Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |

Photo – Library funding source graph – Courtesy Carbon County Library System

The Carbon County Library System took to social media to explain how its seven branches are funded.

Statewide property tax cuts have reduced the money available for counties to fund outside services, such as senior centers, museums, and libraries.

Last week, the Carbon County Library System uploaded a slideshow to social media titled Tax Dollars, Partners, and You. The presentation outlines where the library system receives its annual funding, how it’s operating with a 53 percent budget cut, and what the public can do to help.

Wyoming law requires each county to provide a library in the county seat. Seventeen of the state’s 23 counties support more than one library, with Sweetwater County operating nine and Carbon County seven. The Rawlins branch fulfills the county’s legal obligation, and the remaining six branches are additional services the county is not legally required to fund.

According to the Carbon County Library System’s social media post, running all seven branches is estimated to cost $500,000 this fiscal year. A chart included in the post shows the system receiving more than $600,000 from the county in 2015, followed by a sharp reduction the following year. Funding rose and fell over the next decade, with a $500,000 contribution in 2022 and a decline in 2023. County support remained relatively unchanged from 2023 to 2024, but in 2025, the county reduced its contribution to the library system by 53 percent.

In the 2025 through 2026 fiscal year, the county allocated roughly $184,000 to the library system, covering 37 percent of its total operational costs instead of the expected 55 percent.

The gap in county funding has traditionally been covered by grants, donations, contributions from towns, and support from the Carbon County Library Foundation and Friends groups. That additional income has allowed the library system to maintain seven branches across the county. The Sinclair Library, which had been the eighth branch, was closed in 2024 due to low usage.

Both, the Hanna and Medicine Bow libraries, were scheduled to close in November, but last‑minute grants and donations from PacifiCorp, the Wyoming Intertie Community Investment Program, and the Carbon County Library Foundation kept the northern county locations operating. At current funding levels, the Medicine Bow branch will remain open until next March, with Hanna funded through this May.

In addition, the Saratoga and Encampment‑Riverside Friends of the Library groups raised significant donations this fiscal year. Those funds support staffing and day‑to‑day operations at the two branches. The Carbon County Library Foundation has also increased its financial contribution, allowing the branches to offer more programs and activities in their respective communities.

Other budget gaps were covered by the library system’s savings accounts. However, Library Board members have cautioned that donations and savings are not a reliable funding source and should not be counted on to replace the county’s annual contribution. The system is expected to deplete its savings within the next fiscal year, and once the money runs out, hourly reductions and branch closures are likely to follow.

Most towns donate services and utilities, such as water, sewer, and snow removal, to their local branches. Other municipalities have offered to take ownership of their library buildings. Speaking to Bigfoot99 in February, Library Board Chairwoman Addie Myers said the Board appreciates the donated services, but they don’t affect the library system’s budget. Maintenance responsibilities fall to the county, which owns most of the facilities.

The bulk of the Carbon County Library System’s annual budget, 69 percent or more than $345,000, goes toward employee salaries. Staff are generally paid less than other government entities and are not given health insurance, and the system has only one full‑time employee.

The library system reported that over 43,500 people visited the county’s seven branches last year. While libraries offer residents access to books and movies, they also serve as a meeting space, provide access to computers and the internet, and host activities for the community. However, the loss of county funding has the library system warning that closures and further cuts to hours may be necessary.

Municipalities have reached out to the Board of Carbon County Commissioners asking for clarification regarding the proposed closures. The Board of Commissioners explained that they are not responsible for any library closures, and that the decisions rest entirely with the library system. While technically true, Library Board Chairwoman Addie Myers asked how the system is expected to operate on only 47 percent of its anticipated budget.

The Carbon County Library System was not the only entity to see its county funding reduced in the current fiscal year. The Carbon County Museum experienced an even greater loss, with 56 percent of its budget cut due to residential property tax relief programs. To address the lost revenue, the museum has begun charging out‑of‑county visitors an entrance fee and is now offering paid memberships to allow patrons to financially support the institution.

Speaking during the February 17th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Museum Board President Ken Klouda said museum staff are working to boost attendance, adding that Director Tom Mensik’s recent acquisition of a replica Columbian mammoth skull has been a strong draw.

