Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

Wednesday, OCTOBER 15, 2025 |

Photo – Dash cam view of PIT maneuver – Courtesy CCSO

The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office has begun training deputies to end vehicle pursuits.

Yesterday afternoon, Sheriff Alex Bakken created a social media post announcing his departments new Tactical Vehicle Intervention, or TVI, training.

Sheriff Bakken wrote that fleeing suspects pose a significant risk to the community and the motoring public. For that reason, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office must find safe and effective ways to manage vehicle pursuits, whether by calling off the chase or using specialized techniques to bring the suspect’s vehicle to a controlled and deliberate stop.

Via his social media account, Sheriff Bakken announced that the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office has launched a first-of-its-kind training program to teach deputies how to use Tactical Vehicle Interventions, or TVIs. Tactical Vehicle Interventions, commonly known as PIT maneuvers, have been used by law enforcement agencies for decades and have proven effective in bringing vehicle pursuits to a safe and controlled end.

During a TVI, the pursuing officer uses their patrol car to strike the rear quarter panel of the suspect’s vehicle, causing it to spin 180 degrees and come to a stop. Carbon County Sheriff’s deputies practiced the technique at the Rawlins Municipal Airport yesterday morning.

In his social media post, Sheriff Bakken wrote that the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office is focused on the safety and wellbeing of all people, including those suspected of crimes. The Sheriff added that he would prefer his deputies never have to use Tactical Vehicle Interventions. However, by training his officers to effectively use the technique, Sheriff Bakken wrote that he is making the department more prepared to respond safely and decisively during high-risk situations.

Sheriff Bakken thanked the Rawlins Municipal Airport for allowing deputies to use the runway for training.

The post Sheriff’s Deputies Practice Tactical Vehicle Intervention Methods first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, OCTOBER 15, 2025 |

Photo – Football on field – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Wyoming Cowboys are a 4.5-point-underdog headed to Air Force this week to take on the Falcons.

The Falcons come into the game with an 0-4 record in Mountain West play, 1-and-5 overall.

Wyoming Head Football Coach Jay Sawvel is not taking Saturday afternoon’s game lightly. The Falcons have a powerhouse offense. They opened the season with a non-conference trouncing of Bucknell 49-14, but then lost to Utah State by 19, by 12 points to Boise State and by nine points to Hawaii.

The Falcons then lost by a field goal to Navy to open October. Last week, Air Force lost to UNLV 48-51 in a game that was a see-saw battle to the end of the fourth quarter and time ran out.

Wyoming’s weaknesses have also been exposed in their 3-and-3 season through mid-October. Coach Sawvel had nothing but praise for Air Force at the news conference on Monday, admitting that the Falcons are difficult to play—especially at home.

Last year, the Cowboys pulled ahead of the Falcons with 24 points in the second half. The Falcons held a 13-7 lead at halftime until the Cowboys took control.

This year’s contest promises to be no different. The game last week between Air Force and UNLV featured 1,200 combined yards of total offense.  The Falcons, led by sophomore quarterback Liam Szarka put up 603 yards.  The Falcons attempt to tie the game fell short as the field goal attempt sailed wide-right as time expired.

Coach Sawvel acknowledged, this week, that Szarka gives Air Force a new wrinkle to an already difficult offensive scheme.

Kickoff is set for 1:30 Saturday afternoon for Wyoming’ first conference road game of the season. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air at noon with the pregame show.

The post Cowboys are the Underdog Headed to Air Force first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, OCTOBER 14, 2025 |

Photo – A truck with window that was shot out – Courtesy Rawlins Police Department

The Rawlins Police Department has arrested a suspect linked to multiple acts of vandalism.

On Friday, October 10th, the Rawlins Police Department announced on social media that a suspect had been identified and arrested the day before in connection with a series of late August vandalism cases. Rawlins Police Lieutenant Daria Hooper said the individual is accused of committing 17 separate acts of vandalism using a BB or pellet gun.

Lieutenant Hooper said the damage was limited to one Rawlins neighborhood. The incident, though, does not appear to have a clear motive.

According to Lieutenant Hooper, evidence suggests the suspect carried out all 17 of the offenses on the night of August 26th. However, the Police Lieutenant said it took nearly a month for some victims to discover they had been affected.

Due to the ongoing investigation, the Rawlins Police Department is withholding the name of the suspect. As of Monday morning, the individual had not appeared in Carbon County Circuit Court. The suspect was arrested for property destruction, but the extent of the charges will be determined by the Carbon County Prosecutor’s Office. Lieutenant Hooper was also unable to disclose how the department identified the suspect.

