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Headlines: Flag Half Staff Notice – Death of Senator Lindsey Graham Yellowstone visitation statistics for June 2026 Kinky Creek Fire Final Update Road work planned in July for Kemmerer wildlife overpass installation Kinky Creek Fire Update for July 3, 2026 Governor seeks public comment on proposed Sage Grouse Executive Order Revisions Road maintenance on Granite Creek Road Price of Forever stamp going up on July 12 Governor designates Sublette Pronghorn Migration Corridor Pinedale Local: Doug Vickrey running for reelection for Sublette County Commissioner Graveside Memorial Service for Donna Hegardt July 17 SCSO seeks info on gunshot into Pinedale residence Gary Sanders announces candidacy for Sublette County Commissioner Reminder: Fireworks prohibited year-round in Sublette County

Front Page Story Archive

Flag Half Staff Notice – Death of Senator Lindsey Graham (posted 7/8/2026)
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – Governor Mark Gordon, (R-Wyo.,) has ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff per flag policy and by order of the United States President for the death of Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The flags will remain lowered until Saturday, July 18 at 6 p.m.

Yellowstone visitation statistics for June 2026 (posted 7/8/2026)
National Park Service
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WYOMING – Yellowstone National Park hosted 903,025 recreation visits in June 2026, down 3% from June 2025 (928,250 recreation visits).

Visitation in June 2026 showed a 4% decrease from June 2021 (938,845 recreation visits). The park’s record-breaking year was 2021 with over 4.8 million recreation visits.

So far in 2026, the park has hosted 1,676,678 recreation visits, down 1% from 2025 (1,690,922 recreation visits), and up 6% from 2021 (1,587,998 recreation visits).

The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through June):

2026 – 1,676,678
2025 – 1,690,922
2024 – 1,633,739
2023 – 1,492,843
2022 – 1,258,834 (The park was closed June 13 through June 21 due to the historic flood event. Three entrances opened on June 22.)
2021 – 1,587,998

More data on park visitation, including how we calculate these numbers, is available on the NPS Stats website: https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/.

Kinky Creek Fire Final Update (posted 7/8/2026)
87% Contained, 880 Acres
Bridger-Teton National Forest
(Cora, WY, July 8, 2026) — Progress remains steady and consistent on the Kinky Creek Fire as crews secure containment lines, patrol the fire perimeter, and extinguish remaining pockets of heat. Firefighters will continue mop-up operations and strengthen containment features to ensure the fire remains within established control lines.

Today marks the transition of the Kinky Creek Fire from Idaho Team 1 Incident Management Team back to a local Type 4 organization. Command of the fire will transfer this evening to the Bridger-Teton National Forest, whose personnel will continue managing suppression activities until containment objectives are achieved. Remaining resources will focus on completing containment, conducting mop-up operations, and beginning suppression repair where appropriate.

The progress made on the Kinky Creek Fire reflects the dedication and professionalism of firefighters and support personnel who worked through remote wilderness conditions, steep and rugged terrain, hazardous fire-weakened trees, and rapidly changing weather. Their commitment to safety and operational excellence significantly reduced fire potential while protecting the natural resources of the Gros Ventre Wilderness.

On behalf of Idaho Team 1 Incident Management Team, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Bridger-Teton National Forest, our agency partners, cooperators, contractors, local emergency managers, and the surrounding communities for their outstanding support throughout this incident. We also thank the firefighters, dispatchers, aviation personnel, support staff, and everyone who contributed to the successful management of the Kinky Creek Fire. The professionalism, collaboration, and dedication demonstrated throughout this assignment made it possible to safely reduce the fire's threat and transition command back to the local organization.

Forest trail and area closures remain in effect to protect public and firefighter safety. The public is asked to avoid Kinky Creek Road; Kinky Creek and Clear Creek trails; and the Brewster, Lunch, and Chateau Lake areas while suppression activities continue.

