Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Articles from the April 8, 2021 edition


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  • Waiting on the rain

    Apr 8, 2021

    A pair of yearlings grazed south of Sundance on Tuesday as a much-anticipated storm built in the area. Despite the shot of much-needed moisture, the U.S. Drought Monitor still lists almost the entire county at “severe drought” levels. At this time, the end-of-winter and early spring snow and rain has not been sufficient to ease the dryness, prompting concern not only about this year’s fire season, but also hay production and grazing conditions in the area....

  • New laws pass the governor's desk

    Sarah Pridgeon|Apr 8, 2021

    As the 2021 General Session reached its final days, Governor Mark Gordon signed numerous bills over the last week, including a supplemental budget that includes more than $430 million in cuts. “Despite an epic decline in revenue we were able to maintain some crucial programs while making some modest but integral one-time investments,” the Governor wrote in his budget letter. “The budget does set our state back by eliminating valuable programs and services, and some of the impacts of the cuts we have had to make will be felt by those who are a...

  • Spaghetti feed to benefit local boy

    Sarah Pridgeon|Apr 8, 2021

    Enjoy a spaghetti feed this weekend to support an eight-year-old boy who is recovering from a medulloblastoma brain tumor. Quintin Spaulding of Moorcroft, son of Whitney and Cody Spaulding and grandson of Dale and Sherry Wood, is recovering after surgery, but the road ahead will include weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. A benefit dinner has been arranged at the Moorcroft Community Room for April 10 at 5 p.m. The spaghetti dinner will be followed by a live auction during dessert, while a silent auction will also take place during the...

  • Long-haul COVID-19 on the rise in county

    Sarah Pridgeon|Apr 8, 2021

    Healthcare providers in Crook County are seeing an increase in patients who appear to be suffering from long-haul symptoms of COVID-19, says Dr. Heith Waddell. But there may be hope on the horizon for people who are still suffering from coughs, aches and brain fog months after recovering from the virus. While the evidence is still largely anecdotal, it may be that a COVID-19 vaccination can actually improve long-haul symptoms or, in some cases, cause them to disappear altogether. According to an article published by NPR last week, the evidence...

  • All adults now eligible for vaccine

    Sarah Pridgeon|Apr 8, 2021

    All Wyoming residents above the age of 16 are now officially eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Phase 1 of the program is complete in every county in the state and all 23 counties, including Crook, have moved into Phase 2, which involves appointments for the general population. “I want to express my appreciation for the efforts of public health workers, health care providers and pharmacies throughout the state,” said Governor Mark Gordon in a press release announcing the milestone. “I would encourage every resident to take advan...

  • Companion pets available for dementia sufferers

    Sarah Pridgeon|Apr 8, 2021

    They move, make noise and respond to your touch, but these animatronic animals are not your typical toy. The 20 dogs and cats currently sitting in the Crook County Senior Service (CCSS) office are designed to be companions for people suffering from dementia – and research suggests they can have a significant impact on quality of life. “There’s a lot of meowing in our office,” laughs Jenna Ellsbury, Director of CCSS, who obtained the “Joy for All” Companion Pets through a grant from the Departmen...

  • Lorene "Mae" Neiman

    Apr 8, 2021

    Lorene “Mae” Neiman, 91, of Hulett, Wyoming, went to rest with the Lord Friday, April 2, 2021, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota. Mae was born November 17, 1929, to George Malven Watts Sr. and Edith Lorene (Williams) Watts in Hulett at a home where the local midwife was living. She attended the Russell School (one-room country schoolhouse) as a child and then graduated from Sundance High School. She went on to teach at a country school in the area when she was 16 years old. Mae married William (Bill) Andrew Neiman on A...

  • Albert Joseph Tysver

    Apr 8, 2021

    The gentle giant, Albert Joseph Tysver, 62, passed away on April 4, 2021, at the Spearfish Hospital on his favorite holiday, Easter, after being diagnosed three days earlier with stage four esophagus cancer. His wife and loved ones were by his side. On March 7, 1959, Albert was born the oldest of five look-a-like children to Joe and Annie (Lester) Tysver. They lived ten years at Dunn Center, North Dakota, three years at Bowman, North Dakota, then Scranton, North Dakota, where he graduated in 1978. As a son of the town cop and the school cook,...

