Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

Friday, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 |

Photo – Medicine Bow Museum – Courtesy Discover Carbon County Wyoming

Medicine Bow officials are concerned about spending overruns at the local museum.

During the August 11th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Town Clerk and Treasurer Karen Heath reported that as part of the annual state-mandated audit, she reviewed the grants awarded to the Medicine Bow Museum. Treasurer Heath said she had to track down each individual grant and, after a thorough review, discovered that the museum had not received an advertising grant, even though the anticipated funds had already been spent.

Treasurer Heath said the town didn’t include extra museum funds in its annual budget and added that the advertising overage should come from the museum’s donation account. However, even with the added funding, the museum would still fall short by $949.40.

Mayor Justin George said the Medicine Bow Museum failed to submit a budget request, prompting the town to allocate funding based on the previous year’s expenses, which included the expected advertising grant. Treasurer Heath said current Museum Director Dawndee Yocom was not responsible for the error, but Mayor George refused to assign blame.

Treasurer Health repeated that tracking the Medicine Bow Museum’s grants was difficult. Mayor Justin George said all grants awarded to town agencies, such as the fire department, airport advisory board, or, in this case, the museum, must be submitted to the treasurer. Otherwise, the agency may be guilty of financial mismanagement.

The Medicine Bow Town Council had scheduled a workshop on September 25th to amend the annual budget. At that meeting, Mayor George said Museum Director Dawndee Yocom will be invited to speak about the advertising overage. In the meantime, the Mayor said he would meet with the Medicine Bow Museum Board to discuss proper financial practices.

The museum overage was brought up again during the September 8th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Trevor Strauch, speaking on behalf of Mayor Justin George, said a utility rate committee must meet before the town can hold the anticipated budget workshop. The museum’s advertising shortfall will be discussed at that time. Mayor Pro Tem Strauch said Mayor George advised the Council to delay any budget decisions until after that workshop occurs.

The Medicine Bow Town Council unanimously voted to table all financial discussions until after the budget workshop, which was postponed pending the September 30th utility rates committee meeting.

The post Missed Advertising Grant Causes Concern for Medicine Bow Town Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 |

Photo – Two of 35 pets available for adoption – Courtesy Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter

Animals at the local shelter are waiting to be adopted into permanent homes.

The Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter is currently home to 12 cats and 23 dogs, seven of which are participating in the Cage to Save Program, where inmates at the Wyoming State Penitentiary train the animals in basic obedience. Rawlins Police Lieutenant Daria Hooper, who oversees the city’s animal rescue, said adoptions have been slow recently.

To encourage adoptions, Lieutenant Hooper has asked to spotlight two special animals. The first is Skippy, a white cat with gray spots. The Police Lieutenant said the older feline appears to have lived on the streets but is very affectionate.

Lieutenant Hooper said Skippy will make a great indoor-outdoor cat, although the Rochelle Animal Shelter advises against letting cats outside.

Next, the Police Lieutenant asked to highlight Sara, a white and brown beagle mix. Lieutenant Hooper said Sara, a recent graduate of the Cage to Save program, arrived at the animal shelter with a litter of puppies, all of which have since been adopted. While a little cautious around strangers, Sara quickly warms up to people.

Lieutenant Hooper said Sara gets along well with other animals. Anyone looking for a constant companion should consider adopting her.

The Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter is seeking volunteers to help care for its animals. Lieutenant Hooper encouraged anyone interested in volunteering to visit the shelter for more information.

The Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter also runs a foster program, where volunteers bottle-feed kittens and provide temporary homes for the animals. Lieutenant Hooper said the pets benefit from being in a home environment, improving their chances of being adopted.

Lieutenant Hooper said the Rawlins animal shelter is seeking donations of cat and dog food, including treats. The Police Lieutenant said the shelter regularly provides free pet food to needy families.

Additionally, monetary donations help cover medical care for seriously injured animals.

The Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter regularly posts available pets on its Facebook page. If you see an animal you’d like to meet, Lieutenant Hooper recommends bringing your current pets to the shelter to ensure they get along. After submitting an application and paying the requisite fee, adopters receive a spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated pet.

For more information about adoption, volunteering, or fostering, contact the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter at 328-4534. The shelter is open from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The post Pet Adoptions are “Slow” According to RPD first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 |

Photo – Overhead image of old Lawrence Salvage Yard – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Rawlins officials have decided not to allow residents to purchase abandoned vehicles from the former Lawrence Salvage Yard.

On July 6th, 2024, illegal fireworks sparked the largest fire ever recorded within Rawlins’ city limits. The flames scorched approximately four and a half acres in the center of the city, focused almost entirely on the former Lawrence Salvage Yard on East Spruce Street.

