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I was recently at a FEMA led Emergency Preparedness training. The class was less boring than it sounds and really got me thinking. Not just about being prepared at a government and city level, which is what I was there for, but on a personal level. How does an entire city stay in a state of preparedness for an emergency? While there are plans, practice, contact lists, mutual aid agreements, and more across the pillars of city and county government the real preparedness is in the household of every citizen in the form of an emergency kit and a f...
A landfill fire near Manila, Utah, required assistance from the Sweetwater County Fire Department last week. At about 5:30 p.m., Wednesday night, the Manila Fire Department contacted county fire warden Mike Bournazian, seeking assistance with the fire. According to Bournazian, county firefighters were given support from the Green RIver Fire Department, as well as the Granger Fire Department. The departments provided two engines and about 200 gallons of firefighting foam. The fire was cleared at...
Green River lost a beloved teacher and state legislator with the passing of Bill Thompson. Thompson, 80, died Thursday at Mission at Castle Rock Rehabilitation Center. Services took place Wednesday morning. Thompson will be interned at Milburn Cemetery in Fort Bridger. “I considered Bill my mentor,” Sen. John Hastert (D-Green River) said. “I felt privileged to have served with him.” Thompson served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 2001 to 2010. Hastert said he learned a lot from Th...
A proposed plea agreement fell through Friday afternoon after Ryan Flatten failed to follow through with the guilty pleas as outlined in the agreement. Flatten was arrested earlier this year in connection to clandestine videos he allegedly recorded in Sweetwater and Uinta Counties. The hearing Friday took place in District Court Judge Nena James’ court. Flatten’s case involves two separate proceedings in Sweetwater County as well as one in Uinta County. Flatten faces 46 counts of felony voy...
On Feb.18, State Auditor Cynthia Cloud made us refile our open records request for the state checkbook and then charged us $8,000 in fees. But production has been slow. At this pace, we’ll receive all the records by 2048. Why would it take 30 years to produce just five years of state spending? Wyoming receives an “F” in transparency from the Center for Public Integrity in Washington, D.C. This should be embarrassing for Wyoming elected officials. It shouldn’t take a search warrant, subpoena, or litigation to force open the state checkbo...
It is exciting to see newspapers and others—inside and outside the State of Wyoming—talking about spending transparency. The people of Wyoming pay for our government with hard-earned dollars, and the ability of any interested citizen to “follow the money” is vital to accountability, public trust, and good government. Some private sector advocates say it well: “Every Dime. Online. In Real Time.” During my tenure as your state auditor, I have worked to lay the foundation for this initiative. First, we had to make certain that we are actually tr...
If you’re looking for more customers for your business, you might want to consider the world’s largest purchaser: the U.S. Government. You might be surprised at what federal, state and local governments are looking to buy from Wyoming small businesses. Here are 10 products and services government agencies are looking to purchase right now: Bread products: The Sheridan VA Medical Center is seeking sources to provide assorted bread products including 700 slices of Texas Toast, 625 hotdog buns and 312 English Muffins annually. Office rental: The...
The Green River City Council approved its annual budget Tuesday night, approving a series of proposals setting fees, wages and budget appropriations for the coming fiscal year. The city’s general fund totals $16.17 million. The police department will receive $4.39 million, the fire department is set to receive $796,921, the community development department will receive $934,526, the parks and recreation department is budgeted to receive $4.42 million and the city’s general government is bud...
Scott Kitchner, fire chief at Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1, hopes the upcoming July 4th holiday isn’t like last year. For firefighters throughout the county, the day was filled with fire calls, with fire crews ultimately responding to 17 calls in the 24-hour period. “We don’t want a repeat of last year,” he said. However, despite recent storms, Kitchner said the fire season seems to be starting earlier than usual, saying fire fuels are plentiful. High winds, coupled with the summer...
A Green River man faces prison time after an alleged scuffle over a gun. Ian Punches, 32, of Green River, was arrested June 16 on charges of possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent and reckless endangering. Possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent is a felony-level charge punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a potential fine of up to $1,000, while reckless endangering is a misdemeanor charge and will have maximum sentence of up to one year in jail and a...
Performing in front of a Wyoming crowd always feels special for Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band. While the group has a number of Wyoming towns listed on their summer tour, including performances in South Pass City and Sinclair, Chancey Williams said his band has started performing outside Wyoming much more frequently. With a tour taking him throughout the western states, Williams always looks forward to a chance to play in Wyoming. The Moorcroft native credits his band’s success t...
Green River City Councilman Allan Wilson pleaded not guilty to a second-degree sexual abuse of a minor charge during a Third District Court hearing before Judge Nena James Friday. Wilson’s trial is set to take place Oct. 8. He remains out of jail on a $75,000 bond. A protective order regarding discovery was also granted by James. According to a motion filed by the Sweetwater County Attorney’s Office, sensitive information regarding the case, including medical records and psychological exa...
