Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
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The 2019-2020 Arts and Academics section is inside this week's issue, featuring clubs and organizations from Ten Sleep and Worland high schools. Look for the graduation section next week....
When things began to shut down and as businesses struggled and we heard reports of people scared, stressed and lonely we began to wonder if there was any end in sight to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Wyoming and other states are starting to open things up, not fast enough for some and too fast for others. Churches are scheduling services, restaurants have been allowed indoor dining with guidelines in place. Salons and gyms opened up and those of in need of a haircut were appreciative for that. But opening up businesses and allowing some...
TTEN SLEEP – The Ten Sleep Town Council met in a special meeting on Wednesday, May 6, after an election on Tuesday to determine the new mayor and council members. The council approved a first reading of the budget for the 2020-21 year, and noted that this budget did not see many changes, but may change as the process moves along prior to the final reading. The council also amended the current budget for the 2019-20, to include the Cottonwood Street and First Street projects. The projects will b...
CHEYENNE – With the end of the financial turbulence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic nowhere in sight, Wyoming business owners and their employees could soon gain a boost. When the Wyoming Legislature meets in a mixed format for its special session starting Friday, lawmakers will consider at least four bills. One of those, which was largely crafted last week by the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee, aims to help businesses through state-run programs that resemble the federal Paycheck Protection Program. The l...
WORLAND — The filing period for federal, state, county and municipal offices begins today (Thursday, May 14) and ends May 29. Candidates for federal and state offices should file at the Secretary of State’s office, county and precinct committee office candidates should file at the Washakie County Clerk’s office and mayor and council candidates file at City Hall. The cost to file is $25. There is no cost to file for precinct committee offices. This year, there are two federal offices that are open, including U.S. Senate, currently held by Sen....
CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing will be conducting an aerial salute to the health care professionals on the frontlines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday, May 15, the Air National Guard will present a two-ship C-130 flyover across the skies of each hospital around the state, culminating in the Capitol City. “We salute all those, both around the state of Wyoming and across the nation who have sacrificed so much to serve on the frontlines of this pandemic,” said Col. Justin Walrath, 153rd Airlift...
WORLAND — With a decline in revenue anticipated for the 2020-21 fiscal year, the Worland City Council approved a motion last Tuesday to disallow any overtime pay. The issue was brought up by budget committee member and council member Mike Neufer. “We just got done with the budget and everything is going to be super tight. In viewing the overtime, I think we could trim it a bunch.” Council member Mandy Horath agreed stating, “I think all overtime should be immediately ceased,” unless it is for the health and safety of community members....
WASHAKIE COUNTY – Both Washakie County School Districts No. 1 and No. 2 are set to host a different type of graduation this weekend in order to honor the graduates of the 2020 class in a public manner. WORLAND Worland school district is set to host a parade for graduates beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, the time when the traditional ceremony was originally scheduled. Observers are asked park along the parade route 20th Street to Railway Avenue along Big Horn Avenue. The rules of the parade will no...
WORLAND – Two months of COVID-19 restrictions have led to a steep decline in revenues at Banner Health Washakie Medical Center, according to Chief Financial Officer Jennifer McMillan. McMillan gave her report to WMC’s Board of Trustees in their regularly scheduled meeting on May 5. The meeting was held remotely by means of the Skype conferencing software. McMillan said that the financial outlook seemed promising in the first half of March, but it took a steep nosedive when federal, state and county-level guidance for preventing COVID-19 tra...
The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is encouraging residents with COVID-19 symptoms to get tested to help prevent further spread and outbreaks, but to also be aware of different types of testing and what they may or may not be able to reveal. Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer and state epidemiologist with WDH, said testing is more available now than at other points of the pandemic. “We want anyone with symptoms that could be COVID-19 to ask about testing,” she said. “Identifying individuals with COVID-19 helps us track this disea...
POWELL — Starting at noon on Monday, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks will begin reopening through a gradual, three-phase plan. In Yellowstone, only the park’s two Wyoming entrances — the East Gate outside of Cody and the South Gate outside of Jackson — will open, allowing access to the lower loop for day use with limited facilities. The West, North and Northeast entrances in Montana will remain closed until state officials, including Gov. Steve Bullock, agree to opening them. On a Wednesday teleconference with business and civic l...
CHEYENNE – With some statewide public health orders being eased at the end of the week, Gov. Mark Gordon asked the public Wednesday to be careful as the state’s economy begins to reopen. The three updated statewide orders, set to take effect Friday, allow some dine-in services at restaurants and bars. But in a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Gordon emphasized social distancing and other public health measures will still be in place. “This is truly an exciting time for Wyoming, but it’s also one that is a cautionary time for Wyoming...
CASPER – Various structures put in place in Natrona County to respond to the novel coronavirus are being dismantled and put on standby as the disease appears to have slowed here and the state continues to loosen restrictions on everyday life. There has been just one new coronavirus case confirmed in Natrona County in the past three weeks. That new patient’s diagnosis was confirmed Wednesday and stands as the county’s 39th positively identified case. Before that confirmation, county officials announced Wednesday that the Emergency Opera...
Carbon County authorities suspect homicide after discovering dead body RAWLINS (WNE) — Authorities suspect homicide to be the likely cause behind the recent discovery of a dead body. The body, who was not identified by Carbon County Sheriff Archie Roybal because the case is under investigation, was found in the backseat of a vehicle parked near Walcott Junction early Monday morning, the sheriff’s office said in a written statement. Authorities were originally contacted by a local resident who reported a suspicious vehicle being parked on a nea...
Gillette’s proposed city budget down nearly 30% for upcoming fiscal year GILLETTE (WNE) – When Gillette began its budget process for the next fiscal year, the city wasn't caught up on a global pandemic and ground zero for crashes in the nation's oil, gas and coal industries. Now budgeting for the 2020-21 fiscal year, which begins July 1, is more uncertain. The city’s proposed budget is $146.4 million, about a 29% or $60 million decrease from its adjusted fiscal year 2019-20 budget of $207.1 million. General fund revenues are projected to be $3...
LOVELL (WNE) — Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, the summer recreation season on the Bighorn National Forest is expected to begin like it normally does, with the phased opening of developed areas starting in a couple weeks and the current region-wide restriction on campfires expiring May 31. Members of a forest steering committee acknowledged during a teleconference Thursday that they have been fielding a high volume of calls from people voicing questions and concerns about losing access to the forest. Sara Evans-Kirol, a public affairs officer f...
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