Week of October 15, 2026
Tax stories on A1, candidate profiles starting on A10, lots of photos from Fire Prevention Week and other local news...
The Nowood Watershed Improvement District Board of Directors will be having a special meeting at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Hyattville Community Center to discuss proposals for eminent domain for the Alkali Creek Reservoir Project. According to an advertisement from the NWID Board, the purpose of the public meeting is to hold an open forum discussion regarding the Alkali Creek Reservoir Project moving forward on the proposals of eminent domain and public records request fees. The Board may take action on these matters including...
Since 1990 Washakie County residents have opted to renew the local lodging tax and will have the chance to keep that trend going come Election Day, Nov. 3. This local initiative adds 2% to the statewide lodging tax of 5%, meaning that anyone who stays in a hotel, vacation rental, campsite or RV park in Washakie County for 30 days or less is subject to a 7% lodging tax. Washakie County Visitors Council member Ernie Beckley said the local lodging tax currently generates between $120,000 and $125,000 annually. The funds are used for marketing...
The agencies seeking voter approval to continue a one-cent general purpose tax and for approval of a new half cent general purpose tax for emergency services answered questions at forums in Worland and Ten Sleep last week. In opening the forum in Worland, moderator Chris Kocher emphasized that if voters approve both sales tax initiatives during the Nov. 3 ballot the sales tax in Washakie County will go from 5% to 5.5%. The one-cent tax has been approved by voters since 2014. In Wyoming most counties are at 5%, Hot Springs, Carbon, Niobrara,...
Washakie County School District No. 2 Superintendent Annie Griffin shared to the board Monday night how the district is eagerly awaiting the news contained in the state standardized test results from the spring of last school year. For Ten Sleep, the WY-TOPP results hold more than a measure of student growth year by year; if their students achieved the best scores overall last year, they are poised to become the No. 1 ranked small school district in Wyoming for the third consecutive year. According to Griffin, the results will be released to...
The Washakie County Fair Board received pushback at their meeting Monday, Oct. 12 from seven 4-H kids and a few parents regarding their decision to limit who can participate in livestock fitting during fair week. Per a decision made by the board a few months ago, only exhibitors’ immediate family members, a Washakie County 4-H or FFA advisor, or a Washakie County 4-H and FFA member up to 21 years of age can assist with livestock fitting the week of fair. The youngsters each shared how much they learned from the people beyond their zip code...
Why are you seeking a seat on the City Council, and what unique perspective or experience would you bring to the position? I am running again because I love Worland. I am interested in helping our people in this community and I believe my unique perspective is that I am a business owner and living and working in this community every day. As a business owner and hairstylist; I've spent years listening to people from all walks of life. I've heard their concerns, celebrated their success and...
Why are you seeking a seat on the City Council, and what unique perspective or experience would you bring to the position? Running for Worland City Council was not something I had on my radar. I got a phone call on the morning of the primary election asking me if my name was written in would I consider running for a seat in Ward 1. After seeing that I received seven write-in votes I decided it was something I could do. I spent more than 20 years in Worland as a business owner/operator. Spending...
Why are you seeking a seat on the City Council, and what unique perspective or experience would you bring to the position? I have been on the city council for the last four years and being born and raised in Worland there is no better way to help the city of Worland and people. I would like to shape the city’s long-term growth, improve public safety and advocate affordable housing, keep the city infrastructure projects. How do you balance the need for city services and infrastructure improvements with keeping taxes and fees affordable for...
Why are you seeking a seat on the City Council, and what unique perspective or experience would you bring to the position? I am seeking a seat on the Worland City Council because I believe strongly in giving back to the community that has given my family so much. My wife and I moved to Worland in 2021 without family, friends or an established support system here. Worland has become our home, and I want to do my part to help make sure it remains a strong community for families, businesses, and...
Why are you seeking a seat on the City Council, and what unique perspective or experience would you bring to the position? I am seeking a seat on the City Council because I care deeply about Worland and want to contribute to the community my family and I chose to call home. I grew up here and graduated from Worland High School. After moving away and starting our family, my husband and I chose to return because we believed Worland was a wonderful place to raise our children. Living elsewhere...
Why are you seeking a seat on the City Council, and what unique perspective or experience would you bring to the position? I am seeking a seat on the Council because I believe that it is important to have a Council Member who is available and listens to local residents. It is imperative to note that EXPERIENCE matters. When choosing a candidate, it is essential that experience and knowledge in local issues facing our city is considered. Serving on the Council the last 2 years has given me...
Four spots on the Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees will appear on the ballot at the 2026 General Election on Nov. 3, and four candidates have declared for the positions. A questionnaire was issued to each candidate: Terri Logan Have you previously served on the board? 20 years (five terms). I’ve been on since 2006. What is your connection to the school district in Worland? I’m born and raised here in Worland, so I went through this school district. I started at West Side, the old junior high school and then, of...
Chronicling the stories of Washakie County and...
Going 3-1 at the 3A West conference duals in Mountain View on Oct. 9-10, the Worland Lady Warriors are getting closer to playing their best volleyball at the right time. The Lady Warriors (13-11-2) picked up crucial conference wins over Lyman 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-22, 25-13), Rawlins 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-19) and Pinedale 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-17). Their one loss was against Mountain View 3-2 (22-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-18, 15-7). "The girls played at the level they can play at," said WHS...
In 2.5 weeks on Nov. 3, voters will head to the polls and decide on two important sales tax questions that will impact future services in Washakie County. In truth some of you may have already cast your vote with absentee voting starting last week. For those of us how haven’t I would encourage you to vote yes to continue to the one-cent general purpose tax as you have since 2014. Since then voters in Washakie County by more than 60% have approved of this tax that helps seven to eight entities every four years. In 2022, every precinct in the...
