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Leave Your Mark on Campbell County... Join our team of Wyoming‛s Best Stylists
Volume 1 • Issue 39
The Campbell $1.00 County Observer
December 30, 2011 - January 6, 2012
www.campbellcountyobserver.net
June 17 - 24, 2011
Health officials warn of deadly meth
“If it doesn’t have to do with Campbell County, we don’t care!”
www.EZRocking-Ranch.com
By Paul Wallem - Basin Radio News
Local Foods Grass Fed Beef and Draft Horses Come to our website for all our available products. www.EZRocking-Ranch.com Owned by local Campbell County Rancher.
Local health officials are warning the public that a deadly form of the illegal drug methamphetamine is circulating in the Gillette area. Within the last three weeks, Campbell County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) has admitted four patients for respiratory failure and methamphetamine use, according to CCMH hospitalist and nephrologist Dr. Neuwirth. All patients required ventilator support, and they ranged in age from late 20s to early 50s. “The worry is obviously that we’ve got some drug that has been manipulated in some fashion, so we have some labs out that are pending that will probably take a while to find out if there’s some contaminant or something else that has been mixed into the drug,” explains Dr. Neuwirth. Two of the patients died as a result of the toxic drug effects. Dr. Neuwirth says each patient was an “experienced” meth user and suffered from extreme confusion, agitation, and respiratory failure after using what they believed was ordinary metham-
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phetamine. “None of them [the patients] were able to answer any questions in the emergency room or provide any information,” Dr. Neuwirth says. Officials cannot say at this time whether or not similar incidents have occurred in other Wyoming municipalities. As well, officials have not determined the source of the deadly methamphetamine. Health officials strongly urge people to never use methamphetamine. At the same time, however, they say now is an even more dangerous time than normal to use the drug in the Gillette region. For those who do not heed the warning, Dr. Neuwirth advises anyone who experiences these symptoms to call 9-1-1 immediately. Otherwise, death is imminent he says. “If they don’t come in and get that done I would expect them to die at home,” cautions Dr. Neuwirth. CCMH has informed Public Health Officer Dr. Patel of these cases.
Photo by Nathan Kobielusz - Basin Radio
Dr. Neuwirth M.D. says a deadly form of methamphetamine has killed two “experienced” users in the last three weeks. He says the four patients the hospital admitted have suffered from extreme confusion, agitation, and respiratory failure.
Smoking Ban in Gillette?
Recently, calls and e-mails have been made to at least four of the Gillette City Council people by members of the substance abuse advisory council. They are asking to introduce a smoking ban in all public accessed buildings in Gillette including bars and restaurants. The Substance Abuse Advisory Council has been in the headlines recently where they tried to implement a ban on alcohol served at Gillette Wild Games and tried to keep the rule of no one under 21 serving alcohol at bars and restaurants. There was a smoking bill introduced in the State Legislature that was shot down a couple years ago stating the constitutional side of the issue. Many states have passed similar bills, but Wyoming could not because “We pride ourselves as the last Free State,” according to Senator Case. Constitutional private property rights have been the driving issue with the bans around the country.
Does a government have the right to exercise this ban on a business? “If you own your own business, and you pay for that business, and you bought your own building, you get to decide what can be done in it. Costumers do not have right to tell someone how to run their business, in their building,” said a local business owner who for now asked not to be named. “The owner of Mingles and Humphries did it right, he opened up the only non-smoking bars in Gillette when every bar is smoking. If you don’t smoke, there is a bar you can go to and he makes great business on it. If every bar was non-smoking, then I would open a smoking bar. It is just good business. When it comes down to it, you don’t have the right to regulate how I run my business that I built, in my building that I bought and paid for. You don’t like smoking? Don’t give me your business.” John Forger, a Campbell County Resident said “What’s next, I can’t
Stamp Prices on the Rise
Starting January 22nd, the Post Office will be raising their stamp rate by one cent to total $0.45. They are not allowed to raise their rate more than 2.1 percent, which is the rate of inflation. The last stamp rate increase was in 2009 when it went up to $0.44. The Post Office lost $8 million in 2010 and that rate rose in 2011 due largely to the internet. They are hoping that the increase will help prevent further increase in losses. They have also considered the money-saving tactic of not delivering mail on Saturdays, making it a 5 day a week delivery instead of six. If people are in possession of the “forever” stamp, they will still be good since they are first class stamps. However, when purchased in the future, they will be at the new price. Also, the price of sending a first class letter is going up by one cent but the additional ounces will remain at their original twenty cent rate. Other increases include post cards, deliveries to Canada, Mexico, and other foreign countries, advertising mail, post offices boxes, and delivery confirmation.
smoke in my garage? How about a regulation that says that I have to have my curtain only a certain color, or my kitchen table a certain size.” Deb Howsicker stated that she would “love to see everyone quit smoking, and I hate going into smoky places. But I just don’t go. I don’t think we should tell these businesses what to do, that is against their basic rights. It would be horrible if we did!” Though they lost those two battles, the substance abuse advisory council will be moving forward with the smoking ban after the New Year. So far, it is not on the City Council’s agend, but the Campbell County Observer will continue to give you the progress if it even goes far enough to be recognized in an agenda. Members of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council could not be reached in time of publication for comment.
Hit the New Year Running with the Razor City Runners on December 31 Registration: 10:30 p.m. Walkers start: 11 p.m. Runners start: Midnight Cellular Plus 1215 S. Douglas Highway Proceeds benefit the Razor City Runners scholarships for male and female Campbell County High School seniors. Directions: Next to Starbucks on Camel Drive.
For subscriptions go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net
Community Business Council board to vote on changes to program rules Submitted by Kim Kittel - Wyoming Business Council The Wyoming Business Council Board of Directors will meet via teleconference Jan. 6, 2012 at 10 a.m. to vote on adopting revised rules for the Community Development Block Grant Program. The Community Development Block Grant Program rules have been amended and corrected to add or update rules and regulations that are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the funding source for CDBG. In addition, standard formatting and editing changes were made. New additions to the rules include
a requirement to submit applications to Business Council regional directors two weeks prior to application deadlines; a pre-qualification for planning and technical assistance consultants; requiring the submission of a digital copy of applications; and revised application scoring and ranking methodology. Public hearings and public comment periods were provided in accordance with the CDBG Citizen Participation Plan. To obtain a copy of the proposed rules, contact Julie Kozlowski at julie. kozlowski@wyo.gov or (307) 777-
2812. The proposed rules may also be downloaded from the Wyoming Business Council website: www. wyomingbusiness.org. Audio of the board meeting will be available at 1.866.931.7845 by using call-in code 589138. To address the board by telephone you must register in advance by calling 307.777.2803 or emailing wbcmeeting@wybusiness.org. Registration deadline to speak is Jan. 5, 2012 by 5 p.m. For more information call Linda Hollings at 307.777.2803 or visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.
What’s Going On? Friday, December 30
-Face Lift @ Jakes Tavern -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Teen Open-Play Video Gaming, 1-4 p.m., CCPL -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Hopefuls (BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Last Call Group, 10 p.m., 2910 S Douglas Hwy.
Saturday, December 31
-NEW YEAR’S EVE -Face Lift @ Jakes Tavern -CCPL- CLOSED -AA- Discussion, 8:30 a.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Buck-N-Ball Rodeo, 6:45 p.m., Cam-plex Wyo. Center, 299-3789 -AA-Hopefuls(BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Buck-N-Ball Dance, 9 p.m., Cam-plex Central Pavilion, 299-3789 -AA-Last Call Group, 10 p.m., 2910 S Douglas Hwy. -Razor City Runners New Year’s 5K Run/Walk, 10:30 p.m.- Registration, Cellular Plus, 1215 S. Douglas Hwy.
Sunday, January 1
-HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 -CCPL- CLOSED -RCM Barrel Race, 10 a.m., Cam-plex East Pavilion -AA-Morning Spiritual, 10:15 a.m., 2910 S Douglas Hwy. -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Hopefuls(BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy.
Monday, January 2
-Senior Center- CLOSED -CCPL- CLOSED -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Hopefuls (BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy.
Tuesday, January 3
School Back In Session! -Teen New Volunteer Sign Up, CCPL -Teen Fun Day: J.R.R. Tolkien & Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, CCPL -HealthCHECK Testing, 7-11 a.m., CCMH Lab, 6881222 -AVA Auction Items on Display, 1/3-1/28, Mon.-Fri. 8-5, Cam-plex Heritage Center -Storytime, 3-5 yr. olds, 10:30 a.m., CCPL -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Physician Recruitment & Retention, 12:15 p.m., GFCR, CCMH -AVA-Pre-School Art, 2 p.m. -AVA- Grade School Pottery, 4 p.m. -Teen Card Club, 4 p.m., CCPL -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Beginners, 6:45 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Hopefuls (BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy.
Wednesday, January 4
-Teen New Volunteer Sign Up, CCPL -Children’s Immunization
Clinic, 8-11:30 a.m., Public Health -Storytime, 3-5 yr. olds, 10:30 a.m., CCPL -Storytime, All Ages, 11 a.m., WBL -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Children’s Immunization Clinic, 4-7 p.m., Public Health -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Hopefuls (BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy.
-Top Guns Team Roping, 9 a.m., Cam-plex East Pavilion -AA-Morning Spiritual, 10:15 a.m., 2910 S Douglas Hwy. -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -2012 Gillette Bridal Show & Expo, 1-4 p.m., Cam-plex Wyo. Center -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Hopefuls (BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy.
Thursday, January 5
-Teen New Volunteer Sign Up, CCPL -Tickets for the Chocolate Basket Raffle on Sale Now Jan. 9-Feb.10, 1 for $1 or 6 for $5, Drawing 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10, CCPL -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Prairie Wind PTO Meeting, 12 p.m. -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Lakeview 5/6th Grade Music Program, 6:30 p.m., North Campus Auditorium -Twin Spruce Dance, 7 p.m., TSJH -Wagonwheel 5-6th Grade Music Program, 7 p.m., Cam-plex Heritage Center -AA-Hopefuls (BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy.
-Teen New Volunteer Sign Up, CCPL -HealthCHECK Testing, 7-11 a.m., CCMH Lab, 6881222 -Toddler Time, 18 months3 yr., 9:30 a.m., CCPL -Storytime, 3-5 yr. olds, 10:30 a.m., CCPL -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AVA- Homeschool Art, 2 p.m. -1-2-3 Webinar Series: An Overview of the 2011 Income Tax Laws, 2-3 p.m., (888) 956-6060, www1. got meeting.com/register/535923896, FREE -AVA- Grade School Kids Club, 4 p.m. -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Men & Women Living with Cancer Support Group, 5:307 p.m., CCMH, 688-1950 -Families & Jammies, Birth- 6th Grade, 6:30 p.m., CCPL -Teen Anime Club, 7 p.m., CCPL -Prenatal Series, 7-9 p.m., Series of 4 Classes, CCMH, 688-2200 for more info. & to register -AA-Hopefuls (BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy.
Friday, January 6
-Teen New Volunteer Sign Up, CCPL -CCPL Artist of the MonthDennis & Jill Hendrix -Walker Williams Band @ Jakes Tavern -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Hopefuls (BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Last Call Group, 10 p.m., 2910 S Douglas Hwy.
Saturday, January 7
-Walker Williams Band @ Jakes Tavern -Teen New Volunteer Sign Up, CCPL -AA- Discussion, 8:30 a.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Top Guns Team Roping, 9 a.m., Cam-plex East Pavilion -Teen Dungeons & Dragons, 10 a.m., CCPL -AVA- Van Gogh Kiddos, 10-11:30 a.m., 682-9133 -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Teen Open-Play Video Gaming, 1 p.m., CCPL -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Hopefuls(BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AA-Last Call Group, 10 p.m., 2910 S Douglas Hwy.
