Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
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The Hot Springs County High School Speech and Debate Team had an outstanding showing at the National Qualifying Wind River District Speech and Debate Tournament at Rock Springs High School on February 29 through March 2. The tournament hosted 19 Wind River District schools with competitors of all Wyoming school classifications (1A/2A, 3A, and 4A) mixed together. A field of 440 students performed and debated with the goal of qualifying for the NSDA National Speech and Debate Tournament. The...
At the February Hot Springs County School District Board of Trustees meeting, trustee Joe Martinez was unable to attend the meeting due to an emergency. Additionally, Superintendent Dustin Hunt held a moment of silence in honor and respect on the passing of former Board Trustee, Thomas Sullivan, Jr., who passed away in January. Monthly celebrations included recognizing Zane Stam. His accomplishments were featured in a front page article in the February 8 edition of the Independent Record. The student trustee report included things already repor...
by Kelly Strampe Ralph Nieder-Westermann the Executive Director of Wyoming Lifeline/988 was the featured speaker at the recent Mid Winter Blues Bash. The theme this year was Mental Health (The Blues) and the focus was to educate our community about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, an important mental health resource in Wyoming. Over 70 people attended the third annual nonpartisan community dinner, an event put on by the Hot Springs County Democratic Party. Mr. Nieder-Westermann gave a very...
High school and middle school students are encouraged to hop online Tuesday, March 19, for an interactive virtual career night organized by the University of Wyoming Extension. Hosted on Zoom, the annual event offers an opportunity for young people to interact with professionals in fields ranging from agriculture, firefighting and wildlife management to video production, tourism and exercise physiology. Participants will also receive information on postsecondary education options and financial aid. While the career fair is organized by Wyoming...
A Bingo fundraiser for Hot Springs County High School class of 2024 is planned for Tuesday, March 12 beginning at 6 p.m. at the fair building, 627 Springview. A fee of $15 includes dinner with a loaded potato bar and two Bingo cards. There will be lucky draw prizes awarded with a chance to win $1,000. Bring a basket for the lucky draw and get a free Bingo card. Proceeds will go toward the class of 2024 graduation party....
Got cabin fever? Break out and join The Wyoming Discovery Days as they will hold a Chili Cook Off on Sunday, March 10 from 1-6 p.m. at the HSC Fair Building, 627 Springview Street. The cost is $10 to enter the cook off and free to eat. Enter and make the best chili to win awesome prizes. Also, there will be raffle drawings, silent auction, baked potato bar, hot cocoa bar, a family dance, and more. The event will feature dance band Jason Lenyer Buchanan and the Short Times. Wyoming Discovery Days is accepting donations at the door. For more...
The University of Wyoming Extension will offer six private pesticide applicator education programs at various locations in the Bighorn Basin. Private applicator licenses are required for anyone who applies or supervises the application of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs). The program in Hot Springs County is set for Wednesday, March 20 from 1-5 p.m. at Hot Springs Weed and Pest, 711 Springview St. All participants are required to bring a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, to their session. Upon completion of a program, a...
Tom Olmstead has announced that he will be running for State Senate District 20, which encompasses Washakie, Hot Springs, and parts of Park, Bighorn, Fremont Counties. Tom, his wife of twenty years, and their two sons live in Basin. “Unfortunately, in 2021 due to COVID mandates, I lost my 25-year Aviation career, so fighting back against government overreach is a big reason I’m running. I am what most people would consider a very Conservative Republican and looking at the current state of the Wyoming legislature, I know we can do better for thi...
Thermopolis Middle School Principal Darren Luebbe recently recognized students and staff for WYTOPP accomplishments including, 5th grade with Mr. Holmes won 7th in the state in math, 6th grade with Mr. Strenger won 6th in the state for reading and with Mrs. Despain won 6th in the state for math, 7th grade with Mrs. Hergert won 1st in state in math and 8th grade with Mrs. Kay for science won 3rd in the state and with Mrs. Metz won 1st in the state in math. Additionally, the School Performance...
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...
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...
Hot Springs State Park has announced updates regarding the management agreements for the Star Plunge aquatic facility and Hot Springs Hotel. Brooks Jordan, Big Horn District Manager, shares insights into the future plans and partnership developments between C and W Enterprises, Inc. (Star Plunge) and Big Spring Spa, Inc. (Hot Springs Hotel and Spa) and Hot Springs State Park. “We highly value our longstanding partnership with both management companies and wish to extend our appreciation for their dedication to Hot Springs State Park and the c...
