Local News

Eastern Idaho coach charged with 20 counts of rape arrested in Franklin County
March 28, 2023
This story courtesy EastIdahoNews.com. It is used here with permission – PRESTON — A former Soda Springs High School girl’s basketball coach already facing 20 rape charges has been arrested near the Idaho-Utah border. Wade Lee Schvaneveldt, 52, was arrested... Read More

As Wyoming tightens up Medicaid eligibility, thousands likely to lose coverage
March 28, 2023
By Miranda De Moraes Jackson Hole Daily Via- Wyoming News Exchange JACKSON – Thousands of Wyoming residents are at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage over the coming months. Following nearly three years of greater funding and leniency for in-state... Read More

Alpine Wyoming man arrested for warrant linked to name on his fraudulent ID
March 27, 2023
The following story is courtesy of EastIdahoNews.com. It is used here with permission – POCATELLO — A man using fraudulent identification was arrested when the ID was linked to an open warrant. Police charged and released him. Then, he allegedly... Read More

Airplane in accident that claimed Star Valley man had crashed twice before
March 25, 2023
According to reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Cessna Model 182 aircraft flown by Brett Dean Smith that crashed on March 21, 2023 had been in two previous crashes. Registry number N314FR had been involved in two previous... Read More

Funeral services for Sharon Sanderson
March 24, 2023
Funeral services for Sharon Sanderson will take place Saturday April 1, 2023 at Schwab Funeral Chapel in Thayne at 11 a.m. A viewing will take place prior to the service from 10-10:55 a.m. Read More

Clinic arson suspect remains jailed
March 24, 2023
By Sofia Saric Casper Star-Tribune Via- Wyoming News Exchange CASPER — A woman charged with setting fire to a Casper abortion clinic will be held in a Platte County jail for the time being. A judge made the determination to... Read More

USDA offers disaster aid to Wyoming agricultural producers
March 24, 2023
CHEYENNE (WNE) — Agricultural operations in Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming have been significantly impacted by recent snowstorms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these... Read More

No injuries as canopy collapse in Cokeville shuts off fuel purchases
March 24, 2023
The image of a collapsed gas station canopy started making the rounds on social media on Thursday evening as months of weight and thousands of pounds of snow combined to bring down the structure at the Flying J on US... Read More

New Zealand Sheep Shearer pleads not guilty to murder charges near Kemmerer
March 23, 2023
A sheep shearer from New Zealand pleaded not guilty to Second Degree murder charges on Wednesday, March 23 in Lincoln County District Court in Kemmerer. Monique Sullivan has been charged with the stabbing death of Andrew Moore, also from New... Read More

Saltzman named Principal of Etna Elementary
March 22, 2023
In a special board meeting of the LCSD No. 2 trustees revolving around personnel decisions, David Saltzman was confirmed as the new Principal of Etna Elementary starting in the 2023-24 school year. Saltzman replaces Keith Klein who is leaving the... Read More

Top of the Rockies named Snowmobile club of the year
March 22, 2023
◆ Top of the Rockies does more than snowmobile. Andrea Burchard spoke with SVI about their recent accolade being named Wyoming State Snowmobile Association Club of the Year and some of what Top of the Rockies (TOTR) is involved in... Read More

SV Health in the Top-100; plans for Alpine emergency room
March 22, 2023
Star Valley Health now has a top national rating. Earlier in March the hospital was named as one of the top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the nation. Chartis Group: Healthcare Advisory Services and Analytics, a national healthcare consulting firm,... Read More

Afton man dies in plane crash near Casper; Natrona County officials have completed recovery
March 22, 2023
An Afton man has died as a result of a plane crash in Natrona County outside of Casper, Wyoming. Brett Dean Smith has been identified by his wife to SVI News. A formal release of the name is pending from... Read More

Providers look to adapt as abortion outlawed
March 22, 2023
By Aedan Hannon Casper Star-Tribune Via- Wyoming News Exchange CASPER — Wyoming’s sweeping abortion ban has taken effect, shuttering the state’s only abortion provider and forcing doctors to adapt while they await an emergency hearing on a lawsuit filed in... Read More

Hirschi elected Chairman of Lincoln County GOP
March 22, 2023
The Central Committee of the Lincoln County Republican Party, made up of 35 elected committeewomen and 35 elected committeemen, elected the executive committee officers for the party on Saturday, March 18. Wade Hirschi and Marti Halverson were both nominated for... Read More

Independent Obituaries: March 22, 2023
March 22, 2023
The following obituaries appeared in the March 22, 2023 edition of the Star Valley Independent. For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary. For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society. Larry LeRoy Wolfley was born on... Read More

Lingering winter weather knocks out SVHS sports schedule
March 22, 2023
It doesn’t take a meteorologist to see that several feet of ice and snow are still covering the valley floor. However weather forecasts continue to call for more snow accumulation nearly every day this week. The combination of the two... Read More

Grizzly hunt in Wyoming could target upwards of 39 bears
March 21, 2023
By Mike Koshmrl, WyoFile.com Future Wyoming grizzly bear hunts — a near certainty if federal authorities approve the state’s petition to again remove the animals’ Endangered Species Act protections — would likely target more than triple the number of bruins... Read More

(Photo Gallery) - SVHS Cinderella
March 21, 2023
Over this past weekend, members of the SVHS Drama Department presented several showings of “Cinderella.” Here are some photos from those performances. (Photos by Janet Erickson) Find a two page feature in the March 22 edition of the Star Valley... Read More

Wildlife managers look to slash Grand Teton elk hunt by more than 90%
March 21, 2023
By Billy Arnold Jackson Hole News&Guide Via- Wyoming News Exchange JACKSON — This fall, wildlife managers are planning to offer 90% fewer tags to hunt elk in Grand Teton National Park. In 2022, they offered 475 tags. This year, they’re... Read More