Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
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Health orders in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are lifting this week and, slowly, businesses are seeing signs of getting back to normal. Christine Neel, owner of the Elk Mountain Hotel in the bucolic town the hotel is named after, is happy to see the progress. She is also pleased to have survived this past year, after buying the place in February and taking over ownership in March. Under normal circumstances, taking over a hotel can be a challenge but during...
The Hanna Town Council met on March 9 at the Hanna Town Hall. It was attended by council members Jason Nordquist, Sammy Sikes and William Dys. Council member Tracy Fowler was absent. Mayor Lois Buchanan was present. Buchanan reported the High Country Joint Powers Board (HCJPB) was taking bids for the monitoring of the Hanna landfill. She said the HCJPB had sold the landfill loader and bulldozer to the town for $10,000. Public works director Larry Korkow said that a snow fence...
The Medicine Bow Town Council met on March 8 at the Medicine Bow Community Hall. All council members were present along with Mayor Sharon Biamon. The council decided to pay all but 10 percent of the construction company Oftedal retainage fee. “We discovered some things that might cost the town some money,” Town Clerk/Treasurer Karen Heath said. “I just thought you should know before you pay the retainage fee.” The normal protocol is that a contractor does a series of inspectio...
The Encampment Town Council meeting of March 11, 2021 began with Josh Saier of the Sierra Madre Muzzle Loaders Club requesting permission to use the Grand Encampment Museum grounds for the annual Rendezvous to be held July 23-25. The council was happy to approve the request and look forward to getting back to normal as last year’s event was not held due to the COVID pandemic. There will be some changes for this year’s event, however. The traditional pig roast dinner will not...
While the Town of Saratoga has yet to start on their audit of Fiscal Year 2020/2021, the Saratoga-Carbon County Impact Joint Powers Board (SCCIJPB) is nearing the completion of their financial review. During their March 9 meeting, the SCCIJPB was informed by Chairman Richard Raymer that Binder Dijker Otte (BDO)—Anton Collins Mitchell (ACM), the auditing firm historically used by the joint powers board merged with BDO in 2020—had asked for direction from the board on the inclus...
Construction of the North Platte Valley Medical Center (NVPMC) will start construction earlier than expected. Though there is still snow on the ground, the Platte Valley Healthcare Project (PVHP) is excited and ready to proceed as soon as weather allows. On Tuesday morning, PVHP Chairman Will Faust received notification from the United States Department of Agriculture that the loan process to finance the construction of the critical access hospital had been approved. “Final plans and specifications have been prepared and a...
Over the past few months, the Saratoga-Carbon County Impact Joint Powers Board (SCCIJPB) has discussed collecting on delinquent water and sewer accounts and terminating the services of those in arrears. Following their March 9 meeting, however, it appears that the joint powers board and the Town of Saratoga must first review and revise portions of their ordinance relating to water and sewer billing. In January, Director of Public Works Jon Winter asked both the SCCIJPB and...
Will Faust, chairman of the Platte Valley Healthcare Project (PVHP) and Laura Bucholz, liaison from the Corbett Medical Foundation, will give the keynote address at the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on Thursday, March 18. Faust and Bucholz will be giving Chamber and audience members a recap of the North Platte Valley Medical Center project to date as well as plans for its completion in the coming year. “The new hospital will have an important impact on many facets of the community, and not least the...
COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to lift, creating more opportunities for folks to gather at their favorite restaurant or bar. With the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, remember to preplan and have a sober designated driver before deciding to drink any adult beverages. In years past, drunk-driving crashes tend to spike on St. Patrick’s Day. This is why the Wyoming Highway Patrol wants to remind people to stay safe. The patrol encourages everyone to be proactive and not only designate a sober driver for themselves, but make sur...
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is holding season setting question and answer sessions online to review 2021 hunting season proposals. No in-person meetings will be held. Game and Fish will present region-specific information that addresses proposals for: •Chapter 2, General Hunting Regulation •Chapter 5, Antelope Hunting Seasons •Chapter 6, Deer Hunting Seasons •Chapter 7, Elk Hunting Seasons •Chapter 8, Moose Hunting Seasons •Chapter 9, Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Hunting Seasons •Chapter 11, Upland Game Bird and...
It appears that Saratoga will not be getting a new recreational vehicle (RV) park in the near future. At least, if one is built, it will likely not be by JaJaCa Properties owners James (Jimmy) and Jamie Campbell. During a public hearing for a special use permit at the March 9 meeting of the Saratoga Planning Commission, the would-be developers announced they would not be applying for an RV park permit and requested to pull their special use permit application. The latest...
Responding to requests from affected counties, and following a thorough review of conditions, Governor Mark Gordon has issued an emergency declaration to facilitate a coordinated response in the aftermath of a severe winter storm that has affected portions of the state. The emergency declaration allows the director of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security (WOHS) to mobilize state and federal personnel, resources and organizations to address the impacts of the storm. It also... Full story
When government fails, it’s the rare public official who says, “Oops. My fault.” That’s human nature, particularly for officials in the public eye who may have to run for office again. No one wants to be held directly responsible for letting the public down. Case in point is the recent catastrophe in Texas, when unexpected winter storms left 4 million homes without power, ruptured pipes and tainted the water supply for many. Texas’ energy grid essentially collapsed. While Texas Governor Greg Abbott was quick to blame fro... Full story
Wilma June Wilcoxson, 89, passed away on March 3, 2021 at the Saratoga Care Center in Saratoga, Wyoming. Wilma was born on June 5, 1931 in Durango, Colorado. Wilma loved her family and especially her grandchildren. She worked at various jobs through her life and working was important to her. She worked for many years for the United States Post Office. During her working years, she also volunteered for Cheyenne Frontier Days and the American Cancer Society. Wilma was very politically motivated. She also loved to knit and sew.... Full story
Desmend Michel Martinez, resident of Rawlins, passed away on March 7, 2021. Desmend was born on May 7, 1997 in Laramie, Wyoming to Merissa Martinez and Timothy Martinez. He graduated from Rawlins High School in 2016, married Sierra on August 20, 2016 and was employed by WYDOT as a Maintenance Technician. When Desmend would walk into a room you always noticed his big smile! He loved his family and adored his son. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his Grandpa Robert and his... Full story