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
Sorted by date Results 426 - 450 of 893
Pine Haven Mayor Karla Brandenburg and husband Charlie Gulley hosted their annual Carl Mirich Poker Tournament last Saturday. Brandenburg said of the event, "[It] was a success again [with] lots of old and new faces this year." Thirty players sat in and around 30 others milled and socialized as the games became ever-more intense. At the end of the night, Pine Haven resident Dave Maxner stood alone as the final winner of the poker tournament. There was, though, another winner: the Pine Haven...
Moorcroft's landfill failed another assessment from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently, though not to the extent of the previous inspection, according to mayor pro-tem Ben Glenn. "It wasn't near as bad because we have been putting our nets up and getting everything in place, trying to be a good neighbor out there," he said. The issues of regular and proper daily coverage as well as the size of the open work area were cited, but Glenn noted the bitter cold affected outside...
Completing the revision of the town employees' handbook this week, Moorcroft's attorney, Pat Carpenter, met with the council before the regular meeting for a workshop to refine responsibilities of the employee committee, council and department heads regarding disciplinary action and grievances. Disciplinary action Carpenter began by breaking the disciplinary actions into guaranteed tiers: what authority does the department head carry and where does this authority end? Councilman Dale Petersen...
West Texas Trail Museum curator Cindy Mosteller recently shared a couple of the upcoming events at the museum to which guests are invited within the next few months – as well as a change of scenery. Mosteller plans to remodel the museum, rotating out some exhibits and moving others into different positions, freshening the look within the next few weeks. "I'm expanding the Texas Trail part; I'm going to have stories, background and pictures of people who were actually on the drives," she says. S...
Moorcroft Mayor Dick Claar shares his thoughts on the three projects at the forefront this year: the landfill, MTC and the long-awaited splash pad. Despite all the trials the town is facing at this time, the mayor is hopeful about the future, saying, “I think Moorcroft is on the verge of some expansion, population-wise and business-wise, if that motel that’s rumored goes in behind Coffee Cup [Fuel Stop] takes place this spring, that will be another plus for Moorcroft.” Landfill With no county assistance to keep the landfill facility open and b...
Water Guy, a company out of Gillette that serves approximately 90 entities, providing licensed water and lagoon testing and treatment as well as call out services for leaks and other flow problems, discussed with Pine Haven's council the necessity of raising prices on Tuesday. "I have several operators on staff and the specialized equipment we use on many systems," said owner Duane Fawcett as he began to explain the price increase. "We're running into some problems, one is inflation [and] the...
The Harwood Baseball Field on Pine Haven’s Industrial Drive underwent a routine audit (inspection) recently by a representative of the Wyoming State Parks agency, through which the Department of Revenue bestowed $12,636 to the town. The agency cited several points of noncompliance that needed to be fixed, including conspicuous signage to attribute funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, bleachers moved to a more appropriate area, dilapidated concession stands removed and acceptable standard of maintenance (i.e. grass). Barb Hardy of th...
With the recent leak on the town’s waterline running from Yellowstone Avenue north through the Ellis Mobile Home Park, Public Works Director Cory Allison speaks about why the line is still breaking and what the town is planning to do. Allison says that approximately 80% of the municipal water lines are replaced at this time with several small areas – “Just 100 feet here, 200 feet here, a block there” – have yet to be upgraded. This particular part of the line is among those sections. These small sections of line to be replaced, according...
The first order of business at last Tuesday night's meeting of the council was an appointment for the vacant council seat, Mayor Karla Brandenburg stated, "After lots of consideration, I would like to propose that we have Don Lancaster take that seat." The appointment was unanimous. With Brandenburg's recent appointment to the office of mayor in Pine Haven, her former council seat became vacant. Members of the governing body were asked for nominations that were subsequently prioritized at last...
While Public Works Director Sunny Schell was unable to attend Tuesday night’s meeting of the Pine Haven Council due to illness, Mayor Karla Brandenburg made a point to commend Schell on her diligence in maintaining streets during the recent snowfall, saying, “She’s done a really good job and I’ve had a couple people comment on that so I think she should be recognized for that.” Brandenburg also informed residents of newly instated TJ Gideon to the office of Fire Chief. She thanked deputy chief Dave Hull for “stepping up” to fill the post unti...
With Moorcroft Mayor Dick Claar back in town and taking his seat at the Monday night workshop and subsequent meeting, his mayor pro-tem and the rest of the governing body once again made up the council in full. Town Attorney Pat Carpenter has been updating the town employee handbook, making policies therein more relevant and legible for council and staff; he is currently working on insurance and time off. Considerable discussion was shared regarding staff time off, particularly sick time, vacation and Paid (or personal) Time Off (PTO). The...
Members of the Moorcroft Council were all seated for this month’s session. After confirming the bill list, departments made their reports, including information on progress for the splash pad and the master community plan. Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Schneider reported on the water works the town hopes to install at Noonan Park next summer. “I’ve been working on the grant application [and] we put a public survey out on our web page and advertised on social media for public input,” she said. Boxes for the same purpose was set out in the post office...
