2020 Year in Review
T
he year 2020 is one that few will forget. The year began as many before it, but it quickly became memorable when a new strain of coronavirus that originated in China made its way around the world. When the virus began making itself known in the United States it brought with it uncertainty, fear, frustration, isolation, strife, illness and in some cases, death.
It was also an election year for local, state and federal positions, as well as the U.S. presidency. As in all elections, some people were happy with the outcome and some were not. Local elections brought changes to city leadership and new blood to school board, city council and commission boards. It was a year that was unprecedented. Here is the breakdown of some of the events that affected Weston County, as told in the pages of the News Letter Journal.
January
Diane and Doug Hudson, owners of Mondell Heights Retirement Community, were named Persons of the Year because of their dedication to helping and serving. Mondell Heights used to be the old hospital on the hill, and Diane helped remodel it into a boarding home for the International Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs when she worked for Hillhaven while living in Seattle (she was originally from Newcastle). The boarding house was licensed in 1988 or 1989. Several years later, after Doug and Diane moved back to Newcastle, the building was for sale, and they purchased it in 2010. They began to renovate it to become an assisted living facility, and licensed it in 2012.
A concerned parent group, headed by Sean Crabtree and Ty Checketts, addressed Newcastle City Council on Jan. 6 on school safety. They asked for an officer to be put in the schools and for transparency regarding safety concerns and issues. Sheriff Bryan Colvard presented the matter to the Weston County Commission on Jan. 7. Council members expressed a willingness to work with parents, the school district, law enforcement and community. In order to look into and address issues in the school, the council agreed to consider forming a committee. Sheriff Colvard said that he believed other options besides a full-time school resource officer should be considered, and Mayor Deb Piana said that the city would communicate with law enforcement before pursuing the formation of a committee.
With the 2020 session of the Wyoming Legislature to start on Feb. 10, the Weston County Board of Commissioners hosted Rep. Hans Hunt, R-Newcastle, and Rep. Tyler Lindholm, R-Sundance, on Jan. 7 to talk about some bills on the docket that might be of interest to cities and counties. House Bill 22, according to Lindholm, would affect a county’s ability to levy zoning assessments. Because some counties in the state charge fees for construction work, Lindholm said, the bill stated that counties and cities cannot necessitate “any monetary exaction for the acquisition of land for affordable or workforce housing or the construction, dedication or rehabilitation of affordable or workforce housing.” Another bill would not allow the state to spend funds for gun buy-back programs.
Brad LaCroix, superintendent of Weston County School District No. 1, was appointed by Gov. Mark Gordon to the University of Wyoming board of trustees. Establishing better connections between schools and communities, as well as improving university services to students, are among LaCroix’s goals, with the new responsibility. LaCroix’s extensive career began with earning a bachelor’s degree in science education from Black Hills State University. He then took a position as a physical education teacher in California in 1990. Moving back to Newcastle in 1993, he became the assistant principal and activities director at Newcastle High School. He then became the principal, and a few years later, the superintendent. The University of Wyoming board of trustees has 12 members serving staggered six-year terms. LaCroix’s term expires in 2025.
Starting Jan. 8, the Weston County Health Services started offering Wellness Wednesdays every Wednesday, 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Laboratory tests were to be offered at the discretion of the patient, with some offered at a reduced rate. Wellness Wednesdays were considered a simple way for people to keep tabs on their health. The results of the tests, received within two weeks, were to go directly to the patient, who were encouraged to discuss any abnormal results with their doctor.
February
A piece of land, located next to the hospital, was the subject of a dispute between the Weston County Hospital District and the county after the district was asked to sell to a commercial entity. The land had been deeded to the hospital district in 2005. A meeting was proposed to discuss with the hospital board what should be done about the land and the right of reverter. Weston County Attorney Alex Berger asked the county commissioners on Jan. 7 to release the right of reverter so that the district could continue with the land sale. The hospital wasn’t permitted to sell the piece of land because of the quitclaim deed and how it was worded. Commissioner Marty Ertman said that if the land was not used for a heliport, the county should receive the land back, and Commissioner Tracy Hunt said he wanted to work with the district and find a compromise. Berger informed commissioners on Feb. 4 that the district refused to return the land to the county. The district was, however, willing to give the county either a percentage or a specified amount of money from the sale.
