LATEST NEWS

Douglas' United States Post Office is ready and rarin' to go for the 32nd annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive taking place Saturday, May 11. Senior city carrier Zina Kolbet urges residents to donate groceries if they can and stresses the importance of grabbing some food if needed.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the DHS girls won the first meeting three weeks ago against Buffalo 7-1 and took care of business in regulation this time with a 1-0 victory. There is no doubt that the Douglas High School girls soccer team will be...

Join us for the 16th Annual Diamond-McNabb Ranch Horse Sale, happening on June 1st at the picturesque Powderhorn Ranch near Douglas, Wyoming. But wait, there's more! Get a head start on the excitement on May 31st when the gates open at 3 p.m. Enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner served at 5 p.m. for just $20 a person, followed by a special demonstration by the legendary Ken McNabb at 6 p.m.

On Tuesday, Newcastle faced Douglas in a battle between two of the state's top teams. The Newcastle Dogies lost 6-0 to the Douglas Bearcats. The loss continues a trend for Newcastle in their matchups with Douglas: they've now lost eight in a row. Newcastle's defeat dropped their record down to...

A local resident worried about potential prom disasters decided to offer a volunteer service to those in need following Douglas High School’s 2024 Prom. Audrea Lewallen posted on social media that she would be giving rides to those attending prom who found themselves having too much to drink or simply in need of a ride, “no questions asked.”

STATE OF WYOMING)IN THE DISTRICT COURT. IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF) SHARON DUFFY also known as) SHARON G. DUFFY also known as) You are hereby notified that on the 23rd day of April, 2024, an Application for Summary Procedure for Distribution of Property was filed in the above named court by a distributee of said decedent. That there will be no administration of said estate and petitioner seeks to enter a decree establishing the right and title to real property. If no objection to the Application has been filed within thirty (30) days of the first date of publication, said decree shall be presented to the Court, in the Courtroom of said Court, in the Converse County Courthouse, 1201 Mesa Drive Suite F, Douglas, Wyoming on June 12, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard.

With Regionals just a week away now, the Douglas High School track & field team is making huge strides in the final days while chasing more state pre-qualifications. Every athlete had those chances last week with a bulk of squad in Buffalo and a select few at the prestigious Wyoming Track Classic.

Fire Suppression Authority... Fire Suppression Authority of Converse County will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Douglas Fire Hall at 230 North 2nd Street, Douglas, WY at 12:00 pm or as soon thereafter as possible to consider proposed budget amendments to the 2023-2024 Budget. Information may be obtained in advance by contacting Rick Andrews at 307-358-2155 on the proposed amendments. All interested citizens are urged to attend.

It’s been a long time in the making, but on Monday First Northern Bank of Wyoming officials turned the first shovel of dirt on the site of their new bank. The ground-breaking ceremony ends the planning phase for the new bank and moves it into the construction phase, with work expected to begin in earnest in mid to late May, according to Douglas Branch Manager Pierre Etchemendy.

A Public Hearings will be held by the Douglas Planning and Zoning Commission on May 20, 2024, and the Douglas City Council on May 28, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. or as soon thereafter as possible, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 101 N. 4th St. The purpose of these hearings is to take public comments on an application by Sign Products, Inc for approval of a conditional use permit to install an Electronic Message Display sign in a B-2 General Business Zone at 1155 E. Richards Street (Old Airport Subdivision, Lots 2.). If you are unable to attend, you may submit written comments to the Community Development Department of the City of Douglas, P.O. Box 1030, Douglas, Wyoming 82633, or you may call the Community Development Dept. at 358-2132 Monday –Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM by May 13, 2024. The Planning and Zoning Commission will also be considering an Annexation petition from Riverside RV Park for the properties at 920 Brownfield Road, 79 W. Richards Street, and a part of West Richards Street.

