Lower Nowood project hits speed bump

WORLAND – The Washakie County Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 18, to hear board reports and receive updates on projects happening around the county.

Washakie County Planner David Anderson came before the board and said that the Lower Nowood project would be slightly delayed for completion until the end of the month as they had troubles receiving the speed limit signs in time.

Anderson also said he was unsure if they had completed the striping on the road.

Anderson also reported that he still needs to do an additional survey on the Worland bike path where the retaining wall failed in order to determine how to move forward with that project.

Anderson also said that they were looking at subdivision changes which are expected to be approved next week by the County Planning Commission and brought before the commissioners next month.

Sarah Garcia of Washakie County Youth Alternatives said that she has spoken with the city of Worland and it is looking likely that 50% of her salary will be funded in the upcoming budget in a split between the county and city.

Lila Jolley of Washakie Prevention said that they intend to partner with Banner Health for the month of July to host a take-back month for prescription drugs. She also said they are looking to host a TIPS training for local area servers and bartenders. The training is free in person and Jolley has five free online sessions, TIPS training certification lasts for three years.

Washakie County Public Health Nurse Manager Amanda Heinemeyer said that with Pfizer receiving authorization to offer their COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 12 and up the county was able to receive some doses of the Pfizer vaccine from Park County. Heinemeyer said they are working with the school districts to gauge interest, and encouraging those who are interested to contact the Washakie County Public Health office to set up an appointment.

She reported that there will be a blood draw on June 10 at the Washakie County Fairgrounds.

Tom Schmeltzer of building maintenance said that approximately $3,400 worth of upgrades had been completed at the arena in preparation for the Washakie County Fair. The commissioners also discussed with Schmeltzer an incident that had a rock break a window of a non-county vehicle after it shot out of the bottom of a lawnmower and the commissioners told him to go ahead and get it fixed.

The commissioners talked with Schmeltzer about moving items regarding the library, which included checks by the engineers this week, temporary occupancy permits by the end of next week for upstairs offices and phone systems installed the second week of June.

Keith Bower of road and bridge said to the commissioners that he had not yet received any information on when the new roller is expected to arrive.

The commissioners discussed the need to implement certain cameras in the courthouse with Sheriff Steve Rakness, the commissioners were unsure if they had arrived due to COVID-19 delays. The commissioners said if they did not arrive then they needed to pursue a contract with Range to have cameras installed by the end of June.

Rakness said he would look into different security upgrades that are scheduled for the courthouse and would report back to them when he knew a timeline for the upgrades.

The commissioners gave approval for the water truck to be used to water the arena at the Washakie County Fairgrounds before the June 5 youth rodeo hosted by Cassidy Griemsman.

Alyssa Blood of Goose’s Liquor had a catering permit approved for the Chancey Williams concert hosted at the Griemsman Arena on June 5 at 7 p.m.