New Gun Law

A new state law goes into effect July 1st that allows you to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. But you might not be able to get into government buildings in Gillette. The city council there will discuss on Monday an ordinance that would prohibit you from carrying guns into government buildings unless you're a law enforcement officer or you have specific permission.

Kemmerer Gun Club Quarterly Meeting Sunday

The Kemmerer Gun Club Quarterly Meeting is scheduled for Sunday at 1:00 at the clubhouse. Following the meeting anyone wishing to become a new member or renew your membership for the new season starting June 1, can do so.

Deer Mortality Study Needs Volunteers

Wildlife managers with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are expecting above average mortality for the Wyoming Range and Uinta mule deer herds in western Wyoming this winter and spring and are asking members of the public to join them for their annual mortality surveys conducted to assess the impacts this past winter has dealt. The Cokeville area surveys will run Saturday, May 7. Volunteers will meet at 9 AM at the Stateline gravel pit, three miles southwest of Sage Junction on U.S. Highway 30/89. The Leroy Surveys for the Uinta mule deer herd (east of Evanston) will take place Saturday, May 14. Volunteers should meet at the Leroy exit (exit 24) off Interstate 80 at 9:00 a.m. Participants should bring a lunch, water and dress appropriately for weather conditions. Bring your own horse or mule if you prefer.

Shale Meeting

An Oil shale meeting is planned for today in Rock Springs. The forum will be held at the BLM Rock Springs Field Office, 280 Highway 191 North. The forum starts at 1 pm and goes to 4 pm. Another session start at 6 pm and go to 9 pm.

BLM Reverses Course on Oil Gas Leases

The B-L-M has hit reverse on oil and gas leasing decisions in the Red Desert’s Adobe Town. Five leases have been pulled totaling about 54-hundred acres. The leases had been protested by the Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and The Wilderness Society on the grounds that the area had wilderness qualities that should be protected. B-C-A’s wildlife biologist, Erik Molvar, praises the decision.







Molvar says his group and others have been working for years to keep industrial projects out of the area’s natural rock formations and Native American sacred sites. His says this victory, plus expiring leases, are benchmarks of progress.







Most of the leases outside Adobe Town will go forward. The news comes during this week’s ‘Red Desert Week’ celebration, with events throughout the state.

Big Game On Highways, Watch Out

A warning for motorists: watch out for big game animals moving across highways; this is the time of year that they migrate back to summer ranges. According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, many highways in the state cut across traditional wildlife migration routes.

Wyoming Artist Dies

Wyoming artist Harry Jackson, known for both his works of abstract expressionism and images of the American West, has died at the age of 87.
Funeral home officials told the Casper-Star Tribune that Jackson died Monday at the veterans' hospital in Sheridan.

Stolen Winch

Officers investigated a report of Grand Larceny after a person that while his company truck was at a local auto body shop a $2300 Warn winch was stolen from the vehicle. Anyone with information please call the GRPD at 872-0555.

Drug Take Back Event Planned

The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office announced today its participation once again in a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-sponsored, nationwide prescription drug “take-back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased prescription drug abuse and theft.

The Sheriff’s Office collection site on Saturday will be the Sheriff’s Office North Substation on Yellowstone Road near the Sweetwater County Fairgrounds, north of Rock Springs, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. People need only bring in their no-longer-needed prescriptions. The service is free and anonymous, with no forms or paperwork, and no questions asked.

Haskell noted a number of items that cannot be accepted for collection: needles and sharps, mercury (thermometers), oxygen containers, chemotherapy/radioactive substances, pressured containers and illicit drugs (street drugs).

Collection sites around Wyoming can be found by going to the Drug Enforcement Administration website at www.dea.gov.

Warniong About New Phone Scam

The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office issued an advisory concerning a telephone scam.

Sheriff Rich Haskell said his office has received reports of individuals calling Sweetwater County numbers and identifying themselves as officers of the “United States Crime Bureau,” or the “Sheriff County Code.” The caller claims an arrest warrant or summons has been issued for the person called, who must pay to clear the matter up and/or provide bank account and Social Security number information.

“These calls are swindles and the organizations they claim to represent are bogus,” Haskell said. “This particular scam surfaces from time to time in different parts of the country. The callers often threaten arrest if the potential victim does not pay up.”

People who have received the calls report that the callers have strong accents. In instances in other states, the callers have often become verbally abusive when people refuse to cooperate.

“As crude as this scam is, people have been successfully victimized elsewhere in the country,” said Haskell. “We don’t want that to happen here. You should not give out personal information or bank account information of any kind to a strange caller, nor should money be sent to anyone to mitigate an alleged ‘arrest warrant.’ We recommend that anyone who receives such calls make a note of caller’s number, if it’s available, then simply hang up and contact law enforcement.”

City Wide Clean Up And Haz Waste Collection Announced

A City Wide Clean Up Day has been scheduled in Green River for May 7, 2011. More information available at Green River Chamber of Commerce Office, phone 875-5711.
A Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be May 14, 2011 at the Green River Public Works Facility, 325 East Teton. Bring your used oil, e-waste, medications, batteries, paint, explosives, and other hazardous materials. Call 872-0528 with questions.

Free Flatbed Pick Up for Waste

The City of Green River Solid Waste Division will be offering free flatbed pick ups Monday, May 9 through Friday, May 13.
o Items will be collected on your normal collection day.
o Place the items near, but do not block, your automated trash container.
o The truck will run separately from the regular automated collection truck. Do not be alarmed if your trash can is dumped before the other items are removed.
o Excessive loads will not be accepted. This will be at the driver’s discretion.
o Please separate metal from other items for pick up. Metal will be picked up separately.
o Refrigerators and freezers will be collected at no charge. Doors must be removed and all food must be emptied out of the refrigerators/freezers.
o Tree limbs must be cut into 4 foot sections.
o Used oil, railroad ties, tires, batteries, paint, tree stumps, and other hazardous materials will not be collected. Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held on Saturday, May 14, or call 872-0528 for daily disposal of these items.

o The City of Green River will allow free Landfill access to local business and/or contractors who clean up their storage yards. Free access to the Landfill will be from Saturday, May 7 through Saturday, May 14, 2011. Businesses must notify Scalehouse Operator of Clean Up Week waste. Landfill hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please ensure you have ample time to dump your load and be out the gate by 5:30 pm.

New Broadband Access Report

A new report by experts on broadband access in rural America says communities without it will be economically crippled, because they'll lose out on opportunities available to those with high-speed connections. And 65-percent of communities in Wyoming have access rated below the F-C-C "minimum standard" (data from SpeedMatters.org). Dr. Sharon Strover of the University of Texas put together the new report about what that means for rural areas. She explains that the simple act of ordering a part can put a business with narrow internet bandwidth behind the eight ball.







