[Want to modify the number of weekly emails you receive? Find out how at the end of this post.]
Here are you Ranch news updates for the week of January 26th, 2025:
Tuesday, January 28th at 10am, the Town of Star Valley Ranch (TSVR) Town Council held a Special Meeting at Town Hall to select the individual to fill the soon-to-be vacated council seat. Here’s a link to the agenda. The outcome of the approximately nine (9) minute meeting was the appointment of Wade Bitter to serve the remaining term of the vacated council seat (from February 2025 to January 2027). The Star Valley Independent (SVI) published this story on Tuesday afternoon providing a rundown of the proceedings. There’s also a video of the entire meeting on the TSVR YouTube channel which you an access here if you like. Congratulations Wade!
Thursday, January 30th at 1pm the TSVR Water Utility Board (WUB) met at Town Hall. You can find the agenda here. The WUB members discussed ongoing analysis of water data from the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software system. The SCADA system controls, collects, and aids in analysis and visualization of data related to operation of the town’s culinary water system. Discussion was also held on a number of other topics to include infrastructure upgrades and ongoing investigation of water loss in the system.
Other news and notes for the week:
On Tuesday TSVR published an update about water system chlorination on the town website. The good news is, chlorination is being phased out as of the January 30th—Hurray! You can read the full update from the town here.
Some terrific photos came in this week from readers! Check out these two images—one so serious, the other so silly! Thanks Brad and Barb for sending these images to share! What an awesome place we live in!
At left a Great-Horned Owl [photo courtesy of B. Ditsworth] and at right, just one of the local Muleys hanging out and mugging for a close-up [photo courtesy of B. Watkins]. With all the new snow the past couple of days and now these warmer soggier conditions, it’s no wonder as of today, the avalanche advisory for the Salt River Range and Wyoming Range is forecast as “High” by the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center. Remember to always check local conditions before venturing out on local trails or into the backcountry. Stay safe folks!
[Graphic courtesy of Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center.] Lastly, I’m not sure if readers are aware, however, the Star Valley Ranch Association (SVRA) has been plowing the airstrip this winter. [Note the airstrip is located south of Town Hall across Vista Drive and just behind the pickleball courts.] This is a great place to get out and take your four-legged friend for a walk. Moose and I took advantage earlier this week and it was fantastic! Thanks SVRA for keeping the airstrip plowed as well as for all the terrific cross-country skiing and snowshoe grooming on Cedar Creek Golf Course! Fabulous!
Here are calendar items for next week:
Tuesday, February 4th at 10am, the TSVR will hold a Special Meeting at Town Hall to swear in the new mayor and councilman, and appoint a new municipal judge. A short work session will follow.
Wednesday, February 5th at 10am, the Lincoln County Commissioners are scheduled to meet in Kemmerer (with a video link available in Afton). Note the Mountain Estates development is on the agenda.
Thursday, February 6th at 7pm, the Ranch’s new winter recreation club, Fresh Tracks, will meet at Cedar Creek Center.
Final thoughts—Do you know what today is! It’s Groundhog Day! Here in Wyoming I think we should call it Rock Chuck Day! Technically, although similar in appearance a groundhog (or woodchuck) and a rock chuck (or marmot) are not the same critter, although they are both the largest and stockiest members of the squirrel family. Marmots and groundhogs belong to the rodent family Sciuridae and the genus Marmota. Marmots are widespread in the mountain west and can be found in alpine meadows and occasionally in lower foothills (mostly above 6,500 feet). Groundhogs are more common in the mid-west and northeast sections of the country and favor plains and forest clearings. Both animals are burrowing creatures that hibernate during the winter. In the summer, they can often be seen sunning themselves on large rocks and boulders (I’m sure you’ve noticed them when you’re out on the trails). All that said, I’m sure it’s way more than you really wanted to know about a chunky rodent. Getting back to Groundhog Day, I’m pretty sure there were nothing but shadows today meaning 6-more weeks of winter which is no surprise here in Wyoming! Enjoy your week ladies and gents!
That’s all for today—hope you enjoyed the read. And thank you for being a subscriber! If you have Star Valley Ranch news or photographs to share, please drop me an email at close2home307@gmail.com. And, if you find this weekly email useful, please invite your neighbors, family, and friends to check out Close to Home 307. Your support and feedback are very much appreciated!
Want to customize your Close to Home 307 subscription and the number of emails you receive each week? Please click this About page link and scroll mid-way down the page to learn how to update your settings.