Articles from the October 22, 2014 edition


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  • Mayors discuss city issues at forum

    David Martin, Editor|Oct 22, 2014

    With the general election less than two weeks away, candidates have been flocking to various forums to talk about their views on subjects impacting local, county and state offices. Wednesday night was Green River’s mayoral candidates’ turn to face questions, this time posed by the Green River Chamber of Commerce and city residents. Candidates Mark Peterson and Pete Rust discussed the city's problems and the importance of economic development in Green River. Rust currently works as the transportation director at Sweetwater County School Dis...

  • Candidates discuss economic development

    David Martin, Editor|Oct 22, 2014

    Residents running for Green River CIty Council spoke about how they wanted to represent the city if elected. Lyneen Murphy, a candidate for Ward I, said she moved to Green River 16 years ago and is better known as the organizer for the annual pond and garden tour. She was selected as the outstanding citizen by the Green River Chamber of Commerce in 2010. “Green River has a lot of issues and some of them are serious,” she said. Ted Barney is a lifelong resident of Green River. Working as an investigator for the public defender’s office, Barne...

  • Judicial poll results released

    David Martin, Editor|Oct 22, 2014

    Judges are often the ones handing sentences and presiding over court hearings, but when they’re up for retention, they’re the ones being judged. All of Sweetwater County’s district and circuit court judges were supported for retention in the poll, one district court judge was reviewed below the poll’s average in a number of areas. According to the 2014 Judicial Poll Results compiled by the Wyoming Bar Association, District Court Judge Nena James has the lowest retention rating amongst attorneys in Wyoming’s district courts. Results compiled...

  • PAWS scores show little decline

    Jack H. Smith, Staff Writer|Oct 22, 2014

    In 2012, Wyoming school districts witnessed a drastic change when the state board of education adopted new common core standards. At a board meeting last week, Sweetwater County School District No.2 Superintendent Donna Little-Kaumo shared results of the 2013-14 Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS) for Green River students and explained how the new standards have affected those scores. In an interview Tuesday, Little-Kaumo said what they know about the common core standards is they are much more rigorous than the old Wyoming stan...

  • Program van vandalized

    David Martin, Editor|Oct 22, 2014

    A bus owned by SW-WRAP was severely vandalized during the weekend, resulting in damages that the nonprofit organization says it can't cover. Cathie Hughes, director of SW-WRAP, said she first noticed the damage to their van Sunday morning, after deciding to do some work. Every pane of glass installed on the small bus was damaged or completely shattered. According to Det. Luke Benson with the Green River Police Department, the case is being investigated as a felony-level vandalism. Those cases in...

  • Utah robbery suspect changes court plea

    Stephanie Thompson, People Editor|Oct 22, 2014

    A man suspected of robbing a Utah bank pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors. Robert David Bingle appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James at a change of plea and sentencing to a felony wrongful taking or disposing or property and a misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, heroin. Bingle pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. Under the plea agreement, Bingle was sentenced to 17 days in the Sweetwater County Detention Center with credit...

  • Don Davis

    Oct 22, 2014

    Don Davis, 77, of Rock Springs and Albuquerque, N.M. passed away Oct. 18, from head injuries suffered from a fall. He was surrounded by his family when the angels came for him. He was born on a farm in Tazewell County, Va. to James O. Davis and Dora Ethel Harris Davis June 15, 1937. Don had a passion to build. He incorporated his company Davis Contractors, Inc. in 1980 as a general contractor. For the past 30 years, he built many beautiful homes in Green River and Rock Springs, as well as worked on many commercial jobs. Projects he worked on...

  • Robert Edward "Eddie" Guillen

    Oct 22, 2014

    Robert Edward “Eddie” Guillen, 79, of Rock Springs passed away Oct. 21 in Rock Springs. A longtime resident of Rock Springs, Guillen passed away suddenly. He was born on April 19, 1935 in Walsenberg, Colo., the son of Joseph Guillen and Jessie Archuletta. Guillen attended schools in Rock Springs and graduated from Rock Springs High School. He served in the United States Airforce. Survivors include one nephew, Gerald Guillen. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Virginia Thomason and Louise Neves Van Dine. Cremation has tak...

