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Articles written by Jurri Schenck


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  • Governor vetoes one property tax relief bill while signing others

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 28, 2024

    The Wyoming Legislature recently passed five property tax bills and Governor Mark Gordon has signed HB0003, “Property tax exemption for long-term homeowners,” HB0045, “Property tax exemption-residential structures and land,” and SF0089, “Veterans ad valorem exemption-amount” into law. Originally presented to Governor Gordon were five bills, three of which were modifications to existing law, and the other two were new bills. House Bill 3 passed, which is a new exemption and was for senior citi...

  • Town council approves motorcycle awareness parade

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 28, 2024

    The Thermopolis Town Council held a brief meeting at Town Hall on March 19. During citizen participation, Frank Davis presented a request for a Motorcycle Awareness Parade on May 4 at noon. Davis said the parade path would begin at the old Shopko building to Canyon Hills Road to 14th Street, a right onto Broadway, a left turn at 6th Street, to Park Street, to Hot Springs State Park, and go through the park, then right to East Broadway, a right at 4th Street, left on Arapahoe to 6th Street, then...

  • Nail spa opens downtown

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 28, 2024

    Sean Kruse and his fiance Michelle Dang opened The Polish Nail & Spa for business on March 19. They are located at 110 North 5th Street. Kruse moved to Thermopolis about five years ago after he left Aberdeen, South Dakota where he worked as a store manager at Walmart for 30 years. Kruse is also the Deputy Assessor for Hot Springs County. Just before he left for Wyoming, Kruse met Michelle Dang and immediately fell in love. For the past five years, their long-distance relationship blossomed and...

  • Cutting club celebrates 35 years of dedication to their sport

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 21, 2024

    The Central Wyoming Cutting Club (CWCC) celebrated its 35th anniversary last Saturday with a banquet at Hot Springs Hotel.Original members James Johnson, Martin Bader, Melody Robinson and Mel Dahl were recognized during the event. Current club president Hayden Heaphy sat down with the founders, along with director Bruce Keller, and spoke about the importance of all the original founding members and their anniversary. Original founding member Martin Bader was unable to attend. Heaphy said,...

  • Lost Coal District book released

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 21, 2024

    Author Lea Cavalli Schoenewald’s newest book “Lost Coal District of Gebo, Crosby and Kirby” will be available at a book signing event to meet the author at Storyteller on Saturday, March 23 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 524 Broadway. The book is described as, “Forging America’s fuel, Henry Cottle registered the first mining claim in what would become northern Hot Springs County in the late 1880s. Henry Monro and Frank Porter’s Cedar Mountain Cowboy Mine followed in 1898. In 1906, Burlington...

  • Hospital board hears various reports

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 21, 2024

    At the February Hot Springs Health board meeting held at the conference room, CEO Scott Alwin introduced their new lab director, Kylee Brink. Alwin said, “She’s been a faithful employee for several years and over the past year has shown dedication, growth, diligence and dedication to quality and improved performance in our lab. Additionally, she brought the laboratory through a successful Clia survey with monumental improvements compared to the previous surveys.” Alwin added that he has resta...

  • Mayor explains decision-making process regarding released body cam footage

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 14, 2024

    At the March 5 Thermopolis Town Council meeting held at Town Hall, Mayor Adam Estenson made a statement regarding the released body cam footage of Sergeant Mike Mascorro related to the incident on April 28. He said, "It was my decision to release only portions of that footage...The intent was to include pertinent footage to cut down on the amount of viewing time because it's the duration of the day in different segments as the camera is turned on and turned off throughout the day, which is stand...

  • GIS update presented

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 14, 2024

    At the March 5 Hot Springs County Commissioners board meeting held at the annex building, the commissioners voted and passed the approval of the warrant register for $440,306.21 and payroll for $202,778.42. Brian Clarkson and Maddie Ross of Ardurra gave the Geographic Information System (GIS) update and said they have scheduled time with the commissioners on April 16 to go over GIS in detail. Ross also said they worked on an online application for the Planner to categorize parcels by their...

