KKTY SPECIAL REPORT
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF CONVERSE COUNTY PURCHASES SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER IN CASPER
KKTY News talks with MHCC CEO Matt Dammeyer about the purchase and what it means for healthcare in the region...
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF CONVERSE COUNTY PURCHASES SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER IN CASPER
KKTY News talks with MHCC CEO Matt Dammeyer about the purchase and what it means for healthcare in the region...
KKTY News...
KKTY Noon News on Thu 12/1/22
It's a Douglas Holiday Tradition, and you're invited!
Come enjoy a Free Thanksgiving Day Meal with all the fixings on Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24th.
They'll be serving from 11am to 2 pm at the Douglas Moose Lodge, 120 North Second Street.
For Carry Out Call Paige at 351-1188, or Kate 351-8817.112322
Come enjoy a Free Thanksgiving Day Meal with all the fixings on Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24th.
They'll be serving from 11am to 2 pm at the Douglas Moose Lodge, 120 North Second Street.
For Carry Out Call Paige at 351-1188, or Kate 351-8817.112322
Wyoming's leaders are concerned that railroad workers may go on strike after a rail union rejected a proposed contract.
The tentative contract deal resulted from last-minute negotiations convened by the Biden administration in mid-September.
But the agreement proved unsatisfactory to 50.9% of workers represented by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.
Several other rail unions have voted to approve the contract, but don’t plan to cross the picket lines. A strike could begin as soon as Dec. 5.
If the railroads can’t move Powder River Basin coal, Wyoming’s mines could be forced to scale back production or even shut down until rail service resumes. 112222
The tentative contract deal resulted from last-minute negotiations convened by the Biden administration in mid-September.
But the agreement proved unsatisfactory to 50.9% of workers represented by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.
Several other rail unions have voted to approve the contract, but don’t plan to cross the picket lines. A strike could begin as soon as Dec. 5.
If the railroads can’t move Powder River Basin coal, Wyoming’s mines could be forced to scale back production or even shut down until rail service resumes. 112222
The nation’s average gas price fell for the second straight week, down 12 cents from a week ago to $3.64.
GasBuddy.com says the national average is down 16.4 cents from a month ago and remains 24.5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
Teton County continued to report the highest average in the state on Monday, averaging $4.34 a gallon. Natrona County was the cheapest in the state, at $3.04 a gallon, and several Casper stations were below $3.90. Converse County gasoline averaged $3.49 a gallon on Monday. 112222
GasBuddy.com says the national average is down 16.4 cents from a month ago and remains 24.5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
Teton County continued to report the highest average in the state on Monday, averaging $4.34 a gallon. Natrona County was the cheapest in the state, at $3.04 a gallon, and several Casper stations were below $3.90. Converse County gasoline averaged $3.49 a gallon on Monday. 112222
Eastern Wyoming College Assistant Professor of Nursing, Kasey Powell has been honored by the Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA) with the Inspiring Our Future Nurses award.
The award is given to a WNA nursing instructor member who has been a positive influence on the future of nurses or Wyoming.
Powell has been a full-time Assistant Professor of Nursing on EWC’s Douglas Campus since 2021, but has been involved in the EWC nursing program since its start in January 2016
Before taking on the instructor’s role and teaching future nurses, Powell worked as a Registered Nurse on the Medical Surgical and OB floors at Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas. She has worked there since 2011.
She also was the Director of Inpatient Services where she managed clinical staff on Medical Surgical, OB and the ICU. 111922
The award is given to a WNA nursing instructor member who has been a positive influence on the future of nurses or Wyoming.
Powell has been a full-time Assistant Professor of Nursing on EWC’s Douglas Campus since 2021, but has been involved in the EWC nursing program since its start in January 2016
Before taking on the instructor’s role and teaching future nurses, Powell worked as a Registered Nurse on the Medical Surgical and OB floors at Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas. She has worked there since 2011.
She also was the Director of Inpatient Services where she managed clinical staff on Medical Surgical, OB and the ICU. 111922
A Converse County Commissioner offered testimony in Washington DC this week.
U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) welcomed Converse County Commissioner Jim Willox to the Senate where he served as an expert witness regarding the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) during an Environment and Public Works Subcommittee hearing.
During the hearing, Commissioner Willox discussed rural access for competitive grants, as well as other issues Wyoming towns and counties are facing while implementing the IIJA.
In his testimony, Commissioner Willox highlighted many of Sen. Lummis’s priorities including the need for additional permitting reform, and solutions to onerous regulations from the Federal Highway Administration.
An example Willox identified was the Federal Highway Administration denying eight of Wyoming’s eleven requested exemptions under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. 111722
U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) welcomed Converse County Commissioner Jim Willox to the Senate where he served as an expert witness regarding the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) during an Environment and Public Works Subcommittee hearing.
During the hearing, Commissioner Willox discussed rural access for competitive grants, as well as other issues Wyoming towns and counties are facing while implementing the IIJA.
In his testimony, Commissioner Willox highlighted many of Sen. Lummis’s priorities including the need for additional permitting reform, and solutions to onerous regulations from the Federal Highway Administration.
An example Willox identified was the Federal Highway Administration denying eight of Wyoming’s eleven requested exemptions under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. 111722
Turkeys on Wyoming's Thanksgiving tables will come at a higher cost this year.
Retail prices for fresh boneless, skinless turkey breast hit a new record in September at $6.70 per pound. That's more than double the price from last year, when turkeys were running just $3.16 a pound.
Bird flu swept across the nation from Maine to Wyoming this year, forcing the destruction of more than 23 million turkeys, chickens and game birds.
Tim Simeroth is captain of the Salvation Army in Casper.
He estimates that his organization will likely need 600 birds for food baskets this year. That's a significant increase from the 400 needed last year. 111022
Retail prices for fresh boneless, skinless turkey breast hit a new record in September at $6.70 per pound. That's more than double the price from last year, when turkeys were running just $3.16 a pound.
Bird flu swept across the nation from Maine to Wyoming this year, forcing the destruction of more than 23 million turkeys, chickens and game birds.
Tim Simeroth is captain of the Salvation Army in Casper.
He estimates that his organization will likely need 600 birds for food baskets this year. That's a significant increase from the 400 needed last year. 111022
Ballots are counted, and Converse County voters have spoken... here's results of the contested races in Tuesday's general election.
Republican Tomi Stock will represent eastern Converse County in the Wyoming State Legislature. Strock defeated former Douglas mayor Bruce Jones by about a 2-1 margin. Stock received 2266 votes, Jones marked 1079, and Democrat Hank Szramkowski got 218 votes.
Trent Kaufman, Robert Short and Jim Willox get the 3 seats on the Converse County Commission. Kaufman came in with 3363 votes, Short got 3199, Willox got 2794. Darek Joppru received 1909 votes.
Bruce Roumell will continue to serve as Mayor of Glenrock. He beat challenger Margaret Nunn 424 to 378.
Perry Hershberger and Kim Pexton take the two four-year seats on the Douglas City council.
Matt Schmidt defeats Josh Valk for the two-year seat on the Douglas Council.
Judy Colling and Roy Kincaid win the four-year seats on the Glenrock council.
Rolling Hills town council, two seats open, Kenneth Montgomery gets 90 votes, Lori Cielinski gets 66, Glenn Lewis gets 63.
Converse County School District #1 board, four-year terms, go to Trent Boner, Josh Moore, Shane Stinson and Jared Vollman. Two-year seats go to Ty Tillard and Jeremiah Darr.
CCSD #2 board seats go to Casey Tillard and Viki Kinkaid.
The optional one-cent sales tax, and the lodging tax both passed easily, and the pari-mutual wagering ballot issue passed by just 72 votes.
A link to complete election total is available here. 110822
Republican Tomi Stock will represent eastern Converse County in the Wyoming State Legislature. Strock defeated former Douglas mayor Bruce Jones by about a 2-1 margin. Stock received 2266 votes, Jones marked 1079, and Democrat Hank Szramkowski got 218 votes.
Trent Kaufman, Robert Short and Jim Willox get the 3 seats on the Converse County Commission. Kaufman came in with 3363 votes, Short got 3199, Willox got 2794. Darek Joppru received 1909 votes.
Bruce Roumell will continue to serve as Mayor of Glenrock. He beat challenger Margaret Nunn 424 to 378.
Perry Hershberger and Kim Pexton take the two four-year seats on the Douglas City council.
Matt Schmidt defeats Josh Valk for the two-year seat on the Douglas Council.
Judy Colling and Roy Kincaid win the four-year seats on the Glenrock council.
Rolling Hills town council, two seats open, Kenneth Montgomery gets 90 votes, Lori Cielinski gets 66, Glenn Lewis gets 63.
Converse County School District #1 board, four-year terms, go to Trent Boner, Josh Moore, Shane Stinson and Jared Vollman. Two-year seats go to Ty Tillard and Jeremiah Darr.
CCSD #2 board seats go to Casey Tillard and Viki Kinkaid.
The optional one-cent sales tax, and the lodging tax both passed easily, and the pari-mutual wagering ballot issue passed by just 72 votes.
A link to complete election total is available here. 110822
Employers across the state will tell you how difficult it is to hire good workers... and the people who plow your highways are no different.
With winter weather in the weeks and months ahead, the Wyoming Department of Transportation says they have a shortage of snow plow drivers.
WYDOT said in a press release Tuesday that crews currently seeing the most severe staffing shortages include Rock Springs, Hulett, Shirley Rim, LaBarge, Reno Junction, Patrick Draw and Muddy Gap. Douglas is currently down 8 drivers. Application are available online. Driving a plow requires a CDL license.
To deal with the staffing shortages, WYDOT says they'll work to move crews from areas less impacted by storms to routes experiencing the most severe weather. 110222
With winter weather in the weeks and months ahead, the Wyoming Department of Transportation says they have a shortage of snow plow drivers.
WYDOT said in a press release Tuesday that crews currently seeing the most severe staffing shortages include Rock Springs, Hulett, Shirley Rim, LaBarge, Reno Junction, Patrick Draw and Muddy Gap. Douglas is currently down 8 drivers. Application are available online. Driving a plow requires a CDL license.
To deal with the staffing shortages, WYDOT says they'll work to move crews from areas less impacted by storms to routes experiencing the most severe weather. 110222
A Casper teen died Monday afternoon in a head-on collision with a dump truck.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the 15-year-old was driving west on Wyoming Highway 220 at about 4 p.m. when his car drifted across the center-line and hit an oncoming truck, .
The boy died at the scene. The dump truck driver, 47-year-old Dustin H. Geiger of Casper, was not injured.
Highway patrol officials say inattention on the boy's part may have contributed to the crash.
The crash, near the intersection of highways 220 and 487 between Casper and Alcova, led authorities to shut down a section of 220 for nearly two hours Monday afternoon as they investigated.110222
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the 15-year-old was driving west on Wyoming Highway 220 at about 4 p.m. when his car drifted across the center-line and hit an oncoming truck, .
The boy died at the scene. The dump truck driver, 47-year-old Dustin H. Geiger of Casper, was not injured.
Highway patrol officials say inattention on the boy's part may have contributed to the crash.
The crash, near the intersection of highways 220 and 487 between Casper and Alcova, led authorities to shut down a section of 220 for nearly two hours Monday afternoon as they investigated.110222
Congratulations to the Jackalope City Scarecrow Contest winners!!
23 entries this year in the contest organized by the Enterprise.
Out of nearly 450 votes, 1st: CP Realty on Center Street. - 2nd: Converse County Bank - 3rd: College Inn Bar - People's Choice: Boys & Girls Club of Douglas
Thank you everyone who participated, judged and voted!! Be sure to check out the winners during Downtown Trick or Treat today. 103122
23 entries this year in the contest organized by the Enterprise.
Out of nearly 450 votes, 1st: CP Realty on Center Street. - 2nd: Converse County Bank - 3rd: College Inn Bar - People's Choice: Boys & Girls Club of Douglas
Thank you everyone who participated, judged and voted!! Be sure to check out the winners during Downtown Trick or Treat today. 103122
The DHS Bearcat Marching Band has a new trophy, bringing home Superior honors Saturday in the state marching band competition in Casper.
Band director Tim Painter told KKTY's Liz Ostrander they worked hard for it...
Band director Tim Painter told KKTY's Liz Ostrander they worked hard for it...
Painter said this win was the first in his 5 years at DHS and the first Superior rating the band has received since 2016. 101822
A Converse County man died Saturday afternoon when he was thrown from the pickup he was driving when it rolled over near Rolling Hills.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 61 year old Russell Caves was driving north on Wyoming Highway 95 at about 4:30 Saturday afternoon when his pickup swerved, skidded and rolled, coming to rest on its roof.
Caves was not wearing a seat belt, and was thrown clear of the truck.
The highway patrol says driver inattention was a possible contributing factor to the crash. 101822
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 61 year old Russell Caves was driving north on Wyoming Highway 95 at about 4:30 Saturday afternoon when his pickup swerved, skidded and rolled, coming to rest on its roof.
Caves was not wearing a seat belt, and was thrown clear of the truck.
The highway patrol says driver inattention was a possible contributing factor to the crash. 101822
Converse County School District #1 has received a worldwide honor from is accreditation provider.
Cognia is the global school improvement and accreditation organization. It serves 36,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries worldwide.
Cognia announced Converse County School District #1 at Douglas has received their Systems of Distinction designation, one of only 38 systems across the globe.
The Systems of Distinction earn this recognition based on the results of Cognia’s Accreditation Engagement Review process.
Converse County School District #1 hosted its accreditation review in the spring of 2022. 101422
Cognia is the global school improvement and accreditation organization. It serves 36,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries worldwide.
Cognia announced Converse County School District #1 at Douglas has received their Systems of Distinction designation, one of only 38 systems across the globe.
The Systems of Distinction earn this recognition based on the results of Cognia’s Accreditation Engagement Review process.
Converse County School District #1 hosted its accreditation review in the spring of 2022. 101422
The DHS Bearcat Band and 22 other high school marching bands will participate in the Wyoming State Marching Band Festival in Casper this Saturday.
The festival is set to begin at noon Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The Bearcats Band is scheduled to perform at 1:30 PM.
After the high school bands all perform, the University of Wyoming’s Western Thunder Marching Band is set to deliver a performance at around 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
Awards to high school bands will be presented after the Western Thunder performance. 101422
The festival is set to begin at noon Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The Bearcats Band is scheduled to perform at 1:30 PM.
After the high school bands all perform, the University of Wyoming’s Western Thunder Marching Band is set to deliver a performance at around 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
Awards to high school bands will be presented after the Western Thunder performance. 101422
Memorial Hospital of Converse County is growing again to better serve the healthcare needs of Converse and Natrona Counties.
The Converse County Commissioners gave the green light this week for the hospital board to move foreward with the $38 million dollar purchase of Summit Medical Center in Casper.
In addition to the private surgical practice, the purchase includes a lease of the Summit Medical center building on East Second Street next to Vista Toyota.
MHCC already operates in Natrona County. They purchased Western Medical Associates in 2020. That practice serves 16,000 patents in Natrona County, with two locations in Casper.100622
The Converse County Commissioners gave the green light this week for the hospital board to move foreward with the $38 million dollar purchase of Summit Medical Center in Casper.
In addition to the private surgical practice, the purchase includes a lease of the Summit Medical center building on East Second Street next to Vista Toyota.
MHCC already operates in Natrona County. They purchased Western Medical Associates in 2020. That practice serves 16,000 patents in Natrona County, with two locations in Casper.100622
Air passengers will get another flight between Casper and Salt Lake City.
The Natrona County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted on Tuesday to add the additional flight, which comes via an agreement between the airport and SkyWest Airlines, connecting Casper-Natrona County International Airport to Salt Lake City, Utah.
The move comes just months after work was done to improve the airport, which included rehabilitating the runway and runway lighting and adding several pieces of navigational aid. 100622
The Natrona County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted on Tuesday to add the additional flight, which comes via an agreement between the airport and SkyWest Airlines, connecting Casper-Natrona County International Airport to Salt Lake City, Utah.
The move comes just months after work was done to improve the airport, which included rehabilitating the runway and runway lighting and adding several pieces of navigational aid. 100622
High natural gas prices are making coal-burning power plants a more attractive option, and that's pushing the price of Powder River Basin coal higher.
How high natural gas prices become, and how coal markets respond, will depend partly on temperatures this winter in the United States and in Northern Europe.
The spot price of Powder River Coal typically hovers between about $10 and $12 per short ton. It averaged $16.20 during the first two weeks of September and $16.15 during the next two, then rose to $16.25 per short ton as of Sept. 30.
There's also a bottleneck getting coal to market due to ongoing rail disruptions curtailing mines’ ability to ship coal. 100522
How high natural gas prices become, and how coal markets respond, will depend partly on temperatures this winter in the United States and in Northern Europe.
The spot price of Powder River Coal typically hovers between about $10 and $12 per short ton. It averaged $16.20 during the first two weeks of September and $16.15 during the next two, then rose to $16.25 per short ton as of Sept. 30.
There's also a bottleneck getting coal to market due to ongoing rail disruptions curtailing mines’ ability to ship coal. 100522
Two people died Saturday when the pickup they were driving rolled over southwest of Douglas.
The Converse County Sheriff's Office says 30 year old Stephen Bradley Duane Williams, and 23 year old Cason C. Grant, were both thrown from the truck and died at the scene.
The crash occurred shortly before noon Saturday near mile marker 26 on Cold Springs Road. Deputies, medics and firefighters responded to the crash and asked for a helicopter as well. When rescuers arrived, they found a red crew cab Chevrolet with Texas plates that had rolled down a steep hill. Medics determined both men were already dead.
The sheriff's office says it suspects alcohol use and speeding contributed to the crash. No other vehicles were involved. 100422
The Converse County Sheriff's Office says 30 year old Stephen Bradley Duane Williams, and 23 year old Cason C. Grant, were both thrown from the truck and died at the scene.
The crash occurred shortly before noon Saturday near mile marker 26 on Cold Springs Road. Deputies, medics and firefighters responded to the crash and asked for a helicopter as well. When rescuers arrived, they found a red crew cab Chevrolet with Texas plates that had rolled down a steep hill. Medics determined both men were already dead.
The sheriff's office says it suspects alcohol use and speeding contributed to the crash. No other vehicles were involved. 100422
Two popular Wyoming boating locations are changing their protocols for watercraft inspections to protect waters from invasive zebra mussels.
These changes, instituted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, will begin Wednesday, October 5th.
At both Keyhole and Glendo state parks, all watercraft will be inspected at the boat ramp before launching. Inspection hours will be 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Use of the boat ramp is restricted to 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Launching without an inspection is prohibited.
Glendo boaters will launch only at Whiskey Gulch. All other boat ramps will be closed, and shore launching will be prohibited. State Parks says boaters should expect delays. 100322
These changes, instituted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, will begin Wednesday, October 5th.
At both Keyhole and Glendo state parks, all watercraft will be inspected at the boat ramp before launching. Inspection hours will be 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Use of the boat ramp is restricted to 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Launching without an inspection is prohibited.
Glendo boaters will launch only at Whiskey Gulch. All other boat ramps will be closed, and shore launching will be prohibited. State Parks says boaters should expect delays. 100322
Artists have been named for the 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, and they include a Wyoming favorite.
The Ford Wyoming Center will host country music acts Chancey Williams, Josh Dorr and Sawyer Brown for its 40th anniversary concert on December 10th.
The Casper Events Center opened in 1982. It's one of the state's biggest venues and has hosted a wide variety of musicians, musicals and sports events including Elton John, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Santana and the College National Finals Rodeo, as well as many state basketball, volleyball and wrestling tournaments. 092922
The Ford Wyoming Center will host country music acts Chancey Williams, Josh Dorr and Sawyer Brown for its 40th anniversary concert on December 10th.
The Casper Events Center opened in 1982. It's one of the state's biggest venues and has hosted a wide variety of musicians, musicals and sports events including Elton John, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Santana and the College National Finals Rodeo, as well as many state basketball, volleyball and wrestling tournaments. 092922
A promotion at the Wyoming State Fair office in Douglas.
Kris Mitchell has been named Assistant General Manager of the State Fair.
Mitchell has served on the Wyoming State Fair team as the Exhibits Supervisor for the past three years.
She competed at the National High School Rodeo before attending college at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington on a full-ride rodeo scholarship.
After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, Kris and her husband began raising a family in Douglas where she worked in the school district.
As Assistant General Manager, Kris's duties include handling sponsorships, contracting, hiring judges, assisting in marketing efforts, and year-round interim events. 092922
Kris Mitchell has been named Assistant General Manager of the State Fair.
Mitchell has served on the Wyoming State Fair team as the Exhibits Supervisor for the past three years.
She competed at the National High School Rodeo before attending college at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington on a full-ride rodeo scholarship.
After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, Kris and her husband began raising a family in Douglas where she worked in the school district.
As Assistant General Manager, Kris's duties include handling sponsorships, contracting, hiring judges, assisting in marketing efforts, and year-round interim events. 092922
Thick black smoke at Glenrock Wednesday evening.
Converse County emergency Management says the smoke came up from a fire at the lignite plant just north of town. The Glenrock Fire Department was at the fire, which was active outside of the buildings.
Emergency Management said there was no threat to the community, and the fire was contained to the lignite plant property. 092922
Converse County emergency Management says the smoke came up from a fire at the lignite plant just north of town. The Glenrock Fire Department was at the fire, which was active outside of the buildings.
Emergency Management said there was no threat to the community, and the fire was contained to the lignite plant property. 092922
The State of Wyoming will get almost $27 million dollars in Federal funding to begin building charging stations for electric vehicles around the state.
Biden administration officials approved the first stage of Wyoming’s plan on Tuesday.
The funds will be used over the next five years to build, expand and maintain at least seven public charging stations along I-25, I-80 and I-90 as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
The federal program wants no more than 50 miles between charging stations.
While several communities around the state already have charging stations in place, WYDOT wants to build charging stations in Douglas, Pine Bluffs, Buffalo and Sundance, and modify existing, Tesla-supported stations in Sheridan, Wheatland and Laramie. 092822
Biden administration officials approved the first stage of Wyoming’s plan on Tuesday.
The funds will be used over the next five years to build, expand and maintain at least seven public charging stations along I-25, I-80 and I-90 as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.
The federal program wants no more than 50 miles between charging stations.
While several communities around the state already have charging stations in place, WYDOT wants to build charging stations in Douglas, Pine Bluffs, Buffalo and Sundance, and modify existing, Tesla-supported stations in Sheridan, Wheatland and Laramie. 092822
Cadets who haven't finished their time at the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy now have some options.
The Wyoming Military department announced earlier this month that the resident portion of the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy in Guernsey would close indefinitely.
Now, Idaho, California, and Montana Challenge programs have agreed to enroll cadets immediately into their classes to continue forward to graduate in December 2022.
The Nevada Challenge program has agreed to enroll all the remaining cadets into the class starting in January 2023.
Of the 63 cadets in the current class at Guernsey, 32 have elected to participate in another challenge program, including 3 joining the Nevada class in January.
The 31 remaining cadets will have remote options for either credit recovery or to prepare for a High School Equivalency test. Some have elected to return to their high school. 092822
The Wyoming Military department announced earlier this month that the resident portion of the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy in Guernsey would close indefinitely.
Now, Idaho, California, and Montana Challenge programs have agreed to enroll cadets immediately into their classes to continue forward to graduate in December 2022.
The Nevada Challenge program has agreed to enroll all the remaining cadets into the class starting in January 2023.
Of the 63 cadets in the current class at Guernsey, 32 have elected to participate in another challenge program, including 3 joining the Nevada class in January.
The 31 remaining cadets will have remote options for either credit recovery or to prepare for a High School Equivalency test. Some have elected to return to their high school. 092822
A landmark roadside eatery is closing its doors.
The final day of business at the Three Sisters Truck Stop at Manville will be October 16th. The bar will remain open until dart leagues finish up, then it will also close for good.
Current owners Lori Carpenter and Shirley Bullock have owned and operated the Niobrara County business for the past 25 years. 092822
The final day of business at the Three Sisters Truck Stop at Manville will be October 16th. The bar will remain open until dart leagues finish up, then it will also close for good.
Current owners Lori Carpenter and Shirley Bullock have owned and operated the Niobrara County business for the past 25 years. 092822
Douglas Middle School operated under Secure mode for much of the day today as Douglas Police dealt with an issue across the street from the school.
The PD got a suicide call early Monday from a residence on Wind River Drive across from the school.
Douglas police chief Todd Byerly said before lunch that there is NO concern to the safety of the Douglas Middle School, but they have been placed into a SECURE mode.
At about 2:30PM, the DPD said the situation had been safely resolved with no injuries.
The Hold and Secure status at the Douglas Middle School was lifted, and parent pickup and school bus routes are taking place on a normal schedule. 092622
The PD got a suicide call early Monday from a residence on Wind River Drive across from the school.
Douglas police chief Todd Byerly said before lunch that there is NO concern to the safety of the Douglas Middle School, but they have been placed into a SECURE mode.
At about 2:30PM, the DPD said the situation had been safely resolved with no injuries.
The Hold and Secure status at the Douglas Middle School was lifted, and parent pickup and school bus routes are taking place on a normal schedule. 092622
A headstone has been placed in Niobrara County in memory of a World War II veteran who's been missing in action for 77 years.
Maj. Virgil Olds was a fighter pilot shot down while flying over Tokyo, Japan, in 1945. His body was never recovered.
