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4/11/2025 |

Rawlins FD Logo

The Rawlins Fire Department will receive a new air compressor fill station.

During the April 1st Rawlins city council meeting, the governing body voted to pay LN Curtis and Sons, of Salt Lake City, Utah, $75,965.43 to install a new Stallion Air Incorporated Centaur breathing air compressor fill station and air storage system at the Rawlins Fire Department.

On January 30th, City Manager Tom Sarvey requested bids for a new air compressor and storage system for the fire department. Two companies responded to the request: Sea-Western, based in Kirkland, Washington, and LN Curtis and Sons. Sea-Western quoted $94,740.12 to install a Bauer Unicus system. LN Curtis submitted two bids, one for a less expensive Artic Compressor for $70,470.43, and the second for the Stallion Air Incorporated Centaur model.

At the April 1st meeting, Fire Chief Allen Robinson explained that the new compressor station will allow the city’s firefighters to fill and store more oxygen tanks at one time.

According to city documents, the existing compressor, which is used to fill firefighters’ Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus bottles, is 30 years old and ready to be replaced due to leaking valves.

Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked Chief Robinson if the current compressor could serve as a backup. The fire chief explained that the city’s firefighters have traditionally only needed a single air filling station. If the new compressor fails, Rawlins firefighters will have access to the Carbon County Fire Protection District’s filling station.

The Rawlins city council voted to approve the purchase of the new air compressor fill station and air storage system for $75,965.43. Councilman Terry Patterson, who is a member of the Rawlins Fire Department, abstained.

This fiscal year, the Rawlins Fire Department has allocated $85,000 to replace the breathing air compressor. The remaining $9,000 will be used to cover any additional work and rental equipment needed to install the new system.

The post Rawlins Fire Department Receives New Air Compressor first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

4/10/2025 |

Photo – Matt Copeland Bigfoot 99

Hanna officials move forward with plans to sell the town’s shuttered recreation center.

For over a century, coal was king in Hanna, first fueling the locomotives of the railways and later power plants across the nation.

When coal was booming, the mine companies built a large recreation center to attract workers and their families to the northern Carbon County town. In the early 2000’s, when the mines began to close, the town took ownership of the recreation center.

The mining companies failed to provide the town with money to pay for the operation of the recreation center. As a result, Hanna officials have relied on impact assistance funds from nearby wind energy projects to help cover the $300,000 annual cost of running the facility.

As impact assistance funds dwindled, the Hanna town council, led by then-Mayor Jayson Nordquist, faced the tough decision to shut down the struggling recreation center, ultimately closing the facility indefinitely on July 31st, 2024. Mayor Nordquist promised to maintain the building, hoping it will eventually reopen.

After a single winter without use, however, the Hanna Recreation Center is showing signs of deterioration. In February, Mayor Charlie George announced that the facility’s roof was leaking and that sections of the metal siding had been torn off by the wind.

The following month, the town council received estimates of $48,000 to repair a portion of the roof and $6,200 to replace the metal siding. Ultimately, the governing body decided against moving forward with either repair project and instead discussed the possibility of selling the building.

Mayor George revisited the matter during Tuesday’s Hanna town council meeting. Councilman Sam Sikes suggested demolishing the building, saying that the town lacks the funds to maintain it. However, the mayor noted that the town also cannot afford the cost of demolition.

Mayor George said town officials met with representatives from the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation to discuss selling the recreation center.

The town was advised to maintain the building until a buyer could be found. Reluctantly, the mayor proposed replacing the missing siding and repairing the leaking roof.

Town Clerk Vivian Gonzales said they should know if the building is likely to sell by the middle of next month. Mayor George said the building must be maintained until that time.

Councilman Sikes suggested finding the source of the leak before committing to repairing the roof. Public Works Director Larry Korkow said the water might be originating from plumbing lines that were cut when the building was winterized last year. Public Works employee David Sutter said locating the source of the leak is challenging due to the building’s construction.

Councilman Sikes warned that the roof might still leak after repairs unless the source of the water is found.

Given the building’s need for repairs and a possible buyer, Mayor George proposed delaying the roof repairs. In the meantime, the mayor recommended replacing the missing siding.

The town received one $6,200 bid to replace the metal siding at the rec center. Mayor George said the public works department staff could perform the work, but they will need to rent a lift. Councilman David Felix noted that the price of renting the equipment will bring the cost of the project close to the contractor’s estimate.

