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Friday, February 20, 2026 |

Photo – Wood Field – Courtesy Platte Valley Little League

The Town of Saratoga has allocated an additional $7,000 for improvements to the Wood Baseball Fields.

In preparation for this summer’s Legion and Little League baseball seasons, Platte Valley Little League Board member Creed James presented two invoices to the governing body during the February 18th Saratoga Town Council meeting. First, James requested $6,200 to install two new backstop fences at Wood Field.

James said fellow Little League Board member Craig Kopasz is working with a local supplier to secure the concrete needed for the backstop installation.

Wood Baseball Fields, at the corner of 3rd Street and Hugus Avenue, was formerly owned by George and Nellie Wood. The Town of Saratoga negotiated a year‑to‑year lease with the Wood family to allow the fields to be used for youth baseball. In exchange, the town agreed to provide time and money to revitalize the grounds.

At Wednesday’s town council meeting, Platte Valley Little League Board member James explained that the $6,200 will come out of the town’s annual ballfield improvement budget, adding that the Wood family supports the new backstop project.

James said the replacement backstops will stand four feet higher, reaching 20 feet instead of 16. Mayor Chuck Davis asked if the new fences would include a canopy overhanging home plate. James replied that the backstops are tall enough to keep foul balls from traveling over the barrier.

James added that an overhang could be installed in the future if needed.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to approve the $6,200 invoice from Advanced Fence of Wyoming.

James presented the governing body with a $1,052.20 invoice from Plattoga Aggregates for crusher run base, a blend of crushed rock and stone dust.

The Platte Valley Little League Board member said after any precipitation, the west side of the north field becomes very muddy. Combined with fill dirt provided by the town, James said the aggregate will help alleviate the problem.

James added that the mud makes the batting cages hard to reach.

The Town Council voted to pay Plattoga Aggregates $1,053.20 to provide crushed rock for the Wood Baseball Fields.

The post Saratoga Allocates Funds to Improve Baseball Field first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, February 20, 2026 |

Photo – Wyoming State Capitol building – Courtesy WYDOT

The Wyoming House of Representatives, on Wednesday night, voted unanimously to enact a rule forbidding members from accepting money from lobbyists during a session, whether the meeting is in Cheyenne or anywhere else in Wyoming where lawmakers meet.

The rule came in reaction to a Teton County GOP member who passed out checks to Republican House members. The monetary transaction occurred in front of Albany County Democrat, Karlee Provenza, who took a photo of the transactions and gave it to the Cowboy State Daily, which published the photo on its web site this week, giving Provenza a photo credit.

On the opening day of the session, Bextel called the cash payout “campaign contributions.”

The bill passed on Wednesday night forbids “campaign contributions” from being dispensed at times and locations where legislative business is being conducted.

Before the matter went to a vote, Representative Steve Harshman, a former House Speaker, spoke to the gravity of the matter.

The current House Speaker, Chip Nieman, a Republican from Hulett, was among the representatives who received a check from the Teton County realtor. Nieman is facing an election campaign this year.

Democrat Representative Karlee Provenza photographed one check being handed out and took a photograph of Rebecca Bextel handing a check to Rock Springs Republican Darin McCann. Standing next to McCann was Marlen Brady of Green River, who appears to have accepted a check already. Provenza sent the photograph to the Cowboy State Daily rather than to House leadership.

House Majority Floor Leader Scott Heiner of Green River spelled out what the legislation covers regarding the behavior of House members receiving campaign contributions.

On Tuesday, the Wyoming senate passed a similar rule. The legislative action follows an executive order issued Tuesday by Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon that bans the practice of accepting campaign contributions in buildings where state business is being conducted.

The post Wyoming Legislature Members Pass Rule on Campaign Contributions first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, February 20, 2026 |

Photo – RPD patch and badge – Courtesy Rawlins Police Department

The Rawlins Police Department recognized officers for exceptional work in the line of duty.

During the February 17th Rawlins City Council meeting, Police Chief Mike Ward updated the governing body on an awards presentation held the previous week, during which, two officers received Distinguished Service Medals for their performance during a dangerous situation. Chief Ward began by explaining that keeping the community informed about what is happening, and why, remains one of the greatest challenges in law enforcement. Due to this issue, the chief said community engagement is one of the highest priorities of the Rawlins Police Department.

