By Virginia Parker

Carbon County Comet Contributor

Verlora (nee Merrill) Carlton, known to most as Verlora Herring, celebrated her 90th birthday on February 9, 2026, at the Encampment Presbyterian Church surrounded by many family members, and friend. The celebration marked nine decades shaped by hard work, adventure, family, and a lifelong love of people. 

Press Release

Uplift Rawlins

Press Release

City of Rawlins

The City of Rawlins proudly recognizes Steve Sanger as the February recipient of the Community Builder Award for Outstanding Service in the Interest of the City. Steve generously gives hundreds of hours each year, sharing his time, talent and passion to strengthen and beautify our community.

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Natalie Adams didn’t just earn Reader of the Year honors in 2025 for the Saratoga Library — she topped the entire Carbon County Library System.

Adams read an eye-popping 362 books over the course of the year, a total that includes audiobooks, digital books and chapter books she reads aloud to her daughters. Smaller children’s books were not counted toward the final number.

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Work continues on the memorial honoring Loren “Teense” Harold Wilford, with new features now in place at the corner of Bridge Avenue and First Street, a location long associated with Wilford’s presence in the community.

Carbon County Sheriff

Alex Bakken

The last three years have brought a multitude of changes for our Sheriff’s Office, from training methodology to deputy compensation, and we have been continuously trying to find ways to improve our current operation, both for our employees and the community members we serve.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

“We have done the Color Run to enhance our curriculum within the P.E. program and enhance our units and get lots of equipment for the kids that maybe our regular budget won’t cover,” P.E. teacher Charli Hetherington at the Rawlins Middle School (RMS) said. “We really enhanced our weight room and were able to get more equipment to have more students participate in units.”

By Dana Davis  

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The 39th Annual Sierra Madre Winter Carnival returned to Encampment Friday and Saturday, January 23–24, proving once again that the community’s winter spirit does not depend entirely on snow.

Press Release

Western Wyoming Community College

Press Release

Liz Wood

The calendar for Tuesday Talks is filling up quickly. Organizers Liz Wood and Josh Wood have been busy recruiting residents of the area to talk about a variety of topics.

“We should have the list completed by our first Tuesday Talk on January 27,” Liz said.

Tuesday Talks will begin at 2 p.m. with a meet and greet at the White Room at the Platte Valley Community Center. 

Press Release

Alex Bakken, Carbon County Sheriff

It’s no secret that our deputies wear many hats, both in our patrol and detention divisions. A “typical” day could include arresting a violent offender, removing a barricaded inmate out of a cell, moving cows, or, in a scenario that we see far too often, responding to an individual suffering a mental health crisis.

By  Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The Town of Sinclair’s Parks and Recreation Department has a new bus to help transport seniors and youth groups to activities and events, following a mix of grant support and town funding approved earlier this year.

Press Release

Mira Miller, City of Rawlins Community Relations/PIO

Each year, the City recognizes employees who go above and beyond for their coworkers and the Rawlins community with three annual awards. The City of Rawlins is proud to recognize three employees whose dedication, leadership, and service reflect the very best of public service. 

Compiled by Dick Perue

GATT Correspondent

Everyone, especially the hungry and lonely, is invited to join this youngster to eat, meet, greet and enjoy a free meal along with music and visiting at the monthly “Gather at the Table” event Monday, Jan. 5th, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Saratoga Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall at the corner of Third and Bridge Streets.