Articles written by Olivia Kennah


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 50

  • Halftime show focuses on Hall of Fame inductees

    OLIVIA KENNAH, Contributor|Sep 13, 2017

    Inductees into the Green River Hall of Fame were honored Friday night during the halftime show at Wolves Stadium. One of the inductees was the 1971 state championship golf team. The team was coached by Larry Clause and was led by All-State golfers Bruce Valencia and John Carey. Other golfers on the team included Wes Bigler, Pat Gaensslen and John Simpson. At the state championship, Valencia placed third with a two-round total of 172 and Carey took fifth, shooting 177. Both Valencia and Carey...

  • Teacher appreciates GR roots

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Aug 31, 2016

    Sometimes people do not plan on coming back to their hometown for work, but sometimes the unplanned decisions become life’s greatest gifts. This is the case for Green River High School graduate and GRHS teacher Terrin Musbach. Musbach did not necessarily plan on coming back to Green River after college, but she does not regret her decision at all. “I don’t think anyone plans on coming back,” Musbach said. “This is not where I expected to be, but I love it. I don’t know if I really saw myself anywhere though.” Musbach attended the University of...

  • GR senior pinochle tourney draws crowd

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Aug 24, 2016

    There was lots of friendly competition and jokes about being dealt bad cards at the Golden Hour Senior Center Thursday during the pinochle tournament. Drawing inspiration from senior centers in Rock Springs and Evanston, who have regularly put on pinochle tournaments, GHSC decided to try its first day-long tournament. "I think everybody's had a good time," GHSC employee Mary Grubb said. The seniors started around 10 a.m. and were wrapping up the tournament at around 4 p.m. A few volunteers...

  • Ready or not, here it comes

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Aug 24, 2016

    Going into my senior year of college is exciting, but it’s also quite scary. I look forward to another year of college, but I can’t help but stress about what happens when I graduate. I know I am not the first person to go through this stage in life, and I know I will get the hang of adulthood eventually just as everyone does, but I just don’t feel totally ready for the real adult experience yet. “What are you going to do after you graduate?” That is the question I am so often asked these days, to which I always answer with some variation...

  • Kids spend last days of summer at Splash Park

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Aug 17, 2016

    With school starting up, the Splash Park became a popular destination for kids looking to find ways to end summer on a fun note. The Splash Park is the place where kids can go to have a blast while cooling down on hot summer days. "The Splash Park is the most popular and used parks amenity we have," Director of Parks and Recreation Brad Raney said. "It has a constant stream of people enjoying it throughout the summer." The park has been a community favorite since it was built in 2005. The...

  • Damage drives claims, work

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Aug 17, 2016

    The hail may have melted, but the damage still remains. The impact of an early June hail storm is still being felt by residents in Green River, as work continues on building repairs throughout the city. A storm of that magnitude is unusual for the area, so it came as a big surprise to residents, insurance agencies and contractors alike. Owner of Drinkle Insurance, Laurie Drinkle, has been working in insurance in Green River for 38 years and has never seen a storm cause this much damage. “This kind of stuff doesn’t happen here,” Drinkle said. “T...

  • Murphy and Ball move on in Ward I race

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Aug 17, 2016

    Green River residents cast their votes yesterday and the results are in. With Lisa Maes running unopposed in Ward II, and Brett Stokes and Robert Berg both automatically advancing to the general election for Ward III, all eyes were on the Ward I results. The two candidates moving on are Tom Murphy and Ken Ball. Murphy received the most votes, 315, while Ball received 280 votes. Richard Baxter received the least amount of votes with 225 votes, making up 27.44 percent of the vote. As the race took place between three candidates, the top two in...

  • Kids explore various art projects

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 27, 2016

    Kids had the opportunity to learn about art and explore different ways to create art through a variety of projects last Thursday. Little Explorers, a summer program offered by the Sweetwater County Board of Cooperative Educational Services, lasted all week and each day had its own theme. "Today is all about art," class teacher Crystal Walker said. Various stations were set up for the kids to get creative. There were crayons for them to draw and color with, as well as stamps for them to decorate...

