‘Dino-Light’ March 26 (posted 3/8/2024)
Pinedale Fine Arts Council
The Pinedale Fine Arts Council (PFAC) is proud to present our last show of the season, Lightwire Theater's production of Dino-Light, live at the Sheppard Auditorium on Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast!
DINO-LIGHT, formerly known as Darwin the Dinosaur, was the recipient of the prestigious Jim Henson Foundation Grant and is the first feature-length theatrical production created and performed by creators Ian Carney and Corbin Popp.
In this original storyline, a famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world full of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love.
This glow-in-the-dark adventure is visually stunning and has been praised for its cutting edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance by audiences all over the world!
Tickets for Dino-Light are available online at www.pinedalefinearts.com and locally at Nested West, The Cowboy Shop, Office Outlet, The Big Piney Office Outlet and at the door the night of the performance. Ticket prices are $20 adults / $7 students.
This event is presented by the Pinedale Fine Arts Council with support in part from the Wyoming Arts Council through funding from the Wyoming Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts which believes a great nation deserves great art, Sublette BOCES #1, the Sublette County Recreation Board, Pinedale Travel & Tourism, the Wyoming Community Foundation - Sublette, Tegeler & Associates, Jonah Energy, Purewest, The Western States Arts Federation and The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation.
For more information please visit www.pinedalefinearts.com or call 307-367-7322. And be sure to find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Senator Baldwin announces retirement from Legislature, thanks Senate District 14 (posted 2/28/2024) Senator will not seek re-election to Wyoming Senate Senator Baldwin media release
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – Today (Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024), Senator Fred Baldwin (SD-14) announced he will not seek another term in the Wyoming Legislature. Senator Baldwin was elected to the Wyoming Senate in 2017. He served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 2015 – 2016. Senator Baldwin has played a pivotal role in shaping health care policy in Wyoming. As longtime chair of the Senate Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, Baldwin notably led legislative efforts to modernize health care in the state, prevent opioid abuse, and promote mental health. He supported bills to advocate for emergency responders and protect newborn children. "It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve my district and the people of Wyoming," said Senator Baldwin. "There are not many opportunities to work so closely with the people of your community and make such an impact together. I am grateful for and proud of the important work we have accomplished here in the Wyoming Legislature." "Senator Baldwin has done Wyoming proud," said Senate President Ogden Driskill. "He is a dedicated public servant and his work in the health care policy realm has made a big impact for the better for people all across the state of Wyoming." "It has been a privilege to serve with Senator Baldwin," said Senator Dan Dockstader. "His leadership has left a definitive mark on the lives of the Wyoming people. Wyoming is no doubt in a stronger place because of his efforts." Baldwin has served in the Wyoming Legislature for nine years. A native of Afton, Wyoming, he first served in the Wyoming House of Representatives for one term. He was then elected to represent Senate District 14 in 2017. Baldwin has served on the Senate Labor, Health & Social Services Committee throughout his service in the Wyoming Senate. He is the Chairman of the Committee and a member of the Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee. Further, Baldwin was recognized with the Milbank Fellowship for Health Equity and the National Conference of State Legislatures Opioid Abuse Fellowship
Yellowstone National Park’s winter season wraps up (posted 2/28/2024) Most roads, entrances and visitor services will begin to close early March National Park Service - Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park’s winter season wraps up early March as roads begin to close to snowmobile and snowcoach travel. By March 16, most visitor services and park roads will be closed including the South, West and East entrances. The park annually closes most roads at this time of year to prepare them for a spring opening for the public. Road Closures The last day these park roads and entrances will be open are: • March 3: Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris • March 5: Norris to Madison, Norris to Canyon Village, Canyon Village to Washburn Hot Springs Overlook • March 10: Canyon Village to Fishing Bridge • March 15: West, South and East entrances and all remaining groomed roads Visitor Services Closures The last day for services will be:
Mammoth Hot Springs • March 3: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel • March 4: Dining Room, Gift Shop, Ski Shop and Map Room Barista/Bar Old Faithful • March 2: Old Faithful Snow Lodge • March 3: Bear Den Gift Shop, Obsidian Dining Room and Ski Shop • March 15: Geyser Grill and Visitor Education Center Warming hut closure dates range between March 5 and March 15.
"As a result of limited snowfall in December and January, the 2023-2024 winter season was particularly challenging for the park and our oversnow operators," said Yellowstone National Park Chief Ranger Chris Flesch. "We would like to thank our operators and partners for working closely with us throughout the season and for providing our visitors the magical opportunity to experience winter in Yellowstone."
