The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming

Articles from the April 16, 2020 edition


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  • Governor Gordon instructs state agencies to prepare for COVID-19 budget impacts

    Apr 16, 2020

    CHEYENNE, Wyo. – As Wyoming continues to experience the direct and indirect fiscal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Mark Gordon has instructed all state agency directors to identify opportunities to immediately reduce spending. This is through the end of the current budget year, which ends June 30, and into the next two-year budget. Specifically, the Governor has immediately directed agencies to institute position freezes, halt general fund contracts greater than $100,000, and implement a rigorous review of major maintenance s... Full story

  • MHS lights up for seniors

    Dusty Petz|Apr 16, 2020

    On Friday night, Moorcroft High School participated in the “Be the Light” campaign. The idea originated in Texas and was put out across the State to Wyoming Schools by the Wyoming High School Athletic Association. The idea behind the campaign was to turn on the football field lights on Friday, April 10 at 8:20 pm for 20 minutes. Why the exact time? Because 8:20 p.m. in military time is 20:20, which was chosen to honor the Senior Class of 2020 as well as everyone involved in extracurricular act...

  • Spring Fling to Fall Hau

    Grace Moore|Apr 16, 2020

    Moorcroft’s Spring Clean has been postponed until later in the year and will be called the Fall Haul with the date to be announced closer to the time. Co-organizer Elaine Buckmiller said that the chamber plans to make the same arrangements with the town for dump days and will have the other systems in place to pick up used fuel, metal and batteries. The issue facing the group will be, according to Buckmiller, volunteers, many of whom have, in the past, been teenagers allowed to donate their time from school to pick up the detritus of garbage f...

  • Business as usual for town council

    Grace Moore|Apr 16, 2020

    Monday night’s meeting started with an executive session for personnel and, without action taken, continued with the public meeting about an hour later. MTC Mayor Dick Claar informed the governing body of a Zoom conference that he, Town Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Schneider, MTC board chair Nancy Feehan and members of the Wyoming Business Council held earlier in the day to discuss the grant for which the town has applied for a feasibility study. “They asked us some questions and it sounded pretty good.” The business council will choose the recip...

  • Welcoming the Bunny

    Apr 16, 2020

    Happily Ever After Daycare did not forsake welcoming the Easter Bunny this year, holding a photo shoot on Friday. Char Delfino set up a picture-worthy backdrop that distanced family members from the rabbit (Leshae Bruce). Delfino was pleased with the turnout of 20 or more families, saying, “Everyone waited for one family to leave before another one stepped out of their cars.” Baskets were donated by Happily Ever After, Gifts, Thrifts and Ifts and Nancy Feehan. “It was wonderful to see smiles on so many faces! It was nice to have a moment of no...

  • WY reports first COVID-19 death

    Sarah Pridgeon|Apr 16, 2020

    On Monday morning, Wyoming became the last state in the nation to report its first death associated with the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) announced that a patient in Johnson County who had health conditions that put him at higher risk of severe illness and complications had passed away. “This is a sad development we hoped we wouldn’t see in Wyoming and we want this person’s family to know they have our sympathy,” said Dr. Alexia Harrist, state health officer. “The advice we’ve been offering and act... Full story

  • Respecting boundaries

    Sarah Pridgeon|Apr 16, 2020

    Three important anniversaries mark the month of April, each linked to a person’s right to have their boundaries respected. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month with Crime Victim Rights Week from April 19 to 25. If you see ribbons hanging in public places this month, know that Crook County Family Violence and Sexual Assault Services (CCFF) is using their bright colors to honor all three occasions and spread awareness of their importance. The blue ribbons and pinwheels represent child abuse awareness. The t...

  • Ross Garman

    Apr 16, 2020

    Ross Garman, 58 of Sundance, Wyoming, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 12, 2020, at the Crook County Memorial Hospital in Sundance. Cremation has taken place and a public memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.... Full story

  • CORRECTIONS

    Apr 16, 2020

    In last week’s article on page 5, there was a mistake made in the name of the daycare facility that was to host a visit from the Easter Bunny. The correct name is Happily Ever After Daycare. The article on front page described Kim Watson as the supervisor of Moorcroft’s post office. Her proper title is Postmaster.... Full story

  • State Briefs

    From Wyoming News Exchange Newspapers|Apr 16, 2020

    Gillette shatters previous cold temperature record GILLETTE (WNE) – Winter is proving a bit hard to shake this year, and Monday morning was a chilly morning worthy of the record books. Gillette’s long-time record tracking location southeast of Gillette observed a low of 4 degrees between the hours of 5 and 6 a.m. Monday, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Bunkers in Rapid City, South Dakota. The low not only beat the previous record of 9 degrees set in 1997, it shattered it. Bunkers said dipping 5 degrees below a pre...

  • Flocks together

    Apr 16, 2020

    Meanwhile, in the deep dark woods of Pine Haven, reports of turkeys congregating in groups of more than ten have been confirmed by public works director Sunny Schell. This brash behavior of said flock is attributed to the lack of confirmed cases of the dreaded virus within the feathered community at this time....

  • Camron Bunnell inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

    Apr 16, 2020

    amron Bunnell of Pine Haven, WY, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Bunnell was initiated at The University of Southern Mississippi. Bunnell is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for m...

