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Articles written by Gene Peterson


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  • Let your voice be heard

    Gene Peterson|May 2, 2019

    A report in the Thermopolis Independent Record stated tons of sludge (tainted water) from 4,250 oil wells may be dumped into Badwater Creek drainage. Small creek beds, dry most of the year, could carry an estimated 8.27 millions of sludge into Boysen Reservoir. According to the report. What problems can we expect from 2,000-plus TONS of oilfield pollutants carried from Boysen into the Big Horn River every month? Can any study estimate the livestock, deer, antelope, small wildlife and vegetation poisoned by such a huge amount of gunk? What...

  • Days gone by

    Gene Peterson|Feb 21, 2019

    Reflecting on Rex’s Ramblings in last week’s Thermopolis Independent Record, I was the same age and, like in Rex’s article, in the military. The 507th Paratroopers were based in Alliance, Nebraska. We lived on the last street in town; beyond that was an endless prairie of tall, dry grass. Three of us boys were searching for treasures in the prairie and found a small box of matches. Tall, dry grass, small boys and matches spell — well, you guessed it. We touched a small flame to the dry grass; it flared rapidly. We jumped on the fire and put...

  • Call for a change in laws

    Gene Peterson|Feb 1, 2018

    Old, old laws Thermopolis Planning Board keeps on the books need to change. One law is — the city claims one hundred feet of “right of way” from curb to curb of city streets. Some streets are only 40 feet, or less, wide. This means the “right of way” laps 30 feet, more or less, onto property you pay taxes on. You are also responsible to keep the weeds on the city property removed. Years ago when city streets were mapped out, many lots were 30 ft. by 140 ft. You cannot build much on 30 feet. So people bought two lots to have a 60 by 140 foot...

  • Wyoming is an open carry state

    Gene Peterson|Aug 10, 2017

    A Thermopolis councilman expressed his concerns about problems residents and tourists might face during the weekend of the eclipse. I thought they were comical. However if he is right and I am wrong we could have problems. We do have a small police force. I know a pastor who always “packed” in church when he preached. One Sunday, I told him “I was ‘packing.’” He said, “good.” I didn’t say “a bible.” A sheriff advised me to “pack” all the time. I asked the police department if this letter is breaking any laws and an officer said, “No problem, it...

  • Dogs are better deterrent to crime than alarms

    Gene Peterson|Nov 24, 2016

    All the police reports of dogs running loose and barking I wonder if one person is doing much of the complaining. I like to hear dogs barking. They alert us if somebody’s around that shouldn’t be. Unless maybe they’re being abused, hungry, thirsty, left out on a cold night. They’re just four legged family and need love. Burglars claimed dogs, even little ones, are better deterrent to crime than any other alarm. The most intelligent animal with their sharp smell and hearing are able to do many tasks impossible for man. They risk their lives,...

  • Belief in the Bible story of Daniel

    Gene Peterson|Sep 15, 2016

    Last week’s letter to the editor from Joseph Casciato - Bible story of Daniel in the lion’s den - is a fairy tale according to some. Millions of others, on the other hand, believe the story. But why? Could it be these millions, like me, have experienced their own lion’s den? Well, maybe not with lions but in life threatening situations only to be saved miraculously in the last moment? After 40 years of following God, not only have I experienced the “Lions Den” many times; so have many of my family. I know dozens of others whose lives were save...

  • Trout in Big Horn River need a rest

    Gene Peterson, Letter to the editor|Aug 6, 2015

    “The best fly fishing in the country,” is what some are calling the short stretch of the Big Horn River from Wedding of the Waters through Thermopolis. Newspapers, magazines and television have been luring anglers from all parts of the country, as far as New York, Louisiana and Texas, giving the local economy a ‘shot in the arm.’ A history of other rivers, once considered, great fisheries, are fished out and only “so-so” today. The Big Horn is now the champion attraction. Along with the increase of fishermen and “tubers” comes empty cans, plast...