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Pinedale
Wyoming Local News
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Joy Ufford The mood was very festive and rather raucous while supporters of Kickin’ Cancer in Sublette County and LaBarge gambled with hundreds of dollars in chips, cheering for both winners and losers during the annual "Casino Night." The Southwest Pioneers Senior Center dining room in Marbleton turned into a glitzy casino Saturday night, April 18, with blackjack, craps and roulette tables and smiling dealers. One end of the room was filled with special gift baskets donated for the raffle and the silent auction generously donated handcrafted jewelry, art, dinners, vacations, hay and other special items. Kickin’ Cancer sold out 180 dinner tickets in advance and many more came from far and wide to play poker, visit with friends, take pictures and support the cause. Donations large and small fund the nonprofit’s goal to offer local cancer patients some extra emotional and financial support. Every year, each eligible applicant in Sublette County and LaBarge can access up to $6,500 to ease the burdens of qualified travel or medical costs. In 2025, Kickin’ Cancer distributed $195,724.82 to local families and individuals. Over the years, Kickin’ Cancer has provided more than $1 million to locals. After almost 24 years, board president, founding member and cancer survivor Steve James retired, with Kevin Kunard stepping up to expand the board and work toward making the nonprofit self-sustainable. Fishing for the Fight, a summer fly-fishing tournament, provided a significant grant as a foundation. Kickin’ Cancer administrative manager Arlaina Goddard was a whirlwind swirling throughout the "casino." Also featured were treasurer Kim Myers, secretary Chauncey Goodrich and board members Amy Thang, Kathy King, Laura Walton and Mandy Norris. Kunard said this year’s annual event surpassed expectations. The Common Cents casino tables and dealers were sponsored by local businesses and individuals – Craps ($2,000) Pinedale Dental and Jonah Energy; Roulette ($1,400) Hilcorp Energy and PureWest; Blackjack ($850) The Bear Den, Speciality Drywall, SOS Well Services, Bank of Jackson Hole, Tegeler & Associates, Office Outlet, First Western Bank, King Electric, Neilou and Roman Sombrano and DYNAMCK. Click on this link for more pictures: Casino Night For more information about Kickin’ Cancer, see www.kickincancer.org. Mike Schmid announces he will not run for re-election (posted 4/22/2026)
Joy Ufford Wyoming Game and Fish and state water agencies kicked off the process to study and request unallocated Upper Green River Basin (UGRB) in-stream water rights to benefit Colorado cutthroat trouts’ life cycles and state fisheries. Wyoming Water Development Office (WWDO) and Game and Fish staff presented the Level 1 project at an April public scoping meeting in Pinedale to study in-stream flows and unallocated water rights from six identified stream segments throughout the basin. "In-stream flow is a three-legged stool with Game and Fish and the State Engineer’s Office," said WWDO program manager Chace Tavelli. Last year, Game and Fish designated "critical" segments of six creeks – all on public lands – and asked WWDO to determine if these particular unallocated waters have sufficient naturally flowing cubic-flow-per-second (cfs) needed to improve Colorado cutthroat trout habitats during its life cycle. Wyoming Game and Fish requests specific in-stream flows in its biological reports to benefit its fisheries. The WWDO contracted consultant Mike Fuller, of Hydrologic Solutions, LLC to design the studies of the six Upper Green stream segments identified by Game and Fish. Fuller described the six segments – West Horse Creek (3.55 miles), Klondike Creek (2.75 miles), Rock Creek (6.39 miles), South Beaver Creek (5.98 miles), North Horse Creek (16.44 miles) South Horse Creek (12.77 miles) and Maki Creek (3.55 miles). "We have not found any water rights at these segments or above them," Fuller said. "We did fairly thorough evaluations." The project will measure "unassigned" in-stream flows upstream from any existing water diversions and water rights’ holders and look at extensive historic gauge, depth and velocity data. "We’re not here to debate in-stream flows," Tavelli said. "We have a statutory duty to do these studies. ... The water does stay in the stream." Game and Fish In-Stream Biologist Sydney McAndrews said the unallocated water could be essential for the Colorado cutthroat and fisheries. To select segments, they moved past a private boundary or existing water right "and then go upstream as far as reasonable in the watershed." Fuller will measure each segment’s depth and velocity at its downstream end, compile historic and current data, past studies and reports, then make field visits in May and compile a complete hydrologic analysis "to re-create streamflow within these creeks," he said. Fuller is also required to perform a "storage analysis" to meet or adjust the in-stream flow rates for the year per Game and Fish. "We