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Articles from the March 7, 2024 edition


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  • Lawsuit filed against Wyoming Boys' School, staff

    Mar 7, 2024

    Blaise Chivers-King, Charles “Rees” Karn and Dylan Tolar (by and through Debra Dever) have filed a lawsuit against the Wyoming Department of Family Services, the Wyoming Boys’ School, the superintendent of the Boys’ School Dale Weber and nine Boys’ School staff. By and through their attorneys, ALM Law, LLC and Rathod/Mohamedbhai, LLC, the plaintiff’s claim unconstitutional and unlawful practices at the Wyoming Boys’ School resulting in alleged physical and emotional abuse. The Wyoming Department of Family Service says the Boys’ School provides...

  • Living to serve

    Mar 7, 2024

    Big Springs FFA members received a Living to Serve grant from the national FFA organization. They purchased flowers locally and brought them to the middle school to teach fifth graders how to create floral arrangements. They also visited the Wyoming Pioneer Home and created flower arrangements with the residents. Students Baer McPhie, left, and William Hensley, right, create flower arrangements with Katherine Boelens and Louise Odde to display in the dining room area for everyone to...

  • Slope flattening project scheduled to begin in early March north of Thermopolis

    Mar 7, 2024

    A $1.09 million project to flatten slopes north of Thermopolis on U.S. Highway 20/Wyoming Highway 789 is expected to begin this week. Prime contractor is Barnum, Inc., of Buffalo. “Beginning the week of March 4, weather permitting, the contractor will begin installing temporary fencing, temporary traffic signals and concrete barriers,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation project inspector Bret Moore of Basin. He added, “Removal of trees and obstructions will occur to allow for replacement of an irrigation culvert across the roadway at mi...

  • Bobcat Speech and Debate captures three national qualifier spots

    Mar 7, 2024

    The Hot Springs County High School Speech and Debate Team had an outstanding showing at the National Qualifying Wind River District Speech and Debate Tournament at Rock Springs High School on February 29 through March 2. The tournament hosted 19 Wind River District schools with competitors of all Wyoming school classifications (1A/2A, 3A, and 4A) mixed together. A field of 440 students performed and debated with the goal of qualifying for the NSDA National Speech and Debate Tournament. The...

  • School board discusses bullying policy at length

    Mar 7, 2024

    At the February Hot Springs County School District Board of Trustees meeting, trustee Joe Martinez was unable to attend the meeting due to an emergency. Additionally, Superintendent Dustin Hunt held a moment of silence in honor and respect on the passing of former Board Trustee, Thomas Sullivan, Jr., who passed away in January. Monthly celebrations included recognizing Zane Stam. His accomplishments were featured in a front page article in the February 8 edition of the Independent Record. The student trustee report included things already repor...

  • Ready to rope

    Mar 7, 2024

    Paul Erickson gets ready to rope a calf with his daughter, Kinley Erickson, trailing behind him during the last Team Branding event of the season at the HSC Fairgrounds last Saturday....

  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline info

    Mar 7, 2024

    by Kelly Strampe Ralph Nieder-Westermann the Executive Director of Wyoming Lifeline/988 was the featured speaker at the recent Mid Winter Blues Bash. The theme this year was Mental Health (The Blues) and the focus was to educate our community about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, an important mental health resource in Wyoming. Over 70 people attended the third annual nonpartisan community dinner, an event put on by the Hot Springs County Democratic Party. Mr. Nieder-Westermann gave a very...

  • On the record

    Mar 7, 2024

    On the Record policy It is the Thermopolis Independent Record’s policy that all people arrested or cited under the “Accidents,” “Sheriff’s office” or “Police department” in the On the Record section are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We print the names of all people upon their initial arrest. Correction Brody Sorensen’s name was misspelled in last week’s edition. The Independent Record apologizes for the error. Sheriff’s Office Monday, Feb. 26 3:58 p.m. A 17-year-old male from Riverton was issued a citation for reckle...