Chief Ward continued, saying that law enforcement is not a job or a career, it’s a calling. When asked why they chose to pursue a role in law enforcement, the police chief said candidates invariably say they want to help people.

After those remarks, Chief Ward said the Rawlins Police Department held its annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, February 11th. The chief announced that Officer Amber Yardley and Lieutenant Jared Frakes received the Distinguished Service Medal for their actions during an incident last summer.

Chief Ward said Lieutenant Frakes remained calm and kept the suspect talking while informing other units about the situation. Frakes instructed Officer Yardley to bring a shotgun loaded with less‑lethal beanbag rounds. Chief Ward said together, their actions saved both, themselves and the suspect.

Another award presented during the February 11th ceremony was the Life Saving Medal. Chief Ward said Rawlins police officers are unique in that they’re called to assist during ambulance calls, unlike larger municipalities where the fire department handles all medical responses.

The chief added that for most of his police career, saving a life was a rare occurrence, but not in Rawlins.

After a life‑saving event, Chief Ward said officers typically dwell on the times they were unable to save someone. However, they come to work the next day and keep doing their jobs.

The police chief said during the awards ceremony, he recognized eight separate events where Rawlins police saved lives, several involving the same officers.

Chief Ward added that he believes Lieutenant Jared Frakes and Sergeant Thom Gamblin have saved more lives than anyone else he knows.

The Meritorious Service Ribbon also was presented to department members who completed an unusual task under difficult conditions that posed a risk to themselves or others.

Chief Ward described an incident in 2019 where officers placed themselves in danger to arrest an armed suspect.

The Meritorious Service Ribbon was also awarded to officers who responded to a six-hour standoff with Virgil Matthews, a Rawlins resident wanted for bond revocation stemming from a domestic violence charge. Officers stopped Matthews on the East side of the city. The suspect refused to surrender and brandished a bomb-like object.

Chief Ward said officers on scene, including Rawlins Police, Carbon County Sheriff’s deputies, and Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers, maintained the standoff during a blizzard while they waited for a special tactics team from Sweetwater County. Using what witnesses described as a flashbang, the out‑of‑county unit quickly apprehended the suspect and determined the bomb was fake.

Chief Ward said Rawlins police officers with more than five years on the force received the Faithful Service Ribbon during the February 11th ceremony. The chief then named the officers who earned the honor.

Next, Chief Ward mentioned the recipients of the Specialized Unit Ribbon, which is given to department members who complete advanced training and certification. The police chief said the drug recognition expert certification earned by Sergeant George Phillips is one of the most difficult credentials to receive.

Chief Ward concluded with the Instructor Ribbon presentation. As a small department, the chief said Rawlins police officers rely on one another to complete specialized training and pass that knowledge on to the rest of the agency, adding that every employee except the newest hires trained to serve as an instructor in some capacity. The police chief listed the officers who received the Instructor Ribbon during the awards ceremony.

After his presentation, Chief Ward received a standing ovation from the City Council.

The post Several Rawlins Officers Recognized for Exceptional Work first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, February 19, 2026 |

Photo – CCSO Badge over county map – Courtesy CCSO

Carbon County’s Victim Witness Program received a passing grade from the state Attorney General’s office.

The mission of the Carbon County Victim Witness Program is to support victims, witnesses, and survivors of crimes by helping them recover physically, emotionally, and financially. The program works to ensure victims are treated with compassion, respect, and sensitivity within the criminal justice system, while upholding the rights guaranteed under the Wyoming Victim and Witness Bill of Rights.

During the February 17th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken announced that Victim Witness Coordinator Loretta Hansen received a letter from the Wyoming Attorney General’s Division of Victim Services. Hansen explained that every year, the state performs a thorough evaluation of the county’s Victim Witness Program, alternating between in person and remote reviews.

The Division of Victim Services evaluates county programs to ensure they are using federal and state funds efficiently and meeting required performance standards. Victim Witness Coordinator Hansen said the Attorney General’s letter states that the Carbon County program has met the agency’s criteria.

