Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
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by Lara Love The crash of a small aircraft in northern Wyoming claimed the life of Thermopolis pilot Grant Belden, 34, Wednesday, Dec. 7. Belden was a pilot and wildlife specialist employed through the State of Wyoming Wildlife Services. They operate under the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Passenger, Miles Hausner, 56, of Worland was injured in the crash and transported to Billings. The two men left the Worlan... Full story
by Mark Dykes A Friday procedural issue in a case against Justin Spence means a trial that has already seen a couple delays will again be rescheduled for early 2017. Spence is on trial for incest, a felony charge that alleges in July of 2014 he molested a juvenile female. As proceedings were set to get underway Friday morning, Judge Robert Skar thanked the jury for their service and discharged them. Jury selection in the trial had gone beyond a full business day Wednesday. Following opening...
by Cindy Glasson A settlement has finally been made between Sinclair Refining and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in regards to the removal of asbestos at the former Empire Oil Refinery site. In 1974, the refinery was razed and much of the equipment sold to various other oil refining entities, including Little America, Sinclair’s predecessor. An assessment of the property by the EPA in 2011 identified a significant amount of asbestos at the site, contaminating the ground surface. T...
by Mark Dykes The annual Tour of Homes is Monday, Dec. 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This year's tour includes stops at the homes of: Hope and Tyler Mead, Dale and Ciley Andreen, Stephanie and Josh Conrad, Lily Hayes, Jason and Stephanie Owens, and Dan and Margaret Stansill. Judy Carswell, with People for People, said residents participating on the tour go above and beyond their normal decorating, to make it a real treat for people. Tickets can be purchased from local businesses for $6 each. The... Full story
On the Record policy It is the Independent Record’s policy that all people arrested or cited under the “Accidents,” “Sheriff’s office” or “Police department” in the On the Record section are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Sheriff’s office Saturday, December 10 2:42 p.m. Request for assistance for a cattle crossing at mile marker 10 on Highway 120. The office and Highway Patrol provided assistance. Sunday, December 11 2:02 p.m. Report of two dogs at large at mile marker 2 on Highway 120. One dog took off when a deputy...
By Cindy Glasson In true “Publisher’s Clearinghouse” style, Thermopolis Middle School science teacher, Tom Olsen was named Bobcat Champion for Children for December. The Champion for Children program is replacing the Teacher of the Month award that has been in place for several years. With the new program, a committee consisting of past District Teachers of the Year and parents receive nominations from the principals at all three schools. The committee then researches the nominations by visiting...
Families who signed up for Community Christmas Baskets can pick them up on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall at 642 Arapahoe. Volunteers will be packing up the boxes on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 6-7 p.m. at the parish hall. Helpers would be welcome on pickup day also to take the boxes to cars. For more information, please call the parish hall at 864-3629 and leave a message for a call back....
By Cindy Glasson After all your holiday shopping is completed on Saturday, make plans to stop out at The Shop, a free community gym, for a Hog Roast Fundraiser. Starting at 6 p.m. you may tour the gym at 210 Hwy. 20 South (the former REDA Pump building) and enjoy a delicious dinner. All proceeds from the evening will go to support the free gym, new equipment and other necessities. Learn about the hours of operation while you’re there and chat with owner Brian Johnson to find out more about t...
The Christmas season with special church programs and services has arrived. The area schedule includes: Community Federated Church, Sixth and Big Horn – Dec. 24, Candlelight Christmas Eve service, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 25, one service at 9 a.m. First Baptist Church, 310 S. Sixth – Dec. 18, Christmas musical narrative, 11 a.m.; Dec. 24, Christmas Eve service, 6 p.m., Dec. 25, 11 a.m. service Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 642 Arapahoe – Dec. 24, Christmas Eve services by candle light, 10 p.m.; Dec. 25 Holy Eucharist, 9 a.m. Living Water...
By Mark Dykes In November, members of the Hot Springs County 4-H Sport Fishing Club went out on the Bighorn River with Leaders Joel Farber and Dick Staiger, as well as Cody Region Fisheries Biologist Joe Skorupski. Their goal - to estimate the number of trout in the river. Farber said he got involved with the 4-H Sport Fishing program through Staiger. After moving to Thermopolis, Farber said, "A mutual friend of Dick and mine contacted me and asked 'What's the address of your new house in Thermo...
For many folks, the Holiday Season isn’t filled with cheer, friends or family, but with depression or social isolation. While most of us are flitting from party to party or peacefully gathered around the Christmas tree, there are those who suffer more deeply during the holidays. You may have heard that suicide rates are higher this time of year, but in actuality, studies have shown that really isn’t the case. That doesn’t mean we stop being vigilant about the health and mental welfare of those around us. In fact, this is the time of year when...
It has come to my attention that certain groups or entities have been using my name to try and get donations from seniors. Some of these solicitations imply that folks won’t get their Social Security benefits unless they pay $10 and sign a petition addressed to me. These letters are misleading and aim to prey on those who are vulnerable and worried. No one has to pay anyone in order to share their views with me and these professional petition organizers are not as effective as they may claim. I am working to make sure Social Security b...
by Mark Dykes It’s time to get out the lights, the tree and all those decorations we keep in storage 11 months out of the year, and get ready for those final celebrations of the calendar year. I’m not sure when it happened, but I think it was sometime in college that the gears switched in my brain and I started wanting more practical gifts — fewer video games and more books, clothes, restaurant gift cards and — my favorite — bundles of beef. With a two-year-old and four-year-old, along wit...
