Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

MAY 22, 2025 |

Photo – Proposed bike path – Courtesy Adventure Cycling Association

Carbon County officials have questions about a proposed $13 million bicycle path from Rawlins to Walcott Junction.

At the May 20th Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey announced the Carbon County Visitors Council has requested to have a city representative attend its May 29th meeting to discuss the 2025 Interstate Pathway Master Plan.

As part of that plan, Sarvey said the Adventure Cycling Association is proposing the construction of a paved bicycle path from Oregon to Virginia, called the TransAmerica Trail.

For safety reasons, Sarvey said the Adventure Cycling Association prefers to have the trail run along existing two-lane roadways. However, the Wyoming route connects Rawlins to Walcott Junction, leaving Interstate 80 as the only direct path between the two points, a situation Sarvey said is less than ideal.

Sarvey said the Adventure Cycling Association wants to construct a new 20-mile-long paved bike path between Rawlins and Walcott Junction, allowing cyclists to avoid Interstate 80 on their way to and from Saratoga.

The City Manager explained by locating the bike path along Interstate 80, the Adventure Cycling Association will avoid the need to negotiate with local property owners.

Sarvey said the total cost of the 20-mile-long bike path is $13.6 million. The state legislature has pledged to split the cost of the project between various agencies, including the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Sarvey said the Carbon County Visitors Council would like a city representative to attend its upcoming meeting and provide feedback on the potential impact the pathway will have on Rawlins.

The Rawlins City Council chose City Manager Sarvey to act as the city’s liaison during the meeting.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners also discussed the proposed bicycle path during their May 20th meeting. Chairman Travis Moore said the county has been asked to submit a letter of support for the project.

Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett and Commissioner Sue Jones agreed the $13.6 million would be better spent on repairing the county’s roads, which receive heavy tourist traffic.

Commissioner Jones said the county should ask the state for road repair funding. Tourists contribute millions of dollars to the local economy, but also wear down the roads, adding costs the county can’t cover.

Instead of submitting a letter of support for the bike path, Commissioner Jones asked if the county could request federal and state funding for road repairs. The Seminoe Reservoir and Continental Divide attract a large volume of tourists, potentially as many, if not more, than the proposed bike path.

Commissioner Jones argued some of the funding should be allocated to improving local roads.

Planning and Development Coordinator Kristy Rowan also raised concerns about the pathway’s upkeep. Although it will be built along WYDOT’s right-of-way, documents indicate local government will be responsible for maintaining the pathway.

County Attorney Ashley Davis offered to draft a letter with the Board’s comments and concerns, including their support or opposition to the project. Commissioner Jones said the Board will not support the pathway if the county is required to maintain it.

Commission Chairman Travis Moore expressed support for the project, stressing concerns for tourist safety. However, Chairman Moore said the plan does not appear to have been well thought out.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners voted to send a letter of support for the concept of a paved bicycle path between Rawlins and Walcott Junction. Included in the letter were their questions about funding and maintenance of the bike path.

The post Commissioners Question Price Tag of Proposed Bike Path first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 21, 2025 |

Photo – Bridge on County Road 680 – Bigfoot99 file photo

The County Road 680 bridge, over the Encampment River, reopened Monday evening.

During Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting in Riverside, Road and Bridge Superintendent Kandis Fritz announced the Encampment River bridge, on County Road 680, is once again open to traffic. Fritz expressed her gratitude toward the Laramie-based engineering firm Reiman Corporation and her road crews for their prompt efforts.

On April 3rd, the Wyoming Department of Transportation recommended closing the County Road 680 bridge, crossing over the Encampment River. A routine inspection carried out through WYDOT’s Bridge Program identified safety concerns with the gusset plates used to reinforce the structure, leading to the bridge being closed to traffic.

After the closure, Road and Bridge Superintendent Fritz began contacting engineering firms to obtain a cost estimate to make the bridge usable again. The county ultimately hired Reiman Corporation for $106,000 to complete the repairs.

At Tuesday’s Board meeting, Commissioner Sue Jones said nearby landowners appreciated the county’s quick response. While the bridge was closed, local residents were forced to take a 20-minute detour to reach the other side of the Encampment River.

WYDOT engineers found structural concerns during a routine inspection of the same bridge last year, causing the state agency to lower the weight limit on the bridge. Road and Bridge Superintendent Fritz said the same weight restrictions are still in place.

WYDOT was already planning to completely replace the trellis bridge on County Road 680 under its Bridge Replacement Off System, or BROS, program. However, work on the replacement bridge wasn’t scheduled to begin until 2030, five years from now. Speaking at a previous County Commissioners meeting, Fritz said the newly completed repairs should last until that time.

