The power of people throughout 2023

Through changes and triumphs, the people of Green River and Sweetwater County consistently came together throughout 2023 to have fun, support one another, and continue strengthening the vibrant life of the community.

Leadership changes

The City of Green River saw some changes in local leadership this year.

Police Chief Tom Jarvie retired after 31 years of service to the Green River Police Department. Captain Shaun Sturlaugson stepped up to fill the role of interim chief from April through December, when he was officially made the new chief.

The Parks and Recreation department also went through a change when Director Brad Raney stepped down after eight years, during which time the city received the National Gold Medal Award. Katie Duncombe, who has been with the city 16 years, filled in as the interim director over the busy summer season before officially being named the new director.

Other local groups and organizations saw shifts in leadership as well, from Michelle Krmpotich retiring from the Sweetwater County Library system after 28 years to Father Denis leaving Immaculate Conception Catholic Church after 10 years.

Even within Green River High School's Speech and Debate team, Head Coach Dan Parson coached his last season and stepped down after 20 years. He also received the "Teacher of the Year" nomination for the district, and moved from teaching at the high school to teaching at Expedition Academy. The Speech and Debate team is now being headed by the new coach, Jericho Morrell.

Business developments

Green River experienced several new changes in local businesses as well.

Some changes were sad, like the closing of the Star Twin Cinema. The theater "popped their last kernel" in August, as the sign on the empty building now says.

Most of the changes, however, were positive, with several new businesses coming to town. Badass Brews opened the first microbrewery in Green River. Duality BJJ opened the first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym and school in town. Even well-established businesses saw updates and changes, like welcoming Green River native Dr. Amasa Mecham as a new optometrist at Desert View Eye Care.  

Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County also saw a number of new staff members join this year, and celebrated achievements like being named #1 statewide in social responsibility and purchasing and using the new da Vinci robot for surgeries.

Lots to do

Residents didn't have to worry about being bored in 2023, with plenty of events happening locally all year long. Music for Vets, Run with the Badges, Pride in the Park, "Not so FGDs" block party and party in the park, the second annual Plein Air competition, Wyoming's Big Show, National Night Out, Spaceport Days, Art on the Green, Run with the Horses, the "Messiah" Choir, and the Polar Express Experience were just some of the events hosted in the community, many of which were organized by community members, throughout the year.

It was also another busy year for community theater, with the musical productions of "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" and "Mean Girls" by Green River High School Theater, as well as over a dozen shows produced by and staring community members put on by Western Wyoming Community College, Actors' Mission, The Horizon Theater, Upstage Theater Co., and The Starling Company.

Awards and recognition

Citizens and students received a number of awards and distinctions in 2023 to recognize their achievements.

Tom Wilson was chosen as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year, earning local recognition, while former Green River Fire Department Fire Chief Glenn Hill received statewide recognition when he was inducted into the Wyoming Fire Service Hall of Fame. Others who received statewide attention include Green River resident Bree McMullan, who was named Mrs. Wyoming American, and Rock Springs poet Barbara Smith, who was named Wyoming Poet Laureate.

Green River High School received national acclaim after being named a Platinum Tier School of Distinction at the Jostens Renaissance Global Conference. The local FFA chapter also brought home the Chapter of the Year Award from the FFA Wyoming State Convention.

Several local students also earned honors throughout the year. Lily Harris earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal at the Gold Summit in Washington, D.C. Hannah Skinner was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Wyoming 2024. And Jon Thompson from Expedition Academy earned Wyoming's first computer science micro credential.

Helping out

Individuals and groups worked hard to help support the community throughout the year.

One of the biggest achievements in the city was the opening of the new dog park, which has been in the works for years. The GRHS National Honor Society partnered with the City of Green River to make the park a reality. The park officially opened in June, and a sculpture of a dog named "Patches" was donated by the City of Green River and Green River Arts Council and placed at the park in September.

Two Eagle Scout projects also benefitted the community this year, with Logan Wadsworth putting new fire pits at Pioneer Trails Picnic Grounds and Hunter Rushing building drying racks for the Green River Fire Department.

Other projects to help out included the GRHS football team painting the "GR" on Mansface and the community coming together to raise thousands of dollars for high school student Elena Barrera to get a Diabetic Alert Dog.

Other fundraisers, donations, food drives, clothing drives, and more took place throughout the year, showing how strong the community is and how much people come together to help one another.