Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
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The past few weeks have shattered our complacency in Hot Springs County. No longer can we say, “It can’t happen here” after an attempted murder just 15 miles from the center of town and the apprehension of a fugitive wanted for attempted murder at the back doors of residents along Arapahoe last Friday. Thermopolis has always been a quiet little town where not much in the way of crime happens other than a speeder here and there or shoplifting or once in a blue moon, a home gets broken into. We’ve been very lucky. It was a bit dishear...
Things have certainly got a little crazy in town since Friday the 13th, with regard to crimes and dangerous individuals in the area. We’ve already had subjects charged with attempted murder as well as several drug and alcohol-related incidents. At The Independent Record, we make every effort to keep the public informed not just about the fun activities happening around town and accomplishments of our schools, organizations, businesses and individuals. But, we also know not everything can be sunshine and rainbows, and we report on much of the d...
It certainly seems like Mother Nature can’t make up her mind, giving us days in the 70s followed by snow and rain before teasing us with another little warm spell. You would think, with all the moisture and the green grass that spring burning would be fine, and in most instances, it is, but we’ve also been having wind which can dry out those grasses pretty quickly. Calm winds in the morning can lull you into a sense of security and then here comes the wind in the afternoon. Add a controlled burn to a windy day and its a recipe for dis...
As with any month, there are a number of celebrations happening in April. Among them is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The local Department of Family Services office and Public Health, are providing opportunities to help the children in our community. On Thursday, April 12 at 6 p.m. there is a free Love and Logic parenting class, and on Monday, April 16 from 5-7 p.m. there will be a Community Café at Hot Springs County Library to discuss the resources and services that are available to children or families. Whether you plan to attend these...
As a country we are preparing ourselves for midterm elections on a national scale with 435 seats up for grabs in the House of Representatives and 34 of 100 seats on the line in the U.S. Senate. Here in Wyoming we are looking at the election of a new Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor and State Treasurer along with a Superintendent of Public Instruction. Senator John Barrasso and Representative Liz Cheney are also up for re-election this cycle. Speaking with the various candidates is an excellent way to see where they stand on the...
We’re in our first full week of spring. Though snow’s still sporadic around here, it certainly isn’t staying around for long. Before we know it, schools will be letting out for the summer. But though the weather getting warmer provided plenty of time for outdoor activities, it’s also important to be mindful that it can bring dangers as well, particularly when it comes to fire. As the heat dries out our lawns and fields, they become easily combustible and in an instant a small flame can become a raging blaze. While we can’t always prevent f...
School shootings, school security and the safety of students throughout the country have been at the top of major headlines, not just these past few weeks since the Parkland, Fla. shooting, but literally, nearly 20 years -- April 20, 1999, the date of the Columbine shooting. It would be so much simpler to push our heads into the sand and believe “it can’t happen here,” but the reality is, it can. While we may not realize it, or even see it on a day-to-day basis, there are security measures in place in all of the schools in the district. You m...
As with many things in life, the 2018 Wyoming Legislature is here and gone already. Our local representatives, Nathan Winters and Wyatt Agar, have done well in keeping us informed of what’s been happening in Cheyenne during this budget session. Though the political game is one that often sees hard-drawn line of House vs. Senate or Democrat vs. Republican, Winters and Agar recently shared that they worked together on items such as bills related to the state budget, education, agriculture and bit coin technology. This type of partnership, w...
If you go through back issues of the Thermopolis Independent Record, you will see our writing most often reflects not just the news at the time, but hints at the changing seasons. This spring is no different. As we start preparing for greener pastures and pops of color from flowers coming into bloom, we see a new program has begun under the banner of Hot Springs County Emergency Management. The County River and Stream project will keep residents of Thermopolis and Hot Springs County appraised of river conditions as well as what is going on...
A large focus the past couple weeks for national news and the ever-present social media has been the Florida school shooting, with stories of heartache because of lost friends and family, calls for stricter gun laws and planned student protests. In times of tragedy such as these and the near constant online posts keeping it fresh in our minds, it can be a challenge to see the positive side to what our schools are doing. Here in Thermopolis, students in sports and other extra curricular activities, as well as just within their classrooms, are...
The Wyoming State Legislature is currently considering a bill that would eliminate a Wyoming institution that has been around since 1949. The Wyoming Pioneer Home, part of the Wyoming Department of Health’s Aging Division, provides assisted living for the seniors of Wyoming at a reasonable cost, but now, the Legislature is attempting to privatize the facility and remove the state from any connection with the home. One section of the bill claims Hot Springs County is the only place that benefits from the Pioneer Home. Yes, locals are employed t...
With 2018 being an election year, it won’t be long before we’re bombarded with political ads, campaign promises and candidates wanting to do what they can to win our votes. At the Independent Record, we work to bring you information about the political state at the local, as well as the state level, with regular reports from representatives Wyatt Agar and Nathan Winters. However, the abundance of information available, particularly through the Internet, provides everyone the opportunity to educate themselves about any candidate they might have...
