By Brett Larson

Carbon County Comet Contributor

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on February 3, which started at 9 a.m. in the Carbon Building, several topics were taken care of, including the consent agenda and the financials as the meeting carried on.

Commissioner John Johnson was recognized for his 13 years of service to the board.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

At the Carbon County Commissioners Board meeting on February 3, the topic of property taxes being cut was discussed by the commissioners and also John Rutherfold, Carbon County Fire Chief.

A Minute with the Manager

Matt Hall, City of Rawlins Manager

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Local first responders will be taking to the Snowy Range this Saturday, February 7, for a multi-agency avalanche training designed to enhance public safety and preparedness in winter backcountry conditions.

Press Release

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon

Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) issued the following statement regarding the Board of Equalization’s contemplated lawsuit regarding the 4% cap on property tax. 

“After consulting with county assessors and legislators with a long history and knowledge of the state and the county assessors schedule, I have directed members of the Board of Equalization to lay it back.  

Press Release

Chuck Gray, Wyoming Secretary of State

Ahead of the 2026 Wyoming Legislative Session, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray announced his top five legislative priorities, including the following bills:

·  Requiring pen to paper ballots as the default method of voting in Wyoming;

· Increasing Wyoming’s chain of custody procedures by banning ballot drop boxes and ballot harvesting;

Press Release

Alex Bakken, Carbon County Sheriff

On the morning of Wednesday, January 28th, dispatchers with the Carbon County Unified Dispatch Center were contacted by Carbon County School District 2 who reported that the Encampment School had received a voicemail from an anonymous caller who stated that he had put bombs around the school and that he would shoot everyone at the school.

Press Release

Gabriel Green

Sheridan resident Gabriel Green has announced his bid to be the next Governor of Wyoming. With the current establishment of Wyoming politics out of touch with the needs and demands of the people, the time for something different has arrived.

Like many in our state, Gabriel is tired of the dysfunction, corruption, and downright incompetence that have come to define our politics.

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The Encampment Town Council approved a land exchange, moved forward on major infrastructure projects and revisited a debated housing development during meetings in December and January, while also hearing from a state lawmaker during its January 8 session.

Press Release

Governor Mark Gordon

The making of another biennial budget is now in full swing and many are asking questions about what our state budget should and should not do.  Before that debate goes further, a few facts matter.  Wyoming does not have runaway spending. We do not have structural debt. We are not staring at a $38 trillion credit card bill to be handed to our grandchildren. Wyoming is not Washington, D.C. 

By Dana Davis  

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

A workshop held prior to the Encampment Town Council meeting in December 2025 gave council members and the public a detailed overview of wildfire prevention efforts aimed at protecting the town’s municipal water supply and surrounding forested watershed, while highlighting an approach rarely attempted in communities the size of Encampment.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The Riverside Town Council met at 5 p.m. on January 8 at the Riverside Town Hall.

Mayor Leroy Stephenson and council members Mark Helwick and Lisa Lorenz were in attendance and Ed Golden was on the phone.

A public hearing was the first order of business to transfer the Mangy Moose liquor license to Pit BBQ LLC. There was no contesting the transfer.

By Brett Larson

Carbon County Comet Contributor

Press Release

Alex Bakken, Carbon County Sheriff

On the evening of Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, dispatchers with the Carbon County Unified Dispatch Center received a call reporting a lone snowmobiler who had become stuck and unable to self-rescue. The rider was able to communicate with his wife and the dispatch center via a Garmin device.