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The Wyoming Department of Transportation will use its overhead message signs, stop some construction projects, temporarily stop oversize and overweight loads from driving through the state, have extra personnel on hand to handle the increase in travelers and ensure its rest areas are well maintained. On Monday, the moon will block out the sun, causing a total solar eclipse across Wyoming and in other states. The last time there was a total solar eclipse in Wyoming was in 1918. In Wyoming, the eclipse will impact nine counties and the Wind...
Dehydration, altitude sickness and car crash trauma are just a few of the potential health issues Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County could be called upon to help with during the days leading up to, the day of and the days following the total solar eclipse. The health care professionals at Memorial Hospital are prepared with staff, supplies and services. MHSC emergency management staff and department leaders have been in meetings for months planning for potential emergency scenarios, said MHSC Emergency Management Coordinator David Beltran....
Hazy skies have become a common sight throughout Southwestern Wyoming as smoke from numerous fires in the western United States and Canada comes through the area. The smoke has resulted in healthcare professionals warning residents with respiratory problems to stay indoors because of the declining air quality. Sweetwater County Public Health released a media release encouraging people to avoid heavy outdoor exercise. Public health’s release stated those with heart and respiratory conditions a...
A letter from Sweetwater County responding to a draft assessment of the Ashley National Forest disputes findings that the forest and Flaming Gorge are minor contributors to the economic and social well-being of the region. The draft assessment report examines the ecological, social and economic conditions influencing the Ashley National Forest. A majority of the forest is located in Utah, but much of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir within the national forest’s boundaries is located within Wyoming. A...
The Sweetwater County Commissioners approved the annual mill levy distributions Tuesday morning. The mill levies represent property tax distributions to the county’s school districts, as well as special districts such as the Castle Rock Hospital District and the Jamestown-Rio Vista Water and Sewer District. A mill levy is a rate applied to a property’s assessed value. One mill is $1 per $1,000 of assessed value within a district or the county. The county itself receives a 12 mill levy, whi...
An investment by Rocky Mountain Power will bring workers to Sweetwater County as part of a project to complete a segment of the Gateway West transmission line the company intends to complete in 2020. The company’s plan, known as Energy Vision 2020, involves a $3.5 billion investment from Rocky Mountain Power focusing on growing and upgrading its wind energy projects. By 2020, the company intends to have up to 1,100 megawatts of new wind generation through improving the company’s current win...
A fire at Little Bitter Creek Road has been contained after burning about 30 acres of land southwest of Rock Springs. According to a media release from the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, the cause of the day-long fire is under investigation and is unknown. July has been a busy month for firefighters across the county as dry grass and, in many cases, man-made causes, has resulted in many blazes throughout the county. The Little Bitter Creek fire was reported Monday afternoon, with firefighters starting fire fighting operations at about 2...
The Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming and the Prevention Management Organization of Wyoming are excited to announce a new initiative to promote suicide prevention training across the state. For the past three years, the Diocese and the PMO have worked closely together to promote a faith-based approach to suicide prevention in communities across Wyoming. When drastic budget cuts during the last legislative session resulted in the loss of funding for suicide prevention, the Episcopal Diocese stepped up to the plate. Through its nonprofit foundation,...
A $185 million budget was passed by the Sweetwater County Commissioners last week, but disagreements regarding how the budget was formulated resulted in two commissioners voting against it. The commissioners hosted a budget meeting July 5 to discuss and approve its 2017-2018 budget. The commissioners received criticism from Sweetwater County Treasurer Robb Slaughter and Chief County Assessor David Divis regarding aspects of the budget and the process the commissioners followed. Slaughter...
On Thursday the newest member of the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County Board of Trustees took his oath of office. Green River resident Marty Kelsey was sworn into office by hospital board president Richard Mathey. Kelsey is replacing Bob Scott, whose term ended in June. Scott was appointed in February to carry out the remainder of a five-month term. This isn’t the first time Kelsey’s name came up for a hospital board appointment. Back in February, when Scott was appointed to the board, Swe...
A fire set off by a lightning strike caused a power outage in the Purple Sage area west of Rock Springs Monday morning. Sweetwater County deputy sheriffs and firefighters were advised of a power pole on fire early Monday morning, resulting in a power outage at residences and businesses in the area between Highway 191 South and Kanda. The burning pole was located north of Interstate 80 near the intersection of Purple Sage Road and old Highway 30. Sheriff Mike Lowell said the fire, which destroyed not only the power pole, but burned through a...