Dr. Strover says there are some encouraging signs...







The report by the Center for Rural Strategies says having fast online access may not mean a sharp increase in jobs in a region, but not having it will probably mean fewer jobs. Wyoming is ranked 49th in the nation for online access speeds.

GR Company To Be Given Award

The Department of Defense announced a Wyoming employer has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The Freedom Award is the DoD’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. The Wyoming semifinalist stood out for its support of military employees as nationwide nominations for the Freedom Award rose 64 percent over last year.

Among the 148 semifinalists is the FMC Corporation, Green River. This Wyoming employer distinguished itself from a pool of 4,049 nominations submitted by service members in 2011. Employers chosen as semifinalists support their Guard and Reserve employees through a variety of formal and informal initiatives, including providing the difference between military and civilian salary during deployments, continuation of full benefits, sending care packages and supporting the families of employees fulfilling military obligations.
The 2011 recipients will be honored in Washington, D.C. at the 16th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Ceremony on September 22, 2011. Last year’s recipients met privately with Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates prior to the ceremony.

Missing Skiiers Found

Officials at Grand Teton National Park say the bodies of two skiiers, missing for a week, were found Sunday morning in Garnet Canyon Meadows buried under 13 feet of snow. It appears that 27-year-old Walker Kuhl of Utah and 31-year-old Gregory Seftick of Montana were buried by a large avalanche sometime the night of April 16th while they were in their tent.

Hantavirus Warning

Be cautious as you undertake spring cleaning projects. The Wyoming Department of Health is out with a reminder about hantavirus, which can be spread through rodent droppings and nesting materials. You can become infected simply by breathing in contaminated materials. The primary carrier of hantavirus in Wyoming is the deer mouse.

Job Training Cuts

The recent budget deal in Congress could mean a 10 percent cut in federal job-training funds in Wyoming. However, Joan Evans, director of the Department of Workforce Services, says the cut is "manageable." That means there should not be any staff reductions or closing of field offices.

Wild Horse Adoption

A wild horse auction is coming up this weekend. The BLM is offering 20 to 25 halter-started yearlings that were gathered last November from the Salt Wells herd in southwest Wyoming. Viewing and demonstrations start Friday, from 10 to 5, and BLM officials will be on hand to answer questions. At 8am Saturday, the gates open for adoption application approval. It all happens in Cheyenne at Riata Ranch, 806 Arena Lane.

Bees Close Highway

An accident involving a truck loaded with honey bees temporarily forced the closure of a highway in central Wyoming.
Wyoming Highway 220 southwest of Casper was closed in both directions from midmorning Monday until shortly after 2 p.m.
Trooper Marshall Wyatt of the Wyoming Highway Patrol said the accident happened when a westbound pickup drifted across the centerline and sideswiped an eastbound semitrailer hauling hundreds of hives of bees.

The superintendent in Rock Springs has been named the Wyoming Superintendent of the year

The superintendent in Rock Springs has been named the Wyoming Superintendent of the year. Paul Grube, (groo-b) who has been the leader of the Rock Springs school district for the past seven years, was informed by the Wyoming Association of school Admisntrators Monday of the award. Grube will be honored at the 2012 american association of school administrators national conference on education in Houston next February. Grube has served many roles in the rock springs district, including PE instructor, coach, Human resource director, and assistant principal.

Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office Issues "Red Cards" To Some Out of State Vehicles

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's office is stepping up enforcement of proper motor vehicle registration. Public Information Officer, Detective Dick Blust says, while there are exemptions, deputies are checking work sites for vehicles bearing out-of-state license plates






.
Deputies "red-carded" over a dozen vehicles at job sites on Friday. The red cards are official notification that registrations must be obtained for your vehicle

Faith-based groups are holding events to celebrate the unique landscapes in the region

This week, it’s all about the Red Desert around Wyoming. Faith-based groups are holding events to celebrate the unique landscapes in the region, as well as to explain why the area is considered sacred. Tyler Edgar with the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice program is visiting Laramie to share stories about how faith communities around the country have taken action as stewards of public lands.







Edgar says as she tours the country, one of the stories she details is the history of the Wyoming Range Legacy Act – which was a rallying point for diverse communities and religions...







Presentations throughout the week will go beyond the religious aspects of conservation, with lectures about the biodiversity of the Red Desert, its values for energy production, and art inspired by the region. (Edgar is speaking Thursday in Laramie)

Skiers Found

A Grand Teton National Park official says the bodies of two skiers missing in Wyoming have been found buried in 15 feet of snow.
Park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs says investigators believe the two skiers were in their tents and inside their sleeping bags when they were swept up in an avalanche last weekend.
Skaggs says rescuers found the bodies of 27-year-old Walker Pannell Kuhl and 31-year-old Gregory Seftick Sunday after a six-day search.

Child Porn Conviction

James Carroll of Green River, was sentenced by Chief Federal District Court Judge
William F. Downes on April 15, 2011, for possession of child pornography. Carroll received 108 months of imprisonment, to be followed by a life term of supervised release. In addition, Carroll was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, a $1,000.00 fine and $300.00 restitution. This case was investigated by the Green River Police Department.

Counterfeit Bills becoming more COmmon

Over the past few months, we have seen an increase in counterfeit bills being distributed in Sweetwater County. Most of the bills are in denominations of tens and twenties. Because it is not customary to check these denominations for counterfeits, most have not been found until the business sends their deposits to the bank. Due to the lapse in time, it has become difficult to narrow down the subject that actually passed the bill to the business.

GRPD is asking that each business now check for counterfeit bills in each denomination. If a bill is marked and is determined to be counterfeit, the clerk, or manager, needs to keep the bill for evidence and notify the police immediately (GRPD – 872-0555). Ideally, the subject attempting to use the counterfeit bill needs to be identified. Therefore, attempts should be made to detain the subject. However, your safety is of utmost importance. If the subject refuses to wait, try to get as much information on him/her as possible, including a license plate from the vehicle that he/she leaves in.

Public Censure of Rock Springs attorney, Clark D. Stith

Rock Springs attorney, Clark D. Stith, received a formal public censure by order of the Wyoming Supreme Court on April 20, 2011. Stith represented a company that had been sued for damages and failed to disclose information relating to insurance for his client as mandated by the initial disclosure requirements of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. He misled opposing counsel into believing there was no insurance, and did not disclose the existence of insurance until after the settlement (which was paid by insurance) was reached.

