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MAY 19, 2025 |

Photo – Parco/Sinclair Historic Theatre – Courtesy Monte Thayer

May is Historic Preservation Month. The Town of Sinclair is marking the occasion with a series of activities, including a free presentation on the town’s history.

In 1973, the Washington D.C. based National Trust for Historic Preservation declared May as Historic Preservation Month. Last year, the Town of Sinclair marked the occasion by screening a documentary on the Lincoln Highway.

This year, Community Events Director Monte Thayer announced plans to screen two films focused on Sinclair: one highlighting last year’s centennial celebration and the other exploring the town’s history.

The historic presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27th.

In addition to the two documentaries, former Sinclair Mayor Leif Johansson will speak about restoring the historic Parco Sinclair Theater.

The theater, which was built in 1924, sat unused for roughly 30 years before restoration work began in 2014.

Mayor Johansson explained that a feasibility study revealed the structure itself was sound. However, the interior was in rough shape.

The historic Parco Sinclair Theatre reopened in August of 2021. Former Mayor Johansson said fundraising accounted for much of the seven-year restoration project. The former mayor said progress began once the Sinclair Town Council pledged its financial support.

Edge Engineering, based in Casper, was hired to lead the restoration project with the goal of preserving as much of the original theater as possible. However, some concessions were made to meet modern standards, including replacing the floor to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and swapping out the 80-year-old seats. Former Mayor Johansson said the larger replica chairs reduced the theater’s capacity, but they were needed to accommodate today’s larger frames.

The restoration project cost a little over $2 million.

Bigfoot99 asked if any interesting artifacts were discovered during the renovations. Former Mayor Johansson said workers only found an old playbill and an empty liquor bottle.

The free history presentation will take place on Tuesday, May 27, at the Parco Sinclair Theatre, beginning at 6:00 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30.

Sinclair has several other events scheduled throughout the month as well. Tonight at 7:00 p.m., the historic theater will screen the classic film Grease. Community Events Director Monte Thayer said that despite the theater’s focus on older films, attendance has been consistently strong.

Tickets for Grease will be available at the door. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children 17 and under.

This Thursday, May 22nd, the theater will host the comedian and magician Brad Montgomery. After seeing Montgomery’s show during a conference at the state capital, Community Events Director Thayer was compelled to bring his blend of comedy and magic to Carbon County. With the financial support of several sponsors, Thayer was able to make it happen.

The Brad Montgomery Comedy and Magic Night begins at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 22nd. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

The following day, Friday, May 23rd, the Town of Sinclair is hosting a free youth baseball clinic featuring Rawlins Little League Head Coach Brandon Snyder.

Wrapping up the month’s events, local band Still House Blues will perform at the historic Parco Sinclair Theatre on Saturday, May 31st. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance or $12 at the door.

To purchase tickets for any of the events happening at the historic Parco Sinclair Theatre, call Monte Thayer at 321-8694, or visit parcosinclairtheatre.com/events.

The post Sinclair Celebrates Historic Preservation Month first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 16, 2025 |

Photo – Former Marshal’s house in Medicine Bow – Bigfoot99 file photo

With the price recently reduced, a buyer has stepped forward to purchase the former Marshal’s house in the Town of Medicine Bow.

Last July, the governing body of Medicine Bow voted to sell a town-owned trailer home, located at 724 Maple Street. The town bought the property, after reforming the marshal’s department in 2019, with the intention of offering the house for rent to the town’s marshal and his deputies. According to town hall staff, Deputy Marshal Chris Tirpak was the last person to occupy the property.

The Medicine Bow Town Council placed a minimum bid of $63,000 on the house, the price the town originally paid for the property. A resident offered $80,000, which the town quickly accepted. However, the deal fell through due to unspecified reasons and the town retained ownership of the house.

The cancellation of the sale prompted town employees to examine the property firsthand, discovering extensive damage to the structure that wasn’t noted during an earlier appraisal. It appears that after moving out, the previous tenant shut off all services to the property, except the water, then failed to notify the town.

