Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Articles from the February 8, 2024 edition


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  • Concern over old-growth forest plan

    Sarah Pridgeon|Feb 8, 2024

    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...

  • Hot load

    Feb 8, 2024

    A semi caught fire on I-90 on Tuesday afternoon, sending a black plume of smoke high into the sky and plugging the westbound lane near the 204 mile marker. Beulah Volunteer Fire was the first to respond, followed by units from around the area including the U.S. Forest Service. The semi was reportedly hauling polystyrene pellets. No injuries were reported....

  • Beulah facing water rate hike

    Sarah Pridgeon|Feb 8, 2024

    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...

  • Idler sentence increased

    Sarah Pridgeon|Feb 8, 2024

    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...

  • Escaped burn pile leads to 42-acre fire

    Sarah Pridgeon|Feb 8, 2024

    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....

  • Coyle Richard Love

    Feb 8, 2024

    Coyle Richard Love, (Allee) born in Gillette, Wyoming on October 20, 2003 went with the Lord on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, after a motorcycle accident. He lived his life to the fullest until his last day. Coyle loved to be surrounded by friends and family and knew no strangers. Days were filled with adventures shooting his multitude of guns, golfing, snowboarding, hunting, kayaking, traveling, fishing, driving ATVs, brandings, photography and he was up to do anything if you asked. Coyle... Full story

  • Terry Elvina Helmer

    Feb 8, 2024

    Terry Elvina Helmer, 68, of Moorcroft, Wyoming, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at the Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette, Wyoming. Terry Elvina Helmer came into this world on September 23, 1955, to parents Vern and Elsie Helmer. As the youngest of four children in the Helmer household, Terry became quick friends with every animal she met. It was not much of a surprise when Terry would bottle-feed raccoons and ride the family cow. Terry started her family when... Full story

  • Weed & Pest starts planning for grasshoppers

    Sarah Pridgeon|Feb 8, 2024

    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...

  • Peek at the Past

    Feb 8, 2024

    1 Years Ago February 7, 1924 Walter Dickinson started out Tuesday with a road grader in an attempt to clear the Spearfish road, which is badly drifted for several miles out of Sundance. The town of Rozet, fourteen miles east of Gillette on the Burlington, has been platted and town lots are offered for sale, with a 75 percent simmer of oil along with each lot. Looks like an attractive buy. The last workman on the Crook County high school building dropped his tools Tuesday night for keeps, the building being ready to turn over to the school...

  • Correction:

    Feb 8, 2024

    In last week’s paper, we listed the graduation rates of two of Crook County’s schools the wrong way round. Hulett School’s rate should have been 75% and Moorcroft’s should have been 94.1%....

  • Card of Thanks

    Feb 8, 2024

    Thank You Once again, the Crook County Council of County Services is overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Crook County and beyond. The amazing donations of money, food and volunteer time were unbelievable. Those businesses and individuals who sponsored food drives were exceptional. Donations came at the perfect time especially during November and December, a time of increased need. We at the Crook County Council of County Services would like to thank to those volunteers, donors, individuals and businesses who gave generously of their... Full story

  • Hulett woman sentenced for receiving narcotics through the mail

    Sarah Pridgeon|Feb 8, 2024

    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...

  • Hulett man sentenced on strangulation charges

    Sarah Pridgeon|Feb 8, 2024

    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...

  • Wyoming News Briefs

    Wyoming News Exchange Newspapers|Feb 8, 2024

    Man found in woman’s home arrested for drug use, trespassing GILLETTE (WNE) — A 31-year-old man was ticketed for drug use after a 65-year-old woman found him in her home Friday night. The woman called police after finding the man in her apartment in the 600 block of Tyler Avenue. She had not given him permission to be there, but she was able to get him out of her apartment and into the hallway. He appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, and EMTs were called. The woman showed police a syringe that she found in her apartment...

  • Letter to the Editor

    Feb 8, 2024

    Dear Editor, Congratulations, Sarah, on receiving multiple top awards from the Wyoming Press Association. You are an asset to the Times and the community! I very much enjoy your column and followed with great interest the saga of the intrepid reporter from the Sundance Times and her trusty Adventure Assistant. Jackie Wyatt, Sundance...

  • Black Hills Snow Course Readings

    Feb 8, 2024

    Site Name Elevation (ft.) Current Snow Depth (in.) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in.) 30-yr Median SWE Last Year’s SWE Current Percent of 30-Year Median SWE Bear Lodge Divide 4680 1.0 0.2 1.8 3.4 11 Blind Park Snotel 6870 11.0 2.1 4.7 5.3 45 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 8.0 2.1 3.2 4.5 66 Ditch Creek 6880 8.5 1.5 2.4 2.9 63 Little Bear Run 6240 3.7 0.6 2.7 3.3 22 Mallo 6420 10.6 2.0 4.7 5.9 43 Mount Tom 5560 9.0 1.0 3.3 4.4 30 North Rapid Creek Snotel 6250 13.0 3.8 4.7 4.6 81 Reuter Canyon 6280 4.4 0.9 6.0 7.3 15 Upper Spearfish 6500 9.7 1.5 4.0 5...

