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  • Grand opening of new Roundtop Trail Saturday

    Jurri Schenck|May 19, 2022

    The trail development of Roundtop is about to be complete and it will have its Grand Opening on May 21 at 10 a.m. Todd Thibodeau is the team leader of four members who did the hard work. The trail building work started on March 22 and they hope to be done by May 20. The nature of the work entails digging with pickaxes, using a Punjab gas-powered jackhammer, and a device called a come-along that helps move huge rocks that easily weigh tons. And, when necessary, they drill holes or cores into the...

  • Smiths holding final horse sale

    Jurri Schenck|May 19, 2022

    Bill and Carole Smith of Wyo Quarter Horse Sales are holding their final sale on May 21 at the Fair Grounds. Depending upon the weather, a performance preview will be at 9 a.m. and the sale will occur at 1 p.m. The Smiths said that they had 59 sales events in 39 years. Their journey in this business started in 1983 when they moved from Cody to Hot Springs County. Bill said, “We’ve always had horses and we’ve always bred some horses and had some colts and things like that. And we were looki...

  • TMS FFA students receive charter for Big Springs Chapter

    Jurri Schenck|May 19, 2022

    Thermopolis Middle School (TMS) now has its own FFA chapter for seventh and eighth graders called Big Springs. TMS FFA advisor Becky Martinez said, "We got chartered this year, so we are now our own chapter, separate from the high school. We've had students in FFA for four years, but we were a combined chapter with middle school and high school. Now we're big enough to stand on our own." Martinez said they have approximately 56 students in total participating. There are two classes that are...

  • Subdivision approval on hold due to easement questions

    Jurri Schenck|May 12, 2022

    At the May 5 Hot Springs County Land Use Planning Commission held at the Annex building, the commission continued their discussion of the Red Rim Ranch Subdivision application. The application was previously discussed at the April 20 meeting where public comments were given. At this meeting, there were no formal public comments. However, the planning commission did ask questions of both the applicant Brian Hayek and residents of the Red Rim area, particularly those who live on Lane 14. The plann...

  • Funds requested for digital sign at fairgrounds

    Jurri Schenck|May 12, 2022

    At the May 3 Thermopolis Town Council meeting held at the Town Hall, Jackie Dorothy from Travel and Tourism presented to the council their joint project of installing a digital sign at the fairgrounds. Dorothy reported that the Tourism Board, the Fair Board, and the Rec Board have raised $70,000 for the $120,000 needed. They still need $50,000. Dorothy asked the council if they could find $5,000 to $10,000 in their next budget to contribute. Mayor Mike Chimenti asked Dorothy for a formal letter...

  • Commissioners updated on GIS progress

    Jurri Schenck|May 12, 2022

    At the May 3 Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting held at the Annex building, Brian Clarkson from T-O Engineers provided an update on the GIS report via speakerphone. Clarkson said they are continuing the mapping of the county road easements and right-of-way descriptions to link to historical documents. They are also performing updates and expansions on the Road and Bridge Online Applications for their maintenance. Regarding anticipated work, Clarkson said they will incorporate land-use...

  • Town employees receive cost of living raise

    Jurri Schenck|May 5, 2022

    At the April 19 Thermopolis Town Council meeting held at the Town Hall, representatives from the Farmer’s Market requested street closure and access to the Town Hall bathrooms per their usual operation. The market will begin on June 11 and end on October 1 and will be on 5th Street next to the Bicentennial Park. Set up will be at 7:30 a.m. and pack up will be done by 12:30 p.m. It will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 12 noon. The council voted and passed the approval of the requests. T...

  • Lodging tax revenue continues to climb

    Jurri Schenck|May 5, 2022

    At the April 20 Hot Springs County Travel and Tourism meeting held at the Quality Inn, treasurer Audra Dominguez gave the financial report and said that March’s lodging tax revenue was $9,569.22, which was a 25% increase over the previous year. It was the highest-earning March, with the exception of 2014/15. In 2014/15, the lodging tax was $11,312.51 but that was due to the workers helping clean the flood of the Wind River Canyon. She said this year’s lodging tax revenue comes strictly from tou...

