Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
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What a show our volunteer firemen put on every year. Whenever I see fireworks it always takes me back to two times in my life – my grandfather and Disneyland. When I was growing up, grandpa used to order in fireworks from some company out of state. I was always so excited to see that huge box arrive. It was like opening a pirate’s treasure chest with all the things that sizzle and boom. Come 4th of July, since we lived on a corner, grandpa and my mom would set the fireworks off in the int...
I thank my mother and father that I am not a white supremacist racist. Thanks Mom and Dad....
There is an old addage that says, “Don’t believe everything you hear.” Its a perfect reminder during this political season that its better to hear things from the “horse’s mouth” than what you may hear on the streets or through social media. Luckily, you have opportunities to actually talk one on one with the local candidates almost any time. They’re more than happy to fill you in on what their thoughts are about the issues facing Thermopolis and Hot Springs County as well as their vision of the future. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questi...
This past weekend saw the annual PRCA Rodeo, and Thermopolis truly shined in terms of showing off our town. The nightly performances at the fairgrounds were well-attended, with supporters of breast cancer awareness Friday night and an amazing tribute to our Armed Forces Saturday. At the Chuck Mead Memorial Pack Horse Race the crowd cheered on everyone, whether local or not, and encouraged them through the challenges of capturing their horses, securing the packs and leading the animals in the...
We have only lived in Thermopolis a few years but love it here and deeply care about the community. We certainly don’t want Thermopolis to change dramatically but want it and its businesses to thrive. Nearly every week the newspaper has a story about tourism struggling or a business closing. Through our travels around the country, a few recommendations come to mind that we would like to pass on. We hear about our beautiful location and tourist attractions but rarely hear about how beautiful our little town is. Basically, all we have to worry a...
As June starts to creep closer toward July, thoughts naturally turn to Independence Day and, of course, fireworks. However, before you start lighting the fuses it’s important to keep in mind the town ordinances. Under Section 11 of the Town Code, “It shall be unlawful for any person to offer for sale at retail or wholesale, or sell at retail or wholesale, or give away, use, discharge or detonate any fireworks in the Town, or within five miles of the corporate limits of the Town.” However, the code also allows for displays and sale of firew...
It seems as though we jumped from winter right into summer this year with the high temperatures we’ve been experiencing the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately, with those high temps and the wind that appears to go along with them, comes a faster drying out of grasses and a higher potential for fires. Today, Wyoming has just one forest fire raging, the Badger Creek fire in the WyColo area by Laramie. It has grown in just a few days to more than 2,300 acres within the Medicine Bow National Forest. Surrounding us are six fires in Idaho, two in U...
Some time ago, I was surprised by a question from a young friend (actually a teenager): What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in the loooong life you’ve lived? Before I considered the question, I informed my young friend that long had only four letters and none were to be stressed. Only then did I wonder at the nature of the question from one so young. I’ve spent the largest part of my life dealing with the young, and I couldn’t remember ever being queried in such a serious manner by one so young. Frankly, I was at a loss for a moment...
Recently, my oldest son started playing tee ball through the Hot Springs County Rec Department. It’s been a learning experience on many levels. I’ve had to remind myself that I am not a coach, and Mike’s been learning about the game – although he isn’t quite ready to let go of the bat when running to first base – and more importantly about being a good sport and teammate. With the whirlwind of the 2018 election just really starting to get a good spin on it, we can take some of those lessons abo...
The official June 1 deadline for filing for local elected positions has now passed, and the coming months look to be an exciting time as we have several candidates in the running for the town and county races. Moving forward through this election season, we at the Independent Record will provide the fairest coverage we can for those on the ticket. That means we are happy to provide an initial story on the candidates’ reasons for filing, information on their position and other pertinent information. Some of these have already run in our pages, a...
“Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the heck happened.” I do think about this on occasion, like getting out of bed in the morning, knees popping, or when I try to do something I’ve done all my life and suddenly realize its not as easy as it used to be. I’m looking out the office window this morning and started thinking about what I would have been doing 40 years ago at this time. Wildcat Band. We were up and on the streets at 7 a.m., marching and twirling flags, blowing...
For most students, its one of the most wonderful times of the year. Summer break from school is upon us. Children are able to take a break from the books and be outside running, playing, biking, skateboarding, etc. As they fill the streets and sidewalks this summer, remember to be on the lookout for them. When you see them playing outside, be thankful they are not inside glued to a TV, video game or phone. Show a little patience as they enjoy their freedom. Our children are one of the most precious things in our lives. We will fight to protect...
To whom it may impact (directly) In March, I presented a plan and a path to provisionally allow chickens within a restricted area of Thermopolis to the city council, since then (supposedly) “numerous” anti-chicken phone calls have been received and thus, the hesitation on making a decision, apparently a few phone calls still outweigh 50 to 100 pro chicken signatures. The five members of the elected council seem to be scared to even make a motion toward progress because of these calls, let alone vote on allowing chickens within town limits her...
