Wyoming Chocolate Festival To Be Held This Weekend

The Wyoming Chocolate Festival will take place this Friday and Saturday at the Rock Springs Civic Center. Friday night's events are geared toward the adults while Saturday is all about the kids. Lisa Mueller with the Urban Renewal Agency Rock Springs Main Street says they will also have special entertainment.






Tickets are $15 per person for Friday and $6 per person for Saturday. Entries are also still being taken. For more information, call 307-875-2011.

People out of work in Wyoming may need to get to work in reading the fine print

People out of work in Wyoming may need to get to work in reading the fine print if they're collecting Unemployment Insurance benefits through a debit card. A new report from the Pew Center on the States finds that many receiving their payments on the pre-paid cards are getting dinged by fees. Lauren Saunders, managing attorney for the National Consumer Law Center says for example, in Wyoming, there's a 20-dollar overdraft fee, as well as other possible charges.








Direct deposit is not an option yet in Wyoming, although a check can be mailed, instead. There are upsides to the cards because they save states money, those collecting benefits have access to their money sooner, and people without bank accounts can avoid check-cashing fees because they can access cash at an A-T-M. Wyoming's Unemployment Insurance cards, called ReliaCards, are issued by U-S Bank. The complete list of fees are sent to those receiving the cards.




Second Cut: Saunders says the debit card companies make their profits through those fees, which states negotiate with the issuers.








The U-S Department of Labor has issued a "best practices" guide to states with recommendations that include elimination of overdraft fees.

Horse Racing Bill

The Wyoming House has passed a bill that would allow Wyoming to license and collect fees from companies that offer electronic wagering on horse races, Out-of-state businesses that provide electronic and phone wagering to customers in Wyoming would have to pay, and proceeds would be split among track operators, simulcast businesses, horse breeders and the commission.

CVheck For Radon

The Wyoming Department of Health is recommending that you test your home for unsafe radon levels. Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air. But it can reach harmful levels when trapped indoors. About 35 percent of Wyoming homes probably have it, and that can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer.

Alpha Natural Resources Deal

Alpha Natural Resources Inc, the third-biggest coal producer in the US, is close to an agreement to buy Massey Energy Co for about $7 billion, according to a person familiar with the situation. The stock and cash offer values Massey, the largest Central Appalachian coal producer said the person, on the condition of anonymity because the talks are private. An agreement may be announced today.

Cheveron Leaving Coal

Chevron Corp. will be getting out of the coal industry and is seeking a buyer for its open-pit mine in western Wyoming, the Associated Press reported Friday, citing a spokeswoman for the second-biggest U.S. oil company by market value.
Chevron Mining spokeswoman Margaret Lejuste said new coal technologies are too far off to make staying in coal a good strategy.
She told the AP that Chevron last week began seeking a buyer for its mine outside Kemmerer, Wyo.
The AP also reported that Chevron is close to closing a deal with Florida-based Walter Energy Inc. to sell its North River underground mine in western Alabama.

Get Used To The Variable Speed Signs on I-80

Tomorrow, the new variable speed signs will be turned on between Green River and Rock Springs on I-80. Teresa Herbin, Public Relations Specialist for WYDOT District Three says we all better get used to them.






WYDOT maintenance workers or the Wyoming Highway Patrol, through real time observation, will determine the appropriate speed limit for weather conditions. That speed will then be posted on the signs and become the enforceable speed at that time..

Clean Coal Task Force

The UW-based Clean Coal Task Force (CCTF), whose job is to first identify and then fund research projects that could lead to the development of technologies to reduce the environmental impact of coal-based energy, will call for a second round of proposals for the second consecutive year.
The 12 approved projects from the initial 2010 RPF received $6,992,300, leaving about $7 million remaining for additional projects. A second RPF will be issued on Jan 31, 2011 to use the remaining 2010 funds in a second round of awards.
In its first round of awards for 2010, the CCTF endorsed 12 projects — covering research in the fields of carbon capture, combustion and gasification design, coal-to-hydrogen conversion and post-combustion methods — that serve the fund's mission of stimulating research that would enhance and improve clean coal technologies, particularly with the use of sub-bituminous coal at high elevations.
The CCTF also recommended a $285,000 supplemental request for Emery Energy's 2007 project, to complete construction of a gasifier.

Southwest Sage-Grouse Working Group To Hold Meeting February 11th

The Southwest Sage-Grouse Working Group will participate in a meeting Friday, February 11th at the Green River office of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, beginning at 9:30 A.M. The meeting is open to the public.






Lucy Wold, Information-Education Officer with Wyoming Game and Fish says the meeting is also a good opportunity for students interested in conservation to learn a bit about the process. For more information, call 875-3223.

Sage Grouse Meeting

The Southwest Sage-Grouse Working Group will participate in a meeting Friday, February 11, 2011, at the Green River office of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, beginning at 9:30 A.M.
The role of the group is to develop and set in motion local conservation plans to benefit sage-grouse and, whenever feasible, other species that use sagebrush habitats. The group has been meeting since September 2004 and has completed a conservation plan, which was approved by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in September 2007.
The public is invited to attend and a public participation period will be offered.
The Game and Fish supports the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Burnett Sentencing

David Burnett, 46, of Rock Springs was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on January 14th, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Burnett received 84 months of imprisonment, was ordered to pay a $1500.00 fine and a $100 special assessment. Upon release from imprisonment Burnett will be placed on five years of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

2010 Drug Haul

The Wyoming Highway Patrol was busy last year when it came to seizing drugs. Troopers confiscated more than two-million dollars worth of drugs in 2010. That's up 24 percent over the year before. The drugs included marijuana, hashish, heroin, methamphetamine and pharmaceuticals.

