All those who are pictured are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information posted on this website Wyo4News does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of the content Names are similar to or identical to other individuals contact the arresting law enforcement agency Arrests from the Sweetwater County Detention Center from 5 a.m Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County is excited to announce the expansion of its partnership with QLER Telepsychiatry to offer outpatient clinic services the leading provider of telepsychiatry services to hospitals and health systems across the U.S. They began by offering a team of 15 board-certified QLER psychiatrists providing on-demand 24/7/365 mental health care to patients in the Emergency Department This partnership significantly augmented the hospital’s capacity to address the needs of the community by providing quality mental health care to patients of all ages Clinic-based services are now being offered one day a week every Wednesday on the first floor of the Specialty Clinics at 1180 College Drive Call 307-212-7548 to schedule an appointment “Outpatient clinic services mark a significant milestone in broadening mental health care accessibility across the region,” said hospital CEO Irene Richardson “There is a need in our community for this service and we are very happy that we can provide this to our patients.” “QLER is thrilled to expand our partnership with Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County,” said Frank Johnson “We recognize and support the critical role they play in the health of their region.” The expanded partnership focuses on delivering timely and effective care in various patient settings Emergency Department: QLER psychiatrists serve patients in the ED ensuring prompt assessments and interventions Their expertise contributes to better outcomes for individuals experiencing acute psychiatric crises Hospital Floors and Inpatient Units: QLER psychiatrists conduct capacity evaluations on hospital floors and inpatient units Outpatient Clinic Services: Outpatient clinic services will provide ongoing support for patients with behavioral health conditions and reducing the burden on inpatient resources Sweetwater Memorial’s “commitment to raising the standard for real-time access to mental healthcare across various patient settings is commendable,” Johnson said The services offer a host of benefits for patients and the hospital: Safe Discharge: QLER’s psychiatrists play a crucial role in ensuring safe discharges by tailoring treatment plans and addressing patients’ unique needs facilitating transitions from hospital to home Inpatient Psych Hospitalization Recommendations: When hospitalization is necessary QLER’s recommendations guide the hospital’s admission process Medication Management: Effective medication management is essential for mental health QLER psychiatrists collaborate with hospital staff to optimize medication regimens Reduced Length of Stay: Through streamlined consultations and targeted interventions QLER helps reduce unnecessary hospital stays and boarding For more on this and all Sweetwater Memorial has to offer, go to sweetwatermemorial.com. To find out more about QLER, go to qlertelepsych.com (This is a paid advertisement and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Wyo4News management and staff. We reserve the right to delete any and all comments. If your business wants to advertise with Wyo4News, please contact our sales team here.) An official website of the United States government Open Search < All Press Releases (Landscape view of Pacific soda trona mine south of Green River in Sweetwater County The approved project authorizes Pacific Soda and powerlines to mine and process materials from underground trona beds located 2,300 feet below the surface. The project is expected to employ up to 2,000 workers during construction and create about 300 full- time high- paying jobs over the life of the mine Pacific Soda estimates there are approximately 117 million tons of recoverable trona within the proposed project area that could produce approximately six million metric tons of marketable soda ash and more than 440,900 metric tons of baking soda annually. BLM released the final environmental impact statement for a 30-day public comment period before making our final decision. The final EIS, record of decision, and supporting documents are available at the BLM National NEPA Register. For more information, contact Kelly Lamborn, at 307-828-4505 or klamborn@blm.gov. The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations An official website of the Department of the Interior Sweetwater Center for the Arts in Sewickley has long been a destination for families who are looking to get creative and enjoy art their new resource will bring creativity far beyond the walls of Sweetwater directly to the communities that need it most During Sewickley’s Memorial Day parade the folks from Sweetwater will unveil their gorgeous new mobile art unit It’s a moving platform for community engagement hands-on creativity and support for local