Your source for news in Hot Springs County

Opinion


Sorted by date  Results 51 - 75 of 1433

Page Up

  • County decisions questioned

    Jul 17, 2025

    The following is an edited version of my presentation to the HSC Commissioners during the July 8 meeting. In my thirteen years at the courthouse, our department that fixes and maintains our investment has run on a shoestring budget as well as smaller staff than they should have for the amount of responsibility they have toward county property. There is much at stake as maintaining our buildings and properties and protecting that investment that is owned collectively by citizens of the county. With the close relationship between AG and the...

  • Another weekend packed with events

    Jul 10, 2025

    Hot Springs County has a population that comes in under 4,700 people, but we are sure fortunate to have a summer packed with events. We’ve been treated to a rodeo and parade, brewfest, beer and brats, outlaw days, pride celebration, car show, ice cream social, freedom fest, fireworks and more! The upcoming weekend keeps the offerings coming. Discovery Days will be in Hot Springs State Park Saturday and Sunday, with an added bonus of a concert at the Thermopolis Golf Course Saturday evening. Paddle in the Park will also be available in the s...

  • Us and them

    Jul 10, 2025

    by Daniel Powell (totteringtimes@gmail.com) We seem to be living in a time when every issue is perceived through a lens of “Us and Them.” You’re either liberal, or you’re a conservative. Alternatively, you may be a radical liberal, or a radical conservative. You may be a democrat, or you may be a republican. You may even be a Republican in Name Only (RINO). Either way, despite the fact that we are all “Americans,” we seem to view some of our fellow citizens as one of “Us”, while considering some other folks as one of “Them.” Perhaps...

  • The importance of movement

    Jul 10, 2025

    by Anthony P. Fiegen, MD Orthopedic medicine is truly a team sport; we have the opportunity to collaborate with nonsurgical professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, among others, to deliver comprehensive musculoskeletal care. While there are proven surgical options to help our patients where indicated, in many cases, patients are able to achieve pain relief and improved function with nonsurgical treatment options. Much of orthopedic surgical training is appropriately dedicated to the planning and...

  • Our freedom requires vigilance

    Jul 3, 2025

    As the people of the United States pause in their busy schedules to celebrate the Fourth of July and the freedoms we enjoy in this country, it’s an ideal time to reflect on the foundations of those freedoms. Those courageous individuals who put their lives at extreme risk by signing the Declaration of Independence stated explicitly in the document who is responsible for granting the rights of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their C...

  • Why is it?

    Jul 3, 2025

    We live in a quirky, weird, sideways, upside-down world where some things just don‘t make sense – or they make too much sense to be sensible. As humans we often perpetuate the nonsense. We accept things for what they are and go about our business without question. But sometimes I wonder. About small things. Big things. Random things like: Why do cats have to race you up the stairs? They can come out of nowhere just to get one step ahead of you. Sometimes my cats pause to let me nearly catch up before bounding upwards to beat me. Again. Whe...

  • Eyes of a Veteran

    Jul 3, 2025

    My weapons are old, my boots full of holes, This isn’t my world anymore. I never thought these old eyes would see, No loyalty to God or our country! This isn’t my world anymore. The burning of our flag here in the states, You don’t like it here!!! Turn at the gates. This isn’t my world anymore. Please see our lonely lives unfold, we see it unfolding everyday. I find it hard to give anymore, hell they’ve taken it all away. This isn’t my world anymore. So no matter what anyone thinks, or if they even care. I’m still a soldier like my brothers b...

  • USPS on the brink of collapse

    Jun 26, 2025

    by Martha Diaz Aszkenazy, Chair, National Newspaper Association and Publisher, The San Fernando Valley (California) Sun/El Sol Newspapers The United States Postal Service is on the brink of a self-induced collapse. The failed policies of the Delivering for America Plan have driven away customers through a combination of sky-high rate increases and degraded service. David Steiner, who will take over as Postmaster General on July 14, 2025, has a tough job to do and little time to do it with some estimates indicating the USPS could be insolvent...

