Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1525
We are planning a special historical section to run in the July 2 edition of the Thermopolis Independent Record. We will be celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial. Even more so, we will be celebrating our Hot Springs County roots. Every Hot Springs County business has an opportunity to participate in this special edition. The editorial body of the special section will include historical photos and stories about Hot Springs County history. Individual business ads are available to brag about the success of your business. This special...
Questions: What are the host countries of this year’s World Cup Soccer Tournament? Where is the General Sherman tree? What year was the last official French execution by guillotine? What percent of all the artwork owned by the Louvre is on display? What are the three largest metropolitan areas in Brazil? Fun Facts: A sunflower typically follows the Sun for several weeks during its growth phase, then settles facing east for the rest of its life. Elvis Presley has been dead for seven years longer than he was alive. Eighty percent of Soviet men b...
As we approach the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence, we find our country teetering on an identity struggle of mammoth proportions and severity, not only about who we think we are but who we want to continue to be. Jefferson called the Declaration “an expression of the American mind,” and it is this American mind that is being challenged today at every turn. We recently watched an avowed socialist become mayor of our greatest city, unthinkable even a decade or two ago. Acts of political violence have increased precipitously acr...
by Elvis Tippets, son Experience from the Don H and Glenna Tippets Family Prior to moving to Thermopolis, we lived on a ranch in Crook County, and for one school year we live in Moorcroft, Wyoming (1946-47) My mother (Glenna) taught school there and my dad (Don) was working in Sheridan, Wyoming for the Soil Conservation Service. He had applied for a position with the University of Wyoming to be a part of the County Extension Service. In the Spring of 1947, dad received a position as the Extension Agent for Hot Spring County in Thermopolis. We...
by Bryan Golden, author of “Dare to Live Without Limits.” Acting without first thinking is too common. It is called reacting. It leads to unintended negative consequences. Problems are needlessly created or exacerbated. In this state, you are driven by emotion rather than logic. Anger, jealousy, bitterness, hurt, fear, and distrust are some of the feelings which bypass rational thought. Thinking after acting makes as much sense as a carpenter who cuts first and then measures. Once cut, a board cannot be made longer. Actions, once taken, can...
In 1,350 words, the Declaration of Independence succinctly captured the full essence of the American ideal by unpacking the source of civil and religious liberty as well as natural rights and human conscience. In fact, as noted by a host of Constitutional experts, the Declaration is the first political document to found a nation in the name of “the laws of nature and of nature’s God.”. This is what sets it apart from every other political document in history. Thomas Jefferson, though a confirmed deist himself, spoke volumes on this subje...
Bravo to Sarah Castillo for her brilliant Thermop IR May 28, 2026, letter to the editor. Letters to the Editor in a local newspaper are vital to a community. Sarah’s eloquent points about community involvement are necessary and timely as we enter this season of national patriotic events. Sarah writes: “This conversation [local community involvement] is bigger than any one person, business, or denied opportunity.” Let me add, “and, this conversation belongs on the Opinion page of the Thermopolis IR”. Sarah’s letter is a victory for our entire...
Schools are wrapping up the 2025-26 school year which means our young community members will be out and about on a regular basis. Children will be going here, there and everywhere to enjoy their summer break. We ask that drivers be extra mindful and watch for youth walking, riding bikes and scooters. Children can easily get distracted and forget to look both ways before crossing the street. Let’s all do our part to keep our youth safe. Bring on summer fun! Stay safe....
Many communities proudly market themselves as champions of small business, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. They speak about opportunity, revitalization, and supporting those willing to invest in their communities’ future. But for many people trying to build something from the ground up, the reality often feels very different. Too often, “economic development” functions less as a pathway to opportunity and more as a selective system that favors familiarity, privilege, established names, and insider access. And that should concern every...
Questions: Name the five American women who have won 10 or more Grand Slam tennis singles titles. What ancient civilization built Machu Picchu? Who composed the violin concertos known as The Four Seasons? Name the four U.S. states whose largest cities begin with the letter L. Which continents contain the Volga, Yangtze, Murray and Onyx rivers, as their longest rivers? Fun Facts: When General Mills released a new cereal in 1941, it was called “CheeriOats,” but after a trademark dispute with Quaker Oats, the name was shortened to “Ch...
The official Wyoming political candidate filing period is underway and will close on May 29. Early reports are that over 100 candidates have already filed statewide. Candidates began making campaign announcements right after the first of year. Those who file by May 29 will appear on the primary election ballot in August with winners moving on to the general election in November. Several high-profile races will be decided in the 2026 election - on the federal, state and local level. For our June 4 edition, we will run the names of candidates who...
by Daniel Powell (totteringtimes@gmail.com) Admittedly, it has been a long time since I passed the bar exam. In some ways, 1983 seems like it was another millennium - which it was. Yet, in other respects, it feels like yesterday. I remember, vividly, the day I learned I had passed the bar exam. I’m not embarrassed to say that I was quite proud of the accomplishment, and at the time, my head may have gotten a bit large. It had been a long time coming, however, and I had worked really hard to get there, so perhaps, I can be forgiven for g...
