Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

Thursday, March 19, 2026 |

Photo – Carbon County Library – Bigfoot99 file photo

County Commissioners remain committed to libraries amid the recent funding reduction.

Due to residential property tax cuts, including the 50 percent long‑term homeowner exemption, Carbon County lost approximately $500,000 in property tax revenue this fiscal year. The loss forced county officials to reduce funding for outside services, including museums, senior centers, and libraries.

The Carbon County Library System saw a 53 percent reduction in county funding, prompting Library Board members to seek financial support from participating municipalities. Without that assistance, Library Board Chairwoman Addie Myers said less‑used branches, such as the Hanna and Medicine Bow libraries, are set to close. Last‑minute contributions bought the branches more time, but they remain at risk without additional support.

During Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Interim Library Director Jenita Calton updated elected officials on the status of the Library System. Calton presented the Board with a report explaining that the $184,262 the county pledged this fiscal year only covers 37 percent of the total cost to run the Library System, instead of the typical 55 percent. The Library System has been left to fill the $315,000 gap left by the funding reduction.

Employee salaries account for nearly 70 percent of the Library System’s annual budget. Interim Library Director Calton said County Commissioners suggested cutting back on staffing. Calton asked if the Board was suggesting reducing all staff or just those in Rawlins. The interim library director said that as the largest municipality in Carbon County, Rawlins patrons should have access to additional services.

Commissioner John Espy clarified that while the county sets its annual financial contributions, the Carbon County Library Board is entirely responsible for allocating those funds. Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett said the Board of Commissioners never suggested cutting Rawlins Library staff. Commissioner John Johnson said the county’s annual budget determines how much funding every entity receives, adding that the library is not entitled to a specific amount.

Vice Chair Bartlett said the county meets its statutory obligations to ensure the health and safety of residents and to fund a library in the county seat.

Before her presentation, Interim Library Director Calton invited Rawlins resident Anthony Brown to speak about the impact local libraries have on their communities. Brown said libraries provide internet and computer access, offer career training, and serve as gathering spaces. Calton also presented testimonials from users of the seven county branches, all echoing Brown’s comments.

Commission Chairman Travis Moore said the Board of Commissioners fully understands the importance of community libraries but noted that the decision to maintain branches in nearly every municipality was made when the county had more funding.

Chairman Moore said fire departments and ambulance services often rely on volunteers and asked why the Carbon County Library System could not do the same to reduce costs. Calton said librarians have a constitutional duty to protect patron privacy, and the state’s WYLD, or Wyoming Library Database, consortium, which allows county libraries to exchange material across the state, does not permit volunteers because of those privacy concerns.

Chairman Moore agreed that the privacy of library patrons is of the highest importance and noted that emergency medical volunteers are required to uphold the same HIPAA standards as paid staff. Calton said the library uses volunteers to stock shelves and handle other tasks, but not to check out materials, and suggested contacting State Librarian Abby Beaver to recommend any rule changes.

In previous funding discussions, the Board of Commissioners suggested combining libraries with other services, such as senior centers, to reduce operational costs. At Tuesday’s meeting, Commission Vice Chairwoman Bartlett asked Calton if she had considered the Board’s recommendation. The interim library director said she has given serious thought to the proposal since taking the position in November, adding that she and Library Board Chairwoman Addie Myers will continue examining the possibility of combining with other county services.

In the meantime, Calton said she has been exploring the possibility of installing electronic book lockers in towns whose libraries have closed. Patrons would be able to request books and other materials from the lockers, and if a title was not available at that location, a library employee would deliver it. Calton pledged that every town in Carbon County will continue to have some form of library access.

Calton thanked the Carbon County Library Foundation for committing to purchase the electronic book lockers. The interim director added that if a better solution emerges in the future, the Library Foundation will likely provide the funding for that as well.

After learning about the planned closures of the Hanna and Medicine Bow libraries, Commissioner Sue Jones secured a $7,500 donation from PacifiCorp and a $9,000 grant from the Wyoming Intertie Community Investment Program, which was matched by the Library Foundation. The money was earmarked specifically to keep the northern Carbon County branches open. Commissioner Jones said residents of those towns value their branches as much as those in Rawlins, and she will continue to support the smaller libraries in any way she can.

Commissioner Jones said libraries, like museums, are cultural hubs for their respective communities and challenged residents to donate to their local branches.

The Board of Commissioners thanked Interim Library Director Jenita Calton for her passion and commitment to protecting the county’s library system.

The post Commissioners Committed to Keeping Libraries Running first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, March 19, 2026 |

Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

One Rawlins City Council member attributes the lack of new businesses to the city’s high rent prices.