As part of its continuing investigation, the Rawlins Police Department is asking anyone with information about the incident or unreported damage to call 328-4530.

The post Rawlins Police Make Arrest in August Vandalism Case first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, OCTOBER 14, 2025 |

Photo – Map view of area where human skull was found – Courtesy Carbon County Sheriff’s Office

A rock hunter discovered a human skull near Baggot Rocks.

On Sunday afternoon, a rock hunter called the Carbon County Unified Dispatch Center to report the discovery of human remains at Needles Peak, west of Baggot Rocks. Speaking to Bigfoot99 on Monday, Sheriff Alex Bakken said the reporting party was able to guide deputies to a small cave containing a human skull.

Due to the fact that the skull was largely intact, Sheriff Bakken said it was easily identifiable as human. Investigators were unable to find any personal items with the skull, leading them to conclude it does not belong to a recent victim. Sheriff Bakken said evidence suggests the human remains are likely between 40 and 200 years old.

No other human bones were found in the vicinity of the skull.

Sheriff Bakken said the remains may belong to an 1800s fur trapper or a member of an ancient Native American tribe. Until a forensic investigation is conducted, the sheriff said it’s impossible to determine the skull’s exact age.

The skull is currently in the custody of the Carbon County Coroner’s Office, awaiting anthropological testing.

The post Rock Hunter Finds Human Remains in Small Cave first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, OCTOBER 14, 2025 |

Photo – Seminoe Dam – Bigfoot99 file photo

Federal regulators have recommended moving forward with the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project with increased environmental monitoring.

The Utah-based energy development company, rPlus Hydro, is planning to build a pumped storage facility at Seminoe Reservoir. The plan calls for the construction of a 13,000-acre-foot artificial lake atop Bennett Mountain. When wind-generated electricity is plentiful, water will be pumped 1,000 feet uphill from the lower Seminoe Reservoir into the newly constructed storage lake. When energy is in high demand, the water will flow downhill through an underground hydroelectric turbine, generating up to 900 megawatts of electricity.

Large-scale projects, such as the Seminoe Pumped Storage facility, must undergo extensive environmental analysis and permitting before construction can begin. As part of those requirements, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, has released a 288-page draft report outlining the potential environmental impacts of the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project, including effects on soil, water quality, fish, wildlife, and recreation.

In its draft report, FERC identified that construction and reservoir operations have the potential to increase turbidity and sediment levels in the Seminoe Reservoir, which can flow downstream through the North Platte River and affect the blue-ribbon Miracle Mile trout fishery. Additionally, the federal agency found that changes in temperature and dissolved oxygen levels when water is transferred between the upper and lower reservoirs could also affect the aquatic ecosystem.

This information comes as no surprise to Trout Unlimited, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting cold-water fisheries, which has expressed opposition to the project. During a September 4th public information webinar, Trout Unlimited Wyoming Government Relations Director Patrick Harrington said the project will be located perilously close to the Miracle Mile. Harrington said the majority of public comments have focused on the project’s potential impact on the world-class fishery. According to the Trout Unlimited Government Relations Director, the current design lacks adequate water temperature monitoring, with the furthest gauge set to be installed at Kortes Reservoir.

However, rPlus Hydro Managing Director of Hydro Strategy Matthew Shapiro disputes the Trout Unlimited representative’s claims. In an August interview with Bigfoot99, Shapiro said rPlus Hydro has conducted extensive studies to assess the potential impact of the pumped storage facility on the downstream ecosystem. Shapiro said studies show that the project will have little to no effect on the Miracle Mile.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission agrees that additional monitoring of the North Platte River is warranted. In its draft environmental impact statement, FERC emphasized the need for oversight and mitigation measures to protect the high-value fishery.

FERC also identified potential impacts to limber pine and old-growth forest due to soil disturbance and vegetation removal during construction. The federal agency noted that habitat loss is likely to affect wildlife, with big game species being especially vulnerable. Additionally, changes in noise levels, air quality, public access, and scenic views could impact local tourism. Seminoe Reservoir and the surrounding Miracle Mile fishery generate millions of dollars for Carbon County annually.

FERC will hold two public meetings to discuss the project, one in Rawlins and one in Cheyenne. The Rawlins meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jeffrey Memorial Community Center, located at 315 West Pine Street.

To maximize public participation, FERC staff will not deliver a formal presentation. Instead, comments will be taken one-on-one with a court reporter, and FERC representatives will be available to answer questions about the environmental review process.

The second meeting is scheduled for the following day, November 13th, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Laramie County Library in Cheyenne.