artists SweetRide is all about experiencing art first-hand Families will find everything from interactive art workshops and live demonstrations to a mobile marketplace for artisan goods “SweetRide has been an idea in the making since I landed at Sweetwater It has been a vision and mission to share the love of the arts and a mobile unit was the perfect way to do it,” said Christine Brondyke Along with popping up at community events around the Pittsburgh area, SweetRide will also be available for rentals and community events. More details will be available at Sweetwater’s website AUSTIN, Texas — The Sweetwater High School girls golf team competed in the UIL 3A state golf tournament earlier this week It was the first time in 20 years a girls team competed in the state tournament Sweetwater brought 5 golfers to the tournament: Bailey Rainbolt The Lady Mustangs are coached by Head Coach Jarrod Gee and Assistant Coaches Dillon Gainey & Tisha Forbes Congrats to the Lady Mustangs on a great season Whether you are looking for a job or need to hire Watch for our job openings for local businesses in Sweetwater County Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County has Multiple Job Openings. If interested, please visit their website at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County Careers page Davidson Chiropractic Clinic is hiring a part-time and full-time Therapy Aide and Massage Therapist. If interested, please send a resume to [email protected] or apply in person at 2624 Commercial Way Ste A in Rock Springs WyoRadio is looking to expand our Marketing Department and is seeking a Media Marketing Specialist. Interested? View more info HERE Sweetwater BOCES has an opening for a part-time Executive Assistant to the Director. For more information and how to apply, click HERE Infinity Power Corp is seeking an Electrical Team Superintendent to join their growing team and operations! For a job description and how to apply, click HERE Southwest Counseling Service is hiring for a Human Resource Manager, Clinician, and Front Desk Receptionist. To apply, contact Kasandra Turney directly at 307-352-2202 or email her at [email protected]. You can also apply online HERE Western Wyoming Community College is hiring for Multiple Positions. To view current job openings and to apply, click HERE Western Wyoming Beverages is hiring for Multiple Positions. Visit Careers – Western Wyoming Beverages, Inc.. to apply J.R. Simplot Company is hiring for a Vibration Analyst. For a full job description and how to apply, click HERE Evergreen North America Industrial Services is hiring for multiple positions. Resumes can be sent to [email protected] or call 307-350-0543 Vaughn’s Plumbing and Heating is hiring for multiple positions – To see the full job descriptions, visit www.vphwyo.com/employment. Email resumes to [email protected], or apply online at Employment (vphwyo.com) John Bunning Transfer has immediate openings for CDL drivers pick up an application at 1600 Elk Street in Rock Springs Deer Trail Assisted Living is looking for full-time Certified Nursing Assistants. If they have their current Wyoming license, they can apply at Deer Trail at 2360 Reagan Ave. in Rock Springs. For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/deertrailassistedliving SWEETWATER – A man is facing four felony charges after Sweetwater police said he committed a disturbing Tuesday morning home invasion targeting a senior who lives in the Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park An arrest report states that surveillance footage showed Silverio Franco busting open the door of the woman’s mobile home in the 11000 block of Northwest Second Terrace using a 4x4 piece of lumber ― after spending 11 minutes trying to get in through the door and a window Police said the victim told investigators that she was in the bathroom just after 7 a.m. exited and encountered a man later identified as Franco “telling her something in Spanish.” Authorities said she went to her bedroom and locked the door “in fear of the unknown male and what he was going to do to her.” he “began to push her toward the bed” as he “kept asking for a kiss” as she tried to leave the bedroom Police said the woman “continued talking to him and pushing him away while trying to escape” her home Franco “pressed her against the wall” in an “attempt to kiss her,” police said Authorities said she eventually managed to get away left the scene but first checked the victim’s vehicle to see if it was unlocked The arrest report states officers found and detained Franco after a trespassing call Police said the woman was too “shaken up” to identify him but officers were able to match Franco to the man seen in the surveillance footage Authorities said he consented to a DNA swab waived his right to an attorney and made an admission that was redacted from the publicly released report battery on a person 65 or older and felony criminal mischief Jail records show Franco was out on bond for burglary grand theft and criminal mischief at the time A Miami-Dade judge ordered he be held without bond Wednesday Franco was