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THURSDAY, August 6, 2026|

Photo – CDT Marker – Courtesy CCVC

The Rawlins Downtown Development Authority’s first Continental Divide Trail‑themed event was a success.

From July 10th to the 12th, Rawlins hosted Halfway Days, a celebration of the city’s place at the midpoint of the Continental Divide Trail. Rawlins Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Pam Thayer explained that the city also sits at the intersection of numerous other historic and prominent routes.

Every year, the Downtown Development Authority holds a community event called SummerFest. Part of those activities include highlighting the city’s place as a hub for outdoor experiences. While planning for last year’s event, called AdventureFest, Thayer said the Downtown Development Authority learned that the city was one of only three communities that sit directly on the 3,000‑mile Continental Divide Trail, also known as the CDT. The CDT is one of the country’s three major north–south hiking routes, along with the Pacific Crest and Appalachian trails. She said the Downtown Development Authority developed that idea into Halfway Days to recognize the city’s place on the Continental Divide Trail and other major hiking and biking paths.

Though it was the city’s first time hosting it, Thayer said Halfway Days was a success, due in large part to the city staff and volunteers who helped organize and oversee the three‑day event.

Thayer said over 4,000 people attended the inaugural Halfway Days. She added that six nonprofit organizations and charities fundraised during the event.

In preparation for Halfway Days, volunteers, city staff, and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition completed a series of improvements to the section of the trail adjacent to Rawlins, including removing debris and installing a water station. Thayer said after the event, the hiking community had good things to say about Rawlins and encouraged others to spend their time and money in the city.

With this being their first year hosting Halfway Days, Thayer said the Downtown Development Authority identified several ways to improve the event. She said one example is that the weekend’s activities may have been spaced too far apart.

Thayer said the Downtown Development Authority is already planning next year’s Halfway Days, using what it learned from this year.

The post DDA Hosts Successful Event first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

WEDNESDAY, August 5, 2026|

Photo – Dispatch support image – Courtesy CCSO

Two members of the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office are being honored for their bravery and service.

During yesterday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken announced that Sergeant Zach Burns and Dispatcher Karigan Gates were being recognized by the Wyoming Peace Officers Association. The Wyoming Peace Officers Association provides training, support, and recognition for the state’s law enforcement community.

In June, Sergeant Burns was shot in the line of duty while responding to a call for service in Baggs. He was critically injured and spent nearly a month and a half in a Colorado hospital before returning to Rawlins two weeks ago to a hero’s welcome.

The Wyoming Peace Officers Association’s award conference is Wednesday, August 12th in Casper.

Later in the meeting, Sheriff Bakken said the events of June 8th, when Sergeant Burns was attacked, highlighted the fact that emergency dispatchers aren’t classified as first responders under Wyoming law. As a result, they do not receive the same mental‑health benefits as law enforcement officers, EMTs, and firefighters. He added that the state is considering a bill to revise the definition of first responder to include dispatchers, a measure he said he’ll support.

Under Wyoming law, a “first responder” is specifically defined as a peace officer or an employee or someone who volunteers as a firefighter, search‑and‑rescue personnel, or ambulance personnel. The Joint Labor, Health, and Social Services Committee is considering a bill to amend the Workers’ Compensation Act to extend mental‑health benefits available to first responders to public safety telecommunicators as well.

Sheriff Bakken said he supports reclassifying dispatchers as first responders because their work puts them in direct contact with people in crisis.

In a social media post, Sheriff Bakken wrote that, “We strongly feel that our dispatchers deserve the recognition of first responder.” He added that under the existing workers compensation laws, dispatchers are ineligible to receive coverage for mental‑health injuries incurred on the job, such as post‑traumatic stress disorder. The sheriff encouraged the public to contact their state legislators and urge them to support the change.

The post Two Sheriff’s Office Employees Honored by Wyoming Peace Officers Association first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

WEDNESDAY, August 5, 2026|

Photo – Higley Blvd Pedestrian Tunnel – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Work is progressing on the construction projects underway in Rawlins.

The City of Rawlins is undertaking several improvement projects this summer, including replacing water and sewer lines beneath Edinburgh Street and building a pedestrian tunnel under Higley Boulevard.

Monday’s Rawlins City Council meeting began with a moment of silence for 8‑year‑old Raiden Sanchez, who was killed while riding his bike on Sunday.

Later in the meeting, City Manager Matt Hall announced that Higley Boulevard, also known as Highway 287, had reopened to traffic. The highway was closed while the Wyoming Department of Transportation installed an underground walking tunnel connecting the Highland Hills neighborhood with nearby school campuses. Hall said the city will hold a dedication ceremony once the underpass is fully finished.

