Week of December 19, 2024
Week of December 19, 2024
*Editor’s note: This is the first of a series on the Valley Village Childcare as it approaches its one year anniversary in their new building.* When the doors opened up in January at the Ray A. Corbett Building, new tenants were getting used to a remodeled building that went from being a clinic which had served the Valley for many years to a childcare facility and preschool that had previously operated in separate buildings. Valley Village Childcare (VVC) became the building owners thanks to...
The sharp punctuation of dribbling and the squeak of sneakers heralded the return of high school basketball to the Platte Valley on December 13 and 14 as Saratoga co-hosted the Carbon County Classic. With a young team under his wing, Head Coach Jason Williams led the Saratoga Panthers to their first four wins off the season. The Panthers won with substantial leads in three of their four games. Saratoga dealt double-digit losses to the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners, the Dubois...
The Saratoga Lady Panthers started off their season with a roar, going 3-1 as they co-hosted the Carbon County Classic in Saratoga on December 13 and December 14. While the Lady Panthers took a loss from the Burlington Lady Huskies, they also dealt two losses to the St. Stephens Lady Eagles and a loss to the Dubois Lady Rams. “We lost to a very strong Burlington team. It was a 5-point game halfway through the third quarter before it got out of hand due to turnovers and not being able to shut...
At a pre-season wrestling meeting with athletes and parents, second year head coach Rusty Arnold stressed that the coaches and team would be “getting back to basics.” He reiterated several times that the boys needed to show up “ready to work hard.” It appears that the team is taking the task to heart as the SMHS wrestling team traveled to Lusk last Friday for their first competition of the season. Six of the team’s 12 wrestlers made the trip, and Saratoga had a good showing, placing 6th out of 16 teams. One wrestler took top honors,...
The Encampment Tigers boys and girls basketball finished the preseason Carbon County Classic with only one loss out of six total games in the Tigers Den of Encampment K-12 last weekend. The boys finished undefeated and played hard on both sides of the ball this weekend, which allowed them to compete with some talented teams, according to head coach Duane Gilbert. “To me being undefeated doesn’t mean anything at this point and time,” Gilbert said. “Winning is always nice but his time of...
The Platte Valley and Carbon County have been uniquely blessed with its fair share of do-ers, people who roll up their sleeves and make something happen rather than waiting for something to happen. This weekend gave a prime example of what do-ers can do. Each year, Ryta Sondergard tirelessly works with community members throughout the county to put on a one-of-a-kind Christmas experience. This year was no different as Sondergard and a number of volunteers brought Willy Wonka to the Carbon County Fairgrounds on Saturday. The event, which was...
Dear Editor, Our homes are ablaze with Christmas lights as we celebrate Christmas. But, the question needs to be asked. What are we celebrating? Is it Christ’s birthday or a pagan celebration of selfish acquisition, hatred and tribal exclusion. Do his values permeate Christmas? It seemed for a period of time that love and acceptance of“others” was winning. Enforcing civil rights and building a society of inclusion seemed to have made progress. We had more to do, but thought it was better. Ironically, it seems that was only on the...
Last week the Big Horn Basin received the news that the Big Horn Cooperative Marketing Association would be closing many of its retail stores including Worland’s farm store. The tire shop had closed in September without any official notification. The news was somewhat of a gut punch, similar to when we heard that Shopko would be closing. Worland is not the only community dealing with this. According to the cooperative’s press release, released to media outlets and on social media last Wednesday, all retail locations will be open until the...
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He...
For many years I’ve had the privilege to visit those in jails, prisons, hospitals, recovery centers, and nursing homes, as I truly enjoy spending time with all people. In nursing homes, I sing, teach Bible studies, and appreciate hearing about their former lives. The Lord has allowed me to make some precious friendships and I want to share with you about a lovely lady who after a devastating stroke was no longer independent and is now in a comfortable setting where she is well taken care of. I love talking with her and a while back in the...
The Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce saw a historic 244 participants during the 21st Annual Festival of the Trees on December 6. The fundraiser, which is held to support a selected non-profit in the Platte Valley, raised $44,475—before expenses—for Carbon County Search and Rescue - East Division. The total number came from both auction items and table purchases for the event. Chamber CEO Amanda Knotwell and Chamber Boardmember Karen Youngberg presented a check for $6,500 to Carbon...
Community members are in for a treat Friday as the elementary students will be putting on their first play “North Pole’s Got Talent.” The play begins at 6 p.m. at the Platte Valley Community Center and is sponsored by the Town of Saratoga, Carbon County School Districts No. 2 (CCSD2) and the Platte Valley Drama Club. The play, written by Lavinia Roberts and sponsored by Pioneer Drama Services, is designed for a flexible cast according to pioneerdrama.com. Stage right, is director Marie...
