Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

Thursday, OCTOBER 9, 2025 |

Photo – Matthew J Hall – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The new Interim City Manager of Rawlins says his political experience makes him well suited to the job.

As reported by Bigfoot99, the Rawlins City Council appointed former Cody Mayor Matthew J. Hall as Interim City Manager on Tuesday evening.

Of the ten incorporated municipalities in Carbon County, Rawlins is the only one operating under a City Manager form of government. Unlike the traditional Mayor and Council system used elsewhere in the county, the Rawlins City Council sets policy, and the City Manager is responsible for carrying out the Council’s mandates while overseeing budgeting, staffing, infrastructure, and day-to-day city operations.

Bigfoot99 spoke to Interim City Manager Hall shortly after his appointment. Hall said he is still acclimating to the position, but he plans to tackle some of the city’s longstanding issues, such as cyber security and the water supply.

Hall said the water infrastructure issues in Rawlins are widely known across the state. Years of deferred maintenance have left the city’s transmission lines in disrepair, leading to repeated service interruptions and increased water and sewer fees for residents. As Interim City Manager, Hall said he plans to use his political experience to secure the support Rawlins needs to repair its water system.

Hall served two terms as Mayor of Cody, Wyoming, first in 2016 and again in 2020, and said he wanted to continue working in local government. After learning about the open Interim City Manager position through the executive recruitment firm, KRW Associates, Hall said he was eager to apply.

Hall said his eight years of experience as Mayor of Cody have prepared him to navigate the unique demands of managing the City of Rawlins. Although Cody and Rawlins face different challenges, the Interim City Manager said both cities require similar leadership strategies.

Hall will fill in for City Manager Tom Sarvey while he is on an extended medical leave. Over the course of his two-year tenure, Sarvey also led the city’s finance and human resources departments. Hall said he intends to concentrate on the City Manager position and prioritize efforts to address staffing shortages across the city.

City Manager Tom Sarvey has been on medical leave since August, and while his condition is unknown, it’s reasonable to assume he may not return to the role. In that case, Hall said he’s willing to step in permanently.

Hall said he plans to spend the coming weeks getting up to speed on his duties and learning how the city operates.

The post Interim City Manager Makes Plan While Acclimating to Position first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, OCTOBER 9, 2025 |

Photo – Announcement – Courtesy Saratoga Recreation Department

The Saratoga Recreation Department will host a pie-throwing fundraiser to support Carbon County School District Number Two.

This Saturday, October 11th, the public is invited to the Saratoga Town Hall parking lot to participate in Fall Fest, the town’s third annual autumn celebration. As part of the event, Saratoga Recreation Director Carter Edwards said his department will raise money for the local elementary and middle high schools.

The Saratoga Recreation Department’s fundraiser is called “Pie Your Educator.” Rec Director Edwards said he wanted to continue the Fall Fest tradition of hosting a pie-themed event.

For $2, participants will receive a pie, which consists of a paper plate topped with whipped cream, to throw at an educator or town employee. While the full roster hasn’t been finalized, Rec Director Edwards said he, Assistant Recreation Director Emelia Anderson, and several school staff members have agreed to take part.

At the October 1st Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis said he would try and convince the governing body to participate. However, Edwards said as of Tuesday afternoon, no council members have volunteered to receive a pie to the face.

All proceeds from the “Pie Your Educator” event will go toward the Saratoga Elementary and Middle High Schools’ student activities funds, which help cover student organization, athletics, travel, competition, and special event expenses.

The Saratoga Recreation Department’s “Pie Your Educator” event is this Saturday, October 11th, in the Town Hall parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fall Fest begins at the same time and will feature additional activities, live music, and vendors.

The post Pie-Throw Fundraiser This Weekend at Saratoga Fall Fest first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, OCTOBER 9, 2025 |

Photo – Edinburgh Project Update – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The City of Rawlins must secure a permanent easement from a private property owner before beginning work on Edinburgh Street.

During Tuesday’s Rawlins City Council meeting, the governing body considered a perpetual easement for public and right-of-way access to Edinburgh Street. The agreement is necessary for the City to fulfill its 6th Penny Tax obligation to reconstruct utilities, repave the street, and install a new stormwater drainage system beneath the deteriorating roadway.

City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave explained that the southern portion of Edinburgh Street, where it intersects with East Murray Street, crosses private property. Under state law, the City cannot build over or beneath the road without an easement from the property owner, Trails End and Western Trails Mobile Home Communities.

