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WEDNESDAY, August 26, 2026|

Photo – Wyoming Senior Olympics Executive Director DeShann Schinkel – Courtesy National Senior Games Association

The City of Rawlins will host Senior Olympics qualifying games next month.

On September 26th and 27th, Wyoming Senior Olympics will come to Rawlins. The Senior Olympics, also called the National Senior Games, are a biennial competition featuring over 25 sports. Wyoming Senior Olympics Executive Director DeShann Schinkel said Rawlins will host six events for athletes 50 and older throughout the weekend. Participants may qualify for the 2027 National Senior Games in Oklahoma.

Executive Director Schinkel said the games aren’t only for senior citizens. She said every event will include a separate 35‑and‑over category in addition to the 50‑plus division, adding that athletes don’t have to wait until they’re older to participate in the Senior Games.

The 35‑to‑49 division does not qualify athletes for the National Senior Games competition.

Wyoming Senior Olympics has held golf tournaments at the Rawlins Rochelle Ranch Golf Course in the past, but this is the first time other events have been offered in the city. As a Rawlins native, Executive Director Schinkel said she is excited to bring the games to her hometown.

Schinkel said Rawlins’ place on Interstate 80 makes it an ideal location to host the Wyoming Senior Olympics qualifiers. She added that, through the event, she hopes to showcase the qualities that make Rawlins a great place to live.

Over 1,000 athletes attended the Cheyenne National Senior Games qualifier. As the first Wyoming Senior Olympics qualifying games in Rawlins, Schinkel said she isn’t expecting quite as large a turnout. However, she said she hopes next month’s event will boost the city’s profile for future games.

Participants in next month’s games will have a chance to qualify for the 2027 National Senior Games in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event is held every two years, with Birmingham, Alabama hosting the 2029 games. Schinkel said she is working to bring the 2031 tournament to Wyoming for the first time.

Schinkel said next month’s Wyoming Senior Olympics qualifier will help gauge the popularity of the games, paving the way for Rawlins to host competitions on a regular basis. If the response is strong, she said future events may be added, including shuffleboard.

Wyoming Senior Olympics Executive Director DeShann Shinkel explained how to register for the Rawlins qualifiers.

The Wyoming Senior Olympics qualifying games will take place on Saturday, September 26th, and Sunday, the 27th in Rawlins. Registration is $50 per sport, with a six‑person volleyball team costing $300.

The post Senior Olympics Qualifier to be Held in Rawlins first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

WEDNESDAY, August 26, 2026|

Photo – RPD patch and badge – Bigfoot99 file photo

Rawlins officials are telling residents to call police when fiber‑internet installers trespass on their property.

During the August 18th Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Terry Patterson said he’s heard complaints that contractors for Visionary Communications and All West Wyoming have been installing fiber‑optic cables outside the limits of the city’s franchise agreement. Instead of digging in the designated rights‑of‑way, Councilman Patterson said the contractors are encroaching on private property.

Earlier this year, the governing body approved franchise agreements with Visionary Communications and All West Wyoming to install high‑speed internet in Rawlins. Councilman Terry Patterson said he believed that the agreements limit their work to designated rights‑of‑way and that they shouldn’t enter private property without the homeowner’s prior consent.

City Manager Matt Hall urged residents to call the Rawlins Police Department if a contractor enters their property without permission. He said the city and police are tracking complaints and that Chief Mike Ward will follow up.

City Manager Hall added that Community Development Director Lou Lascano is aware of every complaint and has been sharing that information with the communication companies.

Next, Councilman Terry Patterson went on to say that a resident reported that a contractor sprayed dirty water on their classic car.

Councilman Patterson asked how he should respond to those kinds of complaints. City Manager Hall reiterated that they should call the Rawlins Police Department at 328-4530.

The post Rawlins Residents Urged to Contact Police About Trespassers first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

TUESDAY, August 25, 2026|

Photo – Rawlins Family Recreation Center – Bigfoot99 file photo

After a week-long closure, the Rawlins Family Recreation Center will reopen with new activities.

From Sunday, August 30th, to Monday, September 7th, the Rawlins Family Recreation Center will be closed for a week‑long maintenance period. Recreation Director Billy Hunt explained that the shutdown will allow staff to complete a deep cleaning and prepare for the busy winter season, adding that users will notice a variety of changes after the facility reopens.

After reopening on Tuesday, September 8th, the Rawlins Family Recreation Center will begin winter hours.

