The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
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The sun is coming up red and people are having a little more trouble breathing easily outside with scratchy throats and maybe even a small cough. With the air currents moving smoke from the wildfires in Washington and Canada our way, those sensitive to the fumes may want to limit their time outdoors. Moorcroft and Pine Haven are currently moderate on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s air quality index, meaning the smoke is not too bad except for the previously mentioned people with...
The shores and water of Keyhole Reservoir were populated with both locals and travelers on Monday afternoon enjoying a second day of near-100 degree temperatures. Keyhole is busy this summer, according to park superintendent Greg Devereaux, who says, "It's super crowded, taking up a lot of campsites and a lot of people out on the water. The hotter it is, the more people show up." With so many enjoying the park facilities and particularly the lake in the heat, Devereaux suggests, "Drink lots of...
The deteriorating condition of Pine Haven's Etched in Time Park was the center, again, of discussion at last week's council workshop. The park, under the auspices of the Pine Haven Beautification Committee, was established more than a decade ago with many volunteers sharing in the vision of a park with the names of individuals and families who have made a difference on faced brick and a water feature running beneath a small bridge before falling into a concrete pool. As time has moved on, the...
Keyhole State Park will be offering its popular "Paddle in the Park" events again this summer, an opportunity to learn new skills relating to kayaking, paddle boarding and staying safe on the water – all while having fun! Alternatively, the events provide visitors who may already be experienced in the basics of kayaking and paddle boarding the access to hone their skills in a new location. During the Paddle in the Park events, all watercraft and life jacket supplies are provided free of c...
With the onset of warmer weather, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is warning residents to beware of wild animals that may carry rabies, especially bats, as they become more seasonally active. “Many people do a good job of protecting their family pets from rabies, but don’t realize other animals can sometimes be a threat,” said Dr. Emily Curren, state public health veterinarian with WDH. “Rabies can infect any mammal, including humans.” Humans and pets can get infected from the bites or scratches of an animal with rabies. People ca...
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says the recent discovery of walleye in Black Elk Pond in Newcastle is the result of illegal fish stocking and seeks to find the person responsible. Walleye have not been stocked by the department in Black Elk Pond. They are a predatory species and after they reach just a few inches in size, they feed exclusively on other fish and can have lasting impacts on a fishery if a population becomes established. “Illegal fish introductions are a serious problem and seem to be especially prevalent in northeast W...
A red-tailed hawk hunts the fields near Moorcroft. These common predators prefer terrain with open ground and high perches to watch for their prey....
Angling at Wyoming’s State Parks June 1 will be a good day of fishing guaranteed. Wyoming State Parks, in conjunction with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s “Free Fishing Day”, is waiving daily use fees at all parks/recreation areas that provide angling on June 1. Wyoming State Park locations offering free entrance are Boysen, Buffalo Bill, Curt Gowdy, Edness K. Wilkins, Fort Phil Kearny, Glendo, Guernsey, Keyhole, Seminoe and Hawk Springs. Does not apply to camping fees or reservations. Fishing opportunities also exist at the followi...
Keyhole State Park is gearing up for summer with several perennial events, this year’s calendar is called “Hiking Through Summer”. Dedicated to improving and expanding the trail system within its boundaries, the park celebrates and raises awareness of these trails with a focus on hiking them throughout the summer this year. Interpretive guides have set out eight hikes from May through August, each path will entertain and educate with their own unique attributes. May 23, at 6:30 p.m., also known as the evening of the Flower Full Moon is the d...
This weekend, the North East Wyoming Walleye Association (NEWWA) celebrated the second annual Memorial fish tourney honoring Jason Otto and Bruce Lang. Forty four teams competed, enduring high winds Sunday to enjoy a great fishing day, according to NEWWA spokesperson Sharon Coleman, who reported a donation of $2543 to Crook County Search and Rescue. The group was happy to be able to present the check directly to Sheriff Hodge at the awards ceremony....
With predictions of a bad grasshopper season ahead, Crook County Weed & Pest has launch a program for larger properties that it hopes will keep the hungry insects from causing too much damage. The district is also offering its assistance to landowners with smaller parcels who would like to tackle the potential influx. “They are an intrusive, invasive little insect,” says Alycia Conroy-Davis, District Supervisor. “They eat everything.” Hay, soy beans, alfalfa – it doesn’t make a difference, the grasshoppers are willing to eat it. In fact, a gra...
With tick season quickly approaching, the Wyoming Department of Health says simple steps can help state residents protect themselves and their family members from potentially serious tick-borne illnesses. Courtney Tillman, an epidemiologist with WDH, said past records show people typically start seeking medical help due to tick bites in May. Diseases sometimes spread by infected ticks in Wyoming include tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and Colorado tick fever (CTF). Tularemia symptoms include fever, swollen and painful lymph...
Site Name Elevation (ft) Current Snow Depth (in) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in) 30-yr Median SWE (in) Last Year’s SWE (in) Current Percent of 30 Year Median SWE Bear Lodge Divide 4680 2.6 0.4 1.1 4.8 36 Blind Park Snotel 6870 0.0 0.0 7.0 8.7 0 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 10.0 2.3 5.2 8.1 44 Ditch Creek 6880 1.5 0.4 3.6 6.0 11 Little Bear Run 6240 0.0 0.0 2.5 5.2 0 Mallo 6420 0.0 0.0 5.9 9.5 0 Mount Tom 5560 0.0 0.0 2.9 5.8 0 North Rapid Creek Snotel 6250 13.0 4.9 6.6 7.6 74 Reuter Canyon 6280 0.8 0.1 7.0 10.1 1 Upper Spearfish 6500 5.0 1.2 5...