Sunday, January 8
-Teen New Volunteer Sign Up, CCPL -WBA Meeting @ Jakes Tavern
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To submit ideas or your own articles go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net or email us at Newsandideas@CampbellCountyObserver.com
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Tuesday, January 10
-Teen New Volunteer Sign Up, CCPL -Tickets for the Chocolate Basket Raffle on Sale Now Jan. 9-Feb.10, 1 for $1 or 6 for $5, Drawing 4:30 p.m. Feb. 10, CCPL -HealthCHECK Testing, 7-11 a.m., CCMH Lab, 6881222 -Storytime, 3-5 yr. olds, 10:30 a.m., CCPL -AA- Mid-day Serenity, 12 noon, 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -AVA- Preschool Art, 2 p.m. -AVA- Grade School Pottery, 4 p.m. -Teen Card Game Club, 4 p.m., CCPL -AA-Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Social Media for Small Business, 6-9 p.m., Gillette College, 686-0254 ext. 4500, $40 Class Fee -Lakeview 3/4th Grade Music Program, 6:30 p.m., North Campus Auditorium -AA-Beginners, 6:45 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy. -Pronghorn, Paintbrush, Prairie Wind & Wagonwheel 5/6th Grade Band Program, 7 p.m., North Campus Auditorium -AA-Hopefuls (BB), 8 p.m., 2910 S. Douglas Hwy.
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Community Mystery Day at the Campbell County Rockpile Museum Mystery Day returns to the Rockpile Museum on Saturday, January 14, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with The Case of the Pilfered Pocketwatches. Young detectives aged 5 -12 and their parents or grandparents are invited to attend Mystery Day to help the staff conduct experi-
ments, analyze the clues, and catch the culprit! Family day events are FREE, but space is limited to 50 detectives, and reservations are required. Call the museum at 682-5723 or e-mail us at rockpile@vcn. com to sign up beginning Dec. 31, 2011 to reserve your spot!
WyARNG hosts monthly memorial for veterans in December
A state-wide effort to help bring closure to families who lost a veteran began in June 2010 with monthly memorial services conducted by the Wyoming Army National Guard’s Honor Guard Team, in partnership with the Wyoming Veterans Commission. The next ceremony will be held in Casper, at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery, Dec. 30, at noon, with participation from the Natrona County United Veterans Council, oth-
er individual veterans, and the Wyoming Army National Guard Honor Guard. The public is encouraged to attend. The goal is to provide military honors to a larger number of deserving Wyoming veterans. The service opens with the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, the reading of the names of the Wyoming veterans who died during the month, a rifle volley, the playing of “Taps” and the fold-
ing of the U.S. flag. The Wyoming Army National Guard provides free military honors for veterans’ individual services; however, some veterans, for one reason or another, never receive the honors due. Veterans’ organizations interested participating in future services should contact the Wyoming Army National Guard’s military funeral honors office at 307-772-5136.
Holiday Lighting Contest winners
Earlier this week, the City of Gillette announced the winners of their annual Holiday Lighting Contest. For the contest, the city was divided up into five areas, and three prizes were awarded for each area. Each winner receives their choice of a gift card or a credit on their city utility bill. First place in each quadrant receives $100, second place receives $75, and third place receives $50. Winners for each quadrant were as follows:
Quadrant 1
1. Marvin & Shelly Walker, 1401 Chara Ave. 2. Scott & Julie Rankin, 1711 Monte Vista Ln. 3. John Handran, 1800 Shalom Ave.
Quadrant 2
1. Cindy & Frank Malyurek, 305 Mills Ave. 2. Baird & Brenda Bergeman, 704 Astoria Ave. 3. Terry & Vicki Kleven, 1703 Phoenix Ave.
Quadrant 3
1. Jason & Marla Strgar, 608 S. Miller Ave. 2. Jackie Dewine, 504 Ross Ave 3. Thomas & Tina Theunisson, 109 Richards Ave.
Quadrant 4
1. Dan & Cheryl Barton, 646 Par Dr. 2. Donald & Catherine Parker, 3324 Jonquil Ln. 3. Mike & Danette Baldacci, 4101 Park Ridge Ct.
Joke of the week “New Year Resolutions You Won’t Be Able to Keep if You’re a Nerd” Submitted by Jake Sresslyn 16. I resolve... I resolve to... I resolve to, uh... I resolve to, uh, get my, er... I resolve to, uh, get my, er, off-line work done, too! 15. I will stop checking my e-mail at 3:00 in the morning... 4:30 is much more practical. 14. When I hear a funny joke I will not reply, “LOL... LOL!” 13. I will stop sending e-mail, ICQ, Instant Messages and be on the phone at the same time with the same person. 12. I will try to figure out why I *really* need 9 e-mail addresses. 11. I will stop sending e-mails to my roommate. 10. I will not buy magazines with AOL disks bound in just to get another 1.44MB disk. 9. I resolve to work with neglected children... my own. 8. I will answer my snail mail with the same enthusiasm I answer e-mail. 7. When I subscribe to a newsgroup or mailing list, I will read all the mail I get from it. 6. I will stop using, “So, what’s your URL?” as a pickup line. 5. No more downloads from alt.binaries.* 4. I resolve to back up my new 4 TB hard drive daily... well, once a week... monthly, perhaps... 3. I will spend less than five hour a day on the Internet. 2. I will limit my top ten lists to ten items. 1. I will read the manual... just as soon as I can find it.
Quadrant 5
1. Jamey Foster, 1300 Beaver Dr. 2. O’Shean & Sarah Moran, 713 Sako Dr. 3. Jerry & Sandi Short, 1402 S. Meadow Brook Ct. The annual City of Gillette Holiday Lighting Contest began in 1988 to encourage citizens to decorate their homes for the holidays. Judging for this year’s contest took place between November 28 and December 4.
Road Construction Updates Road Closure - Ledoux Avenue from intersection of Ledoux Ave. and Hwy 50 to approximately 100’ west of intersection Closure for Zone 2 Water Transmission improvements The City of Gillette’s Utilities Department announced today that Ledoux Avenue will be closed from the intersection of Ledoux Avenue and Hwy 50 to approximately 100 feet west of the intersection. The closure will take place from Tuesday, December 27th through Friday, January 6, 2012, and is for Zone 2 Water Transmission Improvements which will include the installation of a 12” water main.
Weekly Trivia Answer from Last Week During what war was the Battle of Jackson fought?? Civil War, December 19, 1862
The Battle of Jackson was fought on December 19, 1862, in Madison County, Tennessee, during the American Civil War. Background: The engagement at Jackson occurred during Confederate Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Expedition into West Tennessee, between December 11, 1862, and January 1, 1863. Forrest wished to interrupt the rail supply line to Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s army, campaigning down the Mississippi Central Railroad. If he could destroy the Mobile & Ohio Railroad running south from Columbus, Kentucky, through Jackson, Tennessee, Grant would have to curtail or halt his operations. Forrest’s 2,100-man cavalry brigade crossed the Tennessee River from December 15 to December 17, heading west. Grant ordered a troop concentration at Jackson under Brig. Gen. Jeremiah C. Sullivan and sent a cavalry force out under Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, to confront Forrest. Forrest, however, smashed the Union cavalry at Lexington on December 18. Battle: As Forrest continued his advance the next day, Sullivan ordered Col. Adolph Englemann to take a small force northeast of Jackson. At Old Salem Cemetery, acting on the defensive, Englemann’s two infantry regiments repulsed a Confederate mounted attack and then withdrew a mile closer to town. To Forrest, the fight amounted to no more than a feint and show of force intended to hold Jackson’s Union defenders in place while two mounted columns destroyed railroad track north and south of the town and returned. This accomplished, Forrest withdrew from the Jackson area to attack Trenton and Humboldt. Thus, although the Federals had checked a demonstration by a portion of Forrest’s force, a major accomplishment, other Confederates had fulfilled an element of the expedition’s mission.
The Campbell County Observer Staff CampbellCountyObserver.net (PP-1) Volume 1 Issue 39 The Campbell County Observer is published by Patriot Publishing L.L.C. in Gillette, WY every Friday. Postmaster: Send address changes to 5105 Tarry St. Gillette, WY 82718 Writers Candice De Laat - Owner/Publisher CandiceDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Nicholas De Laat - Owner/Editor NicholasDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Sandra Boehler (Charities/Fundraisers/Veterans Events) SandraBoehler@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Keary Speer - Editor KearySpeer@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Glenn Woods (Political Column) GlennWoods@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Anne Peterson - Advertising Sales Manager AnnePeterson@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Mike Borda (American History) MichaelBorda@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Brittany Miller - Sales/Marketing BrittanyMiller@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Elizabeth Albin (Wright) ElizabethAlbin@campbellcountyobserver.com
Traci Jefferson - Sales/Marketing TraciJefferson@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Lin Stephens LinStephens@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Cyndee Stoneking - Sales/Marketing CyndeeStoneking@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Josh Uzarski (Science) JoshuaUzarski@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Owen Clarke - Ad Design OwenClarke@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Ken De Laat (About Nothing) KennethDeLaat@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Ken McCoy - Distribution Manager
“Juice” (Political Cartoonist) Juice@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Pattie Ladd - What’s Going On PattieLadd@CampbellCountyObserver.com Clint Burton - Photographer ClintBurton@CampbellCountyObserver.com
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Jeff Morrison (Local History Contributor) JeffMorrison@CampbellCountyObserver.com
Community A Resolution to Volunteer - Part 1 By Paul Wallem - Basin Radio News and she adds it’s great to have something to do that requires her to get out of the house and meet new people. “I enjoy every bit of it, and it gets me out of the house, where as otherwise I would just sit home and work jigsaw puzzles,” says Yelton. Other volunteers like Teresa Brady and Dave Mueller find more unique jobs to do. Mueller helps with the annual golf ball drop and calls bingo, while Brady takes care of the senior center’s quilting department. Brady says quilting provides an opportunity for her to take some of the volunteer work home, which adds flexibility to her schedule. “Most of it goes home for quilting, because by the time I get through doing stuff up here I don’t have time to do much sewing,” she jokingly describes. According to Huff, another great aspect of the senior center’s volunteers is the number of professionals who donate their knowledge and time. Hairdressers, massage therapists, and individuals who help with tax returns all turn out, along with speakers from Campbell County Memorial Hospital who give presentations. One volunteer who is well-known in his profession for donating his time is Bob Melvin from the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. “I try to have lunch here
once a month, sometimes once a week if I can,” Melvin says. “It’s great to talk to the seniors here; they all have stories to tell. The history is tremendous with folks.” Melvin says he also ties to help the seniors with any problem remotely relevant to law enforcement. He also gives presentations on fraud and crime prevention, among other issues to help seniors protect themselves. “It works out very well because they’re a very vulnerable population, but I’m very proud of our seniors that we’ve had here because they’ve paid attention and listened to what I’ve had to say and they have not been victims as much as the other groups in our community,” Melvin says. Other volunteers at the Campbell County Senior Center simply want to remain anonymous and not talk about the jobs they do. Nevertheless, Huff says she sees how much they enjoy volunteering when they return year after year. In the end, Huff says Leave Your Mark on Campbell County...