Education Bill to Senate Floor

The Senate Education Committee's altered two education bills to remove parts that teachers opposed. The committee recommend Senate File 52 to the full Senate, which would repeal Wyoming's version of teacher tenure, and recommended SF70, which would set up an education accountability system. The panel put a safeguard back into SF52, to repeal continuing contract status for teachers, also called "teacher tenure." the bill now reads that teachers can only be terminated for "good and just cause."

Bison in Montana

Montana wildlife officials are considering feeding two dozen wild bison to keep them from wandering off a newly designated grazing area on the Gallatin National Forest. Mel Frost with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks says state law allows for supplemental feeding of the animals for "disease control purposes."

Curriculum mapping is being considered by Sweetwater County School District No. 2

Curriculum mapping is being considered by Sweetwater County School District No. 2.
Curriculum Director Sheryl Wilson said in August the district took on the initiative of curriculum mapping by purchasing a program called PerformacePlus.
This program allows teachers and administrators to have access to curriculum maps whereever an Internet connection is available.
Since August, teachers and administrators have met once a month to work on the program. They are working to ensure students meet the state’s common core standards.

Train Yourself To Check the New Variable Speed Limit Signs on I-80

By now, you may have seen the variable speed limit signs between Rock Springs and Green River on I-80. They have been turned on, but will not be operable until next Tuesday. Teresa Herbin, Public Relations Specialist for WYDOT District Three says the signs are important for safety.






Currently, the signs will be set at the default speed limit. Herbin wants everyone to take this time to get used to checking the sign's speed limit before they become operable next week.

Power Line Meetings

The Bureau of Land Management and the Western Area Power Administration are seeking public comment on an environmental impact statement that will evaluate the potential impacts of constructing the TransWest Express 600-kilovolt direct current transmission line project, which is proposed to cross portions of Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.

The proposed line would transmit up to 3,000 megawatts per year of electricity generated primarily from planned renewable energy facilities in Wyoming to respond to anticipated load growth in the southwestern United States. Alternative routes identified so far would affect federal, state, and private lands. Authorization of this proposal may result in the amendment of U.S. Forest Service and BLM land and resource management plans.

The BLM and Western expect to host 23 open-house meetings at various locations in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada along the proposed corridor to provide the public an opportunity to review the proposal and project information. Right now, the BLM and Western are analyzing proposed routes and alternative routes for the TWE Project. The proposed alternative route follows I-70 only for a short distance near Green River. It then generally follows the corridor where the existing power line goes, up Cottonwood Draw, near the point of Cedar Mountain, etc.

Variable Speed Limit Signs

Variable speed limit signs have the power turned on, but won't go live until Feb. 1, when it is anticipated that all signs between Rock Springs and Green River on I80 will be brought online.
In Wyoming, the variable speed limit system was first implemented on I80 in 2009 between Rawlins and Laramie. The system uses a series of remotely controlled electronic signs that allow WYDOT personnel to lower and raise the speed limit to match current travel conditions.
The success of this project over the past two winters has given WYDOT confidence that this additional tool will help to reduce crashes, save lives and decrease crash-related highway closures in other locations along the interstate.

Locally, the variable speed limit system is being installed between milepost 88.86 and 110.3 to give drivers a better chance to safely react to the rapidly changing and extreme weather conditions that can occur on the highway section. The goal of lowering the speed limit to match the conditions is to reduce the number of crashes, save lives and keep traffic moving on the highway.

WYDOT maintenance forces or the Wyoming Highway Patrol, through real time observation, will determine the appropriate speed limit for conditions. The Transportation Management Center (TMC) in Cheyenne can also make that determination by remotely monitoring the speed sensors in the highway and by observing the atmospheric weather sensor and webcams. The TMC will make the speed limit changes on the variable signs, regardless of who makes the determination.

Modern Electric Co. of Casper was awarded the $917,000 contract in May of 2010.

Registrations Taken Now For Ding A Ling Burbot Derby

Anglers will have another chance to help keep down the population of burbot at Flaming Gorge in February with the Ding a Ling Derby, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wyoming. Prizes range from ice huts to cash in this derby and registrations are being taken now.






Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wyoming regional director Jill Tonn says the first aim of the derby is to help control the burgeoning population of ling and the second is to raise money for various habitat enhancement projects by the foundation.

Burnett of Rock Springs Sentenced on Drug Charges in Federal Court

David Burnett, 46, of Rock Springs was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on January 14th, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Burnett received 84 months of imprisonment, was ordered to pay a $1500.00 fine and a $100 special assessment. Upon release from imprisonment Burnett will be placed on five years of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Duke energy Reaches Settlem,ent

Duke Energy Corp. has reached a settlement with the Wyoming Department of Revenue on the company’s appeal of its property-tax valuation for four wind farms.
The settlement, approved in December by then-Gov. David Freudenthal and the Wyoming Department of Revenue, reflects adjustments to the state’s assessed values of the wind farms at Duke’s Top of the World Windpower Project near Casper.
In its appeal, Duke contended that wind turbines ordered for the 200-megawatt project but not yet delivered as of Dec. 31, 2009, shouldn’t have been included in the company’s property tax assessment.
Because the Top of the World project was built and put into commercial operation in 2010, Duke Energy will instead pay property taxes on the assessed value of those turbines as part of its 2011 tax bill.

