Articles from the August 16, 2017 edition


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  • Recalibration discussed

    David Martin, Editor|Aug 16, 2017

    With budget shortfalls and potential additional cuts to Wyoming schools, school funding has been a hot topic across the state. Residents and school employees from throughout the region converged at Rock Springs Junior High School Monday evening to make their voices heard regarding the upcoming recalibration of school funding from the state. Recalibration is a process mandated to adjust funding levels to school districts in the state as a result of five separate lawsuits filed against the...

  • Drunk driver goes to prison

    Stephanie Thompson, People Editor|Aug 16, 2017

    A drunk driver whose friend died in a car crash will serve more than a decade in prison. Tyler W. Jones, 24, of Rock Springs appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Richard Lavery at a sentencing hearing to aggravated homicide by vehicle. In exchange for Jones’ no contest plea, he was given a 13-20 year prison sentence with credit give for 275 days served. In a no contest plea, Jones is neither admitting or denying the charge, he is simply admitting that there is enough evidence to c...

  • GRPD chief plans career change

    David Martin, Editor|Aug 16, 2017

    After working with the Green River Police Department since 1992, Chris Steffen will hang up his uniform and take a position with the Muley Fanatics Foundation later this year. Steffen said he doesn't plan to leave his post until mid November, but announced his intent to leave in an email last week. Steffen said he'll definitely miss the people he works with throughout the police department and city and believes he will struggle to adapt to life outside of law enforcement, but said he's excited...

  • County seeks money through audits

    David Martin, Editor|Aug 16, 2017

    In an attempt to secure additional funding to the county, the Sweetwater County Commissioners agreed to contract with a Cheyenne-based consulting firm to audit oil and gas production figures reported to the state. Ron Thowbridge of Thowbridge Consulting approached the commissioners during their meeting Tuesday morning, explaining how he could bring additional revenue to the county. Thowbridge said he seeks underreported oil and gas production figures by auditing records submitted to state...

  • Signatures sought for petition

    Aug 16, 2017

    Sweetwater County’s group for Wyoming Promise will collect petition signatures on the corner of S. 2nd E. and E. 4th S. adjacent to Evers Park in Green River Friday between 1-8 p.m., and on Saturday between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wyoming Promise is an organization whose effort is aimed at overturning the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision that prohibits the government from restricting independent political expenditures by nonprofit corporations, for-profit corporations, labor unions and other associations. The mission of Wyoming Promise is simple: to...

  • Urologist joins MHSC

    Aug 16, 2017

    With a love of the outdoors and ties to the area, Dr. Cody R. Christensen is a perfect fit for Sweetwater County. The urologist has joined the team at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County and will join Dr. Wallace Curry in the hospital’s Urology Department. Christensen was born and raised in American Fork, Utah. In his youth, he spent summers camping in the Uinta Mountains. A team roping, saddle bronc riding member of the high school rodeo team, he had a lot of friends from the Sweetwater County area. “You can’t beat the scenery around here,...

  • Kazuko Christen

    Aug 16, 2017

    Kazuko Christen, 85, of Green River, died Aug. 10, 2017, at Mission at Castle Rock Rehabilitation Center in Green River. She was born Oct. 16, 1931, in Wakayama, Japan, the daughter of Ryotaro Akizuki and Sadao Akizuki of Akayama, Japan. She married Clifford "Roy" Christen Nov. 20, 1957, in Tokyo. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Vernal LDS Temple Oct. 24, 2002. She was member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed spending time with her family, bowling, readin... Full story

  • James Reynolds Root

    Aug 16, 2017

    James Reynolds Root, 74, of Superior, passed away Aug. 10, 2017, at his home. A resident of Superior for the past one year and former resident of Green River and Mount Morris, Ill., Root had been in ill health for the past eight months. He was born on June 20, 1943, in Oregon, Ill., the son of Leonard Merlin Root and Clara Glorynne Hill. Root attended the Mount Morris High School and was a graduate with the class of 1961. He also graduated from Parson's College with a bachelor's degree in...

