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  • Funds sought for fireworks show

    Mark Dykes, Reporter Photographer|Jun 22, 2017

    Something to look forward to every summer — or not, depending on the person — is the bangs, pops, colors and smell of gunpowder from setting off fireworks. And, each year, the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department brings a big show from the top of T Hill on the evening of Independence Day. Search and Rescue has also helped put the show on. The shows have gotten more and more exciting over the years, but the 2017 show is in danger of heading the other direction, as funding has not been what was...

  • Roberts returns for performance

    Mark Dykes, Reporter Photographer|Jun 22, 2017

    Last year saw a mix of American Soul and Funk music, paired with African and Cuban influences, at Hot Springs State Park when John Roberts Y Pan Blanco took to the stage in August. This year, the group is returning, bringing seven members in total to a concert in the park starting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 10. On an isolated ranch in southeast Montana, Roberts started playing piano when he was five years old. At age 11, he joined his grade school band on the trombone. He graduate from Montana...

  • A lasting impression

    Mark Dykes, Reporter Photographer|Jun 22, 2017

    Next month, Thermopolis will see plenty of alumni from various years when graduation weekend comes around. Still considering myself a bit of a “new guy” in the town — having been here just over a year — the weekend is one of the events I think is really interesting. I grew up in a town where the summer high school reunion was for one specific year, rather than all those years ending in a specific number, and I was thinking the other night about what my graduating class might have to say to thos...

  • Kirby celebration cancelled

    Mark Dykes, Reporter Photographer|Jun 22, 2017

    The first annual Kirby Days event, scheduled for July 8, has been cancelled for 2017. Jessica Slagle, Kirby Days Committee member, said due to unforeseen circumstances with the event, the Kirby Town Council made the decision to postpone it. Slagle noted even though the event is cancelled for this year, they have started planning now for the event to happen in 2018. Among the activities planned for Kirby Days were a horseshoe tournament, kickball, street games and tours of the historical jail....

  • Rodeo kicks up dust

    Mark Dykes, Reporter Photographer|Jun 22, 2017

    It’s time to strap on the saddles and spurs again, for the annual Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous Rodeo, this weekend at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds. Rodeo activities kick off on Friday at 9 a.m., with the Rodeo Slack at the fairgrounds. Admission to the event is free. At 5:30 p.m. the same day, the rodeo gates and the vendor alley open. Food and other items will be available for purchase. The rodeo action officially gets underway at 8 p.m. Friday night, with the Patriotic Night at the f...

  • Town Council adopts 2017-18 budget

    Mark Dykes, Reporter Photographer|Jun 22, 2017

    Following a public hearing Tuesday evening, during which there were no comments, the Thermopolis Town Council officially adopted the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. According to the budget, the General Fund includes: $105,250 for Legislative/Executive, $184,550 for Clerk/Treasurer, $14,400 for Judge, $58,200 for Law, $80,900 for Town Hall, $682,550 for Police, $298,925 for Dispatch Department, $65,500 for Corrections, $32,750 for Codes Administration, $89,800 for Fire Department,...

  • Spots still available for smoke house

    Mark Dykes, Reporter Photographer|Jun 22, 2017

    Earlier this year, the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department started looking at purchasing a smoke house. The inflatable house is seen particularly at Fire Prevention Week events, at the department’s open house and the annual health fair. After being inflated, the house is filled with non-toxic theatrical smoke to give people the feeling of being a firefighter going into a smoking building. It’s both educational and fun for kids, as well as adults. Currently, the department borrows a smoke hou...

  • Travel and Tourism looks at site, guides

    Mark Dykes, Reporter Photographer|Jun 22, 2017

    Tuesday afternoon, Hot Springs County Travel and Tourism discussed the website, www.thermopolis.com, as it is not mobile friendly or responsive. Director Amanda Moeller said she was referred to one company for a site update, but she wanted to bring it before the board for discussion as to a possible redesign. Moeller noted people these days tend to pull up information on their phones, and the site doesn’t work well on mobile devices. Moeller further explained June’s meeting is the last for the...

