By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
When the flu hit Carbon County 90 years ago, it wasn’t just any flu, nor did it hit under normal circumstances.
It started with usual symptoms, but when family members went to sleep at night not to wake the next morning, the flu strain of 1918 proved itself a deadly mutant.
Within hours of contracting the Spanish influenza, a victim could lose the ability to walk. Taking on a bluish tint to the face, patients would quickly begin coughing up blood gathered in the lungs, while some bled from the ears.
The virus often caused the nose, stomach and intestines to bleed. In some cases, the flu opened the door to pneumonia, whereby a patient died by drowning in his or her own bodily fluids. Nearly all of the Spanish flu’s victims were under the age of 65, while approximately half were aged 20 to 40, according to an article published in the Chicago Journal of Infectious Diseases. It usually killed in less than 24 hours.
“I had a little bird, it’s name was Enza. I opened the window, and in-flew-enza,” chanted children in the streets of post-World War I America. The flu was striking quickly. After the initial bite, a victim only had a day or so to live. Sometimes it was only a few hours. And, in contrast to its relatives, the Spanish flu primarily killed on its own.
Evolving every year, the flu is still often able to capture a few victims before the year is out. The most deadly cases hit the young and the old who are unable to keep their immune system strong long enough to fight the onslaught of pneumonia that moves in for the final kill after five or six days.
Spreading in a pandemic across the county and the world, facilitated by the movement of World War I troops, the Spanish influenza took up to 50 million lives worldwide. Carbon County was no exception.
After losing its hospital to fire in early 1918, Rawlins was in no shape to handle the pandemic virus that did nothing to hide its progress across the country. Despite the onslaught of the flu on the East Coast and its rapid dissemination west, the Rawlins Republican, the newspaper of the time, indicated no sense of worry, at least not until Oct. 10, 1918.
On that date, a notice to the citizens of Rawlins from Mayor C. H. Anderson closed all assembly places, including schools, churches and sidewalks in accordance with a national notice that read, “you are instructed upon appearance of the disease in your city to discontinue all public meetings ...” The schools were closed off and on throughout the end of 1918 and into the new year.
Oct. 10 also saw 40 cases of flu reported in Rawlins. According to a doctor’s report, the flu resembles a “very contagious kind of ‘cold.’” Many of the reports of death at the time indicated a rapid failure of a person’s immune system.
Bridget Hettgar of the Carbon County Public Health Office confirmed the speed of death. “They got it and were gone,” she said. “There was high mortality in a small amount of time.”
The Republican reported another 40 cases in Medicine Bow alone on Oct. 24, where a doctor from Casper was sent for care. Little Snake River Valley and Saratoga had a number of cases, but did not have “enough doctors to care for half of them,” the Republican reported.
In Medicine Bow, three of the four deaths that week happened in 24 hours or less. The school was being used as a hospital to accommodate the number of patients.
From October into the new year, the flu claimed people of all ages. The number of death reports on the front page of the newspaper averaged four or five each week.
“Mrs. Cluff had gone to bed in the evening feeling badly,” the Jan. 6, 1919, Republican read, “but her illness was not considered serious, and in the morning she was discovered dead in her bed.”
A cartoon in a U.S. Public Health Service official health bulletin read, “coughs and sneezes spread diseases as dangerous as poison gas shells.” Pertinent, since the country was mourning the death of its soldiers as well.
The health bulletins recommended collecting any mucous from coughing or sneezing on gauze, rags or paper napkins and sending them out to be burned. The suggestion mirrored the methods of sequestering the 17th century European black plague.
In November 1918, while the number of new flu cases was decreasing, the cases themselves were more severe. This report was ironically on the same front page that announced the world at peace.
Name after name after name appeared in the pages of the Republican during this time, announcing deaths. Increasingly, the flu was taking the working class of the county, a detrimental effect not only to families but to the economy. In the third week of December, the flu took two railroad workers, an auto truck driver in the oil fields and a sheep herder.
According to local historians Rans Baker and Dan Kinnaman, the flu wiped out a third of Carbon County’s population. “It hit entire families,” Baker said. “And there was no rhyme or reason as to why one died and another survived.”
Blame it on the birds
Researchers brought the Spanish influenza virus strain back to life in 2005 to study its behavior.
Rebuilding it from the tissue of an Alaskan victim buried in permafrost in isolated conditions, they hoped they could unearth some clues as to the flu strain’s evolution. The effort was partly to shed light on the past and partly to prepare for the future.
By piecing together biological functions of the strain, today’s researchers were able to discover that the Spanish flu may have actually originated with poultry. The strain likely spliced genes derived from the human virus with genes from the avian virus of the time.
Evidence outlined in a report published in Science on Oct. 7, 2005, suggested the virus may have jumped directly from birds to humans, similar to the cases of avian flu prevalent in eastern countries today.
The Spanish flu will likely not strike again, primarily because most people today have immunity to that particular strain of the virus. However, authorities consider a future pandemic virus likely, if not inevitable. Studying the 1918 virus enables the medical field to recognize and prepare for new flu strains that may pose a threat.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Roofs take a beating
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
When Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Feb. 2, Carbon County residents may have wondered what six more weeks of winter would do to their roofs, especially if they are flat.
In what many call the toughest winter in 15 years, the snow, ice and wind that first breathed its icy breath across the county in October have pushed the limits of residential and commercial flat roofs.
Flat roofs trap snow, and while it takes seven or eight feet of snow to really press the structural limits of a flat roof, the melting process is what stresses its ability to withstand winter.
And so, in snowy areas of the county, residents often climb atop their house to remove snow in anticipation of spring.
Don Brinkman, director of maintenance for the city and a homeowner in Ryan Park, said he keeps his roof clear through the hired help of Eddie Gross. Gross said there are some homes in Ryan Park that currently stand under four feet of snow. Sometimes, the houses collapse under the weight of the snowflakes. “You have to watch it,” Brinkman said.
Flat roofs atop the city of Rawlins’ buildings see a lot of trouble from the melting process, according to Brinkman. The problem doesn’t arise until the sun comes out on a warm day, he said. Then, the snow begins to melt and flows toward the drains. When there is heavy snowfall, it doesn’t all melt at once, so what Brinkman called an “ice dam” forms when the melted snow freezes that night. The next day, the same thing happens. It occurs over and over until the roof has a solid block of ice covering its drains.
“Whoever says water can’t flow uphill is wrong,” Brinkman said. According to Brinkman, as the snow melts and hits the ice dam, it freezes again. Then the water becomes trapped and starts seeping under the plastic membrane protecting the roof from leakage. He believes this is the harshest winter since 1984 in terms of city roof care, since there has been a constant wind chill keeping the roofs from completely thawing and draining on their own.
Currently, the city’s Public Works building is in need of repair due to leakage of the type Brinkman talked about. Likewise, City Hall is having trouble keeping Rawlins City Manager Dave Derragon’s office dry. Hones Veterinary replaced its roof this year, but employees said they did not have significant trouble with it before.
New roofs are costly and often need repair more frequently in Wyoming than they do in other places. Brinkman said a new roof on a building the size of the Rawlins Family Recreation Center would cost $70,000. New guttering and a membrane replacement on City Hall might cause a $25,000 dent in the city’s budget.
“Flat roofs are bad in this area, yes,” Brinkman said with a laugh. “No doubt about it.”
Times staff writer
When Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Feb. 2, Carbon County residents may have wondered what six more weeks of winter would do to their roofs, especially if they are flat.
In what many call the toughest winter in 15 years, the snow, ice and wind that first breathed its icy breath across the county in October have pushed the limits of residential and commercial flat roofs.
Flat roofs trap snow, and while it takes seven or eight feet of snow to really press the structural limits of a flat roof, the melting process is what stresses its ability to withstand winter.
And so, in snowy areas of the county, residents often climb atop their house to remove snow in anticipation of spring.
Don Brinkman, director of maintenance for the city and a homeowner in Ryan Park, said he keeps his roof clear through the hired help of Eddie Gross. Gross said there are some homes in Ryan Park that currently stand under four feet of snow. Sometimes, the houses collapse under the weight of the snowflakes. “You have to watch it,” Brinkman said.
Flat roofs atop the city of Rawlins’ buildings see a lot of trouble from the melting process, according to Brinkman. The problem doesn’t arise until the sun comes out on a warm day, he said. Then, the snow begins to melt and flows toward the drains. When there is heavy snowfall, it doesn’t all melt at once, so what Brinkman called an “ice dam” forms when the melted snow freezes that night. The next day, the same thing happens. It occurs over and over until the roof has a solid block of ice covering its drains.
“Whoever says water can’t flow uphill is wrong,” Brinkman said. According to Brinkman, as the snow melts and hits the ice dam, it freezes again. Then the water becomes trapped and starts seeping under the plastic membrane protecting the roof from leakage. He believes this is the harshest winter since 1984 in terms of city roof care, since there has been a constant wind chill keeping the roofs from completely thawing and draining on their own.
Currently, the city’s Public Works building is in need of repair due to leakage of the type Brinkman talked about. Likewise, City Hall is having trouble keeping Rawlins City Manager Dave Derragon’s office dry. Hones Veterinary replaced its roof this year, but employees said they did not have significant trouble with it before.
New roofs are costly and often need repair more frequently in Wyoming than they do in other places. Brinkman said a new roof on a building the size of the Rawlins Family Recreation Center would cost $70,000. New guttering and a membrane replacement on City Hall might cause a $25,000 dent in the city’s budget.
“Flat roofs are bad in this area, yes,” Brinkman said with a laugh. “No doubt about it.”
Gillette: Best swimming you get
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The Rawlins High School boys swimmers had their shot at glory. On Thursday and Friday, they’ll get that chance again.
A week and a half ago, the Outlaws let the conference championship slide through a grasp that just wasn’t tight enough. Only time will tell if the team’s spirit can recover going into the state meet scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Gillette.
What is for sure, however, is that Lander High School is poised to be ahead of the pack. Defending champions for 12 years running, Lander still has its depth and has not lost its speed.
According to Rawlins head coach Don Brinkman, the powerhouse has four qualifiers in every event. “That’s enough to gain them two in the top six and two in the bottom six at least,” Brinkman said. It’s tough to catch a team that attracts points like a magnet over paper clips.
Brinkman plans to take a team of eight to Gillette. His team is larger than Worland, Newcastle and Douglas, but the teams brought by Lander and Sublette should be substantial.
On the bright side, Brinkman believes his team has the potential to place third in the state meet. However, they could also place as low as seventh. Really, it depends on how hard the swimmers go and how the rival coaches arrange their teams.
Attracting the most attention on the Outlaws’ roster is Ryan Palmer, who “has all the potential” to be a state champion diver, Brinkman said. Palmer should also compete in the 50-yard freestyle as well as the 400-yard freestyle relay. He will join the DeMillard-Palmer relay team in the 200-yard freestyle relay, alongside his younger brother, Jimmy Palmer, and the DeMillards, Daniel and Eric.
Placing second his sophomore and junior years, Palmer goes into the state meet with “the highest degree of difficulty in optional dives of all my divers from my 32 years of coaching,” Brinkman said. That includes his two sons, both of whom walked away with state championships in their tenures at Cheyenne East High School.
Also diving on Thursday and Friday, Andrew Gile earned the eighth-place slot on the top 10 board at Rawlins High School, earning 235 points in the mock meet against Laramie last Friday. Jimmy Palmer also plans to dive in the event.
Keep an eye out for Daniel DeMillard and James Laux, two seniors who are expected to finish in the top six in their events. Daniel DeMillard should be entered in the 200-yard and 100-yard freestyle, while Laux should swim the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke. Though he qualified in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 6:12.12 in the Laramie meet, he does not plan to swim it in Gillette.
Laux and Daniel DeMillard should be part of relays as well, with Daniel DeMillard in the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays and Laux in the 200-yard medley relay, swimming backstroke, and the 400-yard freestyle relay as anchor.
Jimmy Palmer ought to be one to watch in the 50-yard freestyle, as he has elevated himself to be among the fastest on the team in the event. He currently stands right behind his brother and Daniel DeMillard. He should also appear in the diving event and as anchor in both the medley relay and the freestyle relay.
“He really stepped up this year,” Brinkman said. He pointed out that Jimmy Palmer just qualified for the state meet in the 50-yard freestyle, earning a time of 26.11 seconds in the Laramie meet.
