Culvert damage The BLM has closed the road in Bird Canyon due to a washout at a culvert location. The BLM will notify the public when emergency repairs are made and the road is reopened. Click on this link for more information: Road in Bird Canyon closed due to damage at culvert crossing Photo by Bureau of Land Management.

Culvert wash out map Map showing location of culvert washout in Bird Canyon northeast of LaBarge.

Obituary: Don Norris (posted 11/8/18)
Memorial services November 18, 2018 in Evanston
Moapa Valley Mortuary
Donald Brian "Don" Norris, age 62, passed away Thursday, November 1, 2018 at his home in Logandale, Nevada surrounded by his family. He was born April 7, 1956 in Gary, Indiana. His parents were Richard Lawrence and Francis Lillian Schultz Norris. On February 21, 1991 he married Crystal Lee DeGroot in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Don grew up in Southern California until at the age of 13 when his family moved to the area near Challis, Idaho where he spent his next 4 years. His family then moved to the rural area of Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in Idaho near Orofino, where he finished high school. There he gained a great love for the outdoors - fishing, hunting, horseback riding and helping his family with their outfitting business.

Don served in the US Air Force from 1974 to 1977 before moving to Wyoming to work in the Gas & Oil Industry with his brother, Dave. He found great success in this industry, moving up as his experience grew. In 2003 he and a business partner, along with their wives, began their own oilfield business which was jointly operated for 6 years. That business is still in operation.

He and Crystal raised their family in Big Piney, Wyoming until 2005 when they moved to Evanston, Wyoming and then semi-retired to Las Vegas, Nevada. In March of 2018 they downsized their home to Logandale, Nevada with plans of living a quiet life enjoying the outdoors and warm weather.

Some of Don’s passions were muscle cars, classic rock and sport fishing. He always made sure his family had a great time together.

He and Crystal enjoyed yearly fishing trips to Mexico, Costa Rica and many other places to fish for marlin and sailfish. He and his friends placed in several fishing tournaments in Manzanillo, Mexico.

Survivors include his sweetheart, Crystal of Logandale, Nevada; two daughters and two sons: Amber (Jason) Laird of Casper, Wyoming; Jennifer Gaston of Salt Lake City, Utah: Bryon (Jada) Gaston of Pinedale, Wyoming; Brian (Cara) Norris of Cheyenne, Wyoming; seven grandchildren: Ava, Kyler, Eli, Korbin, Sterling, Macayle and Rogan; two brothers: David Norris of Loveland, Colorado and Darrell (Bev) Norris of Evanston, Wyoming.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Bear Center Pavilion in Evanston, Wyoming with a reception immediately following. Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.

Christmas Craft Bazaar in Big Piney Nov. 17 (posted 11/7/18)
There will be a Christmas Craft Bazaar in Big Piney on Saturday, November 17th. The Bazaar is presented by St. Anne's CCW. It will be in the Big Piney High School from 9AM to 2PM. Crafters: space available for $25. For reservations call 307-276-3880. Lunch will be available.

Mixed Media Art Show Opening Reception Nov. 9 (posted 11/5/18)
Artwork on display at the Big Piney Library through November
During the month of November, the Big Piney Library will host an art show by Sublette County artists. There will be an opening reception on Friday, November 9th from 4 - 6 pm at the Big Piney Library. Artists with work on display include Kay Meeks, Laurie LaMere, Robin Sruoginis, Debbie Despain, McKenzi Davison, and Ruth Rawhouser.

Benefit Dinner Auction & Raffle Nov. 13 (posted 11/1/18)
To benefit Brenda Miyake for ongoing medical expenses
Everyone is invited to a Benefit Dinner Auction & Raffle on Tuesday, November 13th at 5:30PM at the Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Big Piney. The dinner begins at 5:30PM, admittance by donation (suggested $10/person). Dinner provided by the Pioneer Smokehouse Barbeque & Grill. Dinner is BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, sauces and lemonade. Bidding items include gift baskets, gift certificates, photography, paintings, baked goods. Items have been donated from Just Imagine, The Cut Above, Williams Auto, Altitude Drug, Old Stones Smokehouse & Country Pizza, The Rock Shop, Turquoise Buffalo Coffee, Amanda Templar, Becky Doyle, Rita Jo Putney and more. Bidding tables will be open from 6:30PM-8:00PM. Jay Fear will be the auctioneer. The Baptist Church Fellowship Hall is located at 1501 Circle Way in Big Piney. For more information or to donate, please contact Angie Frazier (208) 716-0389.

