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  • What I like about covering local high school sports in Platte Valley

    Richard Espinoza|Feb 8, 2024

    My interest in covering local high school sports all started when I was a sports journalism student at Northern Arizona University. I would work as a voluntary local sports journalist for the Arizona Daily Sun to cover local high school sports in Flagstaff, Arizona. Local high school sports are a lot different in the Flagstaff community compared to the Platte Valley community because Flagstaff has four high schools and the Platte Valley has two. The fun part about covering high school sports is...

  • The Spirit Of Ecumenism

    Feb 8, 2024

    I was assigned to St. Ann’s Catholic Church as pastor last July and I would like to express my gratitude for the warm welcome I have received from the community. Before I came to Saratoga, I served eleven years as a parish priest in Wyoming, followed by seventeen years as a chaplain for the Department of Veterans Affairs. My twenty-eight years of ministry has allowed me to witness the interaction between pastors and their faith communities, and the interaction of pastors with their fellow pastors. In some communities, I noticed a common p...

  • Letters to the Editor

    Jan 11, 2024

    Dear Editer, 1/2/24 this is a short message. My question is why don’t you have comic strips? I think comic strips would be a fun addition to the Sun. don’t you think people would like to read strips like calvin and hobbes? or dilbert? Or maybe garfield and big nate. so I’ m asking that you Please add comics to the saratoga sun. Thanks, for reading this, Respectfully Parker Monroe Saratoga From the Sun Dear Parker - Thank you for writing to the Saratoga Sun. We always like hearing from loyal readers. Although you did not mention your age, we we...

  • We need to determine the threshold

    Saratoga Sun Editorial|Nov 2, 2023

    In the past three years, the amount of short term rentals in the Saratoga area have grown from less than 25 to more than 70. In fact, they are now nearly 8% of the total housing in Saratoga. For the past year, the Saratoga Planning Commission has discussed short term rentals, whether they should be regulated and how they should be regulated. That discussion culminated in a special use permit for short term rentals, which was ultimately tabled last month. The tabling of the permit came following input from the Town of Saratoga’s legal counsel, K... Full story

  • Autumn comes knocking at the door

    Virginia Parker|Oct 5, 2023

    When the calendar page flips to October, the valley is filled with the brilliant colors of Autumn.The shadow of falling leaves flutters across the pages of our days. A slight respite after the rush of summer activities is welcome. Autumn lets herself in to our lives with a crispness in the air, a fresh perspective and a swirl of golden leaves. As a prelude to winter, Autumn can inspire us to reset, reevaluate and make goals for the coming months. Most folks think of Spring as the time to start n...

  • Chatting with the Chief: Right-of-Ways and Rules of the Road

    Joshua Wood|Oct 5, 2023

    With October having arrived, snow is well on its way to the Platte Valley and Saratoga. Before the snow really flies and begins to accumulate, the Town of Saratoga is working on repairing the streets for snow removal. Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris said his department will be working with the Department of Public Works in identifying any unlicense, derelict or abandoned vehicles in the public right-of-way which may inhibit snow removal this winter. Morris also discussed the importance of not...

  • Sooner rather than later

    Joshua Wood|Sep 28, 2023

    Carbon County will potentially forgo the state-required competitive bidding requirement in obtaining a new ambulance for Memorial Hospital of Carbon County (MHCC). The decision comes as the United States is facing nationwide ambulance shortages and the United Auto Workers have gone on strike. At the September 19 meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCC), Clerk Gwynn Bartlett spoke to the commissioners regarding the procurement process. Bartlett reminded the board the County had...

  • What Every Parent or Caregiver With Kids in Childcare Needs to Know

    Sep 28, 2023

    Childcare is essential for families across the United States. Millions of children attend childcare every day, and millions of parents and caregivers rely on it. While advocates and many Americans agree that care should be accessible and affordable to all who need it, there’s a fast-approaching deadline that could put that at risk. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, childcare providers were under enormous strain. The federal government responded with a nearly $24 billion investment t...