The true colors should show for the Outlaws as they seek to finish in the top three. The swimming preliminaries begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday, while the diving preliminaries begin at 7 p.m. Finals for both should be held Friday, starting at 11 a.m.
Times staff writer
The Rawlins High School boys swimmers had their shot at glory. On Thursday and Friday, they’ll get that chance again.
A week and a half ago, the Outlaws let the conference championship slide through a grasp that just wasn’t tight enough. Only time will tell if the team’s spirit can recover going into the state meet scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Gillette.
What is for sure, however, is that Lander High School is poised to be ahead of the pack. Defending champions for 12 years running, Lander still has its depth and has not lost its speed.
According to Rawlins head coach Don Brinkman, the powerhouse has four qualifiers in every event. “That’s enough to gain them two in the top six and two in the bottom six at least,” Brinkman said. It’s tough to catch a team that attracts points like a magnet over paper clips.
Brinkman plans to take a team of eight to Gillette. His team is larger than Worland, Newcastle and Douglas, but the teams brought by Lander and Sublette should be substantial.
On the bright side, Brinkman believes his team has the potential to place third in the state meet. However, they could also place as low as seventh. Really, it depends on how hard the swimmers go and how the rival coaches arrange their teams.
Attracting the most attention on the Outlaws’ roster is Ryan Palmer, who “has all the potential” to be a state champion diver, Brinkman said. Palmer should also compete in the 50-yard freestyle as well as the 400-yard freestyle relay. He will join the DeMillard-Palmer relay team in the 200-yard freestyle relay, alongside his younger brother, Jimmy Palmer, and the DeMillards, Daniel and Eric.
Placing second his sophomore and junior years, Palmer goes into the state meet with “the highest degree of difficulty in optional dives of all my divers from my 32 years of coaching,” Brinkman said. That includes his two sons, both of whom walked away with state championships in their tenures at Cheyenne East High School.
Also diving on Thursday and Friday, Andrew Gile earned the eighth-place slot on the top 10 board at Rawlins High School, earning 235 points in the mock meet against Laramie last Friday. Jimmy Palmer also plans to dive in the event.
Keep an eye out for Daniel DeMillard and James Laux, two seniors who are expected to finish in the top six in their events. Daniel DeMillard should be entered in the 200-yard and 100-yard freestyle, while Laux should swim the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke. Though he qualified in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 6:12.12 in the Laramie meet, he does not plan to swim it in Gillette.
Laux and Daniel DeMillard should be part of relays as well, with Daniel DeMillard in the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays and Laux in the 200-yard medley relay, swimming backstroke, and the 400-yard freestyle relay as anchor.
Jimmy Palmer ought to be one to watch in the 50-yard freestyle, as he has elevated himself to be among the fastest on the team in the event. He currently stands right behind his brother and Daniel DeMillard. He should also appear in the diving event and as anchor in both the medley relay and the freestyle relay.
“He really stepped up this year,” Brinkman said. He pointed out that Jimmy Palmer just qualified for the state meet in the 50-yard freestyle, earning a time of 26.11 seconds in the Laramie meet.
The true colors should show for the Outlaws as they seek to finish in the top three. The swimming preliminaries begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday, while the diving preliminaries begin at 7 p.m. Finals for both should be held Friday, starting at 11 a.m.
Panthers head north
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The lady Panthers head into uncharted territory on Thursday as they face teams in the regional tournament they haven’t seen this season.
With a 7:15 p.m. tip off on Thursday at Torrington High School, the game against the Hulett Red Devils should be a good one, as the teams are well-matched, Saratoga High School coach Amy Davis said. Not very big, the Devils pack a punch with their speed, which mirrors the assets of the Panthers.
Still, Davis expects a tough one. In order to advance, “we will have to play at the top of our game,” she said.
If her ladies move forward, they play at 3:45 p.m. on Friday. Davis anticipates meeting Arvada-Clearmont in the quarterfinals if the Panthers make it that far. If they don’t, their game is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday.
“They’re tough,” Davis said of Arvada. The 2A state champions last year, Arvada has all five starters returning to the tournament this year. “They and Southeast will be the toughest two teams,” she said. The Panthers met Southeast once in the regular season and lost. They can only meet in the final game of the regional tournament.
Saratoga will have to step up to overcome the odds. Three weeks ago, the team lost its center to a knee injury, which she had surgery on recently. As one of the top three shooters, the loss hurts the team. However, Davis remains hopeful. She has filled the position and altered her strategy and her players’ positions to accommodate.
The Panthers go into this tournament youthful and inexperienced. Four freshmen, one sophomore, one junior and one senior make up this year’s regional team, forming a total of three who have seen playing time in the final tournament of the season.
“It’s a little to our disadvantage (to not have an older team),” Davis said, “but then again, it may be to our advantage... (the team) won’t know what to expect.” The Panthers go into the tournament with the philosophy that what they don’t know can’t hurt them. They plan to just play basketball to win.
Times staff writer
The lady Panthers head into uncharted territory on Thursday as they face teams in the regional tournament they haven’t seen this season.
With a 7:15 p.m. tip off on Thursday at Torrington High School, the game against the Hulett Red Devils should be a good one, as the teams are well-matched, Saratoga High School coach Amy Davis said. Not very big, the Devils pack a punch with their speed, which mirrors the assets of the Panthers.
Still, Davis expects a tough one. In order to advance, “we will have to play at the top of our game,” she said.
If her ladies move forward, they play at 3:45 p.m. on Friday. Davis anticipates meeting Arvada-Clearmont in the quarterfinals if the Panthers make it that far. If they don’t, their game is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday.
“They’re tough,” Davis said of Arvada. The 2A state champions last year, Arvada has all five starters returning to the tournament this year. “They and Southeast will be the toughest two teams,” she said. The Panthers met Southeast once in the regular season and lost. They can only meet in the final game of the regional tournament.
Saratoga will have to step up to overcome the odds. Three weeks ago, the team lost its center to a knee injury, which she had surgery on recently. As one of the top three shooters, the loss hurts the team. However, Davis remains hopeful. She has filled the position and altered her strategy and her players’ positions to accommodate.
The Panthers go into this tournament youthful and inexperienced. Four freshmen, one sophomore, one junior and one senior make up this year’s regional team, forming a total of three who have seen playing time in the final tournament of the season.
“It’s a little to our disadvantage (to not have an older team),” Davis said, “but then again, it may be to our advantage... (the team) won’t know what to expect.” The Panthers go into the tournament with the philosophy that what they don’t know can’t hurt them. They plan to just play basketball to win.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Ten years later, track is reality
a front pager...
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Ten years ago, a Saratoga High School junior opened the phone book and started dialing numbers.
He told the folks on the other end of the line that he was having a meeting in the back of a restaurant and invited them to come hear what he had to say.
Laying out his plan in front of the 10 or so who gathered that night, Scott Stevens wondered what he had gotten himself into. He was not the first to propose building a new track to replace Saratoga High School’s dirt oval that saw an average of seven to eight days of use a season due to its perpetual muddiness. Stevens had started an uphill battle and more than one person in the community reminded him that the project failed before.
To a high school junior, even two voices can be a roadblock, and Stevens remembers that. But he had other plans. “I told them thank you for your help, but I’m going to learn the hard way. So you can either help or don’t come back,” he said. “A few said I couldn’t, so that got me motivated.”
Holding a few more initial meetings, Stevens dragged in members of the community to ask for help, but soon enough, he was getting calls from those who wanted to be involved. Eventually, the core group materialized and formed itself into the Saratoga Track Association. The group, with Stevens as its youngest and most vigorous member, gained nonprofit status and created a mission statement. “It was a huge learning experience,” Stevens, now in his late 20s, said. “I had no idea how to really start it.”
As president of the association, Stevens partnered with Laurie Johnston, making the assistant track coach his vice president. Together, they rode the roller coaster of success and defeat.
Stevens and Johnston faced their first and most difficult task in obtaining the land for the track and planning how to supply water to it. With the help of Saratoga-based PMPC Civil Engineering, the association chose the site. It immediately faced a problem: The land belonged to Carbon County School District 2, and the school district could offer no money to fund a project that was in its flighty dream stages.
“I told them all we want is the land. No need to give us money. If they gave us an inch, we could see how far we could go,” Stevens said. “They gave it to us.”
Stevens and Johnston soon found that their board of parents, teachers, coaches and community members was going to have to collaborate with Saratoga’s Town Council, other officials and the school board. With no success in other attempts to locate water, the association found it needed to tap into the town’s supply to begin work at the site. More long hours paid off when an agreement formed and the town gave the green light to proceed with design.
Even under normal circumstances, building an all-weather track is time intensive in Wyoming’s cold climate. In the track association’s battle, one year quickly turned to two, which quickly turned to eight, nine, and now 10. “I can’t believe it is going to be done, after this long,” Stevens said. “It’s kind of surreal.”
When Stevens went to college, Johnston took the reins. “It’s just awesome that she continued one young man’s dream,” Stevens’ mother, Laurie Forster, said of Johnston. Johnston was flanked by Saratoga High School athletic director Rex Hohnholt and she eventually conceded the presidency to Jim Larscheid, who by day works for Sinclair Oil Corporation.
In 2005, after eight years of hard work and in-kind donations of time, services, materials, supplies and money from the community, the Saratoga Track Association successfully won the funding of the school capital facilities system.
“Because of the ground (the community) had laid, it was enough for them to give us the money,” Johnston said. She said the association received approximately $300,000 of donations from the community and businesses of Saratoga, as well as grant money from the District 2 recreation board. The project is ultimately worth more than $700,000.
Stevens, now a Wells Fargo employee and owner of Impulse night club in Des Moines, Iowa, pointed out that by the time they finally brought the project under the noses of official funding sources, it was more than halfway complete. “We got to the point where we needed a track, and the school and government could just complete the one we’d started,” Stevens said.
The Saratoga track is the largest project that Stevens has been involved in. “It’s cool to think I made all the first calls,” he said. But he wasn’t the one who finished it. “The town did that,” he said. “This track is not just a track. It’s what the town has done together. It shows it can pull together and do great things.”
Johnston agreed. She named the companies, individuals and board members who endured year after year of monthly meetings to see the project come to fruition, all on volunteer time. “The community was showing us that they wanted to do it,” Johnston said.
In early March, 10 years of sweat and tears should pay off when the track finally opens. Johnston’s proudest moment will be to see the track finished.
“The kids now run on pavement in the streets or on the golf course,” she said. “Just to see them actually have a facility where our jumper can jump outside, our runners can run on an all-weather surface ... is probably the greatest sense of accomplishment ... to see that we finally have a track,” she said.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Ten years ago, a Saratoga High School junior opened the phone book and started dialing numbers.
He told the folks on the other end of the line that he was having a meeting in the back of a restaurant and invited them to come hear what he had to say.
Laying out his plan in front of the 10 or so who gathered that night, Scott Stevens wondered what he had gotten himself into. He was not the first to propose building a new track to replace Saratoga High School’s dirt oval that saw an average of seven to eight days of use a season due to its perpetual muddiness. Stevens had started an uphill battle and more than one person in the community reminded him that the project failed before.
To a high school junior, even two voices can be a roadblock, and Stevens remembers that. But he had other plans. “I told them thank you for your help, but I’m going to learn the hard way. So you can either help or don’t come back,” he said. “A few said I couldn’t, so that got me motivated.”
Holding a few more initial meetings, Stevens dragged in members of the community to ask for help, but soon enough, he was getting calls from those who wanted to be involved. Eventually, the core group materialized and formed itself into the Saratoga Track Association. The group, with Stevens as its youngest and most vigorous member, gained nonprofit status and created a mission statement. “It was a huge learning experience,” Stevens, now in his late 20s, said. “I had no idea how to really start it.”
As president of the association, Stevens partnered with Laurie Johnston, making the assistant track coach his vice president. Together, they rode the roller coaster of success and defeat.
Stevens and Johnston faced their first and most difficult task in obtaining the land for the track and planning how to supply water to it. With the help of Saratoga-based PMPC Civil Engineering, the association chose the site. It immediately faced a problem: The land belonged to Carbon County School District 2, and the school district could offer no money to fund a project that was in its flighty dream stages.
“I told them all we want is the land. No need to give us money. If they gave us an inch, we could see how far we could go,” Stevens said. “They gave it to us.”
