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Wednesday, OCTOBER 1, 2025 |

Photo – Governor Mark Gordon – Courtesy State of Wyoming

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, on Tuesday, detailed ways that the Trump Administration is working to expand coal production after years of Democrat Administrations writing off the industry as dead.

The Governor detailed how the green light to boost production and expanding coal sales into Asian markets could offset the drop in federal royalty rates from 12.5% to 7%, causing a hit of $50 million to the state budget.

Key to the move is expanding coal production. The Trump Administration announced on Monday that 13.1 million acres of federal land will be made available for coal leasing. Sales were announced in Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and Utah.

In Wyoming, The West Antelope III lease sale is on a tract 15 miles south of Wright. The sale is scheduled for October 8 at the BLM Wyoming State Office in Cheyenne. The Antelope Mine, operated by Navajo Transitional Energy Company, is the third-largest coal mine in the United States by production, with an annual output of 20-25 million tons and approximately 400 employees.

Some of the miners from Antelope Mine attended the news conference with the Governor in Cheyenne on Monday.

The Governor applauded the decision to move forward with coal production rather than abandoning it as an obsolete part of the American past. Last year, Wyoming reduced the severance tax rate on coal to match the royalty rate of oil and gas.

Guaranteeing new revenues from coal is good news for Wyoming families and businesses, the Governor said.

The Governor then pivoted to what he described as “other exciting news” for Wyoming coal. A recent court decision will open the door for exporting coal to markets in Asia.

The Governor said that under the new guidelines, Wyoming will pivot from coasting to closure of coal mines to coasting to energy security.

As part of this week’s announcement, the Trump Administration plans to double down on the coal industry with $600 million in funding. The Governor ran through the details of the funding.

Another $25 million dollars will be available for engineering and implementation of dual firing retrofits for plants. This will enable power plants to switch seamlessly between fuel sources, such as coal or gas, and achieve full-steam capacity. This will expand the lifespans of power plants.

The Governor said that the Bridger Power Plant, located 10 miles north of Point of Rocks near Rock Springs, is looking for the ability to switch between gas and coal.

The economics of gas tend to be more volatile than coal. Gas prices are prone to sharper peaks and valleys, depending on supply and other issues. Keeping the price of energy stable will help lower the price for consumers.

The Governor said the general view over the last decade, or more is that coal was being phased out so industries weren’t reinvesting in existing plants.

The Governor said that the Trump Administration is providing an opportunity to reinvest and equalize the costs over time.

The post Wyoming Governor Details the Plan of Coal Expansion first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, OCTOBER 1, 2025 |

Photo – 2012 Hazmat emergency response book – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Rawlins Fire Department will receive a new handheld chemical identification device at no cost.

On Friday, September 26th, the Rawlins City Council held a special meeting to discuss demolishing the 137-year-old Wyoming Bar building in the downtown shopping district. During the meeting, the governing body also considered a 2025 State Homeland Security Program grant application. Rawlins Fire Chief Allen Robinson requested a $103,550 grant from the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase a Raman Point chemical detection device for the city’s fire department.

Chief Robinson explained that the handheld chemical detector will allow firefighters to quickly identify a wide variety of unknown substances, including explosives and narcotics.

Raman spectroscopy uses a laser to determine the chemical makeup of materials. When the laser hits a substance, a small portion of light changes energy. By measuring that change, the device can identify the material.

Back at Friday’s meeting, Chief Robinson explained that the fire department already has a Raman chemical detection device. However, the unit is past its operational lifespan and can no longer be serviced.

Chief Robinson said the chemical detector is portable and can be quickly deployed where it is needed. In fact, the Fire Chief said the 2025 State Homeland Security Program grant stipulates that the device must be available to any agency requesting its use.

Chief Robinson said the Laramie Fire Department has a Raman chemical detector similar to the one he’s requesting, but it’s too far away to be useful during an emergency.

Vice Mayor Darril Garner asked how frequently the chemical detector would be deployed. Chief Robinson responded that he doesn’t expect to use the machine often because his firefighters are trained to identify hazardous substances.

However, Chief Robinson said the chemical detector will be housed in Rawlins, allowing firefighters to quickly deploy the unit when needed.

The Rawlins City Council unanimously voted to allow Chief Robinson to submit the $103,550 State Homeland Security Program grant application for the purchase of a new Raman Point chemical detector. This is a zero-match grant, meaning no City funds are required.

The post RFD to Apply for Grant to Purchase Chemical Identification Device first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 |

Photo – Wyoming Bar – Courtesy Rawlins DDA

Rawlins officials have approved a plan to use state funding to demolish the old Wyoming Bar.