On Friday, American Legion Post 1 of Van Tassell and the Niobrara County VFW honored Olds with a headstone marker near his family home at the Node Cemetery east of Lusk.
Olds was born in 1915 on a ranch about a mile south of Node.
He was raised by his grandparents, attended a little schoolhouse in Node and later graduated from Lusk High School in 1933.
U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney coordinated with the Wyoming VFW and Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery in Evansville to get a headstone arranged for Olds.
Gov. Mark Gordon and U.S. congressional candidate Harriet Hageman were among those in attendance at Friday's ceremonies. 092122
Maj. Virgil Olds was a fighter pilot shot down while flying over Tokyo, Japan, in 1945. His body was never recovered.
On Friday, American Legion Post 1 of Van Tassell and the Niobrara County VFW honored Olds with a headstone marker near his family home at the Node Cemetery east of Lusk.
Olds was born in 1915 on a ranch about a mile south of Node.
He was raised by his grandparents, attended a little schoolhouse in Node and later graduated from Lusk High School in 1933.
U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney coordinated with the Wyoming VFW and Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery in Evansville to get a headstone arranged for Olds.
Gov. Mark Gordon and U.S. congressional candidate Harriet Hageman were among those in attendance at Friday's ceremonies. 092122
The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline on Monday, Sept. 19 is down slightly in Wyoming compared with a week ago.
Triple AAA says the statewide average cost for regular gasoline stands at $3.80 per gallon on Monday, down about a penny from a week ago.
Meanwhile, the national average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline stands at $3.67, down from $3.71 a week ago.
The average price of regular jumped 14 cents in Natrona County last week, to $3.40 a gallon.
Albany and Campbell Counties now has the cheapest gas in the state, at $3.37.
Teton County remains the highest, at $4.61.
Converse County averaged $3.81 a gallon on Monday. 092022
Triple AAA says the statewide average cost for regular gasoline stands at $3.80 per gallon on Monday, down about a penny from a week ago.
Meanwhile, the national average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline stands at $3.67, down from $3.71 a week ago.
The average price of regular jumped 14 cents in Natrona County last week, to $3.40 a gallon.
Albany and Campbell Counties now has the cheapest gas in the state, at $3.37.
Teton County remains the highest, at $4.61.
Converse County averaged $3.81 a gallon on Monday. 092022
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Douglas drivers have a new way across town.
The Pearson Street extension opens this afternoon. Pearson Street is on the west side of the North Platte River...Until today, it's come to a dead end in a field just south of Flicker Street. But city officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning on the extension that will connect West Riverbend and West Yellowstone on the west side of the river. Douglas Upper Elementary and Douglas Intermediate Schools are at the north end of the street... Douglas Middle School is at the south end... . Douglas Police Chief Todd Byerly says the new street will change traffic patterns... |
The new street will also improve access into the neighborhood for fire, ambulance and other emergency vehicles.
Rocky Mountain Power is putting the final touches on street lights this afternoon.
Douglas Public Works Director John Harbarger says the street should be open to the public by 5 this evening. 091922
Rocky Mountain Power is putting the final touches on street lights this afternoon.
Douglas Public Works Director John Harbarger says the street should be open to the public by 5 this evening. 091922
Sheep producers from across the West come to Douglas this week.
The Wyoming Wool Growers Association will host the the 94th Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds.
The sale offers the highest quality range rams, stud rams, and rams for those with smaller flocks as well.
It's also a time when sheep producers get together to visit, discuss the industry, and renew old, and make new, acquaintances.
The event opens with a free reception Monday night at 6 at the Douglas Moose Lodge.
The Sale begins Tuesday morning at 11 on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds. The sale will be broadcast live on DVAuction. 091222
The Wyoming Wool Growers Association will host the the 94th Annual Wyoming State Ram Sale at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds.
The sale offers the highest quality range rams, stud rams, and rams for those with smaller flocks as well.
It's also a time when sheep producers get together to visit, discuss the industry, and renew old, and make new, acquaintances.
The event opens with a free reception Monday night at 6 at the Douglas Moose Lodge.
The Sale begins Tuesday morning at 11 on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds. The sale will be broadcast live on DVAuction. 091222
The Douglas City Council meets tonight for the first of their two regular monthly sessions.
Among items on tonight's agenda, Council will consider approval of A Resolution Adopting A Policy for Accepting Gifts and Donations to the City.
Council will also consider bids to replace a fence around the city landfill.
Council will consider an authorization to apply for the Devon Energy Emergency Responder $10,000 grant to assist in purchase of a drug dog for the Douglas police Department.
City Council will also consider approval of a recommendation appointing Laurie Boner to the WY State Fair Board for a 4-year term from Sept. 2022 to Sept. 2026
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
City Council meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 091222
Among items on tonight's agenda, Council will consider approval of A Resolution Adopting A Policy for Accepting Gifts and Donations to the City.
Council will also consider bids to replace a fence around the city landfill.
Council will consider an authorization to apply for the Devon Energy Emergency Responder $10,000 grant to assist in purchase of a drug dog for the Douglas police Department.
City Council will also consider approval of a recommendation appointing Laurie Boner to the WY State Fair Board for a 4-year term from Sept. 2022 to Sept. 2026
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
City Council meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 091222
It's Homecoming Week at Douglas High School.
Monday is dress like a staff member day... the evening activity is dodgeball at 6:30pm
Tuesday is dress as Adam Sandler... the DHS homecoming parade is Tuesday evening at 6:30pm.
Wednesday is Water Safety, with powder puff events at 6:30pm
Thursday is throwback day, with seniors dressing in the 2000's, Juniors head for the 80's soph's th 90's and freshmen dig out the bell bottoms & dress like the 1970's. Thursday night the homecoming scavenger hunt starts at 6:30pm
Friday is the day for everyone to show their Bearcat Pride, and come out volleyball and football... the homecoming dance is after the football game at 9pm. 091222
Monday is dress like a staff member day... the evening activity is dodgeball at 6:30pm
Tuesday is dress as Adam Sandler... the DHS homecoming parade is Tuesday evening at 6:30pm.
Wednesday is Water Safety, with powder puff events at 6:30pm
Thursday is throwback day, with seniors dressing in the 2000's, Juniors head for the 80's soph's th 90's and freshmen dig out the bell bottoms & dress like the 1970's. Thursday night the homecoming scavenger hunt starts at 6:30pm
Friday is the day for everyone to show their Bearcat Pride, and come out volleyball and football... the homecoming dance is after the football game at 9pm. 091222
Wyoming conservation groups sued Wednesday over the environmental impacts of the 5,000-well Converse County Oil and Gas Project.
More than eight years after the project began and close to two years since it got approval from the Bureau of Land Management, a group called Advocates for the West has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Western Watersheds Project and the Powder River Basin Resource Council that reiterated the groups’ longstanding concerns
Of particular concern to the groups are the wells’ anticipated harms to local and regional air quality, and to sage grouse. The groups allege the BLM "improperly exempted" the project from certain land use restrictions imposed to protect sage grouse and nesting raptors.
Since approval two years ago, the BLM has approved more than 225 permits to drill at least 377 new wells in the area, according to Wednesday’s filing. The lawsuit challenges those permits in addition to the agency’s 2020 decision.
Converse County is already one of Wyoming’s top oil and gas producers. In 2020, it led the state for the third consecutive year. 090922
More than eight years after the project began and close to two years since it got approval from the Bureau of Land Management, a group called Advocates for the West has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Western Watersheds Project and the Powder River Basin Resource Council that reiterated the groups’ longstanding concerns
Of particular concern to the groups are the wells’ anticipated harms to local and regional air quality, and to sage grouse. The groups allege the BLM "improperly exempted" the project from certain land use restrictions imposed to protect sage grouse and nesting raptors.
Since approval two years ago, the BLM has approved more than 225 permits to drill at least 377 new wells in the area, according to Wednesday’s filing. The lawsuit challenges those permits in addition to the agency’s 2020 decision.
Converse County is already one of Wyoming’s top oil and gas producers. In 2020, it led the state for the third consecutive year. 090922
A wildfire in western Converse County burned 1,800 acres on Wednesday.
The Antelope Creek Fire, began around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, and burned mostly grassland on the Ogalalla Ranch north of Glenrock, and east of Midwest.
Crews from Glenrock and the Bureau of Land Management worked on the blaze through Wednesday afternoon. BLM crews were flying in water to drop on the fire.
Converse County Emergency Manager Russ Dalgarn said they had a good blade line all the way around it by the end of the day.
Some trees in the creek bed still burning in the interior.
The cause of the fire is not known. 090822
The Antelope Creek Fire, began around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, and burned mostly grassland on the Ogalalla Ranch north of Glenrock, and east of Midwest.
Crews from Glenrock and the Bureau of Land Management worked on the blaze through Wednesday afternoon. BLM crews were flying in water to drop on the fire.
Converse County Emergency Manager Russ Dalgarn said they had a good blade line all the way around it by the end of the day.
Some trees in the creek bed still burning in the interior.
The cause of the fire is not known. 090822
A Douglas neighborhood was evacuated around midday Tuesday due to a broken gas pipe.
The City issued an evacuation notice at around 11:30 Tuesday morning when a gas main was hit at the intersection of Cody and 5th Street. Residents in a two-block radius were urged to evacuate an area between Richards & Cody Streets, and LaBonte & 5th Street.
Black Hills Energy responded and worked to contain the situation.
By 12:20 Tuesday afternoon, the gas leak had been stopped and roads reopened, citizens were allowed to return safely to the evacuated area. 083122
The City issued an evacuation notice at around 11:30 Tuesday morning when a gas main was hit at the intersection of Cody and 5th Street. Residents in a two-block radius were urged to evacuate an area between Richards & Cody Streets, and LaBonte & 5th Street.
Black Hills Energy responded and worked to contain the situation.
By 12:20 Tuesday afternoon, the gas leak had been stopped and roads reopened, citizens were allowed to return safely to the evacuated area. 083122
A Converse County jury took about three hours last week to convict Solomon Bolen on 13 of 15 felonies stemming from the attempted murder of three California hunters just short of a year ago.
The 42-year-old Douglas-area resident was charged with a slew of crimes in October 2021, with burglaries involving weapons and pickup trucks and culminating with the shooting of the three out-of-state hunters.
The California trio said Friday that the experience was traumatic but made better by the quick actions of the first responders and law enforcement as well as prosecutors who got justice for them. 082522
The 42-year-old Douglas-area resident was charged with a slew of crimes in October 2021, with burglaries involving weapons and pickup trucks and culminating with the shooting of the three out-of-state hunters.
The California trio said Friday that the experience was traumatic but made better by the quick actions of the first responders and law enforcement as well as prosecutors who got justice for them. 082522
The Boys & Girls Club of Glenrock is celebrating the grand opening of a new Club building for Glenrock’s youth.
The new building is housed at the new Glenrock Town Square.
It's a gift from the Town of Glenrock and Converse County.
Private and corporate donations will support operations, equipment and furnishings to provide programs that focus on academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles.
The Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Celebration was held on Thursday last week, celebrating the completion of two years of planning and hard work. 082322
The new building is housed at the new Glenrock Town Square.
It's a gift from the Town of Glenrock and Converse County.
Private and corporate donations will support operations, equipment and furnishings to provide programs that focus on academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles.
The Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Celebration was held on Thursday last week, celebrating the completion of two years of planning and hard work. 082322
The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline fell for the 10th consecutive week last week.
Fuel price tracker GasBuddy said on Monday that the national average fell a nickle from a week ago to $3.86 per gallon.
The national average is down 51 cents from a month ago but up 72 cents from a year ago.
Triple AAA says Natrona County still has the cheapest gas in the state, but it's gone up 3 cents, to an average $3.38 a gallon.
Converse County averages $4.08.
Teton County still tops the state with an average price of $4.85 a gallon. 082322
Fuel price tracker GasBuddy said on Monday that the national average fell a nickle from a week ago to $3.86 per gallon.
The national average is down 51 cents from a month ago but up 72 cents from a year ago.
Triple AAA says Natrona County still has the cheapest gas in the state, but it's gone up 3 cents, to an average $3.38 a gallon.
Converse County averages $4.08.
Teton County still tops the state with an average price of $4.85 a gallon. 082322
It's a Back-To-School Monday in Converse County... School District #1 students in Douglas and District #2 students at Glenrock return to class today.
Classes begin at 8:00 AM at Douglas High School, Middle School, Primary and Rural Schools. Classes start at 8:13 AM at Douglas Upper Elementary and Douglas Intermediate.
Drivers are advised to be alert and aware, expecially in school zones, as kids head back to classes.
Classes also reopen today in Lusk.
Platte County #2 schools at Guernsey start classes on Tuesday
Platte County District 1 schools at Wheatland, Glendo and Chugwater go back to class on Wednesday.
Natrona County schools start Tuesday, September 6th. 082222
Classes begin at 8:00 AM at Douglas High School, Middle School, Primary and Rural Schools. Classes start at 8:13 AM at Douglas Upper Elementary and Douglas Intermediate.
Drivers are advised to be alert and aware, expecially in school zones, as kids head back to classes.
Classes also reopen today in Lusk.
Platte County #2 schools at Guernsey start classes on Tuesday
Platte County District 1 schools at Wheatland, Glendo and Chugwater go back to class on Wednesday.
Natrona County schools start Tuesday, September 6th. 082222
The 110th Wyoming State Fair in Douglas wrapped up on Saturday...
State Fair Parade winners were:
Youth Division - the Douglas Boys and Girls Club
Adult General Division - Navajo Energy
Service/Non-Profit Division - Korein Shriners
Wagon Division - Fort Laramie Mini Stagecoach
Collector Car or Tractor Division - Pedro Tirado Military Carrier
Division winners plaques and prizes money were sponsored by Douglas Hardware Hank, Global Propane, Navajo Energy, Memorial Hospital of Converse County and Fremont Motors.
Saturday night's Douglas Volunteer Fire Department Demolition Derby played out before a packed house, as usual.
Winners in the main event:
4th place, $400 dollars and a trophy from Twin Peaks Pump and Supply to Mart Million
3rd place, $1000 dollars and a trophy from Tyler Plumbing to Caylah Million
2nd place, $2000 dollars and a trophy provided by Crossroads Diesel Service to Casey Johnson
1st place, $3000 dollars and a trophy from ReMax Horizon Realty, to Wyatt Ramsey.
Ramsey also picked up another $2500 dollars and a trophy from Advanced Contracting Group and Beddes Dental for the "Mad Dog" award, given to the driver who consistently put up heavy hits all night long. 082222
State Fair Parade winners were:
Youth Division - the Douglas Boys and Girls Club
Adult General Division - Navajo Energy
Service/Non-Profit Division - Korein Shriners
Wagon Division - Fort Laramie Mini Stagecoach
Collector Car or Tractor Division - Pedro Tirado Military Carrier
Division winners plaques and prizes money were sponsored by Douglas Hardware Hank, Global Propane, Navajo Energy, Memorial Hospital of Converse County and Fremont Motors.
Saturday night's Douglas Volunteer Fire Department Demolition Derby played out before a packed house, as usual.
Winners in the main event:
4th place, $400 dollars and a trophy from Twin Peaks Pump and Supply to Mart Million
3rd place, $1000 dollars and a trophy from Tyler Plumbing to Caylah Million
2nd place, $2000 dollars and a trophy provided by Crossroads Diesel Service to Casey Johnson
1st place, $3000 dollars and a trophy from ReMax Horizon Realty, to Wyatt Ramsey.
Ramsey also picked up another $2500 dollars and a trophy from Advanced Contracting Group and Beddes Dental for the "Mad Dog" award, given to the driver who consistently put up heavy hits all night long. 082222
Another COVID-related death in Converse County.
The Converse County Emergency Management Agency says an older adult Converse County gentleman died this month. He was not hospitalized. He did have health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
This is Converse County’s 56th recorded Covid 19 death. 081822
The Converse County Emergency Management Agency says an older adult Converse County gentleman died this month. He was not hospitalized. He did have health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
This is Converse County’s 56th recorded Covid 19 death. 081822
The recount is finished... there's no change in the results.
Following Tuesday's Wyoming primary elections, Converse County's Commissioner's race was too close to call, and by state statute, went to a recount.
Converse County election officials re-ran all of the ballots.
The results of the recount showed the same nine-vote difference between Jim Willox and Tony Lehner. Robert Short, challenger
Trent Kaufman and Jim Willox had the top three vote tallies... they'll take the three open seats on the Commission.
Incumbent Tony Lehner served on the Converse County Commission for 14 years. He came on the board when the commission went from three to five members in 2008. 081722
Following Tuesday's Wyoming primary elections, Converse County's Commissioner's race was too close to call, and by state statute, went to a recount.
Converse County election officials re-ran all of the ballots.
The results of the recount showed the same nine-vote difference between Jim Willox and Tony Lehner. Robert Short, challenger
Trent Kaufman and Jim Willox had the top three vote tallies... they'll take the three open seats on the Commission.
Incumbent Tony Lehner served on the Converse County Commission for 14 years. He came on the board when the commission went from three to five members in 2008. 081722
A new hunting opportunity in Converse.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has announced the opening of a new ~4,000-acre public access area in northwestern Converse County that will provide new antelope and deer hunting opportunities.
The new Ogalalla Ranch Public Access Area includes about 4,000 acres of deeded land and also provides legal access to over 5,100 acres of other public land in the state.
The new public access area is in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Casper Region and will allow antelope and deer hunting opportunities between Aug. 15 and Nov. 30 each year. 081722
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has announced the opening of a new ~4,000-acre public access area in northwestern Converse County that will provide new antelope and deer hunting opportunities.
The new Ogalalla Ranch Public Access Area includes about 4,000 acres of deeded land and also provides legal access to over 5,100 acres of other public land in the state.
The new public access area is in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Casper Region and will allow antelope and deer hunting opportunities between Aug. 15 and Nov. 30 each year. 081722
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking information about a bull elk that was poached along Highway 34 in Sybille Canyon in early August.
Sometime between the evening of Friday, Aug. 5 and the morning of Saturday, Aug. 6, a mature bull elk was shot along Highway 34 about two-and-a-half miles west of the Thorne/Williams Wildlife Research Center. The elk’s head and antlers were removed that weekend.
The elk was taken out of season and was left to waste.
A reward is being offered for information on this case, and informants are urged to call the Stop Poaching Tip Line at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). 081722
Sometime between the evening of Friday, Aug. 5 and the morning of Saturday, Aug. 6, a mature bull elk was shot along Highway 34 about two-and-a-half miles west of the Thorne/Williams Wildlife Research Center. The elk’s head and antlers were removed that weekend.
The elk was taken out of season and was left to waste.
A reward is being offered for information on this case, and informants are urged to call the Stop Poaching Tip Line at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). 081722
2022 Wyoming Primary Election Wrap-Up
Converse County's Commissioner's race will go to a recount.
A very close election for the three seats on the county commission... Robert Short leads all votes with 2253, challenger Trent Kaufman gets 1998, Jim Willox gets 1986, and Tony Lehner polls 1977. Kaufman will take a seat on the County Commission.
But because there's a less-than-one percent difference between Willox and Lehner, there will be an automatic recount in that race. That recount will take place Wednesday morning. County election officials will re-run all of the ballots. That process is not open to the public.
***************************
Converse County Sheriff Clint Becker gets another four years. Becker collected 2878 votes, Keri McNare got 1958.
Challenger Tomi Strock upsets incumbent Aaron Clausen 1723 to 1667 to take the House District 6 seat.
Douglas City Council, three seats open... Perry Hershberger gets 1209, Kim Pexton 1192, Matt Schmidt 1061, Josh Valk 449. Two seats on the Glenrock Town Council... Judi Colling 436, Roy Kinkaid 416, Taylor Mae Flores 226.
A close race for mayor of the Town of Glenrock... Margaret Nunn defeats incumbent mayor Bruce Roumell 377-351.
All of the municipal canditdates in Douglas and Glenrock will advance to the general election.
**************************
The Converse County Clerk and the Canvassing Board will conduct the 2022 canvas and certification of the 2022 Primary Election on Friday, August 19th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Chambers at the Courthouse in Douglas.
*************************
Gov. Mark Gordon has won Wyoming’s Republican primary as he seeks a second term.
Gordon defeated Brent Bien of Sheridan and Rex Rammell of Rock Springs on Tuesday and is expected to easily win in November’s election.
In a more competitive Republican primary race, state Rep. Chuck Gray, of Casper, defeated Sen. Tara Nethercott, of Cheyenne, with roughly 75 thousand to 63 thousand votes, for the secretary of state nomination.
Treasurer Curt Meier defeated a Republican primary challenge from Bill Gallop of Cheyenne.
Republican Auditor Kristi Racines, of Cheyenne, was unopposed for a second term.
The Republican race for state superintendent was very tight in the late night hours, but it looks like Megan Degenfelder of Laramie will beat recent appointee Brian Schroeder with roughly 59 thousand votes to 55 thousand votes, respectively.
***********************
Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney says after losing a Republican primary she’s thinking about running for president.
Cheney is ex-President Donald Trump’s fiercest Republican adversary in Congress and lost the primary Tuesday to Trump-backed Harriet Hageman.
Cheney tells supporters she’ll do whatever it takes to ensure Trump “is never again anywhere near the Oval Office.”
Cheney told NBC on Wednesday defeating Trump will require a “united front of Republicans, Democrats and independents.”
Cheney declines to say if she will run for president but concedes it’s something she’s “thinking about.” 081622
Converse County's Commissioner's race will go to a recount.
A very close election for the three seats on the county commission... Robert Short leads all votes with 2253, challenger Trent Kaufman gets 1998, Jim Willox gets 1986, and Tony Lehner polls 1977. Kaufman will take a seat on the County Commission.
But because there's a less-than-one percent difference between Willox and Lehner, there will be an automatic recount in that race. That recount will take place Wednesday morning. County election officials will re-run all of the ballots. That process is not open to the public.
***************************
Converse County Sheriff Clint Becker gets another four years. Becker collected 2878 votes, Keri McNare got 1958.
Challenger Tomi Strock upsets incumbent Aaron Clausen 1723 to 1667 to take the House District 6 seat.
Douglas City Council, three seats open... Perry Hershberger gets 1209, Kim Pexton 1192, Matt Schmidt 1061, Josh Valk 449. Two seats on the Glenrock Town Council... Judi Colling 436, Roy Kinkaid 416, Taylor Mae Flores 226.
A close race for mayor of the Town of Glenrock... Margaret Nunn defeats incumbent mayor Bruce Roumell 377-351.
All of the municipal canditdates in Douglas and Glenrock will advance to the general election.
**************************
The Converse County Clerk and the Canvassing Board will conduct the 2022 canvas and certification of the 2022 Primary Election on Friday, August 19th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners Chambers at the Courthouse in Douglas.
*************************
Gov. Mark Gordon has won Wyoming’s Republican primary as he seeks a second term.
Gordon defeated Brent Bien of Sheridan and Rex Rammell of Rock Springs on Tuesday and is expected to easily win in November’s election.
In a more competitive Republican primary race, state Rep. Chuck Gray, of Casper, defeated Sen. Tara Nethercott, of Cheyenne, with roughly 75 thousand to 63 thousand votes, for the secretary of state nomination.
Treasurer Curt Meier defeated a Republican primary challenge from Bill Gallop of Cheyenne.
Republican Auditor Kristi Racines, of Cheyenne, was unopposed for a second term.
The Republican race for state superintendent was very tight in the late night hours, but it looks like Megan Degenfelder of Laramie will beat recent appointee Brian Schroeder with roughly 59 thousand votes to 55 thousand votes, respectively.
***********************
Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney says after losing a Republican primary she’s thinking about running for president.
Cheney is ex-President Donald Trump’s fiercest Republican adversary in Congress and lost the primary Tuesday to Trump-backed Harriet Hageman.
Cheney tells supporters she’ll do whatever it takes to ensure Trump “is never again anywhere near the Oval Office.”
Cheney told NBC on Wednesday defeating Trump will require a “united front of Republicans, Democrats and independents.”
Cheney declines to say if she will run for president but concedes it’s something she’s “thinking about.” 081622
A new report verifies a deep oil discovery in Converse and Natrona counties.
Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited (COPL) and its affiliates said the discovery totals 993.5 million barrels of Original Oil in Place.
COPL is an international oil and gas exploration, production and development company with production and development operations focused in Converse and Natrona counties.
The company first reported the discovery earlier this year, and President & CEO Arthur Millholland says the new report offers independent verification of the discovery.
The oil is on federal lands north and east of Cole Creek, which puts it roughly along the Converse/Natrona County line.
Canadian Overseas says they plan to drill “one horizontal Frontier 1 well and two horizontal Frontier 2 wells as part of its 2022-23 drilling campaign commencing in the 4th quarter of this year.”
Natrona County commissioners said that while the discovery is an exciting prospect, success will depend on how much oil there is, and how well it can be recovered. 080922
Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited (COPL) and its affiliates said the discovery totals 993.5 million barrels of Original Oil in Place.
COPL is an international oil and gas exploration, production and development company with production and development operations focused in Converse and Natrona counties.
The company first reported the discovery earlier this year, and President & CEO Arthur Millholland says the new report offers independent verification of the discovery.
The oil is on federal lands north and east of Cole Creek, which puts it roughly along the Converse/Natrona County line.
Canadian Overseas says they plan to drill “one horizontal Frontier 1 well and two horizontal Frontier 2 wells as part of its 2022-23 drilling campaign commencing in the 4th quarter of this year.”
