Jackson

The Language Exchange JH program connects two people who want to learn each other's language. So, for example, a native English speaker with a native Spanish speaker. In the past they would meet once a week at the library for an hour speaking each language for 30 minutes.

Theatre and performance institutions throughout the state have suffered during the pandemic but grants are helping out. The National Endowment for the Arts has provided a grant to the Off Square Theatre Company in Jackson.

Jackson like other communities throughout the state are dealing with an increase of COVID-19 cases.

The Teton County Public Health Response Coordinator Rachel Wheeler said most testing has been done at the hospital. But they were worried not everyone could easily get there. So the state Department of Health stepped in and provided two Curative kiosks. They are staffed by Curative providers.

Late last month, residents of the Hoback RV Park were informed that their leases would not be renewed past the end of December and that much of the community would be evicted by New Year's Eve.

Crowley Capital, a minority owner of the RV park, is planning to bring the septic system there up to regulation. That will result in a smaller tank and reduced capacity at the site.

Residents of the Hoback RV Park south of Jackson have started a petition to extend their leases through the winter, seeking to stay in one place through the remainder of the winter.

St. John's Health CEO Dr. Paul Beaupre wrote a letter to the Jackson Town Council saying the hospital is at capacity and at risk of being overwhelmed. The council held an emergency meeting after receiving the letter.

Update 8/21/20 5:00 p.m.: According to the Jackson Hole News and Guide, the officer who wrote the blotter has resigned from the Jackson police. 

Last week, a post on the Jackson Police Department's Facebook page drew outrage, including from advocates for victims of sexual assault.

The post on the department's Facebook blotter made light of an investigation of an alleged sexual assault of a minor. The department's Facebook blotter usually uses humor to share police matters with the public. But this time much of the public felt it went too far.

The Jackson town council passed a resolution supporting requiring a face mask in public places on Monday, June 29. This comes after Teton County started to see an uptick of confirmed COVID-19 cases again after a lull point.

The Wyoming entrance gates to Yellowstone National Park will open on Monday, May 18, at noon. Grand Teton National Park plans to open its gates at the same time.

Even as businesses and public areas begin to re-open, the threat of a serious outbreak in Wyoming remains. In response, a choral festival out of Jackson is taking its event online, keeping attendees - and singers - safe.

Friday, May 1, is the opening day of shed antler hunting season. So far restrictions on how many people can come into the area have not been enforced by state or local officials. But Teton County and the town of Jackson administrators and public health officials are asking hunters to stay at home.

It's unknown exactly how many immigrant workers have been laid off in Wyoming in recent weeks, but it's likely quite high, according to Jackson immigration attorney Reilly Ward with Trefonas Law, especially since Teton County's service industry saw large numbers of layoffs.

The call for social distancing in the state is leading many people to the outdoors. But a high number of people are going to the Teton Pass west of Jackson, which is causing some public health concerns.

"With the current restrictions in certain places, we've got an extra amount of traffic that's going on up here. And generally speaking, we're okay with folks that are coming here as long as they're cooperative on our on our safety issues," said John Pistono, a Teton Pass ambassador.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Teton County is shutting down all non-essential businesses for 14 days. 

The number of skiers led by ski guides out of bounds and into the backcountry at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort may double next season.

The National Elk Refuge in Jackson will begin shortening elk feeding seasons this spring.

In December, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a final version of a plan that aims to reduce elks' dependency on supplemental feed over the next five years. National Elk Refuge acting supervisor Eric Cole said the refuge wants to do this without causing problems for surrounding private lands.

Jackson-based writer Alexandra Fuller has released a new memoir that strives to reckon with her grief at the deaths of both her father and her son in close succession. 

Jackson State Representative Mike Yin is proposing a bill that could help address the affordable housing shortage in his district. It would allow counties to charge a fee for homes left empty more than six months out of the year.