In response, the Rawlins City Council voted to use $230,000 from the Dangerous Building Fund to purchase the damaged property, with the intent of removing blight and reselling the land to private investors. Proceeds from the sale will be returned to the Dangerous Building Fund for future use.

The decision to purchase the Lawrence Property passed by a narrow four-to-three vote.

In June 2025, City Manager Tom Sarvey allocated an additional $200,000 to remove approximately 80 derelict vehicles and other debris from the property. The sale of the scrap metal will be used to help offset the cleanup costs.

Speaking at the July 15th Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Steve Sanger asked if the junk vehicles will be included in the scrap sale. City Manager Sarvey said many of the cars lack titles and selling them for scrap would be the most cost-effective option. However, Sarvey acknowledged that some vehicles may be of interest to collectors.

At the time, City Manager Sarvey said he had not yet determined how to handle the abandoned cars.

During the September 2nd Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Terry Patterson asked if a decision had been made about selling the derelict vehicles from the Lawrence Property. Community Development Director Lou Lascano responded that many of the purportedly collectible cars are too damaged to hold any real value. While some may still appeal to classic vehicle enthusiasts, Lascano said the City must consider the risks of allowing the public to access the property.

The matter was discussed once again during the September 16th Rawlins City Council meeting. Councilman Patterson said residents are still inquiring about the derelict vehicles and asked if the city could find a way to let them access the Lawrence Property.

Rawlins Police Chief and Acting City Manager Mike Ward, who is filling in while City Manager Tom Sarvey is on extended medical leave, said the decision has been made to simply scrap everything on the Lawrence Property. Selling everything at once is the fastest way to remove all the scrap metal.

Acting City Manager Ward added that he was told none of the derelict vehicles hold any value, either due to neglect or damage sustained in the fire.

Not only would allowing people onto the Lawrence Property to examine the vehicles expose the city to potential litigation, Chief Ward said city staff simply do not have the time to hold a public auction.

Later in the meeting, the governing body voted to award the Lawrence Property scrap removal contract to Steed Metals of Rock Springs. The company has agreed to pay the city $41 per ton for all metal removed from the site. The job is expected to be completed by Wednesday, October 22nd.

The post Rawlins Will Not Sell Scrapped Vehicles Individually first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

Saratoga officials debated how to address unregistered off-road vehicles operating on town streets.

During the September 16th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore announced that he has received complaints about side-by-sides and other off-road vehicles operating within town limits. Chief Moore said the town follows Wyoming Statute 31-2-232, which requires all off-road recreational vehicles, ORVs, to be registered and display a license plate to be driven on public streets.

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 that the town could adopt an ordinance requiring off-road vehicles to simply display a valid sticker issued by the Division of State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails in order to be driven in Saratoga.

Chief Moore said that, under current state statutes, ORVs rented from the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort cannot be legally operated on town streets.

Chief Moore proposed designating Bridge Avenue, Pic Pike Road, and South River Street as ORV routes, which would allow users to travel between the grocery store and local fuel stations. The Police Chief added that the Town of Encampment has declared all streets as ORV trails, but said Saratoga may not wish to follow that example.

Councilman Jerry Fluty said limiting where ORVs can travel in town only serves to inconvenience users, as seen in Moab, Utah.

Mayor Chuck Davis said the current situation poses a challenge for local law enforcement. Mayor Davis asked if Saratoga police officers should be instructed to ignore unregistered off-road vehicles, even though they technically violate the law.

Police Chief Moore explained that designating Saratoga’s streets as official ORV routes would allow users with valid registration stickers to operate legally within town limits, making enforcement easier.

Councilman Mike Cooley asked if the town could issue its own ORV registration permits, similar to those used in Craig, Colorado. Chief Moore said it was possible, though Councilman Jerry Fluty pointed out that the plan would not comply with existing state statutes. Chief Moore added that, much like designating in-town ORV routes, the locally issued permits would allow off-road vehicles to operate on Saratoga’s streets, excluding the highway.

One meeting attendee cautioned against restricting ORV use, arguing that such an ordinance would make Saratoga resemble California.

The Saratoga Town Council agreed that additional public input is necessary before making a decision about in-town off-road vehicle use. Police Chief John Moore and Public Works Director Emery Penner will collaborate on a mail-in survey to be sent to residents at a later date.

The post Saratoga Council Discuss ORV Routes in Town first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 |

In the Wyoming Legislature on Tuesday, a draft bill, concerning data privacy for government entities, advanced this week in committee.