Christmas Tree Permits on sale at Bridger-Teton National Forest Offices (posted 11/5/18)
Bridger-Teton National Forest
The Bridger-Teton National Forest is selling Christmas tree permits from any of the Bridger-Teton National Forest District Offices which include the Kemmerer, Big Piney, Pinedale, Greys River (Afton), Jackson and Blackrock Ranger Stations and the Interagency visitor center on Cache Street in Jackson.

A permit is required to cut Christmas trees or fire wood on the Forest. Christmas trees up to 20-feet in height require a $15.00 permit. This year there is one permit and one price for trees up to the 20-foot limit. Permits for cutting evergreen boughs can be purchased at $0.20 per pound at a $20.00 minimum.

Firewood permits are still available on the Forest for personal use for a price of $7.00 per cord with a 5 cord minimum purchase. When gathering firewood, permits allow for the harvest of down or standing dead wood only. All wood gathered must be kept to a length of 8-feet or less.

Cutting or removal of forest products is prohibited in campgrounds, summer home sites, administrative sites (guard stations), ski areas, Cache Creek Canyon near Jackson, the Snake River Canyon, designated Wilderness or Wilderness Study Areas, and elk feed grounds.

These permit fees are used for funding projects through the National Forest Foundation including funding the salaries of Timber & Forest Health Specialists, reducing residual slash build-up from firewood cutting, and maintaining popular firewood cutting roads. The majority of the revenue collected for these permits remains on the forest for the continued operation, visitor services, maps, and law enforcement while issuing and enforcing Christmas tree permits.

"It is important to provide families an opportunity to get out into the woods and cut their own Christmas tree," said Forest Supervisor Tricia O'Connor. "A unified price for Christmas trees will provide the public greater flexibility in finding the right size tree for their home. We look forward to continuing to offer this traditional recreational opportunity on the Bridger-Teton National Forest," O'Connor said.

The Bridger-Teton would like to remind everyone that you must have the permit in your possession at the time of cutting any Forest product. Additionally, everyone is asked to please follow the travel restrictions that are in place on the Forest. Motor Vehicle use maps are available online at www.fs.usda.gov/btnf/

Damaged culvert causes road closure in Bird Canyon for emergency repairs (posted 10/25/18)
Northeast of LaBarge
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has discovered that a collapsed culvert along the access road in Bird Canyon in Sublette County is badly damaged, and compromises the integrity of the road. For the safety of all motorists and to prevent damage to vehicles traveling over that area, it is necessary to temporarily close the road for repairs

The damage is located on a main road at an ephemeral stream crossing up Bird Canyon on the east side of the Upper Green River on BLM Rock Springs Field Office managed land. It is approximately 380 feet from the Big Canyon 1-23 well pad entrance (see map). Cautionary flags and safety cones are in place near the crossing to help identify the area for motorists. The Rock Springs Field Office will notify the public when a repair timeline is determined.

The collapsed culvert was found during a culvert inventory for the BLM Pinedale Field Office watershed restoration project in the LaBarge project area. The extensive damage and lack of structural support for vehicles is not noticeable from the road. Motorists are warned to not attempt to cross the damaged section of the road or travel off-road to bypass the damaged area. Please drive cautiously in the area and on all BLM roads, and report any hazardous road conditions immediately.

The BLM is committed to keeping public landscapes healthy and safe for public use. For more information on this road closure, please contact the BLM Rock Springs Field Office at 307-352-0256.

To learn more about BLM Wyoming, visit https://www.blm.gov/wyoming.

Free STI-HIV testing October, November and December (posted 10/18/19)
Sublette County Public Health Nursing is offering free Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV testing on Friday October 19, 2018 in Marbleton and Friday October 26, 2018 in Pinedale. Please call (307) 367-2157 and speak to Robin for more details and to schedule an appointment. There will also be free testing in Marbleton on November 14 & 21, and in Pinedale on December 17 and again in Marbleton on December 19. This testing is provided for free thanks to a grant provided by the Wyoming Department of Health Communicable Disease Unit.

Candidate Forums Oct 22 & 29 (posted 10/18/18)
Voters will have two opportunities to attend candidate forums for the upcoming general election in Sublette County.

The first forum will be on Monday, October 22nd at 6:30PM in the Fine Arts Building in Big Piney. That forum will be for Sublette County Commissioner and Sublette County School District #9 candidates.

