Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
The Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) are hoping to prevent travelers misguided by their GPS from going down at least one county road. On December 17, the commissioners authorized a letter from Carbon County Road and Bridge Supervisor Kandis Fritz to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). The letter, which Fritz read at the meeting, requests WYDOT install a seasonal closure gate on Wyoming Highway 71 south of Rawlins. "We feel a good place for this sign...
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a 3 part series By the 1930s, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s wolves had been systematically hunted and trapped out of existence. In their absence, it didn’t take long for humankind to rethink the wisdom of eradicating the ecosystem’s apex canine predator. Aldo Leopold, a visionary conservationist, thought of reversing course as early as 1944. “Why, in the necessary process of extirpating wolves from livestock ranges of...
D’Ron Campbell, a 24-year resident of Saratoga and the Platte Valley, has been named the editor and publisher of the Saratoga Sun. Campbell previously served on the Saratoga Town Council, Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber Board, and Saratoga Recreation Commission and is a current member of the Saratoga Airport Advisory Board. She joined the Saratoga Sun in August 2024 as a reporter. “I am more than pleased that D’Ron has accepted the position of editor and publisher,” said Joshua Wood, operations director with...
It’s an exciting but bittersweet time for Gwynn Bartlett. On December 17, the Carbon County Clerk tendered her resignation from the office she has held since 2007. On January 7, she was sworn in as the newest member of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC). It’s a new chapter—and a new form of public service—for someone who has worked in the county clerk’s office for more than 27 years. In July 1997, Bartlett signed on with the Carbon County Clerk’s...
Carbon County Commissioner Sue Jones received the 2024 Riding for the Brand award from the Wyoming County Commissioner Association during the WCCA Winter meeting in December. “I was very surprised and pleased,” Jones said about receiving the award. “ In my mind, that award has been historically given to people, like John Espy, that are going to Washington D.C. for the National Association of Counties and not somebody day-to-day in the trenches.” Her work in the...
CHEYENNE - Members of the public may soon be allowed to concealed carry firearms within the Wyoming Capitol and its underground extension after the state's top five elected officials unanimously passed a set of rules governing a new policy Wednesday morning. Firearms are currently prohibited in the state Capitol, but Gov. Mark Gordon promised, after vetoing a 2024 bill that would have lifted all gun-free zones statewide, to consider lifting gun-free zones in state-owned...
BUFFALO - Local leaders are hoping that an active uranium mine in southern Johnson County will yield much-needed mineral tax revenue in the coming year. Uranium Energy Corp. purchased Uranium One Americas and its Christensen Ranch and Irigaray Processing Plant in December 2021. For two years, the uranium production company monitored rising uranium prices and solidified plans to ramp up production once the process proved profitable. The company resumed production this August...
POWELL - The American bald eagle needs no introduction. It first appeared on a coin in 1776 on a Massachusetts copper cent, and it was emblazoned on the coat of arms for the new country's Great Seal in 1782. But somehow it took 242 years as America's favorite emblem to finally get its due, and the majestic bird still faces serious environmental threats. In December, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law officially naming the bald eagle as the national bird. Meanwhile,...
CASPER - Matthew Thomas always had a desire to author a children's book, and while working in Jackson Hole, he came up with the idea of writing about the local wildlife. Two animals especially captured Thomas' attention: Hoback the Moose, a majestic bull moose also known as the King of the Tetons, and Grizzly 399, known as Queen of the Tetons. This week, Thomas told the Star-Tribune that he had already started his book, titled "Queen of the Tetons: The Legacy of 399," well...
POWELL — The Yellowstone area grizzly will not be delisted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Biden administration, as the service instead announced an alternate proposal Wednesday. Idaho had asked for an evaluation of the grizzly bear listing and Montana and Wyoming, which together represent the three states with Greater Yellowstone Area grizzlies, had also petitioned the service to delist the area grizzlies. The service found the petitions “not warranted.” Instead, the service proposed changes to how...