in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Wednesday afternoon Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Closed Captioning / Audio Description Contact Us Careers at WPLG Terms of Use Privacy Policy Public File FCC Applications EEO Report Do Not Sell My Info 1.0 Host Exhibit Copyright © 2025 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC. Registration for the popular Sweetwater County BOCES Summer Enrichment Programs is coming up next Monday All summer class registrations will take place online with most classes starting the first week in June Summer Enrichment Programs include Astronomy, Camper Invention, Cooking, Music, Photography, Shakespeare Symposium, Summer Theater for Youth, and Technology. More detailed information and registration costs for classes can be found at the sweetwaterboces.org website Sweetwater BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) was created in 1987 as a joint event between Sweetwater County School District #1 and Western Wyoming Community College Sweetwater County School District #2 joined the program Funding for its programs comes from property tax revenue Its mission is to provide educational and enrichment opportunities for the entire population of Sweetwater County “All hope was lost in recovering it,” the fan wrote on Reddit perhaps unaware of the brilliant pun they just missed It’s not unheard of for packages to get lost in transit – however, it’s an entirely different story when your order arrives without the most important thing you ordered. That’s exactly what happened to a disgruntled Redditor whose Sweetwater flight case arrived without a guitar inside. Little did he know, his guitar was safely in the hands of Slipknot’s Jim Root Before discovering who had accidentally received his guitar, the Redditor took to the net to air his grievances. In a now-deleted pair of posts the Qatar-based user revealed he had ordered a Jackson guitar back in January from Sweetwater for his birthday When three weeks passed and an empty case arrived “I contacted my sales rep and I got a semi-canned response,” he wrote [via MusicRadar] “‘Sorry for the confusion and inconvenience,’ with the added checking with the warehouse and shipping departments to try and figure out where the guitar is Now I am impatiently awaiting a tracking number or word of where the guitar is.” the missing guitar wasn’t a magic trick; the axe didn’t simply vanish from inside of the case The user soon found out that his guitar had never been shipped to him Sweetwater admitted that it had accidentally shipped the guitar to Jim Root In a follow-up post titled “Jim Root stole my guitar,” the Redditor explained what had happened but Sweetwater did send it to him for some reason,” he wrote “I ordered this guitar back in January for my birthday It never showed up and the USPS tracking number was dead.” I was waiting for another one to get in stock when my sales engineer emailed me this…” What followed was an email from Sweetwater – and the company seemed to see the funny side in the whole ordeal you might laugh a little,” Sweetwater wrote the post office shipped your guitar to Jim Root of Slipknot the guitarist made a rather reasonable request to smooth things over: he asked Sweetwater to have Root sign the guitar before shipping it to him While there’s no further updates, we hope that the guitar does eventually end up in the right hands. And, even if we never find out how things wrap up, the reddit thread is definitely worth a read – if you can handle an onslaught of Slipknot puns, that is. “If your guitar has 5, 5, 5 strings, then mine has 6, 6, 6,” one user jokes. The world’s leading authority and resource for all things guitar. An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has found that City of Sweetwater officials made questionable credit card purchases totaling at least $132,680.03 from December 2014 through June 2023 The city’s questionable purchases include: A total of $2,615.99 in taxes or fees were also associated with the questionable purchases noted above Investigators also question a City of Sweetwater “employee payback policy” which allows employees to purchase items they want for their job and then pay back the city through authorized payroll deductions This accounts receivable account (nicknamed the “gun pay” account) included questionable purchases totaling at least $34,165.66 between December 2014 and June 2023 This practice also increases the risk of error The results of this investigation were communicated with the Office of the District Attorney General of the 10th Judicial District “Our investigators have noted multiple deficiencies within they city’s financial and business operations that must be addressed,” said Comptroller Mumpower “The city should ensure it has adequate procedures to ensure all purchases are approved Sweetwater officials must also establish adequate written policies for items like food and gifts.” To view the investigative report, go to tncot.cc/doireports. To view a map depicting Comptroller investigations, go to tncot.cc/mappinginvestigations If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud. Follow