MONDAY, September 28, 2026|

Photo – Sewell Ranching – Courtesy Wyoming Game and Fish

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recognized James and Jen Sewell for their outstanding practices in wildlife management, habitat improvement, and conservation techniques.

During the September 22nd Game and Fish Commission meeting, the board members presented the 2026 Landowner of the Year Awards. Game and Fish Communications and Education Division Chief Roy Weber explained that the award honors the most important part of wildlife conservation, the landowners who share their land, time, and commitment.

Weber said the Landowner of the Year award isn’t simply about recognizing good land stewardship, but about acknowledging the people who understand that healthy landscapes benefit everyone. He said this year’s award winners embody the qualities that sustain Wyoming’s wildlife.

The Game and Fish Commission played a video highlighting James and Jen Sewell’s conservation work since they purchased the McCarty Canyon Ranch in 2020. The ranch sits roughly 40 miles south of Rawlins and includes 9,200 acres of seasonal‑range habitat for mule deer, elk, and pronghorn. The property also falls entirely within a sage‑grouse conservation zone.

Sewell Ranching’s operations border several important wildlife habitats, including the Red Rim-Grizzly Wildlife Habitat Management Area and Baggs Mule Deer Migration Corridor. Since taking ownership of the ranch, the Sewells have updated livestock fencing to support access to those wildlife migratory routes.

In addition, the Sewells have partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture to convert 10 miles of internal fencing to wildlife-friendly specifications and enhanced over 1,400 acres of wildlife habitat in and around Little Savery Creek, an important tributary to the Little Snake River. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department also stated that the Sewell’s efforts have benefitted not only migrating mule deer, but also the approximately 7,500 sportsmen who hunt in the Sierra Madre and Baggs areas.

Following the presentation, Baggs District Wildlife Biologist Phil Damm explained that Sewell Ranching sits at the intersection of three important wildlife habitat regions, Lander to the north, Laramie to the east, and Green River to the south. Damm said the Sewell’s conservation efforts support Wyoming’s hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

Damm noted that the Sewell’s come from a multi-generational ranching family and purchased the McCarty Canyon Ranch six years ago. He said despite their recent purchase of the ranch, the Sewells very quickly began habitat improvement work, demonstrating their commitment to Wyoming’s wildlife.

Damm thanked the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Carbon County Weed and Pest, and the region’s conservation districts for helping the Sewell’s complete those wildlife habitat improvements.

James Sewell expressed his appreciation to Wyoming Game and Fish, and specifically Saratoga habitat and access biologist Mark Cufaude, for partnering on those projects. Cufaude nominated the Sewell’s for this year’s Landowner of the Year Award.

Sewell continued, saying he is using GPS cattle collars to ensure his herds make the best use of the Red Rim–Grizzly Wildlife Habitat Management Area’s grazing allotments and avoid existing conservation zones.

James Sewell said he understood that Wyoming Game and Fish was considering purchasing the McCarty Canyon Ranch, adding that he doesn’t know if that was accurate. Even so, he said he is pleased the agency did not buy the property, as his wife, Jen, is a more skilled irrigator than any Game and Fish employee. Sewell said he was proud to maintain such an important wildlife habitat.

Jen Sewell concluded by saying, “A healthy habitat benefits everything and everyone.”

Four other Wyoming landowners were honored during the September 22nd Wyoming Game and Fish Commission meeting. Miles and Karen Daily and Wendy Cecil, who worked to improve the section of the Horse Creek that runs through their property, BMG Ranch and J&H Livestock near Boulder, Wyoming, Two Bar Ranch outside of Casper, and Gary and Carol Thronveit and Mike Ujifusa of Washakie County, who opened 871 acres of their land to Game and Fish’s Walk-In Hunting Area program, all received a 2026 Landowner of the Year Award.

The post Game and Fish Present 2026 Landowner of the Year Awards first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MONDAY, September 28, 2026|

Photo – Property owned by Danny McGuire – Bigfoot99 file photo

Saratoga officials voted to proceed with buying an industrial property on the east side of town and to push the closing date into next year.

Last December, Saratoga Public Works Director Emery Penner outlined a plan to move his department out of the deteriorating and outdated former water treatment plant and police station on South River Street. Penner recommended buying a 12‑lot parcel on the corner of North State and East Rochester Streets. The property is already zoned for light industrial, making it suitable for a new public works shop and material staging area. The site, owned by Danny McGuire, is the former location of Dan’s Trucking.

