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‘Discarded smoking material’ caused deadly December fire

After a months-long investigation, investigators with the Evanston Fire Department have ruled the cause of a Dec. 30, 2023, house fire that claimed the lives of three Evanston residents was ‘discarded smoking materials’ that came into contact with combustibles.
EVANSTON — The investigation of the fatal Evanston fire that claimed the lives of three people, including two young children, has concluded. The cause of the Dec. 30, 2023, fire was determined to have been from discarded smoking materials that came into contact with combustibles.

‘We need to move forward with unity’

EVANSTON — The Uinta County Republican Party held its convention and caucus the evening of March 5 at the Roundhouse in Evanston. The convention’s intended itinerary was to elect delegates to send to the Wyoming Republican Party Convention in Cheyenne in April, and to address bylaws and resolutions.
“I wasn’t really into this stuff [STEM] before, but doing this with TechRise has opened my mind into wanting to look into it more,” said Sofia Zarate. Posing with the class’s rocket-powered lander components are: Raegan Roetker, Angelic Romero, Sandra Lopez and Sofia Zarate.

Middle-schoolers win back-to-back NASA competitions

EVANSTON — For the second consecutive year, Evanston Middle School (EMS) science teacher Ashley Graham’s eighth graders have won a NASA TechRise Future Engineers challenge. Last year’s eighth graders won the challenge with a high-altitude balloon design, though this year’s class unanimously voted to draft a proposal for a 3D mapper and thermal rocket-powered lander. “They are only one of sixty winners on both missions and the only winners from Wyoming,” Graham proudly explained.
Border Beverage owner Julie O’Connell holds a bucket full of raffle tickets so Evanston Youth Club President Kevin Kallas can draw a lucky raffle winner. The event, held Saturday, Feb. 24, raised more than $23,000 for the youth club.

Bourbon Bash raises $24K for Evanston Youth Club

EVANSTON — Local whiskey coinsurers joined their Wasatch Front counterparts to raise funds for the Evanston Youth Club on Saturday, Feb. 24, when Border Beverage held the third annual Bourbon Bash. The event drew about 75 people to the local liquor store, most of whom traveled from Utah for the event.
Community News

Getting by with a little help from my friends

Lady Devils Rhyen Debenham (left) and Jacey Bardsley have been basketball teammates since they were kids, and have overcome adversity all through their years at EHS, including four different head coaches in four years. The bond they share is unbreakable.

EVANSTON — As the buzzer sounded back on Jan. 27, ending the game between the Jackson and Evanston girls’ basketball teams, EHS senior Jacey Bardsley couldn’t help but smile. …

Spatig, Frame right at home at Compassionate Journey

Tanner Spatig and Susan Frame feel at home in their favorite room, the kitchen, at Compassionate Journey Assisted Living facility where they are employed. They both expressed that working there feels like a family.  “Friends can be family,” said Frame.

EVANSTON — “They add so much,” said Joy Bell of two of her employees at Compassionate Journey Assisted Living facility. Bell is referring to 47-year-old Susan Frame, who has Down syndrome, and 23-year-old Tanner Spatig, who is autistic. Both have been in Bell’s employ since she purchased the facility in January 2020.

Signs of potential learning disorders

Many things can affect a student’s academic performance. The atmosphere in a classroom, life outside of school and interest in the material are just some of the variables that can affect how well students perform. But another variable that’s sometimes hard to identify also affects the performance of millions of students each year.

Local sports

EHS junior Ryker Lind scores two points against Cheyenne East during the Red Devils’ 61-40 loss Friday at the 4A State Basketball Tournament in Casper. It was the second loss of the tournament for Evanston, ending their season.

Cassie Barker scores during regional play.

Lady Devils’ season ends at 4A West Regionals

The young but scrappy Evanston High School girls’ basketball team – well-versed in overcoming adversity this season – went 0-2 over the weekend at the 4A West Regional Tournament in Green River, though, in typical Lady Devils fashion, fought hard until the very end.
Red Devil senior Kai Barker puts up a shot Friday during Evanston’s 51-38 win over Kelly Walsh at the 4A West Regional Tourney.

Red Devils headed to 4A State Tourney!