Stevens and Johnston soon found that their board of parents, teachers, coaches and community members was going to have to collaborate with Saratoga’s Town Council, other officials and the school board. With no success in other attempts to locate water, the association found it needed to tap into the town’s supply to begin work at the site. More long hours paid off when an agreement formed and the town gave the green light to proceed with design.
Even under normal circumstances, building an all-weather track is time intensive in Wyoming’s cold climate. In the track association’s battle, one year quickly turned to two, which quickly turned to eight, nine, and now 10. “I can’t believe it is going to be done, after this long,” Stevens said. “It’s kind of surreal.”
When Stevens went to college, Johnston took the reins. “It’s just awesome that she continued one young man’s dream,” Stevens’ mother, Laurie Forster, said of Johnston. Johnston was flanked by Saratoga High School athletic director Rex Hohnholt and she eventually conceded the presidency to Jim Larscheid, who by day works for Sinclair Oil Corporation.
In 2005, after eight years of hard work and in-kind donations of time, services, materials, supplies and money from the community, the Saratoga Track Association successfully won the funding of the school capital facilities system.
“Because of the ground (the community) had laid, it was enough for them to give us the money,” Johnston said. She said the association received approximately $300,000 of donations from the community and businesses of Saratoga, as well as grant money from the District 2 recreation board. The project is ultimately worth more than $700,000.
Stevens, now a Wells Fargo employee and owner of Impulse night club in Des Moines, Iowa, pointed out that by the time they finally brought the project under the noses of official funding sources, it was more than halfway complete. “We got to the point where we needed a track, and the school and government could just complete the one we’d started,” Stevens said.
The Saratoga track is the largest project that Stevens has been involved in. “It’s cool to think I made all the first calls,” he said. But he wasn’t the one who finished it. “The town did that,” he said. “This track is not just a track. It’s what the town has done together. It shows it can pull together and do great things.”
Johnston agreed. She named the companies, individuals and board members who endured year after year of monthly meetings to see the project come to fruition, all on volunteer time. “The community was showing us that they wanted to do it,” Johnston said.
In early March, 10 years of sweat and tears should pay off when the track finally opens. Johnston’s proudest moment will be to see the track finished.
“The kids now run on pavement in the streets or on the golf course,” she said. “Just to see them actually have a facility where our jumper can jump outside, our runners can run on an all-weather surface ... is probably the greatest sense of accomplishment ... to see that we finally have a track,” she said.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
School board meets Tuesday
Times staff report
The Carbon County District 2 School Board should plow ahead with plans for school construction during its meeting on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
With funds secured from the School Facilities Commission, asbestos abatement can begin at the Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow elementary schools. Board members are to consider issuing a call for bids to perform the work on both schools as well as for the installation of a new heating and boiler system at Saratoga Elementary School.
Board members are scheduled to finalize and vote on a memorandum of understanding between the town of Medicine Bow, the SFC and the District 2 board concerning the exchange of the village square land in Medicine Bow and the town’s current elementary school property.
Superintendent Bob Gates should report on the district’s enrollment and update board members on the upcoming building projects. He is scheduled to announce the bid award for the bleachers for the nearly complete Saratoga Middle and High School track.
The Carbon County District 2 School Board should plow ahead with plans for school construction during its meeting on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
With funds secured from the School Facilities Commission, asbestos abatement can begin at the Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow elementary schools. Board members are to consider issuing a call for bids to perform the work on both schools as well as for the installation of a new heating and boiler system at Saratoga Elementary School.
Board members are scheduled to finalize and vote on a memorandum of understanding between the town of Medicine Bow, the SFC and the District 2 board concerning the exchange of the village square land in Medicine Bow and the town’s current elementary school property.
Superintendent Bob Gates should report on the district’s enrollment and update board members on the upcoming building projects. He is scheduled to announce the bid award for the bleachers for the nearly complete Saratoga Middle and High School track.
Design for new school tops $1 M
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Twisted Sister set the mood at Thursday’s Carbon County District 1 School Board meeting, which was filled with banter, teasing and laughter, among other things.
When “We’re not going to take it” blared from the boom box at the end of the sixth-graders skit, parents, teachers and children alike had smiles on their faces. Rawlins High School freshmen class president Tanner Nicholls and vice president Brittany Gale then took the floor to present the class’s progress.
After the usual report of regular council meetings, fundraisers and event organization, Gale said, “And we don’t particularly like the lunches.” She and Nicholls said pizza twice a week is a bit much. That, and they don’t enjoy having a closed campus for lunch.
Though overshadowed by student presentations, the board still conducted its business. Duane DeWald reported on the first of three surveys being issued to District 1 teachers and administrators, which highlighted concerns about communication between the teachers and administrators.
Curriculum Director Marilyn Vercimak announced the launch of the selection process for the reading literacy series, in which elementary teachers from across the district are given a chance to evaluate each textbook’s ability to meet the district’s standards and benchmarks as well as its needs for ESL and special education students.
Superintendent Peggy Sanders talked about the Feb. 24 legislative forum, when the school board has the chance to visit the state Legislature to “see the impact the school board can have,” she said.
The board also approved on first reading a laundry list of policies and construction agreements, including the agreement between the district and the School Facilities Commission for the design of two new elementary buildings in Highland Hills. The designs of the kindergarten through second-grade building and the school for grades third through fifth should cost $707,490 and $281,290, respectively.
In the executive session, the board approved the employment contracts of the District 1 administrators for the next school year. Additionally, it worked toward the expulsion of one Rawlins middle school student and one RHS pupil. The hearing for another expulsion has been set for Thursday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m.
With her hair covered in red hair spray, Rawlins Middle School teacher and co-chair of the Carbon County District 1 Teacher Education Association Denise Ashline substituted her report on the associations progress with an explanation of why she had such a terrible hairdo.
“Some young ladies wanted a picture for the yearbook,” she said.
Ashline consented to letting the girls paint her hair for Valentine’s Day and snap the shot, but on one condition: “They have to maintain a B average for the whole year,” she said. If they don’t, they can’t use the picture in the yearbook and Ashline gets to play hairdresser on them. She said the bet was extended to others in the girls’ class as well.
Times staff writer
Twisted Sister set the mood at Thursday’s Carbon County District 1 School Board meeting, which was filled with banter, teasing and laughter, among other things.
When “We’re not going to take it” blared from the boom box at the end of the sixth-graders skit, parents, teachers and children alike had smiles on their faces. Rawlins High School freshmen class president Tanner Nicholls and vice president Brittany Gale then took the floor to present the class’s progress.
After the usual report of regular council meetings, fundraisers and event organization, Gale said, “And we don’t particularly like the lunches.” She and Nicholls said pizza twice a week is a bit much. That, and they don’t enjoy having a closed campus for lunch.
Though overshadowed by student presentations, the board still conducted its business. Duane DeWald reported on the first of three surveys being issued to District 1 teachers and administrators, which highlighted concerns about communication between the teachers and administrators.
Curriculum Director Marilyn Vercimak announced the launch of the selection process for the reading literacy series, in which elementary teachers from across the district are given a chance to evaluate each textbook’s ability to meet the district’s standards and benchmarks as well as its needs for ESL and special education students.
Superintendent Peggy Sanders talked about the Feb. 24 legislative forum, when the school board has the chance to visit the state Legislature to “see the impact the school board can have,” she said.
The board also approved on first reading a laundry list of policies and construction agreements, including the agreement between the district and the School Facilities Commission for the design of two new elementary buildings in Highland Hills. The designs of the kindergarten through second-grade building and the school for grades third through fifth should cost $707,490 and $281,290, respectively.
In the executive session, the board approved the employment contracts of the District 1 administrators for the next school year. Additionally, it worked toward the expulsion of one Rawlins middle school student and one RHS pupil. The hearing for another expulsion has been set for Thursday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m.
With her hair covered in red hair spray, Rawlins Middle School teacher and co-chair of the Carbon County District 1 Teacher Education Association Denise Ashline substituted her report on the associations progress with an explanation of why she had such a terrible hairdo.
“Some young ladies wanted a picture for the yearbook,” she said.
Ashline consented to letting the girls paint her hair for Valentine’s Day and snap the shot, but on one condition: “They have to maintain a B average for the whole year,” she said. If they don’t, they can’t use the picture in the yearbook and Ashline gets to play hairdresser on them. She said the bet was extended to others in the girls’ class as well.
Nonprofits seek team effort
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
With lofty goals being proposed for nonprofits in Carbon County, a group has formed to turn the goals into a reality.
The group met Friday during a roundtable luncheon at the Carbon County Higher Education Center, allowing their thoughts to mix and meld.
Baggs resident Linda Fleming, a member of the Wyoming State Nonprofit Association, sees the “energy corner of the state” as the least active in promoting its nonprofit organizations.
“We need to realize just how powerful we are in our communities,” she said. “Be it in Baggs, Elk Mountain or (Rawlins).”
Stephanie Moles, executive director of The Woman’s Heart organization in Casper and also a member of the state nonprofit association, said nonprofits fit alongside governmental and private enterprises to form cohesive, functioning communities. Moles emphasized the economic benefits provided by nonprofit services.
By fostering support among nonprofits and forming a more unified effort to fulfill southern Wyoming’s community needs, each nonprofit’s function can grow exponentially. Nonprofits applying for grants are also more likely to get the attention of financing organizations, a huge help when groups have to compete for funding.
The group set goals for future progress, including a follow-up meeting in six months. The group hopes to establish a set of workshops to turn area nonprofits into smoothly functioning machines. The workshops may be held at the Carbon County Higher Education Center in the future. The Carbon County Visitor’s Council has a head start with a “how to start a nonprofit” seminar already on its calendar, so nonprofits should have a choice of where to find guidance. Other CCHEC classes could include executive director training, grant writing, volunteer organization and marketing.
The group pushed for the creation of a resource databases to help the groups work more efficiently. Fleming kicked off a networking effort by asking attendees to supply their mailing and e-mail addresses as well as phone numbers. The group also recognized the benefit of a newsletter, keeping everyone aware of the progress and needs of other community nonprofits.
As the luncheon wrapped up, one attendee raised a critical question. “Are we re-inventing the wheel?” she asked. She warned that groups in Carbon County have a tendency of charging forward with ideas that others have already developed. Before expending too much effort trying to build everything from scratch, she said, resources could already be available.
Times staff writer
With lofty goals being proposed for nonprofits in Carbon County, a group has formed to turn the goals into a reality.
The group met Friday during a roundtable luncheon at the Carbon County Higher Education Center, allowing their thoughts to mix and meld.
Baggs resident Linda Fleming, a member of the Wyoming State Nonprofit Association, sees the “energy corner of the state” as the least active in promoting its nonprofit organizations.
“We need to realize just how powerful we are in our communities,” she said. “Be it in Baggs, Elk Mountain or (Rawlins).”
Stephanie Moles, executive director of The Woman’s Heart organization in Casper and also a member of the state nonprofit association, said nonprofits fit alongside governmental and private enterprises to form cohesive, functioning communities. Moles emphasized the economic benefits provided by nonprofit services.
By fostering support among nonprofits and forming a more unified effort to fulfill southern Wyoming’s community needs, each nonprofit’s function can grow exponentially. Nonprofits applying for grants are also more likely to get the attention of financing organizations, a huge help when groups have to compete for funding.
The group set goals for future progress, including a follow-up meeting in six months. The group hopes to establish a set of workshops to turn area nonprofits into smoothly functioning machines. The workshops may be held at the Carbon County Higher Education Center in the future. The Carbon County Visitor’s Council has a head start with a “how to start a nonprofit” seminar already on its calendar, so nonprofits should have a choice of where to find guidance. Other CCHEC classes could include executive director training, grant writing, volunteer organization and marketing.
The group pushed for the creation of a resource databases to help the groups work more efficiently. Fleming kicked off a networking effort by asking attendees to supply their mailing and e-mail addresses as well as phone numbers. The group also recognized the benefit of a newsletter, keeping everyone aware of the progress and needs of other community nonprofits.
As the luncheon wrapped up, one attendee raised a critical question. “Are we re-inventing the wheel?” she asked. She warned that groups in Carbon County have a tendency of charging forward with ideas that others have already developed. Before expending too much effort trying to build everything from scratch, she said, resources could already be available.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Board won over
Skits prompt lunch tray change
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The middle school students awkwardly gathered in the center of the board room, whispering instructions to each other.
When they looked up, they faced their parents, teachers and friends in the audience to begin. They found they were facing the wrong way.
