KUGR Helps the City of Green River Make The Fourth A Blast

The City of Green River is inviting everyone from around the area to join them for their annual Fireworks show on Monday at 10 PM. Green River Public Affairs Specialist Stephen Pyles, says the best locations to see the display will be at Veterans Park and Stratton-Myers Park.






And while you are watching the fireworks, you WILL want to crank up those radios.






The City reminds all residents that it is unlawful for any person to throw, cast, set-off, or discharge any firework within the City limits. The City of Green River's public fireworks display is the safest, smartest, and even most economical, fireworks alternative to enjoy your Fourth of July celebration.

New Parks Department Director Named

Allan Wilson will take over as the city’s parks and recreation director after 31 years of working for the Green River Parks and Recreation Department. Its a move he says he's looking forward to. Wilson started working for the city in 1980 as a maintenance operator No. 1. He then worked as the cemetery caretaker for 23 years. Wilson has certifications in many areas, including turf and grass, parks and recreation management in all three sectors across the country, water auditing and irrigation and commercial pesticides. Wilson is also looking forward to hiring a parks facility project manager, which was his old position.

Inmate Tries to Run While Shackled

An inmate tried to make a run for it from the Sweetwater County Detention Center after a court hearing at Circuit Court in Green River Monday. Jothan Wilson who was still restrained in wrist and ankle shackles, was able to run from the courthouse to the clock tower on Flaming Gorge Way before he was taken back into custody by two detectives from the Green River Police Department. The 18 year old from Lyman appeared to an arraignment for misdemeanor larceny and a bond hearing for additional felony charges which were not filed at the time of the hearing. According to the media release from the sheriff's office, Wilson was originally arrested June 24 by the Green River Police Department.

New Concealed Weapons Law Takes Effect Tomorrow

120 new state laws take effect tomorrow including allowing individuals to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Marsha Sears reports…






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Anyone who meets the same requirements to obtain a Wyoming concealed weapons permit can legally carry a firearm in any place that is not specifically prohibited. The change comes in the wake of the last legislative session, in which the bill passed the House in a 49-9 vote. Places where concealed weapons are prohibited include: Law enforcement agencies, Prisons or jails, Courtrooms, Meetings of government agencies, Colleges and universities, including sponsored athletic events, Bars, Gatherings for the purpose of religious worship, and Elementary and secondary schools. There is also a long list of requirements to even get a permit.

US Postal Service is lobbying members of Congress

The US Postal Service is lobbying members of Congress, including Wyoming's Cynthia Lummis, to support its money-saving proposals. Lummis is in a key position as a member of the House appropriations committtee. One of the changes the Postal Service wants is to eliminate Saturday delivery, which it claims would save over three billion dollars.

Wyoming's community colleges are paying off

Wyoming's community colleges are paying off. A new report indicates that the economic impact of the seven schools totals 866 million dollars. And it is estimated that Wyoming taxpayers are getting a return on their investment in community colleges of five-point-two percent.

Flooding Report

The National Weather Service has flood warnings posted for parts of Sheridan and Big Horn counties, Fremont County, Carbon County and Albany County. A flood watch is in effect for parts of Sublette and Sweetwater counties and Uinta County. The Weather Service says the Wind, Green, Shoshone, Bighorn and Blacks Fork rivers are among the rivers that will be seeing high water levels this week because of warmer temperatures reaching higher levels of the mountain snowpack.

Water Meeting in Colorado Today

Officials representing Colorado river basins meet today to consider forming a task force that would study proposals to build a water pipeline from Wyoming's Flaming Gorge Reservoir to serve Colorado cities. Some conservationists say it's a waste of time.
Western Resource Advocates and other groups say no one knows if Colorado River compacts allow the state to divert as much water as some have proposed. Until they do, there's no sense spending time and money to study plans to tap the reservoir, they say.

Sex Offender Compliance Offenders Round Up Held Last Week

County detectives and deputy United States Marshalls teamed up to make compliance contacts with over 60 registered sex offenders last week as part of Operation Jessica. Detective Dick Blust Jr. with the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office says ten Wyoming sheriff's offices and the United States Marshall's office participated.






Under state law, sex offenders must register with the state division of criminal investigation through county sheriff's offices. They must notify authorities if they change jobs, go to school or move and provide vehicle information. This Friday, new laws will also take effect.






