Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

MAY 8, 2025 |

Photo – A wild mare with foal – Courtesy Rawlins Field Office of BLM

The Bureau of Land Management is warning the public not to interfere with wild horses.

On April 22nd, the Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office issued a reminder that wild horses are federally protected.

Speaking to Bigfoot99, Rawlins Field Office Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Eddie Vandenburg explained his office is responsible for maintaining roughly 1,900 horses in three herd management areas around Rawlins. For unknown reasons, Vandenburg said female horses in those management areas often leave their young behind.

Vandenburg said researchers are unsure why the mares leave their foals behind. Occasionally, a mother will return to her offspring. If that doesn’t happen, Vandenburg said BLM will step in to care for the animal.

Vandenburg said the Rawlins BLM Office does not track the number of abandoned foals it rescues every year. However, the Wild Horse Specialist estimates that his office takes in two to four young horses annually.

Vandenburg said the origin of the Rawlins wild horse herds remains uncertain.

Vandenburg reminded the public that all wild horses and burros on public lands are federally protected under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. The Wild Horse Specialist said to contact BLM if you see a horse that appears to be in distress.

Vandenburg said he rarely encounters individuals who try to remove wild horses from federal land. Instead, people typically will notice a horse in distress but wait to report it to BLM. Vandenburg urged the public to immediately report sick or injured horses to the agency.

Your urgency could play a critical role. Vandenburg said the sooner BLM rescues a horse, the greater its chance of successful rehabilitation.

The Rawlins Office Wild Horse Specialist said he wants to avoid the perception that the animals under his supervision are all sick or injured. Vandenburg said in his opinion, Wyoming is home to the healthiest horses in the world.

Under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, it is illegal to capture, brand, harass, or kill wild horses and burros on public lands. Violating the law may result in criminal penalties, including fines of up to $2,000 and a maximum of one year in prison.

If you see a horse that appears to be injured, sick, or abandoned, call the Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Office at 328-4200.

The post BLM Warns Public to Not Interfere with Wild Horses first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 8, 2025 |

Photo – Example of an electronic scoreboard – Bigfoot99 file photo

In Rawlins, the governing council voted this week to accept a donation to the city from Marathon Oil to purchase a new Little League scoreboard.

During the May 6th Rawlins City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Sanger introduced a measure to approve an $8,500 donation from Marathon Oil Corporation. The money would be used to buy a new electronic scoreboard for the city’s VFW baseball fields.

The Rawlins City Council voted to temporarily appoint Sanger as Mayor Pro Tem because Mayor Jacquelin Wells and Vice Mayor Darril Garner were both absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

Since 2021, the Rawlins Parks and Recreation Department has been working to undo decades of deferred maintenance that left the four city-owned VFW Little League baseball fields, located north of the Carbon County Fairgrounds, in a mostly unplayable condition. The fields were unsafe, with uneven ground and littered with gopher and badger holes.

Since that time, the city has allocated more than $200,000 to make the VFW baseball fields playable once again, with the goal of hosting a regional Little League tournament in the near future.

The VFW complex consists of four baseball fields arranged in a circular pattern. According to the city of Rawlins, the southeast field is the most frequently used, as it is the only one equipped with lights for night games. The northwest field is the second most used, primarily by minor-aged players. The southwest field is designated for T-ball, while the northeast field hosts Coach Pitch. Since neither the southwest nor northeast fields have electricity, they cannot support an electronic scoreboard.

Speaking to the City Council on March 18th, Parks and Rec Director Nikki Howell said installing new electrical systems in the northeast and southwest baseball fields will cost the city $15,600.

The city already has a new scoreboard, purchased several years ago with a Wyoming Community Gas grant. However, the scoreboard has yet to be installed and is currently sitting in storage.

At Tuesday’s Rawlins City Council meeting, Councilman Derek Elliott, who is serving his first term on the council, asked if the $8,500 Marathon Oil donation would be used to buy another scoreboard for the same Little League field.

Mayor Pro Tem Sanger reminded Councilman Elliott that in 2022, the City Council voted to use the annual Wyoming Community Gas grant to buy a scoreboard for the southern field. The display donated by Marathon Oil will be installed on the opposite field.

Councilman Terry Patterson asked whether the $8,500 donation would fully cover the expense of installing and wiring the new scoreboard. City Manager Tom Sarvey said the display is expected to cost less than $6,000. The remaining funds will be used to power the scoreboard.

Following the discussion, the Rawlins City Council unanimously approved the $8,500 donation from Marathon Oil Corporation for a new Little League baseball field scoreboard.

