LOCAL BRIEFS

More than 33,000 people in Wyoming have completed the work to sign up for new health insurance plans or renew policies before the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period ends Jan. 15, and help is available for those who similarly seek coverage.

As a grant-funded nonprofit, Enroll Wyoming has guided many people through the free process to identify needs and provide precise information so people and families can find health insurance plans that match their needs. People can get help guiding them through the marketplace or explore on their own at healthcare.gov.

Enroll Wyoming encourages people to investigate because they may qualify for lower premiums and deductibles.

In Albany, Platte, Goshen and Laramie counties, people can contact Dasa Robertson at dasa.robertson@crmcwy.org or 307-214-0786.

In Carbon, Sweetwater, Uinta, Lincoln, Sublette and Teton counties, people can contact Angela Thatcher at angela@enrollwyo.org or 307-352-9109.

Citizen Connect map is active online

The Laramie Police Department has launched its Citizen Connect initiative, an interactive map that people can use to see calls for service of the LPD and Albany County Sheriff’s Office.

For privacy reasons and to follow state law, some calls for service cannot be put on the map.

The goal, according to an LPD press release, is for resident to better understand the calls local law enforcement respond to.

Citizen Connect can be found on the Laramie Police Department website, https://tinyurl.com/pbyvwpw9.

New Year marks beginning for new lodging tax

Wyoming State Parks is now collecting sales and lodging taxes on overnight use in state parks.

Beginning Jan. 1, Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails is collecting sales and lodging taxes to comply with new Wyoming state laws.

Tax rates vary by county and will be collected on fees for overnight camping, annual camping permits, reservations and overnight rental facilities such as cabins, lodges, yurts and treehouses.

Sales and lodging taxes help fund state and county government operating budgets as well as tourism initiatives. Past projects that have been supported have included aquifer protection, road maintenance, county library expansions and support of local government.

For more information, contact Wyo Parks at 307-777-6323 or state.parks. parks@wyo.gov, or visit https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/.