by Zak Sonntag Casper Star-Tribune Via Wyoming News Exchange CASPER — After years of analysis, political wrangling and a contentious public comment period, the federal Bureau of Land Management officialized a sweeping overhaul of its oil and gas leasing program on Friday. The changes, which will affect how extractive industries operate on federal land, mark the first major update to the federal onshore oil and gas leasing rules since 1988, the first adjustment to bond rates since 1960 and the first increase in royalty rates in more than 100...

by Billy Arnold Jackson Hole News&Guide Via Wyoming News Exchange JACKSON — Wyoming officials on Sunday detected a grizzly bear living in the Bighorn Mountains, a range 100 miles east of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that grizzlies haven’t occupied for almost a century. On Monday, however, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department killed the subadult male bruin. The bear had attacked a cow some 20 miles south of Ten Sleep, injuring the animal to the point where it had to be euthanized. Game and Fish officials said this was the “first...

by Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile.com, via WNE State utility regulators on Thursday denied a request by Rocky Mountain Power to relitigate its recently resolved request for a rate hike, commenting they were “offended” by one of the utility’s allegedly misleading arguments. The company had hoped to add two charges to its Wyoming customers’ bills, despite those increases having been tossed in December following months of intense debate. Rocky Mountain Power, Wyoming’s largest electric utility, filed an application for “rehearing...

by Jasmine Hall Jackson Hole News&Guide Via Wyoming News Exchange JACKSON — Gov. Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Revenue announced Monday that the property tax refund program for homeowners is now open for applications. An additional $20 million was appropriated for the program by the Legislature in the most recent budget at the request of the governor in an effort to ensure that homeowners in need are eligible to participate. “I want to thank the Legislature for endorsing the importance of this program to Wyoming taxpayers and...

From Wyoming News Exchange newspapers Woman arrested for aggravated assault after allegedly hitting motorcycle with her car GILLETTE (WNE) — A 63-year-old woman was arrested for aggravated assault after allegedly chasing a motorcycle throughout town and intentionally hitting it with her car Sunday afternoon. She and a 53-year-old man have been in an ongoing dispute over the ownership of two motorcycles, said Police Deputy Chief Brent Wasson. Sunday afternoon, the woman sat outside the man’s room at the Arrowhead Motel and waited for him...

There will be a Mother’s Day Craft Fair on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Hot Springs County Fair Building. If you are looking for a unique or creative gift for someone special this Mothers’ Day or another occassion, check out the many vendors offering a variety of gifts. For more information, contact Sheridan Lendoye at (307)...

by Hannah Shields Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange CHEYENNE — Gov. Mark Gordon has decided the new voter registration rules proposed by Secretary of State Chuck Gray exceed his statutory authority. Gordon sided with the Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council — made up of legislative leadership from both chambers — in its disapproval of the new rules, which would have required people to provide proof of residency, not just identity, when registering to vote. Gray has said on multiple occasions, including an op-ed...

The Risen Son Christian School is holding its annual fundraiser, Pasta with a Purpose, on Friday, April 26 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Hot Springs County Fair Building. A free spaghetti dinner will be served followed by an auction. All of the proceeds from the event go to their scholarship fund. For more information, to make a donation or help with the event, contact Shailee Harvey at (307) 921-8069 or Jon Locke at (307)...

Jenifer Grimm conducted the Installation of Officers’ Ceremony on April 9 for the 2024-2025 officers for E.S.A. Alpha Phi #1148 chapter. They include, President and Educational Chair Carol Andreen; Vice President Michelle Herring; Secretary Brenda Larson; Treasurer and Photographer Cindy Magelky Awards, Historian, and Scrapbook Chair Jenifer Grimm; Philanthropic Kendi Heinze; Ways and Means Stefanie Ireland; Social Chair and Publicity Linda Ziegler; Jonquil/Chaplain Kim Enis and Parliamentarian Ruth Galovich. President Andreen is utilizing...

