Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
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On June 14, we celebrate Flag Day. Ever since Sept. 11, 2001 we have seen more American Flags displayed at any time since World War II. Yet, if we asked the average citizen as to how Flag Day came about, he most likely would draw a blank. I thought I would take this opportunity to write this with the help of information from the Northwestern University Alumni Magazine, about how Flag Day came about in hope readers would enjoy learning about something that has long been forgotten. It all started with Bernard J. Cigrand (1866-1932), the son of Lu... Full story
I wish to comment on your article in the latest edition of the IR. I believe reports are spot on, as far as what is going on, and what will continue to happen. I was one of those affected by the latest road closure in the Wind River Canyon. Unfortunately, it seems as if WYDOT is just putting band-aids on a major wound. While I realize that any major fixes are going to be expensive, I believe that WYDOT needs to step up, do the right thing, and take care of the problems NOW! It is only going to get more expensive the longer we wait! There needs...
I can’t speak for all senior citizens, but I think many would agree that the two services we most value are those of the senior center and the library. The senior center offers the best lunch deal in town, along with various activities and transportation for those who can’t or don’t drive. The library offers both education and entertainment, with the staff always being friendly and helpful. Once a month they even provide a free dinner along with a classic film. My thanks to all of those who help in some way to keep both of these insti...
Regarding the “Our View” published in the April 6, 2017 edition of the IR on the opinion page, anyone who thinks the “sales tax” might continue indefinitely is in need of a refresher course. The “sales tax” is in fact a Special Purpose Tax and by definition is put in place after approval by the voters to raise monies for a “Special Purpose”, in this case the remodeling and replacement of the hospital. Once the funds have been raised to the maximum amount of $16.4 million for the project, the Special Purpose tax goes away. When that happens it...
Proposals to turn Medicare into a voucher system would take health care in precisely the wrong direction – pushing up costs for current and future retirees, and eroding protections that Americans have earned through many years of hard work and taxes. Yet, in a short-sighted attempt to save money, vouchers are being promoted on Capitol Hill as an answer to rising costs. Unfortunately, they are the wrong answer. Vouchers pose troubling risks for 89,345 Wyoming residents who are currently in Medicare, not to mention the 118,734 age 50 and older wh...
It is difficult to read many of the facts below specific to Hot Springs County Schools, unless you realize what we may lose as a community. Can we live with fewer teachers, fewer bus drivers, without sports and activities, without agriculture programs, music programs, computer programs? Can we live with large class sizes in our younger grades? How about adding to an economic downturn in our community by reducing the number of educational professionals who make their home here, buy goods and services here? While these questions are yet to be...
I have decided that my New Year’s resolution is to buy life insurance for only $30 a month. It will be enough for my loved one’s (the ones that I only see once or twice a year) to hopefully bury me. And for only $70 a month my loved one’s (the ones who will rush right over if they need anything) will get a nice chunk of change, my house, automobiles and everything else I worked by behind off for. Heck, they might not have to work again. Just thinking about their smiles makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside....
It was wonderful to see the article on the People for People Program and its continued success. When it began so many years ago it would have been difficult to imagine its longevity and the commitment of so many people in the community. Hopefully this will be a never ending program....
Just wanted to thank the city for keeping main street looking as it has for many years. I came there (Thermopolis) at 14 from California in 1946. I fell in love with Wyoming and the town of Thermopolis, living there off and on for years. It has always been a pleasant memory, and to see main street looking as it did, the first time I ever saw it, is a happy memory. I’m glad the city has kept it just as it was. I remember how sad I was when the Emory Hotel was torn down, and the Carter over in the park. People came from all over and stayed in t...
About eight years ago, after our family witnessed our grand-nephews “opening” a humungous pile of Christmas gifts, quickly shoving them into a corner so they could quickly open the NEXT one, and then whining when they didn’t get “what they wanted”, our family made a huge change to our Christmas gifting and celebration. We reasoned that if the money we spent on unappreciated gifts had been donated to organizations that benefitted those who REALLY needed it, a huge difference could have been made for others! We decided then that we would NO...
Referencing the recent Rex’s Ramblings column, it’s obvious on which side of the political aisle he stands. It’s obvious that the author still reads from the tired old Democrat playbook - the one Democrats relied on to defeat President-Elect Trump (oops, that didn’t work for them, did it?). The playbook that states it doesn’t matter if a charge is true or false, what’s important is the seriousness of the charge. Of course, as with all trumped-up charges brought to every election season in October by the Democrats, the charges have been proven...
All the police reports of dogs running loose and barking I wonder if one person is doing much of the complaining. I like to hear dogs barking. They alert us if somebody’s around that shouldn’t be. Unless maybe they’re being abused, hungry, thirsty, left out on a cold night. They’re just four legged family and need love. Burglars claimed dogs, even little ones, are better deterrent to crime than any other alarm. The most intelligent animal with their sharp smell and hearing are able to do many tasks impossible for man. They risk their lives,...
November is National Caregiver’s month. I hope we will all take a moment to recognize and thank the ever-growing group of unsung heroes in Wyoming. In our communities and counties, rural and urban, they do things like give baths and help others get dressed. They dispense medicine and provide transportation to doctor’s appointments. They are family caregivers. In our state, more than 66,000 people are caregivers. Chances are, you know, have been, or are a family caregiver. It is estimated that in Wyoming they contribute upwards of 62 mil...