Last month, Rawlins Councilman Derek Elliot announced the closure of several local businesses, including two restaurants and a laundromat. Councilman Elliot said the loss of those services has a negative impact on residents.

In an effort to attract more businesses to the city, Councilman Elliot contacted the owners of the Rawlins Plaza, located on West Spruce Street, and asked for the cost to rent an unused portion of the shopping center. Speaking at Tuesday’s Rawlins City Council meeting, Elliot said that if the price was low enough, the space could serve as a community activity center. However, the councilman reported that the property owners appear to expect nearly $100,000 a month in rent.

Councilman Elliot added that the attached grocery store is larger than the Family Dollar, suggesting that the monthly rent costs are even higher. Additionally, the councilman said the building appears to have structural issues. Elliot said his intention was to make the public and the governing body aware of the city’s high rent prices.

Bigfoot99 has reached out to Jabe Companies LLC, the property manager for the Rawlins Town Center, to verify Councilman Elliot’s claims. As of this report, the company has not responded to our reporter’s requests for comment.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman Elliot said he also contacted the owners of the former Chinese buffet on West Spruce Street, who are asking close to $8,000 a month to rent the building. The councilman said residents are willing to support new businesses, but entrepreneurs may be discouraged by the high rent costs.

Councilman Elliot said following last year’s closure of Rasmusson Furniture, he has been trying to attract a new furniture store to the city. However, proprietors told him they are concerned about the lack of qualified employees.

Councilman Elliot suggested creating a training program to prepare residents to work in different types of services, adding that other business owners may have similar staffing concerns.

The post City’s High Commercial Building Rent Prices Concern for City Councilman first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

March 18th 2026 |

Photo – Courtesy of Carbon County Public Health

Carbon County will receive over $9,000 to combat gambling addiction among residents.

During Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, County Clerk Lisa Smith announced that the Wyoming Department of Health is offering $9,144.90 to support gambling‑addiction services in the county. Clerk Smith said the agency needs to know if the county intends to accept the funding.

The Wyoming Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Division oversees the state’s legally mandated gambling‑addiction program. Money collected from sports betting and unclaimed lottery winnings is distributed to counties to support local prevention and recovery efforts. State law requires that the funding only be used to address problematic gambling behavior.

In conjunction with the Department of Health, the Wyoming Gaming Commission allows residents to voluntarily ban themselves from all regulated gambling activities.

Once a person volunteers to be placed on the list, they are prohibited from collecting winnings, recovering losses, or receiving gambling marketing materials. The commission also requires every licensed sports‑betting operator to submit a Responsible Gaming Plan that outlines how it will distribute information about compulsive gambling and available treatment, implement wager and time limits, follow advertising restrictions, prevent underage gambling, and ensure employees are trained to recognize and respond to problematic behavior.

The Board of Commissioners voted to accept the Department of Health’s $9,144.90 to address gaming‑related issues in the county. Carbon County Public Health will continue to administer the county’s gambling treatment program.

The post Carbon County to Receive Money to Combat Gambling Addiction first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

March 18th 2026 |

Photo – File Photo

Hanna officials, citing a lack of information, chose not to increase the town’s contribution to the local library.

Last year’s property tax relief programs significantly reduced local government revenue across the state. Counties and municipalities use property taxes to fund public services, including police and road maintenance. Carbon County officials reported losing more than $900,000 in property tax revenue in the 2025 through 2026 fiscal year. To manage the shortfall, the county cut funding across the board, including outside agencies such as museums and senior centers.

County commissioners cut the budget for the Carbon County Library System by 53 percent. Following the cut, Library Board members approached municipalities and requested donations to supplement operational costs. Most towns already provide water, sewer, and snow removal to their branches. Library Board Chairwoman Addie Myers said the Board appreciates those services. However, the contributions don’t affect the Library System’s budget because building maintenance falls to the county, which owns most of the library buildings.

Due to the reduced budget, the Hanna and Medicine branches were set to close in November. However, a last-minute donation of $7,500 from PacifiCorp, a $9,000 grant from the Wyoming Intertie Community Investment Program, and a $9,000 match from the Carbon County Library Foundation saved both branches from immediate closure. The Town of Medicine Bow also received $3,000 from the United Methodist Church specifically for the town’s branch.

The Medicine Bow Town Council chose to use the town’s share of the donations and grant funding to keep its branch open one day a week until next March. The Hanna Library is open two days a week and, having received less money, was set to close this May. Speaking at the January 13th Hanna Town Council meeting, Library Board Chairwoman Addie Myers asked the governing body to contribute $3,460 to keep the branch open until the next fiscal year, which begins in July. Myers said she was hopeful that at that point, the state legislature would backfill some of the lost property tax revenue, allowing the county to increase its financial support back to previous levels. Alternatively, the town could contribute $17,000 to cover staffing costs into the next fiscal year.