FERC will also accept online comments. All comments, both in-person and online, must be filed on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 2nd, 2026.

FERC states that the primary goal of the public comment sessions is to identify specific environmental issues and concerns with the draft environmental impact statement.

For more information about the report, contact Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Interagency Hydropower Coordinator Michael Tust at (202) 502-6522, or email [email protected].

The post FERC Plans Two Meetings to Discuss Pumped Storage Facility first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, OCTOBER 14, 2025 |

Photo – Sewer line work at VFW ball fields – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Despite the need for additional funding, Rawlins officials remain committed to improving the city’s Little League baseball fields.

In 2023, then Rawlins Parks and Recreation Director Jason Sehon announced that the Wyoming Little League association had agreed to host a state-wide tournament in Rawlins.

The six-day, 12-team tournament is scheduled for 2026, giving the city enough time to revitalize the neglected Little League fields at the VFW ballpark north of the county fairgrounds. However, the lack of regular maintenance by the city left the fields in an unplayable state, requiring extensive repairs to make them safe for play.

The governing body allocated $200,000 for improvements to the VFW Little League fields, with the funds evenly split between asphalt repairs and field renovations.

With less than a year to prepare the fields for the upcoming tournament, Councilman Bruce Seilaff requested an update on the project. At the October 7th Rawlins City Council meeting, Public Works Director Cody Dill reminded the governing body what condition the VFW Little League baseball fields were in two years ago.

Since 2023, Public Works Director Dill said city crews have torn down the dilapidated concession stand and begun mitigating groundwater problems. Additionally, Dill said several remaining upgrades, including new scoreboards, fencing, and seating, must be completed before the 2026 tournament.

Dill explained that since taking over the city’s Parks Department this summer, he has had difficulty finalizing a design for the new concession stand that stays within the city’s budget. The Public Works Director said he is nearly ready to present the designs for Council approval.

Dill said he understands the importance of having the VFW fields ready for next year’s Little League tournament, but the area still requires significant work, particularly the concession stand. The Public Works Director said installing new water and sewer lines to the concession stand will likely require the city to set aside additional money for the project.

After Dill finished his presentation, Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked if the water and sewer lines could be installed before winter. With the lines in place, crews can begin work on the concession stand as soon as weather permits.

Dill asked if the governing body would like the concession stand to be located in the same location as the previous building, the center of the VFW complex. Acting City Manager Mike Ward remarked that the area is prone to groundwater issues.

Councilman Seilaff responded that placing the concession stand on a concrete slab should mitigate the groundwater issue. Public Works Director Dill added that excess water could be diverted through the sewer system.

Vice Mayor Darril Garner asked Dill to present his design plans before the Council makes a decision.

Acting City Manager Ward asked Dill to update the governing body on the amount of money that has already been spent on the VFW field improvements. Dill said the Public Works Department has used roughly $30,000 of the $200,000 allocation. Next, City Manager Ward asked if completing the concession stand, water, and sewer systems would require additional funding, prompting Dill to say yes.

Councilman Seilaff asked if the $200,000 originally allocated by the governing body will be enough to complete the project. Public Works Director Dill said the money was for asphalt repairs and field improvements, not the concession stand.

To free up more funding for the concession stand, Vice Mayor Garner asked if any of the scheduled improvements could be postponed while still ensuring the field is ready for next year’s Little League tournament. Dill said the existing fields, irrigation system, and parking lot should be sufficient for the players.

Dill said the asphalt at the VFW baseball fields is in very poor condition, potentially causing problems for disabled spectators. If the governing body prioritizes the project, the Public Works Director said the water and sewer lines could be installed this winter as Councilman Seilaff requested. Once those items are completed, concrete and asphalt work can begin as soon as the weather warms.

Acting City Manager Mike Ward said he also shares the Council’s determination to complete the upgrades before next year’s Little League tournament. However, the Acting City Manager reminded the governing body that work at the VFW baseball field will coincide with several other high-priority projects.

The City Council agreed to wait until Public Works Director Dill presented the completed concession stand designs before moving forward with additional preparations for next year’s regional Little League baseball tournament.

The post More Work Needed Before Baseball Tournament in 2026 first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, OCTOBER 13, 2025 |

Photo – MHCC – Bigfoot99 file photo

Memorial Hospital of Carbon County administrators held their first town hall-style meeting to discuss the medical center’s successes, ongoing improvements, and remaining concerns.

On Thursday, October 9th, members of the public were invited to the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County Windy City Café for the first community town hall meeting. Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle explained that the gathering was designed to allow administrators to share information and give community members an opportunity to voice questions or concerns about the hospital.