Grant Ewing Belden passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2016, on his 34th birthday as the result of an airplane accident in Big Horn County, Wyo. Born December 7, 1982, in Fort Collins, Colo., Grant was the son of Brett and Isabel Belden. The family later moved to Thermopolis where Grant graduated from Hot Springs County High School. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Rangeland Management and Watershed Ecology, and later became a Wildlife Specialist for Wildlife Services,... Full story
Ann M. Flathers, 87, passed away on Monday, December 6, 2016, at the Care & Comfort Home. Ann was born on July 18, 1929, in Long Prairie, Minn., the youngest of several children born to Vincent and Elizabeth (Lensing) Nanik. She was raised in the Long Prairie area, until her high school graduation at 16. Following her graduation, she moved to Havre to help her Sister Hattie during the birth of her first child. While in Havre, Ann attended Northern Montana College and received her Associate Degree as a legal secretary. She also met a wonderful... Full story
Funeral services for Rhoda Gilliland will be held early next week at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Rhoda died in Cody, Dec. 12 on her 100th birthday.... Full story
by Mark Dykes When the flakes fall, we’ve got crews from the Town of Thermopolis and the Wyoming Department of Transportation out there making sure our streets and highways stay safe. But just as important is citizens’ diligence in making sure their sidewalks and drives are also clear of the snow. Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby said according to Ordinance 7-513 of the Town Code, people must remove snow from their sidewalks within 72 of each snowfall. Not doing so could mean a fine of up to $750....
Several openings are coming up on various county boards for the coming year, a perfect opportunity to find your passion and let your voice be heard. If you’re interested in the goings-on at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, there is a single opening for a five-year term on the fair board. There are four, three-year terms coming open on the Natural Resources Planning Committee, which will begin in January. Sportsmen are encouraged to put in for a single, three-year appointment to the Predatory Animal Control Board. Also on the list of o...
by Mark Dykes The Hot Springs County High School Boys Basketball Varsity team came away with one win and two losses when they played at the Herder Classic at Glenrock Dec. 9 and 10. The team won against Lusk, 48-26, but lost 61-53 against Wright and 47-46 against Glenrock. The latter loss, however, came after they took Glenrock into overtime. Coach Kevin Gerber said the boys came out against Lusk in their first game Friday looking "as comfortable as I've ever seen us look in a first game. They...
by Cindy Glasson Hot Springs County High School’s Bobcat girls basketball team had a mixed weekend at the Wright Tournament, going 2-1 for their first days on the boards. On Friday, the Lady Cats took on Big Horn, dropping the game 63-41. “We had a good game for the first half,” head coach Cory Sova said. “We even started the game shooting 3/20 from the field and were down by just two at the end of the half. “We were very inconsistent defensively in the second half. We didn’t shoot the ball we...
by Cindy Glasson The Bobcat wrestling team took to the mats for the first time this season at the Powell Invitational last weekend, starting out with some great placings. “They wrestled very, very well,” said head coach CJ Scholl. “We could tell they were ready to get out there and wrestle someone other than each other. It was fantastic.” The JV team had a great weekend with four placing. Josh Lackey placed second in the 106 lb. bracket, Blake Williams brought home a first place win at 113 lbs...
by Cindy Glasson The Hot Springs County High School freshmen ladies basketball team came out on fire their opening weekend at the Lovell Invitational. Coach Ernie Mecca reports the girls played host team, Lovell, in the first game on Friday, besting the Lady Bulldogs, 48-20. McKenna Bomengen led the scoring with 18 points against Lovel, with Tahja Hunt and Sesi Jensen not far behind with eight points each. Mecca said, "All the girls were able to contribute significant playing time with seven of...
by Mark Dykes The Freshman boys basketball team played in a tournament in Lovell this past weekend. Coach Matthew McPhie stated the boys played very well winning two games and losing one. On Friday, the boys beat Powell 50-46 in overtime. The Bobcats were led in scoring by Dustin Harvey with 21 points and Sterling Gerber with 9 points. Strong defense, McPhie stated, led to a gritty comeback by the team. Saturday, the boys lost to Buffalo 66-36 and beat Lovell 41-33. Throughout the weekend,...
by Mark Dykes Back in January, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center took a big step in terms of relocating and renovating the current facility, purchasing the business park south of town. Executive Director Angie Guyon said the process is now in the architectural phase. The center recently switched to a non-profit entity, allowing them to have a fundraising campaign to help build the new facility south of town. Guyon said they are getting all of the plans and design together, noting they are shooting... Full story
by Mark Dykes Though our main tourist season is still about five months away, the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce is working to ensure those visiting will have maps that show them the businesses and sites of the town and county. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meri Ann Rush recently presented to the board a rough example of what the maps will look like. Each will be on a double-sided 12” by 18” sheet of paper, with Thermopolis on one side and Hot Springs County on the oth...