  • Chamber discusses derby vendors

    Jurri Schenck|May 5, 2022

    At the April 21 Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce meeting held at Big Horn Federal, president Howie Samelson gave the annual report and described their chamber’s mission. Samelson said the chamber, “is organized for the purpose of acting as the community resource source, promoting economic growth and tourism as a community resource.” They also reviewed the statistics of their growth and showed a 30% increase in memberships since 2013. The chamber members then voted for the 2021 best...

  • HS Health board updated on items

    Jurri Schenck|May 5, 2022

    At the April Hot Springs Health board meeting, Chief Clinical Officer Scott Alwin gave the quality report and said they have received three applications for the hospital’s summer internship program. Currently, there are two open spots. However, there was a discussion about opening a third spot depending upon if all three students meet the criteria for the positions. The applications will be reviewed and interviews will be held in May. Alwin also reported that they are modifying processes r...

  • Rising property values result in property tax increases

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 28, 2022

    Recently, the Hot Springs County assessor’s office mailed out estimated tax assessments for 2022 to property owners, with many seeing a noticeable increase. There has been discussion and questions throughout the community as to the cause of the increase. Hot Springs County assessor Dan Webber provided some answers and insights into the matter and said, “The process really starts out with me setting a fair value on every property in the county. The term fair value is different for different cla...

  • One land use change request approved, another is continued

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 28, 2022

    At the April 20 Land Use Planning Commission meeting held at the Annex building, Hot Springs County Planner Bo Bowman presented two applicants for their requests for land-use changes for their properties. The first on the agenda was SonRise Operations LLC represented by Douglas Lindenmood, who requested a land-use change from agricultural to commercial for approximately 3.87 acres, to allow a meat processing facility. There were three conditions for his approval. One is that the commercial use...

  • Commissioners updated on projects

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 28, 2022

    At the April 19 Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting held at the Annex, Elyse Dufour presented herself on the phone to the commissioners as they addressed an update to her application for a land-use change for her property. On November 16, the commissioners held a public hearing on the change. At that time, the commissioners put a requirement forth for Dufour that involved her getting a permit from DEQ for the septic system, which she has obtained. Dufour also agreed to cap the RV...

  • HSC Senior Center purchases Shopko building

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 21, 2022

    The Hot Springs County Senior Center director Trenda Moore reported they purchased the Shopko Building in an online auction held Thursday, April 14. Moore said, "It will be the center's new home." The purchase still has yet to close, however, it should in about 30 days. Moore added that they have high expectations with the purchase as they are nearing their 50th anniversary. They have a three to five-year plan before things come full circle. This plan was requested for one of their grants....

  • Birdsley qualifies for national strongman competition

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 21, 2022

    Porshia Birdsley recently competed in the Cheyenne Colt Breaker's Strongman competition, which is part of the all-around the world competitive powerlifting. Birdsley took first place in the women's lightweight category of under 165 pounds of body weight. There were eight other girls in her category. Birdsley explained that every Strongman competition has five events that use different implements and tests of strength. Powerlifter and strongman athlete Chad Lowery encouraged Birdsley when he did...

  • Commissioners updated on GIS progress

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 14, 2022

    At the first April Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting held at the Annex building, Brian Clarkson of T-O Engineers gave the GIS (Geographic Information System) report and said they have continued mapping the county road easements and right-of-way descriptions to link to historical documents. They previously met with Bo Bowman of the county’s planning department for a work session and they scanned documents from land-use change files. This includes continuing to incorporate land-use change r...

  • Council approves liquor license transfer

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 14, 2022

    At the April 5 Thermopolis Town Council meeting held at Town Hall, Mayor Mike Chimenti held a public hearing for the retail liquor license transfer from Elle’s Restaurant and Bar to 7 Lazy S Cafe and Bar, LLC. There were no public comments. The council then voted and approved the transfer of the liquor license. Town engineer Anthony Barnett said they had a prebid event for the silo painting project and that he recommended Carr Coatings, LLC. The council voted and approved the bid. Barnett also d...