Natrona County commissioners said that while the discovery is an exciting prospect, success will depend on how much oil there is, and how well it can be recovered. 080922
The Douglas City Council meets tonight for the first of their two regular monthly sessions.
Among items on tonight's agenda, Council will consider consider changes to its regulations regarding short-term rental units and Air B-N-B's.
Newly-adopted code requires short-term rental units be located 1,000 feet from school or day care facilities.
Under that regulation, none of the existing, pending, or applied-for short-term rentals meet the requirement. Reducing the buffer to 500 feet would only allow three of the current short-term rentals to operate.
With staff recommendations, Council will consider their options again tonight.
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
City Council meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 080822
Among items on tonight's agenda, Council will consider consider changes to its regulations regarding short-term rental units and Air B-N-B's.
Newly-adopted code requires short-term rental units be located 1,000 feet from school or day care facilities.
Under that regulation, none of the existing, pending, or applied-for short-term rentals meet the requirement. Reducing the buffer to 500 feet would only allow three of the current short-term rentals to operate.
With staff recommendations, Council will consider their options again tonight.
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
City Council meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 080822
Douglas residents get a chance to meet the Candidates Tuesday night when the Converse County Farm Bureau Federation presents a candidates forum at Jackalope Square.
The event begins at 6pm in downtown Douglas. Seating will not be provided, so bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on.
Tuesday evening's candidates Forum will be broadcast live on KKTY's 100.1 FM. 080822
The event begins at 6pm in downtown Douglas. Seating will not be provided, so bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on.
Tuesday evening's candidates Forum will be broadcast live on KKTY's 100.1 FM. 080822
Quick action by firefighters kept a grass fire under control Friday morning north of Casper.
Natrona County Fire District was called out at about 8AM to a pickup on fire just east of I-25 near the Ormsby Road interchange.
Crews arrived on scene to a decaying vehicle fire but an actively burning grass fire. The pickup had experienced mechanical failure, overheated and started on fire.
Units went to work to quickly contain the grass fire and put the rest of the vehicle fire out. About 3.5 acres was burned.
This incident had the potential to become much larger but thanks to the fast response and hard work of firefighters, this fire was kept relatively small. No reports of injuries to firefighters were noted. The pickup's driver and his dog were able to make it out of the truck without any injuries. 80522
Natrona County Fire District was called out at about 8AM to a pickup on fire just east of I-25 near the Ormsby Road interchange.
Crews arrived on scene to a decaying vehicle fire but an actively burning grass fire. The pickup had experienced mechanical failure, overheated and started on fire.
Units went to work to quickly contain the grass fire and put the rest of the vehicle fire out. About 3.5 acres was burned.
This incident had the potential to become much larger but thanks to the fast response and hard work of firefighters, this fire was kept relatively small. No reports of injuries to firefighters were noted. The pickup's driver and his dog were able to make it out of the truck without any injuries. 80522
New leadership at Eastern Wyoming College, and he likes what he sees...
New leadership at Eastern Wyoming College, and he likes what he sees...
Dr. Jeffery Hawes is the new president of Eastern Wyoming College. He's been on the job for about a month now, and he said he's spent much of that time meeting with the internal and extrnal stakeholders at the college.
Dr Hawes comes to Torrington and Douglas from Galva, Illinois, where he was Executive Dean of East Campus for Black Hawk College. 080522
Warmer and drier forecasted weather this week will bring an uptick in fire behavior on the Sugarloaf Fire southwest of Laramie Peak.
Areas that have not seen activity are expected to become more active.
The fire is now at 524-acres with 19% containment.
402 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, that started a week ago, and is considered to be human-caused 080122.
Areas that have not seen activity are expected to become more active.
The fire is now at 524-acres with 19% containment.
402 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, that started a week ago, and is considered to be human-caused 080122.
Fire crews were working two fires off I-25 between Glenrock and Casper Sunday afternoon.
The Casper Interagency Dispatch listed a wildfire at milepost 178. That grass fire burned 31 acres before it was contained.
The other fire, a vehicle fire, burned 9 acres at milepost 177.
It was determined by fire units on scene that the vehicle that caught fire at MP 178, did start the fire at MP 177. The driver of the vehicle stated that he was having mechanical issues while driving down the interstate when the engine caught fire. The driver stated he was then able to get the vehicle off the road at MP 178. At that time, the vehicle became fully involved and began to start the second wildland fire.
The vehicle was destroyed; the driver of the vehicle was not injured. 072522
The Casper Interagency Dispatch listed a wildfire at milepost 178. That grass fire burned 31 acres before it was contained.
The other fire, a vehicle fire, burned 9 acres at milepost 177.
It was determined by fire units on scene that the vehicle that caught fire at MP 178, did start the fire at MP 177. The driver of the vehicle stated that he was having mechanical issues while driving down the interstate when the engine caught fire. The driver stated he was then able to get the vehicle off the road at MP 178. At that time, the vehicle became fully involved and began to start the second wildland fire.
The vehicle was destroyed; the driver of the vehicle was not injured. 072522
There'll be no more free school breakfasts or lunches this fall.
Converse County School District #1 Nutrition Director Monte Gilbreath say the federal funding has gone away...
Converse County School District #1 Nutrition Director Monte Gilbreath say the federal funding has gone away...
The free school breakfast and lunch programs were put in place two years ago in response to the COVID pandemic. The change will affect all 1200 students in District 1.
Gilbreath said it was a surprise that the government did away with the program...
Gilbreath said it was a surprise that the government did away with the program...
CCSD1 will offer school breakfasts and lunches at pre-COVID prices...
Applications for free and reduced lunches may filled out on the district website, ccsd1.org, and on the district's facebook page. 071922
A Douglas credit union's parent company is considering a merger.
Reliant Federal Credit Union and UniWyo Credit Union are both located in Wyoming and have a long history of supporting the communities they serve. The merger would combine UniWyo’s 36,000 members with Reliant’s 13,500, and will result in an organization with combined assets of almost $700 million, making it the second largest credit union in the state of Wyoming.
If approved, the proposed merger is expected to be completed in early 2023 and the unions would operate under the UniWyo brand.
Until the completion date, both organizations will continue with no change to how they serve their membership. 071822
Reliant Federal Credit Union and UniWyo Credit Union are both located in Wyoming and have a long history of supporting the communities they serve. The merger would combine UniWyo’s 36,000 members with Reliant’s 13,500, and will result in an organization with combined assets of almost $700 million, making it the second largest credit union in the state of Wyoming.
If approved, the proposed merger is expected to be completed in early 2023 and the unions would operate under the UniWyo brand.
Until the completion date, both organizations will continue with no change to how they serve their membership. 071822
Firefighting efforts have pretty well wrapped up on the Monday Creek Fire near Laramie Peak.
On Friday, containment was listed at 83 percent, and a local type 4 organization has taken over management of the fire from the outgoing type 3 team.
Esterbrook Road has been reopened between Mile Marker 32 and the Albany/Converse County line. Drivers are encouraged to use extra caution when driving on the road, as fire engines and heavy equipment continue to use it for operations related to the Monday Creek Fire. 071522
On Friday, containment was listed at 83 percent, and a local type 4 organization has taken over management of the fire from the outgoing type 3 team.
Esterbrook Road has been reopened between Mile Marker 32 and the Albany/Converse County line. Drivers are encouraged to use extra caution when driving on the road, as fire engines and heavy equipment continue to use it for operations related to the Monday Creek Fire. 071522
The Douglas Planning and Zoning Commission meets tonight, and they'll get a first look at the plans for a second Dollar General store in Douglas.
The proposed store would be new construction, a 10,542 square foot building that would be built at 1708 Muirfield Court, the empty lot between the Hampton Inn and Riverbend Drive.
The only change requested by developers... Douglas Municipal Code requires 50 parking spaces and 2 ADA... the business plan requests 33 spaces and two ADA. The request is consistent with other similar businesses. The Dollar General on East Richards has
27 parking spaces, and Family Dollar at 4th & Richards has 25.
If approved tonight, the plans would be forwarded to the full Douglas City Council for their consideration.
The full agenda for tonight's Planning and Zoning meeting is available on the city's website, cityofdouglas.org. 071522
The proposed store would be new construction, a 10,542 square foot building that would be built at 1708 Muirfield Court, the empty lot between the Hampton Inn and Riverbend Drive.
The only change requested by developers... Douglas Municipal Code requires 50 parking spaces and 2 ADA... the business plan requests 33 spaces and two ADA. The request is consistent with other similar businesses. The Dollar General on East Richards has
27 parking spaces, and Family Dollar at 4th & Richards has 25.
If approved tonight, the plans would be forwarded to the full Douglas City Council for their consideration.
The full agenda for tonight's Planning and Zoning meeting is available on the city's website, cityofdouglas.org. 071522
The Monday Creek fire near Laramie Peak grew to an estimated 683 acres by midday Sunday.
The fire 6 miles southwest of Esterbrook was reported Saturday afternoon, and smoke could be seen from Douglas, Glendo and Wheatland.
Converse County Commission charmain Jim Willox gave KKTY news an update on the fire this morning...
The fire 6 miles southwest of Esterbrook was reported Saturday afternoon, and smoke could be seen from Douglas, Glendo and Wheatland.
Converse County Commission charmain Jim Willox gave KKTY news an update on the fire this morning...
The fire on the Medicine Bow National Forest is burning in a north northeasterly direction, and is located on a rocky, inaccessible ridge between Buzzard Peak and Spring Hill.
Fire behavior is reported active with running and torching.
Several retardant drops from heavy airtankers were made over the weekend.
There is a portion of Esterbrook Road between Braae Road and the Esterbrook community that's closed to public traffic for safety reasons. 071122
Fire behavior is reported active with running and torching.
Several retardant drops from heavy airtankers were made over the weekend.
There is a portion of Esterbrook Road between Braae Road and the Esterbrook community that's closed to public traffic for safety reasons. 071122
The Circus is coming to Douglas this Thursday night...
The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus, presented by Douglas Main Street, will be at the Wyoming State Fair Pepsi parking lot south of the campground on Brownfield Road on July 7th, with shows at 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are available at the Douglas Railroad Museum and Visitors Center, Wild Winds Treasures, the College Inn bar, and Converse County Bank's downtown location. 070622
Advance tickets are available at the Douglas Railroad Museum and Visitors Center, Wild Winds Treasures, the College Inn bar, and Converse County Bank's downtown location. 070622
Converse County's unemployment fell to 2.8 percent in May of 2022.
That compares to 3.2 percent in April, and it's down from 5.1 percent in May of 2021. That follows a statewide trend... every county in
Wyoming saw a drop in their unemployment rates from May 2021 to May 2022.
According to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Niobrara County had the lowest unemployment rate, at 1.8 percent. Natrona county had the highest, at 3.8 percent. 062922
That compares to 3.2 percent in April, and it's down from 5.1 percent in May of 2021. That follows a statewide trend... every county in
Wyoming saw a drop in their unemployment rates from May 2021 to May 2022.
According to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Niobrara County had the lowest unemployment rate, at 1.8 percent. Natrona county had the highest, at 3.8 percent. 062922
The Douglas City Council meets tonight for its second regular monthly session.
Among items on tonight's agenda, Council will consider a resolution establishing a city recycling feasibility task force;
will consider additional funding for the facade beautification grant program administered by the Enterprise;
and will recognize Douglas Police Department Sergeant Chad Holler for his more than 20 years of service to the community. Holler will retire from the DPD on July 1st.
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
City Council meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 062722
Among items on tonight's agenda, Council will consider a resolution establishing a city recycling feasibility task force;
will consider additional funding for the facade beautification grant program administered by the Enterprise;
and will recognize Douglas Police Department Sergeant Chad Holler for his more than 20 years of service to the community. Holler will retire from the DPD on July 1st.
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
City Council meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 062722
The Bureau of Reclamation will be lowering the water level in Guernsey Reservoir next week in preparation for the annual silt run.
The silt run is a maintenance operation which provides silt-laden water to Goshen, Gering-Fort Laramie, and Pathfinder Irrigation Districts. As the silt-laden water gets diverted into an irrigation canal, the water slows down and the silt sinks to the bottom of the canal. This works as a type of temporary sealant to help minimize the seepage out of the bottom and sides of the canal.
On the evening of July 5, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will drop from approximately 4,800 cubic feet per second to 2,000 cfs. The decreased flow will quickly drop Guernsey Reservoir by about 25 feet starting the morning of July 6 and continuing through July 10. By Saturday, July 9, the boat ramps at Guernsey Reservoir will no longer be useable due to the low reservoir level.
Water being released from Glendo Reservoir will flow through Guernsey Reservoir, flushing silt from Guernsey Reservoir into the canals of downstream irrigators. The silt run will begin on July 11 and is anticipated to continue through July 24.
Beginning on the evening of July 24, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be rapidly increased to refill Guernsey Reservoir. Guernsey Reservoir should be suitable for boating again by the morning of July 27. However, the reservoir will continue to rise by approximately 3 feet per day and is expected to reach the normal reservoir operation level on Saturday, July 30. 062722
The silt run is a maintenance operation which provides silt-laden water to Goshen, Gering-Fort Laramie, and Pathfinder Irrigation Districts. As the silt-laden water gets diverted into an irrigation canal, the water slows down and the silt sinks to the bottom of the canal. This works as a type of temporary sealant to help minimize the seepage out of the bottom and sides of the canal.
On the evening of July 5, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will drop from approximately 4,800 cubic feet per second to 2,000 cfs. The decreased flow will quickly drop Guernsey Reservoir by about 25 feet starting the morning of July 6 and continuing through July 10. By Saturday, July 9, the boat ramps at Guernsey Reservoir will no longer be useable due to the low reservoir level.
Water being released from Glendo Reservoir will flow through Guernsey Reservoir, flushing silt from Guernsey Reservoir into the canals of downstream irrigators. The silt run will begin on July 11 and is anticipated to continue through July 24.
Beginning on the evening of July 24, the release of water from Glendo Reservoir will be rapidly increased to refill Guernsey Reservoir. Guernsey Reservoir should be suitable for boating again by the morning of July 27. However, the reservoir will continue to rise by approximately 3 feet per day and is expected to reach the normal reservoir operation level on Saturday, July 30. 062722
Deer Creek Days in Glenrock over the weekend... there were more than 55 entries in the Deer Creek Days parade.
The winners of the Most Patriotic Entry are: Spring Branch Ranch/Augustine Construction: Christy Hoskinson: and Glenrock Health Center!
The best decorated bike winners are Blakey Watson and Jessica Penwarden! 062722
The winners of the Most Patriotic Entry are: Spring Branch Ranch/Augustine Construction: Christy Hoskinson: and Glenrock Health Center!
The best decorated bike winners are Blakey Watson and Jessica Penwarden! 062722
Converse County's Commissioners will begin the process of crafting their annual budget this week. Commission Chairman Jim Willox says it's a three-day process to hear all of the budget requests...
Willox says he's cautiously optimistic as they begin their budget hearings...
The Commissioners budget work session runs from 8 am to 6 pm today... and again on Tuesday and Wednesday... in the commission chambers at the Converse County Courthouse in Douglas. The budget hearings are open to the public. 061322
It only lasted 18 months, but the Pony Express made an impact on history that is still strong today. The annual Pony Express Re-ride is underway and will be rolling through Wyoming this week.
The original Pony Express rode the trail along the North Platte River through Converse County in 1860 and 1861.
The re-ride goes 24/7 for 10 days, covers 1,966 miles, and makes it's way through 8 states:
Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California.
There will be about 750 riders that will participate in the ride this year.
Estimated arrival in Wyoming is this Thursday around 6 pm. Expected stops include Glendo Friday morning at 4am, Douglas Friday 7am, Inez Friday 8:30a, Glenrock Friday 10:30a, and Casper Fri 12:30pm. 060722
The original Pony Express rode the trail along the North Platte River through Converse County in 1860 and 1861.
The re-ride goes 24/7 for 10 days, covers 1,966 miles, and makes it's way through 8 states:
Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California.
There will be about 750 riders that will participate in the ride this year.
Estimated arrival in Wyoming is this Thursday around 6 pm. Expected stops include Glendo Friday morning at 4am, Douglas Friday 7am, Inez Friday 8:30a, Glenrock Friday 10:30a, and Casper Fri 12:30pm. 060722
Wyoming State Parks, in conjunction with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s “Free Fishing Day”, is waiving daily use fees at all parks/recreation areas that provide angling this Saturday, June 4th.
Wyoming State Park locations offering free entrance are Glendo, Guernsey, Edness K. Wilkins, Boysen, Buffalo Bill, Curt Gowdy, Fort Phil Kearny, Keyhole, Seminoe and Hawk Springs. Camping and reservation fees are not waived.
Free Fishing Day is offered annually on the first Saturday in June by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and involves lakes and reservoirs throughout the state.
All fishing regulations, creel and size limits, gear restrictions and stream closures remain in effect. 060322
Wyoming State Park locations offering free entrance are Glendo, Guernsey, Edness K. Wilkins, Boysen, Buffalo Bill, Curt Gowdy, Fort Phil Kearny, Keyhole, Seminoe and Hawk Springs. Camping and reservation fees are not waived.
Free Fishing Day is offered annually on the first Saturday in June by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and involves lakes and reservoirs throughout the state.
All fishing regulations, creel and size limits, gear restrictions and stream closures remain in effect. 060322
A monument that honors those who fought in the American Revolution and their WY descendants will be dedicated in Casper on Friday.
The Fort Casper museum has been chosen as the location for a monument in honor of the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.
It is the only “America250!” Monument in the state.
The dedication ceremony, which is open to the public, will be in the parking lot of the Museum on Friday, June 3, 2022, at 5:30 pm and will include a few words by Casper’s mayor as well as special guests from around the state and as far away as Washington, D.C.
The monument is sponsored by the Wyoming State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 060322
The Fort Casper museum has been chosen as the location for a monument in honor of the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.
It is the only “America250!” Monument in the state.
The dedication ceremony, which is open to the public, will be in the parking lot of the Museum on Friday, June 3, 2022, at 5:30 pm and will include a few words by Casper’s mayor as well as special guests from around the state and as far away as Washington, D.C.
The monument is sponsored by the Wyoming State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 060322
Fishermen on the North Platte River will benefit from the acquisition of more than 35 thousand acres of privately-owned land by the Bureau of Land Management.
The BLM’s purchase of the Marton Ranch, which includes almost nine miles of the North Platte east of Alcova, will allow anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to reach a new stretch of popular fly-fishing waters.
Federal ownership of the ranch also creates a 118-square-mile block of contiguous public land that connects 40,000 acres of formerly unreachable state and federal lands. 060222
The BLM’s purchase of the Marton Ranch, which includes almost nine miles of the North Platte east of Alcova, will allow anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to reach a new stretch of popular fly-fishing waters.
Federal ownership of the ranch also creates a 118-square-mile block of contiguous public land that connects 40,000 acres of formerly unreachable state and federal lands. 060222
Wyoming's U.S. Senator John Barrasso has introduced a bill that would provide federal funding to repair water infrastructure in Wyoming.
Last week Barrasso introduced Senate Bill 4233, the Platte River Basin Critical Maintenance and Repair Act.
Last week Barrasso introduced Senate Bill 4233, the Platte River Basin Critical Maintenance and Repair Act.
The legislation would provide access to funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for aging irrigation projects that have suffered a critical structural collapse within the last three years and are located in the Platte River Basin of Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado.
Senator Barrasso said his legislation will provide access to the funding needed to build new tunnels and fix aging irrigation systems in Goshen County, and will help prevent catastrophic collapses like the one at Fort Laramie from happening again. 052522
Senator Barrasso said his legislation will provide access to the funding needed to build new tunnels and fix aging irrigation systems in Goshen County, and will help prevent catastrophic collapses like the one at Fort Laramie from happening again. 052522
Law enforcement officials are bracing for a busy weekend in Casper - estimates say between 5,000 and 20,000 people could be coming to Casper for the Trump rally.
Event manager Brad Murphy said they’re expecting around 10,000 attendees.
Casper police will have twice as many officers on patrol Saturday than a typical long weekend, and the extra help will largely be paid for by overtime.
In all, the city expects to spend around $40,000 on additional staffing between police and fire.
Trump’s team brings its own security and secret service for events so local officers won’t be used to protect the former president.
Certain traffic will be rerouted for around an hour after the rally ends to make way for people leaving. Officials say If you’re around Casper and not planning to attend the rally try to avoid the area Saturday afternoon. 052522
Event manager Brad Murphy said they’re expecting around 10,000 attendees.
Casper police will have twice as many officers on patrol Saturday than a typical long weekend, and the extra help will largely be paid for by overtime.
In all, the city expects to spend around $40,000 on additional staffing between police and fire.
Trump’s team brings its own security and secret service for events so local officers won’t be used to protect the former president.
Certain traffic will be rerouted for around an hour after the rally ends to make way for people leaving. Officials say If you’re around Casper and not planning to attend the rally try to avoid the area Saturday afternoon. 052522
Police believe an overnight fire on East Second Street in Casper that damaged a building being renovated to house a new abortion clinic was deliberately set.
Authorities are trying to determine the identity of a possible suspect seen running away from the building before dawn Wednesday who was carrying what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag.
The blaze damaged the inside of the building under renovation. The clinic had been set to open in June.
Authorities are trying to determine the identity of a possible suspect seen running away from the building before dawn Wednesday who was carrying what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag.
The blaze damaged the inside of the building under renovation. The clinic had been set to open in June.
Lots of area high school seniors will pick up their diplomas this weekend.
Glendo High School will graduate 4 in the Class of 2022... commencement Saturday night at 6pm
Sunday afternoon, Glenrock's graduation ceremonies are at 1pm... Guernsey and Wheatland graduations are Sunday at 2, and Chugwater's commencement in Sunday night at 6.
Douglas and Lusk seniors finished their high school careers last weekend. 052022
Glendo High School will graduate 4 in the Class of 2022... commencement Saturday night at 6pm
Sunday afternoon, Glenrock's graduation ceremonies are at 1pm... Guernsey and Wheatland graduations are Sunday at 2, and Chugwater's commencement in Sunday night at 6.
Douglas and Lusk seniors finished their high school careers last weekend. 052022
A newsman who got his start in Casper and worked his way to the top of his profession is retiring.
NBC News reporter Pete Williams is retiring from the network.
A Casper native who graduated from Natrona County High School in 1970, Williams studied journalism and history at Stanford University. He returned to Casper where he worked as a reporter and news director for KTWO TV and Radio from 1974 to 1985.
In 1986, Williams began working as the press secretary and legislative assistant for congressman Dick Cheney. Following that, Williams was appointed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, serving under Cheney and President George. H. W. Bush.
Williams began working for NBC News in 1993, covering topics including 9/11, the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg; the Boston Marathon Bombings, the January 6 Capitol Attack and more.
Williams was inducted into the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2011. 052022
NBC News reporter Pete Williams is retiring from the network.
A Casper native who graduated from Natrona County High School in 1970, Williams studied journalism and history at Stanford University. He returned to Casper where he worked as a reporter and news director for KTWO TV and Radio from 1974 to 1985.
In 1986, Williams began working as the press secretary and legislative assistant for congressman Dick Cheney. Following that, Williams was appointed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, serving under Cheney and President George. H. W. Bush.
Williams began working for NBC News in 1993, covering topics including 9/11, the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg; the Boston Marathon Bombings, the January 6 Capitol Attack and more.
Williams was inducted into the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2011. 052022
For more than 80 years, the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company dug iron out of the Sunrise Mine north of Guernsey in Platte county.
But a new study says mining history goes back much, much farther.
Researchers from the University of Wyoming and Wyoming State Archeologists Office say humans used an ancient red ocher mine at Sunrise starting almost 13,000 years ago, making it the oldest documented red ocher mine – and probably the oldest mine in general – in North and South America.
The researchers published a paper with their findings last week.
Confirmation of the site’s significance comes after decades of work by archaeologists.
Red ocher was used by Paleoindian societies to make red paint, used for a variety of purposes; it’s been found in ancient graves, caches, campsites and kill sites in areas like the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. 052022
But a new study says mining history goes back much, much farther.
Researchers from the University of Wyoming and Wyoming State Archeologists Office say humans used an ancient red ocher mine at Sunrise starting almost 13,000 years ago, making it the oldest documented red ocher mine – and probably the oldest mine in general – in North and South America.
The researchers published a paper with their findings last week.
Confirmation of the site’s significance comes after decades of work by archaeologists.
Red ocher was used by Paleoindian societies to make red paint, used for a variety of purposes; it’s been found in ancient graves, caches, campsites and kill sites in areas like the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. 052022
The Douglas High School Alumni Hall of Fame has announced the new inductees for the class of 2022. They are:
Major Leon Chamberlain DHS Class of 1970
Colonel J.R. Twiford DHS Class of 1988
Honorable F. Scott Peasley DHS Class of 1989
Ms. Rebecca Cole DHS Class of 2002
The 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon will take place on Saturday Sept. 17 @ 11:00AM in the DHS Rec. Center Front Gym. Tickets will be available in August at the DHS Activities office. 052022
Major Leon Chamberlain DHS Class of 1970
Colonel J.R. Twiford DHS Class of 1988
Honorable F. Scott Peasley DHS Class of 1989
Ms. Rebecca Cole DHS Class of 2002
The 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon will take place on Saturday Sept. 17 @ 11:00AM in the DHS Rec. Center Front Gym. Tickets will be available in August at the DHS Activities office. 052022
School classes will be ending soon, but Wyoming kids do not have to go hungry because their school is out of session.