Site Name Elevation (ft.) Current Snow Depth (in.) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in.) 30-year Median SWE Last Year’s SWE Current Percent of 30-year Median SWE Bear Lodge Divide 4680 0.5 0.1 2.1 4.8 5 Blind Park Snotel 6870 11.0 2.8 6.6 7.5 42 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 7.0 1.9 4.7 7.4 40 Ditch Creek 6880 11.1 2.6 3.5 3.8 74 Little Bear Run 6240 0.0 0.0 3.6 4.0 0 Mallo 6420 9.4 2.0 6.5 6.1 31 Mount Tom 5560 4.5 1.0 4.3 4.9 23 North Rapid Creek Snotel 6250 16.0 4.5 5.8 6.5 78 Reuter Canyon 6280 0.0 0.0 8.2 9.1 0 Upper Spearfish 6500 9.2 2.3 6.2 8...
Site Name Elevation (ft.) Current Snow Depth (in.) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in.) 30-yr Median SWE Last Year’s SWE Current Percent of 30-Year Median SWE Bear Lodge Divide 4680 1.0 0.2 1.8 3.4 11 Blind Park Snotel 6870 11.0 2.1 4.7 5.3 45 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 8.0 2.1 3.2 4.5 66 Ditch Creek 6880 8.5 1.5 2.4 2.9 63 Little Bear Run 6240 3.7 0.6 2.7 3.3 22 Mallo 6420 10.6 2.0 4.7 5.9 43 Mount Tom 5560 9.0 1.0 3.3 4.4 30 North Rapid Creek Snotel 6250 13.0 3.8 4.7 4.6 81 Reuter Canyon 6280 4.4 0.9 6.0 7.3 15 Upper Spearfish 6500 9.7 1.5 4.0 5...
The University of Wyoming Extension will offer eight private pesticide applicator education programs at various locations in northeast Wyoming Jan. 25 through March 14, 2024. Private applicator licenses are required for anyone who applies or supervises the application of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs). The four-hour private applicator education programs provide an overview of certification requirements, pertinent regulations, pesticide safety and handling, proper disposal practices and more....
On New Year's Day, Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites hosted a record number of participants during their annual First Day Hikes with 1132 attendees hiking more than 2000 miles. This reflects a 206% increase in participation from 2023. Locally, Keyhole State Park welcomed 48 hikers to the event. "Each year, our agency strives to enhance this annual event in ways that will continue to encourage both returning and first-time guests to join us outdoors for this special occasion, and we were,...
Crook County is one of the focus areas for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing this year and hunters are asked for their help to collect lymph node samples. "Game and Fish is requesting samples from herds we've not addressed in a while, where we are trying to get a significant sample size so we can accurately determine what the CWD prevalence is in these herds," says Jessica Jennings-Gaines, Game and Fish Wildlife Health Laboratory supervisor. Deer hunt areas 1 through 6, all located in this...
With human cases in nearby states and a higher-than-usual number of mosquito pools within Wyoming testing positive for West Nile virus, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) wants people to remember to protect themselves from mosquito bites. “Wyoming’s reported human West Nile virus case numbers have been quite low the past several years,” Courtney Tillman, epidemiologist with WDH, said. “But with more positive mosquito pools being reported this summer than we have seen in nearly 10 years and cases popping up in neighbor states, a reminde...
Keyhole State Park will host Lanternfest Saturday, August 5. This family-friendly event will provide opportunities for kayaking and paddleboarding as well as glow painting and other outdoor activities and games, which are all free with the price of park admission. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Keyhole’s beach area south of the marina in which people are invited to help clean up the beach. From 5-8 p.m., activities will be held at the boat launch within Keyhole’s Tatanka Campground and will include kayaking and paddle boarding, glow pai...
A partial burn ban went into effect across the county on August 1, imposing caution on county residents as the summer weather finally settles in and the danger of wildfire increases. With the risk of fire set to increase as the rains clear up and the land dries out, creating a heavy fuel load and dry summer conditions the restrictions were approved by the county commissioners on Tuesday and aim to offset situations that could over-extend the county’s firefighting capabilities. The county will be imposing open burn restrictions that prohibit the...
Jennifer Pierson sent in this photo of a juvenille golden eagle she spotted Tuesday morning in Moorcroft....
The Bureau of Land Management on Tuesday opened a 45-day public scoping period to gather comments to inform an environmental impact statement for planned revisions to the resource management plans for the Newcastle Field Office and Nebraska planning area. The proposed revision would replace the existing 23-year-old Newcastle RMP that guides the management of approximately 287,900 acres of public lands and 1.7 million acres of federal mineral estate managed by the BLM in Crook, Weston and Niobrara counties in Wyoming. Through this process, BLM...
Increased vigilance for invasive mussels has already resulted in five thwarted attempts to cross the Wyoming border this summer. Two of the five infested watercraft traveled through the check station in Beulah. Wyoming Game & Fish stepped up its efforts to stop zebra and quagga mussels from reaching waters in this state after an infestation of the invasive creatures was reported at Pactola Reservoir around this time last year, just 30 miles from the Wyoming border. This was the closest location...
The Pine Haven Chamber of Commerce partnered with North Eastern Wyoming Walleye Association (NEWWA) and Lakeview Carwash to host the fourth annual Kids Day at Waters Park last week. Winners of the competition were as follows. Hayden Salmon, age two, caught a 16-inch bass; Ava Till, five, a five-and-a-half-inch crappie; and Hunter Salmon, eight, a 22.5-inch carp; Agatha Tobin and Addie Salmon, both nine years old, an 18.5-inch walleye in the Big Enough-9 category. Rider Buckner, ten, a...
