[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6179687,"mediaKeyId","5124831-dad97ee3464b2d563c18d706ff499c6d","parentId",5124831,"title","Commission grants variance for larger Love's freeway signage at Wardwell interchange","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",7823000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5124831-dad97ee3464b2d563c18d706ff499c6d&start=7823&end=7823","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5124831-dad97ee3464b2d563c18d706ff499c6d/thumbnail_7823000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179687/Wyoming/Commission-grants-variance-for-larger-Loves-freeway-signage-at-Wardwell-interchange","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179687-ef7a1e669f5ee7bd16f466cd8e05aa34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961172&Signature=j70a0ACTdvI16eIXVj-2iOG2hwCRdXonvX0jUUDCGESMh~0sTjfexmPBnGESI71yH7nD5co-6L2uiPKrM9afx5WjygMcvup9w57xKDdr8wrLDlLA4w6ldWD-xE6hzRoY3osqvhqbCF8JnyxwcjkI6BOuU7zp0tukNktc8L8xVwBNHP9hWuj3v8y~Pfeb~y3CnG6Sv6AFDmab5H~zSdoa3k84hHYlEGfTl2XPk07FtsJHM40Y4ypY1l9hzd38tfnMbr123Fx2sRoe2PEZho2B86O15~BOz1cESPBDdqSHanWBfLln~KlCJdzj7BcH~fFww1747t7ApWGh-KZxiA5kfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-02T02:25:35Z","article","The Natrona County Board of Commissioners approved a zoning variance allowing a proposed Love's Travel Stop at the Wardwell/Howard Street interchange to install a taller and larger pole sign and expand total allowable on-site signage.

Planning staff's report said the variance sought increases to a pole sign height (requested 80 feet vs. county 40-foot limit), a major increase in pole sign area (requested about 989.5 square feet vs. 100 square feet allowed), a larger freestanding sign on site, additional directional signage and an increase in the site's total permitted sign area (a requested total of about 1,881.83 square feet vs. a base allowance tied to frontage). Staff recommended approval, citing guidance from the United States Sign Council about legibility and driver reaction time at highway speeds and the site's geometry (an overpass grade that can obstruct visibility).

Sean Gustafson (planning staff) summarized the application and the technical justification for the variance. He told the board that the requested dimensions are consistent with other truck-stop projects and that YDOT (Wyoming Department of Transportation) does not regulate on-premises signage for that purpose but will evaluate access and approach permits.

A Love's representative said sign engineering (including soil bores and tower design) would address wind and foundation loads and that engineers typically design the structures to meet safety factors and not to fall onto roadways. Commissioners asked whether nearby industrial property owners would be impaired by the larger sign; staff said no and noted the site's separation and industrial context. No public opposition was recorded at the hearing. The variance motion passed with the board approving staff's findings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Natrona County Board of County Commissioners - July 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Natrona County planning staff recommended and the board approved a zoning variance allowing a taller, larger pole sign and increased total sign area for a proposed Love's truck stop at the Wardwell interchange; staff cited interstate visibility and truck stopping/reaction time as justification.","taxTitle","Natrona, Wyoming","taxId",3790,"location","Wyoming","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6179692,"County staff asked to include $22,003 for door-to-door transit service; commissioners signaled support",1326,3595000,4921000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5124831-dad97ee3464b2d563c18d706ff499c6d&start=3595&end=4921","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5124831-dad97ee3464b2d563c18d706ff499c6d/thumbnail_3595000.jpg","/articles/6179692/Wyoming/County-staff-asked-to-include-22003-for-door-to-door-transit-service-commissioners-signaled-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179692-1fb5168ffc30ca232515e859026070fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961172&Signature=DQEmFsQBfyisfUjZpnkQNhG3rTrQ7Fsx-2ISFpiT0mTqFq29Nd9uHDhZ9BGPDhc0nOfl13WnXvDPP2O9CcvCG5u83HhTR9q5H4sKKvKOe43JhE05Ldb2pxnGPoYEZdz~LD0CSM0xPW5uSg0zdO8yPN91WdkWb-1juNnuzJgeuG-ZM44z6V8UfTJf73rbdbD6M6QdvLNjU0JBCDnoFi2oNvh0QoqoZ6rTjVI9cvuVmK-RNiGSK365w1pEmiufO1VNiUMArlFT3dlEhaKen8eHanGDh7M1y-icXQBFZfwOjV7JaRcYNhpGC8s7IYeKn3gAJmBinluCrHr6qy4cCK6pXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Casper Area Transit presented a request for the county to continue funding its door-to-door \"Assist\" service that serves elderly and disabled riders in Mills, Evansville and parts of unincorporated Natrona County.