Next, Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Kerry Ashment addressed the approximately 15 attendees, emphasizing that hospital leadership is committed to correcting the mistakes of the past while improving transparency. As an example of his commitment to accountability, CEO Ashment announced that for the first time in three years, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is working under a budget, which came as a surprise to the Board of County Commissioners.

Ashment said he is committed to acknowledging past administrative mistakes and taking steps to correct them, calling it the only path to improving operations at the Rawlins hospital.

The CEO also discussed the benefits Memorial Hospital provides to the people of Carbon County beyond medical care. In addition to offering employment in the area, Ashment said the medical facility gives back to the community through fundraisers, such as the Memorial Hospital Foundation’s annual Fun Scramble. Money raised during the golf tournament was donated to both Carbon County school districts to help cover the cost of student lunches.

Ashment said that, according to a recent financial analysis, medical facilities like Memorial Hospital of Carbon County deliver a ten-to-one return on community investment.

Ashment said he’s proud of the work underway at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County and hopes the community will come to share that sense of pride.

The discussion continued with Memorial Hospital Director of Revenue Cycle Felicia Kimble, who said that since taking over the medical facility’s business office one year ago, she has focused on training staff to better support patients. Kimble said that in the past, when patients called the hospital with concerns, staff often failed to address the issues, sometimes leaving them unresolved for months. The Director of Revenue Cycle said she has made it her personal goal to improve patient support.

Kimble then presented a report detailing Memorial Hospital’s revenue performance over the past year. The Director of Revenue Cycle first addressed registration accuracy or ensuring that patient information is entered correctly into the hospital’s computer system. Kimble said accurate patient information is essential to guarantee the hospital is properly compensated by insurance companies, adding that for the past 12 months, Memorial Hospital has exceeded expectations.

Despite the ongoing progress, Kimble said she’s still working to improve registration accuracy through continued staff training.

Kimble then reviewed the hospital’s point-of-service cash collections, which reflects how much money staff collected from patients at the time of care. Kimble said that over the past year, collections rose from a low of $2,800 last November to a high of $10,500 this September. The Director of Revenue Cycle explained that collecting insurance co-payments at the time of service helps boost hospital revenue.

Another area where Memorial Hospital has shown progress over the past year is in what’s known as “discharge not final billed.” This refers to accounts that remain unpaid due to errors or missing information. Kimble said that while the process has improved over the last 12 months, the total value of unpaid bills has grown to $1.4 million, up from $1 million in August.

Kimble added that some discharge not final billed revenue is unavoidable, since certain insurance providers require information that isn’t available at the time of billing.

Kimble moved on to Memorial Hospital’s clean claim rate, or the percentage of initial insurance claims processed without errors. With the current clean claim rate at 79.7%, the Director of Revenue Cycle said she’s working to bring the number closer to 100%.

The next item on Kimble’s report was the hospital’s total accounts receivable days, or the time between when a patient sees a provider and when the hospital receives payment from the insurance company. While not yet at the expected level, the Director of Revenue Cycle said she’s made significant progress over the past year.

Kimble said the industry standard for hospital accounts receivable is generally around 45 days. The Director of Revenue Cycle said that as of last month, 53.4% of Memorial Hospital’s accounts receivable had not been paid in over 90 days. Hospital staff are working to bring that number below 50%, with Kimble adding that fewer than 25% over 90 days would be ideal.

Kimble said Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield typically pay insurance claims promptly, though errors in the registration process can delay payments by as much as six months, contributing to the high number of overdue accounts receivable.

For those without medical insurance, Memorial Hospital offers discounts for cash payments and provides financial assistance.

Finally, Co-Director of Quality Abbie Webster said the hospital has launched a new program to track and resolve patient complaints, which she said has proven effective in improving the overall care experience.

Afterwards, Memorial Hospital administrators opened the meeting to public comments. Attendees requested additional services, specifically kidney treatment, saying that Carbon County’s 28 dialysis patients must travel out of the area for care.

Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle said hospital administrators and the Board of Trustees are open to expanding available services but are still determining if the benefits justify the costs.

However, even if Memorial Hospital could offer dialysis, Hinkle said recruiting specialist providers to rural Wyoming remains a significant challenge.

Thursday’s town hall-style meeting served as a way to let the public know that administrators are aware of the challenges facing Memorial Hospital of Carbon County and working to resolve them. Chief Operating Officer Hinkle invited the public to bring additional questions or concerns to her attention at any time by visiting or calling the hospital at 324-8378.

