Pinedale Online!
Pinedale, Wyoming  •  www.PinedaleOnline.com
A "Slice of Life" view of Pinedale and Sublette County, Wyoming
(Do SHIFT or CTRL-Refresh for most current version of this page)
Road, Travel & Weather Links | Advertising on this website

Headlines: Governor Gordon signs bills into law New Wyoming law enforces English language proficiency for commercial drivers Governor Gordon attends signing of Healthy Food Choice Waiver in Washington, D.C. Lummis applauds NRC approval for TerraPower Kemmerer Power Station Roberts changing plea to felony wolf charge Barrasso, Lummis celebrate Wyoming’s 2026 Olympic athletes Rocky Mountain Power Foundation awards grants Big Fish Winter Derby cancelled Pinedale Local: Nordic Ski Trail Grooming Report – March 3, 2026 Funeral Service for Celeste Grossman March 10 in Pinedale Sublette Rec Board Grant/Budget Request hearings March 10 & 11 Pinedale hosts Alpine Ski Meet at White Pine Hardhats & Stetsons March 14 SAFV Task Force announces new partnership to strengthen survivor support services Gardening Goes Underground class March 7 Upper Green Trout Unlimited board to meet March 9 Free community fly-tying nights offered in Pinedale Daniel Community Center 2026 schedule of events

Front Page Story Archive

Governor Gordon signs bills into law (posted 3/6/2026)
Here are some of the bills Governor Gordon has signed into law for 2006:

SEA0001 SF0002 Legislative Budget
SEA0020 SF0019 Epinephrine delivery methods.
SEA0021 SF0022 Unincorporated nonprofit associations-
amendments.
SEA0023 SF0071 Wyoming department of homeland security.
SEA0024 SF0053 Keeping amateurism in high school athletics.
SEA0025 SF0012 Wyoming national guard reenlistment bonus
program.
SEA0026 SF0013 Wyoming national guard member referral-
amendments.
HEA0002 HB0005 Oil and gas bonding pool-investment and
earnings
HEA0003 HB0034 Firefighters-retirement plans
HEA0004 HB0035 Firefighters - paid leave and hazard pay
SEA0002 SF0018 Attendance of students in K-12 schools
SEA0003 SF0031 Uniform mortgage modification act.
SEA0004 SF0047 Increase of Hathaway scholarship awards.
SEA0005 SF0030 Elections-voter registration revisions.
SEA0006 SF0024 Lottery tickets-acceptance of debit card
payments.
SEA0007 SF0011 Burials of indigent veterans-amendments.
SEA0008 SF0008 Absconding for criminal purposes-criminal
offense.
SEA0009 SF0007 Theft amendments.
SEA0010 SF0005 Hospital bankruptcy proceedings.
SEA0012 SF0006 Eligibility for Medicaid-criteria.
SEA0013 SF0009 Fentanyl to minors-enhanced penalty.
SEA0014 SF0017 Good neighbor authority-amendments.
SEA0015 SF0032 911 funding.
SEA0016 SF0052 2026 large project funding.
SEA0017 SF0068 Water districts-funds for maintenance
projects.
SEA0018 SF0079 Sales and use tax reorganization.
SEA0019 SF0080 Department of revenue-electronic
communication.
SEJR0001 SJ0001 State management-federal mineral leases.

The full list of bills the Governor has signed can be found on the Governor’s website: https://wyoleg.gov/Session/2026/SessionLanding

New Wyoming law enforces English language proficiency for commercial drivers (posted 3/6/2026)
Wyoming Highway Patrol
CHEYENNE, WYOMING - Command staff for the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) was on hand this afternoon (March 5, 2026) for the signing of House Bill 32 (HB0032). The bill effectively gives authority for members of Wyoming law enforcement to enforce federal English Language Proficiency regulations (Title 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2)).

Under the current regulations, any commercial driver who is found not to be proficient in English according to federal standards will be put out of service - meaning they will not be allowed to continue driving their commercial vehicle. Those regulations were originally only enforceable by members of the Wyoming Highway Patrol and its commercial carrier section.

Generally speaking, the purpose of the regulations is to ensure all commercial drivers can communicate with other drivers and read road signage and emergency communication billboards. With Governor Mark Gordon's signing into law, any peace officer in Wyoming can now help ensure our roadways are safer.

"This is what Wyoming Highway Patrol, and our commercial vehicle section, and our inspectors do every day. This is something we already do." Colonel Timothy Cameron, WHP Administrator said at the signing, "But now what (the bill) does is it leverages all the law enforcement assets in the state to most importantly identify people that jeopardize public safety."