  • Light shows, parades and meals - good news during the pandemic

    From Wyoming News Exchange Newspapers|Apr 16, 2020

    Light shows in support of seniors, unusual Easter egg hunts, parades for those who can’t get out and programs to feed the warriors at the front lines of the coronavirus battle were all in the news in the past week as Wyoming residents continued to extend a helping hand to their neighbors. Here are a few examples: Schools light up scoreboards for seniors CASPER — First came the howls, cries into the moonless sky made in solidarity across Casper’s twilight. On Friday night there were also fireworks — a progression of unconventional behavio... Full story

  • Circuit Court

    Apr 16, 2020

    Speeding – (minor), Gillette, 93/75, $135; Collin F. Massie, Moorcroft, 90/80, $90; Trey T. Gibson, Gillette, 89/75, $115 Operate Overweight Without Permit (2001-4000) – Jeffrey E. Thomas, WA, $120; Eric H. Millett, SD, $120 Violate Legal Weight (2001-4000) – Scott R. Charlson, SD, $120...

  • Moorcroft Police Report

    Apr 16, 2020

    On April 6, police were notified of a lock box broken off a door to a residence. There was nothing stolen as the house is empty. Nothing further. On April 7, police assisted Moorcroft Ambulance Service with a medical call. On April 7, police were notified of a stolen vehicle out of Campbell County. Vehicle was at rest area and officer went out to assist Wyoming Highway Patrol in apprehending the suspect(s). Suspects were taken to Crook County Detention Center. On April 8, police were called in reference to a traffic complaint. Officer spoke wit...

  • Crook County Sheriff's Office

    Apr 16, 2020

    Apr. 6 – Traffic stop. Paper service. VIN check. Two motorist assists. Civil assist. Business alarm. Two EMS requests. Animal complaint. Welfare check. Vehicle pursuit subject taken into custody in South Dakota. Request for fire department. Apr. 7 – Two traffic stops. Two paper services. Two VIN checks. Assisted Wyoming Highway Patrol. Booked in two subjects. Suspicious person report. Harassment report. Two EMS requests. Fire department request. Animal complaint. Apr. 8 – Five paper services. Business check. Apr. 9 – Traffic stop. Paper service...

  • Gordon says it's time to contemplate life after coronavirus

    Compiled from Wyoming News Exchange newspapers|Apr 16, 2020

    Wyoming residents will have to prepare for a different reality in a post-coronavirus world, Gov. Mark Gordon said Wednesday. Gordon, speaking during a news conference just hours after the state confirmed its second death attributed to COVID-19, said state officials have already started discussing how the state will emerge from the restrictions that have forced the closures of schools and some businesses. “We are going to emerge into a new reality, a new economy,” he said. “Social distancing is not going to go away. We need to start think... Full story

  • Survey: Support high for state, local government handling of coronavirus

    Compiled from Wyoming News Exchange newspapers|Apr 16, 2020

    Support for the way both Gov. Mark Gordon and local governments are handling the coronavirus is high, according to a survey by the University of Wyoming. The results of the survey by the university’s Survey and Analysis Center were released Thursday as the number of coronavirus cases in the state grew by eight to total 296, with a recovery rate of more than 65%. The survey of 494 Wyoming residents, conducted Monday, is the second on coronavirus-related issues to be conducted by the Survey and Analysis Center. Of those polled, 76.1% approved of... Full story

  • Lawmakers to prepare emergency legislation

    Nick Reynolds, Casper Star-Tribune Via Wyoming News Exchange|Apr 16, 2020

    CASPER — Legislative leaders voted unanimously on Thursday to pursue several pieces of emergency legislation, all but guaranteeing the Wyoming Legislature will meet in its first special session since 2004. In a conference call with Management Council on Thursday morning, Gov. Mark Gordon outlined a tentative agenda for state lawmakers in the coming months to begin to immediately stabilize the state’s economy – which is projected to experience revenue declines anywhere between $555 million and $2.8 billion due to COVID-19 and an overseas price w... Full story

  • Gordon sticks with April 30 for end to public health orders

    Compiled from Wyoming News Exchange newspapers|Apr 16, 2020

    The public health orders issued in March to slow the spread of coronavirus in the state will remain in place until at least April 30, Gov. Mark Gordon announced. Gordon’s announcement came as the number of coronavirus cases in the state continued to climb, but at a much slower rate than what was seen several weeks ago, increasing by eight over the weekend to total 313. Gordon, in a statement Friday, said because Wyoming residents have adhered to the public health orders and followed recommendations to stay at home as much as possible, the numbe... Full story

  • Protesters push Gordon to lift restrictions, case count at 317

    Compiled from Wyoming News Exchange newspapers|Apr 16, 2020

    The state will lift its restrictions on businesses and gatherings when it appears prudent to do so, Gov. Mark Gordon told a group of protesters at the state Capitol on Monday. Gordon’s talk with the “Rally for the Choice to Work” protesters came as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Wyoming grew to 317 with the discovery of four new cases in two counties. The protesters had gathered for a rally to encourage the state to lift the restrictions put into place in March to slow the spread of coronavirus. Rally participants, who came to Che... Full story

  • Four members of Arapaho tribe die from coronavirus

    Compiled from Wyoming News Exchange newspapers|Apr 16, 2020

    Four members of the Northern Arapaho Indian Tribe died this week as a result of the coronavirus, a tribal official announced Tuesday. Lee Spoonhunter, co-chair of the Northern Arapaho Business Council, confirmed the deaths, which occurred Monday. “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that the Northern Arapaho Tribe confirms the deaths of four of our own who tested positive for the coronavirus COVID-19,” he said. “The Northern Arapaho Business Council offers a heartfelt condolences to the families of the loved ones.” Spoohunter added that... Full story