Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

JULY 8, 2025 |

Photo – Beaver Dam Fire and a Sky Crane dumping water on fire – Courtesy Sheriff Bakken

With a little help from Mother Nature, fire crews have successfully extinguished the Beaver Dam Fire.

On the afternoon of Thursday, July 3rd, the United States Forest Service was alerted to a wildfire approximately seven miles east of Hog Park, near the Wyoming–Colorado border. Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, Encampment, and Jackson, Colorado, responded to the call.

US Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Aaron Voos reported that by Sunday evening, the Beaver Dam Fire, as it was called, had been entirely contained.

Public Affairs Officer Voos explained that by Friday, July 4th, a team of 40 firefighters were on the ground battling the blaze. That same day, Voos said two Forest Service Sikorsky Sky Crane helicopters specially outfitted for fighting fires were dispatched from Broomfield, Colorado as part of Operation Skyhammer.

By the time the Beaver Dam Fire was extinguished, it had burned six acres of forested land. While not the largest wildfire, Voos said that, without the hard work of fire crews and some favorable weather conditions, the fire could have been much worse.

As of Monday afternoon, Voos said the cause of the Beaver Dam Fire remains under investigation. However, initial findings indicate that the blaze was most likely caused by a lightning strike.

The post Beaver Dam Fire Near Hog Park 100% Contained first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 8, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga logo – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Platte Valley Christian Center, in Saratoga, has a new pastor.

On Sunday, July 6th, Pastor Larry McGuire delivered his first sermon in Saratoga.

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Pastor McGuire told Bigfoot99 that he has been affiliated with the Assembly of God ministries for seven years. During that time, he and his wife have preached throughout the southern United States. After learning of an opening at the Platte Valley Christian Center, Pastor McGuire said he felt called to serve in Saratoga.

Pastor McGuire jokingly added that a successful fishing trip on the North Platte River played a part in his decision to stay in Saratoga.

Bigfoot99 asked Pastor McGuire what, if any, changes he has planned for the Platte Valley Christian Center. The pastor responded that any adjustments he makes will be aimed at attracting a larger congregation to help him carry out God’s will.

As mentioned, Pastor McGuire held his first service on Sunday. Prior to that, he and his wife enjoyed attending local events while acclimating to the nearly 6,100-foot altitude difference between Tulsa, Oklahoma and Saratoga, Wyoming.

Pastor McGuire said a member of the Platte Valley Christian Center, who owns a local contracting company, helped him find a home to purchase.

Altitude isn’t the only difference between Oklahoma and Wyoming. Pastor McGuire said nearly two decades of working in Chicago prepared him for our region’s notoriously harsh winters.

The Platte Valley Christian Center’s worship services begin at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday. Pastor McGuire said he plans to eventually bring back Wednesday services. For more information about the Platte Valley Christian Center or to speak to the pastor, call 399-9675.

Pastor McGuire said he is ready to receive God’s promised miracles here in Saratoga.

The post New Pastor Leads Platte Valley Christian Center first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 8, 2025 |

Photo – Decorated headstone in Rawlins cemetery – Bigfoot99 file photo

Despite increased efforts by maintenance crews, the Rawlins City Council remains dissatisfied with the condition of the city cemetery.

Last month, citing overgrown weeds and areas with no grass, the Rawlins City Council demanded that the cemetery be better maintained. City Manager Tom Sarvey explained the current city policy directs workers to focus their efforts on other green spaces, such as Washington Park. Once those areas are completed, workers spend the remainder of their day at the cemetery.

The governing body expressed their dissatisfaction with the policy and ordered Sarvey to ensure that the entire cemetery was completely mowed before their next meeting, on July 1st. The City Manager said he would direct the parks crew to work more efficiently so they can dedicate additional time to the cemetery.

The matter was discussed again during the July 1st Rawlins City Council meeting. Sarvey reported that he had met the governing body’s demand.

Although the mowing was completed, Sarvey acknowledged that trimming around the gravestones remained unfinished.

The City Manager said he assigned one employee to spend four hours per day at the cemetery. However, due to the size of the grounds, by the time the mowing is completed, the grass has already begun to grow back.