After a hearing, the Board of Professional Responsibility issued a report recommending that the Wyoming Supreme Court publicly censure Mr. Stith. After reviewing the record and recommendation and Mr. Stith’s objections thereto, the Wyoming Supreme Court entered its order publicly censuring Mr. Stith and requiring him to pay $7,445.90 in costs to the Wyoming State Bar.

The Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct regulate the conduct of Wyoming attorneys. Mr. Stith violated Rule 3.1(c) (by signing initial disclosures that he knew were not accurate); Rule 3.4 (which provides that a lawyer shall not knowingly disobey an obligation under the rules of a tribunal); Rule 8.4(a) (professional misconduct for a lawyer to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct); Rule 8.4(c) (professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation); and 8.4(d) (professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice).

There Are New Rules For Car Seats

The American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending keeping children in rear facing car seats until they are at least two years old. Studies show, according to Dr. Marilyn Bull, MD, professor of pediatrics at the Indiana School of Medicine, that children are simply safer when facing the rear.






Bull also recommends that no child should ride in the front seat until the age of 13.

Lincoln County Scavenger Hunt

the Lincoln County Leadership Institute has created the “100 Days in Lincoln County” Scavenger Hunt to start on the 29th of this month. It'll run until August 4th and lead participants across the Lincoln County of then and now in an effort to celebrate 100 years of Lincoln County. The Scavenger Hunt has a total of 31 sites divided up into two regions. To accomplish the hunt, you’ll need to visit eight sites from each region. Each site has a secret question that will need to be answered to prove that you visited it. Some sites will offer information on history, some will require going off the highways, and others will require some hiking.
Maps will be distributed to the students of each of the schools on April 29th. Maps will also be available at Lincoln County Office, Chambers of Commerce, some local businesses, and downloaded from lcwy.org

Library Book Sale In Lincoln A Success

The staff and board of the Lincoln County library say hundreds of used books were recycled to readers eager to add to their personal collections. The four-day sale netted $1,429 for the Lincoln County Library Foundation Endowment Fund. That amount will be submitted to the State Treasurer for the two-to-one match, and $4,287 will be added to the Endowment.

Collecting Shed Antlers Prohibited Until May 1st

A reminder for Deer and Elk Antler Enthusiasts, collecting sheds in much of the western part of the state is prohibited until the end of April. Following a series of public meetings held in 2009, the Game and Fish Commission enacted a regulation to establish a season for the collection of shed antlers and horns on public lands west of the Continental Divide.
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.

Ski Season Numbers

The ski season is winding down, but most resorts reported above average snowpack and good crowds. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort reported over 478 thousand skier visits, the second highest in its 45-year history. Jackson Hole, along with Grand Targhee, received about 600 inches of snow this year.

New Oil Gas Coal Report Out

Wyoming is singled out in a new report on oil, gas and coal development and how those projects affect state economics. Of five Rocky Mountain energy-producing states, Wyoming sees the highest percentage of monetary benefit because of the level of production and state severance taxes. Report author Julia Haggerty with Headwaters Economics says she also discovered that jobs are more closely connected to market prices, than state policies such as severance taxes…






Haggerty shares another insight to demonstrate how important it is for the state to diversify its economy. Wyoming saw the largest percentage decline in personal income during the recession among the five states studied.







The “cost” to the environment and quality of life are additional economic factors that Haggerty says need more consideration…






Haggerty says Wyoming could do a better job in the way the state shares tax revenue with counties and towns. Only about five percent is returned to the areas developed, yet those municipalities have to bear much of the cost for infrastructure related to the development. Colorado shares half the revenue with energy-producing communities. Montana, New Mexico and Utah were also analyzed for the report.

Death of Rock Springs Woman Contines To Be Investigated

The investigation continues into the tragic death of 21 year old Storey Ice of Rock Springs on Tuesday. Sweetwater County Deputy Sheriff Jason Mower followed a pickup that was being driven erratically north on Yellowstone in the early morning on Tuesday. Public Information Officer, Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that Mower watched as two female passengers began fighting.






Ice was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs, where she was officially declared dead. Haskell said the driver of the pickup, Brett Sisemore of Rock Springs, 34, was arrested at the scene for DUI. He was later freed on a $2,000 bond. Jaime Shoemaker, 32, of Rock Springs, who was a passenger, has not been charged.

Council Meeting

At last night’s Green River City Council meeting, an ordinance regarding the parking of vehicles on city streets was amended. The council also approved a resolution to move forward on the construction and planning of a new police station on Flaming Gorge Avenue. With more, here’s Justin Wolffing reporting…

Willie Cancels

Officials are very hesitant to talk about the Sovereign Citizen's movement in Wyoming, only saying there may or may not be an FBI investigation going on. Sovereigns share a philosophy that claims the legitimate United States government was replaced in 1871 by a corporate system with fraudulent courts and laws. Last year, the FBI announced the movement is one of the nation's top domestic terrorist threats.

Falling Rocks On Highway 14-1

The Wyoming Department of Transportation tells us to be on the lookout for falling rocks on a highway on the west side of the Big Horn Mountains. Use extra caution on U.S. Highway 14-1, near Lovell, between mileposts 73 and 74. Falling rocks on Monday closed one lane of the highway and says it will take up to a week to clear them.

Ed Corrigan Financial Assets Ordered Siezed

Natrona County has hired a firm to seize some financial assets of Ed Corrigan, who was convicted of health and safety property code violations last year. There is a $195,000 court-ordered fine against Corrigan. Corrigan shares the beliefs of the sovereign citizens movement that the government has no authority to regulate the use of private property. After repeated efforts to get Corrigan to clean his land, the county took him to court, and he was found guilty of code violations last March.

man Arrested After Tussle With Wyoming Trooper

Authorities say a Texas man who was driving a car stolen at gunpoint in Montana has been arrested after scuffling with a Wyoming state trooper.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 22-year-old Christopher Briggs of Denison, Texas, was arrested Tuesday after a traffic stop on Interstate 25 near Casper. The patrol says a trooper stopped to help a driver who apparently put diesel fuel instead of regular gas in the car and discovered the car was stolen in Billings, Mont., March 20.
Authorities say when Briggs was arrested, he tried to kick the trooper and the two fell to the ground. Several passersby called 911 to report the struggle.
Authorities say Briggs faces charges of assault on a peace officer and possession of stolen property. It was unclear if he'll face charges in Montana.

Jobless Rate Improves

Unemployment in Teton County last month dropped by .2% from February’s jobless rate and drops it a full percent from the same month last year. According to the Wyoming Department of Employment, 7.1% of the county’s workforce was idled last month.

