I probably will be shunned for being a non-sports fanatic, but I don’t watch sports. The only exception would be the Super Bowl. I don't, however, watch it for the game; I watch it for the commercials. I will also interject, this year’s Super Bowl was very disappointing. I can’t remember who was playing but the advertisements were far from entertaining or stimulating.

“Planting for Pollinators” is an upcoming class being offered by Sage & Snow Garden Club at the Pinedale Library on Thursday, April 20. Arlinda McLaughlin and Julie Kraft will share information on the importance of planting to attract pollinators. Pollinator Workshop, 6 to 8 p.m. Seed Exchange 5:30 p.m. (before the workshop). Bring seeds to share!

Recent decisions related to planning and zoning (P&Z) matters in Sublette County have created a fog of war, caused a great deal of uncertainty and made a mockery of enforcement. These are signs of property rights being lost and the continuation of this pattern is the biggest threat there is to your property rights in Sublette County.

HB0121 - Property tax deferral program-amendments. I have heard the concern over rising property taxes. This bill would provide relief for some who are struggling with paying their property taxes. This bill amends a current property tax deferral program that counties can administer, but to date, only Teton County has adopted rules to use the program. This bill would move program administration to the Department of Revenue, open it up for taxpayers in all 23 counties and the state would then hold the lien, instead of the county. A taxpayer would qualify for the deferment program if they demonstrate any one of the following conditions: a limited income that is at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty line; over the age of 62; has a disability as determined by the Social Security administration; purchased the property at least 10 years before the beginning of the tax year or is a disabled veteran. While this program does not solve the property tax problem alone, it is another tool taxpayers have to access relief, and I lean toward supporting this bill.

The Wyoming Press Association has brought a bill to the 67th Wyoming Legislature requiring the state’s newspapers to publish all public notices that appear in print editions on their websites, too.

With my phone, which has more computing power than the Apollo 11 had when it went to the moon and back, I’d texted my kids, reaching them in less than a second. Their response was slightly slower as they decided if they really wanted to ruin their day by getting into a lengthy communication with the woman they’ve never forgiven for making them, when ill with strep throat, get shots instead of pills. It was a mere sampling of their childhood … hell on earth.

The average price for a dozen eggs is around $4.25, unless you’re shopping at Ridley’s; then it’s closer to $8.25. In Mexico a dozen eggs is around $2.20 USD. The average price for all countries is $2.87 USD.

As a citizen legislature, there is limited time to discuss all the ideas brought forward by legislators. Today, we spent time discussing the rules for this legislative session with the aim of deciding on procedures that will allow us to run a smooth and effective legislative process. The House considered several rule changes today. There has been a great deal of discussion about how large a majority it requires to bring a bill out of the Speaker’s desk, or move a bill up on the Majority Floor Leader’s bill order for the day.

We are not scientists, but it doesn’t take a scientist to know that this gravel pit and hot mix asphalt plant will enormously affect the environment and quality of life for the surrounding area. The U.S. Office of the Environmental Protection Agency, Air Quality, Planning and Standards states, “Asphalt processing … facilities are major sources of hazardous air pollutants … exposure to these air toxins may cause cancer, central nervous system problems, liver damage, respiratory problems and skin irritation.”

As a foundation, we want to make sure that we are able to meet the needs of our community in advancing health and wellness, as well as being able to continue to support our clinics and the future critical access hospital. After much consideration, we felt keeping our independence would best help us continue to accomplish this.

Wyoming is one of the three driest states in the Colorado River Basin States so it begs the question – why build a dam at this point in time. Some research indicates that the total annual evaporation loss could be up to 50 percent of the dams’ total storage volume. If Lower Basin States make an effort to reduce water consumption it would be an act of good faith to show all of the Colorado River Basin states that Wyoming is willing to work together to come up with a workable solution.

The last Speaker of the House to be elected from Pinedale was Dick Luman in 1943. Needless to say, it has been a long time since Sublette County had a Speaker of the House.

Again, I will share the advice of the late Snook Moore, an outfitter that lived up Tosi Creek, “Never live on a place ya’ can’t pee off the porch.”

As the new year starts, it’s not usually a significant end to something or the monumental beginning of anything else. It’s simply another try at being a lot more valuable than we were, attempting to eliminate vices and willingly striving to be part of the solution and not the problem. None of us have it all figured out and also everybody’s family is crazy.

We urge you to vote AGAINST Amendment A.

We urge you to vote AGAINST Amendment A.

I am not a political person. I have no political party or hold any affiliation with one. I prefer being a freethinking individual rather than part of a group that only holds one opinion and supports just one side. As for me, the only party I choose to be a member of, or become excited about the rallies of, is one that includes a tumbler and ice cubes.

Rep. Albert Sommers reports prior to the 2023 General Session of the 67th Legislature.

A most unique holiday plant is the poinsettia that is often seen around Christmas because they “bloom” when day lengths shorten. Actually, the colorful part of the plant that looks like a flower petal is a bract – you have to look closely to see the real, tiny yellow flowers. Bracts range from creamy white to pink to the traditional bright red and some varieties have bracts with patterns in red/white, pink/white, green/white and even bright orange.

Every day, a heart sends 2,000 gallons of blood through our bodies, creating enough energy to drive a truck 20 miles. In a lifetime, that’s equivalent to going to the moon and back. Also in a day, the human heart beats 100,000 times, which is roughly 60 to 100 times a minute. That’s a boring, middle of the road rate since an Etruscan shrew’s heart beats 1,500 times per minute or 25 times per second.