Hanna Mayor Charlie George requested traffic data and operational costs for the town’s library before the Council decides whether to cut hours or increase funding. Myers said she would provide the information later.

During the March 10th Hanna Town Council meeting, Clerk Vivian Gonzales announced that the Carbon County Library Board still had not provided the requested traffic data. Clerk Gonzales added that the Board is seeking a commitment from the town as it begins its annual budget‑setting process.

Councilman Sam Sikes asked how much money the town currently gives to the Hanna Library. Treasurer Ann Calvert said that between donations of gas, water, and sewer service, the town contributes roughly $3,000 a year. Treasurer Calvert added that the Library Board is asking for another $3,000, which would only keep the branch open until summer.

Mayor George said the Library Board explained that the town’s utility contributions don’t affect the Library System’s budget. However, the Board has failed to clarify exactly how much the Hanna branch costs to operate.

Mayor George added that he expects to see those numbers once the Library System begins its budget cycle. Councilman David Felix said without that information, the town can’t determine how much money the library needs to stay open. Clerk Gonzales said the Library Board is seeking a financial commitment from the town.

Mayor George suggested holding off on a commitment until the governing body receives the requested cost and traffic figures. Council members Felix and Sikes agreed that the town should wait for those numbers before making a decision.

The Hanna Town Council agreed not to pledge any additional support to the local branch until it receives more information from the Carbon County Library Board.

The post Hanna Officials Wait for Information from Library Board first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

March 18th 2026 |

Photo – File Photo

In Washington, D.C., a political showdown is underway that could impact national elections. On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate began debating President Donald Trump’s marquee election bill after Republicans advanced the measure on a narrow 51-48 vote.

All Democrats and one Republican voted “no.”

Vice President JD Vance was on hand to cast a tie-breaker in case two other Republicans defected, but a second wildcard, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), voted “yes,” and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), a centrist opposed to the legislation, was absent for the vote.

Floor speeches will continue into next week. Senator John Barrasso, the majority whip from Wyoming, said Democrats want to put illegal immigrants ahead of American voters.

The speeches that began yesterday are expected to last at least a week, maybe longer.

President Trump on Tuesday warned that he would not endorse any Republican who opposes the SAVE America Act. The president has vowed not to sign any bills into law until the voting legislation passes.

The key provisions of the bill require states to collect and verify documentary proof of citizenship during voter registration.

The post U.S. Senate Debates SAVE America Act first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |

Photo – Blow-over semi-trucks on Interstate 80 – Courtesy Wyoming Highway Patrol 

Hundred‑mile‑an‑hour wind gusts caused chaos on the state’s highways.

According to a Wyoming Highway Patrol media release, statewide, the weekend’s windstorms blew over at least 33 vehicles. Speaking to Bigfoot99 yesterday morning, Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Aaron Brown said 12 of those incidents occurred within a ten‑mile stretch of Interstate 80.

Brown reported that seven of the 12 blow‑overs occurred at the Cooper Cove exit over the course of two hours.

Brown said Highway Patrol Troopers issued citations to 10 of the 12 drivers involved in last week’s blow‑over crashes, mainly for failing to obey closures after the highway was shut down due to the wind. Along with a $1,000 fine and up to 30 days in jail, the drivers may also be liable for all costs associated with cleaning up the wreck sites.

Many parts of the state saw wind gusts exceeding 100 miles an hour, with AccuWeather reporting 109‑mile‑an‑hour gusts in Chugwater and Centennial on Friday. That same day, Brown said a strong wind gust damaged the Wyoming Department of Transportation facility in Cheyenne.

Wyoming Department of Transportation Assistant Chief Engineer Mark Ayen reported that the agency’s salt and sand storage sheds in Arlington and Quealy Dome were “all but destroyed” by the wind. Many Carbon County residents also lost power around the same time.

Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Brown said 17 blow‑over crashes also occurred on Interstate 25 north of Cheyenne. Social media videos show semi‑trucks blowing over while standing still.

As of yesterday afternoon, the High Wind Warning remained in effect for southeastern Wyoming. Due to the ongoing gusts, the entirety of Interstate 80 was closed to high‑profile vehicles. Brown said he expects additional blow‑over crashes to occur before the windstorm ends.

The post Over Thirty Trucks Blown Over on Interstate first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |

Photo – A Walmart store – Bigfoot99 file photo

A Casper Walmart received a phony bomb threat over the weekend.

