Bigfoot99 News - Bigfoot 99 Radio

MAY 2, 2025 |

Photo – Wind farm – Bigfoot99 file photo

Medicine Bow residents asked county officials how to retain workers and increase job opportunities.

During the April 15th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, a Medicine Bow resident informed the Board that a young volunteer firefighter moved out of town to accept a lucrative position at a Gillette coal mine. The resident said Carbon County’s most important asset is its people and asked the Commissioners what they’re doing to promote economic growth in the region.

Mining once served as the economic backbone of northern Carbon County, drawing hundreds of workers and their families to the area. As the mines began closing in the early 2000s, the towns of Hanna and Medicine Bow experienced a sharp decline in population. By the 2020 census, Hanna’s population had dropped to just 668, while Medicine Bow is home to only 238 residents.

The story is the same nearly everywhere in Carbon County. Since 2020, only the towns of Saratoga and Dixon saw their population rise.

Every other municipality in the county experienced a decline in residents, except for Baggs, which saw no change in population in the numbers published in the Wyoming 2020 census.

Speaking at the April 15th meeting, Commissioner John Johnson said mining is unlikely to see a significant resurgence in northern Carbon County. Ur-Energy, one of North America’s largest uranium producers, is preparing to begin extraction in the Shirley Basin, north of Medicine Bow. However, Johnson said their in-situ mining technique is unlikely to generate many job opportunities. Additionally, the Commissioner said coal mining is unlikely to return to the area due to the high cost of transporting the extracted minerals.

Commissioner Sue Jones added that the difficulty in finding workers is not unique to Carbon County. The entire state is experiencing a workforce shortage due to the ongoing trend of exporting jobs and workers elsewhere. Commissioner Jones said she does not have a solution to the problem.

Commissioner Jones continued, saying the same mindset was used to encourage wind turbine construction. Wind generation companies boasted about their companies producing a massive boost to employment in the area. Jones said the wind turbines provide little economic benefit to Carbon County, and certainly not many jobs.

Commissioner Jones acknowledged that outdoor recreation, such as hunting, draws people to Carbon County. However, the influx of tourists has placed additional strain on infrastructure in the county, specifically the roads from the increase of heavier traffic.

Commission Chairman Travis Moore blamed the problem on county residents. Moore explained that attracting new businesses to Carbon County is difficult due to a reluctance among residents to embrace change.

Additionally, Chairman Moore said Carbon County’s declining population has made it difficult to staff the existing businesses.

Commissioner John Espy said electrical generation appears to be the most promising path for Wyoming’s future. Commissioner Espy said the U.S. Department of Energy is experimenting with modular nuclear reactors, which may bring jobs to the area.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners recognized that they have no immediate solution for expanding the local workforce. However, the Board encouraged residents to attend commissioner meetings and share their opinions on how Carbon County should grow.

The post Commissioners Discuss Economic Growth in Carbon County first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 2, 2025 |

Photo – Hanna Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

The mayor of Hanna encouraged residents to address complaints directly to the governing body.

During the April 8th Hanna Town Council meeting, Mayor Charlie George explained that the governing body has received unspecified third-party complaints from residents. Mayor George asked that concerns to be brought to the governing body, either by attending a Town Council meeting or speaking with him directly.

Mayor George said spreading rumors does not help improve the town of Hanna. The mayor instructed residents to either come to a council meeting and openly discuss their concerns or stop complaining.

Mayor Geroge said residents seem unaware of the hard work being done by town employees. The mayor assured the public that repairs and improvements are being completed in the town for the benefit of all.

Mayor George encouraged residents to be honest with the governing body about their concerns and not spread rumors.

For more information or to speak at the next Town Council meeting, contact Hanna Town Hall at 325-9424 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit in person at 301 South Adams Street. The Hanna Town Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. The next meeting is scheduled for May 12th.

The post Hanna Officials Encourage Residents to Address Complaints to Town Council first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 1, 2025 |

Photo – Game and Fish fencing project near Pinedale – Courtesy Wyoming Game and Fish Department

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has released new livestock fencing guidelines for ranchers and others.

