Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

Monday, January 26, 2026 |

Photo – City crews work on broken water line – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Rawlins crews continue to respond to water line breaks.

Two weeks ago, Rawlins public works crews responded to a major water main break south of Interstate 80. Speaking at the January 20th Rawlins City Council meeting, Public Works Director Cody Dill explained that in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 10th, water treatment plant employees noticed a loss of pressure near Exit 211 on I80. Crews immediately shut off water to the affected area but were unable to locate the source of the leak until the sun rose.

The previous day, city crews discovered a break in the high-pressure line, on the corner of Colorado and East Front Streets, necessitating a temporary closure of the nearby vehicle underpass. The same line experienced a similar rupture in May of 2024.

Continuing his report, Public Works Director Dill said crews first called 811 to locate underground utilities, such as gas and electric lines. Once the utilities were marked, workers dug up the line and repaired the break. Dill said water was restored within an hour and a half, and pressure was back to normal by Sunday.

Dill said his team removed and replaced 60 feet of 20-inch PVC water line. Between equipment, labor, and material costs, the public works director said the repair cost the city approximately $21,000.

Dill expressed his gratitude for how quickly the public works crew fixed the water main break.

During the outage, residents in the affected area were asked to conserve water by taking short showers and delaying laundry until repairs were completed. Until then, homes and businesses would be using water stored in the Painted Hills and Hospital tanks, which were 50 percent full at the time.

During the January 20th City Council meeting, Mayor Jacquelin Wells and Public Works Director Cody Dill thanked the public for complying with the conservation order. Responding to a question from Vice Mayor Darril Garner, Dill said the city’s new computerized water‑treatment plant control system, called SCADA, was able to detect the decreased water usage. The public works director added that the SCADA system, installed last fall, has performed reliably.

In light of the most recent break, Councilman Derek Elliott asked how proactive the public works department is in preventing future failures. Dill replied that the high-pressure water lines are scheduled to be replaced. However, several other projects will take priority, including revitalizing the Sage Creek Spring boxes, repairing the 32 miles of transmission lines that carry water from the springs to the Rawlins Water Treatment Plant, and replacing the cathodic protection system that prevents the buried steel pipe from corroding. Last summer, the city received $2.835 million from the Wyoming Water Development Commission to fund the cathodic protection work. Dill said he can begin repairing the high-pressure lines once those jobs are finished.

The high‑pressure line, specifically where it runs under Interstate 80, is one of four high‑priority projects identified in the 2022 Wyoming Water Development Office water master plan. That work, along with revitalizing the Sage Creek Springs, repairing blow‑off valves and cathodic protection on the transmission line from the springs to the water treatment plant, and replacing the city’s two treated‑water storage tanks, is estimated to cost $50 million, money the city does not have. Despite the lack of funding, design work on the spring boxes is scheduled to be completed this spring, with construction set to begin once a funding source is secured.

In the meantime, the city is using the Wyoming Water Development Commission grant to design a plan to replace the blow‑off valves and cathodic protection on the water transmission line. As Rawlins continues to wait for funding to address its aging water infrastructure, crews will keep responding to line breaks.

The post Water Breaks Continue to Keep City Crews Busy in Rawlins first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, January 26, 2026 |

Photo – National Heritage map – Courtesy Lovejoy Consulting

A project to establish a nationally recognized heritage area in Carbon and Natrona Counties is a long way from reaching its destination.

In March of 2023, Vernon Lovejoy and Dr. Glenn Haas of Lovejoy Consulting in Denver, Colorado, submitted a plan to create a federally recognized national heritage area in Carbon and Natrona counties.

The project is dubbed the Pathways National Heritage Area.

It spans both counties, and highlights trails and historic sites, including the transcontinental railroad, Lincoln Highway, Mormon Trail, and Oregon Trail. All were central to America’s westward expansion.

Dr. Hass describes the area as an “epicenter” of historic trails.

A feasibility study was completed in 2024 and sent to the National Park Service for consideration. If the Park Service approves the application, Congress will decide if the Pathways National Heritage Area will be added to the Federal Register of Historic Places. The Park Service has up to one year to determine if an application merits congressional review.

Although most projects are considered in less than a year, the recent 43-day government shutdown, which ended on November 12, 2025, delayed a decision on the Pathways proposal.

Democrats in Congress are threatening yet another shutdown, which would begin at the end of this month on January 30th.

During Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Commission Chairman Travis Moore said the National Park Service reviewed the Pathways application and recommended strengthening the area’s narrative presentation. Chairman Moore said that after meeting with Park Service employees, the Pathways National Heritage Area Committee, which is made up of stakeholders from both Carbon and Natrona counties, agreed to follow the federal agency’s recommendation and revise the application.

The Pathways National Heritage Area Committee is a nonprofit organization created to manage the program.

While the project has support in both counties, questions about private property rights remain. What happens if a landowner does not want their property included in the heritage area? Chairman Moore explained that the national heritage area will not override private property rights, allowing landowners to determine if their property is included.

As a joint project between Carbon and Natrona counties, Chairman Moore said he initially assumed the Pathways National Heritage Area would be too large to manage. However, after learning that other heritage areas span multiple counties, including the Kentucky Wildlands proposal, the commission chairman said two counties no longer seemed excessive.

Chairman Moore said he and the other members of the Pathways National Heritage Area Committee will continue working with the National Park Service to revise the proposal.

In a document titled The Background and Value of Establishing a National Heritage Area for Central and Southern Wyoming, Lovejoy Consulting LLC wrote that creating the Pathways National Heritage Area would, for the first time, promote Wyoming’s heritage assets on a national scale and help secure a lasting share of tourism for this part of the state. The primary benefit is the preservation and enhancement of sites that might otherwise be lost over time. That need translates into increased demand for local goods, services, lodging, and other amenities. The concentration of heritage sites, combined with extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, creates a substantial and sustainable economic benefit for central and southern Wyoming.

For more information about the Pathways National Heritage Area, visit PathwaysNHA.com.

The post National Heritage Area Still a Long Way from Destination first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, January 23, 2026 |

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

2026 is an election year and Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, who oversees statewide elections, announced the five priorities he will focus on during this year’s legislative session.

On Thursday, the secretary of state announced his top five priorities:

* Requiring paper ballots as the default method of voting in Wyoming.

* Increasing chain of custody procedures by banning ballot drop boxes and ballot harvesting.

* Strengthening Wyoming’s voter ID law by eliminating Medicare, Medicaid and student ID’s as an acceptable form of identification.

* Instituting hand tabulation verification of voting machines for recounts and audits.

* Amending the state constitution to ban dual citizenship for voting and holding office.

In a prepared statement, the Secretary of State wrote, “Pen to paper ballots, improving chain of custody procedures, strengthening voter ID, and our other proposed election integrity reforms are common-sense and needed.”

Gray referred to his list as “common-sense election integrity measures to serve the People of Wyoming by ensuring the safety and security of elections in Wyoming.”

The session begins in just over two weeks on February 9.

The post Secretary of State Announces Five Priorities for Upcoming Legislative Session first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, January 23, 2026 |

Photo – Saratoga’s old Water Treatment Plant – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Town of Saratoga is requesting further public comment before moving forward with the purchase of land for a new public works facility.

During the December 17th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner outlined a proposal to move his department out of the former water treatment plant and adjacent garage on South River Street. Penner said the existing buildings are dangerous and outdated.

The public works director suggested purchasing a 12‑lot parcel on the corner of North State and East Rochester Streets. The property, owned by Danny McGuire, is already zoned for light industrial, making it suitable for a new public works garage and material staging area.

Before Wednesday’s regular Saratoga Town Council meeting, the governing body held a public hearing for the potential land purchase. Public Works Director Penner explained the purpose of the hearing, saying that suitable properties are hard to find. Penner added that the town must take its time to ensure the purchase doesn’t create problems down the road.

Following Penner’s remarks, Mayor Chuck Davis opened the floor for public comment. Engineer and former councilmember Jon Nelson spoke first. Nelson began by applauding the town’s efforts to relocate the public works facility, saying that the land by the North Platte River can be better utilized. However, Nelson said he is opposed to moving the facility into the light‑industrial district, arguing that the decision will limit future development in the area.

Since the property is zoned for light industrial, Nelson said it could support manufacturing. The former councilmember said he would rather see the land used to create jobs for residents than for a public works facility.

Given how difficult it is to find suitable land in Saratoga, Nelson said the decision to purchase the former Dan’s Trucking property may not have been fully thought out.

Nelson added that consolidating all municipal offices, including the post office, the library, and the public works department, into a single location would benefit the town. Councilman Jerry Fluty questioned why industrial activities should be placed alongside other services. Nelson replied that a centralized location would make it easier to coordinate between the town’s various departments.