  • What constitutes a nuisance yard

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    It seems when the temperatures rise, so do the number of calls to the Thermopolis Police Department in regard to nuisance yards. Police Chief Steve Shay said when such calls come in the first response is to go to the yard in question, to determine if it does qualify as a nuisance under the town code. Several things under the code would constitute a nuisance, though weeds are one of the more common reasons. Under Section 11-802, “The term ‘weed’ shall be deemed to include any plant growth over...

  • Motion for new trial filed in Spence case

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    In a case against Justin Spence, who was found guilty of incest on April 27, a motion has been filed for a new trial. According to the charge, on July 4 or 5, 2014, Spence molested a juvenile female. During a trial that lasted three days, it was shown the juvenile and Spence had been texting the date of the incident — over 200 messages sent between the two phones within a few hours — and Spence had been sending inappropriate messages and pictures prior to physical advances on the juvenile. Als...

  • Dockery, Brown named to Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    The Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame (WCHF) Board of Directors conducted annual business meetings May 20 and 21 in Casper. All current WCHF officers were voted in for another four-year term. Plans were outlined for the fourth annual WCHF Honoree Induction and associated events, and the Class of 2017 WCHF Honorees was selected. Among those chosen from Region 8, which includes Hot Springs County, are Carl Obe Dockery and Ernest Nathan “Nate” Brown. The process of selection was begun by committees in...

  • Summer reading program underway

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    Friday saw the official kickoff to the summer reading program through Hot Springs County Library. This year’s theme is “Build a Better World.” Friday marked the opening for registration, but parents are welcome to register their kids anytime during the program, which runs through July 14. The program is open to kids who will bee in grades 1-5 this fall. They will do their reading at home, and mark their progress on a calendar. Those calendars will be brought in every Friday, and the more they...

  • Jim Mischke honored as Outstanding Range Professional

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    On June 9 in Buffalo, at the Wyoming Stock Growers Association Spring Convention, Jim Mischke was presented with his award as Outstanding Range Professional. Mischke was born and raised at Crofton, Neb., a small town of about 500 people. He said he spent a lot of time on a farm and ranch there. Though his parents, Helen and Cyrus, tried to teach him there was a better way to make a living than working a farm and ranch, Mischke strongly disagreed. Mischke said his great-grandfather was one of...

  • Abel named assistant coach of the year

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    The Wyoming Coaches' Association recently announced the Coaches of the Year for the 2017 spring season, and Brenna Abel was named Assistant Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. Abel, who resigned from the Hot Springs County School District this year, was born and raised in Worland, and has always called the Big Horn Basin her home. "I grew up as a rancher's daughter," she stated, "so Wyoming lifestyle is a way of life." The Social Studies teaching position came open at the high school in T...

  • Get a bit dirty

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    Mike Oliver with Sons of Pitches slides into third in a game against One-Eyed Buffalo. Adult Softball standings as of June 14 are: Merit's Nicest Team Ever, 6-0; One Stop Sparkplugs, 5-2; Sons of Pitches, 5-2; Robin BatsMan, 3-3; One-Eyed Buffalo, 2-4 Slide One In, 1-5; and Risen Son, 0-6....

  • Sign spelling

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    Sash Moline, left, helps Jesalyn Blair arrange letters for a lemonade stand banner. Students in the Ralph Witters Elementary summer program have been building the stands this week, and will set them up at locations around town Monday and Tuesday....

  • New senior center director settles in

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    May saw a change in staff at the Hot Springs County Senior Citizens Center, Lisa Pierce took over as director. Outgoing director Chanda Waddell, who moved to Indiana, worked at the facility through May. Pierce said she was lucky to have Waddell stay for those weeks, to help her get accustomed to everything before June 1. Since then, Pierce said everyone has gone out of their way to make her feel welcome. The staff has been very helpful, she said, and the clients have been great. Much of the...

