The Green River Star T h u r s d a y , M a y 2 0 , 2 0 21 $ 1.5 0Vol. 130, No. 52 Thursday, May 20, 2021 $1.50Vol. This issue is for Dale Williams and the people of Sweetwater County. Input for Greenbelt sought By DAVID MARTIN Editor Members of the Greenbelt Taskforce are looking for input on what the future of the Greenbelt should look like. John Freeman, a member of the task force, said the group is preparing surveys for residents to voice their opinion with in the coming weeks. So far, Freeman said he’s heard someone propose a fishing dock and more Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant entrances to portions of the path. He also believes the Greenbelt is a prime location for a disc golf course. Freeman is not stranger to the task force, being one of its founding members more than 30 years ago. After he left the group and became a state legislator, the group slowly became dormant. After finishing his final term, he was asked to return to the task force. “I was not involved with public service for three days,” Freeman said. Showing love The master plan utilized by the task force is 30 years old as well and Samantha Burrow shows her family how much she loves them moments before the graduation ceremony at Green while dated, Freeman said it’s still River High School started Monday evening. Star photo by David Martin relevant because of the amount of public input the group received while drafting it, saying more than 100 Lawmakers discuss funding fi x for people, businesses and community organizations commented on the document. He and other taskforce members hope to see similar interest emergency communications system in updating the Greenbelt’s master plan and aim to build the group into By TOM COULTER issue during their meeting Tuesday in working group in search of a long- an organization that will be capable Wyoming Tribune Eagle Casper. Although the committee took term approach, said the members of improving and expanding the Via Wyoming News Exchange no action, it will likely revisit the issue hope to come up with a sustainable Greenbelt in the next 30 years. during its next meeting in June. funding solution and present it to the Freeman said he sees funding as CHEYENNE — With money expect- One potential route to fund the committee sometime in the coming a potential obstacle as government ed to run out by next summer for the system, at least for the next few years, months. budgets continue to shrink, but state’s emergency communications could come through use of the roughly Erica Legerski, a member of Gov. believes grant funding will play a system, known as WyoLink, lawmak- $1.1 billion that Wyoming is receiv- Mark Gordon’s policy team, said the large role in the Greenbelt’s future. ers discussed potential ways to fund ing through the federal American governor would be interested in using He said many grants consider a the radio system during a committee Rescue Plan. With lawmakers likely to some federal funds for WyoLink, not- public-private partnership a gold meeting Tuesday. convene for a special session in July ing he wanted to deploy some CARES standard when it comes to their First established in 2005, Wyo- to deploy those funds, it is unclear Act funding for it last year, but was applications, often funding work with Link connects more than 500 local whether spending on WyoLink would unable to due to spending restric- such projects in place. He hopes to agencies via communications tow- be allowed under federal guidelines. tions. On Monday, Gordon announced bring local industry on board for such ers, allowing public safety offi cials to Even if it is, the long-term issue he plans to unveil an initial spending partnerships between the task force, coordinate rescue missions and other would reemerge a few years later, as framework for the new federal funds city parks department and private emergency responses across the rural Wyoming County Commissioners next month. stakeholders. landscape of Wyoming. However, Association Kelli Little reminded the A few lawmakers agreed that the In the future, Freeman said he with its funding largely coming from committee. issue needs to be addressed somehow. believes organizations like the local governments’ share of min- “When you get the ARPA funding, “When you live in a frontier state Greenbelt Taskforce may become eral royalties, its current account is if it’s available, that’s a band aid and like we do, with the limited health more important in local recreational expected to run dry by the end of the gives us a little bit of time to fi gure it resources that we have, the struggles causes in the future, saying while 2021-22 biennium. out, but it doesn’t give us a lot,” Little that we’ve had with everything from the city and its parks and recreation