Nelson said other towns successfully utilize a centralized layout for their municipal services. The former councilmember suggested relocating Saratoga’s offices to town‑owned land in another part of the community, such as the area south of the public library.

Returning to his original point, Nelson said the property would better serve residents if it remained in private hands. Mayor Davis thanked Nelson for his thoughtful comments.

Councilman Bub Barkhurst said moving the public works department behind the library would require heavy equipment to regularly pass by the high school. Nelson said the town has other properties it can consider, to which Councilman Fluty noted that most town‑owned land is zoned for residential. Nelson instead suggested relocating the public works facility closer to Shively Field.

Nelson said he recommended the area around the library only as an example of where the town could relocate the public works department without needing to purchase additional real estate.

Following Nelson’s remarks, R G Raymer Construction owner Randy Raymer spoke in support of the purchase. As a long‑time resident, Raymer said he took part in the 2016 Saratoga Master Plan. The document identified three key areas of improvement: additional childcare, increased access to health care services, and beautifying the town. Raymer said two of those goals have been fulfilled by private industry. However, the town has not made any meaningful headway in beautification, implying that relocating the public works facility away from the North Platte River would help meet that objective.

Raymer said Nelson is using property zoned for light industrial for something other than industrial purposes, making his argument less convincing.

While light‑industrial properties may not be listed often, Raymer said that in his experience every property is technically for sale.

The R G Raymer Construction owner said he has a production shop on the northeast side of town. Although he has considered moving the facility closer to his office on West Bridge Avenue, Raymer said the shop’s central location makes it easier for his employees to access. Additionally, the site is away from residential areas, unlike the land behind the public library.

Raymer said he is completely opposed to Nelson’s suggestion to find a different location for the public works facility.

Next, Planning Commission member Jodell Hone said Nelson and Raymer are not in total disagreement as both speakers agreed that moving the facility will beautify the town. Hone said she originally supported the purchase, but after hearing Nelson’s argument against the proposal, she reconsidered her position.

Mayor Davis said the matter needs more consideration and closed the public hearing. Later, during the regular Town Council meeting, the mayor presented a letter from Saratoga resident and S-E-R Conservation District member Scott Kerbs opposing the land purchase. In his letter, Kerbs wrote that the deal would remove the property from the tax rolls, since towns are tax‑exempt. Mayor Davis said Kerbs suggested moving the public works facility to town‑owned land near Shively Field and selling other town‑owned property to pay for the project.

Public Works Director Penner said he had been planning to make an offer on the property. However, after hearing opposition to the deal, Penner said more public comment is needed before a decision is made.

The Saratoga Town Council agreed to delay the purchase and hold another public hearing before its next meeting.

The post Public Hearing on Land Purchase Leads to Another Public Hearing first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, January 23, 2026 |

Photo – Five-day forecast – Courtesy National Weather Service, Cheyenne

The National Weather Service says not to expect much snow this season, raising the likelihood of summer drought conditions.

Wyoming has been experiencing a much warmer and drier winter than normal. Speaking to Bigfoot99, Cheyenne National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Natoli explained that the unusual weather is the result of a long‑lasting high‑pressure system.

Natoli said determining the exact cause of the high‑pressure system is difficult, but La Niña is unlikely to be a contributing factor.

The National Weather Service meteorologist said the high-pressure system has been deflecting cold air and potential snowstorms to the north and east for most of the season. However, a cold front is moving through the area, bringing the possibility of several inches of snow in the higher elevations of Carbon County. Unfortunately, Natoli said the potential snowfall is unlikely to make much of a difference to the region’s depleted river basins.

Natoli added that the basin snowpacks aren’t at record lows, but they’re very close. Mountain totals are a little less dire, but the National Weather Service meteorologist said the good news is offset by the well‑below‑average snow at lower elevations.

Natoli said the winter season is already halfway over. Unless our region receives above‑average precipitation before spring, the area is likely to face drought conditions this summer.

Natoli said the warm, dry weather is also contributing to drought risk in another way. Even with heavy late‑winter snowfall, the dry soil would absorb much of the moisture, increasing the chances of summer drought.

On a positive note, Natoli said the low mountain snowpack will not significantly increase the risk of summer wildfires. Heavy spring rain, typically our area’s wettest season, may help reduce fire danger. However, the current lack of moisture has increased the chances of unusual winter fires.

