Powell Tribune

Park County Commission candidate Scott Mangold makes a point during a July 28 forum at the Washington Park bandshell, as fellow Republican contenders Ted Smith (left) and incumbent Jake Fulkerson (right) wait their turn to speak. Commissioner Lee Livingston, who is also running for the two available seats on the board, missed the event.

Park County Commission candidates make their cases at forums

At a pair of forums last week, candidates for the Park County Commission spoke about how they might cut the county budget or raise more revenue, but none formally endorsed the idea of a new 1% sales … more

By CJ Baker | 8/4/20

Powell City Councilor Young seeks fourth term

Floyd Young is in his third term in Ward II, for a total of 12 years on the council, and he’s now running unopposed for a fourth term. “I love serving the people as Powell,” … more

By Kevin Killough | 8/4/20

Seeking first full term, Mayor Wetzel runs unopposed

John Wetzel has served in the Powell city government since 2007, beginning as a councilman and being appointed as mayor in 2017 to replace the late Don Hillman. In 2018, Wetzel won nearly 67% of … more

By Kevin Killough | 8/4/20

Larsen challenges Laursen for House seat

Voters in the Powell area again have a choice in the local race for the Wyoming House of Representatives. It appeared as though state Rep. Dan Laursen, R-Powell, would be unopposed in his bid for … more

By CJ Baker | 7/30/20

Forum Tuesday at Washington Park

With the primary election just a few weeks away, local residents have another opportunity to hear from candidates in several races. On Tuesday evening, the Meet the Candidates event at Washington … more

7/30/20

County custodian with diverse background running for commission

Ted Smith has held a wide variety of jobs throughout his life, in construction, farming, agricultural research, teaching, journalism and as an elected official in Ohio. “I can relate to a … more

By CJ Baker | 7/30/20

Early voting is underway at the Park County Courthouse in Cody and residents can drop off their absentee ballots in the mail bin 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, some voters and elected officials are upset that the Park County Clerk’s Office is reducing the number of polling places available for voting on Election Day.

Clerk’s decision to close polling places draws formal complaint

A decision by the Park County Clerk’s Office to eliminate several rural polling places for this year’s elections is proving unpopular with some voters and officials. Two citizens … more

By CJ Baker | 7/28/20

Heath Streeter supports ‘small, hometown values’

Heath Streeter is challenging Powell City Councilwoman Lesli Spencer, but Streeter said he didn’t put his name in out of any dissatisfaction with her performance on the council. … more

By Kevin Killough | 7/28/20

Lesli Spencer ready for challenges ahead in next term

Lesli Spencer was appointed to the Powell City Council in 2015, elected to a full four-year term the following year and is now seeking re-election for a second term. The Ward 3 council member is … more

By Kevin Killough | 7/28/20

Wyoming Gun Owners Policy Adviser Aaron Dorr attacks state Rep. Sandy Newsome’s stances on gun rights in this screenshot taken from a video recently posted to the advocacy group’s YouTube account. Some lawmakers are upset with the tactics being used by Dorr and Wyoming Gun Owners.

Gun rights group draws ire of top lawmaker

A growing group of Wyoming lawmakers — including the vice president of the Senate — are coming after one of the state’s most aggressive gun rights groups after it lodged efforts to … more

By Nick Reynolds, Casper Star-Tribune Via Wyoming News Exchange | 7/28/20

Candidates to spar in Powell and Cody

Itching to learn more about the candidates running for Park County’s elected offices or just hoping to meet them in person? The next couple of weeks will bring multiple chances. Local … more

By CJ Baker | 7/23/20

Hovivian wants to be fresh voice on council

Geoff Hovivian said he wants to bring “fresh” ideas to the city council. He’ll be 32 in September, and if elected, he would become the youngest person currently serving on the … more

By Kevin Killough | 7/21/20

Andrews wants to be a voice for business

When James Andrews saw no one running for the Powell City Council Ward I position, he said he tried to find someone who could speak more eloquently or looked better than him. Several phone calls … more

By Kevin Killough | 7/21/20

Historic Horse Racing Terminals — like the ones seen here from the Horse Palace in Cheyenne — could be coming to Park County, if voters approve pari-mutuel betting. Some of the proceeds from the machines are used to host live horse races at several tracks around the state, while other proceeds go to local governments.

Off-track betting? Park County voters will be asked to consider pari-mutuel wagering this fall

Voters will decide this fall if they want to allow another type of gambling in Park County. On Tuesday, county commissioners unanimously agreed to put a question on November’s general … more

By CJ Baker | 7/16/20

Mangold hopes to represent eastern Park County on commission

Scott Mangold says it was the very last day of the candidate filing period that his phone began ringing off the hook. “I had a lot of these Park County Republicans calling me up and saying, … more

By CJ Baker | 7/14/20

Powell legislative candidate withdraws from race

Chris Good, a Republican who was seeking to represent the Powell area in the Wyoming House of Representatives, announced “with a heavy heart” Wednesday that he is withdrawing from the … more

By CJ Baker and Dave Bonner | 7/9/20

NWC board welcomes new trustee

The Northwest College Board of Trustees on Monday welcomed Lawrence Todd of Meeteetse as a new member. Trustees selected Todd to fill the unexpired term of Meeteetse trustee Nada Larsen, who will … more

7/9/20

Park County sees surge in requests for absentee ballots

Due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Park County elections officials have been encouraging local voters to cast absentee ballots in 2020. Early indications are that more local voters … more

By CJ Baker | 6/25/20

Powell Hospital District trustees Deb Kleinfeldt (left) and R.J. Kost (at right) present Larry Parker with gifts and recognition on Monday, after he announced his retirement from the hospital board following 10 years of service.

Larry Parker resigns from Powell hospital board

Larry Parker, who serves on both the Powell Valley Healthcare and Powell Hospital District Board of Trustees, announced his retirement at their regular meeting Monday. “I just need to move … more

By Kevin Killough | 6/25/20

Park County currently assesses a 4% tax on local lodging services, including on stays at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in Yellowstone National Park. Local voters will likely be asked to renew the 4% tax this fall which — when added to a new 3% tax that’s going to the state — would raise the total lodging tax rate to 7%.

Confusion over new statewide lodging tax complicates efforts to renew Park County’s tax

Efforts to renew Park County’s 4% lodging tax have been complicated by the Legislature’s recent passage of a new statewide lodging tax. Due to some bad information from a state … more

By Kevin Killough | 6/25/20