The Wyoming Summer Food Service program for kids offered through the Wyoming Department of Education kicks off soon. Every summer the program delivers thousands of meals to Wyoming children and teens.
The Summer Food Service Program is a federally funded program and will be state-administered through the Converse County School District. 051922
The Wyoming Summer Food Service program for kids offered through the Wyoming Department of Education kicks off soon. Every summer the program delivers thousands of meals to Wyoming children and teens.
The Summer Food Service Program is a federally funded program and will be state-administered through the Converse County School District. 051922
A local businessman has put his name in the race for Converse County Commissioner.
In his election announcement, Trent Kaufman says he has a wealth of experience he feels would be both unique and beneficial to Converse County.
A Republican, Kaufman had a seat on the Douglas City Council in the '90s.
Trent is a lifelong resident of Wyoming. Born and raised in Converse County, he has his own consulting business. 051922
In his election announcement, Trent Kaufman says he has a wealth of experience he feels would be both unique and beneficial to Converse County.
A Republican, Kaufman had a seat on the Douglas City Council in the '90s.
Trent is a lifelong resident of Wyoming. Born and raised in Converse County, he has his own consulting business. 051922
Sky-watchers in Douglas and Casper will get a view of a total lunar eclipse this weekend.
The Moon will be close to perigee during the eclipse Sunday night, meaning it will be near its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit.
The National Weather Service says skies will be mostly clear after a day of sunny conditions. The total lunar eclipse on Sunday evening should be easily visible to the naked eye if clouds don’t obstruct the view.
The eclipse will begin shortly before moonrise, so people in Wyoming will miss the very first part of it. However, the total eclipse will last until around 11 p.m. and a partial eclipse will last until shortly before midnight. People wanting to catch the eclipse should look to the east-southeast at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday. 051322
The Moon will be close to perigee during the eclipse Sunday night, meaning it will be near its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit.
The National Weather Service says skies will be mostly clear after a day of sunny conditions. The total lunar eclipse on Sunday evening should be easily visible to the naked eye if clouds don’t obstruct the view.
The eclipse will begin shortly before moonrise, so people in Wyoming will miss the very first part of it. However, the total eclipse will last until around 11 p.m. and a partial eclipse will last until shortly before midnight. People wanting to catch the eclipse should look to the east-southeast at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday. 051322
Converse County is going back to work.
New reports from the state of Wyoming show that from the fourth quarter of 2020 to the fourth quarter of 2021, Converse County added 428 jobs, and total payroll in the county grew by almost $15 million dollars.
Percentage wise, those are some of the best numbers in the state.
The average weekly wage in Converse County was reported at $1241 dollars a week, up a little over $100 a week from 2020. Outside of Teton County, those are also some of the strongest numbers in the state.
Returning oil and gas workers accounted for much of Converse County's growth. Food and beverage servers also took a jump. 051122
New reports from the state of Wyoming show that from the fourth quarter of 2020 to the fourth quarter of 2021, Converse County added 428 jobs, and total payroll in the county grew by almost $15 million dollars.
Percentage wise, those are some of the best numbers in the state.
The average weekly wage in Converse County was reported at $1241 dollars a week, up a little over $100 a week from 2020. Outside of Teton County, those are also some of the strongest numbers in the state.
Returning oil and gas workers accounted for much of Converse County's growth. Food and beverage servers also took a jump. 051122
When you've gone to a concert or a sporting event at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, you may have noticed a big model of a battleship. If you took the time to look closer, you may have discovered that it's the USS Wyoming.
And now, the USS Wyoming may be moving to Dubois.
The 11-foot long model is actually owned by the US Navy. It's been on display on the concourse at the Events Center in Casper since 1998.
But there's an effort underway to move the model to the new National Museum of Military Vehicles at Dubois, a 140,000 square foot facility dedicated to displaying military equipment. The museum also plans to build an exhibit room dedicated specifically to the U.S.S. Wyoming.
The Casper city council still has to authorize the move of the ship. 051122
And now, the USS Wyoming may be moving to Dubois.
The 11-foot long model is actually owned by the US Navy. It's been on display on the concourse at the Events Center in Casper since 1998.
But there's an effort underway to move the model to the new National Museum of Military Vehicles at Dubois, a 140,000 square foot facility dedicated to displaying military equipment. The museum also plans to build an exhibit room dedicated specifically to the U.S.S. Wyoming.
The Casper city council still has to authorize the move of the ship. 051122
Converse County law enforcement warns that there's a new phone scam going around.
Sheriff Clint Becker says that folks are receiving phone calls from those pretending to be Deputies threatening people with a warrant for missing jury duty.
Becker says the Sheriff's Office will never call you to ask for a credit card or any other form of payment.
If you have any questions or concerns about calls you receive from someone claiming to be from the Converse County Sheriff's Office or from the Sheriff's Office number, please feel free to call the CCSO at 307-358-4700 or stop in with questions. 051022
Sheriff Clint Becker says that folks are receiving phone calls from those pretending to be Deputies threatening people with a warrant for missing jury duty.
Becker says the Sheriff's Office will never call you to ask for a credit card or any other form of payment.
If you have any questions or concerns about calls you receive from someone claiming to be from the Converse County Sheriff's Office or from the Sheriff's Office number, please feel free to call the CCSO at 307-358-4700 or stop in with questions. 051022
Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Keith Kautz to speak at the 73rd annual Eastern Wyoming College commencement this Friday, May 13, 2022 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm in the EWC Fine Arts Center Auditorium in Torrington.
The Honorable Justice Kautz was appointed to his position on August 4, 2015, by Governor Matt Mead, and was retained in office in the general election in November 2016. Justice Kautz served as a District Judge in Wyoming’s Eighth Judicial District (Converse, Goshen, Platte and Niobrara Counties) from January 1993 to August 2015.
The EWC Commencement Ceremony will be available by webcast. Please visit the College’s website at ewc.wy.edu or social media pages for the link. 051022
The Honorable Justice Kautz was appointed to his position on August 4, 2015, by Governor Matt Mead, and was retained in office in the general election in November 2016. Justice Kautz served as a District Judge in Wyoming’s Eighth Judicial District (Converse, Goshen, Platte and Niobrara Counties) from January 1993 to August 2015.
The EWC Commencement Ceremony will be available by webcast. Please visit the College’s website at ewc.wy.edu or social media pages for the link. 051022
A traffic stop early Sunday morning by the Evansville Police Department led to the arrest of two individuals on drug charges.
Evansville Officer Sibal conducted a routine traffic stop around 1 am on May 9th for an equipment violation. During the stop a drug dog alerted, and on investigation, numerous suspected controlled substances were located in the vehicle along with money and a firearm. Several of the substances were tested as presumptive positive for methamphetamine. Other substances were cocaine, marijuana and a select assortment of prescription pills not prescribed the individuals along with scales and plastic baggies.
Two individuals were taken to the Natrona County Detention Center and charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, and seven charges of possession of controlled substance. 051022
Evansville Officer Sibal conducted a routine traffic stop around 1 am on May 9th for an equipment violation. During the stop a drug dog alerted, and on investigation, numerous suspected controlled substances were located in the vehicle along with money and a firearm. Several of the substances were tested as presumptive positive for methamphetamine. Other substances were cocaine, marijuana and a select assortment of prescription pills not prescribed the individuals along with scales and plastic baggies.
Two individuals were taken to the Natrona County Detention Center and charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, and seven charges of possession of controlled substance. 051022
The Douglas City Council meets tonight for the first of their two regular monthly sessions.
Among items on tonight's agenda, Council will consider approval of A Resolution establishing a Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area, basically an open container area bounded roughly between 2nd and 4th Streets, and Walnut to Oak. This would be the third summer that the DORA would be in effect between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Council will also consider a city administrator contract with JD Cox of Independence, Kansas. The contract with Cox would offer a base salary of $135 thousand dollars a year, plus benefits. The contract would go into effect on or before May 31st.
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
City Council meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 050922
Among items on tonight's agenda, Council will consider approval of A Resolution establishing a Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area, basically an open container area bounded roughly between 2nd and 4th Streets, and Walnut to Oak. This would be the third summer that the DORA would be in effect between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Council will also consider a city administrator contract with JD Cox of Independence, Kansas. The contract with Cox would offer a base salary of $135 thousand dollars a year, plus benefits. The contract would go into effect on or before May 31st.
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
City Council meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 050922
The Eastern Wyoming College Board of Trustees has voted to move forward with the process of appointing a new president for the school.
Following a two-hour executive session last Wednesday, the board voted to offer the job to Dr. Jeffery Hawes
Dr. Hawes visited the EWC Douglas Campus for a public forum on Thursday April 28. He's currently Executive Dean of East Campus at Black Hawk College in northwestern Illinois.
Board members noted Hawes's agricultural background as one of his primary strengths.
The board will move forward immediately with the job offer and contract negotiations. 050922
Following a two-hour executive session last Wednesday, the board voted to offer the job to Dr. Jeffery Hawes
Dr. Hawes visited the EWC Douglas Campus for a public forum on Thursday April 28. He's currently Executive Dean of East Campus at Black Hawk College in northwestern Illinois.
Board members noted Hawes's agricultural background as one of his primary strengths.
The board will move forward immediately with the job offer and contract negotiations. 050922
Former President Donald Trump is coming to the Cowboy State.
Ford Wyoming Center in Casper confirmed Monday that Trump will appear at a rally in Casper later this month, on Saturday, May 28th.
It will be Trump's first political appearance in the state.
Trump is appearing Casper in support of Harriet Hageman, his pick to challenge incumbent Representative Liz Cheney in the highly anticipated August Republican primary.
Parking at the Ford Wyoming Center will open at 6 a.m. that morning. Doors will open at 11 a.m., with speakers starting at 1 p.m. Trump is scheduled to speak May 28th at 4 p.m. 050322
Ford Wyoming Center in Casper confirmed Monday that Trump will appear at a rally in Casper later this month, on Saturday, May 28th.
It will be Trump's first political appearance in the state.
Trump is appearing Casper in support of Harriet Hageman, his pick to challenge incumbent Representative Liz Cheney in the highly anticipated August Republican primary.
Parking at the Ford Wyoming Center will open at 6 a.m. that morning. Doors will open at 11 a.m., with speakers starting at 1 p.m. Trump is scheduled to speak May 28th at 4 p.m. 050322
Stronger COVID-19 prevention measures will go back into place at the Wyoming Women's Center in Lusk.
Surveillance testing at the prison turned up 14 positive cases in inmates there last week.
Officials elevated the prison's COVID-19 status to "red" the same day.
In response, mask wearing at the Lusk prison will be mandatory for everyone. All staff and prisoners will be tested weekly for the virus while the center remains in red status.
Visitation will be non-contact only, and prison programs will be limited in size and may be altered.
On-site screening, includes taking people's temperatures, will be resumed for people entering the prison.
The state's prison system has four COVID levels, with the red level at the high end. 050322
Surveillance testing at the prison turned up 14 positive cases in inmates there last week.
Officials elevated the prison's COVID-19 status to "red" the same day.
In response, mask wearing at the Lusk prison will be mandatory for everyone. All staff and prisoners will be tested weekly for the virus while the center remains in red status.
Visitation will be non-contact only, and prison programs will be limited in size and may be altered.
On-site screening, includes taking people's temperatures, will be resumed for people entering the prison.
The state's prison system has four COVID levels, with the red level at the high end. 050322
Local residents get a chance to do something good, and remember a friend this weekend.
Big Bucks Bingo and chili lunch, sponsored by the Marge Cares Foundation, returns after a two-year hiatus this Saturday, April 30, from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Glendo School gymnasium.
As in past years, there is a silent auction and a live auction, a chili lunch and of course, the Big Bucks Bingo. There will also be door prizes. Entertainment will kick off at 11:30 a.m.
Marge Wilson was a Glendo resident and a long-time employee at Memorial Hospital of Converse County. She lost her battle with breast cancer 11 years ago. After watching her family struggle with the cost incurred, Marge's idea was to take her memorial fund and put it toward a foundation where people could receive help when they had to travel to receive treatment.
The non-profit Marge Cares Foundation has continued to raise an average of $25 thousand dollars a year to keep the program going
Big Bucks Bingo and chili lunch, sponsored by the Marge Cares Foundation, this Saturday, April 30, from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Glendo School gymnasium. 042922
Big Bucks Bingo and chili lunch, sponsored by the Marge Cares Foundation, returns after a two-year hiatus this Saturday, April 30, from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Glendo School gymnasium.
As in past years, there is a silent auction and a live auction, a chili lunch and of course, the Big Bucks Bingo. There will also be door prizes. Entertainment will kick off at 11:30 a.m.
Marge Wilson was a Glendo resident and a long-time employee at Memorial Hospital of Converse County. She lost her battle with breast cancer 11 years ago. After watching her family struggle with the cost incurred, Marge's idea was to take her memorial fund and put it toward a foundation where people could receive help when they had to travel to receive treatment.
The non-profit Marge Cares Foundation has continued to raise an average of $25 thousand dollars a year to keep the program going
Big Bucks Bingo and chili lunch, sponsored by the Marge Cares Foundation, this Saturday, April 30, from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Glendo School gymnasium. 042922
Much of Wyoming's history rolled across the trails and rails that went up the North Platte River. And some of the folks who settled the area found their final resting place just north of what would become the Jackalope City.
The Douglas Historic Preservation Commission will kick off National Historic Preservation Month this Sunday with a program at the Pioneer Cemetery on the Highway 59 bypass.
They'll talk about the history of the cemetery, some of the folks buried there, and the Oregon Trail wagon ruts that run through the property.
The program will begin at 2 p.m. at the Pioneer Cemetery on Sunday, May 1, and is open to all. 042922
The Douglas Historic Preservation Commission will kick off National Historic Preservation Month this Sunday with a program at the Pioneer Cemetery on the Highway 59 bypass.
They'll talk about the history of the cemetery, some of the folks buried there, and the Oregon Trail wagon ruts that run through the property.
The program will begin at 2 p.m. at the Pioneer Cemetery on Sunday, May 1, and is open to all. 042922
The Eastern Wyoming College Board of Trustees will host another candidate for college president this week.
Dr. Jeffry D. Hawes has been invited to campus for an in-person interview, employee and student meetings, and public forums.
Dr. Hawes is a Michigan native, a Michigan State grad, and is currently Executive Dean of East Campus for Black Hawk College in Galva, Illinois.
An open public forum will be held in the EWC Fine Arts Center Auditorium in Torrington on Wednesday, April 27, 1:30 - 2:45 pm.
An open public forum will be held on the Douglas Campus on Thursday, April 28, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.
The EWC Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Wednesday afternoon, April 27, at 4:00 pm to interview Dr. Hawes, in executive session. 042722
Dr. Jeffry D. Hawes has been invited to campus for an in-person interview, employee and student meetings, and public forums.
Dr. Hawes is a Michigan native, a Michigan State grad, and is currently Executive Dean of East Campus for Black Hawk College in Galva, Illinois.
An open public forum will be held in the EWC Fine Arts Center Auditorium in Torrington on Wednesday, April 27, 1:30 - 2:45 pm.
An open public forum will be held on the Douglas Campus on Thursday, April 28, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.
The EWC Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Wednesday afternoon, April 27, at 4:00 pm to interview Dr. Hawes, in executive session. 042722
The City of Casper will spend $8 million dollars to buy a building for the Casper Police Department.
The Casper City Council voted Tuesday afternoon to move ahead with the purchase of the Casper Business Center building a block west of Center at 1st and David.
City officials looked at 15 other buildings and even considered building a new facility, at a cost of between $45 and $50 million, before setting its sights on the Casper Business Center.
The city currently spends around $250,000 a year to rent several building for the police department.
The sale of the eight-floor building and its attached parking garage is set to close on Friday in a deal with current owner Wyoming Financial.
It will take two to three years to renovate the office building and complete the transition. 042722
The Casper City Council voted Tuesday afternoon to move ahead with the purchase of the Casper Business Center building a block west of Center at 1st and David.
City officials looked at 15 other buildings and even considered building a new facility, at a cost of between $45 and $50 million, before setting its sights on the Casper Business Center.
The city currently spends around $250,000 a year to rent several building for the police department.
The sale of the eight-floor building and its attached parking garage is set to close on Friday in a deal with current owner Wyoming Financial.
It will take two to three years to renovate the office building and complete the transition. 042722
A Celebration of Life service for Doug Bull will be held on Saturday, June 18th at 1PM at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church 4600 S Poplar Street in Casper.
A small reception of cookies and coffee/lemonade drinks will follow.
Doug Bull, former Douglas High School and Casper College band director, died after a long battle with cancer, on Tuesday, April 12th. 042022
A small reception of cookies and coffee/lemonade drinks will follow.
Doug Bull, former Douglas High School and Casper College band director, died after a long battle with cancer, on Tuesday, April 12th. 042022
New leadership for Eastern Wyoming College.
The EWC Board of Directors met in special session Tuesday morning and voted on two items...
The EWC Board of Directors met in special session Tuesday morning and voted on two items...
The EWC board of trustees announced Friday April 8th that, after interviewing three candidates, their search for the next president of Eastern Wyoming College was unsuccessful.
Last Friday, April 15th, College President Dr. Leslie Travers abruptly submitted her immediate resignation to the board, and after an emergency meeting, the board named former college president Rick Patterson as interim college president.
Tuesday's meeting in Torrington opened the process to public comment, and the votes took place after a short executive session.
The college board goes back to the drawing board in the process of finding a permanent president for the communty college with campuses in Torrington and Douglas. 042022
Last Friday, April 15th, College President Dr. Leslie Travers abruptly submitted her immediate resignation to the board, and after an emergency meeting, the board named former college president Rick Patterson as interim college president.
Tuesday's meeting in Torrington opened the process to public comment, and the votes took place after a short executive session.
The college board goes back to the drawing board in the process of finding a permanent president for the communty college with campuses in Torrington and Douglas. 042022
The City of Casper is considering plans for a new indoor sports venue that would be built on the hill near the Ford Wyoming Center.
The new facility would include six courts for indoor sports, mainly youth basketball and volleyball. Plans also include a sports training area, concessions counter, spectator and picnic seating, team rooms and an office area.
The new sports facility would not be affiliated with or connected to the Ford Wyoming Center.
A group of Casper residents have formed a nonprofit organization to see the project through, and it would contract with a third party for the facility’s actual operations. 041822
The new facility would include six courts for indoor sports, mainly youth basketball and volleyball. Plans also include a sports training area, concessions counter, spectator and picnic seating, team rooms and an office area.
The new sports facility would not be affiliated with or connected to the Ford Wyoming Center.
A group of Casper residents have formed a nonprofit organization to see the project through, and it would contract with a third party for the facility’s actual operations. 041822
Converse County Public Health reported 14 COVID-19 cases during the month of March.
There were 9 cases in Douglas last month, 3 in Glenrock and 2 in Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County has no active cases, and no one is hospitalized here.
Isolation guidelines have changed from 10 days to 5 days.
There have now been 3041 COVID cases reported here, and 55 deaths that were covid-related. 040422
There were 9 cases in Douglas last month, 3 in Glenrock and 2 in Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County has no active cases, and no one is hospitalized here.
Isolation guidelines have changed from 10 days to 5 days.
There have now been 3041 COVID cases reported here, and 55 deaths that were covid-related. 040422
Converse County's mostly dormant uranium industry could benefit from a new bill in Congress.
Wyoming Senator John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis are co-sponsors of a bill called the National Opportunity to Restore Uranium Supply Services In America (NO RUSSIA) Act of 2022.
Senator Barrasso says we're in an unacceptable situation...
Wyoming Senator John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis are co-sponsors of a bill called the National Opportunity to Restore Uranium Supply Services In America (NO RUSSIA) Act of 2022.
Senator Barrasso says we're in an unacceptable situation...
This legislation will authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a national strategic uranium reserve. It will also increase domestic uranium production, conversion, and enrichment to ensure existing U.S. nuclear reactors have sufficient fuel to continue operating. 040122
If you were to build a Community Center in Douglas, what would you include?
There's a new survey out asking that very question. While a bond issue to fund construction of a Rec Center in Douglas has failed twice, The Enterprise executive director Cindy Porter explains why this is different...
There's a new survey out asking that very question. While a bond issue to fund construction of a Rec Center in Douglas has failed twice, The Enterprise executive director Cindy Porter explains why this is different...
Porter says the survey asks about interest in a smaller facility...
The survey asks just a couple of questions... do you think Douglas needs a community center, and what amenities or activities should be included in a community center.
The survey will be available for about a week. If you'd like to participate, and didn't get it in your email, you can go to the Enterprise website, the City of Douglas or Converse County websites, or the Enterprise's Facebook page for a link to the survey. 032922
The survey will be available for about a week. If you'd like to participate, and didn't get it in your email, you can go to the Enterprise website, the City of Douglas or Converse County websites, or the Enterprise's Facebook page for a link to the survey. 032922
There'll be a new place to gather in downtown Glenrock.
Glenrock's Town Square project is approaching completion.
The public space is similar to David Street Station in Casper but is around double the size.
One space will be a basketball court in the warm months, and and an ice skating rink in the Winter. The rink will be made with synthetic ice that doesn't require water.
Large fire pits will be spread out at various points around the Town Square and include bench-style seating.
There will be a playground for 1 to 5-year-olds, a volleyball court with astroturf, and a splash pad.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming have also invested in creating a new space for the Glenrock Club Kids right next to the Town Square.
The official grand opening will occur on June 3rd. 032822
Glenrock's Town Square project is approaching completion.
The public space is similar to David Street Station in Casper but is around double the size.
One space will be a basketball court in the warm months, and and an ice skating rink in the Winter. The rink will be made with synthetic ice that doesn't require water.
Large fire pits will be spread out at various points around the Town Square and include bench-style seating.
There will be a playground for 1 to 5-year-olds, a volleyball court with astroturf, and a splash pad.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming have also invested in creating a new space for the Glenrock Club Kids right next to the Town Square.
The official grand opening will occur on June 3rd. 032822
A pair of Douglas High School seniors will receive a prestigious scholarship to further their post-high school education.
Lexi Castro and Luci Holt have been named recipients of the Daniels Fund Scholarship.
Daniels Scholars receive up to $100,000 over four years towards their undergraduate degrees.
45 Wyoming high school seniors were selected as 2022 Daniels Scholars. They were among 240 students across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming accepted into the program. 032922
Lexi Castro and Luci Holt have been named recipients of the Daniels Fund Scholarship.
Daniels Scholars receive up to $100,000 over four years towards their undergraduate degrees.
45 Wyoming high school seniors were selected as 2022 Daniels Scholars. They were among 240 students across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming accepted into the program. 032922
Those famous Indian Tacos returned on Saturday, and Douglas residents turned out in force to celebrate.
The Douglas Senior Citizens Center invited the community to come see their new kitchen on Saturday. Senior Center director Nancy Fink said it was a big project...
The Douglas Senior Citizens Center invited the community to come see their new kitchen on Saturday. Senior Center director Nancy Fink said it was a big project...
The project came in an at a little over a half a million dollars, and like many good construction projects... it took longer than expected...
Fink said COVID also predictably slowed things down.
Several hundred residents celebrated the grand reopening with Indian Tacos and cinnamon rolls at the Douglas Senior Center on Saturday. 032822
Several hundred residents celebrated the grand reopening with Indian Tacos and cinnamon rolls at the Douglas Senior Center on Saturday. 032822
Guernsey residents will get an update on National Guard operations.
Maj. Gen. Gregory Porter will host a town hall at Camp Guernsey on Thursday, April 7th.
Community members will be able to ask Porter questions regarding the present and future direction and policies surrounding Camp Guernsey and the Wyoming Military Department.
The TAG town hall will be held at the General Instruction Building’s Auditorium from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 032822
Maj. Gen. Gregory Porter will host a town hall at Camp Guernsey on Thursday, April 7th.
Community members will be able to ask Porter questions regarding the present and future direction and policies surrounding Camp Guernsey and the Wyoming Military Department.
The TAG town hall will be held at the General Instruction Building’s Auditorium from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 032822
BNSF Railroad’s two largest unions will ask an arbitrator to throw out the railroad’s strict new attendance policy instead of appealing a court order preventing them from striking.
The unions representing 17,000 BNSF workers said Wednesday they decided that arbitration will provide the quickest resolution to the dispute.
The unions say the new rules that took effect Feb. 1 penalize employees for missing work for any reason and put them on call 24-7.
BNSF has defended the rules because it says they give employees a clearer idea of where they stand than the old system did while ensuring the railroad has enough workers available to operate its trains.
BNSF operates 960 miles of track in Wyoming, with more than 1100 employees and a combined payroll of $99 million dollars. 032522
The unions representing 17,000 BNSF workers said Wednesday they decided that arbitration will provide the quickest resolution to the dispute.
The unions say the new rules that took effect Feb. 1 penalize employees for missing work for any reason and put them on call 24-7.
BNSF has defended the rules because it says they give employees a clearer idea of where they stand than the old system did while ensuring the railroad has enough workers available to operate its trains.
BNSF operates 960 miles of track in Wyoming, with more than 1100 employees and a combined payroll of $99 million dollars. 032522
Are Wyoming's elections secure... can they be trusted?
Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan was in Douglas Thursday night to discuss election integrity...
Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan was in Douglas Thursday night to discuss election integrity...
Buchanan spent a couple of hours with a crowd of about 50 people at EWC-Douglas Campus discussing allegations of election abuse, and how his office has responded...
Buchanan answered questions from the crowd on a wide variety of election related topics for more than an hour after his presentation. 032522
Wyoming’s population is growing at a faster rate than the country’s in general.
