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Horse Fire burning west of Merna (posted 6/13/2025)
The Horse Fire was reported on the Big Piney Ranger District on Friday June 13, 2025. It is approximately 60 acres and burning in heavy timber and slash. The lightning-caused fire is located roughly 10-miles west of Merna, 5 miles northeast of McDougal Gap, and 2 miles west of Prospect Peak. Smoke is visible from the McDougal Gap area.
A Type 3 Incident Management Team and 2 Type 1 helicopters have been ordered and should assume command tomorrow evening. A Type 3 helicopter, 8 smoke jumpers and 3 fire engines and 3 crews are on scene.
There are no closures associated with the fire at this time.
Fire danger rating for the Bridger-Teton National Forest is currently rated "Low."
More info: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wybtf-horse-fire
WYDOT warns about texting scams (posted 6/9/2025)
Don’t click on links in suspicious text messages
Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT)
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) wants to warn the public about ongoing text-based scams targeting Wyoming residents.At least two recent scams have posed as WYDOT to try to trick residents into clicking/tapping a link to a spoofed version of the WYDOT website. The scammers use varying language, but ultimately threaten an immediate loss of driver privileges if action isn’t taken on unpaid citations or toll bills.
WYDOT does not contact customers this way.
Here are some red flags to watch for if you receive a suspicious text:
• If it’s from a foreign phone number, it’s a scam. WYDOT does not use foreign call/text services of any kind.
• If it says "The DMV" it’s a scam. WYDOT does not call itself a DMV; all communication from WYDOT about a driver license is from Driver Services.
• WYDOT does not offer any option to pay citations online. All citations are handled through the court system, independent of WYDOT.
• Wyoming has no toll roads. WYDOT will not contact you about unpaid tolls in other jurisdictions.
• Generally, WYDOT will not contact you unsolicited. Any unexpected call or text claiming to be from WYDOT should be scrutinized. Driver license renewals, specialty plate renewals, and other WYDOT business is most often conducted via mail (or via email, if first prompted by the customer).
When in doubt, call WYDOT to double check the message you’ve received is legitimate.
If you have clicked any links in a scam text, WYDOT recommends using a different device to change all passwords and reaching out to your bank through a trusted phone number.
Stay vigilant for recovery scams, where scammers try to lure victims with promises to recover all stolen funds from previous scams.
For helpful tips on how to avoid scammers, visit the Wyoming Attorney General Consumer Protection Unit’s website: https://attorneygeneral.wyo.gov/law-office-division/consumer-protection-and-antitrust-unit/consumer-education
Wyoming Wildlife Calendar Photo Contest closes June 16 (posted 6/9/2025)
Wyoming Game & Fish
June 16 is the last day to submit your best wildlife photographs from the Cowboy State to Wyoming Wildlife magazine’s Calendar Photo Contest. Photographers of all skill levels have a chance for their images to be featured in the magazine’s 2026 calendar, which is printed as the November 2025 issue of the magazine.
Entrants can submit photos of wildlife taken in Wyoming, along with Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Only wildlife photos are accepted for the contest. Wildlife includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Each photographer can submit up to 10 photos. Because winning images will appear in the calendar, only horizontal images or those that can be cropped to the calendar dimensions will be considered for publication. Photos must have been taken by the person submitting the entries and may not infringe on the copyright of others. No entries previously published in Wyoming Wildlife or Wyoming Wildlife calendars may be submitted.
Entrants have a chance to win $100 for a photo selected for the calendar.
To enter the contest, along with rules and more information, visit the photo contest website at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/wyoming-wildlife/wyoming-wildlife-magazine/photo-contest. Entries will be accepted until midnight on June 16.
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Sublette County Health Foundation raises $5.6 million for new hospital and Sublette Center (posted 5/23/2025)
PINEDALE, WY — The Sublette County Health Foundation (SCHF) first gathered around a table in February 2023 and set an ambitious goal: to raise $5 million for the new hospital and Sublette Center. No one knew if it was possible, but facing rising inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain issues the team knew the funds would be critical to the success of the project. The Foundation is proud to announce it has exceeded its goal, raising $5.6 million to fund critical projects that will transform healthcare in the community.
A Vision Realized
The funds raised have supported essential initiatives, including a state-of-the-art radiology package featuring an x-ray, CT scanner, and new service lines such as mammography and DEXA bone density scanning. Community-driven additions like fireplaces, outdoor living spaces for seniors, raised garden beds, and a playground for intergenerational engagement were also restored to the plans, creating a warm, inclusive environment for all.
"This success belongs to our incredible community," said Foundation Board Chair Sid Stanfill. "From major donors to lemonade stand contributions, every gift made a difference."