us on X/Twitter @TNCOT and Instagram @tncot Media contact: John Dunn, Director of Communications, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov A detective on the verge of retirement recently got a letter from a boy he saved from hypothermia 15 years ago and the letter included an ask “that brought the veteran lawman to tears,” officials said now about to graduate from high school in southwestern Wyoming invited Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Jeff Sheaman to play a special role during the big day according to an April 30 news release from the sheriff’s office “I just told him who I was and that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him. I asked if he’d come to graduation and hand me my diploma. It felt like everything was coming full circle,” David is quoted as saying in the release, which was shared to the sheriff’s office Facebook page who’s worked in law enforcement for more than two decades and is retiring May 9 “Out of all the people he could’ve asked I’m grateful he wants me there by his side on graduation day,” Sheaman said in the release He was new to the sheriff’s office when he saved David in July 2010 was on the water with family when “a sudden squall rendered their boat inoperable and “Sheaman removed the toddler’s wet life jacket and kept him warm during the rough ride back to shore,” according to officials who said Sheaman was credited “with preventing advanced hypothermia.” Newspaper clippings shared with the release show Sheaman and others being honored 15 years ago for the rescue They include photos of the toddler and deputy together The pair met back up recently for another photo – this one with David grown up Sheaman said he’s honored to take part in graduation “This is what it’s all about,” he said in the release and live a full life — I can retire happy picturing David walking across that stage.” Sweetwater County includes Green River a 272-mile drive northwest from Cheyenne © 2025 The Bellingham Herald (Bellingham Visit www.bellinghamherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. We’ll bet you didn’t know all of these fun facts about America’s favourite musical instrument retailer If you play guitar and live in America, you’ll know all about Sweetwater – you’ve probably bought something from there… actually you’ve probably bought a lot of somethings there if you’re a typical gearhead But aside from the great prices and incredible selection of big brand and boutique guitars pedals and accessories available when you need them A closer look might reveal that there’s a lot more to the company than meets the eye to learn 10 interesting things that you (probably) didn’t know about Sweetwater – you might never think of it in the same way again… it wasn’t a retailer at all – it was a mobile recording studio Chuck Surack wanted to find a way to get out of the hard grind of being a touring musician His solution was to load a four-track Teac reel-to-reel recorder into his VW bus and create a mobile recording studio that he christened Sweetwater Sound Surack would move his operation into permanent accommodations but as his studio grew he quickly became frustrated at the lack of a retailer that could provide knowledgeable and affordable service to professionals such as him and so he decided to transition into retail himself is history – and it’s also very fitting that the current Sweetwater campus has an on-site recording studio Each Sales Engineer must undertake Sweetwater University – a 13-week training program that equips them with in-depth knowledge about audio and electrical engineering; live sound and studio recording techniques; and of course a massive range of gear from pedals to recording consoles Sales Engineers will also attend twice-weekly meetings to make sure they’re completely up to speed and up to date with the latest product launches and gear trends They do all this to ensure that when you seek help from Sweetwater you’re getting in-depth and informed guidance and what’s more customers are assigned Sales Engineers for life That means that whenever you contact Sweetwater you’ll speak to the same person who is familiar with your account – ensuring you get the best buying advice possible While most big retailers spread their operations out into multiple stores and fulfilment centres the entire Sweetwater operation is headquartered in a huge campus in friendly Fort Wayne Indiana – with a second distribution center in Arizona that was opened in 2022 in order to better serve the West Coast This huge main site is over 44 acres in size and is home to over 2,000 employees – which is about 1% of Fort Wayne’s entire population Every piece of gear that you see for sale on Sweetwater is located and shipped from here and the best part is that it’s open to the public so if you’re lucky you may even get to meet your Sales Engineer if you’re passing through and want to stop by and that ethos is what drives Sweetwater to this day – in fact over 80% of Sweetwater’s current employees consider themselves musicians meaning that whoever you encounter on campus This means that Sweetwater is a company