Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 2328
The election everyone has been waiting for saw more than 40% of registered Wyoming voters cast their ballots before the week even began, according to the Secretary of State's Office. For Crook County, there were a couple of surprises in unoffical the local vote tallies. State and County Chip Neiman will serve two more years as Crook County's state representative, having run unopposed to retain his seat. A new face will join the Crook County Commission next year, as John D. Davis secures the...
Local officials are concerned that a state land lease has created a dangerous situation near Sundance, where two ranchers now find themselves at loggerheads over grazing rights. When the state purchased a parcel of land in the Moskee area a few years ago, it allowed the grazing lease to pass into new hands. In any other circumstances, this might not have been a problem, but the parcel forms the filling in a sandwich of properties that were previously all owned or leased by the same rancher. For more than 40 years, no fences were necessary....
Crook County Library will be offering its first ever movie screening on November 15 and invites the community to enjoy the tale of a Wyoming man who survived capture by the Germans during World War II. “Dear Sirs” is a tribute to the filmmaker’s grandfather, a trona miner by the name of Silvio Pedri from Rock Springs. After Pedri passed away, his grandson found an archive of photos, documents and letters that described his experience of being captured and marched across Germany as a prisoner of war. His capture occurred during a mission in Fr...
To the surprise of few but the relief of many, fire restrictions are now being lightened across the county. Shortly after last week’s snowstorm, Fire Warden Charlie Harrison announced that the county burn ban was to be temporarily suspended until November 5, when a more permanent solution would be decided with the approval of the county commissioners. However, a 120-acre fire took place next to Keyhole State Park on the weekend, which Harrison says was caused by an escaped controlled burn on private land. On Tuesday morning, this led the fire w...
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Devils Tower Post #3411 is the recipient of a sizeable donation last week: a third of the proceeds from the delicious treat that has become a hallmark of Burnout Wednesday in Sundance. The Powder River Energy (PRECorp) walking taco booth, as always, was set up on the corner of the courthouse lawn throughout the busiest day of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this side of the border. It was staffed by volunteers from the cooperative. The booth raised a total of $3600,...
The Sundance Chamber of Commerce has issued a warning about a scam in which unknown persons appear to pretend to be associated with the organization. Two versions of the scam are known of at this time. The first is an email enquiring as to whether the recipient would like to purchase the distribution or membership list of the chamber, which it claims includes more than a thousand contacts. It asks the recipient to reply to the email so that a price and further information can be given. The...
A petition is to be filed with the county commission next week to form a new service and improvement district for Warbonnet Canyon Ranch. The 476-acre subdivision is ten miles north of Hulett and next door to the 847-acre Warbonnet Canyon Estates, by the same developers. The ranch consists of ten parcels of around 35 to 40 acres in size, half of which are currently listed as sold. Landowners also have access to the ranch headquarters through homeowners’ association membership, which includes a timeshare-style program for access to the 1560 s...
Almost 30 years ago, the body of a young woman was found near Colony. She had been shot multiple times. We know that she was found on June 25, 1996 in a culvert on Hwy 212, about 75 yards from the border. We know that she had been shot multiple times in the head and once in the mouth, and that she may have been sexually assaulted. We don’t know why she was there or who wanted her dead. The 19-year-old’s death is one of many unsolved mysteries within the new Wyoming cold case database. It’s the only crime so far added to the database that took...
Homeschooled and private school students will soon be eligible for education savings accounts soon, providing annual funding to support the child’s education. The Wyoming Education Savings Act (ESA) was signed into law earlier this year and the Wyoming Department of Education is currently seeking comments on the proposed rules that will govern the program. ESA funding of $6000 will be available each year for students who are enrolled in private and home schools. To qualify, the child must also be a Wyoming resident, aged four or above (...
Two veterans were recently honored with Quilts of Valor®, handmade works of art that are offered in thanks for service, sacrifice and valor. The Quilts of Valor Foundation places its focus on comfort and healing, lovingly creating each civilian award to offer three messages: that the veteran is honored for their service, that the foundation and its members know that freedom is not free and, finally, to offer comfort. The first of the veterans was Richard Tebo of Sundance, who served in the U...
Rare Element Resources (RER) has the final confirmation needed from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to begin operations at its demo plant in Upton. The only thing left before the production phase can begin is an operations approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Spokesperson Roger Connett confirmed a few weeks ago that the plant had passed th inspection, and the paperwork is anticipated “in the coming weeks”, according to a recent press release. RER is still hoping to commence its year-long test of operations at the dem...
For three decades, a local program has worked to ensure that every family has food on the table and gifts under the tree during the holidays. The Sundance Community Christmas Basket program will again be seeking donations from the community this year to help provide warm clothing for kids, gifts for Christmas, food for the season and necessities for local seniors. If you would like to support the program, you can drop off monetary donations to Sundance State Bank made out to “Sundance Community Christmas Baskets”. A boot tree will also be ava...