The Foundation board includes Sid Stanfill, Nancy Espenscheid, Louann Heydt, Tonia Hoffman, Sharon Rutsch, Sharron Ziegler, and Kerry Majhanovich. The late Joan Mitchell was part of the original board and a vocal supporter of the project. Dave Bell retired from the board in October 2024, but was instrumental in securing a good deal of funding. Most recently, Ashli Tatro filled his open board seat for the Foundation.
In addition to the Board, a Capital Campaign Committee was formed to provide more support. These included Leslie Hagenstein, Paul Ulrich, Brian Gray and Buck Buchenroth who hosts an annual "Boots and Scrubs" fundraiser at his restaurant Stockman’s.
Transformative Donations
Leading gifts set the tone for the campaign’s success. Joe Ricketts contributed $1 million, followed by Dan and Kim Huish with another $1 million. These two lead donations opened the floodgates, with 326 individual donors to date and counting.
The Helmsley Charitable Trust funded the radiology equipment with a $1 million grant. For over fifteen years, Helmsley has been dedicated to making sure that the vibrant, tightly-knit communities of rural America have access to the highest quality healthcare.
One project, the long-desired MRI machine, exemplified the community’s spirit. Individual donors raised nearly $1 million, with gifts ranging from $100,000 to lemonade stand earnings. "One family even put their cat’s name on the donor wall form," said SCHF Executive Director Kari DeWitt. "It reflects the wide reach and heart of this campaign."
When a $1 million gap remained, Dianna Archuleta stepped forward with a transformative donation to honor her late husband, George. "This service is highly needed in our area," she shared. "George gave so much during his lifetime, and this donation ensures his legacy continues to serve the community for decades to come."
In a particularly exciting development, the last piece of the campaign to be fully funded was the senior center garden beds, a project that captured the community’s heart. These raised beds will allow residents to enjoy gardening in the summer months and provide opportunities for relaxation and connection. "The excitement to have this project funded gives our seniors something to look forward to in the future," said Sublette Center Administrator Dawn Walker. "This beautiful and inviting outdoor space will promote well-being, connection, and enjoyment of nature—truly priceless gifts for our residents."
Looking Ahead
As SCHF celebrates this milestone, its focus now shifts to the next critical need: Assisting in the funding of a surgery suite. DeWitt notes "This vital project will allow us to meet growing community needs and ensure that our patients have access to routine surgical services such as colonoscopies, pain management, and various outpatient and emergency procedures close to home."
That goal is something the Hospital District is actively exploring, with the intent to drive for completion as soon as feasible. "Providing surgical services will not only increase the availability of care available in Sublette County, but will reinforce the organization’s financial sustainability for the long game," said Tonia Hoffman, Chairwoman of the Hospital Board.
Community members still have the opportunity to make history by donating to the future surgery suite. Visit www.sublettecountyhealthfoundation.org to learn more or make a contribution of any size.
About the Sublette County Health Foundation
The Sublette County Health Foundation is dedicated to improving access to quality healthcare in rural Wyoming. By funding vital services and infrastructure, SCHF ensures residents receive high quality care close to home.
DOE to begin collections on Federal Student loans (posted 4/22/2025)
There will not be any mass loan forgiveness - collections to restart May 5, 2025
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced on Monday, April 21, 2025, its Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will resume collections of its defaulted federal student loan portfolio on Monday, May 5th. The Department has not collected on defaulted loans since March 2020. Resuming collections protects taxpayers from shouldering the cost of federal student loans that borrowers willingly undertook to finance their postsecondary education. This initiative will be paired with a comprehensive communications and outreach campaign to ensure borrowers understand how to return to repayment or get out of default.
Congress mandated that student and parent borrowers begin to repay their student loans in October 2023, however the Biden-Harris Administration did not lift the collections pause and kept borrowers in a confusing limbo.
"American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies," said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. "The Biden Administration misled borrowers: the executive branch does not have the constitutional authority to wipe debt away, nor do the loan balances simply disappear. Hundreds of billions have already been transferred to taxpayers. Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment—both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook."
Federal student loans are financed by the American people. Today, 42.7 million borrowers owe more than $1.6 trillion in student debt. More than 5 million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in over 360 days and sit in default—many for more than 7 years—and 4 million borrowers are in late-stage delinquency (91-180 days). As a result, there could be almost 10 million borrowers in default in a few months. When this happens, almost 25 percent of the federal student loan portfolio will be in default.
Only 38 percent of borrowers are in repayment and current on their student loans. Most of the remaining borrowers are either delinquent on their payments, in an interest-free forbearance, or in an interest-free deferment. A small percentage of borrowers are in a 6-month grace period or in-school.
Currently, almost 1.9 million borrowers have been unable to even begin repayment because of a processing pause put in place by the previous administration. Since August 2024, the Department has not processed applications for enrollment in any repayment plan such as Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, or PAYE. The Department is currently working with its federal student loan servicers and anticipates processing to begin next month.
