ultimate frisbee April 19 through 22 to raise money for Heifer International.
    May
     The Seward USDA Service Center opened its new offices at 1940 North Highway 15.
     The building that housed the offices for Hymark Towing and Stutzman Taxidermy in Staplehurst burned to the ground May 9. The building, located on the corner of Main and Fourth streets in Staplehurst, was 123 years old.
     Ron Lamberty, Bob Fiala, Ralph Nielsen, Dr. Roger Meyer and Duane Daake were nominated for the annual Community Service Award, presented at the July 4 kick-off luncheon.
     The Centennial Public School district adopted a $4.7 million bond issue for construction of a fine arts center, addition of sprinklers throughout the building and addition to the main entrance that includes moving an administrative office to the front of the building.
     Lucas Peterson, 22, Bee, pleaded not guilt to child abuse, death of a child and unlawful burial in the death of his 11-month-old daughter, Trista.
    June
     The Nebraska Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution rededicated the Pawnee Council Oak Tree in Goehner.
     The Seward Skatepark Association hosted a fundraiser at SunMart, giving local skaters and bikers an opportunity to show their skills for the community. The association hopes to raise enough money to build a skate park in Seward.
     St. Patrick's Church in Utica celebrated its 125th anniversary.
     The von Kampen Trio released its third album, A Trip Out of Town is No Reason to Sound the Alarm. The trio includes David and Paul von Kampen of Seward and Brad Ramp of Friend.
    July
     The Seward Community held another busy, jam-packed Fourth of July celebration.
     People travelled from the capitol building to find tiles from mosaics painted by Reinhold Marxhausen while the mosaics at the capitol were being refurbished.
     Seward High School students returned from the national SkillsUSA Competition in Kansas City, Mo.
     One of the Lincoln branches of the Cattle National Bank and Trust was robbed.
     Concordia University administration and officials met for the groundbreaking of the new Health, Human Performance and Athletic Center.
     The Cast family of Beaver Crossing welcomed quadruplets Grant Herbert, Olivia Kaye, Benjamin Ray and Alex Jason into the world on July 19.
    August
     The First National Bank of Utica celebrated its 150th anniversary.
     Community members gathered for food, fun and festivities at the Seward County Fair.
     Seward resident Ashley Pohlmann won a gold medal in bowling at the Cornhusker Stae Games, despite suffering from scoliosis.
     The Seward City Council changed speed limits north of Fletcher Road to the east end of Plum Creek Bridge.
     Milford held a few days of fun of its own with Milford Fun Days.
     Local schools prepared themselves for a new school year and for a grueling fall sports season.
     Burlington Northern Santa Fe began preparations on a new 10-mile stretch of railroad running south of Highway 34 stretching beyond Tamora and began building a track in Seward.
     Kelly Petersen of Seward was named World Horseshoe Champion at the world tournament in Ardmore, Okla.
     JD's Beaver Lounge in Beaver Crossing collapsed.
     The Seward County Commissioners said good-bye to Ron Minchow, who resigned for health reasons.
     Utica said good-bye to prominent citizen Eudece Jones, who died Aug. 26.
    September
     The Nebraska Public Power District discussed a proposed pipeline route, which will cut through Seward County near Bee, Seward and Garland.
     Seward County Sherrif Joe Yocum graduated with a master's degree in criminal justice from Kaplan University.
    October
     Faith Lutheran Church put up a new 35-foot steel cross in honor of the late Debra Hartmann, who was a member.
     A new Monsanto seed corn plant was proposed to be built outside of the county near Waco.
     The Milford High School softball team fell one game short of the state finals, losing to Wayne 1-0.
     The trial for Lucas Peterson, who was charged with child abuse resulting in the death of a child, was moved to March.
     The Seward Bluejay cross country team fell one point short of the state runner-up trophy, scoring 63.
     Ron Brown interviewed bus crash survivor Tait Rief during a meeting of the Seward High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
     McKenna Goldsmith of Seward won the Seward Rotary Club Halloween costume contest.
    November
     The Seward Family Medical Center held a lead screening, sponsored by the Four Corners Health Department. They found signs of lead in Disney sippy-cup tops.
     The Centennial High School volleyball team defeated number-one rated Norfolk Catholic in the opening round of the state tournament.
     Seward County schools reported high scores in the State of the Schools report card issued by the Nebraska Department of Education.
     Sgt. Maj. Eli Valenzuela returned to the U.S. from a 14-month stint in Iraq.
     The Concordia women's cross country team placed 15th at nationals.
     Area schools prepared for the winter sports season.
     The Concordia women's basketball team defeated number-three ranked Hastings Broncos.
     The Seward City Council swore in Mel Aldrich as the new Seward Public Works Superintendent.
     Milford High School student Brittni Shaw was involved in a serious auto accident and was put in the hospital, listed in critical condition.
    December
     The Rev. Wesley Baumeister left his position at Concordia University to take a pastoral position at Trinity and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Ironwood, Mich.
     Sgt. Tim Hartmann returned home for the holidays after spending time in Iraq.
     The Nebraska Public Power District announced more than 30 soil borings it would be making for the upcoming power line project.