Councilman Sikes asked where the $6,200 to replace the siding will come from. Treasurer Ann Calvert explained that impact assistance funds and money from the general budget could be used for the project. Calvert added that while the town has sufficient funds to cover the cost of the siding, it cannot afford to repair the roof.

The Hanna town council voted to postpone roof repairs at the recreation center until the source of the leak can be found. Additionally, the governing body voted to spend $6,200 to replace the missing siding on the building.

Mayor George said the town must take better care of the facility until a buyer can be found.

The post Hanna Moves Forward with Sale of Recreation Center first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

4/10/2025 |

Photo U.S. Fish & Wildlife Logo

In Washington, D.C., a senate committee divided down party lines voted 10-9 to advance Wyoming’s former Game and Fish Director nomination to head the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

President Donald Trump’s nomination of Brian Nesvik to serve as the agency’s next director sent shock waves through the American left. Although Nesvik’s questioning before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee was mild and uneventful, the party line vote revealed the dark political divisions at work.

Environmental groups opposed to the State of Wyoming’s work to delist wolves from the Endangers Species list have led the battle. One group, the Endangered Species Coalition, declared last month that “Trump declares war on wildlife” with Nesvik’s nomination.

Environmental groups have been angling to block Nesvik’s nomination.

Nesvik’s career in the wildlife field has been impressive, moving his way up through the ranks in Wyoming Game and Fish. He worked as a game warden in Laramie and Pinedale.

Then Nesvik served as Cody Regional Wildlife Supervisor in 2010, and one year later was promoted to Chief Game Warden and Wildlife Division Chief.

Governor Mark Gordon appointed Nesvik as Wyoming Game and Fish Director in 2019. During his tenure as director, Nesvik tackled issues such as grizzly management and aquatic invasive species, as well as the ongoing challenges in managing healthy mule deer populations.

Wyoming’s heavy guns came out for Nesvik last month. U.S. Senator John Barrasso and Wyoming Governor Gordon both testified on his behalf before the Environment and Public Works Committee.

During his testimony before the senate committee last month, Nesvik described his career.

Environmental groups launched salvos against Nesvik. The Sierra Club, for instance, wrote that “the nomination of Nesvik appears to advance the Trump administration’s long-standing anti-wildlife sentiments,” and described his resume as “controversial.”

The organization pointed to Nesvik’s testimony before Congress calling for the removal of Endangered Species Act protection for grizzly bears. The Sierra Club also decried Wyoming’s wolf policy and pointed to the infamous incident where a Wyoming hunter went relatively unpunished after capturing a wolf and briefly displaying it at a bar in the small town of Daniel before taking it outside and killing it. The incident, which caused international media outrage, happened in the town of 100 people in 2024.

Nesvik’s nomination now heads to the full Senate for final confirmation at a date not yet scheduled. With the GOP holding a 53-47 edge in the upper congressional chamber, final approval is likely on track to succeed.

The post Wyoming’s Brian Nesvik Advances to Head U.S. Fish & Wildlife first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

4/9/2025 |

Bigfoot 99 file photo

In Rawlins, the new nuisance regulations require residents to dispose of animal carcasses within 48 hours, unless directed by authorities to take immediate action.

Since last May, Rawlins officials have been working to revise and update the city’s nuisance ordinances to make them more practical to implement.

Speaking at the February 18th Rawlins city council meeting, City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave explained that the existing nuisance regulations are too vague and challenging to enforce.

During the April 1st Rawlins city council meeting, Attorney Maberry-Nave presented changes to section eight of the Rawlins municipal code governing dead animals for a second reading. All changes to local ordinances must be read and approved during three separate public meetings. The first reading occurred during the March 18th city council meeting, where the governing body voted to extend the time limit for removing dead animals from 12 to 48 hours. Under the newly amended ordinance, residents have 48 hours to dress and transport leftover animal parts to the city landfill.

Councilman Steve Sanger asked if the 48-hour time limit should begin after a nuisance complaint is filed, rather than at the time of the animal’s death.

Councilman Sanger motioned to approve the second reading of the dead animal ordinance, with his proposed change giving residents 48 hours to remove animal carcasses after a nuisance violation has been reported to the city.