  • Jose Elmer Cordova

    Oct 22, 2014

    Jose Elmer Cordova, 78, of Green River passed away Oct. 18 at the McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah. He had been a longtime resident of Green River. Cordova was born on May 3, 1936 in Chamical, N.M., the son of the late Benjamin and Longina Mary Cordova. He attended schools in Green River. Cordova was employed at Union Pacific Railroad for 36 years as a truck driver and retired June 1, 1997. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Fraternal Order of the Eagles #2350....

  • Travis Ray McDowell

    Oct 22, 2014

    Travis Ray McDowell, 38, passed away Oct. 19, 2014 at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. He died struggling to recover from injuries following an automobile accident. Travis was born in Chisago City, Minn. on July 11, 1976 to Donald Ray McDowell and Cindy Coral (Benson) McDowell. After living in Minnesota and Texas, his family settled in Green River. It was there that he spent his childhood and graduated from Green River High School in 1995. During his school years, he was active...

  • Richard Dale Brice

    Oct 22, 2014

    Richard Dale Brice, 70, of Green River passed away Oct. 19 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. A longtime resident of Green River and former resident of Louisiana, Brice passed away suddenly. He was born on Sept. 28, 1944 in Baton Rouge, La., the son of Thomas B. Brice and Edith Persick. Brice attended schools in Biloxi, Miss. He married Mary L. Brice in February of 1964 in Baton Rouge, La. and she preceded him in death. Brice worked as a surface operator for FMC Corporation for 30...

  • Sammy Joe Barnum

    Oct 22, 2014

    Sammy Joe Barnum, 68, of Helper, Utah passed away Oct. 14, 2014 in Price, Utah. A resident of Helper, Utah for the past nine years and former longtime Rock Springs resident, Barnum died following a lengthy illness. He was born on March 18, 1946 in Oak Creek, Colo., the son of the late Charles and Josie Barnum. Barnum attended school in Rock Springs and was a 1964 graduate of the Rock Springs High School. Barnum served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He enlisted in May of 1965 a...

  • Our view: No need to fear Ebola virus

    Oct 22, 2014

    Looking at the national news, it’s hard not to feel fearful of something that could happen. One of those things people seem to be panicked about is Ebola. The Ebola virus being transferred to the U.S. has a lot of people talking. The rare and deadly virus made its way to the U.S. after a man from Liberia flew to Dallas, Texas and has since infected two other people, both of whom are nurses. But, people expect the worst and expect a huge outbreak to start in the U.S. Across the county and even here in Sweetwater County, health workers are p...

  • Letter: Research voting records before Nov. 4

    Oct 22, 2014

    Dear Editor, With the elections coming up we should recall that on March 1, 2013, many U.S. Senators and Representatives supported Budget Sequestration. This had a negative effect on our nation that still hurts, such as reneging on contractually agreed upon health and education assistance to Native Americans and veterans, food aid to poor children and single mothers, as well as to things like road and bridge repair. Far from being regretful, these same legislators allowed the government shutdown to occur on Oct. 1, 2013, then many, on Oct. 17,...

  • Letter: Former detention officer shares experience

    Oct 22, 2014

    Dear Editor, After reading a letter to the editor in The Green River Star dated Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014 entitled “Sheriff doesn’t deserve 3rd term” by Gerald Miller, I felt it necessary to express some concerns I have not only as a former employee of the sheriff’s office, but now as a member of this community. Although I felt there may have been a little too much information in Mr. Miller’s letter, there were in fact some issues Mr. Miller touched on that I believe must be addressed. First, as a former employee of the sheriff’s office, I c...

  • Letter: In support of the lodging tax

    Oct 22, 2014

    Dear Editor, The renewal of the Sweetwater County Lodging Tax will be on the ballot Nov. 4. This tax helps bring in more than $185 million each year, provides 1,900 jobs and contributes millions in taxes. Yet, the tax does not cost you or me one cent. This tax is paid by visitors who stay overnight in our hotels, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds. No local residents pay this tax unless they stay in our lodging establishments. The Sweetwater County Joint Travel and Tourism Board uses the funds to develop tourism and enhance the local economy...

