The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
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Moorcroft Mayor Dick Claar candidly discussed his thoughts recently on the recommendations that came with the as-yet-unadopted updated community master plan provided by DownTown Redevelopement Services and Rural Community Consultants. Said findings and suggestions are, for the most part, outside of the town’s budget and not available through grants, which still cost money due to the need for matching funds. For instance, the restructuring and updating of the town streets and alleys: “I don’t know where we get the funding to take care of stree...
In an effort to promote better reading habits, MK-8 students and their families were invited to a "Fall in love with s'more Reading" themed evening last Thursday. As parents arrived, they were provided with an overview of the reading program by Principal Linda Enright as well as handouts with reading tips and strategies for the family in the cafeteria. In the meantime, the kids gathered around "campfires" in the gymnasium to eat s'mores snack mix and listen to fun stories; they also received...
A couple months ago, Moorcroft's town council hired Ben Levenger of DownTown Redevelopement and fellow Mike Hansen of Rural Community Consultants to conduct an up to date Master Plan of the town and the Moorcroft Town Center (MTC). A current Master Plan is required by law for each municipality in Wyoming. This two part investigation, aided by civic participation, culminated in a comprehensive and current plan for the potential growth of Moorcroft and a separate realistic prognosis with options...
The third and final reading of the ordinance governing parking and street use in Moorcroft took place Monday night. Though the council was divided in their comfort with the time limit for parked vehicles, the vote was unanimous and the newly approved ordinance keeps the five consecutive day limit for vehicles, including “motorized and non-motorized that can be towed”, to remain stationary on municipal streets without moving. Police Chief Bill Bryant said that, while the potential exists for towing vehicles not aligned and managed with the str...
During the night of Wednesday, October 13, the Converse Car Wash and Laundry, in Moorcroft, was robbed. At approximately 8 a.m. Thursday morning, Officer Jake Miller responded to a call of a break-in at the facility. The disappearance of “several thousands of dollars in quarters” was later discovered, according to owner Damon Swaney. Moorcroft Chief of Police Bill Bryant was unable to provide further details on this active case. However, he was able to say that the department is currently following viable leads....
Over the last few weeks, students at the MK-8 have been painting almost 400 river rocks as part of a much larger project. Many of the painted rocks were on display last Thursday afternoon, before the kids took them home for the next stage of the plan. Art teacher Dawn Anderson explained the mission: "In cities around the world, people have been painting rocks and hiding them around their community and schools. It lets the rock-finder know that someone cares and is thinking of them. In art at MK8...
Moorcroft's council answered questions from resident John Critel on Monday night, including a concern regarding the traffic along South Belle Fourche Avenue. His first issue is the vehicles lining the street during the distribution of provisions; people block the intersection of Belle Fourche Avenue and Johnson Street. "It's just insane, one little kid almost got run over Thursday; he went trotting out the gate and here comes someone coming around the corner in a minivan maybe missed him by 12...
Fifth grader Wyatt Williamson, who attends MK-8, was recognized at an award ceremony Monday afternoon for his outstanding hand drawn bookmark. He received a certificate and a letter of congratulation. Of the 1600 entries this year to Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC), Williamson is one of only 12 students statewide acknowledged for excellence in their artistic concepts of the state's agriculture and natural resources by Wyoming governor Mark Gordon. Williamson's bookmark was sponsored...
It’s time for the Moorcroft municipal and regional community to participate in a discussion of the findings and recommendations of Downtown Redevelopement Services, the company that has been evaluating possible future growth of Moorcroft. This Community Master Plan Meeting #3 will be held at the MTC in the library, Thursday, October 21, from 6 until 7:30 p.m. The assessment to be discussed includes a study on the feasibility of the MTC: should the structure be bulldozed or saved? Other topics include beautification of the town; municipal l...
On a beautiful fall day, the 19th annual Octoberfest, hosted by the Pine Haven Volunteer Fire Auxiliary, was manned by a few dedicated volunteers this year, despite sickness and subsequent self restrictions disabling a few key helpers. Unfortunately, the event competed with two other happenings on Saturday, diminishing attendance significantly; however, according to event coordinator Pat Heinz, "The lack of attendance was offset by the generosity of the donations and continued loyal supporters i...
The second reading of the amended ordinance governing vehicles and/or campers parked on municipal streets and alleys was accepted by the Moorcroft Town Council at last Monday night’s meeting. However, the verbiage has been questioned and reservations expressed by members of the council. The issue to which at least one member of the body has taken exception is the five day out of every seven limit as “short term parking” written into the ordinance saying the vehicle is not allowed to sit for more than five consecutive days without being moved...
Trailer park and apartment owners joined with Moorcroft’s council Monday night to discuss at greater length the ongoing dilemma over a fair charge to this business community for water and sewer fees and usage. In this preliminary session, paying investment fees for vacant units was the focus of conversation. Moorcroft Mayor Dick Claar advised of his willingness to listen to different ideas as he does not advocate the charging for unoccupied spaces/units. Councilman Ben Glenn expounded, “We’ve had month-long discussions about this, trying to be...
The Pine Haven Fire Auxiliary is celebrating their 20-year anniversary as an official nonprofit entity and their 19th annual Octoberfest fundraiser for the volunteer fire department is on Saturday, October 2, starting at 9 a.m. and will be held at the Pine Haven Fire Hall next to Town Hall at 24 Waters Drive. Of the three original founders of the organization, John Betts has passed away, but wife Char and Pat Heinz are still active along with long-time associates LaDonna Rolfson and Vanna Waters. This small group of volunteers works hard every...