  • Waid renovates apartments

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 14, 2022

    Property owner John Waid has been working on remodeling a series of apartments located at 327 Arapahoe. Waid started the renovation and remodeling in February and anticipates he will be done in about 30 days. The work includes new flooring, drywall, and ceilings. Also, he is cleaning up the sinks, stoves, and other items. Waid also said that rental properties are difficult to find in Thermopolis and that many people have been searching for somewhere to rent, some for months. Waid said three of...

  • 7 Lazy S adding dinner, bar

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 14, 2022

    Charlie and Kim Smith are expanding their 7 Lazy S Restaurant business to include a new bar and to add dinner to their menu. Kim said, "We're getting super excited. We're going to do a hard opening Monday, April 18, where we'll be open for dinners. The hours for dinner will be 4:30-9 p.m." 7 Lazy S Restaurant is located at 109 S 6th St. Kim estimates the bar will be open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., but the exact times are still to be determined. Kim said about their dinner menu, "We will have some...

  • Bighorn River Blueway Trail discussed

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 7, 2022

    A public meeting was held on March 31 at the Fire Hall to discuss the possibility of creating the Bighorn River Blueway Trail for recreationists and citizens. Christy Fleming of the Bighorn Canyon National Park Service gave the presentation. Fleming is also a representative of the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) during the public meeting to gain support for the blueway trail, address concerns, and see what the public thinks about the idea. Dusty Lewis, opened the...

  • Jellis opens The 307 Pit

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 7, 2022

    Stevie Ann Jellis opened The 307 Pit gym and fitness facility on April 1, located at 735 South 6th Street. They are an Official Hammer Strength Training and Life Fitness Center. The 307 Pit is a high-quality, first-class facility with the same equipment used by professional athletes, nationally ranked colleges, and Olympic athletes. The 307 Pit is brand new, always clean and its equipment is well maintained at all times. The facility has the only 24/7 hr access in Thermopolis, with constant...

  • Hospital board hears reports

    Jurri Schenck|Apr 7, 2022

    At the March 29 Hot Springs Health board meeting, CEO Margie Molitor was out of town and was unable to attend. Therefore, Chief Clinical Officer Scott Alwin gave the growth pillar report and said he welcomed the new Chief Financial Officer Kevin Benson. Alwin then asked Verlene Luna to discuss the new same-day access program for the clinics. Luna said, “We really have been working with established patients from some of our more productive physicians to get them in quicker. So if, for i...

  • HSC real estate sales, availability changes

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 31, 2022

    For the past two years, property prices and their availability in Hot Springs County have experienced a significant change. There is a very high demand of buyers seeking to purchase properties here in Hot Springs County and yet there is now a low supply. Cenus data shows Wyoming’s population grew by 1,536 people between July 2020 and 2021. That’s an increase of 0.3%, above the nationwide average of 0.1% in the same time period. Based on real estate sales and availability, Hot Springs County is...

  • Curley starts Paws for a Moment

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 31, 2022

    Val Curley and her business Paws for a Moment provide a house and pet sitting service for residents here in Thermopolis. Curley started her business about four or five months ago. For dog walking, at this time, Curley charges $20 for half an hour. However, rates can be discussed. Curley could be described as a “pet whisperer” as she has a heart that connects with an animal. She doesn’t see them just as property, but as animals of value and worth. Curley described that she can quickly bond with t...

  • Willson wins full ride to UW

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 31, 2022

    Hot Springs County High School senior Jean Luc Willson recently won a full-ride scholarship to the University of Wyoming (UW). The university awards about 100 scholarships every year. As part of the application process, UW first looks at the student’s GPAs and ACT scores. Willson said they look for an ACT score around 32 and a GPA of about 3.9 or 3.8. UW Admissions put the applicants in a selection pool where they then have to do essay questions for a second phase. The school then narrows down t...

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