An easement is a legal right that allows an entity to use a person’s property for a specific purpose, even though they do not own it. In this case, the easement would allow the City of Rawlins and utility companies to install and maintain water lines, sewer pipes, and electrical cables across the road.

Attorney Maberry-Nave said the section of Edinburgh Street in question is in poor condition. Once the easement is finalized, the City can proceed with rebuilding the roadway, improving access for both first responders and residents of the mobile home parks.

Attorney Maberry-Nave said the next step in the easement process is for Trails End and Western Trails Mobile Home Communities to sell or give the property to the City. Afterwards, the land will be divided into three separate parcels.

Following Attorney Maberry-Nave’s remarks, the City Council unanimously approved a perpetual easement with Trails End and Western Trails Mobile Home Communities granting public and right-of-way access to Edinburgh Street. With the signed document in hand, the City can begin repairs to the street.

The Edinburgh Street project was originally estimated to cost $2.3 million. However, due to inflation, the current projected cost has risen by approximately 276%, reaching $8.65 million. With less than half of the necessary 6th Penny Tax revenue collected as of May 2024, Rawlins officials were worried that inflation would put the project permanently out of reach. Instead, the governing body voted to move $1.3 million from the City’s reserve account to the streets department and to use $1 million in unallocated impact assistance funds from the Chokecherry wind energy project for the repairs to Edinburgh Street.

The Rawlins City Council is expected to review contractor bids for the Edinburgh Street project at its next meeting, on October 21st.

The post Edinburgh Street Project Closer to Starting first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, OCTOBER 8, 2025 |

Photo – Matthew Hall – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Rawlins officials have hired a temporary City Manager.

During last night’s Rawlins City Council meeting, Mayor Jacquelin Wells asked for a motion to appoint Matthew J Hall as Interim City Manager. Vice Mayor Darril Garner moved to approve the proposal.

As reported by Bigfoot99, Matthew Hall previously served as mayor of Cody, Wyoming in 2016 and again in 2020.

The Rawlins City Council unanimously approved the motion to appoint Hall as Interim City Manager. After signing the required paperwork, Hall thanked the governing body for the opportunity and said he plans to have Public Works Director Cody Dill walk him through the city’s active projects.

Hall will serve as the Interim City Manager of Rawlins until City Manager Tom Sarvey returns to the position or a permanent replacement is found. Sarvey has been on an extended medical leave since August. Per his agreement with the City of Rawlins, Hall will be paid $11,666 per month, plus an additional $1,666 housing allowance to support his temporary move from Cody to Rawlins.

The post City of Rawlins Hires Temporary City Manager first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, OCTOBER 8, 2025 |

Photo – CC Road & Bridge yard – Bigfoot99 file photo

Citing a lack of funding to maintain the county’s existing roadways, the Board of Commissioners rejected a proposal to add a private road near Baggs to its plowing route.

During yesterday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Road and Bridge Superintendent Kandis Fritz announced that she and the Board had received an email requesting winter maintenance on a half-mile section of private road. The road in question is located northeast of Baggs, in the Weber Mesa Subdivision, near the intersection of County Roads 615 and 702. Fritz said residents have complained that winter snow makes it difficult for students to reach their school bus stops. The Road and Bridge Superintendent asked the Board for their opinion on the matter.

Commissioner John Espy responded that assuming responsibility for the short stretch of road will only add to the county’s road maintenance challenges. Commissioner Espy added that many residents have requested the county’s help with snow removal and asked where the Board should draw the line when it comes to servicing private roads.

Commissioner Espy acknowledged that residents of the Weber Mesa Subdivision may be frustrated by the Board’s decision. However, the Commissioner said the Board is responsible for using its limited budget to ensure the safety of the entire county.

Commissioner Espy said the school bus stop isn’t far from the students’ homes and, since the road is privately owned, encouraged parents to use side-by-sides or other off-road vehicles to help their children reach the pickup point.

Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett and Commissioner Sue Jones both agreed that the county cannot take on the additional financial burden of plowing the road. Commissioner Jones added that the Board has rejected similar requests in the past.

Commissioner John Johnson said the county lacks the manpower to maintain any additional roads.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted not to add the half mile of private road to the county’s plowing route. Road and Bridge Superintendent Fritz said she’ll try to help if the snow gets too deep but warned that she already struggles to keep the county’s existing roads passable.

