Week of July 16, 2026
Week of July 16, 2026
Let’s face it - no one likes paying taxes. But when they do pay their taxes, people often wish they got more for their money. And, when they don’t, it can come as no surprise that voters love to hear talk of lowering taxes. In Wyoming, we enjoy some of the lowest tax rates of any state in the union. We have no corporate or individual income tax, and the sales tax rate is among the lowest of all the states. We pay no sales tax on food in Wyoming. Wyoming property tax rates are also among the lowest to be found in the United States. Indeed,...
by John Bernhisel Not everyone gets excited about spreadsheets and Census tables. Fortunately for you, I do. The latest population estimates from the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division offer a fascinating snapshot of how the Big Horn Basin is changing. Hidden among thousands of rows of numbers are stories about growing towns, aging communities, shrinking classrooms and a changing workforce. While the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a nationwide census every 10 years, it also produces annual population estimates. Wyoming’s Economic Analysis...
The Board of Directors of Hot Springs Health held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 30. The board has faced some turnover in recent weeks, with new board member Robin VanMaarth joining the board in June. A now second vacancy on the board has also been created due to the unexpected resignation of board member Melissa Johnson. The board will meet on July 8 to consider applications to fill the most recent vacancy. Dr. Mathey reported that Dr. Mackenzie has recently moved on to an OB residency out of state, which currently leaves the...
Michael Ray put on an amazing concert last Friday night at the old airport location. The Sundowners were the opening act. Following the music and dancing, a drone light show filled the sky to finish off the show. The event was brought to Thermopolis by Wyoming Discovery...
The Thermopolis/Hot Springs County High School Alumni Association has run into a few snags while trying to plan this year’s All Class Reunion. Organizer Shasta Shafer had to make the difficult decision to cancel Saturday’s dance at the VFW and Sunday’s picnic in Hot Springs State Park. Classes will still have their own individual gatherings, although information on them is not readily available through alumni association. Many of the organizers of the individual class gatherings do not provide their information to the alumni association...
Hot Springs County and other locations around the state have seen temperatures reaching over 100 degrees for several days, peaking in Hot Springs County at a recorded 107 degrees on Sunday, matching a record high. Official recordings are provided by the US National Weather Service in Riverton. Some area residents have reported even higher temperatures, although they cannot be used for official records. At the Worland Airport, the high temperature for Sunday was recorded at 110 degrees and in Cowley the official recorded high was 109 degrees....
At the July 7 Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting, the summary for the proposed 2026-27 fiscal year budget was read into the minutes of the meeting by Hot Springs County Clerk Becky Kersten. There will be a public meeting on the proposed budget on Monday, July 20 beginning at 1 p.m. in the commissioner’s meeting room in the County Annex building. The Commissioners approved a transfer of a liquor license from the LLL Company, d/b/a, Wind River Lounge to the Thermopolis Lodging Group, LLC, d/b/a, Fairbridge Thermopolis. In monthly...
by Maggie Mullen, WyoFile.com, via WNE The last two times the governor’s seat was open in Wyoming, the Republican nominee handily won the general election. But first, they won the primary election with less than 50% of the vote, sparking enduring disputes about conservative bona fides and changes to Wyoming’s primary elections. This year, four Republicans are running for governor, setting up the possibility of one of them clinching the nomination once again with less than half of the vote. The candidates include Sen. Eric Barlow, Col....
Farmers and Artisans Market Every Saturday into October the Farmers and Artisans Market is at 5th and Broadway from 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, email Kim at ThermopolisFarmersMarket@gmail.com The Rebel Triathlon The Hot Springs County High School Cultural Immersion Club is hosting The Rebel Triathlon on Saturday, July 18 with a 7 a.m. start time. Check in is Friday evening at 6 p.m. at HSCHS. There are youth and adult categories that include kayaking, running and biking. See the ad on page 2 for more information and a QR code to scan...
The Legion Baseball team wrapped up their successful season this past week, playing four home games - two games against the Stifle Chiefs on Tuesday night, and then two final games against the Cody Cubs in Saturday’s stifling heat. In game one on Tuesday, two Bobcats threw a combined shut-out against the Chiefs. Kacey Mackay went four and a third innings, giving up two hits and no runs, while striking out ten and walking four. In relief, Tanner Delay threw two and two-thirds innings, allowing no runs on three hits, with three strike-outs...
Tikka leads the pack during the Wyoming Discovery Days Dachshund Race at Hot Springs State Park on Sunday. Tikka won first place, followed by Bear in second, Harvey in third and Doc in...
A passerby watches John Rose from Lingle stirs his entry for the Dutch oven cook off during Wyoming Discovery Days held last weekend at Hot Springs State...
Dominik Goodheart, Yara de la Torre and Diamora de la Torre explore displays at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department table during Wyoming Discovery Days held last weekend at Hot Springs State...
Avery Ogle balances on a paddle board while making his way across the pond during the Paddle in the Park event hosted by Hot Springs State Park. The event gave participants an opportunity to try paddle boarding in a supervised...
Sidney Skelton cools off in Hot Springs State Park last...
This year’s planning of the Hot Springs County High School All Class Reunion hit a few snags and the gathering at the VFW Saturday night and the Sunday picnic have been canceled. The Hot Springs County Museum is welcoming reunion visitors from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. Individual classes will be holding their gatherings at locations around Hot Springs County. The official reunion photographer is available to take photos at the class gatherings. The Independent Record will run those photos in a future edition of the paper. If your...
by Carissa Regnerus, RDH, MA, FADHA During the warm summer months in South Dakota, many of us spend extra time outside walking, working or enjoying community events. The heat and wind can pull moisture from the body faster than we realize. Hydration becomes important for everyone, from kids running around at the park to adults juggling busy schedules to older adults who may not notice thirst as quickly. Water supports our health in every season, but summer reminds us just how essential it is. We often think of dehydration as something that...
Questions: 1. Who is the lead actor in the 2026 hit movie Project Hail Mary? 2. What ended Bo Jackson’s professional football career? 3. How do the Pevensie children first enter Narnia? 4. What two songs did Ferris Bueller sing during the famous parade scene? 5. There are 10 European country names that contain the letter C. Name at least six. Fun Facts: The brain of a giant squid is shaped like a doughnut. Its digestive tube runs through the center, meaning a meal that’s too large could damage its brain. Oklahoma’s panhandle exists...
On the Record policy It is the Thermopolis Independent Record’s policy that all people arrested or cited under the “Sheriff’s office” or “Police department” in the On the Record section are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We print the names of all people upon their initial arrest. Names of minors are not printed. Sheriff’s office Monday, July 6 9:31 a.m. Report of a person who was scammed online. No other information was provided. 11:50 a.m. Deputies performed a civil standby to gather belongings. 4:43...
