Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

Friday, April 3, 2026 |

Photo – Medicine Bow Airport – Courtesy Nathan James

Restoration of the historic Medicine Bow Airport remains on hold while the state works to identify potential contamination.

The 97‑year‑old Medicine Bow Airport, officially known as Site 32, was an important stop on the transcontinental airmail route, guiding pilots between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Omaha, Nebraska. Over the decades, several notable aviators have used the airfield, including Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Elrey Jeppesen, who developed the system of aerial navigation charts used today. Due to its role in the airmail system, the site is listed on the National Park Service’s Register of Historic Places.

As planes became more reliable and able to travel farther, the Medicine Bow Airport was used less and less. Eventually, all the buildings were torn down or succumbed to the wind, leaving only the concrete airmail directional arrow, weather station, and beacon tower standing.

In 2024, Colorado pilot Nathan Finneman persuaded the Medicine Bow Town Council to establish an Airport Advisory Board to oversee preservation and restoration efforts at the historic airfield.

The airport board focused on restoring electrical service to the site and stabilizing the nearly 100‑year‑old weather station. However, progress stalled last summer after pilots reported a strong fuel smell on the dirt runway. After historical records failed to identify a potential source for the odor, such as an underground fuel tank, the board applied for a Brownfields grant from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

The state’s Brownfields contractor collected core samples from the affected areas in January but has yet to issue a final report on the contamination. In an email to Bigfoot99, DEQ Public Information Officer Jillian Scott wrote that preliminary data indicates lead paint on the historic weather station building and runway lights. Scott added that DEQ staff felt the findings were typical for a structure from the 1930s or 40s.

While they wait for the final report, Airport Advisory Board members are making progress where they can. During the March 9th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Councilman Lee Cook, who serves as the governing body’s liaison to the airport board, reported that restoration efforts can begin on the weather station roof, adding that lead paint has been confirmed on the other structures.

Councilman Cook said DEQ found no evidence of hazardous chemicals in the dirt samples collected in January. The councilman said the preliminary results are encouraging and suggests that extensive soil removal won’t be necessary.

Councilman Cook said the airport board has received several offers of donated roofing material for the weather station. Since the site is on the National Park Service’s Register of Historic Places, the board may be limited in what materials it can use.

Councilman Cook also announced that the airport board had formed the tax‑exempt Friends of the Medicine Bow Airport to support fundraising efforts.

The post Restoration to Historic Airport Still Waiting for State’s Report first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, April 3, 2026 |

Photo – Elk Mountain Museum – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Elk Mountain Museum has produced a short film featuring stories from longtime residents.

The public is invited to attend the premiere of the Elk Mountain Museum’s Legacy Film on Monday, May 25th, Memorial Day.

Elk Mountain Museum Director Angie Hobbs explained that residents have often discussed the importance of recording the stories of older residents before they’re lost forever. Hobbs said Historic Elk Mountain Hotel owner Christine Neel recommended hiring Clinton Haby from StoryKeeping Legacy Film Service to document longtime community members’ stories.

Hobbs reached out to Clinton Haby, who agreed to create a legacy film about the town of Elk Mountain and its history. The next step was finding the $30,000 needed to fund the project. The museum director said she received a $25,000 grant from the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Task Force, and Elk Mountain resident Margaret Karstoft donated the remaining $5,000.

Hobbs said Haby drove from his home in San Antonio, Texas, to Elk Mountain last summer to film the documentary. Christine Neel donated a room at the Elk Mountain Hotel for Haby to use during his stay, which Hobbs said helped keep the production under budget. The museum director said Haby spent four days in town interviewing residents and recording background footage.

Haby interviewed longtime Elk Mountain residents Shorty Richardson, Bill Jones, Cheryl Bowen, Powd Boles, Bob Johnson, and Margaret Karstoft. Hobbs said the hardest part of creating the film was convincing older community members to tell their stories on camera. Despite not getting as many interviews as she had hoped, the museum director said participants still had interesting stories to share.

Bigfoot99 asked Hobbs what her favorite Elk Mountain story was from the movie. The museum director said she appreciated every recollection, adding that the film will allow future generations to enjoy those stories as well.

Hobbs said that while working on the film, she received vinyl records of former Elk Mountain Hotel owner Mark Jackson and his band, which were digitized and used in the movie. For nearly 40 years, Jackson owned the hotel and the nearby Garden Spot Pavilion and persuaded many of the era’s biggest stars to perform in the small northern Carbon County town.

