News | Powell Tribune

While western states depend on energy extraction for much of their budgets, the cost to the American taxpayers to cap orphan wells, and renovate the land back to its original state could cost billions of dollars. There are over 15,000 orphan wells on public lands across the country.

Despite more than 15,000 documented orphan wells on public lands in the U.S. costing taxpayers to plug and reclaim habitat, the Department of Interior (DOI) has proposed to roll back bond prices for … more

By Mark Davis | 7/7/26

A message from our publisher: Postal rate increase and hike in printing supplies force subscriptions higher

We love our Powell Tribune subscribers — all 3,739 of them. That circulation of our semi-weekly newspaper means the Powell Tribune has the sixth largest subscriber base in Wyoming — topped … more

By Dave Bonner | 7/7/26

Democratic Senate candidate runs as a conservative

As he campaigns across the state, U.S. Senate candidate James Byrd is adding around 1,000 miles a week to his odometer, maxing out his credit card and piling up plenty of hotel rewards. When … more

By CJ Baker | 7/7/26

Former Cody IT head charged with theft

The former director of the City of Cody’s IT department was arrested last week on allegations that he used the city’s credit card and deception to buy over $3,000 worth of items for himself and a … more

By CJ Baker | 7/7/26

Former Park County Commissioner Bucky Hall speaks at a June forum in Powell. After having previously served three terms on the commission a decade before, Hall is now looking for a fourth term.

Hall looking for fourth term on county commission

Bucky Hall said it’ll be hard to throw anything on his plate he hasn’t seen before if he wins a term on the Park County commission. After all, he said, he’s already got three terms under his … more

By Zac Taylor | 7/7/26

Park County Travel Council searching for best PR firm

The Park County Travel Council is not taking the process of finding a new public relations firm lightly. A request for proposals drew responses from 10 different firms and the council is … more

By Zac Taylor | 7/7/26

Travis Tucker (left), director of Nutrition Services at Powell Valley Healthcare, serves pieces of cake with stars on top in 2024 at a previous celebration.

PVHC celebrates 5-star rating with barbecue

Powell Valley Healthcare is celebrating a major milestone — its second 5-Star Patient Experience Rating from CMS in a row, and once again the community is invited to the party. At the hospital … more

7/7/26

Man charged with stealing SUV from Powell rest area

A 30-year-old Powell man was arrested early Friday morning, after he allegedly stole an SUV from the Homesteader Park rest area. Jonathan C. Padilla is facing a felony count of theft in … more

By CJ Baker | 7/7/26

Rep. Trey Sherwood, D-Laramie (from left), and Sens. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, and Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, voted against efforts to defund and dismantle the Wyoming Business Council in January 2026 in Cheyenne. Reps. John Bear, R-Gillette, Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan, and Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, argued in favor of the measures.

Audit gives business council passing grade

Though there were some instances of incomplete, misclassified reporting and mathematical errors, an audit of the Wyoming Business Council shows the agency generally operates within a complex set of … more

By Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile.com | 7/7/26

Shane Allen, of Powell, is the first angler to catch and document all 24 species of Wyoming game fish of qualifying length.

Powell angler surpasses Ultimate Angler status

CODY — A Powell angler has achieved a remarkable feat, more than doubling the qualifications required for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s prestigious Ultimate Angler status. To earn … more

7/7/26

University of Wyoming releases spring semester honor rolls

The University of Wyoming lists 62 students from Park County on the 2026 spring semester President’s Honor Roll, 39 students on the Dean’s and Dean’s Freshman Honor Rolls and 17 students on the … more

7/7/26

Wyoming sees swift increase in elderly population, outstripping most states

CHEYENNE — The elderly population (age 65 and over) in the state grew 2.9% between July 2024 and July 2025, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. In comparison, Wyoming’s total … more

7/7/26

Upton clerk/treasurer receives July open government award

UPTON — A long-standing commitment to transparency, public service, and partnership with local media has earned Upton Town Clerk/Treasurer Kelley Millar recognition as the July recipient of … more

7/7/26

Early on in the life of the Park County Fairgrounds, the ground for which, was dedicated to be used for the fair in 1926. A large track played host to horse races.

Park County Fair to lean into history

The 2026 Park County Fair will be flush with history. This year’s fair, which begins July 21 (some showing events start a week prior) celebrates 100 years since the fairgrounds was … more

By Zac Taylor | 7/2/26

Park County Republican Party Chairman Vince Vanata distributes ballots as a part of the party’s endorsement process during a June 25 meeting at the Cody Cowboy Church. Just over a dozen candidates received the party’s backing.

Park County GOP issues first-ever endorsements

For the first time, the Park County Republican Party has waded into the primary election process: The party’s governing body voted last week to endorse 13 of the 34 Republicans running for local … more

By CJ Baker | 7/2/26

Man charged with strangling girlfriend in Powell on June 23

Authorities say a 22-year-old man strangled his longtime girlfriend in Powell last week, causing injuries to her neck and head. Ethen R. Tabor is facing two felony counts of strangulation of a … more

By CJ Baker | 7/2/26

Country artist Harry Luge performs during a previous Independence Day celebration in Cowley during Jennie and David Rael’s community party. Despite selling their business and David having a near-fatal heart attack last August, the party will continue this year. It is going to be the biggest party and fireworks show yet in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

All heart: Rael family Independence Day celebration biggest yet

The 2025 July Fourth celebration at Jennie and David Rael's Cowley home was almost the last. Three stints and a couple bottles of pills later, David is back up from his near fatal heart attack and is … more

By Mark Davis | 7/2/26

Legion, VFW to hold reading of Declaration of Independence

The Powell American Legion and VFW posts are teaming up to show one of the key reasons this year’s 250th Independence Day celebration is so important — but it’ll be happening four days … more

By Zac Taylor | 7/2/26

Keith and Elise Sende from Powell brought their 1932 three window coupe, complete with suicide doors.

Trapper Car Show a hit despite weather

Weather played a big role in this year’s Trapper Car Show because it seems the show was under adverse weather conditions from the get-go! Still, even with the threat of bad weather, 42 cars … more

By Richard Brady, Special to the Tribune | 7/2/26

Public land officials are urging people to remember rules on fireworks and fires if recreating on BLM or national forest land over the holiday weekend. Fireworks are forbidden aside from a managed area of BLM land near Worland.

Officials urge safety during Fourth of July on public lands

CHEYENNE — As Americans celebrate 250 years of freedom this Independence Day, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Wildland Fire Service encourage visitors to enjoy Wyoming's … more

7/2/26