Free Entrance To Any National Park This Week

As part of the Presidentially proclaimed National Park Week which started last Friday, you can get in free at any national park. According to Bill Line, National Park spokesman, that fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees and transportation entrance fees.






Wyoming has 7 national parks, 6 national natural landmarks, and 24 national historic landmarks. Last year, visitors to Wyoming's national parks totaled 6,307,997 bringing over 570 million dollars from tourism to the state. For more information, go to nps.gov.

Cody Bar to go Smoke Free

A Cody bar will try going smoke free. Gail Nace owns the Silver Dollar Bar, which is now smoke-free until 9 p.m. The bar will ban indoor smoking altogether after its patio area opens for the summer. The Billings Gazette reports Cody and the Wyoming Legislature have balked at smoking bans in recent years. Nace says lack of leadership on the issue puts business owners like her in a tight spot. Smoking bans in other states have hit businesses hard, causing some to close due to loss in revenue because smokers are choosing to stay away to protest the law.

State Trooper Loses Appeal Bid

The Wyoming Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a former state Highway Patrol trooper convicted of exposing himself to a 5-year-old girl.
Jay Gruwell was convicted in Gillette in December 2009 of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor. He's serving a prison sentence of 4 to seven years.
Prosecutors said Gruwell exposed himself to the girl in May 2009 in Gillette. The 23-year patrol veteran had been stationed in Lusk. He denied the allegations at trial and told jurors he had confessed to investigators out of fear.

Hit and Run

Green River Police were called to investigate a pedestrian versus vehicle Hit and Run crash on Monroe Ave at the intersection of E Teton Blvd when the driver of a grey colored pickup truck struck a ten year old boy. The suspect stopped and checked on the juvenile and then left the scene without leaving his name or vehicle information as required. The truck was described by witnesses at a “jacked up” grey 4 door pickup truck, possibly a Chevrolet or GMC. Witness described the driver as a white male with a thin beard wearing a green ball cap, a grey sweat shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information please call Detective Bob Ross at the GRPD at 872-0555.

Screen Free Week Proposed

Turn off your tablets, step away from the computer and pull the plug on the TV. Wyomingites are being challenged to do that for a week in a nationwide campaign to alert families to the enormous amount of time spent with electronic entertainment. "Screen-Free Week" is an effort to encourage parents and their kids to get outside for some physical activity, take in a community event or just stop texting all the time. Jaci Clement of the Fair Media Council admits it won't be easy...








Clement says Screen-Free Week aims to help young people balance their interest in technology with spending time outside...and spending time with people.








Parents are encouraged to cut back on their own smart-phone tapping to set an example for their children. This is also "National Park Week," with events scheduled at Devil's Tower and Yellowstone to encourage families to spend time outdoors. Park admission fees are also waived through the weekend.

U.S. Transporation Secretary Believes Distracted Driving Is An Epidemic

In 2009, distracted drivers killed nearly 5,500 people across the nation. U. S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood believes we all have a right to be alarmed at those numbers.






April is officially National Distracted Driver month. LaHood challenges everyone to turn off the cell phone and place it in your trunk before you get behind the wheel. Wyoming currently bans texting and driving for all drivers.

Mobile Home Fire

A fire Destroys a mobile Home, Al Harris has the story...

tax Day Today

Wyoming Post Offices will offer regular customer service retail hours today as last minute filers are scrambling to get their taxes done by midnight tonight. The Cheyenne, Casper and the Rawlins Main Post Offices will offer later tax mail collections at their locations. All other Wyoming Post Offices will offer regular collection times.
The IRS expects 142 million federal tax returns nationwide this year, including 274,000 tax returns from Wyoming.
About 30 percent of those tax returns will be sent by mail according to the IRS
Customers with IRS tax questions can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040; or go to www.irs.gov
Customers with mailing questions only can call 1-800-275-8777 or 1-800-ASK-USPS.

Competition Looking For More Chefs

Calling all Chefs! The fifth annual Rock and River Chefs Challenge is to take place at the Sweetwater County Events Complex on May 6th and they need more chefs. The event takes place from 7-10 p.m, and is open to the public for guests to sample entries from competing chefs. If you have a knack for cooking and want to try your hand in the competition, now is your chance. You can sign up for several categories, including appetizers, main entrees, international cuisine, desserts and food stylizing. The “food stylizing” category is specifically for culinary artists and decorators and will not be judged on taste, only on presentation. No entry fees are required but you'll need to prepare at least 300 samples of your dish. Only one serving is required for judging and presentation. More than 800 guests are expected to attend. Prizes are awarded in each division for each category winner and a best in show trophy will be awarded for the professional division and be invited to showcase their winning recipe in Salt Lake on a TV station there. Call 307-362-3339 for more info

BBall Coach for a Night

The Utah Jazz season ended Wednesday night, a disappointing year for the team that didn't make the playoffs. But it was a great game for one young man from Green River who will never forget his special night.
Eighteen-year-old Conner Newland's favorite sport is basketball. He says it's in his blood. So much so, the senior at Green River High School is the coach of the school's freshman team. Conner loves the lessons the game can teach. "Oh, I like how you play as a team; and if one person struggles, everyone struggles," he said. Valerie Newland, Connor's mother was told Conner had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a disease causing progressive muscle weakness, and there's no known cure. Conner was in a wheelchair by age 10. So, for the rest of his lifetime, Conner plans on sticking to what he knows and loves: coaching basketball.
"Maybe in the future I may try for the NBA, but for right now my plan is to coach in college," Conner said. Conner had the chance to help coach the Jazz for one night. If his NBA coaching dream isn't realized, Conner gave Jazz head coach Ty Corbin a little pre-game advice Wednesday night. "Shut down Denver, ‘cause they'll come out hot," he said.
Conner will graduate from high school next month and plans to attend the College of Eastern Utah.

Rock Springs High School Rodeo To Be Held This Coming Weekend

This coming weekend will have the Rock Springs High School Rodeo taking place at the Sweetwater County Events Complex. Trudy Slagowski, an adult sponsor for the event, says the competition kicks off Friday night.






Slagowski encourages everyone to come out and support the local kids at this free event. N Call 307-350-8660 for more information.

School Board Meeting

It was a packed house at last night’s Rock Springs school board meeting, the 2nd of which has been held this week. The board held the meeting to correct a significant mistake it had made at Monday night’s regular meeting. With more on the story, here’s Justin Wolffing…

Wnated Man Turns Self In

A man wanted by federal authorities turned himself in to county deputies in Rock Springs April 12.

Sweetwater County Undersheriff Craig Jackson said Tyler James Burris, 25, surrendered to Corporal Matt Bartolotta and Deputy Sheriff Steve Powell outside Kelly’s Hitching Post on Yellowstone Road around 3:00 AM on the 12th.