The Carbon County Museum is also investigating the possibility of moving its entire collection into the Wyoming Frontier Prison. As two similar cultural institutions, the Board of Commissioners said it would make sense for them to be housed in the same location. In addition, the county would no longer have to maintain the current museum facility, further reducing costs.

County commissioners have asked the library system to consider a similar approach, such as relocating into senior centers and other community buildings. However, the need for specially trained librarians limits the library’s ability to collaborate with other entities.

Following the Museum Board President’s report, Commissioner John Johnson thanked the organization for taking steps to address the funding reduction rather than publicly criticizing county officials for making a difficult decision. His remarks were a direct reference to the library system’s social media messaging.

The Carbon County Library System is seeking donations to keep the county’s seven remaining branches open until a longer‑term solution, such as backfilling lost property tax revenue, can be found. Donations made to the library system itself or any of the Friends of the Library groups go toward staff and daily operational costs. Donations provided to the Carbon County Library Foundation allow the branches to update technology and increase community activities and programming.

The post Library Explains Funding Sources Through Social Media Post first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, March 30, 2026 |

Photo – Engineer for Big Boy, Ed Dickens – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

The world’s largest operational steam locomotive began its westward excursion yesterday.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 rolled into Medicine Bow yesterday afternoon for its second whistle stop of the 2026 westward excursion. After leaving the Steam Shop in Cheyenne Sunday morning, the restored 4‑8‑8‑4 made a brief stop in Laramie before heading to Medicine Bow and an overnight stop in Rawlins.

The Union Pacific Big Boy is 133 feet long and weighs 1.2 million pounds, roughly three times heavier than a modern diesel‑electric locomotive, making it worthy of the name Big Boy.

Ed Dickens is Union Pacific’s senior manager of Heritage Operations and the lead engineer for Big Boy 4014. Dickens explained to Bigfoot99 that the brief stops not only give the public a chance to see the train up close but also allow maintenance crews to oil the running gear, a requirement unique to steam locomotives.

Dickens added that in the days of steam, railroads maintained service stations roughly every 100 miles due to the need to lubricate the locomotives’ running gear.

Unit 4014 is the only Big Boy restored to operating condition. Originally built in the early 1940s for the Union Pacific Railroad, the Big Boy class of locomotives were designed specifically to haul freight over the steep grades of the Wasatch Mountains between Ogden, Utah and Green River, Wyoming.

After 20 years of service, all 25 Big Boys were retired, with most decommissioned and placed on static display in museums across the country, including Steam Shortline Park in Cheyenne. In 2013, Union Pacific reacquired unit 4014 from the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, California with the goal of putting the massive engine back on the rails. After six years of restoration work, Big Boy 4014 was officially christened at the Cheyenne Depot Museum on May 4th, 2019.

Big Boy engineer Ed Dickens said that even after 80 years, the steam locomotive continues to be a dependable workhorse.

Despite their reliability, Dickens said the fact that steam locomotives were eventually replaced by diesel‑electric power is proof that they are less efficient than their modern counterparts. Most steam locomotives operating today are used primarily for public relations. Dickens said Big Boy 4014 was restored specifically with that purpose in mind.

Train enthusiasts say the Big Boy class locomotives could reach 80 miles per hour. Dickens disputed that claim, saying its top speed is a theoretical 70, though Union Pacific reduces it to protect the track.

After leaving Medicine Bow yesterday afternoon, Big Boy 4014 spent the night in Rawlins before continuing to Wamsutter, Rock Springs, Green River, and eventually California. The five‑member steam crew stays overnight in the locomotive and relights the firebox each morning, a process that can take several hours. Dickens said pressurizing the boiler for the first time took a few days.

With the continuing dry and windy conditions in our area, Engineer Dickens assured Bigfoot99 that Big Boy, as an oil‑burning locomotive, is unlikely to start a wildfire.

From California, Big Boy will return to Cheyenne, with another stop in Medicine Bow on April 24th. Dickens said afterwards, Union Pacific will schedule an East Coast run for the locomotive, though details are still being finalized.

Today, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m., Big Boy 4014 will be stopped in Wamsutter. On March 31st, the excursion will continue to Rock Springs, with another stop scheduled on April 1st in Green River. The Big Boy will then continue west before returning to Cheyenne on April 24th.

