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MONDAY, June 22, 2026|

Photo – An example of the Date Street Booster Station Project – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The Office of State Lands and Investments approved a mineral royalty grant from the City of Rawlins to strengthen its water infrastructure.

On Thursday, June 18th, the State Loan and Investment Board held a special meeting to consider 19 mineral royalty grant applications. The Mineral Royalty Grant Program is funded through state mineral royalty revenues, which are used to help local governments pay for critical public‑service needs, including emergency vehicle purchases and utility infrastructure projects.

During the June 18th meeting, Office of State Lands and Investments Director Stacia Berry announced that her agency received $9.7 million in mineral royalty grant requests, but had only $6.1 million to award, meaning several projects would receive partial or no funding in this grant cycle. Berry said the City of Rawlins was seeking a $750,000 grant for the Date Street booster station project, and OSLI recommended approving the full request.

City Manager Matt Hall explained that the project was prompted by an incident that occurred in late April and early May, where multiple breaks were discovered on the high‑pressure line serving the Hospital and Painted Hills storage tanks. Hall said the break left nearly 2,000 properties relying on the water stored in the tanks while city crews worked to fix the break.

Residents in the city’s higher‑elevation areas rely on the high‑pressure line for their water supply. By the time service was restored, the Hospital and Painted Hills tanks were down to 35 percent of capacity.

At the time, Rawlins Public Works Director Cody Dill reported that 1.55 million gallons of treated water were lost during the weeklong incident, with repair costs totaling between $35,000 and $40,000.

After the repairs were completed, the city hired Sunrise Engineering out of Laramie to develop a way to maintain water service during a high-pressure line break. Engineer CJ Walker recommended installing a pressure‑booster pump station at the intersection of Date and 9th Streets, where the city’s high‑pressure line meets the low‑pressure system.

At the June 18th State Loan and Investment Board meeting, City Manager Matt Hall said the booster station will allow water to be rerouted from the low‑pressure system into the high‑pressure line when needed.

Hall added that any future breaks on the high‑pressure line may require the system to be taken out of service for at least a month. He said the booster pump station will keep water service running during repairs, strengthen the city’s water infrastructure, and support the local economy.

The State Loan and Investment Board unanimously voted to approve the city’s $750,000 mineral royalty grant for the Date Street booster station.

Documents provided by the city indicate that the majority of the equipment will be located underground to give the pumps access to the high- and low-pressure lines in the area. The facility is expected to occupy roughly two parking spaces on 9th Street and be “virtually silent.”

The city is still required to contribute $750,000 of its own funds toward the $1.5 million project.

The post Rawlins Awarded SLIB Mineral Royalty Grant for Booster Station Project first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

FRIDAY, June 19, 2026 |

Photo – Carbon County 250 Committee logo – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Board of Commissioners were updated on the county’s upcoming 250 celebrations.

This July 4th marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To honor the semi quincentennial, the state of Wyoming has allocated federal funds toward local events. Last year, the Board of Commissioners formed the Carbon County 250 Committee to distribute the state money and plan the county’s celebrations. The committee is made up of several museum directors and local author Candy Moulton.

According to sources within the 250 Committee, Carbon County was the first county to request state funding, with nearly every museum using the grant money to create new exhibits.

Speaking at the June 16th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, 250 Committee member Candy Moulton said 4th of July is quickly approaching, signaling the end of the committee’s work. She thanked the other members, including museum directors Tim Nicklas, Justin Horn, Lela Emmons, and Tom Mensik, for organizing the county’s festivities.

Moulton said the county‑wide celebrations will take place on July 10th, Wyoming Statehood Day, at Depot Park in Rawlins. She said the 250 Committee is working with city officials and the Rawlins Downtown Development Authority to organize the event. Moulton added that the celebration wouldn’t be possible without that help, noting that committee members lack the time to handle the planning on their own.

Moulton said July 4th will serve as the official kick‑off for the county’s 250 celebrations, with parades planned in both the Little Snake River Valley and Saratoga. The Wyoming Frontier Prison will also offer special tours that day.

Moulton said the Carbon County 250 Committee’s main focus has been the creation of a short documentary about the history of the area, called Journeys to Carbon County. She said the 28-minute film will premiere on the 4th of July in Saratoga.

The film will feature interviews with Carbon County residents and include reenactments of three historically significant events: the Stansbury Expedition, the Hanna mine disasters of 1903 and 1908, and a reenactment at the historic Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow highlighting the former Lincoln Highway, the nation’s first transcontinental route.

Moulton played a one-minute trailer of the film for the Board, which included interviews with historian Mark Miller and Commissioner Sue Jones.