Following an appraisal in late February, the governing body voted to offer McGuire $800,000 for the property. However, knowing the location was a former trucking yard, the town chose to have the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality conduct a Phase I study to determine if the site is contaminated with hazardous materials, such as heavy metals and asbestos.

Wyoming DEQ completed its Phase I environmental study in early spring. The state agency found that the McGuire property warranted a more in‑depth review, or Phase II study, which includes on‑site sampling and laboratory analysis to confirm the presence of potential contaminants linked to the site’s past trucking activity.

On Thursday, September 24th, the Saratoga Town Council held a special meeting to discuss the McGuire property purchase. Public Works Director Emery Penner said he received DEQ’s Phase II environmental study, which showed no concerning levels of contamination.

Penner said DEQ also found Diesel Range Organics in the groundwater but did not recommend any special precautions for handling the hydrocarbon residue.

Penner continued, saying DEQ found asbestos and lead‑based paint inside the existing structures on the property. He said after receiving the state’s environmental analysis, the property owner, Danny McGuire, removed the hazards and demolished the buildings.

Penner said Wyoming DEQ’s report did not identify any reasons to cancel the sale. He added that McGuire has asked to delay closing until January for financial and logistical reasons. If the governing body was still comfortable proceeding, Penner suggested amending the contract to include an existing structure and allow the town to place equipment and material on the property before the purchase.

Penner said McGuire would like to postpone the closing date until January 2nd. He said the delay is unlikely to change his long‑term plan to construct a new public works facility on the property.

Following the discussion, the Saratoga Town Council voted to accept Wyoming DEQ’s Phase II study and move forward with the sale.

Mayor Chuck Davis asked both, property owner Danny McGuire and Public Works Director Emery Penner, whether delaying the purchase until January would cause any issues. After both men said no, Mayor Davis called for a vote to rework the existing contract to include the new closing date, permit the town to store material at the site, and retain the previously discussed outbuilding.

The motion was made, seconded, and passed. The town will continue with the purchase of Danny McGuire’s property at 306 North State Street.

The post Saratoga to Proceed with Purchase of Industrial Property first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

FRIDAY, September 25, 2026|

Photo – 2026 Art Beat flyer – Courtesy Rawlins DDA

The public is invited to the 10th annual Art Beat in downtown Rawlins.

Today and tomorrow, Rawlins businesses are taking part in the Art Beat Downtown Artwalk. Rawlins Downtown Development Authority Coordinator Mandy Frakes explained that those businesses are offering a variety of creative events and activities for the community.

In addition, students from Rawlins schools will have their artwork available for viewing and purchase. A sidewalk chalk drawing competition and a treasure hunt are also planned.

DDA Coordinator Mandy Frakes said the treasure hunt, scheduled for later today, will send participants around downtown Rawlins for a chance at a $100 prize.

Most of the activities are free, but some may require payment to support the hosting business.

Art Beat was created 10 years ago through a partnership between the Rawlins Downtown Development Authority and the Uplift Artists Guild, an organization dedicated to expanding access to the arts in Carbon County. DDA Coordinator Frakes said Art Beat was originally hosted by the DDA, but this year, Marge McCrea from Red Desert Arts has taken over the event.

Marge McCrea described Art Beat as an art gift to the community, showcasing diverse handmade items and letting creativity shine.

The 10th annual Art Beat Downtown Artwalk runs today from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. The event continues tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Businesses that wish to participate in Art Beat should send a message to the Downtown Rawlins WY – Downtown Development Authority – DDA Facebook page or call Marge McCrea from Red Desert Arts at 321-9920.

The post Art Beat in Downtown Rawlins This Weekend first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

FRIDAY, September 25, 2026|

Photo – Medicine Bow sign – Bigfoot99 file photo

Medicine Bow officials are preparing to foreclose on properties with past‑due utility bills.

During the September 14th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Brian Lashley announced that 83 residents owe between $55 and $3,000 in unpaid water and sewer utility bills. He asked the governing body for guidance on how to address those outstanding balances.

Lashley said all but three of the properties with overdue utility bills are vacant, most on the west side of Highway 487.

Medicine Bow ordinances allow the town to place a lien on delinquent properties, guaranteeing the overdue payments are collected at the time of sale. However, Public Works Director Lashley said several of the parcels in question are unlikely to sell, adding that the owner of at least one home is deceased.

