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MAY 14, 2025 |

Photo – Missionaries from North Carolina – Courtesy Kenzie Straugh

Out-of-town missionaries are coming to Medicine Bow this summer and church officials are asking the community for improvement project ideas.

For the fourth year in a row, members of the Iron Hill Baptist Church, in Tabor City, North Carolina, will visit Medicine Bow.

Both Iron Hill Baptist and Windy City Church, in Medicine Bow, are part of the National Association of Baptist Churches. Windy City Church Leader Kenzie Straugh explained that a 12-person missionary team is coming to northern Carbon County, and, while in the area, will perform odd jobs for community members.

Straugh said the Iron Hill Baptist missionaries are compiling a list of small tasks that members can take on around Medicine Bow. Additionally, church leaders are working with the Town Council to find additional work opportunities.

Strauch said the North Carolina missionaries do not accept payment for their services. Instead, the team only requests the necessary tools to complete their work and a place to shower, which the historic Virginian Hotel has offered to provide. When not serving in the community, the missionaries will stay at the Wind City Church.

Strauch said the 12-person missionary team consists of volunteers, both young and old, who want to help the people of northern Carbon County.

While in town, the missionaries will perform small maintenance tasks, such as painting, fence repair, and filling prairie dog holes at the Medicine Bow cemetery.

Wind City Church Leader Strauch explained that her organization and the Iron Hill Baptist Church are part of the larger Southern Baptist Convention, a nationwide group of Baptist churches. The SBC, as it is known, sends missionary groups from participating churches to different areas of the country.

Straugh said missionaries choose to visit Medicine Bow to have an authentic western experience.

The missionaries will arrive in Medicine Bow on Monday, August 18th. The team will do their mission work throughout the week and return home on Sunday. Straugh said on Friday and Saturday evening, the mission team and the Wind City Church will hold the Carbon County Revival, an event featuring music, food, and fun family activities.

Additionally, the mission team will organize a Vacation Bible School at the Wind City Church on August 19th and 20th.

Strauch said the missionaries have already complied their list of tasks to complete around Medicine Bow. However, the team is open to taking on additional projects, not only in Medicine Bow but throughout northern Carbon County as well.

The Iron Hill Baptist Church missionaries will be in Medicine Bow from Monday, August 18th, through Sunday, August 24th. If you have a small task that you would like the mission team’s assistance with, email the Wind City Church at [email protected].

The post Missionaries to Visit Medicine Bow in August first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 13, 2025 |

Photo – Drawing of potential entrance sign – Courtesy Saratoga Public Works

The town of Saratoga is preparing to purchase new wayfinding signs.

During the May 6th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner presented a selection of wayfinding signs proposed by the town’s Planning Commission and Enoch Hart from Wyoming Signs, a Casper-based exterior signage company. Penner explained that the replacement signs will guide visitors to local points of interest.

According to documents provided by the Saratoga Public Works Department, the town is looking to purchase six motorized wayfinding signs, nine directional signs for the River Walk Loop along Veteran’s Island, three triangular informational kiosk map signs, and two “Welcome to Saratoga” monument signs, for a grand total of $49,099.

Penner offered to look for grant opportunities to help fund the project and asked the Town Council to simply approve of the number and type of signs.

Penner said the proposal will allow the town to consolidate several existing wayfinding signs along Highway 130.

The two monument-style entrance signs are 12 feet wide by seven feet tall and feature the word “Saratoga” in the center, with “Est. 1884” above, and “Wyoming” below the town’s name. A rock foundation surrounds the center display along its bottom and right side.  The signs are estimated to cost $13,592 each.

Mayor Chuck Davis expressed his approval of the design.

Saratoga Planning Commission Chairwoman McCall Burau said the board fully supports the sign proposal.

Mayor Davis asked where the three triangular informational kiosk map signs will be located. Burau said the exact placement has not been determined. However, the Planning Commission would like to install one of the signs at the intersection of Highway 130 and Bridge Avenue, perhaps outside the Hotel Wolf.

Public Works Director Emery Penner said the remaining two informational map signs will be placed at Town Hall and Veteran’s Island.

The remaining wayfinding signs will direct visitors to points of interest in the Platte River town, including the library, schools, recreation center, dog park, and Hobo Hot Springs.

Mayor Davis thanked Penner and the Planning Commission for their work on the sign project.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to approve the scope of the sign designs, allowing Public Works Director Penner to seek grant opportunities to offset the cost of the project.

