Articles written by Joshua Wood


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 1575

  • Chamber to hold 50th annual dinner

    Joshua Wood|Mar 7, 2024

    Next week, the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce (S/PVCC) will be hosting its annual chamber dinner and awards. While each year the dinner is a way to celebrate local businesses and chamber members, the S/PVCC will also be observing its 50th Anniversary. CEO Amanda Knotwell gave the Saratoga Sun a preview of what to expect for this year’s dinner and awards, which will include everything from live music to a history lesson. This year will feature two guest speakers: Chuck “C.J....

  • Shaking things up at SMHS

    Joshua Wood - Stevenson Newspapers|Mar 7, 2024

    When reading up on types of earthquake-resistant structures, one will be greeted with a variety of options when it comes to construction. Flexible foundations, seismic dampers, ductile materials which can either deflect, absorb, transfer or distribute vibrations from seismic activity. Professional architects and contractors have a variety of materials at their disposal to attempt this. The 8th grade science class at Saratoga Middle High School just had marshmallows and pasta noodles. Yet, quite...

  • Short term rental permit untabled?

    Joshua Wood, Stevenson Newspapers|Feb 29, 2024

    Three months after tabling a draft short term rental permit application, the Saratoga Planning Commission once again discussed the impact of short term rentals in Saratoga at its February 13 meeting. The discussion was brought up by James “Jimmy” Campbell, a resident and business owner in Saratoga. Citing the goals the planning commission has set for 2024, Campbell said he was disappointed to see there was nothing regarding short term rentals. Chairwoman McCall Burau reminded Campbell the...

  • What about children like Nex?

    Joshua Wood, Stevenson Newspapers|Feb 29, 2024

    We’re told to think of the children. That’s the refrain used in state legislatures across the country when it comes to the slew of anti-LGBTQ laws which are proposed or passed. Laws like the one in Oklahoma, which requires people to use the bathroom of the gender on their birth certificate. Yet, due to laws like this, it is likely that a child in Oklahoma has died. Nex Benedict was a non-binary 16 year old student at Owasso High School. On February 7, they were allegedly assaulted by three...

  • Sheriff's office expanding services

    Joshua Wood, Stevenson Newspapers|Feb 29, 2024

    As municipalities throughout the county struggle with law enforcement, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office appears to be expanding to meet those needs and is also being creative in how to meet those needs. During the February 20 meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC), Sheriff Alex Bakken provided the commissioners with updates on his department. These included the explanation of an extraterritorial deputy, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Town of Riverside and...

  • Cooking up something for state

    Joshua Wood - Stevenson Newspapers|Feb 22, 2024

    It’s before noon on a Monday. The sound of oil on cast iron cuts through the air, just like the smell of hot cast iron. Mixed in is the odor of seared meat and the aroma of cooked vegetables and potatoes. On one skillet is Skyler Wood, making a batch of bacon home fries while, on the other skillet, Kayden Erick puts a sear on a cut of bison tenderloin. Douglass Campbell occasionally steps in between the two, offering some quick advice and bringing them supplies. This could be a scene from an...

  • Teense Willford, The Voice of the Valley

    Joshua Wood - Stevenson Newspapers|Feb 15, 2024

    It can be hard to find just one word which would best describe Loren “Teense” Willford. A fifth-generation resident of the Platte Valley, Teense has been and is many things. A husband, a father, a friend, a Mason, a musician and a statesman. On February 3, though he was being honored by the Saratoga Masonic Lodge, it was difficult for those in attendance not to talk about Teense’s other contributions. “He’s always giving to something else, always supporting somebody else,” said...

  • Avalanche claims life of Saratoga council member

    Joshua Wood|Feb 15, 2024

    Tragedy struck the Saratoga community early on the afternoon of February 9 when an avalanche claimed the life of 34-year-old Jacob Fluty. According to a press release from the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, a SPOT device emergency SOS activation was received in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The location of the SOS was southwest of Bridger Peak in an area known as “Avalanche Alley.” Responding deputies were able to contact the individual who had activated the SPOT device, who reported...