for musicians and gear lovers by musicians and gear lovers who know what it’s like to follow a passion – whether that’s working in a huge campus There’s more than just warehouses and customer service centers at Sweetwater’s campus its size is such that it has a host of useful (and fun) things to do on site Did you know that the campus has a medical clinic a large performance venue and even a two-storey slide (for adults AND kids) The main event however is the Sweetwater flagship store a cavernous space that features over 30,000 products on display (with the ability to pull anything from the warehouse to try within minutes There’s also a ton of pedal tryout stations equipped with Two Notes Torpedo units to enable you to try out a massive range of effects with headphones on the size of Sweetwater means that many of the big brands have on-site offices – this vendor village means that Sales Engineers and tech support teams can confer directly with manufacturers and be in lock step with information and deliver the best level of info back to you One of the most common pitfalls of buying guitars online is that unlike say an iPhone or a TV or a refrigerator guitars are not an exact science – these are things made of wood by and large that means that the guitar you get sent might not look exactly like the one on the website Sweetwater’s innovative Guitar Gallery ensures that you can buy online with unparalleled confidence Any guitar over $399 is photographed individually This means that when you visit the listing on Sweetwater.com you’ll be able to select from the available options This means you can pick your favourite pattern of burst or grain from all the ones available if your guitar has a transparent finish or even pick the weight that’s just right for you – and then get that exact guitar shipped direct to your door Plus you have the added confidence of Sweetwater’s 55-point Inspection process which is given to every guitar over $399 that leaves the warehouse and the guitar is prepared and polished ready for you to play it straight out of the box Everyone loves to save a bit of cash on their gear purchases don’t they? It gives us more money to spend on… yep, more gear! Sweetwater’s innovative Certified Open Box product category is a great way for you to make substantial savings on gear that is Open Box products are just that – instruments that have been returned by customers because they realised they didn’t really need that 14th Strat in the house or something similar These instruments have likely hardly been played these products then undergo rigorous inspection and testing conducted by Sweetwater’s factory-authorized technicians to ensure that they are ready for your next gig right out of the box if there are any blemishes or imperfections with the product these are photographed and explained in the item’s description so you can buy with confidence And for added reassurance they even come with a 2-year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty Need information about using your gear, or the inside info on something you’re thinking about buying? Sweetwater’s SweetCare has all the answers – with a database of more than 28,000 tech articles written by Sweetwater’s own award-winning product support team So whether you need information on optimising a product or software for your OS and hardware of choice you’ll find easy to read and execute guides There’s even a dedicated resource centre for Pro Tools users an exclusive resource page for Creation Station computer owners and much more – if you want to truly understand your gear you know you’re going to have to spend a hefty wedge – often as much as 30% of a product’s overall cost – to ensure that it’s covered beyond the standard 12-month manufacturer’s warranty Almost every new product you buy from Sweetwater comes complete with a 2-year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty – and you don’t have to pay a penny If there’s a defect or issues with something you buy that’s outside the realms of normal use in the first 24 months their team of Sales Engineers and factory-certified Service Team will help solve the issue and get your gear back in order Much of this care and support is provided by Sweetwater’s on-site who are authorized to repair virtually every piece of gear we sell And on the rare occasion where Sweetwater’s techs aren’t certified to fix your gear they’ll work directly with the manufacturer to ensure that the service is carried out with minimal hassle for you It’s a dilemma we’ve all faced at some point or another – you really want that new piece of gear you’ve had in your cart for days or weeks now but you know that for one reason or another you need to move something on before you can indulge in your latest bout of GAS Well did you know that Sweetwater can help here too? Sweetwater’s Gear Exchange is an easy way to sell and buy used gear, and if you take your earnings from selling your old gear as a gift card, you even get to keep 100% of the payment to put towards a new guitar, amp or pedal. As if you needed another excuse… Far North District councillor Mate Radich is calling