The 30‑minute Elk Mountain Legacy Film will premiere to the public on Monday, May 25th at the Elk Mountain Museum during the town’s annual Memorial Day celebration. Afterward, the film will run continuously in the museum and will also be available at HOME | Elk Mountain Museum.

The post Older Residents of Small Town Tell Stories for Short Film first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, April 2, 2026 |

Photo – Lots donated to City of Rawlins – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The City of Rawlins cleared five parcels of donated land in preparation for a future use.

In February, Henry Hewitt and John MacPherson of Sinclair Land and Development offered five unused, industrial‑zoned plots of land on Bonanza and Piper streets to the City of Rawlins. In return, the city would cover the back taxes on the properties, totaling just over $780.

City staff were initially hesitant to accept the land donation, saying the city had no use for the parcels. However, after careful consideration, staff devised a plan to relocate the city’s asphalt manufacturing plant from the center of town to the industrial properties.

Members of the Rawlins City Council questioned the plan to move the asphalt plant near residential homes on Glasgow Boulevard. Public Works Director Cody Dill acknowledged that the donated parcels are closer to houses than the existing site, but said the area already contains two other paving material production facilities. Relocating the city’s plant there would bring all related operations into one location. Dill added that a new batch plant would cost between $4 and $5 million.

Speaking at the February 3rd Rawlins City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Darril Garner said he lives near the existing asphalt plant and described a time when the wind blew dust and a foul smell into his home. Vice Mayor Garner said the proposed location would place the facility even closer to a residential neighborhood.

Citing their proximity to homes and the lack of a need for additional city‑owned industrial property, the Rawlins City Council narrowly voted not to accept the land donation.

Following Robert’s Rules of Order, a widely used guide for conducting meetings, the previously defeated motion was brought back for reconsideration at the City Council’s February 17th meeting. City Manager Matt Hall accepted responsibility for the unpopular proposal to build an asphalt plant on the donated property. Instead, Hall suggested that the Public Works Department use the land for storage, adding that, if the donation is approved, the department would immediately begin preparing the property for use. Should the city decide to sell the property, trees and shrubs would be planted to make the land more appealing to developers.

Councilman Derek Elliot, who opposed the donation, mentioned that the parcels have remained unused since the 1980s, which he said reflects a lack of interest from private investors. Rather than taking on more land the city does not need, Councilman Elliot urged the governing body to focus on completing projects already in development.

Following another vote, the Rawlins City Council accepted the five donated industrial parcels of land.

At the March 17th City Council meeting, City Manager Matt Hall reported that the properties are now ready for use and noted that an appraisal has also been completed.

With the parcels now cleared of debris, the city is able to move forward with creating a storage area for the public works department on Bonanza and Piper streets.

The post Donated Land in Rawlins Ready for Use first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, April 2, 2026 |

Photo – Caboose at Medicine Bow Museum – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

A Laramie-based contractor will repaint the Medicine Bow Museum this summer.

During the March 9th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, officials discussed selecting a contractor to paint the exterior of the town museum. The job would be funded through a grant that the town has not yet received.

Clerk and Treasurer Karen Heath said three painters had submitted bids for the project, adding that the town must select a contractor so Deputy Clerk Alice Clark can submit a Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund grant application. Clark said the bids covered different amounts of work, so she was not prepared to make a recommendation on her own.

Public Works Director Brian Lashley said the painting project was put out for open bid, but only three contractors submitted proposals.

Deputy Clerk Alice Clark said the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund grant will require a 50 percent match from the town. The Friends of the Medicine Bow Museum have $3,000 available for the match if necessary. However, Clark said she will apply for a separate Union Pacific grant to cover the match, a step the Cultural Trust Fund has already approved.

Clark said she needs the Town Council to select a painter before she can submit the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund grant application, saying the grant amount will be based on the job price.

Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield asked if Union Pacific would be informed that its grant funding would serve as the match for another grant rather than the painting project itself. Deputy Clerk Alice Clark said she would not mislead the railroad company.

If Union Pacific denies the town’s application, Clark said Medicine Bow Museum Director Dawndee Yocom has authorized using the Friends of the Museum’s $3,000 donation for the Cultural Trust Fund match. Any remaining funds could be raised through museum fundraisers. However, the deputy clerk said she doesn’t actually know how much money the museum has available for the grant match.

