Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

TUESDAY, June 9, 2026 |

Photo – MHCC Emergency entrance – Bigfoot99 file photo

Memorial Hospital administrators report continued improvements.

Rural hospitals across the country are struggling with low insurance reimbursements, limited patient volume, and challenges in recruiting providers and specialists. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is not immune to those same pressures. Years of declining revenue, long‑standing building infrastructure issues, and repeated CEO changes left the Rawlins medical center in significant financial trouble. A failed ballot measure to create a special hospital district funded by a property‑tax mill levy in 2024 did not improve the facility’s outlook.

Last April, the Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees appointed Kerry Ashment as permanent CEO. Ashment has 26 years of executive healthcare experience. Under his leadership, the hospital appears to be stabilizing.

In light of those long‑standing issues, the Board of Commissioners has asked Memorial Hospital of Carbon County administrators to provide monthly updates on the operational and financial performance of the medical center. Speaking during the June 2nd Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Memorial Hospital CEO Kerry Ashment emphasized the importance he places on transparency. Without a clear understanding of what the hospital is doing, Ashment said people assume staff are being dishonest.

Ashment explained that all four elevators in the 54‑year‑old hospital building are failing. In November, the Office of State Lands and Investments approved a $500,000 Mineral Royalties Grant for elevator repairs and improvements, with the county providing the required 50 percent match of $250,000. While the hospital waits for the funding to be released, the elevators continue to break down, with Ashment saying the most recent fix will cost $40,000.

The Board of Commissioners noted the difficulty of bringing elevator technicians to the area and discussed entering into an elevator service contract with Memorial Hospital to ensure the facility can have technicians respond when problems occur.

Continuing his presentation, Ashment said Memorial Hospital obtained an American Rescue Plan Act grant to replace rooftop HVAC units, which must be completed by the end of the year.

Ashment also announced that the facility has changed hospital‑management and advisory firms from Ovation Healthcare to TruBridge. Hospital administrators were dissatisfied with Ovation’s performance and chose to terminate the contract last December.

In place of Ovation’s billing and coding services, Ashment said Memorial Hospital has brought that work in house to improve accuracy and increase the reliability of reimbursement payments.

Ashment said Memorial Hospital is also changing its radiology reading service from an Idaho‑based company to Casper Medical Imaging. He said the new partnership should result in improved response times for patients.

Chief Financial Officer Joy Coulston provided an update on the medical center’s finances. Coulston reported that when she was hired last June, the total of accounts waiting to be billed, referred to as Did Not Final Bill, was roughly $2.8 million. After focusing on improving that balance, she said the amount of unbilled accounts dropped to $1.3 million. Despite a recent increase in the number of Did Not Final Bill claims, Coulston said the hospital is still in good shape given recent billing‑system improvements.

On a positive note, Coulston said the number of clean claims, or bills approved by insurance providers without changes, has been steadily increasing with the help of TruBridge.

Coulston reported that in April, Memorial Hospital saw a $16,492 revenue increase.

In January, Coulston said the number of days the facility can operate without any income, referred to as cash on hand, was at 36. By April, that number had dropped to a little over 20. The chief operating officer attributed the decline to greater spending.

Coulston said she is working on a budget for the hospital, something the facility has not had in the past. Once the Board of Trustees approves the budget, administrators will share it with the Board of Commissioners.

The post MHCC Gives Monthly Report to Commissioners first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MONDAY, June 8, 2026 |

Photo – Proposed site for power plant – Courtesy Seminoe Power Company

Seminoe Power Company representatives are holding public meetings to discuss a proposed natural gas power plant in Carbon County.

During the June 2nd Saratoga Town Council meeting, Town Clerk Jennifer Anderson announced that Seminoe Power Company sent a letter announcing two open house meetings to discuss a proposed natural gas power plant called the Miller Generating Station.

Seminoe Power Company is an affiliate of Power Company of Wyoming. Both entities operate under the Anschutz Corporation, a Colorado‑based energy investment firm.

Last year, Anschutz Corporation proposed building a 2,000‑megawatt natural gas power plant south of Sinclair. Anschutz, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Power Company of Wyoming, is attempting to supplement electricity generated by the nearby 3,000‑megawatt Chokecherry Sierra Madre wind project. Together, the two facilities are intended to meet the state’s rising energy needs, including increased demand from AI data centers.

