Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

JULY 14, 2025 |

Photo – Hanna Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Hanna Town Council introduced a new ordinance that requires residents to be connected to municipal water and sewer. However, one council member raised questions about the mandate’s specific provisions.

During the July 8th Hanna Town Council meeting, Mayor Charlie George introduced Ordinance 412. Mayor George explained that the ordinance requires all residential buildings to be connected to the town’s water and sewer system.

Hanna Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales explained that the ordinance is designed to compel residents to use and pay for municipal water and sewer.

Mayor Charlie George said the Town of Hanna follows the latest International Building Codes, which sets uniform building regulations across most of the United States. Mayor George explained that the ordinance specifically applies to residential structures, not garages or other outbuildings.

Councilwoman Ellen Freeman expressed concerns about the way the ordinance was written, asking how the new regulations would affect snowbirds, or residents who live in Hanna only during the summer months, and who must disconnect their water access during winter to prevent frozen pipes.

Clerk Gonzales said the town has existing regulations to accommodate part-time residents.

Councilwoman Freeman said she interpreted Ordinance 412 as requiring constant water service to any structure intended for human habitation. However, the Councilwoman said the ordinance, as written, does not contain any provisions to allow residents to temporarily shut off their water access.

Clerk Gonzales, Treasurer Ann Calvert, and Councilman Sam Sikes emphasized that the ordinance does not target snowbirds or residents who leave for extended vacations. Instead, the regulation aims to ensure that all residents use the municipal water and sewer services while living in their homes.

Clerk Gonzales added that Ordinance 412 also applies to homes where water and sewer access has been terminated for nonpayment. The town clerk implied that the ordinance may permit the town to evict residents who fail to comply.

A Hanna resident asked if any locals were not connected to the municipal water system. Clerk Gonzales confirmed that some residents are not, noting that the ordinance will require them to comply or vacate their homes. She added that the town already offers low-cost housing options for those affected by the amended regulations.

Clerk Gonzales said Ordinance 412 uses the same language as Saratoga’s matching ordinance, adding that both were drafted by the same attorney, Patrick Brady.

Councilman Sam Sikes moved to approve Ordinance 412, amending the Hanna town code to require water and sewer services to all residential structures. Councilman Paul Cruz seconded. The motion passed, with Councilwoman Ellen Freeman casting the sole dissenting vote.

Mayor Charlie George reminded attendees that, like all ordinance changes, the regulation must pass three votes held during separate public hearings. Mayor George instructed Councilwoman Freeman to submit any proposed revisions to Town Attorney Patrick Brady for consideration before the next Hanna Town Council meeting on August 12th.

The post Hanna Introduces New Water Ordinance first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 11, 2025 |

Photo – Medicine Bow National Forest – Bigfoot99 file photo 

In the U.S. Senate on Thursday, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso questioned Tom Schultz, the new U.S. Forest Service Chief about wildfire response as we move deep into the summer months.

Senator Barrasso questioned Schultz about how the Forest Service is engaging state, local and private partners to ensure the groups can effectively respond to wildfires.

Senator Barrasso noted that about 63 million acres of national forest lands are at high risk of wildfire. In Fiscal Year 2024, the Forest Service treated about 15 percent of those threatened lands, or four million acres. Senator Barrasso asked Schultz how he intends to lead the agency and catch up from the last four years in forest management. Schultz said forming partnerships with states and other entities will be part of the solution.

The draft assessment of the Forest Management plan for the Bridger Teton, started in 2024, was released this week for public review. During his testimony on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Schultz said the entire process should take up to three years to complete.

In a separate matter in Washington on Thursday, Senator Barrasso introduced legislation to prevent the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) electronic public comment system from being sabotaged by foreign adversaries and Artificial Intelligence (AI) bots.

Currently, the federal government’s online comment system allows comments from individuals, organizations, or anonymous users, with no safeguards to prevent foreign individuals or AI bots from submitting comments relating to sweeping policy and rule proposals.

Barrasso’s legislation, called American Voices in Federal Lands Act, would restrict the public comment process and ensure only American citizens are providing feedback on the policies affecting American energy production and federal lands.

