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For Jezria "Jez" Collins, there is something special she feels about helping someone achieve home ownership. The real estate industry runs deep for Collins, who first obtained her broker's license at the age of 20 and whose mother, Andrea Shepherd, founded ERA Shepherd and Associates in 1997. In August 2018, Collins struck out on her own and put her years of experience to work as she founded Provident Realty. Now, nearly two years later, she is adding to her business as she has recently become...
As businesses throughout the country are struggling in the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), funding opportunities have appeared on local, state and national levels. In Carbon County, the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation announced a micro-grant to aid businesses impacted by the pandemic (see “Moving forward in Carbon County” on page 3 of the April 8 Saratoga Sun). On a national level, the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation is getting involved in supporting sma...
Companies bringing in workers to build the different projects in Carbon County are aware of the concern residents might have with the influx of people coming from all over the United States. "Rocky Mountain Power's top priority is protecting the health of our employees and the community while we provide reliable power," Spencer Hall of Pacificorp said. "As an essential service provider, our employees and contractors continue to meet their obligations to work safely and follow company policies...
Many small businesses in Carbon County have been impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown. The Coronavirus Aid and Economic Security (CARES) Act was created to help alleviate the damage to these businesses and their employees. The main force of the small business stimulus in the CARES Act is contained in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The $349 billion initiative, funded under the Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Loans Program Account, is meant to supply loans to businesses to...
The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch (Brush Creek) is joining the fight to help Carbon County stay safe by switching their distillery operations from making spirits to making hand sanitizer. According to a press release, Brush Creek Distillery never considered hand sanitizer as a future product release but the distillery's manufacturing set-up and the access to materials provides an opportunity for the timely production of sanitizer on a small-scale. Once additional supplies arrived the...
In the weeks since the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused restaurants in the Valley to restructure their business, the area has been witness to multiple acts of kindness. As was reported previously (see "It's about helping others" on page 10 of the April 1 Saratoga Sun), one example of kindness was that of the Saratoga TechKids/SkillsUSA purchasing gift cards from all 10 Valley restaurants. This goodwill, however, is not isolated just to the Valley. Thanks to a number of monetary donations...
It's been nearly a month since Governor Mark Gordon issued his first public health order which closed restaurants and bars to dine-in service. Wyoming, however, is not alone as states throughout the nation have enacted similar orders that have had an affect on those working within the service industry. While restaurants in Wyoming are allowed to provide curbside or delivery service, and now include wine or malt beverages with curbside pickup, it leaves much to be desired for bartenders whose inc...
The A Bar A, a guest or “dude” ranch in Encampment, Wyoming, has announced that it will cancel its 2020 guest season due to concerns arising from COVID-19. This is the only time the Ranch has closed in 98 years of operation. The A Bar A is a Wyoming institution, known around the world for its family focus and unmatched hospitality. Ranch Managers Justin and Lissa Howe described the situation and the reasons for their decision “The effects of COVID-19 expand each day with impacts lasting well into the summer season. We have all learned a lot a...
Town & Country Realty is proud to announce that Shelby McGuire has joined their team. Shelby is not new to real estate as she completed the Salesmen Course I and II and received her license back in 2019. Shelby is a Saratoga native where she graduated from high school. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Wyoming in 2018. Shelby is proud to be returning home to continue her career in real estate. Town & Country Realty is still committed in providing...
With the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on local businesses, various programs have been announced on both the federal and state levels in the form of grants and loans. Recently, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services announced Layoff Aversion Grants for Wyoming businesses but quickly saw the application limit exceeded. On a more local level, the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is offering financial aid through micro-grants for small businesses in the...
On Thursday afternoon, a joint order from Governor Mark Gordon and State Health Officer Alexia Harrist directed restaurants, bars and other public spaces in Wyoming to close their doors. In the case of restaurants, they could still offer curbside, carry-out or delivery services while bars could offer drive-thru services or window services. Just days before that order, some restaurants in the Valley were already making that decision on their own. In Saratoga, The Grumpy Italian and Bella's Bistro...
As the Valley continues to cope with the ongoing uncertainty caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the two grocery stores in Saratoga continue to try and meet the needs of their customers despite allocation and shortages on certain items. At Valley Foods, things changed quickly in less than a week. While manager Adam Clarke had put limitations on toilet paper, hand soap and hand sanitizer to try and make things stretch, his list of allocated items from his warehouse continued to grow. Now,...
At the moment, the possible health impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Wyoming appear to be relatively minimal. Following the weekend, the Wyoming Department of Health confirmed 10 cases of the virus. As the virus makes its way across the country, however, a number of states and metropolitan areas have ordered bars and restaurants to close in an effort to promote social distancing. On Monday afternoon, the mayor of Denver announced that all bars and restaurants were to be shut down... Full story
With how remote many towns in Wyoming are, one might have expected that the panic-buying induced by uncertainty over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) would not reach parts of the Cowboy State. This was proven wrong, however, as posts on social media detailed the stockpiling seen by residents in Rawlins, the Carbon County seat, at both WalMart and City Market. In the days before and the days following reports of Wyoming’s first confirmed case of COVID-19, Wyoming has confirmed 10 as of late M...
