Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 2085
With an influx of influenza A and B cases spreading through the community, Crook County Public Health is alerting anyone who has not yet had their flu shot this year that a limited number of doses are still available. Public Health currently has fewer than 50 doses of regular flu vaccine and high-dose vaccine for those aged over 55 years. If you would like to take advantage of one of these remaining doses, contact Public Health at 283-1142....
With fire season getting an early start this year and several incidents already under their belts, county firefighters gathered last week for their annual meeting and training. "This class is what's called the annual refresher," says Fire Warden Charlie Harrison, explaining that it covers everything from escape routes to communications to ensure those aspects of the job stay uppermost in volunteers' minds. "It all ties back to that basic safety for firefighters." It's one of the requirements...
During a week that has been proclaimed National Invasive Species Awareness Week by Governor Mark Gordon, the state’s weed and pest organizations are asking the community to keep its eyes out for invasive species. “As people head outdoors this summer, we want them to know that a little bit of prevention contributes to a greater effort of keeping Wyoming wild and beautiful,” said Donley Darnell, Wyoming Weed & Pest Council (WWPC) President. “Invasive insects, noxious weeds and plant diseases cost the U.S. an estimated $40 billion annually in dama...
Two Sundance women have been arrested on charges of burglary after allegedly taking money from the safe and a cash jar of a local bar. Lisa Alberts and Amber Nehmer have been charged with felony counts of burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. Both charges carry maximum penalties of ten years of incarceration, a $10,000 fine or both. According to court reports, a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy was called to the Dime Horseshoe Bar on the afternoon of January 22 to respond to a report of burglary. Camera footage allegedly showed Lisa A...
A $2.7 million grant for which the county applied last week would fund more than half the work needed to overhaul the courthouse. The seat of Crook County’s government needs significant work to address issues ranging from overcrowding and inefficiency to mechanical systems that are over half a century old. Once complete, the project will ultimately see a new look and new spaces throughout the two floors. This Mineral Royalty Grant through the State Loans and Investments Board, however, is intended for the less glamorous but more crucial part o...
With the deadline now passed for new bills to be introduced during this year's budget session, the Wyoming Legislature has its agenda set for the next few weeks. The majority of the focus, of course, will be on the budget itself, which passed first reading by the House Committee of the Whole on February 16 and saw legislators undergo a marathon session on Monday that included the introduction of 80 amendments in the House, only 33 of which were adopted, and 59 in the Senate on second reading,...
A new clinics manager has joined the team in Sundance. Melaynee Trandahl, RN BSN, was a twelve-year veteran of Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) before stepping into the role of overseeing management of the clinic. In a press release, CCMSD said it was pleased to have, "Appointed a well-educated and long serving member of the team to the role of Clinics Manager." The role itself has also been changed, according to the press release, with the goal of promoting increased accessibility and responsiveness within the clinic, as well as...
Medicaid clients in Wyoming are experiencing another attempted scam this year, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH). This time around, the caller is attempting to gather personal information and appears to be fraudulently attempting to sell medical equipment and services. "A client reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be from a department program that doesn't actually exist. The caller was pushing medical equipment and aggressively asking for personal information,"...
Crook County has once again slipped into drought conditions due to an ongoing “snow drought”. The latest data from the National Integrated Drought Information System shows that, during the last month, 95% of the county has entered a state of moderate drought. The western half of the nation is currently experiencing a snow drought, with snow water equivalent below normal at 78% of stations. Northern Wyoming is among the hardest hit areas. Though the southwest could see conditions continue to improve over the next few weeks, the northwest is lea...
An outbreak of listeria has been linked to a type of cheese sold nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The outbreak has led to a recall of products made by Rizo-López Foods, including cheese, yogurt and sour cream. The company recalled its aged cotija cheese on January 11 after Hawaii state officials found listeria in it, and followed this with a complete recall of cheese and dairy products made in its facility on February 6, along with a temporary stop on production and distribution. If you currently possess any of...
After hearing the results of an outreach effort on the question of zoning, the county commissioners will take some time to consider what comes next. Should the county stop right here and cease to pursue the thought of zoning? Should it go ahead full speed, starting with updates to its land use plan and then moving on to the creation of a zoning document? Or should it delay the ultimate decision about zoning, for now focusing on the land use plan updates that are needed either way? This was the decision – “Whether we do or we don’t, or we partly...
The ongoing situation with Beulah’s water system evolved in two directions last week. Citizens were granted permission to start the process of forming a district through which they could take control of their water system. The next day, the Wyoming Public Service Commission (PSC) determined that Beulah Land Water LLC (BLW) would not be granted its requested 380% rate increase to $240.06 per month. Instead, an interim rate just over half that much was made permanent, with BLW required to continue reporting on its business and maintenance p...
Kid Prints Inc. is back on track financially and thankful to the Sundance City Council and community for their support in making that happen. “We are no longer in the red for our finances,” said board member Naomi Jacobson last week. The organization that runs Sundance’s daycare was faced with a budget deficit late last year after losing a grant of $60,000 that had been in place since the pandemic began. A combination of fundraisers, assistance from the city, sponsorships and donations, as well as a recent $10,000 grant from the Wyoming Commu...