The US census bureau says the state’s population grew by 1,536 people between July of 2020 and 2021.
That’s an increase of 0.3%. The nationwide average of 0.1% in the same time period.
Lincoln County reported the highest rate of growth in that time, with an increase of 2.4% from July 2020. Lincoln County includes Star Valley, where 9% of people who work in Teton County live. Teton County is the most expensive place to live in Wyoming.
Counties that rely heavily on the energy industry experienced declines — Natrona County lost 0.8% and Converse County dropped 0.4%. 032522
The US census bureau says the state’s population grew by 1,536 people between July of 2020 and 2021.
That’s an increase of 0.3%. The nationwide average of 0.1% in the same time period.
Lincoln County reported the highest rate of growth in that time, with an increase of 2.4% from July 2020. Lincoln County includes Star Valley, where 9% of people who work in Teton County live. Teton County is the most expensive place to live in Wyoming.
Counties that rely heavily on the energy industry experienced declines — Natrona County lost 0.8% and Converse County dropped 0.4%. 032522
New lines have been drawn for state legislative districts, and the redistricting process affects us in Converse County.
At Tuesday night's Dessert With Your Legislators in Douglas, representative Aaron Clausen, House District 6, explained where the new lines run for the house...
At Tuesday night's Dessert With Your Legislators in Douglas, representative Aaron Clausen, House District 6, explained where the new lines run for the house...
By law, the state is required to adjust its districts to assure equal representation every ten years after the US Census takes place. 032322
TerraPower says they will not use Russian uranium to power their new nuclear power plant being planned for western Wyoming.
According to Jeff Navin, TerraPower’s director of external affairs, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian fuel is no longer an option not even for that first plant at Kemmerer.
Navin said. “We have no interest in re-engaging with the Russians. We are putting all of our efforts into trying to figure out how to get a domestic supply chain stood up as quickly as possible.”
And that's a problem.
There’s only one U.S. enrichment facility authorized to make the fuel TerraPower needs... it's a nearly operational demonstration plant in Ohio, and it's only able to produce about 10 percent of the fuel TerraPower needs for the core load of the plant in time for its planned startup in 2028. 032122
According to Jeff Navin, TerraPower’s director of external affairs, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian fuel is no longer an option not even for that first plant at Kemmerer.
Navin said. “We have no interest in re-engaging with the Russians. We are putting all of our efforts into trying to figure out how to get a domestic supply chain stood up as quickly as possible.”
And that's a problem.
There’s only one U.S. enrichment facility authorized to make the fuel TerraPower needs... it's a nearly operational demonstration plant in Ohio, and it's only able to produce about 10 percent of the fuel TerraPower needs for the core load of the plant in time for its planned startup in 2028. 032122
Authorities say they found a man dead inside an Evansville home following an overnight standoff Friday night with law enforcement.
The man, whom authorities said earlier was armed, had barricaded himself in the home around 6 p.m. Friday.
Police say gunshots were heard in the area, and warned people to stay away.
The Natrona County coroner has identified the man as 29-year-old Blaine Clutter.
There was no one else inside the home during the incident. 032122
The man, whom authorities said earlier was armed, had barricaded himself in the home around 6 p.m. Friday.
Police say gunshots were heard in the area, and warned people to stay away.
The Natrona County coroner has identified the man as 29-year-old Blaine Clutter.
There was no one else inside the home during the incident. 032122
Water will rise in the North Platte River later this month as the Bureau of Reclamation runs a flushing flow downstream of Gray Reef Dam at Alcova.
Working with Wyoming Game and Fish, the bureau releases the water to improve spawning grounds for trout in the river. They clean spawning gravel of fine sediment that accumulates over the winter.
The river’s flow will increase from 450 cubic feet per second to 4,000 cubic feet per second overnight, then back down to 450 in the morning hours.
The flushing flows begin March 31. The process will be repeated daily through April 8. 032122
Working with Wyoming Game and Fish, the bureau releases the water to improve spawning grounds for trout in the river. They clean spawning gravel of fine sediment that accumulates over the winter.
The river’s flow will increase from 450 cubic feet per second to 4,000 cubic feet per second overnight, then back down to 450 in the morning hours.
The flushing flows begin March 31. The process will be repeated daily through April 8. 032122
Wyoming energy should be finding new markets in the Far East.
US Senator John Barrasso told a Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday that exporting American energy could stop our allies from depending on Russian energy...
US Senator John Barrasso told a Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday that exporting American energy could stop our allies from depending on Russian energy...
Barrasso suggested Wyoming energy could help provide a solution...
On another front, Barrasso asked the committee how we could counter China’s influence in the region if we don’t aggressively export American energy to our allies. 031622
Twenty more Wyomingites have died from COVID-19, the Wyoming Department of Health reported Tuesday, including another in Converse County.
County Emergency Management reports an older adult Converse County woman died in February.
She was hospitalized but it is unknown if she had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
She was the 54th COVID-related death in Converse County.
There have now been 1,769 coronavirus-caused deaths in Wyoming since the pandemic arrived here in March 2020. 031622
County Emergency Management reports an older adult Converse County woman died in February.
She was hospitalized but it is unknown if she had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
She was the 54th COVID-related death in Converse County.
There have now been 1,769 coronavirus-caused deaths in Wyoming since the pandemic arrived here in March 2020. 031622
The Converse County Library in Douglas will remain closed on a day-to-day basis until the weather warms up and repairs can be made to its heating and air conditioning systems.
During this recent cold snap, the high temperatures in the library have hovered between 40-60 degrees.
There have been ongoing problems in the original installation of the HVAC equipment in the five-year-old building. The company that installed the system has gone out of business.
Efforts are being made to solve the problem.
Meanwhile, patrons are encouraged to please use the Library website, yourccl.org, for audio books, to search databases and other useful information. 031122
During this recent cold snap, the high temperatures in the library have hovered between 40-60 degrees.
There have been ongoing problems in the original installation of the HVAC equipment in the five-year-old building. The company that installed the system has gone out of business.
Efforts are being made to solve the problem.
Meanwhile, patrons are encouraged to please use the Library website, yourccl.org, for audio books, to search databases and other useful information. 031122
A Natrona County commission seat will open up in the next month or so.
Commissioner and Visit Casper CEO Brook Kaufman is leaving Casper for Rapid City and a new job as CEO and president of its tourism agency, Visit Rapid City.
Kaufman has served for three years as a Natrona County commissioner.
Kaufman has led the Visit Casper tourism group as its CEO for the past six years. 031122
Commissioner and Visit Casper CEO Brook Kaufman is leaving Casper for Rapid City and a new job as CEO and president of its tourism agency, Visit Rapid City.
Kaufman has served for three years as a Natrona County commissioner.
Kaufman has led the Visit Casper tourism group as its CEO for the past six years. 031122
Eastern Wyoming College in Douglas will be closed Friday, March 11th.
EWC’s IT Department is performing systems updates on the Douglas campus computer system.
EWC Offices will reopen on Monday March 14. 031122
EWC’s IT Department is performing systems updates on the Douglas campus computer system.
EWC Offices will reopen on Monday March 14. 031122
A new oil terminal is being built in northwestern Converse County.
Cowboy Midstream has announced the planned opening of their Ross Road Terminal, a Crude Oil Truck Offload Facility capable of offloading and shipping Powder River crude in volumes of up to 20,000 barrels per day.
The new terminal sits directly adjacent to, and is tied into, Cowboy Midstream’s Powell Lateral II Pipeline, giving shippers the opportunity to access and capitalize on multiple downstream markets for their Powder River Crude.
Construction activities are underway, and Cowboy expects the new Terminal to be ready for crude oil receipt and transportation 1 April 2022. 030722
Cowboy Midstream has announced the planned opening of their Ross Road Terminal, a Crude Oil Truck Offload Facility capable of offloading and shipping Powder River crude in volumes of up to 20,000 barrels per day.
The new terminal sits directly adjacent to, and is tied into, Cowboy Midstream’s Powell Lateral II Pipeline, giving shippers the opportunity to access and capitalize on multiple downstream markets for their Powder River Crude.
Construction activities are underway, and Cowboy expects the new Terminal to be ready for crude oil receipt and transportation 1 April 2022. 030722
The good news is, temperatures will be about 60 degrees warmer this Wednesday than they were last week.
But the water will still be cold for the DOUGLAS Jackalope Jump fundraiser will be held this Wednesday, March 2nd at Douglas High School.
Teams and individuals have been working hard to raise money for Special Olympics Wyoming, and they'll hold up their end of the bargain with a jump in the tank Wednesday afternoon.
Last year, jumpers raised almost $5 thousand dollars.
All funds raised go to support programming and events for over 1,600 Special Olympics athletes statewide.
There's still time to participate... information and registration forms are online at www.SOWY.org
Registration will begin at 12:00 PM with the Jump starting at 1:15 PM in the back parking lot at Douglas High School. 030122
But the water will still be cold for the DOUGLAS Jackalope Jump fundraiser will be held this Wednesday, March 2nd at Douglas High School.
Teams and individuals have been working hard to raise money for Special Olympics Wyoming, and they'll hold up their end of the bargain with a jump in the tank Wednesday afternoon.
Last year, jumpers raised almost $5 thousand dollars.
All funds raised go to support programming and events for over 1,600 Special Olympics athletes statewide.
There's still time to participate... information and registration forms are online at www.SOWY.org
Registration will begin at 12:00 PM with the Jump starting at 1:15 PM in the back parking lot at Douglas High School. 030122
PacifiCorp and the State of Wyoming have put together a deal to keep Jim Bridger Power Plant Unit 2 operational past April 30.
The agreement provides that Wyoming will agree to PacifiCorp’s planned conversion of Jim Bridger Units 1 and 2 to gas.
The conversion may take up to two years, and both units may continue to operate until that conversion.
PacifiCorp has also agreed to issue requests for proposal to add carbon capture facilities at Unit 3 and/or 4 at Jim Bridger, and at Unit 4 of the Dave Johnston plant at Glenrock.
The agreement between the state and PacifiCorp has been memorialized in a consent decree approved this week in district court.
That decree was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday. 021822
The agreement provides that Wyoming will agree to PacifiCorp’s planned conversion of Jim Bridger Units 1 and 2 to gas.
The conversion may take up to two years, and both units may continue to operate until that conversion.
PacifiCorp has also agreed to issue requests for proposal to add carbon capture facilities at Unit 3 and/or 4 at Jim Bridger, and at Unit 4 of the Dave Johnston plant at Glenrock.
The agreement between the state and PacifiCorp has been memorialized in a consent decree approved this week in district court.
That decree was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday. 021822
Twenty-two more Wyoming residents have died from COVID-19 including one from Converse County.
The Wyoming Department of Health reported Tuesday that there have now been 1,689 coronavirus-caused deaths in Wyoming since the pandemic arrived here in March 2020.
The Converse County death count here now stands at 50.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Wyoming grew by 241 on Tuesday.
The Wyoming Department of Health reported 664 confirmed active cases. Case numbers have dropped below 1,000 this week for the first time since last August.
There are currently 91 patients hospitalized across the state. 021622
The Wyoming Department of Health reported Tuesday that there have now been 1,689 coronavirus-caused deaths in Wyoming since the pandemic arrived here in March 2020.
The Converse County death count here now stands at 50.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Wyoming grew by 241 on Tuesday.
The Wyoming Department of Health reported 664 confirmed active cases. Case numbers have dropped below 1,000 this week for the first time since last August.
There are currently 91 patients hospitalized across the state. 021622
One man died and another person was injured in an early morning crash Tuesday morning on Highway 59 south of Gillette.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 31 year old Steven Stice died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
The Patrol says Stice was driving a Volvo passenger car southbound and went in the ditch to pass two vehicles. The car came back on the road, went across into the northbound lane and hit a Ford pick-up truck.
The crash happened around 5:15 a.m. Tuesday morning near mile marker 91 south of Gillette.
Speed is listed in the preliminary crash report as a possible contributing factor to the crash. Stice was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. 021522
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 31 year old Steven Stice died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
The Patrol says Stice was driving a Volvo passenger car southbound and went in the ditch to pass two vehicles. The car came back on the road, went across into the northbound lane and hit a Ford pick-up truck.
The crash happened around 5:15 a.m. Tuesday morning near mile marker 91 south of Gillette.
Speed is listed in the preliminary crash report as a possible contributing factor to the crash. Stice was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. 021522
Converse County's unemployment rate stayed steady at 2.4 percent in December, exactly the same as it was in November.
2.4 percent is a big improvement, though, from the 6 percent unemployment rate reported a year ago in December 2020.
Statewide, the unemployment rate dropped from 3.7 percent in November to 3.3 percent in December.
The state's highest unemployment rate was 3.1 percent in Natrona County. The lowest was 1.6 percent in Teton County. 020122
2.4 percent is a big improvement, though, from the 6 percent unemployment rate reported a year ago in December 2020.
Statewide, the unemployment rate dropped from 3.7 percent in November to 3.3 percent in December.
The state's highest unemployment rate was 3.1 percent in Natrona County. The lowest was 1.6 percent in Teton County. 020122
Poet Camille Dungy
A highly-respected author will visit Douglas later this spring.
Camille Dungy will be the guest poet at the WyoPoets 2022 Spring Workshop April 29-30 at the Converse County Library in Douglas.
Dungy is the author of four collections of poetry, most recently "Trophic Cascade", winner of the Colorado Book Award.
Her poems and essays have appeared in more than 30 anthologies, plus dozens of print and online venues.
Her debut collection of personal essays is "Guidebook to Relative Strangers", was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.
WyoPoets is a Wyoming-based organization of persons who write poetry for publication and/or as a hobby. It is the Wyoming branch of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. 020122
Camille Dungy will be the guest poet at the WyoPoets 2022 Spring Workshop April 29-30 at the Converse County Library in Douglas.
Dungy is the author of four collections of poetry, most recently "Trophic Cascade", winner of the Colorado Book Award.
Her poems and essays have appeared in more than 30 anthologies, plus dozens of print and online venues.
Her debut collection of personal essays is "Guidebook to Relative Strangers", was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.
WyoPoets is a Wyoming-based organization of persons who write poetry for publication and/or as a hobby. It is the Wyoming branch of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. 020122
DHS students are doing virtual school today.
Late last evening and into the early morning hours, high school administration became aware of an online threat of shooting violence specifically related to Douglas High School. An investigation by district staff, local law enforcement, and state personnel is ongoing, but the district needs more time to discern the exact nature of this threat. Therefore, Douglas High School will move to a virtual day on Monday, January 31. All DHS students should log in to the Canvas platform and check their school email. Activities practices after school will depend on how the situation unfolds, so coaches will be in touch with practice details later today.
There has been no threat to the other school buildings in the district; therefore, in-person classes are able to take place as usual. Every precaution will be taken to ensure student and staff safety at those buildings. Law enforcement will be present at all sites in the morning and throughout the day on Monday. Students at any grade level can login to their online classes if families feel safer keeping their kids at home. Please follow the virtual guidelines for your schools, and let teachers know if your students will be participating virtually.
If any parents or students have information related to this threat, please report it to high school administrators by calling the school at 307.358.2940 or by emailing Principal Mackey at rmackey@ccsd1.org. 013122
Late last evening and into the early morning hours, high school administration became aware of an online threat of shooting violence specifically related to Douglas High School. An investigation by district staff, local law enforcement, and state personnel is ongoing, but the district needs more time to discern the exact nature of this threat. Therefore, Douglas High School will move to a virtual day on Monday, January 31. All DHS students should log in to the Canvas platform and check their school email. Activities practices after school will depend on how the situation unfolds, so coaches will be in touch with practice details later today.
There has been no threat to the other school buildings in the district; therefore, in-person classes are able to take place as usual. Every precaution will be taken to ensure student and staff safety at those buildings. Law enforcement will be present at all sites in the morning and throughout the day on Monday. Students at any grade level can login to their online classes if families feel safer keeping their kids at home. Please follow the virtual guidelines for your schools, and let teachers know if your students will be participating virtually.
If any parents or students have information related to this threat, please report it to high school administrators by calling the school at 307.358.2940 or by emailing Principal Mackey at rmackey@ccsd1.org. 013122
A Wheatland choir teacher will lose his hearing, and his students are raising money to help purchase a cochlear implant.
Chris Leathers is the choir teacher at Wheatland Middle School and Wheatland High School.
Leathers will undergo surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his head. The auditory nerve in his head will be severed as a result, forcing him to lose his hearing.
Leathers's students have set up a GoFundMe to raise an estimated $50 thousand dollars to cover the cost of a cochlear implant, which will allow him to retain a part of his hearing.
The implant is not covered by Leathers' insurance.
Click here for a link to the GoFundMe page. 013022
Chris Leathers is the choir teacher at Wheatland Middle School and Wheatland High School.
Leathers will undergo surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his head. The auditory nerve in his head will be severed as a result, forcing him to lose his hearing.
Leathers's students have set up a GoFundMe to raise an estimated $50 thousand dollars to cover the cost of a cochlear implant, which will allow him to retain a part of his hearing.
The implant is not covered by Leathers' insurance.
Click here for a link to the GoFundMe page. 013022
The Douglas High School cheer squad is heading to Casper this weekend.
The WHSAA's 2022 State Spirit Competition is being held at the Ford Wyoming Center this Friday, January 28.
Cheer and dance teams from schools across the state will have 2 1/2 to 3 minutes each to wow the crowd and the judges.
General Admission: $5.00 Adults, $4.00 Students... reserved seating is also available.
The competition starts this Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. 012622
The WHSAA's 2022 State Spirit Competition is being held at the Ford Wyoming Center this Friday, January 28.
Cheer and dance teams from schools across the state will have 2 1/2 to 3 minutes each to wow the crowd and the judges.
General Admission: $5.00 Adults, $4.00 Students... reserved seating is also available.
The competition starts this Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. 012622
This January has seen a dramatic rise in Covid 19 compared to last year, with almost 300 cases more this year.
Converse County Public Health Department received notification of 203 new positive case(s) for COVID-19 last week on Monday.
Cases 2481 through 2683 include 161 Douglas residents, 39 from Glenrock, and 3 from Rolling Hills.
There were 98 men and 105 women, including 19 students representing every school in CCSD#1 and #2 except Glenrock Middle School.
Currently there are 3 people hospitalized at MHCC. Total reported deaths 50. 012522
Converse County Public Health Department received notification of 203 new positive case(s) for COVID-19 last week on Monday.
Cases 2481 through 2683 include 161 Douglas residents, 39 from Glenrock, and 3 from Rolling Hills.
There were 98 men and 105 women, including 19 students representing every school in CCSD#1 and #2 except Glenrock Middle School.
Currently there are 3 people hospitalized at MHCC. Total reported deaths 50. 012522
Railroad workers in Douglas and Converse County could be headed for a strike.
BNSF railroad wants a federal judge to prevent two of its unions from going on strike next month over a new attendance policy that would penalize employees for missing work.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based railroad went to court after the two unions both threatened to strike over the new policy that is set to go into effect on Feb. 1.
The unions said they are surveying their 17,000 members who work for BNSF to see if workers will support a strike.
The railroad maintains that this issue is a minor dispute that the unions wouldn't be allowed to strike over under federal law, and a strike shouldn't be allowed because it would hurt the economy too much.
A hearing will be held Monday to determine whether the judge will block the threatened strike.
BNSF is one of the nation's largest railroads. It operates 32,500 miles of track in Wyoming and 27 other western states. 012122
BNSF railroad wants a federal judge to prevent two of its unions from going on strike next month over a new attendance policy that would penalize employees for missing work.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based railroad went to court after the two unions both threatened to strike over the new policy that is set to go into effect on Feb. 1.
The unions said they are surveying their 17,000 members who work for BNSF to see if workers will support a strike.
The railroad maintains that this issue is a minor dispute that the unions wouldn't be allowed to strike over under federal law, and a strike shouldn't be allowed because it would hurt the economy too much.
A hearing will be held Monday to determine whether the judge will block the threatened strike.
BNSF is one of the nation's largest railroads. It operates 32,500 miles of track in Wyoming and 27 other western states. 012122
Covid cases jumped in Converse County last week.
Converse County Public Health Department received notification of 118 positive case(s) for COVID-19 on Monday. That's up from 61 the week before.
Cases 2363 through 2480 included 95 people from Douglas, 21 from Glenrock, and 1 from Rolling Hills. 21 of the cases included were students in Converse County Schools.
As of Monday morning, there were 3 patients hospitalized at MHCC due to covid. 011821
Converse County Public Health Department received notification of 118 positive case(s) for COVID-19 on Monday. That's up from 61 the week before.
Cases 2363 through 2480 included 95 people from Douglas, 21 from Glenrock, and 1 from Rolling Hills. 21 of the cases included were students in Converse County Schools.
As of Monday morning, there were 3 patients hospitalized at MHCC due to covid. 011821
Political instability on the other side of the world could have implications for Powder River Basin uranium production.
US Senator John Barasso told KKTY News Monday morning that what happens in Kazakhstan affects us locally...
US Senator John Barasso told KKTY News Monday morning that what happens in Kazakhstan affects us locally...
Barrasso also said there's good news on the domestic front as well...
You can listen to the entire interview with Senator Barrasso here. 011721
The Douglas Volunteer Fire Department wants to build a new training facility in Douglas, and they have their eye on a piece of city-owned land where I-25 crosses the North Platte River.
The city's wastewater treatment plant is on about 5 acres of land at 450 West Robin Lane... you can see it when you go over the river... and the DVFD is proposing to build a 6500 square foot training center and an 1800 square-foot fire training tower on the site.
Plans will be presented to the Douglas Planning and Zoning Commission tonight. The plans have been forwarded from the City's Community Development Department with a recommendation for approval with conditions.
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
The Planning and Zoning Commission meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 011722
The city's wastewater treatment plant is on about 5 acres of land at 450 West Robin Lane... you can see it when you go over the river... and the DVFD is proposing to build a 6500 square foot training center and an 1800 square-foot fire training tower on the site.
Plans will be presented to the Douglas Planning and Zoning Commission tonight. The plans have been forwarded from the City's Community Development Department with a recommendation for approval with conditions.
The full agenda for tonight's meeting is posted at the city's website, cityofdouglas.org.
The Planning and Zoning Commission meets tonight at 5:30 at Douglas City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, and are broadcast live on Vyve cable channel 61 in Douglas. 011722
Hospital employees in Douglas and Cheyenne filed a federal lawsuit against their employers aiming to stop policies related to COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.
Two Cheyenne Regional Medical Center employees and six Memorial Hospital of Converse County staffers are seeking a preliminary injunction against their employers over each hospital's respective COVID vaccination policies and asking the court for a declaratory judgment in their favor.
The case was filed December 22nd in U.S. District Court for Wyoming in Cheyenne and was assigned to Judge Nancy Freudenthal. 010622
Two Cheyenne Regional Medical Center employees and six Memorial Hospital of Converse County staffers are seeking a preliminary injunction against their employers over each hospital's respective COVID vaccination policies and asking the court for a declaratory judgment in their favor.
The case was filed December 22nd in U.S. District Court for Wyoming in Cheyenne and was assigned to Judge Nancy Freudenthal. 010622
Former Glenrock Police Chief David Theel has filed a lawsuit alleging he was wrongfully terminated from his position.
Theel’s exit from the police department came after an investigation into his conduct and treatment of employees, plus a hearing in front of the town council.
Theel was hired in March 2019. He was placed on administrative leave in February of 2021, and and officially terminated in October.
The suit alleges that the town did not follow its own grievance procedure, failing to notify Theel of the allegations against him until several months later.
Named in the lawsuit... Glenrock Mayor Bruce Roumell, as well as the town’s clerk, one member of its town council and the interim chief of police, Sgt. Colter Felton.
Theel is seeking damages and compensation for mental and physical care, alleging that the events caused him and his wife emotional distress, damaged their reputations and cost them pay and benefits, 010122
Theel’s exit from the police department came after an investigation into his conduct and treatment of employees, plus a hearing in front of the town council.
Theel was hired in March 2019. He was placed on administrative leave in February of 2021, and and officially terminated in October.
The suit alleges that the town did not follow its own grievance procedure, failing to notify Theel of the allegations against him until several months later.
Named in the lawsuit... Glenrock Mayor Bruce Roumell, as well as the town’s clerk, one member of its town council and the interim chief of police, Sgt. Colter Felton.
Theel is seeking damages and compensation for mental and physical care, alleging that the events caused him and his wife emotional distress, damaged their reputations and cost them pay and benefits, 010122
Winds rattled all of eastern Wyoming Thursday, causing problems for truckers and travelers.
A peak gust of 95 miles an hour noted 13 miles south of Glendo off I-25... and an 87 mile an hour gust south of Wheatland at Bordeaux
Hogadon Basin Ski Area shut down its Prospector chairlift on Thursday due to high winds on Casper Mountain.
The Mineshaft beginner area remained open and lessons went on at normally scheduled times, according to Hogadon. 123021
A peak gust of 95 miles an hour noted 13 miles south of Glendo off I-25... and an 87 mile an hour gust south of Wheatland at Bordeaux
Hogadon Basin Ski Area shut down its Prospector chairlift on Thursday due to high winds on Casper Mountain.
The Mineshaft beginner area remained open and lessons went on at normally scheduled times, according to Hogadon. 123021
Christmas is past, and the decorations are coming down. The City of Douglas says your Christmas tree does not go out with the rest of the trash.
Douglas Public Works director John Harbarger says there's a right way to dispose of your tree...