The line extended outside the Sweetwater County Courthouse's main entrance Friday afternoon. "We've made a few new friends here," Tasha Urbatsch, one of the many people waiting in line said. Residents looking to pay their vehicle taxes were forced to wait, sometimes nearly an hour, to make their way to the county treasurer's office. Urbatsch said she waited about half an hour before she made it to the doors leading into the treasurer's office. Sweetwater County Treasurer Robb Slaughter said...
Fires ignited across Sweetwater County during the weekend, many of them caused by fireworks or other man-made causes. One of the earliest fires to occur started at Lost Dog Saturday afternoon. The fire, according to Sweetwater County Fire Chief Mike Bournazian, burned about six acres of land next to the water at the Flaming Gorge. "Luckily the lake was there, that fire was ripping," Bournazian said. Bournazian said the fire was started by fireworks from nearby campers. Bournazian said...
The Wyoming Department of Transportation will be closing the Peru Cutoff Bridge over the railroad on County Road 4-37 near Green River Wrecking and Salvage Yard. The closure will tentatively begin July 5. Business accesses will be maintained over the duration of the project. Green River Wrecking will remain open, and local residents will be able to access the area by driving on WYO 530 South of Green River and then on to County Road 4-37. The area will not be accessible from Interstate 80. The old bridge will be removed and a new bridge will...
Green River residents will likely see more contractors for the Wyoming Department of Transportation doing work on roads near the city. While workers have been busy this week repairing portions of the Uinta Drive bridge over the Green River, WYDOT’s six-year plan will focus on portions of Interstate 80, as well as Wyoming Highway 530 leading out to the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. According to WYDOT District Engineer Keith Compton, their main goal is to reduce pavement decline. However, that’s a pros...
With average precipitation and above average temperatures forecasted for the next few months, the upcoming fire season isn’t anticipated to be severe in Sweetwater County. Mike Bournazian, the Sweetwater County Fire Chief, said there’s a low potential for large-scale wildfires in the area. “It’s not alarming, it falls into what would be expected to be a mild fire season,” Bournazian said. The fire season in Southwestern Wyoming is late July through September While the heavy winter moisture...
Work has started on the new aviation terminal at the Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport. The project, which will cost $5.4 million, will replace a building originally constructed in the 1920s. Funding comes from the FAA, Wyoming Business Council, the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division and the State Lands and Investments Board, making the project 100 percent grant funded. The new hangar is expected to be complete in December, while the terminal is expected to be o...
A man who pleaded no contest to stabbing another man to death in Rock Springs will serve a long prison sentence unless he wins his appeal. Charles K. Carter, 28, of North Carolina, who was charged with first-degree murder after he stabbed another man in front of the Rock Springs Loaf N Jug on Foothill Boulevard, appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James at a sentencing hearing. In exchange for his no contest plea, the charge was reduced to second-degree murder and he was given a 4...
Castle Rock Hospital District wants its ambulance service part of Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County’s transport rotation to help offset the ambulance service’s losses. During a meeting to discuss a possible affiliation agreement between CRHD and MHSC, an issue regarding the hospital district’s exclusion from the rotation was brought up. Bailie Dockter, CEO of CRHD, said the ambulance service struggles financially, losing approximately $360,000 a year. She said Castle Rock’s ambulances were...
The 150th anniversary of Sweetwater County’s founding takes place in December and the Sweetwater County Historical Museum seeks to commemorate the milestone at the county courthouse. Speaking to the Sweetwater County Commissioners Tuesday morning, Brie Blasi, director of the museum, sought permission to work with the county’s facilities manager to find a suitable place for the marker, as well as county funding for the marker. She said the marker would be approximately $4,000. “I think we should...
Ten Green River residents were arrested as part of an methamphetamine ring investigation throughout Southwest Wyoming and Utah. According to a release from the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation focused on a Green River-based drug trafficking group the sheriff’s office claims was loosely organized and involved the transportation, distribution and use of methamphetamine. Detectives with the office’s Sheriff’s Narcotics and Arrest Group, along with agents from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation’s Southwest...
The Wyoming Department of Transportation will be cleaning and sweeping the Green River tunnels this week starting tomorrow, May 23. Work will begin on the eastbound tunnel and move to the westbound tunnel upon completion. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane through the duration of the work zone. Speeds will also be reduced to 45 miles per hour while crews are working in the tunnels. In addition to the lane reductions, the Green River eastbound on-ramp at exit 89 (west side of Green River) will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Residents...
A Rock Springs man accused of attempting to commit human trafficking claims he’s innocent. Guadalupe J. Chavez-Arellano, 53, appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Richard Lavery at an arraignment to solicitation to commit human trafficking in the first degree, attempt to commit human trafficking in the first degree, attempt to commit sexual servitude of a minor and attempt to commit sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree. Chavez-Arellano pleaded not guilty to all four felony c...
