Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
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Residents of Hot Springs County have a chance to fill out a community survey to help guide officials in prioritizing things important to citizens of HSC and Thermopolis as a community-wide strategic plan is created. The results will be shared with the public in a future edition of the Independent Record and online. The surveys were included in the October 3 issue of the IR. You can also pick up a copy at our office 431 Broadway, during normal business hours. Additionally, you can get a copy of the survey at the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber...
October 6-12 is National Fire Prevention Week and is also recognized by the Governor of the State of Wyoming. One of the most important things you can have in your home is properly working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in the event of a house fire, giving families the crucial time to escape safely. Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area, as well as on each floor of your home, including the attic. It is a good idea to test your smoke alarms regularly by pressing the test...
The Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming State Parks recently held the Plein Air in the Parks event held on Sept. 11-15 at Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock Historical Site. This annual art competition pairs talented artists with beautiful locations, and offers cash prizes to top participants. Award winners are: 1st Place ($1,000): “Legend Rock Elk” - Brenda Trippel (Worland) 2nd Place ($500): “Beautiful Wyoming - Thermopolis” - Georgia Roswell (Cheyenne) 3rd Place ($250): “The Water’s Edge” - Autumn Hnilicka (Thermopolis) People’s Choi...
If you missed the Monday school board candidate forum, there were several interesting questions asked and answered. We will be running the information from that event in next week’s issue. On Thursday, Oct. 3, the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce is hosting a meet the candidates forum starting at 6 p.m. at the Thermopolis Middle School. All candidates registered to run in the general election have been invited. This is another opportunity for voters to hear from the candidates and visit with them following the question/answer p...
As many of you know, our beloved Memorial Avenue of Flags, a cherished tribute to those who have served our country, suffered significant damage during the recent windstorm on Flag Day. The flags and poles, which stand as symbols of honor and remembrance, were torn and displaced, leaving our community’s heart a little less bright. The Memorial Avenue of Flags has always been a place for reflection, gratitude, and pride. It is not only a tribute to our veterans but also a gathering point for commemorative events that bring us together as a c...
This week’s story “Talking trash with Mayor Estenson” begins on the front page and jumps to page 7. It is long, but it is informative. The recent decision by the Town of Thermopolis to purchase land for an alternative location for the garbage transfer station has sparked a community debate. We hope all those interested in the subject will read the article this week and share it with a friend. Many of the questions being passed around the community are addressed in the article. The Town of Thermopolis will also hold a meeting on Tuesday, Octob...
As the mayor of the Town of Thermopolis, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand the power of community and the important role each citizen plays in shaping our local government. One of the most important aspects of our Constitutional Republic is the First Amendment, which guarantees us the freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and the right to petition our government. These freedoms form the bedrock of our nation, and while we are grateful for them, we must also recognize the responsibilities they place on each of us as individuals....
As we approach another election we must realize that this election, more than any other, there will be no winners, regardless of who is elected. You don’t have to be religious to agree with Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” I regret I have not always lived with this verse in mind. Chuck Cooper...
“The truth will set you free.” We’ve all heard this iconic sentence, but what does it mean, really? More importantly, what exactly is the truth? That depends on whom you are asking. Because I’ve come to believe that each of us has our own truth. What is my truth, with a capital T, may not be yours, in fact it probably isn’t. I know it isn’t. To complicate matters, your truth today may differ from your truth tomorrow, as will mine because we are ever-changing, ever-evolving beings. It’s a wonder we ever come to a consensus on anything - ev...
by Megan Barton, Cody Enterprise It seems all too often that we become caught up in the mundane tasks of daily life and find ourselves in a rut. Sure, we’re busy with work, school, chores, kids, etc., but forgetting about ourselves can prove to be the easiest form of self sabotage. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about a routine during the week to keep myself from piling all the “boring” tasks onto the weekend. But, I do find it to be important to take time for myself and activities I enjoy. According to mhanational.org, forms of self-care...
I recently read the article in the Travel and Tourism section of the paper where Jim Matthewson told the story of a man who was visiting our town to consider locating his business here. He was impressed with the Hot Springs State Park and the downtown area. Jim saw this man the next day and he informed Jim he would not be locating his business here after seeing some of the neighborhoods. He cited the reasons being “there is no pride of place here.” This mad told Jim it appeared the town had no compliance officer to protect the property values....
by Kelly Strampe, HSC Prevention Coalition Member Warning: This article does mention suicide. It is a personal story that emphasizes hope and healing; and seeks to reduce the stigma of talking about mental health and suicide. This Sunday, September 22 at 5 p.m. will be the 3rd Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk in Thermopolis. This is a free and family event. It will be held at the Kiwanis Washakie Shelter in Hot Springs State Park. Come together as a community and enjoy food, music, and c...
Hot Springs County residents experienced a trifecta of events on Monday that have left many stunned and in shock. A severe thunderstorm brought strong winds blasting through town that caused a major amount of damage to various vehicle and buildings. As the wind was subsiding, a lightning strike heard around the community started a wildfire southeast of Thermopolis called the West Warm Springs Fire. By far the most tragic of the events was an officer/deputy involved shooting that resulted on the death of a local man. Officials are releasing...