Transit manager Liz Becker (Casper Area Transit) said the system has implemented electronic rider passes and improved ridership data collection. Becker told commissioners the Assist service logged roughly 3,600 door-to-door rides annually for county-area residents and that the system's operating cost per mile is $8.14. Using federal grant match formulas outlined in the presentation, staff computed a county contribution of $22,002.57 for the coming year.

Becker reviewed how FTA (federal transit) grants and state 5311 operating assistance reduce the county's share to roughly 23 percent of the net cost for the county-served passengers. She said the transit agency would prefer an annual contract and asked that the county consider payment by July 1 to align with budget timing; the county attorney and clerk discussed an invoicing date of June 1 as a workable alternative to meet county accounting cutoffs.

Commissioners complimented the transit team for improved data and for a perfect triennial FTA review score. Commissioner Nick Glaesen said the presentation was \"the most organized and thoughtful\" request the commission had received and indicated support. The county attorney asked for the draft contract to be reviewed to ensure it complied with county procurement and invoicing practices.

Becker said transit will finalize a one-year contract with an exhibit that details ridership and mileage data by community and will work with county staff and counsel to finalize the invoicing schedule and contract language. Commissioners did not take an immediate funding vote at the meeting but asked staff to include the line item in the next budget and to return with a reviewed agreement and invoice timing.","Casper Area Transit presented data showing rising door-to-door (\"Assist\") ridership and asked Natrona County to continue an annual contribution. Staff proposed an annual county contribution of $22,002.57 based on federal grant matching rules; commissioners signaled support pending final contract language and county attorney review.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6179696,"Compete Casper seeks renewed county support to keep state tournaments in Casper through 2030",495,3027000,3522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5124831-dad97ee3464b2d563c18d706ff499c6d&start=3027&end=3522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5124831-dad97ee3464b2d563c18d706ff499c6d/thumbnail_3027000.jpg","/articles/6179696/Wyoming/Compete-Casper-seeks-renewed-county-support-to-keep-state-tournaments-in-Casper-through-2030","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179696-e1976fe958fe1f059221bb8adc306849/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961172&Signature=QElSnjwPA525RydV1gYotj7yDir927PZl6z-Uustj1EwrzsMS55NVlPvqpJrF30sal8V9652OOuXnc2zEiXGuFYzapoxJHNVZKiMTfscuydlHuN7ZX5aXShNo4qgolP8-OqIu0rglf8FRYFDsFj4JUfQsgY~Z1fYlBMj~nT8IaPRNvNVSTtMv4g8MpmptKjiVscfuTniF3GmITmNY9azzk4qCEDQre8bwg3mFEb94MF3X~~zUpE6qQim3eWTb2cknb424uxQuQc5Wpei2wy8pnmFdEp3gNqhG~4Fic~ivRnTB4~GmIN9bFO4mTvTylx7wVHADNw8qdAG7eDuksBTvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from VISIT Casper and Compete Casper returned to the Natrona County commission to request a renewed funding commitment to keep Wyoming High School Activities Association state tournaments in Casper from the 2026 through 2030 school years.

Shelby Krause, identified as VISIT Casper staff and Compete Casper liaison, said Compete Casper helped secure bids and has hosted eight state tournaments across multiple years. The group asked the county to commit to continued annual support, historically $25,000 per year, either as a yearly allocation or a multiyear memorandum of understanding to help with planning.

Krause said Casper partners have already secured a $50,000-per-year commitment from the City of Casper for the upcoming cycle and noted private fundraising and grants supplement the event budget; Compete Casper reported raising roughly $300,000 in the last fiscal year for hosting activities.

Commissioners asked logistics and timing questions related to the county budget calendar; the county clerk said an invoice is typically issued in October and the commission's budget process would need to include the line item for 2026 funding. Commissioner Nick Glaesen said the commission would need the request entered in the next budget so there would be no funding gap.

Commissioner comments were supportive; commissioners said they valued the economic impact testimony given earlier in the presentation and asked the group to coordinate with county staff and the county attorney for an MOU or contract to be considered during the budget process.