The post UP’s Big Boy 4014 Headed to California for Tour first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, March 30, 2026 |

Photo – County Road 351 – Bigfoot99 file photo

County officials discussed the potential effects of the proposed Seminoe Pumped Storage Facility.

During the March 18th Carbon County Council of Governments meeting, County Commission Chairman Travis Moore addressed the deteriorating condition of County Road 351, also known as Seminoe Road. The 64‑mile scenic byway, which connects Sinclair to the Seminoe Reservoir, was paved in the past, but the asphalt surface has become unstable. Chairman Moore said repaving the road is estimated to cost the county over $60 million, adding that heavy construction traffic to the proposed Seminoe Pumped Storage Facility site is likely to ruin the county’s investment.

The conversation turned to the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project. Since 2020, Utah‑based rPlus Hydro and its subsidiary Black Canyon Hydro have been pursuing the construction of a pumped storage facility at Seminoe Reservoir. Plans call for a 13,000‑acre‑foot man‑made lake to be built on a mountaintop above Seminoe. The two bodies of water would be connected by an underground electrical powerhouse. During periods of high wind‑energy production, water would be pumped from Seminoe Reservoir into the upper lake, where it would be stored until needed. When demand outpaces production, the water would flow downhill through the underground turbine, generating approximately 900 megawatts of electricity for up to 12 hours. The cycle would repeat as necessary.

Speaking at the March 18th Council of Governments meeting, Chairman Moore noted that earlier this month the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality issued a Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the project, clearing the way for the next steps in the permitting process. The commission chairman said public feedback has prompted the project to change significantly since its inception and encouraged the public to continue submitting comments.

Initially, rPlus Hydro stated that electricity generated by the pumped storage facility would help meet the state’s increasing power demands and stabilize the electrical grid as older generation sources, such as coal plants, are retired. Speaking at the Council of Governments meeting, Commission Chairman Moore said the project applicant is now proposing to use the electricity to power the state’s growing number of data‑processing facilities. As the scope of the project changes, Chairman Moore recommended taking a wait‑and‑see approach.

Chairman Moore expressed surprise at how many public comments the project has received since its inception. The county commissioner said that despite the obstacles, rPlus appears determined to see the project through to completion.

Chairman Moore discussed the impact construction of the pumped storage facility would have on Seminoe Road. The road, which is primarily used by recreational vehicles, would become a main route for heavy truck traffic to access the site. Chairman Moore said that, as with the wind‑turbine projects, the county will require rPlus to improve the road through a road‑use agreement.

Chairman Moore declined to say whether he supported the project or not but added that the prospect of repaving Seminoe Road would not change his position.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners has submitted a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency responsible for licensing and environmental review, outlining the county’s 12 primary concerns about the project, including potential impacts to critical wildlife and fish habitats, the effect construction could have on the local tourism industry, and the need for the Bureau of Land Management to amend the Rawlins Resource Management Plan to allow year‑round construction. As a cooperating agency, however, the county cannot deny the project outright. Final approval rests with federal and state regulators.

On June 12th, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is expected to issue the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project. The document will address the thousands of comments submitted during the draft phase, including the letter of opposition from the Carbon County Commissioners, and will outline the final requirements for the developer, rPlus Hydro, such as seasonal construction shutdowns to protect the Ferris-Seminoe bighorn sheep herd. Once the Final Environmental Impact Statement is issued, FERC will have 90 days, or until September 17th, to approve or deny the project.

The post County Commissioners Discuss Potential Effects of Seminoe Project first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, March 27, 2026 |

Photo – Semi – Bigfoot99 file photo

Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman continues to push for increased oversight for commercial truck drivers and carriers.

On March 5th, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed House Bill 32 into law. The measure gives every law enforcement agency in Wyoming the authority to remove commercial drivers from service and issue $1,000 fines if they fail to demonstrate basic English‑language proficiency. Multiple violations can result in additional fines and up to 90 days in jail.

House Bill 32 was introduced in response to President Donald Trump’s June 2025 executive order reinstating language proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations already mandated a minimum English language requirement, but the Obama administration directed inspectors not to take drivers off the road for language violations.

Many lawmakers, including Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, attribute the loosened English requirements to a long-term increase in highway deaths involving commercial drivers.

