Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
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‘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...
The 67th 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....
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...
With a combined population of 2,265, the Platte Valley is less than a quarter in size of some of the more metropolitan areas in Wyoming like Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne. Despite the small size of our combined community, we have some wonderful amenities. The secret is out about our Valley, seeing as we are busy year-round anymore whether it’s Saratoga Days or Skijoring, Woodchopper’s Jamboree or the 307 GoFast On Ice. Saratoga, and the Platte Valley, continue to grow year-after-year. Residents have their choice in ban...
I'm Elliott Deins. A born-and-raised Floridian, Navy veteran, recent University of Oregon graduate and the new reporter at the Saratoga Sun. After a childhood of fishing, boating and diving around the Gulf Coast of Florida, I attempted community college. After seeing my terrible grades six weeks into my first semester, I enlisted into the Navy serving five years as an infantry corpsman. In 2018, I deployed as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit - spending six months squeezed...
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 Webster’s Dictionary, “local” can be a noun or an adject...
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...
It seems that every small town and every community has a coffee klatch, a group of people—typically older—who gather at a chosen place to talk over their morning coffee. I’ve never had the time to sit in on one of those klatches, which seem to be overflowing with both coffee and wisdom. Yet, for some reason, I know where most of them are in Saratoga. To the best of my knowledge, our little town of less than 2,000 people has at least four coffee groups which meet at diffe...
Tempers flared last week, as Democrats sought to cast blame for the Republican landslide - I was particularly galled when a friend laid the blame on, “newspapers who are too chicken to …” Hold it right there. Losing my cool was a regular occurrence 30 years ago but it takes a lot to get my Irish at age 64. Journalists, particularly the people in the newspaper business, are the most courageous people I know. Yes, soldiers and cops are brave but in my industry we don’t carry guns, at least not yet. When I started in this busine...
We at the Saratoga Sun have much for which we are thankful. For 137 years, the Saratoga Sun has had the honor and the privilege to serve the fine people of the Platte Valley. The weight of that responsibility is not lost on us, especially as we go through our archive when compiling ‘Reflections from Our Files’ each week. Even 100 years ago, there are names which are recognizable. It is humbling to see the articles on town council meetings, local events and high school sports over the past century and knowing that our own art...
I was very fortunate to have a dad who was involved in my education. In the third grade, I struggled with math. I had trouble with the times table. Dad was an electrical engineer and worked for the State of Iowa almost all of his career. When I was in the third grade, teletypes were the form of communication back then and dad brought home scrap paper to write out problems for me to work on. Every night he would give me a half page of 8 ? by 11 paper which had several multiplic...
Editor, The world is an ever-more complicated place. It can be difficult to know what the facts really are. Back in the day when we all watched Walter Cronkite give us the news on TV we all got the same facts. And they really were true. We might have disagreed on solutions to issues, but we all had the same facts to work from. So, now, when there are so many sources to get news from it can be daunting to get to the truth. But, keep in mind that there are still journalists out there—as opposed to some news hosts/anchors and w...
Earlier this month, the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce recognized the Gillette News Record at its annual awards banquet with the Legacy Award. The Gillette News Record is a legacy to our community, from the many that pioneered its beginning to those who built it to what it is today. From its early inception started by the Nisselius family to the Kennedy/Turner family, the Gillette News Record has seen many changes in our community with a goal of providing the community with the news and reporting that have made an impact...
In the search for the balance of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, this past week saw tributes and thanks for those in our community who have served not only in the military but in the polling centers during our election process. We heartily thank our veterans for serving not only their communities but their country in their military commitments as the staff of The Saratoga Sun now includes members of the United States Army, Air Force and soon the Navy with our new reporter starting later this month. The military...
We all have our guilty pleasures. Those things that we know we shouldn’t enjoy, but we do anyway. For some people, it’s eating dessert first while for others it's drinking a soda from time-to-time. My guilty pleasure is Aaron Sorkin’s “The Newsroom.” There are multiple reasons, perhaps even countless reasons, why this is a guilty pleasure. First, it's not at all lost on me that I-someone who works in print journalism-enjoy watching and rewatching a show about a fictional...
Fall has definitely arrived with this cooler weather. When I think of fall, I immediately think of caramel apples. If you love caramel apples, then you’ll love our desert special: Caramel Apple Bundt Cake. This has quickly become a fall favorite in my house and I’m sure it will be come one in your house as well. Caramel Apple Bundt Cake - 6 apples or 1 can of apple pie filling - 2 C white sugar - 1 1/2 C vegetable oil - 2 tsp vanilla extract - 3 large eggs - 3 C all - purpose...
The Sheridan Press, Nov. 2 Sheridan County needs to return to a society that settles issues outside of court. In the last three years, Sheridan County residents have taken government entities to court at least four times, all of which in part sided with the government entities. Sheridan County School District 2 Superintendent Scott Stults told The Sheridan Press following this week’s Pollak v Wilson et. al. decision the school district is considering appealing the matter in Tenth Circuit, “which previously ruled in favor of...
The athletes and the coaches of Carbon County School District No. 2 should be proud of themselves. We at the Saratoga Sun certainly are proud of them. All three high school volleyball teams went to Regionals. Saratoga and Encampment volleyball players participated in Lander at the Southwest Regionals and Hanna-Elk-Mountain-Medicine Bow competed in the Southeast Regionals in Guernsey. Saratoga qualified for the playoffs in 9-man football with an impeccable season and...