City officials agreed to name the pedestrian underpass after Patrick Casey McMorrow, who was killed in 1983 while attempting to cross the busy highway.

City Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave noted that recent staffing changes at WYDOT have pushed back the walking tunnel’s final completion date.

The city is also preparing to install a pressure booster station on the corner of Date and 9th streets. Once completed, the underground facility will allow the city to divert low pressure water to higher elevations when the high-pressure line is down for repairs. In June, the city secured a $750,000 grant from the Office of State Lands and Investments and supplied an equal match, bringing the project total to $1.5 million.

At Monday’s City Council meeting, City Manger Matt Hall said crews are waiting for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to approve the station’s design. In the meantime, Hall said staff are preparing to order the equipment required for the booster pump station.

Once Wyoming DEQ issues the permit, work on the Date Street booster station can begin. City Manager Hall said the project is expected to start later this month or early next, with the job taking approximately three weeks to finish.

During the council comments portion of the meeting, Councilman Terry Patterson requested an update on the Edinburgh Street Rebuild Project. Using 6th Penny Specific Purpose Tax finds, the city is replacing the water main and sanitary sewer system, adding a new stormwater collection system, and rebuilding Edinburgh Street with new curb, gutter, sidewalks, and ADA‑accessible ramps. Councilman Patterson asked when Murray Street, which has been closed for the project, would be reopened to traffic, adding that residents have been complaining.

Public Works Director Cody Dill explained that the city’s contractor, Lewis and Lewis Incorporated out of Rock Springs, is preparing the road for pavement.

In addition to those three projects, Rawlins officials have begun the Sage Creek Transmission Pipeline Cathodic Protection Project, which will replace the corrosion‑prevention system on the 32‑mile pipeline that brings drinking water into the city. The project is estimated to cost roughly $5.7 million, split evenly between the city and a Wyoming Water Development Commission grant.

The post Rawlins Construction Projects are Progressing first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

WEDNESDAY, August 5, 2026|

Photo – Poster encouraging residents to vote – Courtesy Carbon County Clerks Office

County officials urged residents to vote in the upcoming primary elections.

Primary election day is Tuesday, August 18th. Absentee voting in Carbon County began on July 21st.

During yesterday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, County Clerk Lisa Smith said few residents have signed up to receive their absentee ballots. Clerk Smith advised voters to call the Clerk’s Office or visit the county website for more information about voting.

Clerk Smith said residents can register to vote at the polls or anytime between now and election day at the clerk’s office. She added that a valid form of identification is required to vote.

New voter ID rules are in place for this election. Residents must show identification to verify their citizenship and prove that they have lived in Wyoming for at least 30 days. Clerk Smith said a passport or a Wyoming driver’s license meets those criteria.

A list of other accepted forms of ID is available on the Carbon County Clerk’s Office website, under the Identification Required to Vote section of the Elections tab.

Clerk Smith urged the public to vote in the primary elections. Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett added that many races will be decided that day.

Commissioner Sue Jones also encouraged residents to vote on primary election day. She said federal elections may not affect the community right away, but local ones will.

Primary election day is Tuesday, August 18th. For more information about new voter ID laws, where to vote, or how to register, call the Carbon County Clerks Office at 328‑2650, email [email protected], or visit the Carbon Building at 215 West Buffalo Street in Rawlins.

The post Know the New Voting Laws Before August 18th first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

TUESDAY, August 4, 2026|

Photo – Carbon County Jail – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office is now charging the state to hold mental health detainees while they wait to be seen in Evanston.

During the July 20th meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners, Sheriff Alex Bakken announced that he’s been working with the Wyoming Department of Health to find a solution for individuals ordered to undergo mental health evaluations. He said many detainees have had to stay in the Carbon County jail for over half a year while waiting for a bed at the Wyoming State Hospital in Evanston.

Sheriff Bakken said he and other sheriffs voiced their frustration by billing the Department of Health for detainees held in jail while waiting to be evaluated at the Wyoming State Hospital. He noted that state legislators have now set aside funds for that purpose.

During the 2026 legislative session, the Wyoming Senate unanimously approved Senate File 10, titled Contracts for Holding and Treating Mentally Ill Detainees. The measure allocated $5 million for the Wyoming Department of Health to contract with county jails for the “security, examination, or treatment of accused persons” who have been charged with a crime but found incompetent to stand trial under Title Seven of the state’s criminal code. Governor Mark Gordon signed the bill into law on March 6th.

