Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
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Enjoy a discount at The Longhorn Saloon & Grill this Friday courtesy of Americans For Prosperity (AFP), a libertarian conservative advocacy group hoping to bring awareness to their view of the impact of “Bidenomics” on the average American. “At the Longhorn on Friday evening from 6 p.m. to close, every customer will receive a 17% discount,” says Tyler Lindholm, State Director. “That’s funded by AFP Wyoming, and that 17% represents the average percentage increase in price at restaurants across the country since Biden took office.” AFP will be p...
Both Governor Mark Gordon and the Crook County Commissioners have expressed displeasure with how the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has handled the process of changing how it manages old-growth forests. “The State’s concerns about the process, timeline and substance of the National Old-growth Amendment (NOGA) persist, are in fact increasing, and have become indicative of why the Forest Service should perform its effort at a forest unit level, not on a national scale,” wrote the governor last week in a letter to Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agric...
Some are new. Some played the same instrument two decades ago. But every performer involved in the revival of the Sundance Community Jazz Band shares one thing in common: excitement to share their love of music with friends and neighbors. If the name sounds familiar, that's because the performance coming up next weekend will mark the rebirth of a band that was once a fixture of community street dances. Formed by Todd Kahler – both then and now – the Sundance Community Jazz Band actually got its...
Split the project in two or keep going in the hopes of more funding? This was the decision facing the Sundance City Council last week on hearing that its current water project is likely to cost more than double the original estimate. The intent of the 3rd Street Waterline and Cleveland Street project is to repair a major water leak through which the city estimates it is losing 50,000 gallons of water per day, and to relocate service taps located on an old, four-inch galvanized waterline. To complete this work, the city was awarded just over...
Folks looking to celebrate their freedom with a good, old-fashioned firework show will be pleased to hear that Fire Chief Gari Gill has approved the use of fireworks for the Independence Day holiday. Fireworks may be set off between the hours of noon and 11 p.m. from July 3 to July 5. Please note that, if conditions change between now and these dates, the decision may need to be reversed....
A new subdivision hosting smaller sized “starter homes” looks like being on the cards for Sundance. Planned for the southern outskirts, Josh Kammerer’s provisional outline contains ten individual lots in two sizes – and it’s something the city council already seems supportive of. “Our city needs stick-built two-level housing and that’s exactly what he’s got there,” said Council Member Randy Stevenson at last week’s council meeting. “As the mayor, I don’t have a problem at all with what you’re doing,” agreed Mayor Paul Brooks, later adding,...
After a notably bad year for mosquitoes, the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council (WWPC) is warning that the conditions so far in 2024 could mean we're set for another season of swatting. While most mosquitoes limit their nuisance to itchy bites and buzzing, some carry a potentially serious disease: West Nile Virus. In 2023, Wyoming saw the worst outbreak of the disease in a decade, with a case rate far exceeding the national average and four human deaths. The year before, only three cases in total...
We likely won’t be seeing much about the revised management plan for the Black Hills National Forest this year, according to Dru Palmer, consultant to the county commissioners. She said last week that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has pushed back publication of the notice of intent to begin developing the plan to fall or early winter. This is partly because USFS is also working on its environmental impact statement for old growth forests, she said, and some of the same personnel are involved with both projects. In the meantime, Palmer told t...
The Crook County Commissioners have signed up as a cooperating agency as the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) decides how to manage old growth forests, but will be making their thoughts clear on how the process has gone so far. Earlier this year, the commissioners called for a rethink of USFS plans to amend every national forest land management in the nation to create an overall strategy. The county criticized the one-size-fits-all approach and failure to include local governments in the planning. In a letter sent to the USFS in April, the...
Filing has now closed for this year’s primary election, with candidates now finalized for city, county, state and national seats. Chip Neiman will stand again for his seat as State Representative for House District 01. He will be unopposed. At the county level, one county commissioner seat with a four-year term will be voted on this year. Incumbent Kelly Dennis will be challenged by Dale T. Davis. On the national level, John Barrasso will be challenged for his United States Senator seat by John Holtz of Laramie and Reid Rasner of Mills on the R...
The county burn ban is back in place after Fire Warden Charlie Harrison determined that the fire danger is higher now than it has been over recent weeks. The ban was temporarily lifted in mid-May, and remained that way until the end of the month. Harrison said at the time that he intended to review the situation at the end of May based on weather conditions and fire risk assessments. The National Weather Service (NWS) is currently predicting that temperatures have a 40 to 50% chance of being above normal until mid-June, and an up to 70% chance...
Your green thumbs can help your friends and neighbors this year if you choose to take part in the “Grow a Little Extra” program, presented by the Wyoming Hunger Initiative. By adding extra to your vegetable garden, you can provide fresh produce for local people who are facing food insecurity. Free seeds are available at the UW Extension Office in Sundance, all selected for their suitability to grow in Wyoming’s climate. “We have tomato, acorn squash, pepper mix, cucumber and green bean seeds,” says UW Educator Sara Fleenor. “Or people can...
The hospital district’s coffers are still looking a little empty, but “Cerner-land” is in sight. Shunting electronic medical records from one system to another back in March left Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) with a temporary shortfall. A contract dispute led to the previous electronic records system (EMR) provider withholding all records that it still held at the time of the switchover, which represented approximately $2.3 million in billable services that currently cannot be accessed by CCMSD. Meanwhile, the regular turno...