Despite a recent dip in fatalities, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that heavy truck-related deaths have increased by approximately 40 percent over the last decade. In 2021, the United States recorded the highest number of commercial truck fatalities in nearly twenty years, with 5,788 deaths nationwide.

Speaking at the March 25th House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development meeting, Congresswoman Hageman testified that English‑language proficiency is one of the nation’s most important road safety standards.

Representative Hageman continued, saying commercial drivers must be able to read Wyoming’s variable road signs that warn of hazardous conditions. The congresswoman added that a federally directed lack of enforcement of the language requirements has put every driver at risk.

The congresswoman’s concerns were highlighted in a recent report by Fox News correspondent Alexis McAdams, which showed a Florida Highway Patrol trooper administering a basic English‑proficiency test to a commercial trucker. The driver was unable to identify a Keep Right sign, repeatedly saying it indicated an exit to the right, and was taken out of service for failing to meet the minimum language‑proficiency requirements.

While House Bill 32 was applauded for its potential to keep unqualified commercial truck drivers off Wyoming’s highways, some state legislators argued that trucking companies should also be held accountable for knowingly putting them on the road.

In February, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman introduced the Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement Act to target so‑called “chameleon carriers” in the trucking industry. A chameleon carrier is a trucking company that shuts down to avoid safety fines, legal judgments, or out‑of‑service orders, only to immediately reopen under a different name and Department of Transportation identification number.

The Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement, or SAFE, Act, directs the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Administration to develop an automated way to flag suspicious registration applications that reuse the same trucks, managers, or addresses.

The SAFE Act was introduced following the February 3rd crash in which a commercial truck driven by an illegal immigrant struck a van, killing four people in Indiana. The truck involved was reported to belong to a chameleon carrier.

In a February 18th media release about the SAFE Act, Congresswoman Hageman is quoted as saying, “[chameleon carriers] game the system, ignore the law, and put American families at risk, all while punishing hardworking truckers who follow the rules.”

If a trucking company racks up violations or loses its license, it should not get to slap on a new name and get back on the road. My bill closes dangerous loopholes and holds bad actors accountable.”

In the same release, American Trucking Associations Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Alex Rosen stated, “Chameleon carriers are a plague on our nation’s highways, putting all motorists at risk and undercutting the vast majority of trucking companies that are responsible and follow the rules,”

A Government Accountability Office study found that chameleon carriers have a significantly higher crash rate than official carriers, a result linked to operators prioritizing profit over fixing any safety violations.

The SAFE Act has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for further review.

The post Wyoming Congresswoman Pushes for Increased Oversight on Commercial Truck Drivers first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, March 27, 2026 |

Photo – RPD patch and badge – Courtesy RPD

Rawlins police warn commercial solicitors that they must obtain a permit to operate within city limits.

Yesterday afternoon, the Rawlins Police Department issued a social media post announcing that the warm weather has brought an increased number of door‑to‑door salespeople. Rawlins Police Lieutenant Daria Hooper reminded the solicitors that they are required to obtain a permit to conduct sales activity in the city.

Rawlins Police Lieutenant Rick Hooper said all solicitors must obtain a permit from City Clerk Lynn Shearer before operating in the city. Applicants must provide a current government‑issued photo ID or driver’s license, two recent passport‑sized photographs, and undergo a criminal background check. Permit fees vary based on how long the applicant plans to conduct business in Rawlins. Lieutenant Rick Hooper said failure to secure a permit may result in a citation of up to $750.

In addition, door-to-door selling is allowed only between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and no more than two individuals may solicit at the same residence at one time. Lieutenant Hooper said all door‑to‑door salespeople must also provide valid City‑issued credentials upon request. If a solicitor is unable or unwilling to comply with the regulations, Lieutenant Hooper recommended contacting the Rawlins Police Department.

City regulations also state that entering a private residence for commercial solicitation without an invitation is illegal, particularly when the property is posted with “No Solicitation” signs.

Lieutenant Hooper clarified that the permitting requirement only applies to commercial solicitors. Religious and civic organizations are exempt from the ordinance.