Thermopolis was recently designated as an “opportunity zone.” In essence, this means people – whether they live here or not – can invest money from the sale of companies into our community if they so choose. True, to be designated an opportunity zone it does mean our community is in something of an economic “low spot.” That is an unfortunate reality, but rather than making that a focus point let’s instead concentrate on the word “opportunity.” There are plenty in Thermopolis if you take the t...
This weekend there’s plenty going on. School is letting out for the summer, the annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament is happening and temperatures are expected to be high enough to make plenty of plans for outdoor activities for a three-day holiday weekend. But remember to keep in mind what we are celebrating on Memorial Day. While we should make time to honor all members of the military for their service, this day is set aside specifically for those who made the ultimate sacrifice and died in active service. According to the U.S. Department o...
Its time to pull out the shorts and tank tops! No, wait, jeans and a sweatshirt. Oh, let me grab my raincoat while I’m at it. Fickle Mother Nature in the spring, letting us wonder until the last minute what we need to bring with us when we leave the house in the morning. Having been born and raised here, I have realized keeping at least a sweatshirt and probably a rain jacket in my car year-round is a sound idea. And while we may be a tad frustrated at picking out a cute outfit the night b...
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week. We are fortunate in a small town to know each of our officers, both police and sheriff’s department, if not by name, then by face, even when we run into them at the grocery store or a school function. Small town officers don’t often get the respect or recognition they deserve because crime rates are so low and its not very often something ‘exciting’ happens. However, they have shown, especia...
The IR printed an ad(?) in a box with Abraham Lincoln’s picture listing “The 10 cannots…”. This is false. Abraham Lincoln never said these words. But just over 50 years after Lincoln died, in 1916, The Rev. William John Henry Boetcker, a Presbyterian minister and notable public speaker, did. He made a booklet of ‘nuggets’ that came from his lectures, of which these axioms of misquotations are derived. Author Ralph Keyes has said that “Famous quotes need famous mouths”, hence how over the years these words were mistakenly attributed to L...
Sixty years ago (Oh my gosh, can it be that long ago?), Cody hosted Torrington in the state championship 3A football game in a November blizzard, 38” deep snow and 10 degree temperature. Most who braved the conditions have ever after described the conditions as the worst ever for a championship game. As a Blazer, I was doubly miserable because though we had the better team, the conditions took us out of our game. There were a total of two passes thrown that day...both incomplete. The canyon was closed and we spent a miserable night in Thermopol...
This Sunday, we celebrate the ones who brought us into this world, the matriarchs, the ones who kissed our booboos, read us stories, gave us treats and toys when we were good but whose wrath knew no bounds when crossed. It’s a day for moms. When considering Mother’s Day presents, there is plenty to take into consideration. Flowers, candy and jewelry top the list, but it’s important to make sure the blooms are her favorite color or type, the chocolates are extra sweet and the gemstones and setting are the ones the special lady of your life...
National Stuttering Awareness Week begins May 7. Did you know more than three million Americans stutter? That’s more than the populations of Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, North Dakota, and Washington, DC…combined. One percent of your readers stutter, and up to five percent of children stutter for a time during their early developmental years. In the spirit of spreading awareness, the most important thing you and your readers can do for someone who stutters — or for anyone you are speaking with — is listen. Listen to what they have to say rather...
I would like to send a big thank you to members of the Thermopolis Police Department and the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office for their help and compassion over the last few weeks with regard to my property that was stolen. I really appreciate your help and dedication to the citizens of this community....
You can go on the internet and find a special day or special week for almost anything these days, from National Hamburger Day to National Coloring Book Day, but for all of us, one of the most important should be Teacher Appriciation Week. Let’s face it, without a teacher you wouldn’t be able to read this. Without a teacher, I wouldn’t be able to write this. I have had four special educators in my life that I appreciate on just about a daily basis, not just for what they taught me in the class...
The past few weeks have shattered our complacency in Hot Springs County. No longer can we say, “It can’t happen here” after an attempted murder just 15 miles from the center of town and the apprehension of a fugitive wanted for attempted murder at the back doors of residents along Arapahoe last Friday. Thermopolis has always been a quiet little town where not much in the way of crime happens other than a speeder here and there or shoplifting or once in a blue moon, a home gets broken into. We’ve been very lucky. It was a bit dishear...
May is officially here, and among the various celebrations coming in the next few weeks graduation and the end of the school year are certainly among the more prominent. Since I’m still 12 years off from celebrating my own kids’ graduation, I typically enjoy attending ceremonies for the children of friends and family. But, before all the festivities begin it’s good to hear what senior students are going to be up to next year. That’s what I got when I attended the signing day this week. Watching...