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December 23, 2011
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December 22, 2011
- At 12:22 AM to Tepee St. for a dumpster fire, the fire was extinguished within minutes of arrival. The cause is unknown and the damage was limited to the dumpster. - At 6:58 AM to the 800 block of East 5th Street for a medical assist. - At 11:01 AM to North Highway 14-16 (by Overhead Door) for a three vehicle rear-end traffic accident with injury. Firefighters applied floor dry to the vehicle fluid leakage, disconnected the vehicle battery to prevent electrical arcing in the damaged wiring and removed personal belongings from the roadway. - At 2:28 PM to the 400 block of East Boxelder Road for a medical assist. - At 4:04 PM to the 5000 block of Knickerbocker Street for a medical assist - At 6:12 PM to 625 Olmstead Road for an unknown type fire. Responding fire units were cancelled when it was learned the fire was a bon fire with people in atten-
- At 4:17 a.m. to Three Forks Drive for an EMS assist. - At 3:00 p.m. to the area of 1426 Adon Road for a grass fire. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival found an approximately 30 acre fire burning in grass and sage brush. The fire was burning near structures and oil field equipment but was not immediately threatening them. CCFD attacked the fire and kept it contained to 30 acres. The cause was determined to be hot ashes from a fireplace that were discarded into an outside dump which caught nearby grass on fire. - At 6:15 p.m. to Almon Drive for an EMS assist. - At 9:37 p.m. to the intersection of Boxelder Road and HWY 59 for a 2 vehicle collision. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival found 2 sedans that had collided with 1 person suffering injuries. CCFD assisted with care of the injured occupant and also contained fluids leaking from the involved ve-
hicles and disconnected both vehicles electrical systems.
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December 26, 2011
- 12:49 a.m. to Warrior Road for an EMS assist. - At 1:12 a.m. to the area of the intersection of North Hwy 59 and North HWY 14-16 for a grass fire. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival found an approximately half acre fire smoldering next to the roadway. The fire was extinguished by CCFD and the cause is believed to be carelessly discarded cigarette. - At 2:46 a.m. to Decker Court for an EMS assist. - At 5:47 a.m. to West 6th Street for an EMS assist. - At 9:23 a.m. to Sunflower Dr. for an EMS assist. - At 7:37 PM to Medical Arts Court for an EMS assist. - At 10:02 PM to East Sunset for an EMS assist.
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YOU COULD GET UP TO $1000 WITH AN EMERALD ADVANCE. WE HAVE MOVED TO 200 W LAKEWAY ROAD GILLETTE, WY 82718 Phone: 307-682-2206 Mon-Thur 9:00am-5:00pm
VISIT US AT 98 S MAIN BUFFALO, WY 82834 Phone: 307-684-5125 Wednesday 10:00am-4:00pm
Why advertise in a weekly newspaper? 1. Local weekly newspapers are the most trusted form of media! 2. Over 3 out of 4 readers spend more than 15 minutes reading their weekly Newspaper! 3. More people read a local weekly paper than any daily newspaper on any day! 4. Local weekly newspapers have a large readership profile because the whole family reads them. Each newspaper has many readers and each section targets different economic, social and age groups. All local weekly papers appeal to all sections! 5. Most people that read a weekly community newspaper do not read any other local paper, however most people who read other papers read a weekly newspaper as well. Why waste your advertising budget? Stay with the tried and tested - The Campbell County Observer.
December 27, 2011
- At 1:34 AM to High Cliff Ave. for a carbon monoxide and smoke detector activation, the batteries were changed on all detectors. We believe the CO detector failed as we monitored the house for almost an hour with no increased levels of CO. - At 2:19 AM to West. 6th St. for an EMS assist. - At 10:16 AM to S Garner Lake Rd and HWY 59 for a vehicle accident. A load of pipe on a flatbed trailer came loose and slid forward striking the cab of the semi-truck. No injuries were reported. - At 12:02 PM to the 200 block of West Lakeway for an EMS assist. - At 1:17 PM to the 2100 block of Four J for an EMS assist. - At 3:17 PM to the area of 1598 Adon Road for a grass fire. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival found an approximately 9 acre fire burning in grass and sage brush. The fire was extinguished and the cause was determined to be sparks from a passing motor grader carrying hot branches. - At 4:48 PM to mile marker 104 on westbound I-90 for a grass fire. CCFD was cancelled en route when it was determined the fire was a controlled burn. - At 5:32 PM to Dogwood Avenue for an EMS assist.
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- At 8:15 AM to East Laramie St. for a reported structure fire, upon arrival light smoke was showing in the fire apartment. Crews entered to find a pot had been left on the stove and had burned through. The damage was limited to the stove and some light smoke in the apartment which was ventilated by fire crews. - At 9:45 AM to Primrose Retirement home for an EMS assist. - At 11:47 AM to Hidden Valley Rd. for an EMS assist . - At 6:15 PM to East 5th St. for an EMS assist.
- At 2:58 a.m. to 32 Silver Hills Court for a carbon monoxide detector activation. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival did not detect elevated levels of carbon monoxide inside the residence. The cause of the alarm was unknown. - At 5:07 p.m. to Nepstad Drive for an EMS assist. - At 10:40 p.m. to 3309 Jonquil Lane for a carbon monoxide (CO) detector activation. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival did not detect elevated levels of CO. It was determined that the alarm was caused by a malfunction with the CO detector. - At 10:49 p.m. to 3401 Foothills Blvd for a possible structure fire. CCFD responded to the scene and upon arrival was informed by the occupants that smoke came out of the vents after their furnace turned on. No fire or smoke was found in the residence but there was a strong burnt odor. The odor was determined to be coming from the furnace so power was disconnected to it and the occupants were advised to get it serviced.
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Campbell Co. Fire Dept. - At 8:57 AM to mile marker 106 (West of Gillette) on Interstate 90 for an injury vehicle accident. Firefighters arrived to find a westbound vehicle had slid into the median. Firefighters assisted EMS personnel with back boarding the driver of the vehicle who was complaining of back pain. - At 6:26 PM to the 800 block of Stanley Avenue for a medical assist. - At 9:38 PM to the 600 block of Lakeland Hills Drive for a medical assist
the people in Campbell County are as generous as any community she’s ever seen. “Individuals, businesses, everybody in this area is very, very generous and we really appreciate the time that the folks put in,” Huff concludes. If you would like to volunteer at the Campbell County Senior Center, call Becky Huff at 686-0804.
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says. “I hostess out here and help people sign in and help them with their meal ticket or whatever.” Matheny even finds ways to involve her grandchildren. “I have some grandchildren that I’m bringing up here to put to work,” she says. “They have to do community service work for Honor Society.” Karen Nichols also volunteers at the Campbell County Senior Center. She says retired allowed her to find more time to give back to her community. Like Matheny, Nichols enjoys donating her time to the senior center. She says the senior center has a lot to offer any volunteer, regardless of his or her age. “The senior center has a lot of things to offer seniors, and I would imaging [they] could use all of the volunteers they can get at any age,” Nichols says. “I don’t think they’re particular. You don’t have to be a senior to volunteer.” Likewise, Leitha Anderson finds many things to do around the senior center, including helping seniors use and understand computers. She says it’s a great environment if you’re looking for somewhere to be social. “It’s too social to be monotonous,” Anderson explains. “You see a lot of people and that’s what I like.” Judy Yelton concurs,
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Local charitable and nonprofit organizations of all types rely on the generosity of donors and volunteers year-round. As the end of 2011 draws near, consider a New Year’s resolution that requires you to give something back rather than give something up. Doing more volunteer work offers immediate social and emotional benefits to those who lend a helping hand. However, increased volunteerism also creates additional rewards that ripple throughout an entire community. This entire week, Basin Radio Network will feature different examples of how you can donate your time towards charitable causes. “Without volunteers we probably would not be here; they are so important,” explains Becky Huff, activities coordinator for the Campbell County Senior Center. “We have volunteers that host and hostess, greet people as they come in, get them coffee. Our board of directors and our foundation board are volunteers. And then we have a lot of extra events, whether it be a garage sale, folding newsletters, and we get volunteers for all of that.” Kay Matheny volunteers at the Campbell County Senior Center. She says the work is extremely rewarding. “I think it’s very rewarding to come up and just to visit with the people,” Matheny
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Community Some agencies will likely lose funding under new city guidelines By Paul Wallem - Basin Radio News In fiscal year 2011-12, the City of Gillette allocated over $1 million to provide funding to social service and outside agencies, up from a budget of under $600,000 just four years ago. This upward trend is unsustainable in the long run, according to the city’s administrator. As a result, City of Gillette administrator, Carter Napier, used Tuesday evening’s workshop to present his recommendations to the Gillette City Council on how the city should handle special outside and agency funding requests. Such a revision, Napier says, has been on his mind ever since he interviewed for his current position earlier this year. According to Napier, one of the biggest challenges the City of Gillette faces is turning down projects that have good merit, but at the same time, are not consistent with the directives of the council or the city. This is a problem Napier says other cities do not have. “Typically they can say, ‘We’re broke. We can’t afford it,’” Napier explains. The challenge rests with finding a balance between being a service-rich community and delving into things that are simply not good business practices for a municipal government entity, Napier says. He continues by explaining the weaknesses, in his view, of the city’s current model for social service and outside agencies to request funding. “There are some major weaknesses that are really difficult for us and probably difficult for the rest of the community as well,” he says. “The directives are typically unclear, we’re not sure what the priorities of the council are, and so consequently we aren’t real sure what opportunities we can take in turns of managing the funds all that well, which when you consider more than $1 million worth of funding goes towards this, that’s a significant portion of funding that generally is not managed as well as it could be.” Napier identified the city’s lack of accountability it requires of applicants as one major weakness in the way the city handles funding requests from social service and outside agencies. Specifically, Napier notes the City of Gillette should ensure funds are used for the original purpose they were requested for. “What happens is the entitlement concept starts to blossom in fertile ground, because if the accountability isn’t present then there isn’t much to answer for with regard to what the entities are asking for from the council,” explains Napier. “That’s certainly not to say that they don’t have any accountability or an ability to be accountable, but it’s certainly from the city’s standpoint is something the city hasn’t really required in the past.” Napier also notes that without specific guidelines to ensure funding decisions
are based on objective criteria, politically-driven decisions are likely to surface. Such scenarios can create a bartering mindset, Napier says. Napier suggested several guidelines to help reach an objective decision. According to the proposed qualifying criteria, city funds should only be granted to outside agencies when: • the agency places an emphasis on services towards the community’s youth or elderly population • doing so is a wise business decision that will provide economic stimulus • the city council has placed an emphasis on the cultural amenities that will benefit from the funding • it will go towards fighting substance abuse Likewise, Napier proposed several disqualifying criteria. Under these guidelines, the city would deny funding requests when the requesting entity: • is a government agency • has a user fee system in place • is a for-profit enterprise • primarily serves nonresidents • provides services also available elsewhere • is noncompliant under accountability guidelines • would double dip the taxpayers • is requesting money for project outside the scope of the city Under the newly proposed criteria, the city would continue providing funds for agencies such as the Energy Classic, Pat Weede, American Legion, Fast Pitch, Powder River Symphony, AVA, Red Cross, Personal Frontiers, Boys and Girls Club, CASA, Climb Wyoming, GARF, the Salvation Army, Second Chance, the Senior Center, and the YES House. On the other hand, under the new disqualifying guidelines, Health Services of Campbell County stands to lose $30,000, RENEW would lose $60,000, and Life RU Ready would lose $10,000 in funding from the city. Other agencies including Bell Nob, the Gillette Golf Club, High Plains Energy Technology, the Campbell County Reading Council, the Fourth of July parade, the Crawfish Boil, and Gillette Thunder Speedway would no longer receive city funds either. Such tough decisions are necessary, Napier says, because in four years the
Featured Crime Theft from Autos (Dec. 18 - 19)
Photo by Paul Wallem
City of Gillette Administrator Carter Napier says the upward trend in the city’s funding of social service and outside agencies is unsustainable. ing model by January 2012. In conclusion, Napier presented plenty of things the city council needs to be aware of in the near term, as some local agencies may have to adjust to a significant decrease in funding. “One of the things the council will likely hear with the outcome of this discussion – which will invariably mean that some agency no longer receive funding at some point – is that the council has all of a sudden become not supportive of the particular focus the agency has, or isn’t interested in the client base that the particular agency serves, and those kinds of things.” Napier says those types of objections are just not true. “The idea here is to try to apply some level of management with regard to a very sizeable portion of the taxpayers’ funds,” Napier says.