In January, representatives from Power Company of Wyoming met with the Board of Carbon County Commissioners to discuss the proposed natural gas power plant. Executive Vice President of Engineering and Construction Ryan Jacobson said the Miller Generating Station would occupy roughly 70 acres of private land owned by the Overland Trail Ranch. The facility would be located south of Rawlins and Sinclair, near the Chokecherry Sierra Madre wind farm. Referring to a provided map, Jacobsen said the site was selected to give the facility direct access to nearby natural gas and electrical transmission lines.

Jacobson said the chosen site complies with the county’s zoning maps, and the nearby Grenville Dome will shield the facility from view. In addition, the location can be accessed by an existing road constructed to reach the Chokecherry Sierra Madre wind farm.

Power Company of Wyoming Executive Vice President of Land, Environment, and Operations Kelly Cummins said the proposed Miller Generating Station is intended to complement the nearby wind energy project. Together, the two facilities will provide a steady supply of electricity.

Cummins said excess energy generated from the two projects could be sold to regional utilities, potentially attracting additional development to the area.

The Miller Generating Station is expected to create 350 temporary construction jobs, separate from the Chokecherry Sierra Madre and TransWest projects, along with 30 permanent operations jobs. The initial start-up of the power plant is expected to begin in 2028, with operations ramping up over time until the facility reaches its peak output of 2,000 megawatts. The final completion date will depend on when the TransWest Express transmission line finishes construction.

At the Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis said Seminoe Power Company has scheduled two public meetings next week to discuss the project: one in Rawlins and the other in Saratoga.

In its letter to the town of Saratoga, Seminoe Power Company wrote that the public meetings are required under the Wyoming Industrial Development and Siting Act.

The Miller Generating Station public information meetings are set for Wednesday, June 10th at the Jeffery Memorial Community Center in Rawlins from 2 to 7 p.m., and Thursday, June 11th at the Platte Valley Community Center in Saratoga from 4 to 7 p.m.

The post Two Public Meetings Planned to Discuss Proposed Natural Gas Power Plant first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MONDAY, June 8, 2026 |

Photo – Badge over map – Courtesy CCSO

Recognizing the value of drug identification devices, county officials authorized the purchase of additional kits.

During Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken requested approval to purchase two TruNarc Narcotics Detection Devices using money from the county’s opioid settlement fund. Sheriff Bakken explained that the kits allow officers to test suspected drugs without removing the substance from its packaging. He added that the devices are safer for officers than the previous method.

In 2022, drug manufacturers, distributors, and major pharmacy chains began paying billions of dollars to states, counties, and cities to address the harm caused by widespread opioid misuse. The settlement agreements require that most of the money be used specifically for opioid‑related treatment, prevention, and support efforts.

As of Tuesday morning, Carbon County had $720,000 in its opioid settlement fund. Sheriff Bakken said the drug identification kits are eligible to be purchased using that money.

The sheriff said two TruNarc Narcotics Detection Devices cost $88,170, with an included five‑year warranty.

Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett asked if two kits were enough. Sheriff Bakken said he would prefer more so he could place units throughout the county.

Commissioner John Espy said he supported purchasing additional drug identification kits and moved to buy three TruNarc Narcotics Detection Devices. The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the motion. The $132,255 needed for the three units will be paid from the county’s opioid settlement fund.

The post Commissioners Approve Purchase for Drug Test Kits first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MONDAY, June 8, 2026 |

Photo – City of Rawlins representatives with Award Winner Karlee Kramer – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The city of Rawlins selected its first high school student to receive a 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 2nd Rawlins City Council meeting, Volunteer Committee member Fire Chief Allen Robinson announced that, for the first time, the committee had chosen a high school student for the award: Karlee Kramer.

Volunteer Committee member and Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Pam Thayer said service work leaves a lasting impact on young people, making them more likely to volunteer as adults.