On Monday, April 28th, Wyoming Game and Fish announced the third edition of the Wyoming Landowner’s Guide to Fences and Wildlife.

Game and Fish Big Game Migration Coordinator Jill Randall explained the 68-page guide serves as a resource for anyone installing fences in Wyoming, including landowners and the Bureau of Land Management. Randall said the document is easy-to-understand and provides useful information about various types of fencing.

The Wyoming Landowner’s Guide to Fences and Wildlife has been updated three times since it was first published in 2012. Big Game Migration Coordinator Randall said the guide now contains the most up-to-date research on livestock enclosures. For example, Randall said the 2025 guide shows how a four-wire fence is as effective at containing livestock as the older six-wire enclosures.

The updated guidebook also contains new designs for wildlife crossing structures. Randall explained how breaking up the fence line can save money for ranchers and other landowners.

Randall said the revised fence guidebook contains new recommendations for maximum fence height. Game and Fish now suggests lowering the top wire by two to four inches, a change that cattle ranchers have welcomed.

Another change contained in the updated fence guidebook pertains to the lowest wire on a fence. Randall said raising the bottom wire two inches allows wildlife to pass under the fence more easily.

Randall said Game and Fish supports the guidelines because they benefit Wyoming wildlife, including pronghorn and mule deer. By making fences easier to bypass, wildlife access feeding grounds and migration routes.

The revised fence guidelines also benefit ranchers. Randall said the Wyoming Landowner’s Guide to Fences and Wildlife offers ranchers the latest information on fence replacement.

Randall said Wyoming Game and Fish has allocated state and federal money to help landowners replace their out-of-date fencing. The research behind the revised guidebook ensures that the money is used to construct the best enclosures possible.

Physical copies of the Wyoming Landowner’s Guide to Fences and Wildlife are available for free at Game and Fish Regional offices throughout the state. However, supplies are limited.

Electronic copies of the fencing guide are available on the Game and Fish website, a link to which will be included with this story when it is posted to the Bigfoot99 website later today.

Digital copy of the 2025 Wyoming Landowner’s Guide to Fences and Wildlife: Wyoming Fences & Wildlife Handbook-031725.pdf

The post Livestock Fencing Guidebook Revisions Recently Released first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

MAY 1, 2025 |

Photo – Recycling center’s dedication announcement – Courtesy City of Rawlins

The City of Rawlins will dedicate its 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 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 on Friday, May 9th, to remember Martinez.

Speaking to Bigfoot99, Rawlins Community Development Director Lou Lascano, who knew Martinez personally, 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 Development Director Lascano said Martinez was instrumental in securing a new bailing machine at the recycling center, increasing the city’s output of recyclable material by several times. Lascano described Martinez as a visionary whose contributions continue to benefit the community.

Rawlins Community Relations Coordinator Mira Miller invited the public to next Friday’s 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 next Friday, May 9th, at the recycling facility, located 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 Rawlins Recycling Center to be Named for Late Supervisor first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

APRIL 30, 2025 |

Photo – Truck transporting a transformer to wind farm – Bigfoot99 file photo

Carbon County commissioners have updated the road use agreement for the Sierra Madre and Chokecherry Wind Energy Projects, aligning policies with current standards. During the April 15th County Commissioners’ meeting held in Medicine Bow, Road and Bridge Coordinator Kandis Fritz presented an amended road use agreement with the Power Company of Wyoming for the Board’s approval.

County Attorney Ashley Davis explained the amended agreement brings the Sierra Madre and Chokecherry Wind Energy projects in line with existing county road use policies.

The Board unanimously voted to approve the amended road use agreement following attorney review.

Later during the April 15th meeting, Medicine Bow rancher Bob Heward asked the Commissioners why County Road 99, north of the town, was left in poor condition after a nearby wind energy project finished construction.