city’s funding of outside agencies has increased by 73 percent, or $68,500, while its funding of social service agencies has increased by 84 percent, or $418,226. “Given our current trend in funding where you see an 83.6 percent growth every five years for the social service agency-side of this discussion alone, Gillette will more than likely be in a situation where even given the resources Gillette has, we’ll have an unsustainable expectation for funding,” cautions Napier. “So what I’m proposing is that we need to get some management implemented now so that that doesn’t get out of control, that growth curve doesn’t get out of control, and the city’s ability to fund based on those directives will be more feasible.” Tuesday night’s discussion was a starting point where Napier introduced a plan and received feedback from city council members. “What I heard tonight was that council is interested in reviewing an implementation plan, which it sounds like council has a mixed opinion as to whether or not that should be a phased approach towards that implementation,” Napier said following the workshop. “So is what we’re going to do is we’re going to put together an implementation plan that we think makes the most sense and see what council thinks.” Since agencies submit their funding requests in the first quarter of the year, Napier is hopeful the city council will approve a new fund-
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Hickey
Crime Stoppers needs your help in solving theft from autos that occurred at Jakes Tavern between 5:00 p.m. on 12/18/11 and 02:56 a.m. on 12/19/11. Unknown persons entered two vehicles by breaking the right rear passenger windows. Items taken during the burglary includes a Glock model 21, .45 Caliber handgun, a black Serpa holster, a Dell white & gray Inspiron laptop with a blue & gray carrying case and a 3/4 carat infinity diamond necklace. The estimated value of the stolen and damaged property is $4450.00. If you have information that can solve this or any other crime please call Crime Stoppers at 686-0400 or the High School Crime Stoppers at 682-4185. You can remain anonymous and may earn up to $1,000 in reward.
Weekly Trivia Question Who won the Battle of Detroit? Look in next week’s paper for the answer
To submit ideas or your own articles go to www.CampbellCountyObserver.net or email us at Newsandideas@CampbellCountyObserver.com
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Happy New Year
Where is this picture taken? Answer from last week Eagle Butte Mine north of Gillette
Joke of the week “Resolutions!” Are you sick of making the same resolutions year after year and yet you never keep them? Here are some resolutions that you can actually accomplish! Read less. I want to gain weight. Put on at least 30 pounds. Stop exercising. Waste of time. Watch more TV. I’ve been missing some good stuff. Procrastinate more. Drink. Drink some more. Start being superstitious. Spend more time at work. Stop bringing lunch from home: I should eat out more. Take up a new habit: maybe smoking! Start buying lottery tickets at a luckier store.
(307) 686-3300 www.fnbgillette.com Member FDIC 319 South Gillette Avenue • 520 Running W Drive 24 Hour Banking (307) 682-9184
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Happy New Year! Thank you for your business in 2011 & the last 23 years!
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5005 Rourke Ave. P.O. box 1655 Gillette, WY 82717
3108 E. 2nd Gillette, WY 82718 Office: 307-686-4943 Fax: 307-686-3123
Phone: (307) 682-5153 800-284-8182 Fax (307) 682-0356
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The Campbell County Observer and our sponsors send wishes for a
POWDER RIVER
HOMES HAPPY NEW YEAR Office 687-0333
American Legion Post 42
682-3232
McKinney’s Quality Photo Portraits - Weddings - Parties Ceremonies - Artistic - Etc.
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Thank you to all our customers in 2011!! Here is to YOU and YOURS in 2012!
Happy New Year from
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Happy New Year to all our Better, Better Customers!
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Taboo Art Studio
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309 B L Gillette Ave 307-686-8285
Community UW’s School of Energy Resources marks progress; looks ahead to next accomplishments With backing from industry and elected officials and a focus on research, academics and work force development, the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER) has established itself as a key institution just five years after its creation. Now, even as its new $25.4 million home is under construction on the north side of the UW campus, SER leaders are moving forward with the next steps to ensure that Wyoming becomes a global leader in building a secure and sustainable energy future. With guidance from its external board, the Wyoming Energy Resources Council, SER has adopted a strategic plan for the next five years. It maintains its core mission of education, research and outreach while focusing new investment in three areas: helping find ways to tap unconventional reservoirs of oil and natural gas, adding value to coal and natural gas through conversion and refining processes, and improving technologies in wind and solar energy. “What we are building with our partners at the university and in the energy industry is something that gives great distinction to the University of Wyoming and an outstanding opportunity to its students,” says Mark Northam, SER director. “It also will help drive the state’s economy as our energy industry adapts to a changing world energy landscape.” One of the first challenges for SER leaders was creating a nationally competitive academic program to give UW students the tools to solve significant energy challenges. The
school is well on its way to that goal, having created 11 distinguished professorships in eight departments across four UW colleges and awarding more than 100 graduate assistantships. The school reached a milestone in December when it awarded its first two bachelor’s degrees in energy resource science to students Sabrina Forbis of Riverton and Kyle McDonald of Jackson. The number of students enrolled in energy-related majors has tripled since 2005, and a master’s degree program is in development. Plans call for up to eight more faculty positions to be created over the next five years. “When we began, we had great hopes for the School of Energy Resources,” UW President Tom Buchanan says. “I am delighted with the progress we’ve achieved in building the academic program, hiring top faculty and researchers, and the collaborative relationships that have been built with existing faculty and programs at UW, as well as with new partners in industry.” SER’s education and research efforts will get a big boost when the new UW Energy Resources Center opens. The project is on schedule and slated for completion by the end of September 2012. The facility, funded through private donations and state matching funds, will encompass about 30,000 square feet, highlighted by 12,000 square feet of rapidly reconfigurable laboratory space. “Completion of the Energy Resources Center will initiate a new era of
distance collaboration and provide new research tools for UW students and faculty to work with,” Northam says. Out of its temporary quarters in the UW Bureau of Mines Building, SER has already established eight “centers of excellence” to develop energy research programs across multiple disciplines. Those include: multiphase fluid flow, carbon management, photoconversion and catalysis, energy economics and public policy, biogenic natural gas, wind energy and reclamation and restoration. In line with its new focus on unconventional reservoirs such as shale gas and oil, and on conversion technologies such as coalto-liquid fuels, SER plans to develop two more centers of excellence in those areas. Northam explains the university can play a key role in developing commercially viable technologies that will help industry, and in turn, boost the state’s economy. “We have an extraordinary opportunity here,” ERC Chairman Ron Harper says. “We’re extremely well positioned for advancements across all areas of energy in Wyoming. That’s critical to the state’s economic future.” For SER to achieve the objectives in its strategic plan, additional public and private support will be needed. UW plans to follow the same basic approach used to get SER off the ground, supplementing public dollars with private investment. Gov. Matt Mead recently proposed investing $20 million in Abandoned Mine Lands funding over the
next biennium to implement the new strategic areas of concentration of SER’s initiatives, and UW hopes to obtain $20 million more in corporate contributions. Eventually, SER leaders expect the centers of excellence to become largely self-funding through grants and contracts. “We have been fortunate in receiving the support we have from our legislative and corporate partners, and look forward to working with them for years to come,” Northam says. Other parts of the SER strategic plan include continuing outreach efforts such as the UW conference on hydraulic fracturing that took place last fall, creating more internship opportunities with private-sector partners, and further collaboration with the UW colleges of Business and Law.
UW Photo
Wyoming Reclamation and Restoration Center graduate student Zachary Liesenfeld (right) and Alan Hamner gather data on soil samples. The Wyoming Reclamation and Restoration Center is one of the centers of excellence in the UW School of Energy Resources.
Where is this picture taken?
Find out in next week’s Campbell County Observer
The Campbell County Observer andour oursponsors sponsors and wishes for a send send wishes for a
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Community Police: Man arrested after throwing steak knife A 45-year old Gillette man was arrested at Pat’s Liquor Monday evening on a felony charge of aggravated assault after he allegedly threw a steak knife at another man during an argument. According to Gillette Police Lieutenant Brent Wasson, Lance Trujillo and the 40-year old victim were drinking at the bar around 7:30 p.m. when they began arguing over a multi-tool. “During the argument [Trujillo] threw a steak knife at the 40-year old causing a 1-inch cut to his left forearm,” Wasson explains. “Both of the men had been drinking at the bar. [Both] were under the influence [of alcohol].” Wasson says the 40-year old victim was treated and released for his injuries, while Trujillo was arrested for aggravated assault.
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Your New Generation of Beautiful
Where is this picture taken? Answer from last week On hwy. 14/16 about 14 miles north of town. Old homestead house.
Bald is Beautiful Mark your calendars for December 30th where you can participate in “Bald is Beautiful,” an event put on for four year old Isabelle Peace, who has been recently diagnosed with cancer and has just start chemotherapy. The Campbell County Observer presents the event which will perform two actions. First, to show Isabelle that you can still be “princess” beautiful when you lose your hair. Second, to raise money for medical expenses for her family. The event will be held at Hickey’s Unlimited. Hickey’s will donate money for every head shaved. Just Clowning Around will be there at 3pm with balloon animals, and Wyoming Sign and Design
is selling auto/window stickers they made, and Basin Radio will be doing a live feed. All contributions from all business associated with the event go directly to the family for medical expenses. Mark your calendar, and be at Hickey’s Unlimited on December 30th from 12pm – 7pm, and show Isabella that bald is indeed beautiful.
Guidelines and Rules: 1) Only one category for all participants. 2) Registration is due to Jaymi no later than January 26, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Email: jaymi@cam-plex.com Mail: Attn: Jaymi Gilmour-Crowley 1635 Reata Drive Gillette, WY 82718 3) Entry Fee: $15 per act. All entry fees are non-refundable. 4) Submission may be any genre. Participants must bring accompaniment CD or provide their own accompanist. 5) Performance must be 3 minutes or less. 6) All acts must be family friendly in
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Joke of the week “10 Crazy New Year’s Rituals” Submitted by Catherine Blakely Spain: At midnight, it’s customary to quickly eat 12 grapes, one at each stroke of the clock. Each one signifies good luck for one month of the coming year. Finland: Folks predict their fortunes for the coming year by casting molten tin into a container of water and interpreting the shape the metal takes after it hardens. A heart or ring shape means a wedding, a ship signifies travel, a pig means lots of good food. Philippines: Round shapes which represent coins, symbolize prosperity. There are heaps of round fruits on dining tables. Some folks eat precisely a dozen fruits at midnight. Polka dots are also thought to bring good luck, being round and all and are quite prominent. Belarus: Unmarried women play games to predict who will get hitched in the new year. In one game, a pile of corn is put in front of each woman and a rooster is let loose. Whatever pile he approaches first shows which woman will be the first to marry. Denmark: People stand on chairs and jump off them at the same time at midnight to banish evil spirits and bring good luck. Scotland: On what they call Hogmanay, the first person to cross the threshold of a home in the New Year should bring a gift for good luck. In the village of Stonehaven, folks parade around while swinging giant fireballs on poles. Japan: Since 1951, they’ve shown a TV music show called “Kohaku Uta Gassen”, which means “Red and White Song Battle” and features celebrity music stars in sing-offs, where the audience votes whether the white team (men) or the red team (women) win. Paul Simon and Cyndi Lauper apparently have participated. Panama: Effigies of well-known people called “munecos” are burned in New Year’s bonfires. The effigies represent the old year and burning them drives away evil spirits. Estonia: They used to try to eat seven times on New Year’s Day to ensure there would be abundant food, which seems counterproductive. Nowadays, it’s a Euro party capital and folks gorge on alcohol instead. Central & South America: Folks wear special underwear in places like Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela. Red means love; yellow means money. The United States: Just like how Thanksgiving and Christmas is most of the year’s revenue for retail stores, New Years is most of the year revenue for the nation’s police departments.