  • Small communities means losses are felt harder

    Joshua Wood|Feb 15, 2024

    Living in a small community like the Platte Valley, every loss seems to be felt far more acutely than in more urban areas. Running a newspaper in a small community, one of the hardest parts of the job is receiving the obituaries. It's even hard when it's someone who is not only close to your age, but who you knew. I didn't know Jacob Fluty as well as his friends and family, but you can't grow up in a small town with someone and not have some knowledge of who they are. When I first heard about...

  • Hard work paying off

    Joshua Wood|Feb 1, 2024

    Child care, like many other things in the Valley, has been limited or scarce. That changed in December 2020 when Valley Village Childcare first opened its doors. It didn’t take long, however, for the facility on West Bridge Avenue to quickly fill to capacity. The Valley Village Childcare Board of Directors tasked themselves with finding a new location, then construction began on the North Platte Valley Medical Center. With the medical center housing both the clinic and the skilled nursing...

  • Snow much fun

    Joshua Wood|Feb 1, 2024

    The weather was just right this year for the 37th Annual Sierra Madre Winter Carnival. From human saucer bowling to the annual baking and cooking contest Encampment residents appeared to have fun. On Friday afternoon, the Winter Carnival kicked off with human saucer bowling on McCaffrey Avenue. “We have ages from preschool all the way through to adults that put themselves on a sled and run into sand filled two liter bottles,” said Alyx Munson, event chairman. “It is the beginning event,...

  • Saratoga Skijoring Races prepared for year Crazy 8

    Richard Espinoza and Joshua Wood|Feb 1, 2024

    The Saratoga Skijoring Races will return for its 8th year on February 3-4 at the Buck Springs Arena. It is a challenging event which requires skill, good balance and focus which can be tricky when skiing on the snow. The Saratoga Skijoring Race’s first year started in March 2017 and has become a popular event for the last seven years. Local, state and out-of-state competitors will be coming into Saratoga to compete in this amazing event which requires a skier, rider and a horse. The day before...

  • Gordon: We Need That Permanent Record

    Joshua Wood|Jan 25, 2024

    Despite the advent of the internet and social media, Wyoming newspapers still serve as an important avenue for public notices. At least according to Governor Mark Gordon, who spoke at the 125th Annual Wyoming Press Convention in Casper on January 19. Over the past several years, the Wyoming Legislature has seen a number of bills introduced which would remove public notices from the pages of Wyoming newspapers. This, despite the fact that 86% of Wyoming adults cite newspapers as their most...

  • Saratoga council discusses combined dispatch

    Joshua Wood, Stevenson Newspapers|Jan 25, 2024

    "If we were fully staffed and looking at equipment cost, that's one thing. We are truly one power bump or one illness away from not being able to keep the door's open 24/7." Supported by other law enforcement and first responders, Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris laid out the case as to why a county-run centralized dispatch was likely a matter of when, not if. Morris, who was appointed to the position of chief last year by Mayor Chuck Davis, explained how staffing and infrastructure issues...

  • New Year and New Codes for 2024

    Richard Espinoza and Joshua Wood|Jan 18, 2024

    With the New Year upon them, the Saratoga Planning Commission is examining a variety of goals for 2024. One of those is to review Title 18, the zoning code for the Town of Saratoga, to determine where, if any, changes need to be made. The discussion took place during the commission’s January 9 meeting. “I think that this should be one of the top priorities for the board to go over the zoning ordinance and how we look at things,” said Mayor Chuck Davis. “Not only will this help the town out but it will also help out on how affordable...

  • Ice Fishing Derby returns for 40th

    Joshua Wood|Jan 18, 2024

    For more than four decades, anglers from near and far have converged on the Platte Valley for the annual Saratoga Lake Ice Fishing Derby. One of the oldest and longest running events of its kind in Wyoming, the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce (S/PVCC) is hosting the 40th annual event this year. “Knowing that it’s in its 40th year, that’s what makes it exciting,” said Amanda Knotwell, S/PVCC CEO. “Once we finish this, what’s next? The 50th. We work towards that next decade...

