Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

JUNE 11, 2025 |

Photo – Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow – Bigfoot99 file photo

As the Carbon County 250 Committee moves forward with its documentary, the Medicine Bow Town Council debated the feasibility of closing Highway 30 during filming.

At Monday’s Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Trevor Strauch read a letter from the Board of Carbon County Commissioners. The letter stated the county’s 250 Committee plans to film a segment of its documentary, titled Journeys to 250, at the historic Virginian Hotel. The Committee asked the governing body to reroute traffic off Highway 30 through town during filming.

In the letter, the Board of Commissioners asked for Highway 30 to be closed for two hours, between 10:00 a.m. and noon, on Friday, July 11th. The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office will assist with the closure.

The scene at the Virginian Hotel is one of three reenactments planned for the Carbon County 250 Committee’s documentary.

The 28-minute film will explore the county’s history and why people continue to live in the area. Once finished, the movie will be shown at next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence celebrations. The film will also include reenactments of the Jim Bridger-Stansbury Expedition and Hanna mine explosions.

At Monday’s Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Trevor Strauch said the letter fails to specify exactly how Highway 30 traffic will be rerouted through town. Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer questioned if large trucks exiting the highway could maneuver through the town’s narrow streets.

Councilwoman Wickizer said during the summer, Highway 30 experiences a high volume of commercial truck traffic. The Councilwoman said larger trucks, especially those carrying wind turbine blades, will have difficulty finding a suitable route through Medicine Bow.

The governing body debated the best way for trucks to make their way through town. Councilwoman Wickizer proposed a route that may provide enough room for commercial trucks to maneuver. However, residents living along the path may be upset by the increased traffic.

Councilwoman Wickizer said the increased truck traffic will make it harder for residents to navigate the town’s roads during the two-hour highway closure.

The Councilwoman reiterated that commercial trucks will have trouble maneuvering through Medicine Bow, especially those carrying oversized loads.

Mayor Pro Tem Trevor Strauch proposed stopping traffic during filming instead of closing Highway 30 for two hours. Councilman Lee Cook agreed, adding that the town’s roads cannot handle the diverted truck traffic.

Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer pointed out the damage the commercial trucks could do to the town’s streets as another reason to deny the Carbon County 250 Committee’s request.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Town Council voted to delay its decision on closing the road during filming. Instead, a special meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, June 12th, at the Medicine Bow Community Center to finalize the matter.

The post Commissioners Request Road Closure for Filming of Documentary first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JUNE 11, 2025 |

Photo – Kinder Starter information poster – Courtesy Boys and Girls Club

The Carbon County Boys & Girls Club now offers pre-K classes.

Yesterday morning, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carbon County announced a new pre-K educational program called Kinder Starter. Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors President Christina Linn explained the after-school program helps prepare children for kindergarten.

The Kinder Starter program began yesterday, June 9th, and ends on August 7th. Board President Linn said registration is open, with 16 spots remaining as of Monday afternoon.

Like a standard Boys & Girls Club membership, enrollment in the Kinder Starter program costs $400 per child, with classes running from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Linn explained the program must be financially self-sustaining to succeed.

Linn said two certified pre-K instructors will teach the class. The Boys and Girls Club Board President said she hopes the new Kinder Starter program meets the community’s need for early childhood education.

Linn said Carbon County School District One will provide lunches for Kinder Starter students. However, the Club President asked parents to have their children present at the beginning of each week so the school can prepare enough meals.

Linn said Kinder Starter students will go on weekly field trips around Rawlins, visiting places like Washington Park and the Depot Splash Pad.

For more information about the Boys and Girls Club of Carbon County’s new pre-K Kinder Starter program, call the club at 324-8905 or send an email to [email protected].

The post Boys and Girls Club in Rawlins Now Offering Pre-K Classes first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JUNE 11, 2025 |

Photo – Edinburgh Road in Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo 

This week, the Rawlins Public Works Department acknowledged the city’s streets are in disrepair. Additional staff or costly private contractors will be needed to fix the issue.