The post Wyoming Senator Talks Wildfire Response with New Forest Service Chief first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 11, 2025 |

Photo – SLIB logo – Courtesy SLIB website

Municipalities around Carbon County are being asked to decide if Saratoga and Encampment can reallocate unspent state funding.

During the July 1st Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Board Chairman Travis Moore requested a motion to approve two joint resolutions regarding the distribution of the 2015 through 2016 county-wide consensus block grant funding. Board Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett explained the resolutions will permit the towns of Encampment and Saratoga to redirect unspent funds from the State Loan and Investment Board, or SLIB, toward other projects.

The Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board administers county-wide consensus block grants, where municipalities collaborate on a shared grant application, typically for infrastructure or community development projects. The “consensus” part of the grant means towns and the county must agree on how to allocate the funds.

If approved, the resolutions will allow the Town of Encampment to reallocate $31,424.77 in unused consensus funding toward its Sixth Street Emergency Sewer Main Replacement Project. Saratoga will be permitted to apply $11,077.76 in remaining state funds to its West Bench Sewer Improvement Project.

At the July 1st Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey said the State Loan and Investment Board requires every municipality in Carbon County to approve the changes before the money can be spent.

City Manager Sarvey explained that, as part of the 2015–2016 County-Wide Consensus Block Grant, the City of Rawlins requested $500,000 from the State Loan and Investment Board to purchase a new bulldozer for its landfill. The funds were awarded and used as intended. Sarvey added that Encampment and Saratoga are the only municipalities in Carbon County with unspent block grant funding.

The matter was also discussed at the July 8th Hanna Town Council meeting, where Councilwoman Ellen Freeman asked what would happen if, hypothetically, a town denied the resolutions. Hanna Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales said the vote would upset the municipalities in question. However, as long as the majority of towns in Carbon County approve the resolutions, SLIB will still authorize the changes.

In the end, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners, Rawlins City Council, and the Saratoga and Hanna Town Councils voted to approve the county-wide block grant resolutions. It is unclear if the remaining municipalities also endorsed the changes.

The post County Towns Asked for Input on Unallocated Grant Funds in Saratoga and Encampment first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 11, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins Water Treatment Plant – Bigfoot99 file photo

Lower-than-expected groundwater levels have prompted Rawlins officials to warn of possible water restrictions.

Last month, Rawlins Public Works Director Cody Dill reported the city was unlikely to face water restrictions this summer, despite the low mountain snowpack. Now, one month later, officials are warning that conditions may change.

During the July 1st Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey announced the Sage Creek Springs, the main source of drinking water for Rawlins, isn’t producing enough to meet demand.

City Manager Sarvey reiterated that Rawlins is consuming more water than the Sage Creek Springs can provide. Sarvey added that the city’s water storage tanks are only one-third full, compounding the water problem.

Sarvey said parks crews use roughly one million gallons of water each day to maintain the city’s cemetery and other green spaces. The City Manager said crews will be asked to cut their water usage in half. Additionally, Sarvey announced that the pretreatment plant, which cleans raw water from the North Platte River before it reaches the main treatment facility, will be brought back online to supply roughly one million gallons of drinking water per day. The goal is to fill the storage tanks to at least 50% capacity.

Sarvey said city staff will continue to monitor the water supply. If the Sage Creek Springs begin producing less or water usage increases, restrictions will be enacted. However, no such measures are in effect at this time.

Sarvey said ideally, the city would use slightly less water than the springs produce, allowing the storage tanks to refill. At the current flow rate, the tanks are emptying rather than filling.

With at least two more months of hot, dry weather expected, Sarvey said he will continue updating City Council and the community on the status of the city’s water supply.

The post Rawlins Officials Warn of Possible Water Restrictions first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 11, 2025 |

Photo – Disc Golf Tournament poster – Courtesy Wyoming Frontier Prison

The Wyoming Frontier Prison will debut its new disc golf course during a Professional Disc Golf Association sanctioned tournament.

On Saturday, July 19th, the Wyoming Frontier Prison will host a professional disc golf tournament on its newly created course.