The Kinky Creek Fire is located west of Darwin Ranch, near Upper Gros Ventre Falls in the Gros Ventre Wilderness on the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Unless significant changes in fire activity occur, this will be the final daily update for the Kinky Creek Fire. Future information will be provided by the Bridger-Teton National Forest as needed.

Road work planned in July for Kemmerer wildlife overpass installation (posted 7/3/2026)
40-minute road delays July 7-11, alternate routes recommended for travelers
Wyoming Department of Transportation
Public Notice to Kemmerer area travelers:
Beginning Tuesday, July 7, 2026, drivers on US 189 will see up to 40-minute delays as Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) and contract crews set sections of concrete arch for the wildlife overpass at mile marker 24.5 between Kemmerer and Evanston, Wyoming.

The work will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for an estimated five days, July 7-11. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes to their destinations, such as WY 89 to US 30 through the Utah border, or I-80 to US 30 via Granger.

"This can be dangerous work, with a large crane moving massive concrete sections. It’s the type of work that would be difficult to do at night safely, so for the safety of crews and the traveling public, we are doing the work during the day. Unfortunately, that means there will be times of extensive stop delay," WYDOT resident engineer Jennifer Hoffman said.

Kinky Creek Fire Update for July 3, 2026 (posted 7/3/2026)
Lightning Caused, 880 Acres, 56% Contained, SET status lifted for Darwin Ranch area
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Firefighters continue to make significant progress on the Kinky Creek Fire, increasing containment to 56% through the continued hard work and dedication of crews assigned to the incident. Suppression efforts over the past several operational periods have strengthened containment lines and secured additional portions of the fire perimeter.

Ground crews remain focused on improving and reinforcing containment features while identifying and addressing areas of residual heat near the fire's edge. Aviation resources continue to support operations as needed, assisting firefighters working in steep, rugged terrain where access remains challenging.

The incident organization has begun right-sizing to match the current needs of the fire. As containment increases and suppression objectives are achieved, excess resources are being released to support other incidents across the region. Personnel assigned to the fire have been reduced to 114.

Safety remains the highest priority. Firefighters continue to work in challenging conditions that include steep slopes, hazardous fire-weakened trees, and changing weather patterns. Through diligent risk management and adherence to safety protocols, crews continue making progress while minimizing exposure to hazards.

Weather conditions remain a factor in daily operations. Thunderstorm activity and associated outflow winds may continue to challenge firefighting efforts, requiring firefighters to remain alert to rapidly changing conditions. Fire operations will continue to monitor forecasts and adjust tactics as necessary to maintain firefighter safety and operational effectiveness.

A closure order remains in effect for portions of the fire area. The public is asked to avoid Kinky Creek Road; Kinky Creek and Clear Creek trails; and the Brewster, Lunch, and Chateau Lake areas so firefighters can work safely and efficiently.

As containment increases and fire activity decreases, local emergency managers have reduced precautionary measures for nearby residents. Teton County Emergency Management has lifted the SET status for Darwin Ranch and surrounding private lands due to the reduced threat posed by the fire. Residents and visitors are encouraged to remain aware of current conditions and continue monitoring official sources for incident information.

The Kinky Creek Fire is located west of Darwin Ranch, near Upper Gros Ventre Falls in the Gros Ventre Wilderness on the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The fire is burning in heavy timber on steep, rugged terrain.

Governor seeks public comment on proposed Sage Grouse Executive Order Revisions (posted 7/3/2026)
Governor Gordon media release
Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Sage Grouse Executive Order. These changes stem from updates to the Governor’s Executive Order 2019-3 Greater Sage Grouse Core Area Protection.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MO0i6GaNWmg52tUJm5SoezpbyhLjc6Jp/view

"Wyoming has consistently advocated for a Greater sage-grouse strategy that recognizes the State’s management authority over the species utilizing the best-available science," Governor Gordon said. "Wyoming remains a leader in the sage-grouse conservation, and the State of Wyoming’s Executive Order Greater Sage-Grouse Core Area Protection has proven to be a successful strategy that has spanned three Governors in its foresight to have a state-lead conservation strategy. We appreciate the public’s input as we continue to invest in sage-grouse conservation alongside responsible development in Wyoming."