Abashed, they turned around to face the Carbon County District 1 School Board, the student’s intended audience. They whispered and poked each other and then began speaking.
“We are concerned about the environment,” one boy declared.
He peered down at the sheet of paper prepared by his fellow sixth-graders at Rawlins Middle School. “Our goals are to reduce... recycle... and find an alternative to Styrofoam trays in the lunchroom,” he said, outlining the ways he and his classmates are focusing their effort to help the environment.
In a three-act skit, the students illustrated to the board how detrimental it can be to use plastic foam trays. Kids can get sick from hot food leeching to the toxins in plastic foam, was the message of the first act. Next up was a reporter announcing, “This just in: Girl diagnosed with cancer because of Styrofoam trays used at school.” In the last act, strikers protested the 300 trays delivered daily to the landfill, declaring them not biodegradable.
The students let Twisted Sister have the final word in the skit. “We’re not going to take it” came the cry from the boom box in the corner.
The sixth-graders finished their presentation with a mini report based on their research. “Styrofoam is a petroleum-based product that takes thousands of years to degrade,” one student read. “Each year, our school puts about 54,300 trays in the Rawlins Landfill ... We admit that our food stays on the trays for a very short time and the potential harm is low, but we still ask that you find an alternative method of serving food.”
Parents, teachers and the board erupted in cheers and applause when the students’ brief battle ended. Board member Kristi Groshart motioned, Jeff Hitchcock seconded, and the board approved an accelerated investigation of environmentally safe ways to serve food to the Rawlins youth.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The middle school students awkwardly gathered in the center of the board room, whispering instructions to each other.
When they looked up, they faced their parents, teachers and friends in the audience to begin. They found they were facing the wrong way.
Abashed, they turned around to face the Carbon County District 1 School Board, the student’s intended audience. They whispered and poked each other and then began speaking.
“We are concerned about the environment,” one boy declared.
He peered down at the sheet of paper prepared by his fellow sixth-graders at Rawlins Middle School. “Our goals are to reduce... recycle... and find an alternative to Styrofoam trays in the lunchroom,” he said, outlining the ways he and his classmates are focusing their effort to help the environment.
In a three-act skit, the students illustrated to the board how detrimental it can be to use plastic foam trays. Kids can get sick from hot food leeching to the toxins in plastic foam, was the message of the first act. Next up was a reporter announcing, “This just in: Girl diagnosed with cancer because of Styrofoam trays used at school.” In the last act, strikers protested the 300 trays delivered daily to the landfill, declaring them not biodegradable.
The students let Twisted Sister have the final word in the skit. “We’re not going to take it” came the cry from the boom box in the corner.
The sixth-graders finished their presentation with a mini report based on their research. “Styrofoam is a petroleum-based product that takes thousands of years to degrade,” one student read. “Each year, our school puts about 54,300 trays in the Rawlins Landfill ... We admit that our food stays on the trays for a very short time and the potential harm is low, but we still ask that you find an alternative method of serving food.”
Parents, teachers and the board erupted in cheers and applause when the students’ brief battle ended. Board member Kristi Groshart motioned, Jeff Hitchcock seconded, and the board approved an accelerated investigation of environmentally safe ways to serve food to the Rawlins youth.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Hospital records are going digital
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Two years after implementing a new software system, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County staff are on track with digitizing electronic medical records, allowing the hospital to comply with possible federal legislation.
As he began his second term in 2004, President Bush pushed for hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes and other health care facilities to create electronic records. The hope was to create a national medical network that would lead to better accuracy in medical care and “avoid dangerous medical mistakes, reduce costs and improve care,” Bush said.
Four years later, there is little progress. However, some care providers have recognized the value of digital records and have streamlined their systems.
Choosing the health management system software to work toward that end, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County staff are continuing to iron out the bugs. However, Chief Financial Officer Florence Kostic said the software makes record keeping more efficient.
“We had numerous systems — separate lab system, hospital documentation was all done manually and we had a separate radiology system,” she said. “When we made the change in 2004, we moved to the fully integrated system.” Now, most hospital functions can communicate seamlessly despite the ongoing troubleshooting.
Kostic said the national system could be implemented in 2010. In anticipation, hospital staff chose compatible software. Listed as a certified provider of software compliant with national initiatives and with more than 400 users nationwide in 2003, the health management system seemed to be the best option, according to Kostic.
Dr. James Bush, Medicaid medical director at the Wyoming Department of Health, scoffed at the idea that the national system would be up and running by 2010.
“They are just now reaching interoperability standards,” he said, describing the need to standardize databases so different software can easily communicate. “The 2010 deadline is falling by the wayside.”
Still, James Bush realizes the value of a unified network. He is currently working to roll out the red carpet on a statewide Medicaid network, scheduled to launch this summer.
The ongoing question of privacy in health records has slowed national progress toward a fully electronic system, and it has not been ignored by staff at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. The privacy rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act prevents full access to patient records by care providers, making the security of software systems a hot ticket in debates.
Terry Webster, director of health information management at the hospital, said hospitals get paranoid when information is put on a computer. “But there’s the same worry when it’s on paper,” she said.
Webster recently came to Rawlins from a Montana hospital that was part of a four-hospital network. The Meditech system they used prohibited access unless the patient provided an access code for their records. James Bush said that with patient confidentiality at the top of the list of priorities, software providers are nearly guaranteed to safeguard their systems.
Kostic listed another problem area in the ambitious project — the question of care providers being technologically savvy. “Many physicians’ offices aren’t able to purchase the sophisticated equipment that is required, so how will they fit into the network?” she asked.
James Bush said that when care providers, no matter how tech savvy, see the benefits of an integrated system, they will jump on board. “It is one of those true win-win situations,” he said of the developing Medicaid system.
State to go digital as well
Wyoming Department of Health officials are set to launch the “total health record” this summer, the state’s version of an electronic program centered around Medicaid patient care.
Headed by Dr. James Bush, the Medicaid medical director at the Department of Health, the statewide program should open the door for the state to more efficiently allocate its resources and maximize its care. Bush said the program also benefits patients and care providers.
Wyoming has the chance to be a national leader in implementing electronic medical records, Bush said. This is particularly due to the state’s small population, making it easier to implement a centralized system.
The Medicaid program should be administered by the software company Cyber Access. The main goal is to promote a patient-centered medical home, Bush said. It would push patients to get most of their care from a general physician, promoting preventative care and ideally reducing instances of large Medicaid claims that come with dramatic health problems.
Phase one, electronic billing, has been implemented, Bush said, with participation from 20 clinics. The system should be offered for implementation in physician offices with the highest percentage of Medicaid patients.
Times staff writer
Two years after implementing a new software system, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County staff are on track with digitizing electronic medical records, allowing the hospital to comply with possible federal legislation.
As he began his second term in 2004, President Bush pushed for hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes and other health care facilities to create electronic records. The hope was to create a national medical network that would lead to better accuracy in medical care and “avoid dangerous medical mistakes, reduce costs and improve care,” Bush said.
Four years later, there is little progress. However, some care providers have recognized the value of digital records and have streamlined their systems.
Choosing the health management system software to work toward that end, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County staff are continuing to iron out the bugs. However, Chief Financial Officer Florence Kostic said the software makes record keeping more efficient.
“We had numerous systems — separate lab system, hospital documentation was all done manually and we had a separate radiology system,” she said. “When we made the change in 2004, we moved to the fully integrated system.” Now, most hospital functions can communicate seamlessly despite the ongoing troubleshooting.
Kostic said the national system could be implemented in 2010. In anticipation, hospital staff chose compatible software. Listed as a certified provider of software compliant with national initiatives and with more than 400 users nationwide in 2003, the health management system seemed to be the best option, according to Kostic.
Dr. James Bush, Medicaid medical director at the Wyoming Department of Health, scoffed at the idea that the national system would be up and running by 2010.
“They are just now reaching interoperability standards,” he said, describing the need to standardize databases so different software can easily communicate. “The 2010 deadline is falling by the wayside.”
Still, James Bush realizes the value of a unified network. He is currently working to roll out the red carpet on a statewide Medicaid network, scheduled to launch this summer.
The ongoing question of privacy in health records has slowed national progress toward a fully electronic system, and it has not been ignored by staff at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. The privacy rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act prevents full access to patient records by care providers, making the security of software systems a hot ticket in debates.
Terry Webster, director of health information management at the hospital, said hospitals get paranoid when information is put on a computer. “But there’s the same worry when it’s on paper,” she said.
Webster recently came to Rawlins from a Montana hospital that was part of a four-hospital network. The Meditech system they used prohibited access unless the patient provided an access code for their records. James Bush said that with patient confidentiality at the top of the list of priorities, software providers are nearly guaranteed to safeguard their systems.
Kostic listed another problem area in the ambitious project — the question of care providers being technologically savvy. “Many physicians’ offices aren’t able to purchase the sophisticated equipment that is required, so how will they fit into the network?” she asked.
James Bush said that when care providers, no matter how tech savvy, see the benefits of an integrated system, they will jump on board. “It is one of those true win-win situations,” he said of the developing Medicaid system.
State to go digital as well
Wyoming Department of Health officials are set to launch the “total health record” this summer, the state’s version of an electronic program centered around Medicaid patient care.
Headed by Dr. James Bush, the Medicaid medical director at the Department of Health, the statewide program should open the door for the state to more efficiently allocate its resources and maximize its care. Bush said the program also benefits patients and care providers.
Wyoming has the chance to be a national leader in implementing electronic medical records, Bush said. This is particularly due to the state’s small population, making it easier to implement a centralized system.
The Medicaid program should be administered by the software company Cyber Access. The main goal is to promote a patient-centered medical home, Bush said. It would push patients to get most of their care from a general physician, promoting preventative care and ideally reducing instances of large Medicaid claims that come with dramatic health problems.
Phase one, electronic billing, has been implemented, Bush said, with participation from 20 clinics. The system should be offered for implementation in physician offices with the highest percentage of Medicaid patients.
A world away, Filipino nurses make Rawlins home
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
In 2003, a small contingent of Filipino health care professionals found themselves transplanted to the tiny blip on the world map known as Rawlins.
About 7,500 miles away from home, Sherry Longog and Angie Colson stepped onto a small plane in Denver to head to Rock Springs. It would be one of the last legs of their long voyage to begin work as lab technologists at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. One from the southern Philippines and one from the northern part of the archipelago, Longog and Colson were missing home, but at least they had each other.
“We knew there were mountains,” Colson said. “We looked it up before coming. But we were looking down from the plane and wondering why there were no houses or buildings. Who were going to be our patients? We thought the hospital was on top of the mountains.”
Landing in Rock Springs, the pair finished out the trip along Interstate 80. “When we got here,” Colson said with a laugh, “it wasn’t so bad — the hospital wasn’t on top of the mountains.”
More health care professionals are being produced in the Philippines than the country can use, so many often work abroad. A 2004 report by Health Affairs listed the nation as the leading source for nurses being recruited by countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
“Filipino nurses are in great demand because they are primarily educated in college-degree programs and communicate well in English,” the report read. Receiving countries can therefore expand health care work forces, which have been notoriously shorthanded for years, Professional Healthcare Resources recruiting agency wrote.
The trade is reciprocal: New recruits often send home remittance income, bolstering the Philippines’ economy. Health Affairs reported that in 2004, Filipinos living abroad sent more than $800 million back home.
Longog said hers and Colson’s agency, then known as Agape, recruited physical therapists, nurses and technologists. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s two Filipino nurses, Suzette Enriquez and Jeraldine Lebanan, came through Troy Professionals. The two nurses are now friends, but have much different stories.
Lebanan did not originally want to come to the U.S., but knew she had the opportunity to gain the duel benefit of getting out of financial trouble, while simultaneously fulfilling her lifelong dream of having a child. Of all the Filipinos still at the hospital, Lebanan had the most difficulty adjusting.
“I had a hard time,” she said. “If I had to choose, I’d work in the Philippines because I’m used to it and my friends are there and I can speak my native language.” Lebanan worked in the Philippines for 11 years prior to moving.
On the other end of the spectrum, Enriquez took full advantage of the opportunity to go abroad. “It was my dream since I was a little kid to come to the U.S.,” she said. While waiting for her application to go through, she worked in Saudi Arabia’s Turaif Government Hospital for three years.