An arrest warrant issued by the United States District Court in Cheyenne charges Burris with Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of a Firearm and Failure to Appear for Trial on that charge.

The possible penalties upon conviction on both counts total a maximum of 15 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.

Burris remains in custody at the Sweetwater County Detention Center pending transport by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Wyoming Repeat Offenderd

Wyoming prisons are not getting a lot of return visits. A study by the Pew Center on the States shows about 25 percent of the state's prisoners released in 2004 were sent back to prison by 2007. That compares to a nationwide recidivism rate of 43 percent.

Ozone Season Ends

Warmer weather and melting snow have, for now, ended the ozone problem in western Wyoming's gas fields for now. It was a bad season: Ozone levels were over the EPA's limits for 13-days in February and March. KGWN TV reports some residents of the region blamed ozone for giving them itchy eyes, shortness of breath and nosebleeds. Ozone also is associated with smog.

Federal Bison Suit

Environmental groups have filed notice they plan to sue the federal government to force them to grant federal protections to plains bison as an endangered species. The Center for Biological Diversity and the Western Watersheds Project contend that bison numbers have dropped over 99% in the last 2 centuries. The Billings Gazette reports there are about 400,000 bison in the US, most used for meat production, and only 20-thousand wild bison are in 11-states.

Oil Sheen Investigation

Officials from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and BP are investigating "spots of oil-sheen" on the surface along the south bank of the North Platte River at the former BP Casper Refinery site. Evansville officials tell the Casper Star-Tribune they've shut off the town's intake from the river.

Federal Fugitive Turns Himself In To Authorities

A man wanted by federal authorities turned himself in to county deputies in Rock Springs Tuesday. Tyler James Burris, 25, surrendered to Corporal Matt Bartolotta and Deputy Sheriff Steve Powell outside Kelly's Hitching Post on Yellowstone Road around 3:00 AM on the 12th.






Detective Dick Blust, Jr., Public Information Officer with the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office says that Burris remains in custody at the Sweetwater County Detention Center pending transport by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Child Hit But Not Injured

A young child was hit by a car in the Springfield area. The child didn't suffer any injuries, but was obviously shaken.
It happened just after 7:30 this morning on the 3000 block of West Calhoun Street, near Bissett Elementary School.
Springfield Police Department Corporal Matt Brown says the 1st grader is walking to school when she crossed a grass parkway and ran to the edge of the road hitting the side of a vehicle.

2 Suspicious Fires

2 fires in the same area whithin just a few hours of each other are being called suspicious. Bois D'Arc and Ash Grove fire crews battles 2 fires Wednesday night and early this (Thursday) morning.
The first was on Farm Road 39 at a detached garage near Ash Grove. It started at about 10:30 Wednesday night and was considered to be rather a small fire. .
Emergency officials then got a call a few hours later concerning a barn that was on fire just south of that location, near Farm Road 39 and T Highway. Crews arrived to find the barn, and a nearby pickup truck fully engulfed.
Bois D'Arc's Fire Chief says the 2 fires are suspicious, and that they have a lot of work to do when it comes to investigating both incidents.

Assesed Value Of Property Less Than Half of Agreed Price

According to an assesment of the value of the land at the corner of Flaming Gorge Way and North Fourth West, the City of Green River paid twice what the land is worth. land at the site is worth one hundred five thousand dollars. That's the figure the Sweetwater County Assessor’s Office came up with, and it's less than half of the two hundred and fifty thousand dollars the city approved last month for the purchase of the land. The assessed value does not include value of the metal structure at the site. The vote came in 4-1, with ouncilman Jim Boan voting against the proposal, saying he felt the Council was paying too much and the Council had only gotten the document that night. Councilman Gene Smith was absent from the meeting. Councilman Adam Copollo said the price was based off comparable property values and how much land can go for in Green River.Barry Cook, the city’s administrator, said the Council never requested an appraisal of the property and felt there was a value to the property beyond the tax value of the property.

Powers Board Debates Fiber Usage With GRCC

It was a two hour ordeal as the the Joint Powers Telecommunications Board debated with the Green River City Council Tuesday night to rent fiber from JPTB. The Council, meeting in a workshop session, heard presentations by Steve Shea, the chairman of the telecommunications board, and Steve Mossbrook, president of both Contact Communications and Wyoming.com, as well as comments by Al and Marty Carollo, representing Sweetwater Cable Television and Barbara Ramsey, representing Ramsey Eye Care Center in Rock Springs. The lease would allow Contact Communications to provide increased bandwidth to Wyoming.com to South Pass City, Farson, Jonah Field and other communities in northern Sweetwater County and southern Sublette County.

Most Wanted Busted

A Rock Springs woman on the Sweetwater County’s Most Wanted list was taken into custody on April 8.
According to Lieutenant Bob Mizel of the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sheriffs Cody Ruiz and Patrick O’Farrell tracked 36-year-old Katrina Fleck, wanted for contempt of court and felony drug charges, to a Rock Springs motel, where they arrested her without incident at about 6:30 PM.
Fleck appeared in Green River before District Judge Nena James, who set her bond at $50,000 cash or surety.

School Board Meeting Tonight

The Sweetwater County school district #1 board held its regular meeting last Monday, however some issues arose at that meeting so the board is planning another meeting tonight, Justin Wolffing has the scoop.

Rock Springs man sentenced in aggravated assault case

A Rock Springs man arrested by sheriff's deputies and charged with Aggravated Assault and Battery pleaded guilty and was sentenced in District Court in Green River on April 8th. Michael Anthony Vincent Strand, 23, pleaded no contest before to a single count of Aggravated Assault and Battery. The charges stemmed from an incident that took place back on August 4th of last year when several teenage boys reported they had been jumped by a large group who rushed their pickup. Windows were broken and the tires were slashed on the victims' truck. Two victims were treated for head wounds. One of the victims said he was dragged from the truck and was then beaten with a crowbar by Strand. The incident appeared to start at the Fair when one of the teenagers danced with a girl, which made her boyfriend jealous. Strand was given a suspended sentence and placed on three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a total of $5,179.03 in restitution

Elkhart County's zoning ordinance under fire

Farmers upset over the proposed overhaul of Elkhart County's zoning ordinance as an seizure of their land rights are now mulling a lawsuit to halt the effort.
The Elkhart County Farm Bureau filed notice this week with Elkhart County officials of its intent to sue if authorities approve the new zoning measure, now in its fifth version labelled Draft E. The notice, dated Monday and filed by Cheyenne lawyer Karen Budd-Falen states, quote, "There is no question that Draft E will result in an unconstitutional 'taking' of private property," . The six-page notice, addressed to the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners and the Elkhart County Plan Commission, offered a multi-pronged attack on the proposed new zoning rules, in the works for the last two years

Meeting On Brucellosis

Concerns in Colorado and Nebraska have prompted Wyoming to adopt a new rule for identifying cattle from an area where they might have been exposed to brucellosis (BREW-sell-OH-sis). The Wyoming Livestock Board meanwhile has expanded the area around Yellowstone where cattle are subject to stricter testing and vaccination requirements for brucellosis, a wildlife disease that causes cows to abort their calves. Wyoming's new rule requires all sexually intact cattle that ever have been inside the disease surveillance area to carry identification disclosing that fact. Nebraska and Colorado officials worried that Wyoming required such identification only for cattle that had been in the zone as adults. The new rule applies also to calves from the zone. Public meetings on the changes are planned in Kemmerer (KEM-er-er) on Thursday and Powell on April 20.