Voters will have a few decisions to make during the upcoming primary election Aug. 21. A number of local and state races will be impacted by the primary results, which will serve to whittle down the number of candidates running for their respective offices. In Green River, voters in Ward I will have a three-way race on their ballots. Ward I candidates are Terry Leigh, Sherry Bushman and Jim Zimmerman. The August election will determine which two will continue to the November general election, wi...
Chester and Crystal Sliter wore large, beaming smiles Tuesday evening. The two were at the Castle Rock Hospital District Ambulance Barn, hugging emergency responders and thanking them for their work because without them, Chester wouldn't have been there. The ambulance service hosted an awards ceremony for those who responded to a 911 call Crystal made March 18, when Chester suddenly fell over unconscious from cardia arrest at the Sliters' home in Green River. Chester doesn't remember a lot...
The best season in Green River High School boys soccer history had ended with a 4A West Coach of the Year award for head coach Chris Bieber. The award is Bieber’s third recognition as Coach of the Year, which comes from votes by other coaches in the conference. “It’s always great when you’re recognized by your peers,” Bieber said. Bieber said he believes the atmosphere he and the other coaches cultivate at GRHS is the main reason other coaches take notice of the Wolves. Bieber said the playe...
Kids lined up at one end of the inflatable structure, ready to compete with their friends on something that looks like it would have a home on an obstacle course. Named the Wibit, kids raced one another along its length at the Green River Recreation Center pool Saturday afternoon. The new addition to the center's pool proved very popular. Kids climb up from the pool using handles found at the starting point and then navigate past an obstacle they can climb over, dive through or swim under. They...
As the political season kicks into gear, I figured it would be best to establish some rules for campaign messaging. Candidates can submit a campaign announcement, which will run depending on space. I aim to publish them before the upcoming primary election. Candidates can also submit one column for publication on the opinion page. Generally speaking, shorter columns will take precedence because I can place more in the space provided. Any additional candidate messaging will have to be purchased...
I, Dave Divis Sweetwater County Assessor, am writing to respond to Mr. Rubeck’s accusations against me and my office in his announcement to run for Sweetwater County Assessor. I would also like to point out a very significant statutory requirement to hold the office of assessor. Early on Rubeck states he “owns and operates The Fish Bowl Restaurant and Bowling Center,” which is true. Along with The Fish Bowl, Rubeck operates the restaurant at Rolling Green Country Club and also caters events across the county. Wyoming statute 18-3-106 state...
While it’s not yet officially summer, school is out, the temperatures are rising, and the water beckons. Be it the pool, the river, the lake, or even the splash park, one of the best parts of summer is water sports and swimming. In Green River we have a lot of pride in our namesake river and the Flaming Gorge that it pours into. And by all means, we should enjoy it. With that, it’s important to understand water safety and preventive measures. The stats on unintentional drowning in the Unites States are surprising and staggering. The risk is...
An ordinance aimed at clarifying and updating Green River’s laws regarding minors in possession of tobacco passed its first reading Tuesday night. According to city prosecutor Bobby Pineda, the proposal comes after discussions with the police department and student resource officers who are seeing a large increase in the number of students using vaping products in the middle and high schools. Pineda said he’s received reports of teens vaping while on the work restitution bus. “We’re really...
With the election filing period ending Friday, races have developed for all of the Green River City Council positions up for election. Mayor Pete Rust is being challenged in his re-election bid by Mark Peterson. Peterson had previously served on the council and launched unsuccessful bids for Sweetwater County Commissioner and Mayor of Green River. Peterson’s campaign will be the second time he and Rust vie for the mayor’s office. Other races for council positions remain unchanged. Ward I wil...
The Green River Animal Control Adoption fair held Saturday was a success. The adoption fair resulted in place 25 animals in homes, and 4 more who are being tested out for adoption with potential adopters. Out of 33 dogs total, there and only four left. There was a lot of support from the community and businesses to make this happen. From time to time Green River Animal Control is in a position to help out other animal shelters that are at capacity. Originally, 20 dogs were brought in from a shelter in New Mexico, and four from a shelter in...
Picnics are a popular activity during the summer. To celebrate warmer weather and sunshine, this month’s artifact is a picnic basket. The word “picnic” has strong French origins, but it is difficult to pinpoint an exact origin of the word. However, the concept of picnics evolved from medieval hunting feasts, renaissance banquets, and victorian garden parties. In the United States, picnics can be defined as an event outside that involves food. The event may be potluck style or provided solely by the host of the picnic. As for the picnic baske...
As filing continues for local and state offices, a number of races have developed for Green River City Council and Sweetwater County Commissioner. The election filing period ends June 1. Green River In political campaigns for the Green River City Council, Mayor Pete Rust is the only person running unopposed. Ed Paisley has filed to run against incumbent Gary Killpack for his position on the council representing Ward III. No additional filings have been made for the Ward I or Ward II Council...
For many, Memorial Day weekend is the official start to summer. The stream of campers, ATV trailers and vehicles, filled with eager occupants, on their way to the Flaming Gorge and other destinations is proof of how welcome Memorial Day and the three-day weekend it provides is. However, others gather to remember the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their county and pay quiet tribute to their acts. Every Memorial Day at Riverview Cemetery, members of the American...
