Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
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Things seem even closer to normal this week as summertime arrives in Wyoming and brings with it a slow and careful return to tourist season. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to make itself felt with new cases, more deaths and a call from Governor Mark Gordon to follow social distancing guidelines as a “sign of respect” to our friends and neighbors. Two more deaths have been added to Wyoming’s tally over the last week, bringing the total to 12. The first was announced on May 20 and involved a hospitalized adult man in Fremo...
The county has reopened access to its buildings, but will continue to impose restrictions for the time being. A resolution passed during a special meeting on Friday allows the public to enter the common areas of the courthouse and visit the offices inside when conducting regular business. According to County Clerk Linda Fritz, efforts have been made to rope off the bathrooms and employee break area, while keeping the ADA compliant bathroom open to the public, for the safety of staff and...
At a special meeting on Friday, the county commissioners chose to address raise requests for the next fiscal year by allocating an amount per employee to be distributed by the head of each department. This cuts a significant chunk from the amount originally requested while allowing elected officials to continue their efforts to bring salaries in line internally and ensure they are competitive. The total originally requested by the various county departments to go towards raises this year was $101,000, said County Clerk Linda Fritz. If the...
Work has begun on installation of a water line from the hydrant on Cleveland Street up to Old Stoney. This was deemed necessary by the state fire marshal’s office to ensure there is adequate fire flow to the old building for fire protection. As water will also be needed for the park that sits next to Old Stoney, the city agreed to the project....
With a following wind and a lot of hard work, the financial aid programs authorized by the Wyoming State Legislature are set to go live on June 1. Businesses that have suffered financially through the COVID-19 crisis, as well as those whose housing situation has been impacted, are expected to be able to apply for assistance beginning on that date. Speaking last week, Josh Dorrell of the Wyoming Business Council commented that businesses across the state have been “dramatically impacted” by the pandemic. And by businesses, he said, what we reall...
Chip Neiman, current chairman of the Crook County Republican Party, has announced his candidacy for Wyoming House District 1 in the upcoming Republican Primary election to be held August 18, 2020. Neiman currently serves on the Crook County Weed and Pest Board, has served on the Crook County School board, Hulett Airport Advisory Board, Greater Hulett Community Center Board, Hulett Assembly of God Board of Trustees/Deacons, Vocations for Orphans Trustee and numerous other servant positions, from...
Susan Joann (Cheshier) Symonds age 63 of Hulett, Wyoming, passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones, on May 8, 2020, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Suzie was born October 24, 1956, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota to Walter and Virginia (Schlosser) Cheshier. She was the youngest of seven children. Suzie grew up and attended school in Hulett Wyoming, graduating in 1975. Suzie worked for Mountain Bell Phone Company and the United States Postal Service. In later years Suzie...
The Board of Trustees has agreed to an increase on the daily rate for Crook County Medical Service District’s long term care unit. The increase of $15 will take the overall total to $230 per day. Though the total charged to residents still will not cover the actual cost per patient of running the facility, the board felt that a bigger price hike would be unfair to those who pay privately. The original suggestion, brought forth by controller Alayna Marten during the board’s budget meeting last week, was for a $30 increase. “The rates right...
In response to easing COVID-19 virus pandemic restrictions, Powder River Energy will re-open its office lobbies in Sundance and Gillette with limited hours, beginning Monday, June 1. The reopening restrictions are intended for the well-being of PRECorp members and employees, and to help ensure the electric cooperative can continue to deliver reliable and safe electric service. Office lobbies will be open with the following restrictions: • Lobby hours are 9 a.m. to noon; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. • PRECorp asks visitors to please do not visit our...
Dear Mr. Editor, I am again compelled to spend a few minutes collecting my thoughts on the ongoing coronavirus crisis sweeping the country. I am certainly not impressed with the so-called progress being made in Wyoming as the state reopens and restrictions are lifted. I am actually becoming mad as hell that the government continues to impose unnecessary restrictions on our personal freedoms. Moreover, the level of spending is getting completely out of hand. $3 trillion in federal spending from the House now in their latest bill? Do people not...
By Mark A. Klaassen Over the past two months, the nation has engaged in unprecedented shutdowns in an effort to contain the outbreak of COVID-19. After many weeks of economically crippling restrictions and stay-at-home orders, citizens are beginning to question the justification for these measures and whether continued enforcement unreasonably infringes on important constitutional rights and liberties. These concerns are becoming more acute now that we have a better understanding of the impact on our medical system and the economy across the na...
The refining pot is for silver & the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts. Proverbs 17:3 Born in fire, forged in God’s love. Simple to say, complex and painful as a process, yet the beneficial fruit it produces cannot be denied. Rarely is ease the formula for necessity and need, whereas want is a diversion into the path of least resistance. The fire and the forge in God’s hand directed by His love is the beginning, middle and culmination to a powerful product in our souls. We cannot have ending without a beginning. This also must inc...
Parks, forests and campsites are open and I’d estimate that three quarters of the people I know are heading for a weekend under the stars, if they haven’t done so already. While I know you’re thankful for the unique opportunities of Wyoming, I thought it might deepen that feeling to know how your camping trips compare to the ones I endured back in Europe. These days, apparently there are such things as “glamping”, which are foreign concepts to me. Overall, British camping is much more sophistic...
Treat yourself to some new activities this summer, courtesy of the Eastern Wyoming College outreach program in Sundance. If pickleball doesn’t grab your fancy, why not try clogging or a walking tour with professional foresters? Randy Ludeman will be sharing his love of pickleball on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium of the old elementary or the Sundance tennis courts. This sport uses paddles and is suitable for all ages and skill levels, combining elements of badminton, tennis and ping-pong with simple rules. This class is free and easy t...