Mead Appointments

Governor Matt Mead has reappointed the directors of two state agencies, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environmental Quality.
Mead says in a statement the two agency heads have shown ``vision and competence'' and letting them continue their work is in the best interest of Wyoming.
John Corra has led the Department of Environmental Quality for the past eight years. Also reappointed is Jason Fearneyhough, head of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture for the past year and a half.
Mead says Corra and Fearneyhough both have agreed to sign a commitment to improve their agencies and make them more efficient.

Fishermen Rescused

Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell said Six Ogden-area fishermen trapped on a drifting ice floe on Flaming Gorge on Sunday were rescued several hours later. The men were part of a group on an ice fishing outing on Flaming Gorge at Holmes Crossing, about 24 miles south of Green River.
The group had drilled holes through shore ice extending out from the western shoreline. A section of ice roughly 400 feet by 200 feet broke off and drifted east into the lake at midday.
As the floe drifted generally south, several agencies and rescue units began responding, including the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office; the Daggett County Sheriff's Office; Daggett County Search and Rescue, including a team of cold-water divers; the Sweetwater County EMA Boat Rescue Team; the Utah Department of Natural Resources; the Daggett County Emergency Management Agency; and the United States Forest Service.
A craft manned by rescuers from Sweetwater and Daggett Counties reached the stranded party in the area of the Brinegar Ranch on the Gorge's eastern bank. The group had drifted about a mile and half down the lake over a period of some three hours. None had suffered any harm or injury.

Wild Horse Auction To Be Held This Saturday

This Saturday, the Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Field Office will be holding a wild horse auction. Serena Baker, High Desert District Public Affairs Specialist says the auction is designed to be easy.






The auction will take place at the Rock Springs Wild Horse Corrals from 8 AM to Noon. Nearly 700 untrained weanlings, geldings and mares gathered from the Adobe Town/Salt Wells Herd Management Areas will be eligible for adoption. For more information contact Kathi Fine at 307-352-0292 or 1-866-4MUSTANGS.

Unemployment Insurance benefits in Wyoming

People out of work in Wyoming may need to get to work in reading the fine print if they're collecting Unemployment Insurance benefits through a debit card. A new report from the Pew Center on the States finds that many receiving their payments on the pre-paid cards are getting dinged by fees. Lauren Saunders, managing attorney for the National Consumer Law Center says for example, in Wyoming, there's a 20-dollar overdraft fee, as well as other possible charges.








Saunders says the debit card companies make their profits through those fees, which states negotiate with the issuers.








The U-S Department of Labor has issued a "best practices" guide to states with recommendations that include elimination of overdraft fees.
Direct deposit is not an option yet in Wyoming, although a check can be mailed, instead. There are upsides to the cards because they save states money, those collecting benefits have access to their money sooner, and people without bank accounts can avoid check-cashing fees because they can access cash at an A-T-M. Wyoming's Unemployment Insurance cards, called ReliaCards, are issued by U-S Bank. The complete list of fees are sent to those receiving the cards.

Health and Fitness Program Offered At White Mountain Library

A 12 week health and fitness program is being sponsored by the White Mountain Library. The program will start January 27 and run through April 21.






Throughout the program, a series of presentations at the White Mountain Library to provide information on healthy eating, weight loss, and exercise starting this Thursday at 7 PM. This program is sponsored by the Sweetwater County Library System. For more information, call 306-362-2665 Ext. 3220 and ask for Michelle.

Night At The Museum

Have you seen the Ben Stiller Movie "Night at the Museum"? It was a fun and wonderful movie enjoyed by kids of all ages, and now you have the chance to experience your own night at the museum... Dinosaur Journey museum in Fruita, although I highly douby that the exhibits will come to life. A behind the scenes tour will take dino–enthusiasts to places usually off limits to the public, like the museum's lab. You can get an up–close peek at technicians prepping dinosaur bones. A Jurassic storage room with shelves lined with priceless fossils too valuable to be put on exhibit will also be revealed.

Rock Springs sentenced to seven years in prison

A 46 year old Rock Springs man has been sentenced to seven years in prison by Federal District Court Judge Alan Johnson. David Burnett was sentenced for conspiracy to poessess with intent to distribute and to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Burnett received a seven year sentence and was ordered to pay a 1,500 dollar fine and a 100 dollar special assessment. Upon release from imprisonment Burnett will be placed on five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the wyoming division of criminal investigation and the U.S. Drug enforcement adminstration.

National Healthy Weight Week

This week is National Healthy Weight Week, and the American Cancer Society is taking the occasion to encourage people to manage their weight by eating healthy foods and exercising, which the group says has the potential to reduce the risk of cancer. The A-C-S estimates that a third of cancer deaths are linked to obesity. About one thousand die from cancer in Wyoming each year, and it's estimated that about 25-percent of Wyomingites are obese. Matt Flory is with the American Cancer Society...








Flory laments that general awareness about the obesity-cancer risk is lacking...









The A-C-S says obesity is directly linked to risks of twelve cancers, including breast and colon cancer. The American Cancer Society has resources to help people stay healthy, available online at Cancer.org (or by phone at 1-800-227-2345).

The Burbot Bash Fishing Derby Has Finally Arrived

The Burbot Bash Fishing Derby has finally arrived and will kick off tomorrow with a Fish Expo at Buckboard Marina. Not only can you compete for over $10,000 in cash and prizes by catching a tagged fish, but you will be helping to control a highly, invasive species at Flaming Gorge.






Craig Amadio, Regional Fisheries Biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish in Green River invites everyone to the Expo tomorrow that will feature fishing tips, prize drawings and more. For more information, call 1-800-FLGORGE or the Green River Chamber at 307-875-5711.