The second forum will be the next week on Monday, October 29th at 6:30PM in Sheppard Auditorium in Pinedale. That forum will be for candidates for the Sublette County Rural Health Care District Board and Sublette County School District #1.

There will be an opportunity for Meet & Greets with the candidates starting at 6PM in the lobby prior to the forums.

The forums are being sponsored by the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce, KPIN 101.1 FM Radio, the Pinedale Roundup, Sublette Examiner, and Pinedale Online!, Jonah Energy Partners, and Pinedale Energy Partners Operating LLC. The forums will be broadcast live on KPIN 101.1 FM Radio and also live-streamed online (more details TBA).

Middle Piney Dam and Road Closure (posted 7/11/18)
Middle Piney Lake access will be closed for three summers for dam reconstruction
PUBLIC NOTICE: Forest Road #10024 heading to Middle Piney Reservoir is now closed above Sacagawea Campground for the next three summers while the dam is being reconstructed. There will be heavy equipment up and down that road. Due to a safety concern for both the public as well as the construction crew, the road will be closed to all traffic during the summer season (including on foot).

The back side of the lake will still be open to the public, but know that it is going to be a long hike OFF-ROAD AND OFF-TRAIL, and there will be NO MOTORIZED access.

According to the Wyoming Water Development Office, the dam is in need of reconstruction due to its high risk of failure. The State is also funding the reconstruction project.

Construction is going to take the shoreline down to its natural level and completely reconstruct the man-made dam. Because of the short field season in the area, the process is going to take at least three years to complete.

During the winter season, while construction activity is on hold, NW Construction will remove their equipment and supplies as much as possible to allow winter access.

Please call the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest for more information, 307-276-5800.

Click on this link for more pictures

Related Links:
Bridger-Teton National Forest

Info on vehicle registration laws in Wyoming for non-resident workers (posted 5/29/18)
Sweetwater County
In a joint release issued on Tuesday (May 29, 2018), Sweetwater County Sheriff Mike Lowell and County Treasurer Robb Slaughter described the details of Wyoming statute concerning vehicle registration for non-residents working in the state.

"The Wyoming statute that addresses this issue," Slaughter said, "is W.S. 31-2-201 (j) and (k). It can be reviewed online at the State Legislature’s website at http://www.wyoleg.gov/StateStatutes/StatutesConstitution?tab=0 ."

Lowell and Slaughter outlined the statute as follows:

A non-resident who is employed in Wyoming, on either a temporary or full-time basis, and who is the owner or operator of a vehicle in Wyoming that is not a commercial vehicle must immediately obtain a valid Wyoming registration or purchase a temporary registration.

To obtain a temporary registration, their vehicle must display a valid registration from another jurisdiction and be properly insured. Application is made in person at the County Treasurer’s Office at the Sweetwater County Courthouse at 80 West Flaming Gorge Way in Green River. The fee for a temporary registration is $50.00 per month and cannot exceed 120 days per vehicle. If a worker is going to be employed in Wyoming for longer than 120 days, a regular Wyoming registration must be issued.

Those applying for a temporary registration will need to bring with them the following:

- The vehicle’s current, non-expired registration
- Proof of insurance
- Color of vehicle
- Payment for temporary registration in the form of cash, credit card, or debit card

Subsection (k) of the statute makes the following provisions for a commercial vehicle owner, a non-resident owner of a vehicle who is not employed in Wyoming, or any owner, upon transfer of ownership to, as an alternative to registration:

A 30-, 60-, or 90-day permit may be obtained in any 12 month period. The temporary permit begins on the date the owner enters Wyoming or on the date of purchase of the vehicle. The fees for a temporary permit are:

Up to 30 days - .10 X regular registration fee
Up to 60 days - .20 X regular registration fee
Up to 90 days - .30 X regular registration fee

Lowell and Slaughter noted that Wyoming has full reciprocity agreements with Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois, and Nebraska. Non-residents working in Wyoming who live in these states may run with their regular registration. If they take up residence in Wyoming, however, (by living here over 120 days, for instance), they must obtain Wyoming registration.

In addition, Wyoming has daily commuter reciprocity with Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Utah. Non-residents who live in these states and commute to work daily in Wyoming may run with their regular registration.

Lowell emphasized that Sweetwater County deputies are enforcing this statute, and will continue to do so.

Slaughter said those with questions may contact their County Clerk’s office.

3 towns call themselves the ‘Ice Box of The Nation’ (posted 1/15/18)
Including Big Piney, Wyoming
Wyoming Public Radio posted an article today (Monday, January 15) about three towns that are fighting to claim the title of "Ice Box of the Nation.’ Those three towns are International Falls, Minnesota; Fraser, Colorado; and Big Piney, Wyoming. Each has had record cold recorded temperatures. Big Piney has reached -61F.

