Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

Monday, AUGUST 11, 2025 |

Photo – Library Funding Chart – Courtesy Carbon County Library System

Following a 53% budget cut, the Carbon County Library System is warning patrons to expect reduced hours and services at local branches.

The property tax relief bills passed by the Wyoming State Legislature this past March, including the 25% cut on all residential properties, have significantly impacted the budget of Carbon County. Speaking at the June 17th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Sue Jones said due to those property tax measures, the county is facing a $500,000 shortfall this fiscal year. Commissioner Jones said the county has been forced to drastically cut back on spending, specifically for outside agencies, such as senior centers and libraries.

All county-funded agencies have taken a financial hit this fiscal year, with the Carbon County Library System reporting a 53% budget cut, going from $350,972 last year to $164,462 in 2025.

At the July 15th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Carbon County Library System Board member Adelaide Myers warned that municipalities will soon feel the impact of the reduced budget. Myers said even the Saratoga Library, the county’s second most visited branch after Rawlins, is not immune to the consequences.

The Carbon County Library System website warns users to expect reduced hours and services at their local branch as the Library Board works to raise money. According to the website, the Board remains committed to doing everything possible to prevent closures. However, closing one or more branches has not been ruled out.

The Library Board states that it must raise $164,000 to keep the entire library system operating as usual.

Speaking at the June 17th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Sue Jone encouraged residents to donate the money they saved on their property taxes to local services, including their library branches.

The Library System’s website states that the Board is doing all it can to raise money despite having no marketing budget and choosing not to spend its limited resources on large events, adding that very dollar donated is an investment in your community.

Donations to the Carbon County Library System can be made online at carbonlibraries.org.

The post County Libraries Closer to Reduced Hours and Services first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, AUGUST 11, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

A Colorado-based environmental consulting firm is requesting authorization to install an air quality monitoring station in Rawlins.

During the August 5th Rawlins City Council meeting, City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave announced that Air Resource Specialists, out of Fort Collins, Colorado, had contacted her office. Attorney Maberry-Nave explained that the contractor, which works closely with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, is requesting authorization to place a temporary mobile air quality monitoring station in the city.

City Attorney Maberry-Nave described the proposed air monitoring station as a trailer outfitted with various external sensors. The City Attorney said Air Resource Specialists would like to place the station behind the Rawlins Family Recreation Center.

Attorney Maberry-Nave said the station will be locked, and Air Resource Specialists do not believe a security fence is necessary. However, if the city approves the arrangement and later requests a fence, the environmental consulting firm will install one.

Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave said the station would be connected to the city’s electrical grid. Air Resource Specialists have offered to cover the cost of the power used by the monitoring equipment. Additionally, the city would receive $150 per month for up to a year and a half.

Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave asked the City Council for its input. If the governing body supports the project, she will draft a licensing agreement for Air Resource Specialists to sign. The City Attorney said the licensing agreement makes it easy to quickly end the arrangement if necessary.

Councilman Steve Sanger asked Attorney Maberry-Nave to explain the services provided by Air Resource Specialists. The City Attorney responded that the Fort Collins-based environmental consulting firm offers air quality monitoring for the states of Colorado and Wyoming.

Attorney Maberry-Nave clarified that the data collected in Rawlins would be used by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Mayor Jacquelin Wells expressed her approval of the proposal. The City Attorney offered to inform the environmental consulting firm about the city’s interest and report back to the governing body with future updates.

The post Air Quality Company Asks to Place Equipment by Rawlins Rec Center first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Monday, AUGUST 11, 2025 |

Photo – Hobo Hot Pools – Courtesy Town of Saratoga

Saratoga officials address water temperature issues at the Hobo Hot Springs and public swimming pool.

Heated by underground geothermal activity, Saratoga’s Hobo Hot Springs consist of three separate bodies of water: the main pool, the not-so-hot pool, and the Lobster Pot, which is consistently much warmer than the rest of the site.

Recently, the not-so-hot pool, which, as the name suggests, is typically cooler than the main pool, has been measuring roughly four degrees warmer than usual, with temperatures regularly reaching up to 110 degrees.

During the August 5th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner explained that the town uses geothermally heated water to fill its outdoor public swimming pool. When that water is pumped back into the system, it raises the temperature of the not-so-hot pool. Penner said the town will attempt to use less underground water to fill the swimming pool next year.

Public Works Director Penner was hired in August of 2023. Since that time, Penner said he has developed a greater familiarity with the Hobo Hot Springs plumbing system. With that knowledge, the Public Works Director said he plans to determine the best method to fill the swimming pool without causing temperature fluctuations at the hot springs.

Mayor Chuck Davis moved onto the topic of the public swimming pool, saying that water aerobics attendees have reported the water is too cold during morning sessions. Mayor David suggested installing an insulated cover to prevent the pool from losing heat overnight.