Culturally shocking for a woman accustomed to equal rights, Saudi Arabia was a good experience for Enriquez. “I went there to experience working there and (meet people of) other nationalities,” she said. “The language was very hard, though. I didn’t know it before going. I carried a dictionary, but it didn’t help. I just learned (Arabic) by speaking to patients.” Finally, in 2003, she got the chance to come to the U.S.
Of the more than 10 Filipino nursing and technologist recruit to pass through Memorial Hospital of Carbon County, these four remain. Many departed after their three-year contracts were complete, hospital Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. The four have stayed at least two years longer than their contracts lasted.
“(These four) have developed within the community,” Young said. “They’ve bought homes, they’ve had children, they’ve married... they’ve integrated into the community.”
Times staff writer
In 2003, a small contingent of Filipino health care professionals found themselves transplanted to the tiny blip on the world map known as Rawlins.
About 7,500 miles away from home, Sherry Longog and Angie Colson stepped onto a small plane in Denver to head to Rock Springs. It would be one of the last legs of their long voyage to begin work as lab technologists at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. One from the southern Philippines and one from the northern part of the archipelago, Longog and Colson were missing home, but at least they had each other.
“We knew there were mountains,” Colson said. “We looked it up before coming. But we were looking down from the plane and wondering why there were no houses or buildings. Who were going to be our patients? We thought the hospital was on top of the mountains.”
Landing in Rock Springs, the pair finished out the trip along Interstate 80. “When we got here,” Colson said with a laugh, “it wasn’t so bad — the hospital wasn’t on top of the mountains.”
More health care professionals are being produced in the Philippines than the country can use, so many often work abroad. A 2004 report by Health Affairs listed the nation as the leading source for nurses being recruited by countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
“Filipino nurses are in great demand because they are primarily educated in college-degree programs and communicate well in English,” the report read. Receiving countries can therefore expand health care work forces, which have been notoriously shorthanded for years, Professional Healthcare Resources recruiting agency wrote.
The trade is reciprocal: New recruits often send home remittance income, bolstering the Philippines’ economy. Health Affairs reported that in 2004, Filipinos living abroad sent more than $800 million back home.
Longog said hers and Colson’s agency, then known as Agape, recruited physical therapists, nurses and technologists. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s two Filipino nurses, Suzette Enriquez and Jeraldine Lebanan, came through Troy Professionals. The two nurses are now friends, but have much different stories.
Lebanan did not originally want to come to the U.S., but knew she had the opportunity to gain the duel benefit of getting out of financial trouble, while simultaneously fulfilling her lifelong dream of having a child. Of all the Filipinos still at the hospital, Lebanan had the most difficulty adjusting.
“I had a hard time,” she said. “If I had to choose, I’d work in the Philippines because I’m used to it and my friends are there and I can speak my native language.” Lebanan worked in the Philippines for 11 years prior to moving.
On the other end of the spectrum, Enriquez took full advantage of the opportunity to go abroad. “It was my dream since I was a little kid to come to the U.S.,” she said. While waiting for her application to go through, she worked in Saudi Arabia’s Turaif Government Hospital for three years.
Culturally shocking for a woman accustomed to equal rights, Saudi Arabia was a good experience for Enriquez. “I went there to experience working there and (meet people of) other nationalities,” she said. “The language was very hard, though. I didn’t know it before going. I carried a dictionary, but it didn’t help. I just learned (Arabic) by speaking to patients.” Finally, in 2003, she got the chance to come to the U.S.
Of the more than 10 Filipino nursing and technologist recruit to pass through Memorial Hospital of Carbon County, these four remain. Many departed after their three-year contracts were complete, hospital Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. The four have stayed at least two years longer than their contracts lasted.
“(These four) have developed within the community,” Young said. “They’ve bought homes, they’ve had children, they’ve married... they’ve integrated into the community.”
Long break is not what SHS wanted
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The Saratoga High School boys basketball team may as well be coming off winter holiday as it heads into Thursday’s game against Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow.
After a host of games were canceled due to weather and no plans to reschedule them have emerged, the HEM game is Saratoga’s last chance to prepare for the conference tournament.
“We will know on Thursday what we need to work on,” Saratoga coach Rex Hohnholt said. “I try to get the kids in game-like situations, but when you’re just playing one another, you know, our kids know all the plays.”
Hohnholt said he is lucky to have players who give their best in every practice. Although the Panther seniors were disappointed not to participate in senior night, which was scheduled during one of the canceled games, they are ready for their final regular season game.
Tipping off at 8 p.m. in the HEM gym, Saratoga expects to face its opponent’s best effort. Panther coach Rex Hohnholt pointed out that he has one 6-foot-3-inch player who can match up with one of the “big guys” on the Miner team, but his team’s lack of height leaves him with a poor pair when trying to cover the other half of the Matt Larson-Justin Palm duo.
The county rivals may not be well matched in terms of height, but even with the discrepancy, Saratoga has managed to come out on top in prior meetings this season.
Saratoga leads its conference as the No. 1 seed going into the conference tournament, which starts on Thursday, Feb. 21.
Times staff writer
The Saratoga High School boys basketball team may as well be coming off winter holiday as it heads into Thursday’s game against Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow.
After a host of games were canceled due to weather and no plans to reschedule them have emerged, the HEM game is Saratoga’s last chance to prepare for the conference tournament.
“We will know on Thursday what we need to work on,” Saratoga coach Rex Hohnholt said. “I try to get the kids in game-like situations, but when you’re just playing one another, you know, our kids know all the plays.”
Hohnholt said he is lucky to have players who give their best in every practice. Although the Panther seniors were disappointed not to participate in senior night, which was scheduled during one of the canceled games, they are ready for their final regular season game.
Tipping off at 8 p.m. in the HEM gym, Saratoga expects to face its opponent’s best effort. Panther coach Rex Hohnholt pointed out that he has one 6-foot-3-inch player who can match up with one of the “big guys” on the Miner team, but his team’s lack of height leaves him with a poor pair when trying to cover the other half of the Matt Larson-Justin Palm duo.
The county rivals may not be well matched in terms of height, but even with the discrepancy, Saratoga has managed to come out on top in prior meetings this season.
Saratoga leads its conference as the No. 1 seed going into the conference tournament, which starts on Thursday, Feb. 21.
School board to meet
Wyoming Department of Health officials are set to launch the “total health record” this summer, the state’s version of an electronic program centered around Medicaid patient care.
Headed by Dr. James Bush, the Medicaid medical director at the Department of Health, the statewide program should open the door for the state to more efficiently allocate its resources and maximize its care. Bush said the program also benefits patients and care providers.
Wyoming has the chance to be a national leader in implementing electronic medical records, Bush said. This is particularly due to the state’s small population, making it easier to implement a centralized system.
The Medicaid program should be administered by the software company Cyber Access. The main goal is to promote a patient-centered medical home, Bush said. It would push patients to get most of their care from a general physician, promoting preventative care and ideally reducing instances of large Medicaid claims that come with dramatic health problems.
Phase one, electronic billing, has been implemented, Bush said, with participation from 20 clinics. The system should be offered for implementation in physician offices with the highest percentage of Medicaid patients.
Headed by Dr. James Bush, the Medicaid medical director at the Department of Health, the statewide program should open the door for the state to more efficiently allocate its resources and maximize its care. Bush said the program also benefits patients and care providers.
Wyoming has the chance to be a national leader in implementing electronic medical records, Bush said. This is particularly due to the state’s small population, making it easier to implement a centralized system.
The Medicaid program should be administered by the software company Cyber Access. The main goal is to promote a patient-centered medical home, Bush said. It would push patients to get most of their care from a general physician, promoting preventative care and ideally reducing instances of large Medicaid claims that come with dramatic health problems.
Phase one, electronic billing, has been implemented, Bush said, with participation from 20 clinics. The system should be offered for implementation in physician offices with the highest percentage of Medicaid patients.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Four day week liked by teens
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The verdict is in: High schoolers in Carbon County School District 2 who are on the four-day week want to keep it.
With 113 student surveys received from Saratoga Middle High School and 75 from Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Middle High School, the younger crowd tipped the scales against the staff and parent votes at the online polling booths. While parents and staff continue to battle it out, more than 70 percent of students at both schools approved of the four-day week.
The Encampment student council voted against having students fill out the District 2 school week survey. Still, a lone student voice emerged from the 60 community-member polls in the town.
“Being a student at Encampment,” the opinion went, “I believe that the four-day schedule is not the best way to go. By having five days in our school week ... the school year ends earlier and the days do not have to add more hours.
“Our parents would have to find a child-care service to watch over their little ones (and some) don’t have the money to do that. Yes, in some ways the four-day schedule would be nice because game days would always be on Fridays ... Why change something that has worked in the past?”
The community member and teacher votes in Encampment also chirped a tune of support for the five-day schedule. They touted consistency, more learning time, matching parent-child schedules and keeping kids out of trouble on Fridays as reasons to maintain the five-day week.
On the Saratoga and HEM side, parents and teachers largely stood alongside students, showing support for the four-day schedule.
Primary concerns of Saratoga and HEM community and staff members included attention to activity schedules outside of sports and addressing the differing schedules within the district and towns.
On the elementary level, the school board may as well flip a coin to determine overall schedule opinions. Split down the middle, the survey generally shows that high school is one thing and elementary school is another.
Saratoga Elementary School parents rolled out in numbers that topped those surveyed in Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow and Hanna. In the three smaller schools, 16 parents and community members said they mainly supported the current four-and-a-half day schedule. The 81 Saratoga community-member surveys showed roughly 50 percent support the four-day schedule.
On the staff side, people affiliated with Saratoga Elementary School generally supported their current schedule. Meanwhile, it’s the teachers at Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow elementary schools who are doing the splits. Seemingly battling for extra time with either the four-and-a-half day or five-day week, they stood fast against switching to four days.
In Encampment, results were polled for kindergarten through 12th grade inclusively, so individual grade results were less apparent. Based on comments, the surveys seemed to show majority support for the five-day week.
Various Voices
“Not having to miss class because of sports helps me keep my grades up.” — Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Junior Senior High School student.
“My children aren’t in sports, so this works very well. I can’t see any sense for them to go to school on sport days when nothing is done anyway. I prefer the four-day schedule.” — HEM parent.
“A regular five-day schedule would be better for my students, particularly the at-risk students.” - Hanna Elementary School staff member.
“We are five distinct communities with different needs — different schedules is a way of meeting those needs.” — Elk Mountain Elementary School staff member.
“I feel that our staff does not have enough time to meet in regard to children and planning. Perhaps a four-and-a-half day week might help to that end.” — Encampment School staff member.
Times staff writer
The verdict is in: High schoolers in Carbon County School District 2 who are on the four-day week want to keep it.
With 113 student surveys received from Saratoga Middle High School and 75 from Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Middle High School, the younger crowd tipped the scales against the staff and parent votes at the online polling booths. While parents and staff continue to battle it out, more than 70 percent of students at both schools approved of the four-day week.
The Encampment student council voted against having students fill out the District 2 school week survey. Still, a lone student voice emerged from the 60 community-member polls in the town.
“Being a student at Encampment,” the opinion went, “I believe that the four-day schedule is not the best way to go. By having five days in our school week ... the school year ends earlier and the days do not have to add more hours.
“Our parents would have to find a child-care service to watch over their little ones (and some) don’t have the money to do that. Yes, in some ways the four-day schedule would be nice because game days would always be on Fridays ... Why change something that has worked in the past?”
The community member and teacher votes in Encampment also chirped a tune of support for the five-day schedule. They touted consistency, more learning time, matching parent-child schedules and keeping kids out of trouble on Fridays as reasons to maintain the five-day week.
On the Saratoga and HEM side, parents and teachers largely stood alongside students, showing support for the four-day schedule.
Primary concerns of Saratoga and HEM community and staff members included attention to activity schedules outside of sports and addressing the differing schedules within the district and towns.
On the elementary level, the school board may as well flip a coin to determine overall schedule opinions. Split down the middle, the survey generally shows that high school is one thing and elementary school is another.
Saratoga Elementary School parents rolled out in numbers that topped those surveyed in Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow and Hanna. In the three smaller schools, 16 parents and community members said they mainly supported the current four-and-a-half day schedule. The 81 Saratoga community-member surveys showed roughly 50 percent support the four-day schedule.
On the staff side, people affiliated with Saratoga Elementary School generally supported their current schedule. Meanwhile, it’s the teachers at Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine Bow elementary schools who are doing the splits. Seemingly battling for extra time with either the four-and-a-half day or five-day week, they stood fast against switching to four days.