Senator Chris Rothfus of Albany County rushed the testimony before the Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology. The Democrat chair put the spurs to the committee, saying several times that lawmakers needed to make a lunch appointment.

What lawmakers were considering was a mouthful and involves how state government handles your private data. Theresa Hansen with the Legislative Service Office provided a top view of 26LSO-0012.

The core provision of “Data privacy-government entities,” prohibits government entities from purchasing, selling, trading or transferring personal data without the “express consent of the natural person” referenced.

Businesses and corporate entities were specifically left out of the draft according to testimony during the hearing.

The bill also mandates that government entities collecting or retaining personal data must adopt policies concerning collection, retention, security and use that are consistent with applicable laws. Government entities are prohibited from maintaining personal data for longer than three years without a written policy providing a “reasonable justification for the extended retention period.”

Objections to the bill included the lack of any federal standards and the lack of tie-in with other states on the issue.

Some said the draft legislation could have “unintended consequences.” Others said the legislation protects individuals but not corporations.

Senator Rothfuss said the committee had consulted with Wyoming’s county clerks and had heard no objections.

During public testimony, Joey Correnti IV, former chairman of the Carbon County Republican Party, said that language in the bill draft prohibiting the transfer or sale of personal data would include voter data.

Correnti is a member of the Canvassing Board in Carbon County. Correnti noted that the Secretary of State’s office already provides transfer or sale of statewide voter rolls for $165. He also voiced concern that the three-year deletion requirement could undermine the historical archive of individual voters.

Two Democrats on the committee addressed the comment. Representative Yin admitted that the language in the bill is structured in “a weird way.”

In a rush to get to lunch, Senator Rothfuss also defended the language in the bill while admitting the bill may need more work.

The Democrats, having defended the bill draft as it stands now, say that the intent is to force transparency in protecting private data, then broke for lunch in Cheyenne.

The bill could have other concerns. Mike Smith, Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Community Engagement for the University of Wyoming, said that UW’s estimated revision of a computer system, that would result from the legislation, cost taxpayers around $800,000 if it becomes law. Concerns about administrative costs, conflicts with public record laws and the exclusion of corporate data also were discussed.

A similar bill was not taken up by the legislature earlier this year.

The post Government Data Privacy Draft Bill Advances in Committee first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga Hobo Hot Springs – Courtesy Town of Saratoga

Reports of men wearing women’s bathing suits have led Saratoga police to step up patrols at the Hobo Hot Springs.

Speaking at the September 16th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore reported that he has received numerous complaints from users of the town’s hot pools. Chief Moore said his officers have increased their presence at the location.

Later in the meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis elaborated on the nature of the complaints. Mayor Davis said people have reported that possibly two transgender men have been spotted wearing bikinis at the hot pools, prompting the increased police activity. The Mayor added that he is awaiting guidance from Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip on how to proceed.

Yesterday afternoon, Mayor Davis told Bigfoot99 that Attorney Waldrip has yet to advise him on the situation.

To report suspicious behavior, safety issues, or facility misuse at the Hobo Hot Springs, call the Carbon County Unified Dispatch Center at 324-2776. In an emergency, always dial 911.

The post Extra Patrols Occurring at Hot Pools in Saratoga first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 |

Photo – Calendar – Bigfoot99 file photo

County commissioners declare September as Suicide Prevention Month.

Wyoming ranks third in the nation for suicide deaths, behind only Montana and Alaska. In recognition of this fact, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners issued a proclamation during their September 16th meeting declaring this as Suicide Prevention Month.

Reading from the proclamation, Commission Chairman Travis Moore said self-inflicted deaths make up a significant portion of the nation’s overall mortality rates.

Continuing to read from the proclamation, Chairman Moore said high school students are especially vulnerable to suicide, with 25% reporting attempts at self-harm. Additionally, of the 157 suicide deaths in Wyoming in 2023, 141 involved individuals who were experiencing a mental health crisis.

According to the Wyoming Department of Health, 168 residents died by suicide in 2024, with 88% of those deaths being men.

Reading from the Suicide Prevention Month proclamation, Commission Chairman Moore said several groups have been created to help people during a mental health crisis. If the person can make it through that moment, they’re much less likely to end their life in the future.

Chairman Moore said the stigma around suicide can prevent people from seeking help during a mental health crisis and can also stop families from pursuing counseling afterward.

For those reasons, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners declared September 1st through the 30th as Suicide Prevention Month. Commissioner Sue Jones said Rachel Swanson and the Carbon County Prevention Network have made meaningful progress in reducing suicide risk through its Sources of Strength program.

