Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
Sorted by date Results 151 - 175 of 311
From coal to wind and from agriculture to tourism, Carbon County has a diverse past, present and future. If one lucky resident can represent the county in a new seal, they could receive $600 from the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC). In an April 7 press release, the BOCCC announced a contest for a new seal design open to students and the community as a whole. “Carbon County has a unique history and evolving culture, one that deserves to be expressed in a way that is inclusive to all citizens,” read the press rel...
Haulers with oversize loads can expect to have their weight checked in the near future. Little more than a month after the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) approved a resolution implementing weight restrictions on county roads, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office appeared before the commissioners on April 6 to request the purchase of four portable scales. As was reported previously (see “Paving the way” on page 2 of the February 24 Saratoga Sun), the commi...
Within a month of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) being informed about weight restrictions on a Highway 130 bridge at mile marker 57.52, those restrictions have been removed. As was reported previously (see "A bridge not far enough" on page 1 of the March 10 Saratoga Sun), the BOCCC was notified by Jason Armbruster, district ranger for the Medicine Bow-Routte National Forest and Thunderbasin National Grasslands, about the weight restrictions on March 2....
On March 18 and 19, Jackie King, a field representative for Senator Cynthia Lummis, came to Carbon County to touch base with residents, organizations and businesses. The morning of the 18th, King introduced herself to the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) during their regularly scheduled meeting in Rawlins. King had also scheduled meetings with constituents throughout the day until she attended the Saratoga Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce's Annual Banquet later...
More than a month after tabling a resolution in regards to a conditional use permit from Union Telephone Company (Union Wireless) and the City of Rawlins, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) unanimously voted against the resolution on March 18. As was reported previously (see “Can you please hold?” on page 1 of the February 17 Saratoga Sun) the county commissioners had tabled the permit at their February 2 meeting following public comments and a petition from nea...
Just two weeks after finding out about weight restrictions placed by the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) on a Highway 130 bridge, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) were informed of both short-term and long-term solutions to the issue. As was reported previously (see “A bridge not far enough” on page 1 of the March 10 Saratoga Sun), Jason Armbruster, district ranger for the Medicine Bow-Routte National Forest and Thuderbasin National Grassland, had...
For some, it may seem that one election cycle bleeds right into another especially as several current members of the Wyoming Legislature have made early announcements of running against Representative Liz Cheney in 2022. A piece of legislation currently in the Wyoming Senate, however, would add another election date to Wyoming’s calendar and create additional work for both the Secretary of State and county clerks throughout Wyoming. During their rescheduled March 18 m...
More than a month after Blakeman Propane appeared before the Saratoga Town Council, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) approved a conditional use permit for the Wyoming-based company during their March 2 meeting on a 4-1 vote. As was previously reported (see “But does it look nice?” on page 1 of the January 27 Saratoga Sun), Will Zilka of Blakeman Propane had appeared before the Town of Saratoga’s governing body to address any concerns the council may have had. W...
Should the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) invest in upgrading a bridge on Wyoming Highway 130 or should the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) spend more than $1 million upgrading Carbon County Road 504? That was the question raised during the March 2 meeting of the county commissioners in discussion with representatives from the United States Forest Service (USFS). Historically, Highway 130 has been the main thoroughfare for logging trucks...
The importance of tourism to Carbon County is everywhere if one knows where to look. The iconic hotels and good restaurants are not the only places that serve visitors. Gas stations, retail establishments, law enforcement agencies, museums and even town halls benefit from tourists. Almost all Carbon County residents of benefit from tourism to varying degrees and it is in the county's best interest visitors leave with a positive impression of the area. The Carbon County...
During their February 16 meeting, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners heard updates on both the Mullen Fire and the Hanna RR 316 Fire from Lenny Layman, Carbon County Emergency Manager. The commissioners were also updated on the status of a State Lands Investment Board (SLIB) grant for a Type 6 fire engine for the Carbon County Fire Department. Mullen Fire Starting on September 17 just outside the Savage Run Wilderness, the Mullen Fire grew to be one of the largest fires...
The Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) passed two resolutions during their February 16 meeting that adopted policies proposed by Kandis Fritz, Carbon County Road and Bridge Coordinator. Both policies seek to help the department in managing the nearly 1,000 miles of county roads. Weight Just a Minute The resolution that seemed to elicit the most discussion was 2021-08, which adopted rules and regulations for sizes, weight and permits on Carbon County roads. Fritz...
