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Headlines: Pinedale’s Soundcheck Summer Music Series kicks off June 29 Fire Danger increased to Moderate New WSGS pamphlet shares geology of the South Pass area Teton Pass closed indefinitely due to catastrophic road failure Next phase of Monument Ridge Vegetation and Recreation Management Project to begin BLM proposes No Future Coal Leasing for Buffalo Field Office Management plan WY Delegation blasts BLM Wyoming coal ban Wyoming sues Biden Administration over Title IX rule changes Wyoming files two lawsuits challenging Biden Administration’s EPA Rules that target Wyoming’s coal industry First Class Stamp price to increase to $.73 cents in July 2024 Pinedale Local: 2024 4th of July Chuckwagon Days events in Big Piney and Marbleton Boots and Scrubs August 7 Sublette County Health Foundation seeks new board member Town of Pinedale Board vacancies Spirit of the Meadowlark 2024 Bridger-Teton National Forest continues work on Monument Ridge Prescribed Fire Thin Air Shakespeare presents Selections from ‘Romeo & Juliet’ June 29 in Pinedale Pucker & Pluck summer concert July 1

Front Page Story Archive

Pinedale’s Soundcheck Summer Music Series kicks off June 29 (posted 6/26/2024)
Pinedale’s Soundcheck Summer Music Series kicks off June 29
Pinedale’s Soundcheck Summer Music Series kicks off Saturday, June 29th with a cosmic-country double-bill featuring Utah’s Timmy the Teeth (trio) headlining and special guest Martin Farrell Jr. (4-piece) opening. The evening will start at 5:00 p.m. with a very special presentation by Jackson Hole’s Off Square Theatre whose Thin Air Shakespeare Company will perform selections from Romeo & Juliet!

All Soundcheck shows are presented by the Pinedale Fine Arts Council (PFAC) and take place at American Legion Park in downtown Pinedale. Shows are free to the public and are kid/pet friendly.

Timothy George, known musically as Timmy The Teeth, has risen to prominence with a style as authentic as his own character, earning the nickname "Cowboy from the Crypt." Initially known for his skillful drumming with collaborators like Joshua James and Desert Noises, Timmy has now stepped into the spotlight as a distinctive artist within Utah's vibrant music community. His music, a blend that traverses the vast landscape of traditional American tunes, showcases Timmy's unique musical identity. He maintains a playful yet confident tone, touching on universal thoughts often left unspoken. His latest work, "Ain't That Bad," recorded in American Fork, Utah, showcases this blend perfectly. Co-written and produced with Joshua James, this album is a witty and catchy successor to his debut LP, "Just Another Day," solidifying Timmy The Teeth's place in the music world.

Martin Farrell Jr. is a Minnesota-born songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer intent on discovering new ways of playing old musical styles. After moving to Lawrence, KS in 2005 he began playing banjo, bass, piano and guitar in local bluegrass and rock groups, eventually fronting his own six piece progressive bluegrass band with drums called Dr. Cotton. After meeting Kansas City based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jenna Rae, the two began writing music together and worked in a six piece country band called Playing for Horses. The couple started performing as a "cosmic western duo" called Jenna & Martin and continued to make themselves known in the local scene. Now Martin is ready to bring his own band on tour in support of his new album "Coffee and Laundry."

All Soundcheck shows are free and feature food/drink vendors and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

For the full Soundcheck lineup and more information please visit soundcheckpinedale.com and be sure to plan your trip to Pinedale at visitpinedale.org

The Soundcheck Summer Music is presented by the Pinedale Fine Arts Council with support from The Town of Pinedale, The Pinedale Travel and Tourism Commission, The Pinedale Lodging Tax, The Sublette County Recreation Board, Astoria Hot Springs and Park, Union Wireless, Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, Four Pines Physical Therapy, Bank of Jackson Hole, Jackson Fork, Stantec, High Mountain Real Estate, Jorgensen & Associates, Two Rivers CPA, HUB International, Wyoming Public Radio, Wyoming Cultural Trust, Wyoming Community Foundation, Blue Spruce Operating and First Bank.

Fire Danger increased to Moderate (posted 6/26/2024)
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Teton Interagency fire managers announced the fire danger has been elevated to "moderate" for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge. The potential for fire activity has increased due to summer curing of vegetation combined with warmer and windy conditions.