The post Marathon Oil Donates a New Scoreboard to VFW Ball Fields first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 8, 2025 |

Photo – The M4E1 .300 Blackout rifle the SPD will order – Courtesy Aero Precision USA web site

The Saratoga Police Department is spending $13,000 to update their 60-year-old rifle arsenal.

During Tuesday’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore reported an increase in emergency calls since the last Town Council meeting. Chief Moore attributed the rise in call volume to the warming weather.

Chief Moore then requested approval from the governing body to purchase modern rifles chambered in .300 Blackout. The police chief explained that his stock of Vietnam War-era M16’s are inadequate for taking down large wildlife.

Developed by the Advanced Armament Corporation, .300 Blackout is a relatively new cartridge, going into full production in 2010. Compared to the older 5.56 round, the .300 Blackout delivers superior stopping power in shorter-barreled firearms.

Chief Moore said six M4-style rifles, each with an 8.3-inch barrel, suppressor, and sling, will cost $10,026. Including aftermarket sights, the total cost comes to $13,393.16

Chief Moore said his department’s equipment budget contains enough money to cover the purchase cost of the rifles.

Councilman Bub Barkhurst asked if the .300 Blackout rounds were commonly used by other law enforcement agencies. Chief Moore responded most agencies rely on the older .223 Remington and .308 rounds. However, those municipalities do not encounter the same types of wildlife as the Saratoga Police Department. Additionally, the .308 cartridge is prone to overpenetration.

Chief Moore added the .300 Blackout is even less likely to penetrate walls than his standard-issue 9mm handgun round. The police chief said subsonic rounds will further decrease the likelihood of overpenetration.

A Saratoga resident questioned why the town’s police force required more firepower than their standard-issue Glock pistols. Councilman Mike Cooley said the rifles will allow police officers to deal with threats at a longer range.

The same resident asked if the Saratoga Police Department already had a stockpile of AR-15 rifles. Mayor Chuck Davis explained the town owns 60-year-old M16s chambered for overpowered rounds.

Chief Moore added his department also maintains a 9mm Ruger carbine, which is ineffective against mountain lions and bears.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously approved Chief Moore’s request to use $13,393.16 from his department’s equipment budget to purchase six rifles and related accessories.

The post Saratoga Police Updates Supply of Old Rifles first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 7, 2025 |

Photo – CR680 bridge – Bigfoot99 file photo

Work to reopen the County Road 680 bridge over the Encampment River is expected to be finished before the end of the month.

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.

The bridge is owned by Carbon County, making county officials responsible for repair costs.

After the bridge closed to traffic, County Road and Bridge Coordinator Kandis Fritz began contacting engineering firms to obtain a cost estimate to make the bridge usable again. During the April 15th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Road and Bridge Coordinator Fritz informed the Board that a representative from the Laramie-based engineering firm Reiman Corporation developed a plan to repair the bridge. However, Fritz said WYDOT must decide if the proposed fixes are enough.

The Carbon County Commissioners voted to pay Reiman Corporation $106,350 to repair the County Road 680 bridge.

When the commissioners met again yesterday, Fritz announced that WYDOT had approved Reiman Corporation’s bridge repair plan. Fritz added that County Attorney Ashley Davis and Reiman Corporation had finalized an agreement for the Laramie engineering firm to complete the repairs for the agreed-upon price and asked the Board to sign the contract.

Fritz said Reiman Corporation workers were on-site at the County Road 680 bridge, aiming to complete the work within two weeks. Afterward, WYDOT will need to inspect the work before granting approval to reopen the bridge. Fritz said she does not know when WYDOT will perform its final inspection.

Commissioner John Johnson asked Fritz if the county was required to wait for WYDOT’s approval before opening the bridge to traffic again. The Road and Bridge Coordinator said the final decision lies with the Board.

Commissioner Johnson criticized WYDOT for not approving Reiman Corporation’s repair plan more quickly.

Commissioner Sue Jones said WYDOT should have spotted the problems with the County Road 680 bridge sooner. Road and Bridge Coordinator Fritz said the state agency isn’t entirely at fault. The County’s Road and Bridge Department is responsible for preparing bridges for WYDOT inspection. Fritz said that neither she nor her crews had enough time to clean the bridges before the inspections took place.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners voted to approve the contract with Reiman Corporation for repairs to the County Road 680 bridge. Weather permitting, work should be completed within two weeks, eliminating the need for local traffic to take the current 20-minute detour around the bridge.

The post Bridge Over Encampment River Should Reopen by End of Month first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 7, 2025 |

Photo – Wyoming Senator John Barrasso – Bigfoot99 file photo

Tomorrow—May 8th – is VE Day. Victory in Europe Day was first recognized and celebrated in 1945. It marks the formal acceptance of the Allies who fought in World War II of Germany’s unconditional surrender and the cessation of all its military operations.