  • Virtual student career fair planned for March 19

    Mar 7, 2024

    High school and middle school students are encouraged to hop online Tuesday, March 19, for an interactive virtual career night organized by the University of Wyoming Extension. Hosted on Zoom, the annual event offers an opportunity for young people to interact with professionals in fields ranging from agriculture, firefighting and wildlife management to video production, tourism and exercise physiology. Participants will also receive information on postsecondary education options and financial aid. While the career fair is organized by Wyoming...

  • Senior class Bingo fundraiser set

    Mar 7, 2024

    A Bingo fundraiser for Hot Springs County High School class of 2024 is planned for Tuesday, March 12 beginning at 6 p.m. at the fair building, 627 Springview. A fee of $15 includes dinner with a loaded potato bar and two Bingo cards. There will be lucky draw prizes awarded with a chance to win $1,000. Bring a basket for the lucky draw and get a free Bingo card. Proceeds will go toward the class of 2024 graduation party....

  • Discovery Days to host chili cook off

    Mar 7, 2024

    Got cabin fever? Break out and join The Wyoming Discovery Days as they will hold a Chili Cook Off on Sunday, March 10 from 1-6 p.m. at the HSC Fair Building, 627 Springview Street. The cost is $10 to enter the cook off and free to eat. Enter and make the best chili to win awesome prizes. Also, there will be raffle drawings, silent auction, baked potato bar, hot cocoa bar, a family dance, and more. The event will feature dance band Jason Lenyer Buchanan and the Short Times. Wyoming Discovery Days is accepting donations at the door. For more...

  • Private applicator class scheduled

    Mar 7, 2024

    The University of Wyoming Extension will offer six private pesticide applicator education programs at various locations in the Bighorn Basin. Private applicator licenses are required for anyone who applies or supervises the application of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs). The program in Hot Springs County is set for Wednesday, March 20 from 1-5 p.m. at Hot Springs Weed and Pest, 711 Springview St. All participants are required to bring a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, to their session. Upon completion of a program, a...

  • Check of counterfeits

    Mar 7, 2024

    by Zac Taylor, Powell Tribune A $100 bill remains an extraordinary piece of currency to hold. Even in an age of inflation, a Benjamin still represents some serious dough. These days, the bill is also a veritable work of art, with various designs, a hologram and textures. Those are there, of course, to make it hard for counterfeiters to work, but it seems locally a few have gotten through to local businesses. The Powell Police Department has reported three instances of counterfeit $100 bills ending up in the hands of tellers who spotted the...

  • Transparency demands accuracy!

    Mar 7, 2024

    I am disappointed with the way the Town of Thermopolis released the officer cam video of April 28, 2023, regarding the officer-involved shooting. The video was narrated by the Town and stated the officer had permission to cite or arrest. This is misleading at best. I refer you to the October 12, 2023, Independent Record article in which the Wyoming DCI Special Agent report is given in its entirety. Clearly, the officer in question did not have permission to illegally break down a door without a warrant, as laid out in the DCI investigation....

  • Bonita Joan (Blakesley) Crawford

    Mar 7, 2024

    Bonita Joan (Blakesley) Crawford, known fondly as "Bonnie Jo", passed away peacefully on February 7, 2024, in Lakewood, Colo., at the age of 87. She was born on June 4, 1936, in Conrad, Mont., to Jack and Claudine (Cox) Blakesley. The family moved to Thermopolis, Wyo., when she was a young girl. There she attended the Thermopolis Grade and Middle Schools, and graduated from Hot Springs County High School in 1954. In 1960, Bonnie married Robert Johnson, and in 1961 gave birth to a daughter,... Full story

  • John 'Jack' Ernest Spear

    Mar 7, 2024

    John "Jack" Ernest Spear, 81, of Cape Coral, Fla., passed away on Sunday February 11, 2024. Jack was born in Vernon, Texas, in 1942 and was raised in Elkhart, Kan. He spent his high school years in Thermopolis, Wyo., where he attended Hot Springs County High School – class of 1960. With a full scholarship, Jack graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from Tulane University where he was on the varsity swimming team for 4 years. He was proud and honored to serve in the United S... Full story

  • Jeffrey Michael Jennings

    Mar 7, 2024

    Jeffrey Michael Jennings, 51, died suddenly February 29, 2024, in Thermopolis. He was a fly fisherman guide.... Full story

  • Olmstead announces run for Senate District 20 seat

    Mar 7, 2024

    Tom Olmstead has announced that he will be running for State Senate District 20, which encompasses Washakie, Hot Springs, and parts of Park, Bighorn, Fremont Counties. Tom, his wife of twenty years, and their two sons live in Basin. “Unfortunately, in 2021 due to COVID mandates, I lost my 25-year Aviation career, so fighting back against government overreach is a big reason I’m running. I am what most people would consider a very Conservative Republican and looking at the current state of the Wyoming legislature, I know we can do better for thi...

