NIOBRARA-The Niobrara County Commissioners met for the first time of the month on February 6. During that meeting, the Commissioners declared February 19 as Ag Literacy Week.

Niobrara County Farm Bureau Board members Kevin Baars and Tom Marshik were on hand to thank the commissioners and also to speak about the importance of Ag Literacy Week. Baars said that Governor Mark Gordon will be signing a declaration as well. The commissioners stated that it was important to have this type of education.  

Sheriff Randy Starkey talked to the commissioners about possibly purchasing a used 1,000-gallon gas tank for the Sheriff’s office. It would cost of $3,000. Starkey has been pricing other tanks that might be comparable, but new tanks would cost more.  It would be more cost effective, Starkey contended, to purchase gas outright. He said that there would be an additional cost of purchasing blocks to hold the tank, too. The commissioners decided to table this matter for further discussion.

Starkey went on to report that the roof for the Sheriff’s Office has been repaired and sealed. Trim must still be placed for the new skylights. The contractors will soon be working on taking out old drywall. Starkey said that a new door will need to be purchased. The cost for the door will be over $5,000 because it is a special security door.

Clerk of District Court Chrisanna Lund reported that the Courthouse would have new cameras installed for security reasons. She stated that Starkey and Undersheriff Kelly Dean have been helping her with getting the cameras set up. She said that the cameras will be shipped out next month or so. They will begin with the exterior cameras, and others will be fed into dispatch so they will now have the capability to monitor the courthouse. The company from which the cameras were purchased has agreed to install the equipment at no cost. The cameras were purchased through a Homeland Security grant.

Niobrara County Emergency Management Coordinator, James Santistevan told the commissioners that during the last snowstorm, he had coordinated with the Lusk Police Chief to send out an advisory concerning weather conditions. There will be an advanced weather spotting class held at Niobrara County Fairgrounds on April 8 at 6:30 p.m. 

4-H/Youth Developer Kellie Chichester of the University of Wyoming Extension office said that it has been busy at the fairgrounds with gymnastics now in full swing. She said that 4-H kids have been busy preparing for their Valentine’s Day fundraiser. The fire panel at the fairgrounds will be ready to test the fire alarm system.