Adolph Hitler had committed suicide on April 30th during the Battle of Berlin.

On the floor of the U.S. Senate Tuesday, Senator John Barrasso marked the occasion by honoring Wyoming troops as part of Military Appreciation Month. Senator Barrasso said this is a time to renew our commitment to those who defend our nation and our freedom. This is a moment to say, “Thank you,” the senator said.

Senator Barrasso went on to talk about the financial investment required to maintain a strong military presence in the world.

The Senator misspoke there. The corrected transcript sent to media outlets puts the actual expenditure at $150 billion dollars to equip our military for a dangerous and menacing world.

The Senator from Casper went on to say that defending freedom demands financial support by equipping our soldiers for modern threats, including access to healthcare.

This year, 2025, marks the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, and later this year, Victory over Japan—VJ Day—on August 15th. In the United Kingdom tomorrow—government buildings will observe the milestone with two minutes of silence beginning at noon. In Washington, D.C., tomorrow, veterans and government officials will gather to lay wreaths in memory of the American lives lost during World War II.

The post Senator Barrasso Honors Soldiers as Part of Military Appreciation Month first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 7, 2025 |

Photo – Prairie Rattlesnake seen north of Hanna – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

Rattlesnake season has arrived. People and pets are more likely to encounter the venomous reptiles now, as they begin to emerge from their winter dens.

University of Wyoming’s Natural Diversity Database Director Dr. Gary Beauvais (pronounced “BO-vay”) said rattlesnakes become more active as temperatures climb. The snakes will begin leaving their winter burrows in search of food and mates, making them more likely to be out and about where they might come across people.

Rattlesnakes, like all snakes are cold blooded, meaning that they must use the outside air to regulate their body temperature. A cold snake is much less active.

Beauvais explained that this time of year, early spring, you are likely to see rattlesnakes basking in sunny places during the mornings and afternoons to increase their body temperature.

Roads are a common place to see rattlesnakes, as they offer a sunny spot for the reptiles to warm themselves. However, Beauvais said the snakes can be found nearly anywhere.

Wyoming is home to two different species of rattlesnake: the Midget Faded Rattlesnake, which can be found around the Flaming Gorge area, and the much more prolific Prairie Rattlesnake. Beauvais said the Prairie Rattlesnake is the only species found here in Carbon County.

Rattlesnakes can be found everywhere in Carbon County below 8,000 feet of elevation. Beauvais said the Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges do not provide an ideal habitat for the venomous reptiles.

As the weather continues to warm up, rattlesnake sightings will become more common. To avoid getting bitten, Beauvais said to exercise common sense and leave the snakes alone.

Beauvais said rattlesnake bites on humans are rare, with only three or four deaths a year. More than fifty percent of snakebite victims are young men who attempted to handle the venomous reptiles.

Pets are also at risk of being bitten by rattlesnakes.

Contact your local police department if you spot a rattlesnake in an area where it may come in contact with humans or pets.

The post People and Pets Likely to Encounter Rattlesnakes first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 6, 2025 |

Photo – Hylia AG-130 Drone – Courtesy Hylio Promotional Video

Wyoming counties are beginning to use aerial drones to combat invasive plant life.

Every county in Wyoming has its own weed and pest program designed to manage noxious plants and animals, such as cheatgrass and mosquitoes.

Sublette County is utilizing drone technology developed for Midwestern farmers to kill invasive plants here in Wyoming. Carbon County is working to implement a similar program.

Sublette County Weed and Pest Program Manager Lars Anderson told Bigfoot99 that the drones allow his team to effectively treat difficult to access areas with targeted applications of herbicide.

Sublette County launched its drone spraying program two years ago with the purchase of a Hylio AG-130 agricultural spraying drone. Anderson said using a series of GPS coordinates, the drone can autonomously spray a one-acre field before needing to be resupplied.

Anderson said spraying a one-acre field typically takes between 12 and 15 minutes, depending on the terrain.

The large drones, which require a Federal Aviation Administration license to operate, are gaining popularity among Midwestern farmers for crop treatment. Anderson said in recent years, western states have begun to recognize the benefits of using drones to combat invasive plant life, with Sublette County fully embracing the technology.

Anderson said he believes Sublette County is the fourth in the state to establish a drone spraying program, following Teton, Fremont, and Big Horn counties.

The Hylio AG-130 drone is equipped with two wide-angle radars, a built-in HD camera, and two GPS units. However, Anderson said the unmanned aerial vehicles aren’t perfect. Steep hills and large rocks can confuse the machine’s radar guidance systems. The drones also struggle around trees and other free-standing structures, often requiring operator intervention.