CHEYENNE — More of Wyoming’s teenagers are joining the workforce, with health care and social assistance among their top employment choices, according to Wyoming Department of Workforce Services data. DWS Research and Planning Research Supervisor Michael Moore presented labor statistics for workers between 15 and 19 years old to the Wyoming Workforce Development Council on Thursday during its quarterly meeting. “We all know the number of youth working in the U.S. and Wyoming has declined over the last couple of...
CHEYENNE - The 68th Wyoming Legislature will convene for a 40-day general session starting Tuesday, and more than 600 bills sponsored by committees and individual lawmakers are expected to be filed for consideration. The topics of greatest concern to Wyoming residents – and therefore most likely covered by the state's media - include education funding and school policy, property tax relief measures, affordable housing, election policies and gaming legislation and the...
JACKSON — As valley leaders discussed priorities for the Wyoming Legislature’s general session that starts Tuesday, Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr warned the delegation about “a lot of really scary bills that are being proposed right now.” One bill that has been filed aims to punish towns and counties seen as giving sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. Freshman Rep. Joel Guggenmos, a Freedom Caucus member from Riverton who won 55% of the vote in his Republican...
Girls Team Front — Left to right Koya Roberts, Josie Martin, Laenee Barkhurst, Joleigh Shahadey, Sammi Jo Walker, Haley Grubb, Riley Sessions-Nickelson (Manager) Back — Left to right Addison Collins, Natalie Follum, Maggie Elder, Emma Brooks, Sophia Diaz, Reegan Jones, Jaida Parrish, Tessa Peterson, Aspen Sewell, Neacy Berger, Sophia Grubb (Manager) Boys Team Front — Left to right Cody Sewell, Ethan Hatch, Dusty Williams, Colt Sharp Middle — Left to right David...
The Wyoming Cowgirls came up short on the road Wednesday night, suffering their first Mountain West defeat of the season at New Mexico. The Lobos were able to put together a strong fourth quarter late to pull away for a 73-67 win in The Pit. Wyoming got out to a good start in the first quarter, leading by five early, 12-7. The Cowgirls stayed out in front of the Lobos for most of the first 10 minutes, but a New Mexico putback before the buzzer gave UNM a one-point advantage,...
LARAMIE – The University of Wyoming wrestling team is set to participate in the NWCA National Dual Meet Championships. The tournament takes place Friday and Saturday in Cedar Falls, Iowa, inside the UNI-Dome on the campus of Northern Iowa. This tournament is unlike many, and it's a type of competition that the Cowboys haven't competed in since the 2019-20 season. It's a dual tournament format comprised 14 "mid-major" programs that, by in large, don't compete in a power...
LARAMIE – The Wyoming Cowgirl basketball team looks to get back into the win column as they return home for a Saturday contest against San Diego State. The Cowgirls and Aztecs tip at 2 p.m., from the Arena-Auditorium. ABOUT THE COWGIRLS Wyoming (8-7, 2-1 MW) suffered its first setback in Mountain West play Wednesday night with a 73-67 loss at New Mexico. Despite shooting 52-percent from the floor and assisting on 21 of its 25 made shots, UW couldn't get enough stops in the...
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Friday inside the UNI-Dome was a very special day for the University of Wyoming wrestling team. The team participated in Day 1 of the NWCA National Dual Meet Championships, and head coach Mark Branch hit a milestone in a very thrilling way. The Pokes rallied to defeat Drexel, 20-18, claiming wins in six of the final seven bouts. The win represented the 142 in Branch's head coaching career and that's the most for a coach in program history. "It's...
LARAMIE – It was a battle all afternoon and a fight until the bitter end, but the Wyoming Cowgirls pulled out a 78-71 victory Saturday afternoon over San Diego State. Wyoming got another 20-point performance from Allyson Fertig in the win, while Emily Mellema came up huge in the final minute. The Cowgirls also shot a season-high 54.2-percent from the floor. "Hanging on for a win like that is one where we talk about our toughness," said Head Coach Heather Ezell postgame. "We...
