Opinion

Suicide prevention and mental health: A moral imperative

Published by admin on Thu, 11/09/2023 - 2:26pm

Until just last year, Wyoming has led the country in the suicide death rate since 2018, according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. This is an issue of life or death; and as a pro-life legislator, I have joined many in the Wyoming Legislature who understand we can no longer, in good conscience, continue to force the obligation of this critical issue of Wyoming lives at the feet of families, churches, non-profits and volunteers.  

Family, friends made 90th birthday special

Published by admin on Thu, 11/09/2023 - 2:25pm

I have very seldom been surprised on my birthday, Christmas and Mother’s Day as far as what is going to happen, what I’m going to get as presents and how I am going to spend the day. However, on the occasion of my 90th birthday, I was absolutely clueless.
Son #4 asked way back in August if I wanted a “big bash,” to which my reply was, “Absolutely not. You can forget it entirely, or we can have a quiet dinner at Lisa’s.” My sister had called about then and told me she wanted to come spend a week with me over my birthday. (I found out later that was part of the plan, but as I said, I was clueless.)  I thought the matter was settled.
Then I fell victim to my swivel rocker and spent two-and-a-half weeks in Billings and Sheridan, so was completely out of the loop.
Luckily when I got out of rehab, Lucille was already at my house, so I could come right back home and settle in.

NWC uses savings, donations to match state contribution on Student Center construction

Published by admin on Thu, 11/02/2023 - 5:39pm

The Student Center construction project at Northwest College may lead people to ask where NWC is getting the money for the building. It’s a good question since our college has lost tuition revenue from decreased enrollment while also experiencing legislative funding cuts three times in the past seven years.
In this article we hope to present a simplified version of how NWC is funded, including specially designated money for capital projects and major maintenance for facilities.

No place like home

Published by admin on Thu, 11/02/2023 - 5:36pm

There’s no place like home and I am glad to be back. Lucille was here to greet me. She had planned to spend a week in October, long before I wrestled with the swivel rocker, so it was a happy circumstance that she is here to help me over the many humps. I am not yet doing cartwheels, but since I haven’t done one of those since I was about 8 years old, I’ll forego trying to do them eight decades later.
My biggest complaint of my treatment in the rehab center in Sheridan is I was unable to navigate the TV system — and many of the aides had the same problem. I lived without it, but the days do kind of drag. Did nag enough until four or five aides took their turns and finally got me to the ONE station that carried that first game. I watched diligently until it was 5-3 Arizona; sleep overtook me and learned at breakfast the next morning they had lost!

Fire Prevention Month: Tips for your home

Published by admin on Thu, 10/26/2023 - 1:48pm

October is Fire Prevention Month. Big Hon County Fire Warden Brent Godfrey reminds residents about the importance of smoke detectors.
Nearly three of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. For years, it has been recommended that people change the battery in their smoke detectors when they set their clocks for Daylight Savings Time. It is also recommended to make sure the detectors are working properly at the same time. Smoke detectors are often the only alert you will get a night.
Some common tips are:
• Place detectors in all bedrooms and hallways.
• Don’t leave a hot stove unattended. (This is the number one cause of house fires.)
• Have your wood or coal burning stoves and chimneys cleaned and serviced.

A lesson learned: Avoid swivel chairs on Friday the 13th

Published by admin on Thu, 10/26/2023 - 1:47pm

 I have always been a little amazed at those who treat Friday the 13th differently. Careful in everything they do ... crazy, I’d say. Well on a Friday about 10 days ago, my swivel chair and I had an argument — and the chair won! It still sits in the living room in Greybull, and I am sitting in a rehab center in Sheridan, after a four-day detour to Billings to fix a dislocated hip.
Funny, laying in the pre-op room, I asked what day it was - Oct. 14 I was told. Which meant I hit the floor on FRIDAY THE 13TH.  So, I still am not that afraid of Friday the 13th, but the next time one rolls around, I am steering clear of that darn swivel rocker.

Prairie Doc Perspective: Get your eyes checked

Published by admin on Thu, 10/26/2023 - 1:46pm

If you ever played baseball, you may have been told to “keep your eye on the ball.”  When batting, a baseball player is taught to watch the ball the entire time from when it leaves the pitcher’s hand to when, hopefully, their bat smacks the ball for a hit. It may sound simple, but some pitchers can throw fast and sometimes they throw a curveball. Great hitters use their vision and spot the difference, helping them get a hit. Lose focus, and in the blink of an eye the pitch has whipped past them for a strike.
Like keeping your eye on the ball in baseball, I recommend you keep your eye on your eyes. Sure, you may have good vision, but that does not necessarily mean your eyes are in good health. It is important to see an eye doctor for a regular check up, to help spot any eye issues early.