Our favorite photo of the year: This photo of Jett Johnson holding Chevelle Johnson at the splash park at Evers Park originally ran in the July 7 issue. We loved capturing this moment of fun and laughter between the two brothers.
While facing challenges in 2022, Green River and Sweetwater County showed resilience and demonstrated how the community continually comes together to help one another and keep growing stronger. While this year wasn't unmarked by tragedy and difficulties, the majority of the news contained stories of heartwarming acts of kindness, inspiring achievements, and exciting developments.
GR Strong
Perhaps this year's biggest news story was also the most tragic, when Green River grieved together over a devastating act of violence and loss.
On the night of June 23, Douglas Wolf opened fire at the Embassy Tavern, killing Aaron Sadler and Jessie Wells and wounding Brian Nussbaum. All the county's law enforcement agencies worked together to lead a manhunt for Wolf, eventually finding him north of Rock Springs the next morning. Wolf died later that day, succumbing to apparently self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Following the shooting, the community of Green River banded together to support the families of the victims, hosting fundraisers and events and expressing sympathies. Support came in from across the county and the state as well to show the power of "GR Strong."
Saved from the flames
One of the other biggest news stories this year could have also been a horrible tragedy if not for the bravery of a passing stranger.
On February 1, Ryan Pasborg saw smoke as he was driving his truck to work. He stopped to help and ended up running into a burning home, twice, to save four-year-old Weston Wadsworth and his mother Stephanie Wadsworth.
Once again the community stepped in to show support, hosting fundraisers to help with the Wadsworth family's medical expenses. But the greatest help came from Pasborg's willingness to act quickly and risk his own life to save the lives of others.
Pasborg received recognition from the Sweetwater County Commissioners and Green River City Council as well as other groups across the state, even getting attention from across the nation for his act of courage.
Educational excellence
Receiving national attention for Green River was a regular occurrence this year, with much of it going toward the educational excellence at Washington Elementary School. It began in March, when Anne Marie Covey, the principal at Washington, was named Wyoming's National Distinguished Principal for 2022. It continued in September, when Washington was named a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School - a prestigious award from the US Department of Education. Washington was one of only two schools in Wyoming to receive the designation this year, and only the second school in Green River to ever be named a Blue Ribbon School. In October, US Senator John Barrasso visited Washington to congratulate the students and staff on their outstanding achievements.
Mine rescue champions
On top of national attention, Sweetwater County received international attention when the Genesis Teal mine rescue team competed at the 2022 International Mines Rescue Competition in West Virginia in September. The team of local miners went up against 22 other teams representing eight different countries, and took first in the mine rescue skills challenge event.
The team received the invitation to compete at the international event after winning first place overall at the annual Mine Safety Health Administration National Mine Rescue Competition in Lexington, Kentucky in August. Three other local mine rescue teams also competed at and took home awards from the national competition.
The importance of having skilled mine rescue teams was demonstrated in November, when Green River Fire Department Technical Rope Rescue Team, which includes firefighters who are part of local mine rescue teams, was able to put their skills to use to save a contractor that fell into a Joint Powers Plant pipe vault.
Fire and ambulance
Having firefighters and other emergency first responders who are ready and able to respond quickly in an emergency was a priority for the county as decisions were made about who will be there to respond.
Plans for consolidating fire and ambulance services in Sweetwater County have been the subject of discussion for many years, but this year specific steps were taken towards streamlining and consolidating by changing who provides those services.
One year after the plan to have Castle Rock Ambulance take over ambulance service for both Green River and Rock Springs was first brought up at a county commission meeting last December, the idea has become a reality. The ambulance services worked together through the year to come up with a feasible transition, and Castle Rock took over ambulance service in November.
At the March 1 commission meeting, commissioners voted to dissolve the Sweetwater County Fire Department and contract its services out to the Green River Fire Department, Wamsutter Fire Department, and Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1. At the last commission meeting of the year, those fire agreements were extended.
Economic growth
As county and city officials made decisions about services and dealt with budgets throughout the year, they celebrated multiple announcements of economic development that will help bring in new business and revenue.
In July, Kel-Tec CNC Industries, a firearm manufacturing company, announced the purchase of a facility in Rock Springs that will be used to expand the company's production capactiy.
In the fall, several of the local trona mines announced new projects or expansions, including a new soda ash project for Ciner and WE Soda Ltd that will use solution mining, and continued plans for expansions at Genesis Alkali's Granger facility and Solvay.
One of the largest projects discussed this year was a carbon removal project, dubbed Project Bison, which is slated to be the world's largest atmospheric carbon removal project and is expected to come to Sweetwater County in the next eight years. Local officials heard several updates throughout the year on possible plans for carbon capture projects in the county.
Specific purpose tax and election results
More development will also come to Sweetwater County in the future through funds raised by the 1% Specific Purpose Tax, which was passed during the November 8 General Election. The tax will raise $83.5 million to be used on projects throughout the county. Efforts to support the tax, and discussions of whether it would pass after last year's failed general purpose tax, were the topic of debate throughout the year. Ultimately the project list for the tax was narrowed down and limited to infrastructure needs. The tax passed by a margin of 912 votes.
Along with the tax, the election itself was a highly-anticipated event, with campaign signs going up around the county for months and debates and forums hosted to help candidates make an informed decision. The primary election was held in August and determined the winners of many positions, since multiple races had only Republicans running.
The newly-elected candidates are set to begin their terms of service in the new year.
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