Rep. Tyler Lindholm, R-Sundance, provided an update on the Wyoming Legislature’s 2020 budget session, which was coming to the end of its first week. The number of bills filed in both the House and Senate totaled 398 – 256 in the House and 142 in the Senate – with 76 defeated before reaching a committee. Because a two-thirds majority is necessary for nonbudget bills to be introduced and debated, Lindholm’s HB98, or Defend the Guard Act, was defeated, because it was unable to meet the required vote. However, his luck turned around, and he was able to pass on several other bills to committees, including HB28, Firearm Regulation. Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Lingle, also had a good first week, and she sent all three of her sponsored bills to committees.
Fern Porter turned 100 years old on Feb. 13. Born in 1920, she spent much of her life in Wyoming, and she lived 10 miles south of town with her parents. They were dryland farmers, but they also eventually got into the cattle business. She attended country school until fourth grade and loved music. Porter played the violin, piano and clarinet. She enjoyed poetry and was an avid speller. As a child, she loved roller skating and sunshine. Porter had a lot of interesting memories of times past, and she spoke of the time the sheriff and deputy brought an outlaw to the mortuary, where Isabella’s is now located, because he had been shot west of town. During the Great Depression, her family had to sell their cattle, and Porter’s father trapped muskrats and coyotes and sold their pelts. Porter married her husband, Daniel, on Oct. 31, 1941; he passed away in 2007. Porter and Daniel had seven kids, 17 grandkids, 34 great-grandkids and three great great-grandchildren. Porter passed away on May 25.
A 1999 Upton High School graduate and officer at the Sturgis Police Department, Sgt. Chris Schmoker, received the Carnegie Hero Fund’s Carnegie Medal, along with his partner, officer Dylan Goetsch. They received the esteemed honor for putting themselves in danger to save 47-year-old Jason McKee, who was stuck in a house fire. When a call came in on May 12, 2018, about a structure fire, the officers headed to the location. It was a house fire, and they were informed that McKee was still inside. They entered the house and climbed the stairs that led to the bedroom McKee was in. However, the smoke was too thick and they couldn’t get there. The officers tried climbing a ladder to the window of the bedroom, but thick smoke was pouring out of the window. They decided to go back into the house, and after much difficulty, they dragged McKee out to the lawn as an ambulance arrived.
On Feb. 18, a school safety committee, composed of trustees, Superintendent Brad LaCroix, members of the City Council, parents and numerous others, met to discuss school safety for Weston County School District No. 1. The group decided to try to acquire or set aside money to hire school resource officers. With the help of emergency management coordinator Gilbert Nelson, two federal grants were found that the district could apply for. The committee decided to apply for the grants to be used to pay for resource officers for the Newcastle High School/Middle School building and the Newcastle Elementary School building, one in each. Several issues were discussed, including the fact that once the grant ran out, the position would have to be funded a different way, but the committee decided to cross that bridge when they came to it. They decided to continue to pursue a resource officer and see what happened.
March
A dress that local historian Lucille Dumbrill wore to the Wyoming state celebration of the state’s centennial became part of the Wyoming State Museum. When Dumbrill, who was the Wyoming State Historical Society president at the time, and her husband, Richard Spencer Dumbrill, were invited to the event, planned by then-Gov. Mike Sullivan, Dumbrill wanted to dress for the occasion. She found a picture of a dress from the 1890s and asked her friend, Midori Schnose, to make a look-alike for her. This unique dress, according to Mandy Langfald, curator of collections for the museum, will be appreciated in the museum.
In a March 16 press release, Weston County School District No. 1 announced the closure of Newcastle schools. This decision was made based on the increase in COVID-19 cases, in addition to recommendations from Gov. Mark Gordon, the Wyoming Department of Health and other agencies. The Weston County Children’s Center also closed. Weston County School District No. 7 announced its closures later that same day. Superintendent Brad LaCroix said that there would be no formal remote learning because it would not give all students equal access to learning. Optional resources would be offered. LaCroix also mentioned an effort to provide meals for children in need through the Totes of Hope program.
