Week of June 26, 2025

  • Fourth of July events planned

    The Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department will be putting on a fireworks display on the Fourth of July beginning at dusk, around 10 p.m. The fireworks will be let off from atop T-Hill. The department accepts donations toward the fireworks show that are used for the current year or rolled over to the display for the following year. Ice Cream Social Earlier in the day the Hot Springs County Democrats are hosting an Ice Cream Social from 2-4 p.m. in the Hot Springs State Park at the Kiwanis Shelter. The event is free and open to the public....

  • County budget shortfalls result in cuts, job eliminations

    by Daniel Powell/Lara Love The Hot Springs County Commissioners met on June 17 for their second regular meeting in June. Kathy Sorensen and Chip Axtell appeared on behalf of the Conservation District to inquire whether the county’s upcoming budget would include the $10,000, which that entity had requested of the county. Chairman Tom Ryan advised that the Hot Springs County budget process has been very difficult this year, with the commissioners needing to find over two million dollars in cuts to the budget. Commissioner Ryan stated, “With...

  • Town council votes to condemn property

    Daniel Powell

    The Thermopolis Town Council met on June 17 for their second regular meeting for the month of June. With no contentious matters on the relatively light agenda, the council quickly completed the night’s business. The council entered into executive session to consider issues relating to the property located at 117 Fremont. After the executive session, and in the public meeting, Mayor Adam Estenson reviewed the history of the property. On January 16, 2024 the property had been declared a nuisance, due to the amount of trash which had...

  • Map showing no fireworks zones

    The Thermopolis Town Council approved the use of fireworks within the town limits on the Fourth of July, but only within the hours of 4-11 p.m. No fireworks are allowed on any town property, including town park property. Additionally, no fireworks will be allowed within the commercial zone in the downtown area of Thermopolis. The council noted that no fireworks are allowed on state property, including Hot Springs State Park. This map shows the downtown...

  • Welcome to Thermopolis sign up at south entrance into town

    Daniel Powell

    The Hot Springs County Travel and Tourism Board met on June 17 for their regular monthly meeting. Director, Angie Guyon, provided each board member with a new laptop computer, which will now be used for board meetings and business. Guyon presented the monthly financial statements, and commented that revenues were down for the month of May, over last year. She also noted that the organization was currently over budget in advertising expenses, and under budget in administration expenses, which necessitates a move of $8,152.91 from the General...

  • Littlefield fundraiser Friday

    A benefit cookie jar auction for Emma Littlefield will be held on Friday, June 27 with dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Hot Springs County Fair Building. Emma has stage IV renal cancer. Funds will assist her with medical bills and travel expenses. Dinner will be pulled pork, buns, beans, salads and desserts offered for a donation. The auction will follow dinner. Cookie jars can be dropped off the day of the event to the fair building from noon-5 p.m. For more information, contact Belinda Moore at 921-8689 or Connie Hoffman at...

  • Meeting set to discuss proposed new regulation related to commercially guided fishing boats

    The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will host a meeting to gather public input and answer questions regarding a proposed new regulation, Chapter 71 (Commercially Guided Fishing Boats). The meeting will take place in Thermopolis June 30 at 6 p.m. at the Thermopolis Fire Hall, located at 400 S 14th Street. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission is proposing a new regulation, effective January 1, 2026, to govern commercially guided fishing boats and trailers, as directed by the Wyoming Legislature earlier this year. This regulation will establish...

  • High-profile attorneys flock to lawsuit challenging Wyoming's new voter registration law

    by Maggie Mullen, WyoFile.com via Wyoming News Exchange A federal lawsuit challenging Wyoming’s new voter registration law has drawn high-powered attorneys from across the country to the case, including several from a firm President Donald Trump hired to keep his name on the 2024 ballot. California-based Dhillon Law Group and Colorado’s Gessler Blue are representing Secretary of State Chuck Gray, who the complaint names as a defendant in his official capacity alongside the state’s 23 county clerks. Set to go into effect on July 1, the...

  • School board takes up housekeeping matters

    Daniel Powell

    The Hot Springs County School District Board of Directors met on June 19 for their regular monthly meeting. With the school year behind them, the board had a large number of housekeeping items to review on their agenda. To kick off the meeting, Matt Johnson appeared to provide a report on the CWC BOCHES program. Johnson advised that the district has a large number of students at the high school, who have taken advantage of the program to secure college credits, while still in high school. Students can secure college credits by taking classes...