Unapproved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 22, 2024. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ROLL CALL: Mayor Pexton called the meeting to order at approximately 5:30 p.m. Roll call was taken with the following City Council members present: Mayor Kim Pexton, Councilperson Ron McNare; Councilperson Perry Hershberger; Councilperson Matt Schmidt; and Councilperson John Bartling. Mayor Pexton led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: JD Cox, City Manager; Mike Armstrong, City Attorney; Clara Chaffin, Community Development Director; Todd Byerly, Chief of Police; John Harbarger, Public Works Director; Mary Nicol, Administrative Services Director/Treasurer; Kendal Detwiler, Human Resources Director. Disclosures by City Council Members: None. General Agenda (Corrections/Additions): Councilperson McNare moved to approve the general agenda moving item 5b to 8m. Councilperson Schmidt seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Public Comments: None. Consent Docket: Minutes: City Council Work Session: April 8, 2024; City Council Meeting: April 8, 2024, Financial Disclosures. Councilperson Bartling moved to approve the Consent Docket as presented. Councilperson McNare seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Presentation: New Employee: Neomi Cummings: City Manager Cox introduced Neomi. UW-WORTH: City Manager Cox introduced the UW Worth Douglas Destination Group for their presentation on the Douglas Tourism Enhancement Study. State Champion Girls Basketball Team: Council recognized members for their 9th State Title. Unified Budget & Strategic Doing Update: City Manager Cox provided an update. Proclamation: Shop Local May 2024: Councilperson Bartling read the proclamation. Public Hearings: Resolution 2024-05: A Resolution Approving the Wild Card Subdivision, Lots 1 and 2, Converse County, Wyoming. Mayor Pexton opened the public hearing at 6:06 p.m. Director Chaffin provided an overview. No Public Comments. Public Hearing closed at 6:09 p.m. Councilperson McNare moved to approve resolution 2024-06 as presented and making sure it would be a legal split with separate septic & wells on a 2 acre site. Councilperson Bartling seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Council Action Items: Ordinance 1040: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 5.10.10(A)(1) of Douglas Municipal Code Concerning the Fees of Alcohol or Malt Beverages: Director Nicol provided an overview. Councilperson Bartling moved to approve Ordinance 1040 as presented on 1st reading. Councilperson Schmidt seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution 2024-10: A Resolution Adopting Changes to Policy and Procedure for the Police Department of the City of Douglas, Wyoming: Chief of Police Byerly provided an overview. Councilperson Hershberger moved to approve Resolution 2024-10 as presented. Councilperson McNare seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution 2024-11: A Resolution Declaring Jackalope Day: City Manager Cox provided an overview. Councilperson Schmidt moved to approve Resolution 2024-11 as presented. Councilperson Hershberger seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution 2024-12: A Resolution Adopting the Snow Emergency & No Parking Snow Route Policy: Director Harbarger provided an overview. Councilperson McNare moved to approve Resolution 2024-12 as presented. Councilperson Bartling seconded. Motion carried 3-2. Resolution 2024-13: Business Meal Policy: City Manager Cox provided an overview & answered questions. Councilperson Bartling moved to approve Resolution 2024-13 as presented. Councilperson McNare seconded. Motion carried 4-1. Bid Award: Adams Street Improvements Project: Director Harbarger provided an overview & answered questions. Councilperson