At 7:35 p.m., Sunday evening, the Casper Police Department announced that officers were responding to a reported bomb threat at the Walmart Supercenter on the east side of the city. Casper‑Natrona County Public Safety Communications Center Public Information Officer Rebekah Ladd told Bigfoot99 that the unified dispatch center received a short phone call from an individual claiming to have placed a bomb in the Walmart Supercenter on CY Avenue. Despite the limited information, Ladd said officers from the Casper Police Department treated the threat as credible and evacuated the building.

Ladd said that over the course of an hour, specialized bomb-disposal units from the Casper Police Department and Natrona County Sheriff’s Office used bomb‑sniffing dogs to clear the building, parking lot, and surrounding area. After officers determined that the threat was unfounded, the Walmart was allowed to reopen.

Around the same time, Casper police were notified that a similar event had occurred at a Pierre, South Dakota, Walmart. Four additional Walmart stores in Arkansas, Arizona, Michigan, and California received bomb threats within the past week. Ladd said despite the nationwide parallels, Natrona County law enforcement handled the report as credible.

In December, the Rawlins Walmart was evacuated after authorities received a call from an unidentified person claiming to have hidden three explosive devices inside the store. Officers thoroughly searched the building, including the restroom area specifically mentioned by the caller. After finding nothing, employees were permitted to return to work.

The following month, someone using a robotic voice changer claimed to have left bombs in the Saratoga and Hanna schools and threatened to shoot any students who left the buildings. Thirteen other Wyoming schools, including those in Washakie, Teton, and Laramie counties, received similar threats around the same time.

Public Information Officer Ladd said every incident is reported to federal authorities to help identify any connections between the cases.

Casper authorities thanked the public for their patience and cooperation while emergency personnel investigated Sunday’s Walmart bomb threat.

The post Casper Walmart Evacuated After Bomb Threat Received first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |

Photo – Town of Medicine Bow logo – Courtesy Town of Medicine Bow

The Town of Medicine Bow is exploring ways to broadcast the governing body’s monthly meetings, starting with the town attorney.

Last August, Medicine Bow Attorney Cameron Smith asked the governing body to allow him to attend its monthly meetings remotely rather than in person. Smith, founder of SAS Legal Group in Cheyenne, bills the municipality by the hour, which includes his monthly $540 commute from the state capital. Winter weather may also make the roads impassable, preventing him from attending the meetings.

Two months later, during the October 13th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Attorney Smith said his research showed he may legally attend the sessions remotely, adding that the town will need to determine how to make that possible.

Mayor Justin George said the town will need a way for the attorney to speak with him privately during the proceedings.

The governing body stated it would investigate ways to allow Attorney Smith to attend the meetings remotely while maintaining confidential communication between him and the mayor.

The matter was discussed again at the February 9th Town Council meeting, where Sunrise Engineering Cheyenne Civil Manager CJ Walker suggested using a Meeting Owl 3 by Owl Labs to allow Attorney Smith to participate virtually. Walker said the 11‑inch‑tall device is equipped with a 360‑degree camera and microphone, allowing the attorney to easily see who is speaking and address everyone present.

The Owl Labs Meeting Owl 3 retails for approximately $1,100. Walker offered to let the Council borrow an unused device from his office so the municipality could determine whether to purchase one of its own. At $540 a month for the attorney to attend in person, Councilman Lee Cook said the camera system would pay for itself within two meetings. As Mayor Justin George and Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer were absent from the proceedings, the governing body chose to wait before making a decision about the Meeting Owl 3.

During the next Town Council meeting on March 9th, Attorney Smith explained that even with the Owl 3, he and Mayor Justin George will still need a way to speak privately.

If the town approves the Meeting Owl 3 purchase, Attorney Smith recommended also allowing other presenters to remotely attend the meetings. However, the attorney noted the town would need to establish an ordinance or policy specifying who may use the virtual meeting links to prevent misuse.

Instead of spending $1,100 on a Meeting Owl 3, Attorney Smith said the town could purchase a simple webcam for a fraction of the price. Before making a decision, Mayor Justin George asked Sunrise Engineering’s CJ Walker, who was not present at the time, to demonstrate the device at a future Town Council meeting.

The Medicine Bow Town Council voted to table a decision on the Meeting Owl 3 purchase until they receive a demonstration. Mayor George said that once the town determines how the attorney will remotely attend the monthly sessions, it will investigate ways to broadcast the proceedings online.

The post Broadcasting Monthly Meetings Discussion for Medicine Bow Town Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, March 16, 2026 |

Photo – Carbon County Jail and Communication Center – Bigfoot99 file photo

Governor Gordon signed a bill to reimburse counties for providing mental health services to inmates.