Moorcroft Equipment Rental (MER) has opened at 122 South Big Horn Avenue. This business shares space with sister company Clearwater X-Spurts for plumbing needs. MER offers many tools from staple guns, compressors and bottle jacks to mini excavators, skid steers, flat beds and a complete concrete laying and finishing tool set on a trailer for easy transport. Owner Clay Massie reported that the inventory continues to grow based on the needs of the clientele, saying, "We're always taking...
HDR Engineering’s Nolan Fraser watched as contractor Wyoming Earth Moving Corp (WEC), out of Gillette, began the anticipated two week project of chip sealing East and West Pine, Cottonwood, Cedar and Spruce Streets as well as Cedar Hills Drive in Pine Haven Monday. The crew began the process of blading, rolling, spraying the prime coat and applying blotter (sand to ensure traffic is able to travel on the roads without lifting the sub coat as it cures). They subsequently applied the first layer of chip seal to the cured substrate material, c...
Many seats were filled with disgruntled visitors as Monday night's regular meeting of Moorcroft's council convened. While most of the trailer park owners within town limits were on hand, Heidi Humpal spoke to the governing body on their behalf regarding enforcement of the ordinance governing the responsibility of trailer park owners to pay investment fees for each of their rental units, regardless of occupancy. Humpal began by requesting that the council revisit the ordinance governing this obligation and another that restricts the age of...
The council came together for a workshop with DEQ permitting agent Richard Lemm and Craig McComie with the Office of Cease and Transfer for an update on where the town is regarding the schedule for permitting a future for the landfill. HDR Engineering's Heath Turbiville called for the meeting to answer a couple of questions from the council as well as address any concerns from the agency. Rural Development, the anticipated loan agency for the preliminary work at the site, will not provide the... Full story
Lona Tracy and Andrea Wood of the MHS social studies department, MK-8 first grade teacher Maylee Baron-Kanode, other staff members and kids from kindergarten through 12th grade participated in a ribbon tying memorial, creating the "9/11 Fence" on South Little Horn Avenue at the MTC and across the street at the school parking lot. The high school also hosted a special assembly to honor the men, women and children who died that day, 20 years ago. "We wanted to do something in which all students...
Ben Levenger of Down Town Redevelopment Services, the company hired to conduct a feasibility study of the Moorcroft Town Center (MTC), reported his findings thus far to the Moorcroft Town Council after the adjournment of a special meeting on Monday evening. Structure Levenger shared primarily bad news and a difficult choice with the quorum in attendance. "The good news is it's built like a bomb shelter so, structurally, it looks to be in okay condition. However, basically, every fit and fixture...
Pine Haven celebrated their annual Labor Day Parade and Fish Fry Saturday. Parade The celebration started with a parade showing off a few familiar faces and floats as well as a couple new ones. A stand-out this year was the "Vettes for Vets". This special event was the brainstorm of Councilwoman Karla Brandenberg. Thirteen Chevrolet Corvettes carrying the names of the 13 soldiers lost in Afghanistan recently followed soldiers Sergeant First Class Pangus, Sergeant Abelseth and Staff Sergeant Boyd...
The Moorcroft landfill was visited by a Department of Environmental Quality inspector last month and, as chance would have it, their arrival coincided with an enlarged "face" or open working area. This enlargement was approximately twice the size of the accepted 50-75 feet due to the crew opening the space to level low spots and points eaten by a recent fire. The fire was caused by combustion of yard waste mixed in the household garbage. "It's a bad deal," Public Works Director Cory Allison said...
Jenny Gill Jenny Gill, who has coached Moorcroft kids for approximately 21 years, decided to reach for a teaching job at MHS this year, "Because I love kids and want to have a positive impact on them." Gill is teaching family consumer science and business. Gill looks forward to giving students a solid practical understanding of basic practices when they are on their own, "they want to become better typists, to learn about money - how to manage their money; and in the food classes, they want to...
The 18th annual Devils Tower Car Show, sponsored by the Texas Trail Cruisers Car Club, hosted over 100 vintage vehicles, including 96 that were registered and about a dozen more that were driven in just to be seen Saturday. They were from Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wisconsin. There were automobiles in various stages of restoration and renovation with proud owners more than willing to chat. Enthusiasts, both novices and veterans of the pastime, mingled, visited...
The issue of charging investment fees to owners of trailer parks and apartment buildings for the individual rentals within Moorcroft’s town limits has again risen, to the consternation of the town council. Moorcroft Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Schneider asked for the discussion to clarify her options when the honor system (the existing manner wherein the owner asks tenants to create an account with the town) fails. “The honor system works maybe 50% of the time; whether it’s intentionally forgotten or not, we’re not getting everything we should be co...
Come one, come all to Pine Haven’s annual Labor Day Parade! The celebration starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 4. The route begins on Pine Haven Road, at the intersection with Waters Drive and will travel north toward the golf course. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair, water, an umbrella and sacks to carry all the candy the youngsters can grab as the parade goes by. Anyone interested in entering a float, classic car, golf cart, business advertisement or something else, are asked to contact Misha Sitter at 307-231-3841 or m...
