We really enjoy making newspapers like this one.
It feels pretty good to announce on the front page that it continues to be less expensive to live in Weston County than it is almost anywhere else in Wyoming, but we would argue that you get far more than you pay for when you choose to hang your hat here.
We challenge anybody to claim that there is a community in Wyoming that embraces and reflects Wyoming’s heritage and values more than we do after reading this issue. The high school and junior high rodeos that took place at the fairgrounds last weekend drew hundreds of visitors from around Wyoming (page 9), and the fact that the county boasts 17 Centennial Ranches (page 8) is further proof that the cowboy culture is alive and well in Weston County.
We are also proud of the fact that a Newcastle resident has been instrumental in helping to engineer a statewide effort to make shooting sports more accessible, and one of the first events launched as part of the initiative will be held here later this month. To top it off, Upton will be celebrating young shooters from around the state for the tenth year in a row when they host the annual Youth Hunter Challenge next month (page 6). Speaking of Newcastle residents who are making their mark, we have yet another account of an NHS graduate who has become a leader in another state on page 6 as well.
Along those lines, this newspaper is also getting ready to release the second edition of the Sip the Hills magazine that we introduced a year ago, and we’re proud of the fact that our small business in our small town is producing the official guide for the growing wine, beer and dining industry throughout the entire Black Hills.
There may be more good news on the horizon as well, as Newcastle and Upton both have grant applications pending that could result in further improvement in our communities.
Weston County is in a good place indeed.