The post Town of Saratoga Prepares to Purchase Wayfinding Signs first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 13, 2025 |

Photo – National Police Week notice – Courtesy Rawlins Police Department

Carbon County law enforcement officers will gather in Rawlins this Thursday to honor their fallen colleagues.

This past Sunday marked the beginning of National Police Week.

On May 4th, 1963, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week. Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward said the event is designed to recognize fallen peace officers.

National Police Week has expanded as peace officers continue to be killed in the line of duty. Rawlins Police Chief Ward said 26,950 officers have died since the proclamation’s inception 62 years ago.

No police officers have been killed in Wyoming this year. However, the Officer Down Memorial Page website lists four Carbon County officers who have died in the line of duty in the past 150 years.

On April 20th, 1903, Rawlins Police Officer John Baxter and Lieutenant Thomas Kling were ambushed and killed by a store owner while responding to a “shots-fired” call. The store owner was convicted of manslaughter in the deaths of both officers and sentenced to 4 years in prison.

On June 4th, 1996, Rawlins Police Lieutenant Delavan Lewis Dixon suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in the FBI Physical Fitness Challenge in Quantico, Virginia.

The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office has lost one officer. On August 19th, 1878, Deputy Sheriff Robert Widdowfield was killed by the infamous outlaw, Big Nose George Parrott. Deputy Widdowfield and Union Pacific detective Tip Vincent were tracking the gang after an attempted train robbery near the Medicine Bow River. The two lawmen located Big Nose George and his gang outside of Elk Mountain but were ambushed and killed.

Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward said National Police Week also serves as a time of healing for the families of fallen officers. Chief Ward said the impact an officer’s death has on their family is often overlooked.

Carbon County will observe National Police Week with a flag ceremony and open house at the Rawlins Police Station. Chief Ward explained that 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. Chief Ward said the event serves as a chance for the public to connect with the people who are sworn to protect them. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

National Police Week began this past Sunday and continues through Saturday, May 17th. On Thursday, May 15th, at 2:30 p.m., the Rawlins Police Department will hold a flag ceremony at the police station, located at 215 5th Street, to honor fallen officers across the country, followed by an open house.

The post National Police Week Flag Ceremony This Thursday first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 12, 2025 |

Photo – MHCC – Bigfoot99 file photo

Last week, administrators from Memorial Hospital of Carbon County highlighted improvements being made to the facility’s financial status.

On Tuesday, May 6th, the medical center’s Revenue Director, Felicia Kimble, addressed the Board of Carbon County Commissioners. Kimble opened her presentation by stating that Memorial Hospital maintains a patient registration accuracy rate of 97%, exceeding the industry standard of 95%.

Kimble reported that in March, medical bills of patients took too long to be processed. The Director of Revenue Cycle said the hospital is working with its billing company, Amplify Revenue Cycle Management, to address the billing delays.

Kimble made note of other improvements. She said delays for “Discharged, Not Final Coded” bills decreased to 4.1 days in April.

According to the healthcare revenue management website RevenueCycleReport.com, medical bill coding should take between three and four days.

Kimble said the hospital is owed $2.4 million in Discharged, Not Final Billed payments.

The Director of Revenue Cycle next discussed Memorial Hospital’s clean claim rate, or the percent of medical bills that are submitted without errors the first time. Kimble said hospital administrators are focused on raising the medical facility’s clean claim rate above 80%. In March, the hospital fell short of that benchmark by two percent.

MDClarity.com, another healthcare revenue management website, reports the industry standard for clean claim rates in hospitals typically falls between 85% and 95%.

Kimble said hospital staff are being trained to collect payments from patients at the time of service, either before or immediately after they receive medical care.

Kimble said Memorial Hospital has improved its processing system and has reduced the delay in receiving payments for bills. The Director of Revenue Cycle reported the hospital has reduced the payment processing time from patients and insurance companies by 45 days over the past nine months.

Memorial Hospital’s accounts receivable, or AR, for bills past due by more than three months is twice the target goal. Accounts receivable refers to the outstanding payments owed to the facility for medical services provided to patients. The Director of Revenue Cycle said hospital administrators and Amplify Revenue Cycle Management are searching for a solution.

Commissioner John Espy said according to Kimble’s report, 21.7% of Memorial Hospital’s medical bills contain errors. Commissioner Espy asked how that percentage relates to the medical facility’s revenue troubles.