Elizabeth Cummings was another Newcastle resident to turn 100 years old. Born on Feb. 28, 1920 north of Newcastle, Cummings moved to Newcastle when she was 5. She went to Newcastle schools and loved spelling. If she comes across an unknown word in her reading, she looks it up in the dictionary. Some of her favorite things to do as a child included sleigh rides, sledding and roller skating. She also loved to go to the movies, with her favorites being cowboy movies. Cummings also worked hard, and she often helped her mom with housework. She also cleaned houses for people. Her father and brothers worked hard as well. Cummings was a basketball player in high school, and she enjoyed it a lot. Graduating from high school in 1938, she worked at a clothing
store in town for a while before heading to Yellowstone National Park to work at a hotel. Later on, she married her husband, Bill, on Sept. 1, 1941. They loved to travel and camp, and Cummings said she has visited 48 states. Although her husband passed away in 1985, the couple enjoyed
44 years of marriage and had three children, seven grandkids and 10 great-grandkids.
Decker’s Food Center, longtime family business, opened in its new location at 701 Washington Blvd. Danny and Becky Decker, along with their children, Jeremiah and Ashley, all help with the store in various ways. They are excited about the new building, because it will offer more sections, variety and a smoother flow, bettering the customer’s experience. In addition, Ruth Taylor, pharmacist, will be offering a pharmacy in the store location, Cambria Discount Drug.
As the coronavirus pandemic continued to grow, the Weston County commissioners called a special meeting on Mar. 19. Michael Jording, county health officer, presented a public health order to close nonessential businesses. After Tony Barton moved to approve the public health order, it passed 4-1. Gov. Mark Gordon also gave an order that banned gatherings of more than 10 people and closed nonessential businesses. This included theaters, bars, nightclubs, coffee shops, country clubs, gyms, etc. According
to the Weston County order, restaurants could stay open if they notified Lori Bickford, the county’s public health nurse, and followed the restrictions, which included no dine-in service but allowing curbside take-out or drive-through.
April
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Jim Stith, science teacher at Newcastle High School, used ingenuity to produce needed masks for the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department. With four 3D printers at Newcastle schools, Stith began producing plastic masks with a design he got from the Billings Clinic Foundation. The Billings Clinic also collaborated with a filtration company to custom cut filters to fit the masks. However, Stith still needed a gasket system to seal the mask to the wearer’s face. He decided to experiment with different materials to design a prototype for the seal. Stith shared his guide on how to make the masks with a filter and gasket with multiple resources, including the Wyoming Technology Coronavirus Coalition.
On Apr. 3, Gov. Mark Gordon authorized a second extension of health orders and restrictions, which included the closure of bars and restaurants, theaters, gyms, schools, etc. It also only allowed for delivery or curbside services from restaurants. The orders were to be extended to Apr. 30. In addition, as of Apr. 6, 210 people had tested positive for the virus in the state. Social distancing and mask-wearing continued to be encouraged.
Wyoming completed a purchase of 4,349 acres of land east of Sundance in the Moskee area of Crook County. Hunting and other recreational activities are to be allowed, and the area can be reached from Moskee Road. According to the Office of State Lands and Investments and the Wyoming Forestry Division, the land is beneficial and has the ability to produce revenue for the state through logging and grazing.
Newcastle revisited the past with its community “car-ona” cruise, organized by Newcastle’s own Garrett Borton, owner of Renegade Paints and Pipes. The idea was prompted by a need for socialization and a sense of community, while also adhering to health guidelines. Businesses also got involved in the venture, offering specials, including the Hi-16 and the Antlers. This experience was touted as a way to support local businesses and come together as a community.
With extra free time from the cancellation of schools, a number of runners from Newcastle High School ventured out to complete a marathon. The idea was posited by senior Hailey McGuire, and several younger classmen jumped on board, including sophomores Avery Chick, Carson Bock and Max Makousky. Runners camped out at the track. The goal was to run 26 miles in 26 hours, with a mile every hour. McGuire completed 22 miles in just 12 hours, and some of the other runners said that they ended up modifying the schedule with loops that distanced over a mile. The dedicated high school athletes said that it was a good experience that challenged them.
Because of the financial strain caused by governmental measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus, Weston County Health Services decided at a special board meeting on Apr. 23 to implement some temporary cuts. WCHS furloughed four employees and decreased the salaries of several others, in addition to other cuts. The reductions were projected to save the hospital $222,716 per month and $2,732,597 per year.
May
After conducting a Facebook poll showing that a majority was in favor of postponement, organizers of the 2020 All-School Reunion rescheduled the event to 4th of July weekend in 2021. First-year organizers Tracy Olson and Jennifer Smith, who took over planning from the committee led by Ann McColley, said they were disappointed but felt it would be for the best to wait due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Allison Farella, director of the Weston County Manor, isolation caused by pandemic restrictions was taking its toll on residents. In an effort to lighten the mood, especially because those in the nursing home couldn’t visit with each other or family, two young girls decided to color pictures for and send letters to the residents. Sisters Preslee and Addie Fitzwater, daughters of William and Michelle Fitzwater, even developed friendships with the residents they wrote to and started making plans for when they could visit them.
