Worth noting, March 29, 2024

Construction is planned for completion by July. Project limits will be between Palmer Drive and Russell Street. During this time, two lanes of traffic (one in each direction) will remain open on 3rd Street.

For more information, questions or comments email engineering@cityoflaramie.org or call 307-721-5250.

Food Bank of Wyoming addresses food insecurity in older adults

EVANSVILLE — Asking for help is rarely easy — especially when a person is experiencing hunger. In circumstances where hunger affects older adults across Wyoming, Food Bank of Wyoming is here to help, providing nutritious food through the Mobile Pantries Program and the EverGreen Box Program, which provides monthly food boxes to qualifying older adults at no cost to them.

In 2020, one out of every 15 adults over the age of 60 experienced food insecurity. Food insecurity, which is defined by the USDA as a “condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food,” specifically hits harder for older adults who live alone or have a disability.

Many people living by themselves experience loneliness, health problems and issues with obtaining enough food. Furthermore, older adults with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be food insecure, according to Feeding America. Despite the factors that influence access to enough food, older adults facing food insecurity also experience more health concerns, such as diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, asthma, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Food Bank of Wyoming aims to ensure older adults in need across Wyoming don’t face these challenges alone. Along with over 150 Hunger Relief Partners, Food Bank of Wyoming deploys 19 mobile pantries around the state that distribute nourishing food to communities in need. Additionally, qualifying older adults can get much-needed relief from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and food boxes via the EverGreen Box Program (also known as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, or CSFP). Food Bank of Wyoming distributes 262 CSFP boxes a month in Casper, Cheyenne, Wheatland, Thayne, Sheridan, Laramie and Torrington.

To find out if you or someone you’re helping qualifies for the EverGreen Box Program, visit wyomingfoodbank.org/find-food/older-adults. Food Bank of Wyoming relies on support to help keep their programs operating. Consider a donation that helps provide nutritious meals to older adults and other individuals facing food insecurity at wyomingfoodbank.org/give.

State releases March 2024 Wyoming Economic Indicators report

CHEYENNE — The March 2024 issue of the Wyoming Economic Indicators report is available at the state of Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division website ai.wyo.gov/divisions/economic-analysis. This report contains the Wyoming Economic Health Index (WEHI), a coincident economic indicator designed to provide a current assessment of the state’s economy.

Highlights from this month’s issue include:

• The Wyoming Economic Health Index reported an index value of 107.3 in January 2024. This value is higher than the January 2023 value of 105.6.

• The unemployment rate for Wyoming in January 2024 was 2.8%, lower than the national unemployment rate of 3.7%. This is the 10th consecutive month the unemployment rate has been below 3%.

• Total non-farm payroll jobs in Wyoming numbered 292,600 in January 2024, higher than January 2023 by 3,600 jobs.

• Wyoming’s sales and use tax collections from the mining sector decreased in January 2024, down $1.2 million (-12.4%) compared to January last year.

From Laramie Boomerang and Wyoming Tribune Eagle