Kimble explained the bills are eventually paid, but they are often delayed by several months. Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Kerry Ashment noted these late payments have affected the medical center’s financial stability and Kimble is actively working to resolve the issue.

Commissioner Espy pointed to a lack of communication between Memorial Hospital and Amplify Revenue Cycle Management. The commissioner asked what the hospital is doing to prevent patients from being double charged or having their bills wrongfully sent to collections.

Director of Revenue Cycle Kimble said she has used the billing errors as an opportunity to train hospital staff to better understand the payment system.

Kimble said she handles the majority of patient complaints in order to identify where problems lie and develop methods to fix the issues.

The Director of Revenue Cycle reported the cash collected by the hospital has improved from $1.9 million in March to $2 million in April.

CEO Kerry Ashment said the goal is to improve Memorial Hospital’s finances. While turning around the cash-strapped medical center will take time, Ashment said progress is underway.

Ashment said he was hired to reduce Memorial Hospital’s financial burden on the county, a goal he is actively pursuing.

The post MHCC Reports on Improvements to Financial Status first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 12, 2025 |

Photo – Placard announcing memorial – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

Rawlins officials dedicated the city’s recycling center to the late landfill supervisor.

Rawlins Landfill and Recycling Center Superintendent Patrick Martinez passed away from a sudden health emergency on December 2nd, 2023, at the age of 42. Martinez worked for the city of Rawlins for over 16 years.

On Friday evening, current and former members of the Rawlins city council, along with city staff, assembled at the recycling center on Daley Street. More than 100 people attended the event. Public Works Director Cody Dill officially renamed the facility the Patrick Martinez Memorial Recycling Center.

Dill invited Patrick Martinez’s family members to cut the ribbon before unveiling the memorial plaque.

The plaque features a picture of Martinez in the upper left corner, with the Rawlins city seal in the upper right corner. The inscription reads: “Patrick’s vision was to make the recycling program bigger and better for the city slash community.” Beneath the dedication is Martinez’s catchphrase, well known among city staff: “We may get fired for this.”

After the memorial plaque was unveiled, Rawlins Buildings Official Mike O’Brien thanked everyone for their support of the recycling center project. O’Brien said that when the idea for the recycling center was first proposed, Martinez offered to help build it. However, his fear of heights limited his involvement in the project.

Additionally, O’Brien said Martinez was insistent the facility’s new baler, which compresses recyclable materials into a compact, easily transportable cube, be black rather than blue.

Next, City Manager Tom Sarvey explained that the recycling center was spearheaded by Martinez and Community Development Director Lou Lascano. Sarvey thanked the entire community for showing support for the city’s improvement projects.

Finally, City Manager Sarvey expressed his gratitude to Martinez’s family. Sarvey said everyone in the city is attempting to make Rawlins a better place to live.

With those remarks, the recycling center was officially dedicated to the former landfill supervisor, Patrick Martinez.

The post Recycling Center Dedication Had Good Turnout first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 12, 2025 |

Photo – Image of proposed mural – Courtesy Town of Saratoga

Saratoga may have another art project this summer when a Laramie-based artist paints a mural on the Bridge Avenue bridge.

The governing body of Saratoga will allow Dan Toro to paint a mural in town. Toro has been painting murals for over 8 years. His work can be seen in several states, including Colorado, Illinois, West Virginia, Utah, Maryland, and Wyoming. The Platte Valley Arts Council website states that several of Toro’s murals can be seen in Saratoga.

During the May 6th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner reminded the governing body that funds had been allocated for a town art project. The original idea was to paint a wildlife-based mural on the side of the pool building at the Hobo Hot Springs. However, former council member Kathy Beck recommended finding a better location for the art project.

Public Works Director Penner said the Saratoga Transportation Alternatives Master Plan, or STAMP, showed the bridge, on Bridge Avenue crossing the North Platte River, was an ideal place to create a wildlife-themed mural.

Penner provided the Town Council with a design proposal from Toro showing a pair of boots standing in a shallow river with a trout and a beaver swimming nearby. The design is angled to match the slope of the bridge.

The Public Works Director said Toro has completed projects around the state. Penner said he would like to have the artist begin right away, so the mural can be completed before the town’s Fourth of July celebrations.