Nonessential businesses and churches were closed due to restrictions put in place by Gov. Mark Gordon on Mar. 13. After several weeks, two variances to the public health orders were approved by the state, allowing businesses and churches to start going back to somewhat normal operations. Restaurants would be allowed to have in-house dining, as long as they limited seating to six people per table, plus ensuring that tables would be 6 feet apart. Staff would also need to wear face masks and perform strict hand hygiene. Churches would be allowed to open under similar guidelines. Six feet was to be maintained between household groups in churches.
With their last year of high school suddenly cut short, 47 Newcastle High School seniors were concerned about a graduation ceremony. Superintendent Brad LaCroix proposed to the school board on May 6 at a special meeting that the school hold a nontraditional graduation ceremony on May 17. The ceremony was to be held in the high school parking lot, with a flatbed trailer as the stage. People would remain in their cars until it was their turn to walk across the stage. The senior and his or her family would then exit the vehicle and receive a diploma. The board approved the plan before it was sent to the state for approval.
At a May 10 meeting, the Newcastle City Council decided to cut some service provider subsidy requests. Among those making the requests were the Newcastle Area Chamber of Commerce, FOCUS, Newcastle Ambulance Service and others. These requests totaled $214,750, and the city’s estimated general fund budget for fiscal year 2021 was $3,633,250. FOCUS usually received $6,500, but their request was $8,000. Mayor Deb Piana suggested limiting the entity to $5,000. FOCUS’ subsidy was ultimately decreased by $1,500. The council gave the humane society $17,000 and declined the chamber’s $20,000 request, instead allotting that group $13,000, the amount it received the previous year. The council decided on May 19, during a regular meeting, to once again fund the ambulance service for $100,000.
During the night of May 17 or early morning of May 18, a fire destroyed the bridge that spanned Beaver Creek on old Highway 85. Daniel Tysdal, fire warden, speculated that the fire was the result of a deserted campfire. After responding to the fire at mid-morning on May 18, along with the Wyoming State Forestry Division and other resources, Tysdal said that the bridge collapsed not long after the firefighters arrived at the scene. The fire ultimately burned 1.4 acres of grass surrounding the area. The Weston County Sheriff’s Department officers investigating the fire suspected that because the fire occurred the night of the high school graduation that attendees at a graduation party started the fire. The Weston County commissioners discussed the destruction at a May 20 meeting, and it was determined that replacing the bridge would cost at least $2 million.
June
After months of dispute with the county concerning land next to the hospital, the Weston County Hospital District decided at a May 21 meeting to drop any potential sale of the land. The land, which was given to the hospital district by the county in 2005, was originally intended to be a helicopter pad. However, the intended purpose was never followed through, and the district was considering selling to a retail business. However, no compromise was made between the county and hospital district, so they decided to drop the sale.
After being COVID free for some time, Weston County finally saw its first positive COVID-19 case on May 27, according to public health nurse Lori Bickford, and the Wyoming Department of Health. The case was associated with a child who tested positive outside of Wyoming, but standard procedure is to report it to the county of residence. No community transmission was evident in the county at that time.
In order to save an estimate of $789,812 per year, the Wyoming Department of Transportation announced that it would be closing 10 rest areas in the state, in a June 4 press release. Weston County’s only rest area, located in Upton, was projected to close on June 15. Also on the list were Lusk on U.S. Highway 18, Guernsey on U.S. Highway 26, Greybull on U.S. Highways 14-16-20, Moorcroft on Interstate 90, Star Valley on U.S. Highway 89, Ft. Steele on I-80, Sundance on I-90 and Orin Junction and Chugwater on I-25. Laura Dalles, public involvement specialist, said that the Upton rest area was one of the least-used facilities, and its average annual cost of operation was $33,265.24.
“Dino Hunters” aired on the Discovery Channel on Friday, June 19, featuring ranchers from Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota, including Mike and Jake Harris from Weston County. The show follows cowboys who also hunt for fossils on their land. About 17 years prior, Mike found pieces of bone on his land that he thought was petrified wood, but it turned out to be pieces of a triceratops horn. This discovery led him on his journey of hunting for dinosaur bones for several years. With the help of an expert from Florida, Mike and Jake learned how to properly map, dig and preserve fossils.