The post Encampment River Bridge Reopened After Repairs Made first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 21, 2025 |

Photo – Joel Robertson and Melissa Spaulding – Courtesy National Life Group

Carbon County School District One School Resource Officer Joel Robertson has been nominated for the National Life Changer Award.

Founded in 1848, National Life Group is a Vermont-based financial services company providing life insurance, annuities, and investment products with a focus on serving educators.

Every year, the National Life Group sponsors the National Life Changer of the Year Award. Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken announced this year, School Resource Officer Deputy Joel Robertson was anonymously nominated for the national award.

Deputy Robertson is one of only 178 individuals from 32 states who have been nominated for the 2025 through 2026 Life Changer of the Year Award.

Deputy Robertson joined the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 after serving with various law enforcement agencies in the state, including the Department of Corrections and the Rawlins Police Department.

Sheriff Bakken said during his time with the Rawlins PD, Deputy Robertson served as the School Resource Officer for Carbon County School District One, which made him the logical choice to fill the position when the Sheriff’s Office launched its own School Resource Officer program.

Sheriff Bakken praised Deputy Robertson for consistently exceeding expectations in his duties. The Sheriff mentioned an instance when Deputy Robertson arranged for first responders to attend the birthday of a physically disabled Rawlins Middle School student, demonstrating why his nomination is well deserved.

Sheriff Bakken said Deputy Robertson also volunteers as a youth sports coach in Rawlins and regularly participates in Camp POSTCARD, where 5th and 6th graders spend a week on Casper Mountain building positive relationships with law enforcement officers.

While many view law enforcement as just a job, Sheriff Bakken said Deputy Robertson is truly dedicated to serving the community.

Sheriff Bakken said Deputy Robertson’s National Life Changer of the Year nomination was well deserved and came as no shock given his dedication to the community. Being the first School Resource Officer in the history of the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office adds even more significance to the nomination.

National Life Changer of the Year Award grand prize winners receive $20,000, split evenly between a $10,000 individual cash award and a $10,000 donation to the winner’s school or district of choice. Sheriff Bakken said if he wins, Deputy Robertson has pledged to donate the entirety of his winnings to Rawlins sports programs.

Deputy Roberston isn’t the only educator in Carbon County to receive a Life Changer of the Year nomination. Saratoga Elementary School Special Education Teacher Melissa Spaulding is also competing for the national award. Spaulding was nominated by her colleague, Kindergarten Teacher Jaimie Lee, who wrote the Special Education Teacher is an exceptional educator who goes above and beyond for all her students and colleagues. Lee stated Spaulding is kind, compassionate, and very knowledgeable about special education law and accommodation, which she uses to help her students succeed.

National Life Changer of the Year Award winners are selected by a committee made up of past winners and higher education professionals, evaluating nominees based on their positive impact on students, ability to foster a supportive school environment, leadership within their school, and commitment to excellence. Additionally, the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support receives a $5,000 Life Changer Spirit Award.

Bigfoot99 will include a link to both School Resource Officer Deputy Joel Robertson and Saratoga Elementary School Special Education Teacher Melissa Spaulding’s National Life Changer of the Year nomination pages in this story when it is posted to our website later today. Once on either page, people can choose to write a comment explaining the positive impact the nominee has had on their lives or support the nominee by tagging LifeChanger of the Year on social media using #LCOY. Voting ends on December 31st, 2025.

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School Resource Officer Deputy Joel Robertson: https://app.lifechangeroftheyear.com/nomination_detail.cfm?NominationID=24317&NominationYear=2025&SchoolState=WY

Saratoga Elementary School Special Education Teacher Melissa Spaulding: https://app.lifechangeroftheyear.com/nomination_detail.cfm?NominationID=24311&NominationYear=2025&SchoolState=WY

The post Two County Educators Nominated for National Award first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 21, 2025 |

Photo – Medicine Bow sign – Bigfoot99 file photo

The governing body of Medicine Bow intends to install security cameras to deter unauthorized dumping in the municipal burn pit.

During the May 12th Medicine Bow Town Council Meeting, Mayor Justin George introduced a measure to either lock the burn pit or install cameras. Public Works Director Brian Lashley said residents are disposing of prohibited items in the pit, forcing town employees to manually clear the debris. Lashley said he is unsure of the best way to prevent unauthorized dumping, but suggested cameras as a possible solution.

The Medicine Bow municipal burn pit is located at the northern end of Pine Street.