In Encampment, results were polled for kindergarten through 12th grade inclusively, so individual grade results were less apparent. Based on comments, the surveys seemed to show majority support for the five-day week.
Various Voices
“Not having to miss class because of sports helps me keep my grades up.” — Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow Junior Senior High School student.
“My children aren’t in sports, so this works very well. I can’t see any sense for them to go to school on sport days when nothing is done anyway. I prefer the four-day schedule.” — HEM parent.
“A regular five-day schedule would be better for my students, particularly the at-risk students.” - Hanna Elementary School staff member.
“We are five distinct communities with different needs — different schedules is a way of meeting those needs.” — Elk Mountain Elementary School staff member.
“I feel that our staff does not have enough time to meet in regard to children and planning. Perhaps a four-and-a-half day week might help to that end.” — Encampment School staff member.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
'Analog sunset' approaches
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
On Feb. 18, the sun will set on a technological era as wireless carriers nationwide are no longer required by the Federal Communications Commission to provide analog service.
While city dwellers are largely unaffected by this change, wireless providers have had to pay particular attention to rural areas. In Carbon County, with its spotty digital wireless coverage and a number of wireless users who only own mobile phones for emergency coverage, the transition has been smooth, but not seamless.
According to Chelsea Fallon, media contact at the FCC Wireless Bureau, the decision was made that the “analog requirement was no longer necessary because original goals had been met with digital technology” in 2002. After the five-year phase-out period instituted after that decision, few analog customers remain. However, the question remains whether the few that are left will still receive the same coverage.
Robert Kelley, the media contact for Verizon Wireless’ mountain areas, said Verizon’s network team has spent the past few months analyzing the analog and digital areas to be sure coverage will be the same. “They’ve actually beefed up a few fringe areas where they saw a delta between (the two),” he said.
Verizon’s efforts follow the requirements of the FCC’s “analog sunset order,” which says no provider should discontinue analog coverage until it can guarantee the users will see no problems in the transition to digital. Additionally, the order mandated wireless providers to supply options to analog users to smoothly transition them to the digital networks.
In the case of Alan Braga, the transition is not as smooth as he’d like. Previously owning a bag phone, a large device that effectively picked up a signal in the most remote places through the analog advanced mobile phone service, the Encampment resident was forced to transition to digital through his provider, Union Telephone. He received a free phone and a similar plan, but Braga is certain he will not experience the same coverage with the new, smaller phone.
“My little phone can’t put out the same power that my bag phone did,” Braga said. “I am sure I could get more signals and stronger signals with (the bag phone).”
When Braga once happened upon an accident just south of the Wyoming-Colorado border, he was able to get a signal with his bag phone when another fellow was unable to make a call with his standard cellular phone. The accident was at the three-way intersection of Wyoming Highway 230 and Colorado highways 125 and 127. When Braga tried to call 911, he was successful.
“It’s a low spot there, and I had no problem getting out when he wasn’t able to with his little one,” Braga said.
Braga admitted he could have purchased a digital bag phone that would have worked effectively in the rural areas of Carbon County. However, he could not justify the steep price listed by Union Telephone.
A representative from Verizon Wireless confirmed that their $400 digital bag phone is the only current option for rural coverage, able to pick up more signals, particularly in remote areas, than a regular phone. According to Larry Sheridan, communications system supervisor with the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s telecommunications department, the current price tag on bag phones is relatively small. He said bag phones cost $1,500 to $2,000 when they first hit the market.
Braga is somewhat frustrated because he had no choice in the matter. Because he carries his phone solely for emergencies and cannot get the same coverage with the phone provided by Union Telephone, he said “I’m sort of defeating my purpose.”
Cellular History
The Feb. 18 “analog sunset” is not the first in cellular history.
The industry began in the 1950s and as technology progressed, transitions occurred.
Larry Sheridan, communications system supervisor within the Wyoming Department of Transportation telecommunications department, provided the background for the most recent cellular transition.
The improved mobile telephone service of the 1960s transitioned to the advanced mobile phone service in about 1989. It was about six years after the service was introduced into the cellular market and about two yeas from when the large carriers petitioned for it to be removed from the market.
It’s usually a business decision, Sheridan said. “(The advanced service) was power hungry and it was a limited capacity system,” he said. In the case of digital services versus analog, he said the transmission of four to eight digital conversations is roughly equivalent to the use of one analog signal. It becomes much more cost-effective for carriers to function digitally.
The large carriers in the late 1980s petitioned for the shutdown of the improved mobile telephone service in much the same way carriers in the late 1990s asked the Federal Communications Commission to end the requirement to provide the analog service.
Personal stories during the two transitions also mirror each other. Sheridan’s personal story of his cellular experience during the 1989 transition is similar to that of Alan Braga, an Encampment resident who used the analog service as of three weeks ago.
The petition to transition from one cellular system to another was still hanging when the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area, where Sheridan was living. Part of the vast impact was downed phone lines. Amidst the chaos and not knowing the decision on the improved mobile telephoneservice, Sheridan attempted to use his old phone, which was kept under the seat of his car in the case of an emergency.
“Wouldn’t you know, I picked up the phone and heard a dial tone,” Sheridan said. He called his parents in Michigan to warn them about what they would soon see on the television and to assure them he and his family were safe.
Soon, the improved mobile telephone service system was shut down nationwide in favor of the analog service. The time taken to phase out the improved mobile telephone service to the analog service closely mirrors the efforts of wireless companies throughout the last five years to transition to digital services.
On the other end of the line during the interview, Sheridan likely shrugged his shoulders as he said, “It’s just the march of technology.”
Times staff writer
On Feb. 18, the sun will set on a technological era as wireless carriers nationwide are no longer required by the Federal Communications Commission to provide analog service.
While city dwellers are largely unaffected by this change, wireless providers have had to pay particular attention to rural areas. In Carbon County, with its spotty digital wireless coverage and a number of wireless users who only own mobile phones for emergency coverage, the transition has been smooth, but not seamless.
According to Chelsea Fallon, media contact at the FCC Wireless Bureau, the decision was made that the “analog requirement was no longer necessary because original goals had been met with digital technology” in 2002. After the five-year phase-out period instituted after that decision, few analog customers remain. However, the question remains whether the few that are left will still receive the same coverage.
Robert Kelley, the media contact for Verizon Wireless’ mountain areas, said Verizon’s network team has spent the past few months analyzing the analog and digital areas to be sure coverage will be the same. “They’ve actually beefed up a few fringe areas where they saw a delta between (the two),” he said.
Verizon’s efforts follow the requirements of the FCC’s “analog sunset order,” which says no provider should discontinue analog coverage until it can guarantee the users will see no problems in the transition to digital. Additionally, the order mandated wireless providers to supply options to analog users to smoothly transition them to the digital networks.
In the case of Alan Braga, the transition is not as smooth as he’d like. Previously owning a bag phone, a large device that effectively picked up a signal in the most remote places through the analog advanced mobile phone service, the Encampment resident was forced to transition to digital through his provider, Union Telephone. He received a free phone and a similar plan, but Braga is certain he will not experience the same coverage with the new, smaller phone.
“My little phone can’t put out the same power that my bag phone did,” Braga said. “I am sure I could get more signals and stronger signals with (the bag phone).”
When Braga once happened upon an accident just south of the Wyoming-Colorado border, he was able to get a signal with his bag phone when another fellow was unable to make a call with his standard cellular phone. The accident was at the three-way intersection of Wyoming Highway 230 and Colorado highways 125 and 127. When Braga tried to call 911, he was successful.
“It’s a low spot there, and I had no problem getting out when he wasn’t able to with his little one,” Braga said.
Braga admitted he could have purchased a digital bag phone that would have worked effectively in the rural areas of Carbon County. However, he could not justify the steep price listed by Union Telephone.
A representative from Verizon Wireless confirmed that their $400 digital bag phone is the only current option for rural coverage, able to pick up more signals, particularly in remote areas, than a regular phone. According to Larry Sheridan, communications system supervisor with the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s telecommunications department, the current price tag on bag phones is relatively small. He said bag phones cost $1,500 to $2,000 when they first hit the market.
Braga is somewhat frustrated because he had no choice in the matter. Because he carries his phone solely for emergencies and cannot get the same coverage with the phone provided by Union Telephone, he said “I’m sort of defeating my purpose.”
Cellular History
The Feb. 18 “analog sunset” is not the first in cellular history.
The industry began in the 1950s and as technology progressed, transitions occurred.
Larry Sheridan, communications system supervisor within the Wyoming Department of Transportation telecommunications department, provided the background for the most recent cellular transition.
The improved mobile telephone service of the 1960s transitioned to the advanced mobile phone service in about 1989. It was about six years after the service was introduced into the cellular market and about two yeas from when the large carriers petitioned for it to be removed from the market.
It’s usually a business decision, Sheridan said. “(The advanced service) was power hungry and it was a limited capacity system,” he said. In the case of digital services versus analog, he said the transmission of four to eight digital conversations is roughly equivalent to the use of one analog signal. It becomes much more cost-effective for carriers to function digitally.
The large carriers in the late 1980s petitioned for the shutdown of the improved mobile telephone service in much the same way carriers in the late 1990s asked the Federal Communications Commission to end the requirement to provide the analog service.
Personal stories during the two transitions also mirror each other. Sheridan’s personal story of his cellular experience during the 1989 transition is similar to that of Alan Braga, an Encampment resident who used the analog service as of three weeks ago.
The petition to transition from one cellular system to another was still hanging when the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area, where Sheridan was living. Part of the vast impact was downed phone lines. Amidst the chaos and not knowing the decision on the improved mobile telephoneservice, Sheridan attempted to use his old phone, which was kept under the seat of his car in the case of an emergency.
“Wouldn’t you know, I picked up the phone and heard a dial tone,” Sheridan said. He called his parents in Michigan to warn them about what they would soon see on the television and to assure them he and his family were safe.
Soon, the improved mobile telephone service system was shut down nationwide in favor of the analog service. The time taken to phase out the improved mobile telephone service to the analog service closely mirrors the efforts of wireless companies throughout the last five years to transition to digital services.
On the other end of the line during the interview, Sheridan likely shrugged his shoulders as he said, “It’s just the march of technology.”
Friday, February 8, 2008
Collision leaves hole in city's movie theater
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Ever heard a deep rumble and wondered whether it was the sound of a nearby truck or distant thunder?
On Tuesday, two ladies at The Movies 3 had different options: ice falling off the roof or the theater wall falling in.
In this case, a three-by-six foot section of the theater’s cinderblock wall came crashing in after a truck hit the building, perhaps just as the three stars of Mad Money came crashing out of the Federal Reserve on screen. It happened during the early evening matinee at which the two women made up the entire audience — of both the film and the accident.
“They said they were startled,” Rose Kain, owner of The Movies 3 said. “They didn’t know whether to finish the movie or get up and tell us.” The ladies stayed to watch, though they could see the light of day through the wall. They were presumably unable to resist watching Katie Holmes, Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton work together to smuggle money from the Federal Reserve. “They said it didn’t bother them,” Kain said. She gave them movie vouchers anyway.
The Movies 3 had permitted the company Basic Energy to park one of its trucks in the parking lot. The driver attempted to move his vehicle, which was attached to a trailer towing a heavy bulldozer, to make room for more cars in the lot. It was then he hit the building not once, but twice.
Kain said the first bump left only a mark. The second hit knocked out a hole the size of the driver’s end load.
“It’s funny, but not funny,” Kain said. “Every time I look at that hole, I start laughing. It couldn’t have happened on purpose.” She said her insurance is working with Basic Energy’s insurance to cover the damages. The theater is still functional after being patched with insulation on the interior and boards on the exterior.
Times staff writer
Ever heard a deep rumble and wondered whether it was the sound of a nearby truck or distant thunder?
On Tuesday, two ladies at The Movies 3 had different options: ice falling off the roof or the theater wall falling in.
In this case, a three-by-six foot section of the theater’s cinderblock wall came crashing in after a truck hit the building, perhaps just as the three stars of Mad Money came crashing out of the Federal Reserve on screen. It happened during the early evening matinee at which the two women made up the entire audience — of both the film and the accident.