Commissioner Jones thanked Discover Carbon County, also known as the Carbon County Visitors Council, for funding the documentary.

On July 10th, the city of Rawlins will host a variety of events, including the Continental Divide Trail Coalition’s Halfway Days and the country’s 250 celebration. Moulton said the 250 Committee will present several awards during the festivities, including art and writing competitions.

On July 8th, Moulton said the county’s museums will take part in a nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence. The event is meant to recreate the first public reading of the document, held in Philadelphia on July 8th, 1776. She said the reading will occur at 4 p.m. at the Carbon County Courthouse in Rawlins, but noted she still needs a volunteer reader.

Commission Chairman Travis Moore offered to read the Declaration of Independence on the 8th.

The Board of Commissioners thanked Moulton and the other members of the 250 Committee for helping to plan the county’s semi quincentennial celebrations.

The post 250 Committee Member Gives Agenda for Celebration first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

FRIDAY, June 19, 2026 |

Photo – Fireworks display in Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo

The vice mayor of Rawlins said he would like his city to host the largest 4th of July fireworks display in Wyoming.

During the June 16th Rawlins City Council meeting, the governing body discussed the budget for the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1st. In the budget, the city has allocated roughly $22,000 for this year’s 4th of July fireworks display. Vice Mayor Darril Garner, who is serving in place of Mayor Jacquelin Wells as she recovers from a hip injury, suggested adding more funding to the city’s Independence Day show.

Rawlins Fire Chief Allen Robinson said $22,000 amounts to approximately a 25‑minute fireworks display. He added that the fireworks allocation was set in March, meaning any changes made to the upcoming budget will not take effect until next July.

Vice Mayor Garner said he would like Rawlins to host the largest fireworks display in the state. He acknowledged that the idea was unlikely, but said it may be possible with additional funding.

Councilman Steve Sanger asked Vice Mayor Garner how much additional funding he would like to put toward next year’s 4th of July show. In response, the vice mayor asked about the duration of the state’s longest fireworks display. Fire Chief Allen Robinson said he was unsure, noting that many municipalities hire outside contractors for their shows.

In Rawlins, the city’s firefighters handle the Independence Day celebration. Chief Robinson said he would be willing to take on a larger show, but added that the current one is already taxing his crew.

Councilman Terry Patterson asked how much it would cost to double the length of the city’s current fireworks display. Fire Chief Allen Robinson replied that the fireworks supplier estimates a doubled show would require roughly twice the funding.

Chief Robinson added that the supplier does not offer a discount for buying in bulk.

Vice Mayor Garner asked if the fire department had the space to store double the usual number of fireworks. Chief Robinson said the materials are kept at the supplier until they’re ready to be used. He said the limiting factor comes from storing the tubes needed to launch the various‑sized mortars and shells.

Instead of hosting the largest fireworks show in Wyoming, Vice Mayor Garner jokingly suggested purchasing the single largest firework in the state.

The Rawlins City Council voted to authorize the Rawlins Fire Department to proceed with this year’s 4th of July fireworks show. Any changes to the city’s Independence Day spending will have to wait until next year.

The post Rawlins Vice Mayor Inquires on Building Largest Fireworks Show in the State first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

THURSDAY, June 18, 2026 |

Photo – Brush Creek Road bridge – Courtesy Sue Jones

County officials voted to close Brush Creek Road for the duration of the planned bridge replacement project.

The 100‑year‑old bridge over the North Platte River in Encampment, known as Bridge DML on Brush Creek Road, is set to be demolished and replaced under the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Bridge Replacement Off System, or BROS, program in 2028.

The BROS program is a federally funded initiative to replace locally owned, structurally deficient bridges. Carbon County has three structures scheduled to be replaced under the program: the bridge over the Encampment River on Baggot Rocks Road, the Medicine Bow River bridge on County Road Three, and the Brush Creek Road bridge.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation originally planned to construct a temporary crossing to allow local traffic to continue using Brush Creek Road while the bridge was being replaced. However, WYDOT has estimated that closing the road during construction would save the state agency $1 million.

The bridge replacement project is estimated to cost $5.1 million, but adding a detour would increase the price to $6.6 million. The county is responsible for roughly 10 percent of the project, either $531,000 to close the road or $628,000 for the detour.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners were reluctant to close the road, noting that residents and emergency services will be required to take a 30 mile detour out to Highway 130 to bypass the construction site.

On June 2nd, WYDOT and county officials met with residents in Saratoga to discuss the project. Speaking at Tuesday morning’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner John Johnson said he was originally opposed to closing Brush Creek Road, but after seeing that a detour over the North Platte River would add a year and at least $1 million to the project, he changed his mind.