In 2019, Carbon County voters approved the 6th Penny Special Purpose Tax. Every municipality submitted a list of projects they would like to use the money to complete. In Rawlins, voters approved a portion of the money to be used for repairs to Edinburgh Road on the east side of the city. However, inflation has outpaced the rate at which the city has collected the 6th Penny funds, putting the price of the Edinburgh project out of reach.

Originally estimated between $5 and $6 million, City Manager Tom Sarvey reported last June the cost of repairing Edinburgh Road had ballooned to over $8 million. Soon after, the governing body voted to allocate $1.2 million in city funding to supplement the 6th Penny Tax revenue, allowing the project to proceed.

During the June 3rd Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked Public Works Director Cody Dill for an update on the Edinburgh Road project. Dill said he is nearly ready to solicit contractor bids. Once a construction company is selected, work can begin.

Dill said he believes the work on the Edinburgh Road project can continue into winter, giving the city more time to find a contractor. The Public Works Director said he expects the job to be finished by next summer.

Councilwoman Tonya Lewman voiced her satisfaction with the progress being made on the Edinburgh project.

Next, Councilman Terry Patterson said many city residents have expressed concerns about the condition of the streets, especially the numerous unfilled potholes. Councilman Patterson asked Dill if he was preparing to address the problem areas.

Public Works Director Dill said his department is too understaffed to fully meet the demand for road repairs.

Councilwoman Lewman suggested creating a list of roads in need of repair, prioritizing Interstate 80 ramps and school bus routes. Public Works Director Dill said he already has a list, but his small crew struggles to keep pace with the deteriorating road conditions.

Additionally, Dill said he lacks enough workers to continuously run the city’s asphalt plant, which takes upwards of 30 minutes to restart every time more road patches are needed.

Vice Mayor Darril Garners asked if outside contractors could supplement the city’s Streets Department. The Public Works Director responded, saying he is willing to explore that option.  However, Dill said the money may be better spent recruiting additional Streets employees.

Vice Mayor Garner instructed Dill to compare the cost of using outside contractors for street repairs versus hiring more Streets workers. The Public Works Director said he will compile the data and present the information at a future City Council meeting.

The post Rawlins Public Works Discuss Streets with City Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JUNE 10, 2025 |

Photo – Walcott train derailment – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

A train derailment at Walcott Junction closed rail traffic in both directions on Monday morning.

Two loaded Union Pacific trains derailed at Walcott Junction, north of Interstate 80. At least 15 train cars appear to have been damaged in the incident, including several loaded tanker cars. No one was injured.

Unconfirmed reports indicate a wheel bearing exploded on one of the train cars, causing freight and tanker cars to come off track. At the same time, a separate train traveling in the opposite direction was caught in the derailment, blocking both northbound and southbound lines.

Several of the cars came to rest against a Carbon Power and Light electrical pole, causing the company to shut off electricity to the area.

The Carbon County Fire District responded to the scene soon after the crash. Fire Chief John Rutherford explained the tanker cars were loaded at the time of the incident. However, the chemicals stored in the railcars were never at risk of exploding.

First responders detected a strong chemical odor near the wrecked train. Fire Chief Rutherford said the smells were most likely coming from the electrical poles, the contents of the tanker cars, and a crushed propane tank used to heat the nearby rail switches.

Chief Rutherford said fire crews inspected the entire wreck and found no cause for concern. As of yesterday afternoon, the incident appeared to be under control.

Chief Rutherford reiterated Union Pacific workers and emergency crews were never at risk of an explosion. However, the Fire Chief cautioned the derailment still poses a danger.

With no risk of fire, the Carbon County Fire District was no longer needed at the scene. Chief Rutherford said Union Pacific is now responsible for clearing the wreckage from the tracks.

Bigfoot99 reached out to Union Pacific for additional details on the derailment. As of this morning, the railroad has not responded to our information request.

Fire Chief Rutherford, said on Tuesday morning, the Carbon County fire crews “used gas monitoring instruments to assure no flammable or combustible atmospheres were detected” in the Hot Zone.