Krause said Compete Casper had successfully secured the WYHSAA bid for another cycle and would follow up with the county on invoicing details and a draft MOU so the commission could consider the commitment during the upcoming budget approval.","Compete Casper, represented by Shelby Krause and Justin Farley, asked Natrona County to commit continued funding (historically $25,000 per year) so Casper can host Wyoming High School Activities Association state tournaments from 2026'2030; commissioners indicated support and said the request should be added to next year's budget.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6179699,"County agrees to buy PPE for Salt Creek volunteer crew, up to $35,000",18467,640000,19107000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5124831-dad97ee3464b2d563c18d706ff499c6d&start=640&end=19107","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5124831-dad97ee3464b2d563c18d706ff499c6d/thumbnail_640000.jpg","/articles/6179699/Wyoming/County-agrees-to-buy-PPE-for-Salt-Creek-volunteer-crew-up-to-35000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179699-abe197b9c282461a3070422e6ccdd8c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961172&Signature=a6vFB2b-X23~leeBvWQP25DMJUfUnmtoMSoHKufzueAZ1MwggcR3FlxZlqbDMG8ibvv6uI2OXx8eCUamNNO5~cBQmEmePp1Gwg4wDPwUeAtfhnajiTsBTaARqF~U52wrbIElLPHR55WuYO~PPzs2ybToCFnxsDwOXO6m4XndOdS0PD7Uemjrugg4YdHPP4z31j~JtCwXdTjy1Hn5OpY1Gyao8DcllaflcTt29dE6FbhoXWiy0sux4ZB~qvSGBu8lIhSgGqz2-iY5~SvrS5k4Jexajn94ernLiiOJWHX6rJ772mIV1~VB5LaaP~ihDBfRerTarjXaOcBXPE4ondJ-AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Natrona County commissioners approved a one-time allocation of up to $35,000 from the county's 1-cent reserve to help outfit volunteer firefighters who respond to range and oil-field fires in the Salt Creek/Midwest area.

The commission's decision follows a public appeal from Rep. Bill Aleman and testimony from local fire leaders pressing for updated protective gear and faster procurement because current supplies are worn and some items are backordered for months. County staff and commissioners emphasized the need for procurement accountability and also discussed working with county fire to secure orders at volume.

Aleman, who spoke to the board at the podium and said he has helped compile cost estimates, asked the commission to approve funding so equipment could be ordered immediately rather than waiting for competitive grants. \"If we lost one of these firefighters because we did not give them the proper equipment, I don't know how I'd sleep that night,\" Aleman said.

Riley Duett, identified in the meeting transcript as Saukirk Emergency Services chief, gave an itemized per-person cost of roughly $3,017 (boots, shelter, pants, etc.) and said suppliers had lead times ranging from weeks to months depending on the item. County fire staff and Commissioners noted that buying through county fire could speed fulfillment and simplify distribution.

Commissioners asked representatives whether any private industry contributions were expected; speakers said some companies in the oil field have historically offered small stipends but ownership of particular fields had changed and firm commitments were not available. Commissioner comments focused on finding the balance between immediate safety needs and reasonable public oversight of county funds. The motion to allocate up to $35,000 was approved by the board.

The county directed staff to work with county fire to solicit quotes and identify immediate stock that could be purchased and distributed once funds are released. Commissioners and members of the public said they would continue to pursue grant opportunities, but they said the immediacy of local need justified use of county funds.

Evidence presented at the meeting included an itemized equipment list and per-person cost totals prepared by local fire representatives, and testimony about supplier lead times. The board recorded no additional formal conditions to the appropriation other than coordinating purchases through county fire so items could be tracked and deployed.

Representative Aleman and local fire leaders said they would provide final size lists and vendor quotes to county staff so purchases could be completed quickly.

The commission's approval will be recorded in the minutes and the county's purchasing process will be used for final orders.","After testimony from volunteers and state Rep. Bill Aleman, the Natrona County commissioners approved up to $35,000 from the county's one-cent reserve to purchase personal protective equipment for volunteer firefighters serving the Salt Creek/Midwest area.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission grants variance for larger Love's freeway signage at Wardwell interchange

County staff asked to include $22,003 for door-to-door transit service; commissioners signaled support

Compete Casper seeks renewed county support to keep state tournaments in Casper through 2030

County agrees to buy PPE for Salt Creek volunteer crew, up to $35,000