Governor Gordon attends signing of Healthy Food Choice Waiver in Washington, D.C. (posted 3/6/2026)
Governor Gordon media release
CHEYENNE, WYOMING - Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) and Director of Department of Family Services (DFS) Korin Schmidt traveled to Washington, D.C. today (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) to meet with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump Administration officials to sign Wyoming’s Healthy Choice Waiver.

The waiver, developed under the Governor’s leadership and submitted by Wyoming's DFS, allows the state to modernize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by prioritizing healthier food options for Wyoming families.

The Healthy Choice Waiver reflects months of stakeholder engagement, including public town halls, retailer feedback, and direct input from SNAP recipients. Consistent themes identified by constituents included the need for education regarding purchases and a tiered approach to the changes.

Beginning in February 2027, SNAP benefits in Wyoming will no longer be used to purchase sweetened, carbonated beverages. Candy purchases will be limited beginning in February 2028. Governor Gordon emphasized that the waiver is about long-term health, not government overreach.

"As I have said before Wyoming taxpayers expect their dollars to support food assistance that helps families put healthy food on the table," Governor Gordon said. "This waiver is about supporting healthier communities in Wyoming and is a reasonable, commonsense step that aligns the program with its original purpose. Wyoming is leading in a way that is thoughtful, measured, and focused on better outcomes for families. I also want to thank Director Schmidt for her work with our local mom and pop stores across the state, ensuring this wasn’t too heavy a lift for them and our rural families as they drive to get groceries."

"We are grateful to Governor Mark Gordon for leading this effort," said DFS Director Korin Schmidt. "This is an effort to promote and support healthy and nutritional choices for SNAP recipients. Our stakeholders have been open and honest about what they need to make this successful, and we will continue to work together as we implement the waiver."

SNAP is a federally funded program that is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including food purchase rules. States wishing to change the food items available for purchase through SNAP are required to submit a waiver to the USDA. Wyoming’s waiver application to limit sweet, carbonated beverages has been approved.

The waiver defines, "sweetened, carbonated beverages" as any nonalcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water and is flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. This definition does not include a beverage that contains milk, milk products, soy, rice, or other milk substitutes, or that is greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.

The second phase in February 2028 would prohibit the purchase of candy, with DFS submitting a formal candy definition no later than April 1, 2027.

Lummis applauds NRC approval for TerraPower Kemmerer Power Station (posted 3/5/2026)
Cynthia Lummis media release
Washington, D.C.— Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement today (March 4, 2026) applauding the approval of the construction permit for TerraPower's Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1, a commercial nuclear power plant to be built near Kemmerer, Wyoming in Lincoln County.

"Today is a landmark day for Wyoming," said Lummis. "The NRC's approval of TerraPower's construction permit for the Kemmerer Power Station is a major step forward in President Trump's energy independence agenda. Wyoming has long powered this nation and I'm proud that we are leading the next generation of nuclear energy. TerraPower's advanced reactor will bring economic opportunity to Kemmerer and western Wyoming, while proving that America can build the technologies of the future right here at home.

"I want to commend TerraPower, the NRC and their staff, and all who worked tirelessly to complete this rigorous review ahead of schedule. That is what is possible when industry and regulators work with purpose, efficiency, and integrity. I look forward to seeing this project begin construction and seeing it come online to serve Wyoming and the nation for generations to come."

Background:
TerraPower filed the application in March 2024, requesting a permit to build the sodium-cooled, advanced reactor design on a site near an existing coal-fired power plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

In May 2024, the NRC staff accepted the application and began formal review.

In July 2025, the NRC revise its schedule to complete the application review by December 31, 2025. This was six-months ahead a previously revised completion goal of June 2026, and nine-months ahead of the original project schedule.In October 2025, the NRC staff issued the final environmental impact statement for the site.

In December 2025, the NRC staff issued the safety evaluation for the construction permit and submitted its statement in support that the Commission approve the issuance of the permit. The paper served as the staff’s primary testimony to meet the Commission’s uncontested mandatory hearing requirements.

TerraPower would still need to submit, and the NRC staff would need to review and approve, a separate operating license application before it would be authorized to operate the facility. In September 2025, the NRC received TerraPower’s regulatory engagement plan for a potential operating license application submittal.

