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*Editor’s Note: On November 17, Carbon County Health Officer Wayne Couch issued a county-wide mask mandate effective immediately. The Saratoga Sun will have more information next week.* “We have a lot of holidays coming up, a lot more social events, and that’s where we’re seeing a lot of the spread within Carbon County is small family units and social events. So, we’re asking the public to be more socially responsible.” During their rescheduled November 10 meeting, the Board of Carbon Coun...
As temperatures continue to drop, the number of positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases both within Carbon County and across Wyoming continue to rise. With winter well on its way and the holidays approaching, the number of active cases in the county have surpassed 100 while a recent decision by Carbon County Public Health has caused some frustration with parents in Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2). On Sunday, CCSD2 Superintendent Jim Copeland provided an update on positive cases within...
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) announced the official closure of Wyoming Highway (WYO) 130 and WYO 70 over the weekend. WYO 130, also known as the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, originally closed on November 10 due to drifting and blowing snow. According to the press release from WYDOT, dated November 14, crews in Saratoga and Laramie decided that upcoming weather forecasts and current road conditions warranted the seasonal closure. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway, which comprises 12 miles of WYO 130, tops out at more than 10,800...
The Hanna Town Council met at 6:30 p.m. on November 10 at the Hanna Town Hall. Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) starting to show up in the resident population, the town limited seating to 10 audience members. Masks were required for all who came to the meeting. The mayor and council members Traci Fowler and Sammy Sikes were physically present and Linda Schisel was on the telephone. Bob Patton's seat was soon to be filled. The approval of the agenda and minutes was done in a matter of minutes. The...
As the Mullen Fire has been all but entirely extinguished following a heavy snow near the end of October, the assessment of damage done by the fire and future impacts to the area has been completed. Carbon County Fire Warden Ron Brown gave an update to the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) on the Mullen Fire during their November 10 meeting. While the Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team’s assessment comprised the entirety of the fire’s burn area, Brown’s updates focused speci...
Despite what appeared to be a late boost to the tourist economy in the Valley, the economic impacts from the coronavirus (COVID-19) are still being felt as temperatures drop and confirmed cases continue to rise. The effects of those economic impacts are being seen as at least one local restaurant is preparing to reduce business. Firewater Public House (Firewater) will be ceasing dining room operations for the foreseeable future beginning as of November 16. In an email to the Saratoga Sun, Danny...
It looks like a whole lot of people in Wyoming are fired up about the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths here in the Cowboy State. Gov. Mark Gordon was about as emotional and angry as we have seen him during his press conference Nov. 13. He referred to a portion of our state’s population as “knuckleheads” for not practicing social distancing and wearing masks. Meanwhile in Casper, infectious disease specialist Dr. Mark Dowell and various elected officials were hooted off the stage recently by angry citizens when the officials tried... Full story
The Upper Platte River Solid Waste Disposal District (UPRSWDD) met at 7 p.m. on November 4 to hold their regularly scheduled meeting. Following the trend of the previous meeting, the major focus became that of the past due accounts and what should be done. The meeting began with site reports and discussion of waste management, however it quickly moved on to the previously established billing issues. Ellie Dana-Raymer stated that the district has been working on increasing communication with...
Lenny Layman, Carbon County Emergency Manager, is one step closer to realizing the vision of a Carbon County Coordination Center following two significant donations to the project from energy companies operating in Wyoming. The Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) were notified of the two donations during the November 10 meeting. As was reported previously (see “Managing a coordinated plan” on page 7 of the September 23 Saratoga Sun), an initial donation of $15,000 from the Sinclair Oil...
With fall sports finished for the year, winter sports are just around the corner. As the number of cases within the school district, the county and the state continue to rise, there is understandably some concern over whether basketball and wrestling will actually take place. The Wyoming High School Athletics Association (WSHAA) have made no indication that winter sports, at least statewide, will be suspended. The association, however, did release updated guidance for both wrestling and...
*Editor's Note* A previous version of this article had Greg Snell's wife named as Wanda. Her name is Linda. We apologize for the error. After nearly a year and a half without someone in their pulpit, the congregation at the First Baptist Church of Saratoga at 802 W. Main Street finally has a church leader. Greg Snell and his wife, Linda, moved to Saratoga last month and will be leading services at the church. The Snells bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position. "We met at Colo...
Encampment Mayor Greg Salisbury was not present for the town council meeting on November 12,. Councilmember Gary Stull acted as mayor pro-tem. After the minutes and financials were reviewed and approved, Josh Craig, president of Mother Mountain Anglers, spoke. He said a friend and long time community member, Dan Nelius, passed away the week before. Craig was there to request permission to use the Opera House to hold a benefit for Lesley Nelius. He assured the council that the Anglers would...
The Medicine Bow Town Council met at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Medicine Bow Community Hall for their regularly scheduled town council meeting. Mayor Sharon Biamon was in attendance along with council members John Cowdin, Trevor Flansburg and Trevor Strauch. Council member Lucy Schofield was absent. The agenda was approved in the opening minutes of the council meeting followed quickly by the minutes from the October 12 regular meeting. Treasurer/Town Clerk Karen Heath went over the financials for...
by Joshua Wood The Platte Valley has long been home to creative minds. At the turn of the last century, Lora Webb Nichols documented day-to-day life in the Valley with one of the first cameras in the area. Writers, some internationally known, currently or have previously called the Valley home. It is almost as if there is something in the environment that not only encourages creativity, but helps it flourish. Among those flourishing creative minds are Dixie Berger and her husband, Kirby,...
The Platte Valley Ministerial Association will still be holding their annual Community Thanksgiving Service this year, though it will have some changes due to the impacts from the coronavirus (COVID-19). In a press release from the Platte Valley Ministerial Association, the non-profit organization wrote that the ecunamenical service is an annual tradition and serves as the major fundraising event. The ministerial association uses these funds to sponsor the Saratoga Food Pantry and a Travelers’ Assistance Fund and provide assistance to those w...
The Riverside Town Council meeting began with discussion over the moneys the Town of Riverside has received. Mayor LeRoy Stephenson happily said, in regards to the Chokecherry wind energy project, “we got a ton!” They had budgeted to receive $25,000 total but have already received over $27,000. Receipts from the sales and use tax have totaled $35,864. Stephenson then brought up the need for new bathrooms in the park. Last year, the ladies room had issues and, when the contractor fixed it, the...
The Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT) had to have their conference in a different manner than years past. On October 21 and 22, WOT held their fall summit virtually. Executive Director of WOT, Diane Shober and Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association (WLRA) and Wyoming Travel Industry Coalition (WTIC) Executive Director Chris Brown were hosts. The conference started out discussing the state of the travel industry. Roger Dow, President and CEO of US Travel, said travel industry groups have...