A busy and snowy week here at Star Valley Ranch, here are your news updates:
The week began on a sad and tragic note. On Sunday, January 14th a skier was killed in Prater Canyon after being caught in an avalanche. Both Star Valley Search and Rescue and Teton County Search and Rescue responded to the scene. You can read local news coverage of the tragedy in this Star Valley Independent article and in this observation report from the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center. Note that at the time of the fatality a high avalanche danger advisory was in effect.
If you are unfamiliar with the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, please visit their website and always heed avalanche danger advisories before recreating on our local Bridger-Teton National Forest trails.
The Star Valley Ranch Trail Crew also posts updates on local trail conditions on their Facebook page.
A look at the avalanche warnings in effect on January 14th on the left (the day of the skier fatality) and for today January 21st on the right. 
Teton County Search & Rescue in route to the emergency in Prater Canyon on January 14th. [Photo courtesy of Teton County Search & Rescue.] 
Conditions on Cedar Creek Trail remain wet and heavy as seen in these images provided by the SVR Ranch Trail Crew from this weekend. Take note of the small snow-slide in the photo on the right. Be safe out there people! Tuesday, January 16th the Town of Star Valley Ranch (TSVR) Town Council conducted a Work Session at Town Hall. The primary purpose of the work session was to review proposed changes to a number of planning and zoning ordinances. Here are a couple of additional notes from the meeting:
The Town Council is working to remove fees from existing ordinances as the latter are considered to be more appropriately documented via resolution.
The Council discussed the status of the Middle Branch Bridge replacement project. Approval from the Army Corps of Engineers is still pending, however, the Town Engineer expects the project to go to bid in the April timeframe.
On Thursday, January 18th the TSVR Natural Resources Board (NRB) met at Town Hall. Unfortunately, no agenda or draft minutes for this meeting have been posted to the Town website as of the writing of this news post.
On Saturday, January 20th, the Star Valley Ranch Association (SVRA) sent an email to residents providing an update on its Board of Directors (BoD). In the rather strongly worded email (that you can read here), it was announced a vote was taken on Friday, January 19th to remove a sitting BoD member and that prior to the vote another sitting BoD member had resigned. According to the email the SVRA BoD will hold a round table on Thursday, February 1st at 7pm to discuss this situation and “quell any potential concerns”.
Note: I’ll be sure to attend the February 1st meeting and provide readers with any follow-on information about these developments with the SVRA BoD.
There are a number of additional news notes for the week as follows:
The TSVR Coat Drive is currently in progress with donation boxes available at Town Hall. Donations will be accepted (Monday through Thursday only) until February 1st.
The Pole Barn Poll from last week’s SVR News Roundup post is still open. If you haven’t already, click here to access the poll and add your opinion (you’ll find the poll midway down the page). In the meantime here’s where the voting stands:
If you haven’t already offered your opinion, click the image above to access the poll and then scroll midway down the page to cast your vote. The water leak affecting Plats 4 and 5 was repaired quickly and without incident on Tuesday, January 16th. My understanding is the water only had to be shut-off for about an hour to complete the repair.
Star Valley Ranch calendar items for next week are as follows:
Wednesday, January 24th the TSVR Planning & Zoning Board will hold at work session starting at 4pm followed by a regular meeting at 5pm—both at Town Hall.
Thursday, January 25th a meeting with the County Commissioners and Municipal elected officials from Lincoln County will be held from 10am to 3pm at the Afton Civic Center. Discussion topics include economic development and county planning. A TSVR Council representative will participate.
Final thoughts—heading into next week it looks like we’re in for a bit of a warm-up so be safe when you’re out and about. For now, the snow sure is pretty! And, if you’re a cross-country skier like me—you just gotta get out there! Thanks SVRA for grooming the golf course and installing signage!
That’s all for this week. As ever, thank you very much for reading! Your support and feedback is very much appreciated! And, if you like what you read please invite your neighbors, family, and friends to check out Close to Home 307. Reach me anytime at: close2home307@gmail.com