WASHINGTON, March 17, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is making $31 million in grants available to help farmers and ranchers access new and better markets by adding more value to their products.

The company looking to build a 195-foot cell tower in Wapiti has filed suit against the Park County commissioners, asserting they were wrong to block the project last month.

“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” will be featured on Monday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the Jimmy Stewart American West Dinner & Movie series; the movie brings Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne together for the first time. In the film questions arise when Senator Stoddard attends the funeral of a local man named Tom Doniphon in a small Western town. Flashing back, we learn Doniphon saved Stoddard when he was roughed up by a crew of outlaws terrorizing the town. A light meal will be available; library programs are free and open to the public.

LUSK - First person to give their report was Fred Thomas with the Road and Bridge Dept. He said that everything is pretty much open except for Kaultenhauser and Quigley although they have part of Quigley open for traffic. Alvie is back to work as of Wednesday so Fred laid off the temporary help, Cassidy Bruegger until such time as they need him. At this time he is "on call" until an opening shows up or until the budget shows they can hire another person.

Court 2.15

The first Family Fun Night was held in the LEMS commons with chili and cinnamon rolls when you needed a break. The theme of the night was A Minute to Win It and some of the games took the entire minute.

Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture are urging Wyoming’s livestock producers to take actions to prepare for upcoming winter weather. Preparing for the storm and caring for livestock during the storm is critical. However, these actions should only be taken if they can be accomplished safely.

The Niobrara County Commissioners regular meeting held on Jan. 3 followed the standard order. Head of Road and Bridge Fred Thomas reports that Road and Bridge is handling things well and have gotten most roads cleared in the county.

As the Niobrara County School Board worked their way through their agenda the issue of legislative support and funding of education was a recurring theme at Monday nights meeting.

Josh from Benchmark came with the sealed, dated bids for the gravel. There were four bids and the first one was Timerline Services, Inc. for $272,970.80. The next bid was from Pine Bluffs Gravel and Excavating for a bid of $249,688.92. The third bid was from Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel, LLC for $364,270.00 and the last bid was from Ramshorn Construction for a total of $502,460.00 for base A, and $ 495,263.00 for base B. Josh then went to figure out the totals and make sure they were accurate and then typed a recommendation of award based on his findings. The low bid was Pine Bluffs Gravel and Excavating.

First grade letters to Santa

The Christmas holiday has many traditions including the Lights of Love Tree located on the corner of the Rawhide clinic and hospital that is annually adorned with gold, blue, purple, red and green lights, and is one that truly illustrates the spirit of the season.

Niobrara County High School had eight inductees into their chapter for the 2022-2023 school year. The ceremony was held on December 5 at the high school. Students and parents assembled to honor these students.

The Best Western Pioneer in Lusk was recognized with the brand’s highest honor, the M.K. Guertin Award at Best Western Hotels & Resort’s 2022 Convention held recently in Cleveland, OH. The award was presented in front of approximately 2,000 Best Western hoteliers.

This is a two-part story. The first part ran in the November 30 edition of the Herald. LUSK – When landowners feel frustrated, helpless, confused or can’t get answers from an energy company, government entity or activist group, even politicians they often turn to legal advice from the Falen Budd Law Office. Attorney Karen Falen and her husband Frank offer decades of experience in working with and fighting for the rights of agriculture and landowners. They are particularly experienced in the process of helping to form and then assisting landowner groups-formalized groups of people that have formed with the intent for more power in a collective bargaining type capacity.

A continuation of the 10/26 article on school board member candidates responses to interview questions.

First order of business after the Pledge of Allegiance

Niobrara Senior Center and Wyoming Health Fairs