Week of February 12, 2026
Week of February 12, 2026
Laramie County District Court Judge Michael J. McGrady recently issued a split ruling in the Star Plunge case, one that keeps the case alive but allows the state to move forward with Hot Springs State Park improvements. The ruling is in response to a Motion to Vacate or Modify the Preliminary Injunction filed on April 4, 2025, by the Defendants in the case, Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources and the Wyoming Parks and Cultural Resources Commission. The Plaintiff in the case...
The Board of Directors of Hot Springs Health held their first regular monthly meeting of the new year on January 27. CEO Scott Alwin introduced Dionna Colvin, who has recently come on board for the hospital as its clinical and staff education coordinator. He added that Juanita Apodaca has been hired as a staff accountant. Dr. Mattson Mathey acknowledged another new hire in Kayla Sterling, who is the hospital’s new licensed clinical social worker. In his report, Alwin advised the board that the community needs assessment process is...
Bobcat senior Nolan Collins signed his commitment to play football for the Eagles at Chadron State College. He is a four-year stand-out for the highly regarded football and basketball programs at Hot Springs County High School. He will matriculate to Chadron this fall to study physical...
With the respective night’s agenda being relatively light, the Thermopolis Town Council recently held two quick meetings and handled a variety of business. Town engineer Anthony Barnett reported that he has competed work on the application for SLIB funding for the transfer station project. Currently, it is estimated that the project will cost approximately $3.4 million. He expects there to be a decision on the funding request sometime in April. The council approved a 24 hour liquor permit for Shorty’s Liquor to allow the business to cater...
Hot Springs County Weed and Pest (HSCWP) is updating their mosquito and whitetop special management programs. To participate in these programs, landowners must sign consent forms and enter into a cooperative agreement with HSCWP. Separate paperwork must be completed for each program. These will replace all of the past permissions and agreements for treatments and are open to all county residents. There is no obligation if you are enrolled, but you need to enroll by the deadline to have the option to participate. HSCWP is still providing...
by Noah Zahn Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange Standing before a packed House chamber to kick off the state Legislature’s 2026 budget session, Gov. Mark Gordon presented a vision for Wyoming predicated on “the essentials” while forcefully pushing back against aggressive spending cuts proposed by the Legislature’s primary budgeting arm. Calling the current moment a “crossroads” for the Cowboy State, Gordon delivered his seventh State of the State address Monday, emphasizing that fiscal discipline means not only...
by Katie Klingsporn, WyoFile.com and Carrie Haderlie, Wyoming Tribune Eagle, via WNE A bill to fund Wyoming’s K-12 public-school system failed introduction in the House on the opening day of the Wyoming Legislature’s budget session — the legislative equivalent of death. The Legislature is constitutionally required to fund its public schools and is tasked every five years with the so-called “recalibration” process. The exhaustive task involves assessing the state’s school funding model and making necessary updates; it impacts...
The Hot Springs County Commissioners held their second meeting of the new year on January 20. Carson Rowley from Ardurra provided an update on the Overlook at Roundtop project. After reviewing the needs of the project for water, sewer and electrical lines, Rowley recommended that the county pursue any necessary updating to the water service at this stage of development. Focusing on that part of the project provides the biggest asset for the project at this point, and will additionally provide additional service for other property owners in...
The Commodity Food Give Away once a month at the VFW will now be on Wednesdays from 11-2 p.m. This month it will be held on Wednesday, February 18. Please note this new date and time. The give away is hosted by River of Life Fellowship members. The food is provided from the USDA in coordination with the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies. Upcoming food give aways will be held on the third Wednesday of the month. Please keep watch in the Community Calendar in this paper for updates. To volunteer to help distribute food, be at the VFW at 9...
From Wyoming News Exchange newspapers Bill to ax Wyoming Business Council fails, budget amendment still in play at session CHEYENNE (WNE) — A measure to statutorily unwind the Wyoming Business Council has failed an introductory vote in the Senate, but an effort to defund the state’s economic development agency remains in the state’s 2027-28 biennium budget. Sen. Dan Laursen, R-Powell, said that Senate File 65, “Wyoming business council-repeal,” sponsored by the Joint Appropriations Committee, would have rectified growing concern...
Bighorn Basin geology presentation The February meeting of the Hot Springs County Historical Society will feature Myron Cook and a presentation on Bighorn Basin geology. The meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 beginning at 2 p.m. at The Learning Center/Common Ground, 124 N. 5th St. For more information, call 864-2678. Pancake supper Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is hosting a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 17 from 4:30-7 p.m. at 642 Arapahoe St. Donations will be accepted. For more information, call 864-3629. LGBTQ+ Allies...
After defeating Shoshoni and Greybull the week before, the Hot Springs County High School Bobcat basketball team climbed into the #1 ranking among class 2A teams in Wyoming. Sporting a 12-4 overall record (3-0 in the Northwest Quad) the Bobcats were ready for a couple of home contests. On Friday night, 2A Southwest Big Piney were in town. The Punchers have had a challenging season, with a record of 6-10, and proved to be no match for the Bobcats. The Cats led after every period and won by a...