Public Works Director Penner agreed that an insulated cover is the most effective way to retain the pool’s warmth overnight. Penner said he will prepare a cost estimate for a pool cover and present it at a future Town Council meeting.

The post Hobo Pool Temperatures Topic of Discussion for Town Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, AUGUST 8, 2025 |

Photo – Snowy mountains – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

Sheriff Alex Bakken reported on the success of Carbon County’s newly established avalanche forecasting team.

On July 28th, Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken published his first monthly update podcast. During the program, Sheriff Bakken announced the Carbon County Avalanche Operations Team met on Friday, July 25th. Sheriff Alex Bakken explained that the Avalanche Operations Team was formed in response to multiple snowmobile fatalities in the Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Mountains, including the death of Saratoga Town Councilman Jacob Fluty. In February of 2024, Councilman Fluty was killed in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Before the creation of the Carbon County Avalanche Operations Team, our area lacked any avalanche prediction capabilities. All forecasting in the state was done by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, which did not cover the Snowy Range or Sierra Madre Mountains. Using a $65,000 grant from the Carbon County Visitors Council, Sheriff Bakken was able to establish our area’s first avalanche forecasting center. A team of specially trained volunteers regularly travel into the backcountry to perform snowpack measurements.

In his monthly broadcast, Sheriff Alex Bakken explained that the Carbon County Avalanche Operations Team shares its findings on the Eastern Wyoming Avalanche Information Exchange website. The site gives backcountry users current snow and weather information to help them understand avalanche risks before entering the Snowy Range or Sierra Madre Mountains.

Sheriff Bakken said the Avalanche Operations Team is currently part of Carbon County Search and Rescue. However, the Sheriff said he is working to transition the team into a nonprofit organization, allowing for tax-exempt donations. Sheriff Bakken also reported that he is in talks with the snowmobile brand Ski-Doo, to provide free sleds for the Avalanche Team.

Sheriff Bakken announced that zero deaths occurred in Carbon County last winter. The Sheriff said the lack of fatalities demonstrates the effectiveness of the Avalanche Operations Team’s work.

Sheriff Bakken thanked the public for their support of the avalanche forecasting initiative.

The post Sheriff Talks About Success of Avalanche Forecast Team first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, AUGUST 8, 2025 |

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray has presented what the Cowboy State requires as documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) for voting requirements to Secretaries of State from across the United States.

Gray presented the materials at a conference held in Biloxi, Mississippi. NASS, which was formed in 1904, is made up of Secretaries of State from across the United States.

With Gray championing the effort, Wyoming is the first state to develop a program requiring proof of citizenship for voting. Grey said the plan has been a top priority of the Trump Administration.

In late March, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive action to overhaul elections in the U.S., including requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and demanding that all ballots be received by Election Day.

The order says the U.S. has failed “to enforce basic and necessary election protections.”

The post Wyoming Secretary of State Shares Documentary Proof of Citizenship Requirements first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Friday, AUGUST 8, 2025 |

Photo – RPD flying announcing chalk event – Courtesy Rawlins Police Department

The Rawlins Police Department will host a free children’s chalk drawing event later this month.

On Friday, August 22nd, the Rawlins Police Department is inviting local grade school children to visit the station for sidewalk chalk drawing. RPD Victim Assistance Coordinator Rachel Berger explained that the family-friendly event gives kids an opportunity to have positive experiences with law enforcement and beautify the downtown area.

The Rawlins Police Department will provide chalk for kids to decorate the sidewalks around the station. Victim Assistance Coordinator Berger said the area will be closed to traffic during the event.

While the event is targeted at the youth of Rawlins, Berger said it is open to all Carbon County children. The Victim Assistance Coordinator explained that the chalk art experience is meant to bring the entire community together and help kids connect with local police.

The Rawlins Police Department free chalk art event is Friday, August 22nd, outside of the police station, located at 215 5th Street, and is open to children in kindergarten through 6th grade. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire event.

The post RPD Hosts Kid’s Chalk Drawing Event at Department first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, AUGUST 7, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins City Manager Tom Sarvey – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The Rawlins City Council will appoint a temporary City Manager during Tom Sarvey’s absence.

City Manager Tom Sarvey was not present at Tuesday’s Rawlins City Council meeting. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Sarvey is suffering from a serious medical issue, but no official details have been released.

After a lengthy executive session, Councilman Steve Sanger introduced a motion to appoint Rawlins Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Pam Thayer as the temporary City Manager. Councilman Sanger said Thayer will fill the role until Sarvey returns or a permanent replacement is selected. While serving as City Manager, Thayer may delegate city staff to assist with her ongoing responsibilities as Downtown Development Authority Executive Director.

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, the Rawlins City Council sets policy and appoints a City Manager to carry out its decisions. The City Manager oversees budgeting, staffing, infrastructure, and the day-to-day operations of the city.