On Friday, September 26th, the Rawlins City Council held a special meeting to approve the submission of a $507,000 Community Development Block Grant application. If approved, the money would be used to tear down the Wyoming Bar, located at 413 West Front Street.

Rawlins Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Pam Thayer began with a brief history of the property, explaining that the Wyoming Bar building was constructed in 1888. The structure was bought by Judy Hubbard in 1992. Thayer said that by 2016, the building had deteriorated enough to pose a safety concern to the City. Despite its poor condition, Thayer said the structure remained sound until 2010.

Thayer said the elements have steadily worn down the Wyoming Bar building since 2010, and it’s now considered too dangerous to occupy.

Over the past decade, Thayer said eight separate individuals have been issued Certificates of Purchase, or CPs, for the property. The DDA Director said despite the multiple transfers, the structure is too compromised to restore or repurpose.

In the past, Thayer said several Certificate of Purchase holders have approached the Downtown Development Authority with offers to sell or donate the property. However, the city organization was not in a position to take ownership.

Fast forward to 2025, as part of the Brownfields Assessment Program, the City of Rawlins has been working with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to determine if any derelict buildings contain hazardous contamination. The state hired Cheyenne-based consulting firm Ayres Associates to perform the environmental assessments. Thayer said Ayres completed a historical study of the Wyoming Bar building, but the structure is too unstable to conduct additional testing.

After finishing its Brownfields assessment, Thayer said Ayres Associates found a Wyoming Community Development Authority grant to demolish the Wyoming Bar building. However, due to the difficulty of contacting all eight Certificate of Purchase holders and the tight application deadline, Thayer said the DDA Board of Directors chose not to pursue the grant. In response, the deed holder, Judy Hubbard, offered to give the property to the City if the Downtown Development Authority could secure the grant funding, prompting the need for Friday’s special meeting.

Thayer explained that if the City Council authorizes the grant application, the Downtown Development Authority will seek $507,000 from the Wyoming Community Development Authority to tear the building down. The remaining $15,000 in back taxes will come out of the DDA’s budget.

Thayer emphasized that the City is not being asked to contribute any money toward the project.

While she is sad to see the historic building torn down, the DDA Director said the structure must be removed for safety.

Thayer said the Downtown Development Authority will save some of the 137-year-old bricks to use in a future project.

The DDA Director said once the building is demolished, the site will be leveled and prepared for redevelopment. Thayer said she isn’t sure how the property will ultimately be used but assured the City Council they will be included in the planning process.

The Rawlins City Council approved the $507,000 Community Development Block Grant application. The Wyoming Community Development Authority is expected to review the submission in December. If approved, demolition should begin next spring.

The post Safety Reasons Cause 137-Year-Old Building to Be Torn Down first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 |

Photo – Lawrence Property – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The City of Rawlins is moving forward with plans to clean up the former Lawrence Salvage Yard.

On the evening of July 6, 2024, the Rawlins Fire Department responded to a call about a grass fire at the Lawrence Salvage Yard on East Spruce Street. By the time crews got the fire under control, the flames had burned approximately four and a half acres in the center of the city. A five-month long investigation determined that the incident was caused by illegal fireworks use and Rawlins’ resident Jordan Shafer was cited for the offense.

Four months later, in November of 2024, the City began negotiating with the property owners, Jack and Elden Cozort, to buy the land, remove all debris and scrap metal from the property, and eventually sell the 12-acre parcel to a private developer. The Rawlins City Council narrowly approved the purchase in a four to three vote, agreeing to allocate $230,000 from the Dangerous Building Fund to complete the transaction. The Dangerous Building Fund is an account specifically created to purchase and renovate abandoned and derelict properties in the city.

At the time of the purchase, then-Mayor Terry Weickum said revitalizing the fire-damaged property will bring numerous economic opportunities to downtown Rawlins.

Seeing as the Lawrence Property served as a salvage yard for decades, the governing body was concerned about potential contamination. In response, the City contacted the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to conduct a brownfields assessment of the site. Through the federal Brownfields Assessment Program, Wyoming DEQ performs historical studies of sites that may contain hazardous materials, such as asbestos, lead-based paint, or industrial chemicals, to determine if those substances are present. If the investigation determines that the site is contaminated, the state agency will help municipalities find funding to address the issues.

However, before DEQ can conduct a detailed study of the former Lawrence Salvage Yard, the City must remove the remaining 40 scrap vehicles and other pieces of equipment. As reported by Bigfoot99, despite the potential interest to collectors, city officials have decided not to allow the public to purchase any of the derelict vehicles.