Jonathan and Linda Stoltzfus, who had recently moved to Newcastle, were getting ready to open up the old Howdy Drive-in, leasing it from Janice and Lyle Womack. Set to open on July 2, the new Howdy Bakery was to offer delicious bakery items, such as sourdough bread and pretzel buns, along with jellies, honey, maple syrup, etc. The couple would also offer a farm market. Homemade ice cream and donuts were also going to be offered. Open on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the bakery also hoped to offer some holiday specials, such as holiday cookies for the Christmas season.
July
Although the tests results for the first positive COVID-19 case in Weston County were reported on May 27, further testing on the 5-year-old daughter of Heather Hillhouse turned out to be negative, making Weston County COVID-free until July 12. Hillhouse said the Wyoming Department of Health would remove the positive test from the charts if she received two negative test results after the initial positive one. However, after her daughter tested negative twice, the health department refused to overturn the positive case on the charts. Newcastle Representative Hans Hunt said he was doing what he could “to get to the bottom of this.” Prior to this, the county’s other original positive case turned out to be negative as well after it was discovered the test was mislabeled.
On July 10, Newcastle Mayor Deb Piana resigned due to concerns over her residency. A special City Council meeting was called for on July 27 by council president Don Steveson to address the vacancy and discuss temporary options until the election. It was unanimously voted to have Steveson to officiate until the general election in November. Earlier that month, Police Chief Jim Owens resigned after working with the department nearly 20 years, so City Council appointed Sam Kellar to take over the position as interim chief (Kellar was officially hired by the city to be chief in October).
Due to the dry and windy summer, fire and drought conditions were dangerous and higher than they had been in several years since the 2012 Oil Creek fire, which burned 62,318 acres. By July, there had already been 22 wildfires — seven from natural causes and 15 human caused fires — and the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department had responded to 31 fire-related calls, two of which were false alarms. Because of this, the annual Fourth of July fireworks show hosted by the department was cancelled, and in addition to the fire ban, Chief Robert Munger encouraged everyone to be careful and take extra precautionary safety measures.
2004 Newcastle High School graduate David Crow was promoted to major in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Knox, Ky. After attending West Point and starting a career with the cavalry by Seattle and taking two trips to Afghanistan, Crow decided to switch careers to system engineering, and since then he worked with rapid deployment and signal support in Georgia and New York. By 2017, he was running the third-largest data center in the army at Fort Knox, managing human relations functions. This summer, he prepared to go to Belgium as chief technology officer, where he will be “preforming the IT (information technology) support for any NATO joint operations.” The Newcastle graduate also became a father for the first time on July 14, when his son Luke Andrew was born. He expressed gratitude for time and experience at NHS.
After serving with the Weston County Museum District for 23 years, Bobbie Jo Tysdal retired, honored by a party thrown by her family on July 28 at the Pinnacle Bank. In 1996, she became the curator at the Anna Miller Museum and the district director in 2001. She has played a role in expanding and improving the local museum, including the acquisition of the stone building, caboose, jail cell, schoolhouse and upgrades for the Jenny Cabin and Novak/Miller Cabin. Tysdal is especially fond of the Red Onion Museum in Upton, which was paid off four years early before Christmas 2019. Her favorite display is the homestead map. She looks forward to being a mom and grandmother during retirement.
September
The 2020 primary election brought in some very close results, some that led to a mistake in initial official report. The first reported announced that incumbent Ed Wagoner secured the most votes for county commissioner, and Vera Huber as winner over Don Taylor for second, but after County Clerk Becky Hadlock conducted a recount, it was discovered that Taylor had bested Huber by three votes. In the race for the House District No. 1 Representative seat in what was considered a shocking result, newcomer Chip Neiman received more votes than incumbent Rep. Tyler Lindholm.
Weston County Health Services submitted $10,195,666 to the State Loan Investment Board for grants from the CARES Act funding. The facility had already received $4,024,739 from the act, which was passed in March, and sent four proposed grant projects to the SLIB Board. The projects included adding an isolation room, upgrading the HVAC system at the Weston County Manor, changing the Manor rooms to private and upgrading the basement for overflow beds in case of an increase in patients. The state of Wyoming received $1.25 billion from the CARES Act for COVID-19 relief, and the Wyoming Legislature established avenues to use the funds for hospitals and businesses affected by the virus.
