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Further property tax cuts could shutter Natrona County fire station
Casper Star-Tribune
To preempt any further cuts to property tax revenue, the Natrona County Fire Protection District is sounding the alarm and pushing for a bill to raise the limit on district funding. After property tax relief measures passed last year, municipalities and county departments reliant on property taxes — including the fire district — saw funding decline. Understaffing, low wages and temporary station closures as a result of the district’s funding cap put thousands of rural Natrona County residents at risk of slow response times and loss of homeowner’s insurance if further cuts pass this year, the Casper Star-Tribune reports. Read the full story.
Sheridanites shine light on teen dating violence
The Sheridan Press
Cases involving teen dating violence have increased in recent years, according to the Sheridan Advocacy and Resource Center and Uprising. While Uprising’s primary mission is to combat human trafficking through awareness, education and outreach, Executive Director Terri Markham said teen dating violence is a common concern. Abuse often comes from peers — not strangers — Markham noted, and frequently involves emotional and digital harm, which teens may not recognize as dating violence. In response, much of Uprising’s work focuses on teaching teens to recognize healthy and unhealthy relationships, The Sheridan Press reports. Read the full story.
Grand Teton National Park plans to push summer tourists north during major construction
Jackson Hole News&Guide
Colter Bay is going to be all the rage this summer. That’s at least what Grand Teton National Park is planning to push for, amid a slew of construction projects slated for the busy southern portion of the park and visitation that has increased year-over-year since 2022. Three major, multi-year projects will be getting underway this coming summer in anticipation of the park’s centennial in 2029. Park officials plan to mitigate the crunch by steering visitors north to Colter Bay, which has the infrastructure to support more visitation, the Jackson Hole News&Guide reports. Read the full story.
Powell school district approves policy allowing more public comment
Powell Tribune
More opportunities for public comment will be available at Park County School District 1 board meetings starting in March after a majority of board members voted to add opportunities for people to comment on non-agenda items related to the school district. The board has traditionally only allowed the public to comment on items that appear on the agenda at the monthly business meetings, but the changes would add a second time slot for comments on any school-related items, though private issues such as personnel would remain off-limits, the Powell Tribune reports. Read the full story.