Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
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A poem I once read and taught from spoke to the heart about a trip by the poet to the home of his youth. In it he spoke of how much smaller than his memories were the realities of the mountains, now barely hills, the river, now barely a creek, and the schools which seemed so large as he started his education, and now seemed so small as he returned from the city in which his life now unfolded. In celebration of last Memorial Day, my spouse and I drove to Torrington to visit Mom and Dad’s grave. I think of my parents often, and their r...
With the Primary Election behind us, it seems the hot topic still on the table is water, particularly whether we continue to use surface water or explore sinking a well at other sites to start using ground water. However, another water project has certainly seen some prominence in the past couple months — the water line rehabilitation project. The project began as an already large undertaking, incorporating Hot Springs State Park, Fifth Street, Seventh Street, and small portions of Warren Street and Sixth Street. However, there’s been ple...
The 2018-2019 school year and activities lie just around the corner. It is easy to see the hard work and dedication of student-athletes and coaches during the school year, yet those involved with sports know that the majority of program improvement must take place in the off-season. Thermopolis is in a unique situation of competing at high levels with low student enrollment, which causes for some extra hurdles to success. First, student-athletes must be involved in multiple sports/activities/clubs in order for those programs to be in the...
Having toured much of the state recently, one can readily observe the pall of smoke blanketing our state from the (mostly) California wildfires. The wildfires, producing smoke, ash and other particulates, are one way that Mother Nature and Father Time redistribute the earth’s natural resources – just look at your windshield each morning to see the evidence of this redistribution. All that dust comes from somewhere, not just our often windy weather. Though tragic through the loss of life and property, the wildfires do have a beneficial eff...
I could tell this last weekend that there was a touch of fall in the air. Not because it was cooler outside or getting dark a little bit earlier, but because I had the urge to bake. There's nothing like the smell of fresh baked anything, whether its pie, cake, cookies, whatever. So I tried out a new recipe on Sunday for apple pie bites. The premise is an apple pie in a cookie sized bite. There are none left. I was very lucky to grow up in a multi-generational home with a grandmother who taught...
The graduating Class of 2032 started kindergarten Wednesday. The newest little sparks of flame that make up the Thermopolis Bobcats began their journey with new backpacks, crayons and glue sticks just like countless alumni that came before them. There is a difference, though. These days they’ve gone beyond “The Three R’s”, reading, writing and ‘rithmetic, to computers and robotics and common core. Every child has the same opportunity in the Hot Springs County School District to not only receive the best education possible, but to leave those ha...
I live in Evanston, Wyoming, but my husband and I spend a lot of time in your town due to the low population, the good elevation and the hospitality given to me especially when I assisted one of your local deceased residents during her time of need. Recently it became news to me that “if in the country” there is *no* leash law for dogs, some who have a history of attacking behavior with no accountability by the sheriff’s department on the owner. I’m aware of a recent incident at a business, a local and visitor destination for those visitin...
This election season certainly had an abundance of candidate to choose from, but with the increase of people running for office it seems the amount of mudslinging — in public, at forums and especially online — did as well. While that is typical of election season, there were some comments that stepped a bit too far over the line. But, as of Tuesday, we made it. The votes were cast and most of the local positions have been decided. For those who won their races, best wishes to the coming yea...
What an issue it’s been This week, we’re sure you’ll notice the paper is quite a bit larger than our weekly publication. That’s because we’re providing our readers with a final look at the candidates who are in this year’s elections. Whether running in contended races or not, we’re hoping this section provides you with new information or refreshes your memory about the multitude of local candidates we have this year. This past week has been a crazy one for us, working with the deadlines we set to make contact with those running for office, give...
Most people you talk to will say this political season has been completely exhausting. Yes, it has been exhausting, but it has also been refreshing. Refreshing in that this little community has stepped up their game, coming to the table and not only running for elected offices, but talking openly and honestly about their hopes for the future of Thermopolis and Hot Springs County. It doesn’t matter where you go, you’re going to hear someone talking about this candidate or that one. Dis...
Its actually rather typical that young people begin getting a little more rambunctious as summer starts drawing to a close, but it seems like this year it has gotten out of control, moving into the realm of destruction. Generally, its small things like vehicles being egged or planters knocked over, but this year they’re hitting us all with complete disregard. Fish feeders in the State Park, which were put up to help pay for some extra things in the park – destroyed. It wasn’t enough to just pry the money out of them, they went the extra mile...
Wondering who to vote for? Here’s what I’ve always told candidates. If you run, don’t do negative advertising, mailers or letters. They will and should come back to cost you votes. Here’s been my formula for how I choose a candidate. To vote, disregard those who focus on negative rhetoric. Look at the person’s own background and ideas. Whatever a person has done before they will keep doing, especially after they win. Blaming another person or distracting by pointing out another’s flaws can become a habit and wastes time. Something positive co...
