April 18 25, 2014

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID GILLETTE, WY PERMIT NO. 5105

The Campbell 00 $1. County Observer

Subscribe Online at www.CampbellCountyObserver.net

Volume 4 • Issue 16

April 18 - 25, 2014

www.campbellcountyobserver.net

“If it doesn’t have to do with Campbell County, we don’t care!”

This Week’s June 17 - 24, 2011 Highlights

• Tom Bell Turns 90 ................ Page 3 • Proposing with Parmalee ............... Page 6

PINERIDGE “A ridge above the rest.” Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Water, Fire & Mold Damage

Dusty Linder

307-660-7856 www.pineridgeclean.com

• Bold Republic: Ruination Part 3................... Page 12

Cleaning & Restoration

• Back to the Panel for Science Standards ............ Page 14 Example of Gillette Avenue Deterioration

• Cole Sports....... Page 17

Construction Begins Downtown he City of Gillette’s Development Services Department announces the anticipated construction schedule for the Gillette Avenue construction project. Construction commenced Wednesday, April 16, and anticipated completion will be mid-October, 2014. This project will replace the street, curb & gutter, sidewalks, water mains, and storm sewer on Gillette Avenue from 1st Street to 7th Street. This project, which is funded by the Optional 1% Sales Tax, has eight phases and will last approximately six months. Please note that as with all road construction projects in Wyoming, weather will play a significant factor in the success of the construction schedule. Construction Phases Phase 1A (April 16th through late June): This phase will close Gillette Avenue from the Gillette Avenue/1st Street intersection north to the end of the City maintained road. There will

be no through-traffic on 1st Street. On the map, please note additional parking for Lula Belle’s Cafe to the west of the restaurant, and access to Chophouse parking will be available via 1st Street and Gillette Avenue. Phase 1 (April 21st through late June): This phase will close Gillette Avenue from 1st Street (not including the Gillette Avenue/1st Street intersection) up to 2nd Street (not including the Gillette Avenue/2nd Street intersection). Phase 1B (May through late June): This phase will close the Gillette Avenue/2nd Street intersection. Please note: Phase 1B cannot begin until the Gillette Avenue/1st Street intersection has re-opened, as traffic will be diverted to 1st Street from 2nd Street while the Gillette Avenue/2nd Street intersection is closed. Also please note: it is anticipated the Gillette Avenue/2nd Street intersection will be open for the Fourth of July Parade. A Phase 1B map will be

released at a later date. Phase 2 (Late May through late July): This phase will close Gillette Avenue from 2nd Street to 3rd Street (not including the Gillette Avenue/2nd Street and Gillette Avenue 3rd Street intersections). A Phase 2 map will be released at a later date. Phase 3 (Late June through late August): This phase will close Gillette Avenue from 3rd Street (including the Gillette Avenue/3rd Street intersection) up to 4th Street (not including the Gillette Avenue/4th Street intersection). A Phase 3 map will be released at a later date. Phase 4 (Late August through early October): This phase will close Gillette Avenue from 6th Street (including the Gillette Avenue/6th Street intersection) up to 7th Street (not including the Gillette Avenue/7th Street) intersection. A Phase 4 map will be released at a later date.

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Game and Fish Commission to Set Big Game Hunting Seasons Setting hunting seasons for the coming fall will be the focus of the April 22-23 Wyoming Game and Fish Commission meeting in Casper. Seasons and license quotas for all big game species including wild bison will be established. In addition, the commission will also set seasons for upland and early migratory game birds and small game as well as turkey seasons for the fall 2014 and spring 2015 hunts. The commission

will take action on the Lake DeSmet lease agreement, receive an overview of gray wolf management and an update on evolving walleye and trout management and the integration of fisheries management and fish culture for the Upper North Platte River system. The Game and Fish reminds the public that the venue for the meeting will be the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Bldg., 2211 King Blvd. in

Casper. The open meeting session begins at 8 a.m. on April 22. The State of Wyoming supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Anyone needing auxiliary aids should contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at (307)777-4501. Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations. A complete agenda can be found online at: wgfd.wyo.gov.

New Director for Blessings in a Backpack By Kara Fladstol Every weekend, 750 Campbell County students have plenty to eat thanks to a multitude of volunteers and Blessings in a Backpack. The program was started 4 years ago by Tama Clapper with a goal of 50 kids per week and has grown into a community wide program that supports kids in the local elementary, junior high, and high schools as well as Moorcroft and Wright. After four years, Clapper will be handing over the reins to Randall Weinzierl. “I know it will be in good hands which is really reassuring,” said Clapper. Weinzierl started working with the program from the beginning when Clapper came to him as a manager at Walmart to ask for donations. “I believe that Tama has complete trust in me but I know she won’t lose my cell phone. She will be checking up because these are her kids,” said Weinzierl. The program has been supported by the community from the begin-

ning. “Pretty close to 80% of the food comes from Walmart and they give us a really great discount on it. Smith’s and Albertsons do donations. Smith’s donates the apples every week and then Albertsons once a month gives us 20 cases of oatmeal,” said Weinzierl. “The cost is about $2.50 per week per kid so a person could get really close to sponsoring a kid for $80-$85.” Gillette’s Blessings in a Backpack has received a lot of press over the last 4 years, being on the Queen Latifah Show and in People magazine. “So far Tama hasn’t really had to do any fundraising. As the word got out, the community has been really generous. I have been the interim director for 8 weeks and I have seen the same thing,” said Weinzierl. When people donate to the Wyoming Blessings in a Backpack website all of the money goes to buying food. Operating expenses are all covered by independent donations. “It has

really helped that we have no real overhead cost. People want to know that their money is going to helping the kids,” said Clapper. The community support for the program has not just been monetary. Every week the bags are filled completely by volunteers. “They fill the bags anywhere between Tuesday and Thursday. Different groups come do it, like Cloud Peak comes in to do it every 4th Tuesday. Next week is Conastoga. So the teachers and the counselor from Conestoga will come down and do it that night. Sometimes it’s the Girls Scouts or the Rotary,” said Weinzierl. Volunteers line up on both sides of the table and they just start sending down empty bags to be filled. They can have all the food bagged in less than an hour each week. Weinzierl plans to continue with the work Clapper started. “It a need that speaks to peoples’ hearts.”


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