Hershberger moved to award the bid from Wayne Coleman Construction in the amount of $2,095,307.00 for the Adams Street Improvement Project and further authorize the City Manager to sign all associated documents. Councilperson Schmidt seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Proposal Acceptance: Hauling Solid Waste: Director Harbarger provided an overview & answered questions. Councilperson Schmidt moved to accept the withdrawal of the Solid Waste Hauling Proposal from Express Disposal and accept the proposal from Blackburn Cattle Co. Inc. in the amount of $420 per load plus a $4.20 fuel surcharge per load per $0.10 increase about $3.00 per gallon of diesel and further authorize the City Manager to sign all associated documents. Councilperson McNare seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Proposal Acceptance: Swimming Pool Design: Director Harbarger provided an overview. Councilperson McNare moved to accept the proposal from Progressive Commercial Aquatics in the amount of $112,200 and authorize the City Manager to sign all associated documents. Councilperson Schmidt seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Lease Agreement Amendment Number Three: The Enterprise: City Manager Cox provided an overview. Councilperson Bartling moved to approve the lease agreement amendment number three with the Enterprise. Councilperson Schmidt seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Board Appointment: Converse County Tourism Board: Councilperson Hershberger moved to appoint John Rabun, Jenn Rasmussen, & JD Cox to the Converse County Tourism Board for the term July 1, 2024 thru June 30, 2027. Councilperson Bartling seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Maverik Estoppel Certificate: Director Chaffin provided an overview & answered questions. Councilperson Schmidt moved to approve the Estoppel Certificate for Maverik, Inc, as presented. Councilperson McNare seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Sales Tax Notification: Director Nicol provided an overview & answered questions. Ordinance 1037, 3rd Reading: An Ordinance Amending Section 8.20.190 Removal of Snow & Ice and Adding Section 10.92.080 Snow Emergency and No Parking Snow Routes: Councilperson Hershberger moved to approve ordinance 1037 on the 3rd reading as presented. Councilperson McNare seconded. Motion carried 4-1. Council Information: Aid to Other Entities: 3rd Quarter Reports. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes:April 15, 2024. Financial Report: March 2024. City Manager’s Report: City Manager Cox provided an update on multiple recent and current items. Good People Doing Good Things: Councilperson Hershberger recognized Carol Fenner for assisting someone with a health issue paying for a procedure. Councilperson Hershberger also recognized Bridget Stinson & Family, Stinson Lawn Care, for assisting a new Douglas citizen with unloading their U-Haul when they were struggling. Councilperson Bartling recognized Coach Helenbolt and the Girls Basketball Team for putting in so much effort. Mayor Pexton recognized the University of Wyoming WORTH Group. Community Update: Possible Quorum: April 23, 2024, 3 PM, LaBonte, Douglas Blueprint, Stakeholder’s Meeting; Possible Quorum: April 23, 2024, 5:30 pm, LaBonte, Douglas Blueprint, Community Open House; Possible Quorum: April 24, 2024, 11:30 am, City Hall, Douglas Blueprint, Council Luncheon with Ayers. Executive Session: Councilperson Hershberger moved that the council adjourn into executive session for the purpose of considering the site selection or purchase of real estate, in accordance with W.S. §16-4-405(a)(vii). Councilperson McNare seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:49 p.m. /s/Kim Pexton, Mayor. ATTEST:/s/Mary Nicol, City Clerk.