Written comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. July 30.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1puuShF4o6yTsheya2PxV4Y4a8LVKDtTWZuro3lLLM5s/edit?ts=6a19b3c8

Road maintenance on Granite Creek Road (posted 7/1/2026)
Short closure on Monday, July 13th for surface treatment
Bridger-Teton National Forest
The Bridger-Teton National Forest will begin road maintenance work on the Granite Creek Road beginning the week of July 1, with work anticipated to be completed by July 14.

The project aims to provide a safer transportation system and protect existing infrastructure. This will be accomplished by improving the driving surface through surface blading, cleaning ditches and culverts and adding new surface course material—a fresh layer of crushed gravel that restores and improves the road surface. The Bridger-Teton Roads Crew will apply a magnesium chloride product to the road surface, which will help to reduce dust and protect loss of aggregate in the surface course material.

Motorists can expect numerous large haul trucks and other heavy equipment operating on Granite Creek Road (NFSR 30500) from approximately milepost 0.0 to milepost 7.5. The Forest will conduct general road maintenance through July 14, with aggregate deliveries beginning July 6. The road will close to traffic from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. on July 13, to allow for a magnesium chloride application.

The product used for dust abatement is a slurry of magnesium chloride, the same product that is used to treat dirt roads throughout Wyoming. This product coats the road surface, but it can also adhere to the undercarriage of vehicles before it fully cures. Motorists who drive the treated portion of Granite Creek Road after it reopens may want to rinse off their vehicles to eliminate any residue.

The public should use extra caution when driving in the area. When passing heavy equipment, ensure operators can see your vehicle before proceeding and allow extra space around construction traffic. The public can expect intermittent traffic delays and should follow all posted signage and traffic restrictions in the area.

The Bridger-Teton National Forest appreciates the public’s cooperation and understanding. These temporary disruptions will result in improved road conditions and better recreational access.

The Granite Creek Road Maintenance Project is in partnership with The Hawken Ranch. The Bridger-Teton Roads Crew is providing maintenance, grading and gravel spreading, and The Hawken Ranch is contributing with material acquisition and supply, including aggregate gravel and magnesium chloride.

Roadwork schedules may change, or be delayed, due to weather conditions, equipment malfunction, or other extenuating circumstances.

Price of Forever stamp going up on July 12 (posted 6/30/2026)
From $.78 to $.82 cents
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will be increasing the cost of a First-Class mail Forever Stamp by 4 cents, to $.82 cents, on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Some other postage rates will also be increasing. This is a 4.8% average price increase on mailing services.

Key changes include:
Forever Stamps: Increasing from $0.78 to $0.82
Metered Letters (1 oz): Increasing from $0.74 to $0.78
Domestic Postcards: Increasing from $0.61 to $0.65
International Letters/Postcards: Increasing from $1.70 to $1.75

The USPS adjusts postage rates at least once a year, and sometimes more frequently. Rate changes are in response to factors such as fuel cost fluctuations, inflation, and operational enhancements, as well as a continuing decline in mail volume.

Map provided to the local working group. Each of the segments will have its own map with specific details and Game and Fish teams will work on their respective issues. The designation does not affect private land / property rights or grazing on public lands.

Governor designates Sublette Pronghorn Migration Corridor (posted 6/28/2026)
Joy Ufford
In January, 2026, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon called for creation of the Sublette Antelope Migration Corridor Local Working Group – 11 stakeholders with a broad range of interests from Sublette, Lincoln, Teton and Sweetwater counties – to consider its official designation.

Six short months later, after five intense public meetings with Wyoming Game and Fish in Rock Springs and Pinedale, coordinated by the Governor’s Office, the local working group (LWG) submitted its final report recommending the official designation.

Gov. Gordon had promised a quick turnaround on the LWG’s report on the near-historic pace of progress and on Friday, June 26, at a special presentation held at Trappers Point monument in Pinedale, he announced the designation was official. Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce spoke next, followed by WGF Commissioner Ken Roberts and LWG Chair Robb Slaughter.