The last time the Evanston High School boys’ basketball team qualified for the 4A State Basketball Tournament, Lex Cornia was the head coach, Mason Ellingford and Dawson Crofts were lighting up …
Newly-crowned 175-pound State Champion Brady Roberts goes into the stands to hug his younger brother Bridger, following his 3-0 victory over Buffalo’s Hazen Camino.

Red Devils, Lady Devils grapplers shine at 3A State

CASPER — For years, trying to get a photo of Evanston High School athlete Brady Roberts celebrating, well, anything, was like trying to capture an image of Bigfoot – you wanted to believe it was possible, you just never knew when the opportunity might present itself. It’s not like the kid didn’t have reasons to celebrate. A two-time All-State running back on the gridiron, he’d scored more than a few touchdowns in his day. But after he’d cross the goal line, he’d calmly hand the ball back to the referee and jog back to the sidelines. And with 150 wins on the wrestling mat – aside from an occasional fist pump, you couldn’t tell if he’d just won a match, or changed the oil in his truck; his expression was the same.
Three University of Wyoming student athletes died Thursday afternoon when the vehicle they were traveling in rolled multiple times on a highway just south of the border with Colorado, the school …
The young Evanston High School girls’ hoops team went 0-2 at home over the weekend, losing to No. 2-ranked Cody Friday 70-11, but coming out strong Saturday against Riverton to give the Lady Wolverines a game in a 49-35 loss.
The Evanston High School boys’ hoops team split a weekend home stand against some tough competition, losing a heartbreaker Friday to Cody, but bouncing back Saturday for a win against Riverton.
The Evanston High School boys’ basketball team has struggled to a 1-3 record in its last four games, though the Red Devils’ record during that stretch could just as easily be 3-1. Evanston welcomed 4A Southwest Quadrant rival Star Valley to town Jan. 25, losing 68-55. The Red Devils traveled to Jackson on Jan. 27, picking up a big conference win against the Broncs, 64-51.

State Park interested in purchasing 1,000 acres

Bear River State Parks Superintendent Tyfani Sager and State Parks Manager Kyle Bernis (right) met with the Uinta County Commissioners on Feb. 6 to inquire about the potential purchase of the 1,000 acres adjacent to the Bear River State Park for expansion.  They suggested the land could be used for more trails, campsites and possibly a wildlife center. (HERALD PHOTO/Amanda Manchester).
EVANSTON — The Herald attended both the work session and regular meeting held by the Uinta County Commission on Feb. 6. During the work session earlier in the day, Bear River State Parks Superintendent Tyfani Sager and Wyoming State Parks Manager Kyle Bernis met with the commissioners and other county officials to discuss the possibility of purchasing the 1,000 acres adjacent to the state park.
Wyoming News
Wyoming women’s history rooted in hospital campus set for demolition
The state has plans to demolish 26 Wyoming State Hospital buildings in Evanston, but some local residents believe the site, which dates back to 1886, is an important part of the town’s cultural …
Cheyenne Frontier Days 2024 lineup announced
CHEYENNE (WNE) — Cheyenne Frontier Days announced Thursday the concerts and performers coming to the 128th anniversary “Daddy of ’em All” this summer. The 2024 lineup features …
Sen. John Barrasso speaks during a Sublette County event.
Sen. John Barrasso weighs in on Bureau of Land Management’s RMP
ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) — During a visit to speak with the students participating in the speech and debate tournament at Rock Springs High School on Saturday, March 2, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso …
Weed council shares tips about invasive species
The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council (WWPC) is reminding citizens in the Cowboy State to be on the lookout for invasive species by using six tips to help prevent the spread of unwanted plants and …
Geologist Jacob Carnes examines a rock formation during surveys for potential rare earth elements.
High hopes, or hype, for rare earth mining in Wyoming?
There’s a lot of hope, and maybe some hype, for commercial-scale rare earth element mining in Wyoming, which is home to one of the largest proven high-concentrated deposits in North America. …
Obituaries
Terry Lynn Porter
Our beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, Terry Lynn Porter, passed away Jan. 3, in Centerfield, Utah, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  Terry was born May 9, 1950, in …
Marion Coleen Putnam Lee
Marion Coleen Putnam Lee, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at Rocky Mountain Care, in Evanston, on Wednesday, March 6. Marion …
Gary L. Sims (Gerrard)
Remembering Gary L. Sims (Gerrard): A wife, mother, sister and aunt who was quiet in her ways and loving to the family she raised. She influenced those around her by observing, listening, and …
Rusty Jay Fife
Rusty Fife passed away on Saturday, March 2, in Bountiful, Utah, while recovering from surgery. He was born in Evanston on Oct. 11, 1957, to Roger A. Fife and Janice M. Fife. He was the oldest …
Steven LeRoy Day
Steven LeRoy Day passed away peacefully in his home in Evanston on Sunday, Feb. 25, within the quiet comfort of his loving wife, LuAnn. Steve was born on Oct. 30, 1945, in Los Angeles, to Elmer …
Opinion
Rep. Trey Sherwood, HD-14