We sometimes forget how very fortunate we are to have the kind of education in Hot Springs County that we have. Our students are lucky to have not only well versed teachers who work tirelessly to ensure they are up on the latest techniques, but support staff that sees our children are the future of not only our little county, but the world. We have educators throughout the district that are winning individual awards for creativity and excellence. Our elementary school is filled with little advanced readers. Our high school and middle school...
It’s a phone call, text or message nobody wants to receive — that family friends or loved ones are missing. We’ve certainly had our share in the past few months here in Thermopolis. When someone goes missing, it can cause plenty of worry and stress, along with a multitude of questions, but at the same time it’s amazing to see how the community comes together for one another and provides, whether it be eyes and ears to search, spreading notices across social media or just providing a comforting shoulder and someone to talk to. An inciden...
The beautiful white snow we looked so forward to in December in anticipation of a visit from Santa has now turned into the gray, frozen, muddy icky-ness of January. For the most part, roads in town are pretty clear with a few exceptions here and there, thanks in a big part to our Town crews out there taking care of things. They are definitely out there early in the morning as we at the Independent Record see them trying to get the south side of the downtown area cleared up as we’re coming to work each day. Mother Nature has had her hand in i...
We here at the Thermopolis Independent Record take pride in being the source for news about what’s happening in Hot Springs County. Whether it is through pictures, text or advertisements, people look to us to get the news about what’s going on. Every year, a weekend is scheduled for the Wyoming Press Convention. This year, that weekend will be Jan. 18-20, with the big event happening in Casper. Leading up to the event, we’re looking over our issues from the past year and finding pictures, stories, columns, advertising and general layouts to sub...
January not only brings a new year our way, it also means a “changing of the guard” for various county boards, including the county commissioners. Leadership is one of those things that can be either a blessing or a burden, depending on how you approach it. Many people have no desire to hold those leadership positions, preferring to stay in the background and quietly contribute their time and effort. On the flip side are those who are elected or appointed to leadership roles and take those responsibilities very seriously. They are also the one...
Well, winter is certainly having a time in letting us know it’s here at the start of 2018, as temperatures and wind chills are expected to keep things frozen at least through the coming week. Whether you rang in the New Year by going out and partying, or just stayed home under a blanket with some games — video, card or board — the consistent drop in the temperatures kept people inside as the clock struck 12 a.m. But though the cold is certainly an incentive to turn up the thermostat of plug in some space heaters, keep in mind the danger that...
Ah, all of the holiday traveling and shopping has again come to and end. Time to kick back and relax. But wait, out on the horizon there’s the final end to the holiday season — the New Year. Just as soon as the Christmas lists are all marked off, it seems, it’s time to start writing down those resolutions. It can be easy to get caught up in everything you want to do to improve yourself or your life in 2018, but keep in mind you don’t have to try and knock them out right away. Trying to can have some harmful effects, from not feeling you’re...
It is that “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” when the air is crisp and cold, children are out of school and families and friends gather ‘round the table to feast on “roast beast,” fudge and divinity and all the egg nog you can drink. There is still that last minute shopping to get done and don’t forget you need one more trip to the grocery store, just to be sure you have everything. Batteries. Carols are for singing, bells are for ringing, snowmen for making and, of course, a trip down the hill on that new sled. This is a time when memories ar...
The holiday season is one that reminds us of gathering together to celebrate, and what better example of that spirit than this past weekend. Everywhere you looked, organizations, schools, businesses and individuals were coming together to make sure Thermopolis had plenty going on. From a TMS wrestling conference and the Speech and Debate meet at the high school, to Nerf wars, creche displays, pictures with Santa, trees and wreaths for auction and, of course, the impressive setup of the campers downtown, we certainly brought our holiday spirit...
This time of year, it seems, just naturally comes with plenty of bustling activity. Whether it’s shopping for all of the people on your holiday list, getting the tree and decorations put up and just getting the house ready for guests. If the snow didn’t do it for you, this second December weekend in Thermopolis there’s plenty of activities to keep you busy and get you into the spirit of the season. The downtown is going to be bustling with activities involving trees, chili, cookies, campers and more, and you can also stop in at the high schoo...
With the Holidays upon us these next few weeks will be filled with Christmas parties, lots of delicious goodies, concerts, craft fairs, celebrations, travel, family and fun. There is so much going on between buying and wrapping presents to baking cookies into the wee hours of the morning that we sometimes forget to slow down and take a little time for ourselves during the Holidays. No doubt, this time of year is stressful for everyone, but every now and then stop, take a deep breath, and relax. Stand back and look at that beautiful Christmas...
You might be reading this while waiting for all of the Thanksgiving food to finish cooking, or you may have already had your fill and want something to read while your stomach digests and the pans and plates have a chance to soak. "Turkey Day" is here again, signaling the start of the holiday shopping season with the infamous day after, "Black Friday." But, before you go running to some chain department store outside of town or searching for gifts online, take a look around town at what our local businesses are offering. There are plenty of opp...
Next Thursday marks the beginning of “Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go,” season – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years – a time when families get together in thanks and celebration. While many of you are gathering around the Thanksgiving table next week with your loved ones close at hand, there are those right here in Thermopolis who have no one to share the holiday feast with or perhaps don’t have the funds to splurge on turkey and all the trimmings. That’s where People for People comes in. Early Thanksg...