  • Travel and tourism meeting

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 7, 2024

    At the February Hot Springs County Travel & Tourism board meeting, Treasurer Audra Dominguez was not able to attend. Therefore, Chairman Carl Leyba and Director Jackie Dorothy went over the financial report. The most recent lodging tax deposit was for $13,386.76, which was $3,689.40 more than the previous year or a 38% increase. This was also a recording breaking amount for the month. The board then reviewed the financial statements and budget. After discussion, the board voted and passed the...

  • Town holds brief meeting

    Jurri Schenck|Mar 7, 2024

    At the February 20, the Thermopolis Town Council meeting, Town Clerk/Treasurer Tracey Van Heule presented a budget adjustment, which included some salary adjustments and other to satisfy auditors in their accounting. The council voted and passed the approval of the budget adjustment. During citizen participation, Meri Ann Dorman, representing Main Street Thermopolis, presented a request for street closure for their Brewfest event on June 1. The closure would be on Broadway Street between 4th...

  • Water is the lifeblood of agriculture

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 22, 2024

    The Owl Creek Irrigation District (OCID) is constructing a new pumping station. Matt Brown is part of those leading the effort in its construction. Brown said that the OCID is a taxable entity which enables them to pursue grants. The OCID is made up of three areas, which include the upper area, the middle area, and the lower area, which is from Mike Messenger's property to the Big Horn River. The pumping plant where the new project work is being done supplies water to the lower area. Brown...

  • Property tax ballot initiative signatures campaign

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 22, 2024

    The organization BCR Initiatives is spearheading a ballot initiative and signature campaign for exempting 50% of the assessed value of residential property tax of owner-occupied homes statewide. BCR stands for Brent (Bien), Cheryl (Aguiar), and Rich (Weber) who are leading the effort. They are currently collecting signatures from voters from all over the state and verifying them by comparing them to voter rolls. Chairman Brent Bien explained the background of how and why their organization and...

  • Council provides status update on policy review, body cam footage

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 15, 2024

    At the February 6 Thermopolis Town Council meeting held at Town Hall during citizen participation, Tonya Petty presented herself to the council and said, “Months ago, after the special prosecutor’s report came out, you stated that policies and procedures were being reviewed by an outside source. Is that a correct statement? Was that to update and improve upon them or just to review them for that specific case?” Mayor Adam Estenson replied, “Seeing that the review is still in place, we’re n...

  • County GSI update presented at meeting

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 15, 2024

    Chairman Tom Ryan was absent at the February 6 Hot Springs County Commissioners board meeting. Vice Chair Phil Scheel presided over the meeting and disposed of Robert’s Rules of Order in order to conduct business with Commissioner Paul Galovich. Ardurra’s Brian Clarkson and Maddie Ross provided the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) update and said they provided an Open Data Tutorial to new HSC County Planner Les Culliton. They had an in-person meeting with Culliton and discussed existing app...

  • Meeting planned to discuss revitalizing economic development

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 15, 2024

    At the February 8 Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce board meeting, CEO Meri Ann Dorman discussed the coming board nominations and the annual board meeting in April. In May, they will begin the election process and in June they will announce the new board members and elect the executive board for the next fiscal year. Dorman and the board discussed the Economic Task Force which had a meeting last year. Dorman said, “My goal was to get all of the entities in the room and talk about w...

  • Zane Stam wins weightlifting championship

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 8, 2024

    Hot Springs County High School junior Zane Stam, 16, competed at the State Championship Powerlifting Meet on January 27. Stam lifted a total of 460 kgs, which amounts to over 1,000 pounds. He did three different lifts, which included squat, bench, and deadlift, with three attempts in each lift. Stam won the state championship for his age and weight class and has qualified for nationals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 4. Regarding Stam's mindset during his competition, he said, "I was just...

  • Hot Springs Health board approves audit report

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 8, 2024

    At the January 30 Hot Springs Health board meeting, during special introductions, CEO Scott Alwin introduced Mia Barreda and a new physician assistant from West Virginia, who is working in the Emergency Department. Second, Alwin introduced nurse Ann Strenger, who is now the clinic director. Alwin also presented Neil Todhunter a plaque recognizing his dedication and years of service to Hot Springs Health. Dave Studebaker of Eide Bailey presented their audit of Hot Springs Health and said, “The p...