Open Year-round The only roads open year-round are between the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana (via Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and Lamar Valley).
Visitors planning to drive in the park during late winter and spring should:
• Prepare for changing weather conditions. • Have flexible travel plans. • Expect limited services. Check Operating Dates for details. • Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions. Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice. • Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions in Yellowstone: o Visit Park Roads. o Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions). o Call (307) 344-2117 for a recorded message.
At Mammoth Hot Springs, the Albright Visitor Center, General Store, post office, medical clinic and self-service fuel pumps stay open year-round. Self-service fuel pumps are also available at the Tower-Roosevelt Service Station year-round.
Spring Opening Weather permitting, select park roads and entrances will open to the public on April 19. Learn more about spring opening dates for visitor services. To plan an upcoming trip to the park, visit the park website or download the National Park Service app for more information.
Youth invited to Wyoming 4-H free Virtual Career Fair March 19 (posted 2/28/2024)
High school and middle school students are encouraged to hop online Tuesday, March 19, for an interactive virtual career night organized by the University of Wyoming Extension.
Hosted on Zoom, the annual event offers an opportunity for young people to interact with professionals in fields ranging from agriculture, firefighting and wildlife management to video production, tourism and exercise physiology. Participants will also receive information on postsecondary education options and financial aid.
While the career fair is organized by Wyoming 4-H educators, it is free and open to any youth who are interested in attending.
This year’s event features speakers from across the country, including YouTube personality and agricultural professional Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers and Teffany Fegler, an Educational Opportunity Center TRIO coordinator based in Riverton.
"Sometimes we don’t know what’s out there, especially as kids," says Washakie County 4-H educator Amber Armajo. "This gives a small glimpse of things that are out there and encourages them to explore."
After years of organizing in-person career fairs for local youth, Armajo pivoted to offer a virtual event in 2021. The new format was a success, attracting students from across Wyoming and beyond. Last year, more than 200 participants from 26 states registered for the annual event.
"When we first started, we wanted to show kids what’s available in Wyoming," Armajo comments. "Now we’ve broadened the scope and I think it’s fun for them."
The 2024 career fair begins at 6 p.m. Mountain time. To register and learn more about this year’s speakers, visit https://bit.ly/wy-4h-career-fair.
After Peterson and Fegler’s presentations, participants will have the opportunity to attend two additional presentations of their choice. The event concludes with a group wrap-up and Q&A session at 7:25 p.m.
All presentations, including those from previous years, are recorded and can be viewed at https://bit.ly/wy-4h-career-fair. Brief bios and contact information for each speaker are also provided.
Contact Amber Armajo at amwall@uwyo.edu or (307) 347-3431 with questions.
Bunkhouse fire in Bondurant
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Sublette County Unified Fire crews battle multiple fires (posted 2/27/2024)
Sublette County Unified Fire
PINEDALE, WYOMING - At approximately 9:52 PM on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, Sublette County Unified Fire units were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the area of Boulder Basin Road near The Place. The reporting party saw 80-foot flames coming from a single-family home. No one appeared home at the time the fire was discovered. The initial fire involved structure was a total loss but multiple buildings on the property were protected.
At approximately 12:12 PM on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, Sublette County Unified Fire units were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the Jack Creek and Haley Draw area. A bunk house suffered a fire and resulting in partial collapse. There were no reported injuries.
At approximately 3:59 PM on Thursday, February 22, 2024, Sublette County Unified Fire units were dispatched to a fire involving dog kennels in the Daniel Merna area. Thirteen dogs were saved and one dog, unfortunately, did succumb to exposure to smoke from the fire.
Multiple fire units from Battalion 1 (Pinedale), Battalion 2 (Big Piney/Marbleton), Battalion 3 (Bondurant), Battalion 5 (Daniel), and Battalion 6 (Kendall Valley) responded to these incidents.
Fire fighters arriving on scene were challenged with limited access due to normal winter conditions. First arriving fire units made initial assessments and protected other buildings from the fires. Water shuttling operations were utilized to provide sufficient water for fireground operations. This included running close to 2000 feet of supply hose, temporarily closing the northbound lane on Hwy 352 for fire suppression operations near The Place. As other fire crews arrived, they assisted where needed in either the water shuttle operations or with fire suppression activities. Thanks to the preparedness, training, quick response, and coordination of the responding firefighters, the fires were contained to the buildings of origin and extinguished. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters reported.