Lashley also said the town could install a lock to keep people out of the burn pit. Residents would be required to pay a deposit to borrow the key, which would be refunded if they didn’t dump prohibited items. However, requiring a key would prevent residents from accessing the burn pit outside of normal town hall hours.

Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer agreed that requiring residents to borrow the key from town hall would prevent them from using the burn pit on the weekends. Public Works Director Lashley responded that without identifying those responsible, the town must cover the cost of removing the unauthorized items itself.

The governing body discussed installing a number keypad lock at the burn pit. However, the idea was quickly abandoned, as residents were likely to share the code, allowing the unauthorized dumping to continue.

Councilman Trevor Strauch proposed using wireless cameras, such as those found in Ring security systems. The cameras would notify the town when someone neared the burn pit, enabling employees to identify those responsible.

The governing body dismissed the idea of using cellular cameras due to their high monthly costs. Instead, Councilwoman Wickizer offered to donate an unopened trail camera to the town.

The motion activated camera does not require a wireless signal, instead storing pictures on an internal memory card.

Mayor Justin George instructed Public Works Director Brian Lashley to install the trail camera at the municipal burn pit and report back on its effectiveness.

The post Town to Install Cameras to Deter Unauthorized Dumping at Burn Pit first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 21, 2025 |

Photo – A 2017 Official Portrait of Billy Long – Courtesy Wikipedia

In Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Internal Revenue Service ran into a tough grilling from Democrat Senators during a confirmation hearing, but a more sympathetic reception from Republicans, including Wyoming’s John Barrasso.

Billy Long, a former U.S. Representative of Missouri and a radio talk show host, has the backing of Senate Republicans. Democrats have blasted him as a “magnet for fraud. Long helped American businesses enroll in a pandemic-era tax credit during the Biden era.

Wyoming’s Senior Senator was welcoming. Senator Barrasso opened his questions of the nominee with the statement that that Democrats had weaponized the IRS under President Joe Biden.

Long represented Missouri’s seventh congressional district from 2011 to 2023. He ran for the Senate in 2022 but lost to winner Eric Schmitt. During his time in Congress, Long sponsored bills to abolish the IRS.

The post Nominee to Run IRS Questioned by Senators first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 20, 2025 |

Photo – Sources of Strength statistic page – Courtesy Carbon County Public Health

Carbon County Public Health is preparing to implement a new community-based suicide prevention program.

Last summer, Bigfoot99 spoke to Carbon County Public Health Community Prevention Specialist Rachel Swanson about Sources of Strength, a suicide prevention program that focuses on evidence-based methods to teach positive mental health strategies.

Since then, Swanson has continued working to establish Sources of Strength in Carbon County. Speaking to Bigfoot99 this week, Swanson explained while Sources of Strength is a suicide prevention program, its primary focus is on eight key factors which promote support and security rather than solely on suicide itself.

Swanson reported that schools who have implemented Sources of Strength initiatives have seen a 29% decrease in suicide attempts.

To increase the accessibility of the mental health program, Swanson is asking business owners and local organizations to become Sources of Strength partners.

On April 25th, Swanson held an informational meeting in the Platte Valley Community Center, with the goal of motivating local individuals and businesses to get involved with the program. The Community Prevention Specialist said 15 people attended the meeting, many of whom are ready to put the suicide prevention program into action.

Local business owners affiliated with the program can choose to host meetings at their establishments. Swanson said becoming a Sources of Strength advisor is an easy process.

Swanson said she is certified as a Sources of Strength local trainer, allowing her to personally instruct the first group of advisors. After the first class has been trained, Swanson and the advisors will host a large community event to introduce the suicide prevention program to the Platte River Valley.

Swanson said she is currently limiting her focus to the Platte River Valley. If advisors can be found outside of Saratoga and Encampment, Swanson said she would be happy to train them in the Sources of Strength program.

If you have any questions about Sources of Strength, or would like to volunteer to become an advisor, call Rachel Swanson at 328-2607.

The post New Suicide Prevention Program Teaches Positive Mental Health Strategies first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 20, 2025 |

Photo – Variance page on the town’s website – Courtesy Town of Saratoga

Saratoga’s governing body rejected a resident’s request to build a porch, citing town regulations.

During the April 15th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner, who serves as the town’s liaison to the Planning Commission, presented a variance application from Cindy Wilson. Penner explained Wilson asked to place a support pillar for a planned porch three feet closer to her Saratoga Avenue property line than town regulations allow.

The Public Works Director stated the Planning Commission approved the variance by a six-to-two vote, despite it not meeting the required standards.

