Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Your source for news in Hot Springs County
Sorted by date Results 251 - 275 of 350
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...
This Saturday marks the 99th anniversary of the end of World War I, when the armistice with Germany went into effect. Known initially as Armistice Day and meant to celebrate those who died in World War I, it did not become known as Veterans Day until 1954, nine years after World War II. It was following the second World War that the day, still then referred to as Armistice Day, was changed to acknowledge all veterans, a tradition carried on through the decades. This week, take time to acknowledge those veterans in your lives. There are plenty...
Folks are often disappointed when they come into our office after deadline with a classified ad and are told we cannot fit it in this week, but we’ll be happy to run it next week. We have firm deadlines for articles and advertising, but maybe we haven’t really explained why or the process we go through to get the paper in your hands on time every week. For example, the classifieds. Deadline for classifieds is noon on Tuesday. We put together the classified page on Tuesday afternoon, meaning we have all the ads and someone types them into a com...
Fake news, as a concept, has been around at least as long as we’ve had politicians. But we used to call it something else: propaganda. That our President was able to harness the term and continue to ride its wave, is disconcerting to people in the business of reporting news because it is so often an attack on media outlets which pride themselves on unbiased reporting. But the President’s attacks are not groundless which is why they resonate with so many Americans. Journalism schools have evolved over the past generation, in an attempt to equ...
At the Thermopolis Independent Record, as with any newspaper, we’re tasked with bringing you information about your community, not just on a local level but when residents are also involved with statewide happenings or national incidents. For instance, in this week’s edition, you’ll read about the terrifying experience residents had during the infamous Las Vegas shootings. Stories like these help to reflect how these national tragedies connect to our corner of the world. However, it doesn’t take horrific events to connect us on the local level....
Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat. Whether you were born and raised in Hot Springs County or you have children participating in sports in the district, chances are you “bleed purple and gold” for the Thermopolis Bobcats. That’s why it is so disappointing that a simple act of support for our football team has resulted in someone being such a wet blanket they made enough phone calls to get the practice stopped. Fireworks for touchdowns. Our fire department is on the sidelines of each game, sounding off their sirens and flashing their lights every...
Since the end of summer, it seems, there’s been a bombardment of “holiday fever” with decorations out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Veterans Day and, yes, even Christmas. But what you might not realize is we’re currently in the middle of a holiday week, as National Newspaper Week lands this year on Oct. 1-7. The week officially began in 1940, built off an effort for a Newspaper Appreciation Week from six years previous. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Real Newspapers . . . Real News” and could not be more fitting for the times we live...
There is a lot to be said for living in a small town in Wyoming. For instance, we don’t have to worry about football players taking a knee during the National Anthem as not only are their mothers watching, but every man, woman and child in the county is at the field, too, especially during Homecoming. We are fortunate to have young people in our schools who not only have a love for country, but are dyed-in-the-wool Bobcats. Generations of parents and grandparents still consider themselves Bobcats, no matter where they may have gone to c...
As the seasons change once again, another season comes into play as well — hunting. No doubt those looking to bag a deer, antelope or other game have their spots picked out and have already circled dates and times for when they’re going out. For the younger hunters, and those adults who have never been on a hunt, this experience is heightened by the prospect of bagging that first animal and the pride that comes from not only a successful hunt but being able to use the meat in recipes, the hide or fur in clothing or just to have a mount to dec...
Those of us who live in Hot Springs County appreciate our unique treasures and pride ourselves on being friendly to those who visit our community to enjoy those attractions. Receiving feedback from a visitor about their experiences while visiting Thermopolis is necessary to measure how we are doing. Last weekend a man from Tennessee travelled to Thermopolis to attend the WYO Quarter Horse Ranch Sale. While here, he stayed at a hotel, ate at restaurants, had drinks at a bar, enjoyed a dinosaur dig and more. To see this community through the...
This past weekend, all of our fall sports got into full swing as the Hot Springs County High School Football program had its opener against Shoshoni. It was great to come out of the starting gate with a win, as the Bobcats took down the Rangers 48-0. Our middle school players also kept Shoshoni out of the endzone in their 42-point victory. It was also a night for some amazing accomplishments by individual players as well. But, awesome as the victory is, there’s still a long way to go before those late October and early November, and, h...
If not for change and man’s innate desire to keep moving, everyone west of the Mississippi would still be crammed, elbow to elbow in New York, Ellis Island would never have been built and the Statue of Liberty wouldn’t be gracing the harbor. Of course, with change comes some measure of inconvenience. Ironically, “convenience” plays into the most recent change to the Thermopolis landscape as we watch the demolition of Maverik, a “convenience” store. It’s sure to create some issues, missing one of our gas stations for several weeks, but be...
