Foundation to fund municipal pool boiler replacement

Council approves agreements to legalize golf course alcohol sales

Council renews liquor licenses despite compliance check failures

Ordinance advances to double residential roofing permit fees

Fire department reports uptick in structure fires

Mayor highlights progress on "hit-and-run" legislation

State funding proposed for local emergency dispatch

Commissioners place senior services district on August ballot

Niobrara school district proposes board reduction affecting Goshen residents

Solar project delayed pending energy buyer and road agreement

County defends handling of Riverview Subdivision amid developer concerns

Sheriff's Office to acquire AEDs through homeland security grant

Public health officials confirm avian flu in Goshen County

Fire warden reports moderate drought conditions returning

Foundation to fund municipal pool boiler replacement

TORRINGTON, Wyo. — The city council accepted a grant from the Black Hills Energy Foundation that will cover 100 percent of the cost for a new boiler at the municipal swimming pool. The project, facilitated through a donation to the Community Pride Foundation of Goshen County, allows for the replacement of the heating system at no cost to the municipality in exchange for branding recognition and potential community event hosting rights. Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Dennis Estes confirmed that contractors began installation on Tuesday with piping expected to be completed by Thursday, allowing for a system test-fire this week and a full operational test before the spring opening.

Council approves agreements to legalize golf course alcohol sales

TORRINGTON, Wyo. — To bring the Cottonwood Country Club into compliance with state liquor statutes, the city council voted unanimously to approve a concessionaire agreement and a business lease. City Attorney James Eddington advised that previous operational structures failed to properly account for alcohol consumption by "temporary members," specifically daily green fee payers, necessitating a change in how the license is managed. The newly approved agreements allow the city to subcontract alcohol sales to the club and lease the specific premises, establishing a legal framework for sales to the public for the remainder of the license year and the upcoming golf season.

Ordinance advances to double residential roofing permit fees

TORRINGTON, Wyo. — The council approved the first reading of an ordinance increasing the flat fee for residential roofing permits from $75 to $150 to better align with administrative costs. Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Dennis Estes explained to the council that the previous fee structure was established during a 2014 emergency response to hailstorms and is no longer sufficient to cover the time required to process permits under the International Residential Code. The proposal reportedly has the backing of local contractors, who favor the predictability of a flat-fee increase over the variable valuation schedules typically applied to commercial construction projects.

Fire department reports uptick in structure fires

TORRINGTON, Wyo. — The Torrington Volunteer Fire Department experienced a high volume of calls over the last two weeks, including responses to gas leaks, mutual aid requests, and structure fires. Fire Chief Luis Correa detailed a rental property fire attributed to a malfunctioning washer/dryer unit and a barn fire on East Third Avenue that was fully engulfed upon arrival but successfully extinguished. Additionally, the department provided assistance for grass fires in the neighboring communities of Lyman and Yoder while continuing preparations for their annual awards banquet.

Mayor highlights progress on "hit-and-run" legislation

TORRINGTON, Wyo. — State legislation aimed at amending Wyoming's hit-and-run statutes is reportedly nearing final approval, according to an update provided by Mayor Herb Doby. The legislative push, which seeks to allow for felony prosecution of drivers who flee accident scenes resulting in severe injury, closes a specific gap in current state law. During the report, credit for the advancement of the bill was given to the family of local hit-and-run victim Andrea Griffin, Police Chief Matt Johnson, and state legislators Rep. Scott Smith and Sen. Cheri Steinmetz.

State funding proposed for local emergency dispatch

TORRINGTON, Wyo. — Significant state funding to support local emergency dispatch operations and technology upgrades is currently pending in the Wyoming Legislature. Mayor Herb Doby reported that the proposed bill includes $3 million for general dispatch operations and an additional $750,000 specifically allocated for the implementation of Next Generation 911 technology. Officials noted that the funding is critical for modernizing the state's emergency response capabilities, which have reportedly lagged behind current technological standards for decades.

Commissioners place senior services district on August ballot

GOSHEN COUNTY, Wyo. — The Goshen County Board of County Commissioners has adopted Resolution 2026-04, officially placing the formation of a Senior Citizens District on the ballot for the upcoming August primary election. The measure asks voters to approve the establishment of the Goshen County Senior Service District, which would include a maximum levy of two mills on taxable property within the district. Should the proposition pass in the primary, the election of board members for the new district will take place during the general election in November.

Niobrara school district proposes board reduction affecting Goshen residents

GOSHEN COUNTY, Wyo. — Niobrara County School District representatives informed county officials that the district proposes reducing its school board size from nine members to seven, a change affecting local residents because the district's boundaries extend into Goshen County. Jason Wasserburger, representing the school board, presented the proposal via Zoom ahead of a required public hearing scheduled for April. A Goshen County commissioner, along with Assessor Debbi Surratt and Treasurer Leticia Dominguez, must attend the hearing to approve or deny the boundary-spanning change before it proceeds to a statewide meeting.

Solar project delayed pending energy buyer and road agreement

GOSHEN COUNTY, Wyo. — Construction on the Goshen Solar Project remains on hold until Goshen Solar LLC—a joint venture between Cowboy Energy and Greenvolt Power—secures a buyer for the energy and finalizes a road use agreement. County Planner Michael Tietjen reported the delay to the board, while commissioners noted the absence of the required road agreement. Road and Bridge Superintendent Chris Stoddard stated he would contact the company to ensure the agreement is executed prior to the start of any construction.

County defends handling of Riverview Subdivision amid developer concerns

GOSHEN COUNTY, Wyo. — County officials addressed the status of the Riverview Subdivision while awaiting a required update from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. The board sought clarification regarding concerns raised by developer Tom Feeser, though specific details regarding the nature of those grievances were not explicitly detailed during the public meeting. County Surveyor Bob Taylor advised the board that the county is handling the project consistent with other subdivisions of similar size and is not overstepping its regulatory bounds.

Sheriff's Office to acquire AEDs through homeland security grant

GOSHEN COUNTY, Wyo. — The Goshen County Sheriff's Office will outfit all patrol vehicles with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) following the award of the 2025 State Homeland Security Program grant. Emergency Manager Thom Bozeman reported that the funding will also cover the cost of a defibrillator/monitor/EKG machine for the Sheriff's Office and necessary upgrades for two warning sirens.

Public health officials confirm avian flu in Goshen County

GOSHEN COUNTY, Wyo. — County Health Officer Dr. Ted Church and Public Health Nurse Heather Dittmer reported that avian flu has been detected in birds within Goshen County, prompting a warning for residents to avoid contact with sick or wild animals. Church emphasized that the virus is contagious to humans, and officials simultaneously noted a measles outbreak currently affecting neighboring Fremont County.

Fire warden reports moderate drought conditions returning

GOSHEN COUNTY, Wyo. — Goshen County has slipped back into "moderate drought" and "abnormally dry" classifications as precipitation totals fall behind historical averages. Emergency Manager and Fire Warden Thom Bozeman reported that the forecast for the next 60 days calls for below-normal precipitation and cold temperatures, creating concern regarding dry conditions leading into the spring season.

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