With the heat no longer functioning, the water pipes froze and burst over the winter, severely damaging the floor of the trailer home. Speaking at the December 9th, 2024, Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Councilman Trevor Strauch and Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer both agreed that the house is no longer worth the original asking price of $63,000.

The governing body was left with a choice: spend roughly $30,000 to repair the home or sell the property as-is. At the March 10th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Mayor Justin George suggested reducing the minimum bid instead of paying to fix the water damage.

The council agreed to reduce the asking price for the house from $63,000 to $48,000 and put the property back up for auction. During the May 12th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Mayor George announced he received a single offer for the trailer home. Local rancher Seth Kelly bid $500 over the minimum asking price.

Mayor George explained Kelly’s bid of $48,500 meets the town’s requirements and asked the council to approve the sale. The Medicine Bow Town Council unanimously voted to accept Seth Kelly’s bid. Mayor George abstained from the vote, citing his relation to the buyer as a conflict of interest.

The post Medicine Bow Finally Sells Property on Maple Street first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 16, 2025 |

Photo – Example of Zebra Mussels – Courtesy WY G & F website

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is thanking an unnamed Casper resident for keeping invasive zebra mussels out of Alcova Reservoir. On Thursday, May 8th, a local Casper boat dock owner called the state agency to report a potential problem.

Game and Fish Casper Region Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Eric Hansen told Bigfoot99 that he received the telephone call after arriving at work that day.

The Casper man’s newly acquired boat lift contained zebra mussels. Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Hansen explained that zebra mussels, along with their close relatives, quagga mussels, are classified as harmful species in the United States. The invasive bivalves present a danger to any body of water they enter, clogging pipes, outcompeting native species, and disrupting ecosystems.

The Casper resident spotted the adult zebra mussels on his boat lift, which is a hydraulic docking and launching device. The resident called Game and Fish and notified the agency of the discovery. Hansen urged boaters to thoroughly clean and dry their watercraft before launching, as juvenile zebra mussels are very difficult to detect without sophisticated equipment.

The Wyoming waterways already serve as homes to several invasive species, including curly leaf pondweed and Asian clams. However, Hansen said Wyoming is one of the few states to have successfully prevented zebra mussels from taking hold.

Game and Fish Casper Region Public Information Specialist Janet Milek added, following an infestation, some communities see zebra mussels as beneficial because they notice clearer water. However, the particles being filtered out by the mussels are essential to the natural ecosystem.

Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Eric Hansen explained Alcova Reservoir is unique due to its relatively consistent water levels, fluctuating by only about 10 feet every season.

If invasive zebra mussels become established in the reservoir, they may cause extensive and far-reaching damage to the popular waterway.

All out-of-state watercraft must be inspected by Wyoming Game and Fish for invasive species before being launched, especially if they’ve been on any body of water known to be infested with zebra or quagga mussels within the last 30 days. Hansen said most invasive species can be removed quickly.

The Casper resident’s boat lift has a higher than usual level of zebra mussel contamination. As of the reporting of this story, Game and Fish technicians are still working to remove the invasive bivalves.

Hansen said the state agency currently provides decontamination services for free. However, if zebra mussels establish themselves in Wyoming’s waterways, the state will be unable to remove them quickly enough, prompting the need to employ costly outside contractors.

Casper Region Public Information Specialist Janet Milek thanked the unnamed Casper resident for calling the state agency. Had he simply placed the boat lift into Alcova Reservoir, the environmental impact could have been devastating.

All watercraft inspection site locations can be found on the Wyoming Game and Fish website. Point of entry border check stations will open beginning on Memorial Day weekend.

For more information about aquatic invasive species inspections, call the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at 777-4600.

The post Casper Resident Prevents Mussel Outbreak in Alcova Reservoir first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 16, 2025 |

Photo – Postcard exhibit – Courtesy Wyoming Frontier Prison

The Wyoming Frontier Prison is hosting an exhibition of historic postcards.

Following renovations to the Old Pen’s historic guards’ quarters, Frontier Prison staff have been able to repurpose the space for various events. Last year, it featured a photography exhibit showcasing ancient petroglyphs and pictographs from around the state.