Vice Mayor Darril Garner said the 48-hour time limit may be too long. When a nuisance is reported, the violation should be addressed immediately.

City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave explained that the ordinance is designed to prevent nuisances before they occur and agreed that granting residents extra time to address a reported nuisance undermines the regulation’s intended purpose.

Instead, Attorney Maberry-Nave proposed revising the ordinance to grant the responding officer the discretion to decide whether additional time should be allowed for the removal of a carcass. If the animal remains are deemed to be a threat to public health, the violator will be required to dispose of them immediately.

Councilman Sanger’s initial motion to amend the ordinance, which would have provided a 48-hour time frame to address a reported violation, failed due to the lack of a second.

Instead, the Rawlins city council voted to retain the original wording of the ordinance, which requires dead animals to be removed within 48 hours. Additionally, the governing body revised the ordinance to grant code enforcement or police officers the authority to determine the amount of time given to remedy a violation after it is reported.

The post Rawlins Addresses Nuisance Regulations first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

4/9/2025 |

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In Laramie on Tuesday, University of Wyoming President Ed Seidel avoided being dismissed this week following a Board of Trustees meeting where his tenure was on the chopping block in a “no confidence” vote.

Seidel came under scrutiny following the demotion of Cameron Wright, the acting dean of UW’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Wright’s demotion came after he refused to shift $500,000 annually earmarked for the engineering college to the School of Computational Science, which is run by President Seidel’s partner.

Upon his dismissal as dean by the board of trustees in early April, UW placed Wright on the faculty of in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Accusations and counter-accusations soon followed.

On Monday, the UW Faculty Senate drafted a resolution of “no confidence” in President Seidel’s leadership. The resolution reports that Seidel’s “lack of leadership” had resulted in “loss of trust” among the faculty. The president addressed the board before they adjourned to meet privately.

The trustees, who were meeting virtually on a Zoom computerized platform, then discussed the matter privately for over an hour in executive session.

Seidel was not asked to join the closed door meeting, but looked relieved when the regular meeting resumed.

Board of Trustees President Kermit Brown summed up the path forward, saying that he said he would appoint a committee that would include two trustees — Laura Schmid-Pizzato and Michelle Sullivan.

Here’s how the University of Wyoming student newspaper, The Branding Iron, summed up the vote and decision to retain Seidel as president. “The coming weeks will likely determine whether this moment becomes a turning point or a deepening of division at the University of Wyoming.”

The post UW President Avoids Dismissal first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

4/9/2025 |

Photo Courtesy of the Office of Governor Gordon

In Washington, D.C., as investors fussed and panicked during another day of falling stock prices, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon joined U.S. President Donald Trump and energy industry leaders in the White House for the signing of Executive Orders (EOs) that will strengthen Wyoming’s energy industry while demonstrating America’s commitment to domestic energy.

American coal industry workers were on hand, applauding the move.

“This is a great day for Wyoming coal,” Governor Gordon said in a statement. “We produce more coal than any other state in the nation. These Executive Orders will be impactful for our state’s coal industry and will help ensure Wyoming coal is available to help meet our nation’s growing energy demand.”

The governor thanked President Trump for his work in easing “the unnecessarily burdensome regulations imposed on the coal industry by the Biden Administration.”

The Unleashing American Energy Executive Orders direct agencies to remove barriers to coal mining on federal lands and both streamline and prioritize coal leasing. It also designates coal as a “mineral” under a previous executive order, which will accelerate the permitting process for new mines on federal lands.

Governor Gordon noted that the coal industry supports approximately 5,000 direct jobs in Wyoming, and that the state supplies coal for electricity for almost 50% of the mainland United States.

On the floor of the U.S. Senate Tuesday, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso said Trump is moving quickly to restore American energy dominance. Holding up a large chunk of shiny, black coal three times the size of his hand, Barrasso extolled its benefits.

Over the past 3 years, 17 power plants in 11 states have announced closure deferrals. In 2024, these 17 power plants consumed 30.5 million tons of Wyoming coal, with the Cowboy State collecting more than $90 million in revenue in royalties.

Senator Barrasso joined Gov. Gordon with President Trump at the White House for the executive order signing ceremony.