Thayer said Karlee Kramer, who graduated from Rawlins High School in May, helps at the local nursing home while she works toward becoming a certified nursing assistant. In addition to her other volunteer work, Kramer assisted at the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter, served as a Salvation Army bell ringer, and took part in the Rawlins High School Best Buddies program. Kramer explained that Best Buddies pairs high school students with disabled peers to support inclusion and foster friendships.

After being selected to receive the May Community Builder Award, Kramer was asked a series of questions about her commitment to the city of Rawlins. Volunteer Committee member Thayer read the award winner’s responses.

Kramer thanked the City Council for selecting her for the award.

All Community Builder Award winners receive a plaque and $100 to donate to a non-profit organization of their choice. Kramer chose to give her prize money to the Rawlins High School Best Buddies program.

Under the new award criteria, one high school senior will be chosen each year to receive the monthly service recognition.

The post High School Student Chosen as Monthly Service Award Winner first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

FRIDAY, June 5, 2026 |

Photo – Patient Satisfaction Report – Courtesy MHCC

Memorial Hospital of Carbon County received perfect reviews in an April survey.

On June 2nd, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County released the results of an April patient‑satisfaction survey. Every patient admitted during that period who responded to the survey gave the Rawlins medical center perfect scores in six key categories.

Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle explained the facility is required to undergo regular Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, or HCAHPS, reviews to receive federal medical insurance payments.

The third‑party data‑collection firm Fields Healthcare Research conducted Memorial Hospital’s HCAHPS patient‑experience survey. COO Hinkle said patients admitted to the hospital are contacted by the survey company after discharge and asked to rate their experience.

Hinkle added that the survey is completely voluntary.

Patients are asked a series of 26 questions. In the latest report, Memorial Hospital highlighted six key areas where the facility received high marks: hospital rating, likelihood of recommending the facility, staff responsiveness, clarity of discharge information, and doctor and nurse communication. When asked to rate Memorial Hospital on a zero‑to‑ten scale, Hinkle said every survey respondent gave the facility a perfect 10.

The average hospital in Wyoming receives a 74 percent rating in this category.

Chief Operating Officer Hinkle said Memorial Hospital received perfect scores in the remaining five categories, consistently performing above the state average.

Hinkle acknowledged that Memorial Hospital has not always received perfect patient‑experience scores. When that occurs, she said staff use the survey results to identify ways to improve the patient experience.

To ensure Memorial Hospital continues to receive high patient‑satisfaction scores, Hinkle said every staff member, from the person greeting patients at the door to the surgeons, had been made to understand that they contribute to the overall quality of care. She said the hospital expects that focus to be reflected in future surveys.

In addition to increased staff training, Memorial Hospital recently completed a service‑price review. Hinkle said the state of Wyoming provided a grant to hire Redi Health, a specialized hospital revenue‑cycle review firm. Over a months‑long process, Redi Health compared the Rawlins medical center’s prices with those at similar critical‑access hospitals. Knowing patients can travel out of the county for care, Hinkle said Memorial Hospital needed to keep its prices competitive with those other facilities. With the review now complete, she said Redi Health recommended lowering prices in certain areas.

Hinkle added that hospital administrators are confident the reduced rates will be offset by increased patient volume.

Hinkle said some have questioned the legitimacy of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems review. In response to those accusations, she clarified that the process is federally required and carried out entirely by an outside agency without input from hospital staff. Hinkle said the patient‑satisfaction scores are a true measure of how patients feel about the care they received from Memorial Hospital and demonstrate that recent policy changes are working.

Hinkle said the perfect scores from the April HCAHPS review will help shape future improvements and strengthen Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s exciting level of care.

The post MHCC Receives Perfect Reviews in April’s Patient Surveys first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

FRIDAY, June 5, 2026 |

Photo – Rawlins CDT Gateway Community Committee Members Don and Christy Hall, Terry and Jill Patterson, Mira Miller with Special Volunteer Jerry Wood – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The public is invited to a Rawlins community cleanup day.

Tomorrow, June 6th, is the first National Trails Day celebration in Rawlins. Rawlins CDT Gateway Community Committee member Mira Miller explained that the city is organizing cleanup efforts on two areas of the Continental Divide Trail, one south of the city and the other in the downtown business district.

