Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
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The final reading of this year’s budget for the City of Sundance came after department heads were forced to cut around $400,000 from the total. Since the budget was first presented in April, major changes have taken place in regards to state revenue, said Clerk Treasurer Kathy Lenz. “The first reading went fairly well for us, but then COVID-19 hit and the oil prices dipped, so we left on the second reading the numbers the same until we got the new CREG report,” Lenz told the council. “We started at about $400,000 down.” Lenz met with Police Ch...
Brad Marchant, Area Maintenance Crew Supervisor, shed light last week on the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s (WYDOT) decision to close ten rest areas across the state. Two of those rest areas are located in Crook County; one in Sundance, and the other in Moorcroft. Marchant presented a letter to the Sundance City Council written by Scott Taylor, District Engineer, that explained WYDOT “has been forced to make difficult decisions during these times of budgetary uncertainty”. The choice has...
Sunshine glistening on the Sundance pool is one of the best indicators that hot weather is right around the corner. The city plans to continue with its summer activities this year to offer the kids of this community ways to get the most out of their vacation time....
The possibility appears to exist that Crook County did not receive all the taxes it was owed for work performed on this side of the border during the Gillette Madison Water Project. The issue was brought to the attention of the county commissioners last week by County Treasurer Mary Kuhl, who was alerted to it by ex-mayor of Pine Haven Larry Suchor. The specific tax revenue in question, said Kuhl, is the “use” portion of sales and use tax, which is related to the consumption or use of a taxable item on which no sales tax has been paid. The cou...
Crook County may be able to seek funding to bring broadband to underserved rural areas through a task force newly created within the Wyoming Legislature. Representative Tyler Lindholm spoke to the county commissioners last week about the intent of that task force to utilize CARES Act funding for broadband – and how it may solve lingering issues that have affected the Wyoming Broadband Advisory Committee. The task force meets for the first time this week, Lindholm said, and its purpose is to see if CARES Act money can be spent to bring b...
The Sundance City Council has been wanting to get out of the ambulance business for a while, but circumstances have dragged the process on for almost two years. Changes in leadership at the hospital, a pandemic and uncertainty over how to handle the situation have all conspired to make it tough to come to final decisions. Mayor Paul Brooks stated at last week’s meeting of the Sundance City Council that the pandemic has put the process on hold. However, he asked the council what it would like to do if the city still hasn’t heard from Crook Cou...
Though Governor Mark Gordon continued to urge the public to remain cautious about the spread of COVID-19 on Thursday, the main focus of his weekly press conference was the pending financial crisis that has been caused by a catastrophic downturn in the energy industry and exacerbated by the pandemic. Hospitalizations due to the virus were at their lowest point last week since tracking began in April. Though this is good news, the governor cautioned there is an “ebb and flow” to this number. Meanwhile, the percentage of tests that come back pos... Full story
The county commissioners have turned down a request from Cheyenne Housing Authority (CHA) for permission to launch the Welcome Home Wyoming housing assistance program in Crook County. All three commissioners expressed doubts as to the need for the program in this area and how it would actually benefit potential homeowners. “A lot has happened across the state and other places since March when we first had our conversation,” said Greg Hancock of CHA, referring to the first presentation given to...
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Sundance City Council heard progress reports on several ongoing projects, as well as two that are expected to be underway shortly. The first new project was paving in several places around the city, including between the bank and the post office and on 1st and 3rd Streets where the pavement was torn up to install a water line. The engineer estimate was slightly lower than the bids came in, said Public Works Director Mac Erickson, but it should be possible to scrounge up the remainder from the budget to go ahead. The o...
More than 60 days ago, a nuisance letter was sent to the owner of a property on Sewell Street that has long been considered unsightly and potentially dangerous. On Tuesday, the Sundance City Council heard that no response has been received and Mayor Paul Brooks confirmed that no work has been done to clean up the property. Now the notice period is up, said City Attorney Mark Hughes, “Under the ordinance, the city can do what is necessary to abate the nuisance and charge the cost to the lot.” Hughes explained that the city has the right to dem...
Taking on a new job is always a challenge, but for Jenna Ellsbury, that experience was magnified by the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic arrived almost immediately after she became the director of Crook County Senior Services. Speaking to the county commissioners last week, however, she was able to share the many things her program has done to support local seniors throughout the crisis. The pandemic has been advantageous in one way, Ellsbury began: it has made more people aware of the county’s seniors and their needs. Senior Services has a... Full story
Help Crook County Senior Services (CCSS) show some love and appreciation to seniors in the community and other more vulnerable people who are still remaining at home as the pandemic continues. Next Thursday, join in with the ‘Honks for Hugs’ event, a parade to entertain those in assisted living, long term care and elsewhere. “We will do a vehicle parade with signs and drive by the assisted living,” says Jenna Ellsbury, Director of CCSS. If you know of someone who would enjoy the pick-me-up of seeing the parade pass by their home, Ellsbur... Full story
The 73rd annual Hulett Rodeo will be held June 13 and 14. Some of the state’s big-name rodeos have decided to cancel for this year but the governor and Wyoming Health Department have given the Hulett Rodeo the green light. The plan that the organizers have put in place was approved by the state and organizers will do their best, with everyone’s help, to make the rodeo safe for all. Everyone is encouraged to wear a face mask, use hand sanitizer, wash their hands, social distance and stay home if they don’t feel well. The rodeo is NRCA and WRA a...