Additionally, high winds can make it impossible to fly the drone. Anderson noted that wind affects all herbicide application methods, not just drone spraying.

Anderson said Sublette County spent approximately $50,000 on the weed-spraying drone and another $50,000 to outfit a truck as a mobile drone base. While the initial cost of setting up a drone program is high, Anderson said the benefits justify the investment.

Anderson said Carbon County Weed and Pest District Supervisor Reese Irvine has contacted him about starting a drone spraying program in Carbon County. The Sublette County Weed and Pest Program Manager offers his guidance to any Wyoming county looking to establish its own drone program.

Anderson said Wyoming weed and pest programs are just beginning to explore the potential benefits of using drones to control invasive plant species and he is excited to see what the future holds for the technology.

Carbon County Weed and Pest District Supervisor Reese Irvine told Bigfoot99 that his agency has purchased a spray drone and going through the FAA registration and licensing process, which can take one to three months. Irvine wrote that he hopes to begin applying herbicide using the drone by the end of this summer.

The post Wyoming Counties Begin Using Aerial Drones for Weed Abatement first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 6, 2025 |

Photo – Hanna Cemetery – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

The Hanna Basin Museum will host a Memorial Day observance in old town of Carbon.

Monday, May 26th, is Memorial Day. Every year, the Hanna Basin Museum holds events honoring the military men and women who gave their lives in service of the country.

Hanna Museum Board Vice President Diane Springsguth explained that at 10:00 a.m. on the Sunday before Memorial Day, May 25, people can gather at the old town of Carbon cemetery to hear author and former Wyoming State Archaeologist Dr. Mark Miller speak.

Dr. Miller was born and raised on his family’s 160,000-acre ranch north of Saratoga. After receiving his PhD in anthropology from the University of Wyoming, Dr. Miller became Wyoming State Archaeologist, a position he held for three decades, before retiring in 2014.

Hanna Museum Board Vice President Springsguth said that if the weather is uncooperative on Sunday, May 25th, the Carbon Cemetery service will instead be held in the barn at the Palms’ Ranch. Before its conversion into a barn, the structure originally served as the church for the town of Carbon.

Springsguth said that following the old Carbon Memorial Day service, participants are invited to enjoy a free lunch at the Hanna Senior Center. Afterward, the Hanna Basin Museum will be open to visitors.

Springsguth said people from around the world attend the Hanna Basin Museum’s Memorial Day open house. The Museum Board Vice President noted that during peak coal production in the late 1800s and early 1900s, people from far and wide came to work in the towns of Carbon and Hanna.

At 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 25th, the town of Hanna will host its own Memorial Day observance at the Hanna Cemetery. Springsguth said Dr. Mark Miller may speak at that event as well.

After the town’s Memorial Day observance, Springsguth said people are welcome to return to the Hanna Basin Museum.

The Hanna Basin Museum’s Memorial Day observances begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 25th, at the old Carbon Cemetery. Following the event, the Hanna Senior Center will host a free luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Hanna Basin Museum will be open that Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m.

For more information, visit the Hanna Basin Museum at 502 Front Street in Hanna, or call 325-6465.

The post Memorial Day Observance Ceremony at Old Town of Carbon Cemetery first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 5, 2025 |

Photo – Seminoe Dam – Bigfoot99 file photo

Officials at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are concerned about the potential impact the proposed Seminoe Pumped Storage Project will have on local wildlife.

Last June, representatives from rPlus Energies, a Utah-based energy development company, met in Sinclair to discuss plans for a pumped storage facility at the Seminoe Reservoir.

If built, the Seminoe Pump Storage facility would require the construction of a 10,000-acre-foot upper reservoir in the Bennet Mountains, located approximately 1.9 miles east of the Seminoe Dam.

At the June meeting, Theresa Foxley, Chief of Staff for rPlus Energies, explained that the pumped storage facility will serve as a giant water battery. When electricity is abundant, water is pumped roughly 1,000 feet up from the lower Seminoe Reservoir into the higher storage lake. When energy demands outpace production, Foxley said the water is allowed to flow downhill through an underground hydroelectric turbine, generating electrical power.

The project is expected to cost between $2.5 and $3.5 billion.

If the facility is completed, the water level in the Seminoe Reservoir is expected to rise or fall by 6 to 18 inches as the pumped storage facility is drawing water from the reservoir into the upper storage lake or releasing the stored water to generate electricity.

The fluctuating water level in the reservoir—the rising and falling like bathwater in a tub–that concerns official at Wyoming Game and Fish.