The Continental Divide Trail is one of the country’s three major north–south hiking corridors, along with the Pacific Crest Trail on the west coast and the Appalachian Trail to the east. The roughly 3,100‑mile route begins in the Big Hatchet Mountains of New Mexico and ends at Waterton Lakes National Park in Montana. Rawlins sits roughly halfway between the two points, making it a popular stop for through‑hikers.

Rawlins Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Pam Thayer said due to the city’s prominent spot on the trail, she chose to combine the regular annual community cleanup efforts with the National Trails Day celebration.

DDA Director Thayer said to join the cleanup efforts, participants should gather at Depot Park, at 4th and Front streets, at 9 a.m. Crews will work to prepare the surrounding area for upcoming summer activities.

A free breakfast will be served, compliments of Power Company of Wyoming.

Alternatively, cleanup day participants can choose to work on the Continental Divide Trail south of town. City Councilman and Rawlins CDT Gateway Community Committee member Terry Patterson said crews will meet one mile south of Rawlins on Highway 71, also known as the south road, at 9 a.m. From there, everyone will be driven to the work site to remove large debris items from the trail. Councilman Patterson urged participants to come prepared.

Councilman Patterson said he will bring his personal UTV to help move heavy items off the trail and encouraged participants with UTVs to bring theirs as well. He expressed his gratitude to those planning to help with the Continental Divide Trail cleanup project.

The city is donating the landfill fees for items removed from the trail.

In addition to Saturday’s cleanup efforts on the southern portion of the trail, the Rawlins CDT Gateway Community Committee recently improved the northern section as well. To address the lack of water access north of the city, Councilman Patterson and the Community Committee constructed a water cache at mile marker 1659, roughly halfway between Rawlins and Bairoil. He explained that the cache is built from a large toolbox with a tank inside that hikers can use for drinking water.

The Rawlins National Trails Day cleanup starts at 9 a.m. tomorrow, June 6th. Participants may meet at Depot Park or on Highway 71, one mile south of the city. Great Divide Outdoors sporting goods will serve a free lunch after the cleanup.

The post Community Clean-Up Day is Saturday in Rawlins first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

THURSDAY, June 4, 2026 |

Photo – Trees for sale – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The City of Rawlins is hosting a tree sale and raffle as part of its annual Arbor Day celebration.

Arbor Day is a holiday dedicated to the planting, care, and preservation of trees. The first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10th, 1872, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and within two decades every state except Delaware had adopted the observance. On April 28th, 1972, roughly 100 years after its inception, President Richard Nixon designated Arbor Day as a national holiday.

For 31 years, Rawlins has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA, a designation that reflects the city’s commitment to urban forestry and tree care. Parks Superintendent Nate Williams explained that the city is dedicated to the conservation related holiday.

To maintain its Tree City USA status, Rawlins must hold an annual Arbor Day celebration. This year’s event takes place tomorrow and Saturday, June 5th and 6th. Parks Superintendent Williams said the city will be selling trees, stickers, and raffle tickets to support future urban‑forestry projects. In addition, Williams said food trucks and a bounce house will be set up outside the Rawlins Family Recreation Center.

Roughly 80 climate‑appropriate trees and bushes will be on sale during the Arbor Day celebration. Williams said he’s also included grape vines, which aren’t typical for the area’s conditions, but are proven to do well here.

Prices range from $20 for grape vines to $100 for more established trees. Williams said the city does not profit from the tree sales.

The fundraising portion of the Arbor Day celebration comes from the tree raffle and sticker sales. Williams said sticker prices vary widely, but they primarily serve as a way for residents to contribute to the city’s tree planting efforts.

The city’s Arbor Day celebration will take place at the Rawlins Family Recreation Center located at 1616 Harshman Street. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Parks department staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide guidance on tree selection and care.

The post Rawlins Celebrates Arbor Day This Weekend first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

THURSDAY, June 4, 2026 |

Photo – Saratoga logo – Bigfoot99 file photo

Attendees of Saratoga Days will notice a few changes at this year’s event.