The Rawlins City Council will hold a special work session before the July 15th regular meeting to address concerns about the cemetery. During the work session, Sarvey said he will discuss his plan to improve maintenance and revitalize the city’s graveyard.

With only four full-time parks crew members, Sarvey said keeping the cemetery looking nice is challenging.

Councilman Steve Sanger said he personally mowed the section of the cemetery dedicated to veterans. Councilman Sanger added that cutting around the cemetery’s thousands of headstones is very time-consuming.

Councilman Sanger said the Rawlins Cemetery covers 25 acres, or over one million square feet, and contains thousands of headstones. Maintaining a graveyard of that size typically costs roughly $20,000 every month. The Councilman said the four-member parks crew is performing the same amount of work at a fraction of the cost.

Public Works Director Cody Dill added that the parks crew is also responsible for maintaining all the green spaces in the city, not just the cemetery. Dill asked for volunteers to help mow the graveyard.

After complimenting Dill for his efforts to beautify the cemetery, Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked him to provide an estimated cost to purchase equipment and hire workers to consistently mow the graveyard. Councilwoman Lewman asked Dill to have those numbers ready by the July 15th City Council meeting.

Councilwoman Lewman asked volunteers to contact Public Works Director Dill for instructions on how to avoid damaging the cemetery’s expensive headstones before mowing. Public Works Director Dill reported that the majority of volunteers focus solely on the sections of the cemetery where their family members are buried.

Rawlins officials will hold a special work session before the July 15th City Council meeting to discuss the condition of the cemetery and ongoing maintenance efforts. In the meantime, Public Works Director Cody Dill will prepare a cost estimate detailing both financial and staffing requirements needed to properly maintain the graveyard.

The post City Council Not Happy with Appearance of Cemetery first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 3, 2025 |

Photo – Fireworks – Bigfoot99 file photo

Carbon County officials remind residents to leave fireworks to the professionals this Independence Day.

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July. Carbon County Resolution 1981-8 prohibits the manufacture, sale, and possession of fireworks within the county. However, residents may apply for a fireworks permit from County Fire Warden John Rutherford. At the July 1st Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Fire Warden Rutherford reported that he had processed six personal fireworks permit applications.

Traditionally, the county charges a $100 fee to acquire a personal fireworks permit. Fire Warden Rutherford said this year, he waived the fee in the hopes that everyone who intends to hold a pyrotechnics show will submit an application. With that information, Rutherford said he will have a better understanding of when and where fireworks events will take place.

Fireworks were also discussed during the July 1st Rawlins City Council meeting. City Manager Tom Sarvey announced the fire department will stage a Fourth of July show at the Radio Control Recreation Area, on Harshman Street. Sarvey said Fire Chief Allen Robinson cautioned residents against setting off their own pyrotechnics.

Dry weather and high winds make wildfires more likely, and fireworks only add to the risk. At the County Commissioners meeting, Fire Warden John Rutherford said if conditions don’t improve, the Bureau of Land Management will likely implement fire restrictions later in July.

County fire officials advise residents to be safe while enjoying their Independence Day celebrations.

The post County Officials Remind Residents Fireworks are Illegal in County first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 3, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga branch library – Courtesy Carbon County Library web page

In Saratoga, the mayor and town council are exploring the possibility of taking over the town’s library from Carbon County.

In response to the dramatic rise in home values driven by COVID-related migration into the Cowboy State in recent years, the Wyoming Legislature enacted several property tax relief measures. Among them, Senate File 69 provides a 25% property tax reduction for all Wyoming homeowners, capped at $1 million of a residential property’s assessed value, including the home and its associated land.

Here in Carbon County, the 25% property tax cut is estimated to cost the county government approximately $500,000. The reduced income to the county is forcing the Board of Carbon County Commissioners to consider cutting services, such as road maintenance and funding for outside agencies.

All library buildings, except for the Elk Mountain Library, are owned by the county, which also pays operational costs for each facility.

With property tax-related budget cuts set for the upcoming fiscal year, representatives from the Carbon County Library System are urging municipalities to increase their contributions to their local libraries. Many towns already donate water and sewer costs.

However, Library Board members have asked the governing bodies to either pay for electricity and internet or assume full responsibility for the building.