Road and Bridge Coordinator Kandis Fritz responded that she has worked to improve the county’s road use agreement since she took over the department six years ago. What was once a simple two-page agreement has expanded to require companies to make extensive upgrades to county roads used by heavy equipment.

Additionally, Fritz explained that companies must provide video recordings of the roads before and after project completion to show they have complied with the road use agreement.

Local rancher Bob Heward said County Road 99 is almost entirely devoid of gravel and asked when it will be addressed. Road and Bridge Coordinator Fritz noted that she oversees 242 miles of dirt roads across Carbon County that require additional gravel.

Fritz said covering each mile of road requires 2,000 tons of gravel, totaling 486,000 tons at a cost of $7 million.

Commissioner John Johnson said the county is expecting to lose a significant amount of property tax revenue due to tax relief bills passed by the state legislature. With the reduced income, maintaining the county’s 361 miles of dirt roads will become more challenging.

Commission Chairman Travis Moore praised Road and Bridge Coordinator Fritz for ensuring that the county is properly compensated for wear and tear on its roads caused by heavy vehicle traffic. Chairman Moore agreed the reduced property tax revenue will make it more difficult to maintain county-owned roads.

The Board acknowledged Wyoming’s boom-and-bust economy and apologized that previous County Commissioners did not adequately prepare for the upcoming financial challenges. However, the Board pledged to do everything within its means to maintain the county’s roads with the reduced budget. In the meantime, the amended road use agreement will ensure the county is reimbursed for damage to its roads.

The post Road Use Agreement for Wind Projects Signed by Commissioners first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

APRIL 30, 2025 |

Photo – Senator John Barrasso – Bigfoot99 file photo

U.S. Senate Majority Whip, John Barrasso of Wyoming, celebrated the first 100 days of the Trump Administration on Tuesday.

Senator Barrasso applauded the cabinet team assembled in the first days of the Trump Administration and confirmed by the senate. The Senator from Wyoming praised Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Border Czar Tom Homan for working to secure the safety and security of the American people. Illegal crossings have dropped 94 percent on their watch, Barrasso said.

Immigration and Custom Enforcements reports over 100,000 deportations in the first 80 days of the Trump Administration.

Senator Barrasso said the Trump Administration is also retooling the American energy sector that the Biden Administration ran into the ground.

Senator Barrasso noted that energy bills rose 31 percent during Biden’s time in office. Reducing the cost of energy for American consumers is one of the top goals of the Trump White House.

Wyoming’s senior senator also addressed the adversarial relationship between the United States and China that has been aggravated during the first 100 days of the Trump presidency.

Meanwhile, President Trump spoke in Macomb County, Michigan—part of the Detroit metropolitan area – on Tuesday, celebrating his first 100 days of his second term in office.

The post Wyoming Senator Celebrates 100 Days of Trump Administration first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

APRIL 30, 2025 |

Photo – Chase and Milo are available for adoption – Courtesy Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter

Homeless animals at the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter are searching for loving families. The shelter is home to 19 dogs and three cats. Seven dogs are currently participating in the Cage to Save Program, an initiative unique to Rawlins where inmates of the nearby Wyoming State Penitentiary spend nine weeks training shelter dogs in basic obedience and good canine citizenship. Rawlins Police Lieutenant Daria Hooper said animals are being adopted from the shelter at nearly the same rate they are arriving.

This month, Lieutenant Hooper asked to spotlight a nine-year-old Great Dane named Chase.

Great Danes typically live between seven and ten years. Lieutenant Hooper said Chase is dog, cat, and kid friendly.

The Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter would also like to highlight a young male black cat named Milo. Lieutenant Hooper said Milo may be timid at first but quickly adjusts to people. Milo is also dog, cat, and kid friendly.

Volunteers are always needed at the Rawlins animal shelter. Lieutenant Hooper explained that after passing a background check, an animal control officer will teach the volunteer how to properly take care of the shelter animals.

The Rochelle Animal Shelter also offers a foster program. Lieutenant Hooper said the foster program allows people to temporarily bring a shelter animal into their homes.