The post Road & Bridge Not Able to Take on Plowing Private Roads first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, OCTOBER 8, 2025 |

Photo – Lucero Pena – Courtesy Sheriff Alex Bakken

Carbon County Sheriff’s Office Dispatcher Lucero Pena has returned to Rawlins after being involved in a serious car crash.

On the evening of Friday, September 19th, Pena was involved in a head-on collision. Sheriff Alex Bakken wrote in a social media post that Pena suffered multiple severe injuries and was life-flighted to Banner Wyoming Medical Center in critical condition. Pena remained in Casper for nearly two weeks, until last Thursday, when Sheriff Bakken announced that she had been transferred to Memorial Hospital of Carbon County to continue her recovery.

In a social media post from Friday, October 3rd, Sheriff Bakken wrote that units from the Carbon County Fire Protection District, Rawlins Police Department, Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Highway Patrol, and Memorial Hospital of Carbon County escorted Pena’s ambulance back to Rawlins.

The Sheriff’s Department created a GoFundMe account to help the Pena family cover the unexpected out-of-pocket medical, travel, and lodging expenses from what is expected to be a long recovery. All proceeds from the GoFundMe are given directly to the Pena family. As of Friday afternoon, 53 people had donated $5,455 toward the campaign.

Sheriff Bakken wrote that he is proud to live and work in Carbon County, where the community support is second to none.

Bigfoot99 will include a link to Pena’s GoFundMe page when this story is posted to our website later today.

Support Lucero Pena’s Critical Recovery: Fundraiser by Alex Bakken : Support Lucero Pena’s Critical Recovery

The post County Dispatcher Involved in Serious Crash has Returned to Rawlins first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, OCTOBER 8, 2025 |

Photo – Hanna Marshal’s Office – Bigfoot99 file photo

Budget concerns delay the hiring of a third part-time member for the Hanna Marshal’s Department.

During the September 9th Hanna Town Council meeting, Deputy Marshal Roger Hawks announced that Trent Wozniak had left the department. Deputy Wozniak began working as a part-time Hanna Marshal’s deputy last October. However, it was announced at the June 24th Town Council meeting that Deputy Wozniak was relocating to Cheyenne after being offered a position in Colorado.

At the September 9th meeting, Deputy Hawks said he has a candidate in mind to replace Wozniak, should the governing body choose to move in that direction.

With Wozniak’s departure, the Hanna Marshal’s Department is down to two part-time officers, Marshal Dan Starr and Deputy Hawks.

After former Hanna Marshal Ted Kranenberg left to join the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2023, town officials had a difficult time finding a replacement. The governing body blamed the lack of qualified candidates on the town’s remote location and the job’s admittedly low wages. To attract more applicants, the town allowed the Marshal and his deputies to take their town-supplied vehicles home.

Back at the September 9th meeting, Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales informed Deputy Hawks that Wozniak’s former position must be publicly advertised before a replacement can be hired. Hawks acknowledged the requirement and added that the candidate understands he’s unlikely to be allowed to take his Marshal’s vehicle home.

Mayor Charlie George said Marshal Dan Starr believes he and Deputy Hawks can adequately patrol the Town of Hanna. Mayor George said he wants to hold off on hiring a third part-time marshal until he’s certain the town can afford the position.

Town Treasurer Ann Calvert said she has enough money in the current annual budget to cover the $22-per-hour wage for a third part-time marshal.

Deputy Roger Hawks said he believes employing three part-time Marshals is a more efficient use of Hanna’s limited finances than hiring a single full-time officer, at least until the town can secure federal grant funding.

Treasurer Calvert said in the past, the town used a Department of Justice grant to supplement wages at the Hanna Marshal’s Office. However, after Marshal Kranenberg quit, the town was unable to use the funding for its intended purpose and had to return the money to the government, which may make Hanna less likely to receive federal grants in the future.

The governing body said they were hopeful that the Trump Administration will release additional law enforcement grants. Until then, the town will wait to hire a new part-time Marshal.

The post Hanna Council Delays Hiring of Third Part-Time Marshal first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, OCTOBER 7, 2025 |

Photo – Notice – Bigfoot99 file photo

In Washington, D.C., Senate Democrats blocked a Republican led effort to reopen government. The shutdown will last at least another week over the continuing standoff over Obamacare tax credits, also known as a subsidy.

At least eight Democrats are needed to cross the aisle and support the GOP’s bill, which would reopen the government until November 21.