Town Attorney Cameron Smith suggested beginning foreclosure proceedings on those delinquent properties.

The attorney’s statement prompted Clerk and Treasurer Karen Heath to ask the Town Council to set an official threshold, either a time or dollar amount, to start the foreclosure process.

Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer expressed frustration with the time the town has already waited to address delinquent utility payments.

At an average utility rate of $19 per month, $500 in delinquent bills represents more than two years of nonpayment. Public Works Director Brian Lashley added that the utility bills for one property haven’t been paid since 1998, when the homeowner died.

Councilwoman Wickizer asked why the town hasn’t already foreclosed on the extremely delinquent properties. Clerk Karen Heath said the town lacks a formal procedure to seize them.

Heath said previous town councils chose not to take action on overdue utility payments.

Attorney Cameron Smith said when a resident dies with overdue utility charges, a formal claim in probate must be lodged against the estate to enable the town to gain control of the property.

A probate claim is when a creditor, in this case the town of Medicine Bow, claims that a deceased person’s estate owes money and asks the court to recognize and pay that debt.

Clerk Karen Heath again asked for a threshold to begin foreclosure proceedings, based on either time or overdue balance. Attorney Smith said Medicine Bow Ordinance 19.5.107 already specifies when the town can take action on late utility payments.

Attorney Smith said the town should place a lien on every delinquent property. However, to avoid creating additional hardship for vulnerable residents, foreclosure proceedings should be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Town Council.

Attorney Smith said the existing ordinance, as written, gives the Town Council the authority to determine when the foreclosure process should begin.

Mayor Justin George instructed Clerk Heath to present a list of properties with unpaid utility bills to the Town Council. At that point, the governing body will determine which parcels should be subject to liens or foreclosure.

The post Town of Medicine Bow Discusses Late Utility Payments first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

THURSDAY, September 24, 2026|

Photo – Town of Saratoga logo – Courtesy Town of Saratoga

Saratoga officials will ask the State Loan and Investment Board for more money to complete needed sewer improvements.

The Town of Saratoga is undertaking major sewer and water infrastructure upgrades. The West Bench Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project, which involved repairing and replacing roughly 7,000 feet of deteriorating underground water lines on the west side of town, was completed earlier this month. The next effort is the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Collection System Improvements Project to replace two sewer lines running beneath the North Platte River.

During the September 2nd Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner announced that Oftedal Construction of Casper submitted the lowest bid for the sewer replacement project at $3,199,535.90, or just over $166,000 over the engineer’s estimate. The contractor’s bid, combined with an additional 20 percent for engineering and related project costs, brings the total price to $3,839,443.08. The town received a $3.15 million grant from the State Revolving Fund, leaving $689,433.08 unfunded.

Penner recommended requesting another SRF loan from the Office of State Lands and Investments to cover the remaining cost of the sewer replacement project. He said the town must hold a public hearing and draft a resolution before the State Loan and Investment Board meets on October 1st. The governing body agreed to award Oftedal Construction the contract before receiving confirmation that SLIB will approve the second funding request.

On Tuesday evening, the Saratoga Town Council held the required public hearing where Public Works Director Penner explained that the town is asking the state for the remaining $689,433.08 needed to complete the North Platte River sewer replacement project.

No members of the public spoke for or against the matter and the Saratoga Town Council voted to approve the resolution to seek additional funding from the State Revolving Fund. Penner added that he expects the second loan to carry 50 percent principal forgiveness, the same as the original.

The State Loan and Investment Board will consider the town’s second SRF loan request during its October 1st meeting. If the loan is denied, the remaining costs will be covered by Saratoga’s sewer enterprise fund.

The post Saratoga Requests More Funding from State for Sewer Project first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

WEDNESDAY, September 23, 2026|

Photo – North Platte River in Saratoga – Bigfoot99 file photo

Saratoga officials discussed the possibility of removing sandbars from the North Platte River to reduce flooding risk.

During the September 16th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner called attention to the two islands in the North Platte River south of the Highway 130 bridge. Penner said that in the past, the town has dredged the sandbars to improve the flow of the river, but some have suggested finding a permanent solution instead. He recommended the less expensive option of excavating the islands while he investigates a more long-term remedy.

Penner said the least expensive option is for the town to obtain the necessary permits and have its own employees do the actual dredging work. He said removing the islands will reduce the risk of flooding on the North Platte River. Penner added that if nothing is done to address the issue, the sandbars will continue to grow and increase the likelihood of future flooding.

