Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
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The solar eclipse Monday was, in many ways, a first-time experience all over town. While the event itself was “once in a lifetime,” it also brought high sales numbers to local businesses and restaurants, created a multitude of RVs, campers and tents in our town and the campgrounds at Boysen and in the canyon, and brought an enormous amount of traffic. The number of vehicles coming in, out and through Thermopolis was incredible. Even more so, there were only a few minor accidents — though there was an unfortunate incident in which a dog was s...
We’re very happy that you’ve chosen our neck of the woods to experience this dramatic celestial event and we’re hoping to show you a great time while you’re here. As you go through these pages along with the Solar Eclipse special section, you’ll find we have a lot of things going on during the next few days. There’s a little something for everyone. Friday night will feature our ArtStroll downtown with all manner of arts and music. There will be everything from homemade soaps and lotions to a “make and take” solar art project. Saturday kicks...
This past week was certainly a busy one, with the Gift of the Waters Pageant, Big Horn Basin Folk Festival and Kiwanis Craft Fair providing plenty to do in Hot Springs State Park. The fairgrounds were busy as well, with the Lions Club Ranch Rodeo and, of course, the Hot Springs County Fair. Going to the fair is always an enjoyable experience, as there’s so much to get involved in, whether it be entering an exhibit, helping out with concessions or just having some fun during the family night or pig wrestling. Admiration goes out to those student...
Growing up we were always told to “put your best foot forward.” Today’s generation hears “dress for the job you want.” Both phrases should be on our minds as we prepare for the influx of visitors coming to Hot Springs County in about three weeks. If these visitors have a great time in Thermopolis while they’re here, chances are they will return and of course, will be telling their friends about this great little town in the middle of Wyoming. With that in mind, it would be a good time to start putting our best foot forward. Let’s get out there...
Next week, the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds will be busy as the 2017 County Fair gets into full swing. Of course, youth involved with the fair will be plenty active as they prep their exhibits, weigh their animals and prepare to show them in the arena. Plenty others not showing animals will have exhibits in several ag-related fields as well as work such as photography, beadwork and ceramics. Even if you’re not an exhibitor, the week provides an opportunity to come on down to the fairgrounds and cheer on our local youth and admire the work p...
It’s no secret that big chain stores and even some smaller businesses quickly get their products for the next season or holiday out just as soon as the current one passes, in some cases before it does. Seeing Christmas decorations next to Halloween candy or plastic eggs next to heart-shaped boxes of chocolates is pretty common these days. And that push to get products out has spread to summer vacation as well. No sooner do the colors and sounds of Independence Day fade and already shelves are stacked with the newest notebooks, folders, pens, b...
Wow. Once again, the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department entertained the crowds with a spectacular fireworks show. Sometimes, they don’t get all the credit they deserve for putting on the annual Fourth of July festivities, but a big “Thank You” to the guys for gathering all the donations from local businesses and individuals, making all the arrangements for the show, ordering in the fireworks and creating a safe space for folks to set off their own whizzers, bangers and sky rockets. Instead of spending the holiday with their own famil...
Next week will see the annual observance of Independence Day, recognizing that day in 1776 when the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence and declared itself a free nation, no longer part of the British Empire. Though the legal separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain actually occurred on July 2, it wasn’t until Congress debated and revised the language in Thomas Jefferson’s original document that the Declaration of Independence was finally approved. The following year saw the first observance of Independence Day, wit...
This weekend marks the annual celebration of and for the daddies, the papas, and the old men. That’s right, it’s Father’s Day, a day that calls to mind images of dad flipping burgers on the grill and opening homemade cards and boxes containing ties. Father’s Day is a relatively new celebration, not really seen outside Catholic traditions until the early 20th century, when it was established to complement Mother’s Day — first celebrated in 1908. Father’s Day was first established in 1910. While celebrating those with whom we have genetic ties...
We all know the old saying about opinions and that everyone has one, and in this age of social media it’s very apparent everyone has an opinion. As American citizens, we are blessed with the freedom of speech, something many other countries are not allowed. Imagine living in North Korea where you cannot speak your mind, especially regarding anything political. While all of us may speak our minds, sometimes we forget when we’re typing away on the computer, that there is an actual human being on the other side of that screen. Granted, that per...
Green grass, green leaves and beautiful flowers are all definite and welcomed signs of spring in Wyoming, however, in order to get all those delights for the eyes, we need to have plenty of moisture. Unfortunately, there has been an abundance of rain this spring, which added to the copious amounts of snow we had over the winter, means a lot of flooding danger. We’ve watched and waited as Wind River Canyon has suffered from the rain and the start of the run-off with boulders, some the size of houses, sliding from their precipice. Emergency m...
We’re nearing the middle of May with tourist season right around the corner. The Town of Thermopolis has proclaimed May 22-25 our Spring Clean-up, encouraging residents and businesses to do a little sprucing up to put on our best face for our incoming summer visitors. It is amazing how something as simple as sweeping a sidewalk can make a tourist walking through downtown think we are about the prettiest place they’ve ever seen. Perception is a big part of bringing visitors back to Thermopolis, again and again. We have always been a burgh fil...