The working group and its materials were labeled "Sublette Antelope Working Group." Many people at the event said they always called the speedy animal "antelope" but the correct name is pronghorn.

The governor stated Friday, "Pronghorn. We aren’t going to call them antelope here today."

Executive Order 2021-01
On Jan. 20, 2026, Gov. Gordon tasked the Sublette (Antelope) Pronghorn LWG with "historic work" of analyzing Wyoming Game and Fish findings through his Migration Corridor Conservation Strategy, Executive Order 2020-01 – a "state-led approach to support conservation for mule deer and pronghorn migration while preserving multiple use opportunities for the State of Wyoming." The multi-county group of stakeholders would "hone in on the local issues specific to the Sublette Pronghorn Migration Corridor," he said.

The eight segments from south to north are Calpet, Fontenelle, Southwest, Central, East of Wyoming-191, Foothills, Bondurant and North, stretching almost 150 miles through desert, river bottoms, plateaus, mountains, hillsides – and towns, subdivisions, energy and mining projects.

The Executive Order does not apply to private land, but private landowners and developers could be crucial to maintaining the migration corridor – facts that LWG members appeared to keep uppermost in mind.

Stakeholders
The LWG members are Chair Sweetwater County Commissioner Robb Slaughter, Sublette County Commissioner Lynn Bernard, Teton County Commissioner Mark Newcomb, Lincoln County Commissioner Kent Connelly, agriculture representatives Sublette County Conservation District Manager Michael Henn and John Erramouspe, mining/industry representatives Jasmine Allison and Craig Rood, motorized recreation’s Dave Lankford and wildlife/hunting/conservation members Mike Brennan and Maggie Hudlow.

"I am not asking you to solve every problem and analyze every inch of every corridor, but to make improvements to the strategy for the Sublette Antelope Migration Corridor as best you can," Gov. Gordon wrote them on Jan. 20. "Your charge is not to work for months upon months but to get the job done this spring and pass along your recommendations for me to consider. I will also ask you, at the end of your process, to give me feedback on needed refinements or clarifications within the Wyoming Mule Deer and Antelope Migration Corridor Executive Order."

Governor’s Office’s Sara DiRienzo planned and facilitated five LWG public meetings, one in Rock Springs and four Pinedale, where the first two and last two meetings took place. She updated the consensus-based draft recommendations, with LWG members receiving in-depth information from WGFD migration and wildlife experts, state agencies, county planners and other administrators. The LWG would then work between meetings to fine-tune the draft and to prepare for the next meeting. The interested public also participated extensively during public comment periods and on the WGFD website.

The group’s overall final recommendation of support to officially designate the migration corridor’s eight segments, was unanimous at its May 29, 2026 meeting in Sublette County – with two members having "minor" reservations and one with "major reservations, but would not object."

Reaching consensus
The LWG consensus decision voting on specific proposed recommendations used the "four-point scale" of fingers.
One finger meant "Endorsement – member likes and supports it."
Two meant "Agreement with minor reservations – member can live with it."
Three – "Major reservations – formal disagreement but will not object to the proposal/ provision.
Four – "Member will not support the proposal."

If a LWG member was undecided, he or she would state what information they needed and the group would vote again. Consensus meant that all members voted 1 or 2. Voting 3 or 4 meant consensus with reservations, calling for discussions, but moving forward after three votes if the majority agreed. The purpose was to ensure one stakeholder could not derail the entire process.

Priorities
The Governor’s four priorities to determine if the migration corridor needed state designation:
• Review the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Biological Risk Assessment: Accurately review and identify risks, conservation opportunities.
• Review the Corridor components: Bottlenecks, stopover areas, protection buffers and future research.
• Review of the impacts of all restrictions on development and use of lands encompassed in the proposed designation corridor (county plans, BLM and Forest Service plans): Consider socioeconomic impacts, jobs, proposed projects and if protections are sufficient to address threats.
• Review planned WYDOT highway projects for wildlife crossing opportunities and priority.