The Board of Commissioners praised the Victim Witness Program staff, saying they provide a vital service to the community. Sheriff Bakken added that law enforcement officers often overlook the impact crime has on victims’ lives, and the program’s staff helps ensure those victims are not forgotten.

Sheriff Bakken said keeping the program in compliance with federal and state regulations is a difficult and time‑consuming task. The sheriff thanked Loretta Hansen, Dawnette Spaulding, and Kaylee Ledesma for their work.

The Board of Commissioners said the Victim Witness Program staff consistently go above and beyond in their work to assist crime victims in Carbon County.

The post County’s Victim Services Passes Attorney General’s Evaluation first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, February 19, 2026 |

Photo – Map of donated land parcels – Courtesy City of Rawlins

In Rawlins, city officials reversed course and have now accepted a donation of land they previously rejected.

During Tuesday evening’s city council meeting, the governing body voted to accept a donation of five undeveloped industrial parcels west of the Rawlins Municipal Airport from Sinclair Land and Development, LLC. The decision follows the council’s rejection of the same donation earlier this month.

The original plan for the property, had the city accepted the donation, was to build a new asphalt batch plant on the northern end of Bonanza Street. However, Vice Mayor Darril Garner and council members Steve Sanger and Derek Elliott opposed placing the facility so close to homes along Edinburgh Road. They also did not want to remove the parcels from the private market or add more unneeded land to the city’s inventory.

The motion to accept the five parcels of land failed, with Mayor Wells and Councilmen Terry Patterson and Bruce Seilaff supporting the proposal, Vice Mayor Garner and Councilmen Sanger and Elliott opposing it, and Councilwoman Tonya Lewman abstaining.

Following Robert’s Rules of Order, a widely used manual of parliamentary procedure, the defeated motion was reintroduced during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. City Manager Matt Hall took responsibility for the unpopular plan to construct an asphalt plant on the property. Instead, Hall said the Public Works Department could use the land for storage.

The property is jointly owned by Henry Hewitt and John MacPherson of Sinclair Land and Development. Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked Hewitt, who joined the meeting remotely, what he and his business partner originally planned to do with the land. Hewitt said the property was purchased in 1980 with the aim of developing a business park to support the nearby Rawlins Municipal Airport.

However, the collapse of global energy prices in the 1980s halted the project before it could move forward.

At this week’s meeting, Councilman Derek Elliot said he continues to oppose the deal, saying that the city already owns too many properties that have yet to be sold. Councilman Elliot said maintenance costs and the proximity of residential homes makes the parcels less attractive to own.

Vice Mayor Darril Garner said he would prefer that the property not be used for industrial purposes. The vice mayor added that if the city truly needs the land, he will support accepting the donation; otherwise, it should be made available to private developers.

City Manager Matt Hall said if the donation is accepted, the public works department will immediately use the land to store equipment. If the city chooses to sell the property in the future, Hall said the plan calls for planting trees and bushes to make the parcels more appealing to developers.

Councilman Elliot mentioned that the parcels have sat unused for more than 45 years, which he said shows a lack of interest from private investors. Instead of accepting more undeveloped land, the councilman suggested focusing on projects the city is already pursuing.

Vice Mayor Garner said he shares Councilman Elliot’s concerns, though he viewed a public works storage yard as unlikely to affect nearby residents. The vice mayor also noted that taking ownership of the property will prevent a private developer from building an industrial facility on the land.

Vice Mayor Garner said he originally opposed the donation to prevent the city from moving forward with an asphalt plant.

Following the vice mayor’s remarks, Mayor Wells called for a vote. The motion passed, with Mayor Wells, Vice Mayor Garner, and council members Lewman, Patterson, and Seilaff voting in favor. Councilmen Elliot and Sanger opposed the measure. To take ownership of the five parcels, the city will need to pay approximately $780 in back taxes.

The post City Council Reverses Earlier Vote to Not Accept Donation of Land first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, February 19, 2026 |

Photo – Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray – Courtesy State of Wyoming

In Cheyenne, Secretary of State Chuck Gray is applauding the Wyoming’s Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss a legal case brought by a liberal Laramie attorney to remove Gray from office.

The state’s highest court threw out a case brought by Tim Newcomb, the third time that the liberal attorney has struck out in court.