Lady Cats basketball faced off with two West Conference opponents last weekend and came away with two important wins as the team grinds toward regionals at the end of the month. Both games were played at home to an appreciative crowd of local supporters On Friday night, February 6, the Punchers of Big Piney came calling. The Punchers brought a 4-12 record into the contest and have not figured in the coaches rankings this season. Still, Big Piney is not a team that can be overlooked. The game...
Thermopolis Wrestling Club members were once again in Casper last weekend at The Summit at 5150 tournament hosted by Eastside United Wrestling Club. With 23 kids competing, Thermopolis brought home 9 championships and 3 runner-up titles. No team scores were available. Individual placers include: 6U Girls 37-41 - Noel Ryan, 1st; Zakyrah Palu, 4th 10U Girls 67 - Cooper Enis, 2nd 14U Girls 95 - Hayden Robinson, 1st 14U Girls 115 - Kiowa Pruitt, 3rd 16U Girls 105-120 - Hailey Robinson, 1st 8U 45 - Konnor Simpson, 1st 8U 49 - John Ryan, 4th 8U 53...
The Hot Springs County High School boys and girls wrestling team competed in Greybull last weekend. Both teams came in third in the team standings - with the girls taking 66 points and the boys raking in 132 points. On the girls side, there were twelve schools in competition. With just four Lady Cats competing it was clear there had been a good deal of exceptional wrestling to place third in the team standings. Sophomore Izzy Hetzel was crowned champion and was also named as the Outstanding Wrestler of the event. Juniors Lilly Quintanilla and...
Lynn Betts, left, and Brad Basse look at boxes of chocolates during the Chocolate Lovers Fundraiser at the Hot Springs County Library organized by the Friends of the Library on...
Helen Woodings plays a game of Probe during board game night last week at Holy Trinity Church. The event was hosted by Big Horn Basin...
Thermopolis Middle School held a banner ceremony last Friday where members of the staff displayed their banner for being named the #1 school in Wyoming by U.S. News and World Report. Students were also celebrated with the fifth grade earning 10th in the state in math, 6th graders were recognized for ELA - incredible growth, seventh graders earned 5th in math and 2nd in reading and eighth graders were 6th in reading and science and 7th in...
Ellie Lawrence cheers with enthusiasm, waving purple and gold pom-poms during a Bobcats varsity home basketball game last...
The Hot Springs Speech and Debate Team brought home a third straight 1A/2A Championship trophy after taking first at the Jackson Teton Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament held at Jackson Hole High School on February 6-7, 2026. The Bobcats brought 16 students to compete in the tournament that hosted 11 schools and over 250 entries. Senior Dean Bihr led the charge with a standout performance, finishing as the Extemporaneous Debate Champion. Bihr also teamed up with junior Annie Sharp to take second place in Policy Debate. Sharp continued...
Questions: Where did Charles Dickens work at age 12 while his father was in debtor’s prison? What is the largest city in Wyoming with a one-syllable name? On what continent was Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury born? Which profession receives the most Valentine cards each year? What U.S. city is generally credited as the birthplace of jazz? Fun Facts: After Chicago gangster John Dillinger was shot by the FBI in 1934, onlookers dabbed handkerchiefs in his blood as souvenirs. He was betrayed by a Romanian immigrant named Anna Sage, later...
The wildlife of Wyoming is a valuable resource that belongs to every resident of the Equality State. Many enjoy watching these wild denizens going about their lives — grazing, rutting, caring for young and just existing. Others harvest one or more animals per year for sustenance, celebrating and thanking the wild life that helps sustain human life. Ethical hunters practice fair chase. When bad actors break the state game laws, we all should be indignant. Public servants create systems to manage the health and numbers of animals the habitat...
by Jill Pertler I had dinner with a dear friend the other night and near the start of the meal, something became apparent: we had differing political views on numerous topics. Can you imagine, sharing a Cobb salad and a Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich over dinner with someone who sits on the other side of the aisle as you? Crazy, I know. But just wait, I haven’t even gotten to the really preposterous part yet. Neither one of us got up from the table and left in a a huff. We had a delightful evening. I’d love to do it again soon. I think...
Loretta was born May 17, 1934, in Atkinson, Neb., to Edward and Louella McDonald. The family later moved to Lander, Wyo., where she attended Lander High School and worked at the New-Way Cafe. Shortly after graduating, she met her husband of 61 years, Owen Dean Reavis, while working at the cafe. They married in 1954. The couple had two sons and settled in Thermopolis. There, she continued working in restaurants and additionally started her own business, Flowers by Loretta. In the 1980s, seeking...
On the Record policy It is the Thermopolis Independent Record’s policy that all people arrested or cited under the “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. Names of minors are not printed. Correction The correct email address for Ginkgo Acupuncture LLC is robin@ginkgoacu.com. We apologize for the error in the new business story. Sheriff’s office Monday, Feb. 2 3:12 p.m. Report of...