The Sundance Country Club is hosting a fun event for all this Friday! It’s called the Sundance Shootout and the public is encouraged to attend. Anyone who has been at the last two, have loved it! The top ten golfers in the area will all tee off on hole number one at 6 p.m. One golfer is eliminated each hole until here are only two left on the last hole. There will be free carts, food, door prizes and the chance to bet on who you think will either win or end up in the top three! The betting starts at 4:30 and ends at 5:55 p.m.! Come down and f...
POWELL — The Cody Stampede Rodeo is officially a go. Leaders of the annual event say they’re moving forward with four full rodeos, which will be held July 1-4. “As always, our goal is to showcase the best rodeo possible over our Independence Day celebration,” Cody Stampede Board leaders announced Friday, promising that each performance “will feature some of the very best in the business” and a new women’s breakaway roping event. Exactly how many people will be allowed into the arena is subject to change, but under the current rules, up to...
Most of the time, I’m proud to share snippets of my culture with you, but this is not one of those times. This week, I bring you the cautionary tale of what not to do when you’ve been told it’s finally safe to emerge from self-isolation. Last weekend, my countrymen were released from their homes for the first time in months and told they could drive wherever they wanted in the country as long as they made it home for bedtime. This was welcome news to everyone who had run out of books to read. Be...
Michael Alex Imberi, 59, of Sundance, Wyoming, went peacefully on to the next part of his journey June 5, 2020. Services will be held July 4, 2020, in Sundance. A full obituary will be printed next week.... Full story
Donna G. Blackburn Carl slipped peacefully and gently into the presence of the Lord on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, at her home in Williamstown, Kentucky. Donna was born in Gillette, Wyoming, on December 27, 1923, the oldest of six children born to Claude (Todd) and Hazel Seeley. The family moved to Sundance, Wyoming, where Donna attended all 12 grades at Old Stoney and finished her education in Spearfish, South Dakota. Times were difficult with the Depression and World War II, but family times... Full story
Yellowstone staff test negative for coronavirus JACKSON (WNE) — Yellowstone National Park staff are reportedly clear of COVID-19. The park had 43 employees who regularly interact with visitors tested for the virus on May 28 and 29. Every employee’s test result was returned negative, according to a park press release on Thursday. It was the first round in a series of “surveillance” testing that will carry on through the summer, as per the reopening plan implemented by the park. The testing is aimed at slowing the spread of the virus through...
May 30 – House watch and business checks. Three bar checks. Eight traffic stops. May 31 – House watch and business checks. Traffic stop. June 1 – House watch and business checks. Officer assisted DFS. Traffic stop. June 2 – House watch and business checks. Officer investigated domestic assault. June 3 – House watch and business checks. Officer investigated suspicious person report. Two bar checks. Three traffic steps. June 4 – House watch and business checks. Officer issued trespass warning. Three bar checks. Six traffic stops. June 5 – Ho...
Speeding – Jamie A. Culbertson, UT, 86/75, $100; Stewart M. Long, MT, 108/80, $185; Elaine D. Heidrich, SD, 93/80, $120; Jeffrey N. Schiller, Upton, 52/30, $269; Tracy D. Jones, Moorcroft, 39/30, $88; William N. Sheahan, WA, 90/75, $120; Hao Q. Yu, CA, 85/75, $90; Robert J. Beck, SD, 86/75, $100; Kevin D. Bieber, AZ, 84/75, $88; Michael T. McKenzie, AR, 106/70, $225; Landis C. Kappen, WA, 90/80, $90; Jorge A. Pompa, TX, 86/75, $100; Russell J. Hubbard, Moorcroft, 62/50, $105; Dave Lueras, Gillette, 49/30, $85; Julia L. Blackman, MT, 89/80, $...
June 1 – Six VIN checks. Paper service. Four traffic stops. Five subjects booked into jail. Transported inmate to hospital and back to jail. Assist to Moorcroft Police. Assist to Keyhole State Park. Motorist assist. EMS page. June 2 – Four VIN checks. Three paper services. Traffic stop. Fingerprints; one outside employment, one concealed carry permit. Suspicious circumstances. Three theft reports. Suspicious person complaint. Destruction of property report. Threat complaint. Animal complaint. Beulah business checks. Missing person report. EMS...
In one of the first in-person Crook County 4-H events held since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Northeast 307 Livestock Show Clinic offered youth a chance to interact with each other while learning valuable skills with their animals. Although the pandemic created a disruption of many aspects of life, it did not affect these budding agriculturists’ responsibilities and enthusiasm. Over three days, the 307 Show Clinic saw over 50 youth and their parents learn about multiple aspects of showing a...
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Updated public health orders that take effect June 15 will continue to ease restrictions on public gatherings in Wyoming, Governor Mark Gordon announced today. The updated orders allow indoor gatherings of up to 250 people with restrictions, permit parades to occur (with appropriate social distancing), and allow K-12 schools, community colleges, the University, and other educational institutions to reopen facilities and resume in-person instruction for all students. The new orders are in effect through June 30 and allow g... Full story