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Wyoming wrestling team wrapped up competition at the NWCA Dual Meet National Championships on Saturday inside the UNI-Dome. The Pokes went 1-1 to finish sixth with a combined record of 4-2. Wyoming rallied, once again, to defeat its first opponent Saturday. The Pokes trailed Central Michigan by four going into the final two bouts but scored a pair of overtime wins in the final two weights to secure a 17-15 victory. The Cowboys closed...
All of my life — I have loved puzzles. Puzzles of all kinds — jigsaw puzzles, math puzzles, video game puzzles, New York Times crosswords and mystery novels. I like to solve things and find tidy solutions. I think as I am aging — keeping my mind engaged in finding the answer becomes more important. My start in education began in engineering finding solutions to complicated math and science problems. I furthered my drive for solving puzzles with new situations arising every sortie I piloted in the Air Force. My career...
Dear Editor, I very much appreciate Barbara Parsons well-crafted letter on Celebrating Christmas. She points out that, at one time, love and acceptance were winning. It was good to see that happening at the time and I thought we we on the right path and things would continue to progress in a good way for people of all kinds. It has been shocking to see that our nation has started going the other direction trying to strip certain groups of people of their rights and criminalizing and punishing some. I see rapant...
Slow Cooker Surf and Turf Lets get started preparing and enjoying this delicious delight - 1 large Flat iron Steak - 1/2 bag extra large cooked shrimp tails removed - 1 Tsp Salt - 1 Tsp pepper - 1/2 C Creole seasoning - 1/4 C Minced garlic - 1/2 stick butter cut into pieces - 1/4 C lemon juice - 1/2 Carton Beef broth - 12 cherry tomatoes Season steak with salt & pepper then brown on both sides. Layer all other ingredients then cook in a slow cooker...
Photo by Elliott Deins Finn McKinney, front, evades defenders during a game of broomball at the Kiwanis Ice Rink in Veterans Island Park on Saturday, December...
Arise, shine, for your light has come, * and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. For behold, darkness covers the land; * deep gloom enshrouds the peoples. But over you the Lord will rise, * and his glory will appear upon you. Nations will stream to your light, * and kings to the brightness of your dawning. Isaiah 60:1-3 January 6th is observed by Western Liturgical Churches as the Feast of the Epiphany. (Eastern Churches, such as the Greek and Russian Orthodox...
Soon after Jesus had resurrected, we find a beautiful passage found in John chapter 20 that is a wonderful example of how much God loves us and wants to encourage us. The friends and family of Christ were gathered together after his horrific crucifixion and were still grieving over his death when all of a sudden, he appears in their midst! Even though they remembered how he had promised to return I’m sure they were still awestruck. Jesus stretches out His hands and reveals his previous wounds, and of course, they are...
Axel, glide or look like a newborn deer in skates at the free Platte Valley Kiwanis Ice Rink on Veterans Island this winter. Over thirty pairs of skates were donated by the community, according to Kiwanis President Anita Herold, including 26 pairs from the Saratoga Recreation Department. Herold believes the rink provides physical, mental and social advantages for the youth of Saratoga. “It’s multifaceted,” Herold said about the benefits of kids having the ice rink...
Joe Gaspari is a quiet man. When he speaks, he says well thought out words to describe his passion for the Carbon County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees (Trustees). His commitment to the Trustees just earned him Wyoming School Board Member of the Year by the Wyoming Association of School Administrators at the Wyoming State School Boards of Association annual meeting in November. The honor was announced at the December Trustees meeting in Saratoga. Carbon County School...
For the second year in a row, Saratoga High School (SMHS) junior Bennett Keel has been accepted into the All-State Concert Band. He is the only student from Carbon County to play in the band. To be considered, Keel was required to send an audition recording of his trombone playing by October 28, 2024. Keel says he did not try out for the bank his freshman year, because he was a little overwhelmed with the complexity of the music for the audition. Keel said one of the best...
The Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) Board of Trustees are in a race to complete their concealed-carry rule draft before the Wyoming State Legislature potentially passes a law on "enhanced concealed-carry." In a world where school is no longer a safe haven for children, changing times are forcing schools in Wyoming to come up with rules-not policies-to protect the children from the terrorism of school shootings. Rules, Policies and Laws On December 4, a committee...