“They said they were startled,” Rose Kain, owner of The Movies 3 said. “They didn’t know whether to finish the movie or get up and tell us.” The ladies stayed to watch, though they could see the light of day through the wall. They were presumably unable to resist watching Katie Holmes, Queen Latifah and Diane Keaton work together to smuggle money from the Federal Reserve. “They said it didn’t bother them,” Kain said. She gave them movie vouchers anyway.
The Movies 3 had permitted the company Basic Energy to park one of its trucks in the parking lot. The driver attempted to move his vehicle, which was attached to a trailer towing a heavy bulldozer, to make room for more cars in the lot. It was then he hit the building not once, but twice.
Kain said the first bump left only a mark. The second hit knocked out a hole the size of the driver’s end load.
“It’s funny, but not funny,” Kain said. “Every time I look at that hole, I start laughing. It couldn’t have happened on purpose.” She said her insurance is working with Basic Energy’s insurance to cover the damages. The theater is still functional after being patched with insulation on the interior and boards on the exterior.
'Depth Impact' at RHS
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Listen for coach Don Brinkman’s shrill whistle and see what happens.
If you’re on the pool deck, you should see a slight acceleration of the swimmer in the water as he hears the sound and understands its signal: go faster.
On Friday morning, the Outlaw swimmers head to Buffalo for the conference championship, seemingly the most important meet of the year. The Rawlins High School boys are scheduled to come out ahead of the pack — and it will be a tight pack — to take the conference championship for the sixth year running.
With preliminaries at 5 p.m. Friday and finals on Saturday starting at 11 a.m., the team has a lot to look forward to. Brinkman knows his team has depth, so while his boys are mostly seeded fourth to ninth in their respective events, they should earn the points necessary to leave Buffalo as champions.
“If they do what I hope they will,” Brinkman said, “we’ll come out ahead.” He thinks the team will be mostly competitive with Buffalo, but Douglas and Worland should also give Rawlins a run for its money. Newcastle has top swimmers, but little depth.
Outlaw senior Ryan Palmer has the most at stake as the defending conference diving champion. He set the Rawlins pool record last year with a 475.45, leaping to the top of the top 10 board. He knocked off the previous record-holder with a score almost 30 points higher.
This year, Palmer’s highest score is 435, but that still puts him in the No. 1 seed in the conference with Buffalo’s Ryan Iannelli trailing in second with 358 points. How will he keep his title? “I listen to music and really focus,” he said. “I try not to pay attention to what the other divers are doing.”
Palmer is also vying for a first-place medal in the 50-yard freestyle. With his best time of 24.72, he contends again with Iannelli, who swims the event in 24.43 seconds. Palmer is also up against Garrett Anderson from Worland, who has finished the event in 24.57 seconds.
Palmer and the other four seniors lead the team into what Daniel DeMillard claimed is probably a bigger meet than the state competition. “I’m really excited,” he said. “It’s bigger because this one we can probably win.” This year, however, the team goes in without stars who graduated last year. Which means the team should depend on its numbers more than its speed.
DeMillard has qualified for the state meet in more events than he can physically swim. So, he is not looking for qualifying times this weekend, but he does hope to finish among the top three in his individual events, the 200 individual medley and the 100 freestyle.
According to Brinkman’s seeding estimates, the feat is possible, as DeMillard is seeded fifth and third, respectively, in the events. DeMillard also hopes to garner all-conference honors, a title earned by finishing high in each of a swimmer’s events.
On the flip side, David Trujillo, another senior, aims to shave 1.25 seconds trimmed off his 100-yard breaststroke time this weekend to qualify for state. He has already qualified in the 100-yard backstroke. In meets, the two events are swum back-to-back. Which will he choose in the state competition? “I’ll qualify in the breaststroke this weekend, so both,” he said. He also aims to finish in the top three for the 200-yard individual medley, an event for which he is seeded eighth.
Jason Sipes, another Outlaw senior, is pushing for a qualifying time in the 100-yard breaststroke. He must shave two to three seconds off his time to do so. “I wish I’d joined the team sooner,” Sipes said. He has been on the team since his junior year and pointed out that he is the only senior this year to not yet qualify in any state events. “I joined last year to get in shape for track, but this year I’m focusing more on swimming.”
Sipes has reaped the benefits of a welcoming youth pastor who recently provided a stable home for the high school senior. The change has allowed him to fully pursue three seasons of sports. Though he’s dedicated to swimming this year, “the second it’s over, it’s all about track,” he said.
James Laux supports the senior set through his experience. The only year-round swimmer on the team, Laux has been swimming since age 5. And he’s not bored yet. “It’s just my sport,” he said.
Entered in the 200 -yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly, Laux also helps his teammates by swimming backstroke in the medley relay. He has butterflies for the butterfly, in which he is seeded fifth, but hopes they’re be gone by Friday night.
Each senior emphatically agreed that this meet would be a tough fight. With middle-of-the-pack seeding, they should be pushed less by the adrenaline of a neck-and-neck race for first and more by their mental strength to earn points.
Times staff writer
Listen for coach Don Brinkman’s shrill whistle and see what happens.
If you’re on the pool deck, you should see a slight acceleration of the swimmer in the water as he hears the sound and understands its signal: go faster.
On Friday morning, the Outlaw swimmers head to Buffalo for the conference championship, seemingly the most important meet of the year. The Rawlins High School boys are scheduled to come out ahead of the pack — and it will be a tight pack — to take the conference championship for the sixth year running.
With preliminaries at 5 p.m. Friday and finals on Saturday starting at 11 a.m., the team has a lot to look forward to. Brinkman knows his team has depth, so while his boys are mostly seeded fourth to ninth in their respective events, they should earn the points necessary to leave Buffalo as champions.
“If they do what I hope they will,” Brinkman said, “we’ll come out ahead.” He thinks the team will be mostly competitive with Buffalo, but Douglas and Worland should also give Rawlins a run for its money. Newcastle has top swimmers, but little depth.
Outlaw senior Ryan Palmer has the most at stake as the defending conference diving champion. He set the Rawlins pool record last year with a 475.45, leaping to the top of the top 10 board. He knocked off the previous record-holder with a score almost 30 points higher.
This year, Palmer’s highest score is 435, but that still puts him in the No. 1 seed in the conference with Buffalo’s Ryan Iannelli trailing in second with 358 points. How will he keep his title? “I listen to music and really focus,” he said. “I try not to pay attention to what the other divers are doing.”
Palmer is also vying for a first-place medal in the 50-yard freestyle. With his best time of 24.72, he contends again with Iannelli, who swims the event in 24.43 seconds. Palmer is also up against Garrett Anderson from Worland, who has finished the event in 24.57 seconds.
Palmer and the other four seniors lead the team into what Daniel DeMillard claimed is probably a bigger meet than the state competition. “I’m really excited,” he said. “It’s bigger because this one we can probably win.” This year, however, the team goes in without stars who graduated last year. Which means the team should depend on its numbers more than its speed.
DeMillard has qualified for the state meet in more events than he can physically swim. So, he is not looking for qualifying times this weekend, but he does hope to finish among the top three in his individual events, the 200 individual medley and the 100 freestyle.
According to Brinkman’s seeding estimates, the feat is possible, as DeMillard is seeded fifth and third, respectively, in the events. DeMillard also hopes to garner all-conference honors, a title earned by finishing high in each of a swimmer’s events.
On the flip side, David Trujillo, another senior, aims to shave 1.25 seconds trimmed off his 100-yard breaststroke time this weekend to qualify for state. He has already qualified in the 100-yard backstroke. In meets, the two events are swum back-to-back. Which will he choose in the state competition? “I’ll qualify in the breaststroke this weekend, so both,” he said. He also aims to finish in the top three for the 200-yard individual medley, an event for which he is seeded eighth.
Jason Sipes, another Outlaw senior, is pushing for a qualifying time in the 100-yard breaststroke. He must shave two to three seconds off his time to do so. “I wish I’d joined the team sooner,” Sipes said. He has been on the team since his junior year and pointed out that he is the only senior this year to not yet qualify in any state events. “I joined last year to get in shape for track, but this year I’m focusing more on swimming.”
Sipes has reaped the benefits of a welcoming youth pastor who recently provided a stable home for the high school senior. The change has allowed him to fully pursue three seasons of sports. Though he’s dedicated to swimming this year, “the second it’s over, it’s all about track,” he said.
James Laux supports the senior set through his experience. The only year-round swimmer on the team, Laux has been swimming since age 5. And he’s not bored yet. “It’s just my sport,” he said.
Entered in the 200 -yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly, Laux also helps his teammates by swimming backstroke in the medley relay. He has butterflies for the butterfly, in which he is seeded fifth, but hopes they’re be gone by Friday night.
Each senior emphatically agreed that this meet would be a tough fight. With middle-of-the-pack seeding, they should be pushed less by the adrenaline of a neck-and-neck race for first and more by their mental strength to earn points.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Street cred is earned
One of the two front-pagers for today...
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Legislators from all over the world have made their way into Carbon County politics to represent the area in the state Senate, but only two have earned street-name status in Rawlins.
On Tuesday night, Sen. Bill Vasey, D-Rawlins, spoke about the history of Carbon County politics at the Carbon County Higher Education Center’s “The Power of Place: Legacies of Carbon County” lecture.
Briefly reviewing the long list of state senators, Vasey said he stuck to the Senate because there were simply too many commissioners, city councilmen, school board officials and House representatives to talk about.
Looking at the Senate, Vasey highlighted several key figures. Among them were John Mahoney, serving in 1907 and 1909, and W.W. Daley, who had a 10-year stint in the Senate from 1915 to 1925. These were the fellows whose last names became street signs.
Interestingly, neither Vasey nor local historian Dan Kinnaman could give a reason as to why these gentlemen were bestowed with such an honor. However, Kinnaman wagered a guess. “Maybe just the times they lived and the times (the city) was making additions,” he said. “Whoever was making the additions may have thought it was something to do.” He pointed out that Daley Street was more likely named after W.W. Daley’s father.
The Daleys were a wealthy family who dealt in sheep. In fact, the William Daley Company was one of the largest livestock dealers in the area in its time and was started by the elder William Daley. He was a politician and businessman and was also a man with connections. So much so that he hosted Theodore Roosevelt at his ranch during Roosevelt’s bid for vice-president. “He was an outstanding guy, no doubt about it,” Kinnaman said.
William Daley’s son, W.W. Daley, filled his father’s shoes and more. In his 10 years in the Senate, he saw beneficial laws passed including the state highway system, the Workingmen’s Compensation Act, and educational and banking laws.
According to the August 27, 1929 issue of the Rawlins Republican, “(W.W. Daley) introduced the bill creating the state flag and flower at the request of the Daughters of the American Revolution and fathered the bill for memorial hospitals throughout the state.” The newspaper listed W.W. Daley as a “public-spirited man in Rawlins,” one of a series of men given the title as the newspaper’s editor sought to inspire more individuals to contribute to the community.
The Daleys were well-established in the United States and only became more so when they rooted themselves at their ranch not far from Rawlins.
John Mahoney was of a different blood. Mahoney immigrated from Ireland with his brother Tim. “Either to eat or go west, they joined the military,” Vasey said. Tim fought Apaches in the southwest while John served in Meeker, Colo., fighting in the Meeker Massacre or Battle of Milk River, depending on what side you’re on. There, he found a partner that would cause him trouble until the day he died — a bullet.
When he was out of the service, John Mahoney went into agriculture, Vasey said. He became a landowner of vast proportion, having lakes and dams named after him. He was also a civic man and served as part of the agriculture committee. “It’s the American story,” Vasey said. “An immigrant in Boston who took the train west to where he wanted to be.”
Beyond illustrating the lives and personalities of Carbon County’s historical characters, Vasey also answered the question of why Wyoming is as conservative as it is. “Grant, Hayes, these guys were Union presidents, Republicans,” Vasey said. “Wyoming was created after the Civil War, so its officials were appointed under Republicans.”
Vasey went on to discuss the top issues of the Senate during his tenure. Triple trailers on trucks, voting redistricting, the location of the penitentiary, tort reform, gun control, abortion and gay marriage have been the most emotional issues, he said.
He answered questions about recent decisions regarding school funding, water issues, possibilities for levies and speed control for trucks on the interstate as well as mentoring the youth in politics.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Legislators from all over the world have made their way into Carbon County politics to represent the area in the state Senate, but only two have earned street-name status in Rawlins.
On Tuesday night, Sen. Bill Vasey, D-Rawlins, spoke about the history of Carbon County politics at the Carbon County Higher Education Center’s “The Power of Place: Legacies of Carbon County” lecture.