  • Farson evades Tigers

    Joshua Wood|Jan 18, 2024

    While Old Man Winter’s subzero temperatures canceled a number of games over the weekend, the Encampment Tigers hosted the Farson-Eden Pronghorns for their first conference game of the season. Prior to the game on January 13, the Pronghorns were ranked at No. 4, just behind Encampment with Farson-Eden 5-4 for the season and the Tigers 7-3. Despite cold temperatures, Saturday’s game showed that nothing can be taken for granted in the competitive 1A Southwest Conference as things begin to heat...

  • A different angle on food

    Joshua Wood|Jan 18, 2024

    It’s a cold winter day and the subzero temperatures promised for the weekend can be felt on the breeze as Olio, a local food truck, parks in the Family Dollar parking lot. Soon, other vehicles arrive as their occupants brave the cold to place an order with owner and chef Daniel Krugman. Due to the cold, Krugman is clad in heavy clothing, overalls and a beanie. It’s not unusual to see a food truck in Saratoga, though it is a relatively recent development. While food trucks have been common...

  • Panthers takedown Cougars post-holiday

    Joshua Wood|Jan 11, 2024

    The Saratoga Panthers came out of the holiday break without skipping a beat, it seemed, as they hosted the 2A Wind River Cougars on January 5. Despite being a larger conference, the Cougars didn’t appear to stand a chance as they entered the Panther Den on Friday afternoon. They ultimately fell to Saratoga by more than 40 points. “The Wind River game was a great way for us to come out of the holiday break,” said Jason Williams, head coach of the Saratoga Panthers. “It is sometimes...

  • Finding the Right Gift

    Joshua Wood|Jan 4, 2024

    Photo by Joshua Wood Gen Haas, left, helps Laken Knotwell find just the right gift for a family member during the Bridge Street Bargains’ annual Kids Shopping Day on December 11.  ...

  • Tidball arrested in Nebraska, Ellenson still at large

    Joshua Wood|Jan 4, 2024

    Victoria Tidball, the primary suspect in a shooting which took place in Saratoga on December 16, has been arrested. Tidball, 28, was believed to be on the run following the incident in the early morning hours of December 16. According to Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris, she had fired approximately 40 rounds into a residence and a Jeep Gladiator owned by the victim of the shooting. There were no reported injuries or fatalities. Morris said evidence gathered after the incident indicated Tidball...

  • A data driven approach

    Joshua Wood|Dec 28, 2023

    It seems that hospitals can often get a bad wrap. This seems especially true due to the plethora of medical dramas over the years in which medical professionals are able to solve complex health issues by the end of an episode or a cranky, anti-social but genius doctor can determine a diagnosis no other doctor could. Just like restaurants or coffee shops, recommendations and reviews are often subjective. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County (MHCC), however, is now using a familiar tool in a new...

  • Mixed results for Encampment basketball

    Joshua Wood|Dec 28, 2023

    The Encampment Tigers and Lady Tigers went into the Christmas Break with two games and a non-conference tournament with mixed results for both teams.   Encampment vs. North Park On December 12, Tiger Nation hosted the North Park Wildcats which resulted in a non-conference win for both teams. The Tigers took down the Walden, Colorado team with a score of 51-39. The Lady Tigers, meanwhile, ended the game with a score of 54-48.   Lingle-Ft. Laramie Dogger Classic Then, on December 15 and...

  • Chatting with the Chief: Addressing Response Time Concerns

    Joshua Wood|Dec 28, 2023

    In the days since a shooting in Saratoga on December 16 in which a suspect fired approximately 40 rounds into a residence and vehicle, public response has been both swift and critical with concern over the response time by the Saratoga Police Department. According to Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris, the response time to the shooting was a little over 10 minutes. “The call came in approximately 1:01 in the morning and from there until the first officer was notified, it was about five minutes...

  • Two on the run following shooting

    Joshua Wood|Dec 21, 2023

    Following an early morning shooting in Saratoga, two individuals—Victoria Tidball and Cody Ellenson—are on the run and considered to be armed and dangerous. “Shortly after 1 o’clock Saturday morning, Saratoga dispatch received multiple calls of gunshots being fired in the 300 block of North Veterans. Officers arrived and found that a Jeep Gladiator and the residence there had been shot multiple times,” said Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris. “We secured the scene, made sure the...

Page Down

Rendered 03/18/2024 21:24