One of the political races that has seen more commentary than others is the five-candidate race for Hot Springs County Sheriff. In the various campaigns and forums, a topic that sees a lot of discussion is what is being done about the drug problem in Hot Springs County, and rightly so. If there’s one problem that doesn’t seem to have a solution, it’s drugs. As soon as one method of dealing with the issue is found, dealers and users seem to find 10 other ways to get around the law. It can feel...
It seems that more and more political signs continue to pop up all over town, supporting one candidate or another for local, state or federal offices. But though the lawn decorations have been going up since candidates announced they are running, the past couple weeks have seen incidence of signs being marred or even yanked out of yards and placed in dumpsters. While hoping everyone shares your opinion, no matter the topic, is something of pipe dream, it doesn’t have to get to the point where vandalism or worse crimes come into play. Not o...
Vandalism is not protected by the government. Free speech, freedom of the press and the right to protest is. To the woman who vandalized my place, please come and talk to me and I will drop this....
As I get older, I realize more and more how everything eventually comes full circle in your life. This weekend is a prime example for me. I remember as a kid, selling programs at the Gift of the Waters Pageant for 50-cents through the Girl Scouts. Granted, at the time it was one of those fun things, meeting people from all over the world, but honestly, other than the fancy Native dancers, I didn’t get much out of it. Later on, it was the Saturday parade. This was the only parade the Wildcat Band...
While watching an old rerun of a late 50’s TV show, I happened upon an old commercial about a soap product that was 99 & 44/100 percent pure. (I always wondered what that .56 percent impurity was and why if it could be measured. Why it couldn’t be removed to reach the totally pure mark?) My memory took me back about 70 years to my last meeting with that particular product. The event started with the words, “I didn’t . . . “ and things went sharply downhill from there to the point that “pure “ had nothing to do with taste. Polite society today...
Its time to start asking the big questions. We are in the midst of election season with the primary just a few weeks away. We’ve heard what the platforms are for candidates on both sides of the aisle, locally, state-wide and federally, but we’re still seeking answers. The reality is, these are people seeking election to become public servants and we are the public they’ll be serving. Locally, you’re bound to run into a candidate or two on almost a daily basis and its fine to ask them specific questions. Many candidates are more comfort...
This week, with all the political hubbub going around, take a break and take in the annual Hot Springs County Fair. Fair gets underway with the Pee Wee and 4-H and FFA Youth Horse Show this weekend, and there’s certainly plenty to see and do over the next few days. Of course, there will be plenty of critters to see when the fair buildings are open, but it’s also important to support our local youth as they show their skills and knowledge about their animals during the week’s shows. There...
The political races are set and the primary election is coming up on August 21. Next Monday, voters will have the opportunity to bring forth their questions and concerns during the candidate forum at Thermopolis Middle School. But though an election year is a great time to ask question of our elected officials and those running for office, keep in mind there is plenty opportunity throughout the year to speak up and let your concerns be known. Just this past week, a town ordinance was halted in its second reading by just a few voices, but those...
Please think again before taking the asphalt off Missouri Flat Road. I have lived here most of my life and we were glad when an asphalt road was finally put in. Gravel is muddy and dangerous in the snow besides being hard on cars and trucks. The bentonite trucks go by, tractors, dump trucks as well as local traffic and the school bus. With a gravel road the rocks would be kicked up, breaking our car and house windows. We also have a hill to go over and gravel would make that road more dangerous than it already is. It is needing guard rails now...
We’ve been talking around the office this week about businesses which have come and gone here in Thermopolis and its funny how I remember so many of them, but most I couldn’t tell you exactly which storefronts they were once in. For instance, we had a bakery on the south side of Broadway. They would decorate their windows with delightful goodies every week, but the best were the holiday displays of treats they featured. My favorite was Easter. They would fill the windows with these amazing hollo...
While nature’s light show on Sunday night was more spectacular than any man-made fireworks, it is a strong reminder of just how dry the conditions are here in Hot Springs County. With days and days of high temperatures, reaching over 100 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, grasses have dried out to the point of being highly combustible. That became very apparent Sunday night when the Thermopolis Volunteer Firemen were forced to split themselves among three grass fires burning in the county, all in different directions. They weren’t alone, how...
Well, the PRCA Rodeo and fireworks show have come and gone, and both drew a crowd, but the summer activities here in Thermopolis are far from over. Coming up next for big events we’ve got the reunion weekend, providing a chance for classmates to get together and reminisce about school and share memories of our town, while also visiting about what they’ve been up to since graduation. Always a busy place, the fairgrounds will be active in the last couple weeks of July with the WJRA Rodeo, 4-H...
Last week saw the killing of five people at the Capital Gazette in Maryland, as someone opened fire with a shotgun in what was referred to as a “targeted attack.” Our hearts grieve the loss of our fellow newspaper staffers. We wish comfort and peace for their families, friends, co-workers and all who have been touched by this heartbreak and healing to those who are recovering. It’s a sobering reminder to us here at the Thermopolis Independent Record, and in the news industry as a whole, that we are often the target of people who feel stron...