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead is getting support from Wyoming Senator John Barrasso

-Wyoming Governor Matt Mead is getting support from Wyoming Senator John Barrasso on Meads decision to join 25 other states in the legal battle over the national health care program. Steve Core has the details.

Boy is Tops in Punt Kick Pass Event

Chase Stoeger got to show his stuff as he punted, passed and kicked further than any of the others in his division in the finals of the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition at the Georgia Dome last weekend. Stoeger, a 9-year-old fourth-grader at Truman Elementary, was one of eight boys and girls his age to compete. In Saturday’s final round, Stoeger punted 89 feet, passed 82 feet and kicked 87 feet. Stoeger is a soccor player, and attributes his abilities to that fact. "The competition was was really hard," Chase Stoeger said while being honored at the Green River City Council meeting tuesday night. He added that the experience was "amazing."

Sweetwater County Commissioners unknowingly violated the Wyoming’s open meetings law

The Sweetwater County Commissioners unknowingly violated the Wyoming’s open meetings law when three of the commissioners attended a board meeting at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County last week.
Commissioner Reid West asked for clarification of the act during the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday.
West, along with Commissioners Wally Johnson and John Kolb, attended the hospital board meeting unaware of the others’ plan to attend. Cliff Boevers from the Sweetwater County Attorney’s Office said the group violated the act because the three were technically a quorum attending the meeting.
Kolb said his intent for attending the meeting was to show support to the hospital because he wants to help make the hospital more successful -- a sentiment Johnson echoed.

Rock Springs Fire Department Offers Carbon Monoxide Alarm Program

The Rock Springs Fire Department is continuing to help protect the citizens of Rock Springs through a special program geared toward the dangers of carbon monoxide.






Fire Chief Lyle Armstrong of the Rock Springs Fire Department invites those who are interested in the program to call 307-352-1475. Supplies are limited, so those who can purchase an alarm are asked to do so.

Council Meeting

The green river council dealt with feeding wild animals last night-----with the story, heres justin wolf-ing

3rd Annual High School Challenge Blood Drive Being Held

The Green River and Rock Springs High School Student Councils are holding the 3rd Annual High School Challenge Blood Drive. You can support your favorite school while helping to save a life by donating blood today from 1 until 7 PM at White Mountain Mall. Chris Widener, Student Council Advisor and Math Teacher at Green River High says that appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.






To make an appointment online go to www.bloodhero.com or call 1-800-456-7057. The winner of the challenge will be announced between the boys' and girls' games on Jan. 20th.

Rock Springs Meeting

Rock Springs also has their council meeting tonight. One of the items on the agenda tonight will be A Resolution accepting and approving a memorandum of understanding between
the city of Rock Springs and the Board of Trustees of Sweetwater County School
District Number One to construct and install traffic signals at the intersections of
Foothill Blvd., Jack Norris Drive, and Jackson Street. The Parks and Recreation Department will ask for permission to fill a vacant Recreation Supervisor position as well. The meeting takes place in council chambers at 7.

Wyoming drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol would lose their right to refuse a blood test

Wyoming drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol would lose their right to refuse a blood test under a bill pending in the Legislature.
The House Judiciary Committee started hearing testimony on Monday on a bill sponsored by Jackson Republican Rep. Keith Gingery.
Gingery says many drivers who have been cited previously for driving under the influence will refuse to take a test even though the refusal can result in a license suspension. Gingery says it's hard to make a DUI prosecution without test results.

Flouride

Opponents of water fluoridation say they're feeling some vindication now that the federal government recommends putting slightly less fluoride in community water supplies.
Federal officials say they want to prevent children from getting a usually harmless form of tooth discoloration called fluorosis. Too much fluoride causes fluorosis. In 1995, neurotoxicologist and former Director of toxicology at Forsyth Dental Center in Boston, Dr. Phyllis Mullenix published research showing that fluoride built up in the brains of animals when exposed to moderate levels. Damage to the brain occured and the behavior patterns of the animals was adversely effected. The toxic effects of fluoride on the central nervous system was subsequently confirmed by previously-classified government research. Two new epidemiological studies which tend to confirm fluoride's neurotoxic effects on the brain have shown that children exposed to higher levels of fluoride had lower IQs.

Wyoming Legislature’s to-do list

One of the items on the Wyoming Legislature’s to-do list is a result of the U-S Supreme Court ruling in the “Citizens United” case related to corporations and direct spending in elections. Current Wyoming law that prohibits corporations and unions from direct spending has to change, and a state Senate committee is looking at the options today (Tuesday). Dan Neal with the Equality State Policy Center says Wyoming has a strong tradition of requiring public information about spending, and he says that can continue if a public reporting requirement is added to the proposal currently on the table.






Neal explains that if the state law doesn’t include specifics on reporting, a company, even one from another country, can set up a dummy nonprofit with a misleading name and hide behind that name.







Disclosure amendments are being debated today.

Tips For Fishing in the Burbot Bash Fishing Derby

The Burbot Bash Fishing Derby will kick off this Saturday with a Fishing Expo at Buckboard Marina, located south of Green River along Lake Flaming Gorge. Craig Amadio, Regional Fisheries Biologist for the Wild Game and Fish in Green River says there are a few things to remember when fishing for burbot.






For more information on the expo and fishing derby, call 1-800-FLGORGE or the Green River Chamber at 307-875-5711.

Learn How to Fish For Burbot This Saturday

This weekend is the kick off of the Burbot Bash Fishing Derby that is sponsored by the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Local Chambers of Commerce including Green River and Rock Springs and state wildlife departments. If you have never fished for Burbot, Craig Amadio, Regional Fisheries Biologist for the Wild Game and Fish in Green River says you might want to attend.