When the Wyoming Legislature reconvenes in March, the perennial battle to keep public notices in Wyoming newspapers will return as well. On February 4, the Senate Corporation Committee voted 4-1 to advance to the Wyoming Senate legislation that would remove the requirement for counties and municipalities to publish minutes and salary information in newspapers. Senate File 17 was crafted under the guise of saving the counties and municipalities money during much needed budget crunches. During the nearly two hour meeting,...
The Board Carbon County Commissioners, along with a steering committee, has completed a draft Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP). The County developed this Plan as a tool which allows a local government to have a substantive impact on federal decisions, plans, policies, and programs. Federal agencies consideration of a local natural resource management plan, or resource plan, can play a key role in the success of a local government engaging as a cooperative agency or with consistency review under the National...
In recent months, representatives for Union Telephone Company (Union Wireless) have appeared before the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) for approval to extend the height of existing telecommunication towers. These requests come as Union Wireless prepares for the introduction of 5th Generation (5G) wireless, which has garnered questions and concerns about the health impacts of the newest wireless technology. During the February 2 meeting of the BOCCC, a...
After nearly two months, Rocky Mountain Power finally received approval for construction of a transmission line between the Shirley Basin Substation in Carbon County and the Windstar Substation in Natrona County. As was previously reported (see “Rocky Mountain permit tabled” on page 1 of the December 30, 2020 Saratoga Sun), following concerns raised by the Medicine Bow Conservation District and land owners in the area the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) tab...
As the demands of information technology increase for Carbon County, IT Director Matt Webster is finding himself in need of more help. Currently, the County IT Department consists of Webster and IT Specialist Rick Cox. At the February 2 meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC), Webster informed the board of his need for another employee. “I’ve been reluctant to bring this up because of a couple different reasons, mostly the cost, but I think it’s somet...
The Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) were given a preview of the Carbon County Library System’s (CCLS) strategic plan during their January 19 meeting. Along with hearing about the system’s three year plan, the commissioners also spoke with Lenny Layman, Carbon County Emergency Coordinator, about trusted sources of information. Strategic Plan CCLS Director Jacob Mickelsen appeared before the commissioners on Tuesday to present the system’s three year plan from...
Safety and aesthetics were the top concerns raised by the Saratoga Town Council in regards to a proposed bulk propane storage facility south of town during their January 19 meeting. The facility, which will be constructed and operated by Blakeman Propane, is just outside town limits on property owned by Arthur Ingleby. Due to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Saratoga and Carbon County approved on July 2, 2019, however, the county is required to solicit...
Delinquent water accounts were the hot topic for Hanna Town Council at their first meeting of 2021. While the outstanding amounts owed to the Town of Hanna has drastically reduced since last February, the governing body is moving forward with trying to collect the remaining amount owed to the Town. Also, during the January 12 meeting, the council discussed the ongoing steps for the landfill closure process and received year-end reports from the Department of Public Works and...
The Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) started the new year off at the tracks as they approved a resolution for pari mutuel wagering to operate in the county during their January 5 meeting. Resolution 2021-03, which was approved by a vote of 4-1, gave approval to Wyoming Downs, LLC (Wyoming Downs) to conduct pari mutuel wagering on live horse racing, historic horse racing and simulcast events at bars within Carbon County. Terminals for the pari mutuel wagering and...
As their final action of 2020, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) tabled a conditional use permit from Rocky Mountain Power for Segment D-1 of the Gateway West Transmission Line Project during their December 15 meeting. The vote to table the permit appeared to come as a surprise to Rod Fisher, Director of Community Relations for Rocky Mountain Power, who joined the meeting via phone. The current path for the Gateway West Transmission Line plans for 1,000 miles...
As announcements of vaccines for the coronavirus (COVID-19) began to roll out across the country, many Wyoming residents likely wondered when those vaccines would arrive in the Cowboy State. During the December 1 meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC), County Health Officer Wayne Couch announced that the vaccines were forthcoming and that they would be distributed to frontline workers first. On December 11, the Wyoming Department of Health officially...
The Saratoga Sun will remain the official publication of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) following their December 1 meeting. This marks the first time in recent history that the Sun has been the official publication for the governing body of the county two years in a row. Last year, when the BOCCC had named the Saratoga Sun their official publication for the 2020 calendar year, it marked the first time that the newspaper had been selected to publish the...
On November 23, six days after Carbon County Health Officer Wayne Couch announced a county-wide mask mandate, the executive committee of the Carbon County Republican Party issued a letter of concern addressed to the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC). As was reported previously (see “All the dents we can get” on page 1 of the November 25 Saratoga Sun), Couch joined the BOCCC via phone during their November 17 meeting to discuss a mask mandate. What was first bel...