FSA will restart the Treasury Offset Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, on Monday, May 5, 2025. All borrowers in default will receive email communications from FSA over the next 2 weeks making them aware of these developments and urging them to contact the Default Resolution Group to make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or sign up for loan rehabilitation. Later this summer, FSA will send required notices beginning administrative wage garnishment.
The Department will also authorize guaranty agencies that they may begin involuntary collections activities on loans under the Federal Family Education Loan Program. All FSA collection activities are required under the Higher Education Act and conducted only after student and parent borrowers have been provided sufficient notice and opportunity to repay their loans under the law.
FSA is committed to keeping borrowers updated with clear information about their payment options to put them on a productive path toward repaying their federal student loans. Over the next two months, FSA will conduct a communications campaign to engage all borrowers on the importance of repayment. FSA will conduct outreach to borrowers through emails and social media reminding them of their obligations and providing resources and support to assist them in selecting the best repayment plan, like the new Loan Simulator, AI Assistant (Aiden), and extended servicers call times. FSA will also launch an enhanced Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) process, simplifying the time that it will take borrowers to enroll in IDR plans and eliminating the need for borrowers to recertify their income every year. More information will be posted on StudentAid.gov next week.
FSA intends to enlist its partners – states, institutions of higher education, financial aid administrators, college access and success organizations, third-party servicers, and other stakeholders – to assist in this campaign to restore commonsense and fairness with the message: student and parent borrowers – not taxpayers – must repay their student loans. There will not be any mass loan forgiveness. Together, these actions will move the federal student loan portfolio back into repayment, which benefits borrowers and taxpayers alike.
Detailed information to help borrowers get out of default is also available at StudentAid.gov/end-default.
Source: U.S. Department of Education media release April 21, 2025
Senator Lummis praises President Trump's pro-coal Executive Order (posted 4/8/2025)
Senator Cynthia Lummis media release
WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement applauding President Trump’s pro-coal executive order.
"I am thrilled that President Trump is reversing the failed energy policies of the Biden administration and officially lifting this ridiculous moratorium on federal coal leasing," said Lummis. "The previous administration's anti-science, anti-energy, anti-Wyoming policies cost good paying jobs, increased energy costs, and played into the hands of America's adversaries. President Trump knows that increased American energy is a strength, not a weakness. As America's leading coal-producing state, Wyoming stands ready and able to support President Trump's initiative to expand and Unleash American Energy."
Background:
Earlier today (April 8, 2025), President Trump signed an EO: Executive Actions to Support the Coal Industry, which does the following:
• Directs the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council to designate coal as a "mineral" under Executive Order 14241, entitling coal to all of the benefits of that prior Order.
• Directs relevant agencies to identify coal resources on Federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining, and prioritize coal leasing on those lands.
• Directs the Secretary of the Interior to acknowledge the end of the Jewell Moratorium, which paused coal leasing on Federal lands.
• Requires agencies to rescind any agency policies that seek to transition the Nation away from coal production or otherwise establish preferences against coal as a generation resource.
• Directs CEQ to assist agencies in adopting coal-related categorical exclusions under NEPA.
• Seeks to promote coal and coal technology exports, facilitate international offtake agreements for U.S. coal, and accelerate development of coal technologies.
• Calls for the Secretary of Energy to determine whether coal used in the production of steel meets the definition of a "critical material" and "critical mineral" under the Energy Act of 2020, and if so, add it to the relevant lists.
• Pushes for using coal to power new artificial intelligence (AI) data.
Property Tax Refund Program application period open in Wyoming (posted 4/3/2025)
Deadline to apply is June 2, 2025
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Revenue are announcing the property tax refund program for homeowners is now open for applications. At the Governor’s request, the Legislature appropriated an additional $10.5 million to meet the state’s commitment to homeowners in need, following expansion of the program in 2024.
"We know more than 4,600 additional families utilized this program last year, reflecting how important delivering relief to those most impacted by increased assessments has become," Governor Gordon said.
The property tax refund program assists eligible Wyoming homeowners who are struggling to pay their property taxes, which can often be a significant financial burden, particularly for those with fixed or limited incomes. In 2023, the program helped 13,485 Wyoming families, with more than $14,265,960 million in refunds distributed, with the average refund being approximately $1,058.23.
Homeowners can apply for a refund of up to one-half of the median residential property tax amount or 75 percent of their 2024 property tax bill, whichever is less. Eligibility is limited to homeowners:
- whose gross household income is equal to or less than 145 percent of the median household income for their county of residence, or the statewide median, whichever is greater;
- have been Wyoming resident for at least five years,- occupy the residence at least nine months of the tax year;
have total assets less than $163,019 per adult household member, excluding the value of your home, one vehicle per adult member of the household and any retirement accounts, life insurance or medical saving accounts from that calculation. If the homeowner’s 2024 property tax paid exceeds 10% of your total household income, the asset requirement is waived.