"I want to see continued growth in the Valley which, obviously, will lead to enhancement of quality of life for businesses, locals and visitors. If you bring in more business and you help that business that's here, it's only going to help the locals and then it's going to bring in visitors and then they're going to have a blast." With the departure of Stacy Crimmins as CEO of the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce (S/PVCC), the Chamber is welcoming Valley newcomer Leanna Jones to the...
When Stacy Crimmins first came to work for the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce 17 years ago, she came in as a part-time administrative assistant to the director. The hours worked well for her since she had a family. She had been in her position a very short time when the director was let go. Crimmins said she was offered the director job then, but she didn't want it. She wanted to stay part-time to be able to spend time with her kids, who were starting school. Crimmins found herself...
Access to mental health is just one of many issues that rural areas such as Wyoming are forced to deal with. With mental health providers often located in more populous towns, it leaves a lengthy drive time for rural residents in need of those services. This is if they have a vehicle and are able to take the time off work for the trip. In fact, according to a study from Mental Health America, Wyoming has an overall ranking of 47. This means that the Cowboy State has a higher prevalence of...
It has often been said that the only constant in life is change. Even in the Platte Valley, where life seems to move a little slower, it is inevitable. For Dr. Robert Wimpenny, owner of Platte Valley Dental, change has come after more than 31 years in business. While his decision was not an easy one, and is emotional, he is leaving it in the hands of someone he feels will provide the same level of service he has for the past three decades. When it comes to Dr. David Scott, it is almost as if he...
The Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber is seeking nominations from its membership for positions on the nine-member Board of Directors. Directors are elected by ballot at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on February 6 with a three year term beginning in February. According to Stacy Crimmins, CEO of the Chamber, the terms due to expire are currently held by Laurie Box, Susan Marich and Bob Herring. All three directors have expressed interest in serving another three year term and will be added to the ballot. In addition, there is one open seat that e...
The Spirit Vault in the Cheyenne Club at Brush Creek's Farm has few counterparts anywhere in the world. Coming into the lounge area where there is a bar for pouring drinks, the most overwhelming sight is all the bottles that are kept in their individual lockers. Matt Sandoval, who describes himself as a memory maker, said each vault gives out information on each bottle every time it is removed. The spirit vault is literally that. Each bottle is electronically tagged and, when it leaves its...
It might have appeared to some that a small forest had grown overnight in the lawn across from RNB State Bank in Saratoga the day after Thanksgiving. In the place of snow covered grass, a number of evergreen trees now draw the eye as one drives down 1st Street. For the second year in a row, Scott and Michelle McIlvaine are selling Christmas trees to raise money for American Legion Post 54. Last year, the McIlvaine's were set up in the park next to Lollypop's. Due to the removal of the boardwalk...
Annual Award nominations are being taken now until Dec. 15. This is your chance to nominate a fellow business, organization, person, or even yourself, for one of the five awards: • Business Of The Year • New Business Of The Year • Emerging Business Of The Year • Organization Of The Year • Volunteer Of The Year You can nominate using a paper ballot or an online ballot, and the links are found at the bottom of this newsletter. If you are wondering about the award criteria, that information is also found there. A list of the past several y...
Marcy Cooley was surprised when she was named Wyoming Realtor of the Year in 2018 (see Cooley named Wyo. Realtor of the year on page 1, Sept. 26, 2018 Saratoga Sun). That year she thanked many people who had helped her gain the honor. Cooley has been working in real estate since 1994. She got her start with Saulcy Real Estate and later moved to Town and Country. She has been with Town and Country for the majority of her real estate career and is happy. Cooley said the office and staff are like m...
The building at 110 W. Bridge Ave. in Saratoga has been home to various businesses over the years. Built in 1903, it served as a theater at one time. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it found new life as various art galleries. For several years, the doors remained closed with very little activity taking place at the location. In May of this year, however, the building came under new ownership. The new owners are no strangers to the Valley or to Carbon County, nor are they strangers to historic...
People in need of a haircut, but who aren't fans of scheduling an appointment, have another option that has just opened up on Bridge Avenue in Saratoga. Bringing the total of hair salons on East Bridge Avenue to four, LJ's Cuts has opened at 112 E. Bridge Avenue in Suite G of the mini-mall between Bridge Street Bargains and Duke's Bar and Grill. Owner Lacey Hanson is no stranger to hair care. She attended beauty school in Montana, where she graduated in 2008. "Then I moved to Laramie and worked...