Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 50
JACKSON — Pat Tenney led a crew that hiked east over the National Elk Refuge foothills Wednesday morning, and members strung out 14 people wide looking for points telling of antlers sticking up through the sagebrush. The team of Bridger-Teton National Forest employees — firefighters, engineers and some randoms — wasn’t used to this gig. But COVID-19 put the kibosh on the usual Boy Scout antler pickup, when kids gather sheds to raise funds for the Scouts and the refuge. Cris Dippel, the refuge’s deputy manager, told his federal governmen... Full story
SUNDANCE — The first antibody tests have begun to appear on the market, both to purchase online and through a few providers in this region. But are they worth taking, this early in the game? The answer is no, according to both state health officer Dr. Alexia Harrist and Dr. Heith Waddell of Crook County Medical Services District. At this time, the FDA has not yet approved any antibody test for use. Some are better than others, said Waddell. Some, said Harrist at Governor Mark Gordon’s press conference last week, are “downright fraud... Full story
Weak market, COVID-19 make for grim Q1 report for Peabody GILLETTE (WNE) – Peabody Energy’s move to lay off 170 workers from its flagship North Antelope Rochelle mine near Wright was part of a systematic mine-by-mine review of the beleaguered coal producer’s operations. During a 2020 first-quarter earnings call and reporting an overall net income loss of more than $129 million, Peabody President and CEO Glenn Kellow said the unprecedented challenges his industry is facing requires an unprecedented response. He also said that being an “esse... Full story
CASPER — American Sign Language interpreter Gail Schenfisch stands behind officials in the live-streamed Natrona County news conferences about the COVID-19 pandemic and interprets for the local deaf community. She’s relayed crucial information like school and business closures, precautions, the prevalence of COVID-19 in the county and state, symptoms, and how to access testing and medical care. The Natrona County Emergency Operations Center’s news conferences began daily last month and are now held most Wednesdays. Schenfisch, who teach... Full story
Dusty Franklin Whitehead, 65, passed away at his home in Worland on April 14, 2020. He was born on June 24, 1954 in Lamar, Colorado to James Hershel Franklin and Viola (Wagley) Whitehead. Cremation has taken place and as per his request there will be no formal service.... Full story
Carolyn Ann (Brewer) Locke, 76, passed away at her home on April 27, 2020. Carolyn was born in Denver, Colorado on April 20, 1945. Cremation has taken place. As per her wishes no formal service will be held.... Full story
Wyoming's coronavirus count to 415; state preps for easing of restrictions Compiled from Wyoming News Exchange newspapers The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Wyoming grew by 11 to total 415 on Thursday as state residents began preparing for the easing of restrictions imposed on some businesses in March to prevent the spread of the illness. New statewide health orders took effect Friday allowing gyms and businesses providing personal services, such as hair salons, tattoo parlors and cosmetologists, to reopen. The state’s ban on g... Full story
CHEYENNE – The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) is now accepting UI applications from those individuals who do not qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits, but do qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. This program, which is part of the CARES Act, provides up to 39 weeks of Unemployment Insurance benefits for those who are self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, those who have exhausted their regular and extended benefits and others. "The Unemployment Insurance team and Tata C... Full story
WORLAND- The Washakie County commissioners met on Friday afternoon, May 1, with department heads via teleconference and at the Washakie County Fairgrounds to discuss reducing the Level 3 health status that is in place currently on county facilities. The county commissioners, along with a consensus from departments heads, voted to reduce the county down to a modified Level 2 status, opening all county facilities on the morning of Monday, May 4. This will open all county facilities to the public w... Full story
WORLAND — Three Washakie County businesses had plans approved by Wyoming Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist to open immediately. According to Washakie County Homeland Security/Emergency Management Director Kami Neighbors, Harrist approved exemptions to the state’s closure of bars and restaurants for Goose’s Liquor in Worland and Ten Sleep Brewing Company and Ten Sleep Saloon and Restaurant. Neighbors said Harrist, in approving the plans, reminded the businesses that the approval of the plans can be revoked if the metrics in Washakie Count... Full story
This story may be updated throughout the day. Compiled from Wyoming News Exchange newspapers Wyoming’s confirmed coronavirus case count increased by 15 over the weekend to total 435 by Monday morning, largely due to increases in Fremont County’s case count. The Wyoming Health Department reported 10 new coronavirus cases in Fremont County on Saturday and Sunday, bringing the county’s total to 122. Fremont County health officials have said that increased testing and contact tracing would lead to a significant increase in the number of cases in th... Full story
WORLAND — Washakie County had its variance for restaurants and bars approved Monday by the Wyoming State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist and County Health Officer. Dr. Ed Zimmerman. The variance allows bars and restaurants to provide dine-in seating under strict guidelines. The six-page health order No. 1 includes nearly two pages of guidelines that must be adhered to with restaurants, bars, coffee houses, clubs required to fill out a “Washakie County Intent to Operate Under Variance No. 1” form. Once the form is filled out and signed it wi... Full story
It’s been a busy week since last Tuesday both in the state and in Worland and Washakie County. Here are some highlights: •On Tuesday, April 28, Washakie County had zero active COVID-19 cases. That’s right. According to the Wyoming Department of Health, all five lab-confirmed cases have recovered and all three probable cases are listed as recovered. However, also on April 28, Washakie County Public Health announced that there was more tests available and County Health Officer Dr. Ed Zimmerman was asking residents if they are COVID-19 sympt... Full story