The post Governor Gordon Joins President Trump for EO Signing on Energy first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

4/9/2025 |

Bigfoot 99 file photo

Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has hired a new Chief Executive Officer. On March 31st, Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle announced that the medical facility’s Board of Trustees appointed Kerry Ashment as the new Chief Executive Officer.

The announcement specifically mentioned that Ashment will serve as the permanent head of the organization.

During the April 1st Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Ashment was introduced to the board. The new hospital CEO acknowledged that he joins a long list of predecessors and insisted that he will hold the position for a long time.

It is no secret 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, Harmon stepped down as CEO, attributing his departure to “mounting stress.” Later that same month, hospital administrators hired Rex Walk as interim CEO.

Walk was tasked with turning around the financially troubled medical facility. However, the interim CEO served for just over a year before the Memorial Hospital 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. Hospital administrators discovered a discrepancy in Twyman’s background that resulted in him being fired.

Gerald Parton resumed his role as interim CEO until last week, when Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle announced that Kerry Ashment had joined the organization.

Speaking at the April 1st Board of County Commissioners meeting, Ashment promised the people of Carbon County that he will work to improve both the patient experience and financial situation of Memorial Hospital.

Ashment and his wife will be moving from Spring Valley, California, to Carbon County. At the April 1st board meeting, Ashment announced his commitment to settling permanently in Rawlins and leading Memorial Hospital as its CEO.

In her announcement, Chief Operating Officer Hinkle wrote that, “Expertise with turn-around management, including proven leadership, strong financial oversight, revenue enhancement, expense management, and employee satisfaction and retention, can be noted throughout Ashment’s 26 years of executive healthcare experience.”

Bigfoot99 has scheduled an interview with the newly appointed CEO of Memorial Hospital of Carbon County for next week.

The post MHCC Hires New CEO first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

4/8/2025 |

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The governing body of Saratoga has voted to delay electrical improvements to the town hall until a new budget is approved.

Last month, a transformer at the Trowbridge Substation failed, causing a power outage for an entire day across the Platte Valley from Saratoga to Encampment.

Speaking to the Saratoga town council on March 18th, Police Chief John Moore explained that despite having a backup generator, the Saratoga town hall, including the police call center, lost electricity during the power outage. Chief Moore said he has asked an electrician to provide an estimate to upgrade the town hall’s electrical system, allowing the entire building to run off the generator.

Chief Moore reported that, during the power outage, only the exterior building and police dispatch center lights remained operational.

During the April 1st Saratoga town council meeting, Chief Moore provided the governing body with a $14,800 quote from Plus Electric, out of Rawlins.

The police chief said of the three companies he contacted for estimates, Plus Electric was the only one that responded.

Chief Moore said a representative from the Rawlins-based electrical company recommended connecting the entire building, rather than just a portion, to the backup generator.

Chief Moore explained that, should the council approve the quote, Plus Electric will reroute the generator to the building’s existing Carbon Power and Light connection. Electricians also will upgrade the generator’s automatic circuit breaker, allowing it to power the entirety of town hall.

Chief Moore explained that his budget cannot cover the full $14,800. Instead, the cost of the generator improvements will be divided between the police department and town hall.

Saratoga Mayor Chuck Davis agreed that the funds should come from both departments.

The mayor emphasized the importance of the town hall as an emergency command center, but said funding for the generator improvements will need to be allocated from the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in July.

Mayor Davis expressed his support for the project, saying that the work must be done. However, the town is not prepared to spend $14,800 this fiscal year. The mayor advised the town council to postpone a decision until the new budget is set in July. Moreover, postponing the project will allow Chief Moore additional time to gather more quotes.

The town council agreed to table the Plus Electric quote until after the new budget is set. In the meantime, the council agreed to spend roughly $500 to upgrade the electrical plugs in the police dispatch center, allowing the town’s backup 911 system to remain operational during a power outage.

The post Saratoga Delays Electrical Improvements first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

4/8/2025 |

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In Rawlins, officials are considering repairs for the Ferguson Building and what future it may have in the city.

In 2022, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners gifted the 130-year-old Hugus-Ferguson Building, located on the corner of West Cedar and 5th Streets, in Rawlins, to the city’s Downtown Development Authority.

Requiring millions of dollars of restoration work, the Downtown Development Authority, or DDA, has been trying to find a purpose for the building, now considered derelict.