Treasurer Karen Heath said the Medicine Bow Museum has roughly $900 left in its annual budget. Heath added that the town did not allocate additional funding for the unanticipated painting project.

Mayor Justin George brought the conversation back to selecting a painter, saying the governing body must make a decision in order for Deputy Clerk Alice Clark to submit the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund grant application. Mayor George asked the governing body for their opinions on the three proposals.

Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer immediately dismissed the most expensive bid, saying it was nearly twice as much as the other two. Deputy Clerk Clark said the high price included the cost of priming the museum before painting.

Treasurer Karen Heath noted that one of the contractors is requesting to be paid in installments, something that may not be possible under the Cultural Trust Fund grant. Clark responded that she expects the town to receive 50 percent of the total grant up front.

Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield noted that two of the three contractors required payment as the job progressed rather than upon completion. Mayor Justin George said he prefers to avoid paying in installments because contractors are more likely to leave a job unfinished once they have received enough money.

Only one contractor, Hento’s Building and Repair of Laramie, is requesting full payment after the job is finished. Public Works Director Brian Lashley added that the same contractor recently poured a concrete slab at the museum and did a good job.

The Medicine Bow Town Council voted to approve Hento’s Building and Repair’s bid to repaint the town’s museum, contingent on receiving the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund grant.

The post Medicine Bow Council Discuss Painting Exterior of Museum first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, April 2, 2026 |

Photo – Desk refinished by Curtis – Courtesy Robert Curtis

A Hanna resident is using his woodworking experience to benefit local schools.

Military veteran and Hanna resident Robert Curtis is seeking donations of wooden furniture to restore. Curtis told Bigfoot99 he hopes to use his carpentry skills to raise money for the town’s schools.

After spending 28 years in the military, Curtis moved to Rawlins to work as a nurse at the Wyoming State Penitentiary. However, after nearly three decades of service, including time deployed to the Middle East, the federal government declared him disabled and he was forced into retirement. Curtis said carpentry helps with his post‑traumatic stress disorder.

Curtis said he’ll donate 90 percent of the sale price of any piece of furniture he refurbishes to Hanna schools, keeping the remaining 10 percent to cover the cost of supplies. He said H‑E‑M High School Principal Eli Hobbs supports the idea provided the money isn’t earmarked for a specific use.

Curtis explained his restoration process, saying he begins with a chemical‑free sanding before moving on to the framework of the piece.

A layer of stain or paint serves as the finishing touch. To streamline the refurbishment process, Curtis said he’s transformed his garage into a woodworking shop.

Curtis said he hasn’t decided how he’ll sell his finished projects, though Facebook Marketplace is a likely option. Curtis said he also plans to reach out to H‑E‑M High School again to discuss holding an auction in the school’s parking lot.

To donate a piece of furniture for Curtis to refurbish and sell, or to inquire about purchasing a finished piece, call 397‑8051.

The post Veteran Uses Talent to Raise Money for HEM Schools first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 |

Photo – Green River Wastewater Treatment Plant – Courtesy City of Green River

The Town of Green River has invited Rawlins officials to tour the wastewater treatment plant in western Wyoming.

During the March 17th Rawlins City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Darril Garner announced that Green River Public Works Director Mark Westenskow invited city staff to tour the town’s newly constructed wastewater treatment plant. Vice Mayor Garner said Green River received over $55 million in state funding to complete the facility.

In 2019, Green River officials began reviewing options to replace the town’s 60-year-old wastewater lagoon system. The governing body chose a $30 million activated sludge plant capable of handling 1.5 million gallons of wastewater per day.

By 2022, inflation had driven the price to more than $50 million. Green River applied for and received a $45.1 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and an initial $7.5 million American Rescue Plan Act grant to address the rising costs.

Bodell Construction of Salt Lake City was awarded the contract to build the new facility for $51 million in April 2023. Supply chain issues and unexpected delays brough the final price to $55 million.

In 2024, Green River officials received another $6.5 million loan from the State Revolving Fund and a $10.5 million American Rescue Plan Act grant. After two and a half years of construction, the town’s new wastewater treatment plant was officially brought online this past January.