  • John Rocklin "Rocky" Romero

    Aug 16, 2017

    John Rocklin "Rocky" Romero, 65, of Sheridan, passed away Aug. 6, 2017, near Alcova. He was born on May 30, 1952, in Los Angeles, the son of John Charles Romero and Arlene Ella Lepp. Romero attended schools in Lakeside, Calif., and graduated in 1970 from El Capitan High School. He married Christine Elaine Jaramillo in Rock Springs Feb. 25, 1978, and she preceded him in death Sept. 10, 2011, in Salt Lake City. He was employed as a brick mason in Rock Springs and was currently working for I.M.S....

  • Our View: More access needed

    Aug 16, 2017

    With the start of River Festival this weekend, residents are likely to see U.S. Sen. John Barrasso during the annual Cajun Shrimp Boil. The dinner is a favorite event of Barrasso’s and he’s attended yearly. While his visits are appreciated by local officials as it gives them a chance to discuss what Green River and Sweetwater County need from their representation in Washington, D.C., there are groups of people who want to talk with the senator and his cohorts to have their voices heard. A group in Cheyenne have arranged a public forum in the...

  • Notes from Town Square: Exercising through play

    Kristine Lessard, Parks and Recreation Dept.|Aug 16, 2017

    What better ways to get your exercise than to get out there and play, walk, run, or enjoy a game of basketball, racquetball, football, baseball or soccer? There are so many opportunities to do these and much more right out your back door. With an estimated 35 percent of Americans being considered overweight and one in 20 being considered extremely obese, exercise is more important than ever. Why not have fun while getting your exercise? Green River offers over 12 miles of walking and biking trails and pathways, multiple playgrounds, a skate...

  • Time traveling in the Wind River Range

    Tom Gagnon|Aug 16, 2017

    What if you were on a long trip, and away from all media, and when you came back everything had changed? I always liked the “Planet of the Apes” movies. You go on a little space-ship ride, and look what you come back to. My immediate future holds this prospect. I plan to be high and far away in the Wind River Range, for the total solar eclipse, on Aug. 21. I’ll be out there with my friend Jeff. This might be a 10-day hike. Between the two of us, we might have one phone, but we know that reception is often impossible up there. We’ll likely...

  • Stalemate in D.C. leaves health insurance in limbo

    Trudy Lieberman, Rural Health News Service|Aug 16, 2017

    What should you expect now that the drive to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act appears dead – at least for the moment? Given how legislation gets made in Washington, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some elements of the repeal and replace bill surface again, possibly tacked onto what’s known as must-have legislation. All that, though, is speculation at this point! What’s more important to millions of families who must buy health insurance for next year is how much will it cost and what will it cover? It’s safe to say that Obamacare...

  • Many attend adventure challenge

    Stephanie Thompson, People Editor|Aug 16, 2017

    Last week, children had the chance to see what they were made of at the adventure challenge. This was just one of the many summer classes the Sweetwater Board of Cooperative Educational Services offered. During this weeklong class, students participated in numerous activities, including karate, archery, snorkeling and bike riding. “It’s a good thing for kids to get exposed to,” Scott Gaffey, the adventure class leader and Monroe Intermediate School teacher, said. This program gives child...

  • Local racer will compete at home

    Aug 16, 2017

    Green River’s Zac Taylor will make his ASCS Frontier Region debut this weekend in front of a hometown crowd at the Sweetwater Speedway in Rock Springs. Taylor, who has driven a 305ci sprint car and a midget throughout 2017, will strap into a 360ci winged sprint car on Friday and Saturday at the speedway. “I’m beyond excited for this opportunity,” he said. “We leased an engine from Mark Sweet to be able to do this. All my friends are coming out and there should be a good car count. I’m just pumped to get back to racing. We haven’t raced for ove...

  • Stay out!