With an anticipated growth of almost 50 new homes within the next few years, Pine Haven faces the need to upgrade hydrants in the upcoming subdivisions, C Bar and Knotty Pine. At a workshop Tuesday morning, Mayor Karla Brandenburg discussed available funding for this program with town engineer Heath Turbiville of HDR Engineering, Turbiville shared several options for which the town is eligible and may apply, some as grants and others as loans; a couple for which they may apply now for possible approval in June and others not available for...
With the advent of winter on the reservoir, Keyhole State Park superintendent Wade Henderson talks about what to expect on the water this season. Temperatures in the Keyhole Reservoir have been reading in the high 30s as the fishing season enters December, however, diehard fishermen are not stymied by the lack of ice. "We still have people out and about who are fishing as the weather permits, catching walleye, crappy and pike, but everything else, right now, is kind of slow," notes Henderson....
More than a year ago, the Pine haven Community Center opened; at first only to community groups such as the seniors and other civic events. After the first year, though, the building has been rented out to the public at no charge. The subject of charging for private events has not formally been discussed by council, however. At the council's last meeting, Councilwoman Kristi Speed opened the subject, saying, "I think we need to charge." She referred to a birthday party that was held in the...
The Moorcroft Senior Center and West Texas Museum sponsored their first benefit collaboration Friday afternoon with a cookie contest. Judges Monte Reichenberg, Jake Miller, Cheryl Schneider and Matt Wood chose from ten varieties submitted. Nancy Feehan took first place and $25 cash with her Whoopie Cookies; Glenda Roberson's Cherry Coconut Bars received a solid second and $15; best presentation also went to Glenda Roberson and her prize was a longhorn mug; and the sponsors' choice award and a...
Business conducted by Moorcroft’s council at the two public hearings and the regular meeting Monday night was quickly dispatched by a three-man quorum, including Mayor Pro-Tem Ben Glenn with Councilmen Paul Smoot and Dale Petersen. The first hearing was to address any questions or concerns regarding the proposed residential garbage pit and a construction and demolition (C&D) pit north and east of the scale house respectively at the municipal landfill. Neighboring rancher Ed Scott was the only guest to attend. HDR Engineering’s Heath Tur...
Local Wyo Help case manager Elise Hanslip presented a check for $500 to the staff of the Moorcroft Branch Public Library last Thursday afternoon as part of the Hunger Initiative Program in cooperation with Wyo Help. This grant is to be distributed throughout the Crook County library system to provide snacks for children during pre-K story hour (10-11 a.m. on Wednesdays), after-school craft time (4-5 p.m.), the summer reading program barbecue and more, according to librarian Heather Reynolds....
Due to a miscommunication, last week’s issue of the Moorcroft Leader did not mention the veterans breakfast sponsored by the Moorcroft Senior Center and held at Donna’s Diner honoring local vets. The service of 24 local area veterans was recognized and celebrated with a free breakfast Thursday morning. Members of the center greeted the vets and thanked them for their service. “It was a heartwarming site as they greeted each other and shared tables and enjoyed the fellowship of other veterans,” Dee Gray noted later. The center usually provide...
The obvious distress of Pine Haven's council as they convened their regular Tuesday night meeting last week represented their respect for and friendship with Mayor John Cook, for whom all present grieved. As the meeting convened, each council member answered as their name was called – all but Cook, for whom Mayor Pro-Tem Karla Brandenburg spoke, "Excused." She officially informed those present that the mayor had passed away, stating, "It is with great regret and respect for his family that I i...
Quite a few attended the Moorcroft Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC)-sponsored Harvest Feastival this year, enjoying the opportunity to visit without distancing or masks, vaccinated and unvaccinated mixing. Fourteen different homemade soups were contributed for the event, including hamburger stew, cabbage pork potato, bacon cheeseburger and broccoli cheese to name only a few; with bread, corn bread and biscuits for sides and water to drink, the meal was warm, filling and tasty. Of the soups offere...
After careful consideration and with approval from the fire department, Pine Haven has lifted the fire ban for open fires in town. However, those who want to have an open flame must follow ordinance, obtaining a permit from town hall, setting fires only within an approved fire pit and not leaving open flames unattended....
With Moorcroft Mayor Dick Claar gravely ill, the town’s regular Monday night council meeting was directed by Mayor Pro Tem Ben Glenn. Talking trash trucks Moorcroft has been holding onto two town-owned garbage trucks for the possible event of picking up and transporting community waste again. After years of inactivity, though, the machines, a 1999 Peterbuilt and a 1994 Ford, are not reliable, according to Public Works Director Cory Allison. “If we were going to keep doing our own garbage, we would have to get a new truck,” he said. Counc...
Laura Richins has joined the team of dedicated medical professionals at the Moorcroft Clinic. This 41-year-old mother of four hails from Torrington, where she was as a registered nurse (RN) for eight years as she worked for her doctorate of nursing practice. Richins' husband transferred to work in Gillette and the family came north with him, settling in Moorcroft. Richins is passionate about her work, explaining that, as a nurse practitioner, she has learned to approach patient care more...
A call was received by Moorcroft police and fire department last Friday about a fire in a derelict house 220 Cheyenne Avenue at 3:50 p.m. A neighbor witnessed smoke coming from a basement window and called 911. Officer Jake Miller responded, along with several volunteer firefighters from the nearby Moorcroft department to a blaze in the basement area of the structure. While the flames were quickly doused, the structural supports were badly damaged, causing Fire Warden Doug Leis to recommend the...
