Articles written by Mike Armstrong


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  • The Driving Force of Education

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 9, 2023

    Cindy Larson has been driving buses for the norther schools of Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) for more than three decades. This year, the roads faced by her and other drivers in the Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow area have had more treacherous conditions than any time in recent memory. Larson, who is now head bus driver and on her 35th year with the district and lives in Elk Mountain, has been around long enough to see a few generations get on and off her buses. She's also...

  • Two points away from perfect

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 9, 2023

    The Saratoga Panthers went to the 1A State Basketball Tournament with the hopes of finishing their perfect season and returning home as state champions. Instead, they took 3rd place following their only loss of the season which came at a margin of just two points. Going into the tournament, the Panthers faced the Hulett Red Devils, the Burlington Huskies and the Cokeville Panthers to go 2-1 for the weekend and 23-1 for the season. Panthers vs. Red Devils On Thursday, Saratoga seemed to have been...

  • A consolation for the Lady Rattlers

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 9, 2023

    Head Coach Mark Gillies is proud of the Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Lady Rattlers. “There were plenty who didn’t think we would get to regionals this year, much less state,” Gillies said. “To get to walk away with some hardware and a win for our last game, it feels pretty good and I am really proud of this team.” Gillies said there were times in the season the team did not play up to their capabilities. He knew there was talent on the team, but too often there was not strong consisten...

  • Wyoming transplant brings love of history to Hanna

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 2, 2023

    For six months, the Hanna Basin Museum operated without a director while the board waited for the right candidate. They finally found one with Geraldine Hutchins, who moved to Wyoming in 2011 and moved to Carbon County a year ago. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Hutchins moved to Wyoming-and later Carbon County-to work as an Alzheimer and dementia care nurse. She currently works at the Saratoga Care Center and, while she works in Saratoga, she lives in Hanna. "I found this house with an...

  • Panthers proceed with perfect pacing

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 2, 2023

    The Saratoga Panthers went into the 1A West Regional Tournament with a large target on their back being the only undefeated boys basketball team in Wyoming Like many teams, the Panthers left for the regional tournament on Monday due to an incoming winter storm which shut down the state. Saratoga faced the Riverside Rebels, the Farson-Eden Pronghorns and the Cokeville Panthers to continue their undefeated record. Panthers vs. Rebels After three days of waiting, Saratoga faced the Rebels on...

  • Widdison grapples her way to bronze

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 2, 2023

    It was a tough season for the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Miner grapplers on their road to the 2A State Championship. While HEM began with several wrestlers, by the time they made the trip to Casper the team had been reduced to just five. Fortunately, all five punched their ticket the week prior during the regional tournament. Not just that, but grappler MacKaylee Widdison took 3rd place in the 105 pound weight class in the inaugural girls wrestling state tournament. “She did r...

  • Miners find silver lining in regional losses

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 2, 2023

    Though the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners didn’t make it to the 1A State Tournament, they managed to accomplish some of their goals at the 1A West Regional Tournament in Lander. “Of course we wanted to make it to State,” said Head Coach Cliff Jones. “But our goal was to be playing on Saturday for the chance to go to State and we did that.” The Miners went 1-2 during the regional tournament, facing the Hulett Red Devils, the Midwest Oilers and the Kaycee Buckaroos. Miners vs...

  • Lady Rattlers take rough road to State

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 2, 2023

    The Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Lady Rattlers chased their place at the State tournament which takes place next weekend. The team raced north to Lander on Monday, hoping to avoid the storm in the forecast. The Rattlers arrived in Lander on Monday, but didn't face a team until Thursday. Gillies said, "We tried not to stay in the hotel very much, but it was hard on us as I am sure it was on all the teams who came early." The Rattlers faced Burlington's Lady Huskies on Thursday, Friday saw the...