  • Lady Cats have up and down moments

    Daniel Powell|Mar 7, 2024

    The Hot Springs County High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team went one for three in the 3A West Regional Tournament held in Thermopolis last week. The Lady Cats finished the regular season in 3rd place, with a record of 2 and 4 in the division and 5 and 15 overall. In a game that was not dissimilar to the game played by the boys team that day, the Lady Cats had a tough time against their opponent on Thursday. The Mountain View Lady Buffaloes held Thermopolis down on the scoreboard throughout...

  • Bobcats go one for three at regionals

    Daniel Powell|Mar 7, 2024

    Hot Springs County High School served as host for the 3A West Regional Basketball Tournament last week. Games were played on Thursday, Friday and Saturday - with matchups between teams representing eight Wyoming schools. The Bobcats finished the regular season in 4th place, with a record of 1 and 5 in the division, and 10 and 11 overall. On Thursday, the Cats were pitted against Pinedale, in the opening round of the tournament. Jhett Longwell had 11 points, Cody Bomengen 11, Dell Dukes 5, Brody...

  • Lilly Quintanilla brings home wins

    Daniel Powell|Mar 7, 2024

    Wyoming High School State Champion Wrestler Lilly Quintanilla, competed in the Wyoming Amateur Wrestling Association Junior State Tournament, held in Lander over the weekend. The tournament brings wrestlers together to compete in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling. Adding wins in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle at the WAWA tournament,to her Wyoming State High School Championship from last week, Lilly becomes the first ever female to do so in history. As she has done throughout her high scho...

  • Thermopolis wrestlers bring home wins from Lander tournament

    Mar 7, 2024

    Several Thermopolis wrestlers performed well at the Lander Tiger Tough Tournament last week. Wrestlers coming home with first places in all three styles include Gabriel Ryan, Hayden Robinson, Hailey Robinson and Jesalyn Blair. Wrestlers bring home first place in two style were Tytus Bowker and Tanner Myers. Folkstyle 6U 34-37 - Konnor Simpson, 1st, 22 points. Semifinal - Simpson won by fall, 0:27, over Everett Samuelson (Riverton), 1st Place Match - Simpson won by fall, 2:24, over Everest Acebo (Riverton) 6U 38-38 - Odin Galovich, 1st, 18...

  • TMS recognition

    Mar 7, 2024

    Thermopolis Middle School Principal Darren Luebbe recently recognized students and staff for WYTOPP accomplishments including, 5th grade with Mr. Holmes won 7th in the state in math, 6th grade with Mr. Strenger won 6th in the state for reading and with Mrs. Despain won 6th in the state for math, 7th grade with Mrs. Hergert won 1st in state in math and 8th grade with Mrs. Kay for science won 3rd in the state and with Mrs. Metz won 1st in the state in math. Additionally, the School Performance...

  • Science Saturday

    Mar 7, 2024

    Dan, Lydia, Russell, Jackie, and Charlie De La Mare make dinosaurs in a jar during the Wyoming Dinosaur Center Science Saturday event last weekend. Attendees learned about the flora and fauna of the Mesozoic Era by creating a prehistoric ecosystem in a jar....

  • Travel and tourism meeting

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 7, 2024

    At the February Hot Springs County Travel & Tourism board meeting, Treasurer Audra Dominguez was not able to attend. Therefore, Chairman Carl Leyba and Director Jackie Dorothy went over the financial report. The most recent lodging tax deposit was for $13,386.76, which was $3,689.40 more than the previous year or a 38% increase. This was also a recording breaking amount for the month. The board then reviewed the financial statements and budget. After discussion, the board voted and passed the...

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