Between July and August, the City issued a request for bids to remove all scrap metal from the Lawrence Property. During the September 16th Rawlins City Council Meeting, Rawlins Buildings Official Mike O’Brien announced that only one contractor submitted a bid: Steed Metals of Rock Springs.

Steed Metals has agreed to pay the city $41 a ton for the scrap metal. Councilman Derek Elliott said he was aware of a company from Utah that was offering higher prices. City Clerk Lynn Shearer explained that only contractors who attended the mandatory site inspection were eligible to submit bids.

Only two individuals participated in the July inspection: a representative from Steed Metals and Levi Rickert. It remains unclear which company Rickert was representing, though a cursory search suggests he may be affiliated with Legend Services Pressure Control, an oil field equipment supplier based in Rock Springs.

Back at the September 16th meeting, Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked if Steed Metals would remove the boundary fence, which was damaged in the fire. City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave responded that the contract requires the Rock Springs scrap dealer to take every piece of metal from the property. Additionally, Attorney Maberry-Nave said Steed Metals will conduct a thorough search to ensure nothing is left behind.

As mentioned, the City has chosen not to allow the public to purchase any of the scrap vehicles on the Lawrence Property. Vice Mayor Darril Garner said the Council could vote to amend the contract to exclude the cars from the agreement, making the vehicles available for public purchase.

Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave said the governing body may either reject or amend the contract, but doing so would require restarting the months-long bidding process. The City Attorney added that the scrap removal is delaying the next stage of the Brownfields study.

The Rawlins City Council unanimously voted to award the Lawrence Salvage Yard metal contract to Steed Metals Rock Springs. The scrap dealer has been given until October 22nd to finish the job.

The post City of Rawlins Awards Bid to Clean Up Lawrence Property of All Metal first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 |

Photo – Hobo Hot Pools – Courtesy Discover Carbon County Wyoming

Saratoga officials are working to regulate water temperatures at the Hobo Hot Springs.

Last month, Saratoga Public Works Director Emery Penner addressed temperature fluctuations at the town’s well-known hot springs. Recently, the smaller not-so-hot pool has been measuring roughly four degrees warmer than usual.

Speaking at the September 16th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Penner explained that the temperature difference stems from the town using hot springs water to fill the municipal swimming pool. As the water cycles back into the system, it raises the temperature of the not-so-hot pool. Penner said the Public Works Department will work through the winter to resolve the issue.

Penner said he recently deactivated one of the pool pumps, which has helped stabilize water temperatures at the hot springs.

Mayor Chuck Davis said he was recently made aware of the situation at the hot pools, adding that he does not regularly use the facility. Mayor Davis encouraged the public to report any concerns to Town Hall.

Public Works Director Penner assured the public that the Hobo Hot Springs are not failing.

The post Town of Saratoga Assures Hot Pools Are Not Failing first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 |

Photo – Airport in Saratoga – Courtesy Saratoga Jet Center

Citing a change in its competition schedule, Honda Racing Corporation has withdrawn from high-altitude testing in Saratoga.

Last month, Saratoga Jet Center Manager Larry De Andredes announced that Honda Racing Corporation asked to use the Shively Field runway for high-altitude racecar testing. De Andredes said he was quick to agree to the request, adding that the speed trials were expected to occur between September 30th and October 2nd.

De Andredes said he believed that Honda Racing Corporation was preparing for next year’s INDYCAR or IMSA SportsCar Championship season. The Jet Center Manager said Saratoga’s airport will provide an ideal location to prepare for a race in Mexico City.

The Saratoga Town Council expressed enthusiasm for the arrangement and approved Honda Racing Corporation’s use of Shively Field for high-altitude testing.

The excitement was short-lived, however, as during the September 16th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Airport Advisory Board Secretary Brenda Mistelske reported that the Mexico City race had been canceled, prompting the racing team to back out of the arrangement.

The governing body voiced their disappointment over the cancellation of Honda Racing Corporation’s Shively Field testing.

The post Changes Cause Honda to Cancel High-Altitude Testing first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga Police patch – Courtesy Saratoga Police Department

The Saratoga governing body approved the sale of unneeded firearms to a local dealer.

During the September 2nd Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore said he had contacted Rock Solid SST, a Rock Springs-based law enforcement equipment provider, to sell surplus weapons and equipment. Chief Moore said the owner of the company offered him $2,810 in trade-in credit for the unneeded guns and asked the covering body to approve the sale.

Mayor Chuck Davis instructed Chief Moore to offer the surplus guns to the town’s firearms dealer, Koyoty Outdoor Sports, before accepting Rock Solid SST’s offer.

Chief Moore revisited the gun sale at the September 16th Saratoga Town Council meeting. The Police Chief said Koyoty Outdoor Sports quoted nearly $1700 more than the Rock Springs outfitter.