Commissioner John Johnson said attendees at the June 2nd meeting acknowledged the closure would inconvenience nearby landowners, yet most urged the county to finish the work as quickly as possible.

Commission Chairman Travis Moore agreed, adding that meeting attendees wanted the county to ensure that construction will have the smallest impact on residents.

With the planned closure, the Brush Creek Road bridge replacement project is expected to take one year to complete. Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett asked if that timeline could be shortened. WYDOT Project Engineer Diego Fronza said the structure in question is larger than most his department works on, requiring it to be built in multiple sections.

Due to those circumstances, Fronza said the project is unlikely to be completed in less than nine months.

Commission Chairman Travis Moore asked if WYDOT had considered working day and night to finish the project as quickly as possible. He added that other states have found similar approaches save money.

WYDOT District Construction Engineer Ryan Shields said the agency doesn’t direct contractors on how to perform the work. Instead, it can offer financial incentives for meeting timeline goals or impose penalties for missing them.

Shields said WYDOT will consider all possible time savings techniques while engineering the bridge replacement project.

Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett said attendees of the June 2nd meeting appreciated having two and a half years of notice to prepare for the closure.

The Brush Creek Road bridge is considered historic because of its age. As a result, it is unlikely to be scrapped like most bridges. The WYDOT representatives said the structure may be given to Brush Creek Ranch for preservation.

Following the presentation, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners unanimously voted to close the bridge replacement site during construction, adding that the job will be completed as quickly as possible.

The post Brush Creek Road to Close During Bridge Replacement first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

THURSDAY, June 18, 2026 |

Photo – Rawlins City Council and representatives pose with Pastors Kirk and Kristin Sherman – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The City of Rawlins has selected a husband‑and‑wife team to receive its monthly service award.

Every month, the Rawlins Volunteer Committee selects a person or organization that donates time to help make the city a better place to live. At the June 16th Rawlins City Council meeting, Fire Chief and Volunteer Committee member Allen Robinson announced that Trinity Assembly of God pastors Kirk and Kristin Sherman were selected for the June Community Builder Award.

Public Information Officer and Volunteer Committee member Mira Miller said the Shermans moved to Rawlins more than 20 years ago to serve at Trinity Assembly of God and they have chosen to serve the broader community as well. Miller said the Shermans routinely seek out underserved areas of the city and can be relied on to host community barbeques, serving hundreds of hotdogs every year.

Miller continued, saying the Shermans encourage residents to be present, form connections, and identify gaps in community service. She said their service record is too long to list but offered a few examples of how the Shermans support their community.

Miller said the Shermans have fallen in love with the people of Rawlins, and they show it through their actions. Kristin Sherman thanked the city for the honor, adding that while they came to Rawlins to serve the church, they stayed to serve its residents.

Kirk Sherman also thanked the city for the award, saying he and his wife do their best to address underserved areas in the community. He added that they haven’t done that work alone; it took a team.

All Community Builder Award winners receive a plaque and $100 to donate to a non-profit organization of their choice. The Shermans chose to give their prize money to Carbon County Child Development Programs Head Start initiative, which provides preschool education, family services, and developmental support to help children get ready for school and strengthen families.

The post Local Couple Recognized as June Community Builder Awardees first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2026 |

Photo – Carbon County Sheriff’s Office sign – Bigfoot99 file photo

Sheriff Alex Bakken provided more information about the Baggs shooting.

On Monday, June 8th, an unnamed suspect opened fire on Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Zach Burns with a semi-automatic rifle while he was responding to a call in Baggs. Sergeant Burns was shot multiple times, including in the neck, arm, and hip.

Speaking during Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Bakken called the incident one of the most traumatic events in the history of the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office. He said another one of his deputies killed the shooter. Though it was a life‑altering event for the unnamed deputy, the sheriff said he was grateful for how the incident ended.

Sheriff Bakken said the actions of Sergeant Burns and the unnamed deputy almost certainly saved lives, adding that the suspect had over 1,000 AR-15 magazines in his apartment. He said the suspect appeared intent on killing until the responding deputies intervened.

Sheriff Bakken said his department received overwhelming support from the community and law enforcement agencies across the state. He credited Baggs residents for saving Sergeant Burns’s life.

Sergeant Burns was airlifted to a Grand Junction, Colorado, hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. Sheriff Bakken said during that time, the community and local law enforcement ensured that the Burns family was well cared for.

Sheriff Bakken said he is assigning a deputy to stand vigil over Sergeant Burns during his recovery.