Sponsers include: Hickey’s Unlimited Wyoming Sign and Design The Campbell County Observer Just Clowning Around Basin Radio Network Fun on the Go
Gillette’s Got Talent to be held on Feb. 25
Please join the CAM-PLEX Heritage Center staff for the presentation of GILLETTE’S GOT TALENT on February 25, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. General admission tickets are only $5. Once again it’s your chance to shine on the CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Stage for the 3rd Annual Gillette’s Got Talent! Up to 25 applications will be accepted to perform for a panel of judges and a live audience! Competitors will be vying for a first place cash prize! Winners will be chosen by a judge’s panel and by an audience ballot vote! All winners will be announced at the end of the show. For more information, contact the CAM-PLEX Ticket Office at 307-682-8802 or visit our website at www.cam-plex.com.
NOW OPEN
contents, song selection, and lyrics. 7) Entrants must be at least 16 years of age. 8) Contestants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent to the sound check and performance. 9) All entrants must be available all day on Saturday, February 25, for sound check and to address any other technical or administrative needs. 10) All contestants must arrive at the CAM-PLEX Heritage Center 90 minutes before show time, appropriately dressed, and stay for the entire production. The CAM-PLEX staff reserves the right to disqualify anyone who does not meet these criteria. 11) Winners will be selected by audience ballot vote and by a judge’s panel vote. Judges Criteria: Talent-ability to do what the activity or skill requires, memorization 40% of final score Material Chosen-appropriate of individual or group 20% of final score Stage Presencestage personality, poise, confidence, expression, voice projection, gestures 20% of final score Creativity-produce something new, unique, original; creativity in delivery of act 10% of final score Props/Costuming-appropriate and supportive of act 10% of final score All applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012.
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Patriot Publishing is a small publishing business starting up right here in Wyoming. We not only publish the Campbell County Observer and calendars, but anything in print. We will soon also have a monthly publication that we think you will enjoy. If you have a book and can’t get a major company to publish you, we are a new and American-owned publisher that may print your work. Please feel free to contact us at anytime with your idea.
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Hunting/Fishing Big Buck Contest - Campbell County Entries
John Gaviotis Date: December 1, 2011 Area: Area 5 Date of Harvest: September 23, 2011 Big Horn Sheep Awesome area 5 ram, nicknamed “The Shangra La Ram” It took 23 years of waiting, but finally killed the ram of a lifetime. After looking over multiple rams, spotted this big boy bedded with 5 others. Made a perfect sneak over about 3 hours with my nephew and took the ram with one shot at 125 yards. My dreams complete, he scored 173 with 38 5/8 x 36/5/8 curls. What a great memory.
Mike Lacasse Date: October 18, 2011 Area: 19 Campbell County Date of Harvest: October 13, 2011 Mule Deer Spotted two deer, got in as close as I could Range at 476 yards, aimed high, pulled trigger on 270, direct hit behind the shoulder. Got to him and saw it was a 5x5.
Alex Lacasse Oct.15, 2011 # 19 Campbell County Mule Deer My father and I hunted for days without seeing anything but does, fawns, and antelope. When we went out on October 15th and spotted a herd of about 6 bucks. We then stalked them from about a ½ mile. We went through a few draws on our way. We then lay down on some flat land 227 yards away from the deer. We then waited to see the biggest buck them I shot and Killed a 4x3 buck deer. with my 30-06.
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Nate Cina September 3, 2011 Area 17 Antelope Comments: I had been hunting this beautiful pear shaped Antelope for two days before spotting him in a good position for a stalk. I had seen him with his Doe’s chasing a smaller buck around a flat that was lined on two sides by deep ditches. This was a perfect opportunity for me to slip up the downwind ditch and hope he chased the smaller buck close to my position. After a 20 minute stalk up the ditch and another 15 minutes waiting for him to make a mistake, I made a perfect double lung shot at 50 yds. He green scored 76 3/8” gross, and netted around 75 5/8” This is my best pope and young to date! I am blessed to have the opportunity to hunt in the great state of Wyoming!
(307) 682-9808 Southview Shopping Center on 4-J Gillette, WY
M-F 9-6 · Sat 9-4 Veronica Study September 22, 2011 Area 123 Elk My husband Kory and his friend, Marty Edwards, helped me locate this Elk. I shot him at 400 yards with a 6-5 284. Kory got me set up and Marty was going to film, however Kory thought Marty gave a thumbs up and he was holding up a finger meaning what a minute. Well, Kory told me to shoot, so I did, we missed film by 10 seconds. Marty did get him going down. I could not have done it without their help. He was a big Boy and pretty hard to load.
Warden’s Corner
musicworks@haggertywest.com
Rocky Mountain
DISCOUNT SPORTS
8am-9pm Mon.-Sat. 9am-6pm Sunday 4706 S. Douglas Hwy. Gillette, WY 82718 Ph: 307-686-0221 Fx: 307-686-0265
or Outdo res u t n Adve Here! Start
Happy Happy New New Year Year
The end of the year is here and hunters need to remember that all hunting and fishing licenses expire on 12/31/2011. Seasons such as bobcat, small game and some game bird seasons extend in to January or beyond and will require 2012 licenses. These licenses are available at local license selling agents prior to January 1 and please remember to purchase a 2012 conservation stamp as well, if required. Consult your Game and Fish Commission Regulations for season opening and closing dates as well as conservation stamp requirements. Happy New Year!
Great New and Used Gun Selection! Confidential • Courteous • Convenient • Clean
Layaway Available! We accept all 102 E. Lakeway Rd. (307) 686-5757 Hrs: Mon 12:30-5:30 Tue-Fri 9-5:30 Sat. 9-4 major credit cards.
Open New Years Eve and at noon on New Years Day!
HOME OF THE ADULT DAYCARE CENTER 302 E 2nd • Gillette • (307) 682-9442
Fine selection of Wine & Spirits
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Hunting/Fishing Big Buck Contest - Campbell County Entries
Gillette Christian Center
Announcement
New Year’s Day Service
There will be a short communion service on New Year’s Day that will start at 11:00am and will last one hour. Pastor Dick Remington will be our special speaker that day. Please note: Childcare & Sunday School are not available for this service.
Baptism Service coming in January!
We are scheduling a baptism service for Sunday, January 8th. If you would like to be water baptized, please sign up at the back of the santuary. Damon Cain will teach a class on water baptism on January 4th for those who are being baptized or want to learn more about it. If you have questions, please call the church office at 686-6680. 307-686-6680 • 6201 Swanson Road • www.gilettechristiancenter.org
Barbara Jean Gregory Date: November 21, 2011 Area: 16/37 Date of Harvest: November 21, 2011 Size 48.5” A wonderful, fun hunt! It snowed a lot that day & the wind blew. I shot my moose after a hair rising walk across a snow covered rocky trail. With a 200 ft drop leading my horse. A once in a lifetime hunt!
Michael VanWoerkom Date: December 8, 2011 Area: 17 Date of Harvest: November 23, 2011 Whitetail Less
2011 Big Buck
Contest Winners Grand Prize Winner
Remmington 700 CDL, 7mm
Shane Hampshire Leiter, WY
Joel Hoenk
Antelope Division Winner 2011
Tyler Benton
Tony Wyllie
Big Horn Sheep Division Winner 2011
Mule Deer Division Winner 2011
Butch Dillon
Moose Division Winner 2011
Derrick Balamut
Whitetail Division Winner 2011
Laura Townsend Elk Division Winner 2011
Dillon Naramore
Antelope Division Winner 2011
Gillette, WY Buffalo, WY Exit 124 off I-90 307-682-9411
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Exit 58 off I-90 307-684-8200
HORN TIRE, INC G . BI
Public Pulse Bold Republic Weekly Prudent, in Good Times By Glenn Woods
In 2006, I was at the family cabin in the mountains of North Carolina, watching a debate on local television concerning the state’s $2.4 billion dollar surplus. Times were good. Still, many in the state, including the conservative governor, at the time, spoke of caution. Money, even in the billions, is easily spent, before you know it. But the liberals won the day, and the next election, including the governorship, and now in the year 2011, the state of North Carolina holds a budget deficit of --$2.4 billion dollars. So how does a state go from a $2.4 billion surplus to $2.4 billion in the hole in just a few short years? Actually, it took much less than five years to do it. More like two. They answer lies, in part, with a few big projects, but mostly in how the state “nickel and dimed” itself to death in a very short period of time. You never have a hundred bucks in your pocket on Monday, and find yourself thinking, ‘this will last until next Monday, easy.’ Then the end of the first day comes around you have maybe two dollars left. By Tuesday morning you’re BROKE! --- How did that happen so fast? --- Well, you got that latte at the coffee shop, early in the morning, put some gas in your car, got a haircut, that chocolate bar, and what the heck; let’s go out for lunch today. Another stop for a latte afternoon-ish. -- Add it all up and those hundred bucks slips out of your wallet --- FAST! So what makes us think it’s any different with a State budget? FOR THE STATE OF WYOMING --- our reserve currently holds over $1 billion dollars. That sounds like a nice fat amount for a small state the size of Wyoming. Figures for fiscal year that ended in June show Wyoming received $320 million more revenue than originally calculated. Combined with those budget reserve funds and the surplus for the year, it totals $437 million. Sounds like we are doing well -- RIGHT? BUT HOLD ON - LET’S TAKE
A CLOSER LOOK! -- Those so called cuts that they are talking about in Cheyenne are actually cuts in the rate of growth, which means, not real cuts at all. Then there is that little problem on nickel and diming the state to death -- here is what I mean: FIRST - Governor Mead plans to spend a million dollars converting gas powered vehicles at UW, to natural gas power, including a pumping station on campus so they can refuel. This was part of a deal that he made with the governors of several other states in an effort to convince Detroit to start building natural gas cars, which they see as the possible wave of the future. NOTE TO GOVERNOR MEAD! How about we save a million dollars on that one and you just write a letter? We will even let you use company letterhead. Let’s not spend a million on your personal pet projects. SECOND - There are those here in Gillette who are pushing for a bus system for the city. I have lived in towns smaller than Gillette, that had bus systems, and I have lived in cities like Boston. Transit systems always -- ALWAYS --- cost more than projected, just to purchase, and always operate at a loss. There are other ways to solve any person “transit problems” some people might be having here in Gillette without costing the tax payers a dime. THIRD - You folks who want a dog park can pool your money, buy a nice little chunk of land, and start one. It is not for the tax payers of this community to give the dog that you bought a place to play. That is your responsibility. FOURTH - Too many City, County, States, spend too much money on project and impact studies. Quit spending money on so many studies. Most of this stuff you can figure out yourself, without spending taxpayer money. FIFTH - They town of Wright is slated to get a visitor center at a cost to Wyoming tax payers of $550,000 dollars. I have lived around tourism all my life. My family ran a tourist business.
A Commentary by Maureen Bader, Columnist Wyoming Liberty Group Visitor centers operate at a loss and don’t work. If you want to improve, and grow the town of Wright, (I’m all for it), then you should encourage interesting and necessary business to build along the highway. Local business like that provides jobs, and tax money that is generated for the town when travelers stop to purchase at those stores. SIX - Enough with the statues already. Every time I explore a new Wyoming town I see statues here and statues there. Nice looking, but it adds up. Like buying that extra latte. A couple of weeks ago I received a letter from Wyoming State Representative Tom Lubnau. He explained, in some detail, how Wyoming revenues will begin to shrink in the coming years, any why we must be concerned about it. I read his letter on the air, and he heard about it, and called the show. As revenue shrinks, he explained, some big expenses are getting BIGGER. MUCH BIGGER! Like our interstate that are crumbling and cost about $3 million a mile to fix. Don’t hold your breath waiting for the money to fix those roads to come from Washington D.C. ---- It’s not coming. If more states are now drilling for natural gas, Mr. Lubnau explained; - consider the rule of supply and demand - what is going to happen to the price of natural gas? How much less will then come into the state in the form of royalties? If the EPA has their way, even in the short term, how will that effect the price of coal, and our ability the generate power, and so how will it affect the taxes and royalties coming into the state of Wyoming? In other words -- In the coming years, less money will be coming into the state, but here we are spending more, at the same time. A latte here, a lunch there, and soon those hundred bucks in our pocket will be gone.