Speaking at the April 1st Rawlins city council meeting, DDA Executive Director Pam Thayer provided the governing body with an update on the Ferguson Building. Thayer explained that many of the decorative glass blocks installed above the doors and windows of the structure have begun to fall out. Work to replace the glass blocks has been done entirely through donations of money and labor.

Thayer said the Downtown Development Authority Board Of Directors has voted to purchase new glass blocks.

In April of 2023, Rawlins officials submitted four sites to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for Brownfields consideration: the Pink Motel, a property on Pine Street, the old Strand Theater, and the Ferguson Building.

The Brownfields Program, created by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, provides financial assistance to municipalities dealing with properties that have known or suspected environmental contamination.

As part of this program, the federal government awarded Rawlins $500,000 to assess whether any of these sites are contaminated.

Thayer said the Brownfields study on the Ferguson Building is expected to be completed by the end of April. Approval from the Rawlins city council is required before work on any improvements identified in the Brownfields study can begin.

Thayer explained that Ayers and Associates, the agency overseeing the Brownfields study, explored options for repurposing the Ferguson Building as either a hotel or apartment complex. While Ayers and Associates identified a need for more apartment space in the city, the DDA Director said she pressed for a hotel, stating that it will generate greater tax revenue. The revised study, focusing on a potential hotel in the Ferguson Building, should be completed by the end of April.

In the meantime, the Rawlins Downtown Development Authority has been using the front window space of the Ferguson Building for seasonal displays, such as a recent Veteran’s Day exhibit. Beginning this week, the DDA will install a new mural, featuring artistic renditions of local landmarks.

The post Future of Ferguson Building in Downtown Rawlins first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

4/8/2025 |

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The Carbon County Museum is planning a new exhibition to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

July 4th, 2026, marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In recognition of the occasion, Governor Mark Gordon has created the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Task Force to distribute grant money to counties, local governments, and other organizations in support of local 250th anniversary celebrations.

The task force requires counties to establish their own celebration committees before applying for state funding. In February, the Carbon County Commissioners met this obligation by appointing local author Candy Moulton and museum directors Tom Mensik, Tim Nicklas, Angie Hobbs, and Lela Emmons to lead the county’s 250 committee.

Since forming, the Carbon County 250 Committee has focused on the creation of a 28-minute-long documentary movie. Speaking at the April 1st Saratoga town council meeting, Committee Chairwoman Candy Moulton explained the film will explore how and why humans settled in the area.

Moulton said the committee intends to air the documentary on television and at local film festivals.

In addition to county funding, the state 250 Task Force is offering grant opportunities to municipalities and local organizations, such as schools and museums.

Speaking to Bigfoot99, Carbon County Museum Director and 250 Committee member Tom Mensik explained that he applied for a state grant to create an exhibit on Dr. Lillian Heath, the first licensed female doctor in Wyoming. Mensik said the display will chronicle Dr. Heath’s entire medical career, connecting her life story to events occurring across the country.

Dr. Heath is also said to have owned the top of Big Nose George Parrott’s skull, allegedly using it as a doorstop.

If his grant request is approved, Director Mensik said he will commission a renowned museum exhibition development company to design large touchscreen displays showcasing Dr. Heath’s story.

Additionally, Mensik plans to use directional speakers to play recordings of Dr. Heath’s own words to visitors.

Mensik has requested the maximum grant of $25,000 offered by the Wyoming 250 Task Force to fund the Dr. Heath exhibit. The museum director said the touchscreen devices are estimated to cost approximately $20,000, with the remaining funds being used for research and marketing.

Last year, the Rawlins museum unveiled new exhibits on law enforcement in the old west and how people travel across Carbon County. Assuming he receives the requested grant money, Mensik said the Carbon County Museum will have created four new permanent installations within two years, including the Dr. Heath exhibit and an as-yet-unannounced display. Additionally, the museum itself has been updated, bringing it into the 21st century.

The county’s 250th anniversary celebrations won’t be limited to the Rawlins Museum. The Carbon County 250 Committee is organizing a series of smaller events leading up to July 2026, set to take place during community events such as Music in the Park, the Carbon County Fair, and Saratoga Days.

If you would like to volunteer or donate to the Carbon County 250 Committee, send an email to [email protected].

The post New Exhibition Planned at Carbon County Museum first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.