Wyoming Frontier Prison Historic Site Director Tina Hill explained the naturally landscaped disc golf course stretches from east to west across the Old Pen grounds, offering a challenging experience for players.

While most disc golf courses feature 18 holes, Hill said the Old Pen Joint Powers Board, which oversees the historic prison, couldn’t afford to install that many baskets. Instead, the Historic Site Director encouraged players seeking a full-length game to replay select holes.

The disc golf course is open year-round, as none of its baskets are located within the walls of the Wyoming Frontier Prison.

With several avid disc golf players on the committee, Historic Site Director Hill said the Old Pen Joint Powers Board had been exploring the idea of installing a disc golf course for years. Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Carbon County Visitor’s Council, Hill said that vision was ultimately realized.

Hill said the Old Pen disc golf course isn’t finished but will be ready by next Saturday’s tournament. The Historic Site Director explained the competition is open to disc golfers of all ages and skill sets, with registration fees ranging from $35 for participants under 18 to $55 for professional players. The winners of each division will receive a cash prize.

Hill explained the Old Pen’s disc golf tournament is fully sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association. Players who are not PDGA members must pay an additional $15 to participate, in addition to the standard registration fee.

Hill said the Wyoming Frontier Prison has partnered with Kansas-based Dynamic Discs, a national disc golf retailer, to create special Old Pen-themed discs for the event.

Next Saturday’s disc golf tournament runs from 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m. Hill said the competition is only the beginning of the Old Pen’s annual Sunset at the Slammer event.

The Old Pen will also be open for tours during the event.

The Wyoming Frontier Prison’s Sunset at the Slammer disc golf tournament is next Saturday, July 19th, at the Old Pen, located at 500 West Walnut Street in Rawlins. Participants must register at discgolfscene.com before 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning. A link to the tournament registration website will be included with this story when it is posted to the Bigfoot99 website later today.

Wyoming Frontier Prison Disc Golf Tournament Registration: Register · The 3rd annual Historic Wyoming Frontier Prison Disc Golf Tournament · Disc Golf Scene

The post Old Pen to Host Disc Golf Tournament first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 10, 2025 |

Photo – Senator John Barrasso – Bigfoot99 file photo

Fresh off a July 4th holiday weekend in Cody, Wyoming, Senator John Barrasso celebrated “the big, beautiful bill” signed by President Donald Trump last week at the White House as a win for Wyoming.

Senator Barrasso opened his floor speech Wednesday in praise of the bill by mocking liberal senator Chuck Schumer for attacking the legislation and the savings it means for American families. The United States Senator from Casper said Wyoming workers, farmers, ranchers, and small business owners will all benefit from what’s in the legislation.

Senator Barrasso said the bill is an attack on wasteful Washington spending. Had Congress not passed the law, American taxes would have risen by $4 trillion, Barrasso said. Taxes would have risen by $1,700 on average next April. In Wyoming, 50,000 small businesses would have seen their tax rates soar. 10,000 family farms and ranches in Wyoming would have faced a higher Death Tax.

Barrasso said Republicans stopped the largest tax increase in American history. Every Democrat in the Senate and the House voted against the bill.

Senator Barrasso talked about some of the other benefits in the One Big, Beautiful Bill, as it was called.

Senator Barrasso also talked about how energy prices rose by a third under the Biden Administration when the Democrats were in control. The senator said the new law will unleash American energy.

The bill signed into law last week without a single vote of support from a Democrat in Congress gives American energy producers a green light to move forward with projects that had stalled during the Biden-Harris Administration.

Senator Barrasso also pointed to the changes that make Medicaid and Medicare stronger for those who need the help, while restricting access to non-Americans.

The post Wyoming Senator Praises ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 10, 2025 |

Photo – Chief Allen Robinson on bumper of fire truck – Courtesy City of Rawlins

Rawlins officials praised the city’s fire chief for his response to multiple concurrent fires.

During the July 1st Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey presented a letter from Rawlins Police Lieutenant Rick Hooper. In his letter, read by City Manager Sarvey, Lieutenant Hooper thanked Fire Chief Allen Robinson for leading efforts to contain two wildfires and a truck fire during the final days of June.