On Friday, March 6th, in the presence of Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak and his command staff, Governor Mark Gordon signed Senate File 10 into law. The bill, titled Contracts for Holding and Treating Mentally Ill Detainees, allocates funding for counties to hold and treat individuals convicted of a crime, but found mentally unfit to stand trial.

During the March 2nd Wyoming Senate session, Laramie County Senator Jared Olsen explained that the bill pays counties to provide mental health services to detainees while they wait to be transferred to the Wyoming State Hospital in Evanston.

Senate File 10 gives the Wyoming Department of Health authority to contract with county jails for the “security, examination, or treatment of accused persons” who have been charged with a crime but found incompetent to stand trial under Title Seven of the state’s criminal code.

Speaking at the February 23rd House Appropriations Committee meeting, Wyoming Department of Health Director Stefan Johansson explained that Senate File 10 will not only reimburse counties for the time detainees spend waiting to be transferred to the state hospital but also pay jails to provide mental health services to those individuals while they wait.

Detainees can often wait up to five months for a bed to become available at the Wyoming State Hospital, which places significant financial pressure on counties and mental stress on inmates.

The Wyoming legislature allocated $5 million for the program.

Last July, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office launched a pilot program with the Wyoming Department of Health similar to what is outlined in Senate File 10. The county used $700,000 in Special Purpose Sixth Penny Tax funding to build two specialized calming pods in the Laramie County Detention Center, with cityscape murals and increased access to natural daylight. Additionally, the Department of Health provided psychiatric care through telehealth, allowing doctors to evaluate inmates and prescribe medication remotely.

To support the program, the jail added a psychiatric nurse practitioner and mental health nurses to its medical team. Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak reported that within the first year, several inmates were stabilized on medication and able to return to the general jail population. By late 2025, the jail reported a significant decline in suicide attempts.

During the signing of Senate File 10, Sheriff Kozak was quoted as saying, “The mental illness crisis within our jail system is a big issue. This bill will help detention facilities better treat and manage these individuals.”

The post Governor Signs Mental Health Services Bill first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, March 16, 2026 |

Photo – Recreation center in Hanna – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Hanna Town Council voted to repair the vacant recreation center while they wait for a legal opinion about its use.

Last month, Hanna Recreation Board member Dorn Hetzel announced the formation of the Friends of the Hanna Recreation Center. Hetzel and the other members formed the nonprofit organization to take over operations of the town’s shuttered recreation center.

The Friends of the Hanna Recreation Center outlined plans to reopen portions of the facility, starting with the weight room and restrooms. As a nonprofit entity, the group would staff the building entirely with volunteers, a cost‑cutting approach the town was legally unable to use. Operational costs would be covered through donations and membership fees.

The governing body appeared supportive of Hetzel’s plan but raised concerns about liability. The Friends of the Hanna Recreation Center would provide insurance for its volunteers and members, while the town would need to continue carrying the facility under its governmental property insurance policy. As a result, the Council postponed a decision until they could consult with the town attorney.

The Hanna Town Council held a special meeting on February 23rd to consider the proposal. At that time, Mayor Charlie George said a decision would have to wait until the governing body, the town attorney, and the full Friends of the Hanna Recreation Center board can meet to discuss the matter in more detail.

The governing body unanimously voted to table the proposal.

The matter was brought up once again during the March 10th Hanna Town Council meeting. Mayor George said he was still waiting to speak to the town attorney. While the proposal appeared straightforward, the mayor said the question is more complex than originally thought.

Councilman David Felix said South Central Wyoming EMS, SCWEMS, had expressed interest in leasing a portion of the recreation center as well. Councilwoman Ellen Freeman questioned the legality of dividing the building between SCWEMS and the Friends of the Recreation Center. Mayor Charlie George said the town attorney will need to address those questions, adding that selling the building would be less burdensome for the town.

The governing body once again voted to table the proposal.

Later in the meeting, Mayor George presented a $2,800 invoice from Bow River Gutters, a Hanna‑based roofing contractor, for repairs to the recreation center’s roof drain. The mayor explained that the existing drain is no longer connected to the gutter system, allowing water to pour directly into the building.

Mayor George said the work was too complex for the town’s public works crew to handle.

The Town Council agreed that the building must be protected until it can be sold and approved the $2,800 invoice. The money will come from funding already allocated for recreation center maintenance.

Mayor George spoke to the town attorney on Thursday, March 12th, but had not yet received a definitive answer on the matter.

The post Rec Center Still Topic of Discussion with Hanna Town Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.