Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 37
A young bull endures Monday morning's frigid -32 degree weather south of Sundance as area temperatures plunged well below zero. The National Weather Service recorded a wind chill low of -51 degrees east of Pine Haven....
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has delayed the effective date of its decision to upgrade the classification status of the northern long-eared bat to “endangered”. According to U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, FWS announced it would postpone the original January 30 implementation date after receiving a letter from a group of senators, including Lummis as Senate Western Caucus Chair. The letter expressed concern over the potential impact of the listing on infrastructure projects across the United States. FWS confirmed the delay in a pre...
An hour after opening on Thursday, Karma Consignments was already buzzing with the sounds of customers discussing the fit of jeans and which tops pair best with what pants. The name, says owner Shannon Pedersen, is a play on the phrase, "What goes around, comes around". She chose it because the store purchases items from customers and sells them pre-loved to new owners. So, she grins, "We're swapping clothes." As well as clothing for both men and women, which are accepted in all available adult...
Karey Hedlund of Moorcroft has been jailed for up to ten years on charges of child abuse. Hedlund accepted a plea deal related to the 16 separate counts of child abuse and one of aggravated assault and battery with which she was originally charged. Hedlund’s alleged victims accuse her of years of mental and physical abuse. According to reports from a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy, an investigation was launched at the beginning of June, 2021 in response to a report of “abusive and neglectful behavior”. The victims reported numerous incide...
Crook County Sheriff's Office hosted an active shooter training at Sundance High School on January 20, focusing on a scenario in which one or two officers must respond to an active shooter situation. "The reality is that, if an active shooter incident occurs, it will likely be one or two officers that are able to respond in the critical first few minutes and it is their responsibility to stop the threat," says Sheriff Jeff Hodge. "There is not time to wait for backup or a SWAT team to arrive in...
Laura Danielle Kenway went home to be with the Lord on January 23, 2023. Laura was born on February 3, 1990 to Gary and Evonna Schelling. She is survived by her husband, Chris Kenway; her father, Gary Schelling; siblings, Ryan (Tammy) Schelling, Ami (Tristan) Hanson, Bethany (Levi) Mueller; grandparents Ken and Lois Schelling; as well as a multitude of beloved nieces, nephews, family and friends. Laura attended Moorcroft Christian Elementary and Jr./Sr. High Schools where she was always known and loved by classmates and teachers. In school and...
After "Bata" retired last May after seven years of service, Crook County Sheriff's Office is excited to announce one of the newest members of the team. K-9 "Condor" is a year-and-a-half-old Belgian Malinois and is currently certified as a narcotics K-9. Condor and his partner, Sergeant Dan Bush, recently completed a 200-hour narcotics training with Greg and Callan Brothers, owners of B3-K9 Training and Boarding in Gillette, Wyoming. Condor will ultimately be certified in tracking, evidence recovery and patrol work after his additional training...
Like much of Wyoming, Crook County saw a modest rise in its unemployment figures at the end of last year. Data released by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (WDWS) shows that the county was joint third in its rise in unemployment between November and December. The increase from 2.4% to 2.9% still left the county significantly lower in its overall unemployment rate than the state average of 3.7%. WDWS cautions, however, that the rise in unemployment is not unusual for the time of year. Unemployment rates often rise due to the winter...
For years, the Sundance Community Handbell Choir has been collecting Our Family UPC codes (# 70253) through a Decker‘s Market fundraising program. Decker’s recently changed to a different house brand, but the handbell choir is making a final appeal to people who may have saved the Our Family UPC codes so the choir can send in one final batch for reimbursement. The UPC codes can be left within any handbell ringer, including Director Janet Cole Lake, and Susan at Decker’s will also take them. The handbell choir sincerely thanks all of the peopl...
1 Years Ago February 1, 1923 The Homestake Mining Company of Lead have properties adjoining that of the Peerless Company near Gillette. Although not yet as well developed as the Peerless, coal is being mined there and rumor has it that development of the property will commence this year. It has also been reported that an electric railroad will be constructed from the Homestake mine near Peerless to the Homestake properties in South Dakota. Farmer, rancher, stockmen, freighter and friends – after a great deal of talk, an effort is being m...
A Gillette man has been given a suspended sentence on a felony charge of driving under the influence while his two minor children were present in the vehicle after being caught speeding on Pine Haven Rd. On July 2, 2022 a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy was stationary on Pine Haven Rd. at around 9.18 p.m. when he observed a vehicle approaching at a higher rate of speed than the posted 20 mph. As the vehicle passed the deputy’s position, it allegedly accelerated to 34 mph and almost drove off the roadway. The deputy reports that he conducte...
A Casper man has been given a deferred judgement and probation after being arrested for possession with intent to deliver during routine traffic control for the Hulett Rodeo parade. At around 10 a.m. on June 11, 2022, a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy was conducting traffic control for the parade on the Belle Fourche River bridge at around milepost 15 of Hwy 24. After stopping traffic, the deputy reports that he approached each vehicle to advise of the reason and delay, during which he spoke with the driver of a green vehicle, later identi...
Jan. 23 – Seven VIN checks. Two paper services. Four traffic stops. Fingerprints. Disturbance. Business check. Public assist. EMS page. Jan. 24 – Two VIN checks. Paper service. Crash report. Assist to Wyoming Highway Patrol. Welfare check. Two prisoner transports. EMS page. Jan. 25 – VIN check. Two citizen assists. Two motorist assists. Fingerprints. Suspicious circumstance. Two accidents; no injuries. Traffic complaint. Suicidal subject. Jan. 26 – VIN check. Paper service. Business checks. Three sets fingerprints. Two crashes; no injuries. Hit...