  • My friend left quite an impression

    Jun 26, 2025

    by Mike Cavin One thing I loved about the lowgrounds back in North Carolina was the wild muscadine grape. Muscadines grew wild in the lowlands, and when they were ripe, I would be in the lowground fighting the squirrels for my share of this native fruit. Muscadines were large, almost black in color, with polka-dotted speckles. When they were ripe, I would grab a vine and yank, and the ripe ones would come sprinkling down to the forest floor. The skin of the muscadine grape is thick compared to store-bought grapes. I used to bite the skin...

  • Budget cuts will effect vital services

    Jun 26, 2025

    Last week, the University of Wyoming Extension office in Thermopolis was notified that its budget would be reduced by 50%, resulting in the loss of an administrative assistant position and all 4-H operating expenses (supplies and travel). The only information provided prior to last week indicated that all departments were to reduce their budgets by 2%. If the county moves forward with this sudden decision, most of the day-to-day services provided by our office will no longer be available to the people of Hot Springs County. The extension...

  • AARP director heads to our nation's Capital

    Jun 26, 2025

    AARP Wyoming State Volunteer President Stella Montano and myself will be boarding a plane for our nation’s Capital to ask our congressional delegation to back provisions of The Big Beautiful Bill supportive to older adults. We strongly support the increase to the bonus standard deduction for older Americans, which would provide tax relief at a time when many seniors are facing financial strain. We support expanding Section 45S Tax Credits for paid family and medical leave as it will help more Americans who are family caregivers. We applaud t...

  • A day late

    Jun 19, 2025

    In observance of the Juneteenth holiday, United States Postal Service facilities will be closed for retail services, and there will be no regular mail deliveries (except for holiday premium Priority Mail Express) on Thursday, June 19. Normal retail, delivery, and collection schedules will resume Friday, June 20. If you are a mail delivery subscriber, this means your paper is going to arrive a day late. We are publishing on our regular schedule, but no mail delivery means no Independent Record in your mailbox on Thursday. We apologize for any...

  • Oral health is a gateway to general wellness

    Jun 19, 2025

    by Paul Meyer DDS MS For much of modern healthcare, dentistry has existed apart from the broader medical system. Patients commonly have separate providers for medical and dental care, and this division is reflected in insurance models, education, and even cultural perception. Yet biologically, this separation is artificial. The mouth is a central part of the body, and its health is intimately tied to overall well-being. Studies of centenarians—people who live into their 100s—have shown a correlation between good oral health and longevity. Whi...

  • It all starts with a dream

    Jun 19, 2025

    by Bryan Golden Dreams precede everything; all actions and all creations. Truly, everything does start with a dream. Dreaming is not an idle activity. It’s not an escape from reality. Dreams are the foundation of all creativity. The type of dreaming I’m talking about doesn’t just occur while you are sleeping. The thoughts occupy your mind constantly, while you are awake as well as resting. These types of dreams stick in your mind. They become a mental obsession. When your mind is focused on a specific detailed dream, it will lead you towar...

  • Events galore!

    Jun 12, 2025

    Summer does not technically start until June 20, but the weekends in Thermopolis are starting to be packed with events that show we are in full swing! This weekend, the 1890’s Riders are hosting a Bingo Run on Saturday. Also on Saturday is the ever popular Hot Spot Car Rally in Hot Springs State Park. Along with the show in park, the Rusty Old Truck Market will be set up featuring a variety of vendors. Hot Springs State Park will also be home to a tent revival featuring Levi Shetler. If you get the chance to make a trip to Kirby, Wyoming W...

  • Not pleased with gravel pit decision

    Jun 12, 2025

    We read in the Independent Record that the county commissioners have given permission for archery hunting in the gravel pit on Webb Road. We would like to take this opportunity to explain why the pit is, (and has been for 7 years) posted NO TRESPASSING. In 2018 the COUNTY APPROACHED US about obtaining ownership of some property we owned on both the east and west sides of the railroad track. One of the commissioners came to our home to discuss this. At that time, we explained that we had no interest in getting rid of the property. He asked us wh...