The Fishing Expo takes place on Saturday at Buckboard Marina, located south of Green River along Lake Flaming Gorge. For more information on the Expo and the fishing derby, call 1-800-FLGORGE or the Green River Chamber at 307-875-5711.

Medical Errors

Wrong medications, inappropriate dosages, and surgical errors are mistakes that can cost a life. The U-S Department of Health and Human Services has looked into those instances for Medicare patients and finds about 180-thousand die each year. And Wyoming is home to a fast-growing 65-plus set, with at least 78-thousand on Medicare. Christine Hines with Public Citizen says better record-keeping and information sharing could save lives.








The report specifically investigated hospitals that instituted "quality initiatives" to reduce mistakes, and found not much progress has been made. In fact, errors have been on the rise over the past ten years. Nicholas Timko is an attorney who has handled medical malpractice cases across the country. He says the current voluntary approach to improve safety clearly isn't working.








The report also documented harm to patients caused by mistakes that didn't result in deaths, as well as tracking how those added harms extended hospitals stays and treatment.

New Amber Alert Facebook Page

ife-saving AMBER Alerts are now available to the millions of people on the social networking service Facebook, including those who live in Wyoming. Facebook users are able to sign up to receive state-specific AMBER Alert bulletins which will be sent to them through the Facebook “News Feed” feature. A total of 53 new AMBER Alert Pages have been created, one for each state, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. Facebook users will also be able to share the AMBER Alerts with their friends. The new AMBER Alert Facebook page for Wyoming can be found at facebook.com/AMBERalertWY
An estimated 800,000 children are reported missing every year. AMBER Alert
is a voluntary partnership involving law enforcement agencies and
broadcasters. An urgent AMBER Alert bulletin is issued by law enforcement
in the most serious child abduction cases that meet specific criteria. The
goal of an AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to
assist in the search for and safe recovery of the child.

Burbot Bash

Ice anglers will have a chance to catch tagged fish for prizes, including a $5,000 grand prize, during the annual Burbot Bash next week. The Burbot Bash is sponsored and all prizes provided by the Green River, Rock Springs, and Flaming Gorge Chambers of Commerce. There is a “catch” to the burbot contest: Tournament anglers will not know if they have caught a tagged fish. Game and Fish Green River Fisheries Biologist Craig Amadio says the internal tags are not visible and have been implanted in all sizes of fish. Therefore, all burbot caught will need to be checked in and scanned for tags at official inspection sites that will be open daily throughout the derby.

Better Record Keeping Needed in State

Wrong medications, inappropriate dosages, and surgical errors are mistakes that can cost a life. The U-S Department of Health and Human Services has looked into those instances for Medicare patients and finds about 180-thousand die each year. And Wyoming is home to a fast-growing 65-plus set, with at least 78-thousand on Medicare. Christine Hines with Public Citizen says better record-keeping and information sharing could save lives.








The report also documented harm to patients caused by mistakes that didn't result in deaths, as well as tracking how those added harms extended hospitals stays and treatment.







The report specifically investigated hospitals that instituted "quality initiatives" to reduce mistakes, and found not much progress has been made. In fact, errors have been on the rise over the past ten years. Nicholas Timko is an attorney who has handled medical malpractice cases across the country. He says the current voluntary approach to improve safety clearly isn't working.

Flaming Gorge Classic Price Tagwill be 26 thousand dollars

Tom Wilson, athletics director for the Sweetwater County School District No. 2, reported the cost to host the Flaming Gorge Classic will be 26 thousand dollars. At the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night, Wilson said despite cutting back on costs after losing the event’s corporate sponsor, the event still had that high of a price tag. Some cutbacks included not buying shirts with Flaming Gorge Classic graphics and cutting costs involved with the hospitality rooms. All in all, the county may break even on the event, but that may be a good thing, since the amount of tourism dollars to local businesses will translate into more tax dollars for the county.

Parks and Recreation Department Losing Two

Green River Parks and Recreation Department has been thrust into turmoil after Walt Bratton and Alyssa Krumholz submitted their resignations.
City Administrator Barry Cook said both employees’ final day will be Feb. 1. Bratton will be going to head the parks and recreation department in Deerfield Beach, Fla. while Krumholz will go to Plymouth, Minn.
Cook called Bratton’s departure a “bitter-sweet situation.” Cook went on to say Bratton performed an excellent job while in Green River. “We’re known for our parks,” Cook said. “I wish him well -- he will be missed,” Cook said.
During the five years Bratton worked for the city, the parks and recreation department received numerous awards from national parks and recreation groups.

Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is on a new ‘top ten’ list

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is on a new ‘top ten’ list that focuses on habitats across the country that are home to fish, wildlife and plants at risk of extinction. Each zone on the list is described as threatened because of a changing climate, although they’re not a lost cause because the report describes conservation actions that could help keep species resilient. Derek Goldman with the Endangered Species Coalition – which issued the report – says they took a long-term view of habitat health…








The Greater Yellowstone's Whitebark pines are quickly disappearing, and those trees are an important food source for many critters, including grizzlies. They also play a role in stabilizing mountainsides and shading snowpack. The report calls for forest restoration work and more research to develop trees resistant to beetle infestations.

National Park Bill

A Wyoming state senator from Casper and a state representative from Jackson Hole say they’re close to compromising on bills that have opposite visions for 1,405 acres of state school land in Grand Teton National Park.
Sen. Kit Jennings, of Casper, said he has been working with Rep. Ruth Ann Petroff over their competing bills.
He said he would introduce a bill allowing the state parks division to build a hotel on the land and run snowmobile tours to showcase wolves eating elk; Petroff wants to sell the property to the federal government for $107 million so it is conserved as part of the national park.