Blust says that sex offenders must also notify the sheriff's office in the county where they with details about the trip.

Climber rescued

An injured rock climber was rescued by helicopter from a rock face at Grand Teton National Park over the weekend. A park official says 47-year-old Dagmar Rapp of Connecticut had fallen some 15 feet while climbing Guides Wall and, although her injuries were not life-threatening, she would not have been able to get out of the backcountry on her own.

Miss Wyoming Selected

Miss Albany County will represent Wyoming in the 2012 Miss USA Pageant. Catherine Brown, who holds a master's degree in speech and language pathology from the University of Wyoming, was chosen Miss Wyoming on Saturday night. Brown sang--and signed--the Nora Jones song, "Come Away with Me.'

Horse Inspection Rules

The Wyoming Livestock Board says the chances of an outbreak of a potentially fatal horse virus have decreased. Therefore, it will no longer require that horses be inspected no more than 72 hours before entering the state; an official health certificate issued within the past 30 days will suffice.

Area Flooding Continues

Spring snowmelt is causing many Wyoming waterways to rise and the National Weather Service to issue flood warnings and watches. Flooding has been reported along the Wind River near Riverton and Dubois, the Upper North Platte River in the Saratoga and Sinclair areas and the Green River in southwest Wyoming.

New DUI Laws Take Effect This Friday

yoming is preparing for about 120 new state laws to take effect this week. July 1st marks the start date for many of the bills the Legislature passed during this year's session. Marsha Sears reports:






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One of the most heavily debated bills was the elimination of the implied consent law for suspected drunken drivers. Starting Friday, motorists will lose the right to refuse chemical tests when they are suspected of driving under the influence. The bill also creates a "remotely communicated search warrant." That means a judicial official does not need to be physically present to approve the warrant to force the test. Another law that takes effect on Friday imposes a fine of up to $750 for violating DUI statutes while having a minor passenger in your car.

Forest Service decision to allow motorcycles and dirt bikes

A Forest Service decision to allow motorcycles and dirt bikes along a trail near Albany in the Medicine Bow is headed to court. The Biodiversity Conservation Alliance is asking for a review. The group’s Duane Short says the decision needs more scrutiny because the forest trail is in the Middle Fork Inventoried Roadless Area and he says it has been traditionally a quiet recreation zone for camping, hunting and fishing. It’s also part of a 250-acre designated elk security habitat.






Short says at the very least, an environmental assessment should have been done first, like has been done for similar decisions in other forests…






Short says the motorized decision is part of a complicated travel management plan that was amended about four years ago. The Forest Service noted in the change that allowing summer motor traffic would have no significant impact on the environment, wildlife or recreation.

Dutch Joe Road Closed

Severe Road Conditions have prompted the BLM Rock Springs Field Office to close the Dutch Joe Road, southeast of Pinedale in Sublette County. Impassable conditions are the stated reason.
BLM Road 4113, commonly known as the Dutch Joe Road, which heads north off Sublette County Road 132, is the primary route to the popular Big Sandy Opening trailhead and Big Sandy Lodge. A local landowner reports a spring has emerged in the middle of the gravel road, creating a mud bog, and making travel hazardous.
BLM engineering and maintenance crews have assessed the road conditions, and will be making the necessary repairs. The road will be closed until further notice, and closure signs will be posted.

Wyoming to Nevada Natural Gas Pipeline Is Nearing Completion

With only about a dozen miles of El Paso Corp.'s Ruby Pipeline yet to be completed and a compressor station in northeastern Nevada close to finished, a company official said the 680-mile route from Kemmerer to Malin, Ore., should be in operation next month. The 42 inch pipeline is expected to be carrying natural gas from Wyoming to the Elko, Nevada station by the end of this week as testing continues segment by segment. While the pipeline testing continues, there also is work yet to be done on reclamation of stretches of the pipeline route to be seeded, using top soil saved during excavation. El Paso Corp. spokesman Richard Wheatley said the company expects to complete the $3.55 billion project next month, but there isn't a final date. El Paso Corp. estimated last year that the project would employ nearly 5,000 people along the route.