Approximately twenty years ago, heavy excavation equipment was driven directly onto the fragile geothermal areas in Hot Spring State Park, an action that caused extensive destruction to formations that had taken centuries to develop naturally. Much of that damage has never fully recovered and for more than two decades, the Rainbow Terraces, sacred ground to the Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho, and other Indigenous nations; have suffered repeated and preventable damage under the management of Wyoming State Parks. The terraces are not only one...
Questions: What year was the peak year for the percentage of U.S. high school students who smoked? What are the names of Martin Sheen’s two sons? Give the first names of the last six U.S. First Ladies. How many times did Scarlett O’Hara marry in the story of Gone With the Wind? What is the name of Bruce Willis’ wisecracking character in the Die Hard movies? Fun Facts: Rubies, sapphires, and emeralds are rarer than diamonds. It’s about the same distance from California to Maine as it is from California to Hawaii. Mount Everest is more than twice...
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 Member...
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 Larson...
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...
by Tom Emery, freelance writer Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10. Mothers everywhere will rejoice. So will the greeting-card companies, flower shops, and telephone providers. Though celebrated in pockets in previous eras, Mother’s Day has been an official holiday for over 110 years. On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as a day to honor the nation’s mothers. “The signing was not that important to Wilson in a political sense. But it would not have taken much persuasion for Wilson...
As the 2025–2026 school year draws to a close, Hot Springs County School District #1 (HSCSD #1) is reflecting on a year defined by gains in literacy and a deepening commitment to student well-being. From the elementary halls to the high school stage, the “Bobcat Way” is yielding measurable results that show the district making steady progress in several key areas. Evidence of the district’s progress is found in a 10% jump in its graduation rate, which climbed from 78% to 88%. This surge reflects a concerted effort by staff to provide persona...
I am concerned about the ownership status of the islands in the Bighorn River in Hot Springs County. When I started fishing the Bighorn 20 some years ago everyone I asked said the islands were ‘owned’ by BLM and therefore access was public. I checked the BLM map and virtually all the islands were yellow, designating them as BLM and therefore public. Recently, some of the island ownership has been changed to private by adjacent landowners quietly using the ‘quiet title action’ process to privatize the islands. In the world of right and wrong,...
Questions: Rounded to the nearest tenth, how many miles is 10 kilometers? How many non-presidents are on the six most common U.S. currency bills? What animal’s name comes from the Latin for “spotted lion”? What is the latest possible date for Mother’s Day? Which common Italian ingredient was first developed in Emilia-Romagna by monks trying not to waste milk? Fun Facts: Just days after the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898, U.S. forces arrived at Guam, then a Spanish possession. The Spanish garrison, unaware that war had been de...
by The Hot Springs County Prevention Coalition Graduation is more than just a ceremony; it’s a moment of collective pride for our entire community. As we watch our local seniors prepare for their next big step, the Hot Springs County Prevention Coalition wants to celebrate the hard work, resilience, and bright futures of every student in the Class of 2026. A Visible Sign of Support As you drive through town this month, you may notice our “Safe and Sober Graduation” yard signs popping up on lawns and posters in the windows of our local busin...
It’s a blessing when dog walkers clean up after their dogs, especially where children play. It’s a blessing when drivers stop at crosswalks, especially when children are present. It’s a blessing when smokers don’t lease cigarette butts and other trash on the ground. It’s a blessing when everyone strives to be civil, even when we disagree. Chuck Cooper...
After four weeks of searching, the Big Horn Basin Treasure Hunt has come to an end. Rachael Handley of the Powell area located the hidden silver at 7:10 a.m. Sunday, successfully solving the series of weekly clues and becoming the first to uncover the prize. Handley said she first learned about the hunt in March and followed it casually at first, not expecting to participate. But late Saturday night, she found herself drawn in. “I couldn’t sleep and found myself thinking of this treasure hunt and who found it. Lo and behold, no one had fou...
Questions: What is the longest U.S. river east of the Mississippi River? What is the difference between an opossum and a possum? What is the lowest whole number spelled with a “c”? By what unique method did Alexander the Great attack the Phoenician island of Tyre? As a basketball passes through the hoop, what percent of the inside area of the rim is filled? Fun Facts: April 30 is National Honesty Day in the United States. It was intentionally placed at the end of April to contrast with April Fools’ Day. Albert Einstein has a great...