Lieutenant Hooper said the animal shelter is aways in need of donations of pet treats and blankets.

For more information about adoption, volunteering, or fostering, contact the Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter at 328-4534. Staff are available from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Adoption fees are $35 for cats and $50 for dogs.

The post Rawlins Rochelle Animal Shelter Feature Two Adoptable Pets first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

APRIL 29, 2025|

Photo – Proposed passenger rail line in Colorado – Courtesy hsrail.org

Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert asked the federal government to cease funding on the proposed Front Range Passenger Rail project.

In 2020, districts across the state of Colorado created a special tax to fund the construction of a passenger train service along the Front Range and Interstate 25 corridors. The funds will be used to establish a new passenger rail line between Fort Collins and Pueblo, Colorado, with future connections to New Mexico and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

On June 30th, 2021, the Colorado legislature passed Senate Bill 38, establishing the Front Range Passenger Rail District. The Rail District in Colorado is authorized to plan, design, finance, construct, operate, and maintain a passenger rail system along the Front Range corridor.

According to the organization’s website, the Front Range Passenger Rail District plans to propose a ballot measure in the near future for 13 counties served by the rail line. The measure seeks approval for a sales tax increase to fund the project.

The total cost of the project is not yet known, as it is still in the preliminary planning stages.

However, the Front Range Passenger Rail District states the rail service is expected to cost between $3 and $3.5 billion to operate. Some sources put the total cost of the project at closer to $14 billion.

At present, the State of Colorado has received $66.4 million in federal funding to enhance rail infrastructure, including upgrades to support the Front Range Passenger Rail project. Additionally, the Colorado legislature has committed $28 million in state funding toward rail infrastructure improvements.

In an April 7th letter to the federal government, Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert urged the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and the U.S. Department of Transportation to review the project for, “potential misuse of federal taxpayer dollars.”

Congresswoman Boebert said the proposed rail line will place a significant financial burden on both American and Coloradan taxpayers. The Congresswoman also wrote that the project poses a threat to private property rights, and that development lacked transparency.

CBS Colorado reported that Congresswoman Boebert urged the federal government to cease funding for the Front Range Passenger Rail project.

In her letter, Congresswoman Boebert wrote that the Front Range Passenger Rail project was touted as a solution to transportation needs in Colorado’s Front Range corridor. However, the Congresswoman said a review of the project revealed that it is “fiscally irresponsible, impractical, and benefits special interests rather than the hardworking people of Colorado.”

Congresswoman Boebert wrote that the Biden administration also significantly inflated demand for the project and that accurate ridership forecasts are needed to determine the project’s viability.

The Colorado Congresswoman also wrote that the project would require the use of eminent domain to seize private property from landowners unwilling to sell.

Instead of a new rail service on the Front Range, Congresswoman Boebert suggested improving the existing road infrastructure in the area.

Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd said he completely agrees with his fellow state Congressperson. In a written statement to the Pueblo Chieftain Newspaper, Congressman Hurd said Colorado residents need better roads, safer bridges, and clean drinking water, not vanity trains that no one will ever use.

If the Front Range Passenger Rail project proceeds as planned, Colorado service is expected to being in 2029, with a proposed route to Cheyenne sometime in the future.

The post Colorado Congresswoman Asks Feds to Cease Funding Passenger Rail Project first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

APRIL 29, 2025|

Photo – Salvation Army logo – Bigfoot99 file photo

A local charity organization has reestablished the Rawlins branch of the Salvation Army.

On Thursday, April 24th, Saint Christopher’s Highway of Carbon County announced that it has officially become the local Salvation Army affiliate.

Speaking to Bigfoot99, Saint Christopher’s Highway volunteer Tink Day explained that she ran the Rawlins Salvation Army branch singlehandedly. Two years ago, when she was preparing to retire, Day began searching for an organization to take over Salvation Army duties. WYO Help, a state-wide charity organization, offered to serve as the local Salvation Army affiliate. However, Day said the group was unable to fully implement the program and discontinued its involvement last December.