We have the best Fire Department around! Saturday we were bringing a stack of straw from Worland and at the Kirby area, the straw got hot and caught fire. A good samaritan from Worland called the fire department. The Sheriff’s Department and a Highway Patrolman stopped the traffic. It only took minutes to burn the truck, trailer and straw. They kept working until the fire was clear out. A neighbor even brought a tractor over to help. We want to thank all of you who helped and helped save the countryside from burning more than it did. My wife a...
by Jennifer Cheney, HSC Community Prevention Specialist September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time for us to come together, raise awareness, and demonstrate that no one has to face their struggles alone. Let us use this month as an opportunity to engage in open conversations about mental health, to offer our support to those in need, and to work towards preventing suicides in our community. During this month, and throughout the year, we can create hope in our families and in our community by educating ourselves about...
by Jill Kruse, DO School is back in session so it is time for a little pop quiz. What is an item that almost every student carries? If you said backpack you are off to a great start. Do you know what it takes to be at the head of the class? Let’s find out if you are a star student or need to brush up a little on your backpack knowledge. Most students carry a backpack filled with their books at some point during their school day. Did you know a heavy back pack can cause neck, shoulder, or back pain. Those narrow straps can also compress on nerve...
Many parts of Wyoming are on fire, but, so far, Hot Springs County is not. We hope to keep it that way and ask for your help in doing so. We can all do our part to avoid being responsible for starting a wildfire. However, lightning can still be an unexpected culprit. Wildfire season is nearly over, and officials are gradually getting a handle on some of the fires around the state while others continue to rage. As numbers begin rolling in, the damages caused are astronomical. In HSC, we are still under a stage 1 county fire ban. An explanation...
by Jill Pertler We all want to be loved. I think that’s a universal statement - and there aren’t too many of them anymore. But I think it’s safe to say we all seek love. When I lost the love of my life, I lost a huge chunk of love. Of course it isn’t gone, because love never dies; but it often feels gone - in many worldly ways – for now. I live it on a daily basis. So, I guess it’s pretty logical that I spend a lot of time contemplating love. What it is. How to define it. What it means. Why it’s important. Why we seek it. Why it fuels us. Why...
by Bryan Golden Why do you have an aversion to certain people? Even if you are a saint, not everyone will be in harmony with you. There are various reasons why you may be dislike a particular person. It may be because someone dislikes you, treats you rudely, disagrees with you, takes advantage of you, is inconsiderate, has different opinions, is mean, acts unfriendly, is manipulative, is deceitful, or is malicious. Although the causes are virtually limitless, the effects are typically the same; stress and anxiety. Never waste a minute thinking...
by the late Richard P. Holm, MD It is miraculous to consider how much access and exposure we have to information through our computers, phones, televisions, radios and newspapers. Unfortunately, we need to be on guard because too much of this buzz can be false information. Marketing (sales) can be good and important as it moves commerce, and I’m not saying industry doesn’t sponsor credible scientific research. However, marketing can be harmful when selling a weight-loss program that gives false hope, when peddling virility pills that are ine...
The classified ads have ran on the inside back page of the Thermopolis Independent Record for several decades. In a world where it seems like everything changes, this, too, has changed. The classifieds and the business directory will now be bumped up two pages into the body of the IR. This week they appear on pages 10 and 11. This change is due in part to our loyal advertisers. Thank you! This week, we are thrilled to have several color ads. The press we print on has limited color pages available. We decided to utilize the inside back page for...
by Allison Wrye, WPH Activities Director Wyoming State Library, Lifetime Arts, Creative Aging and the Wyoming Pioneer Home (WPH) is pleased to announce our 2024 Program “Storytelling through Clay”. There are still a few spots left to participate in this 8-week course for individuals 55 years and older will draw inspiration from personal narratives and craft their own artistic creation. The final product will be displayed at the culminating art show. This class is offered free through a grant by Califa, Wyoming State Library and Lifetime Art...
by Jonathan Rice, MD, PHD Lung cancer is the second most common cancer (not counting skin cancer) in both men and women, only behind prostate in men and breast in women. Although it is the second most common, it remains the leading cause of cancer death in America. Approximately 1 in 5 cancer deaths a year are attributed to lung cancer. More Americans die every year of Lung cancer than colon, prostate and breast cancer combined. Lung cancer is considered a silent killer and is often diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment options are limited...
The first day of school for students enrolled in Hot Springs County School District No. 1 was Wednesday, August 21. Other area schools may have different start dates but will also be beginning soon. Although the first day of fall is not until September 22, once school starts many feel summer is over. Well, summer break is over. Time for students, teachers and other staff to fill the schools again. It is also time for the rest of us to be aware of children traveling too and from schools. Although they may be reminded to always look both ways...
I just hiked to the top of Roundtop this morning. With each step, I marveled again at the amazing effort it took to build the trail. I have hiked both the old trail and the new one many times and I appreciate the new trail more each time I use it. I went back to read an article in the IR - Grand opening of new Roundtop Trail from the Saturday, May 19, 2022 issue. It is amazing that the trail was built by a 4-person team, doing all the work by hand. They moved rocks weighing up to 4 tons. When nothing else worked, they used black powder to...