In the current fiscal year, which began on July 1st, membership rates at the Rawlins Family Recreation Center increased. A single one‑month pass rose from $54 to $55, while an annual membership went from $276 to $300. Rec Director Billy Hunt said he plans to introduce new activities to justify those price increases.

Hunt said laser tag is one of the new activities he will introduce after the shutdown.

The Rawlins recreation center will have enough laser‑tag gear for 12 people to play at once, either in teams or in a 12‑player free‑for‑all. Hunt explained how the laser‑tag games will be organized.

Rec center staff are still finalizing the logistics, including price. However, Hunt said laser tag will carry an added charge beyond the daily pass and membership rates, but the cost will be reasonable. He added that members will receive a discount.

Hunt said he also plans to upgrade the indoor walking track, although he doesn’t have a date for when that work will be completed. He said once the system is in place, a wrist‑mounted sensor will track and post times for walkers and runners.

Recreation Director Billy Hunt said he is also considering holding marathons and triathlons at the rec center. He said his objective is to expand winter programming.

After the shutdown, fall sports get underway. Youth football began yesterday, though registration is still open. Rec Director Hunt said girls’ basketball and adult volleyball are scheduled to start in October.

To help with registration, the Rawlins Family Recreation Center recently introduced a new online booking system. Hunt said people can use their phones to sign up for sports or reserve city properties, including the historic depot.

Hunt added that in‑person and phone registration will continue to be available. For questions or help with bookings, call the Rawlins Family Recreation Center at 324‑7529 or visit 1616 Harshman Street.

The post Rawlins Rec Reopens with New Activities first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

TUESDAY, August 25, 2026|

Photo – Saratoga Panthers logo – Bigfoot99 file photo

To help offset rising costs and decreased state funding, parents and nonstudents will be charged to attend certain Saratoga Middle High School games.

On Sunday, the Saratoga Middle High School Facebook page announced that beginning this school year, gate fees will be charged for high school athletic games. Carbon County School District Two Superintendent Darrin Jennings explained that recent statewide school‑funding changes, including a large reduction in the districtwide activities budget, have created the need to bring in additional revenue for Saratoga’s sports programs.

Superintendent Jennings said Saratoga Middle High School spent $20,000 on officials to manage its games last school year. He said that cost is only expected to grow as more students participate in the school’s sports programs. Like other schools in Wyoming’s Class 2A division, Jennings said Saratoga will begin charging to attend its home games.

Adults will be charged $5 per game, while school‑age children must pay $3. Children under five are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Current Saratoga Middle High School students are not required to pay.

Superintendent Jennings said the school will not charge gate fees for nonconference games.

Four Saratoga Middle High School football games will require paid admission: September 10th’s game against Wind River, September 25th against Big Piney, October 9th versus Greybull, and October 23rd’s matchup with Pine Bluffs.

Three volleyball games will require gate fees: September 26th against Washakie and Wyoming Indian High School, October 2nd versus Kemmerer, and October 24th versus Big Piney.

And six Panther basketball games will require paid admission: January 15th’s matchup with Wyoming Indian High School, January 16th against Fort Washakie, January 23rd versus Wright, February 6th against Burlington, February 19th against Big Piney, and February 20th’s contest with Kemmerer.

Due to its large sports‑program participation, Superintendent Darrin Jennings said Saratoga is the only school in District Two that will require paying gate fees to attend its conference games.

Superintendent Jennings reiterated that the increasing expense of operating an athletics program, along with declining state support, has necessitated implementing gate fees. He added that other schools have adopted similar measures.

Season passes are available to purchase from Saratoga Middle High School. Call the school’s main office at 326-5246 for more information.

The post Decreased State Funding Causes District 2 to Set Entry Fees to Student Games first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MONDAY, August 24, 2026|

Photo – Rawlins Jam members present check to CCSD#1 – Courtesy Rawlins Jam

Local sponsors and motorcycle enthusiasts donated $10,000 to help homeless students.

On Thursday, the Rawlins Jam Motorcycle Rally Committee announced that the organization had donated $10,000 to support Carbon County School District One’s McKinney‑Vento program, which provides educational access, stability, and support services for homeless students.

Rawlins Jam Committee member John Rutherford explained that the motorcycle rally, originally called Jill’s Jam, was established 25 years ago by Mark and Jill Carrico, the former owners of Bi-Rite Sporting Goods in Rawlins. Rutherford said the Carricos established a committee to solicit donations and distribute the funds to local charities.

