In December the Teton County commissioners once again denied a request by Sheriff Matt Carr for funds to compensate 911 operators with salaries commensurate with those of patrol officers, opting instead to create a task force to study the issue. This in light of the fact that these positions…

I am the president of Responsible Growth Coalition, a local nonprofit that advocates publicly vetting and justifying each capital road project set forth in the Integrated Transportation Plan.

Facts are stubborn things, but facts are still vitally important. In our busy world with information bombarding us 24/7 it is easy to get confused or be persuaded by what seem to be compelling arguments. But it is important to take the time to understand the facts.

This past week has been an interesting time for Wyoming politicians Liz Cheney, Cynthia Lummis and Foster Friess.

Driving down the Snake River canyon it’s an auspicious day when you spot furry white dots along the canyon cliffs.

In early February our community will have a great opportunity to take a good hard look at the trend toward more commercialization of the backcountry in Grand Teton National Park. Several park concessionaires and corporate partnerships are contributing to this growth, but it is most obvious d…

We were shocked to read of the recent votes and dialogue regarding the approval of Fire in the Mountains at a venue in Buffalo Valley.

The role local news plays in defining and resolving community challenges is best summed up by our cartoonist Rob Pudim in his interview last week that graced our Valley section cover. After decades of distilling small-town life into pointed sketches, here’s how Pudim sees local news:

In the spring of 1630, nearing 400 years ago, while embarked on the Arbela and voyaging to America, Puritan John Winthrop delivered to his fellow seekers what became known as the “City on a Hill” sermon, then titled “A Model of Christian Charity.”

A resident’s recent snap decision to set a trap line at the edge of town on Cache Creek endangers hapless pets and public benevolence toward the sport.

Recently the Bridger-Teton National Forest released its final record of decision on livestock grazing on the 170,641-acre Upper Green River Allotment. The allotment includes the headwaters of the Green River north of Pinedale.

My grandfather began homesteading his ranch on the Green River, southwest of Pinedale, in 1907. I live and work on this ranch today. In 1906 the U.S. Forest Service issued grazing permits to ranchers who had grazed forest lands, and several years later it asked grazing permit holders to form…

For wildlife the December cold and snow are only the beginning of the long Wyoming winter. Elk are already gathering on their winter range as you read this. In the northwest part of the state, for some elk, this means settling on one of 23 elk feedgrounds, something their herds have been doi…

Other than our two Teton County Democrat representatives in Cheyenne (encouraged by several thoughtless Republicans), who else knew that a second home is a community “social asset” instead of one’s personal property?

The Jackson Hole Airport Board operates the Jackson Hole Airport in Grand Teton National Park, pursuant to an agreement with the Interior Department. In many ways this agreement provides us with tools that other airports do not have, tools to limit noise impacts and prevent scenic overflight…

It’s deja vu all over again. Our community is facing another application to conduct scenic helicopter tours over the valley, promising customers a grander view of the Tetons and surrounding environs.

Rep. Shelly Duncan, R-Goshen, introduced a bill that makes us question the Republican mantra of local control. Torrington is the county seat of Goshen and is located on the Nebraska state line. This county raises more cattle than any other Wyoming County. They have Oregon Trail ruts to admir…