Natoli said current weather models show the warm, high‑pressure zone is unlikely to break up anytime soon. The National Weather Service meteorologist added that the forecast does not include any snowfall for at least the next few weeks.

Natoli said models show the high‑pressure zone may break down sometime in mid‑February or early March, allowing more typical cold weather and snow to return to the region. However, the National Weather Service meteorologist warned that earlier forecasts predicted a similar shift that never occurred. In the meantime, our area will continue to experience unusually warm and dry weather.

The post Summer Drought Predicted Due to Lack of Winter Snow first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, January 22, 2026 |

Photo – Fountain in Sinclair – Courtesy Town of Sinclair

The Town of Sinclair is taking steps to establish its own library.

On September 30th, 2024, the Carbon County Library Board closed the Sinclair branch. According to the Wyoming State Library, Sinclair saw the lowest library usage in Carbon County, with 161 visits in fiscal year 2024. Each visit cost the library system $75.10. By comparison, the Medicine Bow branch recorded 801 patrons during the same time period, while the Hanna branch saw 581.

Former Sinclair Librarian Patty McCulloch said the community was extremely disappointed to learn about the closure. McCulloch said the library served as a community hub.

Sinclair residents can take a bus to Rawlins twice a month to use the county library. The former Sinclair Library now serves as a community hall, where residents gather every Wednesday to have coffee.

To reduce echoes in the room, Sinclair Community Events Director Monte Thayer began filling the empty library shelves. Inspired by the classic film The Shawshank Redemption, Thayer said he has chosen to transform the space back into a full‑fledged library.

Still in the early stages of the project, Thayer has already received approximately 2,000 donated books and CDs. Thayer said the collection includes a wide variety of titles and subjects.

Former Sinclair Librarian McColloch has been organizing the collection. Little by little, Thayer said, they’re building a library. He added that, in time, he hopes to bring in volunteers to help patrons check books in and out.

Thayer said he needs at least 5,000 books to fully stock the library shelves. The community events director is asking for additional donations to help him reach that goal.

With the potential closure of additional libraries on the horizon, Thayer said Sinclair is working to establish its own branch, independent of the county library system.

The Sinclair community hall is open every Wednesday, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

The post Town of Sinclair is Attempting to Establish Library first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, January 22, 2026 |

Photo – Ferguson Building in downtown Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Rawlins Downtown Development Authority is seeking state funding to convert the Ferguson Building into workforce housing.

During Tuesday evening’s Rawlins City Council meeting, the governing body authorized a $3.5 million State Loan and Investment Board grant request. If approved by the state agency, the funding will be used to transform the 131-year-old Ferguson Building into affordable apartments.

Originally built in 1895 and expanded over the years, the Hugus‑Ferguson Building at 5th and Cedar Streets in Rawlins was first owned by J.E. Hugus and Company. The building was sold to Ferguson Mercantile in 1912. After the general store closed in the late 1960s, the structure sat vacant for decades.

In 2013, the county bought the building from the city with plans to relocate the Carbon County Museum into the space, but its condition had deteriorated to the point that it was no longer safe to occupy. In 2022, the county transferred ownership of the Ferguson Building to the Rawlins Downtown Development Authority.

Since that time, the Rawlins DDA has explored several potential uses for the Ferguson Building, including a hotel, condos, and apartments. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, DDA Executive Director Pam Thayer said the Board of Directors has chosen to construct an apartment complex. Thayer said the project will provide an alternative to the city’s overwhelming number of single‑family homes.

Thayer said the plan calls for 12 apartments: seven one‑bedroom and five two‑bedroom units.

The city received funding from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to determine if four properties contain hazardous materials or chemicals, including the Ferguson Building. Ayers and Associates, the firm overseeing the environmental assessment, produced a feasibility study to identify what unmet needs the structure could serve. DDA Executive Director Pam Thayer said that without the study, she would not have been able to apply for the State Loan and Investment Board grant.

The Rawlins DDA will ask the State Loan and Investment Board for a $3.5 million grant to revitalize the Ferguson Building. Thayer said she is hopeful the full request will be granted. If only part of the funding is approved, the DDA can use its reserves to make up the difference.

Councilwoman Tonya Lewman expressed her support for the plan but noted that previous discussions about creating living space in the downtown business district were abandoned due to the need to install costly fire suppression systems. Councilwoman Lewman asked what changed to make the project feasible at this time. DDA Executive Director Pam Thayer said nothing had changed, but the grant will help the organization afford the legally required sprinkler system.

