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A recent Wyoming Education Association poll revealed 78 percent of voters are willing to pay higher taxes to support education in Wyoming, a finding we could see coming and will undoubtedly ruffle the feathers of conservative legislators and groups fighting the passage of any new taxes. We support a tax to help fund local school districts. Regardless of it being a sales tax of an increased property tax, supporting education in Sweetwater County should be a priority for all residents. The poll’s results show Wyoming voters support that line of t...
It has literally only been two weeks of school and I’m already sick. What gives? It’s like from the moment school starts until the day it ends someone in the family has a cold or worse, the flu. Everyone always jokes about kids being petri dishes, but I think they’re right. My youngest son, John, came home with a soar throat and then a cough and runny nose accompanied by a lot of sneezing. Now, I have a soar throat, terrible head congestion, a running nose and a little cough. I thought we had t...
It’s not uncommon nowadays to see a group of people sitting together while they are all texting or checking social media on their phones. They are “with” each other in proximity but they are not actually engaged “for” each other. I think it’s important in today’s super busy world that we all make conscious efforts to spend time “for” each other – talking, listening, sharing, laughing, being together – not just being around each other in the same vicinity. Jeff Van Gundy is a former NBA and college basketball coach, who is currently working for...
Deciding to start a healthy dose of exercise paired with a healthy diet is a goal for all of us, but how do you stick with it? Temptation is on every menu, in every aisle of the grocery store, and at most social gatherings. Staying consistent with any goal, especially with diet and exercise requires a lot of focus and preparation. It comes down to three things: consistency, accountability, and goals. It may seem obvious but here’s a breakdown of each and how you can apply them to your life. Consistency Consistency is having general movement for...
As our president continues to trumpet the idea that the media is a source of evil, it is important to remember that in any group, there will be outliers that are not representative of the whole population. Some journalists use dubious tactics, make stories up or let their own bias flavor their story. In a society that holds fame so highly, it’s tempting to try to make the story about oneself. Journalism has been a cornerstone of this country since its founding for good reason. A well-functioning free press is key to a vibrant democracy and p...
Over the past few weeks, residents may have noticed some very foul odors coming from the Wastewater Treatment Plant on East Teton Boulevard. After extended warm periods, many bodies of water tend to “turnover,” allowing odors trapped in the deeper parts of the pool to come to the surface. This can happen 2-3 times a year. In a lake it is not as noticeable, and typically just contributes to a “fishy” smell. But at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, a turnover can smell much worse. The Green River Wastewater Treatment Plant was originally constructe...
This fall the House of Representatives is likely to take up legislation passed by the Senate that gives terminally ill patients the right to try unproven, experimental drugs that are not yet on the market. Thirty-seven states have already passed similar legislation. All this may sound like terrific news for very sick patients with few or no treatment options left, but the issue deserves a much deeper look thanks to its potential impact on people’s pocketbooks and health. “The public has no idea this is not a good thing,” says Alison Batem...
With Green River’s children going back to school today, the fight to maintain adequate school funding has never been more important. Legislators across the state, who believe themselves experts in education simply because the way they learned worked for them, see many of the school districts receiving more money than they deserve. What they’re overlooking is education in the 21st century is a world apart to the education provided 15-20 years ago. We don’t doubt the state has a huge funding gap to fill either. Rep. John Freeman, D-Green River...
Monday was an exciting day at my house and not because of the eclipse. It was the first day of school for my children. This year, was a little different as I realized I would no longer be driving my youngest son, John, to daycare or preschool. Yes. He’s moved on to bigger and better things -- kindergarten. He was so excited. He got up, got dressed, brushed his teeth and went and made his own breakfast, which consisted of a breakfast bar and a Pediasure, while I was in the shower. While I was g...
A few days after we moved to Casper from Cheyenne in 1999, my 12-year-old son asked me something I’d been wondering myself: “Dad, where are all the black people?” Wyoming’s capital city can’t be described as even remotely diverse, with an African-American population of about 3.6 percent. But it still tops Casper, which can only claim a 1.9 percent black citizenry, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. African Americans make up less than 1 percent of the entire state’s population, helping make Wyoming the ninth whitest state in the nation....
The fifth annual Intergalactic Spaceport Days are here. Did you know that the Green River Intergalactic Spaceport is one of the top 10 unique airports, as voted by pilots in Flying Magazine and it is right here in our own backyard? Also, the airport patches, stickers, and other merchandise (and directions to the airport) is one of the most requested items at the Green River Chamber of Commerce? This weekend you can see for yourself as we celebrate Spaceport Days at the airport. This event that is fully funded by a grant from the WYDOT...