At the March 17th Rawlins City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Darril Garner said Rawlins is also undertaking major water infrastructure improvement projects, including $5.7 million of repairs to the city’s 32‑mile water transmission line. Like Green River, projects in Rawlins will be paid for through grants and loans. Vice Mayor Garner said he would like to know how Green River officials completed their project so quickly.

Vice Mayor Garner said Green River Public Works Director Mark Westenskow invited the governing body to visit the newly completed facility. While a virtual tour is available, the vice mayor said he would prefer to see it in person.

Vice Mayor Garner added that Riverton is also preparing to begin a major water infrastructure project, a $2.6 million upgrade of the city’s water treatment plant.

The Rawlins City Council agreed they would like to tour the Green River facility but did not set a date for the visit.

The post Green River Invites Rawlins Council to See New Wastewater Plant first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 |

Photo – The winning sign and the designers Emma and Megan Engstrom – Courtesy Uplift Rawlins

Uplift Rawlins has announced the winner of its Home and Business of the Month sign design contest.

On Friday, March 27th, Uplift Rawlins, a community improvement group, announced that Emma and Megan Engstrom had won the organization’s sign‑design contest. The Engstroms’ submission, a square sign with flowers in the corners and the Uplift Rawlins logo in the center, received the most votes during the month‑long competition.

Last fall, Uplift Rawlins began presenting the Home and Business of the Month Awards to properties that help improve the city’s physical appearance.

Speaking to Bigfoot99, Uplift Rawlins member Don Woolley said this year, instead of a simple plastic campaign‑style sign, the organization would like to provide winners with a more official‑looking marker. In response, the community improvement group invited the public to submit designs for a permanent Home and Business of the Month Award sign. From a field of 13 submissions, Uplift Rawlins members chose three finalists.

In addition to the Engstroms’ square design, graphic designer Kara George submitted the second‑place entry, a round sign. Mandy Frakes, wife of Rawlins Police Lieutenant Jared Frakes, created an arch‑shaped design, which came in third. Each of the finalist designs featured the words “Uplift Rawlins” and “Home of the Month,” along with the organization’s logo, a tri‑color hill and sunrise.

The sign‑design winner was selected by public vote, either through the Uplift Rawlins Facebook page and by email. The winning design received 76 votes on Facebook, followed by 13 for the second‑place submission and 10 for the third‑place design. These totals do not include votes submitted through the organization’s email.

The next step is for Carbon County Higher Education Center woodworking and welding students to produce six versions of the winning design, five for Home of the Month and one for Business of the Month. The finished signs will be unveiled in May as Uplift Rawlins begins the next season of Home and Business of the Month awards.

Uplift Rawlins members thanked Bank of Commerce for funding the permanent signs and the Carbon County Higher Education Center for producing the winning design.

The post Uplift Rawlins Sign Design Winner Announced first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 |

Photo – Industrial lot Saratoga is interested in – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Town of Saratoga continues to move forward with plans to purchase industrial land for a new public works facility.

During the March 18th Saratoga Town Council meeting, following a closed‑door executive session, Mayor Chuck Davis announced that a property valuation had been completed on Danny McGuire’s land. Councilman Bub Barkhurst then moved to inform McGuire that the property purchase can proceed.

In December, Saratoga Public Works Director Emery Penner proposed 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 at North State and East Rochester Streets, already zoned for light industrial and suitable for a new public works shop and material staging area. The site is the former location of Dan’s Trucking, owned by Danny McGuire.

Before making an official offer, the Saratoga Town Council held a public hearing on the proposed land purchase. Opinions were divided, with some residents opposed to the deal on the grounds that the town would be taking valuable industrial property off the market, land that could be used for future development. One meeting attendee who supported the plan said that moving the public works department would improve the appearance of the riverfront and, potentially, open the area for community use. Citing the differing viewpoints, the Town Council chose to hold another meeting.

A second public hearing was held two weeks later, on February 4th, where S‑E‑R Conservation District member Scott Kerbs said he opposed the sale, noting that it would take private property off the tax rolls. Instead, Kerbs suggested using land the town already owns at Shively Field for a new public works shop.

Councilman Bub Barkhurst said residents have already raised concerns about the debris pile west of Saratoga Middle High School. Councilman Barkhurst said moving the shop and material staging area to Shively Field could make the situation worse and interfere with future airport expansion.