Brenda Henson, Director of the Department of Revenue, stated all taxpayers who applied for refunds last year will receive an application in the mail in mid-April. Taxpayers may also apply online at wptrs.wyo.gov beginning April 2, 2025. In addition, applications are available from local County Treasurer's offices across the state. All applications must be properly completed and filed with the Department of Revenue or the County Treasurer's office no later than June 2, 2025. Before applying for the refund, individuals must pay their 2024 taxes in full.
For more information about Wyoming’s property tax refund program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit wptrs.wyo.gov or call (307) 777-7320.
Treasury Department suspends enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act against U.S. citizens and domestic reporting companies (posted 3/3/2025)
Pinedale Online!
On March 2, 2025, the US Treasury Department announced that U.S. citizens and businesses will not be subject to fines or penalties for failing to file beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports after new reporting deadlines are set. This follows an announcement by Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) that it would announce new BOI reporting deadlines no later than March 21, 2025 to extend the current March 21 BOI reporting deadline.
Reports were originally due by the start of 2025. However, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) pushed that date to January 13, 2025. A subsequent court injunction nullified this deadline. FinCEN later said it would announce new BOI reporting deadlines no later than March 21, 2025. Willful violations had been punishable by a fine of $606 a day, up to $10,000, and two years in prison with similarly serious penalties for unauthorized disclosure.
The lawsuits and rulings have created great confusion and uncertainty for small businesses trying to understand what they need to do regarding complying with the Department of Treasury’s regulations.
Below is the text of the press release posted on the Department of Treasury website:
"The Treasury Department is announcing today (Sunday, March 2, 2025) that, with respect to the Corporate Transparency Act, not only will it not enforce any penalties or fines associated with the beneficial ownership information reporting rule under the existing regulatory deadlines, but it will further not enforce any penalties or fines against U.S. citizens or domestic reporting companies or their beneficial owners after the forthcoming rule changes take effect either. The Treasury Department will further be issuing a proposed rulemaking that will narrow the scope of the rule to foreign reporting companies only. Treasury takes this step in the interest of supporting hard-working American taxpayers and small businesses and ensuring that the rule is appropriately tailored to advance the public interest."
"This is a victory for common sense," said U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Today’s action is part of President Trump’s bold agenda to unleash American prosperity by reining in burdensome regulations, in particular for small businesses that are the backbone of the American economy."
Source: Treasury Department Announces Suspension of Enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act Against U.S. Citizens and Domestic Reporting Companies U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 2, 2025
Game and Fish to gather public comment on Sublette antelope migration corridor risk Assessment (posted 3/3/2025)
Meeting in Pinedale April 15th in the Pinedale Library
Wyoming Game & Fish
Throughout April, public meetings will be held to seek input regarding the ongoing designation of the Sublette antelope migration corridor. Game and Fish wildlife managers are moving forward with this designation process, in accordance with Wyoming’s Migration Corridor Executive Order.
The meetings will allow the public to ask questions, provide feedback, and discuss the identified migration corridor as well as the biological risk and opportunity assessment.
"Wyoming’s open landscapes provide key migration paths for species such as mule deer and antelope," said Game and Fish Deputy Director of External Affairs Doug Brimeyer. "Evaluating these vital movement areas is an important measure towards conserving habitats and maintaining healthy big game populations in the state. Collaboration with landowners, agency managers and the public is an essential part of this process."
Three public meetings will be held to gather input at the following locations:
Wednesday, April 9, 2025: Green River, 6:00PM, WWCC, John Wesley Powell Room, 1 College Way, Room #206
Thursday, April 10, 2025: Jackson, 3:00PM, Wyoming Game and Fish Regional Office, 420 N. Cache
Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Pinedale, 6:00PM, Lovatt Room, Pinedale Library
The steps toward designating a migration corridor are outlined in the Wyoming Mule Deer and Antelope Migration Corridor Protection Executive Order. The Commission voted to identify the corridor and move forward in the designation process at its March 2024 meeting in Pinedale.
After considering the identified corridor, the biological risk assessment and public comment, the Game and Fish Commission will vote on whether to recommend to Governor Gordon that the identified corridor be formally designated at their July 2025 meeting in Evanston.
The deadline to submit comments is 5 p.m. May 2, 2025. Written comments will be presented to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission before the July 2025 meeting. Comments can be submitted through our online form or by mail to the Pinedale Regional Game and Fish Office, PO Box 850, Pinedale, WY 82941.
Visit the Game and Fish website to learn more about the identification of the migration corridor and view helpful resources. You can also visit our site to find out more about the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations by contacting the nearest Game and Fish office.
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