A legislative committee will draft a measure to prohibit state and local authorities from aiding or cooperating with federal land management agencies “when they pursue policies which harm Wyoming’s core interests.” The move is in response to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s draft plan for managing 3.6 million acres of federal land in southwest Wyoming.

KEMMERER — The Kemmerer City Council meeting on Oct. 9 was a short one, lasting less than 30 minutes. Resident Shane Stoddard was the only visitor to comment during the meeting. He explained his frustrations about code enforcement.

KEMMERER — The local chamber of commerce in Kemmerer has organized a new board, and the group plans to hit the ground running with improvements for the community. Fossil Basin Chamber of Commerce board members said they aim to implement an effective strategy that will help local businesses succeed.

KEMMERER — The South Lincoln Medical Center in Kemmerer offered mammograms last month, with no appointment needed. Three radiologic technologists working there that day provided 23 mammograms to people with or without insurance. Radiologic technologist Amanda Keller said this was the first year they have held a breast health day, and they plan to offer the service again next year.

GREEN RIVER — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Green River region will hold a public open house at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18 to discuss the Flaming Gorge fishery. The meeting will be held at the Green River campus of Western Wyoming Community College in the John Wesley Powell Room (Room #206).

I have worked in libraries for nearly 13 years, and I can honestly say that I have never met a person (including librarians) who did not have some inclination toward censoring. We all believe in something, and individuals tend to resist that which challenges their personal standards.

Nonprofits meet critical needs and add vibrancy to Wyoming’s communities. They also depend on donations and grants to fulfill their missions. The Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF) is one organization working to support Wyoming nonprofits through grant making.

KEMMERER — Despite gusts of Wyoming wind, the Kemmerer Fall Fest was a success, bringing more than 300 smiling faces, some of which were painted by volunteers. The event was held on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the South Lincoln Event Center.

Every October, the nation observes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is a disease that affects both men and women and is among the most common cancers. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Next year, new breast cancer diagnoses are expected to number more than 200,000 for women and more than 2,000 for men.

LABARGE — The Eagle Bar in LaBarge celebrated its 100th anniversary last month that brought about 200 to a party. The celebration came with a food truck, live music, yard games, a slide show presentation and patron camaraderie on Saturday, Sept. 9.

KEMMERER — The Kemmerer City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 25, started with a presentation by Heidi and Jason Despain. Heidi is the owner of Quality Reality. The Despains presented a proposal to purchase the old Kemmerer Hotel property at 823 Pine Ave. (Hwy. 189). Heidi said, “We don’t have a set plan for the space, but we want to make it amazing.”

KEMMERER — On Sept. 15, the historic Fossil Train Depot building outside of Kemmerer received an interior second foundation to support the existing stone foundation. The added support will prevent further settling of the building.

Anna Chytka of Community Strong in Kemmerer was recently named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council. NSBA is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy organization, and operates on a staunchly nonpartisan basis.

In our contemporary, fast-paced world, the importance of physical and mental well-being is becoming increasingly apparent to many. Yoga stands out as a simple and accessible means to achieve this balance. Just as adults have turned to yoga to find serenity and equilibrium in their lives, it offers incredible advantages for children as well. Experts emphasize that introducing kids to yoga from an early age can lay the foundation for lifelong healthy habits and essential coping skills.

KEMMERER — Pilot Rene Felker took a moment to pose for a picture between flights in front of his plane named ‘Curious George’ at the Kemmerer airport on Saturday, Sept. 16, for the third annual Fly-in and Car Show. Felker lives in Ogden, Utah, and has volunteered to fly his plane at the event for the past three years.

A number of Wyoming officials are asking residents to speak up while they can concerning a recently-released plan by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that could affect farmers, ranchers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts in southwest Wyoming. Some state legislators are calling foul after saying the BLM didn’t include one key group of stakeholders — landowners — when deciding how to manage 3.6 million acres of federal land and 3.7 million acres of federal mineral estate in the Rock Springs area. The land spans parts of Uinta, Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Fremont counties. Legislators also accuse the BLM of breaking federal law, along with its own rules, and have asked for more time for public comment before moving forward.

The Metal Recycle program has donated nearly $4,000 from July 2022 to July 2023. Local nonprofit Paws and Claws Animal Care and Adoption Rescue, Kemmerer Senior Center and Turning Point Shelter have received these proceeds.

KEMMERER — Mountain Pacific Quality Health, a quality health organization under the Wyoming Department of Health, awarded South Lincoln Nursing Home the top award for Excellence in Quality. Nurse center administrator Makayla Wynn said, “It is great to be recognized for the excellent care that we provide at the nursing center.”

A state legislative committee is moving quickly to consider a raft of new proposed measures that members say will help protect Wyoming ratepayers from a dramatic rise in utility costs. The impetus for the draft legislation — there are five draft bills and a draft resolution that will be considered Wednesday in Cheyenne — are two electric rate hike proposals by Rocky Mountain Power that add up to a 29.2% increase, according to members of the Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee. The multi-state utility, which is a division of Warren Buffett’s PacifiCorp, is the largest single electrical provider in Wyoming.

KEMMERER — A mock emergency drill was held in Kemmerer, on Sunday, Sept. 10, with the Kemmerer Mine Operations Rescue Team. Other agencies that participated in the joint operation includuded South Lincoln EMS, Kemmerer Volunteer Fire Department, Lincoln County Search and Rescue, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Kemmerer Police Department and the Diamondville Police Department. The rescue team at the Kemmerer mine trains weekly on-site and once a quarter they have a joint training. Kemmerer Mine Operations Safety Manager Kris Clarke said, “We wanted to see how our communication would go in a mock mass casualty event and let everyone show off their skills.”