The post Train Derailment at Walcott Closes Train Traffic in Both Directions first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JUNE 10, 2025 |

Photo – Wyoming Semi Quincentennial Planning Task Force logo – Bigfoot99 file photo

Filming for the Carbon County 250 Committee’s documentary movie is scheduled to begin next month.

July 4th, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate the occasion, Governor Mark Gordon established the Wyoming Semi Quincentennial Planning Task Force to oversee grant applications from counties and non-governmental organizations for their individual 250th celebration events.

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 film about Carbon County, titled “Journeys to 250.” The film will explore how the area was settled and why people continue to choose to live in Carbon County.

During the June 3rd Board of Commissioners meeting, 250 Committee Chairwoman Candy Moulton said the Committee has met with the film production company, Boston Productions Incorporated.

A draft script for the documentary has been approved. The film will feature interviews with Carbon County residents and include reenactments of three historically significant events.

The first reenactment will depict the 1850 Stansbury Expedition, which surveyed a potential transcontinental railroad route through Carbon County. Moulton said Commissioner John Espy has given Boston Productions Incorporated permission to film on his property.

The Stansbury Expedition, with guidance from legendary mountain man Jim Bridger, surveyed a viable route through what is now Bridger Pass. The historic expedition laid the foundation for future railroad construction in Carbon County.

The film’s second documentary reenactment will feature the two Hanna mine disasters. In 1903, a methane gas explosion in Union Pacific Coal Company Mine Number One killed 169 miners, making it Wyoming’s deadliest mining disaster.

Five years later, in 1908, another explosion in Mine Number One killed an additional 59 workers. To this day, 201 miners remain buried in the mine.

250 Committee Chairwoman Moulton said the documentary will combine the two disasters and feature first-hand accounts from Edith Birchall, whose father, brother and two uncles were lost in the 1908 mine explosion.

Mouton said the final reenactment will take place at the historic Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow and will highlight the former Lincoln Highway. The 250 Committee Chairwoman asked anyone with a classic car, specifically Ford Model As, to contact her about being in the film.

Moulton reported that the 250 Committee has already captured B-Roll of local landscapes, made possible by photojournalist Mike McCrimmon and a Carbon County Visitors Council grant. The 250 Committee Chairwoman said the film will showcase scenes from across Carbon County.

Moulton acknowledged that the three reenactments focus on northern Carbon County. The 250 Committee Chairwoman assured the Board of Commissioners the documentary film will feature accounts from across the entire county.

In addition to its work on the documentary film, the Carbon County 250 Committee is assisting local organizations, such as libraries and schools, secure grants through the Wyoming Semi Quincentennial Planning Task Force. Moulton explained the committee has already submitted eight grant applications to the state agency, with five likely to be approved. The remaining three await state review.

Moulton criticized the state’s 250 Task Force for its lack of efficiency. The 250 Committee Chairwoman said the state task force has failed to update its website, making it difficult to ensure the county is complying with the state’s requirements.

In April, Moulton requested $10,000 in county funds to help pay for local 250th anniversary celebrations. At the June 3rd meeting, Moulton repeated her request, asking for the county to contribute lodging tax funds toward the 250 Committee. The money will be used to fund educational programs around the county.

Moulton said Carbon County is leading the way in Wyoming’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Filming for the “Journeys to 250” documentary will begin on July 7th. Once completed, the film will be screened throughout the county, with the 250 Committee later planning to air it on television.

The post Filming of Carbon County’s 250 Committee’s Movie Scheduled for July first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JUNE 9, 2025 |

Photo – MHCC – Bigfoot99 file photo

Amid a county-wide funding shortfall, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County administrators are asking for more money to repair the aging facility.

Wyoming state statute 18.8.102 requires county commissioners to levy a sufficient tax on all the taxable property in the county to provide for the maintenance of the hospital or wing or portion thereof.

Here in Carbon County, the Board of Commissioners provides Memorial Hospital with $150,000 annually for building maintenance.

Last year, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County began a campaign to create a taxpayer funded hospital district. If passed, the measure would have established a three-mill property tax levy on homeowners in the proposed district, projected to generate $1.5 million annually for the hospital. The increased funding would have been used to upgrade medical equipment and maintain the 53-year-old hospital building.