Saratoga ordinances require any potentially sight-obscuring structures to be located at least 20 feet from the property line. Wilson asked to build a vertical support pillar 17 feet from the edge of her property.

All zoning variances must meet eight criteria in order to be approved by the Planning Commission, including ensuring that the variance doesn’t harm any adjacent conforming properties or alter the character of the district in which it is located.

Penner said the Town Council has the authority to approve or deny Wilson’s variance. However, the Public Works Director recommended sending the application back to the Planning Commission for further consideration. Penner pointed out other residents have made substantial modifications to their plans to comply with town regulations and stressed the need for consistency.

Mayor Chuck Davis agreed, stating the zoning regulations are designed to prevent residents from building non-compliant structures.

The applicant, Wilson, was present at the April 15th Planning meeting. Wilson said her application was evaluated and discussed at length before being approved.

Wilson asked the Town Council to respect the Planning Commission’s decision and approve her variance request.

Mayor Davis asked why Wilson required a variance in the first place. Wilson responded she would like to construct a porch over her front door. The contractor informed her if the support pillars were placed where the ordinances demand, they would partially obstruct entry to her backyard.

Wilson said the contractor advises against changing the porch design as it could weaken the structure’s ability to support heavy snowfall. Additionally, Wilson said the pillars will not obstruct the vision of drivers on Saratoga Avenue.

Mayor Davis said the Planning Commission failed to clearly justify its approval of Wilson’s variance application. The Public Works Director said it is the Commission’s responsibility to explain why the application meets approval criteria, not the applicant.

Mayor Davis said modifying the porch would remove the need for a variance. He also said the current design does not meet the legal criteria for a variance. The mayor cautioned granting variances too freely could unintentionally trigger a snowball effect.

The governing body voted to send the variance application back to the Planning Commission, requesting a clearer explanation of their decision.

The matter was discussed again at the May 6th Saratoga Town Council meeting. Public Works Director Penner said the Planning Commission reviewed Wilson’s application thoroughly, and this time, voted to deny the variance.

Saratoga resident Richard Hodges spoke out on behalf of Wilson. Hodges said the porch would be out of sight, as her property is located at the end of Saratoga Avenue, neighboring a motel and a bank.

Hodges said the Planning Commission should have approved the application.

Mayor Davis asked Hodges whether the town should attach a variance application to every building permit, allowing every resident to bypass the town’s building requirements.

Councilman Mike Cooley said other residents have altered their construction designs to meet the town’s ordinances, sometimes at great expense. Councilman Cooley said Wilson is entitled to build a porch, but only if the support pillars are placed 20 feet or more from her property line. The Councilman added that his porch complies with setback requirements and efficiently holds all the accumulated winter snow.

Public Works Director Penner reiterated Wilson may build a porch, provided the vertical posts comply with the town’s setback requirements. Penner added granting variances that fail to meet the eight established criteria undermines the purpose of the regulations.

Resident Richard Hodges explained that he supports Wilson’s variance out of concern that the town is imposing excessively rigid and unnecessary regulations on its residents. In the end, Hodges agreed that the Town Council has the authority to make the final decision on the matter.

After the discussion, the Saratoga Town Council voted to deny the variance application.

The post Saratoga Council Denies Building Variance Request first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 19, 2025 |

Photo – Carbon County Courthouse – Bigfoot99 file photo

County officials are preparing to conduct a suspicious mail drill at the Rawlins courthouse.

During the May 6th, Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, County Emergency Manager Lenny Layman asked to close the courthouse on the afternoon of June 4th to conduct a suspicious mail preparedness exercise.

The exercise will prepare Carbon County Courthouse employees for the possibility of a dangerous package being delivered to the building.

Last May, packages containing a mysterious white powder were sent to both the Campbell and Natrona County Courthouses. Additionally, the suspicious packages contained letters indicating that the white substance was hazardous. The Wyoming National Guard responded to the scenes and found the substances posed no danger. The packages were said to have originated from an Idaho prison.

At the May 6th County Commissioners meeting, Clerk of District Court Mara Sanger announced several state dignitaries, including Supreme Court Justice John G. Fenn and State Security Operations Manager Joe Hartigan, will observe the exercise. Additionally, Circuit Court Judge Susan Stipe will document the drill, providing other state agencies with a useful reference for future training.

Emergency Manager Lenny Layman said he will also arrange a public health demonstration during the exercise. Layman added he had planned to extend the suspicious package drill to the Jeffrey Memorial Community Center. However, the facility was reserved for another event on that day, and the exercise will only take place at the courthouse.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to close the Carbon County Courthouse on Wednesday, June 4th, from noon to 5:00 p.m., for the suspicious package readiness exercise.