  • Teen Mental Health

    Jun 12, 2025

    by Curstie Konold MPH, CSW-PIP, QMHP The start of summer brings a sense of excitement for many teens. Take a moment to reflect back to your teen years. As we reminisce, we can likely all say that our adolescent years were a unique and informative time of our life. Mental wellbeing habits are often formed during this time as teens strengthen their social and emotional skills, laying a foundation of habits for the rest of their life. Consider what habits you perhaps formed during this time and what supports you had or needed when you were a...

  • Father's Day

    Jun 12, 2025

    by Daniel Powell (totteringtimes@gmail.com) For some, Father’s Day is a time to give thanks. A time to acknowledge the men who have spent their lives, working to provide for a child. Men who understand that their purpose in this world, is to always put that child first. Men who foresee, that the knowledge they pass on to that child, will someday bear fruit, in a future generation. For some, it is a day to remember those men who no longer walk among us. A time to consider, whether the lessons those men imparted are still relevant, and worth p...

  • Bridge closure

    Jun 5, 2025

    This summer, we are facing some real challenges for our community. Two of our front page stories are about a few of those challenges. The prediction of an overall drop in tourism travel to the U.S. is bound to be felt in our county and around the state of Wyoming. This adds to the concerns we are already facing regarding other things that may result in a drop in visitors this summer. Another story outlines the timeline and detour route for the WYDOT Broadway Bridge project. Beginning this week, Broadway Bridge will be closed for construction...

  • High-strung worms

    Jun 5, 2025

    by Mike “Michael” Cavin It was heaven for me to walk into one of those old-timey bait & tackle stores. Even before opening the screen door, one could hear crickets chirping from the box inside. Most folks who fished with a cane pole owned a cricket cage–a wire container with a carrying handle. Crickets were ordered by the dozen, and the clerk funneled them from a screened box into a test-tube-looking contraption, then emptied them into the customer’s cricket cage. There was always that one cricket that clung to the outside of the cage while b...

  • Thanks for cleaning up our county

    Jun 5, 2025

    I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all who volunteer their time to clean up along our highways, trails and waterways in Hot Springs County and throughout our great state. The number of orange garbage bags staged alongside the road for pickup is an obvious reminder of how much trash is tossed, blown and scattered along our roads. Sadly, it is only a matter of days before what was clean once again becomes the travelers trash can. Stewardship of our land and resources we hold dear here in Wyoming requires personal responsibility...

  • County crew doing a good job

    Jun 5, 2025

    Thank you to the county and the county workers that are working so hard to improve Coyote Run Road. All of us residents greatly appreciate the money, time and effort going into our road. On behalf of all residents of Coyote Run, thank you! Larry Alwin...

  • Am I entering my promised land?

    Jurri Schenck|May 29, 2025

    In 2019, when I returned to my hometown of Thermopolis here in the wilderness of Wyoming, I was fortunate to become a reporter at the Independent Record. For the past many years, working here has been quite a journey and a learning experience. I have discovered so much about myself and the people of Hot Springs County. From reporting on the Town Council, the County Commissioners, the Chamber of Commerce and many other beats, I have had the pleasure of interacting with all sorts of people....

  • Diversity, equity and inclusion

    Daniel Powell|May 29, 2025

    by Daniel Powell (totteringtimes@gmail.com) There is a lot of talk in the media these days about DEI. Similarly, the subject is a cause of vociferous debate on social media. It appears, people have concluded that those are things we need to exterminate. To be honest, I always thought those were good things. I was born in the 50s, grew up in the 60s, and came of age in the 70s. In the, relatively, new public high school which I attended, my teachers were mostly recent graduates of college – just getting their start in teaching. As kids, they h...

  • Living with Parkinsons disease

    May 29, 2025

    by Dr. Kelly Evans-Hullinger “I am concerned your symptoms are due to Parkinsons disease,” is something I have said to numerous patients over the years. This is a degenerative neurologic disease which is common enough that most patients have heard of it or even know someone living with it. Most commonly, the patient or their family might have noticed classic symptoms: a tremor, difficulty with movement like walking, or balance problems. Importantly, not all tremor is Parkinsons, though that is typically the biggest concern my patients hav...

Page Down