Speaking at the September 12th hospital district meeting in Hanna, Memorial Hospital Director of Clinics Abbie Webster said maintaining the aging facility costs approximately $1 million a year.

Voters defeated the hospital district measure last November by just 89 votes.

The rejection of the hospital district by voters has not prevented the aging facility from continuing to deteriorate.

During the Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting on June 3rd, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Kerry Ashment reported that on average, the hospital pays more than $1.1 million a year on building maintenance.

Recognizing Memorial Hospital is already facing a budget shortfall due to medical billing issues, Ashment proposed a novel solution. The hospital CEO asked the Board of Commissioners to raise their annual contribution by 233%, increasing it from $150,000 to $500,000.

Ashment said he is expecting to spend another $1.1 million on building maintenance this year. If approved, the additional funding provided by the county would help modernize the hospital building.

Earlier this year, the Board of Commissioners assessed all county-owned buildings to evaluate their condition. With the report in hand, Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle said she believes the Board should fully understand the problems facing the Rawlins hospital. Hinkle said despite lower property tax revenue, the hospital must request additional funding this fiscal year.

Commissioner Sue Jone said in the past, the county’s annual contribution to Memorial Hospital has been used for things other than maintaining the facility. If the increased funding is approved, Commissioner Jones demanded that the money be spent exclusively on building maintenance.

Commission Chairman Travis Moore thanked Memorial Hospital administrators for working to define what constitutes maintenance. With a clear definition in place, the Board of Commissioners can make more informed decisions about funding the Rawlins medical center.

The Board of Commissioners asked CEO Kerry Ashment to provide an itemized list of the building’s maintenance needs. Once they receive that list, the Board promised to discuss the hospital’s funding increase during upcoming budget talks.

The post MHCC Asks Commissioners for More Maintenance Funding first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JUNE 9, 2025 |

Photo – WYLD Watch logo – Courtesy Wyoming Weed and Pest Department

The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council announces a new invasive plant management program called WYLD Watch.

The state of Wyoming has designated 31 different plants as noxious weeds, including musk thistle, which is found here in Carbon County. The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council has created the Early Detection and Rapid Response initiative to prevent these invasive plants from overtaking the state’s native species.

Now, the state agency is asking for the public’s help to battle invasive weeds in a new program called WYLD Watch. Fremont County Weed and Pest Program Manager Olivia Maxwell is spearheading the WYLD Watch project.

Speaking to Bigfoot99, Maxwell explained the program encourages people to report noticeable changes in the landscape caused by invasive plant life. The goal is to eliminate the noxious weeds before they overwhelm the local ecosystem.

Maxwell said through the WLYD Watch program, the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council is attempting to retain the natural beauty of the Cowboy State. By reporting potentially invasive plants, the public is helping prevent the spread of harmful weeds.

When a potential invasive plant is reported through the WYLD Watch program, the Early Detection and Rapid Response team goes into action. Using a variety of eradication methods, Maxwell and her team attempt to kill the weed before it jeopardizes the surrounding vegetation.

Biological control of invasive plants involves releasing specialized insects into the environment that feed exclusively on the target plant. For the past 40 years, Carbon County Weed and Pest has used two specific species of weevil to combat musk thistle around Encampment.

Fremont County Weed and Pest Program Manager Maxwell explained extensive research is conducted on the insects before they are introduced into the ecosystem to ensure they do not cause unintended harm to native plants.

Maxwell urged the public to support the state’s 23 separate Weed and Pest districts in their fight against invasive species. Through the WYLD Watch program, residents can report suspected noxious weeds to their regional Weed and Pest office.

A fast response is key to preventing invasive species from becoming established and widespread.

For more information about the WYLD Watch program, visit the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council website at wyoweed.org/wyld-watch. The site also provides links to all 23 county Weed and Pest district offices.

The post Weed and Pest Announces New Management Program first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JUNE 6, 2025 |

Photo – Postcard addressed to Commissioners – Courtesy CC Commissioners

County Commissioners are concerned of impending state funding cuts while emphasizing that they have no authority over local library operations.

