CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Projects in the City of Casper have received funding amounting to over $8 million.
On Friday, the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation announced it had dispersed awards to various programs and initiatives across the state as part of its ARPA Grant Program, which has allocated an additional $17,719,899 in funding. To date, the grant program has awarded $20,332,258 for 21 outdoor recreation projects across the state.
The City of Casper received grant funding for three projects: improvements for Marion Kreiner Pool and Park, the North Casper Athletics and Recreation Complex and North Platte River Pedestrian Bridge. Altogether, the Oil City received $8,195,000 for the projects.
“We are excited to make improvements to Marion Kreiner Pool and bring a skate park and pump track to the adjoining park that will serve skateboard, scooter, and bicycle riders,” said Zulima Lopez, Casper Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities director. “When coupled with Matt Campfield Park just one block north, this project will create a hub of recreational opportunities and community activities that will benefit the residents of North Casper, especially the youth.”
The following grant applications were approved during the second and final round of funding:
“These grants represent a significant investment in our communities and outdoor spaces, providing vital opportunities for recreation, health, and connection to nature,” said Brynn Hirschman, grants coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “We are thrilled to support projects that will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, while fostering economic growth through outdoor recreation.”
During its second round of applications, the office received 33 applications from local, county, state and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations. The total requested funding equaled $47,839,730, exceeding the office’s available funds by $26,452,089.
The funds are made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, appropriated by the Wyoming Legislature and approved by Gov. Mark Gordon. The Wyoming Outdoor Recreation ARPA Grant Program was created to fund public outdoor recreation projects throughout the state. To be eligible, a project must occur within a Qualified Census Tract or Disproportionately Impacted Community as determined by the U.S. Treasury. The full impact of these grants will be realized over the coming years as these recreational projects are developed.
“The Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute at the University of Wyoming is conducting an economic impact study of both the round one and two Wyoming Outdoor Recreation ARPA Grants,” said Dan McCoy, director of the WORTH Initiative. “Our economic impact study should help decision-makers better understand the total economic payoff for these investments. However, communities will also receive other benefits from these projects including better mental and physical health outcomes from greater access to the outdoors.”
For more information about the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and future funding opportunities, click here.
CASPER, Wyo. — “Taken off of Wyoming 59 Bypass at 7 a.m.,” writes photographer Nathaniel Lax. “It’s a beautiful picture of the sun rising behind the cornerstone of what we do in Wyoming: make energy. The silhouette of the power plants against the beautiful red and orange sky — it’s absolutely captivating.”
Do you have a photo that captures the beauty of Wyoming? Submit it by clicking here and filling out the form, and we may share it!
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Wyoming Cowboys shot a season-high 69% from behind the arc and erased a 9-point deficit en route to a 70–65 road win at Air Force on Saturday.
“If you don’t like stress, don’t watch us,” UW head coach Sundance Wicks said. “This is what Air Force does to teams, but understand it is a complex scout and you try to play the percentages. I gave a lot of game balls out tonight and we had some big-time plays by big-time players stepping up in big moments.”
Wyoming was led by four players in double figures. Jordan Nesbitt recorded his sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kobe Newton scored a team-best 16 points, going 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Dontaie Allen added 14 points going 4-of-4 on 3-point attempts in the process. Matija Belic added 13 points while going 6-of-8 from the field.
Cole Henry added 8 points for the Pokes, and A.J. Wills finished with a game-best five assists.
The Pokes shot 57.1% from the field, the seventh time the team has shot at least 50% this season. UW was extremely efficient from behind the arc, going 9-of-13.
The Pokes opened the game by taking a fast 5–0 lead on an emphatic slam dunk by Henry and a 3-pointer from Newton. However, Air Force went on an 11–0 run using the three ball for an 11–5 lead. The Falcons would push that lead to 14–7 minutes later.
Air Force hit five threes in the first eight minutes to take a 21–12 lead. However, Wyoming managed to respond, and a pair of 3-pointers by Allen made it a 23–18 game roughly halfway through the first half.
A thunderous putback slam from Nesbitt and a triple from Wills made it a 2-point deficit at 27–25 with under nine minutes left in the opening stanza.
Henry tied the game at 27–27 and Belic added an and-one play followed by a triple from Newton, allowing Wyoming to surge ahead with a 33–27 lead as the first half wound down. It was part of a 13–0 run for the Pokes, holding Air Force scoreless for more than five and a half minutes.
After that, though, Air Force proceeded to hold Wyoming scoreless for much of the final four and a half minutes of the half, and the Falcons went into the halftime break with a 36–33 lead.
A Newton 3-pointer about four minutes into the second half made it a one-possession game, down 44–42. About eight minutes later, Allen added a pair of 3-pointers and Belic added a basket to tie the game at 55–55 with eight minutes left.
Nesbitt added a pair of free throws and gave Wyoming a 58–56 lead with just under six minutes left. Wyoming held Air Force without a point for over four minutes and built the lead to 62–56 with just over four minutes left.
The “Native Girl” statue at the Wyoming State Museum stands wrapped in frost as freezing fog lingers across Cheyenne. (Stew Dyer/Cap City News)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A thick layer of freezing fog blanketed Cheyenne early Saturday morning, creating picturesque scenes across the city while prompting caution for drivers and pedestrians. According to the National Weather Service in Cheyenne, the fog reduced visibility to less than a quarter mile in some areas and left a thin glaze of ice on elevated surfaces, including roadways, sidewalks, and vehicles.
A Freezing Fog Advisory was issued for parts of southeast Wyoming, including Laramie County, as the cold air combined with lingering moisture to create hazardous travel conditions. The advisory is expected to remain in effect through the evening.
Freezing fog occurs when moist air cools rapidly, causing water droplets to freeze on contact with surfaces, creating hazardous travel conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses.
Despite the potential hazards, the freezing fog created stunning winter scenes, from frosted trees to icy sculptures. Many local landmarks and decorations were coated with shimmering layers of frost, turning downtown Cheyenne into a icy wonderland.
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