Fremont County, WY – The repair bill will be at least $30,000 to clean up after a vandalism spree at the old Carissa Mine near South Pass City. It's a site the state had funded for restoration as a salute to Wyoming's industrial heritage. Some time earlier this month, the security gates at the historic Carissa Mine were rammed, windows were broken out of buildings and underground workings of the mine were damaged after the mine entrance was pried open.
Joe Ellis is the superintendent of the nearby South Pass City State Historic Site. He inspected the damage, which he estimates was done by at least two people.
"They threw construction material around, broke out windows; they damaged an historic ore car. They just did some senseless vandalism."
Ellis says the site is considered one of the most complete, unspoiled historic mines in the country. Wyoming began a $3 million restoration project there in 2004.
Lesley Wischmann, co-founder of the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, says the Carissa Mine also commemorates the "gold rush" days that led to the settlement of the area.
"It's so close to South Pass and that whole movement of immigrants across the trails. Some of those people, who had just been looking at going West, all of a sudden had a reason to stop."
The owners of the U.S. Steel building in the area are offering a $1,000 reward for information about the incident; their property was also damaged. Anyone with tips can call the Fremont County sheriff's office, 307-332-5611.
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Minnesota's legislative session kicked off this week. A bill for construction projects is possible, and those serving Latino communities hope to get support for a centralized facility they say is much needed to connect with clients.
The new session isn't expected to see as many ambitious policy moves as last year, but a bonding bill for things such as transportation and water systems is on the list.
The organization COPAL is asking for $7 million in state funding so it can open a Latino Center for Community Engagement in Minneapolis.
Francisco Segovia, COPAL executive director, said they need to upgrade their operations in anticipation of population trends.
"Latinos, we are positioned to be almost 10% of the population by 2030 in Minnesota, and we want to build the infrastructure to support our community members to thrive," Segovia said.
COPAL provides services such as health and wellness and workers' rights, with a presence in the Twin Cities, Mankato and Rochester. But officials say there are limitations with their current offices, such as individual rooms for one-on-one meetings.
It's unclear if the funding request will be approved amid other bonding bill priorities. And while Democrats hold majorities this session, GOP votes are needed for such a bill.
Lourdes Menjívar, regional director for COPAL's Mankato office, said transportation is a barrier for the local Latino community, and added the centralized location could enhance infrastructure for online events, potentially allowing more people to access their programs and information.
"We're working with nine counties in the Mankato area office," Menjivar explained. "So, they can connect everywhere in Minnesota if people have a specific base to make any activities."
COPAL has already secured property for the proposed facility. Organizers say owning this building space would allow them to lease community and meeting rooms to other racial and ethnic populations lacking a hub. So far, the campaign has raised $2 million. The state contribution would make up the majority of the project costs, if the full amount is awarded.
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Today marks the beginning of a holiday celebration with African roots.
The annual nonreligious observance of Kwanzaa means "first fruits of the harvest."
Maulana "Ron" Karenga, professor of Africana Studies at California State University-Long Beach and an activist, created Kwanzaa to address economic and racial unrest in America in the 1960s, and groups in Indiana have held community-focused Kwanzaa events for almost 45 years.
Nichelle Hayes, committee member for Indianapolis Kwanzaa, explained the observance is a chance to think about the entire year, not a year-end summary.
"It's not so much about commercial gifts as coming together, reflection, learning, understanding and community," Hayes outlined.
The seven days include readings, artistic performances and food, both to honor children with gifts and show respect and gratitude to ancestors. One candle is lit daily on a candleholder called the kinara, to represent each of the seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective works and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Kwanzaa gatherings often include discussions on the principle of cooperative economics, investing and building generational wealth. In a National Retail Federation consumer spending report, nearly 92% of U.S. adults said they plan to spend money this year for December holidays, including Kwanzaa.
Hayes believes there are many ways to build economic stability. She also pointed out people of all faiths and races can observe the principles of Kwanzaa.
"It might be that you only celebrate at your home with your nuclear family," Hayes noted. "It might be that you come together with the people in your neighborhood or your broader community."
Estimates of how many people observe Kwanzaa range from 12-18 million worldwide. Hayes insists everyone is welcome to join the celebration.
The Indianapolis Kwanzaa organization holds an Umoja Village Celebration today at 16 Tech in Indianapolis, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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With the annual winter shopping season now in full swing, Wyoming's old town centers are seeing an uptick in visitors drawn to colorful light displays, roasted chestnut and hot chocolate carts, free horse-drawn carriage rides and one-of-a-kind gift options offered by local merchants.
Jessica Seders, executive director of Gillette Main Street, said Wyoming's historic downtowns are a great way to get even the most committed Scrooges into the holiday spirit.
"Gillette's downtown is full of historic buildings that could be found in an old western town," Seders explained. "A lot of people just come down for photo opportunities, and to spend evenings -- especially when it's all lit up -- walking and enjoying the downtown."
Downtown Gillette, which came to life with the arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century, boasts a wide variety of mom and pop shops, restaurants and holiday events. The original General Store building still sits on the town's first block, and Seders pointed to a new attraction, an original homestead wagon on display on the 3rd Street Plaza.
Chad Banks, manager of the Urban Renewal Agency and Main Street Programs for the City of Rock Springs, said visitors can check out the original City Hall, made from sandstone in 1893, which is now a historic museum, or stroll through the town's original and iconic train depot, now a coffee shop and event center full of holiday cheer.
Banks noted one common misperception is locally-owned stores are more expensive than corporate chains.
"That's not always the case, and oftentimes our retailers downtown can even beat prices online," Banks pointed out. "It's always worth giving those folks a chance to earn your business first, before you jump online, or jump to the big box stores."
Gillette is also holding a Christmas window decorating contest. Locals and visitors can scan QR codes to vote for their favorite storefront displays through Dec. 20. Seders added spending time and money in Wyoming's downtowns boosts local economies, and the businesses who sponsor Little League teams and buy ads in high school yearbooks.
"Because when you go to ask for a donation for your kid's ball team, typically it doesn't come from a big box store, it comes from the small businesses," Seders emphasized. "If we want to keep those in business, we've got to look to them not just during the holidays but year round."
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