The City of Rawlins follows Green River municipal code 5.01.021, which classifies uninvited door‑to‑door solicitors, peddlers, and transient vendors as a nuisance punishable as a misdemeanor. In 1931, Green River, Wyoming, was the first city in the United States to adopt an anti‑solicitation law. The ordinance was pushed by local railroad employees who worked night shifts and were often woken by salesmen during the day. Since that time, hundreds of other municipalities across the country have adopted “Green River Ordinances” to restrict traveling salespeople.

Rawlins residents have the right to ask to see a solicitor’s permit and refuse service at any time. If a home is posted with a “No Soliciting” sign, solicitors must leave. Residents should not feel obligated to engage with anyone, especially if they refuse to show identification.

If you encounter a solicitor who cannot provide proper credentials or is not following these requirements, call the Rawlins Police Department at 328‑4530. In an emergency, always call 911.

The post Rawlins Police Issue Advice to Residents on Door-to-Door Sales first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, March 26, 2026 |

Photo – SCWEMS ambulance barn – Bigfoot99 file photo

Rising costs have SCWEMS officials considering charging towns more for service.

In 2009, the Carbon County Board of Commissioners and the towns of Saratoga, Encampment, Riverside, Elk Mountain, Hanna, and Medicine Bow agreed to establish the South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services Joint Powers Board. For an annual per‑capita fee, SCWEMS provides ambulance service to residents of the participating municipalities.

When it was formed, SCWEMS charged towns $30 per resident. After 13 years, the ambulance service found that costs were outpacing income, and the fee was raised to $34 per person in 2022.

During the March 18th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Physician Assistant and the town’s SCWEMS representative Steve Martin announced that the service was considering raising the per‑resident fee by four dollars.

Based on 2020 census population numbers, the Town of Saratoga contributes nearly $58,000 a year to SCWEMS. Under the proposed price increase, that number would rise to more than $64,000. Martin said that across all participating municipalities, SCWEMS would bring in an extra $20,000 annually, an admittedly small increase, but every dollar helps.

In the 2025 through 2026 budget, South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services received $157,862 from participating municipalities and the county, which covers residents living in the unincorporated parts of the SCWEMS coverage area.

At the March 18th meeting, SCWEMS representative Steve Martin said the Joint Powers Board is still working on this fiscal year’s budget, which begins in July. Before the price increase is finalized, Martin said he’ll give a presentation informing residents what the money will be used for.

Mayor Chuck Davis warned Martin that the town must approve the price adjustment first. Even if the SCWEMS Board proposes a four‑dollar‑per‑resident increase, it won’t receive any additional money without the town signing off on the change.

Martin responded that the SCWEMS Joint Powers Board had yet to decide on the price change. Mayor Davis said that if SCWEMS decides to raise Saratoga’s contribution, the service will need to request a budget amendment.

In the meantime, Martin said he will put together a presentation to educate the public on what the medical transport service does for the people of Carbon County.

The post SCWEMS Discusses Rate Hike with Saratoga Town Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, March 26, 2026 |

Photo – Dining area – Bigfoot99 file photo

Platte Valley communities are still working through how to regulate short‑term rentals.

In 2024, the Saratoga Planning Commission was struggling to decide what, if anything, should be done to address the prevalence of short‑term rentals in town. Some residents said short‑term rentals contribute to the local economy, while others argued they limit the availability of lower‑cost housing options. At the time, 69 short‑term rental properties were operating in Saratoga.

Ultimately, the Saratoga Town Council chose not to limit the number of rentals, but to require a special use permit. The permit will allow the town to track all short‑term rentals operating in the community.

Last fall, the Town of Encampment faced a similar situation. To curb the influx of short‑term rentals and lodging houses, Encampment’s governing body placed a temporary moratorium on permits allowing residents to rent out their homes. The measure remains in effect while the town studies how temporary lodging affects property values, resident safety, and the availability of long‑term housing. As of this report, Encampment officials are still waiting for legal guidance on how to preserve private property rights while preventing every affordable home in town from being converted into a short‑term rental.

Next door in Riverside, the governing body is grappling with a similar situation. During the March 12th Riverside Town Council meeting, the governing body reviewed the first draft of a proposed short‑term rental ordinance. The measure is modeled on regulations from the Town of Pinedale.