  • Daniels Scholarship Program application opens September 15

    Sep 21, 2023

    Wyoming students encouraged to apply September 12, 2023 – The Daniels Fund is excited to announce the opening of the application for the Daniels Scholarship Program, providing a life-changing opportunity for students looking to pursue their higher education dreams. Wyoming high school seniors are encouraged to apply to become a 2024 Daniels Scholar at DanielsFund.org/Scholarships by 4:00 p.m. MST on Oct. 15 to be considered for the scholarship. The Daniels Scholarship Program provides the opportunity for motivated students to attend the c...

  • Governor Gordon to Issue Proclamation on Wyoming Arts and Humanities Month

    Sep 21, 2023

    CHEYENNE, WYOMING (September 13, 2023) — The Wyoming Arts Alliance and Ucross Foundation announced today that Governor Mark Gordon will issue a proclamation designating October as Wyoming Arts and Humanities Month during the Ucross 40th Anniversary Gala on September 27 in Ucross, Wyoming. In the proclamation, the Governor will emphasize the value of the arts and humanities and urge individuals, schools and businesses to engage with the various artistic and cultural activities available throughout the state. “Wyoming boasts a rich cultural her...

  • Homemade Breakfast proceeds help provide 'free meals'

    Sep 14, 2023

    Everyone is invited to gather at the table for a fundraiser homemade breakfast Saturday, Sept. 16th, from 7 to 10 a.m. in the Saratoga Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall at the corner of Third & Bridge. For only eight dollars, folks may purchase a homemade breakfast consisting of biscuits and gravy or a breakfast burrito, to be eaten at the Fellowship Hall table or to take home, or both. Sponsor is “Gather at the Table”, a non-profit charity extension of the First Presbyterian Church of Saratoga. Its mission is to provide a welcoming meal to...

  • School Supply Drive a Big Success

    Sep 14, 2023

    The Saratoga Sun thanks all of our readers and everyone who participated in the School Supply Drive we held on behalf of, and in association with, Carbon County School District 2. We did not snap a photo or weigh everything but we received bags and bags full of school supplies. Something over 50 store size bags and a few boxes. One full of new backpacks. In addition to the backpacks, we collected paper and notebooks, glue, pencil, pens, markers and assorted folders. These items will help get our area students off to a good start in this new...

  • Indian Relay Championship Coming to Wyoming

    Sep 14, 2023

    History in the Making: Indian Relay Championship of Champions Gallops into Casper, Wyoming Casper, Wyoming – Get ready to witness history in the making as the Horse Nations Indian Relay Council (HNIRC) partners with the Wind River Hotel & Casino and the Northern Arapaho Tribe to present the most coveted event in Indian Relay racing – the Indian Relay Championship of Champions. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Casper, Wyoming, this thrilling event is scheduled for September 22nd, 23rd, an...

  • A new feature for the kids, a survey for our readers & a word about the Sun social media accounts

    Gary Honodel|Sep 7, 2023

    This week we are introducing a special page in the Saratoga Sun for kids called Kid’s Scoop. This is developed by a retired college professor and designed to engage elementary age students with some educational and fun features that will promote reading. Reading is something we can just take for granted; maybe pass by the importance since it seems second nature to us. But not to all of us. There is an unfortunate incidence of kids reading behind grade level in our schools nationwide. Students w...

  • Books are only a problem if Our kids can Read!

    Sep 7, 2023

    Cheyenne – There has been a major dust-up over the past year or so about the materials available to our children in our school libraries and even our county libraries. While I do not condone or believe that our school libraries are an appropriate place for many of these books, I am far more concerned with the ability of our children to be able to read. According to the Wyoming Department of Education’s WYTOPP scores from school year 2021-2022, only 47.89% of our 3rd graders are reading at a proficient or above proficient level. That means a m...

  • Share Your Views on Youth and Young Adult Mental Health Needs

    Sep 7, 2023

    The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is asking family members and youth to complete brief surveys about potential barriers and needs for mental health care for youth and young adults in the state. Two separate surveys are available: one for parents and guardians of youth and young adults, and one specifically for youth and young adults (11-21 years old) to share their own impressions of barriers and needs. The surveys are anonymous, should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete and are available online at: https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/mch/e...

