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Articles from the August 11, 2016 edition


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  • Five vie for single commissioner seat

    Lara Love, Publisher & Editor|Aug 11, 2016

    Tuesday's primary election will decide which of five men seeking an open position on the Hot Springs County Board of Commissioners will advance to the general election and also most likely be elected to the position. Joe Martinez, Mike Chimenti, Hub Whitt, Joseph Casciato and Phillip Scheel are all Republican candidates for the commissioner position. There are no Democratic candidates. One of these five men will be elected in the primary and will move onto the general election in November. Only...

  • Big Spring output down overall despite recent increase

    April S. Kelley, Reporter & Photographer|Aug 11, 2016

    The Big Spring in Hot Springs State Park shows a slight increase in output over the last three years. However, officials say the overall trend is still in decline. According to a report from the State Engineers Office, the Big Spring has increased from 1336.42 gpm (gallons per minute) in July 2013 to 1693.51 gpm in July 2016. The lowest output occurred in March 2014 at 1169.7 gpm, with the largest output being the last measurement in July 2016. The output has increased almost every month in... Full story

  • Cemetery Board discusses flags

    April S. Kelley, Reporter & Photographer|Aug 11, 2016

    The Riverside Cemetery Board discussed Hawk’s Avenue of Flags at their meeting last Thursday. The Cemetery Board had recently had communication issues with representatives for Hawk’s Avenue of Flags — a program to honor veterans that takes place at Riverside Cemetery — regarding putting the Avenue of Flags up for Reunion Weekend. Julie Lehman, a representative for Hawk’s Avenue of Flags, said she knew the board had some questions about some misunderstandings about putting the flags up for other...

  • Fair sale brings in over $100,000

    Lara Love, Publisher & Editor|Aug 11, 2016

    The Hot Springs County Junior Livestock Auction and Judge's Choice Bake Sale Friday evening showcased a total of 70 livestock and judge's choice bake sale entries and brought in $104,707.65. Although the total amount collected at the sale this year is down sharply from last year's total of $133,137 for 66 sale entries, it still shows strong community support for 4-H and FFA youth in the county. Auctioneer Verne Lofink noted there has been a significant downturn regarding the economy in the past...

  • Mouthwatering

    Dennis Nierzwicki|Aug 11, 2016

    Jonah Coleman shows how serious he is about trying to win the watermelon eating contest sponsored by FFA Alumni at the Hot Springs County Fair Family Fun Night Wednesday evening....

  • On the Record August 11

    Aug 11, 2016

    On the Record policy It is the Independent Record’s policy that all people arrested or cited under the “Accidents,” “Sheriff’s office” or “Police calls” in the On the Record section are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Fire department Wednesday, August 3 12:56 p.m. Grass fire at 788 Highway 20 North. Monday, August 8 7:10 p.m. Grass fire at Deer Creek. Sheriff’s department Tuesday, August 2 5:13 p.m. Report of a tree blocking the road. Though the road is not maintained by the county, a deputy had a saw and was able to g...

  • Carolyn Conner honored as Director of the Year

    Mark Dykes, Assistant Editor|Aug 11, 2016

    Last week, Northwest Wyoming Board of Cooperative Education Services (NWBOCES) Administrative Director Carolyn Conner was honored at the Week of Academic Vision and Excellence (WAVE) Conference in Cheyenne as the 2016 Special Education Director of the Year. Though the administrative director since 2001, Conner has been with NWBOCES and Big Horn Basin Children's Center for 32 years, and started as a school social worker. In that first position, she explained, she worked a lot with parents,...

  • Relay for Life downtown in conjunction with ArtStroll

    April S. Kelley, Reporter & Photographer|Aug 11, 2016

    The annual Relay for Life, benefitting the American Cancer Society, will be held Aug. 12-13 downtown in conjunction with the Second Friday ArtStroll. This year’s theme is Paint Your World Purple. A caregiver and survivor dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12 near Bicentennial Park Relay for Life Event Leader Jessica Slagle said the Relay for Life does great things for the community. “The American Cancer Society provides programs to everyone who is struggling with cancer, whether it’s diagn...