The month of May is nearly upon us and with it comes a lot of activities that will keep both parents and students very busy. Actually, it can keep everyone busy, between all the fabulous school concerts on tap, prom, the district track meet, graduation and everything else, it may seem a bit overwhelming at times. Some of the planning going on goes all the way through summer. For example, don’t forget to attend the public meeting regarding the solar eclipse on Monday night at 6 p.m. in the middle school commons. A big night at the middle s...
As we come to the end of this Holy Week, you will be able to find a complete listing of services available at each of our local churches on the front page of this edition. Along with church services, throughout these pages you will find all kinds of things to do, from egg hunts to a 5K walk/run and the Second Friday ArtStroll, plenty of things for everyone in the family to do as they gather for the weekend. Whether your heart turns to a higher power or not, one thing is certain, life is renewing around us, from the new shoots of green grass to...
The annual April 15 deadline to have your taxes in is approaching quickly. Those who were able to get theirs done early have likely seen their returns swell their bank accounts before the money is put toward bills or, if you’re really lucky, a trip or something else that’s a bit more fun. Those of us who have waited, or are still waiting, to file the paperwork might be feeling a bit stressed out in making sure we have everything ready to go for the accountant, or sent to some online site for processing. Sure extensions can be requested, but...
Among the biggest topics of discussion within the past week has certainly been the trial of Matthew Schwan, evidenced by the number of people attending as well as the explosion of comments on our Facebook page. The trial was an emotional one for both sides — those supporting Matthew and the victim, Reilly Schwan — and the impact felt is far from over, and will likely see a fresh revival as the sentencing comes around. Among the comments seen online, and heard at the trial, was with regard to justice finally coming to pass in this case. Often ti...
As the 2017 Legislature came to a close last Friday, and with any session it means different things to everyone, depending on which bills passed, which failed and what action our chosen representatives took. Here at the Independent Record, we have kept in contact with Nathan Winters and Wyatt Agar, and provided regular comments from them as the weeks went on. Among the issues which these gentlemen discussed with their peers were: wolves, sexual assaults, concealed carry in the schools, licensing fees, absentee voters, education costs and, of...
This past weekend saw members of the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department enjoying themselves during their annual ball and banquet, Saturday evening at the VFW. Awards were given out, each with its own prestige, including Fireman of the Year and Master Chef, along with pins for years of service with the department. It was a night for the firefighters, along with their significant others, to enjoy themselves. Just a few days later put them to work with an early morning house fire which took 20 personnel and four hours to extinguish. It’s in the...
If you’ve been having trouble talking freely with friends and neighbors since the last election, you’re not alone. And the media wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether we’re sounding the drums of the Left or the Right, there’s nothing that sells quite as well as conflict. Even your hometown newspaper is guilty of leading with the bleeding. That’s because conflict is what makes a story interesting. You’re a reader - think about the last book you read. Now take all of the conflict out of it. Reading can be a pretty boring exercise without the c...
For more than 100 years, the Wyoming Press Association has provided representation of Wyoming’s 45 newspapers, representing paper interests in lobbying, advertising and education. The association allows newspapers to speak with a unified voice on important matters. Every year, the Wyoming Press Association provides another function — awarding its member newspapers in areas such as photography, advertisement, editorial matter and overall excellence during the annual winter convention. Staff at the Independent Record attended the 2017 con...
This weekend, Thermopolis will host the Moscow Nights/Golden Gates dance troupe, featuring dancers from Russia and Georgia. It’s one of the many opportunities throughout the year when we can catch a brief glimpse into another culture, and we should take advantage of it. Around town, several have stepped up and opened their doors to these dancers and musicians during their brief stay. While these folks will certainly get more understanding of the Russian and Georgian culture, in a small town we can expect their experiences and stories of the v...
The education of our young people is one of the most critical pieces we, as a society, are responsible for. Our educators mold the minds of future generations and each child, each teacher, each school district is different in regards to needs and resources. We all have similar goals in Wyoming, however, the needs of smaller school districts is vastly different from the needs of larger districts in the state. With the Wyoming State Legislature’s opening day right around the corner, one bill to keep an eye on is House Bill 0037 – Teacher accounta...
If you’ve been counting down the days until the Winter Solstice (the shortest day of the year) congratulations, we made it and now the days start getting longer. If it doesn’t seem that way perhaps it’s because, while the sun begins to set a little later from here until summer, it rises a little later in the day until January 3. So when Christmas rolls around this Sunday, even though you’ve told yourself, “the days are getting longer,” your eyes aren’t seeing the light of day any earlier. Some sleep scientists attribute this annual phenom...
If there’s one thing for certain in these past few weeks, it’s that the snow isn’t leaving anytime soon. In addition to making sure your vehicle is equipped with an emergency kit, should you happen to get stuck, the best thing you can do is be more cautious while behind the wheel Yes, there are plow vehicles that are going to regularly keep the streets and highways clear. Keep in mind those trucks might not get to your neck of the woods as quickly as you hope, but they do get there. Just like nearly every job, they have their priority and s...
Mother Nature reared her ugly head and dropped seven-inches of white stuff across Hot Springs County last week, reminding us that the days of flip flops and sunscreen are surely over for a few months. With that in mind, are you prepared should a big storm hit? Everyone should have a few days supply of food and water in the house, things that don’t require cooking in case the electricity goes out. Oh, and that electric can opener probably won’t do you any good either, so an old fashioned one would be good to have in the junk drawer. Extra bla...
