Sorted by date Results 876 - 900 of 1682
Dear Rusty: I have tried to contact Social Security many times but been put on hold for over 40 minutes, received no call back, etc. Also, I tried to find out online at my account, but got no answers to my questions so I’m hoping you can help. I served in the U.S. Navy from March 5, 1951 until Dec. 2, 1954, with an honorable discharge for medical reasons. Looking at my Social Security earnings statement, I never received credit for my earnings while serving in the U.S. Navy in 1952, 1953, and 1954, and for 1951 I only received earnings c...
Anyone looking at the photo collection at the Sweetwater County Courthouse may come across a rather benign looking photo of the Sweetwater County Fairgrounds. The photo shows a man standing behind a sign next to a line of cars driving into what was then a community park north of Rock Springs. The sign asks residents if they did their part in supporting the park in big, bold letters. Taxes have become a dirty word amongst people over the past several decades. The image of an uncaring government squandering someone’s hard-earned money on a u...
Dear Editor, I would like to thank the teachers and especially the children for taking the time for writing the Christmas cards to our troops. The troops will greatly appreciate their kindness. I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Harry Holler Green River...
Counting down the final days of the Trump administration, it can’t come soon enough, and Wyoming is in an existential crisis. That is, who and what are we? What do we like and dislike? Do we have any values? Here we are, a well-educated people, we mostly associate ourselves with the ideals of democracy and Christianity and high moral standards. Yet on November 8th of last year, this state overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump. 70%, the highest in the nation. It’s really perplexing, especially given that we had ample warning. What does this say...
Tuesday’s vote in the House of Representatives and today’s vote in the U.S. Senate will place Wyoming’s $675 million per year federal mineral royalty payments annually to the state of Wyoming in jeopardy. Four states, Wyoming, Alaska, New Mexico, and Montana could face the loss of $1.3 billion dollars in lost FMR’s if the tax cut passes. Since neither the House or the Senate plan has enough money to pay for itself, the tax cut would go into sequestration which requires all federal agencies to have budget cuts across the board. This act include...
From the City of Green River The Green River City Council recently voted to enter into a contract with a private firm, Wyoming Waste Systems, to collect residential and commercial trash within the city, and to operate the city’s newly constructed Transfer Station. Since the city’s garbage has historically been collected by city crews, many residents and businesses are wondering what impact this change will have on their garbage service. Wyoming Waste Systems hosted a town hall meeting on Dec. 11, following a letter they sent to all res...
Dear Rusty: My wife and I got the annual notification of our Social Security earnings starting Jan. 1. UNBELIEVABLE! I will get a gross COLA increase of $31 a month, but I will only get $6. The remaining $25 will go into the increase in Medicare. The last four years I got nothing in each of the years. It all went into Medicare. My wife in the last 4 years got no increase at all. It all went into Medicare. And guess what? Starting in January, all her COLA increase of $14 will go into Medicare. That makes 5 years in a row that she will get no...
Donald E. Ruess, 80, passed away Dec. 7, 2017, at his home. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. A man with a memorable sense of humor, who only wanted those around him to be happy. He is survived by his beloved wife Ruth Lauritzen; five children, Stephanie L. Miller and husband Thomas of Las Vegas, Alexandra M. Tune and husband Cameron of Denver, Joseph W. Ruess wife Loralee of Cheyenne, Thomas A. Ruess of Laramie, and John C. Ruess of Laramie; and four...
There’s going to be a lot of ink and airtime dedicated to trying to make sense of Republican Roy Moore’s defeat in Alabama to Democrat Doug Jones Tuesday night. We think a good portion of his defeat is due in part by allegations of sexual assault, though the slim margin by which Moore was defeated would imply that those allegations weren’t a deal-breaker for a large number of voters. Regardless of the hows and whys, we think Moore’s defeat can signal something to Wyoming voters, who will be making decisions regarding who will represent the sta...
If you were to wish for a tax reform bill, would you want lower taxes across the board and more money in people’s pockets? Would you want reforms that simplify taxes? Reforms that help grow the economy and create more jobs? Help small businesses in our communities thrive? Encourage companies to create jobs in America instead of going overseas? And for companies that do business around the world, get them to invest their money back in the United States? The Senate’s tax reform proposal does all this and more. That is not what you might be hea...
I recently read an article in the April 2017 “Recreation Management” magazine, titled “The Power of Dissent,” written by Emily Tipping, the magazine’s editorial director. I really enjoyed this article for several reasons. Tipping spoke of having Monday morning meetings at work to brainstorm new ideas for the week, to get plans rolling and to conduct follow-up sessions for projects that had been completed the following week. This all sounds typical to processes here at my workplace as well, so I was anxious to figure out what she meant by...
During the last few weeks, a number of our city’s residents have been hit by sneaky scammers. These scammers are the lowest of the low, preying upon vulnerable people in an attempt for an easy score. The tactics they use are varied, with residents reporting people calling about computer viruses, missed court dates, unexpected lottery winnings, as well as a myriad of other stories and claims. These scams can catch even the most guarded person unaware with the right application. They’ve become much more sophisticated than the stereotypical Nig...