will look at what types of storage would be required to meet the water-rights requirements." Tavelli emphasized that permitting new water rights does not add or take away allocated water to the tributaries or the Upper Green itself. He said irrigation and water-rights holders would not be affected; none of the in-stream flow being quantified is allocated, he repeated. "It does not impact previously existing water rights. The water stays in the river; it doesn’t get pulled out. ... It’s not a sum total. Only within this segment is the amount of water being requested for permitting." In the case of this year’s dry winter and spring likely lowering Upper Green water flows, McAndrews said in low snow years, the flows might not be met. "Our requests for flows are only if naturally available for what we request." "If Game and Fish requests 10 cfs and there’s only 4 cfs in the creek – that’s hydrology," Tavelli said. When Fuller completes the Upper Green River Basin Level 1 hydrology analysis, Tavelli and others will review the report. The final report is sent to the SEO for close scrutiny. The State Engineer’s Office will then hold a public meeting next year, probably in Pinedale, take comments, and determine the status of Wyoming Game and Fish’s water-rights application. For detailed maps and specifics on the six designated creek segments for the Upper Green River Basin Level 1 Study, go to the Wyoming Water Development Commission website, https://wwdc.state.wy.us/, under "In-Stream Flows."
Albert Sommers media release House District 20 – Why I’m Running Hello citizens of Sublette County and House District 20, After serving 12 years in the Wyoming House, I stepped away in 2024 to run for the Senate because I believed I still had more to give in public service. That race didn’t go my way, and I respected the outcome. But over the past two years, after closely watching the direction of the Wyoming House—and hearing from many of you encouraging me to return—I’ve come to believe that House District 20 once again needs experienced, common-sense conservative leadership that will stand up for our people, our industries, and our natural resources. I followed this past legislative session closely and spent time at the Capitol. What I saw raised serious concerns. Despite entering the session with a budget surplus, the Freedom Caucus-controlled House Appropriations Committee made decisions that cut food assistance for vulnerable children, reduced business opportunities, slashed funding to the University of Wyoming, eliminated resources for cheatgrass control, denied raises for state employees, and removed positions critical to protecting Wyoming’s water rights. At the same time, controversies like "Checkgate" undermined public trust, and decorum in the House deteriorated. Efforts to defund important local institutions like the Pinedale Aquatic Center, Big Piney Recreation Center, and Sublette BOCES through unnecessary elections only added to the concern. Leadership matters. Right now, the Wyoming House is too often focused on division instead of solutions. We need steady, effective leadership that solves problems—not rhetoric and political theater. That’s why I’m running for House District 20. During my 12 years in the Wyoming House (2013–2024), I focused on delivering real results for our communities. I helped create the Wyoming Colorado River Advisory Committee to ensure our water users have a voice in critical decisions affecting the Green River Valley. I worked to establish funding for rural hospitals, including support that benefited Sublette County Hospital. As Speaker of the House, I prioritized responsible property tax relief. On the Appropriations Committee, I helped cut spending during downturns, save for the future, and invest wisely when revenues were strong. I am a common-sense conservative who believes in getting things done. I support our core industries—oil and gas, ranching, and tourism—and I will continue to fight for the people and natural resources of Sublette County and LaBarge. I am pro-gun, pro-life, pro-family, and pro-education. I also take seriously my oath to uphold the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions, which means I didn’t support bills that violated those constitutions. I read bills carefully and I voted accordingly. Transparency and accessibility will remain central to how I serve. As I’ve done before, I will provide regular updates on legislation, seek your input, and clearly explain my votes. I will continue attending local meetings and staying engaged with our communities. I believe the best government is the one closest to the people. Local control isn’t just a principle—it’s how we ensure decisions reflect the needs of our communities. I will always stand for that. I look forward to earning your support and seeing you on the campaign trail. For more information, visit VoteforAlbert.com. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at albert@albertsommers.com with any questions or ideas. Respectfully, Albert Sommers |
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