Sundance’s firefighters plan to stand against “severe” new regulations proposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), says Fire Chief Gari Gill. “There’s quite a pushback throughout the nation on it,” he said last week. The proposed rules were published in the Federal Register on February 5 and would replace the existing “Fire Brigades Standard” with one titled “Emergency Response”. It would, according to the publication, “address a broader scope of emergency responders and would include programmatic elements...
The county has formally offered its support to the Town of Hulett’s efforts to designate a Purple Heart Highway in tribute to those wounded in service to their country. The effort would designate Highway 24, which runs from south of Devils Tower, through Hulett and east to Aladdin, as part of the symbolic and honorary system of roads, bridges and monuments nationwide that honor the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart and originates at Mt....
January’s cold snap was tough for the fire department, the Sundance City Council heard last week. It was “Mother Nature at her worst” when a structure fire during subzero temperatures caused “total havoc”, said Fire Chief Gari Gill, plugging the diesel particulate filters and “shutting [two] trucks down”. One of those trucks is now up and running at a repair cost of around $2000, Gill said. The other is likely to cost around $5000. Though the city will still need to pay the $1000 deductible, he reported that insurance does cover the rest of t...
Refreshing a franchise agreement with the City of Sundance does not necessarily mean that Black Hills Energy will bring natural gas to town, but it will leave the door open for that to happen. The city council passed a first reading of an ordinance that grants a non-exclusive franchise agreement to the company for the next 20 years, but Mayor Paul Brooks noted that somewhere in the region of $5 million would still need to be found in order to install the necessary infrastructure. The council has the option to renew or end this franchise...
Not even a backup plan that would have required a little less snow could save the Sundance Winter Festival from the whims of Mother Nature this year. With almost no snow cover on the streets of the city, the Sundance Chamber of Commerce has announced that the popular event will not be going ahead this year. Organizer Tony Barton had included an alternative in his plans that would have seen the festival move down to the fairgrounds, where less snow would be needed for the course. Unfortunately, there wasn’t even enough building material for t...
Crook County is calling for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to rethink its plans to amend every national forest land management in the nation to create one overall strategy for managing old-growth forests. In a comment letter signed by the county commissioners last week, the county criticizes the one-size-fits-all approach and the USFS’s failure to include local governments in the process. “Upon reading through it, it will affect all the National Forests in Wyoming, which includes the Black Hills; it will also include Thunder Basin National Gras...
The water company that serves 32 customers in the Beulah area has applied for a significant increase to its monthly rates, causing many local residents to express strong concerns to the Public Service Commission. The change would increase the amount each customer of Beulah Land Water LLC pays by just under $200 per month – a 380% hike on the current rate. According to the application, the 32 regular customers connected to the system pay $50 per month at this time. Beulah Land Water, owned by Lenn Island, has requested an increase to $240.06 p...
Josh Idler, who was recently jailed on child abuse and assault charges, will serve an additional two to six years of incarceration after being found guilty of breaking the terms of his probation in an earlier case. This increases the amount of time he is set to serve to a potential maximum of 16 years. In the 2021 case, Idler was adjudicated guilty of counts including reckless endangerment, child abuse and domestic abuse. The case involved an allegedly ongoing situation of verbal and physical abuse that culminated in an incident where he...
The first significant fire of the year burned an area 42 acres in size on Monday afternoon. According to Fire Warden Charlie Harrison, a three-week-old burn pile on private land a mile to the west of Aladdin reignited at around 1 p.m. and took several hours to mop up. "It smoldered for a while and then got caught up in the wind yesterday," he says. Conditions are significantly dryer than usual at this time, he says, but the lack of moisture and winds can lead to dangerous situations....
Crook County Weed & Pest asks for members of the community who would be interested in a grasshopper program this year to attend a meeting later this month. To be held on February 19 at 6 p.m. and February 20 at 9 a.m. in the courthouse basement, the meetings will help Weed & Pest evaluate public interest in the program and construct a program for the year ahead. Discussions will include surveys, potential treatments, cost estimates, cost-share options and the next steps for the potential program. Contact Alycia or Sophie if you have any...
A Hulett woman will serve four years in federal prison on charges that she ordered narcotics through the mail. According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Wyoming, Donna Singleton has been sentenced to 48 months for use of a communication facility to facilitate a felony drug offense. The sentence was imposed on February 1 by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl. Singleton’s arrest occurred during an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) into a large drug operation that involved shi...
Christopher Walter of Hulett has been given a deferred sentence on a felony charge of strangulation after an incident that took place last March at a motel in Hulett. According to court reports, Hulett Police Department responded to a reported verbal dispute at the motel on March 25, 2023, that occurred at around 5:30 a.m. During the dispute, Walter’s actions allegedly transgressed into physical and mental harm. He was accused of striking a female victim several times in the face with an open hand, leading EMS to suspect a broken jaw. He was a...