RYTE Rehabilitation is hosting the second annual Beyond Kegels with Cocktails on Saturday, April 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. at their facility located at 800 Shoshoni St. Speakers will include Tess Williams, DPT on taking care of yourself postpartum, Hallie Bishoff, DO on aging well, Stephanie Mohr, CMHW on prioritizing self-care across the lifespan and Kaitlin Stone, MFA on coming home to our bodies after trauma. Entry tickets are $15 for one or two for $20, which includes appetizers and one drink, entry into raffles and speaker presentations. All...

Organizers are planning their first Thermopolis Frisbee Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 27 at the course, located along Highway 20 North at the edge of town across from the Armory. Sign-ups start at 9:30 a.m. with competition beginning at 10 a.m. Scoring will be for singles 2 round, 18 holes, with a $12 buy-in. Payout will depend on the number of participants. There will be a special prize available for a C.P.T. on hole 2. The organizer will add an additional $50 in to the Acepot. For more information on the tourney, contact Frank Luna at...

Daniel Powell

The Hot Springs County High School Lady Cats track team traveled to Lander on April 9 for the Twilight Event and then to Rawlins on April 12 to compete in the Nancy Steinburg Invitational. In the early season action, the Lady Cats finished fourth with 61 points at Lander and third with 69 points at Rawlins. Highlights from Lander include: Davdine King second in the 100 meter dash, 13.20; second in the 400 meter dash,1:03.20; first in high jump, 4-11.00 and second in long jump, 15-04.00. Ina King seventh in the 100 meter dash, 13.98 and first...

Thermopolis Middle School track team members competed in Riverton at Spartan Invite on Saturday, April 11. Results include 6th/7th Grade Boys 100 meter dash - Aiden Cleare, 15th, 15.11; Logan Johnson, 17th, 15.18; James Linton, 19th, 15.21; William Garrison, 16.31; Cameron Martinez, 16.59; Apollo Jenks, 16.78 200 meter dash - Oliver Strenger, 9th, 32.02; Aiden Cleare, 18th, 33.86; Brayden Jones, 40.69 400 meter dash - William Garrison, 3rd, 1:08.32; Apollo Jenks, 8th, 1:18.32 800 meter run - Lane Jenniges-Collamer, 2nd, 2:41.91; Brayden...

The Hot Springs County High School Bobcat boys track team was on the road again this past week with meets on April 9 in Lander and in Rawlins on April 12. The Cats finished in third place at each meet, with team scores of 131 and 119, respectively. Highlights from Lander include: Seth Needham first in the 100 meter dash, 11.97 and second in the 400 meter dash, 51.74. Davian Martinez seventh in the 110 meter hurdles, 19.80; sixth in the 300 meter hurdles, 47.50 and fourth in high jump, 5-04.00. Jaye Christensen eighth in the 110 meter hurdles,...

Daniel Powell

The Hot Springs County High School Golf Team traveled to Sheridan Friday, April 12 to play in the Tongue River Spring Invitational. The event was held at the Kendrick Golf Course, which will host the State Tournament this fall. Kendrick is a par 72, 18-hole public course that is fairly unique in its layout, having few bunkers and not a lot of trees. The event served as a good preview of a course many of the Bobcats and Lady Bobcats look forward to playing on in the state tournament. The Lady Cats registered four players for the event ...

by Rhett Breedlove, Torrington Telegram This perhaps is something everyone can relate to, and it falls under all sorts of categories. It’s in our nature to continue to try over, and over again until we finally succeed. Or at least until we get something right. This is the absolute truth if we ever plan to get anywhere in life, and as we all know very well by now nothing worth having is going to come easy. When we were young we were rightfully taught if at first you don’t succeed, you must try, try again. Absolutely. None of us ever became...

The petition at the Hot Springs County Senior Center is simply to put the question of a special district on the ballot. Then if Democracy works correctly, people vote for or against it in the August primary. This petition is only to get the word out there, get it on the ballot and the voters say yes or no in August. A district would affect only property owners. If you don’t own property, you don’t pay a thing. Property owners would pay $1.59 per month on a $100,000 home and, in my opinion, that is not much. Once it gets on the ballot, it...

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. Highway Patrol Thursday, April 11 5:19 p.m. Jordan Roy Annis, 54, from Casper, was arrested for alleged possession of a controlled substance, marijuana and interference with a peace officer. Friday, April 12 3:15...