Casper Regional Fisheries Supervisor Matt Hahn told Bigfoot 99, that the project has the potential to alter the water temperature in the Seminoe Reservoir. The fluctuating water temperature could have a negative impact on the nearby Miracle Mile. The nationally-renown trout-fishing area is located downstream of the corporate project.

Hahn said the Miracle Mile may be harmed by the reservoir project. Changes to the important natural resource must be examined, he said.

Additionally, pumping water into and out of Seminoe Reservoir may alter the oxygen content of the water, further impacting the fish population. Game and Fish Fisheries Supervisor Hahn said changes in oxygen levels are unlikely to impact the downstream ecosystem as significantly as potential temperature shifts and increased sediment levels.

Game and Fish Casper Region Public Information Specialist Janet Milek said fish aren’t the only wildlife that may be impacted by the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project. Milek said the state agency is also concerned about how construction of the facility will affect local populations of game animals.

The actual impact of the facility on the ecosystem will remain uncertain until the project is completed. Public Information Specialist Milek said Game and Fish is not providing an opinion on the project itself. Instead, the state agency is simply outlining the potential effects on local wildlife.

The Seminoe Pumped Storage Project is still in the early stages of development and requires many more studies to determine its viability and potential impact on the environment.

In a written statement to Bigfoot99, rPlus Energies Communications Associate Maile Resta stated that, as of March, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was in the process of drafting an Environmental Impact Statement for the project. Resta wrote that an Environmental Impact Statement evaluates the project’s effects on the environment, wildlife, recreation, and other resources while also reviewing alternatives and strategies to mitigate potential challenges. Once the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission releases the draft statement in September, the public will be given another opportunity to share their feedback on the project.

At the June meeting, rPlus Hydro representatives said they expected construction to begin next summer.

The post Seminoe Pumped Storage Project Has Wildlife Experts Concerned first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 5, 2025 |

Photo – Jet Hospitality owners behind the bar with employees at the Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow – by Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

The current owners of the Virginian Hotel invite guests to revisit the historic inn and explore its recent upgrades.

Last April, Aaron Mumford and Jesse Baker of Jet Hospitality purchased the historic Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow. Founded in 2017, Jett Hospitality specializes in alternative lodging experiences, including glamping, tiny homes, RV sites, and boutique hotels.

Speaking to Bigfoot99 at the time of the purchase, Baker explained that he discovered that the Virginian Hotel was for sale and investigated the local market. After learning that the area was primed for growth, Baker said he and Mumford contacted the owners, Vickie and Vernon Scott, to buy the property.

After its completion in 1911, the Virginian was the largest hotel between Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. The hotel was named after the Owen Wister book that immortalized the small town of Medicine Bow in what is considered the first Western-themed novel.

The hotel features an Owen Wister Suite, containing the desk used by the author to write his famous book.

For the past four generations, the Scott family owned the historic hotel. However, after meeting the Jet Hospitality team, Vickie and Vernon Scott happily passed the torch to the Virginian’s new owners.

On Friday, April 25th, local and county officials were invited to the historic inn for a special tour. Aaron Mumford explained that since last April, Jet Hospitality has made significant investments to restore the Virginian Hotel to its former glory.

Jet Hospitality has started removing the old carpeting from the guest rooms and restoring the underlying original hardwood floors. Mumford said the property includes the historic hotel, an old bank building, and a 20-room motel, all of which required extensive renovations.

Jet Hospitality has also replaced all the old bedding and pillows with modern linens. The hotel owners are seeking a local quilt maker to create new, period-correct bedding.

Mumford said he is considering extending the hotel’s wireless internet connection to the upper floors, noting that many travelers prefer rooms with more modern amenities. However, Mumford said he would rather preserve the rooms’ 114-year-old character.

Mumford said he and his business partner, Jesse Baker, debated whether to restore the sinks in each room of the historic hotel. Ultimately, they agreed that the sinks are an authentic part of the Virginian Hotel and should be preserved. After four months of hard work, Mumford said the sinks are now fully functional.

Mumford said he and Baker would like to turn the building’s unfinished top floor into a presidential suite, but a lack of money has put the project on hold.

Before Jet Hospitality purchased the property, Mumford said the Scotts were intending to sell it to a Louisiana investor. However, the person intended to fully renovate the historic building, a change Mumford said would negatively impact the community. The Jet Hospitality owner encouraged more people to visit the Virginian Hotel and experience its authenticity.

Mumford said the Virginian has survived because of support from the community, and Jet Hospitality plans to restore the historic hotel to its rightful place as the heart of Medicine Bow.

The post Virginian Hotel Ready to Show Off Renovations first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.