WGFD had requested official designation of the its Sublette Pronghorn Migration Corridor’s 10 identified segments but the Governor removed two sections of the Red Desert and Farson as requested by landowners and stock growers. Bringing them back on the table was not an option, according to the Governor, although some members thought they belonged in the "identified" corridor. LWG members reported comments made to them to expand or alter parts of corridor segments. The group determined early that it would consider all eight segments as a whole.

Final report
In its final report, submitted May 30, 2026 to Gov. Gordon, the LWG included specific conclusions on the importance of working with landowners and agencies to fund, modify or remove certain fences; to support dedicated funding for conservation easements or special leases of open land; invest in habitat improvements including cheatgrass treatment and water infrastructure; to continue to uphold private property rights and access to mineral rights and resolving potential conflicts with the least impact to pronghorn and to hold BLM accountable for managing wild horses and total removal outside of active herd units.

Other recommendations are to use local WGFD expertise and identify significant barriers, strategies to develop a post-designation monitoring strategy and ensure adequate forage is available during hard times. Buffers that were marked in error should be corrected. The group also called for WGFD to impose its authority over wildlife in the migration corridor with proposed development and with federal land managers.

It advised "a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Bureau of Land Management Wyoming and regional US Forest Service to consolidate resources and coordinate conservation efforts within the antelope migration corridor."

WGFD should continue and collaborate for public education and promoting the Sublette Antelope/Pronghorn Migration Corridor and the value of Wyoming’s wildlife resources. As a valuable partner, WYDOT can pursue additional wildlife crossings and use dynamic messaging to alert travelers of migration movements.

The four counties and conservation districts could coordinate residential, industry and recreation development policies, with regard to bottlenecks and impacts to economic development. "Thoughtful planning underscores these values," it says.

In closing
"The SALWG finds that existing protections are valuable and impactful but are not by themselves sufficient to ensure long-term functionality of the Sublette Antelope Migration Corridor for future generations," the report concludes.

"Though there was majority support, it is noted the SALWG did not reach unanimous consensus on the recommendation to designate. Some members expressed concerns about overlapping protections, federal interpretation, shortened timing windows for projects to be conducted on the ground and potential to adversely affect the implementation of future reclamation practices, including considerations for counties and other land-management localities."

"This MOU could include, but is not limited to, asserting state-led management of wildlife and existing plans, directing resources for habitat, rangeland, and water improvement; fencing modifications; reaffirming valid existing rights; reinforcing the right and ability to graze livestock on federal and state lands; and addressing other conservation concerns within the corridor."

For more
The Sublette Migration Corridor Local Working Group’s meeting agendas, minutes, recordings and final report are available at wgfd.wyo.gov. Go through Wyoming Wildlife, Migration Corridor Conservation Strategy to Sublette Antelope https://sites.google.com/view/

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Pinedale Online! is designed and maintained by Wind River Web Services LLC in Pinedale, Wyoming to offer a "slice of life" view of happenings in and around Pinedale, Wyoming. Webmaster for this site is Dawn Ballou. Although we try to cover as many local events as possible, we have a very limited staff and much of this site is done in our volunteer time. We welcome community volunteers who can provide pictures or event information. Photos by Pinedale Online unless otherwise credited. Please see our companion site Pinedale OFFline, www.PinedaleOFFline.com, updated annually on April Fool's Day. All site content is copyright 2026. No photos, stories or content may be used or reproduced without permission for commercial or non-commerical purposes. Please contact Pinedale Online for more information or permission about using pictures or content found on our site, or advertising on this website. If you find any broken links on our site, please let us know. Privacy Policy: E-mail inquiries may be forwarded to the local Chamber of Commerce, businesses or others who can best respond to questions asked. We use website server visitation statistics to compile web traffic analysis to refine our site content to better serve our visitors. Server statistics do not gather e-mail addresses or personally-identifiable information. Pinedale Online does not sell, trade or rent our opt-in lists or any personally-identifiable information to third parties. Thanks for visiting Pinedale, Wyoming on the Web!