Last summer, Carbon County Public Health Community Prevention Specialist Rachel Swanson introduced Sources of Strength to our area, an evidence-based suicide prevention program that promotes positive mental health strategies.

Since then, Swanson has worked to establish Sources of Strength support networks in Carbon County. Speaking to Bigfoot99 in May, Swanson explained that while Sources of Strength is a suicide prevention program, its primary focus is on eight key factors that build support and resilience, rather than focusing entirely on the act of suicide itself.

Sources of Strength officially kicked off in August, with 250 people gathering in Encampment to learn more about the program. At the time, ten adults pledged to become Sources of Strength advisors.

For more information about Sources of Strength, or to volunteer as an advisor, call Rachel Swanson at 328-2607.

The post Commissioners Proclaim September as Suicide Prevention Month first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 |

Photo – Carbon County Library – Bigfoot99 file photo

Thanks to successful fundraising efforts, the Carbon County Library System can continue operations.

In March, the Wyoming State Legislature passed a series of relief bills aimed at helping residents manage rising property taxes, which were largely fueled by population growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new measures, all Wyoming homeowners have received a 25% reduction on residential property taxes for the first $1 million of assessed value on their homes and associated lands. Seniors aged 65 and older who have lived in their homes for at least 25 years are also eligible for a 50% reduction in their property taxes.

Altogether, the state-backed property tax relief programs have cost Carbon County an estimated $500,000 in lost revenue. The resulting shortfall has forced the Board of County Commissioners to reduce funding for outside services, including the Carbon County Library System, which saw a 53% drop in revenue this fiscal year. Funding fell from $350,964 in 2024 to $164,452.

In light of the funding reduction, Library Board members warned they may be forced to take drastic measures, including potentially closing the county’s lowest-performing libraries.

However, during the September 16th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting in Saratoga, Commissioner Sue Jones announced that the Library Board had successfully raised enough money to temporarily sustain operations across the county.

Library Board Chairwoman Adelaide Myers prepared a report detailing the amount of money raised. Before Myers could present her report, Commission Chairman Travis Moore asked for a round of applause for the Library Board’s hard work.

After the ovation, Library Board Chairwoman Myers said the Friends of the Library groups in Saratoga and Encampment collectively raised more than $100,000 in grants and donations.

Myers said the fundraising initiative was a team effort. Thanks to the work of Commissioner Sue Jones and HF Sinclair Community Relations Administrator Annette Penman, every county library will receive some level of supplemental funding.

Myers said the donations will not sustain the Library System indefinitely. As a longer-term solution, the Library Board is exploring the creation of a tax-exempt endowment to support day-to-day operations.

Myers said the Library Board will make every effort to avoid shuttering any libraries in the county. However, if closures become necessary, they will be temporary. Myers said the next step is to persuade state lawmakers to either eliminate the property tax cuts or backfill the lost revenue.

Commissioner Sue Jones said Carbon County’s population cannot fully fund all legally mandated county services without the lost property tax revenue. Commissioner Jones added that another funding source will be needed to meet those obligations.

Commissioner Jones said the Board is exploring alternative ways to reduce overall spending, including disposing of some of its 67 county-owned buildings. Commissioner Jones said the county is asking municipalities to assume ownership of their senior centers and libraries, free of charge.

The Town of Saratoga has already expressed interest in taking over its library branch. County Attorney Ashley Davis said her office is still working to finalize the deal. Other towns have committed to donating utilities, such as water and gas, to their local senior centers and libraries to help offset the budget reduction.

Commissioner Jones thanked everyone who helped secure additional funding for the Carbon County Library System and encouraged the public to continue supporting the services they value.

The Carbon County Library Board is providing postcards for residents to send to their local representatives, urging them to support local government funding.

The post Libraries Raised Enough Funds to Continue Operations first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 |

Photo – Discover Carbon County Wyoming ad – Courtesy Carbon County Visitor’s Council

The Carbon County Visitors Council updated the Rawlins governing body on tourism statistics and outreach programs.

During the September 16th Rawlins City Council meeting, Carbon County Visitors Council Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Jefferson, presented a preliminary report of her organization’s fiscal year 2024 through 2025 activities. Following ten years of steady growth, Jefferson said the county saw only a modest increase in visitors last year. The Visitors Council CEO blamed the decline in tourism on the poor economy.

While tourism is lower across the board, Jefferson said people are still visiting Carbon County’s high-end properties, such as Brush Creek and Three Forks Ranches. However, the property owners have lowered their prices, further reducing the amount of lodging taxes the county is collecting.

Jefferson reported that the Carbon County Visitors Council fulfilled over 24,000 requests for information from potential tourists and participated in numerous state and national tourism events.

