Proudly Serving the Hulet and Devils Tower Community
Proudly Serving the Hulet and Devils Tower Community
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The Sixth Judicial District officially has a fourth judge. Governor Mark Gordon announced last week that he has appointed Mike McGrady to fill the newly created role for the district that covers Crook, Campbell and Weston counties. A bill passed by the Wyoming Legislature earlier this year increased the number of judges in the district from three to four and appropriated $1.24 million to fund the additional judge for the first two years, beginning on July 1. It also authorized three full-time positions for the personnel necessary to staff and...
The Independence Day holiday brings with it two familiar opportunities to enjoy patriotic firework displays. On July 4 itself, the Devils Tower will form the backdrop for a display at the KOA. The event begins in the afternoon, when proudly coiffed visitors may take part in the annual mullet contest. Should your hairdo not meet the requirements but you’re still feeling competitive, you can instead sign up for a cornhole tournament. Meanwhile, enjoy music on the deck and food from vendors. The firework display will be set off as night falls. V...
We likely won’t be seeing much about the revised management plan for the Black Hills National Forest this year, according to Dru Palmer, consultant to the county commissioners. She said last week that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has pushed back publication of the notice of intent to begin developing the plan to fall or early winter. This is partly because USFS is also working on its environmental impact statement for old growth forests, she said, and some of the same personnel are involved with both projects. In the meantime, Palmer told t...
The Crook County Commissioners have signed up as a cooperating agency as the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) decides how to manage old growth forests, but will be making their thoughts clear on how the process has gone so far. Earlier this year, the commissioners called for a rethink of USFS plans to amend every national forest land management in the nation to create an overall strategy. The county criticized the one-size-fits-all approach and failure to include local governments in the planning. In a letter sent to the USFS in April, the...
After a notably bad year for mosquitoes, the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council (WWPC) is warning that the conditions so far in 2024 could mean we're set for another season of swatting. While most mosquitoes limit their nuisance to itchy bites and buzzing, some carry a potentially serious disease: West Nile Virus. In 2023, Wyoming saw the worst outbreak of the disease in a decade, with a case rate far exceeding the national average and four human deaths. The year before, only three cases in total...
Wyoming’s two senators are criticizing the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for its “chokehold” on the timber industry in the wake of the recent layoff announcement from Neiman Enterprises. U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthis Lummis joined their South Dakota counterparts, John Thune and Mike Rounds, in calling for USFS to outline what it plans to do to protect the remaining forest products industry in the Black Hills. Neiman Enterprises announced layoffs and product reductions at its last remaining South Dakota facility, Spearfish Forest Products...
Filing has now closed for this year’s primary election, with candidates now finalized for city, county, state and national seats. Chip Neiman will stand again for his seat as State Representative for House District 01. He will be unopposed. At the county level, one county commissioner seat with a four-year term will be voted on this year. Incumbent Kelly Dennis will be challenged by Dale T. Davis. On the national level, John Barrasso will be challenged for his United States Senator seat by John Holtz of Laramie and Reid Rasner of Mills on the R...
Crook County will again transform into one giant yard sale next weekend, as the three-day annual Junkin’ Weekend gets underway. Look for a bargain, find the perfect gift or simply browse locations all across the county until something strikes your fancy. The Junkin’ vendors will be spread around the area, with stops available in and around all four municipalities. Garage and yard sales are a summer staple, but the Junkin’ Weekend aims to bring them all together for the convenience of bargain hunters and vendors alike. To do this, Crook Count...
The Wyoming State Legislature granted a fourth judge to the Sixth Judicial District earlier this year and their identity will be known in the next few weeks. Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Kate M. Fox, chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission, announced last week that the commission has completed its consideration of everyone who expressed an interest in the position. Three nominees have been submitted to Governor Mark Gordon for his consideration: Alison Ochs Gee of Lubnau Law in Gillette, who has practiced law in Wyoming since...
The county commissioners have officially approved the presence of the 1% Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax on this year’s general election ballot. Better known as the SPOT Tax, this is far from new to the county, having been used to raise extra revenue for counties and towns since it was authorized by the legislature in 1984. In Crook County, it is an additional penny on top of the obligatory four percent state sales tax and the one percent general purpose tax. One difference this year, however, will be the amount. At the suggestion of Pine H...
A Hazmat team was called to the Crook County Courthouse on Friday after it became the third Wyoming courthouse in a week to receive suspicious mail. As with the previous two cases, the letter tested negative for hazardous substances. The incidents are now being investigated by the FBI. According to Crook County Sheriff’s Office, the suspicious letter arrived in the regular mail distribution and was reported at around 3:10 p.m. Prior to this incident, all offices in the courthouse had been advised to be on the lookout for suspicious mail of t...
Sometimes, it takes a fire to prevent a fire. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is proposing to target areas of the Bearlodge Ranger District in Crook County with planned burns, with the aim of improving the odds of managing future wildland fires safely and effectively. Hazardous fuels have built up within the estimated 8382 acres that have been identified, such as grass, brush and fallen trees. Clearing this accumulation through a planned fire helps to provide fire managers with areas in which to manage future fires. Though it may seem...