Speeding – Gregory Loos, Rapid City, SD, 94/75, $155; Christopher Tipton, Mandan, ND, 94/75, $155; Kristi Mooney, Casper, WY, 91/75, $140; Joseph C. Jones, Emmons, MN, 90/75, $140 Expired Temporary License Permit/Improper Registration – Steven Dale Ernster, Armour, SD, $140; Frank R. Christensen, Courtenay, ND, $140 No Valid Driver’s License – (minor), Moorcroft, WY, $140; James E. McGannon, Parker, CO, $150 Drive While License Cancelled, Suspended or Revoked – Cody Alexandar Fertig, Cheyenne, WY, $440 Fail to Drive Vehicle Within Single La...
Your newspaper and newspapers across Wyoming are advocating in the state legislature to make government information more accessible to you. In Wyoming; state, county, city, school district and other governmental entities are legally directed to publish minutes of meetings, payroll information, changes in statutes and zoning, bid information and other particulars in local newspapers to notify the public of their actions. The Wyoming Press Association has brought a bill to the 67th Wyoming Legislature requiring the state’s newspapers to p...
As you may have seen on FOX News and other major media outlets, Wyoming experienced quite a week in the national news spotlight due to a resolution brought forward in the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution SJ0004 Phasing out new electric vehicle sales by 2035 pushes back against bans on new sales of cars with internal combustion engines in states like California and New York. Although it's a bit of a tongue-in-cheek statement – and not an actual ban – I am pleased to see that this resolution str...
I’m sorry, but you can’t have my knife. I might be an American now, but that doesn’t mean I will – or even can – eat my meals using nothing but a fork. What lunacy is this, anyway? I’ve never been able to fathom why it would be considered a good idea to set aside half your available tools. Logically speaking, it’s much the same scenario as using a hammer without the bother of a nail. In both cases, the two things were designed to go together, so surely this is just a good way to make life 50%...
Dear Editor, Crook County’s State House Representative, Chip Neiman, in his new position of power in the legislature (Majority Floor Leader) has been given the ability to keep bills from coming to the floor for a vote. He is currently holding two bills that are critical to increasing healthcare access in Wyoming. House Bill 04 would expand Medicaid coverage as it currently exists for new mothers to 12 months after they give birth. Not passing this bill would decrease the time new mothers can access postpartum care through Medicaid to only 60 d...
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Heb. 6:9). Good. A sufficient and solid word that often gets lost in settling for less or demanding more. Humanity finds trouble in thinking God is holding out on them and begins searching for more, without realizing additions are not always better. It is finding through a relationship with God (discernment) when, where and how to be satisfied. That ability to see, balance and experience the goodness of God. Good started from the beginning...
GILLETTE — A bill that is making its way through the state Legislature would transfer treatment courts from the Wyoming Department of Health to the judicial branch. Senate File 23, sponsored by the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee, passed its third reading in the state Senate on a 24-7 vote Wednesday, and has now been introduced in the House. Currently, treatment courts are part of the Wyoming Department of Health. The directors of the court-supervised treatment programs in Campbell County are big supporters of the bill. Chad Beeman, the c...
The FFA horse team made our way over to the Black Hills Stock Show to take a look at the ranch riding and reigning contestants competing. We watched a few classes to practice our judging skills and brush up on using a scorecard. We also met with Jeremy Knoles, Justin Johnson and Trisha Price. All three of these individuals are very well known in the equine industry, and Jeremy and Johnson are both certified AQHA judges. Trisha is the face of Equibrand and does a lot of marketing for Classic...
POWELL — The first suspected case of avian flu killing a mammal in Wyoming has been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s wildlife lab for verification. A red fox, one of three suspected cases recently sent to the state lab, tested positive. All scavenging mammals, including pets, are in danger of contracting the disease according to state officials. Last week, for the first time, three grizzly bears suffering from the virus were “humanely euthanized” by Montana officials. Game and Fish large carnivore program manager Dan Thompso...
CHEYENNE — Members of the House of Representatives killed an anti-discrimination bill addressing required COVID-19 vaccinations, mask wearing and testing on third reading. House Bill 66 was voted down 32-29-1, following the passage of an amendment widely debated by representatives Monday morning. The amendment was brought forward by Rep. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo, as a backup plan for hospitals if federal funds were withheld as a result of the bill. It would have set aside nearly $848 million from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account for...
Sheriff deputy shooting case moves to county attorney CODY (WNE) — The investigation into the Park County deputy who shot and killed a male suspect in Powell during a traffic stop last year has been forwarded to the county attorney, said Charla Baugher Torczon, executive assistant at the Park County Sheriff’s Office. In an email sent to the Cody Enterprise in October of last year, Torczon said the case would be submitted to the county attorney once it was completed by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. According to that same ema...
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR HORSE PASTURE The City of Sundance has available three separate parcels of land for pasture lease for the period March 15, 2023 to February 28, 2024. These three parcels will be let to bid by separate parcels. These pastures are for horses only. No cows can be placed in these pastures at any time. The successful bidders cannot sublease these pastures to others and no haying of any of these pastures will be allowed. The Lessee, to the satisfaction of the City, will maintain fences and structures. No other fencing or...