Harper's Corner Road Opening May Be Delayed

Harper's Corner Road won't be open quite as early as Dinosaur National Monument officials had hoped. The road is traditionally open by Easter weekend, but crews were trying to get it open earlier. This year's heavy snowfall is making that impossible, as crews have run into areas of snow that are over 6 feet deep, with a 1 foot layer of ice underneath. They're still trying to get the road open by Easter weekend, with a goal of April 22nd. Those hiking in the monument need to be aware of the wet and unstable condition the trails are in, and be prepared for rapidly changing weather.

Snow in Yellowstone Affects Tourism

Statistics from Yellowstone National Park would indicate heavy snowfall had a slightly adverse effect there. Park officials say heavy early season snowfall which continued through the season is believed responsible for depressing wheeled vehicle entries and providing a slight boost to over snow travel. Overall visitor numbers for December 2010 through March 2011 were down 5.36 percent from winter 2009-2010. The decline came in the number of visitors who came by auto, bus and RV through the park’s north entrance which was off nearly 12 percent compared to the same period a year ago. The number of snowmobile visitors was up slightly this year, after dropping off significantly between winter 2007-2008 and winter 2008-2009. The number of snow coach visitors also dropped between those same two winters, but has also rebounded and this past winter was slightly larger than the number of people who entered the park by snowmobile. Altogether, Yellowstone saw 88,804 winter visitors through its gates this year.

Fracking Study

The EPA wants to study the potential dangers of fracking and the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that the site could be Laramie County. Fracking refers to hydraulic fracturing, a process that pumps water and chemicals deep underground at high pressure to help extract oil and natural gas.

Gas Sales Drop

As the price of gas continues to go up, Americans are buying less of it. MasterCard spending pulse reports gas sales have fallen for five straight weeks, first time that's happened since November. Nationwide, the average price for gas is 3-77 a gallon, but Wyoming has the lowest statewide average at 3-49.

WyDOT Train noise Study

WyDOT's starting a review this summer of railroad crossings to create quiet zones in cities and towns. The Billings Gazette reports the legislature put up $5-million for improvements in communities most affected by train noise. Priority communities on the list: Casper, Cheyenne, Evanston, Gillette, Laramie, Lusk, Newcastle, Rawlins, Sheridan, Torrington and Wheatland. The state's looking at new gate systems and direction horns as part of the answer.

Brucellosis testing

Concerns in Colorado and Nebraska have Wyoming putting new rules in place to identify cattle from an area where they might have been exposed to brucellosis. The Wyoming Livestock Board's also expanded the area around Yellowstone where cattle are subject to stricter testing and vaccination requirements for brucellosis. The Billings Gazette reports public meetings on the changes are planned in Kemmerer on Thursday and Powell on April 20.

Little Robber Dentention Dam Is Weakening; Could Flood Highway 789

The Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office has sent out an advisory that the Little Robber Detention Dam is weakening, causing a flood risk to Highway 789. The Dam is located 13 miles north of Baggs approximately 2 miles west of Highway 789, the primary road between Creston Junction, Wyo. and Craig, Colo. Serena Baker, spokesperson for the Bureau says that failure of the dam could potentially submerge Highway 789, making the road impassible and no alternate route is available.






According to Baker, as of last evening, the dam's principal spillway pipe was flowing full, eroding the back slope, and weakening the structure.

No Child Left Behind

The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires that every child be proficient in reading and math by 2014 and mandates annual testing to hold schools accountable. The ambitious goal is working, at least in Wyoming. The Center for Education Policy says test scores are up in Wyoming, and the high school graduation rate has also improved.

Water Released

The Bureau of Reclamation is increasing outflows from Buffalo Bill Reservoir to make room for what officials believe could be inflows of 127 percent this spring. The agency says they're making space early, and if the large amounts of snowpack would drop off, they an decrease what they release this summer. If they get higher infill, they'll be prepared.

Veterans Services Center Offers Legal Advice

Legal research, advice and investigations can cost a pretty penny, but for military veterans and their families connected to the University of Wyoming – the price is “free.” It’s a new offering through the Veterans Services Center, provided by attorney John Hursh. He’s a veteran and U-W grad. Although he just started offering the help, he says he’s already seeing all kinds of needs.






The veteran assistance center was established to help smooth the transition from active duty to student by providing access to health care, scholarships, and mental health support. Hursh stepped up to volunteer when he heard about the center.






Hursh’s expertise includes access to military databases because of his experience as a Marine Corps JAG officer. He also has extensive civil expertise from his years as a trial lawyer in Wyoming, and he’s the past president of the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association. He will meet with veterans and their families by appointment at the university. (307-766-6908 for an appointment)

Local Businesses Hoinored Thursday

Several local business's were honored Thursday--with the details---here's steve core

New Police HQ?

The possible new Green River police department sits as a skeleton at the corner of Flaming Gorge Way and North Fourth West. The city agreed to purchase the land for $250,000 at Tuesday evening’s Council meeting but there are some detractors to the idea. Councilman Jim Boan was the sole opposing vote, claiming the sale price was too expensive for the property and said the council members didn’t receive notice of the sale until that evening. The city reportedly inspected the property and gave the OK. Jeff Neiters, finance director for the city, said the city would purchase the building and lot through reserve funds. He added the cost of maintenance and other upkeep costs would be paid through the city’s operations budget.

New Diamondville Police Chief Sworn

At the regular meeting of the Diamondville Town Council, Mayor Eric Backman swore in the new Chief of Police.
Joseph Ahlstrom, was chosen from a field of four to replace former Chief of Police Jim Hahn.
Ahlstrom came to Diamondville from LaBarge, Wyoming where he served the LaBarge community as their Chief of Police. He has also worked for the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office. He and his family are in the process of moving from LaBarge. Monday was his first official day as the new Chief of Police for Diamondville.