  • State lawmakers debate whether climate hearing is a legislative event

    Hannah Shields, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange|Feb 8, 2024

    CHEYENNE — Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Lingle, announced on Tuesday that a public hearing on Feb. 13 would be an official meeting of the Legislature, but legislative leaders clarified they were never notified of the hearing. Steinmetz said in Tuesday’s news release that the Legislature’s Joint Agriculture State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee would hold an “Oversight Hearing...on the Environmental Impact of ‘Net-Zero’ and ‘Carbon Negative’ Policies,” as well as the Annual Forest Health Briefing on Feb. 13 upon adjournment. Howe...

  • Medicare scams reported across state

    Kate Ready, Jackson Hole Daily Via Wyoming News Exchange|Feb 8, 2024

    JACKSON — A Wyoming cybersecurity organization is warning of fraudsters targeting senior citizens in Medicare scams. CyberWyoming reported in a weekly press release that an elderly resident in central Wyoming “unintentionally shared her Social Security number and/or Medicare number over the phone.” The incident occurred late on a Friday afternoon, at a time when banks were closed. Medicare residents should log into their secure Medicare account or call 1-800-MEDICARE to report potential fraud. The nonprofit also recommended that individuals imm...

  • Crook County Sheriff's Office

    Feb 8, 2024

    Jan. 29 – Six VIN checks. Two fingerprints. Five traffic stops. Two traffic hazards. Citizen assist. Business check. Suspicious circumstance. EMS page. House watches. Animal complaint. Jan. 30 – Two VIN checks. Paper service. Suspicious circumstance. Citizen dispute. REDDI Report. Citizen assist. Jan. 31 – Two VIN checks. Four fingerprints. Three traffic stops. Suspicious circumstance. Civil standby. Paper service. Motorist assist. Trespassing. Three business checks. Vagrancy. Feb. 1 – Three VIN checks. Two paper services. Three traffic...

  • Circuit Court

    Feb 8, 2024

    Speeding – Joel Smith, Gillette, WY, 91/80, $115; Kellar Bock, Newcastle, WY, 85/70, $135; Dylan Boyar, Bozeman, MT, 94/75, $155 Stop Sign Violation – Kelvin Johnson, Spearfish, SD, $140; Richard Olson, Madison, MN, $140 Fail to Obey Traffic Control Device – Serhii Zvizhynskyi, Miami Beach, FL, $150 Operate a CMV without a CDL – Terry N. Roundy, Cedar City, UT, $190 Weight Over Permit Limits (8001-10000) – Christian Smith, Casper, WY, $260 Violate Legal Weight (4001-6000) – Siona Sia, Rapid City, SD, $185 DUI Controlled Substance – Jason E....

  • COMMISSIONERS

    Feb 8, 2024

    PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AT THE COURTHOUSE IN SUNDANCE, CROOK COUNTY, WYOMING Thursday, February 1, 2024 8:30 o’clock a.m. Present were Chairman Fred M. Devish, via Teams, Vice-Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, via conference call, Member Bob Latham and County Clerk Melissa Jones. Bob moved to sign a letter to the United States Forest Service in response to Forest Service Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System – Notice of Intent and for the clerk to use the cha... Full story

  • Meetings

    Feb 8, 2024

    Crook County Medical Services District Board of Trustees WHEN: February 8, 2024 at 11:00AM WHERE: Sundance Bank Meeting Room Special Meeting for purposes of holding an executive session to consider legal advice. March 8, 2024, CCMSD Regular Board of Trustees Meeting The Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting on March 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sundance State Bank meeting room. You are invited to attend in-person. The meeting will also be hosted via Teams webinar. Join the meeting at the... Full story

  • Lawmakers float $10M 'stimulus' for enhanced oil recovery in Wyoming

    Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile.com|Feb 8, 2024

    A measure that would provide a $10 million "stimulus" to encourage more carbon capture for use in the oil industry will advance to the upcoming legislative session following a special hearing this week by the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee. The stimulus, according to committee members, aims to enhance a federal tax credit program that they say favors direct storage of the greenhouse gas over pumping it into oilfields to produce hard-to-get reserves. "The intent of...

  • State committee reinstates ousted GOP members

    Buzzy Hassrick, Cody Enterprise Via Wyoming News Exchange|Feb 8, 2024

    CODY — Elected members of the Park County Republican Central Committee who were ousted last August have been temporarily reinstated by a state GOP committee. “The 22 precinct committeemen and women are free to resume their previous roles,” Colin Simpson said Saturday, citing a letter from the interim chair of the state’s Disputes Resolution Committee. As a reinstated precinct committeeman, Simpson attended the February 3 meeting of the GOP caucus in Powell, during which members elected delegates and alternates to the county convention on Marc...

  • FORECLOSURE

    Feb 8, 2024

    NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE TAKE NOTICE that on the 11th day of March, 2024, beginning at 10:00 AM at the front door of the Courthouse in Crook County, Sundance, Wyoming, the Sheriff of Crook County, Wyoming, or his Deputy, or some person appointed by him, shall sell to the highest bidder of the right, title and interest of: Johnson Business Solutions, LLC 2225 Riverview Lane Laurel, MT 59044 in that certain Oil and Gas Well know as the Warbonnet 17-49-67 1TH, covering all of the Oil and Gas Leases owned or claimed by Johnson Business Solutions, LLC... Full story

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