Douglas Public Works director John Harbarger says there's a right way to dispose of your tree...
Once you've taken your tree to the Douglas landfill, it gets a new life...
Harbarger says mulch and woodchips are available for free from the Douglas Landfill. 123021
The Douglas Police Department has issued more details on one of its officers who died early this week.
The DPD says that, on December 26, 2021, Officer Michael Ableman, a selfless community servant, father, son, brother and friend, was found deceased. In partnership with Officer Ableman’s family, we are deeply saddened to share that Officer Ableman took his own life.
Officer Ableman loved his community and his role in protecting it. He began his service with the Douglas Police Department in 2014, serving with the Casper Police Department for eight years prior. Officer Ableman took great pride in his work and wore the uniform with honor. He was a proud father to his eight-year-old daughter and cherished every available moment he had with her.
The Douglas Police Department mourns the loss of our brother. He will be truly missed.
A Memorial Fund has been established to assist Officer Ableman’s family with funeral expenses. Anyone wishing to donate may do so at Converse County Bank, located at 322 Walnut Street in Douglas or at the Casper Police Department, located at 201 North David Street in Casper.
Thank you for your support of our Department and the Ableman family during this incredibly difficult time. 122921
The DPD says that, on December 26, 2021, Officer Michael Ableman, a selfless community servant, father, son, brother and friend, was found deceased. In partnership with Officer Ableman’s family, we are deeply saddened to share that Officer Ableman took his own life.
Officer Ableman loved his community and his role in protecting it. He began his service with the Douglas Police Department in 2014, serving with the Casper Police Department for eight years prior. Officer Ableman took great pride in his work and wore the uniform with honor. He was a proud father to his eight-year-old daughter and cherished every available moment he had with her.
The Douglas Police Department mourns the loss of our brother. He will be truly missed.
A Memorial Fund has been established to assist Officer Ableman’s family with funeral expenses. Anyone wishing to donate may do so at Converse County Bank, located at 322 Walnut Street in Douglas or at the Casper Police Department, located at 201 North David Street in Casper.
Thank you for your support of our Department and the Ableman family during this incredibly difficult time. 122921
After a tough decade, 2021 was a brief bright spot for the coal industry.
U.S. coal consumption fell by half between 2010 and 2020.
But, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency, U.S. thermal coal use is expected to climb 21% through the end of 2021.
As the economy came out of COVID-19 lockdowns and fuel demand returned to pre-pandemic levels, natural gas production lagged behind, driving up prices.
This year marks the nation’s first increase in coal-fired electricity production since 2014.
Experts don't expect the growth to last, though.
Both coal consumption and production are forecast to sink back to their 2020 lows by 2024. 122721
U.S. coal consumption fell by half between 2010 and 2020.
But, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency, U.S. thermal coal use is expected to climb 21% through the end of 2021.
As the economy came out of COVID-19 lockdowns and fuel demand returned to pre-pandemic levels, natural gas production lagged behind, driving up prices.
This year marks the nation’s first increase in coal-fired electricity production since 2014.
Experts don't expect the growth to last, though.
Both coal consumption and production are forecast to sink back to their 2020 lows by 2024. 122721
Uranium production in the Powder River Basin could be on the upswing after Uranium Energy Corp. acquired Uranium One Americas, in a deal closed on Monday.
The sale consisted of U1A's assets in Converse County and elsewhere in the Powder River Basin.
Scott Melbye is executive vice president of the Texas-based UEC.
He said the company plans to begin producing in Wyoming once uranium market prices increase, with existing workers staying on board.
Melbye said they need sustained prices around $45 to $50 dollars a pound to make the decision to restart operations. 122421
The sale consisted of U1A's assets in Converse County and elsewhere in the Powder River Basin.
Scott Melbye is executive vice president of the Texas-based UEC.
He said the company plans to begin producing in Wyoming once uranium market prices increase, with existing workers staying on board.
Melbye said they need sustained prices around $45 to $50 dollars a pound to make the decision to restart operations. 122421
Christmas dinner with your friends... Memorial Hospital of Converse County invites you to join them for Billy's Free Christmas Dinner at the Arbor Cafe in Memory of Billy Cathcart.
Turkeys and delivery are donated by the Douglas Volunteer Fire Department. You can dine-in or call for delivery.
The free Christmas dinner will be served Christmas Day, Saturday December 25th, from 11am to 1pm.
Call Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas at 358-2122 for more information. 122421
Turkeys and delivery are donated by the Douglas Volunteer Fire Department. You can dine-in or call for delivery.
The free Christmas dinner will be served Christmas Day, Saturday December 25th, from 11am to 1pm.
Call Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas at 358-2122 for more information. 122421
A Glenrock church will help furnish that community's new Boys and Girls Club.
Members of Glenrock's Christ Episcopal Church presented the Boys & Girls Club of Glenrock with a gift of $45,000 from The Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming and Christ Episcopal Church.
The funds will help furnish the new Boys & Girls Club of Glenrock facility, which is expected to open by the fall of 2022.
The Boys & Girls Club of Glenrock serves nearly 200 youth, ages five through twelve. The new facility will allow the Club to double participation. 122021
Members of Glenrock's Christ Episcopal Church presented the Boys & Girls Club of Glenrock with a gift of $45,000 from The Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming and Christ Episcopal Church.
The funds will help furnish the new Boys & Girls Club of Glenrock facility, which is expected to open by the fall of 2022.
The Boys & Girls Club of Glenrock serves nearly 200 youth, ages five through twelve. The new facility will allow the Club to double participation. 122021
Wyoming State Parks may set an attendance record for a second year in a row.
State Parks and Historic Sites reported a record-breaking number of visitors in 2020, welcoming over 5.8 million people amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agency expects to host at least as many by the end of 2021.
Glendo State Park, south of Douglas, recorded the highest number of visitors so far this year, with 660,027 as of the end of October. That amounts to 8% more than last year.
Guernsey State Park has had 12% more visitors than in 2020.
Curt Gowdy State Park, between Cheyenne and Laramie, has had 10% more visitors. 122021
State Parks and Historic Sites reported a record-breaking number of visitors in 2020, welcoming over 5.8 million people amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agency expects to host at least as many by the end of 2021.
Glendo State Park, south of Douglas, recorded the highest number of visitors so far this year, with 660,027 as of the end of October. That amounts to 8% more than last year.
Guernsey State Park has had 12% more visitors than in 2020.
Curt Gowdy State Park, between Cheyenne and Laramie, has had 10% more visitors. 122021
Thirty more Wyoming residents have died from COVID-19, the Wyoming Department of Health reported Tuesday. That number represents the COVID deaths confirmed in the last week.
There have now been 1,502 coronavirus-caused deaths in Wyoming since the pandemic arrived here in March 2020.
There was one new COVID-related death reported in Converse County on Tuesday. An older adult man died last month. He was hospitalized and had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
This is Converse County’s 47th recorded Covid 19 death. 121521
There have now been 1,502 coronavirus-caused deaths in Wyoming since the pandemic arrived here in March 2020.
There was one new COVID-related death reported in Converse County on Tuesday. An older adult man died last month. He was hospitalized and had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
This is Converse County’s 47th recorded Covid 19 death. 121521
The Douglas Police Department honored their own last week.
The DPD had their annual awards banquet Friday, and several members received recognition and awards.
Employee of the Year: Letabeth Wagers
Leadership Award: Sgt Holler
Support: Annette Hilyard
Exceptional Duty: Officer Ableman, Detective Leman, Officer Evans, Lt Matthews, Officer Dowd
Unit Citation: Lt Matthews, Detective Leman, Officer Toman, Officer Ableman, Officer Dowd, Officer Hermann, Officer Evans, Officer Kelley, Communications Officer Boespflug, Communications Officer Parker, Letabeth Wagers
Honorable Service: Officer Evans, Annette Hilyard, Sgt Holler, Officer Kelley, Officer Toman, Letabeth Wagers, Detective Leman, Lt Matthews, Officer Panasuk, Sgt Schmidt, CSO Kelly
Expert Marksman: Officer Ableman (named Top Shooter), Officer Kelley, Sgt Holler, Officer Toman, Officer Cowardin, Officer Johnson, Detective Leman.
Congratulations to everyone on their awards! 121521
The DPD had their annual awards banquet Friday, and several members received recognition and awards.
Employee of the Year: Letabeth Wagers
Leadership Award: Sgt Holler
Support: Annette Hilyard
Exceptional Duty: Officer Ableman, Detective Leman, Officer Evans, Lt Matthews, Officer Dowd
Unit Citation: Lt Matthews, Detective Leman, Officer Toman, Officer Ableman, Officer Dowd, Officer Hermann, Officer Evans, Officer Kelley, Communications Officer Boespflug, Communications Officer Parker, Letabeth Wagers
Honorable Service: Officer Evans, Annette Hilyard, Sgt Holler, Officer Kelley, Officer Toman, Letabeth Wagers, Detective Leman, Lt Matthews, Officer Panasuk, Sgt Schmidt, CSO Kelly
Expert Marksman: Officer Ableman (named Top Shooter), Officer Kelley, Sgt Holler, Officer Toman, Officer Cowardin, Officer Johnson, Detective Leman.
Congratulations to everyone on their awards! 121521
The Douglas Police Department will play Secret Santa this season, due to the generosity of some local folks.
Anonymous donors has given the DPD more than 40 $100 dollar bills for the police officers to give to those they identify as possibly in need.
During the days before Christmas, over 40 individuals will be contacted by Douglas Police Officers who are “armed” with a Secret Santa gift.
You can help continue the program in the coming years. On behalf of the Secret Santa donors, an account has been set up at Converse County Bank for anyone that would like to donate.
The holidays can be extremely difficult either emotionally or financially for some. The spirit of giving exist in all of us, and for some, that giving enhances the spirit of others.
Our anonymous donors, hereby referred to as Secret Santa, and the Douglas Police Department, want to wish you happy holidays. 121421
Anonymous donors has given the DPD more than 40 $100 dollar bills for the police officers to give to those they identify as possibly in need.
During the days before Christmas, over 40 individuals will be contacted by Douglas Police Officers who are “armed” with a Secret Santa gift.
You can help continue the program in the coming years. On behalf of the Secret Santa donors, an account has been set up at Converse County Bank for anyone that would like to donate.
The holidays can be extremely difficult either emotionally or financially for some. The spirit of giving exist in all of us, and for some, that giving enhances the spirit of others.
Our anonymous donors, hereby referred to as Secret Santa, and the Douglas Police Department, want to wish you happy holidays. 121421
A member of the Douglas medical community died in a plane crash this weekend.
Officials say 46-year-old Dr. Clint Devin of Steamboat Springs was killed when his plane crashed at the top of Emerald Mountain in northern Colorado.
Devin was flying into Steamboat Springs from Cody, Wyoming, when he crashed Friday evening.
He was the only one on board.
Dr. Devin grew up in Laramie. He was a travelling orthopedic surgeon with Steamboat Orthopaedic and Spine Institute. He also worked in Douglas and Gillette through Thunder Basin Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash in the next several weeks. 121321
Officials say 46-year-old Dr. Clint Devin of Steamboat Springs was killed when his plane crashed at the top of Emerald Mountain in northern Colorado.
Devin was flying into Steamboat Springs from Cody, Wyoming, when he crashed Friday evening.
He was the only one on board.
Dr. Devin grew up in Laramie. He was a travelling orthopedic surgeon with Steamboat Orthopaedic and Spine Institute. He also worked in Douglas and Gillette through Thunder Basin Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash in the next several weeks. 121321
Thursday's snow was followed by big wind over the weekend that closed highways across eastern Wyoming.
Long stretches of I-25 and I-80 were closed at times on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as WYDOT struggled to keep up with drifting and icing conditions. Other closures this weekend included the Energy Highway, Wyoming Highway 59 between Douglas and Gillette, and Highway 34 between Wheatland and Laramie
A peak wind gust of 118 miles an hour was recorded at Clark, Wyoming, 30 miles north of Cody.
Outer Drive at the base of Casper Mountain recorded a 76 mph gust early Sunday morning.
Winds in Cheyenne topped out at 66 mph.
There was an 83 mph south of Wheatland at Bordeaux Saturday night
A 62 mph @ Glenrock Sunday morning
Douglas recorded a peak gust of 62 miles an hour Saturday evening. 121321
Long stretches of I-25 and I-80 were closed at times on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as WYDOT struggled to keep up with drifting and icing conditions. Other closures this weekend included the Energy Highway, Wyoming Highway 59 between Douglas and Gillette, and Highway 34 between Wheatland and Laramie
A peak wind gust of 118 miles an hour was recorded at Clark, Wyoming, 30 miles north of Cody.
Outer Drive at the base of Casper Mountain recorded a 76 mph gust early Sunday morning.
Winds in Cheyenne topped out at 66 mph.
There was an 83 mph south of Wheatland at Bordeaux Saturday night
A 62 mph @ Glenrock Sunday morning
Douglas recorded a peak gust of 62 miles an hour Saturday evening. 121321
A Wyoming woman died Saturday in a single car rollover near Glenrock.
32-year-old Lindsay Ritter was traveling east on the Old Glenrock Highway when her car went off the road to the right, she overcorrected to the left, and lost control.
The car spun 180 degrees and came to rest on its roof, with the driver partially ejected out the passenger side window.
According to the report a seat belt was not in use at the time.
This is the 104th fatality this year, and the 48th that didn't involve a seatbelt. 113021
32-year-old Lindsay Ritter was traveling east on the Old Glenrock Highway when her car went off the road to the right, she overcorrected to the left, and lost control.
The car spun 180 degrees and came to rest on its roof, with the driver partially ejected out the passenger side window.
According to the report a seat belt was not in use at the time.
This is the 104th fatality this year, and the 48th that didn't involve a seatbelt. 113021
A 120 mile an hour car chase early Sunday morning ended with a car in the ditch and the driver and a passenger in jail.
The incident started a little before 3 AM when Evansville Police tried to stop a Chevy SUV for running a red light. After trailing police around Evansville and Casper, the driver ran east on the old Glenrock Highway.
Glenrock Police deployed spike strips, which the SUV went over at a high rate of speed. The tire shredded and came off the drivers side, but the car continued to run on the rim at speeds around 90 miles an hour.
As the pursuit neared Douglas officers deployed spike strips again. The SUV went over the spike strip and continued south in the north bound lane until it went off the road at about mile post 137.
The driver and passenger were taken into custody without any further incident. Officers found a loaded handgun and drugs in the vehicle after subjects were removed at gun point from the SUV.
It was later determined that two of the subjects are not allowed to have firearms by law. 112921
The incident started a little before 3 AM when Evansville Police tried to stop a Chevy SUV for running a red light. After trailing police around Evansville and Casper, the driver ran east on the old Glenrock Highway.
Glenrock Police deployed spike strips, which the SUV went over at a high rate of speed. The tire shredded and came off the drivers side, but the car continued to run on the rim at speeds around 90 miles an hour.
As the pursuit neared Douglas officers deployed spike strips again. The SUV went over the spike strip and continued south in the north bound lane until it went off the road at about mile post 137.
The driver and passenger were taken into custody without any further incident. Officers found a loaded handgun and drugs in the vehicle after subjects were removed at gun point from the SUV.
It was later determined that two of the subjects are not allowed to have firearms by law. 112921
A Texas company is buying most of the uranium assets in the Powder River Basin.
Uranium Energy Corporation will pay $112 million dollars to Russia’s Uranium One Investments Inc. to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Uranium One Americas, Inc.
The agreement also includes the replacement of $19 million in reclamation bonding.
UEC is getting about 100,000 acres worth of assets in the Powder River and Great Divide Basins, which include dozens of under-explored, mineralized brownfield projects, as well as detailed databases of historic uranium exploration and development programs behind the projects.
The acquisition includes the Irrigarry and Christiansen Ranch projects in Campbell and Johnson Counties, the Moore Ranch Project in Campbell County, and the old Ludeman and Allemand-Ross projects formerly owned by Power Resources (Cameco) here in Converse County.
Closing of the deal is subject to certain regulatory approvals. 112621
Uranium Energy Corporation will pay $112 million dollars to Russia’s Uranium One Investments Inc. to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Uranium One Americas, Inc.
The agreement also includes the replacement of $19 million in reclamation bonding.
UEC is getting about 100,000 acres worth of assets in the Powder River and Great Divide Basins, which include dozens of under-explored, mineralized brownfield projects, as well as detailed databases of historic uranium exploration and development programs behind the projects.
The acquisition includes the Irrigarry and Christiansen Ranch projects in Campbell and Johnson Counties, the Moore Ranch Project in Campbell County, and the old Ludeman and Allemand-Ross projects formerly owned by Power Resources (Cameco) here in Converse County.
Closing of the deal is subject to certain regulatory approvals. 112621
If Rocky Mountain Power were to add carbon capture technology to the Dave Johnston Power Plant at Glenrock, who would pay for it?
Public utilities that add carbon capture technology to coal-fired power plants in Wyoming may increase rates by a maximum 2% to cover the cost.
That's according to rule revisions adopted by the Wyoming Public Service Commission last week.
Regulated electric utilities in Wyoming must notify the PSC by the end of March whether they will seek a rate surcharge to implement carbon capture systems.
Lawmakers have considered a raft of measures over the past three years in an attempt to slow or block plans to retire coal-fired power generation in the state.
Rocky Mountain Power plans to decommission its entire coal-fired power fleet across several states by 2039.
The Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant near Glenrock is scheduled for retirement in 2027. 111821
Public utilities that add carbon capture technology to coal-fired power plants in Wyoming may increase rates by a maximum 2% to cover the cost.
That's according to rule revisions adopted by the Wyoming Public Service Commission last week.
Regulated electric utilities in Wyoming must notify the PSC by the end of March whether they will seek a rate surcharge to implement carbon capture systems.
Lawmakers have considered a raft of measures over the past three years in an attempt to slow or block plans to retire coal-fired power generation in the state.
Rocky Mountain Power plans to decommission its entire coal-fired power fleet across several states by 2039.
The Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant near Glenrock is scheduled for retirement in 2027. 111821
Converse County will not get a nuclear reactor... at least, not yet.
TerraPower announced Tuesday that it has chosen the Naughton power plant in Kemmerer as the site of its first Natrium nuclear reactor.
The Dave Johnston Power Plant at Glenrock, as well as power plants at Gillette and Rock Springs, were also under consideration.
TerraPower said the coal plant will have to shut down before the Natrium nuclear plant can start up. The Kemmerer plant's 2025 retirement date, the earliest of the four, made it an appealing choice.
TerraPower officials told the Casper Star-Tribune last week that communities that aren't chosen for the first nuclear plant could still be the second or the third, because Rocky Mountain Power needs more.
Carbon capture technology is also an option for the Dave Johnston power plant. 111721
TerraPower announced Tuesday that it has chosen the Naughton power plant in Kemmerer as the site of its first Natrium nuclear reactor.
The Dave Johnston Power Plant at Glenrock, as well as power plants at Gillette and Rock Springs, were also under consideration.
TerraPower said the coal plant will have to shut down before the Natrium nuclear plant can start up. The Kemmerer plant's 2025 retirement date, the earliest of the four, made it an appealing choice.
TerraPower officials told the Casper Star-Tribune last week that communities that aren't chosen for the first nuclear plant could still be the second or the third, because Rocky Mountain Power needs more.
Carbon capture technology is also an option for the Dave Johnston power plant. 111721
State water development officials are considering at least $281 million to fund agricultural irrigation works, dams, reservoirs, domestic water projects and other programs, and a couple of local projects are high on the list.
Funding under consideration by the Wyoming State Legislature would earmark $30 million to help rebuild the dangerous LaPrele Dam south of Natural Bridge and west of Douglas.
$21.8 million more would help resolve the collapse of the Goshen irrigation tunnel.
The Legislature’s Select Water Committee met for three days last week to consider options to forward to the entire State Legislature in February. 111721
Funding under consideration by the Wyoming State Legislature would earmark $30 million to help rebuild the dangerous LaPrele Dam south of Natural Bridge and west of Douglas.
$21.8 million more would help resolve the collapse of the Goshen irrigation tunnel.
The Legislature’s Select Water Committee met for three days last week to consider options to forward to the entire State Legislature in February. 111721
The first of three Medical Freedom Rallies will be held in Douglas on Tuesday.
Organizers are inviting local residents to help support our local hospital and stand up to medical tyranny.
The group says if we lose 70 percent of hospital staff, we lose our quality hospital as we know it.
Medical Freedom Rallies are scheduled this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 3pm at Washington Park in Douglas. 111521
Organizers are inviting local residents to help support our local hospital and stand up to medical tyranny.
The group says if we lose 70 percent of hospital staff, we lose our quality hospital as we know it.
Medical Freedom Rallies are scheduled this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 3pm at Washington Park in Douglas. 111521
Water flowing through the North Platte River at Douglas will be a bit lower than usual this winter.
The Bureau of Reclamation says they'll be managing the river at slightly lower level between Alcova and Glendo Reservoirs.
Drought conditions this year mean less water flowing into the river system, and the Bureau is conserving water upstream for contract deliveries to irrigation districts and other users planned for next year.
Normally, the bureau runs the North Platte at 500 cubic feet per second in the winter, starting in September. This year, it was lowered further to 450 CFS in October to keep more water stored in the larger reservoirs upstream, including Seminoe and Pathfinder.
Glendo reservoir’s storage is already slightly above average, so the lower flow shouldn't really show any effect at the lake. 110221
The Bureau of Reclamation says they'll be managing the river at slightly lower level between Alcova and Glendo Reservoirs.
Drought conditions this year mean less water flowing into the river system, and the Bureau is conserving water upstream for contract deliveries to irrigation districts and other users planned for next year.
Normally, the bureau runs the North Platte at 500 cubic feet per second in the winter, starting in September. This year, it was lowered further to 450 CFS in October to keep more water stored in the larger reservoirs upstream, including Seminoe and Pathfinder.
Glendo reservoir’s storage is already slightly above average, so the lower flow shouldn't really show any effect at the lake. 110221
Douglas kids will get a first chance to try out this year's Halloween costumes on Thursday afternoon.
Main Street Douglas and the Enterprise are hosting Trick-or-Treating on Thursday from 3 til 5pm.
More than 50 local businesses will be taking part in the fun. Watch for posters in the windows of participating businesses.
Google a map of the businesses involved at jackalope.org.
Drivers are reminded to be extra careful and watch out for the little ghosties and ghoulies on Thursday. 102721
Main Street Douglas and the Enterprise are hosting Trick-or-Treating on Thursday from 3 til 5pm.
More than 50 local businesses will be taking part in the fun. Watch for posters in the windows of participating businesses.
Google a map of the businesses involved at jackalope.org.
Drivers are reminded to be extra careful and watch out for the little ghosties and ghoulies on Thursday. 102721
It's already been six years since the flood on the Niobrara River devastated the town of Lusk, but the community is still in the process of rebuilding vital infrastructure.
The town of Lusk will be receiving $3,019,000 in funding to improve its water and wastewater infrastructure. Miles of water and sewer mains will be replaced, and the storm collection system will be enhanced.
Rural Development has partnered with the State of Wyoming to assist this community to ensure health and safety standards are met.
To date, the town has received a total of $5.45 million for this project. 102621
The town of Lusk will be receiving $3,019,000 in funding to improve its water and wastewater infrastructure. Miles of water and sewer mains will be replaced, and the storm collection system will be enhanced.
Rural Development has partnered with the State of Wyoming to assist this community to ensure health and safety standards are met.
To date, the town has received a total of $5.45 million for this project. 102621
Converse County Public Health Department received notification of 52 positive cases for COVID-19 last week.
Cases 2006 through 2057 are comprised of 33 men and 19 women, 26 from Douglas, 25 from Glenrock, and 1 from Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County has 34 active cases, of which, 12 are hospitalized. 102621
Cases 2006 through 2057 are comprised of 33 men and 19 women, 26 from Douglas, 25 from Glenrock, and 1 from Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County has 34 active cases, of which, 12 are hospitalized. 102621
A third-generation rancher from Niobrara County will fill former Rep. Hans Hunt’s seat in Cheyenne.
47 year old J.D. Williams was selected Tuesday afternoon by county commissioners from Weston, Niobrara and Goshen Counties to fill the House District 2 seat.
Hunt resigned in late September to join Sen. Cynthia Lummis’s staff in Washington.
House District 2 covers parts of three counties. Williams’ ranch is set north of Lusk in the northern part of Niobrara County.
Williams will attend next week's special session of the Wyoming State Legislature in Cheyenne.
He says that he is in favor of the session that's been called to to fight back against President Joe Biden’s employee vaccine mandate, and he also says that he is against the mandate itself. 102021
47 year old J.D. Williams was selected Tuesday afternoon by county commissioners from Weston, Niobrara and Goshen Counties to fill the House District 2 seat.
Hunt resigned in late September to join Sen. Cynthia Lummis’s staff in Washington.
House District 2 covers parts of three counties. Williams’ ranch is set north of Lusk in the northern part of Niobrara County.
Williams will attend next week's special session of the Wyoming State Legislature in Cheyenne.
He says that he is in favor of the session that's been called to to fight back against President Joe Biden’s employee vaccine mandate, and he also says that he is against the mandate itself. 102021
Another Converse County resident dies of COVID-19.
Converse County Emergency Management says an older adult Converse County man died last week. He was hospitalized and had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
This is Converse County’s 33rd recorded Covid 19 death. 102021
Converse County Emergency Management says an older adult Converse County man died last week. He was hospitalized and had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
This is Converse County’s 33rd recorded Covid 19 death. 102021
Coal production has increased in Wyoming and Montana due to demand in the Asia Pacific region.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration said coal production increased 2% in Montana and 7% in Wyoming this year compared to the first nine months of 2020.