A moderate fire danger rating means fires can start from most accidental causes. Unattended campfires and brush fires have potential to escape, especially on windy days, in dry, open areas.

When determining fire danger, fire managers use several indicators such as the moisture content of grasses, shrubs, trees, and dead and downed materials; projected weather conditions including temperatures and possible wind events; the ability of fire to spread after ignition; and availability of firefighting resources both locally and nationally.

As the Independence Day holiday approaches, visitors and local residents alike are reminded that fireworks are not permitted in Grand Teton National Park, on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, within the National Elk Refuge, or in Sublette and Teton counties in Wyoming. These fireworks regulations play a critical role in fire prevention.

As we approach the Fourth of July holiday, visitors are reminded that personal fireworks are never allowed and that campfires must always be attended and cold to the touch before abandoning. To extinguish a campfire, several gallons of water must be used as opposed to a single water bottle. The process requires you to soak the campfire, stir the ashes, feel for heat, and to repeat the process until no heat remains.

When enjoying a campfire, remember it should always remain attended and must be completely extinguished before leaving. Simply pouring water on the remains of a fire is not sufficient. The charred remains must be repeatedly doused with water and stirred into the campfire ring. All embers and logs, not just the red ones, should be broken up and covered with dirt. Before leaving the area, the campfire remains must be cold to the touch.

Visit the Teton Interagency Fire website at TetonFires.com to learn more about fire safety and what fire regulations may be in place. To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.

New WSGS pamphlet shares geology of the South Pass area (posted 6/26/2024)
Wyoming State Geological Survey
The newest information pamphlet published by the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) explores South Pass, an area known for its rich history of mining that dates back centuries and continues today. The pamphlet is the twelfth in a series that shares geology of Wyoming state parks; the South Pass publication is the first to focus on state historic site.

"This publication series continues to be popular, and after we finished with state parks, it made sense for us to expand the focus to geologically oriented historic sites in Wyoming," says Dr. Erin Campbell, WSGS Director and State Geologist. "The geology at South Pass is impressive, and our new pamphlet offers a glimpse at some of the uniqueness of the area."

South Pass is on the southeastern edge of the Wind River Range and south of Lander. It has a wide range of known and potential mineral resources, such as gold, copper, and iron. The Carissa mine in South Pass City opened in 1867 and was the largest gold-mining operation in the region. Today, visitors to the historic site can tour the Carissa.

"The South Pass area is fascinating for both its 3 billion years of geologic history and its potential for hosting gold and other metals in various types of mineral deposits," says WSGS geologist Dr. Chris Doorn. "The South Pass City State Historic Site provides the unique opportunity to learn about ancient geologic processes and to delve into Wyoming’s rich mining history."

The pamphlet includes a geologic map and provides an overview of South Pass’s geologic history, noting how the area looked much different billions of years ago compared to what is seen today. The publication also notes rocks and mineral resources.

Other pamphlets in the series highlight the geology of Bear River, Boysen, Buffalo Bill, Curt Gowdy, Edness K. Wilkins, Glendo, Guernsey, Hot Springs, Keyhole, Seminoe, and Sinks Canyon state parks.

Pamphlets are available at their respective state parks and historic sites, as well as at the WSGS office in Laramie and as free downloads.

Teton Pass closed indefinitely due to catastrophic road failure (posted 6/8/2024)
Pinedale Online!
The Wyoming Department of Transportation reported that WY22 over Teton Pass suffered a catastrophic failure that completely destroyed a section of the road and underlying fill material. A "long-term closure is expected," they said.

Fortunately, WYDOT personnel had some warning of road issues and had closed the road earlier, so no one was on the road or injured when the roadway collapsed. A crack had been observed in the road surface at milepost 12.8 on Thursday, June 6th. Multiple mudslides were reported along the route recently. A large mudslide occurred early Friday morning at milepost 15 near the scale house, flowing across both lanes of traffic. The road was closed as construction crews were onsite working to clean up the mudslide. The growing crack at milepost 12.8 was an increased concern as it indicated movement of the underlying fill material. Crews were in the process of attempting to create a detour around the road damage area when the slide occurred early Saturday morning, June 8th. No one was injured and no equipment was lost when the road collapsed.

