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Your source for news in Hot Springs County
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The Wyoming State Legislature is slated to convene on Monday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. in Cheyenne. House District 28 Legislator, Nathan Winters, said in an interview on Tuesday that after three years, the revenue for the state has stabilized. “The decline started in 2014,” Winters said, “but things are at about the $94 million mark again. That doesn’t make up for the $750 million loss over the last three years, but it has at least stabilized. We still need to be very wise with our spending.” With all...
The 2017 general session of the Wyoming Legislature adjourned Friday, and Senate District 20 representative Wyatt Agar stated, “The final week of session was interesting to say the least. “For the senate chamber it was a hurry up and wait situation, which is highly frustrating when you strive for efficiency. We did not adjourn on Friday until around 11:30 p.m. waiting on the house to take action on several bills.” After reconsideration of four different bills on the house side, Agar repor...
State Representative Nathan Winters began his first day back after the President’s Day Holiday in the judiciary committee. While in committee, they passed a bill, 8-1, that covers sexual assault from a position of power, creating stiff penalties for offenders. Winters said they heard heart-wrenching testimony from women who have suffered this type of assault, generally from a coach or a teacher when they were younger. “This happens more than we think,” Winters said. A similar bill was propo...
The clock is ticking down on this year’s legislative session in Cheyenne and bills are passing and failing in quick succession according to the latest report from Representative Nathan Winters. “Things are moving very quickly,” he said. “We’re to the point we’re trying to get through as many bills as possible so time at the podium is short.” One of the bills that failed and failed miserably, was HB 0046 calling for permanent absentee voter status. Winters said there was lengthy discussion on...
On Tuesday, Senate District 20 Representative Wyatt Agar reported he was headed again to a meeting of the Corporations Committee, with which he has been active during the 2017 Legislature, Agar reported they have started cross over and are beginning to deliberate House bills. They are also in the first reading of the supplemental government appropriations budget, SF 01, and he wants to remind everyone budget cuts are not incurred by any particular sector but are spread across the board. Last...
In a deja vu repeat of the 2016 legislative session, Wyoming is once again in the spotlight nationally for House Bill 0135, the non-discrimination act. The bill has been described as a stab at the LGBT community with those opposing the bill saying it removes the rights of the LGBT community in favor of religious preference, spreading real fear among the LGBT community and their supporters. An attempt was made last year to present the bill on the house floor, however, there is a required 2/3... Full story
Senate District 20 representative Wyatt Agar has his plate full during the 2017 Legislature, managing bills and learning the ropes as one of the many freshmen this session. Tuesday morning, Agar shared he was headed to Corporations Committee meetings. He stated, “Last week we worked a group of bills pertaining to liquor statues. We were able to make them more user friendly and remove regulations. This week we are going to look at a set of interim bills that center around special districts.” He...
This week marks the opening session for this round of the 64th Wyoming State Legislature in Cheyenne and our Representative, Nathan Winters, gives us a little insight into some of the things that will be coming up over the next several weeks. Winters said the legislature is looking at a number of issues regarding the finances for Wyoming. “Thankfully,” Winters said, “after the last economic low in the 1990’s, the legislature made the decision to set aside money for the next fiscal downtur... Full story
On the afternoon of Jan. 5, Senate District 20 representative Wyatt Agar was already on his way to Cheyenne for the 2017 Legislature which convened on Jan. 10. Being something of a “new guy” at the session, Agar said there would, of course, be a learning curve, particularly when stepping into the state’s current fiscal situation. However, he’s encouraged to be there with representatives Nathan Winters and Mike Greear, as well Senate President Eli Bebout, all of whom are willing to share their kn... Full story
From 2000 through 2010, 649 million votes were cast in general elections, there were 47,000 UFO sightings, 441 Americans were killed by lightning and there were 13 credible cases of in-person voter impersonation. UFO sightings are more common than voter fraud. So is getting hit by lightning. With election time just around the corner, County Clerk Nina Webber and her deputies conducted the mandatory voting machine test last Friday morning. Each of the five voting machines are hand-loaded by the c...
Hot Springs County Clerk Nina Webber shows one of the computer chips that are sealed inside the voting machines prior to the election. Webber and members of the clerk's office ran a test of the machines on Oct. 17 before securing them. There is limited access to the secured area where the machines are kept and a "fob" system is used that records every person, time and date of entry into the area....
In addition to hearing from the candidates of the various races this election during Thursday evening’s meet the candidates forum, those attending heard from representatives of three Political Action Committees, and received information about Amendment A. Karen Sinclair spoke for the Yes to Our Hospital PAC. “Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital is a vital part of our community,” Sinclair said. “It is the foundation of healthcare in Hot Springs County.” She noted the hospital offers a wide varie...
The biggest local race this election is easily for the five seats on the Hot Springs County Hospital District Board of Directors. This board would be formed, should the initiative to form a hospital district pass in the general election on Nov. 8. As the district initiative, as well as the measure to create a one percent special purpose tax, have been hot topics this year, candidates were sure to address them at the candidate forum held at Thermopolis Middle School Oct. 6. The public heard first...