Councilman Derek Elliott asked if any of the rental income will go to the city. Thayer said the Downtown Development Authority, which owns the building, will receive all proceeds. The revenue will support future DDA projects or reduce the city’s annual financial contribution to the organization.

In the 2025 through 2026 fiscal year, the city allocated nearly $175,000 to the Downtown Development Authority.

Next, Councilman Elliott asked about rental rates. Thayer said she did not have exact figures at the time but expected them to be in line with similar properties in the city.

Following the discussion, the Rawlins City Council unanimously voted to approve the DDA’s $3.5 million State Loan and Investment Board grant application.

The post City Council Approves Grant Application to be Submitted to State first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, January 22, 2026 |

Photo – SCWEMS ambulance barn – Bigfoot99 file photo

Saratoga’s SCWEMS representative updated the town about tensions among the county’s emergency service providers.

Formed in 2009, South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services, or SCWEMS, provides ambulance coverage for eastern Carbon County, including Elk Mountain, Hanna, Medicine Bow, and the Platte Valley. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County covers the remaining service area.

SCWEMS is led by a seven‑member joint powers board made up of representatives from the participating municipalities and the county. During the December 17th Saratoga Town Council meeting, the town’s SCWEMS appointee, Steve Martin, updated the governing body on recent developments at the organization. Martin began by noting that former SCWEMS Director Stayton Mosbey resigned and said the joint powers board is still searching for his replacement, adding that a suitable candidate from North Carolina is expected to step into the role.

As a recent SCWEMS Joint Powers Board appointee, Martin said he witnesses what he described as “underlying tensions” between the North Platte Valley Medical Center and the Carbon County Fire Protection district. Martin said municipal fire departments appear to have an issue with responding to emergency calls along Interstate 80.

Martin said the issues appear to stem from a lack of acknowledgment, but he is continuing to work with the SCWEMS Joint Powers Board to determine the underlying cause. However, early indications suggest the concerns may be rooted in longstanding grudges. No matter the reason, Martin said the emergency services must put their differences aside to ensure they have access to millions of dollars from the recently enacted federal Rural Health Transformation Program.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is a five‑year, $50 billion national initiative created under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act to expand access to care, modernize facilities and technology, and support workforce development in rural communities. While the exact amount Wyoming will receive from the program hasn’t been set, the state may be awarded up to $1 billion over five years.

The state has already received $205 million from the Rural Health Transformation Program, of which 80 percent has been deposited into a savings account to generate long‑term investment returns. Martin said he doesn’t support the state’s investment plan, arguing that the money is needed now.

To ensure Carbon County receives a portion of the federal funding, Saratoga’s SCWEMS representative asked the governing body for advice to improve cooperation between the participating agencies.

Mayor Chuck Davis asked if the SCWEMS Joint Powers Board itself was experiencing any issues. Martin said no, explaining that the animosity appears to stem from the fact that in Wyoming, ambulance and fire departments are not classified as essential services like police, water, and sewer. Martin added that EMS and fire are typically separate departments that often compete for limited funding.

Martin also said EMS and fire departments are having trouble finding volunteers. Without enough people to respond to calls, the SCWEMS representative said Memorial Hospital of Carbon County may have to step in to provide ambulance coverage for the entire county. Martin added that patients are the top priority for SCWEMS, not egos.

Responding to a question from Mayor Davis, Martin said SCWEMS has 50 registered volunteers in the Platte Valley, but only half are certified to respond to emergency calls. The ambulance service also has no paramedics on staff. Martin said paramedics live in the area, but for unspecified reasons, they are not part of SCWEMS.

Martin said the SCWEMS Joint Powers Board is trying to fill the organization’s open positions. However, personality conflicts appear to be preventing the board’s efforts.

To improve communication, Martin asked the governing body to form a committee made up of participating agencies, with the Saratoga Town Council serving as a neutral party. Mayor Davis agreed to the request and said he will reach out to the participating agencies to determine what they want from the arrangement.

Mayor Davis provided an update on the SCWEMS committee during the January 7th Saratoga Town Council meeting. The mayor said he has begun speaking to representatives from each participating agency and will contact SCWEMS Joint Powers Board chairman Morgan Irene for additional information.

Mayor Davis said he will continue to stay in contact, adding that the organizations must work together to ensure they receive their share of the Rural Health Transformation Program funding.