    Aug 16, 2017

  • Wolves tennis teams face early competition

    David Martin, Editor|Aug 16, 2017

    The Green River High School Tennis teams got some early competition time in during Saturday’s competition against Jackson and Riverton. Against Riverton, Gregory and Patrick Marchal, competing in the singles division respectively, won their matches. Gregory defeated Devon Harper in two sets, 6-1 and 6-0, while Patrick defeated Tanner Selvig in two sets, 6-0 and 6-0. In girls competition, the Lady Wolves’ Alex Palmer, defeated Kierston McDonald in two sets, 6-1 and 6-3. Riverton forfeited the...

  • Eclipse party planned at events complex

    Staff Report|Aug 16, 2017

    Residents will have a chance to learn about the solar eclipse Monday morning during a party hosted by the Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism Board. Party Near the Eclipse takes place at the Sweetwater County Events Complex from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public and will include a portable planetarium experience, a telescope presentation, free children’s activities and free eclipse glasses to safely view the event. Although Sweetwater County is not in the direct path of totality, the event will provide an educational e...

  • WYDOT expects eclipse traffic, tourists

    Aug 16, 2017

    The Wyoming Department of Transportation will use its overhead message signs, stop some construction projects, temporarily stop oversize and overweight loads from driving through the state, have extra personnel on hand to handle the increase in travelers and ensure its rest areas are well maintained. On Monday, the moon will block out the sun, causing a total solar eclipse across Wyoming and in other states. The last time there was a total solar eclipse in Wyoming was in 1918. In Wyoming, the eclipse will impact nine counties and the Wind...

  • Green River and the eclipse of 1918

    Brie Blasi, Sweetwater County Historical Museum|Aug 16, 2017

    Green River may not be in the “path of totality” for the 2017 total solar eclipse. Ninety-nine years ago, however, Green River became the temporary home of the world’s leading astronomers who came here for the best view of the 1918 total solar eclipse. During that eclipse, both Rock Springs and Green River were in the exact path of the eclipse, which was visible here June 8 at 5:17 p.m. Months earlier, various railroads began advertising eclipse excursions and the newspapers were touting the eclipse as a once-in-a-lifetime, not-t...

  • MHSC prepares for eclipse

    Aug 16, 2017

    Dehydration, altitude sickness and car crash trauma are just a few of the potential health issues Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County could be called upon to help with during the days leading up to, the day of and the days following the total solar eclipse. The health care professionals at Memorial Hospital are prepared with staff, supplies and services. MHSC emergency management staff and department leaders have been in meetings for months planning for potential emergency scenarios, said MHSC Emergency Management Coordinator David Beltran....

  • Fun at the carnival

    Stephanie Thompson, People Editor|Aug 16, 2017

    Step right up and try to win a prize. During the Golden Hour Senior Center's summer carnival, seniors were encouraged to play as many games as they could to try and win prizes. "What we're trying to do is get them up and moving," executive director Sheela Schermetzler said. She and the other employees felt the summer carnival they were hosting did what they intended it to. "They love this," Schermetzler said. A lot of the senior center visitors have arthritis or rheumatism, which causes them a...

  • Square dancers to descend on Sweetwater County

    Aug 16, 2017

    The Sweetwater County Events Complex will host hundreds of square dancers from 22 states and three countries this Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the public is invited to watch free of charge. Dancing begins daily in four separate dance halls at 10 a.m. with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. with a dinner break from 5-7 p.m. each day. On Saturday, the big tent on the Midway will open up to the public with free dance lessons. Beginning line dancing will be taught from 1-2 p.m., square dancing will be taught from...

  • Why go to Sturgis? Why not?

    Stephanie Thompson, People Editor|Aug 16, 2017

    The ride. The sweet solitude a motorcycle gives one as they drive down the road is what drew Roger Robles to the machine. It's just a feeling all bikers get, Robles tried to explain. "Just the freedom of the ride," Robles said. Robles started riding motorcycles on and off when he was young and his dad bought him a Kawasaki in 1973. In 1981, he bought his first Harley Davidson. The first time Robles went to Sturgis was with Jon Fleagle and Wes Bingham in 1984. Over the years, he has attended the...