By Dahl Erickson on Jan 29, 2013 in Afton, News Members of the Army National Guard which included valley residents and members of the 1041st welcomed their neighbors to the Lincoln County Fairgrounds last week to inform the public about the actions of their local unit. Sometimes people forget that were here and we want to remind them that we are a part of their community and wanted to reach out to them, said SFC Shawn Chaufty. Governors of each and every state act as Commander and Chief of their state or territorys National Guard. We can be called on during local emergencies or statewide emergencies. The National Guard had over 55,000 Army National Guard that aided with Superstorm Sandy. They are also a big part of fighting wildfires at times with chainsaws on their backs to go out and help save their community. Chaufty was promoted as part of the evening from staff sergeant to sergeant first class. He served in the Marine Corps for 17 years and he and his wife and two daughters now live in the area. Those in attendance were shown responsibilities and benefits of joining the National Guard and what their commitment would be … Continue reading →

By Sarah Hale on Jan 31, 2013 in News, Outdoors The decision to keep the Bridger Teton National Forest and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest separate was announced this week. BTForest Supervisor Jacqueline Buchanan and CT Forest Supervisor Brent Larson recommended to the Intermountain Regional Forester that consolidation of the two forests is not in the best interest of the public. Acting Regional Forester Marlene Finley concurred with their recommendation. In October 2012 then Regional Forester Harv Forsgren, asked the two forest supervisors to evaluate the opportunity to gain efficiencies and save money between the two forests. The goal is to find ways to reduce fixed costs, reduce duplication of administrative work and increase program delivery and work to the ground, Forsgren stated in the letter. The letter indicated that options would need at least $1 million in savings each year to be viable. After significant analysis, it was determined there wouldnt be sufficient cost savings to combine Forests, and that the services the Forests provide to the public and the resource would be negatively impacted, said Lynn Ballard of the Caribou-Targhee. U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo) expressed her support of the decision to keep the two forests separate. Im pleased … Continue reading →

The Independent has been covering the many varied communities of Star Valley for over 110 years. Do you remember what was happening in the valley during this week during any point in your life? Take a look back in time to see what made the pages of the newspaper 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago. 25-years ago: The jury is still out on a federal proposal to create a bird refuge around Cokeville. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal called for acquisition of 50,000 acres in a 25 mile long, five mile wide corridor from Border to Sage Junction. Cokeville is in the middle of the area. Ad: At Hiway Market, $5.00 off economy size Tide, while it lasts, $16.55; 10 lb. Western Family sugar, $2.99; evaporated milk, two 12 oz. cans, 89c; 8 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese, 99c; 30c off 100 oz. Clorox 2, $3.69. 50-years ago: Ad: At A&N Success Market, avocados, 2 for 19c; apples, 3 lb. bag, 49c; bacon, 2 lbs., 98c; mandarin oranges, 5 cans, $1. Ad: Dance, Saturday, Jan. 26, at Dads Dance Hall, in Thayne, Wyo., music by the Nomads; admission, gents $1, ladies, free. Attention: Motor vehicle and house trailer … Continue reading →

Kolton Gage Herring is changing the world, one life at a time. He is doing it with the help of his mother, Lesli Dana. Kolton had a talent for making any story into an amazing adventure, she said. I always said that he was going to be an author because he could write like no other. He could draw. He had a pretty wild imagination. According to his step father, Ken, Kolton was drawn to animals and had a way with them. When it came to wildlife he could write about or draw anything, Ken said. He just liked animals, being around them and working with them. Koltons other interests included country music, being outdoors, four-wheeling, hunting, fishing and spending time with his dog, Coco. In most areas, Kolton could be considered a typical teenager. He had a girlfriend, was holding down a job with a playground development company and was trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. But unlike many area teens, Kolton was also dealing with mental illness. When Kolton was born he had a lot of medical problems, said Lesli. He was never a happy baby. He just screamed and screamed. The … Continue reading →

By News Release on Jan 31, 2013 in Education, Lincoln County, News The Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police has issued an official statement regarding gun violence and the safety of school children. According to Lincoln County Sheriff Shane Johnson, the Sheriffs Office stands with peace officers across the state on these issues. The Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police seeks to de-emphasize the political wrangling over gun control, and turn the focus to purposeful answers to how we can improve our childrens safety, the statement reads. To that end, WASCOP members fiercely support and defend both the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions. The statement further outlines that the WASCOPorganization supports the strong gun heritage that has existed in Wyoming for generations and continues to stress gun safety as a paramount tenet of gun ownership. [We] do not believe banning certain weapons will create the safety we seek, the statement reads. It will only serve to continue the gun control controversy and prolong the failure to focus on the real issue. According to WASCOP, the organization supports a statewide effort to conduct a target hardening approach to our school, identifying best practice methods. WASCOP also expressed support … Continue reading →