At the time of the split, Salvation Army Intermountain Division Executive Director of Emergency Disaster Services Ian Anderson issued a written statement acknowledging that his organization and WYO Help parted ways.

Anderson wrote, at the time, that The Salvation Army’s Divisional Headquarters Finance Department was understaffed, resulting in many assistance checks going out “very late.” Delayed payments upset many clients and local vendors that work with The Salvation Army.

Anderson continued, saying that the vendors, who were not getting paid, were directing their frustrations toward WYO Help. This resulted in the organization ending its long-standing partnership with The Salvation Army. Anderson reported that the Finance Department has fixed the issues that were causing the late payments and hired a new employee specifically to support Salvation Army units across southern Wyoming.

Unfortunately, the damage was done and The Salvation Army ceased operations in Rawlins.

This is no longer the case. Day said Saint Christopher’s Highway of Carbon County is now the local Salvation Army affiliate. Day said she eagerly agreed to participate with the reformed charity organization.

Day explained that The Salvation Army and Saint Christopher’s Highway will remain two separate entities, with Saint Christopher’s focusing on providing aid to stranded travelers.

Day said The Salvation Army only helps Carbon County residents, not out-of-town travelers. The charity organization is offering a maximum of $200 to help residents pay for utilities or rent.

Day explained that The Salvation Army of Carbon County currently lacks sufficient funding, limiting individual donations to a maximum of $200. After Thanksgiving, volunteer bell ringers will begin collecting money, which will be made available next year.

Day said people seeking assistance from The Salvation Army must first call Saint Christopher’s Highway of Carbon County. A volunteer from Saint Christopher’s Highway will assess their needs and determine the appropriate type of assistance.

Day will contact the person and arrange to meet them at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, located at 321 6th Street in Rawlins. The individual will be asked to complete a short application and provide a copy of their bill. The application is then sent to The Salvation Army regional headquarters in Denver for approval.

Payments from The Salvation Army can take between one and two weeks to arrive. Day said she has ensured that Saint Chrisopher’s Highway will not have the same late payment issues that WYO Help experienced.

Day said she will begin advertising for Salvation Army bellringers later in the year. In the meantime, the charity organization is accepting cash donations. People can send their donations to The Salvation Army at P.O. Box 301, Rawlins 82301.

To request financial assistance for a utility bill or rent payment, call Saint Christopher’s Highway of Carbon County at 321-6688.

The post Salvation Army Returns to Carbon County first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

APRIL 28, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins water website – Courtesy City of Rawlins water website

The City of Rawlins has launched a new water system information website.

On Thursday afternoon, the City of Rawlins Facebook page announced a new website containing information about the city’s water infrastructure and water-related projects.

Rawlins Public Information Officer Mira Miller explained city officials hired the Cheyenne-based social media firm, Girt Communications, and WWC Engineering, out of Laramie, to create rawlinswater.org, an easy-to-understand resource for water news and information.

After months of work, rawlinswater.org was launched last Thursday, April 24th.

Miller said the website’s main homepage provides information on each of the four components of the Rawlins water system.

Miller said the website also details the repairs each system requires and the status of those repairs.

Additionally, rawlinswater.org has sections dedicated to the latest news about the city’s water system, frequently asked questions, reports and studies on the water infrastructure, and links to the city website for more information.

Miller said the website will be updated as water projects are completed, including the installation of the new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, or SCADA, system at the city’s water treatment plant. The Public Information Officer said residents may also subscribe to the city’s official webpage to receive email or text notifications.

To sign up for email and text notifications, visit rawlinswy.gov, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the ‘Notify Me’ icon.

Miller said the city will also make the water infrastructure website’s information available to residents without internet access.

Miller also announced the findings of the 2024 annual Rawlins water quality report. The Public Information Officer said the official results can be obtained online, at City Hall, or through her office.

The latest water quality report can also be found on the city’s new water website under the resources tab.

Visit rawlinswater.org for all the latest news from spring to spigot.

The post City of Rawlins Launches Website for Water System Information first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.