Wyoming’s two senators are criticizing the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for its “chokehold” on the timber industry in the wake of the recent layoff announcement from Neiman Enterprises. U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthis Lummis joined their South Dakota counterparts, John Thune and Mike Rounds, in calling for USFS to outline what it plans to do to protect the remaining forest products industry in the Black Hills. Neiman Enterprises announced layoffs and product reductions at its last remaining South Dakota facility, Spearfish Forest Products...
The Crook County Attorney Victim Witness Program (CCAVW) has passed review by the Wyoming Division of Victim Services (DVS) after a thorough review of its operations. CCAVW is headed by Dave Osborne, Victim Witness Coordinator, and located within the County Attorney’s Office. It provides services for victims and witnesses throughout the court process. These range from administrative assistance, such as notifications of court hearings and information about the court process, to emotional support and safety planning. Victims and witnesses are a...
A Pine Haven man has been acquitted on aggravated assault charges related to an incident in which he was accused of pulling a knife on a person who was attempting to make him leave a local bar. Todd Wiseman was tried by a jury of his peers on May 20 to 22, presided over by Judge Stuart S. Healy III. After hearing the testimony of witnesses, evidence and the arguments of counsel, the jury found Wiseman not guilty of one count of aggravated assault and battery....
Local tourist attraction the Vore Buffalo Jump has announced that its open house to kick off the summer season will offer free entry to the public. The event will take place on June 1 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the archaeological site just west of Beulah. It will include tours of the site and the chance to watch work in action as the jump's caretakers continue to preserve its historical secrets. From 10 a.m. until noon, archaeologists will be performing maintenance on the bone bed, organized by Vo...
Crook County will again transform into one giant yard sale next weekend, as the three-day annual Junkin’ Weekend gets underway. Look for a bargain, find the perfect gift or simply browse locations all across the county until something strikes your fancy. The Junkin’ vendors will be spread around the area, with stops available in and around all four municipalities. Garage and yard sales are a summer staple, but the Junkin’ Weekend aims to bring them all together for the convenience of bargain hunters and vendors alike. To do this, Crook Count...
Two separate four-wheeler accidents took place over the Memorial Day weekend, both of them leading to injuries. The incidents took place on Saturday, the first at 3:45 p.m. and the second in the evening, at around 8 p.m. All four individuals involved in the accidents are believed to be Campbell County residents. “One was up in the area of Cook Lake and the other one was down the Grand Canyon-Wagon Canyon area,” says Undersheriff Alex Jessen. “Both involved two passengers on one four-wheeler and both were probably going too fast for the roads...
The number of tests coming back positive for chronic wasting disease is holding steady, according to the latest data from the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. Crook County’s deer hunt areas were on the high priority list for testing in 2023, along with a large portion of the west of the state and several to the south and center. Hunters in high priority areas are asked to submit samples for testing to help the department monitor the spread of the always-fatal disease. From those areas, and from all across the state, a total of 5100 samples f...
Movies in the Park are coming back this year. If you’d like to enjoy some fresh air and a little Hollywood entertainment, head to Sundance Square on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. The family-friendly evenings are sponsored by various local businesses and hosted by the Sundance Chamber of Commerce. Concessions will be available from local nonprofits, as well as from The Frosty Cow. The summer fun kicks off on June 13 with Angels in the Outfield. In the following weeks, movies will include Madagascar, Sweet Home Alabama, A Bugs Life, T...
The Wyoming State Legislature granted a fourth judge to the Sixth Judicial District earlier this year and their identity will be known in the next few weeks. Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Kate M. Fox, chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission, announced last week that the commission has completed its consideration of everyone who expressed an interest in the position. Three nominees have been submitted to Governor Mark Gordon for his consideration: Alison Ochs Gee of Lubnau Law in Gillette, who has practiced law in Wyoming since...
Filing is now open for this year’s elections. Whether you are thinking of running for a city, county, state or national seat, you have until the end of the month to submit your name. “At the Secretary of State’s Office, we are very excited about the beginning of the 2024 Election Cycle and the Candidate Filing period. Running for office is a pivotal part of our Constitutional republic, and is also a tremendously rewarding experience,” Secretary of State Chuck stated as filing opened. “We encourage candidates to consult our 2024 Campaign...
The case of the defaced herd is moving up to District Court following a preliminary hearing last week, at which the prosecution argued that restoring the cows to their previous condition cost the alleged victim thousands of dollars. Two ranchers are accused of using bleach to paint markings, including drawings of penises, on a total of 189 cows and six bulls belonging to their neighbor. Father-son duo Patrick Sean and Tucker Carroll claimed their actions were intended to bring their neighbor’s attention to the problem of broken fences that w...
American Legion Post #45 invites the community to commemorate veterans this weekend. In honor of Memorial Day, the post will be teaming up with volunteers to ensure five local cemeteries are in good condition and will place flags on the graves of veterans who are buried there, says Post Commander Welchie Patterson. It has recently been discovered, he says, that one of the cemeteries even contains the graves of two cavalry soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The post is also looking for information about any veterans who have recently been...