Senator Rand Paul, R-KY, remains the lone Republican to buck his party.

Democrats are refusing to vote for a short-term continuing resolution unless it extends the increase in Obamacare subsidies that was part of the Biden-era COVID relief legislation.

In a floor speech prior to the vote Monday evening, Senator John Cornyn of Texas talked about what’s at stake.

The shutdown began when Senate Democrats refused to support a short-term funding bill that would have kept government agencies running through November 21.

At the heart of the standoff, Democrats want to reopen the loophole closed by the One Big Beautiful Bill, which had prevented taxpayer dollars from funding health care for illegal immigrants.

The post Senate Democrats Block Republican Led Attempt to Reopen Government first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, OCTOBER 7, 2025 |

Photo – East Cedar and Airport Roads in a snowstorm – Bigfoot99 file photo

A group of self-described bipartisan demonstrators plans to gather in Rawlins to protest the Trump Administration.

On Sunday evening, posts began appearing on a Rawlins Facebook page promoting an upcoming demonstration in protest of what organizers describe as executive overreach. Called the No Kings Rally, supporters are being asked to gather at the corner of East Cedar Street and Airport Road in Rawlins on Saturday, October 18th to voice their concerns about the direction of the country.

One social media post contains a link to a Heather Cox-Richardson video describing why people need to gather in protest of the current administration.

Cox-Richardson is a historian and professor of American history at Boston College whose work explores the evolution of democracy, federal power, and social movements in the United States.

The reaction on social media has been mixed, with some praising the demonstrators’ willingness to exercise their constitutional rights. Others wondered why such a protest was needed in Rawlins and expressed concern that the gathering would turn violent. One commentor instructed the event organizers to move to California, adding that, “people don’t want this stupid ass protest here.”

In her linked video, Cox-Richardson urged the public to push back against what she described as threats to American democracy.

It is important to note that America is not a direct democracy and never has been. The Founding Fathers deliberately rejected that model of government, fearing the instability and volatility of pure majority rule, or what James Madison called “the tyranny of the majority” in his Federalist Papers. Instead, the Founders created a constitutional republic with checks and balances, separation of powers, and elected representatives to help restrain public passions.

Next Saturday’s gathering will be the second No Kings Rally in Rawlins this year, with the last event occurring on June 14th. Attendees of the self-described bipartisan rally are encouraged to peacefully engage with fellow community members and raise awareness about the issues they believe are threatening the country.

The Rawlins No Kings Rally is scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of East Cedar Street and Airport Road.

The post No Kings Rally to Be Held in Rawlins first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, OCTOBER 7, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Chief of the Saratoga Police Department briefed the governing body on recent departmental efforts, including increased patrols and new vehicle purchases.

During the October 1st Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore announced that his department received 209 calls for service since the previous meeting. Additionally, Chief Moore said he has instructed his officers to expand their presence at the Hobo Hot Springs.

Next, the Police Chief reported that he is still awaiting delivery of three new patrol vehicles. Earlier this summer, the governing body approved the purchase of two 2024 Dodge Ram trucks and one 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe as part of an effort to update the police department’s aging fleet. Chief Moore said he remains hopeful the vehicles will arrive in the near future.

Finally, Chief Moore said he and Public Works Director Emery Penner are finalizing the resident off-road vehicle survey. Last month, the Police Chief reported that he had received complaints about side-by-sides and other off-road vehicles operating within town limits. Per Wyoming Statute 31-2-232, all off-road vehicles must be registered and display a license plate to be legally driven on Saratoga’s streets.

During the September 16th Town Council meeting, Chief Moore asked the governing body if they would consider designating certain streets as ORV routes, which would allow off-road vehicles to travel through town. Alternatively, the Police Chief suggested adopting an ordinance requiring off-road vehicles to simply display a valid sticker issued by the Division of State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails.

The Saratoga Town Council agreed that additional public input was necessary before making a decision about in-town ORV usage and instructed Chief Moore and Public Works Director Emery Penner to create a mail-in survey to gather residents’ opinions on the subject.

Speaking at the October 1st meeting, Chief Moore said the survey was nearly complete.

The Saratoga off-road vehicle usage survey is available now and includes a QR code allowing residents to respond to the questionnaire online. Physical copies of the survey can be picked up at Saratoga Town Hall, located at 110 East Spring Avenue.

The post Police Chief Gives Monthly Report to Saratoga Town Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.