  • HEM girls fall short at regional tournament

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 2, 2023

    The HEM Lady Miners pursued their dreams of the State tournament by facing two teams at the regionals last week. With weather forcing hurried departures and fewer fans cheering them on the Miners went for the win, but fell short. Lady Miners vs. Lady Buckaroos Thursday they was on the court with Kaycee's Lady Buckaroos first. The came ended with HEM's Lady Miners losing 20-49. The Miners were a third seed facing a second seed. Lady Miners vs. Lady Devils Friday the Lady Miners were challenged by...

  • A STEM-ulating day at HEM

    Mike Armstrong|Mar 2, 2023

    Students at Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School and Hanna Elementary School have recently spent the 3rd Friday of each month out on a limb. Or, rather, a STEM as they are involved in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program. In February, students from the University of Wyoming visited HEM and gave presentations in their fields of study to both high school and elementary students. It was the first endeavor of this kind to mix the students of all ages in a learnin...

  • Chronicling Saratoga's healing waters

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 23, 2023

    The history of Saratoga's hot springs and its healing waters are deeply tied to that of the town itself. So is that of the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Dr. Michael "Doc' Janssen, the most recent owner of the resort, recently released "The Healing Waters of Saratoga" detailing the history of the springs, Saratoga and the resort itself. The book was first available at the end of January, just in time for the annual poker run, one year to the day Janssen first considered writing the book.... Full story

  • Lady Miners ride rollercoaster to No. 3 seed

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 23, 2023

    Like the mine cart scene in an action movie, the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Lady Miners took their fans on a rollercoaster this past week. On Tuesday, the Lady Miners hosted the Encampment Lady Tigers for a major loss. Then, on Friday, HEM hosted the Guernsey-Sunrise Lady Vikings for a conference win. On Saturday, the Lady Miners hosted the Southeast Lady Cyclones for a conference loss. The end result of the rollercoaster ride was a No. 3 seeding at the 1A East Regional Tournament...

  • Panthers perform perfectly to end season

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 23, 2023

    The Saratoga Panthers finished their regular season with a significant win over the North Park Wildcats and an 18-0 record. On Tuesday, Saratoga dealt a Valentine’s heartbreaker to the Wildcats in Walden with a score of 62-28. “We went down there and our goal was to play strong,” Head Coach Jason Williams said. “The Wildcats are a little down this year, so we were able to take control early. All the boys got to play and almost every player scored. It was a game where everyone contrib...

  • Miners take three on the chin

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 23, 2023

    The Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners hosted three games last week, but were unable to secure a win in any of them. Despite the losses, the team still had some bright moments. On Tuesday, the Miners hosted the Encampment Tigers for a non-conference game. HEM then hosted the Guernsey-Sunrise Vikings on Friday and the Southeast Cyclones on Saturday for two conference games. Miners vs. Tigers Hosting Encampment on Tuesday, the Miners had a brief period in the 1st quarter where it looke...

  • Miners digging in for State Tournament

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 23, 2023

    Old Man Winter may be trying to take Wyoming to the mat, but that didn’t stop the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners from heading to Casper for the State Wrestling Tournament this weekend. Head Coach Robert Riddle will be taking all of his matmen—and matwomen—to Casper. The Miners are down to just five wrestlers with three boys and two girls. Anthony Solaas in the 106 pound class placed 3rd in regionals and is looking good according to Riddle. “He did very well and in order to get...

  • Lady Rattlers strike at Farson twice

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 23, 2023

    The Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Lady Rattlers went 2-2 last week as they ended their regular season with four conference games: two against the Farson-Eden Lady Pronghorns and two against the Cokeville Lady Panthers. While the Lady Rattlers were able to sink their fangs into Farson-Eden twice, the Lady Panthers evaded their bite both time. Lady Rattlers on the Road On Monday, the Lady Rattlers made short work of the Lady Pronghorns in an away conference game. They beat Farson in a handy...

  • Rattlers battle for seeding

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 23, 2023

    The Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Rattlers finished their regular season with a crucible of conference games, with two against the Farson-Eden Pronghorns and two against the Cokeville Panthers. Head Coach Jack Cobb knew it was going to be a tough week with two games on the road and two at home. Rattlers on the Road Being on the road didn’t help the Rattlers in their first match against Farson-Eden on Monday. It helped even less when they faced the Panthers on Tuesday. “We were in control of...