There is no estimate for when WY22 over Teton Pass will reopen. WYDOT said, "a long-term closure is expected." Repair will require major engineering work since the entire road surface and underlying fill material collapsed and slid into the ravine below.

This closure significantly impacts travelers and commuters driving between Jackson and Victor, Idaho. Drivers will need to find an alternative route and plan for additional travel time. The shortest detour is to travel through Alpine, Wyoming and go through the Snake River Canyon on US 26/89. This route takes an hour and 45 minutes compared to the 35 minutes to travel over Teton Pass. Teton Pass will be unusable for the foreseeable future, likely weeks, possibly months to repair.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon issued an Executive Order on Saturday, June 8th, declaring an emergency in response to the catastrophic failure of Wyoming Highway 22, Teton Pass. The declaration will help the State access additional resources from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to begin the substantial repairs required.

Recreationists and curious residents are being asked to avoid the area until it can be stabilized. WYDOT will share any updates on the status of Teton Pass through its website and social media channels, in addition to the WYDOT 511 app.

Next phase of Monument Ridge Vegetation and Recreation Management Project to begin (posted 5/21/2024)
Bridger-Teton National Forest
BIG PINEY, WYOMING — The Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest plans to initiate the next phase of the Monument Ridge Vegetation and Recreation Management Project during the month of June. The project area is located near the town of Bondurant in Sublette County. The habitat/fuels treatment area is situated within the wildland urban interface (WUI), an area where human development meets with undeveloped, natural areas like forests and wildland vegetation, creating a zone that is at risk for wildfires. Monument Ridge borders the western edge of the treatment area, and the residential area along the Hoback River borders the eastern edge.

The project, proposed by the Sublette County Collaborative, is multifaceted and includes fuels reduction actions within the WUI, wildlife habitat enhancement activities, and safety and access improvements for recreation. These activities will improve forest health; promote wildlife populations for elk, mule deer, and sage grouse; and provide sustainable recreation opportunities well into the future.

Fire managers plan for implementation of the project to occur in June on 2,150-acres north of the Monument Ridge Lookout and Hoback Guard Station. The Forest Service prepared this area in 2020 by felling trees and allowing the fuels to cure during the subsequent time, preparing an adequate fuel bed for the planned prescribed fire.

The Forest Service will implement the prescribed fire with weather and conditions to meet project objectives. Forest personnel plan to treat the area in a mosaic pattern, producing a complex mix of burned and unburned patches. These activities will enhance wildlife habitat by increasing forage (i.e., grass, forbs, and shrubs) and will stimulate aspen growth in areas where stands have declined due to the lack of wildfire.

During operations, smoke may be visible from the communities of Bondurant, Jackson, Pinedale, and Big Piney. Resources will implement ignitions over the course of three to five days. A Closure Order will be in effect for the impacted area, roads, and trails, during the prescribed burn.

For more information, call Big Piney Ranger District at (307) 267-3375 or visit https://gacc.nifc.gov/gbcc/dispatch/wy-tdc/home/information/prescribed-fires.

BLM proposes No Future Coal Leasing for Buffalo Field Office Management plan (posted 5/17/2024)
30-day comment period open until June 17, 2024
Bureau of Land Management
BUFFALO, WYOMING – The Bureau of Land Management has issued a final supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) and proposed amendment to its Buffalo Field Office land use plan. Release of the final SEIS and proposed amendment opens a 30-day public protest period.

The BLM developed the SEIS and plan amendment in response to a 2022 order from the United States District Court for the District of Montana. The BLM’s proposed alternative, Alternative A, would amend the 2015 Buffalo Field Office resource management plan and make BLM-managed coal resources in the planning areas unavailable for future leasing. Federal coal production is anticipated to continue through 2041 under existing leases.

As required by the court’s order, the supplemental analysis evaluates alternatives for federal coal leasing in the Buffalo Field Office and includes updated information and analysis regarding the health impacts, both climate and non-climate, of developing fossil fuels in the area.

The 12 active surface coal mines within the Buffalo Field Office produced approximately 220 million short tons of federal coal in 2022, down from roughly 400 million tons in 2008.

Both U.S. total coal production and Powder River Basin coal production peaked in 2008 and have since declined steeply, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Written protests must be received by June 17, 2024. Please visit the BLM Filing a Plan Protest page for instructions.