For more on this story, click on this link,Why Three Towns Are Fighting To Be The 'Ice Box Of The Nation' and then click on the audio link on the left hand side. Story by Kelly McEvers, All Things Considered, npr.org, Jan. 15, 2018

Local Contact Numbers
Big Piney Town Hall
PO Box 70
Big Piney, WY 83113
307-276-3554
www.bigpiney.us

Marbleton Town Hall
10700 US 189
Marbleton, WY 83113
307-276-3815

Flicks & Pins Entertainment Center
Open Sunday through Thursday from 3:00PM to 10:00PM
Friday & Saturday 3:00PM to Midnight
Phone 307-276-4062 for movie times
www.flicksnpins.com/

Big Piney Ranger District
Bridger-Teton National Forest
P.O. Box 218
Big Piney, WY, 83113
307-276-3375 or 276-5800/5200
Fax: 307-739-5235/276-5835
www.fs.fed.us/btnf/

Sublette County Courthouse
21 S Tyler, Pinedale, WY 82941
Big Piney Direct Line 307-276-3827
Marbleton Annex 307-276-3735
Pinedale Information: 307-367-7722

Sublette County Sheriff's Department
PO Box 701
Pinedale, WY 82941
Marbleton: 307-276-5448
Pinedale: 307-367-4378

Big Piney Post Office
401 Budd Avenue
307-276-3772
1-800-275-8777

Sublette County School District #9
Superintendent's Office: 307-276-3322
Big Piney High School: 307-276-3324
Big Piney Middle School: 307-276-3315
Big Piney Elementary School: 307-276-3313
Big Piney Pool: 307-276-9966
www.sublette9.org


Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Citizen Center
429 E First St, Marbleton, WY
P.O. Box 33
Big Piney, WY 83113
Phone: (307) 276-3249
Fax (307) 276-3249
E-mail: southwest001@centurytel.net
Open 8:00am to 4:00pm
Lunch at 12:00 noon Tue. Wed. Thurs. (starting July 1, 2008)
Joan Mitchell / Director
www.bpmseniorhousing.com
Facebook page

Green River Valley Cowbelles
www.greenrivervalleycowbelles.com

More Area Information:
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce (Pinedale)
307-367-2242 or 1-888-285-7282
www.sublettechamber.com

BigPiney.com (Pinedale Online!)
307-360-7689 (days, evenings, weekends, after hours calls ok)

Sublette County Fair
July - August
The Sublette County Fair is packed with entertainment and fun. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

One of the many highlights is the Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo. The audience holds their breath as these young cowboys and cowgirls try their hand at bronc riding. The evening ends with the youngest contestants competing in the stick horse barrel race. The greased pig contest is another favorite, the crowd roars with laughter watching the wave a kids overtaking the slimy critters.

Spend some time viewing the livestock shows and watch the participants as they receive their awards for a job well done. Enjoy the wonderful food which some how tastes more delicious in the atmosphere of the fair festivities. Finish the night off at the rodeos with many local cowboys and cowgirls participating in the fast paced events. Visit the Sublette County Fair web page to enjoy pictures from previous years fairs.

For more information visit - www.sublettecountyfair.com.

Green River Valley Museum
Open June through October
The Green River Valley Museum is located on the main street in Big Piney. Artifacts from prehistoric Indians, pioneers, homesteaders and other various groups that have settled this area are on display at the museum. Many of the items displayed at the museum were donated by local families. 'Hard Hats and Stetsons' is the annual fundraiser for the museum. The name of the fundraiser itself reflects how important the cattle and oil industry have been for this valley.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM from June into October (opening date varies, so watch for announcements on the specific date each year). Admission is by donation. Special tours can be arranged by calling Museum Director Jeannie Lockwood at 307-276-3637.

For more information visit www.grvm.com

Chuckwagon Days July 3rd & 4th in Big Piney
Chuckwagon Days takes place each year over the 4th of July holiday in Big Piney. There is a Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo, a parade down Big Piney's main street followed by a free BBQ at the Sublette County Fairgrounds, an afternoon rodeo, street dance and late evening fireworks (on the 4th).

The "Chuckwagon Chug" a 5k and 10k Walk/Run, will be held on July 4th, before the Big Piney Parade. Start/Finish is at the Big Piney High School parking lot. There will be prizes for top finishers and gift bags for all contestants.