Recently enacted state property tax relief measures will reduce the county’s budget by at least $500,000 this year. As a result, Carbon County Commissioners instructed all county-funded departments, including the Library System, to anticipate less funding in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1st.

As reported by Bigfoot99, representatives from the individual libraries within the Carbon County Library System have begun approaching their respective Town Councils to request additional funding. Most of the communities already provide water and sewer services for their county-owned library buildings. Some members of the Library Board of Directors have suggested that, without additional funding from municipalities, their local branches may be forced to close.

Speaking at the June 3rd Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Sue Jones clarified that the Board does not have the authority to close any individual library branches.

To combat the proposed budget cuts, the Carbon County Library System has printed postcards with slogans such as “Prioritizing libraries fosters a literate and educated society” and a quote from Professor of Librarianship at the University of Texas R. David Lankes stating that great libraries build communities. The public was encouraged to sign the postcards and send them to the Board of County Commissioners.

Speaking at Tuesday’s Board meeting, Commissioner Sue Jones said her constituents were concerned that the library was spending money it claimed not to have on postcards.

Bigfoot99 obtained copies of the postcards received by the Commissioners. The cards, some evidently written by children, urge the Board to maintain or increase funding for local libraries.

Commissioner Jones said she does not support closing any of Carbon County’s libraries. However, the recent property tax cuts have forced the Board to make difficult decisions about which services to fully fund. Commissioner Jones urged everyone to engage in politics to better understand how their local government is funded.

Commissioner Jones mentioned that the Friends of the Saratoga Library donated $1,000 to the town’s library and encouraged the other Friends organizations to do the same. Additionally, the Commissioner recommended rotating staff between the various branches to ensure their continued operation.

Carbon County Library System Executive Director Maria Wenzel clarified that, under state statute, Friends of the Library organizations cannot fund the daily operations of any library branch.

Commissioner Sue Jones questioned if the provision was a law or simply a policy written into the organization’s bylaws, which can be amended. The Commissioner emphasized the need to find novel ways to fund the library system.

Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett asked Director Wenzel if she had explored the possibility of sharing employees with municipalities to save money and extend branch operating hours. Wenzel responded that such an arrangement may violate library policy and compromise users’ privacy.

Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Bartlett then asked if Wenzel had considered moving the library branches out of county-owned buildings and into facilities owned by municipalities. Library Director Wenzel said the Elk Mountain Library already occupies a town-owned building and Baggs, which has declined to fund water and sewer services for the library, does not have a suitable building to accommodate its local branch. Wenzel said Medicine Bow is the only town with a building suitable for housing the library, specifically the Medicine Bow Senior Center.

Commissioner Bartlett suggested exploring if the Medicine Bow Library could be relocated to the town’s community center should the senior center prove unsuitable.

The Board of Commissioners instructed Wenzel to continue searching for alternative ways to keep all the county library branches open.

Commissioner Sue Jones clarified that the county has appointed a Board of Directors to oversee the individual libraries. The Library Board, not the Commissioners, has the authority to close branches.

Commissioner Jones said the county is facing a very real funding shortfall. All county agencies must find new ways to offer similar levels of service with less money.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners and Library Director Maria Wenzel acknowledged the importance of the library system and reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the existing libraries.

The post Commissioners Discuss Funding with Library Director first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JUNE 5, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins Water Treatment Plant – Bigfoot99 file photo

Decreased mountain snowpack has slowed the amount of water coming into Rawlins. However, city officials do not anticipate water restrictions on residents this summer.

During Tuesday’s Rawlins City Council meeting, Public Works Director Cody Dill briefed the governing body on the city’s incoming water flows. Dill reported that the snowpack in mountains that feed the Sage Creek Springs, which provides Rawlins with fresh drinking water, was lower than expected and melted sooner than anticipated. Consequently, the city’s flow of fresh water has decreased by roughly 2.5 million gallons a day.