30th Annual National Crime Victims' Week Begins Monday

Joye Frost, Acting Director for the Office for Victims of Crime with the United States Department of Justice knows that anyone can become a victim of a crime at any time. Before that happens to you, there are things you should keep in mind.






This week is the 30th year for the National Crime Victims' Rights week. According to Frost, much has been accomplished regarding crime victims' rights in the last 30 years, there are still many strides to be made.

Child Abuse Prevention Could Be Hurt By Budget Cuts

During this National Month of Child Abuse Prevention, the question arises… what affect will the federal budget woes have on prevention? Bryan Samuels, Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says while, at the federal level, there are no plans for cuts regarding prevention, it may be another story at the state level.






According to Samuels, child abuse is harmful both to children and society and the most effective interventions are to prevent child abuse from ever occuring.

Oil Deal

More and more companies are looking to get involved with the Niobrara Shale. A Japanese firm now has cut a $270 million deal for access to leases. The deal gets the company a 30% stake in Marathon Oil's 180,000 acres in the Denver-Julesberg Basin and in Wyoming.

Bison Roam

Bison will be able to roam more freely under a new agreement. The deal involves five state and federal agencies and several American Indian tribes, and it is expected to bring some relief to the bison issue. Among other things, it would allow bison from Yellowstone National Park to roam freely across 75,000 acres in southern Montana.

El Pomar

Two Northwest Colorado non-profit organizations have received grants from the El Pomar (poh-MAR) Foundation. El Pomar is doling out a million dollars to various organizations throughout the state that have suffered due to the struggling economy. In Craig, the Community Budget Center will get 5-thousand dollars. Love Inc. (INK) will also get 5-thousand. Moffat County Commissioner Audrey Danner is expected to deliver the checks this week. El Pomar says when surveyed, 95 percent of the state's non-profit service providers have seen increased demand over the last few years. They hope the grants will allow those groups to continue to survive while the economy stuggles.

Coal Bugs To Create Methane

Two companies are optimistic they can boost the U.S. natural gas supply by encouraging microscopic bugs to eat more coal. The process occurs naturally: Scientists are just now discovering how microbes eat coal and turn it into methane, the gas people burn in their homes to provide heat and hot showers. Luca Technologies and Ciris Energy are going a step further with methane wells drilled into Wyoming coal deposits. The companies say they can revive old and nearly tapped-out methane wells by pumping them full of water and a mix of nutrients that help coal-eating microbes thrive. Luca Chief Executive Bob Cavnar says the process could double or even triple gas production from some wells.

DC Budget Cuts Influenced By Wyoming's Mineral Severance?

What happens in Washington, D-C, doesn’t stay in D-C. It travels to states, towns and neighborhoods, according to Dan Neal with the Equality State Policy Center. He recently visited with the state’s congressional delegation about federal budget cuts that have been placed on the table. He says he was striving to help connect the dots between those spending choices and how they affect local businesses, children, seniors and the economy.






Neal also proposed that Congress take a look at Wyoming’s playbook when it comes to mineral severance taxes. He suggests a debate about a national severance tax as a new stream of revenue - just like Wyoming has in place, as well as other states.






Neal says Senators Mike Enzi and John Barasso told him they weren’t directly involved in those decisions, although he felt they did listen to the concerns. Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis told Neal that she’s been hearing from constituents who are concerned about local effects of federal cuts.

Sheriff’s Office vehicle destroyed in crash with train

A Sheriff's Office suburban was demolished by a Union Pacific train Sunday evening. Detective Dick Blust, spokesman for the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office, says that Corporal Tony Niemiec responded at around 7:30 PM to a call from someone whose vehicle had become stuck near the railroad tracks east of Rock Springs. Blust says that Niemiec became stuck himself and was unable to free his 2009 Chevrolet Suburban.






Niemiec, who was alone at the time, was able to get out of the Suburban just before the crash. He and the train crew were not injured.

Wyoming's Big Show Announces Exile In Concert

Fans of the Sweetwater County Fair - Wyoming's Big Show - on Saturday, August 6,
2011 will be able to enjoy the rock and county styling of mega band Exile
when they take the stage.
After having had worldwide success with the #1 pop smash in 1978, "Kiss You
All Over," this legendary quintet made a seamless transition from pop to
country in the early 1980s. Their second country single, "Woke Up In Love"
peaked at #1 in early 1984 and nine consecutive #1 singles followed:
In addition to Exile, the JaneDear Girls and Danny Gokey will perform at the
Sweetwater County Fair on Thursday, August 4, while rock powerhouse Hinder
will perform on Friday, August 5. Clay Walker will open the concert series
on Tuesday, August 2 with his performance. Country duo Burns and Poe
will open for Exile on Saturday, August 6. The final concert for Wednesday,
August 3 will be finalized and released soon.
So far, some of the attractions for the 2011 include Fair Animal Specialties
(petting zoo), Lanky the Clown, National Association of Diesel Motorsports
(NADM) sled pull, PJ the Clown, Nick's Kids Show, Washboard Willy, Wild
About Monkeys, Russ Leno - Watermelon Carver, Marty Davis, Young Guns Wild
West Fun Park, Reptile Adventures, The Comedy and Magic of Paul Issac,
Penelope the Clown, Rocky Mountain Horse Pulls, the Copper Mountain Band and
Doo Wah Riders.
Wyoming's Big Show(r) will be held July 28 through August 7 at the
Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs. For more information contact
the Sweetwater Events Complex at (307) 352-6789 or 872-6348, ext 200 or
visit the website at SweetwaterEvents.com

City Council Report with Justin Wolfing

he City Council of Green River approved a special use permit during the public hearing at last night’s council meeting as well as voting to increase the capital projects funding for a specific project they have been working on for some time now.. Justin Wolffing has the details






Residents on Easy Street in Green River and those living near the north side of “Mansface” (all one word) may soon be getting a visit by the Army. Before World War 2, a target range was located in the area and the Army is worried there may still be some unexploded ordinance left behind. The details are limited at this time but the Green River city council was informed of the situation (at the meeting on April 5th) and did authorize the mayor to sign a “right of entry” for the army and it is expected they will arrive sometime within the next few months to see if they can locate any potentially unexploded ordinance. The council agreed that the residents in the affected area should and likely will be notified of the situation.

Three People Rescued During Snowstorm Sunday Morning

Rock Springs residents Travis and Cherie Borren, 34 and 44 respectively and 50 year old Mickey Hoy of Wamsutter were rescued by volunteer searchers and deputies early Sunday morning after one of them chose to leave their stranded truck in a snowstorm and wearing only a hooded sweatshirt, in an effort to get help. Detective Dick Blust of the Sweetwater County Sheriff's office says that a weak cell phone call was received by his office at around 3:10 AM from Hoy.