The post County Courthouse Closed June 4th for Training Exercise first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 19, 2025 |

Photo – Medicine Bow Senior Center – Bigfoot99 file photo

In Medicine Bow, town officials are urging residents to contact their federal representatives to oppose grant cuts for senior services.

On Monday, May 12th, Medicine Bow Senior Center Manager Lisa Bata presented a letter from Carbon County Senior Services Executive Director Kelly Morrell. Bata explained the letter outlines cuts to federal grant funding for community support programs, such as senior services and food pantries.

Executive Director Morrell’s letter directly references the 1965 Older Americans Act, which funds programs that benefit seniors, including Meals on Wheels, family caregiver assistance, and in-home support services. Morrell writes that the Act was scheduled to be renewed last year, with full support from the United States Senate. However, the House of Representatives failed to vote on the measure.

Morrell also wrote that the Department of Health and Human Services has eliminated the Administration for Community Living, which oversaw grants specifically targeting older adults.

Despite claims in Executive Director Morrell’s letter, the Administration for Community Living has not been completely eliminated. However, the agency has undergone a major restructuring, including a 40% staff reduction, which could affect its ability to process senior-focused grants.

Morrell’s letter included contact information for Congresswoman Harriet Hageman and Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, urging the public to contact their representatives and advocate for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.

Back at the May 12th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Mayor Justin George also encouraged those present at the meeting to reach out to their elected officials. Mayor George referenced the Carbon County Library System’s recent call for additional financial support from the town stemming from state-wide property tax relief programs. The mayor pointed out the town receives its funding through the county and questioned how Medicine Bow could be expected to increase support for the library and senior center when the county is struggling to do the same.

Deputy Clerk Alice Clark said the town has paid the library’s water and landfill fees for the past decade. Mayor George said he mentioned that fact during a recent meeting with the Board of Carbon County Commissioners. The mayor expressed disappointment with the Medicine Bow library’s hours which have continued to be reduced despite the town’s financial contributions.

Returning to the senior center, Mayor George emphasized the grants from the Older Americans Act are vital to the facility’s continued operation and urged the public, once again, to contact their elected officials. Medicine Bow Senior Center Manager Lisa Bata warned smaller towns like Medicine Bow would likely be the first to face budget cuts if the grants are not renewed.

In her letter, Carbon County Senior Services Executive Director Kelly Morrell wrote that Title III grants, which fund support programs for older adults, are expected to be reduced by 68%, while nutrition services face cuts of 12 to 15%.

Morrell continued, citing Wyoming has the fastest-growing aging population in the country and senior centers are essential in helping older adults age in place and remain active members of the community.

The post State’s Senior Services Expecting Funding Cuts first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 19, 2025 |

Photo – A prairie dog – Bigfoot99 file photo

In Hanna, officials say they are preparing to address the town’s destructive prairie dog population.

Last month, the governing body of Hanna voted to allow public works department employees and town marshals to shoot prairie dogs and other burrowing rodents with air rifles. The measure only permits employees to shoot the rodents on town-owned property.

At the April 8th Hanna Town Council meeting, Mayor Charlie George explained the governing body is preparing to allocate funding for park improvements, including planting trees at Energy Park. Mayor George warned that prairie dogs and other burrowing pests could harm the newly planted trees and said town staff will eliminate the rodents responsibly.

The governing body also considered contacting the Wyoming Game and Fish Department about reintroducing foxes to town. According to Public Works Director Larry Korkow, a former Town Council voted to remove foxes from Hanna because they were eating residents’ outdoor pets.

The matter was discussed again during Tuesday’s Hanna Town Council meeting. Hanna Basin Museum Board member Sue Tlustos reported Museum Board President Pam Paulson discovered a burrowing animal infestation in the town’s graveyard. The animals were disturbing the buried remains. The animals apparently were digging up old bones.

Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales explained the holes were filled over the weekend during a community cleanup day at the cemetery. After the cleanup events are finished, Clerk Gonzales said the town will focus on trapping prairie dogs.

Treasurer Ann Calvert said the town will post notices in the area, advising dog owners to keep their pets away during the trapping.

Bigfoot99 reporter Matt Copeland asked the Town Council whether they were still pursuing a plan to reintroduce foxes. Mayor George replied they had not made any progress on the plan. Instead, the mayor reminded residents the public works and marshal’s departments were authorized to cull prairie dogs but had not yet started.

The Hanna Town Council reminded the public that only town employees are authorized to shoot prairie dogs within town limits.

The post Prairie Dogs Vandalize Town’s Cemetery first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.