Dear Editor, The governor of the great state of Wyoming, Matthew H. Mead, has proclaimed that Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, be designated as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. It is earnestly recommended by the few remaining veterans in Wyoming of the attack on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, that we honor the many heroes that fell that day at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the many that were wounded. It is also requested by the same surviving veterans that all school teachers in this area bring to the children’s attention what happened at Pearl Harbor and that is w...
Dear Sen. John Barrasso, Sen. Mike Enzi and Rep. Liz Cheney: Wyoming’s delegation should not support the Federal Communication Commission’s proposed changes to rules commonly known as net neutrality. Should Congress allow this to proceed, the end result will allow a few massive corporations control of how the internet is utilized by customers and businesses and will harm economic competition, stifling new ideas and innovations. For customers, the proposed changes could drastically change how the...
Have you seen the Lucky Cactus Tattoo shop on Main Street? They opened just a few months ago and are very excited to be in Green River. The shop is owned by Chace Young, Regina Khisamova and Colby Moss. It conveys a welcoming environment and has three private rooms for each artist. Young said it was important for them to be able to offer a sense of privacy for their customers. Young graduated from Rock Springs High School. He participated in advanced art classes and continued to develop his skills outside of the classroom. He started tattooing...
This display of the month is a doll with a papier mâché head and leather body possibly from the 1870s-1890s. She is wearing a red cotton dress and lying in a Victorian wicker doll carriage. Papier mâché has its origins in China, where the invention of paper itself comes from. The interest of papier mâché spread from China to Japan and Persia. It was used in mask making and festival activities and eventually spread around the world. Papier mâché dolls are made of paper pulp plus other substances. The earliest dolls were individually handmad...
The first day was simply known as Black Friday, a day of early morning sales the Friday after Thanksgiving. The term “Black Friday” allegedly comes from a day noted for workers calling in sick after Thanksgiving to have the four-day weekend. The term took a darker turn in the 1960s when police in Philadelphia used Black Friday and Black Saturday to describe days where police would be called in for traffic and crowd control as shoppers made their way to shopping centers. Of course, now peo...
Be careful what you wish for. We’ve all heard this phrase. It’s a cautionary phrase that for me I never thought much of until this week. On Sunday, as the long weekend was wrapping up I sort of wished that I wouldn’t have to go to work on Monday. Little did I know my wish would be granted, just not in the way I would ever want or hope. Yes. I did wind up taking Monday and even Tuesday off, but not for the reasons I would have wanted to. Nope. The flu decided to visit me. As I ran from the bed t...
It is said that human beings are 70 percent water. With water playing such an integral role in our very being, would that not include a dip in the pool? With an amazing pool right here at the Green River Recreation Center, getting out for a swim or merely to splash around can not only be a great teaching opportunity for parents to explain just how to be safe in and around water, but it can also help incorporate exercise or a workout through play. Speaking of water safety, there are many safety topics that parents can discuss with their...
Dear Rusty: I am looking for advice regarding maximizing social security benefits. In our case, my husband is 59 and has been on Social Security Disability for about 5 years. I am also 59 and work full time as a nurse. I would like to retire at age 62, but realistically will continue by working part time from 62-65 to keep my insurance benefits and some income. I have a fairly significant amount of money in my 401K that we can live on and delay taking Social Security benefits if need be. I have worked full time for most of the last 40 years....
Green River’s residents have a lot to be thankful for. We live in one of the most beautiful cities in Wyoming. An absolute oasis in the southwestern Wyoming desert. Green River is filled with parks and trees. We have a Greenbelt walkway that gives us the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Green River. Gatherings at Expedition Island, Centennial Park and Stratton Myers Park are some of the enjoyable moments of the year, regardless of if they’re private or public. We’re thankful for our easy access to recreational oppor...
Each year, around this time, it’s customary for one to feel the need to profess what they are thankful for. Yes. It’s Thanksgiving. For me, I am not only thankful for my faith, family and friends, but for my memories. Growing up on a small, Minnesota dairy farm, I knew what hard work was. I also knew just how special it was to actually have a day or two off from the job. Once every other year, our family would hire someone to take care of the farm while we traveled to the big city of Sha...
Thanksgiving is here and thus begins the holiday season. This is a special time of year when we are able to take the time to count our blessings and enjoy our family and friends. It’s a time for food, fun and laughter. Unfortunately, this is also a time that the Green River Fire Department sees an increase in calls. We want to see everyone have a safe and happy holiday season and avoid any injuries or property damage which would certainly dampen the festive spirit, so we are sharing some information and safety advice with you. According to t...
With the closure of Jackson Elementary School officially announced with a vote Tuesday night, parents and concerned residents should be more motivated than ever to contact legislators and tell them to find ways of saving money without cutting funding to the state’s school districts. Discussion of Jackson’s closure was prompted by funding cuts Sweetwater County School District No. 2 will receive in the next year. While some cuts are set, additional funding cuts are anticipated to take place during the next legislative session in January. Dis...
Dear Editor, Wyoming is a big beautiful state enjoyed by many people driving through from one destination to another. Many times, people stop to enjoy one of the many wonderful sites Wyoming has to offer. There are a few times though when travel difficulties leave people stranded as they try to make their way across. Travelers Assistance Society of Sweetwater County (TASSC) exists to help those in need when their plans come to an unexpected halt. Providing proper assistance to those in need is guided by many years of service and Biblical...