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...
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...
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...
The Sweetwater County Fair has come and gone. The rides, funnel cakes, the concerts and Lanky the Clown won’t come back for another year, but we think a few more things could be added to that list to make the fair better. The county fair is a great time. Don’t take this column as a “the fair needs to change because it’s boring” kind of attack on the volunteers and employees who help set it up every year. We simply think a few things could be added. If distilled to its most basic components, the Sweetwater County Fair is essentially a music fes...
Dear Editor, Money’s dominance over politics is the number one problem our nation faces. It is a growing crisis that prevents us from tackling anything else. We have now reached a stunning point: Either we are a country that makes decisions based on the common good, or one where the size of your wallet determines the worth of your ideas. Either we uphold the values of a representative democracy, or we allow greed and wealth to destroy the great American experiment in self-governance. I am fully committed to working with all of you and with A...
Dear Editor, The Founders promised that ours would be government by, of and for the people. It appears that the governed are being ruled by the governing. The servants are running the estate. Instead of us telling them what to do in Washington, they are telling us what they will and will not do. No! Enough! Now is an extremely critical time for us to claim our government and assert control. We presume an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. How can anyone conclude that these do not include health? It’s our government...
August’s Artifact of the Month continues to focus on World War I artifacts in conjunction with the traveling World War I exhibit, “Home Front Posters of the Great War, 1917-1918,” from the Fort Casper Museum. This month’s artifact is a wool garrison cap from a World War I uniform. Attached to the hat are a pin and a badge. The pin’s logo is of the Corps Castle, which is the logo of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The origin of the castle logo is unfortunately unknown. According to the USACE, “the official records of the Corps house...
I recently read an article in “Fostering Families Today,” July/August 2017, titled “Partnering with Youth Through Transitions to Adulthood” by Shatiea Blount. I really enjoyed this article and I want to share it with you. I have several children. They are of varying ages. Two are over 18 already, one is a teenager and three are still very little. All children grow up so fast. I remember when the older ones were small and it does seem like yesterday. However, no matter how many times I “go through this process,” I am never ready for it. This ar...
Yes. I am aware that there’s only a couple of weeks left until school starts. Please stop reminding me. Maybe it’s because my youngest is going to start kindergarten this year that makes me feel this way or maybe it’s because I realize that all too soon my children would rather spend time with their friends than me. Either way, the whole thought of them both going to school makes me upset and nervous. I feel as though I am never going to see them again even though I’ll probably be working...
Most Senate Republicans are licking their wounds this week after several failed attempts of replacing or repealing the American Care Act. While we’re certain Sen. Mike Enzi will undoubtedly blame those darn Democrats for those repeated failures, conveniently overlooking the fractured nature of the GOP, what politicians aren’t addressing is why healthcare is so expensive in the first place. The rhetoric circulating around the ACA essentially boils down to an argument about who and how the bill should be paid and doesn’t delve into quest...
(Editor note: This column is fiction, but reflects the writer’s views of where the country is headed) Maneuvering the artillery took months longer than anyone had imagined. The impatient commander-in-chief yelled and screamed and twisted and contorted his face more than was usual even for him. He shouted “You’re fired!” more times than anyone could count. On the periphery of the farms the barrage opened up. The formerly majestic windmills came crashing to the ground. They got twisted and crumpled and lay in the corn. Meanwhile the smashing crew...
Something wasn’t right. I was sitting at home a few nights ago, skimming through an endless list of movies on Netflix when I first realized it. Sure, I had the requisite bowl of buttery popcorn, glass of soda pop and was reclined for optimal viewing enjoyment, but something was off. It wasn’t until 15 minutes into an episode of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” when it dawned on me. I hadn’t left my house that whole day. At one point, not too long ago, something like this was a Jetsons-i...
I had long since forgot about these awesome cookies my mother used to make for us until my son showed me a photo of cookies he wanted me to make for him. My oldest son Matthew, 7, has been reading his latest Ranger Rick Jr. magazine, which just so happened to be about beavers, when he came across the recipe. When he was done reading the story on the beavers, he went to the back of the book where there was a recipe for beaver lodges. He brought the magazine over to me and asked "Can we make...
It’s difficult to overstate how important a sense of community is to a city like Green River. A community is what makes a location warm and inviting while providing a feeling of safety. A community is, after all, a place where people look our for one another. It’s a place where people feel comfortable speaking with their neighbors and genuinely want to see their city thrive. One of most important aspects promoting community in Green River is volunteerism. Volunteers are the reason we have summertime events like Flaming Gorge Days and the Ove...