Roberts changing plea to felony wolf charge (posted 3/2/2026)
Joy Ufford
PINEDALE – Sublette County resident Cody J. Roberts plans to plead guilty March 5, 2026, to the felony charge of animal cruelty in connection with his February 2024 taking and alleged torture of an injured wild animal.

Roberts, who caught the gray wolf in Wyoming’s predator zone, took the subdued wild animal into a local bar. He pleaded not guilty at his Nov. 10, 2025 arraignment via videoconference.

Roberts, his attorney Robert Piper and prosecutor Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich posted a plea agreement they submitted to presiding Third District Court Judge Richard Lavery on Feb. 25 – almost two years after the actual incident.

A secret Sublette County Grand Jury, called by Melinkovich, indicted Roberts for the felony charge last August. The charge was then filed in 9th District Court, where Judge Kate McKay passed it to Judge Lavery of Sweetwater County. Roberts’ five-day trial was set to begin March 9 in the Pinedale courtroom with 100 citizens called to appear as potential jurors.

Defense attorney Piper filed notice on Feb. 27 that Roberts intends to change his plea to guilty "pursuant to a plea agreement with the state of Wyoming" and requested the change if plea hearing "as he does not intend to proceed to trial."

Judge Lavery ordered the hearing to take place, with all parties appearing in person, on Thursday, March 5, at 9 a.m. in Pinedale’s Ninth District Courtroom.

The plea agreement states that Piper and Melinkovich will jointly recommend incarceration of 18 months to 2 years, to be suspended, and a fine of $5,000, with $4,000 suspended, in favor of 18 months of county-supervised probation.

Agreed upon conditions of probation:
a. No hunting, including shed hunting, or fishing, whatsoever, for the entirety of probation.
b. No alcohol, or entry into or presence within bard, lounges or liquor stores.
c. Follow all recommended treatment from ASI (substance abuse) evaluation.
d. Standard and additional conditions as enumerated by the Court at the Court’s discretion."

Under the agreement, Roberts also will pay mandatory court costs and assessments and a $300 Victim Compensation surcharge.

The notice of plea agreement notes that Roberts understands Judge Lavery is not obligated to accept it.

Barrasso, Lummis celebrate Wyoming’s 2026 Olympic athletes (posted 2/25/2026)
Barrasso, Lummis celebrate Wyoming’s 2026 Olympic athletes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On February 25th, 2026, U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, both R-Wyo., spoke on the Senate floor celebrating the success of Wyoming’s three Olympic athletes who represented Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Breezy Johnson from Jackson Hole, who competed in Alpine Skiing, won America’s first gold medal in the Olympics. Jaelin Kauf from Alta, who won two silver medals in Single and Dual Mogul Skiing, is now the most decorated mogul skier in U.S. Olympic history. Anna Gibson from Jackson Hole, who made history as the first American woman to compete in Ski Mountaineering, finished in fourth place in the mixed relay race.

"The 2026 Olympic Games were the most successful Winter Games in our nation’s history. Team USA won an astonishing 12 Gold Medals – the most Gold Medals our country has ever won in the Winter Olympics. America brought home the second most medals of any country – 33 medals overall. This was a record-setting year for Team USA. And Wyoming is no small part of the success," said Senator Barrasso. "So, congratulations to our Wyoming Olympic champions. They’ve done so much to make history. We’re so very proud of all of them. They make our state and our nation very proud."

"Mr. President, these three women remind us that greatness is not born in stadiums, but it’s built in gymnasiums, and on training courses, on ski mountains, and early morning trainings, weight rooms, and in your diet, your exercise. And particularly in tight-knit communities that support these athletes. These communities believe in one another, they believe in celebrating each other’s hard work," said Senator Lummis. "Wyoming has always stood for toughness, independence, and quiet excellence. Breezy, Jaelin, and Anna carried that spirit with them to the world stage. They made Wyoming, and the entire country, so proud. Mr. President, we are lucky to call them ours."

Rocky Mountain Power Foundation awards grants (posted 2/21/2026)
To support arts and culture across Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho
The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation is proud to announce the distribution of $261,800 in grants through its arts and culture grant cycle, supporting creative organizations and cultural programs across Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.

"These organizations enrich our communities, celebrate local talent and preserve the cultural expressions that help define our region," said Dick Garlish, director of the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation and president of Rocky Mountain Power. "We’re honored to support their inspiring work and to help strengthen the arts in the communities we serve."

