Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
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Who will watch the watchmen? If certain members of our Wyoming Legislature have their way, House Bill 298 will ensure the watchmen will watch themselves. If you are reading this, then you are one of the more than 400,000 Wyoming residents who read your local newspaper either in print or online. Chances are, you are also part of the 78% who read public notices in your local newspaper or the 68% who believe state and local governments should be required to publish public...
The Saratoga Planning Commission should be commended for completing their work on one of the largest sections of town code. At the Town of Saratoga’s last council meeting, the recap of happenings in Town Hall included the finishing of Title 17 in Saratoga’s Code of Ordinances, which regulates the development of subdivision within town limits. The new council will incorporate the revision of this outdated ordinance in the 2025 proceedings. Upon first glance, this might not seem to be anything other than cleaning up town bus...
It’s been literally decades since I’ve been in elementary school. And while life as a working adult is just so much fun all the time, sometimes you need to hear from children to put things into perspective. This week, three of my coworkers and I were invited to speak with some third-grade students at Wagonwheel Elementary about the newspaper business. I knew that there would be questions. And boy, did they have a lot of questions. I know kids are naturally inquisitive, but I was surprised by just how many questions they had...
When looking at the amount of education related bills in the 68th Wyoming Legislature, it’s hard not to believe that a number of our legislators aren’t invested in our public education system. The amount of bills introduced this session—more than 700—is enough to make my head spin some days. Yet, what makes my head spin even more are the bills introduced which almost seem to try to undercut Wyoming’s public education system. Take, for example, House Bill 100. On the surface this bill almost seems to try to alleviate...
Small but mighty is perhaps the best way to describe the Saratoga Sun, especially after we’ve returned from the Wyoming Press Association Annual Convention. The Saratoga Sun competes every year with small weekly papers throughout the state for coveted Wyoming Press Association awards. Thanks to this Valley and community, the events provided for entertainment and the people associated with organizing and participating in our area have given us plenty of not only fun, but inspiring stories. We live in a great community and d...
Photo by Louie Mullen Editorial Excellence...
“Have you gotten comfortable driving in the snow?” My grandmother’s voice came through the phone. “Absolutely,” I responded, cruising North up WY-130 back to Saratoga after covering the Battle for the Platte basketball game between the Tigers and Panthers a few weeks back. After two winters delivering deep-dish pizzas around the outskirts of Chicago, half a winter working in the wet and frozen conditions of Southeast Alaska and now with nearly two months of Wyoming winter un...
To My Friends in the North Platte Valley, On the occasion of my taking leave of you, I want to express my profound thanks. Thank you all for giving me 2 of the most rewarding years of my professional life. Being able to be a part of initiating the NPVMC has been a great joy and privilege for me. Moreover, I have been treated so well by everyone from Hanna, Saratoga, Encampment, Riverside and Elk Mountain. For all your myriad tender kindnesses to me I am and always will be profoundly and eternally grateful. I will miss you...
In a few days, legislators will convene in Cheyenne for the 2025 legislative session. It’s hard to believe that it’s already here. It doesn’t feel that long ago that the last session ended and people were mad at the governor for exercising his veto power. Already, a couple hundred bills have been put forward, and there are still three weeks left for legislators to submit their own bills. The fun thing about it being a general session, as opposed to a budget session, is you’ll get to see way more bills. And when I say “fun,...
Winter is here. As of January 2 we can claim it to be winter as we finally received much-needed snowfall. The temperature dropped, the air dried and the roads iced over, thus producing mass panic and the inability to operate our vehicles correctly. Each year at the first snowfall and freeze, I’m amazed by the number of drivers who seemingly forget how to navigate through these winter conditions. There are two gears, you’re either moving at 20 mph below the speed limit (not necessarily a bad thing) while simultaneously sla...
Dear Editor, I very much appreciate Barbara Parsons well-crafted letter on Celebrating Christmas. She points out that, at one time, love and acceptance were winning. It was good to see that happening at the time and I thought we we on the right path and things would continue to progress in a good way for people of all kinds. It has been shocking to see that our nation has started going the other direction trying to strip certain groups of people of their rights and criminalizing and punishing some. I see rapant...
