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To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, students from Star Valley High School and Swift Creek High School joined together to create a special video reading of the historic document.

The collaborative project features students taking turns reading sections of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting the enduring principles of liberty, equality, and self-government that continue to shape our nation.

Created as a tribute to this historic milestone, the video celebrates both our country’s founding and the voices of the next generation. By participating in the reading, students had the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the Declaration and its lasting impact on American history.

Ms. Sharolyn Stauffer, a social studies teacher at Star Valley High School, initiated the project and enlisted the help of SVI Media to record and edit the reading. In this joint effort, we encourage all to listen, read, and study these words written by our country’s founders 250 years ago.

Watch the complete student reading in the video below.

Search continues for North Carolina man presumed drowned in Snake River Canyon

July 5, 2026

Emergency responders plan to resume the search on Monday for a North Carolina man who went missing after jumping into the Snake River over the holiday weekend. The Alpine Volunteer Fire Department and Star Valley Search & Rescue responded to... Read More

(Video) Star Valley High School Students Share a Reading of the Declaration of Independence

July 4, 2026

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, students from Star Valley High School and Swift Creek High School joined together to create a special video reading of the historic document. The collaborative project features... Read More

Independent Letters to the Editor: July 1, 2026

July 4, 2026

The following Letters to the Editor appeared in the July 1, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent. Campaign Civility Dear Editor Last week I was disheartened to receive hate in my mailbox. In the form of a political mass... Read More

Independent Notes: Star Valley Search & Rescue steps up to our needs, again and again.

July 4, 2026

We live in some incredible Wyoming high county and with it comes the need for well trained first responders as exemplified this week when a two-vehicle accident resulted in one vehicle and it’s occupant in the Snake River above Alpine.... Read More

Cody hospital placed on lockdown following bomb threat

July 2, 2026

  CODY (WNE) — The internal lockdown placed on Cody Regional Health following a bomb threat on Tuesday afternoon was lifted later that day. Lt. Juston Wead with the Cody Police Department reported that the hospital received a phone call... Read More

WDH warns residents about ‘spoofing’ phone scammers

July 2, 2026

  CHEYENNE (WNE) — The Wyoming Department of Health is alerting residents to a recent phone scam where bad actors are “spoofing” official department phone numbers to solicit personal information. “Spoofing” is a form of scamming that involves a bad... Read More

SVI Radio Interview: Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon

July 2, 2026

https://svinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-2-Mark-Gordon.mp3 Read More

SVI Radio Interview: Violet Sanderson - Town of Afton Administrator

July 2, 2026

https://svinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-2-Violet-Sanderson.mp3 Read More

Governor Awards Energy Matching Funds for Critical Minerals Project

July 2, 2026

  Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) announced that he has approved a project to receive Energy Matching Funds (EMF) from the Wyoming Energy Authority (WEA). Visionary Metals Corp was awarded $250,000 for its Granite Mountains Nickel-Copper Project. Since 2022, the Wyoming State Legislature has appropriated $155... Read More

SVI Radio Interview: Mayor Ru Rok - Town of Star Valley Ranch

July 2, 2026

https://svinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-2-Ru-Rok.mp3 Read More

Here’s a few local athletic standouts that the USA Today missed

July 2, 2026

  If you’ll read the accompanying story in this week’s Independent about a vote to come up with five Wyoming-born athletes who defined the state, you’ll find a couple locals like Rulon Gardner and Peter Visser. Amazing accomplishments not only... Read More

Afton addresses ebikes, EMS and culverts in a work session

July 2, 2026

  Bicycle traffic, EMS services, and water culverts were all part of Afton’s Town Council work sessions during June. The town is addressing the changes with bicycle traffic, both in the community and at the municipal parks. The council recently... Read More

Trump visits newly built Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota's Badlands

July 2, 2026

By JACK DURA and COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press MEDORA, N.D. (AP) — President Donald Trump visited North Dakota on Wednesday to see the newly built Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, a massive facility exploring the life of America’s 26th president, built... Read More

U.S. beats Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to round of 16 and keep its World Cup dreams alive

July 2, 2026

By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Malik Tillman stepped up for a free kick with a bloody sock and a new right boot after being stepped on by an opponent as the United States scrambled... Read More

Independent Obituaries: July 1, 2026

July 2, 2026

The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the July 1, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent. For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.   Leslie A. Bell Jr. Leslie A. Bell Jr., beloved father, grandfather, and... Read More

Grand Teton National Park employees unionize

July 1, 2026

  • Unionization effort with 11 other units follows more than a year of tumult.   By Christina MacIntosh Jackson Hole News&Guide Via- Wyoming News Exchange   JACKSON — Grand Teton National Park employees have voted to join a union,... Read More

Wyoming and Mountain West Launch MW+ Streaming Platform POWERED BY KISWE

July 1, 2026

• New digital platform delivers enhanced fan experience, expanded access, and innovative monetization opportunities Wyoming Athletics in conjunction with the Mountain West Conference announced the launch of MW+, a new direct-to-consumer digital subscription platform, powered by leading streaming technology and... Read More

WYDOT warns drivers of extensive delays while crews set arches for wildlife project

July 1, 2026

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is continuing with work on the Kemmerer South wildlife crossings project that began earlier this year, despite material delays on a a 30-mile stretch of US 189 between Evanston and Kemmerer. Beginning Tuesday, July... Read More

SVI Radio Interview: Reid Rasner - Candidate for U.S. Congress

July 1, 2026

https://svinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-1-Reid-Rasner.mp3 Read More