More information about Chuckwagon Days can be found here: www.ChuckwagonDays.com

Local Lodging
If you are looking for local lodging and places to stay in the Big Piney-Marbleton areas, be sure to check the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce website under lodging. Big Piney and Marbleton are located about 35 miles south of Pinedale, so look under motels, RV parks and campgrounds specific to our towns.
Lodging Links:
Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins, Motels, Guest Ranches, RV
www.sublettechamber.com

Camping near Big Piney & Marbleton
The closest campgrounds are located on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. They offer two developed campgrounds and many opportunities for dispersed camping in the Wyoming Range west of Big Piney and Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from local businesses and town services. For detailed information, contact the district office at 307-276-3375.

Sacajewea Campground Located 25 miles west of Big Piney. This campground has 26 sites, basic amenities, and is open June 15th through September 30th. The camping fee is $7.00 per site, per night. This campground has running water, an on-site host, and is well maintained. No electricity, showers or phone.

Middle Piney Lake Campground This is a primitive campground located further down the road from the Sacajewea Campground. This camp area is next to Middle Piney Lake and has 5 tent sites, tables and pit toilets. NO running water, electricity, showers or phone service. NO fees. Because of the narrow winding road to this campground, it is not recommended to take trailers to the lake site.

Forest Service Cabins Big Piney Ranger District offers two Forest Service work centers for rent for overnight stays. One is located at Snider Basin and the other in the Hoback. Contact the Big Piney office for more information on availability and fees.

NOTICE ABOUT BEARS: These campgrounds are in bear country. Both black bears and grizzly bears inhabit the Wyoming mountain range. Visitors are strongly encouraged to practice clean camping techniques and store attractants in a manner that makes them unavailable to bears. Bear-proof canisters are available for rent from the Big Piney Ranger District office. Bear-proof dumpsters are located at various locations at campgrounds and recreation areas on National Forest land.

Dispersed Camping:
There are practically unlimited opportunities for dispersed camping on the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Big Piney/Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from town. Stay limit is 16 days in any one location. Campers should either bring their own water or boil water obtained from sources in the outdoors to avoid getting sick from organisms that live in lakes and streams. Do not drink untreated surface water. Dispersed camping is available along the Piney, Cottonwood and LaBarge Creek drainages.

Camping on BLM land
There are no developed campgrounds on BLM land near Big Piney or Marbleton, however there are many places for dispersed camping for those who are prepared to bring their own drinking water and camp without developed facilities. For more information, contact the Pinedale Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management in Pinedale.

Private RV Campgrounds
There are several private businesses that offer RV campsites for overnight and extended stays. Most have power, water and sewer hookups. Click here to our sister website, Pinedale Online, for info about private RV campgrounds and services.

Related Links:
Bridger-Teton National Forest/Big Piney Ranger District
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce

Big Piney, Wyoming, "Ice Box of the Nation"

Big Piney & Marbleton
Ice Box of the Nation
Big Piney is the oldest settlement in Sublette County, Wyoming and was named by Dan B. Budd for the Piney Creeks. In 1879, Daniel B. Budd and his partner Hugh McKay brought a thousand head of cattle from Nevada hoping to ship them at Point of Rocks, but winter caught up to them here in the Green River Valley. The following year Dan Budd moved his family here and that is how the settlement of this town began. Big Piney was called "Ice Box of the Nation" when it was officially made a weather station in 1930. Big Piney had the coldest year round average temperature of any place nationally.

It's a curiosity, considering most Wyoming towns are few and far between, that Big Piney and Marbleton would only be a mile apart. They have separate post offices and town governments. Big Piney was incorporated on July 5, 1913. In the early days there was a lot of drainage problems with the site on which Big Piney was built. So Charles Budd, eldest son to Dan B Budd had hope to build the town up on the bench to alleviate this problem. Charles did establish Marbleton on the bench, in late 1913, but it never replaced Big Piney. Any attempts to combine the two towns has been unsuccessful. The truth is people here kinda' like it that way. Both towns cooperate with each other, they have a common school. The citizens of these two towns take a lot of pride in the growth of their little metropolis over the past years and think the founders would be proud too. Both communities have thrived in the last several decades because of the oil and gas industry. In the 1980's Marbleton recieved it's own post office, because of the number of people moving to the area.

To contribute information to this community website,
please e-mail: info@bigpiney.com or info@marbleton.com.
Phone: 307-276-5699 • Fax: 307-276-5414