The Kemmerer City Council meeting on March 11 began with a request to apply for a grant for emergency insect management. Kemmerer City Administrator Brian Muir presented to the council about updates on The Gateway PUD Development, which plans to build more than 80 townhomes and more than 50 stand-alone homes. He said that, as the developer awaits final approval, they are working with the county for a loan to help with the infrastructure. Muir said more drafts are required before it is ready for final approval.

KEMMERER — After nearly a decade of service in the Wyoming Legislature, Sen. Fred Baldwin announced he will not seek another term. He is far from retiring, however, and said he plans to continue to dedicate himself to a life of service for others.

CHEYENNE — When Rep. Karlee Provenza arrived at the Wyoming Capitol this legislative budget session, three death threats were waiting in her mailbox. The Democrat from Laramie says she has …

COKEVILLE — Areawide snowpacks in southwest Wyoming climbed to above median, for the most part, except in the Upper Green River Basin, during the past month of February. The high elevation snowpacks gained the most last month with increases of 10-15% more in Snow Water Equivalent (SWE).

ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) — During a visit to speak with the students participating in the speech and debate tournament at Rock Springs High School on Saturday, March 2, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) sat down with the Rocket Miner to discuss how the Resource Management Plan will affect the community.

The Lady Rangers’ bench cheers during the Wyoming state basketball tournament last week. The Kemmerer girls’ team went 1-2 in the tourney, beating Rocky Mountain before they were eliminated, earning them fifth place. The boys’ team went 0-2 over the weekend.

JACKSON — Wyoming Game and Fish Department wildlife managers completed an aerial population survey of the renowned Wyoming Range mule deer herd, and now have a better understanding of how the 2022-23 severe winter impacted the population. Wildlife biologists estimate the current herd number to be about 11,000 animals —  a considerable decline from the February 2023 estimate of 30,000 individuals.

CHEYENNE — A bill regulating both surgical and chemical abortions in Wyoming has passed the Senate and House on three readings each.

After hearing of another attempted scam targeted at Wyoming Medicaid clients, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is warning residents to be cautious with unexpected callers. “As an example, 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,” said Lee Grossman, state Medicaid agent and Division of Healthcare Financing senior administrator with WDH.

During the Monday, Feb. 26, Kemmerer City Council meeting, board members discussed approving Lincoln County’s application for assistance from the National Parks Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. Councilmembers approved the appointment of Jennifer Edinger as the at-large member to the Fossil Basin Promotion Board. In her application, Edinger said she was interested in the position to promote tourism and winter activities.

With about 18 inches of ice at Lake Viva Naughton, the Kemmerer Lions Club 40th annual ice fishing derby on Feb. 17-18 was a success. Around 275 anglers braved the freezing weather and blizzard like …

KEMMERER — At the start of the Kemmerer City Council meeting held on Monday, Feb. 12, the board revisited a previous request from Lions Club President Mark Ristau for the city to help support …

Despite three individual champions, two runners-up and seven overall placers, the Kemmerer High School boys’ wrestling team fell just short in their bid for a third consecutive 2A State …

Four of six bills intended to give state electric utility regulators more powers to scrutinize system investments that may cost Wyoming ratepayers advanced this week out of the Senate Corporations, Business and Economic Development Committee. Though each bill addresses individual aspects of Wyoming and system-wide investments on the western electrical grid, the discussion has been mostly uniform around the entire suite of legislation; many lawmakers believe that shifting away from fossil fuels in favor of renewable forms of electrical power creates reliability risks and unnecessary costs for Wyoming ratepayers.

COKEVILLE — Areawide snowpacks are variable depending upon your location for the month of January. Generally speaking, snowpacks are higher in the south end of Lincoln County and taper off as you go north, especially in the Upper Green River Basin. Lower elevation snowpacks are below median, which is a reverse of last year’s measurements.

KEMMERER — A Kemmerer-Diamondville Water and Wastewater Joint Powers Board (JPB) meeting was held on Feb. 13, where members briefly discussed the Miners Park lift station. The station, which contains a wet and dry well, has had some issues and needs updates.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, was World Read Aloud Day, encouraging us all to read out loud to promote literacy around the world. It focuses on the power of story to create community and to promote reading as a basic human right. The first World Read Aloud Day was in 2010 and, since then, it has involved millions of readers, writers, and listeners from around the globe.

The Kemmerer Volunteer Fire Department honored Corey Ashliman (right) on Thursday, Feb. 8, upon his retirement. Ashliman served with the department for more than 23 years and has been an asset to the community. He is currently serving on the South Lincoln Fire District board and will continue to be involved with the firefighters. He is pictured with KVFD Chief Fred Baldwin. (COURTESY PHOTO/ Jamie Thornock)

A draft Bureau of Land Management plan for the administration of 3.6 million acres in southwest Wyoming sparked disapproval from the highest levels of state government this summer, along with plenty of misinformation and hysteria. Now, it’s spawned legislation as well.

KEMMERER — Standing on the sidelines while her dogs race is not where Alix Crittenden thought she would be this winter during the Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race, which runs through Wyoming and Idaho. Winning the Kemmerer leg of the premier race last year and taking second overall, she had her sights set on being this year’s Stage Stop Champion.