Exports of U.S. steam coal, the kind used in power plants and the kind of coal produced in the two states, were up about 47% in the first half of the year compared to the first six months of 2020. 101821
The U.S. Energy Information Administration said coal production increased 2% in Montana and 7% in Wyoming this year compared to the first nine months of 2020.
Exports of U.S. steam coal, the kind used in power plants and the kind of coal produced in the two states, were up about 47% in the first half of the year compared to the first six months of 2020. 101821
Converse County Public Health Department received notification of 86 positive cases for COVID-19 on Monday. That's a dozen more than the week before.
Cases 1859 through 1944 include 41 men and 45 women, 60 from Douglas, 23 from Glenrock and 3 from Rolling Hills. There were 15 people under 20 years old, including 11 students. The oldest were in their 80's.
Currently, Converse County has 82 active cases and 12 people are hospitalized. Total reported deaths remains at 30. 101121
Cases 1859 through 1944 include 41 men and 45 women, 60 from Douglas, 23 from Glenrock and 3 from Rolling Hills. There were 15 people under 20 years old, including 11 students. The oldest were in their 80's.
Currently, Converse County has 82 active cases and 12 people are hospitalized. Total reported deaths remains at 30. 101121
The Converse County School District #1 school board has a new member.
The board has chosen Jared Vollman to replace Terry Moss on the CCSD1 board.
Moss resigned when he took a new job in Laramie.
Volman will serve in Moss's place until the general election in November 2022. At that time, candidates may run for a two-year term on the board in addition to the five other seats which will be open.
Eight people sent letters of interest to the board expressing their willingness to serve. Some of these candidates had already met with the board when there was a previous opening. Additional candidates had an opportunity to individually meet with the board at Wednesday night's meeting. 100721
The board has chosen Jared Vollman to replace Terry Moss on the CCSD1 board.
Moss resigned when he took a new job in Laramie.
Volman will serve in Moss's place until the general election in November 2022. At that time, candidates may run for a two-year term on the board in addition to the five other seats which will be open.
Eight people sent letters of interest to the board expressing their willingness to serve. Some of these candidates had already met with the board when there was a previous opening. Additional candidates had an opportunity to individually meet with the board at Wednesday night's meeting. 100721
A shooting Wednesday afternoon puts a couple of hunters in the hospital.
The Converse County Sheriff's office says dispatch got a 911 call about 1230 Wednesday afternoon reporting that two hunters had been shot in the leg and foot, and the shooter had left the scene.
Deputies arrived on the scene on Irvine Road, south of Douglas, and provided emergency aid and confirmed it was safe for medical personnel to come into the scene.
Life Flight was called and both hunters were taken by ambulance to Converse County Memorial Hospital. The victims were identified as 60-year-old John Cleary and 61-year-old George Heger, both California residents.
Cleary and Heger were air lifted to the Medical Center of The Rockies in Loveland, Colorado. Both were in stable condition.
Deputies were able to locate the suspect and Wyoming resident Solomon Preston Bolen was arrested on Irvine Road at about 1:15pm. The sheriffs department says the parties involved did not know each other.
Bolen is facing multiple felony charges. The case remains under investigation. 100621
The Converse County Sheriff's office says dispatch got a 911 call about 1230 Wednesday afternoon reporting that two hunters had been shot in the leg and foot, and the shooter had left the scene.
Deputies arrived on the scene on Irvine Road, south of Douglas, and provided emergency aid and confirmed it was safe for medical personnel to come into the scene.
Life Flight was called and both hunters were taken by ambulance to Converse County Memorial Hospital. The victims were identified as 60-year-old John Cleary and 61-year-old George Heger, both California residents.
Cleary and Heger were air lifted to the Medical Center of The Rockies in Loveland, Colorado. Both were in stable condition.
Deputies were able to locate the suspect and Wyoming resident Solomon Preston Bolen was arrested on Irvine Road at about 1:15pm. The sheriffs department says the parties involved did not know each other.
Bolen is facing multiple felony charges. The case remains under investigation. 100621
Glendo Reservoir is among the latest lakes in Wyoming to receive a cyanobacterial bloom advisory.
The Wyoming Department of Health has issued nine harmful cyanobacterial bloom advisories since the beginning of September, including new advisories for Alcova Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir.
The total count of bloom advisories in effect at Wyoming water bodies stands at 32. Eight of those water bodies are also under a toxin advisory.
The Wyoming Department of Health issues the advisories to inform the public of possible health risks in areas where the harmful cyanobacterial blooms occur.
The Health Department says blooms and toxins may only be present in certain areas of the water body and conditions can change frequently. 100621
The Wyoming Department of Health has issued nine harmful cyanobacterial bloom advisories since the beginning of September, including new advisories for Alcova Reservoir and Glendo Reservoir.
The total count of bloom advisories in effect at Wyoming water bodies stands at 32. Eight of those water bodies are also under a toxin advisory.
The Wyoming Department of Health issues the advisories to inform the public of possible health risks in areas where the harmful cyanobacterial blooms occur.
The Health Department says blooms and toxins may only be present in certain areas of the water body and conditions can change frequently. 100621
Another round of prescribed burns is being planned by the US Forest Service in early October to improve vegetation near
Esterbrook.
Up to 450 acres in the Laramie Range are targeted for treatment with prescribed fire in southern Converse County.
There will be three burn units, both north and south of Harris Park Road (Forest Road 633), located approximately one mile east of the Forest Service Work Center in the community of Esterbrook.
Forest Service staff will meet with the Esterbrook community on Mon., Oct. 4 at 6 pm at the Forest Service Work center at Esterbrook to share plans for the burns and to answer any public questions. 100421
Esterbrook.
Up to 450 acres in the Laramie Range are targeted for treatment with prescribed fire in southern Converse County.
There will be three burn units, both north and south of Harris Park Road (Forest Road 633), located approximately one mile east of the Forest Service Work Center in the community of Esterbrook.
Forest Service staff will meet with the Esterbrook community on Mon., Oct. 4 at 6 pm at the Forest Service Work center at Esterbrook to share plans for the burns and to answer any public questions. 100421
The TOBY KEITH – COUNTRY COMES TO TOWN tour stop in Casper has been cancelled.
The Ford Wyoming Center said this morning that due to circumstances, the Toby Keith concert scheduled for October 17, 2021 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper has been cancelled.
Tickets purchased with credit cards will automatically be refunded within 30 days. Tickets purchased with cash at the Sinclair Box Office can be returned for a refund. If you have any questions, please call the SinclairTix Box Office at the Ford Wyoming Center at 800-442-2256 or 307-577-3030. 100121
The Ford Wyoming Center said this morning that due to circumstances, the Toby Keith concert scheduled for October 17, 2021 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper has been cancelled.
Tickets purchased with credit cards will automatically be refunded within 30 days. Tickets purchased with cash at the Sinclair Box Office can be returned for a refund. If you have any questions, please call the SinclairTix Box Office at the Ford Wyoming Center at 800-442-2256 or 307-577-3030. 100121
Douglas Police are investigating unauthorized entry into several vehicles over the weekend.
The PD says Saturday night, September 25th, someone or several someones entered unlocked vehicles in Douglas.
There were at least 12 vehicles rummaged through, mostly on the west side of town.
If you have any information or saw anything, please contact Officer Hermann of the Douglas Police Department at 358-3311.
And, the Douglas Police remind you to please remove all valuables from your vehicles and lock your doors. 092721
The PD says Saturday night, September 25th, someone or several someones entered unlocked vehicles in Douglas.
There were at least 12 vehicles rummaged through, mostly on the west side of town.
If you have any information or saw anything, please contact Officer Hermann of the Douglas Police Department at 358-3311.
And, the Douglas Police remind you to please remove all valuables from your vehicles and lock your doors. 092721
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The Chief Operating Officer at Memorial Hospital of Converse County is moving to Laramie.
Terry Moss announced that he's accepted the COO position at Ivinson Memorial Hospital, a 99-bed facility serving Laramie, Albany County, and the surrounding area.
Moss explained what the draw of the job offer was... |
For the past 8 years Moss has served as the Practice Administrator for MHCC. He was just named as Chief Operating Officer at the Douglas hospital effective July 1st of this year.
Moss says he proud of the staff of medical providers that they've built at MHCC...
Moss says he proud of the staff of medical providers that they've built at MHCC...
Memorial Hospital of Converse County CEO, Matt Dammeyer says “Terry leaves big holes to fill. In the short-term, multiple MHCC leaders will work together to cover Terry’s varied roles as we evaluate external candidates to fill this position.”
Moss's resignation is effective October 11th. He'll be available via e-mail and phone to assist with the transition through the middle of November. 092421
Moss's resignation is effective October 11th. He'll be available via e-mail and phone to assist with the transition through the middle of November. 092421
Summer's over, and it's a great time to clean up and clean out before winter hits.
The Converse County Conservation District is holding their annual Household Hazardous Waste and Pesticide Collection day this Saturday at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas.
Conservation District Manager Michelle Huntington says they collect all sorts of nasties...
The Converse County Conservation District is holding their annual Household Hazardous Waste and Pesticide Collection day this Saturday at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas.
Conservation District Manager Michelle Huntington says they collect all sorts of nasties...
They'll also accept old antifreeze, and motor oil in containers of 5 gallons or less.
Huntington says it all goes away to be disposed of properly...
Huntington says it all goes away to be disposed of properly...
The Household Hazardous Waste and Pesticide Collection day this Saturday, September 25th from 10 AM to 2 PM, behind the grandstands at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas.
Please enter off Brownfield Road at the Cowboy Drive entrance only.
The event is free to Converse County residents. 092421
Please enter off Brownfield Road at the Cowboy Drive entrance only.
The event is free to Converse County residents. 092421
Eight new members of the Douglas High School Alumni Hall of Fame will be honored this weekend for their accomplishments.
Members of the 2020 Alumni Hall Of Fame include Lt. Col. Andy Anderson, Class of 2000; Dr. Patrick Shea, Class of 2002; Gov. Mike Sullivan, DHS Class of 1957; and Mrs. Lisa (Yeaman) Weigel, Class of 1986.
Members of the 2021 Alumni Hall of Fame include Lt. Col. Debra (Chamberlain) Walker, Class of 1972; Dr. Dean Smylie D.V.M. Class of 1981; Mr. Bud Spicer, DHS 1958; and Lt. Col J. Tyler Walsh, Class of 2000.
The Douglas High School Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon will be held this Saturday, September 25th beginning at 11:00 AM at the Douglas Rec Center Gym.
Tickets are $20 dollars per person or $100.00 dollars per table of six. 092421
Members of the 2020 Alumni Hall Of Fame include Lt. Col. Andy Anderson, Class of 2000; Dr. Patrick Shea, Class of 2002; Gov. Mike Sullivan, DHS Class of 1957; and Mrs. Lisa (Yeaman) Weigel, Class of 1986.
Members of the 2021 Alumni Hall of Fame include Lt. Col. Debra (Chamberlain) Walker, Class of 1972; Dr. Dean Smylie D.V.M. Class of 1981; Mr. Bud Spicer, DHS 1958; and Lt. Col J. Tyler Walsh, Class of 2000.
The Douglas High School Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon will be held this Saturday, September 25th beginning at 11:00 AM at the Douglas Rec Center Gym.
Tickets are $20 dollars per person or $100.00 dollars per table of six. 092421
Wyoming Representative Chuck Gray of Casper has pulled out of the race for Wyoming's seat in the US House of Representatives.
Gray's campaign made the announcement this (Tuesday) morning.
Gray is the third candidate to end their campaign in the last week. Cheyenne businessman Darin Smith and Bryan Miller, chairman of the Sheridan County Republican Party, have both announced they were ending their campaigns.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Wyoming lawyer Harriet Hageman last week in a bid to unseat Liz Cheney, who currently holds the seat in Congress.
In his statement this morning, Gray said, "our first and most important goal is to unite to defeat Liz Cheney. With that in mind, I will be suspending my campaign today." 091421
Gray's campaign made the announcement this (Tuesday) morning.
Gray is the third candidate to end their campaign in the last week. Cheyenne businessman Darin Smith and Bryan Miller, chairman of the Sheridan County Republican Party, have both announced they were ending their campaigns.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Wyoming lawyer Harriet Hageman last week in a bid to unseat Liz Cheney, who currently holds the seat in Congress.
In his statement this morning, Gray said, "our first and most important goal is to unite to defeat Liz Cheney. With that in mind, I will be suspending my campaign today." 091421
Voters in the northern part of Converse County will have to travel farther to cast their ballots.
The Dry Creek Community Hall at Bill will no longer be a polling place for local, state and Federal elections.
Converse County Clerk Karen Rimmer says there are several reasons for the change...
The Dry Creek Community Hall at Bill will no longer be a polling place for local, state and Federal elections.
Converse County Clerk Karen Rimmer says there are several reasons for the change...
Rimmer says there are currently about 100 registered voters in Precinct 13-13. Those voters will now travel 37 miles south and cast their ballots at the Eastern Wyoming College Douglas Campus, or they may alternately cast absentee ballots.
The Dry Creek Community Hall was the last rural polling place in Converse County. With the change, all Converse County voters will cast their ballots at either EWC-Douglas, the Douglas Rec Center or the Glenrock Rec Center.
UPDATE: The Converse County Commissioners will consider the County Clerk's request to make the change at their October 6th meeting... it's on the agenda for 10:10 AM at the Converse County Courthouse. 091521
The Dry Creek Community Hall was the last rural polling place in Converse County. With the change, all Converse County voters will cast their ballots at either EWC-Douglas, the Douglas Rec Center or the Glenrock Rec Center.
UPDATE: The Converse County Commissioners will consider the County Clerk's request to make the change at their October 6th meeting... it's on the agenda for 10:10 AM at the Converse County Courthouse. 091521
Generous donors had fun and gave more than $180 thousand dollars to support the Boys and Girls Club of Douglas this weekend.
Governor Mark Gordon and First Lady Jenny Gordon were the guests of honor and featured speakers at the 8th Annual "Commit to Kids" dinner and benefit auction fundraiser Saturday night.
Mrs Gordon spent a day in June at the Boys & Girls Club...
Governor Mark Gordon and First Lady Jenny Gordon were the guests of honor and featured speakers at the 8th Annual "Commit to Kids" dinner and benefit auction fundraiser Saturday night.
Mrs Gordon spent a day in June at the Boys & Girls Club...
Mrs Gordon said it was about more than just having fun...
Later in the evening, auctioneer Ron Casalenda encouraged the bidders at the benefit auction to give more than $180 thousand dollars to support the club's in-house activities and feeding programs.
The Boys & Girls Club of Douglas's 2021 annual budget is around $650 thousand dollars. 091421
The Boys & Girls Club of Douglas's 2021 annual budget is around $650 thousand dollars. 091421
State Fair is over but the barns will have plenty of animals on Tuesday.
The Wyoming Wool Growers is having their 93rd Annual WY State Ram sale on Tuesday at the Wyoming State Fair Grounds.
The WWGA says that while the State Ram Sale is about the business of transferring genetics within the sheep industry, it is also a time when sheep producers get together to visit, discuss the industry, and renew old, and make new, acquaintances.
Wyoming is 4th in the nation for producing the most sheep and lambs. 091421
The Wyoming Wool Growers is having their 93rd Annual WY State Ram sale on Tuesday at the Wyoming State Fair Grounds.
The WWGA says that while the State Ram Sale is about the business of transferring genetics within the sheep industry, it is also a time when sheep producers get together to visit, discuss the industry, and renew old, and make new, acquaintances.
Wyoming is 4th in the nation for producing the most sheep and lambs. 091421
A new school board member will be seated in Douglas.
The board of Converse County School District 1 has chosen Lance Orner, Jr to fill the unexpired term of Amy Hughes, who resigned to move out of state.
Five people sent letters of interest to the board expressing their willingness to serve. The board held a special meeting Wednesday evening where candidates had an opportunity to individually discuss their thoughts about being a board member.
Orner will serve until the general election in November 2022. At that time, candidates may run for a two-year term on the board in addition to the four other seats which will be open. 090921
The board of Converse County School District 1 has chosen Lance Orner, Jr to fill the unexpired term of Amy Hughes, who resigned to move out of state.
Five people sent letters of interest to the board expressing their willingness to serve. The board held a special meeting Wednesday evening where candidates had an opportunity to individually discuss their thoughts about being a board member.
Orner will serve until the general election in November 2022. At that time, candidates may run for a two-year term on the board in addition to the four other seats which will be open. 090921
Douglas drivers will need to get used to a new four-way stop on West Richards Street.
The City of Douglas has installed a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Wind River and West Richards, in front of Douglas Middle School.
Douglas Police Chief Todd Byerly explains why the stop signs were put up...
The City of Douglas has installed a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Wind River and West Richards, in front of Douglas Middle School.
Douglas Police Chief Todd Byerly explains why the stop signs were put up...
Byerly said they want people to get used to stopping at the intersection... so the four-way stop will be in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week...
The chief said normal traffic laws will apply at the intersection. He said that the city may consider later whether to leave the four-way stop in place during the summer months, but at least during the school year, drivers should get used to making the stop in front of Douglas Middle School. 090121
Water levels will drop a little earlier than usual this year on Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs.
The US Bureau of Reclamation says they'll be lowering Guernsey below the usable boat ramp levels before Labor Day weekend to begin repairs on the Guernsey Powerplant intake gate. Once reduced to a river level, the reservoir will not be refilling until March 2022.
Brian Johnson is superintendent up river at Glendo State Park. He says the work at Guernsey will affect lake levels at Glendo...
The US Bureau of Reclamation says they'll be lowering Guernsey below the usable boat ramp levels before Labor Day weekend to begin repairs on the Guernsey Powerplant intake gate. Once reduced to a river level, the reservoir will not be refilling until March 2022.
Brian Johnson is superintendent up river at Glendo State Park. He says the work at Guernsey will affect lake levels at Glendo...
Johnson reports that the Bureau says they're going to bring the lake level down to an elevation of about 4585', and that's pretty common for this season... it's just a couple of weeks earlier than usual.
Johnson said Glendo's Indian Point boat ramp will be unusable for the rest of the season due to lower water levels. 082621
Converse County students returned to class this week. While in-person education is the goal for Douglas schools, CCSD1 Superintendent Dr Paige Fenton-Hughes says online options are still available...
Fenton-Hughes says there's also an online option for shorter periods of time...
The current uptick in COVID-19 cases is affecting more school-aged children. CCSD1's virtual day allows quarantined kids an option to keep up with their classes. 082521
Two more deaths attributed to COVID-19 have been announced in Converse County.
An older adult Converse County women and an adult Converse County gentleman died earlier this month.
Both were hospitalized... both had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
Converse County’s Covid-19 related death toll now stands at 22. 082521
An older adult Converse County women and an adult Converse County gentleman died earlier this month.
Both were hospitalized... both had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
Converse County’s Covid-19 related death toll now stands at 22. 082521
Converse County Public Health Department reported 75 positive cases for COVID-19 in the past week. That's up from 50 cases two weeks ago.
Cases 1173 through 1247 include 35 men and 40 women, 63 from Douglas, 11 from Glenrock, 1 from Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County has 81 active cases and 10 people hospitilized. Total reported deaths in the county remain at 20. 082421
Cases 1173 through 1247 include 35 men and 40 women, 63 from Douglas, 11 from Glenrock, 1 from Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County has 81 active cases and 10 people hospitilized. Total reported deaths in the county remain at 20. 082421
Winners have been announced from Saturday morning's Wyoming State Fair parade.
In the Wagon/Equine division, Chuck Brooks was the winner with his ponies and mini stagecoach.
Larry & Julie Gomez win the Collector Cars division.
The Youth Division award goes to the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy
The Service/Non-Profit award went to the Calliope/Clown Unit of the Korein Shrine
And the Adult/General class award went to Bill Foy for his found objects sculpture of "Steamboat"
Over 80 entries in this year's Wyoming State Fair Parade. 082421
In the Wagon/Equine division, Chuck Brooks was the winner with his ponies and mini stagecoach.
Larry & Julie Gomez win the Collector Cars division.
The Youth Division award goes to the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy
The Service/Non-Profit award went to the Calliope/Clown Unit of the Korein Shrine
And the Adult/General class award went to Bill Foy for his found objects sculpture of "Steamboat"
Over 80 entries in this year's Wyoming State Fair Parade. 082421
Douglas students return to class this Monday.
CCSD1 Superintendent Dr Paige Fenton-Hughes says they'll start school basically the same way they ended last spring, with a couple of exceptions...
CCSD1 Superintendent Dr Paige Fenton-Hughes says they'll start school basically the same way they ended last spring, with a couple of exceptions...
Students return to classes Monday in Converse County districts 1 and 2 at Douglas and Glenrock, and Niobrara County Schools at Lusk.
Platte County District 1 at Wheatland, Glendo and Chugwater open school this Thursday, August 26th.
Platte County 2 at Guernsey-Sunrise are back in class this Wednesday, August 25th.
Natrona County Schools don't re-open til Wednesday, September 1st. 082121
Platte County District 1 at Wheatland, Glendo and Chugwater open school this Thursday, August 26th.
Platte County 2 at Guernsey-Sunrise are back in class this Wednesday, August 25th.
Natrona County Schools don't re-open til Wednesday, September 1st. 082121
A familiar name in Douglas racing circles has died.
John E. “Jack” Kunckel passed away August 4th at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. He was 76 years old.
In 1985, Jack Kunckel opened the Douglas International Raceway on an abandoned airfield on Douglas's east side.
The NHRA-sanctioned track hosted points meets for 16 years, bringing racers from all over the USA and Canada.
Jack Kunckel owned and operated the track until 2002. 081721
John E. “Jack” Kunckel passed away August 4th at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. He was 76 years old.
In 1985, Jack Kunckel opened the Douglas International Raceway on an abandoned airfield on Douglas's east side.
The NHRA-sanctioned track hosted points meets for 16 years, bringing racers from all over the USA and Canada.
Jack Kunckel owned and operated the track until 2002. 081721
It's Fair Week in Douglas.
The 109th Wyoming State Fair begins this Tuesday, August 17th.
Today is a check-in day at the Fair, with 4H and FFA livestock and exhibits checking in.
There's limited show activity today, with the Youth horse Show getting underway this morning at 8am, and open Home Arts and Garden judging takes place today.
The 109th Wyoming State Fair officially opens on Tuesday, with a full day of activities tomorrow.
The Wyoming State Fair carnival opens along the midway Tuesday at 1pm, and the Wyoming State Fair Championship Ranch Rodeo is Tuesday night at 7 in the Ford Grandstand Arena.
Information and online ticket sales are at wystatefair.com. 081621
The 109th Wyoming State Fair begins this Tuesday, August 17th.
Today is a check-in day at the Fair, with 4H and FFA livestock and exhibits checking in.
There's limited show activity today, with the Youth horse Show getting underway this morning at 8am, and open Home Arts and Garden judging takes place today.
The 109th Wyoming State Fair officially opens on Tuesday, with a full day of activities tomorrow.
The Wyoming State Fair carnival opens along the midway Tuesday at 1pm, and the Wyoming State Fair Championship Ranch Rodeo is Tuesday night at 7 in the Ford Grandstand Arena.
Information and online ticket sales are at wystatefair.com. 081621
Converse County Public Health Department reported 50 positive cases for COVID-19 in the past week.
Cases 1123 through 1172 include 23 males and 27 females, 41 from Douglas, 9 from Glenrock, none from Rolling Hills. Ages range from under 20 to in the 80s.
Currently, Converse County has 50 active cases and 1 person hospitilized. Total reported deaths in the country remain at 20. 081621
Cases 1123 through 1172 include 23 males and 27 females, 41 from Douglas, 9 from Glenrock, none from Rolling Hills. Ages range from under 20 to in the 80s.
Currently, Converse County has 50 active cases and 1 person hospitilized. Total reported deaths in the country remain at 20. 081621
The CIty of Douglas Planning and Zoning Commission meets tonight.
Among items on the agenda, a request to rezone a block of downtown Douglas. The six owners of buildings along the west side of Second Street in the block south of Center Street are asking for a rezone from B-2 General Business to CB-1 Downtown Business.
The zoning change would allow new development to maintain the current historic character of the area and create a uniform façade to the street.
Existing uses would become legal nonconforming uses and would not be required to alter or relocate.
Planning & Zoning meets this afternoon at 5:30 in Council Chambers at Douglas City Hall.
The meeting is open to the public, and is broadcast in Douglas on Vyve Cable Channel 61. 081621
Among items on the agenda, a request to rezone a block of downtown Douglas. The six owners of buildings along the west side of Second Street in the block south of Center Street are asking for a rezone from B-2 General Business to CB-1 Downtown Business.
The zoning change would allow new development to maintain the current historic character of the area and create a uniform façade to the street.
Existing uses would become legal nonconforming uses and would not be required to alter or relocate.
Planning & Zoning meets this afternoon at 5:30 in Council Chambers at Douglas City Hall.
The meeting is open to the public, and is broadcast in Douglas on Vyve Cable Channel 61. 081621
In the last ten years, Douglas has seen a couple of booms.. and a couple of busts. Energy workers moved in... some stayed... others left. Housing supplies tightened... and loosened up again.
And through all of it, the Jackalope City grew, but not by a lot.