  • Tracy Alan Ware

    Apr 8, 2021

    Tracy Alan Ware, 65, of Sundance, Wyoming, formerly of Sturgis, South Dakota and Billings, Montana, passed away on Feb. 24, 2021, at the Crook County Memorial Hospital in Sundance. Tracy was born June 4, 1955, in Wolf Point, Montana, where he grew up on a farm. He attended Southview Grade School in Vida, Montana, and graduated from Wolf Point High School. He maintained his love of the farm life after graduating high school by working on wheat and dairy farms. After farming, he moved on to truck driving, and drove until shortly before his...

  • Services for Vanda Kay Steele

    Apr 8, 2021

    A memorial service for Vanda Kay Steele will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2021, at Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Home in Sundance. Pastor Dave Jagemann, Chapel of Faith, will officiate with inurnment to follow in Green Mountain Cemetery at Sundance. Please join the family following services for a meal at the Shooting Sports Building, located at the Crook County Fairgrounds. Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. A full obituary was previously published....

  • Second Amendment bill dies before reaching House

    Sarah Pridgeon|Apr 8, 2021

    Though the Second Amendment Preservation Act made it through the Wyoming Senate, it will not going any further. Senate File 81 died upon introduction to the House. The bill was intended to prevent firearms from being confiscated due to federal laws that may be passed in the future. It caused controversy in its original form because it placed the accountability for preventing unwanted laws from being enforced on Wyoming’s law enforcement officers. Because the bill specified that anyone who enforced a federal law that Wyoming feels infringes o...

  • OverDrive comes to library

    Apr 8, 2021

    It has been a year of transitions for our eAudiobook services at the library. Historically, we have offered eBooks through CloudLibrary and eAudiobooks through RBDigital, both free services to our patrons through our statewide library network. Last year, RBDigital made some changes and was no longer available, so our eAudiobook offerings were “dumped” into CloudLibrary. This was not a very satisfactory solution, so Wyoming libraries have been looking at other options. Enter OverDrive, a digital provider of eBooks and eAudiobooks – sever...

  • Black Hills Snow Course Readings

    Apr 8, 2021

    Site Name Elevation (ft) Current Snow Depth (in) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in) 30-yr Median (1981-2010) SWE (in) Last Year’s SWE (in) Current Percent of 30 Year Median SWE Bear Lodge Divide 4680 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 - Blind Park Snotel 6870 10.0 4.3 7.2 6.7 60 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 13.0 4.4 5.8 No data available 76 Ditch Creek 6880 16.7 4.5 3.6 7.2 125 Little Bear Run 6240 5.1 1.2 2.4 4.3 50 Mallo 6420 11.1 3.0 5.9 7.4 51 Mount Tom 5560 0.0 0.0 2.9 4.4 0 North Rapid Creek Snotel 6250 17.0 5.7 6.7 7.4 85 Reuter Canyon 6280 3.9 1.5 7.8 10.6 1...

  • Circuit Court

    Apr 8, 2021

    Speeding – Herbert J. Gaines, WA, 57/45, $120; Ethan L. Smith, NC, 69/45, $190; Kame Mitchel, SD, 76/65, $115; Isaac R. Welch, Moorcroft, 76/70, $97; Oliver Holmes, RI, 77/70, $99; Luke James McDonald, Hulett, 79/70, $103; Octavio Macias Diaz, Gillette, 82/70, $120; Hunter Woodrum Wright, Newcastle, 83/70, $125; Tyler Britt, MA, 86/70, $140; Joshua T. Hudson, CO, 87/70, $145; Amber Braun, SD, 83/75, $101; Padyn Huschka, SD, 86/80, $97; Fidencio Chavez Sotelo, ID, 87/80, $99; Luisalfredo Lopezarce, CA, 90/80, $105 Stop Sign Violation – Her...

  • Crook County Sheriff's Office

    Apr 8, 2021

    March 22-28 March 22 – Ten VIN checks. Five traffic stops. Two fingerprintings. Welfare check. Traffic complaint. Business alarm. Commercial fire alarm. Motorist assist. House watches. Business checks. Suspicious vehicle complaint. Suspicious circumstance. Theft report. March 23 – Five VIN checks. Two paper services. Three traffic stops. Business checks. House watches. Suicidal subject. Business checks. K-9 sniff. Two EMS pages. Fire page. March 24 – Six VIN checks. Four paper services. Six traffic stops. Domestic. Business checks. Public relat...