Tomorrow, May 17th, the Wyoming Frontier Prison in Rawlins will unveil its brand-new display, titled “Howdy! from Big Wonderful Wyoming.” Frontier Prison Historic Site Director Tina Hill explained that this year’s exhibition will showcase a collection of old postcards borrowed from the Wyoming State Museum.

Hill said the exhibition contains 30 postcards from the State Museum and about a dozen from the Old Pen’s private collection. The Frontier Prison’s archive holds postcards dating back more than 80 years, many featuring period vehicles.

The historic postcard exhibition is part of the Wyoming State Museum’s collection of traveling exhibits, which are offered to museums free of charge. Other exhibitions include displays on historic gas stations, suffragettes, and a collection of Sioux Indian drawings from 1891.

Tomorrow evening, Saturday, May 17, the Wyoming Frontier Prison will host an opening reception for the new exhibition. Free food and paid liquor tasting will be provided by Taste of the West.

Wyoming Frontier Prison Historic Site Director Hill explained the liquor tasting will cost $10. The proceeds will be evenly split between the Old Pen and the Wyoming Department of Corrections.

The Wyoming Frontier Prison’s “Howdy! from Big Wonderful Wyoming” postcard exhibition will be on display in the historic guards’ quarters from Saturday, May 17th, through Sunday, June 15th. The opening reception is tomorrow, May 17th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Old Pen, located at 500 West Walnut Street in Rawlins.

The post Old Pen Opens New Exhibit on Saturday first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 15, 2025 |

Photo – Carbon County Detention Center – Bigfoot99 file photo

The cost of feeding inmates at the Carbon County jail continues to rise at a cost to county government.

During the May 6th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Alex Bakken announced that Summit Food Service, the company that supplies food to the county jail, is raising its prices. Sheriff Bakken said he negotiated a smaller increase, but the cost to the county will increase nearly $9,000 a year. The actual increase is $8,930 per year, bringing the total annual cost for inmate meals to $243,930.

Sheriff Bakken explained the county is already using Summit Food Service’s lowest-quality food tier. The sheriff said the county remains tied to the company until a more affordable supplier can be found, and jokingly suggested serving inmates nutraloaf, a bland, nutritionally complete meal often used as a disciplinary measure for disruptive prisoners.

The Sheriff said he has contacted other Wyoming sheriffs about their food service providers. The other sheriffs all reported using Summit Food Service unless their county had a very small population.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners authorized Sheriff Bakken to accept the contract amendment with Summit Food Service with the 3.8% price increase.

The post Jail’s Food Vendor Raising Prices first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 15, 2025 |

Photo – Officers salute during Flag Ceremony – Bigfoot99 file photo

On the floor of the United States Senate in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Senator John Barrasso recognized the role of law enforcement in making the nation a safer place.

This is National Police Week.

During his remarks, Senator Barrasso paid tribute to Sergeant Nevada Krinke of the Sheridan Police Department who was murdered in the line of duty by a criminal suspect last year.

The Senior Senator from Wyoming thanked the officers present in the Senate Gallery on Wednesday and across the country for serving to protect, often putting their own lives in danger. Barrasso said keeping our communities safe “is a way of life.”

Here in Carbon County, law enforcement officers will gather in Rawlins this afternoon to honor their fallen colleagues in a historical remembrance.

National Police Week will be recognized with a flag ceremony and open house at the Rawlins Police Station. Police Chief Mike Ward said law enforcement officers from around the county will gather in Rawlins to honor their fallen brethren.

Following the flag ceremony, the Rawlins Police Department will host an open house.

National Police Week began this past Sunday and continues through Saturday, May 17th. This afternoon’s flag ceremony, to honor fallen officers from across the country, will begin at 2:30 p.m. outside the police station at 215 5th Street in Rawlins.

The post National Police Week Recognized at US Senate and at Home first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 15, 2025 |

Photo – Track hoe digs to water lines on Spruce Street – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Rawlins governing body voted earlier this month to accept State of Wyoming money to repair the city’s aging water infrastructure.

During the May 6th Rawlins City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Sanger presented a resolution to accept a level three construction funding grant from the Wyoming Water Development Commission. The grant funding will be used to rehabilitate, or replace, the cathodic protection system and blow-offs valves on the Sage Creek Springs water transmission pipeline, which brings fresh water from the springs to the city’s water treatment plant.