In April 2022, Tim Newcomb filed a lawsuit in Albany County District Court challenging Wyoming’s voter ID law, arguing it violated the state constitution by unduly restricting voting rights. The Wyoming Supreme Court rejected the case.

In late 2023, Newcomb filed another high-profile petition seeking to disqualify former President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis from appearing on Wyoming’s ballots, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment related to insurrection.

Albany County District Court Judge Misha Westby dismissed the case in January 2024 as premature, and Newcomb later voluntarily withdrew his appeal to the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Following that dismissal, Newcomb announced plans to challenge Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s eligibility for office on similar constitutional grounds, asserting that states can disqualify individuals from state offices under the 14th Amendment.

The state Supreme Court has now tossed out Tim Newcomb v Chuck Gray. The Secretary of State blamed the lawsuit on what he referred to as “the unhinged left.”

In the past, the secretary of state has referred to the Laramie attorney as a “madman.”

The post Laramie Attorney Files Legal Case to Remove Secretary of State first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, February 19, 2026 |

Photo – Medicine Bow Airport – Courtesy Vernon Lovejoy

Conservation work at the Medicine Bow Airport is still on hold while the state works to identify the source of a mysterious odor.

Built in 1929, the Medicine Bow Airport, officially known as Site 32, served the transcontinental airmail route, guiding pilots with its concrete arrow between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Omaha, Nebraska. The runway hosted several notable aviators, including Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Elrey Jeppesen, a key figure in the development of modern aerial navigation charts. Because of its role in the airmail system, the site is listed on the National Park Service’s Register of Historic Places.

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

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

The 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 source for the odor, such as an underground fuel tank, the Airport Board applied for a Brownfields grant from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

During the February 9th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Councilman Lee Cook, who serves as the governing body’s liaison to the Airport Board, reported that DEQ representatives spent two days testing the area, but have not identified the source of the chemical smell. Councilman Cook also said the tarp protecting the weather station roof has torn away, causing additional damage, and the Airport Board has chosen not to replace it.

Last month, Bigfoot99 reached out to Wyoming DEQ for more information about the source of the chemical smell.

Public Information Officer Jillian Scott wrote that the odor is likely historical in nature and that collected core samples and other data will help determine if contamination is present. Scott added that due to the age of the facility, it may not be possible to pinpoint a specific event that caused the release.

Bigfoot99 also asked how the material would be cleaned up. Scott stated that it is too early to know what, if any, remediation may be needed. The plan will depend on the sample analysis. The public information officer added that lab results are expected in a few weeks, followed by a final report shortly after. As of this report, neither Bigfoot99 nor the Medicine Bow Airport Advisory Board have received DEQ’s final report.

Meanwhile, the Medicine Bow Airport Advisory Board is seeking a new member, preferably someone with experience managing an airport. The position is open to all Carbon County residents. Letters of interest may be submitted to the Medicine Bow Town Hall during regular business hours.

The post Restoration of Medicine Bow Airport on Hold first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

February 18th 2026 |

Photo – Courtesy of WYDOT

The Wyoming House of Representatives declined to consider a bill that would have eliminated front‑facing license plates.

During the February 10th meeting, Laramie County Republican Rob Geringer introduced House Bill 81, titled the Less Is More Plate Act. Representative Geringer said the measure simply eliminates the legal requirement for Wyoming vehicles to display a front license plate.

According to the Wyoming Department of Transportation, House Bill 81 would save $331,000 a year if the measure went into effect before the 2033 issuance of new license plates. In the meantime, the bill is expected to reduce registration‑sticker production costs by $77,268 annually.

Representative Trey Sherwood spoke out against the bill. The Albany County Democrat acknowledged that the measure would save the state money but said it could put law enforcement officers in danger.

Representative Art Washut was also opposed to the bill. The Natrona County Republican said as a former member of the Casper Police Department, front license plates often helped him identify suspects.

Representative Geringer responded that a number of law enforcement agencies say the front license plate is unnecessary as officers most often view the rear plate during traffic stops. The Laramie County Republican added that eliminating the requirement would benefit vintage automobile collectors and those who prefer a custom plate on the front of their vehicle.

As a non‑budget bill considered during an even‑numbered budget year, House Bill 81 required two‑thirds of the chamber’s votes to pass. However, the measure fell short, failing on a vote of 38 to 23.