for a judicial review of the controversial Sweetwaters project which is expected to cost more than $20 million A Far North District councillor wants a judicial review of the controversial Sweetwater Aquifer project saying costs have spiralled out of control and an independent body needs to look into it Te Hiku ward district councillor Mate Radich a long-time critic of the escalating costs of the Sweetwater project has a notice of motion in Thursday’s full council meeting “that Council request that an independent judicial review be done immediately on the Sweetwater Aquifer” The council started the Sweetwaters project in 2011, with the scheme gathering pace after the 2020 drought that hit Northland It was designed to provide clean drinking water for Kaitāia and surrounds and do away with the need to take water from the vulnerable Awanui River The situation got so bad that water tanks had to be placed in Kaitāia as the Awanui River ran extremely low during the drought Radich has been critical of the rising costs of the project for several years and says he still does not know the full cost of the project Radich said he will speak to the rationale of the motion at Thursday’s meeting and hopes to get the support of his fellow councillors for a judicial review “This has been dogged by problems from the very start It’s just going to add even more costs to this And I still have not been able to get the full costs of this from the council despite asking several times,” Radich said Last month the Northland Age revealed that the council and contractor face potentially big fines if they are found guilty of illegally discharging more than 90 million litres of groundwater into the Sweetwater Wetland Each defendant faces a charge each of illegally discharging abstracted groundwater within 100m of the Sweetwater Bore Wetland and two charges each of undertaking earthworks or vegetation clearance within a 10m setback from the same natural wetland They have entered not guilty pleas to the representative charges – meaning they happened on more than one occasion – and the matter will be back before the court on June 13 The maximum penalties for the offences are a fine of no more than $600,000 Radich was not surprised at the court case saying it would add yet more costs to the project that he believed were already well out of control He now needs the majority of councillors to support his notice of motion to start the judicial review process A judicial review is where a judge is asked to review an action or a decision that has been made under a legal power The judge looks at whether the way the decision was made was in accordance with the law The judge won’t usually decide whether the decision was the “right” decision Judicial reviews are important in New Zealand law to make sure the Government and government agencies act within the law Judicial reviews are always heard in the High Court About 180 judicial reviews are heard each year Only a person affected by a decision can apply for a judicial review The respondent (the other side) is the person or government agency that made the decision which is being challenged For a judicial review to be successful for the applicant the court will need to be persuaded on the evidence that the decision-maker did not lawfully follow the proper decision-making process Visitors are encouraged to help identify people in the photographs Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome boasting the title of the largest online music retailer in the world its 40,000-square-foot on-site store is officially the largest music store in the U.S The company sells everything from guitars to recording software to live sound and lighting gear while maintaining world-class recording studios and performance facilities The best part about Sweetwater is that many of the first-class amenities enjoyed by their customers and employees are also open to the public Visitors are welcome to come into the Sweetwater building and explore what makes this one of the best places to work and play in Fort Wayne or just want to see what all of the buzz is about a trip to Sweetwater is like exploring a music lover’s playground While much of Sweetwater’s business is done online their retail store is a must-see destination! The Sweetwater Music Store features a guitar gallery The store is open daily and features a wide array of instruments and equipment You’re invited to grab a bite to eat at the Downbeat Diner Sweetwater's culinary offerings include coffee concoctions and sweet treats with the Crescendo Cafe Take a seat in the Crescendo Club to watch lunchtime performances from members of the Sweetwater community You can even take a game break and try your hand at classic arcade games during your visit If you want to get a behind-the-scenes look at what Sweetwater has going on you can take a tour at no cost through their concierge services The knowledgeable Sweetwater concierge will guide you through the Sweetwater campus giving you a peek at the distribution center performance theater – and more! Taking a tour of Sweetwater is much like taking a look around Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Don’t forget to take a ride down Sweetwater’s two-story slide during your tour; it will end your visit on a high note Sweetwater is located at 5501 US Highway 30 West, Fort Wayne, IN 46818. Plan a visit to Sweetwater today – it will be music to your ears This post was originally published in 2016 and has been updated Experience affordable family fun in Fort Wayne this summer and scenic trails—plan your adventure today Check out top picks from Fort Wayne Insiders find the latest street cuisine at our Food Trucks and sip on something special from a local Brewery or Winery. With so many amazing things to do in Fort Wayne you’re going to need help narrowing it down Start by selecting a category from the drop down menu below – it’s a great way to start planning your Fort Wayne getaway Make the most of your Fort Wayne Getaway when you enter one of our contests with dozens of options perfect for your stay From convenient and well-appointed convention hotels to family-fun hotels with pools we have the right hotel at the right price for you Want to know what’s happening during your visit Indiana news and events when you sign up for our email newsletters {{plainDescription(helpers.var.config.descriptionTruncation)}} Phone: (260) 424-3700 © 2025 Visit Fort Wayne. All rights reserved The Sweetwater County Travel & Tourism Board was recently honored for travel marketing excellence by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) The award was announced at the annual Adrian Awards Celebration in New York City Sweetwater County Travel & Tourism received a bronze Adrian Award for its entry in the Digital Video Single Entry category for its Flaming Gorge Country Video “We are absolutely thrilled and honored to receive a bronze Adrian Award for our Flaming Gorge Country Video,” said Jenissa Meredith CEO of Sweetwater County Travel & Tourism the largest and most prestigious competition in global travel marketing truly highlights the dedication and creativity of our team in showcasing the unique beauty of Sweetwater County This award in the Digital Video Single Entry category underscores the power of digital storytelling in inspiring travel and we are incredibly proud to bring this recognition home.” highlights stories of the memorable and successful travel marketing and public relations campaigns and experiential and digital experiences that inspired the notion that travel is about more than just the destination cultivating a passion for the journey and memories collected along the way “The Adrian Awards honors the creativity and vision that drives our industry forward shining a spotlight on the marketing and communication leaders whose outstanding work truly inspires people to embrace travel and create unforgettable memories in the journey,” said Brian Hicks Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference Thursday morning in Sweetwater at the city’s Community Center on Southwest Fourth Street CLICK HERE to watch the news conference He said the Florida Senate has put together a proposal to help fix funding issues that have stemmed from new legislation “We shouldn’t be in the business of mandating that these assessments must be levied on folks,” DeSantis said Texas — Sweetwater ISD seniors participated in multiple interviews for career-readiness The school district said these interviews were an opportunity for seniors to showcase their skills and prepare for future endeavors The initiative is organized by Sweetwater Economic Development Seniors were told to dress professionally to make a good impression Hundreds of female pilots made history at Avenger Field Women Airforce Service Pilots assigned to Camp Davis in North Carolina pose in front of a Beechcraft AT-11 Courtesy Official National WASP WWII Museum They had to cinch up the waistbands of their oversized and they weren’t allowed to climb out of a cockpit without applying fresh lipstick The women who trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater stepped up in a serious way They volunteered when more pilots were needed to fly vital stateside missions during World War II The National WASP WWII Museum, which opened in 2005 in a circa 1929 hangar at Avenger Field celebrates the Women Airforce Service Pilots as part of an experimental wartime program designed to free up male pilots for combat but some were married—and some had children,” says Lisa Taylor located across Avenger Field from what is now Texas State Technical College where the female trainees once lived in barracks and there’s a need for us.’ They adored flying and were thrilled to fly but they were also thrilled to be needed.” had to have high school diplomas or the equivalent and be between the ages of 18 and 35 although at least one 17-year-old lied about her age to get in They had to be at least 5 feet 4 inches tall and pass a physical exam and interview to get a spot They came from all 48 states and Alaska and Hawaii but there were at least two Chinese Americans They were high school dropouts and debutantes Some had worked as crop duster pilots or barn stormers The program officially started in Houston in November 1942 under the direction of pioneering aviators Jacqueline Cochran and Nancy Harkness Love It quickly outgrew its space in Houston and moved to Avenger Field where the women could live in bunks in on-site barracks The airfield had two runways plus classroom space The sparsely populated area’s big skies and open fields suited the flight school’s needs and the stiff West Texas wind provided ample training opportunities The women spent half their days in ground school The rest of the working day was spent learning to fly various military aircraft The courtyard between hangars at the National WASP WWII Museum features three steel cutouts based on a historical photograph of women arriving at the base Many of the women were small and had a hard time reaching the pedals on aircraft designed for men They used blocks of wood and parachute packs as cushions to make it work One bragged that she was a “three-cushion pilot,” meaning she stuffed three packs behind her back so she could operate the controls the women earned $174.50 per month (about $3,250 today) Because they were civil workers and not officially part of the U.S and about 40% of the recruits washed out before earning their wings Those who graduated were assigned to air bases around the country where they went to work shuttling military personnel and ferrying aircraft from base to base Women Airforce Service Pilots trainees in the 1940s After her husband was shot down in a B-17 over Europe joined the WASPs and was soon flying B-17s herself dragging targets 1,000 feet behind their planes so soldiers on the ground could practice firing at them with live ammunition Others worked as instructors or practiced concealment learning to lay smoke that would hide personnel on the ground Thirty-eight WASPs were killed during their service including 11 who died in training accidents The military didn’t pay for their funerals so fellow WASPs took up collections to send the women’s remains home to family About 14,000 people visit the museum in Sweetwater every year exploring two hangars filled with everything from flight suits to logbooks parachutes and four complete aircraft of the type the women used for training Visitors can take a turn at a chin-up bar like one the women used during daily calisthenics or grab a seat in a re-creation of a classroom where a film leads them through what it was like as an incoming recruit reporting for duty They can peer into a mock-up of a room in the barracks too As a local who grew up just up the road from Sweetwater Madge Moore used dead reckoning—a navigational method of estimating a plane’s current position based on a previously known location speed and time traveled—to ferry planes without working instruments Florene Miller Watson of San Angelo was one of just 25 women who qualified for a forerunner to the WASP program She flew every type of plane used by the Army Air Corps The National WASP World War II Museum will celebrate its 20th anniversary at this year’s WASP Homecoming Celebration & Fly-In visitors can learn who the WASPs were as individuals “They’ve all got really amazing stories,” Taylor says sharing a few as she walks through the museum When one group of WASPs traveled to California on a mission they were arrested and briefly jailed for impersonating military pilots Another WASP made an emergency landing in a farmer’s field and the family who owned the land fed and housed her for the night Other stories describe WASPs who had to parachute to safety from their airplanes and WASPs who tested aircraft with engines prone to catching fire including those who didn’t complete training and visitors can access a database that includes information about each one There are photos and handprints of many of the women the museum hosts a Homecoming Celebration & Fly-In explained that she skipped meals as a teenager to pay for flying lessons she remembers standing in a shower wearing her flight suit to clean it knew she wanted to learn to fly when she was 8 Bright ended up being one of only 20 women chosen to train on B-25 bombers “The thrill of flying those wonderful airplanes and getting paid for it—that was worth it,” Bright The WASPs were deactivated in December 1944 but it took more than 30 years before President Jimmy Carter signed a bill recognizing them as military veterans President Barack Obama awarded the WASPs Congressional Gold Medals the oldest and most prestigious civilian award in the U.S museum officials hope the institution can inspire the next generation “These women went to a lot of time and trouble to learn how to fly in a world that wasn’t going to let them in,” Taylor says and what barriers will you need to overcome to leave a good legacy for yourself?” Pam LeBlanc is an Austin-based adventure writer She can’t fly an aircraft but once willingly strapped herself into an open-cockpit biplane that flew upside down This article appeared in the April 2025 issue Texas Co-op Power Magazine and TexasCoopPower.com are produced by Texas Electric Cooperatives Terms of Use. © 2025, Texas Electric Cooperatives. 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