Briefly reviewing the long list of state senators, Vasey said he stuck to the Senate because there were simply too many commissioners, city councilmen, school board officials and House representatives to talk about.
Looking at the Senate, Vasey highlighted several key figures. Among them were John Mahoney, serving in 1907 and 1909, and W.W. Daley, who had a 10-year stint in the Senate from 1915 to 1925. These were the fellows whose last names became street signs.
Interestingly, neither Vasey nor local historian Dan Kinnaman could give a reason as to why these gentlemen were bestowed with such an honor. However, Kinnaman wagered a guess. “Maybe just the times they lived and the times (the city) was making additions,” he said. “Whoever was making the additions may have thought it was something to do.” He pointed out that Daley Street was more likely named after W.W. Daley’s father.
The Daleys were a wealthy family who dealt in sheep. In fact, the William Daley Company was one of the largest livestock dealers in the area in its time and was started by the elder William Daley. He was a politician and businessman and was also a man with connections. So much so that he hosted Theodore Roosevelt at his ranch during Roosevelt’s bid for vice-president. “He was an outstanding guy, no doubt about it,” Kinnaman said.
William Daley’s son, W.W. Daley, filled his father’s shoes and more. In his 10 years in the Senate, he saw beneficial laws passed including the state highway system, the Workingmen’s Compensation Act, and educational and banking laws.
According to the August 27, 1929 issue of the Rawlins Republican, “(W.W. Daley) introduced the bill creating the state flag and flower at the request of the Daughters of the American Revolution and fathered the bill for memorial hospitals throughout the state.” The newspaper listed W.W. Daley as a “public-spirited man in Rawlins,” one of a series of men given the title as the newspaper’s editor sought to inspire more individuals to contribute to the community.
The Daleys were well-established in the United States and only became more so when they rooted themselves at their ranch not far from Rawlins.
John Mahoney was of a different blood. Mahoney immigrated from Ireland with his brother Tim. “Either to eat or go west, they joined the military,” Vasey said. Tim fought Apaches in the southwest while John served in Meeker, Colo., fighting in the Meeker Massacre or Battle of Milk River, depending on what side you’re on. There, he found a partner that would cause him trouble until the day he died — a bullet.
When he was out of the service, John Mahoney went into agriculture, Vasey said. He became a landowner of vast proportion, having lakes and dams named after him. He was also a civic man and served as part of the agriculture committee. “It’s the American story,” Vasey said. “An immigrant in Boston who took the train west to where he wanted to be.”
Beyond illustrating the lives and personalities of Carbon County’s historical characters, Vasey also answered the question of why Wyoming is as conservative as it is. “Grant, Hayes, these guys were Union presidents, Republicans,” Vasey said. “Wyoming was created after the Civil War, so its officials were appointed under Republicans.”
Vasey went on to discuss the top issues of the Senate during his tenure. Triple trailers on trucks, voting redistricting, the location of the penitentiary, tort reform, gun control, abortion and gay marriage have been the most emotional issues, he said.
He answered questions about recent decisions regarding school funding, water issues, possibilities for levies and speed control for trucks on the interstate as well as mentoring the youth in politics.
GED scores are up
... and front pager no. 2 for the day!
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The bar is set a little higher at the Carbon County Higher Education Center for those seeking General Educational Development diplomas, and, as a result, the center has seen higher scores.
Higher scores mean more options for those who have not received a high school diploma, CCHEC’s Adult Center for Learning Director Bunnie Mursko said. She said CCHEC wants to produce as many Hathaway scholars as possible. Issued through the state, the scholarship provides a financial reward to eligible students to attend the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming community college.
With the Hathaway Scholarship as a goal, the staff at CCHEC has adjusted its focus and strategy to push its GED candidates toward higher scores and future opportunities.
CCHEC seeks to make the GED more important in the eyes of those hoping to earn their diploma. The GED is a battery of tests in math, science, writing, social studies and reading that, upon successful completion, credits an individual with high school proficiency in the subjects.
Mursko said when she initially arrived at the higher education center two years ago, her GED candidates wanted to simply finish the test as soon as possible. Now she coaches candidates to be less satisfied with lower scores.
“We’ve been working harder to get them to understand that achieving a higher score gives them better opportunities,” Mursko said. The center hopes it can open candidates’ eyes to the possibility of college.
Additionally, CCHEC has sought to increase its one-on-one time. Mursko encouraged this because “(the GED) helps them for the rest of their lives.” She said she’s had candidates from Lander and Green River. Both people had testing facilities nearby, but chose to take advantage of the atmosphere and attention provided at CCHEC.
Compared to state averages, “CCHEC has come up tremendously,” Wyoming GED Administrator Carolyn Chelsvig said. “They’ve taken the time to individualize their program and have seen their scores go up and up and up.”
In December 2007, according to a monthly report by Chelsvig, CCHEC candidates scored almost 100 points higher in social studies and reading than the state average. The center’s averages were below the state’s in writing and math by about 50 points. Information was unavailable for CCHEC’s science standings.
Mursko expressed a hope that the numbers of those taking the test will go down while scores go up. “Trying to get the GED is not easy,” she said. “It’s really easier to stay in school and get the diploma than to do the battery of tests.”
She said most students come in for intense tutorials for one or two months before they tackle the GED. They can try for the GED after a pretest and a practice test. Often, candidates begin the testing or tutorials, but do not go on to finish their GED. Last year, 27 out of 48 people received their GED.
When asked why this might be the case, Mursko said lower-income pupils often can’t afford the testing and tutorial fees. However, when they can, they often strive more than medium-income candidates. “The higher the income, the less likely they are to finish,” Mursko said.
With its new goals and new tactics, CCHEC has reached new heights. Of the 27 who earned their GED last year, 23 attained scores that met Hathaway Scholarship targets. Eleven scored 500 or above, enough to meet the opportunity range, which allots $800 per semester. Six hit the honors range at 540 or above, qualifying them for the $1,200 per semester allotment. Another six reached the performance level, scoring 575 or above to earn $1,600 per semester toward college courses.
The figures show increasing scores throughout the past two years. In 2005, CCHEC had 34 who tested with nine of them at the opportunity level, three at honors and another three at performance. The majority of test-takers passed with a score of 499 or below in 2005.
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
The bar is set a little higher at the Carbon County Higher Education Center for those seeking General Educational Development diplomas, and, as a result, the center has seen higher scores.
Higher scores mean more options for those who have not received a high school diploma, CCHEC’s Adult Center for Learning Director Bunnie Mursko said. She said CCHEC wants to produce as many Hathaway scholars as possible. Issued through the state, the scholarship provides a financial reward to eligible students to attend the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming community college.
With the Hathaway Scholarship as a goal, the staff at CCHEC has adjusted its focus and strategy to push its GED candidates toward higher scores and future opportunities.
CCHEC seeks to make the GED more important in the eyes of those hoping to earn their diploma. The GED is a battery of tests in math, science, writing, social studies and reading that, upon successful completion, credits an individual with high school proficiency in the subjects.
Mursko said when she initially arrived at the higher education center two years ago, her GED candidates wanted to simply finish the test as soon as possible. Now she coaches candidates to be less satisfied with lower scores.
“We’ve been working harder to get them to understand that achieving a higher score gives them better opportunities,” Mursko said. The center hopes it can open candidates’ eyes to the possibility of college.
Additionally, CCHEC has sought to increase its one-on-one time. Mursko encouraged this because “(the GED) helps them for the rest of their lives.” She said she’s had candidates from Lander and Green River. Both people had testing facilities nearby, but chose to take advantage of the atmosphere and attention provided at CCHEC.
Compared to state averages, “CCHEC has come up tremendously,” Wyoming GED Administrator Carolyn Chelsvig said. “They’ve taken the time to individualize their program and have seen their scores go up and up and up.”
In December 2007, according to a monthly report by Chelsvig, CCHEC candidates scored almost 100 points higher in social studies and reading than the state average. The center’s averages were below the state’s in writing and math by about 50 points. Information was unavailable for CCHEC’s science standings.
Mursko expressed a hope that the numbers of those taking the test will go down while scores go up. “Trying to get the GED is not easy,” she said. “It’s really easier to stay in school and get the diploma than to do the battery of tests.”
She said most students come in for intense tutorials for one or two months before they tackle the GED. They can try for the GED after a pretest and a practice test. Often, candidates begin the testing or tutorials, but do not go on to finish their GED. Last year, 27 out of 48 people received their GED.
When asked why this might be the case, Mursko said lower-income pupils often can’t afford the testing and tutorial fees. However, when they can, they often strive more than medium-income candidates. “The higher the income, the less likely they are to finish,” Mursko said.
With its new goals and new tactics, CCHEC has reached new heights. Of the 27 who earned their GED last year, 23 attained scores that met Hathaway Scholarship targets. Eleven scored 500 or above, enough to meet the opportunity range, which allots $800 per semester. Six hit the honors range at 540 or above, qualifying them for the $1,200 per semester allotment. Another six reached the performance level, scoring 575 or above to earn $1,600 per semester toward college courses.
The figures show increasing scores throughout the past two years. In 2005, CCHEC had 34 who tested with nine of them at the opportunity level, three at honors and another three at performance. The majority of test-takers passed with a score of 499 or below in 2005.
Employee benefits prove beneficial
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Riding the waves of ups and downs in hospital employee health care, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has reached a crest as hospital board members review possible increases to the employees’ premiums or deductibles in the next year.
Facing a series of years of “catastrophic claims” by employees, hospital officials now seek to adjust rates to bring hospital finances back on track. The changes could affect the hospital’s stance as one of the best health care providers in the state, a position it uses for recruitment and hopes to maintain.
“We’ve had some catastrophic claims that have really pushed premium costs to the hospital way up,” Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. She said the claim amounts have been increasing throughout the last few years, with last year marking the pinnacle.
The hospital currently has the “Cadillac plan” of hospital health benefits in the state, Young said. But the hospital has been lucky to be staffed with primarily healthy employees throughout the past few years.
Large claims create an increased risk factor in the eyes of the hospital’s stop-loss carrier, an outside firm that contracts yearly to cover expenses that exceed the hospital’s cap of $60,000 per claim.
Each time a claim goes over the hospital’s predetermined cap, the stop-loss carrier reimburses the hospital accordingly for amounts in excess of $60,000. It simultaneously raises a flag to consider a rate increase for services.
Currently, hospital board members are faced with a rate increase that must be carried over to the employees in the form of either a higher deductible or higher premiums. Health plan payments go up and down, Young said. “The good years with higher premiums pay for the bad years.”
Board members plan to collect employee feedback and incorporate it into their decision. The board hopes to find a solution that maintains the hospital’s position as offering some of the best health coverage in the state for hospital employees. Young said the feedback is scheduled to be delivered at the next board meeting on Feb. 28.
Times staff writer
Riding the waves of ups and downs in hospital employee health care, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has reached a crest as hospital board members review possible increases to the employees’ premiums or deductibles in the next year.
Facing a series of years of “catastrophic claims” by employees, hospital officials now seek to adjust rates to bring hospital finances back on track. The changes could affect the hospital’s stance as one of the best health care providers in the state, a position it uses for recruitment and hopes to maintain.
“We’ve had some catastrophic claims that have really pushed premium costs to the hospital way up,” Human Resources Director Beverly Young said. She said the claim amounts have been increasing throughout the last few years, with last year marking the pinnacle.
The hospital currently has the “Cadillac plan” of hospital health benefits in the state, Young said. But the hospital has been lucky to be staffed with primarily healthy employees throughout the past few years.
Large claims create an increased risk factor in the eyes of the hospital’s stop-loss carrier, an outside firm that contracts yearly to cover expenses that exceed the hospital’s cap of $60,000 per claim.
Each time a claim goes over the hospital’s predetermined cap, the stop-loss carrier reimburses the hospital accordingly for amounts in excess of $60,000. It simultaneously raises a flag to consider a rate increase for services.
Currently, hospital board members are faced with a rate increase that must be carried over to the employees in the form of either a higher deductible or higher premiums. Health plan payments go up and down, Young said. “The good years with higher premiums pay for the bad years.”
Board members plan to collect employee feedback and incorporate it into their decision. The board hopes to find a solution that maintains the hospital’s position as offering some of the best health coverage in the state for hospital employees. Young said the feedback is scheduled to be delivered at the next board meeting on Feb. 28.
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