Joe Arnold has marked his 40th year working as a custodian for the Hot Springs County School District. Because of his dedication to the district, the administration building, which he has been in charge of cleaning for decades, has been named after him. On Wednesday, February 21, students, staff and administration gathered in the auditorium of the Joe Arnold Central Administration Building for a surprise ceremony of recognition. Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso also attended the event. Barrasso...
The Postal Service has published notices of intent to consolidate thirty processing and distribution centers. According to the notices, “it is highly likely” that each P&DC “will be modernized and repurposed as a Local Processing Center, a Sorting and Delivery Center, or both, consistent with the broader network redesign outlined in the DFA Plan.” The Casper Center is one of the centers listed, meaning Thermopolis mail could be rerouted through Billings, Montana if the proposal goes through. Currently in the public comment and review phase, the... Full story
Community Blood Drive dates for March are Monday, March 4 from 2-6 p.m. and Tuesday, March 5 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hot Springs County Senior Center. The blood drive is sponsored by the HSC Hospital Auxiliary. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are encouraged. To make an appointment go to Vitalant.org or contact Community Blood Drive Coordinator Melene Mierzejewski at (307) 240-1414. The next blood drive will be in May....
The University of Wyoming Extension will offer six private pesticide applicator education programs at various locations in the Bighorn Basin from February 5 through March 20. Private applicator licenses are required for anyone who applies or supervises the application of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs). The program in Hot Springs County is set for March 20 from 1-5 p.m. at Hot Springs Weed and Pest, 711 Springview St. All participants are required to bring a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, to their session. Upon completion o...
At the February 20 Hot Springs County Commissioners board meeting, Jason Lund of Carver, Florek & James CPAs presented their audit results for fiscal year 2023. Lund explained their procedures and processes involved in the audit. Lund was pleased to report that they could not “identify any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses…good kudos to management here and it takes a lot of time for us to get through and weather through with these audits.” Lund recognized County Clerk Becky Kersten and her staff for their thorough work in preparin...
In response to a public records request from a reporter not affiliated with the Independent Record, the Town of Thermopolis and the Thermopolis Police Department have released two videos containing officer body camera footage to us, their “local newspaper of record.” A press release issued on Tuesday states, “The Town of Thermopolis and the Thermopolis Police Department remain committed to the protection and service of its citizens and transparency in all of its actions. In response to a recent Wyoming Public Records Act (WPRA) request, the M...
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...
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...
A $6.97 million highway improvement and fence replacement project has started on U.S. Highway 20/Wyoming Highway 789 north of Thermopolis. The Thermopolis North project is between mileposts 133.4 (the old National Guard Armory) and 139.5 (Black Mountain Road) on U.S.20/Wyoming789. “At this time, the contractor is cleaning under the bridge by the Fountain of Youth Campground (milepost 135.04),” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Kaia Tharp of Thermopolis. The bridge cleanup is helping the contractor prepare for a May...
The Thermopolis Jackalope Jump fundraiser will be held on Saturday, February 24 at the Hot Springs County High School with registration beginning at 10 a.m. and jumping starting at 11 a.m. Proceeds raised go to help provide year-round sports training and competition for athletes. Participants raise $100 and will take an invigorating dip into icy freezing water. Grab some friends, plan fun costumes if so inclined. You can also register online at www.sowy.org. All jumpers that raise a minimum of $100 per person will receive a Jackalope Jump...
A workshop presented by Al Darlington will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24 from noon-1 p.m. at the Hot Springs County Library. Darlington will present a slide show and speak on living in Wind River Canyon, dealing with Mother Nature, making fruit trees work in the climate and more. He will discuss the environmental conditions, harvesting, pruning, water and other factors. The workshop is hosted by Red Dirt Master Gardeners. You are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch....
The 2023 Annual Fireman’s Award Banquet was held on February 10 at the Fire Hall. Mark Brawley was named Fireman of the Year was and the Master Cook was Jerry Williams. The following service awards were given out: 5-Year, London Jenks; 10-Year, Ryan Gious, 15-Year, Brandon Blakesley; 25-Year, Cory Johnston, 25-Year, Justin Herring; 30-Year, Mark Nelson, with 41 total years of service in Wyoming....
by David Velazquez Casper Star-Tribune Via Wyoming News Exchange CASPER — The Legislature on Friday wrapped up the first week of its 20-day budget session, and at the end of the week, bills that had not yet been voted on for introduction died. Speaker of the House Rep. Albert Sommers, R-Pinedale, had up to Friday to decide the order in which the 229 bills filed in his chamber were to be voted on for introduction. By the time the House adjourned on Friday evening 94 bills died without a vote. The Senate filed roughly 100 less bills and voted o...