Tom Sarvey was appointed as the City Manager of Rawlins in July of 2023, after serving over nine months as Interim City Manager and Finance Director. Since his appointment, the city has not filled the Finance Director or Human Resources Director positions, leaving Sarvey responsible for those functions in addition to his City Manager duties.

Bigfoot99 would like to wish City Manager Tom Sarvey a speedy recovery.

The post Rawlins Council Will Appoint Interim City Manager first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, AUGUST 7, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Rawlins governing body began the process to change the start time of its regular meetings.

As reported by Bigfoot99, on July 15th, the Rawlins City Council voted to begin its sessions earlier in the day. The governing body currently convenes at 7:30 p.m., but city officials acknowledged that sessions often extend late into the night. The Council instructed City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave to draft an amended ordinance to adjust the meeting times.

The matter was discussed once again during Tuesday’s Rawlins City Council meeting. Mayor Jacquelin Wells introduced an amendment to Section 2.04 of the Rawlins municipal code, which codifies when the City Council is required to meet. Mayor Wells said the governing body must decide what time they would like to begin the meetings.

Mayor Wells proposed starting at 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. and suggested moving special work sessions, which are currently held before regular meetings, to the end of the agenda. The earlier start time will help council members and city staff avoid working late on meeting nights.

The Rawlins City Council agreed to begin meetings at 6:00 p.m. Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked how special work sessions would be handled under the new schedule, expressing concern that holding them on separate weeks would double the number of times the Council meets each month.

Mayor Wells responded that the work sessions would be better held after regularly scheduled City Council meetings. The Mayor said brief workshops often leave the council waiting around unnecessarily before the regular meeting begins.

Mayor Wells added that moving the start time to 6:00 p.m. may attract more attendees to the meetings. The existing 7:30 p.m. schedule may be too late for many residents, who are likely already winding down for the night.

Following the discussion, the Rawlins City Council unanimously voted to change its regular meeting schedule to begin at 6:00 p.m. instead of 7:30 and move special work sessions to the end of meetings. The ordinance amendment was passed on the first reading. Like all ordinance amendments, it must be read three times during three separate public hearings.

The post Rawlins Council to Change Meeting Times first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, AUGUST 7, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Saratoga Town Council is preparing to change its meeting schedule.

During Tuesday’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis said town hall staff have asked to move the regularly scheduled Council meetings from Tuesday to Wednesday. Mayor Davis explained that errors with the town’s computer payroll system, which operates on Tuesdays, often requires town hall employees’ attention, making it difficult for them to prepare for that evening’s meeting.

Mayor Davis said under the proposed changes, the meetings would be held on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Changing the meeting date will require an ordinance amendment, which must be read three times during three separate public hearings. If approved, the change would take effect by October at the earliest.

Clerk Jennifer Anderson reported that Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip approved of the draft ordinance. Mayor Davis asked Clerk Anderson to read the amended ordinance by title.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously approved the proposed meeting date change on its first reading.

The post Saratoga to Change Days of Council Meetings first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

Thursday, AUGUST 7, 2025 |

Photo – “The Lost Cowboy” book – Courtesy Grand Encampment Museum

This Friday, the Grand Encampment Museum is hosting a presentation by globe-trotting cowboy J. B. Zielke.

On Friday, August 8th, at 6:00 p.m., author J. B. Zielke will be at the Grand Encampment Museum to discuss his autobiography, The Lost Cowboy. Zielke said the book chronicles his four-year journey cowboying across the world, adding that he wrote it while working in Encampment.

Zielke explained that between the ages of 21 and 25, he worked as a cowboy on every continent except Antarctica. The author said The Lost Cowboy contains a series of bite-size stories about his life on the road.

Zielke said he doesn’t come from a long line of ranchers. Instead, the author explained that he chose to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a cowboy on his own, learning the job from various mentors he met along the way.

Zielke said he lived in Encampment while studying at the University of Wyoming. While there, he met local rancher Kal Herring, who was the greatest influence on his path to becoming a cowboy. Thanks to Herring’s generosity, Zielke said he was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of traveling around the world as a cattleman.

The Lost Cowboy shares stories from Zielke’s travels, including a dangerous time in Australia when he wrangled wild cattle far from civilization. Though he was never injured himself, the author said some of his fellow cowboys weren’t as fortunate.

Zielke said he didn’t begin his global cowboy journey intending to write a book. However, while taking cover during a Mexican shootout, he realized he needed to document his adventures before it was too late.

Zielke received two 2024 Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America for his memoir The Lost Cowboy: Best Contemporary Nonfiction Book and Best First Nonfiction Book.

After stepping away from his cowboy career, Zielke transitioned into directing music videos and founded the successful country music festival Dusty Vaquero Days.

Zielke will be at the Grand Encampment Museum this Friday, August 8th, to discuss The Lost Cowboy. After his presentation, the author will sign copies of his award-winning book.

The post Grand Encampment Museum Hosts Book Signing on August 8th first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.