The Rawlins Jam Motorcycle Rally, as it is now called, is an annual charity poker run and group ride through Carbon County held in late June. Participants travel a 195‑mile circuit from Rawlins to Saratoga, Encampment, Baggs, and back to Rawlins. Committee member John Rutherford said donations from local businesses and money raised during the event now go to support a variety of causes.

Rutherford said this year, the Rawlins Jam raised enough money to donate $10,000 to Carbon County School District One’s McKinney‑Vento program. He said the group’s members were concerned that Carbon County students could be forced to miss out on educational and sports opportunities due to housing instability.

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, later renamed the McKinney‑Vento Homeless Assistance Act, into law. The bill was created to address a growing national homelessness crisis by funding emergency services, coordinating federal programs, and ensuring children experiencing homelessness have equal access to public education.

According to the National Center for Homeless Education, 1.54 million students experienced homelessness during the 2023 through 2024 school year. Carbon County School District One reported that roughly one percent of its 1,610 students are considered homeless. Statewide, that number is 2.3 percent, or 2,162 homeless students, kindergarten through 12th grade.

Rawlins Jam Committee member John Rutherford said every year, the committee selects a charity to receive the funds raised during the annual motorcycle rally.

Rutherford thanked the individuals and sponsors that helped raise money for Carbon County’s McKinney‑Vento program.

The next Rawlins Jam Motorcycle Rally is scheduled for summer 2027. For more information, call Rawlins Jam Committee member John Rutherford at 320-7964.

The post Rawlins Jam Raises Money and Awareness for Homeless Students first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

FRIDAY, August 21, 2026 |

Photo – Members pose with water cache – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Rawlins officials declared September as Continental Divide Trails Month.

During the August 18th Rawlins City Council meeting, Mayor Jacquelin Wells presented a proclamation designating September 2026 as Continental Divide Trails Month and celebrating the 10th anniversary of Rawlins becoming a Continental Divide Trail Gateway Community.

The Continental Divide Trail is one of the country’s three major north–south hiking corridors, along with the Pacific Crest and Appalachian trails. The roughly 3,000‑mile route begins in the Big Hatchet Mountains of New Mexico and ends at Waterton Lakes National Park in Montana. The city of Rawlins sits near the midpoint of the trail and is a common stop for hikers.

As a Continental Divide Trail Gateway Community, Rawlins has been recognized by the national Continental Divide Trail Coalition for supporting CDT hikers and promoting trail stewardship. The designation shows the community’s commitment to welcoming and assisting people traveling along the route.

Back at Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman Terry Patterson, the governing body’s representative on the Rawlins CDT Community Committee, read the proclamation declaring September as Continental Divide Trails Month.

Along with celebrating the Continental Divide Trail, the proclamation also recognized the city’s place on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the most extensive unpaved bicycling trail system in the world.

Backpacker magazine’s official website, Backpacking.com, calls Rawlins a “saving‑grace” oasis for Great Divide Mountain Bike Route riders, where they can find showers, laundry, grocery stores, and bike mechanics.

Continuing to read the proclamation, Councilman Terry Patterson said September 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of Rawlins becoming a Continental Divide Trail Gateway Community. Over the past decade, the city has welcomed hikers and continued working to improve and recognize the trail, including hosting the first Halfway Days event, organizing clean‑up efforts, and constructing a water supply station north of the city.

Councilman Patterson said the city’s position on the Continental Divide Trail and Great Divide Mountain Bike Route brings hikers, cyclists, and other visitors into town, where they support local businesses, buy supplies, stay overnight, and treat Rawlins as an important stop on their trip.

Following the reading, Councilman Patterson said that when he was asked to serve on the Rawlins CDT Community Committee, he didn’t know what he could offer the group. He said that although he was initially bored, he quickly developed a strong passion for the Continental Divide Trail.

Over the summer, the city’s CDT Committee worked with the Bureau of Land Management on its annual Trail Days maintenance effort. Councilman Patterson said he and the other volunteers removed roughly 8,000 pounds of garbage from a very small section of the trail.

In addition to the garbage removal, Councilman Patterson said the Rawlins CDT Community Committee installed a water cache on the trail north of the city. He added that the supply station is very popular with hikers, attracting visitors from around the world.

Patterson said the CDT Community Committee also recently installed a water cache south of Rawlins on Bridger Pass Road.