Despite the severity of the incident, the sheriff expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported Sergeant Burns and his family during this difficult time.

An account was created on the crowdfunding website SpotFund to support the Burns family. As of this report, 415 donors contributed more than $50,000 to the effort.

The post Sheriff Shares Appreciation to Community for Support of Injured Deputy first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2026 |

Photo – Elk Mountain school’s gymnasium – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Carbon County School District Two Board is considering alternative uses for the Elk Mountain School.

For the fourth year in a row, no students are enrolled at the Elk Mountain School. Last year, the district allowed the Elk Mountain government to use the building as a town hall and community center. The school also remained open as an attendance center when weather prevented students from reaching the Hanna schools. However, with no new students, the district is considering other options for the facility.

During Monday’s Carbon County School District Two Board of Trustees meeting in Elk Mountain, Superintendent Darrin Jennings said the state will allow the district to close the school, take the building out of active service, or find another use for it. Jennings said he appreciates the school being open for the community but acknowledged that it creates added costs for the district.

School District Two Business Manager Sally Wells said that because of how the state allocates funding, the Elk Mountain School was still receiving state money. With no students for a fourth year, that support will end.

In addition, Wells said the district paid nearly $11,000 in utility bills in May. She said those costs are evenly split with the town, which also donates water and sewer service.

Wells said she reached out to the Wyoming School Facilities Commission for guidance on what the district can legally do with the Elk Mountain School. The business manager said the best option appears to be taking the building out of service until there are students again, called mothballing. Wells said the state is unclear if the building can be used while out of service, but it appears it can.

Wells said the district would need permission from the Wyoming School Facilities Commission to mothball the Elk Mountain School. She said state guidelines allow a facility to be out of service for up to six years, but the Facilities Commission has not clarified what happens after that period ends.

Earlier in the meeting, the Board of Trustees heard from BOCES Five Deputy Executive Director of Programming Ted Hanson, who outlined a proposal to use the Elk Mountain School as a day school for students needing emotional, behavioral, or mental‑health support.

BOCES stands for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services. BOCES 5 operates the state’s network of accredited therapeutic and alternative‑education programs for K‑12 students.

Deputy Executive Director of Programming Ted Hanson said the Elk Mountain School is a good fit for BOCES use.

Hansen said they could accept students from both Carbon County school districts and Albany County School District One, with BOCES covering the transportation costs.

Because BOCES 5 delivers legally mandated special‑education programs, the Wyoming Department of Education fully reimburses the districts for their participation costs.

Superintendent Jennings said he would like to keep the school open only for the town of Elk Mountain to use, but the district’s finances won’t allow it. He said the building was designed to be a school, and he wants to see students attending classes there again.

Jennings said the Elk Mountain School could be used to keep students with severe emotional, behavioral, or mental‑health needs in the community, close to family and friends, instead of sending them to a full‑time residential facility such as the C‑V Ranch School in Jackson.

Later in the meeting, the superintendent said that as a BOCES day school, the state would help cover the district’s day‑to‑day upkeep of the Elk Mountain School.

Board of Trustees member Paul Clark asked if the district could take the facility out of service and still run a BOCES program in the building. Superintendent Jennings said yes, adding that the state program operates in many mothballed locations.

Business Manager Sally Wells said districts are allowed to use state funding to preserve mothballed schools, but the state construction department limits how much money can be spent on out‑of‑service facilities. Superintendent Jennings said lawmakers claim to stand behind rural schools while restricting needed financial support.

The Carbon County School District Two Board of Trustees was simply considering alternative uses for the Elk Mountain School, and no decision was made during Monday’s meeting.

The post CCSD#2 Discusses Alternative Uses for Elk Mountain School first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

June 16th 2026 |

Photo: Courtesy City of Rawlins

Rawlins officials have removed a dangerous structure and will attempt to recover costs after the property is sold.

Last month, the Rawlins City Council voted to demolish the vacant house located at 440 West Davis Street. During the May 5th meeting, Community Development Director Lou Lascano said residents had raised concerns about the structure, which the city already designated as a dangerous building. Lascano said the house was actively deteriorating.

Lascano informed the governing body that the former occupants had died and no one has stepped up to claim the property. He said he received a $12,000 bid to demolish the home. However, the price does not include the fees to haul the debris to the city landfill.

City Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave recommended placing a lien on the property to recover the city’s costs, adding that the Wyoming Department of Health already holds a $97,796 lien for care provided to the former owner.