In the western Wyoming community, all short‑term rentals are required to obtain an annual permit, with properties needing functional smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers. Only owner‑occupied rentals are allowed in residential areas, while non‑owner‑occupied units are limited to commercial zones. Rentals are capped at 10 guests per booking. Pinedale officials enacted the regulations in 2021 to balance the town’s residential character with its growing tourism market as a less expensive alternative to Jackson Hole.

At the March 12th Riverside Town Council meeting, the governing body decided that RV parks are not considered short‑term rentals and would not be included in the proposed ordinance. Resident Dean Webb voiced his opposition to the ordinance, asking what the measure was designed to address. Mayor Stephenson replied that the town is attempting to prevent future issues involving the number and location of short‑term rentals. Webb noted that short‑term rentals may supplement the town’s lack of other lodging options.

Another Riverside resident, Helen Weiland, expressed concern about requiring homeowners to occupy rentals in residential zones. Under the proposed ordinance, seasonal residents could not rent their property while out of town.

Following the discussion, the Riverside Town Council chose not to take any action regarding the proposed short-term rental ordinance.

Northern Carbon County towns are having the opposite problem. At the October 14th, 2025, meeting of the Hanna Town Council, Mayor Charlie George expressed support when notified that a resident planned to make their home available as a short‑term rental. Councilman David Felix warned that Hanna could become overrun with guest accommodations, similar to Saratoga and Encampment. Mayor George replied that he would welcome that outcome.

The short‑term rental website VRBO lists three properties in Hanna: a residential home and two studio apartments in the same building. AirBNB shows a single listing in Medicine Bow, a room in the Virginian Hotel.

The post Short-Term Rentals Still Discussed in Carbon County Towns first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, March 26, 2026 |

Photo – Pedestrian tunnel – Bigfoot99 file photo

Rawlins officials considered naming the planned Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass after a resident killed while crossing the highway.

On November 2nd, 1983, 10-year-old Patrick Casey McMorrow was struck and killed by a vehicle while attempting to cross North Higley Boulevard in Rawlins. Since that time, city officials have attempted to find ways to make the highway safer to cross.

In the early 2000s, the city began working with the Wyoming Department of Transportation to enhance pedestrian safety on North Higley Boulevard. Following extensive studies, the Rawlins Urban Systems Committee and WYDOT determined that an underground walking tunnel was the most effective and cost-efficient solution. The underpass, once completed, will allow pedestrians to travel between the Highland Hills residential area, nearby school campuses, and the Carbon County Higher Education Center without having to cross over the busy highway.

During the March 17th Rawlins City Council meeting, Public Works Director Cody Dill said that WYDOT is finally prepared to begin construction of the pedestrian underpass, with the project expected to be finished by fall.

Mayor Jacquelin Wells proposed dedicating the walking tunnel in honor of Patrick McMorrow.

Mayor Wells asked the Council for their opinion on the matter. Councilman Terry Patterson said he was close with the McMorrow family and expressed his support for the dedication.

Councilman Derek Elliot suggested dedicating the underpass to all individuals who died while attempting to cross Highway 287. Councilman Elliot added that he does not support the project, saying a traffic light would be a more effective solution.

Mayor Wells asked Public Works Director Dill if WYDOT would object to dedicating the underpass to McMorrow. Dill replied that once the tunnel is completed and the city assumes ownership, WYDOT is unlikely to oppose the dedication.

Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked Dill how many people have died while crossing the highway. Dill said he was only aware of McMorrow’s death. Councilman Derek Elliot asked to delay a decision until the Rawlins Police Department can provide a record of other fatalities in the same area.

In 2013, 19‑year‑old Rawlins resident Calli Hays was killed after crashing into an oncoming vehicle on Highway 287. The Wyoming Highway Patrol reported that Hays was driving the wrong way at a high rate of speed before colliding head‑on with a tractor‑trailer driven by fellow resident David Manley.

Seven years later, in 2020, 61‑year‑old Kingman, Arizona resident Allen P. Dollarhide was killed after failing to put his pickup truck in park before exiting the vehicle. Dollarhide lost his footing and was crushed by the truck. Highway Patrol attributed the incident to driver inattention and Dollarhide’s physical disability.

However, it is important to note that neither Hays nor Dollarhide were killed while attempting to cross the highway.