The Town of Saratoga is going one step further. Town officials are contemplating taking ownership of the library. Speaking at the July 1st Saratoga Town Council Meeting, County Commissioner Sue Jones thanked the governing body for providing water and sewer services to the local senior center and library. Commissioner Jones said the county doesn’t express its appreciation often enough for the contributions of municipalities.

Commissioner Jones said significant changes to county funding are required because of the property tax cuts initiated by the Wyoming Legislature. Jones said fundraising will be necessary to offset the financial losses to special districts and other services, including libraries.

Saratoga Mayor Chuck Davis asked Commissioner Jones for a detailed breakdown of the library’s operational costs. The county commissioner explained the reason behind Mayor Davis’s request and provided the utility costs for the building, which was upgraded five years ago.

The $2,300 annual expense covers electricity and heat for the library building.

Should the town of Saratoga take ownership of the library, Commissioner Jones said her company, Sunrise Sanitation Service, will continue providing complimentary trash collection. The commissioner added that the town would also receive county-owned property adjacent to the library building. The Carbon County Library System would still be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility.

Commissioner Jones said Carbon County owns too many buildings, many of which show their age. New ideas are needed to combat the effects of property tax cuts.

Commissioner Jones said the entire Board of Carbon County Commissioners supports the town’s plan to assume ownership of the library.

The post Saratoga Officials Consider Taking Over Saratoga Library Building first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 2, 2025 |

Photo – North Platte River near Saratoga – Bigfoot99 file photo

Representatives from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will hold a public meeting in Saratoga next week to discuss newly issued state regulations for charter fishing boats.

In March, the Wyoming Legislature passed House Bill Five, an act authorizing the Wyoming Game and Fish commission to regulate commercially guided fishing boats.

Game and Fish Fisheries Chief Alan Osterland told Bigfoot 99 the bill is comprised of four components. The first part, Osterland said, requires all commercial fishing boats to register with the state agency.

The second and third sections of House Bill Five involve the creation of two advisory boards to oversee commercial fishing throughout the state. Osterland said the fourth and final aspect of the bill allows Game and Fish to limit commercial fishing operations in specific areas.

House Bill Five gives the state Game and Fish agency until January of next year to create a set of commercial fishing registration standards, including issuing stickers for charter boats and trailers. Osterland said the state legislature intends to use the bill to determine the exact number of commercial fishing operations in Wyoming.

On Monday, July 7th, Game and Fish will host a public meeting at the Platte Valley Community Center in Saratoga to discuss the new charter fishing boat requirements. The Fisheries Chief said, similar to hunting license changes, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations before they go into effect. In the fall, after the final round of meetings, Osterlund said the agency will decide how best to implement the state-mandated rules.

Osterland said attendees of a similar meeting held in Thermopolis expressed concern about the large amount of commercial fishing outfits on Wyoming’s waterways.

Participants at the Thermopolis meeting asked when Game and Fish will limit the number of operators. The Fisheries Chief said the state agency may consider setting limits, but the policy must be considered carefully before it is officially adopted.

House Bill Five also mandated the creation of an advisory board to oversee charter fishing operations. The board is made up of representatives from the eight Game and Fish districts. Osterland explained that the board members are not state employees, but people with an interest in commercial fishing.

Trout Unlimited Wyoming Coordinator Ian McCreary, of Encampment, was selected to represent Carbon County and the Laramie District.

Game and Fish representatives will hold a public meeting on the proposed commercial fishing regulations at the Platte Valley Community Center this coming Monday following the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The PVCC is located in the heart of Saratoga at 210 West Elm Avenue. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 7th.

The following day, Tuesday, July 8th, a similar meeting will be held at the Game and Fish Laramie Regional Office, located at 1212 South Adams Street, at 6:30 p.m.

The post Upcoming Meeting in Saratoga Focuses on Charter Fishing Boats first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 2, 2025 |

Photo – Carbon County Detention and Communication Center – Bigfoot99 file photo

As of yesterday, July 1. 2025, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office is handling all emergency calls for the Platte River Valley.

Until recently, police and emergency 911 calls were handled by three separate dispatch centers in Carbon County: the sheriff’s office, and the Saratoga and Rawlins Police Departments.