City Manager Tom Sarvey provided the governing body with background on the grant, explaining that last November, the Wyoming Water Development Commission authorized $2.9 million for the city to repair its water infrastructure. The state legislature approved the grant request during its March session. Sarvey said the city must now officially accept the grant money by passing a resolution.

The total grant request was for 5.6 million dollars– $5,670,000 to be exact—with the Wyoming Water Development Commission providing about half of that amount, or $2.835 million. Sarvey said the city must cover the remaining half of the grant match. The city manager explained he will seek funding from the Wyoming State Lands and Investment Board or the United States Department of Agriculture. If both options fall through, the city can allocate the money from its reserve budget.

The Rawlins City Council unanimously voted to approve the resolution to accept the $2.9 million Wyoming Water Development Commission grant. The passage of the resolution allows the governing body to begin requesting contractor bids for the Sage Creek Spring transmission line repair project.

The post City of Rawlins Accepts Water Line Rehab Grant first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 15, 2025 |

Photo – Guest announcement – Courtesy Carbon County Museum

The Carbon County Museum has announced that members of the Wyoming Historical Society will attend next month’s block party in Rawlins.

On Saturday, June 7th, the Carbon County Museum is hosting an event called the Carbon County Block Party. The museum is inviting the community to come out and experience offerings from a variety of different vendors.

Last week, the Carbon County Museum announced the Wyoming Historical Society would attend as a special guest at the block party.

Bigfoot99 spoke to the organization’s Executive Director, Alexandra Philp, and Executive Board President, Beki Speas, about the Historical Society and what they hope to accomplish by attending the Carbon County Block Party.

Executive Board President Beki Speas explained the Wyoming Historical Society, founded in 1953, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the study of the state’s history.

Speas said the Wyoming Historical Society is dedicated to preserving historic sites and documenting the oral histories of those who call the Cowboy State home.

In 2014, the Wyoming Historical Society adopted a new goal to increase public outreach. As the organization’s first full-time employee, Executive Director Alexandra Philp said her role is to educate the public about the services provided by the Historical Society.

Every year, the Wyoming Historical Society offers a rewards program to honor individuals who document the state’s history through publications, art, and podcasts. Winners in each category receive a plaque and $250 in prize money.

Executive Board President Speas said historians from across the state have submitted nominations for the 2025 awards, including those from Carbon County.

Additionally, the Wyoming Historical Society offers yearly grants to help historians access research materials and publish their findings. Executive Director Philp said academics from around the world have used the Lola Homsher Research Grant to study in Wyoming.

The Wyoming Historical Society has also been a longtime supporter of the annual Wyoming History Day.

Carbon County Museum Director Tom Mensik is a member of the Wyoming Historical Society. When Mensik informed the Society’s board about the Carbon County Block Party, Executive Director Philp recognized that it matched her organization’s goal to interact more with the public.

The Wyoming Historical Society will have a booth inside the Rawlins museum during this year’s Carbon County Block Party. Speas explained the booth will contain a variety of promotional materials.

Both Speas and Executive Director Philp said attending the Carbon County Block Party will allow them to learn more about our part of the state.

Alongside the Wyoming Historical Society, Mountain Man Kenneth Hall will present a beaver-catching demonstration and discuss the lifestyle and history of 19th-century mountain men.

The Carbon County Museum’s block party is Saturday, June 7th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 904 West Walnut Street in Rawlins. Admission is free.

Email the Carbon County Museum at [email protected] if you would like to be a vendor during the event. All vendor applications must be received by May 31st.

The post Museum’s Block Party Will Host Special Guests first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 14, 2025 |

Photo – Glenn Addition in Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo

In Rawlins, one property holder in the Glenn Addition has asked for improved traffic control measures. Rawlins officials said the city lacks the authority to demand changes to the roads in the area.

During the May 6th Rawlins City Council meeting, Ward One Representative Derek Elliott said a constituent who houses their livestock in the Glenn Addition reported a close call with a speeding vehicle. The resident is urging city officials to take action to slow traffic in the area.