  • This Side of the Pond

    Sarah Pridgeon|Apr 8, 2021

    I’ve always said that America has a service industry beyond compare. In fact, during all the time I have lived on this continent, I cannot remember a single experience that I would describe as less than stellar. Perhaps this is because you guys are kinder and more pleasant than the rest of us, or perhaps it’s because those of you who deal with the public all day place higher expectations on yourselves. Maybe it’s something to do with the tipping culture, or it could be because, at least in Br...

  • Legislature approves voter ID bill

    Camille Erickson, Casper Star-Tribune Via Wyoming News Exchange|Apr 8, 2021

    CASPER — A bill requiring Wyoming citizens to present specific forms of photo identification when casting their ballots in elections sailed through the Senate on Thursday and will now head to the governor’s desk for review. House Bill 75 would require voters to show certain kinds of identification before being able to vote in person. Voters would need to present one of the following forms of identification: a Wyoming driver’s license or identification card, a tribal identification card, a valid U.S. passport, a U.S. military card, a Medic...

  • Wyoming News Briefs

    From Wyoming News Exchange Newspapers|Apr 8, 2021

    Fatal hit and run case to be heard in Laramie County District Court CHEYENNE (WNE) – The case of a local man accused of fatally hitting a pedestrian with his truck while drunk was found to have probable cause Friday morning and will be heard in Laramie County District Court. Kyle Ziemer, 32, of Cheyenne appeared in Laramie County Circuit Court Friday for a preliminary hearing. He is currently charged with aggravated homicide by vehicle (DUI), which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and with leaving the scene of an accident r...

  • Ten graduate Hunter Education

    Apr 8, 2021

    A class of ten students recently completed the Wyoming Game & Fish Department Hunter Education Class held in Sundance. This class involves about 17 hours of class instruction, marksmanship, gun handling and the passing of a written test. The class is offered free of charge in Sundance with sponsorship by the Sundance Rod & Gun Club, books and materials by the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept., facilities provided by the Crook Co. Fair Board and time donated by several certified volunteer instructors. Special sessions were given by local game warden...

  • Thinclads competitive at Buffalo meet

    Rebecca Maupin|Apr 8, 2021

    The Sundance track team was in Buffalo last week, competing in their track and field events. It was a large meet for the Bulldogs who walked away with a few top ten finishers and one pre qualifying for state. Hunter Skeens finished in 6th in the 1600m with a time of 4:55.49, dropping 16 seconds from his time last week. Skeens also qualified for state in the 3200m race where he finished in 9th place with a time of 11:03.45. Ryder Downey also took top 10 honors, placing 5th in the 800m race, dropp...

  • Temporary closures to protect nesting falcons and climbers

    Apr 8, 2021

    Rock climbing routes on the southwest face and the southwest edges of Devils Tower summit will be temporarily closed effective immediately to protect nesting Peregrine and Prairie Falcons. The closure is implemented annually to provide the falcons with an undisturbed nesting location during this critical courtship and nest-selection period. The presence of climbers near falcon nests can be distressing to parent birds and disturbance from climbing activities may force falcons to abandon eggs or...

  • This Week at Your Library

    Kim Heaster|Apr 8, 2021

    We are still doing curbside and delivery if you would prefer not to come inside. The statewide mask mandate has ended, but if you want to wear a mask in the library, we have masks available. Teens and children are now encouraged to come in and use the computers and kids’ iPads. The Meeting Room is now open for meetings, parties, etc. Please call the library for more information and availability. If you are a Master Gardener, will you please contact the library? We would like to have some gardening programs, and need a Master Gardener to lead th...

  • Peek at the Past

    Apr 8, 2021

    1 Years Ago Apr. 7, 1921 Jack Hosfeld was in Sundance Friday in company with W.M. Smoots who has contracted to drill for the Sundance-Wyoming company. The well is to be spudded on the Fred Hawken ranch which is conceded to be the most favorable location for striking oil. The rig will be set up at a point barely three miles from Sundance on an air line. Johnnie Thorn, acting as deputy sheriff, brought in one Harry Karr, of the Little Missouri country, on a charge of shooting at his son-in-law,...