Slow Cooker Surf and Turf Lets get started preparing and enjoying this delicious delight - 1 large Flat iron Steak - 1/2 bag extra large cooked shrimp tails removed - 1 Tsp Salt - 1 Tsp pepper - 1/2 C Creole seasoning - 1/4 C Minced garlic - 1/2 stick butter cut into pieces - 1/4 C lemon juice - 1/2 Carton Beef broth - 12 cherry tomatoes Season steak with salt & pepper then brown on both sides. Layer all other ingredients then cook in a slow cooker for 6 to 8 hours on low....
All of my life — I have loved puzzles. Puzzles of all kinds — jigsaw puzzles, math puzzles, video game puzzles, New York Times crosswords and mystery novels. I like to solve things and find tidy solutions. I think as I am aging — keeping my mind engaged in finding the answer becomes more important. My start in education began in engineering finding solutions to complicated math and science problems. I furthered my drive for solving puzzles with new situations arising every...
The 68th Legislature is set to convene for the 2025 General Session on January 14. Bills are already being filed and there will be even more changes in the make-up of both the House and the Senate. The majority of the bills filed so far appear to be aimed at cleaning up already existing statutes. A few, however, seem to override local control of political subdivisions such as school districts. Indeed, two bills introduced already are regarding concealed-carry on school campuses and the banning of cellphones in schools....
‘Tis the season for New Year resolutions. We’ve been flooded with advertisements and postings about gym membership deals, miracle pills and meal plans. But, none of the advertised products actually work, it’s the individual that has to put it to good use. It’s believed that ancient Babylon is responsible for the creation of the New Year resolution. Starting some 4,000 years ago with the Akitu festival, Babylonians would make promises to the gods which would include repayment of debt, returning borrowed goods, pledgin...
If there was anyone more deserving of having a highway named after them than Loren “Teense” Willford, we believe one would be hard pressed to find them. Teense was a larger-than-life figure both personally and politically. He left an impression on the Wyoming Legislature which has lasted more than 20 years since he last sat in Cheyenne, his advocacy and his antics still being told to this day by legislators and lobbyists alike. His advocacy continued in private life as he was a driving force on the North Platte Valley Med...
As a wild year of political vitriol, anxiety and division wimpers to a highly anticipated end, there has been one thing that’s pushed me to continue forward, strengthened my bond with family and kept me in contact with friends on all corners of the county — football. Now look, sports are an inherent roller coaster ride of emotion. There’s the thrill of victory – when your team blocks a last second field goal to ice the game against an arch rival. There’s the agony of watchi...
Dear Editor; Last legislative session we finally got a law passed eliminating gun free zones. We have been fighting for this for decades because it is important. Over 95% of “mass shootings” occur in so called “ gun free zones”. The stupidest shooter knows that’s the best place to go because of personal safety, no one else there will have a firearm. The Aurora shooter walked past 4 theaters that did not prohibit firearms to find one that did. Mark Gordon vetoed that bill. He said he thought it was better for each community...
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...
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...
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...
I’m not much of a religious person, which is probably not surprising considering my generation. Only about 49% of millennials, according to a Pew Research Center survey in 2020 and 2021, identify as Christian. I was raised Baptist and, growing up, attended either Baptist or Southern Baptist churches. By the time I was a pre-teen, we had stopped attending church though my mom was—and still is—a believer. When I was in my 20s, I tried to find my religion again. Oddly enoug...
There is a popular and strongly held belief running through American society these days that we are a nation divided, a people torn asunder. To a certain degree it’s certainly true. I have lamented that condition in this very space numerous times that we are a nation of grievance and retaliation. And when you look at national politics, that notion certainly rings true, especially during a presidential election year. I have entered into plenty of wailing and gnashing of teeth regarding our nation’s internal conflicts, and I wa...
This time of year, the mantra “Shop Local” is shouted from the rooftops. With the busy Christmas season upon us, our local businesses are hopefully overwhelmed with residents shopping and dining in our community. My family tries to keep our small town thriving by buying gifts in town rather than shopping online. All that being said, I cringe a little and think back to my eighth grade English teacher when hearing or reading the rallying cry used by locals. According to Web...
Dear Editor, “Of Interest” Lore & Legend - Wish we could have attended Dick Perue’s presentation about Mineral Hot Spring. As frequent visitors to Saratoga to enjoy the water, we also enjoy visiting with Dick at the Hobo Pool. We have bought several publications about your area. Also great fans of CJ Box! About the only time we have hot mineral springs in Kansas is when someone “Ps” in the pool!! See you in Jan. Dick! The Kansas Girls Crystal, Jill, Shannon & Gina (Kennedy) Berryton, Kansas...