The Newcastle game warden station constructed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department north of town, which began in the spring of 2019, was finally completed this summer, costing $505,103.60. Powder River Construction Inc. threw in and won the bid for $498,354, but the final cost was estimated to total over $600,000 when various purchases were included, such as a 5.44 acre lot, water line tap fees, drafting and designing, geotechnical investigation and electrical installation. The new station houses game warden Troy Achterhof and his family in the 1,800 square feet of living space, as well as a two-car garage and office space. The station is open to the public 24 hours a day, every day, but people may need to call the game warden first, if he’s not home. According to Game and Fish Communications Director Rebekah Fitzgerald, erecting the station was part of a housing policy and department infrastructure, so “wardens can be available.” The purpose of the station is to give the public a place to check in black bears and mountain lions; conduct disease sampling and hull inspections; drop off applications, forms and damage claim affidavits; respond to law enforcement-related situations; and provide wild mitigation equipment.
Gene Diedtrich, who joined the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department in 1961 and served as chief for six years, was inducted into the Wyoming Firefighters Hall of Fame on Aug. 22 in Riverton as one of four. The HOF was recently created to “recognize those who have given a great deal to the advancement of the Fire Service,” according to Wyoming State Fire Marshal Michael Reed. In 2000, Diedtrich received the Distinguished Service Honor Roll award from the local department and as well as Fireman of the Year. He also received a gold-plated commemorative ax for 50 years of service and a certificate of accomplishment from the state. He said the honor of the accomplishments belong to the whole department because it “is the best in the whole state of Wyoming.”
Charlotte Dotson celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 20, and her secret to long life was to choose to live by each day, enjoying all the wonderful moments that come. Growing up in Illinois, Dotson liked to spend her free time jump roping, hopscotching, and playing “house” or “café” with her siblings. Moving to Texas in third-grade, she graduated from high school there and attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, where she received her teaching degree and taught for 35 years in both Texas and Wyoming. She married Friend Dotson on April 5, 1945, after World War II. Dotson still keeps busy by reading, going to music concerts, attending the Weston County Fair, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
October
Weston County Attorney Alex Berger signed to join the Powell Law firm of Copenhaver, Kath, Kitchen and Kolpitcke as an associate, so he does not plan on running for reelection in Weston County. Due to his Campbell County residence, he had to fight his way on the 2018 ballot, but despite the concerns, voters elected him over incumbent William Curley. Berger hired Michael Stulken, now Newcastle city attorney, as deputy county attorney and a replacement for his partnered law-firm in Gillette. Berger hopes Stulken will run for county attorney, but if he doesn’t, Berger will consider running again because he feels “a responsibility” for doing what he said he would, and that is to have a Weston County resident serve as county attorney. Despite joining the Powell firm, he will maintain his residence in Campbell County with his “main commitment” and “primary focus” being to Weston County.
Weston County Commissioners approved and signed a variance on Oct. 20 to the public health orders related to COVID-19, despite the county health officer’s hesitation. Before the variance is official, however, it must be approved by the state. The concern behind this action was that the public health orders are creating negative social, economic health effects on the county, including higher rates of unemployment, stress on business owners, substance abuse, domestic and child abuses, depression and suicide. County attorney Berger explained that although it’s unlikely the state will sign the variance, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Dr. Mike Jording did not agree with the commissioners’ decision and believes it is best and safest for the general health of the public to follow the orders.
Weston County School District Transportation Director Troy Allen requested a mask mandate for all students on school buses due to COVID-19 concerns among bus drivers since buses are confined spaces. After a long discussion among school board members and the community, presenting concerns such as the health of bus drivers and parents’ rights to make health decisions for their children, the school board decided on Oct. 14 to recommend social distancing and masks but not mandate it. Hand sanitizer and masks are encouraged and available on buses. The proposal was a good compromise, according to school board member Dana Mann-Tavegia, and Superintendent Brad LaCroix said they are “meeting people in the middle.”
German native Reinhold Tuerk was hired by Decker’s Market to be the new bakery and deli manager, and having international experience throughout many European countries, store director Clint Mullen said Tuerk “offers unique varieties” and techniques as well as quality to the store. Tuerk was raised by a family of butchers, but he soon branched off with his own passion for baking, which began when he was about 8 years old. His passion for the industry continued to grow and he attended a three-year baking school in Germany to become a master baker. After moving to the United States in 1991, he worked in California and Arizona, where he met his wife, Sheila, whose sister lives in Upton. That’s what brought them to Newcastle, and Tuerk looks forward to his career at Deckers’ and has already expanded the menu to include a variety of international treats.