Once the scene of the fire(s) are stabilized, salvage and overhaul begin to ensure there is no re-ignition of materials once fire crews leave. Fire crews then rehab their equipment and apparatus back at their respective stations before being done with each response to be ready for the next incident. Responding to multiple fires involving structures require much manpower, resources and time from our local (mostly volunteer) fire fighters.
The fires are still currently under investigation.
Winter is still with us so please use caution when using any type of warming aids for animal water and food and home water piping. Extension cords, heat trace, heat lamps and etc. are a necessary part of our lives. Don’t overload outlets as the power required to run heating equipment can exceed the circuit(s) ratings and result in an excess buildup of heat. Check heating lamps often to make sure they are secured and clear of combustible material. Heated food and water feeders for animals also have a high-power need so ensure that the power is supplied from an appropriate source. Electric heat tracing should not be turned on for the winter and left without periodic inspection. Having an electrical professional inspect or install the correct equipment can make a significant improvement to the integrity of these essential power circuits and possibly prevent the start and loss incurred by a fire. Stay warm and stay safe, warmer weather should be around the corner.
Authority Shad Cooper Sublette County Unified Fire Chief
White Pine finds buyer to keep ski resort open and invest in its future (posted 2/22/2024) White Pine Resort
PINEDALE, WYOMING - The longtime majority owners of White Pine Ski Resort, Alan and Robyn Blackburn, announced that Joe Ricketts will purchase the historic ski operation in April, at the end of the 2024 Ski season. Ricketts has committed to invest in and improve the Sublette County Ski Resort following the tragic 2019 fire that destroyed the main lodge. Ricketts is in the process of working with the Forest Service to explore opportunities to extend future ski seasons through snow making. The White Pine Ski Resort is a 363-acre parcel that sits roughly 10 miles north of Pinedale, Wyoming, which despite its storied history, has been on the market since 2020, following the devastating fire.
"Owning White Pine has been an honor for my wife and me," said Alan Blackburn. "This mountain offers outstanding recreational opportunities for our community. Faced with the prospect of shutting down the resort, we looked for a buyer who is capable and committed to restoring the lodge, enhancing the mountain’s amenities to their full potential, and investing in the vibrant communities of Sublette County. We are confident that Joe is deeply dedicated to this cause.
Joe Ricketts has assembled a Board of Advisors to strategically guide the business, ensuring its success in both the short-term and long-term. The Board of Advisors includes Roy DeWitt as Chairman, Derek Schupp as President, Dave Jensen as Vice President, Brad White as Secretary, Ryan Persinger as Treasurer and Robin Schamber, Kari DeWitt, Adam D’Illard, Marie McGuire, Alan Blackburn, Steve Christensen, Travis McNiven and Joe Ricketts as Advisory Members. Joe Ricketts said, "I feel good about keeping White Pine in our community and look forward to the recreational expertise the Board of Advisors and Officers will contribute. Their guidance will be instrumental in managing the mountain effectively in both the immediate future and over the long term. My hope is to add improvements that will ensure White Pine remains a cherished destination for all of Sublette to enjoy for years to come."
The White Pine Ski & Summer Resort is one of the oldest ski areas in Wyoming and sits on Forest Service land in the Wind River Mountain Range. The resort has two lifts, nearly 30 runs with 1,100 hundred foot vertical, a tubing hill, rustic accommodations, and miles of Nordic trails for winter activity and summer hiking. White Pine has been a mainstay for local Sublette County residents for years and it has been voted the #1 Resort in Wyoming for beginner skiers.
Wyoming gets a big win in Court for coal (posted 2/21/2024) Governor Gordon media release
CHEYENNE, WYOMING–Wyoming’s coal industry’s earned a long-awaited legal win today (Feb. 21, 2024), as three Ninth Circuit judges unanimously sided with Wyoming’s arguments in support of the continuation of the federal coal-leasing program. The decision vacated a lower court order that reinstated Obama-era coal-leasing restrictions and required federal officials to perform duplicative National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis.
"This ruling is an unequivocal win for our coal industry and a reminder that the Biden Administration has to follow the law," Governor Mark Gordon said. "The Department of Interior now has one less excuse to thwart its federal coal leasing responsibilities. I appreciate the Attorney General and her staff for their excellent work on this case."
The complicated case spanned seven years and involved conflicting orders issued by former Interior Secretaries, in which Secretary Jewel issued an order to cease federal coal leasing and conduct a Programmatic Environmental Statement on the entire coal leasing program. Before that review was complete, Secretary Zinke rescinded the Jewel Order so coal leasing could resume; lastly Secretary Haaland rescinded the Zinke order. The district court ruled that the Department of the Interior needed to conduct additional NEPA analysis before resuming coal leasing under its existing authorities. Wyoming argued that the case was moot, because the Zinke order was rescinded by Secretary Haaland.