On the evening of Saturday, June 28th, a lightning storm sparked two separate wildfires in Carbon County: the Taylor Draw Fire near Hanna, within the Medicine Bow National Forest, and the Riner Fire, located about 20 miles southwest of Rawlins.

Fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, the Taylor Draw Fire spread rapidly, burning 1,247 acres before being extinguished. The Riner Fire burned 35 acres.

Continuing to read from Lieutenant Hooper’s letter, City Manager Sarvey said with no units from the Carbon County Fire Protection District available to respond, Fire Chief Allen Robinson sent four trucks to fight the two wildfires.

While the majority of Rawlins firefighters were battling the two wildfires outside the city, a semi-truck caught fire at Reliable Truck Repair and Tire Service, located at 908 East Cedar Street. In his letter, read by City Manager Sarvey, Lieutenant Hooper said when he arrived at the scene of the truck fire, Chief Robinson was personally manning the hoses.

City Manager Tom Sarvey thanked Lieutenant Hooper for his letter and urged the full City Council to formally recognize Chief Allen Robinson and the Rawlins Fire Department for their dedicated service.

Sarvey said the City of Rawlins is fortunate to have real heroes on its team.

The post Rawlins Praises Fire Chief for Response to Multiple Fires first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 10, 2025 |

Photo – Rattlesnake near a Hanna resident’s 4-wheeler – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

Hanna residents are concerned about the unusually high number of rattlesnakes in town.

During the July 8th Hanna Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Larry Korkow announced that his crew killed four rattlesnakes in the northwestern section of town, known as Old Town. This prompted Councilwoman Ellen Freeman to ask why so many snakes were coming into town. Public Works Director Korkow responded that he believed the dry weather and overabundance of prairie dogs are attracting the venomous reptiles.

The snakes in question are Prairie Rattlesnakes, the only species found here in Carbon County. Their venom uses a mix of hemotoxins, which damage tissue and blood vessels, and neurotoxins, which target the nervous system. Bites may cause severe pain, swelling, nausea, and in rare cases, organ damage and respiratory failure. However, the venom is considered moderate compared to other rattlesnake species, and a bite victim is likely to survive if medical treatment is promptly received.

At the July 8th Hanna Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Korkow said he has never seen so many snakes in town and reported that a nest may be located near the Hanna Elementary School.

Mayor Charlie George said mowing may initially displace the snakes but continued mowing will eventually help keep the animals out of residents’ yards.

Prairie rattlesnakes can be found throughout Carbon County at elevations below 8,000 feet.

Speaking to Bigfoot99 in May, University of Wyoming’s Natural Diversity Database Director Dr. Gary Beauvais said the best way to avoid snake bites is to leave the animals alone.

To slow the increasing number of rattlesnake encounters, Hanna residents are encouraged to mow tall grassy areas of their yards. Residents who spot a rattlesnake are encouraged to call the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 324-2776. Deputies will attempt to send a professional snake handler to remove the reptile. Immediately call 911 and seek emergency medical care if you are bitten by a rattlesnake.

The post Rattlesnakes Cause for Concern in Hanna first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 9, 2025 |

Photo – Wyoming’s Semi – Quincentennial logo – Bigfoot99 file photo

Filming has begun on Carbon County’s semi quincentennial documentary.

July 4th, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To mark the occasion, the federal government has provided funding to states for their individual celebrations.

In February, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners established the county’s own 250 committee, headed by local author Candy Moulton and museum directors Tom Mensik, Tim Nicklas, Angie Hobbs, and Lela Emmons. As well as coordinating celebrations around the county, the Committee will create a 28-minute-long documentary about Carbon County, titled “Journeys to 250.” The film will explore how the area was settled and why people continue to live in Carbon County.

At the July 1st Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Sue Jones announced that filming for the documentary will take place from July 6th through the 11th. Commissioner Jones said the movie will highlight the transportation history of the region.

Commissioner Jones said the filmmakers will interview a collection of Carbon County residents, including best-selling author C.J. Box and a sitting County Commissioner.

The Board agreed to allow Commissioner Jones to represent the County Commissioners in the film.