At $15 a square foot, Penner said the project is expected to cost $3,000 to complete. However, the price will change depending on how much paint Toro uses on the mural.

Mayor Chuck Davis asked if the artist could finish the project within the given timeframe. Penner responded that Toro expects to complete the mural by the middle of June at the latest.

Penner said the town can pay for the mural using money from the capital improvements budget.

With the Town Council’s permission, former Councilwoman Kathy Beck offered to contact the Carbon County Visitors Council about a potential grant opportunity.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to approve the Bridge Street mural project.

The post Saratoga Approves Bridge Street Mural Project first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 9, 2025 |

Photo – Pope Leo XIV – Courtesy Catholic News

The new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church hails from the southside of Chicago. The former cardinal, Robert F. Prevost, was born September 14, 1955, The 69-year-old may very well have a 20+ year papacy if he lives into his late 80s.

In his first words as Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of the church proclaimed “peace be with you,” invoking a message of dialogue, unity and care for those in need. Speaking in Latin from a balcony on the high walls of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo greeted the crowds gathered in Vatican City.

This marks the first time an American has been chosen as a pope.

The Chicago Tribune reported Thursday that while growing up in the south suburbs of the Windy City, Prevost often played “pretend priest,” setting up a table draped in a white cloth and recited prayers.

John Prevost, the pope’s older brother, said his younger sibling took the game seriously. Prevost said his younger brother embodies the spirit of a “second Pope Francis.”

The post Pope Leo XIV Chosen as New Head of Roman Catholic Church first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 9, 2025 |

Photo – Drawing of proposed aquatic center – Courtesy Nick Haderlie

In Saratoga, a proposed Platte Valley Aquatic Center project appears to have some new life.

In 2022, local attorney Nick Haderlie presented a plan to construct a large-scale, indoor, water sports facility in town. Haderlie commissioned a design and feasibility study for the proposed Platte Valley Aquatic Center, which showed that the facility was expected to cost between $12.5 and $16 million.

At the time, Haderlie told the Town Council that he was confident he could raise the money for the lower priced, $12.5 million, design. The attorney asked the governing body to consider a 50-year lease for town-owned land on West Elm Street, between the Saratoga Public Library and the middle high school. If the project were to fall through, ownership of the land and any buildings constructed in the meantime would revert to the town.

Running a large aquatic center is not cheap. Haderlie estimated that the facility would cost roughly $750,000 a year to operate.

The attorney suggested having the town use Saratoga’s entire recreation budget to underwrite a non-profit organization formed specifically to underwrite and manage the aquatic center.

Members of the governing body expressed concerns over the proposed lease agreement. During the December 6th, 2022, Saratoga Town Council meeting, Councilman Jon Nelson wondered if the town was moving too fast by signing a legally binding agreement without knowing if or how the project would be fully funded.

At the time, with a new town council coming on board, the governing body decided to let the future town government decide the matter. However, the proposed Platte Valley Aquatic Center was not readdressed by the new council, and the project appeared to have been forgotten.

Nick Haderlie wasn’t finished with the project.

During the March 4th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Councilman Bub Barkhurst, the governing body’s liaison to the Recreation Commission, announced that representatives from Brush Creek Ranch had reached out to Bruce and Beth White, the ranch’s current owners, about funding the project.

A representative from Brush Creek Ranch, present at the meeting, informed the governing body that Beth White supported the project and that she was working to arrange a future meeting between Haderlie and White.

During the May 6th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Planning Commission Chairwoman McCall Burau asked for an update on the project.

Councilman Barkhurst said the matter hasn’t been discussed by the Recreation Commission since February. The councilman said he believed that Haderlie and representatives from Brush Creek Ranch were still in talks about funding the facility.

Former council member Kathy Beck referred to a lease agreement the governing body chose not to adopt in 2022. Beck explained that Haderlie is unlikely to secure funding without a signed contract.

Beck explained the original lease agreement safeguarded the town in case Haderlie was unable to secure funding for the project. If the necessary money wasn’t raised within a set timeframe, the contract would be canceled.

Mayor Chuck Davis said he was not given a lease agreement to review when he took office in 2023. Mayor Davis offered to have Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip examine the original contract, but said he was unwilling to sign the lease agreement until Haderlie secured funding for the project.

Planning Commission Chairwoman McCall Burau stated that Haderlie told the Recreation Board he felt the previous Town Council was asking him to secure all necessary funding for the aquatic center before signing the lease agreement. Burau said with a signed contract in hand, Haderlie would be more likely to find financial support for the project.