Should the Town Council approve the higher quote, Chief Moore requested permission to purchase equipment from Rock Solid SST, including six rifle flashlights, six vehicle flashlights, and body armor for Lieutenant Mike Morris. In total, Chief Moore said the equipment will cost $3,321.50 plus shipping.

Mayor Chuck Davis split Chief Moore’s request into two motions: one approving the sale of firearms to Koyoty Outdoor Sports, and another authorizing the purchase of equipment from Rock Solid SST. The Town Council unanimously voted to sell the guns to the local firearms dealer.

Before voting on the equipment purchase, Mayor Davis asked if the Saratoga Police Department had used grant funding to buy ballistic vests in the past. Chief Moore responded that the department received two vests through the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership. One was provided to Officer Tyler Christen, who later joined the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, and another was intended for Lieutenant Morris, but ultimately issued to Sergeant Ken Lehr.

Chief Moore said that because Officer Christen is very tall, his vest does not fit Lieutenant Morris, requiring the purchase of new body armor.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously approved using $3,321.50, plus shipping, from the surplus firearms sale to purchase equipment from Rock Solid SST.

The post Saratoga Police Will Sell Unused Firearms to Local Dealer first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 | 

Photo – Sheriff’s Office badge – Courtesy Carbon County Sheriff’s Office

Details are scarce, but one person is apparently dead after a crash involving an ATV and a semi-truck hauling gravel outside of Saratoga on Thursday afternoon.

No other details are available at this time. Bigfoot 99 will continue to follow this story and report what we learn.

The post Few Details on Thursday’s Deadly Crash Near Platte Valley first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 |

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Thursday sent over 2,000 voter records matching individuals who have obtained driver’s licenses in another state to Wyoming’s 23 county clerks for review and removal from Wyoming’s Statewide Voter Registry System.

Secretary Grey said voter list maintenance is a key priority of his office, whose duties oversee voting in the state.

House Enrolled Act 62 passed during 2025 Legislative Session, provides authority to the Secretary of State’s Office to obtain information the Wyoming Department of Transportation has received from other states when an individual on the voter registration list has obtained a driver’s license from another state. The notice is an indication that the individual moved out of the State of Wyoming.

The Secretary’s action to remove the 2,018 voter records coincides with state law.

The post Wyoming Secretary of State Maintains Voter Registration Records first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

After numerous delays, the City of Rawlins has agreed on a price for the Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass.

For two decades, Rawlins officials have worked with the Wyoming Department of Transportation to improve pedestrian safety along Highway 287, also known as North Higley Boulevard. Following extensive studies, the Rawlins Urban Systems Committee and WYDOT determined that an underground walking tunnel was the most effective and cost-efficient solution. The tunnel, when completed, will allow pedestrians to travel between the Highland Hills residential area and nearby school campuses without having to cross the busy highway.

In 2022, the city entered a contract with WYDOT to construct the pedestrian underpass for $1,506,659, with the city pledging to cover $158,341, or 9.51% of the total project cost.

Since that time, construction prices have skyrocketed. This past February, WYDOT informed the city that contractor bids came in much higher than anticipated, with the lowest bid being $3,332,767, or approximately $1.8 million over the originally agreed upon price.

Due to the higher-than-expected costs, WYDOT advised the City Council to reject the bids and wait for better pricing. If the Council had accepted the lowest bid at that time, the city would have been responsible for contributing $1.9 million toward the pedestrian underpass.

Following the initial round of contractor bidding, WYDOT redesigned the project to reduce expenses and increased its share of the overall cost. In August, the state agency presented the City of Rawlins with a revised construction estimate of $2,265,225. Under the new agreement, Rawlins is responsible for $306,073 of the total price.

During the September 16th Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Steve Sanger motioned to approve the new construction costs and allocate a maximum of $410,000 in city funds toward the project.

Councilman Bruce Seilaff seconded the motion.

Councilman Sanger asked about the difference between the city’s required $306,000 contribution and the $410,000 maximum amount contained in the motion. Public Works Director Cody Dill responded that if the city chooses not to continue the project, it is required to reimburse WYDOT for all incurred costs, totaling roughly $407,000. The maximum allocation protects the city in case expenses are higher than anticipated.

Public Works Director Dill said WYDOT is advocating for the completion of the Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass. Dill added that by simplifying the design, the state agency was able to reduce costs by $600,000.

The Rawlins City Council unanimously voted to approve the new construction estimate for the North Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass. WYDOT is expected to begin accepting contractor bids next month.

The post City of Rawlins Agrees on Price for Pedestrian Underpass first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.