Johnson County

Last year’s huge wildfire season likely ignited the coal seams, which are like unattended campfires simmering. Counties will look to federal dollars to help manage them, but it’s unclear if that funding will still exist.

The original sandstone and limestone structure was constructed in 1909 of material quarried locally and served as one of several Carnegie libraries constructed in Wyoming. It comes as the museum was honored by the Institute of Museum and Library Science as the recipient of a 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make exceptional contributions to their communities.

Jessica Kavitz, a kindergarten teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School, was surprised with the award on Nov. 29. She is the first teacher in Johnson County School District #1 to receive this honor, which has been called the "Oscar of Teaching." Kavitz also received $25,000 and an all expenses paid trip to Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles in April 2023.

The 10th anniversary event has drawn thousands of attendees in years past. This year's attendance is expected to be somewhat smaller than in previous years, though 4,000 to 5,000 are still set to come. The events kick off on Aug. 18 and run through Aug. 21. Actor Robert Taylor, who portrayed Walt Longmire in the TV series, is the only cast member that's set to attend this year.

In Wyoming, the major effects of COVID-19 took hold several months after the initial discovery and rise in cases in other parts of the country. And while the state's hospitals have ebbed and flowed with patients since then, the impact and demands on the healthcare infrastructure has differed from place to place. Wyoming Public Radio's Hugh Cook reports on the situation at smaller hospitals in Johnson and Weston counties.

HGTV's Ben and Erin Napier star in a new series, Home Town Kickstart, which will feature six smaller communities nationwide to give a boost to their revitalization efforts. Other major home renovation stars such at Ty Pennington and Nate Berkus are also set to appear on the show to lead different projects.

The crossing is designed to lessen the number of animal-vehicle collisions on a stretch of I-25 between Kaycee and Buffalo.

Next summer, officials with the Bighorn National Forest will begin tree thinning and natural habitation restoration projects in northeastern Wyoming's Goose Creek Watershed as part of its recently approved management plan.

Johnson County is facing a new hurdle as it tries to receive more than $20 million in back-taxes from a coal-bed methane producer.

Wyoming has reported its first death related to COVID-19. Wyoming Department of Health Spokeswoman Kim Deti said the elderly Johnson County man died last…