Dispatcher for Newcastle Police Department’s Dispatch Center Kami Erland of Upton retired after serving with the center for over 20 years. The Dispatch Center includes the Newcastle and Upton police departments, the Weston County Sheriff’s Office, as well as local fire department and ambulance services within the county. To be a good dispatcher, she said, one must be caring, good at multitasking, able to stay calm under pressure, have thick skin and a genuine concern for the needs of others. Although sometimes an emotionally painful and heartbreaking career, she liked the feeling of being able to help save people’s lives. Erland loved her job and the people she worked with and said she will miss them.
November
After the general election on Nov. 3, Pam Gualtieri secured the mayoral seat against City Council President Don Steveson by 273 votes, and two newcomers joined the Newcastle City Council, Daren Downs and Tyrel Owens, in addition to incumbent Michael Alexander. Meanwhile, Justin Norman and Nick Trandahl were elected to the Upton Town Council. Tina Chick, Ron Mills, John Riesland, Dana Mann-Tavegia and Billy Fitzwater were elected to the Weston County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees, and Diana White and Curtis Rankin secured their spots on the Weston County School District No. 7 Board. In uncontested races, Don Taylor and Ed Wagoner won spots on the Weston County Commissioner board, Tina Cote was elected as Weston County Clerk of District Court, Chip Neiman secured House District No. 1 and Hans Hunt received the votes for House District No. 2. Voters also passed the local lodging tax, the county sales and use tax and the bill for Weston County Hospital District to continue mill levy. In the state race, Liz Cheney and Cynthia M. Lummis won the seats for U.S. Representative and Senate, respectively.
Weston County received its first COVID-19 related death, according to the Wyoming Department of Health, when Jim Shields passed away on Nov. 5, and the case rate for the virus was 290.8 per 100,000. Businesses were also affected by the pandemic due to closures, stock shortages, layoffs and suspension of services, including locally. Kelly Wood, owner of Woody’s Food Center, said the first shortage was seen in the toilet paper industry, as well as other paper products and cleaning supplies, followed by shortages in bread products and baking ingredients. Although things have settled down somewhat since the chaos of March, Wood said the shortages still come in cycles. Store Director Clint Mullen reported similar results for Decker’s Market and said that “panic buying” was a large factor. As they work toward stabilization, their focus is to get caught up on fundamental products for consumers. Isabella’s, CLT Flooring and Furnishings, and Frontier Home, Ranch and Hardware also took economic hits and had to flexibly readjust accordingly. But all the business were grateful for the support of the community during these uncertain times.
Due to a 10% budget cut to the Wyoming Public Defender’s office, an already overwhelmed office, Weston County was left without a public defender, according to County Attorney Alex Berger and documents submitted to the State Budget Division of the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information. The office handled approximately 210 cases in both Weston and Crook counties annually, but residents now have to turn to the Campbell County office for assistance, so a contract attorney was designated for the two counties, according to state public defender Diane M. Lozano. Although the situation was not ideal, Gillette office supervisor Jefferson Coombs said it was bearable and not overwhelming. Additionally, Gov. Mark Gordon appointed Stuart S. Healy III as the new district judge for the Sixth Judicial Court to fill the vacancy made by Judge Michael Deegan’s retirement.
The Weston County Health Services Board of Trustees approved a limited $2-an-hour hazard pay increase at their Nov. 19, meeting for employees working between Sept. 21 and Nov. 30 for stepping up during the COVID-19 spike, according to CEO Maureen Cadwell, as a recognition for their extra work and assumption of virus related risks. 153 of the 184 employees at the facility were eligible for the bonus. There was heated discussion and disagreements on how to give a bonus as some thought a one-time payment of $1,000 per employee was better so as not to leave anyone out, but others thought increasing the hourly wage would be fairer across the board and incentivize workers to step up. In the end, that was the decision approved, despite the opposing views.
Newcastle High School English teacher Michael Alexander published his first book, “Boarded Windows, Dead Leaves,” in July as a collection of nine short horror stories, available on any online bookstore. Becoming a writer was a lifelong dream, and he’s always been fascinated with the horror genre, even as a child. Inspired by famous horror writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Stephan King, and H.P. Lovecraft, Alexander wrote a few stories here and there throughout the years and was published both digitally and in print, but this was his first published book. Although writing can be hard work, Alexander enjoys the rewarding feeling from accomplishment, and he hopes to continue writing short stories and books in the future.