  • Senior center named Community Challenge Grant winner

    Non-profit organizations in Thermopolis, Clearmont and Sheridan scored a total of four Community Challenge Grants totaling $31,000. The grants are part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment to fund 383 quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults. The funds will support efforts to improve public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and other key areas. Notably, 45% of this year’s funded projects are in rural communities, with nearly $2 million...

  • New anti-DEI, gun-free zone repeal, animal abuse laws soon in effect

    by Hannah Shields Wyoming Tribune Eagle Via Wyoming News Exchange Out of the 178 bills successfully passed by the Wyoming Legislature this year, a little more than 100 will go into effect on July 1. The new laws include a statewide ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and practices in governmental entities, new regulations targeting the transgender community and a repeal of most gun-free zones across the state. Roughly 60 of the other new laws either went into effect immediately or have a start date in 2026. While the Wyoming...

  • Mosquito spraying set to begin June 30

    The identification of mosquito breeding sites (water sources) is successfully underway by Hot Springs County Weed and Pest. Identified breeding site areas are being treated with larvicide and adult traps are being set up to help determine areas to be fogged. Fogging operations are based on weather and adult mosquito counts per area surveyed. Aerial spraying throughout Hot Springs County is set for June 30-July 9. For more information, contact HSC Weed & Pest at 864-2278 or email hscwpcd@gmail.com. You can also visit...

  • Bobcat Speech and Debate returns to Iowa for national competition

    Last week, the Hot Springs County High School Speech and Debate Team attended the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) 2025 National Tournament held for the second consecutive year in Des Moines, Iowa. This year marked the 22nd appearance of the Bobcats at the NSDA culminating event and the hundred year anniversary of NSDA. The NSDA National Tournament included nearly 7,000 qualifying competitors from over 1,500 schools from all over the US (and some other countries). Four qualifying Bobcats, Dean Bihr, Kiesha Kraushaar, Annalyn...

  • Local festival promises great live music

    Daniel Powell

    The leaders and volunteers of Hot Springs Heritage Foundation are hard at work, putting together the annual Wyoming Discovery Days Festival. Now in its fifth year, Discovery Days is a spectacular event, which will be held this year on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13 in Hot Springs State Park. In the nature of a “folk festival,” Discovery Days will sport live music from at least nine acts, playing at the Pavilion; story-telling; artisans; food trucks; antique farm equipment on exhibit; and a dachshund race. Nearly fifty vendors have...

  • STIP meeting planned for July 1

    A series of annual public meetings is scheduled in July to address future highway improvement projects in northwest Wyoming. And in a new change, WYDOT will also meet with citizens and local government agencies in January 2026 as part of the STIP process. A key part of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) process involves annual meetings with public officials and other individuals who play key transportation partnership roles in Wyoming, according to Wyoming Department of Transportation District Engineer Pete Hallsten, P.E., of...

  • News briefs

    Foam party The Hot Springs County Library is hosting a foam party from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 27. The outdoor space at the library will be turned into a dance party/bubble bath playground. For more information, call 864-3104. County wide rummage sale On June 28, several Hot Springs County residents will be participating in a county wide rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sign up at the Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce or contact Hannah Van Heule at 921-8407 or Judy Carswell at 921-8264. WDC anniversary open house The Wyoming...

  • Baseball award

    Each year, the Thermopolis Baseball team holds a banners fundraiser where local businesses can donate and then be put into a drawing for an award. The Shoppe Floral and Gifts is this year's winner. Team members presented the award to the owner, Shelly Burrows, in sunglasses. Team members include, back row, left to right, Timothy Lippincott, Nate King, Dallon Basse; front row, Wyatt Johnson, Tate Roberts, Zander Allen, Bobby Crow and Eli...

  • June gymkhana results

    Results from the June gymkhana, held at Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, include: Lead Line Barrels - Mesa Farrar, Shay Farrar Poles - Mesa Farrar, Shay Farrar Goats - Mesa Farrar, Shay Farrar Flag Race - Mesa Farrar, Shay Farrar Fune Event - Mesa Farrar, Shay Farrar Pee Wee Poles - Ethan Mills Goats - Ethan Mills Flag Race - Ethan Mills Junior Barrels - Adi Day, Decker Agar, Decker Agar, Adi Day, Lane Reed Poles - Adi Day, Decker Agar, Adi Day, Decker Agar Goats - Adi Day, Adi Day, Decker Agar...

  • Rodeo royalty

    Rodeo royalty participating in this year's Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo, in no particular order, included Kaitlyn Schmuck, Hot Springs County Chute Out Queen; Allison Griffin, Big Horn County Rodeo Circuit Queen; Kanyon Luthi, Evanston Cowboy Days Fiirst Attendant; Adelita Wagner, Fremont County Fair and Rodeo Queen; Kaydence Daniels, Fremont County Fair and Rodeo Junior Queen; Corbin Marshall, Fremont County Fair and Rodeo Princess; Kaydence Fulkerson, Sheridan WYO Rodeo Princess;...