Councilwoman Lewman said she supported the idea of dedicating the North Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass to Patrick Casey McMorrow and expressed regret that it has taken 43 years to address the area’s known safety issues.

As the item was only up for discussion, the Rawlins City Council took no official action.

The post Dedication of Pedestrian Tunnel Topic of Discussion at Council Meeting first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 |

Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

Saratoga officials voted to retain the town’s prosecuting attorney following the establishment of his own law firm.

In January, the Saratoga Town Council selected a new Municipal Attorney. Unlike district attorneys, who prosecute serious state felonies at the county level, municipal prosecutors handle local ordinance violations and lower‑level community offenses.

Speaking at the January 21st Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis said Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip recommended an attorney, but that person did not respond to his requests. Instead, the mayor said he selected Robert Piper, a former Saratoga police officer and Carbon County Sheriff’s deputy.

As of this report, Robert Piper still practices with Coal Creek Law out of Laramie. He also served as Medicine Bow’s town attorney in 2023, when a hasty motion led the Town Council to temporarily vote themselves out of power. Piper was replaced that November by Cameron Smith of SAS Legal Group in Cheyenne.

At the January 21st Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Davis said Piper comes highly recommended and asked the governing body to appoint him as the town’s prosecuting attorney.

The governing body appointed Robert Piper to prosecute local ordinance violations.

On Monday afternoon, when the Saratoga Town Council held a brief special meeting to discuss the prosecuting attorney. Mayor Davis announced that Piper was leaving Coal Creek Law and forming his own practice.

Mayor Davis asked the governing body if they were in favor of keeping Piper as the town’s prosecuting attorney. Police Chief John Moore said Piper is already integrated into the department’s internal systems. Responding to a question from Councilman Bub Barkhurst, Chief Moore said he is well acquainted with the man.

Mayor Davis said he was waiting to receive an engagement letter from Piper outlining his rates. The mayor asked for authority to sign the letter if the attorney maintains his current price of $185 an hour. If Piper seeks a higher rate, Mayor Davis said he won’t sign the agreement, and the Council will take up the matter at their next regularly scheduled meeting on April 1st.

The governing body unanimously voted to retain Robert Piper as the town’s prosecuting attorney after he forms Piper Law Group LLC, provided he does not increase his rates.

The post Saratoga Retains Town Attorney first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 |

Photo – Rawlins Rochelle Ranch Golf Course building – Bigfoot99 file photo

The City of Rawlins is in discussions with a concessionaire to operate the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course restaurant.

During the March 17th Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Matthew Hall announced that the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course Advisory Board was meeting the following evening. As he would be attending the Carbon County Council of Governments meeting in Hanna at that time, Finance Director Laura Malone would go in his place. Hall said he was hoping to receive additional information about a new concessionaire for the golf course restaurant.

The city has been running a small snack bar at the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course since the council voted to end its agreement with Win Haymond and the 19th Hole Restaurant in January 2025.

At the time, city officials did not reveal exactly why the contract was terminated, except to say that Haymond violated his agreement multiple times. The decision came one month after the council voted to suspend the restaurant’s liquor license. In a social media post, Haymond admitted that he forgot to remove alcohol following a Christmas party at the Jeffery Memorial Community Center.

At the February 18th,, 2025, Rawlins City Council meeting, City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave explained that the 19th Hole Restaurant’s liquor license only permitted the eatery to serve alcohol at the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course.

Haymond was invited to address the allegations in a public meeting, but the restaurant owner did not respond to the city’s requests and his concessionaire agreement was terminated.

City officials began searching for another concessionaire, but after failing to find a restaurant owner willing to operate out of the golf course, the city itself stepped in. Now, after a year of searching, the city may have found someone to take over the golf course restaurant.

Speaking at the March 18th Carbon County Council of Governments meeting, Rawlins City Manager Matthew Hall said he was 90 percent sure he had found a new restaurateur for the golf course. Hall withheld the person’s name, saying only that he operates a restaurant in Laramie. Mayor Jacquelin Wells added that the person lives in Rawlins.

As of this report, the city has not made any additional announcements regarding the new Rochelle Ranch Golf Course concessionaire.

The post Rawlins Council Discusses Concessionaire at Rawlins Golf Course first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.