To review the proposed resource management plan amendment and associated analysis, visit the BLM National NEPA Register. For more information, contact project manager Tom Bills at 307-684-1133.

WY Delegation blasts BLM Wyoming coal ban (posted 5/17/2024)
Wyoming Delegation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today (May 16, 2024), U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Harriet Hageman, all R-Wyo., blasted the Bureau of Land Management’s final supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) and proposed amendment to its Buffalo Field Office land use plan.

In the plan, the BLM bans future coal leasing in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. This impacts 12 of Wyoming’s active coal mines and will put 48 billion short-tons of BLM-administered federal coal off limits for mining.

"President Biden continues to wage war on Wyoming’s coal communities and families," said Senator Barrasso. "This short-sighted plan will kill future coal leases in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin – the most energy-rich area in the country. This will kill jobs and could cost Wyoming hundreds of millions of dollars used to pay for public schools, roads, and other essential services in our communities. Cutting off access to our strongest resources surrenders America's greatest economic advantages – to continue producing affordable, abundant, and reliable American energy."

"I am horrified to see the Biden administration’s latest assault on our nation’s domestic energy production," said Senator Lummis. "Wyoming has been targeted left and right by rule after rule handed down by this administration as it works to cater to the extremists within the Democratic Party. The Cowboy State produces some of the cleanest and best coal in the world. This RMP will push our country to rely on foreign adversaries for energy needs at a time when our grid is pushed to the brim and Wyoming coal is needed now more than ever to power our nation and the world. I will work with my colleagues every step of the way to prevent this RMP from going into effect."

"Joe Biden’s war on the West continues, this time by enacting an RMP that will destroy the Wyoming coal industry," said Representative Hageman. "This decision to eviscerate Wyoming’s coal production will impact every American's access to affordable and reliable energy, and only benefits the despots and dictators that this administration now relies on to meet our energy needs, while further weakening our economy and national security. At the same time, it will result in the need to increase coal production in countries with poor environmental and labor standards, thereby causing even more world-wide pollution – the total opposite of what this failed administration claims to be trying to accomplish. The Biden Administration’s war on affordable and reliable energy won’t end until we end his presidency."

Wyoming sues Biden Administration over Title IX rule changes (posted 5/17/2024)
CHEYENNE, WYOMING. – The State of Wyoming, alongside a coalition of states and private parties, has taken legal action by filing a lawsuit opposing President Biden’s new rules interpreting Title IX. Title IX is a law designed to create educational and athletic opportunities, particularly for female students. The lawsuit argues the new rules are contrary to the core principles of Title IX, compromising safety and privacy, ultimately depriving female athletes of opportunities.

Governor Gordon voiced Wyoming’s firm stance, stating, "Wyoming will fight the Biden Administration’s attempt to rewrite Title IX. The state adamantly upholds its core principles of fairness, privacy and the sanctity of women’s sports, opposing any imposition of ambiguous standards that threaten these ideals. This is yet another instance of federal overreach, seeking to impose a new interpretation on a longstanding law."

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder applauded the lawsuit, stating, "in Wyoming, we protect our girls. We will never allow outrageous political agendas to get in the way of that. Not in bathrooms, not in education, not in sports. Period."

Biden’s new Title IX rule eliminates privacy protections to all students, replaces "sex" with "gender identity" and broadens the definition of what constitutes "discrimination on the basis of sex", which directly contradicts the very purpose of Title IX.

The lawsuit further alleges the rule violates the First Amendment rights of educators, school employees and fellow students, as well as private organizations, who have sincerely held religious beliefs that would prevent them from complying with the rule. The rule also raises due processes concerns on college campuses related to sexual harassment accusations.

The coalition is led by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. The lawsuit also includes the states of Alaska and Utah as well as private parties. A copy of the full complaint may be found here.

Wyoming files two lawsuits challenging Biden Administration’s EPA Rules that target Wyoming’s coal industry (posted 5/10/2024)
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
CHEYENNE, WYOMING. – Governor Mark Gordon announced that Wyoming has filed two lawsuits challenging new rules from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that target Wyoming’s coal and natural-gas fired power plants.

Today (Friday, May 10, 2024), Wyoming joined a coalition of 24 states challenging the Biden Administration’s recently released power plant regulations. The states argue that the new rule exceeds EPA’s authority and ignores the United States Supreme Court’s 2022 decision vacating Obama-era greenhouse gas limits for power plants. The suit asks the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review and declare the regulations unlawful.