To listen to Glenn Woods morning radio show tune in to 1270am KIML Gillette Monday through Friday from 6 - 10 a.m. www.boldrepublic.com
Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, A couple weeks ago, someone wrote in about how there are not enough taxies in town, and that they are too expensive. These people are lying to push an agenda. There are six cab companies in town currently. Most of the cab owners work second jobs to support their company. They charge as low as they can, but they will tell you that there just isn’t enough business in town for all of them. They are scraping by. They are a private industry. The only thing a bus system would do is suck more money from all the taxpayers to help out a very few. Yes, there are a few, like the elderly and sick that need rides, but not enough to compensate for a bus! If you ask, and you need help, I will help you. But I am afraid that this will only become a system that is completely tax payer dependent and will mostly support the people who have lost their licenses to the courts. John Henson From Editor Keary Speer: Dear John, Thanks for writing in! I do recall that letter and I believe they had said that there are only two cab companies in town. However, just by driving around you see many more than that on the roads. If you go out on a weekend to any of the local hot-spots you will see them all over giving responsible people rides home. I am inclined to agree with you that it is very important to support these people, just as important as supporting any small local business. I think
that when people have their own need, they tend to be passionate about it and a little short sighted to the reality of what instituting a bus system might entail. Thanks for sending in the other side of the issue! That way it makes it easier for people to make up their own minds. Dear Editor, You should start an advice column. I always love reading that, and since you are local, the Observer would be a great read from a local advisor. Debra Hallsinger via. Facebook From Editor Keary Speer: Dear Debra, I personally think that is an amazing idea! There is nothing I would like more than giving people my OWN advice and feeling like I know what is best. Of course, we could just hire someone who knows what they are talking about. It could be like “Dear Abby” and the advisor could be anonymous. Let’s hope to see something like that coming soon. We are always open to fresh ideas to keep our paper, which is still in its infancy, as current as humanly possible! And who better to help us with that than our readers? Thank you so much for writing in, and if you or anyone reading this now would like to do a weekly column, contact Nick and see what he thinks! Dear Editor, I have to disagree with you that there aren’t any good candidates in the primary. Ron Paul
Bankrupt Pension Plans drive businesses out of the state A Lesson for Wyoming Companies were talking about leaving the state of Illinois. Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Sears’ corporate headquarters were among the companies looking to head to states farther away -- from fiscal collapse that is. Indiana governor Mitch Daniels is busy promoting his state as a place with an attractive business climate. Wyoming is likely doing the same. However, Wyoming suffers from the same problem that is tanking the Illinois state budget - an unsustainable pension plan for bureaucrats. Wyoming’s bureaucrats have it made - for now. When they retire, they’ve been promised a pension most people in the private sector can only dream about. Bureaucrats get a defined-benefit pension plan, one that pays a sum of money defined by the bureaucrat’s last five-year-average salary and the length of time in government, whether there is enough money in the pension fund or not. Neither the Illinois nor the Wyoming pension plans have enough money to pay their promised benefits. Wyoming’s public sector pension plan is 84 per cent funded. That means, should it close down today, the government would have enough money to pay for 84 per cent of its promised benefits. Technically, these types of funds are considered beyond recovery when they fall below 71 per cent funded. Illinois’ public sector pension plans are 51 per cent funded. Illinois’s pension plans do not have enough money to pay the promised benefits and are too far gone to recover. The Illinois government is in a state of denial. Instead of reforming its pension plan it hiked corporate income tax rates from 7.3 per cent to 9.5 per cent and personal income tax rates from three per cent to five per cent to try to Band-Aid over the problem. These tax hikes were sold to businesses and individuals as a temporary tax measure, but with an aging bureaucrat population, the drag on the state’s budget will only get worse.
What’s Going On In Government? Monday, January 2
-City Offices- CLOSED
has proven himself, and would be a 100% Constitutional President. He has paid his dues, and doesn’t change his policies year after year. Vote Ron Paul! Eric Bracken – via. Email From Editor Keary Speer: There is definitely a certain security that comes from a politician that is incredibly consistent in what they stand for. However, Nick has an opinion that I will let him give to you… From Editor Nick Delaat: When Herman Cain took the lead in the polls, I knew that there would suddenly be a scandal once he became a threat. There was. I agree that Ron Paul is probably our best candidate, but the truth is that the RNC (Republican National Committee) will not let him win. They hold all the power and they will not give it up in State caucuses. I would personally like to see what Ron Paul could do as our next president, but the fact is, he “hasn’t paid his dues” to the powers that be and he “shakes the boat” within the party too much. Those are two of the main reasons I like him, but also two of the reasons that he will never get past those people who require some form of payment for their blessing. But the good thing is, is there is always a great chance that I am wrong. If you ask my wife, I am almost always wrong, so why should this answer be different? Thanks for being informed and getting involved, I like seeing that.
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Businesses, not wanting to get stuck paying for politician’s unaffordable promises, responded by looking for greener pastures until the governor backed off and cut the tax hike. Of course, none of this changes the reality that Illinois’ pension plan is bankrupt so these cuts will likely only keep business in the state until the next budget crisis. Wyoming has no corporate or personal income tax so would be a good place for these companies to relocate to, on the surface. That’s because Wyoming’s bureaucrats enjoy the same type of pension plan as those in Illinois. Some Wyoming legislators have faced reality and a bill is heading to the Wyoming legislature to reform the Wyoming bureaucrat pension plan before the state has the same problems now sinking Illinois. But will enough Wyoming legislators take the necessary steps to reform the plan? All Wyoming legislators must face reality now and reform this pension plan. These defined benefit pension plans are a relic of bygone times. That’s why almost all companies in the private sector have moved employees to the type of plan outlined in the new Wyoming bill -- a defined contribution pension plan. In this type of plan, retirees’ pensions are determined by how well their investments did over time. The money is in an account a person owns and controls. People don’t depend on false promises and taxpayers aren’t on the hook to support pensions far grander than anything they could ever hope for. Businesses and private-sector taxpayers, many who do not even have a pension, cannot be expected to fund the retirement bliss, even if illusory, of bureaucrats. As defined benefit plans become a bigger ball and chain on the economy, they drive taxes up which drives business out of the state. By empowering all people to control their own retirement future, Wyoming can avoid this fate. Let’s not be Illinoyed.
Tuesday, January 3
-City Council Pre-Meeting, 6 p.m., 3rd Floor Conference Room, City Hall -City Council Meeting, 7 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall
Wednesday, January 4
-Joint Powers Lodging Tax Board, 5 p.m., George Amos Memorial Bldg.
Monday, January 9
-City Council Work Session, 6 p.m., 2nd Floor Community Conference Room, City Hall -Wright Town Council Workshop, 7 p.m., Council Room, Town Hall -Wright Town Council Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Council Room, Town Hall
Tuesday, January 10
-Board of Examiners, 12:30 p.m., Community Conference Room, City Hall
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Public Pulse Fremont County woman pleads guilty to Medicaid fraud
“New Years is a time to make as many resolutions as you can, remember as many as you can in a month, and hopefully follow through with one of them before years end.” – Nicholas De Laat
Attorney General, Greg Phillips, announced today that Margarita Toineeta-Curtis of Ethete was convicted and sentenced recently on charges of fraudulently billing Wyoming Medicaid. Toineeta-Curtis was originally charged with eight counts of Medicaid fraud and two counts of forgery. She pleaded guilty and was convicted of two counts of Medicaid fraud and sentenced to a suspended two to four year prison sentence, placed on five years of supervised probation and ordered to pay $23,114.86 in restitution to Wyoming Medicaid. “Ms. Toineeta-Curtis submitted fraudulent timesheets claiming that her daughter provided services for her husband when her daughter lived out state,” Christine Stickley, Director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit stated. “She took advantage of a program intended to assist the residents of Wyoming who cannot afford to pay for medical care. The money
can now be returned to Wyoming Medicaid and used as it was intended.” The case was investigated by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Attorney General’s Office and prosecuted by the Fremont County Attorney’s Office. People convicted of Medicaid fraud may be excluded from future Medicaid participation. The Wyoming Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes financial fraud by those providing healthcare services or goods to Medicaid patients. The unit also investigates and prosecutes instances of elder abuse or neglect. Anyone wishing to report suspicions regarding any of these concerns may contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in Cheyenne (307) 777-3444 or (800) 3780345. Medicaid fraud information can also be found on the Attorney General’s web site: http://attorneygeneral.state.wy.us
Classifieds Help Wanted Cook needed at Lu La Bells. Motivated and Energetic. Days Only. Apply at Lu La bells. Local journalists wanted. Always wanted to try? Must be 16 yrs of age. Contact us at CampbellCountyObserver@ gmail.com Advertising Sales for our weekly paper. Great commission rate, set your own hours. Contact us at CampbellCountyObserver@gmail. com Contributors wanted for weekly newspaper. Need a doctor, a Politician, a lawyer, and more to contribute an article a month. E-mail CampbellCountyObserver@gmail. com for more information. Sports writers, event writers wanted. Gillette, Write, Recluse, Rozet. Call 670-8980. State Wide Sales people. Print Advertising Sales for new State-wide newspaper. Call 307-299-4662 Delivery Driver wanted. Retired? Want a little walking around cash? Work one day per week delivering the Campbell County Observer to people’s homes. Contact the Campbell County Observer at (307) 670-8980. Website/ad designer wanted. Must be familiar with building/maintaining websites and website advertising design. Commission and base salary pay. Call the Cowboy State Free Press at 307-670-8980
Work Wanted Skidsteer with Operator. For all your Snow Removal and Dirt needs. Call Ken at 307680-5947 A Great Christmas Present for your Wife? I Will clean your home. Weekly house cleaning-$50.00 per week. Windows, floors, dusting, bathrooms, etc. Call 6702037.
Merchandise 1939 HA Selmer Trumpet $750 OBO. 687-1087 Spyder Semi-auto paint ball gun. cal..68 Special Edition. Only used twice! New $300 For you $175 plus two canisters. Call 680-1302 If you are interested in purchasing Nutrient Rich Ranch Raised Beef grown locally, call 307-340-1108. Great Jerky http://www.rberlinger.jerkydirect.com/
Toy Parts & Accessories Stock pipes for Sportster. 500mi. Stock pices for Dyna Wide Glide. 1500mi. Email baxtersmom62@gmail.com for info. Harley Accessories for sale. Call 307-670-8980. Ask for Tammy.
Camping/Fishing Minnows, crawlers, leeches, fishing tackle, boating and camping supplies. Fully furnished cabin rentals, 50 Amp Full Hookup RV sites 5 minutes from Keyhole Reservoir in Pine Haven. Empire Guesthouse & RV Park 307756-3454. www.empireguesthouse.com
Homes for Sale
.38 Colt detective’s special. $525.00 obo Call (307) 6827864
Home for sale by owner in Western Way. Asking $239,000 for the 1,800 sq. ft. 3 bedroom 2 bath home with an unfinished basement and a two car garage. Fully fenced, large landscaped yard with a sprinkler system. Home is within walking distance to the new recreation center and the new elementary school that is being built. Please contact me at 307-670-1209 if you are interested.