Hikers often assign one another trail names as a way to distinguish personality, habits, or standout moments along the trail. Because of his commitment to installing and restocking the water caches, Councilman Patterson said his trail name is Waterboy.

The councilman noted that Halfway Days, the city’s inaugural celebration of its place at the midpoint of the Continental Divide Trail, was a success and thanked the volunteers who made the event possible. He also expressed his gratitude to the Rawlins CDT Community Committee, the national Continental Divide Trail Coalition, and the city itself.

Councilman Patterson said he has been so inspired by his time on the city’s CDT Committee that he has chosen to hike a portion of the trail.

Mayor Jacquelin Wells proclaimed September 2026 as Continental Divide Trails Month, formally recognizing the trail’s significance to the city.

The post Rawlins Mayor Declares September as Continental Divide Trails Month first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

FRIDAY, August 21, 2026 |

Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Saratoga Town Council will appoint a new member at its next meeting.

On July 15th, Saratoga Councilman Mike Cooley resigned his position on the governing body. He had served on the council since 2022. In addition to his other official duties, Councilman Cooley was the Mayor Pro Tem, presiding over meetings and handling mayoral responsibilities when the mayor was unavailable. After Cooley’s resignation, Councilman Cory Oxford was selected as the new Mayor Pro Tem.

The governing body voted to publicize Councilman Cooley’s open seat for 30 days.

During Wednesday evening’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis announced that he had received letters of interest from four residents seeking to fill Councilman Cooley’s unexpired term: Carbon Power and Light Director of Member Services and Marketing Joe Parrie, business owner Antoinette Cleoni, Recreation Commission member Megan James, and Platte Valley Arts Council member Mark Willford. However, Mayor Davis said Willford technically lives outside of town, which prevents him from serving.

Mayor Davis said he had read the letters and instructed the other council members to do the same. In the meantime, the mayor encouraged the applicants to meet with the governing body to discuss their qualifications and interest in serving. He said the council will appoint Mike Cooley’s replacement during the September 2nd meeting.

Once the new member is selected, Mayor Chuck Davis will swear them in and they’ll begin serving immediately, joining council members Cory Oxford, Bub Barkhurst, and Jerry Fluty. That appointment will return Saratoga to a full council.

The post Saratoga Town Council to Appoint New Member in September first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

THURSDAY, August 20, 2026|

Photo – Goat Roping poster – Courtesy Bow River FFA Alumni

Graduates of the Bow River FFA program are organizing a goat‑roping event to raise funds for H‑E‑M High School students.

Next Saturday, August 29th, the Bow River FFA Alumni association will host a fundraiser event in Hanna. Alumni John Ellis explained that teams of two will take turns attempting to immobilize a goat in the shortest time possible.

Ellis said the goats will weigh around 40 to 60 pounds. He said the event is open to all age groups.

Money raised during next Saturday’s goat‑roping event will benefit the Bow River Future Farmers of America, H‑E‑M High School’s chapter of the national nonprofit leadership, career development, and agricultural education organization. Ellis explained that FFA programs encompass more than just ranching.

The Bow River FFA Alumni’s goat-roping fundraiser will take place next Saturday, August 29th outside of Mike’s Deuces, located at 204 Adams Street in Hanna. Entry is $10 per person or $20 per team. Ellis said prior goat roping experience is not necessary.

The Bow River FFA Alumni will direct 70 percent of the proceeds to the H‑E‑M FFA program, with the remaining 30 percent split between the three fastest roping teams: 50 percent for first place, 30 percent for second, and 20 percent for third.

For more information, call John Ellis at 329-8340.

The post Goat Roping Will Raise Funds for HEM High School first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

THURSDAY, August 20, 2026|

Photo – Map showing the former Lawrence property – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Rawlins officials voted to divide the former Lawrence Salvage Yard into residential and commercial properties in preparation for a future sale.

During the August 18th Rawlins City Council meeting, the governing body considered a zone‑change request for the Lawrence Property. The land, located in the center of the city, was damaged in a fire in July 2024. Later that year, the council voted to spend $230,000 from the dangerous building fund, a municipal account exclusively used to buy and remediate hazardous properties, to purchase the site.

On July 14th, the Rawlins Planning and Zoning Division created a proposal to change the former salvage yard from its current Industrial zoning to a mix of Residential and Commercial. The matter was discussed during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Mayor Jacquelin Wells opened a public hearing on the matter, but no one spoke in support or opposition.