On May 8, Wyoming and 22 other states filed a lawsuit challenging another EPA rule that would require certain air emissions from coal-fired plants to be reduced drastically, with no corresponding health benefits and with great costs to Wyoming and its industries.

"The Biden Administration’s EPA seems determined to use unlawful rulemaking to continue its attacks on Wyoming’s core industries," Governor Gordon said. "The only goal appears to be destroying Wyoming’s fossil fuel industry by further burdening our power plants, increasing costs to consumers, and threatening the stability of our nation's electrical grid."

First Class Stamp price to increase to $.73 cents in July 2024 (posted 5/10/2024)
Pinedale Online!
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will again increase the price for mailing services that will take effect on July 14, 2024. The price of a first-class mail Forever stamp will increase five cents, from 68 cents to 73 cents. There will be no price increase for Post Office Box rental fees, and the Postal Service will apply a price reduction of 10 percent for postal insurance when mailing an item. The proposed adjustments, if approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing services product prices approximately 7.8 percent.

This is the sixth price increase since January 2021,
incrementally increasing the cost of a first class Forever stamp from $.55 cents to $.73 cents. And the Postal Service has indicated there will be more regular increases in the near future. In their December 29, 2023 report to the Postal Regulatory Commission, the US Postal Service said they anticipate to implement price changes for all of their market dominant classes in January and July in each subsequent year after this upcoming increase in July 2024. The price increases, along with their legal obligation to be financially self-sufficient, will help them achieve financial sustainability while improving customer service.

USPS Forever Stamp Historical Prices
(Requested: July 14, 2024: $0.73)
January 21, 2024: $0.68
July 9, 2023: $0.66
January 22, 2023: $0.63
July 10, 2022: $0.60
August 29, 2021: $0.58
January 24, 2021: $0.55
January 26, 2020: $0.55
January 27, 2019: $0.55
January 21, 2018: $0.50
January 22, 2017: $0.49
April 10, 2016: $0.47
January 26, 2014: $0.49
January 27, 2013: $0.46
January 22, 2012: $0.45
May 11, 2009: $0.44
May 12, 2008: $0.42
April 12, 2007: $0.41
Source: https://foreverstampprice.com/

As the name suggests, Forever stamps can be used at any time after purchase, regardless of whether the postage rate goes up in the future. So if you stock up on Forever stamps at the current price before the July increase, the stamps will still be good after this new and any future price increases.

New Prices for July 2024):
Letters (1 oz.) 68 cents (Current Price) 73 cents (Planned Price)
Letters (metered 1 oz.) 64 cents (Current Price) 69 cents (Planned Price)
Domestic Postcards 53 cents (Current Price) 56 cents (Planned Price)
International Postcards $1.55 (Current Price) $1.65 (Planned Price)
International Letter (1 oz.) $1.55 (Current Price) $1.65 (Planned Price)

The additional-ounce price for single-piece letters increases from 24 cents to 28 cents. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products, including Certified Mail and money order fees.

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Pinedale Online! is designed and maintained by Wind River Web Services LLC in Pinedale, Wyoming to offer a "slice of life" view of happenings in and around Pinedale, Wyoming. Webmaster for this site is Dawn Ballou. Although we try to cover as many local events as possible, we have a very limited staff and much of this site is done in our volunteer time. We welcome community volunteers who can provide pictures or event information. Photos by Pinedale Online unless otherwise credited. Please see our companion site Pinedale OFFline, www.PinedaleOFFline.com, updated annually on April Fool's Day. All site content is copyright 2022. No photos, stories or content may be used or reproduced without permission for commercial or non-commerical purposes. Please contact Pinedale Online for more information or permission about using pictures or content found on our site, or advertising on this website. If you find any broken links on our site, please let us know. Privacy Policy: E-mail inquiries may be forwarded to the local Chamber of Commerce, businesses or others who can best respond to questions asked. We use website server visitation statistics to compile web traffic analysis to refine our site content to better serve our visitors. Server statistics do not gather e-mail addresses or personally-identifiable information. Pinedale Online does not sell, trade or rent our opt-in lists or any personally-identifiable information to third parties. Thanks for visiting Pinedale, Wyoming on the Web!