Fire at Water Treatment Plant

Officials believe a spark from a water pump ignited a fire at a plant that treats water used in oil and gas drilling about 15 miles west of Rawlins.
The fire occurred Saturday afternoon at the Red Desert Water Reclamation plant in Sweetwater County. There were no injuries, but the plant was shut down until the following morning.
Firefighters from Sweetwater and Carbon counties responded to the fire.
Officials tell the Rawlins Daily Times that the fire was fueled in part by petroleum condensate, which is a product of oil and gas field-produced water treated at the plant.

Soda Ash Production Starting up in Granger

FMC is restarting its Granger soda ash production plant in southwest Wyoming.
The company says the plant will reopen in July and provide work for about 80 people.
Officials say the reopening is in response to the recent strong export demand for southwest Wyoming soda ash.
FMC suspended production at the Granger facility in 2009 due to reduced export demand caused by the global economic downturn.
FMC Wyoming Corp. President Ed Flynn tells the Casper Star-Tribune that U.S. export markets have recovered much faster than the U.S. domestic market.
Soda ash is used in glass, soaps and detergents, as well as in some industrial chemicals.

New Mammography Equipment Will Be at Memorial Hospital By March

Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County received a sizeable grant to improve their mammography imaging equipment recently. Tracie Soller, Director of Medical Imaging is excited about the new digital equipment that should be in place by March.






The new equipment was made possible by a grant from the Rural Healthcare Program of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. To schedule a mammogram, call 307-362-6472.

Wyoming Girl Lured to Missoula

A 24-year-old convicted sex offender is accused of using the Internet to lure a 12-year-old Wyoming girl to Missoula, where he allegedly locked her in an apartment, gave her marijuana and alcohol and repeatedly assaulted her for four days before her parents tracked her down.
William Richard Nielsen, who appeared in U.S. District Court in Missoula on Monday, faces a charge of coercion and enticement of a minor. The Missoulian reports he was arrested Sunday after the girl's father told police that when he arrived at Nielsen's apartment, his daughter was naked on a bed.
Court records say the girl told police she met Nielsen three weeks earlier through MySpace and, after several episodes of "sexting," he pressured her to come to Missoula. The records say he told her to take a bus from Sheridan, Wyo., to Missoula, and she left the evening of Jan. 4 and arrived the following morning.

Community Fine Arts Center Performace Series Continues Tuesday

The Repertory Dance Theatre will perform tonight at the Rock Springs High School Theatre at 7p.m. as part of the Community Fine Arts Center's performance series. Deborah Soule (Soo-lay), Director of the Fine Arts Center says the group, of about 8 to 10 dancers will perform "Time Capsule: A Century of Dance."






Tickets are $8 per person and $5 for students and seniors. They can purchased at the Fine Arts Center or at the door. Call 307-362-6212 for more information.

The Repertory Dance Theater Performs Tuesday at Rock Springs High

The Rock Springs High School Theatre will be the home of an unusual dance performance this evening.






Deborah Soule (Soo-lay), Director of the Community Fine Arts Center says the group will be presenting "Time Capsule: A Century of Dance" which shows the evolution of dance over time. For more information, call 307-362-6212.

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination

It's yet another vaccination for Wyoming seventh-graders who would be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis under a bill written by high school students. The kids wrote the bill after hearing the story of a Colorado woman who died of the disease.
State Sen. Bill Landen, a Republican from Casper, planned to introduce the bill Tuesday, when the legislative session begins.
Only 3000 cases of bacterial meningitis are reported in teens each year with less than 10 percent being fatal.

Antler-Horn Gathering Prohibited on Public Lands Through April 30th

As of January 1st, a relatively new regulation on public lands took affect.






Mark Zorns, Wildlife Management Coordinator in the Green River Region for Game and
Fish says the regulation is necessary because of the popularity of antler gathering.






The crime of gathering horns and antlers through April 30th is treated much like poaching. If you see anyone you suspect of gathering horns and antlers on public lands, you are asked to call the Game and Fish Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP.

Decoys

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is thenkful to the Jackson Chapter of Safari Club International for their recent donation of elk and pronghorn antelope decoys. The Decoys will be used for enforcement operations throughout the state. The chapter also donated funding to be used for a bighorn sheep research project in the Jackson area.
One elk decoy will be used in the Jackson Region, another will be used in the Green River Region and the new pronghorn antelope decoy has already been used in the Casper Region earlier this fall.

During one afternoon in early October, Game and Fish enforcement officials set up the decoy northeast of Casper and monitored it for illegal hunting activity.
In addition to the decoys, the Jackson SCI Chapter donated $1,500 to help purchase GPS telemetry collars to learn more about bighorn sheep distribution and movements in the Gros Ventre drainage.
In the past, the chapter also donated $3,000 to help purchase GPS collars for elk. This work was to monitor the migration patterns of elk spending the summer and fall in the South Yellowstone /Teton Wilderness areas.

Mushers

Twenty-two teams mush out of Jackson, Wyoming, January 28 for the start of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race. Largest sled dog race in the U.S. lower 48 states speeds through Wyoming in 11 stages en route to Park City, Utah, finish on February 5.

2011 Sweetwater County Fair Theme Announced

The Sweetwater County Fair has a new theme for 2011.






Chad M. Banks, Public Relations and Marketing Director says the theme will showcase a variety of attractions at the fair including carnival rides, funnel cakes, horse pulls, cowboys and talent shows.