Twenty twenty-six marks the 11th anniversary of Saratoga Days, the Platte Valley’s annual community concert event. Like all activities expected to use town‑owned property, draw a crowd, or otherwise involve coordination with the town, Saratoga Days requires the governing body to approve a special events permit. Executive Director Joe Elder submitted an application on behalf of the Platte Valley Community Center.

Speaking at the June 2nd Saratoga Town Council meeting, Elder explained that the event will take place on July 4th, as usual. However, due to the large number of activities planned for this Independence Day, which also marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, he said the Saratoga Days concert will begin after the other events have finished.

During Saratoga Days, Bridge Avenue between Highway 130 and North River Street is closed to vehicle traffic. This year, Elder said he would like to close one more block to the north, including East Main Avenue. He said that change would relocate food trucks, which normally park on Bridge Avenue, out of the concert area.

In addition, the outdoor restrooms would also be moved north onto River Street. Police Chief John Moore clarified that Main Avenue would not be closed until after the town’s 4th of July parade because the road serves as an alternate parade route.

Mayor Chuck Davis said he was not opposed to the additional road closure but added that the alley between Highway 130 and North River Street must remain open for emergency vehicles.

The other members of the governing body also voiced their support for the additional road closure and unanimously voted to approve Joe Elder’s Saratoga Days special events permit application.

The post Saratoga Days Event License Approved by Town Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

THURSDAY, June 4, 2026 |

Photo – Donation flyer – Courtesy CCSD#2

Carbon County School District Two is requesting meat donations to supplement its student meal program.

Several years ago, Carbon County School District Two, which serves the eastern half of the county, purchased a steer from an H‑E‑M High School student at the county fair. Superintendent Darrin Jennings said that since that time, the district has sought donations of beef and pork to serve to students.

School District Two will accept donations of beef and pork, but not poultry. Superintendent Darrin Jennings said the animal must be butchered and packaged by a United States Department of Agriculture‑recognized processor. The district can also take unprocessed meat and will cover the cost of having it prepared by a USDA‑approved facility. Jennings said the finished product is then distributed throughout the school district.

In addition to adult animals, School District Two will also accept bottle calves and piglets. Jennings said FFA students at H‑E‑M High School can raise the animals until they are ready for slaughter, after which the district pays to have them processed in a USDA‑approved facility.

Due to the fact that reimbursements were not covering meal costs, Carbon County School District Two has withdrawn from the National School Lunch Program, which provided free and reduced‑price meals. Beginning next school year, all students will be required to pay for their lunches.

Superintendent Jennings said the request for meat donations is not directly tied to the departure from the federal program. However, leaving it allows the district to offer a wider range of menu options.

For more information or to donate a cow or pig, call the Carbon County School District Two central office in Saratoga at 326‑5271 and ask for Superintendent Darrin Jennings or Business Manager Sally Wells. The district will arrange to transport the animal to the school or a USDA‑recognized processor.

The post CCSD#2 Asks for Beef and Pork Donations first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

WEDNESDAY, June 3, 2026 |

Photo – Seargent Chris Fischer and Deputy Dylan Bilharz and their awards – Courtesy CCSO

County officials thanked emergency personnel for going above and beyond during last month’s severe snow event.

On May 18th and 19th, Carbon County experienced a major spring snowstorm. The event left many residents without power, some for more than a day.

Speaking at Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken recognized Sergeant Chris Fischer and Deputy Dylan Bilharz for their efforts during the snow emergency. Sheriff Bakken explained that Deputy Bilharz and Sergeant Fischer responded to an individual in distress at the Flying J truck stop in Rawlins. The sheriff said their actions saved the person’s life.

Sheriff Bakken said Sergeant Fischer and Deputy Bilharz both volunteered to work overtime without being asked, and he presented the two officers with a departmental lifesaving award and a letter of commendation.

The sheriff said other members of his department also received letters of commendation for their actions during what he referred to as last month’s “snowmageddon.” Sheriff Bakken said many individuals took the initiative to work far beyond their scheduled shifts.

Sheriff Bakken said each person acted on their own initiative, far beyond their normal duties, which he said speaks highly of their character. The Board of Commissioners agreed and thanked everyone for their efforts during the snowstorm.

The post County Thanks Emergency Personnel for Actions During Last Month’s Snow Storm first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.