Commissioner Jones said the film is also set to feature three reenactments of historically significant events in Carbon County: the 1850 Stansbury Expedition, which surveyed a transcontinental railroad route through the region; a depiction of the two Hanna mine explosions of the early 20th century; and a showcase of the historic Lincoln Highway featuring the Virginian Hotel.

The governing body of Medicine Bow originally denied the county’s request to film outside of the Virginian Hotel. During the June 9th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Trevor Strauch read a letter from the Board of Carbon County Commissioners seeking permission from the governing body to reroute Highway 30 traffic through town during filming.

The Council agreed that the town’s roads were too narrow to accommodate the heavy truck traffic slated to be detoured off Highway 30 and denied the county’s request to close the road.

During the July 1st County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Sue Jones said the Medicine Bow Town Council misinterpreted the 250 Committee’s request. Commissioner Jones said the Committee had no intention of completely closing Highway 30.

Commissioner Jones pointed out that the “Journeys to 250” documentary film has been funded entirely by the Carbon County Visitors Council.

Wyoming received $165,610 from the federal government for its 250th anniversary celebrations.  Commissioner Jones said Carbon County has received the bulk of the state’s resources.

Commissioner Jones reported that outside of Carbon County, the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame received state funding to create a permanent exhibit at the Rockpile Museum in Gillette.

Additionally, Commissioner Jones said Carbon County’s 250 Committee is seeking grant money to establish a basic civics class to teach residents how our government functions.

The “Journeys to 250” documentary film screening is planned to take place during next year’s Fourth of July celebrations. Ideally, the Carbon County 250 Committee would like the film to be used as an educational tool in all county museums and potentially aired on Wyoming PBS.

The post Semi Quincentennial Documentary Has Begun Filming first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 9, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

Rawlins officials want something done about sewer backups on the city’s west side.

During the June 17th Rawlins City Council meeting, resident Kendra Sisneros addressed the governing body about sewer issues on La Paloma Drive, behind Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. Sisneros said a sewer backup in 2020 forced her to pay for costly repairs to her home’s sewer system. However, the problem persisted, with Sisneros reporting the sewer water from other residents has backed up into her basement at least 13 times over the past five years.

Sisneros explained that when her basement floods with sewer water, she must wait for city utility crews to clear the blockage. Once the flow is restored, she wades into the contaminated water to clean up the mess. Sisneros said the repeated flooding has begun to damage her home.

Public Works Director Cody Dill explained that the sewer pipes in the La Paloma neighborhood have settled over time, forming low spots known as bellies. When improperly disposed items, such as wet wipes, accumulate in those areas, they obstruct the flow of sewage and back up the entire system. Dill said that permanently fixing the issue will require a large-scale sewer line replacement project, which could cost roughly $3 million.

The governing body agreed to investigate the matter. During the July 1st Rawlins City Council meeting, Public Works Director Dill confirmed his earlier $3 million estimate to replace the sewer system in that section of the city.

Dill said the water system also needs to be replaced, adding that the fire hydrants in the area do not meet the city’s current specifications. Fixing the entire water and sewer system will increase the cost of the project by approximately five times.

During the June 17th meeting, the governing body discussed installing sewer backflow preventers in the affected homes. A sewer backflow preventer is a plumbing device that stops wastewater from moving in the wrong direction by allowing sewage to exit a home normally, but automatically sealing shut when it detects reverse pressure from the municipal system.

At the July 1st meeting, Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked how much it would cost the city to install backflow preventers in the handful of affected houses. While not a perfect solution, Councilman Seilaff said the devices will stop sewer from flowing into residents’ basements until the city can afford to replace the entire sewer system.

Public Works Director Dill said he didn’t know the cost but offered to obtain an estimate for the governing body.

Councilwoman Tonya Lewman agreed the city should consider installing sewer backflow preventers. The effort will help improve conditions for residents while the city seeks funding for a major sewer and water replacement project.

Public Works Director Dill agreed to obtain a cost estimate to purchase and install backflow preventers in homes affected by sewer issues in the La Paloma Drive area. Dill will present his findings at the next City Council meeting on July 15th.

The post Sewer Backups Concern of Rawlins City Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.