The US Census Bureau released the results of its 2020 Census on Thursday, and it shows that the City of Douglas grew from 6,120 in April of 2010... to 6.386 residents in April of 2020.
Converse County's population dropped a bit, from 13,833 in 2010, to 13,751 in 2020.
Although Wyoming’s population grew 2.4% to about 577,000 people, only nine of the state’s 23 counties grew.
Teton and Laramie counties lead Wyoming, both with population growth of 9.6%.
Once-booming Sublette County in western Wyoming's gas patch had the state's steepest population decline of 15%. 081321
And through all of it, the Jackalope City grew, but not by a lot.
The US Census Bureau released the results of its 2020 Census on Thursday, and it shows that the City of Douglas grew from 6,120 in April of 2010... to 6.386 residents in April of 2020.
Converse County's population dropped a bit, from 13,833 in 2010, to 13,751 in 2020.
Although Wyoming’s population grew 2.4% to about 577,000 people, only nine of the state’s 23 counties grew.
Teton and Laramie counties lead Wyoming, both with population growth of 9.6%.
Once-booming Sublette County in western Wyoming's gas patch had the state's steepest population decline of 15%. 081321
The Wyoming State Fair returns to Douglas next week, and State Fair manager Courtny Conkle says she wants to make sure fairgoers get a good bang for their buck...
Conkle says one of the new entertainment features comes from a Wyoming-based company...
General admission to the state fair this year is $8 for adults 13 and up... $3 for kids ages 4 to 12... age 3 & under get in free... season pins are $25 dollars, and $2 dollars from each pin goes to the WSF Endowment Fund.
The 109th Wyoming State Fair begins this coming Tuesday, August 17th. Information and online ticket sales are at wystatefair.com. 081321
The 109th Wyoming State Fair begins this coming Tuesday, August 17th. Information and online ticket sales are at wystatefair.com. 081321
A promotion at the Douglas hospital.
Memorial Hospital of Converse County CEO, Matt Dammeyer has named Terry Moss as Chief Operating Officer for MHCC.
For the past 8 years Moss has served as the Practice Administrator for MHCC and will continue in that capacity along with his new role.
Moss's promotion was effective July 1st. 080921
Memorial Hospital of Converse County CEO, Matt Dammeyer has named Terry Moss as Chief Operating Officer for MHCC.
For the past 8 years Moss has served as the Practice Administrator for MHCC and will continue in that capacity along with his new role.
Moss's promotion was effective July 1st. 080921
Converse County Public Health Department reported 32 new positive cases for COVID-19 in the last week.
Cases 1053 through 1084 are 17 men and 15 women, 27 from Douglas, 5 from Glenrock. Six of the new cases were under 20 years old, and the oldest people included were in their 70s.
Currently, Converse County has 40 active cases. There are 3 people hospitalized. 080221
Cases 1053 through 1084 are 17 men and 15 women, 27 from Douglas, 5 from Glenrock. Six of the new cases were under 20 years old, and the oldest people included were in their 70s.
Currently, Converse County has 40 active cases. There are 3 people hospitalized. 080221
A small earthquake shook Converse County Sunday night.
The US Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center reports the quake struck at about 9:50 PM Sunday evening.
The quake was centered about 7 miles northwest of Rolling Hills, and was about 7 miles deep.
It measured 3.7 magnitude on the Richter scale. That classifies it as a minor quale, one that can be felt by people, but very rarely causes damage. Shaking of indoor objects can be noticeable.
No damage reported on this one. 080121
The US Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center reports the quake struck at about 9:50 PM Sunday evening.
The quake was centered about 7 miles northwest of Rolling Hills, and was about 7 miles deep.
It measured 3.7 magnitude on the Richter scale. That classifies it as a minor quale, one that can be felt by people, but very rarely causes damage. Shaking of indoor objects can be noticeable.
No damage reported on this one. 080121
West Richards Street in Douglas was closed for a period of time Thursday morning while Douglas law enforcement cleaned up after a multi-vehicle accident.
Officials responded to a call at around 6:40 Thursday morning, a report of a stolen pickup truck that was involved in a crash on West Richards near Douglas Middle School.
Douglas Police located the driver of the pickup, and there were four other individuals on the scene. The four were occupants of two other vehicles that the suspect appeared to have deliberately struck.
The Douglas Police Department says 48 year old Nicolas Cooper was arrested for motor vehicle theft.
Additional charges are pending, and the case is still under investigation. 072921
Officials responded to a call at around 6:40 Thursday morning, a report of a stolen pickup truck that was involved in a crash on West Richards near Douglas Middle School.
Douglas Police located the driver of the pickup, and there were four other individuals on the scene. The four were occupants of two other vehicles that the suspect appeared to have deliberately struck.
The Douglas Police Department says 48 year old Nicolas Cooper was arrested for motor vehicle theft.
Additional charges are pending, and the case is still under investigation. 072921
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COVID-19 Cases are up, in Converse County, and across Wyoming. What should we do next? Darci Cowardin and Johnna Shepherd from the Converse County Public Health office joined us on air on Thursday, July 22nd, to give us this update.
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Douglas area fire crews got a workout Tuesday afternoon.
A thunderstorm passing through left a lightning strike on the prairie southeast of the Douglas Community Club golf course. Firefighters from the Douglas Volunteer Fire Department and the Converse County Rural Fire Association responded, assisted by the Douglas Police Department and Converse County Sheriff's office. The call came in at about 4:30 Tuesday afternoon. Fire crews took about an hour to knock down the bulk of the fire, which burned between 50 and 100 acres. No buildings or structures were damaged. 072021 |
COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the nation, across the state, and here in Converse County.
Converse County Public Health Department reported 25 new positive case(s) for COVID-19 in the last wek
That's on top of 12 new cases the week before.
Cases 989 through 1013 are 14 men and 11 women, 19 from Douglas, 4 from Glenrock and 2 from Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County reports 24 active cases, none of which are hospitalized.
There were 186 new COVID-19 cases reported in Wyoming on Monday. 072021
Converse County Public Health Department reported 25 new positive case(s) for COVID-19 in the last wek
That's on top of 12 new cases the week before.
Cases 989 through 1013 are 14 men and 11 women, 19 from Douglas, 4 from Glenrock and 2 from Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County reports 24 active cases, none of which are hospitalized.
There were 186 new COVID-19 cases reported in Wyoming on Monday. 072021
Wyoming's uranium industry will benefit from a piece of legislation co-sponsored by Wyoming's US Senator John Barrasso...
Barrasso told KKTY News that the bill will have real benefits for Converse and Natrona Counties...
A week's worth of fun begins tomorrow in Douglas as the Converse County Fair gets underway.
Activities Saturday include the 4H dog show at 8am, the cat and pocket pet show is at noon, static interview judging begins at 2pm, and the 4H fashion review is at 6:30.
Saturday night at 7pm it's the Converse County Fair Ranch Bronc Riding, with the Christopher Thomas concert afterwards.
County Fair activities continue through the Junior Market Sale and the Tris Munsick concert next Friday, July 23 on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas. 071621
Activities Saturday include the 4H dog show at 8am, the cat and pocket pet show is at noon, static interview judging begins at 2pm, and the 4H fashion review is at 6:30.
Saturday night at 7pm it's the Converse County Fair Ranch Bronc Riding, with the Christopher Thomas concert afterwards.
County Fair activities continue through the Junior Market Sale and the Tris Munsick concert next Friday, July 23 on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas. 071621
Converse County Public Health Department reported 12 new positive cases for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Cases 977 through 988 are 4 men and 8 women, 9 from Douglas, 2 from Glenrock and 1 from Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County has 12 active cases, of which, 3 are hospitalized.
Nine more coronavirus-related deaths were reported across Wyoming on Tuesday.
There have now been 760 coronavirus-caused deaths in Wyoming since the pandemic arrived here in March 2020.
There were 97 new COVID-19 cases reported in Wyoming on Tuesday. 071421
Cases 977 through 988 are 4 men and 8 women, 9 from Douglas, 2 from Glenrock and 1 from Rolling Hills.
Currently, Converse County has 12 active cases, of which, 3 are hospitalized.
Nine more coronavirus-related deaths were reported across Wyoming on Tuesday.
There have now been 760 coronavirus-caused deaths in Wyoming since the pandemic arrived here in March 2020.
There were 97 new COVID-19 cases reported in Wyoming on Tuesday. 071421
Approvals for companies to drill for oil and gas on U.S. public lands are on pace this year to reach their highest level since George W. Bush was president.
That finding from an analysis of government drilling data reflects both President Joe Biden’s reluctance in the face of the industry, as well as Republican resistance to more forcefully curbing climate-changing emissions from fossil fuels.
The Interior Department approved about 2,500 permits to drill on public and tribal lands in the first six months of the year.
That includes more than 2,100 approvals since Biden took office January 20.
New Mexico and Wyoming had the largest number of approvals.
If the recent trends continue, the Interior Department could issue close to 6,000 permits by the end of the year.
The last time so many were issued was fiscal year 2008, amid an oil boom driven by crude prices that reached an all-time high of $140 per barrel that June. 071321
That finding from an analysis of government drilling data reflects both President Joe Biden’s reluctance in the face of the industry, as well as Republican resistance to more forcefully curbing climate-changing emissions from fossil fuels.
The Interior Department approved about 2,500 permits to drill on public and tribal lands in the first six months of the year.
That includes more than 2,100 approvals since Biden took office January 20.
New Mexico and Wyoming had the largest number of approvals.
If the recent trends continue, the Interior Department could issue close to 6,000 permits by the end of the year.
The last time so many were issued was fiscal year 2008, amid an oil boom driven by crude prices that reached an all-time high of $140 per barrel that June. 071321
Consistently worsening drought and skyrocketing hay prices in Wyoming are causing issues for livestock owners’ pocketbooks and their ability to sustain full herds.
Continued drought conditions mean pastures aren't producing, and ranchers are left with a choice of buying high-priced hay, or selling of livestock early.
According to a late June price release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wyoming alfalfa prices are up to $180 per ton – an increase of $5 over last May – while other hay is also at $180 per ton – an increase of $45 over last May.
Prices are expected to increase even more for the second cutting.
The most current U.S. Drought Monitor shows that most of Converse County is either moderate or severe drought. To the north, most of central and southern Campbell County is in extreme drought. 0712/21
Continued drought conditions mean pastures aren't producing, and ranchers are left with a choice of buying high-priced hay, or selling of livestock early.
According to a late June price release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wyoming alfalfa prices are up to $180 per ton – an increase of $5 over last May – while other hay is also at $180 per ton – an increase of $45 over last May.
Prices are expected to increase even more for the second cutting.
The most current U.S. Drought Monitor shows that most of Converse County is either moderate or severe drought. To the north, most of central and southern Campbell County is in extreme drought. 0712/21
Less than a quarter of Converse County's residents have received a COVID vaccination, and the county sits fourth from the bottom out of the states 23 counties for vaccinations.
New numbers from the Wyoming Department of Health show that, as of June 28th, 3137 Converse residents have received full vaccination... that's about 22 1/2 percent of the county population. Only Niobrara, Crook and Campbell counties have a lower percentage of immunized residents.
The statewide average is a little over 31 percent immunized.
Teton County has the highest rate, at more than 57 percent.
Campbell County has the lowest rate of immunization, at a little over 18 percent. 071221
New numbers from the Wyoming Department of Health show that, as of June 28th, 3137 Converse residents have received full vaccination... that's about 22 1/2 percent of the county population. Only Niobrara, Crook and Campbell counties have a lower percentage of immunized residents.
The statewide average is a little over 31 percent immunized.
Teton County has the highest rate, at more than 57 percent.
Campbell County has the lowest rate of immunization, at a little over 18 percent. 071221
Converse County employees are getting raises.
County Commission chairman Jim Willox says the adjustments are overdue...
County Commission chairman Jim Willox says the adjustments are overdue...
Willox said the price of health insurance is going up, and the county and its employees will split the cost. 070721
The Fourth of July weekend festivities often include fireworks, and as always, dry conditions lead to the question of who will and who won't.
The fireworks show at CAMPLEX in Gillette has been canceled due to a high fire danger in Campbell County.
The annual fireworks show over Keyhole Reservoir has been cancelled due to dry conditions.
Private fireworks are illegal in Natrona County. There will be an official fireworks display put on at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper from 8-10 p.m. Sunday.
The public will be allowed to set off fireworks on the evenings of July 3-4, Saturday and Sunday nights at the Glenrock South Recreation Campus.
Gates will open at 7 p.m. both nights, and the Glenrock Fire Department will be on scene to help ensure the safety of the event.
Independence Day Celebration in the Jackalope City, a busier weekend than usual, and many of the activities will take place at Bartling Park in Douglas.
The Douglas Volunteer Fire Department will light the fireworks show as always from the back parking lot at Douglas High School, with music to watch the fireworks by broadcast on 100.1 FM, KKTY. The show will begin around 9:30pm.
The Converse County Commissioners implemented fire restrictions prohibiting the use of fireworks in the county on June 15 through Oct. 1. 070221
The fireworks show at CAMPLEX in Gillette has been canceled due to a high fire danger in Campbell County.
The annual fireworks show over Keyhole Reservoir has been cancelled due to dry conditions.
Private fireworks are illegal in Natrona County. There will be an official fireworks display put on at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper from 8-10 p.m. Sunday.
The public will be allowed to set off fireworks on the evenings of July 3-4, Saturday and Sunday nights at the Glenrock South Recreation Campus.
Gates will open at 7 p.m. both nights, and the Glenrock Fire Department will be on scene to help ensure the safety of the event.
Independence Day Celebration in the Jackalope City, a busier weekend than usual, and many of the activities will take place at Bartling Park in Douglas.
The Douglas Volunteer Fire Department will light the fireworks show as always from the back parking lot at Douglas High School, with music to watch the fireworks by broadcast on 100.1 FM, KKTY. The show will begin around 9:30pm.
The Converse County Commissioners implemented fire restrictions prohibiting the use of fireworks in the county on June 15 through Oct. 1. 070221
Water levels at Guernsey Reservoir will drop and rise again beginning next week.
The US Bureau of Reclamation will lower the water level at Guernsey to prepare for an annual silt run, which provides silt-laden water to Goshen, Gering-Fort Laramie, and Pathfinder Irrigation Districts under contract with Reclamation.
As the silt-laden water gets diverted into irrigation canals, the water slows down and the silt sinks to the bottom of the canal, making a temporary sealant to help minimize the seepage out of the bottom and sides of the canal.
The lowering of Guernsey Reservoir will begin on Tuesday morning, July 6. Water released from Glendo Reservoir will be gradually decreased from approximately 5,000 cubic feet per second (ft3/s) to a flow of approximately 1,500 ft3/s.
That will drop the Guernsey Reservoir level by about 25 feet. By Saturday, July 10, the boat ramps at Guernsey Reservoir will no longer be usable due to the low reservoir level.
The silt run will begin on July 11 and is anticipated to continue through July 24, when the release of water from Glendo will be rapidly increased to refill Guernsey Reservoir, and the level of Guernsey Reservoir is expected to be suitable for boating again by the morning of July 27.
Boaters, recreationists, and irrigators should take proper precautions regarding changing river flows below Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs and the rapid lowering and refilling of Guernsey Reservoir. 070221
The US Bureau of Reclamation will lower the water level at Guernsey to prepare for an annual silt run, which provides silt-laden water to Goshen, Gering-Fort Laramie, and Pathfinder Irrigation Districts under contract with Reclamation.
As the silt-laden water gets diverted into irrigation canals, the water slows down and the silt sinks to the bottom of the canal, making a temporary sealant to help minimize the seepage out of the bottom and sides of the canal.
The lowering of Guernsey Reservoir will begin on Tuesday morning, July 6. Water released from Glendo Reservoir will be gradually decreased from approximately 5,000 cubic feet per second (ft3/s) to a flow of approximately 1,500 ft3/s.
That will drop the Guernsey Reservoir level by about 25 feet. By Saturday, July 10, the boat ramps at Guernsey Reservoir will no longer be usable due to the low reservoir level.
The silt run will begin on July 11 and is anticipated to continue through July 24, when the release of water from Glendo will be rapidly increased to refill Guernsey Reservoir, and the level of Guernsey Reservoir is expected to be suitable for boating again by the morning of July 27.
Boaters, recreationists, and irrigators should take proper precautions regarding changing river flows below Glendo and Guernsey Reservoirs and the rapid lowering and refilling of Guernsey Reservoir. 070221
Eastern Wyoming College is still in the process of responding to a June 22nd security incident, but says some systems are now back online.
EWC has received no reports to-date that the Canvas module was impacted by this incident, and access to Canvas has now been restored to currently enrolled summer students.
Those students should call Sue at 307.575.0646 or Dixie at 307.575.6250 to obtain their new Canvas password.
The investigation is ongoing. 070121
EWC has received no reports to-date that the Canvas module was impacted by this incident, and access to Canvas has now been restored to currently enrolled summer students.
Those students should call Sue at 307.575.0646 or Dixie at 307.575.6250 to obtain their new Canvas password.
The investigation is ongoing. 070121
Some new faces for a couple of local boards.
At Monday nights's Council meeting, the Douglas CIty Council accepted Sherry Kelly's resignation from the Douglas Housing Authority Board, and appointed or re-appointed applicants Margie Dryer and Kerry Shatto to the Housing Authority Board.
Council also appointed or re-appointed Robin Cross, Zach Martinez and Jamie Sullivan as city appointments to the Converse County Tourism Promotion Board.
The Housing Authority board oversees operation of the Irwin Towers senior housing.
The Tourism Promotion Board administers spending of the local lodging tax. 062921
At Monday nights's Council meeting, the Douglas CIty Council accepted Sherry Kelly's resignation from the Douglas Housing Authority Board, and appointed or re-appointed applicants Margie Dryer and Kerry Shatto to the Housing Authority Board.
Council also appointed or re-appointed Robin Cross, Zach Martinez and Jamie Sullivan as city appointments to the Converse County Tourism Promotion Board.
The Housing Authority board oversees operation of the Irwin Towers senior housing.
The Tourism Promotion Board administers spending of the local lodging tax. 062921
Converse County's overall valuation is down, but County Commission Chairman Jim Willox says we're still in good shape...
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Willox says the drop is tied to oil, gas and coal production in 2020, but the construction of the Cedar Springs Wind Farm north of Douglas last year helped keep sales tax income up.
Converse County's upcoming budget is based on the county's assessed valuation...
Converse County's upcoming budget is based on the county's assessed valuation...
All 23 counties across Wyoming are in line to receive money from the federal government's Payment in Lieu of Taxes program.
Since local governments cannot tax federal lands, annual PILT payments help to defray costs associated with maintaining important community services.
County governments in Wyoming will receive a total of $31.2 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes funding for 2021.
Converse County's portion comes in at just over $900 thousand dollars. Natrona County get $3.8 million. $304 thousand for Platte County. $307 thousand for Niobrara County.
The formula used to compute the payments is based on population, revenue-sharing payments, and the amount of Federal land within an affected county. 062521
Since local governments cannot tax federal lands, annual PILT payments help to defray costs associated with maintaining important community services.
County governments in Wyoming will receive a total of $31.2 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes funding for 2021.
Converse County's portion comes in at just over $900 thousand dollars. Natrona County get $3.8 million. $304 thousand for Platte County. $307 thousand for Niobrara County.
The formula used to compute the payments is based on population, revenue-sharing payments, and the amount of Federal land within an affected county. 062521
Three days of fun kick off today as Deer Creek Days begin in Glenrock.
On a very busy agenda today, there's a book sale at the Glenrock library, 3-on-3 basketball, stray gathering competition, the Lions Club cookout, a talent show, a gospel concert, dummy roping, and Tris Munsick in concert at 8pm in downtown Glenrock.
Saturday's events include a 5k run, food and games, the Deer Creek Days parade is Saturday morning at 11am, Ranch Rodeos at 5, and more live music Saturday night.
Sunday, there's a car show, a golf tournament, mud volleyball, more music, and more fun.
Check the Deer Creek Days page on Facebook for more information. 062521
On a very busy agenda today, there's a book sale at the Glenrock library, 3-on-3 basketball, stray gathering competition, the Lions Club cookout, a talent show, a gospel concert, dummy roping, and Tris Munsick in concert at 8pm in downtown Glenrock.
Saturday's events include a 5k run, food and games, the Deer Creek Days parade is Saturday morning at 11am, Ranch Rodeos at 5, and more live music Saturday night.
Sunday, there's a car show, a golf tournament, mud volleyball, more music, and more fun.
Check the Deer Creek Days page on Facebook for more information. 062521
A Douglas man has been chosen as chairman of the board for WyoLotto.
Jim Willox has been a member of the eight-person board since 2017.
The WyoLotto Board of Directors are appointed by the Governor of Wyoming for four-year terms.
WyoLotto launched in August 2014. More than 87 million dollars have been paid out to winners, and more than $22 million dollars has been returned to Wyoming communities. 062521
Jim Willox has been a member of the eight-person board since 2017.
The WyoLotto Board of Directors are appointed by the Governor of Wyoming for four-year terms.
WyoLotto launched in August 2014. More than 87 million dollars have been paid out to winners, and more than $22 million dollars has been returned to Wyoming communities. 062521
Walker Hayes will headline the Friday night concert at this summer's Wyoming State Fair in Douglas.
Hayes hit the Country Top-10 in 2017 with his hit song "You Broke Up With Me".
He's toured with Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, and Old Dominion.
Tickets for the Friday, August 20th Walker Hayes show go on sale on July 1st. 062121
Hayes hit the Country Top-10 in 2017 with his hit song "You Broke Up With Me".
He's toured with Kelsea Ballerini, Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, and Old Dominion.
Tickets for the Friday, August 20th Walker Hayes show go on sale on July 1st. 062121
Tallgrass Pony Express Pipeline is testing support for an expansion of their oil pipeline between Guernsey Wyoming and Sterling, Colorado.
The 830-mile pipeline system stretches from Guernsey, WY, to Cushing, OK, passing through Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas, connecting with three refineries before reaching the oil storage and trading hub at Cushing.
Pony Express has a capacity of roughly 400,000 b/d, and sources crude from the Williston, Denver Julesburg and Powder River basins.
Pony Express is seeking commitments from oil producers for capacity between Guernsey and Sterling. 062121
The 830-mile pipeline system stretches from Guernsey, WY, to Cushing, OK, passing through Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas, connecting with three refineries before reaching the oil storage and trading hub at Cushing.
Pony Express has a capacity of roughly 400,000 b/d, and sources crude from the Williston, Denver Julesburg and Powder River basins.
Pony Express is seeking commitments from oil producers for capacity between Guernsey and Sterling. 062121
A utility proposes to build six new wind farms that could supply enough electricity for over 1 million homes in Wyoming and other states by 2024.
PacifiCorp announced the plan this week.
The wind farms would add more than 1,600 megawatts of power capacity in Wyoming.
Combined with PacifiCorp’s plans for solar, battery power and transmission proposals, the utility would add 3,200 megawatts of capacity.
PacifiCorp isn't saying yet where specifically the projects will be built.
The proposals would concentrate wind development in Wyoming and Idaho, and solar and battery development in Utah and Oregon. 061921
PacifiCorp announced the plan this week.
The wind farms would add more than 1,600 megawatts of power capacity in Wyoming.
Combined with PacifiCorp’s plans for solar, battery power and transmission proposals, the utility would add 3,200 megawatts of capacity.
PacifiCorp isn't saying yet where specifically the projects will be built.
The proposals would concentrate wind development in Wyoming and Idaho, and solar and battery development in Utah and Oregon. 061921
Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect Wednesday, June 16, 2021 for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland.
This includes National Forest System lands located in Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston counties in Wyoming.
Restrictions are necessary due to dry fuel conditions, persistent fire weather patterns, and the danger of human-caused wildfires from recreation usage across the Forests and Grassland.
Call the Douglas Ranger District office at 358-4690 for more information.
The Converse County Commissioners, on recommendation from the Converse County Fire Warden, are implementing a county-wide fire ban, effective immediately.
All outdoor and open fires and the discharge of fireworks within the unincorporated areas of Converse County are prohibited except for the provisions listed in the resolution.
The county restrictions provide guidance when welding, using acetylene torches, branding and the burning of trash or refuse.
The ban will remain in effect until October 1st. 2021. 061621
This includes National Forest System lands located in Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston counties in Wyoming.
Restrictions are necessary due to dry fuel conditions, persistent fire weather patterns, and the danger of human-caused wildfires from recreation usage across the Forests and Grassland.
Call the Douglas Ranger District office at 358-4690 for more information.
The Converse County Commissioners, on recommendation from the Converse County Fire Warden, are implementing a county-wide fire ban, effective immediately.
All outdoor and open fires and the discharge of fireworks within the unincorporated areas of Converse County are prohibited except for the provisions listed in the resolution.
The county restrictions provide guidance when welding, using acetylene torches, branding and the burning of trash or refuse.
The ban will remain in effect until October 1st. 2021. 061621
Another COVID-related death has been added to Converse County's total.
The state health department has announced nine more Wyoming residents have died from COVID-19.
An older adult Converse County gentleman died in December, 2020. He was hospitalized; it’s unknown whether he had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
The health department says there have now been 734 coronavirus-caused deaths in the state since the pandemic began in March 2020. 061621
The state health department has announced nine more Wyoming residents have died from COVID-19.
An older adult Converse County gentleman died in December, 2020. He was hospitalized; it’s unknown whether he had health conditions known to put people at higher risk of serious illness.
The health department says there have now been 734 coronavirus-caused deaths in the state since the pandemic began in March 2020. 061621