  • Chamber board reviews, adopts budget

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 15, 2017

    Thursday evening, the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce approved the budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year, which balances out at $149,240 for income and expenditures. The income budget includes $5,100 from advertising opportunities such as newspapers, the chamber website and the table tents — the trifold pieces seen at local businesses that advertise events in the next couple months. Income also includes $56,600 from events, including: $36,000 from the demolition derby, $700 from the G...

  • Schwan sentenced to six to eight years

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 8, 2017

    After more than two hours of testimony, victim impact statements and attorney arguments Monday afternoon, Matthew Schwan was sentenced to six to eight years at the Wyoming State Penitentiary and fined $5,000 on a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide. Following a three-day trial, on March 15, 2017 Schwan was found guilty of the charge, which stems from a May 14, 2016 incident during which Reilly Schwan was struck by a vehicle driven by Matthew following a night of drinking with others and an...

  • Council approves annual budget

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 8, 2017

    Tuesday evening, the Thermopolis Town Council approved the budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Individual funds within the General Fund are: $105,250 for Legislative/Executive, $184,500 for Clerk/Treasurer, $14,400 for Judge, $58,200 for Law, $80,900 for Town Hall, $682,550 for Police, $298,925 for Dispatch Department, $65,500 for Corrections, $32,750 for Codes Administration, $89,800 for Fire Department, $642,000 for One Percent Sales Tax Projects, $610,150 for Streets and Alleys, $37,950 for P...

  • TCT files lawsuit against Campbells

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 8, 2017

    In response to an ongoing lawsuit against members of the Tri-County Telephone Association, Inc. (TCT), the corporation filed a complaint in U.S. Cheyenne District Court on May 26 against Joe Campbell and Barbara Campbell, as well as John and Jane Does 1-10. The complaint filed by TCT alleges Joe, who was a member of the board of directors of TCT from Feb. 24, 2003 until the board was dissolved on Jan. 1, 2015, maintained control of a company-issued laptop he was required to return. His keeping t...

  • Vialpando enters not guilty plea

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 8, 2017

    Monday afternoon in District Court, Lola Vialpando pleaded not guilty to charges against her. Though initially charged with 10 counts of felony forgery, two counts of felony theft and one count of felony larceny, Vialpando was later charged with an additional seven counts of forgery and three counts of theft. During proceedings Monday, it was indicated the two cases would be combined, and Vialpando would see trial on all 23. Though no date has been set for the trial, it’s expected to take f...

  • Workshop focuses on hospitality, tourism

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 8, 2017

    Wednesday May 31 at the Hot Springs County Museum, 38 people representing 15 businesses attended a hospitality and customer service workshop. The event was hosted by Hot Springs Travel and Tourism, and the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Casper College Certified Hospitality Educator Ginny Garner leading the class. After brief introductions from those attending, which included names, businesses they were representing, and where they like to vacation and why, Garner pointed out many...

  • Run with the buffalo

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 8, 2017

    The annual Running with the Buffalo is scheduled to start on Saturday, June 10 at 7:30 a.m. in Hot Springs State Park, in the grassy area with the buffalo statue, near the swimming areas. The event includes a 4K walk/run and an 8K run through the buffalo pasture and back to the park. The run/walk, hosted by the Hot Springs County Recreation District, is a culminating event for the Ready Set Run! program. There is no age limit, and participants can register the day of the event, beginning at...

  • Summer baseball program sees increase

    Mark Dykes, Editor|Jun 8, 2017

    The Hot Springs County Recreation Department baseball program is underway, with a couple games already in the books. Department Director Brad Morrison said there are 76 kids, ages 3-12, out for the program this year, which is up 20 from last year. Of those out, there are 20 in the Start Smart program for three- to five-year-olds, which involves parents attending one day a week to help their kids learn baseball fundamentals like hitting, throwing and catching. Another 18 of the kids are in the...

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