Later in the meeting, Community Development Director Lou Lascano said the Planning and Zoning Division submitted a proposal to rezone the northern 4.88 acres of the site, along East Spruce Street, as Residential R‑7.5, permitting single‑family homes on 7,500‑square‑foot lots.

Community Development Director Lascano said the southern 9.15 acres, which sit at a higher elevation than the northern side, would be rezoned as Commercial C‑2, allowing light to medium commercial uses including retail.

Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked if the zone change would allow mobile homes to be placed on the site. Lascano said no, explaining the designation calls for traditional houses, though a future buyer could seek changes.

Mobile homes are only permitted on sites designated as R-MH.

Lascano said any future zone‑change requests would have to move through the same steps, starting with Planning and Zoning approval and then a City Council vote.

When the Lawrence Property rezoning was initially considered, Councilman Derek Elliot expressed support for converting the north side into overflow parking for the nearby Carbon County Fairgrounds. He restated that position during Tuesday’s meeting and asked how the upper commercial section would be accessed.

The upper portion of the site sits considerably higher than the northern section. Community Development Director Lou Lascano said the property could be accessed from Rodeo Street but acknowledged that the grading work will be difficult.

Councilman Derek Elliot suggested offering the land to the Board of Carbon County Commissioners instead of a private developer, hoping they will build additional parking for the fairgrounds. For that reason, Councilman Elliot said he couldn’t support the zone‑change request.

Councilwoman Tonya Lewman responded that the city purchased the Lawrence Property with two specific goals in mind. The first, she said, was to prevent further industrial development in the area and lessen the associated fire risk.

The second goal, Councilwoman Lewman said, was to sell the property to a private developer. She acknowledged that the area is very busy during fair week but said converting the land into a parking lot would not be a sensible decision. Instead, the land should be sold and the proceeds used to purchase and revitalize other dangerous properties around the city.

Following the discussion, the Rawlins City Council voted to rezone the former Lawrence Salvage Yard as commercial and residential properties. Councilman Derek Elliot voted against the proposal. In a story posted to Bigfoot99.com earlier this week, Toga Radio incorrectly reported that the zone‑change request required three separate readings. The decision was finalized with a single vote.

With the rezoning approved, Community Development Director Lou Lascano said he will set up a special work session with the City Council in the future to discuss selling the property.

The post City Votes to Rezone Area Near Fairgrounds first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

THURSDAY, August 20, 2026|

Photo – Pet Partners representative pose with city employees – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The City of Rawlins recognized Pet Partners of Carbon County with its monthly service award.

Every month, the Rawlins Volunteer Committee selects a person or organization to honor for their service to the city. During Tuesday evening’s Rawlins City Council meeting, Volunteer Committee member Fire Chief Allen Robinson announced that Pet Partners of Carbon County was chosen to receive the August Community Builder Award.

Pet Partners of Carbon County is a nonprofit animal rescue that cares for stray and feral cats and runs the county’s trap, neuter, and release program. Margaret Quintrall serves at the organization’s president.

Lieutenant Daria Hooper, who oversees the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter, said Pet Partners has played a significant role in animal welfare across the city and county since its establishment in 2005 by Linda Russell. Lieutenant Hooper explained that the nonprofit rescue initially handled all types of animals, not just cats, and helped establish the city’s current animal shelter.

As the needs of the community changed, so did the priorities of Pet Partners of Carbon County. Lieutenant Hooper said the organization refocused its efforts toward feral and stray cats several years ago. Through its trap, neuter and release program, Hooper said Pet Partners has worked to humanely reduce and manage the county’s cat population.

Lieutenant Hooper reported that Pet Partners cared for 254 cats and kittens in 2022, followed by 330 in 2023. The following year, 2024, the organization assisted 258 and in 2025 it assisted 373. So far this year, it has cared for more than 155 cats and kittens.

Lieutenant Hooper said the animal rescue’s members have served the community for over 20 years, a fact she described as even more remarkable because they are all unpaid.

Lieutenant Hooper said Pet Partners of Carbon County exemplifies the spirit of the Community Builder Award, seeing a need and improving the community without expecting recognition in return. She said the nonprofit rescue also helps the city by taking the responsibility for caring for feral cats away from the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter.

Every Community Builder Award winner receives a plaque and $100 to donate to a non-profit organization of their choice. Unsurprisingly, the Pet Partners representatives chose to give their prize money to Pet Partners of Carbon County.

The post Pet Partners Receive City’s Service Award first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.