In November of 2023, a staffing shortage led the Saratoga Police Department to supplement its workforce with sheriff’s office personnel. Around that time, Sheriff Alex Bakken and then-Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris began exploring the possibility of permanently moving all dispatching services to the county.

Last summer, Sheriff Bakken, Chief Morris, and Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward formed a collaborative working group to investigate ways to improve dispatching in Carbon County, including, but not limited to a combined call center. The group’s goal was to speak with other law enforcement agencies around Wyoming and identify the most effective way to handle emergency calls. However, by the beginning of this year, progress had stalled.

Short-staffed and in need of $700,000 of technical communication upgrades, the Saratoga Police Department could not delay any longer from joining the bigger and better-funded Carbon County Sheriff’s Office.

In May, the two agencies signed a memorandum of understanding. The Town of Saratoga agreed to pay a little more than $125,000 annually, with a built-in increase to keep pace with inflation. As part of the agreement, the sheriff’s department will also provide dispatch services for the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department and South-Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services, or SCWEMS.

The agreement went into effect on Tuesday, July 1. The Saratoga Police Department posted a statement on Facebook announcing that, as of Tuesday morning, all 911 and police department calls are being routed to the Carbon County Communication Center within the sheriff’s department.

The Facebook post also states that visitors to the police department will find a video intercom outside the front door connecting them to the Carbon County Communication Center. A phone inside the entryway also links directly to Carbon County dispatch.

Speaking at Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken asked to create a specific fund within his department to pay for the combined dispatch center. Sheriff Bakken said he would like to track the precise cost of the merger to plan for potential future expansion.

According to Sheriff Bakken, learning the exact cost of operating and maintaining the combined dispatch center may take more than a year.

The Board of Commissioners authorized Sheriff Bakken to create a dedicated budget line within his department, similar to the jail fund, to accurately track dispatch center expenses.

Next, the sheriff asked the Board to allow him to sign a dispatching agreement with SCWEMS North. Sheriff Bakken said his department has traditionally covered ambulance calls for the northern part of the county without a contract. The memorandum of understanding will simply put that agreement into writing.

With the incorporation of the Saratoga Police Department’s emergency call center, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office is now handling dispatching services for SCWEMS South.

The Board voted to approve the memorandum of understanding with the ambulance service.

Finally, Sheriff Bakken reported that, as of 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, the unified dispatch center was operating as expected.

The post Sheriff’s Office Now Dispatching for Platte Valley first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 2, 2025 |

Photo – Whitehouse – Bigfoot99 file photo

In Washington, D.C., Vice President J.D. Vance cast the deciding vote in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday to break a tie on what President Donald Trump has described as “one big, beautiful bill.”

A marathon, 27-hour session of voting—a new, historical record—led up to the final moment yesterday. The enormous bill includes the president’s campaign promises on border security, energy, national security, spending cuts, and taxes. The bill also includes Medicaid reforms and an increase in defense spending.

Wyoming’s Senior Senator, John Barrasso, the Majority Whip, released a statement following the bill’s passage, saying the Senate Republicans kept their promises to the American people. The senator’s statement reads, “We voted to put more money in people’s pockets, to make our communities safer, and to stop the largest tax increase in history.”

“I worked to secure major wins for Wyoming. Our bill makes significant investments in rural healthcare and the development of life-saving cures. We cut taxes for Wyoming families, workers, and small businesses.”

The bill passed Tuesday in the Senate also expands the child tax credit. Wyoming also should see an economic boost from new laws that take the Joe Biden era breaks off Wyoming energy.

Wyoming families will also see about $1,700 in saving on their taxes versus toward what was owed to Uncle Sam during the Biden presidency. The bill passed yesterday makes the 2017 tax cuts permanent.

Other instruments in the tax bill passed Tuesday:

H.R. 1 also includes language requiring the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to hold quarterly oil and gas lease sales in nine western states, including Wyoming.

H.R. 1 also includes several provisions that rescind the majority of the Biden administration’s green energy priorities. This includes pausing the Democrat tax on methane emissions for ten years.

Other provisions in the bill will allow small businesses to expense up to $2.5 million in equipment purchases, helping the Wyoming agriculture community.