Despite delays to the project to replace the spillway, which will require the campground to stay closed this year, Cook Lake should be open for day use by the middle of June, says District Ranger Mike Gosse. The Forest Service has been able to complete enough of the work to allow the public to enjoy this popular recreation spot over the summer. “The replacement of the Cook Lake spillway began on July 8, 2019 with an intended completion date of November 20,” says Gosse. “However, due to a very wet summer with frequent showers and an early snowf...
Rock climbing routes on the southwest face and the southwest edges of Devils Tower summit will be temporarily closed effective immediately to protect nesting Peregrine and Prairie Falcons. The closure is implemented annually to provide the falcons with an undisturbed nesting location during this critical courtship and nest-selection period. The presence of climbers near falcon nests can be distressing to parent birds and disturbance from climbing activities may force falcons to abandon eggs or chicks. The closure is also implemented to protect...
All motorized watercraft are required to have a current watercraft registration and AIS decal. Heading to the water for boating? Be sure to register your watercraft and purchase an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) decal online to be ready to enjoy the weekend. All motorized watercraft operating on Wyoming waters are required to have a current watercraft registration and AIS decal. “Register your boat early and know you’ll be able to relax on the water,” said Jennifer Doering, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department license section manager. “You shou...
Commander Dustin Engel of the U.S. Navy, Sundance native and son of Janet Lake, was recently promoted to take command of VAQ-209, otherwise known as the “Star Warriors”, the U.S. Military’s only reserve Electronic Attack Squadron. The airborne change of command took place on May 15 in a traditional and symbolic flight lead change above the USS Ronald Reagan. As the two EA-18Gs – known as Growlers – flew past, CDR Engel relieved CDR Brian Arena as Commanding Officer as the supercarrier approache...
The John A. and Margaret A. Moline Scholarship has been awarded to two students this year. The first is Teddi Marchant. Teddi is a 2020 graduate of Sundance High School. She plans on attending the University of Wyoming in the fall, majoring in medicine. Her parents are Brian and Jerlyn Marchant. The second is Kaylei Petz, who is a 2020 graduate of Moorcroft High School. Kaylei plans to attend Black Hills State University in the fall, majoring in elementary education. Her parents are Dustin and...
Molly Amann – Hathaway Provisional Scholarship*; Humbert Hall Scholarship; Buzz Bonus Scholarship; Presidential Medallion Scholarship; Electa Chapter #5 OES Scholarship Tyson Bjornestad – Hathaway Opportunity Scholarship*; Harper Memorial Scholarship; Range Telephone Scholarship; Electa Chapter #5 OES Scholarship James Boswell – Hathaway Provisional Scholarship* Austin Bush – Hathaway Provisional Scholarship* Laney Dungey – Hathaway Provisional Scholarship*; Harper Memorial Scholarship; Nicki Neiman Scholarship Kayla Fowler – Hathaway Pr...
Speeding – Nicholas R. Earhart, MO, 87/75, $105; Gregory T. Calder, WA, 85/75, $90; Aaron D. McGuire, Gillette, 105/80, $170; Alana R. May-Shinagle, CO, 79/70, $88; Brandon K. Sorg, Douglas, 79/70, $88; Mark R. Wellman, AK, 103/80, $255; Lilian Y. Corey, CA, 98/75, $170; Emiliano Caribay Brambila, Gillette, 40/30, $85; (truck) – Chance L. Catlin, CO, 54/45, $395 Expired Temporary License Permit/Improper Registration – Dayton S. Kessler, Newcastle, $125 Drive While License Cancelled, Suspended or Revoked – Roman Perez Garcia, CO, $435 Leave S...
May 18 – Five VIN checks. Booked in two new inmates. Investigated an abandoned vehicle. Welfare check. Business check. Responded to domestic call. Assisted another agency. EMS paged out three times. Fire paged out two times. May 19 – Five VIN checks. Two paper service. Nine traffic stops. Responded to animal complaint. Civil assist. Fingerprints. Removed traffic hazard. Animal bite complaint. Booked in new inmate. Assisted Wyoming Highway Patrol. EMS paged twice. Fire page. May 20 – One VIN checks. Seven traffic stops. Booked in new inmat...
Yellowstone officials say park is pretty quiet JACKSON (WNE) — Famous grizzly bears and geysers are certainly concentrating crowds, but entrance gate data indicates relatively open roads and a dearth of people in the first few opening days for northwest Wyoming’s national parks. In Yellowstone National Park, only two of five gates were open during the first three days the public was admitted to the park. “It is estimated over the past three days, there is less than 20% of the normal traffic volume in the park compared to when all five entra...
Monday, June 1, we will be open BY APPOINTMENT ONLY for patrons to enter. Our hours will go back to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please call 283-1006. Our guidelines: • Maximum of five people (non-staff) will be permitted in the library at one time. • At-risk populations only will be allowed in the library the first two hours of each day. • Maximum length of stay in the library shall be limited to 30 minutes. • Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. • Hand sanitizer stations and sanitizin...
1 Years Ago May 26, 1920 Information just reaches the Times that the body of Laben Wood, whom it has been suspicioned the past two weeks or more was a victim of foul play, was found in or on the bank of the North Fork of the Little Missouri river. Sheriff Hurt had been working on the case and upon taking charge of the body an inquisition and examination revealed the fact that the body had been penetrated by a bullet which no doubt was the cause of death. It is stated that for some time there has been hard feeling in this neighborhood which...