For more information contact the Sweetwater Events Complex at (307) 352-6789 or 872-6348, ext 200 or visit the website at www.SweetwaterEvents.com.

Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County Receives Grant for Mammography Services

Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County has received a $563,623 grant for their mammography services. The grant will be used to purchase a state-of-the-art digital mammography unit, replace radiologist workstations and upgrade the mammography room and patient waiting area. The grant was awarded by the Rural Healthcare Program of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. To schedule a mammogram, call 307-362-6472,

Burbot Tourney

Invasive fish and deer were hot topics Tuesday at the Green River council meeting. Janet Hartford, director of the Green River Chamber of Commerce, informed the Council about the Burbot Bash scheduled Jan. 22. The event is a week-long fishing derby aimed at reducing the number of Burbot, also known as ling cod, an invasive fish having an affect on local fish species in Flaming Gorge. More than $10,000 in cash prizes will be offered, including a $5,000 drawing for catching a special “tagged” Burbot. Other prizes include $600 for most Burbot caught and $100 for the largest and smallest Burbot caught.

SAD is Real

The dead of winter in Wyoming inspires some to pack their bags for Arizona or Florida, to escape the short days and cold temperatures. Lack of sunlight during the winter months can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, called SAD, with those living in northern states most likely to feel its effects. Clinician Jesse Bell is an expert in identifying and treating SAD, which can range from mild to debilitating. He describes the symptoms...







Bell says it's estimated that 10-million Americans experience SAD. A general physician can help screen for symptoms. Treatments include light therapy, talk and group therapy, and medications.
Other symptoms to watch for include oversleeping, irritability, weight gain and/or a craving for starchy foods. Bell adds that SAD can go hand-in-hand with other types of depression.








According to the National Mental Health Association, three-out-of-four SAD sufferers are women.

January Proclaimed National Mentoring Month in Green River

The mayor of Green River has signed a proclamation declaring January as National Mentoring Month in the city. The proclamation was spearheaded by the YWCA Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. Barry Cook, Green River City Administrator says the proclamation is an important one.






Research has shown that youth engaged in professionally supported mentoring programs, like the YWCA Big Brothers Big Sisters, are less likely to skip school, less likely to begin using drugs and alcohol, and are more likely to finish school. For more information, call 307-352-6635.

Burbot Bash Fishing Derby Will Feature Large Prizes

The Burbot Bash Fishing Derby will kick off on January 22nd with a Fishing Expo at Buckboard Marina, located south of Green River along Lake Flaming Gorge. Craig Amadio, Regional Fisheries Biologist for the Wild Game and Fish in Green River says there are big prizes this year.






Total value of cash and prizes will be over $10,000. The derby takes place January 22nd through the 29th. For more information, call 1-800-FLGORGE or the Green River Chamber at 307-875-5711.

Burbot Bash Fishing Derby to be held Jan. 22-29

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Local Chambers of Commerce including Green River and Rock Springs and state wildlife departments have all joined forces to fight back against an unwelcome visitor in Lake Flaming Gorge with a week long fishing derby that features cash prizes valued at over $10,000.






Craig Amadio, Regional Fisheries Biologist for the Wild Game and Fish in Green River says the Burbot Bash will kick off with a Fishing Expo on Saturday, January 22nd at Buckboard Marina, located south of Green River along Lake Flaming Gorge. For more information, call 1-800-FLGORGE or the Green River Chamber at 307-875-5711.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

The dead of winter in Wyoming inspires some to pack their bags for Arizona or Florida, to escape the short days and cold temperatures. Lack of sunlight during the winter months can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, called SAD, with those living in northern states most likely to feel its effects. Clinician Jesse Bell is an expert in identifying and treating SAD, which can range from mild to debilitating. He describes the symptoms...







Bell says it's estimated that 10-million Americans experience SAD. A general physician can help screen for symptoms. Treatments include light therapy, talk and group therapy, and medications.

Other symptoms to watch for include oversleeping, irritability, weight gain and/or a craving for starchy foods. Bell adds that SAD can go hand-in-hand with other types of depression.








According to the National Mental Health Association, three-out-of-four SAD sufferers are women.

Homeless Count

Every two years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development conducts what it calls a point-in-time count of homeless people. It's intended to provide a snapshot of every homeless person in every community in the country.
In a November meeting with other social service agencies that discussed the count, David Allhusen, who works for the U.S. Department of Veterans Services in Casper described it as "scraping the yard." Cancer, heart disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, food, clothing are several issues to be dealt with on the long road to ending chronic homelessness among veterans.
To make the count, local organizations -- like the VA, Casper Housing Authority, Self Help Center and other groups -- take time one day in late January to tally all the emergency shelter beds in the region and whether they are occupied. Then, they "scrape the yard" by walking the streets and seeking out any homeless who may be roughing it on their own. "If you find somebody who's homeless, look at their feet -- shoes are a major issue," said Allhusen, "We buy shoes for them."
The date of the count is mandated for late January by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, which includes representatives from several federal agencies.

Governor Mead Swears In

Matt Mead became Wyoming’s 32nd Governor at a transfer of power ceremony held at the Cheyenne Civic Center yesterday. Dave Freudenthal has been in the position for the past eight years and is term limited. Along with Mead, Max Maxfield was sworn in as secretary of state, Cynthia Cloud as auditor, Joe Meyer as treasurer and Cindy Hill as superintendent of public instruction.

Documentary Series

Four episodes of the documentary film series “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan will be shown this month at Rocky Mountain National Park.
The movies will be presented free on Saturdays starting at 7 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. The visitor center is west of Estes Park on U.S. 36, just before the park entrance.