The Glenn Addition is a section of agricultural land that was once used as stockyards by the Union Pacific Railroad. The 56 lots are offered to city residents to house livestock, such as horses, chickens, and cows.

Rawlins Public Works Director Cody Dill explained that the city does not own the streets in the Glenn Addition and therefore cannot install a speed bump.

Public Works Director Dill said if the city were to take ownership of the streets in the Glenn Addition, it would be required to enforce all city ordinances in the area. Dill noted that, in the past, the tenants of the Glenn Addition have been opposed to this idea.

Councilman Bruce Seilaff said the Glenn Addition is managed by a commission, suggesting that they would have the authority to decide on the installation of a speed bump. Public Works Director Dill agreed, adding that the commission was seeking grant opportunities to upgrade the water system in the area.

Councilman Derek Elliott appeared to accept Dill’s response and did not comment further on the matter.

The city has some influence over the streets in Glenn Addition. In 2018, citing concerns over visibility, the Rawlins City Council voted to lower the speed limit in the area from 25 to 15 miles per hour.

The change was recommended by the city’s Urban Systems Committee in response to complaints from landowners. However, as Public Works Director Dill explained during the May 6th meeting, the city does not own the roads and therefore cannot install speed bumps.

The post City Lacks Authority to Improve or Change Roads in Glenn Addition first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 14, 2025 |

Photo – MHCC – Bigfoot99 file photo

Memorial Hospital of Carbon County and High Country Behavioral Health are in talks to offer emergency mental health services in Rawlins.

During the May 6th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle announced that hospital administrators met with County Attorney Ashley Davis, District Judge Dawnessa Snyder, and representatives from the Idaho-based mental health provider, High Country Behavioral Health. Hinkle said Memorial Hospital has begun talks to partner with High Country Behavioral Health to treat patients who have been involuntarily hospitalized due to a mental health crisis.

Title 25 is the section of Wyoming law that governs the process for handling individuals in psychiatric distress who require immediate intervention.

The law allows authorities to detain individuals for evaluation and treatment if they meet specific criteria, such as posing a risk to themselves or others.

County Commissioner Sue Jones asked Hinkle if High Country Behavioral Health has enough staff to provide mental health services for the hospital. Hinkle responded that the Idaho-based organization assured her it can manage the additional caseload through telehealth.

Hinkle explained that out of the 35 High Country Behavioral Health providers, Memorial Hospital will onboard three initially, with the eventual goal of credentialing all 35 to work at the Rawlins medical center.

In the past, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners, specifically Commissioner Sue Jones, criticized High Country Behavioral Health for not providing adequate mental health services in Carbon County. From July 1st, 2023, to December 31st of the same year, High Country Behavioral Health treated 237 people with mental health disorders and 46 people with substance use disorders in Carbon County.

Speaking to High Country Behavioral Health Executive Director Kipp Dana during the January 14th, 2024, Board meeting, Commissioner Jones said 283 residents are not enough and urged the organization, state, and county to do more for people struggling with their mental health.

Back at the May 6th Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Jones asked County Attorney Ashley Davis what recourse the county has if High Country is unable to meet their obligation to the hospital. Attorney Davis explained that the state does not allow the county to change its emergency mental health detention provider.

Attorney Davis informed the Board that High Country Behavioral Health Executive Director Kipp Dana announced the departure of the Rawlins provider, who is leaving to work in another county. Attorney Davis added that Dana asked for county funding to hire two new local providers, a request the attorney denied.

Commissioner Sue Jones said that Memorial Hospital and High Country must collaborate in caring for emergency detention patients, as the Rawlins hospital is legally required to accept them. The county commissioner noted that High Country has not fulfilled its commitments in the past.

Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Hinkle responded, saying the Rawlins medical center is not a dedicated psychiatric provider. Hinkle said hospital administrators are working with High Country to provide the best mental health services for local patients.

Hinkle said High Country Behavioral Health is the county’s state-designated mental health provider, and Memorial Hospital is doing its best to utilize the resources available to the community.

The post MHCC Looks to Partner with Mental Health Provider first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.