.380 Smith and Weston Bodyguard. Built in laser site. $450.00 firm. Trades possible. Call (307) 6827864. 1903 Springfield. 30o6 Cal. U.S. Military. $700 obo. Call (
Wanted to Buy I Buy Militaria. Swords, uniforms, bayonets, medals, guns/parts, field gear. 6827864 Newspaper vending machines. Contact us at: CampbellCountyObserver@gmail. com
Services
WILL PAY CASH FOR CAMPERS. Call Scott (307) 680-0854.
Homeowners and renters insurance for house, trailer, or apartments. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520
Manual Transmission for 93’ Chevy Pickup 4wd. Must be in good shape. Call 2572306.
Auto insurance preferred and SR-22’s. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520 Motorcycle and ATV insurance. Call Elizabeth Jones Agency 307-682-6520
Sporting Goods
Toys (ATV’s Boats, Etc.) Boat for Sale with trailer. Needs work. Call 670-8980 for info.
Like new Horizon Elliptical. $300 obo. Call 299-7058 for more info.
Apartments for Rent
Home Appliances/ Furnshings
1-5 bedroom units available for rent. Please contact Real Estate Systems of Gillette Inc at 307-682-0964 for all the updated details.
Microfiber couch with 2 recliners combined. Green. $100 Call 299-4967. Booth Table. L-shaped. With Chairs. Seats 6. $500.00 Call 299-4967 Chest Freezer. $100. 307299-5918 Three antique pressedbacked oak chairs. Excellent condition. $85 each. 6820042 Storage Unit Sale!!!!! Home stereo, car speakers, 2 dressers, mattress and box spring sets $20, chests, coffee table, chairs, end tables and much more. Call (307) 682-7864
Heavy Equipment/ Trailers
My First Computer hardly used. Asking $15. Call 605 - 545 – 1188
6x10 trailer. Great shape, fits your biggest Harley. $1,400 obo. 299-4967.
Five roasts and twelve pounds of hamburger for a flat rate. $150.00. All ranch raised beef. This is an approximate savings of 10% on the total. Contact Jason Walker at 307-686-0577
1981 Circle J 4-horse Horse Trailer. New floor, paint and wiring. $2500 OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374
307) 682-7864
Guns for Sale
1981 Circle J 4-horse Horse Trailer. New floor, paint and wiring done in shop class 2 years ago. No rust only used once since redone. $2500 or OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374
Tri-level house for sale 4 bed 2 bath $209,000 (307) 6701925. Gorgeous land home package set up in Wright. 3 bedroom, 2 full baths, hickory cabinets throughout, front porch, central air, and much more. Financing available. For a personal showing call (307) 687-0333 40+ Acres 2 miles south of Wright 1999 Atlantic Oak Modular. $250,000 OBO Call 307 - 680 – 2374 Ranchett for rent. 20mi. south on Hwy 59. Three Bed, 2 bath. 2.5 car heated garage on 94 acres. $1,600.00 per month.689-2338 FSBO 2,688 SF home on corner lot with fenced back yard. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, upgraded kitchen, finished walkout basement, oversized garage. $259,000. 307-680-9180.
Pets Welsh Corgi Puppies. 3 females, and two males. 682-2598
Business Opportunities
Spacious & new, 1, 2, &3 bdrm affordable apartments available now! Call 6858066. Washer and dryer in every unit. Private sunny patio or balcony. Special move-in rate, 1 bdrm: $694, 2 bdrm: $777, 3 bdrm: $888. Move in now and deduct $ 200 off first month while special lasts. Call Konnie or Celeste at Highland Properties 685-8066.
Health problems? Try doTERRA certified pure essential oils. 307-680-0363. www. myvoffice.com/healingisbelieving
Personals
Fresh local “Free Range” eggs. All natural, no animal by-products. No antibiotics. $3/Doz. 257-9049
Interested in founding a Sherlock Holmes Society in Gillette? Contact gillettesherlockians@gmail. com for info.
Produce for Sale
Campers & Motor Homes 1997 32ft. Class A Motor Home. Sleeps 6, Only 31,000 Miles. Asking $17,000. Call (307) 660-7520. Large Private RV/Camper Lot for rent. Big yard, trees. All utilities available. $400 per month, $400 deposit. 1 year lease. Call (307) 6601007. 5th wheel camper for sale. Call Skip (307) 680-0073
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Autos, Trucks and Vans
Autos, Trucks and Vans
1981 Harley Davidson FXBSturgis, 1st dual-belt drive to commemorate Hill-Climb @ Sturgis, Jack-Pine Gypsies rally started in ‘41, 50th anniversary model. 12K on straight-up original paint, new Moetzler’s driven-by beefed Shovel, 102hp at wheel. Perfect in every aspect, serious inquiries only, loan is $15K and value of over 25K. Ben 680.7464, 3-other older bikes and this has to go to the right person!
Chopper - Custom built frame, s&s engine, carb, etc. 80ci. Evolution engine. Wide glide front end. Low. Torn apart down to frame. Have all parts, could be built in two days with under $200.00. Asking $5,500 or best offer. Price:$5,500obo. Contact: 307-670-2037
2008 Hyundai Sonata LMTD, 40,000 mi. $13,500, Call 307-660-2532. 1982 Chevy Ventura Van. 350 Engine, 400 Turbo newly rebuilt transmission. Interior in GREAT shape, has a working electric wet bar and built in cooler in back. Carb. needs re-jetted, other than that there are no problems. Must see. Asking $3,500 or best offer. Price:$3,500obo. Contact: 307-670-8980 1993 Chevy 1500 4x4 350 Engine, runs great. 5 spd. manual, transmission needs rebuilt. Transfer case in great condition. No other problems other than transmission. Asking $2,000 or best offer. Price: $2,000obo. Contact: 307-670-2037 2004 Yukon Denali XL,6.0 Motor, Loaded $14,000 OBO 660-9351
‘76 Electra-Glide would consider trade on Pan or Knuck if ya know of anyone, ‘81 sent it to LA-S&S, 11.5to1 and dual-plugged to run regular-gas, had burn-out time at Hog-Jam! Ben 680.7464. 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo SS (White) with 137,000 mi; $6500. Call 307 - 689 – 0966 1983 Ventura (Chevy) for sale. WORKING WET BAR. Closet, fold down rear seat bed, caption swivel chairs. Great shape. Needs carburetor adjustment. Newly rebuilt Transmission, 400 Turbo. $4,000.00. Call 307670-2037. 1986 Toyota Tercel 4x4. $1050.00. Call 307-2995918
Miscellaneous Exterior door with window, interior light fixtures, and computer supplies. E-mail Corsair115@yahoo.com
HELP WANTED Advertising Sales/Marketing Specialist
20% Commission plus gas allowance Monthly Individual & Team bonuses Fun Work Enviroment Set Your own hours
Send resume/cover leter to campbellcountyobserver@gmail.com
Be a part of the best up-and-coming business in the area!
Seeking a new member for our team! Looking for a public water system operator for sampling, monitoring and maintenance of water systems. Must be able to obtain a level 1 water license within one year. Will train highly motivated individual. Clean driving record, drug testing and background check. Wages are DOE. E-mail resume to therese@waterguywyoming.com or fax to 303-686-4044.
Sports Report Wrestling update
Campbell County Boys Basketball Results/Schedule
Overall standings
Team Gillette Ponderosa Bismarck Wagner Douglas Sidney Scottsbluff Poudre
W 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
L 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
SATURDAY - ROUND 5 Gillette 48, Scottsbluff 21
106 pounds: Devon Mauch, G, lost 7-0 decision to Juan Delacruz, S 113: Evan Smith, G, pinned Christian Barraza, S, 3:22 120: Danny Provost, G, pinned by Keegan Hessler, S. 1:43 126: Kris Miller, G, pinned Sabian Harsh, S, :50 132: Alex Lacasse, G, won by forfeit 138: Lukas Poloncic, G, lost 6-4 decision to Tyler Nation, S 145: Dani Fischer, G, pinned Tristan Donaldson, S, :49 152: Jordan Fischer, G, pinned Cody Rossman, S, :50 160: Tanner Olson, G, won by forfeit 170: Robert Perry, G, lost 11-5 decision to Jed Weis, S 182: Burke Burgess, G, pinned Cameron Presher, S, :38 195: Jace Jacob, G, lost 6-2 to Kolby Aulick, S 220: Lucas Sather, G, won by forfeit 285: Taylor Barbour, G, lost 5-3 decision to Andrew Aratani, S
What’s Going On In Sports? Friday, December 30
-Gillette WILD vs. Bozeman, 8 p.m., Cam-plex Spirit Hall -CCHS GBB/BBB(V) Energy Classic, North Campus
-CCHS BSW @ Sheridan, 4 p.m. -CCHS GBB (SO/JV) @ Riverside, 4 p.m. -CCHS WRE (JV/V) @ Natrona, 5 p.m.
Friday, January 6
-HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 -Gillette WILD vs. Great Falls, 1 p.m., Cam-plex Spirit Hall
-CCHS WRE (JV) Shane Shatto Invite, Douglas -WJSH B/G BB @ Big Horn -CCHS BBB (SO/ JV/V) vs. Montbello, 4 p.m., North Campus -CCHS GBB (SO/V) vs. Little Wound, 5:30 p.m., North Campus -Gillette WILD vs. Billings, 7:35 p.m., The Metra
Tuesday, January 3
Saturday, January 7
Saturday, December 31
-NEW YEAR’S EVE -Gillette WILD vs. Great Falls, 1 p.m., Cam-plex Spirit Hall
Sunday, January 1
-CCHS WRE(JV) vs. Buffalo, 6 p.m. Thursday, January 5 -WJSH Dev B/G BB, Midwest
-CCHS WRE (JV) Shane Shatto Invite, Douglas -CCHS WRE (JV) Wright Duals, 8 a.m., Wright
-CCHS BSW vs. Laramie, 10 a.m., Aquatic Center -CCHS BBB (SO/JV) @ Little Wound, 5 p.m., Kyle, SD -Gillette College WBB vs. Miles City College, 5:30 p.m., CCHS- South Campus -Gillette College MBB vs. Miles City College, 7:30 p.m., CCHS- South Campus -Gillette WILD vs. Bozeman, 7:30 p.m., Haynes Pavilion
Date Away Team 12/3/2011 Green River 12/15/2011 Union, UT 12/16/2011 Evanston 12/17/2011 Campbell County 1/6/2012 Montbello, CO 1/13/2012 Natrona 1/14/2012 Campbell County 1/20/2012 Laramie 1/21/2012 Cheyenne South 1/27/2012 Campbell County 1/28/2012 Campbell County 2/2/2012 Sheridan 2/10/2012 Campbell County 2/11/2012 Campbell County 2/17/2012 Cheyenne Central 2/18/2012 Cheyenne East 2/24/2012 Campbell County T = Tournament Game
Score 43 vs 56 vs 53 vs 61 vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs
Home Team Score Campbell County 66 Campbell County 69 Campbell County 55 Star Valley 39 Campbell County Campbell County Kelly Walsh Campbell County Campbell County Cheyenne East Cheyenne Central Campbell County Cheyenne South Laramie Campbell County Campbell County Sheridan
T N Y Y Y N N N N N N N N N N N N N
ID 154 718 722 736 319 320 212 249 112 321 96 322 115 253 100 323 324
Campbell County Girls Basketball Results/Schedule
Date Away Team Score 12/3/2011 Green River 25 vs 12/15/2011 Evanston 51 vs 12/16/2011 American Fork, UT 63 vs 12/17/2011 Star Valley 43 vs 1/6/2012 Little Wound, SD vs 1/13/2012 Campbell County vs 1/14/2012 Kelly Walsh vs 1/20/2012 Campbell County vs 1/21/2012 Campbell County vs 1/27/2012 Campbell County vs 1/28/2012 Cheyenne Central vs 2/3/2012 Campbell County vs 2/11/2012 Laramie vs 2/17/2012 Campbell County vs 2/18/2012 Campbell County vs 2/23/2012 Sheridan vs 2/25/2012 Cheyenne South vs T = Tournament Game
Home Team Score Campbell County 77 Campbell County 67 Campbell County 58 Campbell County 54 Campbell County Natrona Campbell County Laramie Cheyenne South Cheyenne East Campbell County Sheridan Campbell County Cheyenne Central Cheyenne East Campbell County Campbell County
T N Y Y Y N N N N N N N N N N N N N
ID 154 682 698 711 315 316 208 245 112 317 93 318 248 97 320 321 115
Monday, January 9
-WJSH Dev B/G BB @ Hulett -WJSH Drama Auditions, 3:30-5 or 6-7:30 p.m., Town Hall
Tuesday, January 10 -WJSH Drama Auditions, 6-7:30 p.m., Town Hall
“You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” - Wayne Gretzky
To submit a quote of the week go to www.CampbellCounty Observer.net
Our Roots Dwight Eisenhower By Mike Borda When we look back at the long list of Presidents that our country has seen, there are many who stick out at first glance. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt to name a few. However, there is another man whose achievements in our nation’s highest office might rival those other great men in the minds of many. He was not only a President, but also an athlete, scholar, and soldier. Moreover, while he was polarizing, no one can doubt the impact he had on the modernization of our country. Dwight David Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas. Two years later, they moved to Abilene, Kansas, which the boy known as “Ike” would refer to as his hometown. Although his father was an engineer, it was his mother who first piqued his interest in the military. Her collection of military literature provided plenty of reading material for a young Dwight. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1909, with his sights set immediately on a military academy. While he was accepted to both the Naval Academy and West Point, he was too old for the Naval Academy and thus began his schooling at West Point Military Academy. It was here where he formed the basis for the rest of his life. His achievements on the football field gave him both confidence and a respect for order and duty. However, it was his reaction to multiple knee injuries that set the stage for the leader we came to know. According to the official Eisenhower website, this led to a “bitter reaction”. He “Smoked too much, studied too little, and accumulated an impressive
list of demerits.” (http://www. dwightdeisenhower.com/biodde. html) However, even given this reaction, he still became a natural leader, and managed to squeak by in the top half of his 1915 class, earning the rank of second lieutenant. It was later that year that he met Mamie Doud, and they married less than a year later. On September 24, 1917 his son Doud was born, but would later die of scarlet fever in 1921. They had another son, John, in 1922. During the later days of World War I, Eisenhower had longed to ship out and serve his country in battle, but was relegated to training recruits. He would later serve as executive officer to General Fox Conner in Panama, who would later become a mentor to Dwight. Eisenhower enrolled in the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1925. He graduated first in his class, garnering him high respect among his military superiors. This respect soon earned him a position in the War Department, where he was responsible for developing a plan to assemble the armed forces if there were to be another conflict. This experience proved invaluable to Ike later, during World War II. For the time being, however, it was enough to give him a new position under the tutelage of Douglas MacArthur. With a man as complex and influential as Dwight Eisenhower, there are many facets to his leadership. In next week’s column, I will continue with his illustrious military career, as well as his years as Commander-in-Chief, and his life after the Presidency.