A list of the programs

Jan. 8: “Going Home: Smoky Mountains” – Writer Horace Kephart and Japanese immigrant George Masa push to protect the Smoky Mountains by establishing a park.

Jan. 15: “Great Nature: Franklin D. Roosevelt” – The president expands the national park idea to
include battlefields and other historic sites. He fights to create national parks on the Olympic Peninsula,
in Florida’s Everglades, in Wyoming’s Teton Mountains and in California’s High Sierra.

Jan. 22: “Great Nature: Artists Capture the National Parks” – In Seattle, artists Iwao and Hanaye Matsushita fall in love with Mount Rainer National Park. Ansel Adams photographs Yosemite and other national parks.

Jan. 29: “The Morning Creation: Following World War II” – A nation that grows increasingly mobile and wealthy places greater demands on its national parks, putting them in danger of being loved to death.

Wild Horse BLM

Wild horse activists are criticizing U.S. Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey's plans to attend a Las Vegas conference being held by groups that support slaughter of the animals for human consumption. Ginger Kathrens of the Cloud Foundation says it's "truly troubling" that Abbey on Tuesday is scheduled to address groups that seek to profit from horse slaughter. United Horsemen, a Wyoming-based nonprofit pushing for a plant in that state where horses can be slaughtered for human consumption, is organizing the summit to be held through Thursday. BLM spokeswoman Celia Boddington says Abbey has an obligation to talk to all sides of the issue because of the agency's multiple use mandate for public lands.

Green River Will Consider Wild Animal Feeding Ordinance

The Green River City Council will consider an ordinance that will make it illegal to fee wild animals within the city limits at tonight's council meeting. Barry Cook, Green River City Administrator says that you still have time to voice your opinion on the ordinance.






Cook says the ordinance is attempting to address the deer that have become a nuisance and does not include domestic animals. The exact wording has been made available for review.






For more information, go to Green River's website address at www.cityofgreenriver.org. The city council meeting will be held this evening at 7 PM in the council chambers of city hall.

Ice Fishing Regs

Ice fishing is growing in popularity throughout Wyoming and many waters have liberalized regulations that add to the ice fishing opportunity.
Wyoming has 23 waters covered under the Special Winter Ice Fishing Provision. On these waters, up to six lines are allowed when fishing
through the ice. Ice fishing is also popular on many other lakes and reservoirs not covered under the provision, but on those waters, no more than two lines are allowed. Ice fishermen should be aware that when using more than two lines, their name must be attached to each line, pole or tip-up. In addition, the angler is required to be no more than 300 yards from all lines and is required to check his/her own lines. Complete regulations for waters under the Special Winter Ice Fishing Provision can be found under


For a list of covered waterways, log on to our blog



* Alcova Reservoir in Natrona County

* Big Horn Lake in Bighorn County

* Big Sandy Reservoir in Sweetwater County

* Boysen Reservoir in Fremont County

* Deaver Reservoir in Park County

* Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Sweetwater County

* Fontenelle Reservoir in Lincoln County

* Glendo Reservoir in Platte County

* Goldeneye Reservoir in Natrona County

* Gray Reef Reservoir in Natrona County

* Grayrocks Reservoir in Platte County

* Guernsey Reservoir in Platte County

* Harrington Reservoir in Bighorn County

* Keyhole Reservoir in Crook County

* Kortes Reservoir in Carbon County

* Lake DeSmet in Johnson County

* Ocean Lake in Fremont County

* Pathfinder Reservoir in Carbon and Natrona Counties

* Pilot Butte Reservoir in Fremont County

* Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County

* Sulphur Creek Reservoir in Uinta County

* Wardell Reservoir in Bighorn County

* Woodruff Reservoir in Uinta County

Rascal Adoption Ready

Happy Tails, a Non-Profit, no-kill animal rescue located in Kemmerer, offers animal rescue, adoption and transport services for homeless pets through out Wyoming and all of out adjoining states.
The center currently had an adoptable pet named Rascal. Rascal is a 2 year old Border Collie. He is a very loyal and intelligent and good with kids, cats and other dogs. Rascal loves to play fetch, catch snowballs and enjoys a good swim. Rascal is neutered and current on his shots and housetrained.
Rascal is a happy dog and would make a great companion and a great addition to a fur-ever family.
For more information about Rascal or any of the other pets at Happy Tails Fur-Ever Animal Rescue you can visit our website happytailsfurever.rescuegroups.org or call 307-877-4621 or 307-877-3156. Happy Tails can also be found on Facebook. We thank everyone for their support and wish everyone a Happy Tails New Year.

Shed horn and antler gathering

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding people that shed horn and antler gathering is prohibited on most public lands west of the Continental Divide between January 1 and April 30. The regulation was enacted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission following a series of public meetings in 2009.
Under the regulation, shed antler gathering is prohibited on most public lands west of the Continental Divide between Jan. 1 and Apr. 30. Public lands in the Great Divide Basin are excluded from the regulation.
Public lands include federal lands and lands owned or administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. The regulation will not affect most winter ranges in Teton County which are already off limits to antler gathering from December through April.
The purpose of the regulation is to minimize harassment or disturbance of big game animals on their winter and spring ranges when animals are most vulnerable to stress as well as potential displacement to less productive habitats. Colorado and Utah already have similar regulations.
The regulation was made possible by legislation (W.S. 23-1-302) in the 2009 legislative session that gave the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission authority to regulate and control the collection of shed antlers and horns of big game animals west of the Continental Divide.