Litigation costs for Wyoming were covered by the Federal Natural Resource Policy Account as directed by Governor Gordon.
Text-to-911 now available in Sublette County (posted 2/9/2024) Sublette County Sheriff’s Office
The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center is excited to announce the launch of Text to 911, Inbound non-emergency text, Text Language Translation, and Real-Time Text (RTT).
This addition to our technology suite will significantly improve our ability to respond to emergencies effectively and efficiently in the community when a traditional 911 call is not an option.
Text to 911 allows dispatch to receive inbound emergency text in the Prepared Live interface. This will allow someone who can’t make a voice call to text us in emergencies. This is exciting for the hearing-impaired, a person in unfortunate situations where making a phone call could put the caller in danger, and backcountry rescue, just to name a few. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to text 911, be prepared to describe the nature and location of your emergency and answer all the questions asked by the dispatcher.
Call if you can, text if you can’t.
Inbound non-emergency text allows dispatch to receive non-emergency text when a voice call is not optional. Again, call if you can, text if you can’t. The number to text in non-emergency situations is 307-448-6477.
Text Language Translation auto-detects and translates incoming foreign languages and allows us to respond in the same language.
Real-Time-Text (RTT) is a feature that instantaneously transmits the text of your typed messages to the recipient. It is frequently used by device users who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have a speech-related disability, and can be crucial for these callers in an emergency.
TEXT-TO-911 NON-EMERGENCY TEXT 307-448-6477 CALL IF YOU CAN, TEXT IF YOU CAN’T
WSGS publishes annual Uranium, Oil and Gas Summary Reports (posted 1/10/2024) Wyoming State Geological Survey
Two Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) summary reports, released today, offer a snapshot of how the uranium and oil and natural gas industries fared in Wyoming last year. Overall, the news is positive, with growing optimism for uranium production at both the state and national levels, and a slight uptick in oil production. However, natural gas production in the state continued its several-years steady decline.
"Wyoming is at the forefront nationally in terms of uranium production and nuclear facility development, as well as implementation of legislation focusing on multiple uses of the subsurface," says Dr. Erin Campbell, State Geologist and director of the WSGS. "Wyoming’s geology makes it appealing to a variety of energy and mineral industries, and our state has been extremely proactive in advocating for these industries."
Uranium Improved uranium prices, combined with growing support for nuclear energy as well as geopolitical events, boosted interest in U.S. uranium last year. This is good news for Wyoming, which holds the largest-known economic uranium ore reserves in the United States. It also comes after a period of negligible domestic production.
With the positive shift, uranium companies have refocused on Wyoming mines by increasing staff, expanding facilities, and investing in additional exploration. This has led to the resumption of commercial production at the Lost Creek ISR Mine in Carbon County, the first uranium mine in the country to ramp up operations in response to higher prices and increasing sales contracts.
Oil and natural gas Oil production is growing nationwide. This includes production in Wyoming, albeit at a slower rate. Oil production in the state in 2023 is expected to total more than 93 million barrels, once numbers are finalized in the coming months. Also, despite Wyoming 2023 crude oil prices remaining lower than 2022, prices continue to show significant recovery from the pandemic lows.
Even though natural gas production is on the rise in the United States as a whole, production in Wyoming has steadily decreased since the height of the coalbed methane boom in 2009; last year was no exception due to few new gas wells being drilled. Natural gas production in 2023 is estimated to total about 1.2 trillion cubic feet, which is about 100 billion cubic feet less than 2022 production.
This year’s oil and gas summary also includes information on pore space and carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS). Pore space refers to the gap between particles in a rock that can hold oil, gas, water, or other fluids. The goal of CCUS is to permanently sequester carbon dioxide underground in these pore spaces—or to repurpose the gas for other uses—instead of adding it to the atmosphere.
The report explains why Wyoming is a prime location for CCUS, in addition to providing a brief overview of the geology of carbon capture and storage, the legal framework, planned CCUS projects in Wyoming, as well as several links for additional CCUS-related resources.
Both reports are available as free downloads from the WSGS website. Summary reports are published annually to highlight developments in Wyoming's mineral industries and other important geologic topics in the state. More in-depth information can be found in other WSGS publications, on the website, or by contacting the agency and its staff geologists.
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