  • Eighth grade science fair winners

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 8, 2024

    On January 26, four Thermopolis Middle School 8th grade students all won first place awards at the Powell regional science fair, each in their own categories. Jaelyn Steadman, Mac McCumber, Orion Jenks and Brian Weaver all brought home wins. Science teacher Aimee Kay said, “I’ve never done a science fair before in my 29 years of teaching. I told the kids we started back at the end of November. The kids have been coming in on Tuesday mornings to do their projects. Heather Love, my student teacher...

  • Plans underway to celebrate 100th anniversary of highway

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 1, 2024

    At the January Hot Springs County Travel & Tourism board meeting, Jackie Dororthy gave the director’s report and commented on plans for marking that this year is the 100th anniversary of the Yellowstone Highway and the tunnels opening near the south entrance of the Wind River Canyon. Dorothy said “I have met with WYDOT and they are excited for the project. Shannon Watts is creating the map using Google Earth and the stickers will be an old school style. He will also create a brochure as a map...

  • Rock wall in HSSP will be repaired

    Jurri Schenck|Feb 1, 2024

    On Sunday, January, 21 at 6:16 a.m., the Thermopolis Police Department discovered a traffic accident that occurred in Hot Springs State Park causing damage to the Big Springs canal. The vehicle was removed from the small canal and the 25-year-old driver from Lander was cited by Thermopolis PD and Hot Springs State Park Rangers. There may be further citations pending from HSSP Rangers. As a result of the accident, damage was done to the original stonework of the canal's wall and to the Wyoming...

  • Commissioners sign letter of support for shooting complex

    Jurri Schenck|Jan 25, 2024

    At the January 16 Hot Springs County Commissioners board meeting, they voted and passed the approval to sign a letter of support regarding the HSC Shooting Complex Committee Proposal Submission. Commissioner Paul Galovich explained that the committee is getting ready to issue a pre-RFP that is due by March 1. A final RFP will be due by April 1. This is how the state will process their decision making in choosing a location for the shooting complex. A task force of 11 members, which is comprised...

  • Council passes parking ordinance on first reading

    Jurri Schenck|Jan 25, 2024

    On January 16, the Thermopolis Town Council held a brief meeting at Town Hall. Town attorney Marshall Keller presented for its first reading an ordinance enacting parking restrictions on 5th Street between Broadway Street and Warren Street. The Farmers Market operates from June 1 to October 1 on Saturday mornings. The vendors cannot put up tables in the designated area if vehicles are parked there. According to the ordinance, parking on 5th Street during Farmer’s Market, it shall be and h...

  • Land Use Planning Commission recommends two applications

    Jurri Schenck|Jan 25, 2024

    At the January Land Use Planning Commission meeting, County Planner Les Culliton presented applications to the board from Jeffrey Powell for a Land Use Change and Minor Subdivision and from Daniel and Leila Porath for a Land Use Change, from Agricultural to Commercial for short-term rental of cabins. For Powell’s application, Culliton said he had originally requested a minor subdivision of 37.64 acres into five lots of various sizes. It is described as Northwest Quarter (N ½ NW ¼) lying Sou...

  • Gun show comes to Thermopolis last weekend of January

    Jurri Schenck|Jan 18, 2024

    Stars & Pipes, LLC is hosting a Gun Show on January 26-27 from 3-7 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday at the HSC Fair Building at 627 Springview. They plan to make the show an annual event. Admittance is $2 per person. Event organizer Bradyn Harvey said, “We just wanted to bring back a gun show to Thermopolis. There hasn’t been one here in a while and we saw a need, so we wanted to fill it.” They had 35 tables available and they are all spoken for. Harvey added, “The importa...

  • HSH welcomes first baby of 2024

    Jurri Schenck|Jan 18, 2024

    Mother and father, Cyndal and Cameron Burrows, welcomed their daughter Amelia Koda Burrows as the first baby born in 2024 at Hot Springs Health on January 9 at 4:27 p.m. Amelia was 19 inches long and weighed 6 pounds, 2 oz. Dr. Hallie Bischoff helped perform the delivery, her sixth first baby of the year in a row. Regarding the birth, Cyndal said, "Everybody said it would take a day. It did not take a day. We came in hoping to have her today because two years ago, today's the day he proposed to...

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