The post Front License Plates Still Required first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

February 18th 2026 |

State lawmakers decline to consider a bill requiring suicide-prevention education in schools.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wyoming ranks third in the nation for suicide deaths, with 26.3 suicides for every 100,000 residents, placing the state behind only Montana and Alaska. The organization’s website lists suicide as the eighth most common cause of death in Wyoming.

To help address the high suicide rate in Wyoming, Representative Steve Harshman introduced House Bill 40 in the Wyoming House of Representatives on February 10th. If passed, the measure would have required school districts to provide suicide prevention education to students. Teachers and school staff are already required to receive at least eight hours of suicide prevention training every four school years.

Representative Harshman explained that when he began teaching 40 years ago, he was trained never to discuss suicide with students.

However, despite recent prevention efforts, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline and state‑mandated teacher training, young men are still dying by suicide at a higher‑than‑average rate.

The Wyoming Department of Health reported that 80 percent of suicides involve men, and that 64 percent of all self‑inflicted deaths in the state involved a firearm.

Just last month, 22‑year‑old Rawlins native Aiden Hall died by suicide while detained in a Cheyenne police cruiser. Last October, 16‑year‑old Saratoga High School football player Easton Mason took his life following an alleged sextortion incident. And in 2023, 41‑year‑old Saratoga Police Officer Glen Casner ended his life. All three deaths involved a firearm.

Speaking on the floor, Representative Harshman said House Bill 40 reinforced the state’s existing suicide‑prevention mandates by teaching students how to discuss the topic with their peers.

Representative Harshman added that roughly 30 percent of school districts already have adequate suicide‑prevention measures in place.

Representative Jayme Lien spoke against House Bill 40, saying every student, including those who are home-schooled, already receives sufficient suicide‑prevention education through existing state mandates.

Representative Karlee Provenza was also opposed to the bill. The Albany County Democrat said suicide-prevention education is the responsibility of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, not the legislature.

Representative Harshman said the state already mandates education against drug and alcohol abuse, bullying, and poor habits. The Natrona County Republican said House Bill 40 is a way for lawmakers to ensure these requirements are being taught to students.

As a non‑budget bill considered during a budget year, House Bill 40 required two‑thirds of the chamber’s votes to pass. However, the measure fell short, failing on a vote of 31 to 30.

The post Suicide Prevention Education Bill Falls Short first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

February 18th 2026 |

Photo – Promotional Flyer from Carbon County Museum

The Carbon County Museum will host a casino-themed fundraiser this Saturday.

Following a successful fundraiser in September, the Carbon County Museum in Rawlins is holding another game night on Saturday, February 21st. Museum Director Tom Mensik said the event provides a chance to take a break from the holiday season while enjoying games, drinks, and exhibits.

Mensik said game night attendees will have a variety of board and card games to choose from. In addition the usual assortment of games, guests can also play a giant version of Jenga in the museum’s garage.

Mensik said money raised during Saturday’s game night will help the Carbon County Museum continue developing new exhibits, including an upcoming display on Dr. Lillian Heath, the first female physician in Wyoming.

Dr. Heath began her medical career in Rawlins as an assistant to Union Pacific surgeon Dr. Thomas Maghee. Famously, Dr. Heath attended the autopsy of Big Nose George Parrott. Following the procedure, Dr. Maghee gave the young physician the top of the outlaw’s skull, which she used as a doorstop for nearly 70 years. Museum Director Mensik said the Dr. Heath exhibit should be ready within a month.

The upcoming Dr. Lillian Heath exhibition was partially funded by a grant from the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Planning Task Force.On July 10th, the Carbon County Museum will premiere the Carbon County 250 Committee’s new documentary, “Journeys to 250.”

The film explores how humans came to inhabit the land that eventually became Carbon County. Museum Director Tom Mensik said other upcoming events include a book signing by Joe Pickett author CJ Box on Tuesday, March 3rd.

The Carbon County Museum’s game night is this Saturday, February 21st, at 904 West Walnut Street in Rawlins. Tickets for the 21 and over event are $20 per person and will be sold at the door. A cash bar will be available.

The post Carbon County Museum Hosts Fundraiser February 21st first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.