  • Rotary Turtle Trek Saturday in state park

    Aug 11, 2016

    The 11th Annual Rotary Turbo Turtle Trek is on its way to Thermopolis, Saturday, Aug. 13. The event begins at 1 p.m. at the Big Spring outlet stream in Hot Springs State Park with a list of prizes that includes $1,000 in cash for the grand prize winner and $500 in cash for second place. Other prizes include mini-vacations, a gun, gift certificates, dinosaur digs and much more. Tickets are $10 per turtle and may be purchased from any Rotary Club member. Tickets are also available at Broadway Bygones, Koerwitz, Michel, Wright and Associates,...

  • Stars and stripes

    Dennis Nierzwicki|Aug 11, 2016

    A float for Hawk's Avenue of Flags travels down Broadway during the Gift of the Waters Parade. The memorial is named for Donald L. "Hawk" Hawkins....

  • Register to vote

    Aug 11, 2016

    Election season is in full swing and each citizen should get out, vote and let their voice be heard. We have done our best to provide citizens with ample information on all candidates running, but we still urge you to check out the ballots for this year’s election (printed in the Aug. 4 edition), research each candidate and choose the ones that you feel will best lead on both the local and state level. Most importantly, those not already registered to vote should go register. Those who never ‘got into politics’ or the newly eligible 18-year-old...

  • Watching the park come to life

    Mark Dykes, Assistant Editor|Aug 11, 2016

    It being my first year living in Thermopolis, I’ve been greeted with plenty of firsts, and this past weekend I saw my first Gift of the Waters pageant and Big Horn Basin Folk Festival. Beginning in the early hours of Saturday morning, it was interesting to watch a unique community spring up among the grass, one that harkened back to the old bazaar days, with booths selling crafts, food and other merchandise — the cinnamon rolls were particularly tasty — while still others gave live demon...

  • The measure of a man

    Rex Clothier|Aug 11, 2016

    A poem I once read and taught from spoke to the heart about a trip by the poet to the home of his youth. In it, he spoke of how much smaller than his memories were the realities of the mountains, now barely hills, the river, now barely a creek, and the schools which seemed so large as he started his education, and now seemed so small as he returned from the city in which his life now unfolded. In celebration of last Memorial Day, my spouse and I drove to Torrington to visit Mom and Dad’s grave. I think of my parents often, and their r...

  • Landfill options discussed

    Mark Dykes, Assistant Editor|Aug 11, 2016

    The Thermopolis Town Council met in a work session July 19 to discuss the Thermopolis Landfill. In addition to Mayor Mike Mortimore and the Council, those present included Assistant to the Mayor/Codes Administrative Assistant Fred Crosby, Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Van Heule, Public Work Director Ernie Slagle, Landfill Lead Man Buck Clouse, Police Chief Steve Shay, Town Engineers Heath Overfield and Anthony Barnett, and Department of Environmental Quality Representatives Carol Stark, Dale Anderson...

  • Lights On funds CNA course

    April S. Kelley, Reporter & Photographer|Aug 11, 2016

    Lights On funded a six-week CNA course for junior and senior students this summer. Instructor Beverly Koerwitz RN MSN said a CNA course is required by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing before practicing as nurse aides in any healthcare setting. Koerwitz said all seven students — five seniors and two juniors — passed the course. “They have 120 days to go take their state board licensure certification exam,” she said. “They can take that wherever they choose. There are testing stations all over t...

  • International concert coming to town

    Mark Dykes, Assistant Editor|Aug 11, 2016

    People are encouraged to get some dancing shoes and check out the John Roberts Y Pan Blanco concert Monday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Hot Springs State Park pavilion. Roberts began playing the piano at the age of 5 while living on an isolated ranch in Southeastern Montana. There was no TV, but there was a piano. At age 11, he picked up trombone to play in the grade school band. After graduating in 1996 from Montana State University-Billings with a BA in Music Performance, he moved to Los...