City Manager Matt Hall provided an update on the house demolition during the May 19th City Council meeting. Hall reported that more than 250 tons of material was taken to the landfill, at a cost of $22,000 to the city. He said that amount, along with the cost of demolition, will be added to the city’s lien on the property.

Hall added that he was in talks with the Wyoming Department of Health in Cheyenne to remove its lien on the property, as the state is highly unlikely to recover its costs.

At the next Rawlins City Council meeting on June 2nd, Councilman Steve Sanger asked why the city was able to demolish this particular house when similar efforts in the past have been prevented.

Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave responded that under state law, the city has always had the authority to address dangerous buildings, even those in private hands. She said she did not know why the city was unable to deal with such structures in the past.

Attorney Maberry‑Nave added that the city entered into a memorandum of understanding with the county to make removing dangerous buildings easier, which may also have contributed to the quick demolition of the Davis Street house.

With the property now cleared, Attorney Maberry‑Nave said she will file a lien to recover the city’s demolition costs once the parcel sells. However, she noted that she must first confirm there are no heirs before she can proceed with the filing.

The city is also working to demolish the former Wyoming Bar at 413 West Front Street, next to Depot Park. Citing major liability concerns involving asbestos, lead, and structural blight, the Rawlins Downtown Development Authority secured a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to remove the 126‑year‑old structure.

The post Rawlins Removes Dangerous Structure first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

June 16th 2026 |

Photo: Official Seal of Carbon County Wyoming

County officials agree to extend the contract with the health officer.

Doctor Wayne Couch, a long-time family medicine and obstetrics physician, is currently the health officer for Carbon County. In the role, Dr. Couch is responsible for managing disease outbreaks, enforcing state and local sanitary laws, and overseeing the county’s broader public‑health efforts.

During the June 2nd Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Deputy Attorney Ashley Davis presented a contract to renew Dr. Couch’s role as the county health officer for another year.

Deputy Attorney Davis added that the state has provided a grant to fund the county health officer’s salary through June of 2029. She said Dr. Couch has served in the role for nearly a year, and by signing the contract, the county is ensuring he remains available to assist with any future health emergencies.

Attorney Davis said the contract was identical to the one from the previous year. Commissioner John Espy asked if there was a reason not to extend the contract through the life of the state grant.

The other commissioners said they had no concerns and voted to extend Dr. Couch’s term as the county’s public health officer through 2029. Attorney Davis said she would make the necessary changes to the contract.

The post County Health Officer Contract Extended first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

June 15th 2026 |

Photo: Courtesy of Nathan James

Work is continuing to conserve the historic Medicine Bow Airport.

During the June 8th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Councilman Lee Cook, who also serves as the town’s liaison to the Airport Advisory Board, reported that Public Works Director Brian Lashley arranged a visit from the nonprofit pilot advocacy group, Recreational Aviation Foundation. Cook said he and 12 volunteers removed a large amount of trash and scrap metal from the area. He added that the cleanup is only the first step in restoring the historic airfield and thanked Public Works Director Brian Lashley  and the Recreational Aviation Foundation for their support.

The Recreational Aviation Foundation is a charitable organization advocating for the preservation and creation of airstrips for recreational aviation.

Built in 1929, the Medicine Bow Airport, officially known as Site 32, served the transcontinental airmail route, guiding pilots between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Omaha, Nebraska. The runway hosted several famous aviators, including Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. Due to its role in the airmail system, the site is listed on the National Park Service’s Register of Historic Places.

Despite its significance, the airport sat largely unused for decades until the summer of 2024, when Colorado pilot Nathan Finneman mentioned the importance of the airfield to the Medicine Bow Town Council. Finneman’s presentation led the governing body to reform the Airport Advisory Board to oversee preservation and restoration of the historic site.

Since that time, the Airport Advisory Board has worked to preserve the remaining structures, including the original weather station and light beacon tower.

Back at the June 8th meeting, Councilman Lee Cook said a local supporter volunteered to donate a new metal roof for the weather station, while another agreed to provide plastic shingles. Cook said the metal roof is no longer available, so the Airport Advisory Board is likely to accept the plastic‑shingle donation.

While the plastic shingles are aesthetically pleasing, they are not available in a color that matches the weather station’s original roof. To maintain the site’s standing on the National Park Service’s Register of Historic Places, all restoration work must conform to the original design. Councilman Cook said the Airport Advisory Board has been given the permission to paint the shingles, adding that the work wouldn’t be necessary with a metal roof.

In the meantime, the Medicine Bow Airport Advisory Board is working with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to remove any hazardous materials from the site, including lead‑contaminated dirt from around the weather station.

The post Conservation Efforts Continue at the Medicine Bow Airport first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.