To the good people of Thermopolis, We want to thank you for the treasure that you have in Hot Springs State Park and the good people who work there. At the end of August we stopped in Thermopolis to enjoy the hot springs on our way home from visiting family and friends in the Southwest. I removed my wedding rings before enjoying the mineral springs and, somehow, lost them between the locker room and my car. We reported the loss to the police and received excellent help there. When we returned to the pool, the people on duty that day diligently...
I would like to thank the wonderful community of Thermopolis for the support, love and help given to me these past two years. I couldn’t have done it all without you. Thermopolis adopted me as their own, and I will always be grateful for the spirit of service given when needed. May all of you be blessed for your gifts of giving. Susan Staley, Evanston...
I don’t argue with Cindy Glasson’s statistics in her column titled Wyoming, The Equality State. I do believe there’s a gender gap in pay between men and women. Statistics can be misleading. I’ve heard it said, for example, that two economists can analyze the same set of data (statistics) and come to opposite conclusions. For example, Obama says the economy is doing great - the unemployment rate, 4.9 percent (Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000) is the lowest in many years. The same data shows 93 million...
On September 18, 2016, we were involved in an accident between Meeteetse and Thermopolis totaling our car. We were taken to the Hot Springs County Hospital by ambulance. The ambulance crew were outstanding. The emergency room crew and the hospital staff were so good to us. We are grateful to be healing and are so very grateful for the emergency care we received. It would seem wrong to not publicly express thanks and compliment your community on your fantastic service provided to us....
Every few years, almost on cue, religion seems to enthusiastically enter politics as though this country should somehow become a theocracy with democratic overtones instead of a democracy separated from religion by its Constitution. As a Christian, I gladly accept and proclaim Jesus’ role in my life and salvation, and wish for others the fulfilling life possible when filled with His Spirit. As a citizen of the United States of America, I declare and defend my right to form my own political philosophy, and make my own political decisions. M...
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees each of us Freedom of Speech. We may not always agree with what one another says but the ability to speak gives voice to differing opinions and allows for the free exchange of ideals. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a country where simply by voicing your ideals you were harassed or even jailed or killed? That scenario is true for many countries. On Friday I replaced yet another candidate yard sign that had been damaged by vandals. Today I found that sign al...
This past Friday night, September 30 we played the Thermopolis Bobcats in football. There were several things that happened that went unnoticed by most in attendance and we wanted everyone to know what occurred. At the start of the game the sound system on the visitor’s sideline was very loud. Many attempts were made to remedy the problem. When a solution could not be made, your Principal Mr. Shoop, simply cut the wires leading to the speakers. During the course of the game we had a player that was injured. Your trainer examined the player a...
After hearing and reading of the proposed bentonite pit mine along Highway 120 north of Thermopolis, we wanted to add our voices to last week’s letters by Pete Weisbeck and Sherry Barber in opposition to that proposal. Route 120 from Cody into and through Thermopolis is one of the more beautiful scenic connections in the state. Residents and tourists travel that road year round. The economy of Thermopolis depends on those who travel through, as well as those who come to the city for its hot springs, dinosaur museum, equine events, and high scho...
Hey folks it is starting to rain. According to Wenlin Liu, chief economist for the state of Wyoming, “mineral severance tax revenue in the state is at a 14 year low. Job losses from 2015 to 2016 were about 8,700. The largest factor is the mineral extraction industry.” According to an earlier story in the Independent Record, “Hot Springs County oil and gas sales volume has remained steady from 2015 to 2016, however, the taxable value (Ad Valorem) of both oil and gas has gone down significantly.” For the past 35 years oil and gas have been pa...
I am writing to express my extreme shock and displeasure at even the idea of entertaining the Wyo-Ben pit 108T. It is bad enough that all through the back country where bentonite mines exist the land is totally destroyed, there is abundance of noise pollution, dirt, dust and mud pollution, there is heavy truck traffic ruining public roads. The area will shortly be void of our precious deer, antelope, game birds and will become a blight to the natural beauty people come here to see. Please consider the citizens of Hot Springs County and Wyoming...
Last week the Bureau of Land Management put out a newspaper article explaining that they were taking comments to help them decide if they would allow a proposed bentonite pit mine to be started. I read through all the documents associated with the mine plan, but there was no map, no way to locate the proposal. I called them on it and they finally put out a map and I think I know why they left it out at first. I was amazed to see the mine was located right along State Highway 120 into Thermopolis. Who in their right mind would locate an...
Let me be Paul Revere and ride through town yelling, “THE UGLY IS COMING! THE UGLY IS COMING!” An ugly 375 acre gash on our local beauty called a pit mine is set to be located smack dab next to Highway 120 on the near-approach to town. This is wrong. Wyo-Ben Pit 108T will have absolutely no benefit to our pretty tourist town and will only hurt us. 1 - Goodbye “SCENIC ROUTE”! It won’t be tucked back from our tourist route unseen behind a mountain. The mine and all its hideous industrial mess will be right on our main road. For years motels, rest...