Additionally, Jefferson said a new public relations campaign has resulted in nearly 60 mentions of Carbon County in news outlets and on social media nationwide, boosting the county’s visibility and increasing the likelihood of attracting visitors.

Next, Jefferson updated the Rawlins City Council on the Wyoming Office of Tourism’s destination development grants. Last year, the Carbon County Visitors Council used the state grant money to hire Saratoga business owner Cindy Loose to visit every municipality and come up with ways they could attract more visitors. Jefferson said Loose identified 13 tourism improvement opportunities across the county, all of which will be funded through next year’s destination development grant.

Jefferson also announced that several members of the Carbon County Avalanche Operations Team are pursuing advanced Professional Avalanche Training certifications to improve the accuracy of local forecasts. In 2024, following the avalanche death of Saratoga Councilman Jacob Fluty, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office used a $65,000 Visitors Council grant to form the region’s first avalanche forecasting team for the Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Mountains.

Next, Visitor’s Council CEO Jefferson provided an update on the Fossil Cabin. Built in 1933 by local fossil hunter and entrepreneur Thomas Boylan, the Fossil Cabin contains 5,796 fossilized dinosaur bones, mostly collected from the nearby Como Bluffs. Originally constructed to attract tourists to Boylan’s gas station, the structure has sat vacant for over 30 years.

The Town of Medicine Bow has been working with the Carbon County Visitors Council to relocate the Fossil Cabin from its current site, roughly seven miles east of town, to the Medicine Bow Museum. Jefferson said they’re waiting for the moving company to confirm a date for the move.

Lastly, Jefferson said the Carbon County Visitors Council is working to create corridor management plans for the Snowy Range and Battle Pass Scenic Byways. A corridor management plan is a document that guides the preservation, enhancement, and promotion of a designated travel area. Jefferson offered to present the completed documents to the Rawlins City Council after they’ve been approved by the Southeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative.

The post 2025 Tourism Statistics Given to Rawlins City Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 |

Photo – Medicine Bow gateway sign – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Town of Medicine Bow will utilize Hanna’s unused synthetic ice-skating rink this winter.

In 2019, thanks to a generous donation from Ryta Sondergard and HF Sinclair, the Rawlins Downtown Development Authority purchased a 40-by-60-foot synthetic ice rink. Instead of frozen water, the synthetic ice rink uses high-density plastic panels coated with a lubricating chemical.

After two years, Rawlins DDA stopped using the skating rink. Theresa Pacheco, former head of the Boys and Girls Club of Carbon County, and Mike Armstrong, former Hanna Recreation Director, worked together to have the synthetic rink donated to the Town of Hanna.

Hanna officials were initially enthusiastic about receiving the skating setup. However, a lack of space to install the panels, along with the high cost of the required chemicals, prevented the town from ever setting it up. The synthetic ice rink has been sitting in storage for nearly two years.

Now, the governing body of Medicine Bow is expressing interest in the unused synthetic ice-skating rink. During the September 8th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer said the town’s recreation board would like to include the ice rink in a community winter activity.

Councilwoman Wickizer said the decision was up to the Hanna Town Council, which was set to vote on the matter the following evening.

As expected, the ice rink donation was discussed at the September 9th Hanna Town Council meeting. Town Clerk Vivian Gonzalez announced that Medicine Bow officials have requested the rink. Clerk Gonzalez said the town will provide the remaining lubricating chemicals, adding that Medicine Bow is better equipped than Hanna to use the setup.

Hanna officials said operating the synthetic ice rink is costly, with the necessary lubricants costing roughly $700 per application.

Town Clerk Gonzales said while the rink was initially donated to Hanna, it is available to every municipality.

The Hanna Town Council unanimously voted to loan the ice-skating rink to Medicine Bow, including the remaining lubricating chemicals.

Back at the September 8th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Councilwoman Wickizer asked to use the small concession stand at the Cottonwood Street Park during ice rink hours. Public Works Director Brian Lashley said the building is typically shut down during the winter, adding that the town would need to spend extra funds to keep it operational throughout the season.

Instead, Councilwoman Wickizer suggested setting up the synthetic ice rink in the community center parking lot. While the location would work for the rink, the Councilwoman said that recreation board wouldn’t be able to offer the same types of concessions to skaters.

Because the meeting occurred before the Hanna Town Council session, Medicine Bow officials did not yet know if the ice rink would be available. With the loan now approved, the Medicine Bow Town Council plans to finalize the details at a future meeting.

The post Hanna to Loan Synthetic Ice Rink to County’s Municipalities first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.