Though seven are on the ballot for the Hot Springs County School District Trustees, only five were present at Thursday night’s candidate forum to speak to the community. The election is for four, each with a four-year term Joe Martinez spoke about his wife’s various positions as a teacher and daycare provider, noting that both of them are passionate about education, evidenced by their children’s love of school. There are some great things going on in the district, he said, and it will only...
Two candidates — Howard Samelson and Nathan Winters — will be on the general election ballot for the Wyoming State Representative of House District 28. Both spoke at the candidate forum. Democratic candidate Samelson stated he wanted everyone’s help in making sure they, as well as their friends and neighbors, get out and vote. That choice, he said, that vote is the most important thing they can do. Relating to his platform, Samelson said he wants to make sure everyone has a choice — a choice...
Candidates on the ticket for State Senate, 20th District are Mary Jane Norskog and Wyatt Agar. Both spoke at Thursday’s candidate forum at Thermopolis Middle School. Norskog said she is a Wyoming native, having been born Douglas and raised in Thermopolis. She has been in human services or a community organizer most of her life, and spoke of the multitude of events, organizations and groups she has helped found, participated in or been a member of around town. Norskog was also chosen as a f...
During the Meet the Candidates forum Thursday evening, Thermopolis residents got to hear from those running for state races, as well as local seats. Phillip Scheel is running unopposed for County Commissioner. He expressed his appreciation for the votes in the primary, joking that a Mickey Mouse write-in campaign might still knock him out. Though he’s not involved in a contested race, Scheel still took the opportunity to visit with people at the forum, stating he was in favor of the hospital d...
Greg Willson of the Lodging Tax PAC spoke at the candidate forum for the renewal of the lodging tax Willson explained the lodging tax is a four percent surtax on every room, campsite and bed and breakfast. “Basically if you stay overnight for less than 30 days in Hot Springs County, you’re going to pay a four percent lodging tax.” The money generated by the tax is sent to Cheyenne, collected and then returned to the county. At that point, Willson said, the Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board distr...
Among the local races under contention is a four-year seat on the Hot Springs County Fire District, and Linda Cowger and Ken Smith have thrown in their names for it. Cowger described herself as an “oil field brat,” her family having moved around quite a bit. Though she completed high school in Montana, she returned to Thermopolis and attended the Technical College of the Rockies. With her marriage to her husband, Jim, she began at 40-plus year long relationship with the fire department. “Th...
Along with the local races, voters will be making decisions with regard to state and national races and issues. Brad Basse spoke at Thursday’s candidate forum with regard to Amendment A, which will also be on the ballot in November. Prior to his presentation, moderator Cindy Glasson read the legal jargon associated with the amendment. Currently, Glasson read, the Wyoming Constitution allows Legislature to authorize investment of employee retirement system funds and permanent state funds in equit...
Absentee ballots are now available from the County Clerk’s office in the Hot Springs County Courthouse. In order to use an absentee ballot, you first must be registered to vote. You may go to the courthouse to request the absentee ballot or call the office to request it be mailed to your residence. If you go to the courthouse to request the ballot, you may vote at that time. If you ask to have it mailed to your home, you must return the ballot to the clerk’s office by election day, Nov. 8. Abs...
Seventeen candidates have tossed their hats in the ring to fill just five positions for the Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital District Directors, to be elected upon district formation approval in the general election . Two positions are open to fill four-year terms. Those candidates include Bill Williams, Dean Stone, Joseph Casciato, Bradyn Harvey, David Koerwitz, Josh Conrad, Allan Braaten and Jim Wilson. Three positions are open for two-year terms. Candidates listed for the November ballot... Full story
Hot Springs County Clerk Nina Webber released the names of several individuals running for board positions. Seven will be running for the four open trustee positions for the Hot Springs County School District. Those elected will serve four-year terms. Vying for the board positions are Nichole Weyer, Clay Van Antwerp, Beth Lewis, Joe Martinez, Nikki Slagle, W. Travis Bomengen and Tonya L. Petty. The Hot Springs Rural Fire Protection District has an opening for a district director to serve a four-...
One candidate out of the five running on the Republican ticket for Hot Springs County Commissioner will advance to the general election in November. There are no Democrats running so the new commissioner will be decided Tuesday in the primary unless a successful write-in candidate were to enter the race in the general. Five men are running for the open commissioner seat vacated by Brad Basse. Joseph Casciato Joseph Casciato said he believes he is the best candidate because he is the common sense...
Three names will be on the ballot for four-year terms on the Town Councils for Thermopolis and East Thermopolis. Dusty Lewis, who is running unopposed for the Thermopolis Town Council seat, said he grew up in Wyoming, farm-raised in the Big Horn Basin. In 2005, he joined the team at Gottsche Rehabilitation, where he still works today. Lewis said he loves Thermopolis, as it is a great place with great potential. One of the big issues facing the community, of course, is the recent economic...