ORDINANCE NO. 1037: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8.20.190 REMOVAL OF SNOW AND ICE AND ADDING SECTIONS 10.92.080 SNOW EMERGENCY AND 10.92.090 NO PARKING SNOW ROUTES. WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that the following changes, additions and clarifications need to be made in regard to the City of Douglas Municipal Code. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF DOUGLAS, WYOMING: Section 1.Douglas Municipal Code 8.20.190 is hereby amended as follows: 8.20.190: Removal of snow and ice. A. Sidewalks. Owners and/or occupants of property abutting a sidewalk shall, after a snowfall, remove snow, ice or slush from such sidewalks and maintain them free of the same. All persons or entities owning, occupying, or having control of certain premises, a building or an empty lot located within commercial zones in the City shall clear the sidewalks of snow, in front of or on the side of said premises, building or empty lot located adjacent to a public street after any snowfall accumulation by 5:00 am the following day. All persons owning, occupying, or having the control of premises, a residence, a building or empty lot located within all other zones in the City of Douglas shall cause such snowfall accumulation to be removed from sidewalks on the boundary of their premises, residence, building or empty lot within five (5) days. If any owner or occupant of the property fails to comply with this subsection, the city may, after a reasonable effort to contact the owner and/or occupant either in person or by telephone, have the snow ice or slush removed and charge the owner or occupant for the costs thereof, as provided in Section 8.20.070. B. Except as provided for in subsection C below, it is unlawful for any person to remove snow from private property and place the same on a public right-of-way or without adequate arrangements for the immediate removal thereof. For the purposes of this ordinance, public right-of-way means the area on, below, or above a public roadway, highway, street, alley, bridge, sidewalk, or utility easement dedicated for compatible uses, but excepting therefrom any area between the sidewalk and the public roadway. C. Persons owning or leasing property within the commercial zone for the City, as defined by the official City of Zoning Map, shall be allowed to push the snow, ice, and slush from their sidewalk into the public street subject to the following conditions. 1. The snow must be pushed into the street as provided for herein by 5:00 a.m. on the following day of a snow; 2. Snow may only be pushed into the streets from concrete or asphalt surfaces. Section 2.Douglas Municipal Code 10.92.080 is created to read as follows: 10.92.080 – Snow Emergency Routes. A. Whenever the city manager or designee determines that due to snow, sleet, hail, freezing rain, or a forecast by the United States Weather Bureau of weather conditions that so warrant, he is authorized to declare a snow emergency. B. The city manager or designee shall provide announcements to local radio stations and newspapers declaring a snow emergency. There shall be included in such announcements the time and date that parking prohibitions become effective pursuant to this section. When feasible, such announcements shall be disseminated to the local newspaper. C. The city council may from time to time adopt and amend a snow and ice control plan, designating snow emergency routes and/or designating no parking snow routes, creating standards for declaration of a snow emergency, designating the priorities for snow removal, and such other purposes as council shall determine. The snow and ice control plan is a public document which may be examined by any interested person at city hall upon request. On each street or portion of street upon which parking is otherwise permitted and which is designated a no parking snow emergency route, the city manager or designee shall cause to be posted, at reasonable intervals, traffic signs indicating that the street or portion of street has been designated as a no parking snow emergency route and that vehicles may be towed. The signs may use words, international symbols, or both. The snow emergency and no parking snow routes are designated on the Official City of Douglas Snow Route map as adopted by Resolution. D. Whenever any vehicle, except an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency, is found parked or standing, attended or unattended, upon a snow emergency route during a snow emergency route declaration, the city manager or designee may have the vehicle towed from the snow emergency route and stored, both at the owner’s expense. E. Once declared, a snow emergency exists until the city manager declares it terminated. Notice of termination of a snow emergency shall be given by the same means as the announcement of the snow emergency. F. All authority granted the city manager or designee in this section may be exercised by the manager or any person designated by the city manager or designee. G. The city council finds that notice of the location of snow emergency given by the snow and ice control plan and signs, and the declaration of snow emergencies given by announcement telephoned to local radio stations, are sufficient to notify all persons of the conduct prohibited by the ordinance codified in this section. Section 3. Douglas Municipal Code 10.92.090 is created to read as follows: 10.92.090 – No Parking Snow Routes. A. No Parking Snow Routes shall be designated by Resolution and designated on the Official City of Douglas Snow Route map. B. The city council may from time to time adopt and amend a snow and ice control plan, designating snow emergency routes and/or designating no parking snow routes, creating standards for declaration of a snow emergency, designating the priorities for snow removal, and such other purposes as council shall determine. The snow and ice control plan is a public document which may be examined by any interested person at city hall upon request. On each street or portion of street upon which parking is otherwise permitted and which is designated a no parking snow emergency route, the city manager or designee shall cause to be posted, at reasonable intervals, traffic signs indicating that the street or portion of street has been designated as a no parking snow emergency route and that vehicles may be towed. The signs may use words, international symbols, or both. The snow emergency and no parking snow routes are designated on the Official City of Douglas Snow Route map as adopted by Resolution. C. Whenever any vehicle, except an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency, is found parked or standing, attended or unattended, upon a no parking snow route during a no parking snow route declaration, the city manager or designee may have the vehicle towed from the no parking snow route and stored, both at the owner’s expense. D. All authority granted the city manager or designee in this section may be exercised by the manager or any person designated by the city manager or designee. E. The city council finds that notice of the location of no parking snow routes given by the snow and ice control plan and signs is sufficient to notify all persons of the conduct prohibited by the ordinance codified in this section. PASSED AND APPROVED ON FIRST READING this 26th day of February, 2024. PASSED AND APPROVED ON SECOND READING this 8th day of April, 2024. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON THIRD AND FINAL READING this 22nd day of April, 2024. /s/Kim Pexton, Mayor. ATTEST:/s/Mary Nicol, City Clerk.