News | Powell Tribune

Cody High School science teacher Dean Olenik (center) stands with some of his students after a previous award. Olenik was nominated for the National LifeChanger of the Year Award by his superintendent, Vernon Orndorff.

Cody educator nominated for national LifeChanger award

CODY — Cody High School science teacher Dean Olenik has been nominated for National Life Group’s 2025-26 LifeChanger of the Year award. National Life Group’s LifeChanger of the Year recognizes … more

2/5/26

Julia Carrasco straightens out equipment for blood work at the One Health community health center in Powell. The centers are among the limited options in Wyoming available to those with low incomes and no insurance coverage.

Medicaid, maternity care and rural initiatives: Health care legislation to watch this session

Though legislators convening in Cheyenne next week will primarily focus on passing a state budget, they will also consider bills that could help shape Wyoming’s health care landscape. … more

By Katie Klingsporn, WyoFile.com | 2/5/26

Area legislators met with county commissioners and other county officials from across the Big Horn Basin last month for a meeting in Cody to discuss potential legislation ahead of the Budget Session.

County legislators of mixed opinion on state shooting complex funding

Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, said it would help the prospects for more funding for the Wyoming State Shooting Complex in this legislative session if complex leadership can show progress in … more

By Zac Taylor | 2/3/26

While doing field studies at Chitwan National Park in Nepal, a domestic Asian elephant walks through the ‘classroom’ attended by four Park County UW students, including former Cody High students Bliss Bonner (2026 Tomé Scholar) Paula Medina and Hayley Pearson-Horner and former Powell High School student Gabby Paterson. As part of the Tomé scholarship, all education-related expenses are paid in full for the students, as well as trips abroad for further studies. Students will be heading to Namibia in southern Africa for their next field studies.

Freshman honors: Cody student awarded prestigious scholarship

Crossing the street while exploring the quiet town of Saurahai, Nepal, on her first trip with the University of Wyoming’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, UW freshman and Cody High … more

By Mark Davis | 2/3/26

Wapiti shooting case set for spring trial

When a Wapiti woman got into an armed standoff with law enforcement last summer — allegedly firing a shotgun and yelling obscenities at responding officers — one of her neighbors offered to help … more

By CJ Baker | 2/3/26

State Sen. Tim French (at right) addresses a small audience during a Jan. 20 meeting at Northwest College, alongside (from left) Park County Assessor Terry Call, Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, Sen. Dan Laursen, and Rep. Paul Hoeft.

Residents urged to apply for property tax relief

While nearly all Wyoming homeowners got a 25% discount on their property taxes last year, they need to submit some paperwork to receive the discount again this year. And as a March 1 deadline nears, … more

By CJ Baker | 2/3/26

Powell City Clerk Brando receives open government award

City of Powell Clerk Tiffany Brando has been selected as the February recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Award for Open Government, a monthly recognition presented by the Wyoming Press Association to … more

2/3/26

Gordon to kick off the essential budget series across Wyoming

CHEYENNE — Gov. Mark Gordon will travel to Cody Feb. 16 as part of a series of events around the state entitled, The Essentials Budget: Protecting and Powering Wyoming’s Future, highlighting the … more

2/3/26

Devastation from the 2019 failure of a Goshen canal tunnel underscores the cost of failure of aging irrigation infrastructure.

Wyoming faces $700M for water infrastructure needs

As Wyoming plans to spend $250 million on two new dams, primarily for agricultural use, the state’s water office warned lawmakers that it will also cost hundreds of millions of dollars to restore … more

By Angus M. Thuermer Jr., WyoFile.com | 2/3/26

Kelsi Goldfarb, a CNP educator based in Laramie County, holds fresh carrots donated to a local hunger relief organization.

Downsized Cent$ible Nutrition Program still offers services

LARAMIE — Wyoming’s Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP), which provides free nutrition and physical activity education to residents with limited resources, has shifted from a county-based model to … more

2/3/26

Yellowstone National Park to extend fishing season on three rivers

Starting this year, Yellowstone National Park will extend the fishing season on three rivers in the park. The following waterways, located in the west side of the park, will open May 1 for fishing … more

2/3/26

Sen. John Barrasso (second from left) met with (from left) Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation Director of Communications and Strategy Ray Locker, Board Chair Shirley Ann Higuchi and Executive Director Aura Sunada Newlin in Barrasso’s U.S. Capitol office to work through a transfer of federal land to the foundation to preserve.

Heart Mountain grateful for senators’ help on land transfer

Representatives of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation met last week with Wyoming’s senators to help expedite the transfer of the property where the site’s historic hospital buildings are … more

2/3/26

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking for $155 million annually for at least the next 5 years to study the iconic big game animal, conserve and improve habitat and ensure migration routes don’t face impediments, while making sure plans don’t interfere with industry.

Mule deer conservation costs a lot of bucks

By the time Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Deputy Chief Martin Hicks and Statewide Terrestrial Habitat Manager Ian Tator finished their presentation during the Commission’s January … more

By Mark Davis | 1/29/26

Edge of the world: Former Powell resident working in Antarctica has chance encounter with Sen. Lummis

When a former Powell resident crossed paths with U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., at her workplace last week, it wasn’t the chance encounter that was necessarily unusual, but the location: McMurdo … more

By CJ Baker | 1/29/26

Travel and hospitality veteran to lead Travel Council

After a monthslong, nationwide search, the Park County Travel Council has a new executive director. The county’s marketing arm, which operates as Cody Yellowstone, announced Wednesday that it … more

1/29/26

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association picks Cheyenne over Cody

Leaders of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) announced Monday that they’re preparing to move the organization from Colorado Springs to Cheyenne, passing over a competing proposal … more

By CJ Baker | 1/29/26

The Powell City Council is considering a new set of ordinances that would govern e-bikes, powered scooters and other devices, including one measure that would ban them and traditional bikes from being ridden on Bent Street between First and Third streets.

City proposes new rules for e-bikes, scooters

The City of Powell currently has no specific rules for the growing number of electric-powered bicycles and scooters that cruise the city’s streets, but that could soon change. Last week, the … more

By CJ Baker | 1/29/26

Tanya Bartholomew, a neighbor to the property with a short term rental in the Cody's Country neighborhood in Wapiti, points to a map held by fellow neighbor Mike Johnson showing the neighborhood layout. Both said the property's use as a short term rental — it was still listed on sites such as AirBnB at the time of the meeting — has disrupted neighbors.

Commissioners deny permit for short term rental in Wapiti

Park County commissioners unanimously denied a permit that would have allowed a Wapiti homeowner to continue using his property as a short term rental. Commissioner Dossie Overfield, who made … more

By Zac Taylor | 1/29/26

Soroptimist award winners Kelsey, Rebekah, Amanda, McKenzie and Hope stand with, from left, Soroptimist Live Your Dream Committee members Christin (back row) and Karri, Saffire, Dawn and Jerri.

Soroptimist awards grants to mothers for continuing education

In January, Soroptimist of Powell awarded a total of $7,000 to five head-of-household mothers who are continuing their education. Soroptimist is a global voluntary organization that … more

1/29/26

AAUW scholarship available

The Cody Branch of the American Association of University Women will be awarding a $2,000 scholarship. Deadline for the application is April 1, and the scholarship will be awarded May … more

1/29/26