Mayor Davis offered to read the original lease agreement and, if the governing body agrees, send it to Town Attorney Waldrip for review.

The post New Prospects in Proposed Platte Valley Aquatic Center first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 9, 2025 |

Photo – MHCC CEO Kerry Ashment – Courtesy MHCC

The new CEO of Memorial Hospital of Carbon County assured the Rawlins City Council this week that he’s here to stay.

On March 31st, the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County Board of Trustees announced that Kerry Ashment had been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer.

Ashment introduced himself to the Rawlins City Council during their May 6th meeting, specifically mentioning that he is serving as the permanent CEO of Memorial Hospital.

Ashment acknowledged that Memorial Hospital has faced numerous challenges finding and keeping leadership staff. The last permanent CEO, Ken Harmon, joined the medical facility in December of 2019, and lead the organization through the COVID pandemic.

In May of 2023, citing “mounting stress,” Harmon stepped down as CEO. Later that same month, hospital administrators hired Rex Walk as interim Chief Executive Officer.

Walk was tasked with turning the financially troubled medical facility around. However, the interim CEO served for just over a year before the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County Board of Trustees voted to end his employment, citing a need for new leadership.

Following Walk’s termination last June, the hospital board brought Gerald Parton from Ovation Healthcare in as interim CEO until a permanent replacement could be found.

Parton’s tenure at the Rawlins hospital appeared to be short, as in December of 2024, the Board of Trustees announced that they had hired a new permanent CEO: Erick Twyman. However, Twyman was let go after roughly one week on the job after hospital administrators discovered a discrepancy in his background.

Gerald Parton resumed his role as interim CEO until Ashment joined the organization at the end of March.

At the Rawlins City Council meeting on May 6th, Ashment said he and his wife, Terry, have three sons.

When asked why he chose to move to Rawlins, Wyoming, the hospital CEO explained that he has experience living in climates similar to Carbon County.

Ashment expressed appreciation for the warm welcome he and his family have received from the community, adding that residents have freely shared their concerns about Memorial Hospital. The CEO explained that he is aware of the challenges facing the medical facility and said he is confident in his ability to find solutions.

A significant portion of Memorial Hospital’s financial struggles stem from billing issues. Patients were frequently billed incorrectly, resulting in repeated charges, improper debt collection, and overall reduced revenue. Hospital staff have reported that they receive less than half of the reimbursements requested through billing. As a result, Memorial Hospital has fallen behind on vendor payments, further reducing the services it can provide.

Efforts to improve billing accuracy have been implemented, including hiring a Director of Revenue Cycle to reduce clerical errors and enhance payment processing.

Ashment said the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County Board of Trustees were upfront with him about the hospital’s challenges before he took the job. The CEO acknowledged the facility’s shortcomings and emphasized his team’s ability to make the required improvements.

Rawlins Mayor Pro Tem Steve Sanger thanked Ashment for introducing himself to the community and expressed gratitude to the staff of Memorial Hospital of Carbon County for their excellent medical care.

The post MHCC CEO Meets with Rawlins City Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 9, 2025 |

Photo – Recycling Center announcement – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The City of Rawlins will dedicate the recycling center to the late landfill supervisor later today. Superintendent Patrick Martinez passed away on December 2nd, 2023, at the age of 42. Martinez had worked for the City of Rawlins for over 16 years.

On June 16th, 2024, the Rawlins City Council voted to dedicate the recycling center to Martinez, renaming the facility the Patrick Martinez Memorial Recycling Center. The city will hold a special dedication ceremony this afternoon to remember Martinez.

Rawlins Community Development Director Lou Lascano said the former Landfill and Recycling Center Superintendent played a significant role in ensuring the efficient operation of the city’s waste disposal services.

Rawlins Community Relations Coordinator Mira Miller invited the public to this dedication ceremony. The recycling center will be closed during the event, and attendees can enjoy free food provided by Rawlins firefighters.

The Patrick Martinez Memorial Recycling Center dedication ceremony is this afternoon, May 9, at the recycling facility, at 1524 Daley Street in Rawlins. Activities begin at 4:00 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for 5:30. Public Works Director Cody Dill will unveil Martinez’s memorial plaque during the event.

The post Dedication of Recycling Center Today in Rawlins first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.