Filing opens for this year’s elections in a couple of weeks and, for the first time in Wyoming, this event will also mark the deadline by which you must declare or change your party affiliation before the primaries.Filing opens on May 16 and will run for two weeks, until May 31. The day before filing opens, May 15, is your final opportunity to declare your party affiliation. If you want to vote for either Republican or Democratic candidates in this year’s primary, you must be a registered voter for that party; if you are not affiliated, your ba...
The Crook County Facilities Department is introducing an annual fundraiser to support its ongoing goal to make the fairground an enticing destination for events both familiar and new. “It’s going to start building our pot of money for the future,” says Jasmyne Bryant, Event Coordinator. “We’ve been going after grants for some of our fairground improvements and part of that is that we do have to match money.” The proceeds from this fundraiser will kick-start a fund through which the department can continue its work to update and improve the...
Neiman Enterprises has announced layoffs and production reductions at Spearfish Forest Products, its last remaining facility in South Dakota. The company says the decision is due to reductions in the timber sale program on the Black Hills National Forest. “We have done everything possible to prevent this unfortunate outcome that will impact these employees, our community, and ultimately the health of the forest,” said Jim Neiman, President. “We’ve weathered economic and market downturns over the decades. These layoffs, however, are a direct...
Work is ongoing to create a new website for the Town of Hulett, and the council has decided to investigate the possibility of including live webcam footage of the streets. This is something already done by the bank, and also by other Wyoming towns. The council discussed that it could allow visitors to get an idea of Hulett before arriving, giving an insight into day-to-day life as it happens. “We’re promoting the town – that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Mayor Ted Parsons. Work on the website is underway, with photos and text already sub...
Police Chief Bill Motley was pleased to report at the recent town council meeting that a vehicle stolen from a Hulett resident had been successfully found. “It has been recovered in Las Vegas,” he said. The juveniles believed to be responsible for stealing the vehicle had been detained, he told the council, and were facing court action. The remaining issue, he told the council, was to return the vehicle to its proper place. “I’ve been in contact with the owner numerous times,” he said. Efforts to retrieve the vehicle and bring it back to H...
The property tax refund program for homeowners has opened for applications, with an extra $20 million allocated by the Legislature this year and expanded eligibility. The program assisted 9000 families last year and is expected to help an additional 2000 this year. Homeowners can apply for a refund of up to one-half of the median residential property tax amount or 75 percent of their 2023 property tax bill, whichever is less. HB-04 made changes to the program this year to widen the eligibility requirements. To be eligible in the past, your...
Voters will be asked this year to again approve the Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax (SPOT), which raises money that goes directly to the four municipalities and the county and is used for infrastructure needs that are often difficult to fund elsewhere. This time, at the suggestion of Pine Haven Mayor Karla Brandenburg, the amount to be raised for each entity may be increased from $1.5 million to $3 million. This doesn’t change the amount of the tax itself – it’s still just a penny, she said, and it’s a penny that is already in place,...
Bob Richey resigned his position as the Hulett trustee for Crook County Medical Services District last week and was immediately replaced with the appointment of Robin Hibbard. “I have his resignation with me today,” said Trustee Sandy Neiman, who told the board that Richey has stepped down due to personal circumstances. In the letter he submitted to the board, read by Neiman, Richey said, “It has been my honor and privilege to serve on the board but, due to unforeseen circumstances, I will no longer be able to meet my duties as treasurer and t...
Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) is among the healthcare providers set to benefit from a statewide initiative to increase access to ultrasound technology. Funded by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, the initiative will see $13.9 million divided among hospitals and healthcare centers to purchase 143 ultrasound devices and to provide training for the new equipment. CCMSD will receive a grant total of $415,000 for ultrasound equipment in the hospital and each of its three clinics in Sundance, Moorcroft and Hulett....
Wyoming is getting more crowded – and Crook has been welcoming more new residents than almost any other county. According to new data from the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information, Crook County gained the second most newcomers during 2023, leading to a population increase of 2.3%. This percentage represents a total of 173 new people now residing in the county, bringing the population estimate to 7592. Sublette County beat this percentage only slightly at 2.5%. A total of 17 counties saw population increases, while six saw d...
The Sixth Judicial District is adding a fourth judge to its ranks thanks to legislation that was signed into law last week. The Sixth Judicial District covers Crook County, as well as Campbell and Weston counties. The bill increased the number of judges in the district from three to four and appropriated $1.24 million to fund the additional judge for the first two years, beginning on July 1. It also authorized three full-time positions for the personnel necessary to staff and support the new judge. SF-53 sailed through the legislature with...
With fire season already underway, Crook County is now under burn restrictions. Fire Warden Charlie Harrison requested the restrictions be put in place last week, telling the county commissioners that more Wyoming acres burned in February than in the entirety of 2023. While the county has had a little moisture recently, in some places there was "barely any", he said, and temperatures are still above average. "There's no good news in the forecast," he said. While the restrictions have been put...
Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) is gearing up to introduce mental health services for seniors through a program that would see all its costs reimbursed through Medicare. As this means the program would not cost the district to run, it’s possible that the revenue could in the future be used to fund an additional mental health service for younger age groups. Senior Solution The Board of Trustees heard a presentation last week from Kirby Johnson of Senior Life Solutions, a program offered by Psychiatric Medical Care of Tennessee. T...