Extreme partisanship is bad for Wyoming’s businesses

I am optimistic that Wyoming can grow its small businesses, create good-paying jobs at local companies and successfully diversify its statewide economy. I am hopeful because, as the director of Laramie’s Main Street program, I’ve been deeply involved in the process of developing a thriving downtown business district.

Session lacked professionalism, was embarrassing at times

As some of you may already know the 67th Wyoming State Legislature barely performed its constitutional duty to get a budget passed. Unlike the federal government, we have to pass a balanced budget, and it was in doubt up to the final deadline. All but one of our Uinta County delegation — myself, Sen. Fred Baldwin, Rep. Ryan Berger and Rep. Jon Conrad voted to accept the results of the “free committee” final budget. Rep. Heiner did not.
Poll
I am very pleased to report solid actions and deliverables for our residents — specifically, property tax relief. We passed five bills that will have positive, demonstrable and positive impacts …
A miracle occurred last week in California’s U.S. Senate primary race. In a deep Blue state where Democrat voters outnumber Republicans 2-1, Steve Garvey, the former L.A. Dodger star, ran …
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Public Notices
3-13-24 Uinta County Herald legal notices
INVITATION TO BID Sealed bids for Evanston Housing Authority, City of Evanston Hawpatch Window Replacement Project located at Hawpatch Lane off of City View Drive will be received until 2:00 …
3-6-24 Uinta County Herald legal notices
FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE WHEREAS, default in the payment of principal and interest has occurred under the terms of a Promissory Note (the "Note") dated April 15, 2022, executed and delivered by …
2-28-24 Uinta County Herald legal notices
FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE WHEREAS, default in the payment of principal and interest has occurred under the terms of a Promissory Note (the "Note") dated February 2, 2004, executed and delivered by John S. Salter (“Mortgagor”) to Option One Mortgage ...
Police reports
Evanston police incidents Jan. 16 - Jan. 23, 2023 Editor’s note: Information contained in this report is compiled from a daily activity log and an arrest record maintained by the Evanston Police Department. Those arrested are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law; charges listed may not reflect final disposition of cases.
The Uinta County Sheriff’s Office responded to 61 incidents between the dates of Monday, Nov. 28, and Monday, Dec. 5.
Web Extras

It's tax season: Here are the simple rules to file correctly—and on time

With tax season now upon us, Money outlines the key deadlines and details you need to know in order to file correctly and on time.

When is it safe—and legal—to leave your dog in the car?

Way.com helps dog owners understand when it's legal to leave their furry friends in cars unattended.

You may be eligible for additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

(BPT) - As COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities, it has become apparent that the virus is here to stay, and that getting infected is possible year-round.Staying up to date with your …

When 'k' is not 'okay': Behind the many generational differences in texting

Visible partnered with Stacker and dove into studies to explore what gets lost in texting translation and how generations can understand each other better.

April’s eclipse will mean interruptions in solar power generation, which could strain electrical grids

During the most recent total solar eclipse visible in the U.S., on Aug. 21, 2017, the skies darkened as the Moon crossed in front of the Sun. It blocked out all sunlight – except for that from a golden ring …

How the Academy Awards became ‘the biggest international fashion show free-for-all’

The Oscars are no longer just a celebration of movies. They’ve also become a fashion show, with fans, designers and the media celebrating and critiquing Hollywood celebrities as they stroll, pause and pose on the red carpet of the annual awards ceremony. …

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