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Our Roots Governor Mead’s statement on delay of Post Office closures Governor Matt Mead said the U.S. Postal Service’s decision to delay closing post offices is prudent and he hopes Congress and the U.S.P.S. can use this time to develop savings and efficiencies other than closing rural post offices. “There need to be cuts made to the Postal Service’s budget and there are ways to find efficiencies,” Governor Mead said. “But, closing rural post offices is not a big enough savings to make any real impact for the Postal
Service and the closures would deeply impact people who depend on the mail system for communication.” Governor Mead originally sent a letter to the United States Postal Service in August expressing his concern about closures. The U.S.P.S. has listed 43 post offices in the state that could potentially be shuttered. Governor Mead’s letter to the Regional Manager of the U.S.P.S. said closing these post offices is not a solution to the budgetary problems the Postal
Service is facing. “I believe a five-day delivery week is a better solution because it spreads the burden of cost savings out across the country,” Governor Mead said. “I will continue to push for alternatives to closing the offices during this delay.” Governor Mead also expressed thanks to Wyoming’s Congressional Delegation for its work on behalf of residents that would be potentially impacted by closures.
“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Salt Creek Oil Field By Jeff Morrison \Wyoming has been a major source of crude oil production for well over 100 years. The very first commercial sale of Wyoming oil occurred in 1863 when oil from a natural oil spring west of Casper was sold to emigrant wagon trains on the Oregon Trail as axle lubricant. Since then crude oil production has boomed several times with major discoveries made in nearly every county in the state. The first of these major fields was the Salt Creek field near Midwest Wyoming, beginning in the 1890’s and early 1900’s. The first discovery of oil near Salt Creek was made by Cyrus Iba, who had followed the gold rush to California and from there to Idaho before arriving in Wyoming in the early 1880’s. Iba, a native of Lancaster County Pennsylvania, was no stranger to oil exploration and, having recalled seeing oil seeps in the area while traveling through in 1851, decided to prospect for oil rather than gold. In 1887 Iba found an oil seep at Jackass Springs, an alkali laden spring along the western bank of Salt Creek. Until 1920, oil discoveries were treated like mineral claims, where a person filing a claim had to stake the four corners of the claim plus a center stake on which was posted a notice, and then the appropriate paperwork would need to be filed with the claim office. What Iba didn’t know as he was laying out his stakes was that he already had competition for his Jackass Springs claim. As early as 1883, Laramie lawyer, Stephen Downy, had already staked a few mineral claims in the vicinity of Jackass Springs. By the time Iba had filed his claim, Downy’s claim had been taken over by an organization called the Central Association of Wyoming – whether the claim had been bought from Downy or was “jumped” is unclear. The Central Association of Wyoming was a partnership of two opportunistic and somewhat seedy gentlemen, named Samuel Aughey and John Bothwell. Bothwell was a professional promoter of mining, railroading and canal digging, who had a reputation for misappropriating funds from both the government and a number of mining companies. Aughey was a geologist, and had actually given the spring its name. Iba and the Association took their disagreement over ownership of the Jackass Springs claim to the courts, where ten years of litigation followed. In the meantime, Pennsylvania oilman Philip Shannon began drilling for oil three miles away and hit pay-dirt at 1,000 feet. This discovery well officially began oil production in what would become the Salt Creek Oil Field. Shannon formed the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Company and began filing claims all over Wyoming, which eventually entailed some 150,000 acres. But Shannon realized that in order to capitalize on his discovery, the oil needed to be refined into something more useful than axle-grease, and by 1895 he had built the first oil refinery in Casper Wyoming. Freight wagons were used to haul crude oil to the refinery in barrels, where it was refined into 15 different kinds of lubricants and lamp oil. A useless by product of the
refining process, gasoline, was dumped into the river. Shannon drilled several wells along Salt Creek following his initial discovery, but the slow process of transportation to the small refinery that could only produce 100 barrels per day eventually began to bankrupt him. Shannon sold out in 1904, shortly before the demand for gasoline would create a demand for crude oil that would make a pipeline from the Salt Creek Field to Casper a financially viable alternative to hauling oil in wagons. In 1907, the first major oil well was drilled by a Danish owned oil company. “Big Dutch” no. 1 struck a gusher at 1,092 feet. Soon a free-for-all of claims were being filed all up and down Salt Creek and fortune seekers flooded the alkali basin in droves. Like most mineral bonanzas, the boom attracted both genuine investors and charlatans alike. Because it was extremely easy to doctor a staked claim while the owner was gone for supplies, line riders had to be employed to keep a watchful eye out for claim jumpers. In order to house and feed the workers employed in the oil field, several company camps, that later became towns were erected almost overnight. Among these communities were Salt Creek, Lavoye, Edgerton and Shannon – later named Home Camp, then in 1923 renamed Midwest, after the company that owned it: the Midwest Oil Company. These towns flourished and prospered during the boom years, boasting brick buildings that included theaters and hotels, as well as a few brothels, speakeasies and moonshine stills. The community of Lavoye was found to be in the way of oil production progress by the company that owned the mineral rights underneath it. So Lavoye was moved, lock, stock and Ford Car dealership to a new location and named New Lavoye. Shortly after the Spanish American War, the United States Navy began the process of converting their fleet from coal fired engines to oil fired engines. There was a concern that oil demand could possibly out-strip domestic supplies, so three prospect fields, having not been drilled on, but known to have vast quantities of oil were set aside by the government as official Naval Reserves. A part of the Salt Creek Oil Field, officially named Salt Creek Naval Reserve No. 3, but commonly known today as Teapot Dome, after a nearby sandstone formation called Teapot Rock. In the spring of 1922, Wyoming oil driller, Leslie Miller noticed trucks belonging to the Mammoth Oil Company, owned by oil magnate Henry Sinclair, hauling drilling equipment into the Teapot Dome reserve. The reforms made to obtaining oil leases on public lands included a bidding procedure for the leases. No one knew of any bids being taken to drill on the naval reserve, so Miller wrote to Wyoming Senator John Kendrick. The Harding administration was known, among other things, for what we call today “Crony Capitalism”, and Kendrick justifiably suspected something underhanded was taking place. He motioned for a special com-
Cyrus Iba and family, 1895. The photo includes (left to right) in front, George Iba, Cyrus Iba, Lilly Iba, Mary Iba and Ed Iba; in back, Harry Iba, Mary Iba and C.W. Iba.
Salt Creek drilling…. mittee to investigate. The committee, let by Montana Senator Thomas Walsh uncovered the greatest scandal in American political history prior to Watergate. It turned out that President Harding’s oily trio of cabinet members, Attorney General Harry Daugherty, Naval Secretary Edwin Denby, and Interior Secretary Albert Fall, collectively known as the Ohio Gang, had cooked up a scheme for selling the Naval Reserve oil. Fall had convinced Harding to move the control of the Naval Reserve from the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Interior. Fall then brokered a deal with oil tycoons Henry Sinclair and Edward Doheny, wherein Sinclair obtained a nobid contract to drill in Teapot Dome and Doheny received a similar contract for reserves in California, in return for Fall receiving bribes of livestock for his ranch and “no interest loans”, all totaling in excess of $400,000. When the investigation and subsequent trials were over, Fall became the first Presiden-
tial cabinet member to go to prison for crimes committed while serving. He was convicted of taking a bribe from Doheny in the amount of $100,000, thinly disguised as a loan. Ironically, Doheny was acquitted of bribery, and later sued Fall for the $100,000 he had loaned him. Sinclair, who might have gotten off unscathed was found in contempt of congress and guilty of witness tampering because he had hired private investigators to follow the jurors around during his trial. Meanwhile the flow of oil out of the Salt Creek field continued to flow. An amazing statistic was published in the Casper Tribune-Herald of 1928, showing the Salt Creek field to have 2,125 active wells which was more that all other active wells in the entire state. It’s estimated that in the 1920’s more than one-fifth of the oil produced in the United States came from Salt Creek alone. The estimated 10,000 residents of Midwest and the surrounding Salt Creek communities were treated to a special event in 1925: the first
night-time high school football game played under stadium lights ever played in Wyoming, and possibly the West. But, like all booms, the bust was about to descend. The beginning of the end started when the underground pressure that had allowed the oil to flow without the need for expensive pumps lessened in late 1923. There was, and continues to be, plenty of oil in the field, but the profitability of a field has always been a balancing act between the price of crude versus the cost of production. The need to pump the oil meant the cost of production in the Salt Creek Oil Field went up, while the price of a barrel of crude oil did not. The field now mostly stripper wells, still produces, but is a shadow of its former glory days. By the time the Depression hit in 1930, most of the once thriving communities along Salt Creek were fading into deserted ruins. Midwest and Edgerton survive, but with only a fraction of the population they once had.
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