  • Ball starts 1st run for council

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 27, 2016

    Kenny Ball, a native Green River resident, is running for Green River City Council Ward I because he wants the opportunity to serve the community he grew up in. Ball appreciates everything Green River has given him throughout his life and he wants to be able to be in the position to give back to the community. Although Ball lived in Laramie for a few years, he considers himself born and raised in Green River. “When I lived in Laramie, my dad was still living here so I spent every weekend in Green River,” Ball said. He feels very thankful for...

  • Captain honored as Firefighter of the Year award

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 27, 2016

    Green River Fire Department Capt. JP Apostolope was recently selected by the American Legion to receive the honor of "Firefighter of the Year for the State of Wyoming." "It's very special," Capt. Apostolope said. "It's a great achievement for me." Captain Apostolope is a second generation firefighter and started his firefighting career in 1990 at the GRFD. "My dad was a firefighter and I just always wanted to do that," he said. Firefighting is very fulfilling for Apostolope for many reasons. "I...

  • Council funds waste study

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 20, 2016

    The city council seeks an operational study for the upcoming solid waste transfer project. The Green River City Council approved an increase in the Solid Waste Fund in the amount of $30,000 for the study. The study was initially budgeted for $60,000, but the Solid Waste Division was able to decrease the cost to $48,000. However, last week they surveyed the landfill and found that is more full than they expected it to be at this point in time. Director of Finance Chris Meats said the diminished capacity is causing them to move the time frame...

  • Councilman seeks 2nd term

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 20, 2016

    Brett Stokes is seeking a second term on the Green River City Council in Ward III. Stokes has served one term with the council and hopes to be able to continue his work for another four years. “I’ve been involved in politics for most of my career. Politics intrigues me and I wanted to get involved in local government and try to make a difference,” Stokes said. Stokes has spent 26 years in law enforcement, working with the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office and currently as the captain of the Sweetwater County Detention Center. As captain...

  • Local artist designs mine rescue logo

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 13, 2016

    Local mine rescuer and artist Jeiremy Gomez recently had his logo design chosen to represent the Holmes Mine Rescue Association (HMRA). "A bunch of the art I've been working on is kind of inspired by mine rescue," Gomez said. Gomez is a member of the HMRA so to have his logo represent the association was quite an honor for him. "Of course I was really excited," Gomez said. "I do a lot of logo design and artwork, and it was just kind of being in the right place at the right time." An executive bo...

  • Berg seeks GR Council seat

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 13, 2016

    Arctic Circle’s manager, Robert Berg, wants to take his management and leadership skills to the city council to bring Green River a better future. Berg served on the Green River Chamber of Commerce board for eight years and is currently serving his sixth year on the Green River Main Street Board. Two years ago, Berg thought about running for council. He has gone in front of the council several times and being on the other side of it intrigued him. He believes it is time to take his leadership to the next level. “I truly care about this com...

  • City approves Main Street MEET plan

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 13, 2016

    A plan designed to expand commercial opportunities along the river and downtown was green-lighted by the city council last week. The plan, M.E.E.T., stands for Main Street, Expedition, Expansion, Transformation. Green River URA/Main Street Administrator Jennie Melvin said the Expedition portion will focus on Expedition Island and the plan is designed to expand and transform downtown Green River and the river corridor. The plan has been in the works since 2013. Wyoming State Statute requires towns to have a plan that designates an area with...

  • Flaming Gorge Days helped GR business

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 13, 2016

    During the Flaming Gorge Days festivities, local businesses noticed a boost in the amount of customers they had. With a large amount of the community out enjoying the celebrations, the local restaurants had a good opportunity for business. Staci Ann’s Cafe took advantage of the night life of Flaming Gorge Days by staying open 24 hours both Friday and Saturday. They also did a full menu. “We had quite a few people in during our late hours,” owner Staci Martin said. “People were very excited and happy to have us available.” Grace Yeager, o...