This latest round of funding is part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to fostering vibrant, thriving communities through its four annual grant cycles. The arts and culture cycle provides support for initiatives such as arts education, community performances, cultural preservation, public art and expanded access to creative experiences.

In this round, 69 grants totaling $261,800 were awarded.
Here are some of the regional organizations:

Wyoming:
• Alces Community Works
• ART321
• ARTCORE, Inc.
• Burning Torch Productions
• Crossing the Threshold LLC
• Lander Art Center
• Louisa Swain Foundation/Wyoming Women's History House
• Relative Theatrics
• Stage III Community Theatre
• Oyster Ridge Music Festival
• Pinedale Fine Arts Council
• Rock Springs Main Street / Urban Renewal Agency (URA)/The Broadway Theater
• Roundhouse Restoration Incorporated
• Sweetwater County Child Developmental Center
• Town of Marbleton
• Washakie Museum

Utah:
Box Elder County
Northern Utah Youth Ensembles
Cache County
• American West Heritage Center
• Nibley Children's Theatre

Davis County
• Clearfield City Corporation
• On Pitch Performing Arts INC
• Harmonic Winds of Utah

Grand County
• Friends of the Moab Folk Festival

Iron County
• Orchestra of Southern Utah
• Utah Shakespeare Festival

Millard County
• Topaz Museum

Salt Lake County
• Alta Community Enrichment
• Art Access
• Asian Association of Utah
• Bad Dog Arts
• Draper City
• Gifted Music School
• The Grand Theatre
• Off Broadway Theatre
• Repertory Dance Theatre
• Rise Up School of Dance
• Salt Lake Acting Company
• Salt Lake City Library Foundation
• Seven Canyons Trust
• Spy Hop
• Utah Arts Alliance
• Utah Film Center
• Utah Humanities Council
• Lyrical Opera Theater
• The Empress Theatre
• The Mundi Project
• South Salt Lake Arts Council
• Visual Art Institute
• Utah Historical Society

Sanpete County
• Casino Star Theatre Foundation

Summit County
• Arts Council of Park City & Summit County
• Park City Film
• Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History

Tooele County
• Grantsville Sociable, inc.
• Tooele City Arts Council

Uintah County
• Vernal UTAH Storytelling Festival

Utah County
• Alpine Community Theater (ACT)
• Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra (TSO)

Washington County
• Southwest Symphony Orchestra, Inc.
• Tuacahn Center for the Arts

Weber County
• Eccles Art Center
• Family Support Center of Ogden
• Ogden Contemporary Arts
• Ziegfeld Theater Arts

Idaho:
• Bright Star Productions
• City of Rexburg
• City of Teton
• Idaho Falls Symphony
• Oneida Pioneer Museum

About the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation:
The PacifiCorp Foundation, doing business as the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho, is one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. The foundation was created by PacifiCorp, an energy company that serves over 2 million customers across a diverse six-state region as Rocky Mountain Power (Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho) and as Pacific Power (Oregon, Washington, and California). The foundation’s mission, through charitable investments, is to support the growth and vitality of the communities served by Rocky Mountain Power and Pacific Power. Since it started in 1988, the PacifiCorp Foundation has awarded more than $80 million to nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit RockyMountainPower.net/Foundation.

Big Fish Winter Derby cancelled (posted 2/9/2026)
Pinedale Lions Club
The Pinedale Lions Club regrets to announce that the 2026 Big Fish Winter Derby that was scheduled for March 7 & 8th is cancelled due to lack of ice on Fremont Lake. We are in the process of notifying our generous sponsors and arranging refund options. If you have sponsored and don't hear from your main Lion contact in the next few days, please email us at pinedalelionsclub@gmail.com and we will get you taken care of.

We appreciate everyone who sponsors and participates each year and look forward to a more normal winter in 2027! (Keep your ears open for an alternate event as this is one of our largest fundraisers and we want to continue supporting our local community at current levels.)

Business Directory
Click here for
Advertising Information

www.pinedaleonline.com       www.pinedalewyoming.com
www.pinedale.com
Pinedale Online! PO Box 2250, Pinedale, WY 82941
Phone: 307-360-7689 (ok to call or text anytime)
Fax: 307-367-2864
We are located in Office Outlet in Pinedale, 43 S. Sublette Ave
E-mail:support@pinedaleonline.com

For more information about Sublette County and towns near Pinedale,
visit our local Sublette.com, BigPiney.com/Marbleton.com, and Bondurant community web sites.

Click here for information about advertising on this website

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 2026. 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!