February is already here, and can you believe the weather? Not that I’m complaining, especially after last year. I am a little disappointed about the Super Bowl this year. Sadly, the teams I wanted got beaten, but there are still the commercials and halftime besides the game, so I guess I’ll still watch.

“Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life.” - author Sidney Sheldon National Library Lover’s Month is celebrated the whole month of February as a way to honor libraries and the amazing services libraries offer their communities. Many people would say they love the library because of the books! The Lincoln County Library System has all kinds of books available, as well as ways to request books we don’t have through interlibrary loans.

KEMMERER — Boxes of old brochures, stacks of old magazines, garbage bags full of old ceiling tiles, empty boxes and chalkboards were just some of the trash that more than four dozen youth members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently cleared out of the basement of the Hamsfork Museum. More than 50 youth and adult volunteers from three Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints congregations rolled up their sleeves and, by creating a long line, implemented the “fireman pass” to effectively and efficiently remove the items.

KEMMERER — More than 50 guests poured into the South Lincoln Training and Events Center to meet the sled dog mushers of the 29th annual Pedigree Stage Stop Race for a mushers dinner the night before the Kemmerer leg of the race, Wednesday, Jan. 30. This year’s race consisted of seven legs in which racers competed for the title of “Stage Stop Champion.” Beginning in Jackson, teams travel 225 miles across rugged mountains in Wyoming and finish the seventh stage of the race in Driggs, Idaho.

EVANSTON — A 2020 study by the CDC found the suicide rate for farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers was 43.7 deaths per 100,000 and is the sixth highest among occupational groups in the U.S. A Morning Consult Poll found that during 2021, most farmers, workers, and rural adults reported experiencing more stress and mental health challenges compared to the prior year.

LYMAN — Bryson Quinney, Lyman, received a new lease on life and the chance to grow and play like a normal boy when he received his heart transplant some time ago. This transplant didn’t come easily, and he was on the list for a donor for some time before he received his heart transplant. But the outcome has been tremendous for Bryson and his parents, Eric and Jennylin Quinney. Bryson is 17 years old and a junior at Lyman High School. He is now very active in school…“lives a full life…and is a normal, healthy teenager,” Eric said. When he was in the seventh grade, Bryson had to carry an oxygen tank to school every day.

CASPER — Gov. Mark Gordon spoke at the Wyoming Press Association’s 125th annual convention during a luncheon and awards presentation. “This is an exciting time for the state,” Gordon said.

Following record-breaking snowfall last winter, Kemmerer citizens are concerned about snow removal and have given the city mixed reviews about its snow policy. The Kemmerer City Council held a special session on Wednesday, Jan. 24, for public input and discussion.

Wyoming wildlife officials will face immense political pressure if they proceed with a plan to designate the migration corridors the Sublette Pronghorn Herd relies on to survive. Based on the track record of Wyoming’s migration policy, it’s unclear how much effect designating the route commonly called the “Path of the Pronghorn” would have on safeguarding the acreage that tens of thousands of Green River Basin pronghorn move through seasonally.

Each year on March 25, waffle enthusiasts around the world unite to celebrate a beloved treat on International Waffle Day. This delightful occasion pays homage to the crispy, golden-brown, grid-patterned delight that has captured the hearts and taste buds of people across continents.

KEMMERER — Wyoming experienced a strong economic performance in the third quarter of 2023. Key sectors such as energy, agriculture, housing, and tourism played pivotal roles in driving growth. Dr. Wenlin Liu, chief economist with Wyoming Division of Economic Analysis, said, “As energy businesses uphold their drilling, together with broad-based robust activities across most sectors, Wyoming’s labor market continued to expand in the third quarter of 2023, and the performance was moderately better than the first half of 2023.”

The Missoula Children’s Theatre came to Kemmerer last week, sponsored by the Lincoln County Prevention of ATODS (alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and suicide) Abuse. The performances were held at 3 and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, at Kemmerer High School.

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” This is so true for Winnie-the-Pooh, well at least for me. Alan A. Milne first introduced us to this beloved bear appearing as “Edward Bear” in a short poem titled “Teddy Bear” published in February, 1924 in Punch magazine. Then the book was published on Oct. 14, 1926, selling 35,000 copies in the U.K. and over 150,000 copies in the U.S.

JACKSON — Although momentum across the state is gaining for a ballot initiative that would cut residential property taxes in half, implementing the exemption might not be possible.

KEMMERER — Lincoln County Turning Point will continue to receive funding from the Wyoming Division of Victim Services after successfully completing a recent on-site compliance visit. Meeting state rules for operating a victim services program, the Turning Point is recognized for providing quality services to those affected by crime.

KEMMERER — Despite snowy weather, House District 18 Rep. Scott Heiner presented at a town hall meeting in Kemmerer on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the event center addressing concerns over the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s current draft of the resource management plan (RMP) for the Rock Springs BLM Field Office Area, designating around 1.6 million acres as critical environmental concern (ACES).

EVANSTON — Tragedy struck in the early morning hours of Dec. 30, 2023, claiming the lives of three individuals, including those of two young children. Emergency dispatch received a call at 5:30 a.m. from a passerby that reported “smoke and a glow” from the residence at 342 Worland Cir. in Evanston. The caller attempted to rouse the occupants by knocking on windows, but the heat and flames were too intense to attempt rescue efforts. Uinta County Fire Chief Administrator Eric Quinney said Evanston firefighters responded within six minutes of the call. By 6 a.m. the 15 firefighters — 11 of whom are volunteers — had the fire under control.

CASPER — For a long time they said it would happen. And now they say it’s happening. A new report shows that in the U.S. this year renewable electricity — for the first time on record — will surpass electric power generation from coal, marking a threshold moment in a wider energy transition that’s speeding up around the globe.

KEMMERER — The 2024 Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race competitors will run through Kemmerer on Jan. 31 for the fifth stage of the race, but low snow conditions could be an issue. Race director Dan Carter said that, with low snow conditions in many parts of the country, race organizers have extended the entry deadline to Jan. 10.

A car is engulfed in flames following what firefighters suspect was an incident involving engine failure. The fiery scene occurred Tuesday, Jan. 2, on U.S. Hwy. 189 between Kemmerer and Evanston. (UINTA COUNTY HERALD/Don Cogger)