SVI-NEWS

Your Source For Local and Regional News

Slider

Slider

• The Gala is a fundraising event supporting renovation of the Historic Ford Theatre.

The Salt River Arts Society is hosting their First Annual Gala for the Arts this Saturday, February 24 at the Don Wooden Civic Center in Alpine at 6 p.m. The Gala is a fundraising event supporting the continued renovation of the Historic Ford Theatre in Afton.

Featuring a Gatsby 20’s theme for its inaugural year, the evening offers hors d’oeurves, a fully catered buffet dinner, adult and family beverages, non-stop entertainment, a spacious dance floor, games and a silent auction.

“We are transforming this space,” said organizer Lauren Preston.  “It’s going to be like stepping into another world! It’s just going to be an absolute escape from reality, a spectacle for your eyes! And for your mouth, we have Stuft catering.  Shaun is amazing!”

As guests arrive, they will receive a souvenir pouch with three golden coins that they can use to purchase drinks or activities or they can put the value of their coins towards bids on auction items.  Each guest will be introduced to the event by a guide who will escort them into the space and introduce them to seating and activities.

Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will circulate on trays for guests to enjoy before dinner. Two stages will offer non-stop entertainment presented by local performing artists.  The meal is scheduled to begin around 7:30, and games, music and dancing will continue throughout the evening.

“We have so many beautiful, local vocalists that are going to be doing various songs from the era, and some songs will be more contemporary,” said Preston. “We’ll have a string quartet and a few bands. We might have a DJ playing music to fill in the gaps. We’re also going to have a murder mystery escape room puzzle for people who want to do that. We’ll also have a photo booth with a professional photographer there taking pictures.”

As a Gala, the event warrants formal attire, but Preston assures guests that they should come in whatever makes them feel amazing! “Essentially, what formal attire means here is, if you feel fabulous in it, then it’s appropriate. A lot of people are planning to wear 20s theme attire, and there are really stunning dresses around the valley. Rustic Rose has some, and the Alpine Mercantile has tons of gorgeous dresses that are proper 1920s ball gowns. It’s really been awesome to see the variety and depth, and how wonderful the offerings are here in the valley.”

Silent auction items that have been donated for the fundraiser promise to be of great interest.  “We’ve had so many really generous donations for our silent auction. People have been donating $600 items. It’s really, really impressive, the level of generosity that we have seen.”

Seating is limited to 150. At press time, VIP tables, which are selling as a table of eight seats at a price slightly above the price of eight individual tickets, were nearly sold out.  Preston encourages the community to secure their reservations very soon.  “I think this is really going to be an event that people will go on and on about.” She believes that attending the first Gala will be something exceptional and memorable.

Individuals or businesses interested in donating an item for the silent auction are encouraged to choose something that “features their business in a positive light,” and establishes them in the community as a “patron of the arts.  The donation can act as an advertisement.

“This event is going to be absolutely amazing and fun, and more importantly, it will breathe life into the arts in Star Valley,” Preston concluded. “We have such an opportunity right now to generate culture within the valley and to make the valley a cultural destination of its own.”

For reservations, visit SaltRiverArts.com.  Guests will want to bring their checkbook or plenty of cash.

KICK IT OR KEEP IT: "The Weekend" by Train

April 19, 2026

A song released one month ago by Train is up for vote in this week’s Kick It or Keep It. If voted to be kept, “The Weekend” will be added to the Swift 98 playlist. Vote to either kick or... Read More

Domenic Bravo, Executive Director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism to speak to the Star Valley and Fossil Basin Chambers

April 18, 2026

  The Star Valley Chamber of Commerce will host an April Lunch and Learn featuring Domenic Bravo, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism, who will visit Lincoln County on Wednesday, April 22, to speak to both the Star... Read More

Man accused of killing Charlie Kirk pushes to ban cameras from court

April 17, 2026

By MATTHEW BROWN and HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Associated Press PROVO, Utah (AP) — The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk wants a judge to ban cameras from the courtroom and says live broadcasts of the prosecution are violating his right to... Read More

Southwest OHV group plans trip from Evanston to Cheyenne for the 250th

April 17, 2026

• SWOT includes Lincoln County in expanding outdoor group Southwest Wyoming Off-road Trails (SWOT) will celebrate the 250th Anniversary for signing of the Declaration of Independence with a cross state OHV ride this summer. Mark Tesoro, spokesman for SWOT and... Read More

