News

Gov. Gordon announces opening of property tax refund program  

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 1:15pm

Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Revenue announced earlier this week that the property tax refund program for homeowners is now open for applications. At the governor’s request, the Legislature appropriated an additional $20 million to further expand the program and ensure more homeowners in need are eligible to participate.
“I want to thank the Legislature for endorsing the importance of this program to Wyoming taxpayers, and for providing the resources needed to get additional relief to those most impacted by increased assessments,” Gordon said.

WYDOT-Google agreement aims to prevent stranded motorists

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 1:15pm

CHEYENNE (WNE) — When snow, high winds and other severe weather conditions require the Wyoming Department of Transportation to close Interstate 80 — one of the nation’s primary east-west highways — conditions on secondary roads are often even more dangerous. Yet without sufficient data, some navigational apps may reroute I-80 motorists and commercial vehicle operators onto those very roads.
WYDOT is now working to improve safety and facilitate the efficient movement of freight by sharing road-closure data directly with Google and other navigation companies. Expanding access to road-closure data is especially critical in March and April, which are historically the state’s snowiest months.

Wildlife Society lecturers focus on CWD in state mule deer herds

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 1:14pm

Last week, the Wyoming Chapter of the Wildlife Society held its annual conference in Cody, Wyo., inviting members, researchers, and academics to convene for three days of lectures on new and ongoing research projects relating to Wyoming’s wildlife and varied ecosystems. Among those presentations given were a series of talks on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a neurological disorder that affects members of the cervid family (deer, elk, moose, et al.) that is caused by misfolded, or mutated, prions. CWD is incurable and, in all cases, fatal.
On Wednesday, Tucker Russell, a Master’s student at the University of Wyoming, presented preliminary research on the migratory patterns of mule deer in the Wind River Basin.

Benefit changes topic of upcoming Veterans Resource Fair

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 1:10pm

There’s one message veteran Nicolle Laffin wants to relay to her fellow veterans: “You are not alone.”
Laffin, a retired combat veteran herself, is the Wyoming Veterans commissioner for the 5th Judicial District. The district is hosting a Veterans Resource Fair at the Big Horn County Fairgrounds in Basin on Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Laffin has commitments from more than 30 representatives of organizations that provide services to veterans, active service members and their families. Several of the organizations attending the event provide services to those outside the military population, as well.

G&F News: Grizzly bear euthanized due to cattle depradation

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 1:05pm

A grizzly bear was euthanized Monday after confirmed cattle depredation on private land south of Ten Sleep. On April 14, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department investigated a report of an injured cow with wounds consistent with grizzly bear depredation. Wildlife managers verified nearby tracks and signs that suggested the bear frequented the ranch for approximately one week. The subadult, male grizzly bear was euthanized after consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service due to its involvement in depredation and its behavior frequenting the ranch.

90 Years Ago: Shell Hall hosts its first dance

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 1:02pm

100 years ago
April 18, 1924
The Standard received a telephone call Wednesday from County Commissioner Olney that a contract had been let for the removal of the west wooden bridge from the Big Horn River to the edge of the new steel section that has just been completed.
90 years ago
April 19, 1934
The first dance in the Shell Community Hall will be held Saturday, April 21. Harry Lee is making the arrangements for this initial dance. Lee promises good music and a good time for everyone attending. A lunch will be served at midnight. All proceeds will go to the community hall.
80 years ago
April 20, 1944

Wyoming Business Tips: Build a better business plan

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 1:01pm

A business plan is like a road map that guides you through starting your business and is a crucial tool for any entrepreneur. It helps you launch your business on the right foot and provides a blueprint for long-term success and growth. So, if you have a great business idea, starting with a solid business plan is the first step toward turning your dreams into reality.
Your business plan should answer the questions of what you are going to do; how you plan to do it; who will purchase your product or service and why; and a financial plan of how it will make a profit.
Here are a few tips to help you create a better business plan:
-- Get to know your potential customer: Identifying who is most likely to purchase your goods or services is essential to your business planning. Market research and analysis are crucial to understanding whether there is a viable market for your goods or services.

News Briefs

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 1:00pm

UW Extension offers Gardening 101 with Gary Emmett

Wyoming’s elections to look different this year

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 12:56pm

How and when Wyoming residents can vote will look different this year.
Two election laws related to political party affiliation and absentee voting were added to the books in 2023, making the August primaries the first major election affected by the new regulations.
Under the new rules, May 15 is the last day registered voters can change their political party affiliation. The affiliation associated with a voter’s registration determines which primaries — either Republican or Democratic — they are entitled to vote in. Previously voters could change their party affiliation at the polls on Election Day, and many are accustomed to doing so. Qualified voters who are not yet registered will still be able to register and choose their party the day of.  
Meanwhile, the window for absentee voting — also known as early voting — is shorter than before for most voters. The previous 45-day time frame was reduced to 28 days.

VA health care enrollment in Wyo. surges by 35%

Published by admin on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 12:55pm

CASPER — The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that 745 Wyoming veterans joined the VA health care system in the last year, outpacing the national average.
Enrollment in Wyoming was 35.44% more than the system enrolled the previous year.
Nationally, the VA enrolled 401,006 veterans in VA health care over the past 365 days – 30% more than the previous year.
This is the most yearly enrollees in at least five years at VA, and nearly a 50% increase over pandemic-level enrollment in 2020, according to the department.