  • Placing a spotlight on good deeds

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 23, 2023

    The schools in Hanna have begun a new program which aims to recognize students who may typically go unnoticed. The staff of Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School and Hanna Elementary School are working together to select one student from each school and spotlight them. A student doesn't have to be strong academically or a star athlete to qualify for selection. What the schools were looking for in the selection was a person who was kind and helpful to others without looking for any...

  • Good Neighbors are a True Treasure

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 16, 2023

    Growing up in the Washington D.C. suburbs, in a planned community of ‘Leave it to Beaver’ style homes, one facet I took for granted,was having neighbors watch out for you. As a teenager, I sometimes found the neighbors a tad annoying because they seemed to report my comings and goings to my folks when it didn’t serve what I thought was my best interest. Remember, I was just a kid. I am lucky they were concerned. I won’t ever forget when my folks went to Germany for a vacation and I was busted...

  • Sand, snow and water

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 16, 2023

    Powerboaters from across the country put into Saratoga to take part in an Egyptian themed night of fun at the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort the last weekend of January. Michael "Doc" Janssen, owner of the Resort, puts on the event every year which starts on a Thursday and ends Sunday. Janssen reached out to this group of powerboaters some years ago to attend the event, and many come return year-after-year. From Power to Powder Power boating describes activities performed in a motorized boat. Gener...

  • Miner grapplers host Carbon County Invite

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 16, 2023

    Miner grapplers host Carbon County Invite Wrestling teams from across the state hit the mats in Hanna by Mike Armstrong Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School hosted the Carbon Tournament with Big Piney, Dubois, Glenrock, HEM, Lusk, Saratoga, Wyoming Indian participating. Big Piney won with 136.5 team points and five champions. Saratoga and Glenrock took 2nd and 3rd. The Miners did have a champion in girls wrestling with McKaylee Widdison winning the 105 weight class. Her teammate A...

  • HEM boys evade Longhorns

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 16, 2023

    The Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners were hosted by the Rock River Longhorns on February 11 where they managed to dig down for a narrow conference win. The win, described by Head Coach Cliff Jones as a battle, was HEM’s second against the Longhorns and puts them in the No. 3 spot of the 1A Southeast Conference. “The game went to overtime,” Jones said. “We had a chance to win it in the end and we came up short. In overtime we traded buckets but we got the two points that put us...

  • Rattlers hold regional destiny in their hands

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 16, 2023

    The Little Snake River Valley (LSRV) Rattlers have the fortune to decide their own, at least as far as how they will be seeded for the 1A Southwest Regional Tournament. The Rattlers will spend this week playing a flurry of conference games to determine their seeding, but are guaranteed a spot in the tournament since the Encampment Tigers were unable to secure a conference win this season. In preparation for the crucible of conference games, LSRV played against three Colorado teams last week. On...

  • Panthers pounce to number one

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 16, 2023

    The Saratoga Panthers remain the team to beat in the 1A Southwest Conference, continuing their undefeated streak this past week with two conference wins. On Friday, Saratoga was hosted by the Farson-Eden Pronghorns for a close matchup. Then, on Saturday, Saratoga faced their Panther rivals leaving Cokeville in a double-digit deficit. Panthers vs. Pronghorns “Farson came to play. They really wanted to beat us,” said Head Coach Jason Williams. “Frankly, they were more ready for the game than...

  • Lady Miners playing until the last buzzer

    Mike Armstrong|Feb 16, 2023

    On February 11, the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Lady Miners faced the Rock River Lady Longhorns and came up short. “To be quite honest, they handled up pretty easily,” said Head Coach Jackie Jones. “They are definitely a seasoned basketball team and a good basketball team. The coaches do a good job of getting the most out of their girls. My hat is off to them.” Rock River dealt the Lady Miners a nearly 40 point loss, winning 56-17. Jones said the Lady Miners are making mistakes on th...

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