  • Learn how to start a business

    Aug 11, 2016

    On Tuesday, Aug. 16 those who have a sense for entrepreneurship can take it to the next level at Hot Springs County Library during a workshop about starting a business. Those who have thought about starting a business, but weren’t sure where to begin, or who are looking to get some supplemental income are encouraged to attend. Presenters will include Amy Lea with the Small Business Administration (SBA), Bruce Morse with the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network and David Hill with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. In M...

  • Dodging the heat

    Dennis Nierzwicki|Aug 11, 2016

    Creighlee Williams slides on base during the Gottsche Kids Water Kickball game Friday afternoon....

  • Vote in the primary election Aug. 16

    April S. Kelley, Reporter & Photographer|Aug 11, 2016

    One candidate out of the five running on the Republican ticket for Hot Springs County Commissioner will advance to the general election in November. There are no Democrats running so the new commissioner will be decided Tuesday in the primary unless a successful write-in candidate were to enter the race in the general. Five men are running for the open commissioner seat vacated by Brad Basse. Joseph Casciato Joseph Casciato said he believes he is the best candidate because he is the common sense...

  • Lewis runs unopposed for town council seat

    Mark Dykes, Assistant Editor|Aug 11, 2016

    Three names will be on the ballot for four-year terms on the Town Councils for Thermopolis and East Thermopolis. Dusty Lewis, who is running unopposed for the Thermopolis Town Council seat, said he grew up in Wyoming, farm-raised in the Big Horn Basin. In 2005, he joined the team at Gottsche Rehabilitation, where he still works today. Lewis said he loves Thermopolis, as it is a great place with great potential. One of the big issues facing the community, of course, is the recent economic...

  • Four running for State Senate District 20

    April S. Kelley|Aug 11, 2016

    Three Republicans and one Democrat are running in the primary for the Wyoming State Senate District 20 seat vacated by Sen. Gerald Geis who did not seek re-election. One Republican candidate and the Democratic candidate will advance to the general election in November. Wyatt Agar Republican Wyatt Agar, a local rancher and businessman, said he is running to protect constitutional, individual and private property rights. "At a time when the very foundations of our livelihood and lifestyle in...

  • Twelve candidates on congressional ballot

    Mark Dykes, Assistant Editor|Aug 11, 2016

    Among the candidates whose names will be on the ballot for the congressional representative for Wyoming are: Heath Beaudry, Liz Cheney, Leleand Christensen, Mike Konsmo, Paul Paad, Jason Adam Senteny, Darin Smith and Tim Stubson for the Republican Party. Evanston resident Beaudry believes he can relate to the working class as an average person. He plans to advocate for the state in term of the energy industry, management of public lands, freedom of the press and the Second Amendment. A personal...

  • Precinct committee positions open

    April S. Kelley, Reporter & Photographer|Aug 11, 2016

    Several precinct committeemen and committeewomen are included on the 2016 Primary Ballot. Running for Republican precinct committeemen and committeewomen are Jerry D. Williams (precinct 1-1), Joshua P. Brown (precinct 1-1), Ellen Galyan (precinct 1-1), Charles Curley (precinct 1-2), Benjamin W. Shidler (precinct 1-2), Toni Casciato (precinct 1-2), Kevin Dickey (precinct 2-4), John Baird (precinct 3-3), Jim Collins (precinct 3-3), Jamie George (precinct 3-3) and Patty O’Brien (precinct 3-3). W...

  • Two on the ticket for District 28

    Mark Dykes, Assistant Editor|Aug 11, 2016

    Two candidates are on the primary ballot for the Wyoming State Representative of House District 28 - Nathan Winters and Howard Samelson. Both will advance to the general election in November. Republican candidate Winters, who has served as State Representative the past four years, stated he has worked to preserve a sound budget and stand for the principles he outlined in 2012 - upholding Constitutions of the U.S. and Wyoming, limiting government, working toward a business-friendly environment,...

  • Weekend full of Gift of the Waters Pageant and Big Horn Basin Folk Festival activities

    Mark Dykes, Assistant Editor|Aug 11, 2016

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