During the February 23rd House Appropriations Committee meeting, Natrona County Representative Art Washut said courts across Wyoming are sending more criminal defendants to the state hospital. However, a shortage of beds and staff means those defendants remain in county jails for extended periods of time, putting additional pressure on both, the counties and the inmates.

Back at the July 20th Board of Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken said he and Deputy County Attorney Ashley Davis are drafting a memorandum of understanding requesting $100 a day for mental health detainees. While it’s a step in the right direction, he said even that amount doesn’t fully cover the county’s costs.

Sheriff Bakken said he estimates the county spends roughly $182 a day for each mental health detainee. He said he hopes the Wyoming State Hospital will increase staffing and improve the pace of mental health evaluations. In the meantime, the sheriff said the memorandum of understanding will help Carbon County manage the long‑term housing of those individuals.

Senate File 10 also included funding for counties to offer mental health services inside the jails. That aspect of the bill was not discussed during the July 2oth Board of Commissioners meeting.

The post Jail to be Reimbursed for Housing of Mental Health Detainees first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

TUESDAY, August 4, 2026|

Photo – Pink is red flag warning areas and gray is hazardous atmosphere areas – Courtesy National Weather Service

Smoke hung over Carbon County this week as strong winds and dry weather made conditions hazy.

Residents may have noticed smoky skies and the smell of burning brush across our area. According to National Weather Service, Cheyenne General Forecaster Mathew McLaughlin said major wildfires to our north and west are pushing smoke into the upper atmosphere, creating hazy skies.

The Albany County Office of Emergency Management reported that the Widemouth Fire near Kanosh, Utah, now at nearly 37,000 acres, is driving much of the smoke into south‑central Wyoming. Additional smoke from fires in the Pacific Northwest is drifting into our region as well, worsening conditions.

Even though residents can smell the fires, General Forecaster McLaughlin said Wyoming’s Air Quality Monitoring Network shows the smoke is unlikely to create any health concerns.

The high winds pushing smoke into the region have also triggered a red flag warning. McLaughlin explained that red flag warnings are issued when conditions are favorable for wildfires to start and spread.

Carbon County is currently under Stage One fire restrictions, which limit where outdoor flames are permitted. These conditions are unlikely to change as McLaughlin said there’s no meaningful rain in the forecast; only gusty showers that evaporate before reaching the ground, kicking up strong winds.

The National Weather Service’s experimental probabilistic liquid precipitation forecast shows no discernible rainfall in our region through at least Thursday. The smoky conditions are expected to lighten today, with temperatures climbing into the mid‑90s as the week progresses.

The post Hazy Conditions Blamed on Western Fires first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

TUESDAY, August 4, 2026|

Photo – Carbon County Museum in Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Carbon County Museum is temporarily closed while crews work to repair a suspected sewer line break.

Yesterday morning, the Carbon County Museum Facebook page posted, “The old pipes at the Museum have finally given away. Unfortunately, this means the Carbon County Museum is closed temporarily.”

Museum Director Tom Mensik said the building, formerly a Latter‑day Saints church constructed in the late 1940s, is showing its age, with persistent, but small water leaks in the basement. However, Mensik said last week, Museum Curator Andrew Webster found a more substantial leak. County maintenance crews later determined that the building’s sewer line was backing up into the basement.

Plumbers unsuccessfully attempted to clear the blockage last Friday. Mensik said the issue appears to be more serious than expected.

The building is owned by the county, which is responsible for all maintenance costs.

In the meantime, the Carbon County Museum is closed until further notice. Director Mensik said he made the call out of concern for the health of both staff and patrons.

Mensik assured the public that none of the museum’s exhibits were harmed by the flooding. He said the damage is entirely limited to the basement, where only nonessential items are stored.

Mensik said he will keep the public informed as repairs move forward. He encouraged residents to stop by the museum’s display at the Carbon County Fairgrounds during the closure.

Update: The Carbon County Museum reopened the following morning.

The post Temporary Closure of Museum Due to Plumbing Problems first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MONDAY, August 3, 2026|

Photo – Carbon County Emergency Management C4 Building – Bigfoot99 file photo

County officials have agreed to begin searching for a new emergency manager with help from the sheriff.

In May, Carbon County Emergency Manager Lenny Layman was removed from his position, and the sheriff’s office began handling his former duties. No official explanation has been provided for Layman’s removal.

Lenny Layman was selected from a pool of five candidates in May of 2020 to fill the open emergency manager seat by then‑Fire Warden Ron Brown. He was responsible for organizing the county’s emergency response, crafting hazard mitigation plans, and securing state and federal grants to purchase emergency equipment.