Should the governing body move forward with the dredging project, Penner recommended performing the work during winter when water levels are at their lowest.

Mayor Chuck Davis said the islands have re‑formed after being dredged in the past and will keep doing so. He noted the sandbars are simply continuing to grow without intervention from the town.

Penner was asked who would own the material removed from the river. The public works director said he was waiting for an answer from the Army Corps of Engineers, adding that the last time dredging work was done, the sand and gravel was split between the county and the town.

Newly appointed council member Joe Parrie returned to the topic of a long‑term solution, saying he was told the Highway 130 bridge was contributing to the problem. Public Works Director Penner explained that any obstruction in the river will cause sediment to accumulate.

Penner said the engineering firm Stantec studied ways to alleviate the sediment problem but found that a permanent solution would be very costly.

Councilman Bub Barkhurst asked how much the town spent to dredge the islands in the past. Penner responded that “just over a couple hundred grand” was spent to hire a contractor. For town crews to perform the work, Penner said he would need to rent heavy excavating and hauling equipment to remove roughly 18,000 tons of sand and gravel from the river. He added that using the town’s existing equipment would significantly prolong the project.

Penner said he would likely need to access the North Platte River near East Main Avenue and North River Street or at the end of East Saratoga Avenue, where the bank is the shallowest. He said the Army Corps of Engineers is unlikely to allow him to construct a new entry point into the river.

Penner said he is under the impression that the Corps will only permit dirt work above the established high-water line.

Mayor Chuck Davis said fixing the sediment problem will require addressing the river upstream of the town, adding that the work would likely cost millions. The other members of the governing body agreed that a temporary solution is needed now.

Public Works Director Penner said once the work is complete, the town will need to hire a hydrologist to ensure the project did not affect flood zones.

The Saratoga Town Council approved Penner’s request to obtain cost estimates to dredge the two large sandbars in the North Platte River. The public works director said he will have more information at the next council meeting on October 7th.

The post Saratoga Town Council Discuss Costs to Remove Sandbars in River first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

WEDNESDAY, September 23, 2026|

This week, News Director Matt Copeland sits down with Commissioner Sue Jones to talk about her political experience and the economic future of Carbon County.

The post Carbon County Conversations – Sue Jones first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

TUESDAY, September 22, 2026|

Photo – Image of corner crossing – from court documents

President Trump issued an executive order ensuring access to federally managed public lands.

On Thursday, September 17th, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Reinvigorating America’s Hunting Heritage.” Speaking during the September 17th press conference, President Trump said sportsmen should have access to all federally managed lands.

Specifically, “Reinvigorating America’s Hunting Heritage” directs multiple federal agencies to expand hunting access and improve recreation opportunities on public lands. It orders the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, War, and Commerce to change any policies that limit access for recreation, infrastructure work, and wildlife management, while encouraging volunteer efforts to manage wildlife and invasive species and expanding access for sportsmen and women with disabilities.

President Trump’s executive order also directs his cabinet to unlock checkerboarded and landlocked federal lands through voluntary easements, land exchanges, and cooperative agreements that respect private property rights.

The order also permits the use of traditional lead ammunition and fishing tackle.

President Trump’s executive order is a direct response to the Elk Mountain corner‑crossing case here in Carbon County. In 2020 and 2021, a group of four Missouri hunters used a ladder to corner cross from one parcel of federal land to another. The adjacent private landowner, pharmaceutical executive Fred Eshelman, later sued the hunters for trespassing, arguing they violated his airspace despite never stepping on his property. The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office initially declined to cite the hunters, but the county prosecutor ultimately filed criminal trespass charges.

In 2022, a Carbon County jury ruled in favor of the hunters. Eshelman’s attorneys then brought the case before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. In March of 2025, the judges upheld the lower court’s decision, citing the 1885 Unlawful Inclosures Act, which prohibits private landowners from blocking access to federal public lands in checkerboard regions.

Later in 2025, the Elk Mountain Ranch owner’s attorneys petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the corner‑crossing dispute, but the justices refused to take the case. Since the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision, Wyoming law enforcement, including the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, has been instructed that corner crossing is legal when performed at the corners of two public parcels without touching the adjacent private land.

Because President Trump’s “Reinvigorating America’s Hunting Heritage” executive order was signed just last week, no regulatory changes or corner‑crossing policy proposals have been announced. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins have 180 days from last Thursday to submit plans to open checkerboard‑locked federally managed public lands.