  • Patriotic parade

    Outriders guide horses down 6th Street during the 21st annual Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo Patriotic Parade last...

  • Fly fishing clinic

    Ian McCreary talks about how to set up a fly rod at the free Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing Clinic held at the Hot Springs State Park last...

  • PRCA Rodeo and Outlaw Days fun

    Top left, Ada and Teddy Travis, from Sheridan, and Davi Alcaraz, from Worland, watch the action at Friday's Tough Enough to Wear Pink performance of the Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo held last weekend; top right, Pace Garrett of Gillette scored 76 in the saddle bronc competition performance to tie for first in the go-round on Friday; middle left, Rodeo Queen Allison Griffin, of Ten Sleep, explains a raffle to Cameron Burrows; middle right, JW Winklepleck, PRCA Rodeo Clown/Barrelman...

  • Color our World

    McKenzie Jones, Lucas Jones, Gentry Kimes, Rebecca Ready and Aiden Glasson actively participated in the Summer Reading Program organized by Youth Services Librarian Kailey Dvorak at Hot Springs County Library on June...

  • Plein Air in the Park this weekend

    Plein Air in the Park will be taking place at Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site on June 27-29. Online registration is available at 2025-Plein-Air-at-Hot-Springs-State-Park.eventbrite.com, or artists may register in person at the Wyoming Arts Council tent at the Kiwanis Shelter of Hot Springs State Park during the event. Now in its eighth year, Plein Air in the Parks is a collaborative program by the Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming State Parks, both under the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources....

  • USPS on the brink of collapse

    by Martha Diaz Aszkenazy, Chair, National Newspaper Association and Publisher, The San Fernando Valley (California) Sun/El Sol Newspapers The United States Postal Service is on the brink of a self-induced collapse. The failed policies of the Delivering for America Plan have driven away customers through a combination of sky-high rate increases and degraded service. David Steiner, who will take over as Postmaster General on July 14, 2025, has a tough job to do and little time to do it with some estimates indicating the USPS could be insolvent...

  • Budget cuts will effect vital services

    Last week, the University of Wyoming Extension office in Thermopolis was notified that its budget would be reduced by 50%, resulting in the loss of an administrative assistant position and all 4-H operating expenses (supplies and travel). The only information provided prior to last week indicated that all departments were to reduce their budgets by 2%. If the county moves forward with this sudden decision, most of the day-to-day services provided by our office will no longer be available to the people of Hot Springs County. The extension...

  • AARP director heads to our nation's Capital

    AARP Wyoming State Volunteer President Stella Montano and myself will be boarding a plane for our nation’s Capital to ask our congressional delegation to back provisions of The Big Beautiful Bill supportive to older adults. We strongly support the increase to the bonus standard deduction for older Americans, which would provide tax relief at a time when many seniors are facing financial strain. We support expanding Section 45S Tax Credits for paid family and medical leave as it will help more Americans who are family caregivers. We applaud...

  • My friend left quite an impression

    by Mike Cavin One thing I loved about the lowgrounds back in North Carolina was the wild muscadine grape. Muscadines grew wild in the lowlands, and when they were ripe, I would be in the lowground fighting the squirrels for my share of this native fruit. Muscadines were large, almost black in color, with polka-dotted speckles. When they were ripe, I would grab a vine and yank, and the ripe ones would come sprinkling down to the forest floor. The skin of the muscadine grape is thick compared to store-bought grapes. I used to bite the skin...

  • Danny Harold Spann

    Danny Harold Spann began his life's journey on December 7, 1950, in Gilmer, Texas. His parents, Harold and Joy Spann, were overjoyed to welcome their firstborn. Soon after, the family moved to Emory, Texas, where Danny's brothers, Tom and Joe, were born. The family moved once more to Athens, Texas, where Danny graduated from high school. In 1970, Danny was drafted into the Vietnam War, elected to join the Air Force, and finished his service in Thailand; receiving an honorable discharge in 1975....

  • On the record

    On the Record policy It is the Thermopolis Independent Record’s policy that all people arrested or cited under the “Accidents,” “Sheriff’s office” or “Police department” in the On the Record section are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We print the names of all people upon their initial arrest. Sheriff’s Office Monday, June 16 12:04 p.m. Agency assist for emergency medical services. 1:07 p.m. Report of trespassing. Deputies located two people fishing on the Bighorn River. The individuals believed they...



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