Week of May 14, 2026
Week of May 14, 2026
Construction work on the boardwalk at Hot Springs State Park is scheduled to begin the week of May 11, with work expected to continue through late August. The project will involve a full replacement of the existing boardwalk, which is approximately 25 years old. Over time, the structure has begun to deteriorate, reducing water flow across the park’s iconic mineral terraces. For the safety of visitors and to allow for efficient construction, the boardwalk will be closed to the public for the duration of the project. Visitors are encouraged...
High school members honored The Thermopolis FFA Chapter hosted their 88th annual banquet on Monday, May 4 recognizing high school student member and community members. The group celebrated their gold ranking on the state level and their top 6 chapter ranking. Members were recognized for their Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Development Events (LDEs) on the state level. With 64 FFA chapters and over 4,606 members in the state of Wyoming, some contests have as many as 50 teams...
On Tuesday, May 5, the Hot Springs County Commissioners held their first regular meeting for the month. In approving the payment of monthly bills, the commissioners denied the request of commissioner, Bob Aguiar, to be reimbursed the sum of $1,000, which he had paid for legal representation in conjunction with the Governor’s recent investigation of matters surrounding the Tipi Retreat issue. Aguiar argued that the attorney fees had been incurred to defend his position as a county commissioner, and not to defend himself as an individual....
The Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame (WCHF) has selected 25 inductees for the class of 2026. The WCHF State Board of Directors voted on the nominees from across the state during its annual meeting April 26. The 13th annual induction ceremony will be at Little America in Cheyenne, Sept. 25-26. In region 8, Hot Springs County resident Doug Wallingford will be honored as an inductee. WCHF’s states its chief goal as: “To preserve, promote, perpetuate, publish and document Wyoming’s working cowboy and ranching history through researching,...
Hot Springs County School District #1will be handing out diplomas to 43 graduating seniors on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Hot Springs County High School gymnasium. Ryan Shaffer will be the featured speaker. The graduation insert in this paper features photos of members of the HSCHS class of 2026 and congratulations from family members and local...
by Noah Zahn, Wyoming Tribune Eagle via Wyoming News Exchange After Wyoming Department of Transportation officials raised concern over a potential $500 million annual funding gap, a legislative committee met this week to begin discussing ways to address the concerns. Over the two-day meeting of the Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee, lawmakers heard testimony on potential ways to find a balance between supporting state infrastructure and conservative stewardship of state funds. The TRIP report The committee began by...
Beer and brats Central Bank & Trust is hosting beer and brats on Thursday, May 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Kiwanis Shelter in Hot Springs State Park. Come have dinner and drinks on them at this community appreciation event. Law enforcement memorial service The Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement memorial service will be held Thursday, May 14 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the flagpole in front of the law enforcement building. The group will then have wreath laying ceremonies at Riverside and Monument Hill Cemeteries, followed...
At their May 5 meeting, the Thermopolis Town Council appointed and swore in new Thermopolis Town Clerk/Treasurer, Connie Guntley. Guntley had been shadowing, outgoing clerk Tracy Van Heule, who retired at the end of April. Police chief Pat Cornwell suggested that the town needs to consider passing an ordinance dealing with the use of electric bicycles on town streets and sidewalks. The use of such vehicles has become much more popular in recent months and there is currently no ordinance, which specifically applies to their use in the town...
Last Saturday, nine area schools met to compete in the 2026 Big Horn Conference track meet at Leroy Hayes Field in Thermopolis. At the end of the day, the 6th grade boys (151.75 points), 8th grade boys (164.5 points), 6th grade girls (120 points) and 8th grade girls ( 155 points) all finished in first place earning them the title of conference champions. The 7th grade boys ended in second place with 129 points and the 7th grade girls finished third with 86.50 points. On Tuesday, those who...
Mother Nature decided to play nice last week - just in time for the Bobcat Invitational on Friday, May 8. With warm temps under an azure sky, it was a perfect spring day for track and field events. More than twenty teams rolled in to Thermopolis to compete in one of the largest track meets in the State of Wyoming. School busses were observed heading into town from all directions. All competitors arrived with hope and anticipation, but the home team was ready to defend their turf. As they had...