The post Town Hall Meeting at MHCC was Informative first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, OCTOBER 10, 2025 |

Photo – 

No federal mail will be delivered on Monday. It’s a holiday.

The U.S. Postal Service will observe Columbus Day this coming Monday, October 13.

President Donald Trump signed the proclamation on Thursday, making note of the new leftist-driven controversy surrounding the long-standing national holiday.

Post Office locations will be closed in recognition of the federal holiday. Only Priority Mail Express items will be delivered on the holiday, and regular mail delivery and retail services will resume on Tuesday, October 14.

The post No Mail Monday in Observation of Columbus Day first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, OCTOBER 10, 2025 |

Photo – School Zone sign – Bigfoot99 file photo

At least one member of the Rawlins governing body has expressed concern about unwarranted school zone citations.

During Tuesday’s Rawlins City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Darril Garner explained that Title 10 of the municipal code, which governs vehicles and traffic, includes provisions related to school zones. The section of the ordinance in question states, “The designation of ‘school zones’ is permanent, without regard for date or time.” However, Garner noted that another section of the code addressing speed limits, specifically 10.24.070, states that a 20-mile-per-hour speed limit will be enforced when passing a school building or its grounds.

Vice Mayor Garner said the two ordinances appear to conflict. One requires a school zone to include school buildings or property, while the other states that school zones are permanent once designated. The Vice Mayor said the resulting confusion has led to motorists being cited for speeding without realizing they were in a school zone.

Vice Mayor Garner asked the governing body to authorize a review of the municipal traffic code. The Vice Mayor added that receiving a speeding citation in a school zone may be viewed more seriously by insurance providers.

Unlike other states, Wyoming does not use a formal point system for moving violations. Instead, infractions are recorded on your driving record, which may affect your insurance rates.

The governing body did not comment on Vice Mayor Garner’s request.

The post Member of City Council Questions School Zone Ordinances first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, OCTOBER 10, 2025 |

Photo – CCSO Badge on top of county map – Courtesy Carbon County Sheriff’s Office

Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken updated the Board of Commissioners about an injured dispatcher, avalanche forecasting, and law enforcement agreements.

During Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken briefed the Board on the status of his department.

Sheriff Bakken began by mentioning Lucero Pena, a Sheriff’s Department dispatcher who, on September 19th, was involved in a motor vehicle collision west of Rawlins, on Highway 789. Pena was airlifted to Banner Wyoming Medical Center for treatment.

After two weeks of hospitalization in Casper, Pena was transferred to Memorial Hospital of Carbon County on October 3rd, Sheriff Bakken said.

To help the Pena family pay for medical expenses, Sheriff Bakken created a GoFundMe page. As of yesterday morning, 55 people donated $5,525 to the campaign. A link to Pena’s GoFundMe can be found on Alex Bakken-Carbon County Sheriff’s Facebook page.

Donations can also be made in person at the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, located in the Carbon County Courthouse at 415 West Pine Street in Rawlins.

During his presentation, Sheriff Bakken announced that the federal government has stopped training new Forest Service law enforcement officers at its four national Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, known as FLETC (pronounced “Fletsy”). The Sheriff said his department will patrol Forest Service land in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest while the federal government shifts its focus to training additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Sheriff Bakken said he doesn’t know when new Forest Service rangers will arrive in Carbon and Laramie Counties. In the meantime, the Sheriff said he plans to use the gap in federal coverage as an opportunity to pursue additional law enforcement reimbursement.

Continuing on the topic of law enforcement agreements, Sheriff Bakken said he is in talks with the Town of Baggs to have deputies patrol the southwestern Carbon County town. Amid declining tax revenue, the Sheriff said it makes financial sense for smaller municipalities to contract with his department rather than maintain their own law enforcement agencies.

The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office has a similar memorandum of understanding with the Town of Riverside.

And finally, Sheriff Bakken discussed the Carbon County Avalanche Operations Team. Following the avalanche death of Saratoga Town Council member Jacob Fluty in February of 2024, the Sheriff’s Office established an avalanche forecasting division. The unit provides real-time snowpack reports for the Sierra Madre Mountains and Snowy Range.

Sheriff Bakken announced that the Carbon County Avalanche Operations Team is now a federally recognized non-profit agency and is currently sponsored by Ski-Doo snowmobiles.

Avalanche Operation Team Members Trevor Vorn, Dusty Buffington, and Sheriff Bakken will be serving as the nonprofit’s first Board of Directors and are planning to organize several community avalanche workshops around Carbon County before the onset of winter.

The post Sheriff Gives Report to County Commissioners first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.