• New UW forward is a native of Lithuania
University of Wyoming head men’s basketball coach Jeff Linder announced the addition of Jonas Sirtautas (Yo-Nus) to the 2023-24 roster on Monday. He will join fellow Lithuanian Oleg Kojenets in the Brown and Gold.
“We are excited to welcome Jonas to the Cowboy basketball family,” Linder said “Jonas comes from one of the premier programs in Europe in Zalgiris and is an explosive athlete Wyoming fans will enjoy watching for years to come.”
The 6-10, 185-pound forward is a native of Kaunas, Lithuania. He spent time with the club team Zalgiris in his hometown of Kaunas. He was also picked to be a part of the NBA Academy last season in the United States.
His father, Darius is a legendary former professional player in Lithuania and is currently one of the nation’s top player developers. His sister, Ugne signed on to play for Providence this season.
KICK IT OR KEEP IT: "Passenger" by Alex Warren
June 7, 2026
A new song released on Friday by Alex Warren is up for vote in this week’s Kick It or Keep It. If voted to be kept “Passenger” will be added to The Swift 98 and Wave playlists. Vote to either... Read More
Uncertainty again stalls planned SVHS activities expansion
June 7, 2026
• Hope that adjustments in 2027 will help turn dirt Another round of circumstances brought about by political uncertainty will delay what has been a planned expansion for activities and athletics at Star Valley High School. A extension to... Read More
Book Review: The 30-Day Inflammatory Reset by Dr. Josh Redd
June 7, 2026
By Rachelle Draney In his book The 30-Day Inflammatory Reset, Dr. Josh Redd tackles the growing health issue of chronic inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, infection, or harmful substances. In the short term, it helps protect... Read More
Upper Valley Transportation Plan includes walking and bike routes
June 7, 2026
• Includes Grover, Fairview and Osmond Work continues on a Lincoln County Transportation plan with the latest meeting focused on walking and bicycle routes for the Upper Valley area in Star Valley. Thomas McMurtry, from Avenue Consultants has been... Read More
Celebrating National Typewriter Day
June 7, 2026
By Rhonda Merritt, Thayne Branch Library Every year on June 23rd, writers, historians, and retro-enthusiasts pause to celebrate National Typewriter Day. This specific date honors the anniversary of the typewriter’s patent, granted to Christopher Latham Sholes in 1868. Sholes didn’t... Read More
Wyoming GOP sues state, challenges constitutionality of ban on pre-primary candidate endorsements
June 6, 2026
• State law prohibits political parties from financially backing one of their candidates over another before the primary election. The GOP says that’s unconstitutional. By Maggie Mullen, WyoFile.com The Wyoming Republican Party filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging... Read More
As park fees go to DC, Yellowstone, Grand Teton face $1.5B backlog
June 6, 2026
• Interior Department says it has ‘many funding sources available’ to cover road repairs, water and wastewater systems, trails and campgrounds. By Angus M. Thuermer Jr., WyoFile.com Major national park units in Wyoming face a combined $1.6 billion... Read More
Star Valley Street Market launches fifth season
June 6, 2026
Star Valley Street Market launched its fifth season on Saturday, May 30, with vendors and guests in faithful attendance despite the drizzle of the day. The market is tailored to support local vendors who offer locally handcrafted items and... Read More
2026 Rock Church Summer Theater schedule
June 6, 2026
This year’s Historical Rock Church summer play is called “Just a Doggon Minute”, written by Allene W. Robinson. What the play is about: “Just a Doggon Minute” is set in 1902 Afton at Arthur and Martha Roberts’ store and post... Read More
Independent Notes: Invitations for Shute Creek presentations in Kemmerer and Afton. Legislation summarizing the strength of Wyoming mineral based economy.
June 6, 2026
In May I made arrangements to bring ExxonMobile, Shute Creek in for presentations in Kemmerer and Afton. They agreed. The invitation was prompted by the many meetings I attend and the discussions I have with those in the Wyoming’s... Read More
Smoke seen Friday from Star Valley was controlled burn near Hams Fork
June 5, 2026
Some concern were had by residents of Star Valley Friday afternoon due to smoke seen rising above the south end. Shortly after 2:00 p.m. a fire was reported and the Afton Volunteer Fire Department responded to the Smith’s Fork area.... Read More
Kemmerer's 7-year-old Raydon Bowen continues fight with ALD
June 5, 2026
Raydon Bowen, a 7-year-old boy from Kemmerer, is continuing his fight with Childhood Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), including recent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant in Salt Lake City in an effort to stop the progression of this devastating disease. Raydon... Read More
Governor Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff for Death Former Wyoming Legislator Boyd LaVell Eddins
June 5, 2026
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – June 5, 2026 – Governor Mark Gordon has ordered the Wyoming flags to be lowered to half-staff in Lincoln County and at the Wyoming Capitol from sunrise to sunset, Saturday, June 6, 2026. RELATED: OBITUARY FOR BOYD... Read More
Sports Friday Interview: Valerie Jirak - Duke University Track & Field
June 5, 2026
Valerie Jirak, a 2024 graduate of Star Valley High School, stepped into the SVI Radio studio on June 5 to chat with Duke & Dahl during First Bank of Wyoming Sports Friday. Jirak discussed her first two seasons competing in... Read More
Sports Friday Interview: Allen Simpson, Town of Afton Summer Flag Football
June 5, 2026
https://svinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6-5-Allen-Simpson.mp3 Read More
Employers added 172,000 jobs last month as US job market shows resilience despite Iran war
June 5, 2026
By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The American job market continues to show surprising strength, shrugging off the high costs of the Iran war. Employers added 172,000 jobs in May – roughly double what forecasters had expected... Read More
Letters to the Editor: June 3, 2026
June 5, 2026
The following Letters to the Editor appeared in the June 3, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent. Slush Fund Grift Dear Editor At a time when hardworking Americans are struggling to pay mortgages, medical bills, and grocery costs, some... Read More
Wyoming’s Marcus Harris and Joe Glenn Named to 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
June 5, 2026
• Harris ended his Football Career as the NCAA’s All-time Leader in Total Receiving Yards, Glenn Coached UW from 2003 to 2008 Former two-time All-American and 1996 Biletnikoff Award winner Marcus Harris has once again been selected as one of the eligible players... Read More
Thayne will welcome Vietnam Memorial, bike trails considered
June 5, 2026
The Town of Thayne was briefed on the upcoming visit of The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located in Washington, D.C. The memorial, spanning 375 feet and 7.5 ft. high, will be displayed... Read More
Trump announces $700 million in new support for coal industry
June 4, 2026
By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is again seeking to boost the struggling U.S. coal industry, with an announcement expected Thursday to spend nearly $700 million to support coal-fired power plants and coal exports. A... Read More