The Hot Springs County High School Bobcat golf teams finished up their success filled spring season in Kemmerer last week. Both teams competed in the 2A Spring Championship Tournament at Fossil Island Golf Course on Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9. Carding an impressive team score of 553, the Lady Cats were crowned champs of the Class 2A Spring Season for the third time in as many years. The Lady Cats took the spring crown in Torrington in 2024, and in Wright in 2025. This year, the Lady Cats finished 75 strokes under the second place team...
The spring junior high and high school rodeo season kicked off in Rock Springs the third weekend of April. The regular season includes competition at six rodeos around Wyoming. With four events in the rear view mirror, Thermopolis Rodeo Club members will be up next at Casper on May 15-16 and then Buffalo on May 23-25. Finals are June 1-6 in Buffalo. Local high school competitors have had some notable top ten finishes so far including: Rock Springs Jay Ritchey and partner Bayon Sneathen, 10th, team roping, 22.74 Bridger Peil, tie down calf...
Barb Heinze hugs Meri Ann Dorman, left, during a community celebration held at the armory honoring Dorman for 13 years of service with the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce. The event featured friends, family and community members gathering to celebrate her contributions to Thermopolis and Hot Springs...
Nancy Brown, left, and Katie Jones dance during a tie-breaker in the best dressed hillbilly contest at the People for People Appreciation Dinner Hillbilly Soiree at the armory last Saturday. Brown won the contest during the evening of dinner, games, music, live and silent...
Ellie Dickey pets Beau, a Great Dane, during the Thermopolis FFA petting zoo at the Hot Springs County High School AG shop last week while Taytum Dickey and Kendall Dickey enjoy meeting the gentle dog...
Sandi Bills enjoys tea during the Mother's Day Tea event held at the Senior Center while showing off a teacup that belonged to her grandmother and is possibly from...
Questions In what mountain range was the 5,300-year-old frozen and mummified body of Ötzi the Iceman found? What year did the first woman officially run the Boston Marathon? What are the four smallest Wyoming counties by population, and what are their county seats? Correctly spell the word for ten to the 100th power. What are the names of the tree-like humanoid and the raccoon on Guardians of the Galaxy? Fun Facts The Pomp and Circumstance march played at graduations was composed by Edward Elgar and was first used at a graduation ceremony by...
For those of you who display the U.S. flag at your home, business or government building… please check the condition of the flag and replace the ones that are faded, torn or dirty. Memorial Day, Flag Day and Trailblazer Days are coming soon and it would be nice to see fresh flags all over town. Thank you from a grumpy old veteran. Jim...
Wyoming Education Association President Kimberly Amen’s issues statement on school funding The Wyoming Education Association supports fully funding every part of Wyoming’s public schools. That includes not only competitive salaries for educators, but also the programs and supports that help students succeed every day: activities, nutrition services, counseling and student support staff, transportation, and safe learning environments. As districts work through the new recalibration model and the required changes tied to ADM (Average Daily...
A life filled with love, support, and generosity towards others, hunting, trailing, outdoor activities, and some fast talking, began August 19,1950, when John Edward was born to Edward and Anastasia (Wennemar) Gerrells in Billings, Mont. John was the 2nd of four children. He started his schooling at Holy Rosary Catholic School and then moved to St. Pius Catholic School in Billings. The family later moved to Bridger, Mont., where he graduated from Bridger High School. Growing up, John spent time...
In Loving Memory of Skylar It is with profound sadness and endless love that we share the passing of our beloved daughter, Skylar, at just 12 years old. Though her time here was far to short, the love, laughter, and light she brought into this world will remain with us forever. She was incredibly smart, funny, sweet, and full of life. She had a way of making people smile wherever she went, always ready with a joke or a funny story that could brighten even the hardest day. Her laughter was...
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. Information included on this page is provided to the IR by HSCSO, TPD or obtained through other agencies. Highway patrol Friday, May 8 Time unknown: Valerie Herrera was arrested for alleged...