December
As one of the original people to receive the Salk and Sabin vaccines to combat polio in the 1950s, Patricia Guilfoyle Iams, former Newcastle resident, was the first person to participate in the coronavirus vaccine trial at the age of 73. Now living in Ohio, she was injected with either the vaccine — called AZD1222 — or placebo at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center on Nov. 10. The vaccine was developed by AstraZeneca, a drugmaker, in partnership with the University of Oxford, as well as the United State’s operation, Operation Warp Speed, which has poured billions of dollars into the research of this project. As a retired public health nurse, Iams wanted to do something she thought would be productive during the global pandemic, and she said her hope is that her story is “a way to encourage residents of Weston County to use safe practices with regard to COVID-19” and view the vaccine from a positive attitude. With the new vaccine, Iams said she hopes the virus will become a disease of the past.
According to research from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Research and Planning’s report on employment and payroll for the first quarter of 2020, job growth in several counties across the state was considerably poorer as compared to same time last year, even before the economic effects of the coronavirus shutdown happened. At a state level, 270 jobs, or 0.01%, were added, and payroll increased by 0.08%. Locally, while there wasn’t a decrease, Weston County saw no growth at all. Nine counties, including Carbon, Goshen, Fremont, Johnson, Niobrara, Sublette, Platte, Sweetwater and Uinta, experienced decreases in job growth. Total wage in Weston County increased by 3.5%, or $821,077, and statewide, the increase was 0.8%, nearly $27 million, between the first quarters of 2019 and 2020. During the second quarter when COVID-19 effects were starting to hit the fan, preliminary findings indicated that almost 27,000 jobs were lost and payroll fell 6.4%, with the largest losses experienced in leisure and hospitality, mining, local government, construction, retail trade, and professional and businesses services.
Local nurse Kristen Johnson reported that the percentage of COVID-19 cases in Weston County dropped to 4.5%, making it one of two counties (the other being Hot Springs) to be under 5% and “in the green,” defined as anywhere between 3% and 4.9%. Additionally, Weston County moved from the highest cases per capita in the state to 20th out of 23 counties, with 592 cases per 100,000, which is still considered the red zone. At the time, Weston County had a total of 348 confirmed cases, and a 5.8% positive test rate, lower than the state’s rate of 7.8%. On Dec. 7, Gov. Mark Gordon issued a statewide face mask mandate, effective two days later until the beginning of the year. Guideline updates were also included in the announcement. However, the release states that “counties can opt out of the requirements if local conditions move to safer levels in accordance with White House metrics.” Weston County Commissioners, along with Weston County Sheriff Bryan Colvard, left wearing masks up to personal choice and asked everyone to respect each other’s decisions. Colvard said he had no intention of enforcing the mandate criminally, and the commissioners said they would still seek variance requests, even though all of them thus far had been rejected.
U.S. Sen.-elect Cynthia Lummis announced her senior staff, and local state Rep. Tyler Lindholm, R-Sundance, and Newcastle native Darin Munoz were included. Lummis wanted “strong representation” from the northeast corner of the state because it has “been particularly hard hit over the last several years,” with decreases in energy prices and the war on fossil fuels. As a “seasoned navigator” with experience advocating for natural resources and working with federal agencies, such as Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency, Munoz will work in Washington, D.C., as the legislative director. Lindholm, on the other hand, will be working with Lummis from Sundance, whom he believes “is going to flip D.C. over on its head for Wyoming.”
At a Nov. 23 virtual conference, Weston County School District No. 1 board of trustee’s first female chairman Tina Chick was named All Wyoming School Board Member of the Year. Chick has been serving on the board for eight years, and as a Newcastle High School graduate, she credited her high school experience and education to giving her the tools to do her part in making a difference in someone’s life through the board. She said she doesn’t believe she is deserving of this award, and thanked her family, former board chair Bob Bonnar and trustees Bill Lambert, John Riesland and Tom Wright. She was also grateful for the patience of the board as she learned how to better fulfill her role as chairwoman. Superintendent Brad LaCroix said Chick is committed to children and the community, and allows everyone to have a voice, understanding that board members are on the same team, even when they disagree.