  • Community's downtown is filled with potential

    Jack H. Smith, Staff Writer|Oct 22, 2014

    Looking back at my childhood, some of my favorite memories were the weekends I would spend with my Uncle Brad, Aunt Nancy, and their three kids in Green River. It was always an adventure as me and my cousin Brad would hunt snakes, lizards, and sand puppies. We would also get fireworks and blow up army men, climb a little bit too high on Mansface, and many other things that would drive my aunt so crazy that she probably went gray about 20 years to early. As a kid, there was a huge difference...

  • The top of the summit: completing "Les Miserables"

    Stephanie Thompson, People Editor|Oct 22, 2014

    Over the course of two years, I dedicated a large amount of time to reading the complete and unabridged version of Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables.” I really had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to read it. I had seen previews for the 2012 movie “Les Miserables” staring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway and thought to myself “Hmm. I think I will read the book first.” I dove into this decision by reading the first volume, “Fantine.” It was only after I finished...

  • Back in the good old days: reconnecting with family

    Mikki Gilmore, Sweetwater County Library System|Oct 22, 2014

    We all say it, “back in the good old days.” I have said this a thousand times with longing for the days as a child growing up in my beloved Green River. We look at how life is now and look back and wonder how it all changed to this level. The memories we have of our growing-up, stays with us always. It is a part of us. Most of us look back with fondness to those days gone by. Not long ago, I saw a posting on Facebook of the record snowfall in Wyoming from the 1960s. The weather has changed drastically from what we saw back then. Many people com...

  • Agencies coordinate plan for possible Ebola outbreak

    Staff Report|Oct 22, 2014

    Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County health and emergency responders have coordinated a plan for Ebola. With the recent scare on the Ebola epidemic, awareness has been heightened at all levels and centers of healthcare. Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, released information recently to give residents insight into what is happening locally to prepare for a potential outbreak. Patti Brown, RN, director of infection prevention/employee health and environmental services, and Clay Radakovich, safety and compliance coordinator answered a few...

  • Majhanovich, Alexander battle in coroner forum

    Jack H. Smith, Staff Writer|Oct 22, 2014

    Tuesday night gave local residents a chance to hear from both candidates running for Sweetwater County Coroner. There were no visible smoke and mirrors during the forum with incumbent Democratic coroner Dale Majhanovich and Republican challenger JR Alexander -- it was a matter of experience versus a candidate who would like to bring change to the office. The first to speak, Alexander said he has a lot of respect for Majhanovich, he just would like to see a change and bring a new perspective and...

  • 'The Miracle Worker' aims to inspire

    Stephanie Thompson, People Editor|Oct 22, 2014

    (Correction: Play times and dates were incorrectly listed in the print version. This article was updated to reflect the correct dates and times.) The inspirational tale of Helen Keller will unfold on the stage this week. Green River High School theater students have been rehearsing since August to put on the play "The Miracle Worker" by William Gibson. "The Miracle Worker" is a classic story about a teacher Annie Sullivan and the student she is assigned to teach, Helen Keller. Keller is deaf,...

  • Many pumpkins available at church's patch

    Stephanie Thompson, People Editor|Oct 22, 2014

    Those who want to find the perfect pumpkin while helping a local church will want to stop by the Union Congregational Church of Christ Pumpkin patch. The patch, located at 350 Mansface, opened earlier in the month and will remain open until about 5 p.m. on Oct. 31. For the sixth year in a row, Green River residents will have the opportunity to look through more than 1,000 pumpkins to find the perfect one. “We have a lot better sizes this year,” UCC member and volunteer Pam Kerr said. “Last year they all seemed to be huge.” Kerr said this ye...

  • Board recognizes kids

    Jack H. Smith, Staff Writer|Oct 22, 2014

    The hard work by several Green River High School students was recognized last Tuesday by the Sweetwater County School District No. 2 Board of Education. The first to be recognized by the board was senior Alan Halverson. In September, Halverson received the prestigious honor of being named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. He was selected from 1.5 million who entrants into the program. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 with...

  • ESL classes offered at college

    Staff Report|Oct 22, 2014

    English as a Second Language classes are offered from the Western Wyoming Community College Learning Center. ESL helps those who do not speak English or have limited English to improve their English language skills and function more confidently in the United States. The students take the ESL classes for many reasons among them are to help them get a job, speak fluently to their child’s teacher and be able to talk and understand their doctor. Many of the students work very diligently to improve their English skills. This program includes an e...

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