The Sundance Economic Development Task Force will again be running a promotion this holiday season to bring awareness to the importance of “shopping small” within your community. From the beginning of November, watch out for the special $2 bills that will begin circulating within the community – a rare currency that stands out in a stack of bills. Sundance State Bank has ordered these bills to be distributed and members of the community are encouraged to shop and spend them at local businesses in and around Sundance. The idea is that shopp...
Operation Christmas Child is gearing up for the year as Samaritan's Purse prepares to send gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster. The goal this year is to reach 12 million children with Christmas wishes and the hope of Jesus. "Children need hope, and they need to know that they are not alone and God loves them," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. "Gift-filled shoeboxes open the door for us to share the hope...
Numerous agencies are urging the public to be cautious of fire danger this fall. The Black Hills National Forest (BHNF), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Wyoming Game & Fish (WGF) are all concerned about conditions in this area even after the traditional end of fire season. Fall fires, said Ray Bredehoft, WGF habitat and access branch chief, can be even more damaging than at other times of year. “Fall wildfires have much different implications than a controlled springtime fire,” he said. In the dry conditions of fall, a wildfire can sco...
The Crook County Extension Office last week welcomed its newest team member: Erica Reasoner, who will be taking over as the 4-H youth development educator for this area. The position came open earlier this year when Sara Fleenor, who served as 4-H educator for 12 years, stepped up to become the Ag and Natural Resources Extension Educator. Fleenor continued to cover the program while UW Extension sought the right person for the job. On October 15, Reasoner stepped into that role. Reasoner is a...
The Northeast Wyoming Chapter of the Muley Fanatic Foundation (MFF) has become known for pursuing goals that support wildlife and habitat, and for its focus on the younger members of the community. One project that combines these two ideals has been part of the overall MFF lineup since the organization's inception in 2012. Each year, youngsters with life-threatening illnesses are given the chance to experience the joys of hunting. The program is called "Putting the 'U' in hunt" and it offers an...
Members of American Legion Post #45 gathered in front of the war memorial on Monday to receive a donation from Powder River Energy's Community Involvement Committee. Post Commander Welchie Patterson gratefully took possession of the $500 donation, saying that the post already has ideas to put it to good use. "We're going to be putting in our coffers for Post programs and for Girls' State and Boys' State," he said. The American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State are...
Are you a friendly skeleton or a fun-loving ghost? Your help is needed as the smallest spooks in the community prepare to celebrate Halloween at the annual Trunk or Treat. This year's candy extravaganza is scheduled for October 26 and will take place, as usual, in the Sundance High School parking lot. The trunk-or-treating will begin at 4:30 p.m. and last for an hour. To participate, simply decorate the trunk of your vehicle, get dressed up for the season and invest in some delicious candy to...
The final countdown has begun for this year’s presidential election, which means that absentee voting is now open. The absentee voting period starts 28 days before the November 5 general election, which means it became available on October 8. If you opt to vote absentee, be aware that your ballot must be returned to the county clerk’s office prior to 7 p.m. on election day. Any voter registered in Wyoming can request an absentee ballot for the general by providing the county clerk with your full name, date of birth, current residence and mailin...
The Crook County Republican Party announced on Monday that it will be sending a total of $30,000 to statewide candidates in tight races and to the WY Freedom PAC. The money being used for these donations mainly comes from a previous $25,000 donation to the WY Freedom PAC during the primaries, which was later returned over concerns over its legality. According to the party, the donations are all about the Republican Party’s platform and the desire to see people elected who intend to uphold it. The political action committee to whom part of t...
County schools performing above state average By Sarah Pridgeon Crook County’s schools performed better than the state average this year in 17 of 19 tested areas, which include English Language Arts, math and science across grades three through ten. “The schools all did well,” says Superintendent Mark Broderson. “Both Sundance schools are exceeding expectations, Moorcroft Elementary is meeting expectations and Moorcroft Secondary and Hulett are partially meeting. We will continue to work on areas of concern, but I feel like the buildings are go...
All veterans are invited to the “We’ve Got Your Six” event on November 9, otherwise known as the Northern Hills Veterans Appreciation Fair. The fair will be held at the Sturgis Community Center between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and you are asked to bring your DD214, NGB-22 or other proof that you are a veteran. Veterans Service Officers from Butte, Lawrence and Meade counties and from the state will be in attendance, along with a VA flu clinic and representatives from or for support groups, veterans’ organizations, service dogs, employment, housing...
A Sundance woman has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly pulling a gun on a male party during an argument. On September 28 at around 5:40 p.m., a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a report of a female involved in a domestic who was pointing a firearm at another person. When the deputy arrived at the residence, he spoke with Annie Groves, who explained that she had been arguing with a male and some items got broken. However, she allegedly said nothing physical happened between them. According to court reports, G...
Preston James Castor of Sundance has been sentenced in federal court on charges of intent to distribute methamphetamine. Castor was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin on October 4 in Cheyenne. His sentence was 46 months of imprisonment with three years of supervised release. According to court documents, Castor was pulled over by the Riverton Police Department on February 15 for crossing over the fog line with the passenger side of the vehicle. Dispatch advised law enforcement that there was an active fugitive warrant for...