The post President Issues Executive Order Ensuring Access to Public Lands first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

TUESDAY, September 22, 2026|

Photo – Crews working on irrigation system in cemetery – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Rawlins officials are making needed improvements to the city cemetery.

Last week, the City of Rawlins announced that crews were installing new valves on the municipal cemetery’s irrigation system. Parks and Recreation Director Billy Hunt said his focus since taking the job in June has been to improve the cemetery while honoring its past.

City crews are installing battery‑powered valves on the cemetery’s irrigation system. Hunt said the original manual valves often led to over‑ or under‑watering. He said the new system will allow crews to automate sprinkler cycles during ideal watering periods.

Crews are also replacing broken sprinkler heads and repairing any leaks they find in the irrigation pipes. At the same time, Hunt said the computers that control each section of the watering system are being swapped out. He said his team has finished part of the work, and the upgrades are already improving conditions at the cemetery.

The Rawlins City Council approved the cemetery irrigation upgrades, but asked Hunt to consider different options to power the system, including solar energy. Hunt said he chose a rechargeable battery‑powered setup over solar because it’s less expensive and easier to maintain.

Hunt said he expects the batteries to last approximately one year, with the new valves and controls projected to hold up for five to seven years. However, he said the current upgrades are only a test setup to determine the equipment’s actual lifespan.

Hunt added that the irrigation work is only the beginning of the improvements he has planned for the Rawlins Cemetery.

As part of those planned upgrades, Hunt said he would like to dedicate May to cemetery maintenance, where volunteers and city staff work to address winter‑related damage.

Hunt thanked his team, including Nate Williams, Tom Kelly, and their crews, for their work on the cemetery upgrades.

The parks and rec director said the newly upgraded irrigation system should be roughly 70 percent finished before winter, with the entire project completed by next spring.

The post City of Rawlins Makes Improvements to Cemetery first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MONDAY, September 21, 2026|

Photo – Carbon County Senior Center in Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo

County officials are frustrated by new federal rules tied to an older project.

In October 2022, the Carbon County Senior Services was awarded a Federal Transit Administration grant to repave the Rawlins Senior Center’s northern parking lot. The Wyoming Department of Transportation partnered with the federal agency to administer the funding.

Speaking at the August 25th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, County Clerk Lisa Smith announced that she had received a Notice of Federal Interest for the parking lot project. Clerk Smith said under the agreement, the county must inform WYDOT before selling or transferring ownership of the property.

Commissioner John Johnson asked how long the agreement would last. Clerk Smith said she was uncertain. While the county is unlikely to sell the property, Commissioner Johnson suggested having Deputy Attorney Ashley Davis clarify the timeframe before the Board signs the agreement. The commissioners agreed to postpone a vote until they could determine WYDOT’s precise requirements for the property.

The matter was revisited during the September 15th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting in Baggs. Deputy Attorney Ashley Davis reported that WYDOT has started a new process to promote cooperation between the state agency and local governments on federally funded projects.

Attorney Davis said the Notice of Federal Interest acts as lien, or a legal claim against a piece of property that secures a debt. She said WYDOT appears to be using the agreement to avoid pushback from the federal government.

As for the length of the agreement, Attorney Davis said a WYDOT representative indicated the project is expected to have a 20‑year useful lifespan. While not specifically mentioned in the contract, the attorney said WYDOT’s claim to the property may end after that 20‑year period.

Attorney Davis said she informed the WYDOT representative that the project was completed over the course of two years, 2022 and 2023, without any mention of the state agency retaining an interest in the property. She said the WYDOT rep simply reiterated that it was a new policy.

Attorney Davis said the Board can choose not to sign the agreement, but they may be required to repay the $440,000 in federal funding used for the senior center parking lot project. Commissioner John Johnson expressed his disappointment with the last-minute change.

Commissioner Johnson said the Board could challenge the legality of the late addition, but a court case would likely be costly.

Commissioner John Espy said to prevent misuse, the Trump administration has imposed stricter requirements on all federal funding.

Since the Notice of Federal Intent wasn’t part of the original grant agreement, the Board of Commissioners chose not to sign the contract at that time. Instead, they instructed Deputy County Attorney Ashley Davis to contact Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz’s office for guidance.

The post County Receives Notice of Federal Interest on Three-Year Old Paving Project first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.