  • Residents, elected officials blast utility over historic Wyoming rate hike

    Dustin Bleizeffer|Aug 31, 2023

    Rocky Mountain Power’s proposal to hike electric utility rates in Wyoming by an average of 29.2%, if approved, would put households and businesses in peril and only serve to line the pockets of the company’s shareholders and executives, which includes its parent company PacifiCorp’s owner, billionaire Warren Buffett. That was the consensus among about two dozen people who spoke at a public comment hearing held by the Wyoming Public Service Commission Thursday in Casper. “We’re going to lose a...

  • Support Your Free Press

    Joshua Wood|Aug 24, 2023

    Police raiding a newspaper and confiscating reporting material seems like something one would expect to find in a banana-republic, or in a scene from a dystopian novel. Yet, that is exactly what happened recently to the Marion County Record. The Record is a weekly newspaper in rural Kansas, serving a population of approximately 1,900 and known for its dogged reporting on various issues affecting the community. On August 11, the newspaper office was raided by the Marion Police Department as was...

  • It's all about the kids

    Gary Honodel|Aug 24, 2023

    Schools have opened here in Saratoga, and throughout Carbon County District 2. An exciting time really. New year, new teachers, new experiences, old friends, new friends. The kindergarten students are off on a new journey. The seniors are moving into the final days of this one and now just a few short months away from beginning the next. One thing that has been on my mind in recent weeks is that the schools here must be a very special place. I say that because twice in the past month, people...

  • Libraries are a symbol of democracy

    Joshua Wood|Aug 17, 2023

    Jo Godwin once said, “A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone.” This quote seems especially fitting now, considering the current political climate surrounding libraries and librarians. There is, it seems, a war on libraries as library boards have joined school boards as the newest front in America’s ongoing “culture war.” Wyoming hasn’t been shielded from this, but rather seems to be trying to make itself a leading voice. Take, for example, the recent development...

  • Letters to the Editor

    Aug 17, 2023

    There’s a lot of us that owe a debt of gratitude to Gary and Cheryl Ervin. They generously and thoughtfully supply probably hundreds of people with FREE firewood. We are grateful and very appreciative. It’s a shame there are morons who almost ruined it for all of us by being lazy slobs and dumping their garbage in our FREE firewood area. We need to start policing ourselves and call others if we see someone pull in with bags of garbage, pay attention. We don’t carry garbage when we go after wood, why would anyone? And can we open the bags and c...

  • Do people still read the newspaper?

    Virginia Parker|Aug 17, 2023

    With the internet readily available on your phone, computer, tablet, television and television screens invading your dining experience in many restaurants it isn’t surprising that readership of newspapers is declining. However, there are still many that do pick up the newspaper and spend a few minutes at least, perusing the printed page. Reading a newspaper is relaxing and easier on the eyes than looking at a screen. Studies also show that retention is better when reading printed material. A...

  • Pickleball "History"

    Aug 10, 2023

    Hello Pickleball is something Barb and I wanted to learn to play. October of last year 2022 we went to Sarah the then Recreation Director and asked for permission to tape two courts at the gym. She got us permission, tape and two nets, paddles and balls. The three of us taped the two courts at the gym. We started playing and learning the rules as we went. Fern Clark soon joined our group Fern is the “Guru” for the rules and pickleball etiquette. It was funny we would try to play a game and question the rule have to go look it up and then pla...

  • CWD increasing in state deer, elk herds

    Mark Davis|Aug 10, 2023

    POWELL — Sobering news resulting from a multi-year Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department between 2018 and 2022 shows significant increases in the fatal disease for the state’s prized mule deer and elk herds. In one herd, the prevalence rate is calculated at 65% in mule deer bucks, and there are concerning increases in infected elk, including hunt areas popular for Big Horn Basin hunters. The disease, which typically kills infected animals within two years after initial exposure, now occurs in...

  • Letters to the Editor: ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER has proposed 29.2% total rate increase

    Tony Locke|Aug 10, 2023

    Yes, 29.2%! That’s not a typo. Rocky Mountain Power is requesting that YOUR power bill be raised almost 30%, with 7.6% of that already in place on an “interim basis” – prior to any ruling by the State’s Public Service Commission, and prior to the People of Wyoming having a voice and the ability to weigh in on a crippling rate hike. A rate hike of this magnitude would devastate local WYOMING households and cripple local WYOMING businesses. Think of what adding 30% to your own power bill would do. Ask your employer what that will mean to the co...

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