Star Valley Sports Journal: Not Getting Sued, Appreciation for Veggies and the NFL Draft

April 17, 2026

• Not Getting Sued, Appreciation for Veggies and the NFL Draft The Masters has the tagline “A Tradition Unlike Any Other” and far be it from me to argue with that. Mainly because I feel like they would sue me.... Read More

Sublette Antelope migration reviewed in Wyoming G&F day-long session

April 17, 2026

  • Meeting included stakeholders from southwest Wyoming Protection of the migrating southwest Wyoming antelope herds was the focus of a day-long session with Wyoming Game & Fish Commission and respective stakeholders in Rock Springs. Commissioner Kent Connelly represented Lincoln... Read More

“Finding Neverland” selected as 2026 community theater production

April 17, 2026

Salt River Community Theater has announced the organization’s 2026 Fall Musical as “Finding Neverland,” which is the story of author James Matthew Barrie’s inspiration for his creation of “Peter Pan.”  Jaclyn Lechner, who serves as Executive Director of Salt River... Read More

Potential tweaks to district bid policy part of future discussion

April 17, 2026

  The Lincoln County School District #2 Board of Trustees held their regularly scheduled meeting April 8, and discussed a multitude of items facing the area. Those in attendance included Chairman Darnell Simpson and board members Dave Jenkins, Lynn Call,... Read More

SVI Radio: Kentucky Derby Giveaway Show

April 17, 2026

SVI Radio’s Weekday Wake-Up on Friday, April 17 was dedicated to the Star Valley and Lincoln County Search & Rescue units and a VIP Kentucky Derby Experience raffle hosted by The Fishing Dog Foundation. The show included guest interviews from... Read More

Fundraiser created to help 7-year-old following ALD diagnosis

April 16, 2026

A Facebook auction and GoFundMe has been created to support the family of Raydon Bowen of Kemmerer following a diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder. “Raydon, who just turned 7, is full of energy, adventure, and a love for life,”... Read More

UW Board of Trustees Appoints Sheetz as Executive Vice President

April 16, 2026

A senior higher education administrator, physicist and former military officer has been named executive vice president of the University of Wyoming. Kraig Sheetz, currently serving as the vice dean for engagement and research at the U.S. Military Academy at West... Read More

Governor Gordon Announces He is Not Seeking a Third Term

April 16, 2026

The following is a release from the office of Governor Mark Gordon –  • Sets Agenda with Cabinet for the Remainder of His Administration “We have just come off a solid legislative win, securing the Essentials Budget to help meet... Read More

SVI Radio Interview: U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman - April 16

April 16, 2026

https://svinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/4-16-Harriet-Hageman.mp3 Read More

ChatGPT maker OpenAI shifts its focus to business users amid Anthropic pressure

April 16, 2026

By MATT O’BRIEN AP Technology Writer The same ChatGPT chatbot that gave OpenAI’s chief financial officer Sarah Friar a tilapia recipe for a recent Sunday night dinner at home is also now doing her most mundane tasks at work like... Read More

Star Valley builds bridge to Ukraine community in crisis 

April 16, 2026

    • Advocates return to U.S. for political support through petition signatures Star Valley welcomes guests from throughout the world in all seasons of the year. While most of those guests visit for entertainment and tourism, one group of... Read More

Independent Obituaries: April 15, 2026

April 16, 2026

The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the April 15, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent. For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.   Cecil Dana Cecil Robert Dana, beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and friend,... Read More

Classical Night of Music Concert to light up the Ford

April 16, 2026

The Star Valley Arts Council (SVAC) is hosting its second annual Classical Night of Music on Saturday, April 18 on the Ford Theatre stage at 7 p.m. Local music artists will gather to share music and dance favorites in a... Read More

Spring Has Sprung Craft Fair happens Saturday

April 16, 2026

Star Valley’s annual Spring Has Sprung Craft Fair is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds South Exhibit Building in Afton. Doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with goods and food offered throughout... Read More

(Video) - Bear Lake Softball vs Snake River

April 15, 2026

The Bear Lake Softball team hosts the Snake River Panthers on Wednesday afternoon with a start time of 4 p.m. Read More

Iran threatens to disrupt Gulf trade in response to US naval blockade

April 15, 2026

The commander of Iran’s joint military command on Wednesday threatened to halt trade in the Gulf region if the U.S. does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports. No vessels have made it past U.S. naval forces during the first... Read More