  • Building code revisions pass first reading

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 13, 2016

    New building codes for Green River passed their first reading July 5 during a Green River City Council meeting. The codes in consideration are mandated by the State of Wyoming. Wyoming State Statute says towns with local jurisdiction must adopt the same codes the state adopts. Councilman Gary Killpack asked why the state is making Green River adopt these codes. Community Development Director Laura Profaizer and Senior Building Inspector David Allred explained that if the city does not adopt the codes, Green River will lose home rule. Anyone...

  • Tourist season in full swing at Visitor Center

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 6, 2016

    When going to the Green River Chamber of Commerce's Visitor Center, there are U.S. and world maps where guests can place a pin on the state or country they are from. Nearly every state has at least one pin. The McMahan family put the very first pin on Ohio Friday morning. The family is originally from Ohio, but had been living in Utah for several years. They were traveling through Green River as they were moving back to Ohio. They said they saw the visitor center and decided to stop to take...

  • Parks and recreation offers many programs

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jul 6, 2016

    The Green River Parks and Recreation Department has plenty of activities to offer residents throughout the summer. The Chalk it Up! Sidewalk Chalk Arts Competition will be Friday. Registration is now open and all participants must be registered by 9 p.m. on Thursday. Awards for the “Most Artistic”, “Most Original” and “Most Creative” are given in each age division. Little Howler Youth Flag Football League will be starting August 22 and will last through September 29. Registration for coaches, assistant coaches and their kids will be July 5 t...

  • City cuts many programs

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jun 29, 2016

    With the approval of the city budget, city departments are feeling the effects of budget cuts. The approved budget is $30 million, which is close to $2 million less than last year’s budget. The fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2017. “Throughout the budget process with the city administrator and other department heads, we worked at looking at specific programs within each department and prioritized them based on importance and need with the department and also how that ties into the need and importance of the service to the city res...

  • Kids have fun at Flaming Gorge Days

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jun 29, 2016

    Kids had a blast with the various types of entertainment at Festival in the Park during Flaming Gorge Days. More than a dozen kids were keeping cool while screaming and running through the Splash Park. Some stood under buckets of water waiting for the water to drop on their heads, while others ran through shots of water coming up from the ground. Many of the children and families present were brought out by the Three-on-Three Basketball Tournament. One McKinnon resident said if it were not for F...

  • Snack shack offers cool refreshments

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jun 29, 2016

    For those hot summer days spent at the splash park, there is a new snack shack that aims to keep the community refreshed and satisfied. Liliana Villegas opened Chill Monkey at Evers Park because as a mother of four, she knows what it is like to forget drinks and snacks when spending a day at the park. “There are always times when you forget, or completely miss something that you might need, so I thought it would be a great idea to build a business to fulfill that need,” Villegas said. Villegas is happy to say her family has been involved in...

  • United Way prepares for Helping Hands Day

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jun 29, 2016

    United Way of Southwest Wyoming is calling for projects and volunteers for its annual Helping Hands Day on Aug. 27. “Helping Hands Day is a volunteer event where we gather projects from local non-profit organizations, senior citizens and people with disabilities, and then teams go out and complete the projects for them,” Executive Co-Director Kelly Frink said. The number of volunteers usually ranges from 150 to 200 people. “A lot of them are workplace teams,” Frink said of the volunteers, but any interested people can volunteer. Teams are als...

  • Community participates in blood-drive competition

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jun 22, 2016

    Green River community members headed to the recreation center last Wednesday and Thursday to donate blood and support Sweetwater County emergency responders. Battle of the Badges is a friendly blood-drive competition between the local emergency response agencies. This summer marked the second year for the blood drive competition and the first year Green River agencies participated. Taking home the traveling plaque for Battle of the Badges this year is the Green River Fire Department. For Battle...

  • United Way fundraiser brings goats to community

    Olivia Kennah, Staff Writer|Jun 22, 2016

    Members of the community were surprised when goats visited Green River June 15 as part of a United Way fundraiser. Goat-A-Gram is a United Way of Southwest Wyoming fundraiser for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This was the first year for the fundraiser, but not the last. It was quite successful, bringing in about $4,500 for the Imagination Library and exceeding their expectations. Participants of the fundraiser paid for goats to be sent to Green River or Rock Springs residents or businesses of their choice. The cost to send a g...

Page Down