To supplement the city’s water supply, Public Works Director Dill said he will explore restarting the Nugget Well fields. The wells have been replenishing for the past two years and should provide plenty of water for the city through the summer.

Later this summer, if water becomes scarcer, Dill said he may restart the city’s water pretreatment plant. The springs, well field, and pretreatment plant together should be able to provide the city with enough water.

Built in the early 2000s, the pretreatment plant cleans raw water taken directly from the North Platte River before it reaches the primary water treatment plant. Without this process, the siltier river water would clog the treatment plant’s filters. However, the pretreatment plant was hardly used in 20 years, reportedly only running for 7 days. Since 2022, the city has spent millions of dollars to bring the pretreatment plant back online.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the Public Works Director reiterated that the springs, wells and the pretreatment plant should supply enough water through the summer. If restrictions become necessary, Dill said they will target irrigation projects, such as watering city parks, before residents.

With high mountain snowpack, the City of Rawlins did not issue water restrictions last year. Despite the reduced snowmelt, Public Works Director Dill said he does not anticipate imposing restrictions on residents this year as well.

The post Rawlins Not Forecasting Water Restrictions This Summer first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JUNE 5, 2025 |

Photo – Example of a dispatch desk – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Carbon County Sheriff’s department is ready to begin handling emergency dispatching services for Saratoga on July 1st.

In Carbon County, police and fire calls are managed by three separate emergency dispatch centers: the Sheriff’s Office, the Saratoga Police Department, and the Rawlins Police Department, which handles all emergency 911 calls. Transferring emergency calls between the three agencies has resulted in dropped calls and callers having to repeat information. Additionally, the three centers compete for a limited pool of trained dispatchers. For those reasons, along with funding shortages, the county has been exploring the possibility of consolidating all dispatch services under the Sheriff’s Office.

Last summer, Sheriff Alex Bakken, Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward, and then-Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris announced the formation of the Combined Dispatch Operations Collaborative Working Group. The three law enforcement heads pledged to explore ways to enhance emergency call handling in Carbon County, including establishing a unified dispatch center.

However, Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward expressed reluctance to join a county-wide dispatch center, citing his department’s record of success as an independent agency. The Rawlins Police Department Dispatch Center has received numerous individual and team awards by the International Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials. In the meantime, the town of Saratoga continued talks to transfer all dispatching services over to the county.

After months of work, Sheriff Alex Bakken presented a complete memorandum of understanding for a combined dispatch center during the May 20th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting. Sheriff Bakken explained that the memorandum of understanding, or MOU, requires the town of Saratoga to pay just over $125,000 annually, with a built-in increase to keep pace with inflation.

Additionally, the town of Saratoga has agreed to transfer $14,000 of annual federal emergency 911 funding to the Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Bakken said the contract would be ready to sign once attorneys for the county and Saratoga finished reviewing the agreement. The Board of County Commissioners voted to allow the sheriff to sign the MOU, pending approval by County Attorney Ashley Davis.

Moving on to the June 3rd Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken said thanks to the efforts of County IT Director Matt Webster, his department is ready to take over emergency dispatching services for Saratoga on July 1st. The sheriff also announced the creation of a combined dispatch advisory group to oversee the upcoming dispatch center.

Mayor Chuck Davis announced on June 3rd that he had received the finalized agreement for the combined dispatch center following a legal review. However, the MOU only covered one year’s worth of collaboration, not the originally expected five. Mayor Davis said Saratoga Attorney Kylie Waldrip explained that extending the timeline would be a simple change.

Mayor Davis invited Sheriff Bakken to speak about the contract. The sheriff clarified that County Attorney Ashley Davis was in the process of amending the memorandum of understanding to include the town’s requested five-year term.

Sheriff Bakken continued, noting that an April combined dispatch trial run uncovered minor issues that could be easily resolved. The sheriff confirmed his department will be ready to take over Saratoga’s dispatch services by July 1st.

Mayor Chuck Davis expressed his approval of the contract. The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to sign the memorandum of understanding to move all police and fire department dispatch services to the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office on July 1st.

The post CCSO Set to Take on Dispatching for Saratoga first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.