Well the new year came on Saturday with really barely a whisper but there is a lot in store for us this year.

The City of Worland will be appealing the 2020 census figures. This could have potential impact on future funding if they are successful. This is a story to watch.

There are several construction projects in the works right now that are expected to be completed this year — Sunlight Federal Credit Union, Unique Precisions, Pit Stop Travel Center and Big Horn Cooperative Travel Center. All of these will be great additions to the community.

Some new purchases will bring more renovations including the former Rumors building; and the county is working on a new ambulance station.

But, we anticipate the biggest story of 2022 will be, no not the COVID pandemic that enters its third year, but elections.

This year all five top elected officials in Wyoming will be on the ballot — governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor and superintendent of public instruction. Early in the pandemic there was a lot of talk about whether Governor Mark Gordon would be a one-term governor so of all five that will likely be the race to watch.

Of course, the push to unseat U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney from the state’s lone House seat will be hotly contested. Several candidates announced earlier this year and quickly dropped out after President Donald Trump chose not to endorse them. One candidate, Marissa Selvig has switched parties from Republican to Constitution perhaps thinking it gives her better odds. It definitely gives her better odds to be on the general election ballot, in fact it guarantees it.

Former governor candidate Harriet Hageman has already started campaigning for the Republican nomination recently completing a tour to visit every county in the state.

There will be some interesting races locally as well with top county seats on the ballot — two county commissioner seats, county clerk with current Clerk Mary Grace Strauch announcing she plans to retire at the end of her term; county sheriff; county coroner, clerk of district court where Christy Schneider will have to run to retain the seat she was appointed to last year; auditor where Nancy Quinn must also run to retain the seat to which she was appointed and county attorney, with County Attorney John Worrall referencing at a recent commissioner meeting that he may be retiring as well at the end of the year.

Yes, COVID-19 will likely still be newsworthy during 2022 and beyond. It seems like it is here to stay and we have to figure out a way to live with it. We can start by first not panicking every time there is a new variant. That’s what viruses do, they mutate, otherwise why would there be several types of influenza each year.

Of course, as discussed last week, there will be some surprises that creep up, things we cannot even fathom will be newsworthy this early in the new year.

As we look forward to this new year we also offer some tips for maneuvering through the new year.

•There is no such thing as a free lunch, especially on social media. Just the other day I’m scrolling and I see a post about four free steak dinners at Texas Roadhouse’s. That’s right – Texas Roadhouse’s not Texas Roadhouse, but several friends are commenting. I click on the profile and find the page was started about two weeks ago in Indonesia. I then search for Texas Roadhouse and on the official page I see a post about a scam – from two years ago. Sigh.

•Do not maneuver through the new year alone. Whether you venture into the wilderness, going for a ride in the country, going boating, biking or any other recreational activity or even if it is just getting through the work day, it is always safer and more fun to use the buddy system.

•It is OK to agree to disagree.

•Finally, do not put off doing something, do it now — whether it is that first mammogram or colonoscopy, if it is learning to fly an aircraft, learning to water ski, taking up a hobby or just cleaning out the fridge. There is no time like the present.

Make 2022 what you want it to be.

—Karla Pomeroy