Back at the June 2nd Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Riverside Mayor Leroy Stephenson asked if the Board was planning to backfill Layman’s position. Commission Chairman Travis Moore said Sheriff Alex Bakken would oversee emergency management coordination while the county searches for a new emergency manager.

During the July 20th Board of Commissioners meeting, Chairman Moore announced that he and Sheriff Bakken had discussed what role the emergency manager should have moving forward and asked if the sheriff was ready to begin searching for a new candidate.

Sheriff Bakken responded that he was prepared, adding that he had a clear understanding of the emergency manager’s responsibilities and how to oversee the position.

Commissioner Moore asked to open the candidate search nationally by posting the position on job listing websites, such as Indeed.com.

The post County Commissioners Agree to Begin Looking for New Emergency Manager first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MONDAY, August 3, 2026|

Photo – Edinburgh Street – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Rawlins officials approved an extra $55,000 for the Edinburgh Street Rebuild Project.

During the July 21st Rawlins City Council meeting, Mayor Jacquelin Wells introduced a change order from Lewis and Lewis for the Edinburgh Street project. A change order is a written modification to a project’s original contract that alters the scope of work, cost, or schedule. The Rock Springs‑based contractor was requesting $55,950 to install more geotechnical fabric, which is used to stabilize the ground and improve drainage.

In 2019, Rawlins’ residents approved Specific Purpose 6th Penny Tax funding to replace the water main and sanitary sewer system, add a new stormwater collection system, and rebuild Edinburgh Street with new curb, gutter, sidewalks, and ADA‑accessible ramps.

Last November, the Rawlins City Council approved a $7.9 million bid from Lewis and Lewis Incorporated of Rock Springs to remove and replace 10,500 square yards of asphalt and install 3,000 feet of water line and 2,900 feet of storm sewer pipe.

At the July 21st meeting, Public Works Director Cody Dill explained that the city had commissioned a geotechnical report to determine the soil composition beneath Edinburgh Street before the project began. The report recommended installing geotechnical fabric under a section of private property. As the project moved forward, Dill said that step was omitted, prompting an earlier change order for more ground‑stabilizing material.

Dill said the geotechnical report didn’t call for more fabric, so the city left it out of the project manual beyond that initial section. However, he said that while digging in another portion of the site, Lewis and Lewis uncovered a stretch of unforeseen unstable ground, necessitating the $55,950 change order under consideration.

Dill said the extra 5,000 square yards of geotechnical fabric will give the entire job site ground‑stabilizing support.

The Rawlins City Council unanimously voted to approve the Edinburgh Street Rebuild Project change order. This marks the 5th change order Lewis and Lewis has requested since the project began last November. On March 3rd, the governing body approved three modifications to the scope of the project: $44,615.79 for contamination monitoring at the former Kum & Go on the corner of East Murray and Frontage streets, $6,812 for added concrete around storm drains, and $46,204.20 for the first round of geotechnical fabric. It is unclear when the 4th change order was approved or what work it covered.

The post Rawlins Council Approves Change Order on Edinburgh Street Project first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MONDAY, August 3, 2026|

Photo – Wood’s Field – Bigfoot99 file photo

Per Saratoga ordinance, food trucks are prohibited from operating at the town’s baseball fields without a permit.

During the July 15th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Clerk Jennifer Anderson announced that the owner of a food truck had asked for permission to set up near Wood Field, the town’s Little League baseball field, in the evenings when games are being held.

Recreation Director Carter Edwards said several food truck operators were interested in providing concessions at Wood Field. They would operate Monday through Thursday from roughly 6 to 7 p.m. during baseball and softball games. Edwards noted that Wood Field does not have a permanent concession stand, leaving parent volunteers to sell snacks and drinks during Little League games.

Mayor Chuck Davis said allowing food trucks at the baseball field could lead to issues with other vendors.

Saratoga resident Richard Hodges, who lives in the vicinity of Wood Field, said the site is far too congested during games to allow for food trucks.

Hodges said the only place food trucks could use is a small parcel of land north of the ball fields.

Police Chief John Moore began checking into the town’s ordinances regarding food trucks. Mayor Chuck Davis said mobile food vendors are restricted to private property or require a special event permit to operate on town‑owned land.

Much of the land surrounding the baseball fields is owned by the Wood family. Mayor Davis said vendors should either apply for a special event permit and have the town review it or get permission from the Wood family to park on their land.

The Saratoga Town Council agreed to inform mobile food vendors that they must ask the Wood family for authorization to operate on their private property or file for a special event permit with the town before setting up at the Little League fields.

The post Permit Needed for Food Trucks at Saratoga Baseball Fields first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.