The post Underlying Tensions Among First Responders is Concern for SCWEMS Rep first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 |

Photo – Home page of old website for Medicine Bow – Bigfoot99 file photo

Computer problems in Medicine Bow. Town officials remain unable to access the town’s existing website. They’re exploring ways to have staff build a new one.

During the May 12th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting last year, Councilman Lee Cook announced that no town employees can update or modify the town’s official website, medicinebow.org. Although events were advertised on Facebook, Councilman Cook said the website could also be used to share community information.

The governing body agreed that having the ability to update the website would benefit the town. The matter was revisited two months later during the July 14th Council meeting. Mayor Justin George said he appreciated how the website helps residents contact the town but cautioned that restoring it would be difficult without web‑design expertise. Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield recommended creating a new website through Squarespace, an easy‑to‑use template‑based design platform.

Councilwoman Mayfield also proposed working with H‑E‑M High School, where students could build the site to gain real‑world experience.

The governing body approved Councilwoman Mayfield’s plan to have local high school students design a new town website and asked her to present the idea to H‑E‑M business and computer teacher Stephanie Scott.

After months of discussion between Scott and the Carbon County School District Two Board, Councilwoman Mayfield finally received an answer from the H‑E‑M computer teacher. Speaking at the December 8th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Mayfield said Scott doesn’t believe her students are qualified to build a new website, adding that even if an agreement were reached, the school would require payment.

Councilwoman Mayfield once again recommended using a design template program, such as Squarespace or Wix, to build a new website.

The councilwoman explained that once operational, updating the site is a simple process. Mayor Justin George also suggested posting notices around town seeking residents with web‑design experience.

The matter was tabled once again while the governing body looked into options for rebuilding the town’s official website.

During the January 12th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Clerk Treasurer Karen Heath announced that an individual submitted a proposal to design a new website, but at a cost. Instead, Treasurer Heath recommended following the original plan of having high school students do the work. Councilwoman Mayfield reminded her that the H‑E‑M computer teacher had already said her students were too inexperienced for the task.

With that option no longer available, Treasurer Heath said the town will need to hire someone to design a new website, but it lacks the funding to cover the cost.

Councilwoman Mayfield asked Treasurer Heath if she had an opportunity to review any template‑based website design platforms, such as Squarespace or Wix.

The treasurer said she had not, adding that she had updated the previous website in the past, but was not able to fully grasp the process. Councilwoman Mayfield said modern website design is far more user‑friendly than it used to be.

Treasurer Heath said she would review the website design platforms when possible. Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer offered to assist. The matter was tabled once again until Heath determines if the template‑based tools can be used to build a new town website.

The post Medicine Bow Council Discusses Town Website first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 |

Photo – Medicine Bow gateway sign – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Town of Medicine Bow is prepared to establish its own computer lab if the library closes.

During the January 12th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Clerk Treasurer Karen Heath requested $1,950 to purchase a new computer for town hall. Heath said her current machine is showing signs of degradation, similar to Deputy Clerk Alice Clark’s computer a few months ago.

Treasurer Heath said the owner of the Casper‑based computer services company, BDub IT Consulting, can provide a prebuilt commercial Lenovo‑brand computer that meets her needs. With AI‑related projects driving up demand for components like memory, Heath said a custom‑built computer is out of the question.

Treasurer Heath said the proposed computer will include backup hard drives to protect the town’s data, adding that she also uses a solid‑state drive for daily archiving. Town Attorney Cameron Smith asked if she had considered using external cloud storage as a backup. Heath replied that she is reluctant to use the cloud due to security concerns.

Heath added that solid‑state drives are more reliable than traditional spinning‑platter hard drives.

Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield noted that the $1,950 price tag does not include setup, which is billed at an additional $125 per hour. Treasurer Heath said the installation should take no more than one or two hours.

The Town Council voted to pay BDub IT Consulting $1,950, plus the setup costs, using money from the Chokecherry Sierra Madre Impact Assistance Fund. After the vote, Mayor Justin George directed Heath to ask the IT technician to factory‑reset the old computer. Mayor George said the town can use that computer, along with a machine donated by the Medicine Bow Health Center, to establish a small computer lab in the town hall. Should the local library close as planned on March 5th, 2027, the computers will be made available to residents without home internet access.

The governing body expressed their approval of the mayor’s plan.

The post Medicine Bow Council Discusses Old Computer Uses first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.