Hoy, who was in an advanced state of hypothermia when found at around 7:30 AM, had difficulty moving his legs and had to be helped into one of the oversnow vehicles. He was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in Rock Springs, where he was examined and released.






One official at the scene estimated that Hoy, given his serious level of hypothermia, had had about two hours before the cold would have overwhelmed him.

April Is Month of the Military Child

More than 1.7 million children nationwide under the age of 18 have at least one parent serving in the armed forces. April is Month of the Military Child… a time to celebrate the sacrifice of our youngest heroes. Julie White, State Youth Specialist with the Wyoming National Guard, says special events and programs will be held throughout the state and you can help.







Military kids have special issues to deal with, especially if one or even both parents are deployed. White says you can simply call to volunteer.







It is estimated that more than 900,000 children have had one or both parents deployed multiple times. White says that when you support our military children and families, you are supporting our soldiers.

Wyoming Health Department Director appointed Tracy Murphy

Wyoming Health Department Director Tom Forslund has appointed Tracy Murphy to serve as the state's acting health officer. Murphy has been working as state epidemiologist since 2005. Responsibilities include investigating disease outbreaks and overseeing immunization policies. The position also oversees the Office of Emergency Services and the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program.

Facebook Cops

Be careful what you say on Facebook. Cheyenne police officer John Gay uses it to set up fake profiles to catch criminals, and he says it's a great way to track movements of lawbreakers. Gay has countless examples of questionable photos and things people posted on their personal profiles that showed illegal activity.

Yellowstone Plowing Out

Yellowstone officials are plowing snow this week, and hope to open the East Gate by May 6. Snow depths are about 4 feet, so the work is expected to take most of this month. Since the snow was so heavy this winter, Yellowstone is a little behind on the plowing efforts.

Kindergarten Screening in Kemmerer

Kindergarten screening takes place in Kemmerer this Thursday and Friday for kid that'll be 5 yeas old by September 15th. You can schedule your time by calling 877-5584. Parents will need to come to District Office at their scheduled time on April 7th and 8th to fill out the necessary paperwork. You need to bring your child, your child’s birth certificate and immunization records. While there, your child will undergo screening. The screening includes hearing, vision, language, motor and readiness skills. Parents will review thwe results with the screeners.
Kindergarten teachers will be meeting with new kindergarten parents (no children please) the evening of Monday, April 11th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Kemmerer Elementary library for an orientation on kindergarten expectations for next year. At the meeting, you will be notified of who your child’s teacher is.

Green Waste Collection Bins

Green Waste is being collected in Green River. Green Waste is defined as any organic material such as grass, leaves and/or branches. Branches should be 4 feet or less in length, no tree trucks or stumps. Deposit your Green Waste in one of the dumpsters. No trash bags, dirt or other heavy material in these containers. The dumpsters can be found at
Edgewater Park
Lincoln School on Shoshone Ave side
Mansface Plaza
Public Works Facility
Railroad Avenue Parking Lot
Rec Center
Senior Citizens Center

Crash

Officers investigated a traffic crash on Bridger Drive at the intersection of South Dakota Drive when a car driven by Courtney Morehouse struck the rear of a truck driven by Christal Dunn. Damage to the car driven by Morehouse was estimated at over $1000 and under $1000 to the truck driven by Dunn. Dunn and her passenger were transported to Sweetwater County Memorial Hospital. Morehouse was cited for Inattentive Driving.

Scam Involving Call About unpaid Parking Tickets

The Green River police department would like to warn our citizens of a possible scam involving non- payment of delinquent parking tickets. The male caller, which was possibly a recording, advised the victim she had unpaid parking tickets. The victim said she tried to ask the caller a question and the caller continued on like a recording. The victim then hung up. A check with the Sweetwater County Court and Green River Municipal Court confirmed they do not have a prerecorded message regarding unpaid parking tickets. The GRPD would like to remind our citizens not to give out personal information over the phone.
Officers investigated a report of a Battery at Lincoln Middle School when a 15 year old male assaulted another male student. The report was forwarded to the County Attorney for review.

Jackson Hole Earthquake Reported

According to the National Earthquake Information Center, an earthquake hit the Jacksone Hole area Friday morning. It was centered about 11 miles south of Bondurant and measured an estimated 4.1 on the Richter Scale. Many in the Jackson Hole area reported feeling the temblor which lasted only a couple seconds. The shake was reportedly felt as far away as Rock Springs and Lander. Official time of the shake was 6:56:28 am.

Parts Of Teton Road Open

Part of the main road through Grand Teton National Park recently opened for hiking, biking, inline skating and other non-motorized activities. Grand Teton officials say anybody who goes out on the road should keep an eye out for park vehicles and snow plowing operations that are still going on.
Park officials plan to open the Teton Park Road and the Moose-Wilson Road to motorized vehicles on May 1.

Energy Industry Praised For Recovery

As Wyoming continues to recover from the recession, many are thanking the energy industry. The industry has opened a slew of new mining jobs and fueled a big boost in the state’s taxable sales from energy industry purchases, according to state economic analysts. Natural gas and oil will be big in the Niobrara Shale, and that create incentives for companies exploring there.

PAWS Problems

After a slew of problems in 2010, the Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students, or PAWS test, wrapped up last week with few problems. Previous years’ tests were taken on computers, and these were administered with pencil and paper. State officials have said the 2012 test will also be administered the old fashioned way.

National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week Starts Monday

A recent study shows that more than half of the nearly 42,000 American deaths resulting from car crashes were caused by roadway condition. That means, WyDot workers are out there for you. National Work Zone Awareness Week starts today and Teresa Herbin, Public Relations Specialist for WY-DOT District 3, hopes you will remember those workers this construction season.







85 percent of all deaths in construction zones are actually drivers and pedestrians. Herbin says those deaths simply do not have to happen.

BLM Backlog

BLM says it's cleared a backlog of more than 1,500 unissued oil and gas leases in Wyoming dating back more than two years. The Casper Star Tribune reports since last summer, BLM's issued 1,109 leases and decided to hold off on 222 others. It plans to decide on the final 170 within a couple weeks.

Power River Energy Offers Reward

Powder River Energy's offering a $10,000 reward for information about the recent vandalism of a substation in Crook County. The company says someone shot at that substation Sunday. The company says damage to a transformer at the substation knocked power out to more than 270 customers in Crook and Campbell counties. Although the power's back, more repairs are needed.