Coming out of the senate with a razor thin majority, the bill now heads to the House, where a handful of moderates have protested the Medicaid reforms, and a large block of spending hawks, mostly consisting of House Freedom Caucus members, want more spending cuts in line with the version of the bill the House sent to the Senate.

The first procedural vote is expected Wednesday morning at 9 am. The July 4th deadline remains within reach, although plenty of drama is still ahead in the next two days.

The GOP’s spending bill excludes roughly 1.4 million illegal migrants from the nation’s Medicaid program. The vote is an economic blow to blue-state leaders in 14 states who subsidize families of illegal migrants to help inflate their consumer and real estate economies. For example, adult migrants get healthcare aid via Medicaid funding in sanctuary-states, such as California, New York, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington State, and in GOP-led Utah.

Missouri Republican Eric Schmitt heralded the passage of the bill that it will likely cost blue states, already drowning in deficit spending, with tens of billions of dollars of more debt.

The goal is to send illegals home and help ordinary Americans by nudging up wages and reducing rental costs.

The post One Big Beautiful Bill Passes Senate by Deciding Vote first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 1, 2025 |

Photo – Restroom at Bolton Park in Rawlins – Courtesy City of Rawlins

In Rawlins, repeated incidents of vandalism at the public restrooms at Bolten Park have prompted city officials to close the facility temporarily. To catch the culprits, the city will install cameras before bathrooms are reopened to the public.

During the June 17th Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Derek Elliott reported that his Ward One constituents have complained that the public restrooms at Bolten Park were inaccessible. However, Councilman Elliott acknowledged that the restrooms had been reopened by the time of the meeting.

Bolten Park is located at 110 East Davis Street on the city’s south side. The park features two pavilions which can be reserved by the public, playground equipment with a basketball court, and public restrooms. The bathrooms have been a recent focus of maintenance and security concerns.

City Manager Tom Sarvey explained that the restrooms were locked following repeated efforts by vandals to damage the toilets and sewer system.

City Manager Sarvey said the restrooms have not been vandalized since they were reopened. In the future, Sarvey said city staff plan to install security cameras to help identify those responsible for damaging the public facilities at Bolton Park.

Councilman Elliott said the cameras should help deter future vandalism. City Manager Sarvey added that the public restrooms at Bolten Park will remain open if people aren’t purposely attempting to damage the facilities.

Anyone with information regarding vandalism of the Bolten Park restrooms are asked to call the Rawlins Police Department at 328-4530.

The post Incidents of Vandalism Temporarily Close Restrooms at Rawlins Park first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 1, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins Fire Department patch – Bigfoot99 file photo

A semi-truck caught fire in Rawlins this past weekend.

Saturday evening’s lightning storms ignited wildfires near Rawlins and Hanna. While Rawlins firefighters were assisting the Carbon County Fire Protection District, a fire broke out at Reliable Truck Repair and Tire Service, located at 908 East Cedar Street. Rawlins Police Lieutenant Rick Hooper described what happened.

After arriving at the scene, the officers observed a semi-truck on fire in the Reliable Truck Repair parking lot. Lieutenant Hooper said the fire likely started due to a fuel leak.

The Rawlins Fire Department was called out to respond to the incident at 11:00 p.m. Saturday night.

Rawlins Fire Chief Allen Robinson confirmed that the fire was caused by a fuel leak. Chief Robinson said the semi-truck driver had pulled into the repair shop for service when his vehicle caught fire.

Chief Robinson said the fire was extinguished at 1:53 a.m.

No injuries were reported. However, Police Lieutenant Rick Hooper said the truck was destroyed in the fire, which also damaged a nearby recreational vehicle.

Lieutenant Hooper reported that Reliable Truck Repair and Tire Service suffered no structural damage during the fire.

Police Lieutenant Rick Hooper said Rawlins Fire Chief Allen Robinson said that at the time, his department was short-staffed due to the ongoing wildfires.

Unconfirmed reports on social media indicated that, as of Sunday evening, the wildfire near Rawlins had been extinguished. The same report stated that the Taylor Draw fire, near Hanna, was 100% contained.

The post Semi Fire Adds to Chaos of Wild Land Fires Last Weekend first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.