While a few proposals to fund the said Tuesday. “If it’s not available – if, air ambulance to all of the issues department are great organizations system through small fees have failed for some reason, there’s more guid- that we all know about, it just seems to work with, public groups taking in recent years, lawmakers on the ance from the Treasury saying that to me that we wouldn’t be doing the on initiatives like the Greenbelt may Joint Transportation, Highways and it doesn’t really fi t – then the need right thing if we didn’t go after it,” be the way most parks and recreation Military Affairs Committee took an- becomes very urgent.” committee co-chair Sen. Bill Landen, projects are initiated in the future. other look at possible solutions to the Little, who has contributed to a R-Casper, said. Inside this issue: 4: Incident illustrates failing juvenile justice program 8: 60 years at Little America celebrated 12: Cheney’s ouster mirrors battle in Wyo. GOP 14: GRHS, EA graduation photos 2 www.greenriverstar.com Thursday, May 20, 2021 Memorial Day TRASH SCHEDULE All customer trash pickup will be delayed one day next week due to the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, May 31st. SWEETWATER #2350 FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES MEMORIAL SERVICE MAY 23RD, 2021 AT 1 PM Please join us in honor of our departed brothers and sisters. AUXILIARY Lindsey Webster, Charlotte Copeland, Claudia Young, Lora Yacobacci, Geraldine Higley, Linda Fae Holler, Gloria Reyes, Lori Todd AERIE Robert (Bob) Sell, Stan Bode, Charles McCormick, Rocky Potter, Ted Jensen, Harry Karician, Robert Trujillo, Avery Beaver, Paul Shablo, Jerry McGee Sr., Paul Danks, Manual Pope, Chuck Bocquin WANTED Looking for people who worked at the Jim Bridger Power Plant during the Doing the bear walk initial construction of the plant. If you worked during the construction of the Harrison Elementary School not only hosted a living wax museum for students Friday, but a space day plant please call Tim Patterson at 314-607-3192. for its fi fth graders. Maddie Baldwin demonstrates her bear walk as part of an outdoor activity students participated in. Star photo by David Martin Back by POPULAR DEMAND 5 quarts conventional 95 motor oil, filter & Multi- $19 point Vehicle Inspection Dexos Semi-synthetic 95 motor oil, filter and Multi- $39 point vehicle inspeciton Diesel vehicle oil change, 95 filter & Multi-point Vehicle $59 Inspection We service all makes and models! 2200 Foothill Blvd., Rock Springs, WY 82901 • Sales (307) 212-5530 • Service (307) 212-4751 • Whislerchevy.com Thursday, May 20, 2021 www.greenriverstar.com 3 CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021 HONOR GRADUATES SUMMA CUM LAUDE Cumulative GPA 4.000 Hailey Joann Allison MC Kamilyn Alice Lloyd MC NHS Kelsi Grace Angelovich MC NHS Kaylee Arlene Lundgren MC Jade Marie Arnell Angelina Michele MacKinnon Brad Patterson and Shawn Bolt show their support for law enforcement Paxton Bryce Castillon MC NHS Camden Kristopher Nelson MC NHS Wednesday evening during a remembrance ceremony for fallen officers in NHS downtown Green River. Star photo by David Martin Hayley Macquelle Cloward MC NHS Olivia Jean Nielsen Tayana Shaelin Crowder NHS Oran Dane Watts Pavey NHS Obituaries Liberty Anne Ferrell MC Jessica Lee Petri MC NHS Leta Leon Andrews Connor Emerson Friel MC NHS Jaron Thomas Shereda NHS Leta Leon Andrews, 89, passed away May 11, 2021 at Sage View Care Center. She has been a resident of Rock Springs the past Jachob Hunter Fuss MC NHS Emmalee McCall Skinner MC NHS eight years. Mrs. Andrews was born May 21, 1931 in Sterling, Colo- Caeden Spencer Grubb Kayde Michelle Strauss NHS rado; the daughter of William Leo Lindstrom and Enid Kolby Wayne Ivie NHS Cydnee Marie Sturlaugson NHS Levellyn Rife. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Mon- Lauren Nicole Jensen MC NHS Chatney Tirrell MC NHS day, May 17, 2021 at the Vase Funeral Chapel, 154 Elk Street, Rock Springs, . Friends may call one hour prior to James Frank King MC NHS Jacquelyn Marie Vaquera MC NHS service. Interment will be in the Rest Haven Memorial Gar- dens. Condolences may be left at www.vasefuneralhomes. Lauren Elizabeth Lee NHS Jared David Westenskow NHS com. James “He Says” Fernandez MAGNA CUM LAUDE James “He Says” Fernandez, 68, passed away on Friday, May 14, 2021 at St. Josephs in Salt Lake City. He was a life- Cumulative GPA 3.750 — 3.999 long resident of Rock Springs. He was born on April 16, 1953 in Rock Springs; the son of Emilio C. Fernandez and Corina Gonzales. Following cremation, a celebration of life will be con- Jordan Ranae Brady Delaney Faith Gardea ducted from 11 a.m., to 3 p.m., May 28, 2021 at Fraternal Order of Eagles #151, 211 B Street, Rock Springs.