Public Works Director Emery Penner said he can’t guarantee that either location, the lots on the north side of town or Shively Field, is the best option. After careful consideration, Penner said the North State and East Rochester Streets property is the strongest choice for a future public works shop.

Following the discussion, the Town Council chose to offer Danny McGuire $800,000 for his 12 parcels. To help offset the cost, the governing body also authorized Public Works Director Penner to obtain valuations for 17 town‑owned properties. Instead of costly formal appraisals, the Council opted for less expensive Broker Opinions of Value, in which a real estate broker uses market knowledge and active listings to estimate a property’s worth.

At the March 4th Town Council meeting, Penner said a local real estate company has agreed to provide Broker Opinions of Value for $300 per property, compared to more than $1,000 for a formal appraisal.

Of the 17 town‑owned properties available for sale, Penner recommended obtaining estimates on seven he identified as the most valuable.

Meanwhile, the town is continuing with the purchase of Danny McGuire’s property. At the March 18th Saratoga Town Council meeting, the governing body unanimously voted to inform McGuire that the requirement for a formal appraisal had been satisfied.

The post Property Valuation Completed on Saratoga’s Land Purchase first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 |

Photo – In the past, rotary plow used to open road – Bigfoot99 file photo

While county‑managed seasonal roads are open, state‑controlled routes remain closed.

During the March 17th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Road and Bridge Superintendent Kandis Fritz said residents have been asking when she intends to reopen County Road 401 south of Rawlins, also known as South Road or Sage Creek Road. Fritz said she is hesitant to announce an official opening date in case of a late‑season snowstorm.

Bigfoot99 reached out to Road and Bridge Superintendent Kandis Fritz to ask if she had set an opening date for Sage Creek Road since the March 17th meeting. In an email response, Fritz wrote that both County Road 401 and 500, also known as Jack Creek Road, west of Saratoga, are now open to traffic.

Bigfoot99 also contacted the Wyoming Department of Transportation about potential early openings of Highway 130 through the Snowy Range and Highway 70 over Battle Pass.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s latest Wyoming SNOTEL report, snowpack in the Upper North Platte River Basin, which includes the Snowy Range, is at 40% of average for this time of year. Battle Pass is at 47% of normal snowpack.

WYDOT typically opens both passes by Memorial Day weekend. District One Senior Public Relations Specialist Jaxon Penfield said the agency has no plans to open either route earlier than usual. Penfield wrote that WYDOT’s biggest concern is a late‑season snowstorm stranding travelers and forcing the roads to be closed again. However, if the snow continues to hold out, the agency will consider opening them ahead of schedule.

The post State Seasonal Roads Remain Closed While County Roads are Open first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |

Photo – Hanna Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

Hanna residents will now be charged a fee for paying their utility bills online, no matter which payment method they choose.

During the March 10th Hanna Town Council meeting, Mayor Charlie George announced that the town had switched to a new online utility payment service. Previously, Hanna residents could pay their water and sewer bills through the online bill‑pay platform Doxo. While credit card users were charged a fee to use the service, residents could link their bank account to the program and avoid any additional charges.

Speaking at the March 10th meeting, Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales said the new service, offered through a company called Nuvei, gives residents more ways to pay their monthly utility bills, but the service charges a processing fee no matter which payment method is used.

Clerk Gonzales said that under Doxo, automatic payments were always processed on the 8th of the month. With the Nuvei Citizen Portal, residents can choose any day for their automatic payment to be withdrawn. The town clerk said residents must create an account in the new portal to pay their water and sewer bills online. Alternatively, payments will continue to be accepted at town hall.

Clerk Gonzales added that the Nuvei Citizen Portal can send text messages and emails about upcoming bill due dates and community announcements, such as water main breaks or special meetings.

A Hanna resident questioned the added fee to pay utility bills online through a linked bank account, saying the option had been free under Doxo. Clerk Gonzales explained that the town was required to include the charge when it updated its billing software.

Hanna Treasurer Ann Calvert said that during the COVID pandemic, the town covered credit card fees so residents could pay their utility bills from home. However, absorbing the fees cost the town several thousand dollars a year.

Hanna officials reiterated that the payment processing service, not the town, is responsible for the added fees. Residents may also pay their utility bills at town hall or use the outside drop box for cash or check payments after normal business hours.

The post Hanna Has New Payment Service for Paying Online Utility Bills first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.