CHEYENNE – As the COVID-19 pandemic caused people to keep their health at the forefront of their minds, it’s also caused fewer people to go to doctor’s offices and hospitals to seek care for other ailments. This is causing hospitals and clinics nationwide to suffer negative financial consequences from the pandemic that’s also causing businesses to close and people to lose jobs. Physicians statewide have experienced financial strain that they foresee continuing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release from the Wyoming Medical... Full story
CASPER — As loosened restrictions on businesses take effect across Wyoming, health officials say contact tracing will continue to be an important tool to keep infections from spreading, with one county saying it is ramping up efforts to track cases. When someone tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracers as soon as possible interview that person to decipher who they may have recently been in contact with, and then take steps to have them self-isolate or quarantine to limit the spread of the illness, health officials said. Now that more b... Full story
SHERIDAN — Sex trafficking may not be the first danger that comes to mind when considering the impact of COVID-19 on individual communities, but the two are inextricably linked, according to Alexandra Stevenson, co-founder of the human trafficking prevention nonprofit Uprising. Uprising launched a new campaign for the month of May to encourage open conversation between parents and children about online safety as children spend significantly more time on devices at home. Stress, emotional challenges and financial insecurity are vulnerabilities p... Full story
CASPER — The Wyoming Legislature still doesn’t have a date for a special session planned for later this spring to respond to COVID-19 and its economic fallout. Lawmakers still don’t have a true agreement with Gov. Mark Gordon on how to spend more than a billion dollars in emergency funding before it expires on Dec. 30. And they haven’t figured out a means of expanding access to health care for thousands of uninsured Wyomingites. But as of Friday, they do have a starting point. As the week ended, members of legislative leadership put their s... Full story
JACKSON — Despite their pleas for antler hunters to stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jackson Police Department and the Teton County Sheriff’s Office escorted 186 cars full of shed seekers to the National Elk Refuge early Friday morning. Friday marked the opening of Wyoming’s shed antler hunting season. “We’ve been wanting to come do this for years,” shed hunter Sam Simmons said. Simmons, 17, came over with some buddies from St. Anthony, Idaho, leaving home around 5 a.m. Thursday and arriving in Jackson early enough to be fourth in line... Full story
CHEYENNE – In the first weeks of the coronavirus closures, the share of women filing unemployment claims in Wyoming skyrocketed to levels far above historical norms, suggesting women face unique struggles in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. After Gov. Mark Gordon announced a statewide public health emergency March 13, women made up 51.5% of new unemployment claims in Wyoming in the following three weeks, according to data from the state Department of Workforce Services. For perspective, women in Wyoming made up 25.4% of initial claims in t... Full story
Trucking company sued over Laramie man’s death LARAMIE (WNE) – A trucking company and one of its former drivers, Nebraska woman Tonya Hightower, are being sued by the family of 57-year-old Laramie man Vidal Madera, who was killed in March 2018, when Hightower was driving west down Telephone Canyon when she lost control of her tractor-trailer and killed Madera, who was driving east on I-80. Investigators said it appear Hightower fell asleep at the wheel; she was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and convicted by a jury in Albany Cou... Full story
CASPER – Changes made to a federal lending program last week could open up loans to Wyoming oil and gas firms left reeling from volatile oil prices and low fuel demand during the pandemic. The Federal Reserve released new guidelines Thursday for its Main Street Lending Program, geared to provide an additional layer of financial relief to small to midsize companies, including some heavily indebted firms with low credit ratings, during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Wyoming’s oil and natural gas industry is overwhelmingly comprised of small and midsi... Full story
SHERIDAN — A group of six legislators signed onto a letter written by Rep. Scott Clem to the governor, questioning the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the letter dated April 29, 2020, Clem, a legislator out of Gillette, penned a series of questions regarding what data and studies state leadership has used to guide decisions, hospital preparedness, constitutional authority and the effect of unemployment on both the state’s economy and individuals’ health. Rep. Mark Jennings, R-Sheridan, signed onto the letter. He said he did so... Full story
EVANSTON — In some exciting news for Uinta County, the Wyoming Department of Health announced on Monday that a large special testing study conducted at the Wyoming State Hospital found no new cases of COVID-19. A Community Protection Initiative Team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently visited WSH as part of a national effort to visit areas with low incidence of the disease to help support infection control efforts and hopefully keep infection rates low. During that visit, the CDC team recommended WSH p... Full story
Former Laramie dealership, Nissan settle lawsuit LARAMIE (WNE) – A former car dealership in Laramie, Snowy Range Dodge, has settled a lawsuit with Nissan, which went to federal court last year in an attempt to seek upwards of $6.8 million owed by the local dealership. In October 2019, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the local dealership’s owner, Josh Griffin, barring him from moving certain account funds that Nissan had a claim to. Since then, those account funds have been transferred to Nissan, according to cou... Full story
TEN SLEEP - Ninety-nine Ten Sleep voters came to the polls or sent in absentee ballots to elect a new mayor and council members Tuesday. In announcing the unofficial election results, Town Clerk Lori Hughes said Ernie Beckley received 79 votes while David Lyman recorded 15 votes. The canvassing board was slated to meet Wednesday morning to certify the results. With no changes, Beckley will be sworn in as mayor at the June 2 meeting. Beckley, who currently serves on the council, will be tasked... Full story