Around the 307
News, commentary, and other items of interest from the greater Wyoming landscape.
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Here are Cowboy State news briefs for the week of September 27th, 2024:
On Monday, September 30th, we learned from this story in Cowboy State Daily that the historic Brooks Lake Lodge may not be out of approaching wildfire danger after all. You may recall from last month’s week of September 1st Around the 307 post, Brooks Lake Lodge narrowly escaped the onslaught of the Fish Creek Fire. Now the Pack Trail Fire (first reported burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest on September 15th due to a lightning strike) blew up overnight and by Monday morning had become a 20,000 acre raging inferno. If there is any good news for Brooks Lake Lodge it’s that the massive fuel reduction and fire protection plans put in place as mitigation measures for the Fish Creek Fire now have the historic structure in a relatively strong position if the worst occurs and the Pack Trail Fire makes a run toward the property. Fingers-crossed that does not happen! You can also get all the latest updates on the Pack Trail Fire at InciWeb.
Tuesday, October 1st, WyoFile published this story about Wyoming’s Joint Education Committee’s recommendation of an 8.5% temporary increase in funding for teacher and school staff salaries for the 2025-2026 school year. While it’s not a done deal yet, as the Wyoming Appropriations Committee will also make a recommendation on the subject to Governor Mark Gordon, many critics agree this is a step in the right direction in order for Wyoming to be able to attract and retain quality educators within the state.
Also on Tuesday, October 1st, a ceremony to celebrate the 100th anniversary of highway transportation through the Wind River Canyon was held with representatives from the Wyoming Department of Transportation, the Shoshoni and Northern Arapahoe tribes, and others. Read more about this event here in the Northern Wyoming News.
Lastly—here are a some Wyoming historical events (some well known, others obscure) that occurred during the month of September.
September 30th, 1889—The Wyoming State Constitutional Convention concludes at the Territorial Capitol in Cheyenne.
September 29th, 1913—University of Wyoming freshmen create a large white “W” on a hillside north of Laramie.
September 11th, 1988—A quarter-inch of snow falls in Yellowstone, dousing fires that had raged all summer.
That’s all for today cowgirls and cowboys! Thanks for reading and have a great week!
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