Jan Pastor of Rock Springs Receives the 2011 Wyoming Main Street Leadership Award

Jan Pastor of the Rock Springs Main Street Program recently received the Wyoming Main Street 2001 Leadership Award. Pastor was chosen for her dedication, generosity and leadership in the Rock Springs Main Street program, and working to advance innovative and effective solutions to significant issues in the community as well as for Wyoming archeology. Pastor has helped raise funds for downtown improvements as well as personally sponsoring many downtown events. With her leadership, the volunteer base for the Rock Springs Main Street program increased by 50 percent. She has invested over 2,000 hours of time to the program over the last five years. The Main Street Innovation Award is presented to local programs that demonstrate excellence, originality, and effectiveness. The Wyoming Main Street program was established by the Wyoming Legislature in 2004. Main Street is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation emphasizing a four-point approach to revitalization: economic restructuring, design, organization and promotion.

Hot Coffee Case

It was almost 20 years ago that Wyoming media was abuzz over the ‘hot coffee case." An elderly woman was awarded millions after suffering third-degree burns when a McDonald’s coffee spilled in her lap. While there were many jokes about it, a new documentary premiering this Monday on H-B-O shows how it was no laughing matter for the woman involved, or for any consumer. “Hot Coffee” director Susan Saladoff connects how misinformation spread about the case contributed to the rise of forced arbitration clauses and tort reform.






When Wyomingites use a credit card, sign up for a cell phone, or place a loved one in a nursing home – the fine print contains an “arbitration clause.” That means the right to take a company to court for wrongdoing, injuries or death is waived. The clauses are promoted as a way to keep prices low for consumers and protect against frivolous lawsuits – with the hot coffee case often cited as a frivolous suit.

Attorney Bryan Ulmer with the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association saw the documentary at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. He says the reactions in the audience were notable when photos of the woman’s injuries were shown, and when the dots were connected between distorted information about the case and the campaign to limit consumer court rights.







Saladoff has been criticized as not being objective enough while making the documentary. She was an attorney for 20 years

Flaming Gorge Days; Where To Park?

If you plan on attending Flaming Gorge Days, you may wonder about the parking. Green River Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Hartford says… no worries… there is plenty of parking.







Hartford says there are also other options.







On the night of the concerts, the Green River Wrestling Team will have paid parking as a fundraiser. Hartford also says that if you need special parking for a disability, just display your sticker or permit and pull up to the barricades and let them know there.

State Goes Google

The state of Wyoming could save more than a million dollars a year by placing the entire executive branch on Google's cloud computing system. This allows the state to reduce the number of its own servers and store data and applications on remote servers that can be accessed over the Internet.

Rocky Mountain Power

Rocky Mountain Power originally requested a rate increase of almost 98 million dollars in Wyoming. Then, as part of a settlement with customers, reduced that by more than half to 44-point-six million dollars, which was approved today by the Wyoming Public Service Commission. The increase takes effect in September and comes out to about 21 cents for the average customer.

Post Office Stays

The U.S. Postal Service has decided to keep post offices open in Bairoil in Sweetwater County and Jay Em in Goshen County. Postal Service spokesman Al DeSarro says closing the offices would leave customers too far away from postal services. The nearest postal retail services to Bairoil are 36 miles away, and the nearest to Jay Em are 24 miles away. Still under study for potential closure are post offices in Meriden in Laramie County, Little America in Sweetwater County, Byron in Big Horn County, Freedom in Lincoln County, Cora in Sublette County and Smoot in Lincoln County. The Postal Service soon will name at least two other post offices in Wyoming it also will consider closing.

Library Cuts Requested

Sweetwater County Commissioners have asked the Sweetwater County Library System Board of Directors to reduce their budget. Board Chairman Rick Kempa said during the board’s meeting Monday evening “We were asked to find ways to reduce our budget by $934,000.” Initially, the library system submitted a budget request for approximately $3.5 million, a request which was cut to $2.6 million by the commissioners. Library director Scott Kinney says that could mean a 25 percent cut in staff. He says that materials and hours of operation are on the chopping block as well.

City Council Report Part 2

Two scholarships were handed out at this weeks city council meeting, Erick Pauley tells us more

The City of Green River, in cooperation with the City of Rock Springs and Sweetwater County, will host a
public open house scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 6:00pm in the Green River Council
Chambers located at 50 East 2nd North Street, Green River, WY, 82935.
The purpose of the public hearing is to provide an opportunity for representatives of the County, Green River,
Rock Springs and Inberg-Miller Engineers to review and discuss background information for the proposed Green
River-Rock Springs alternative road.
The open house format will be informal with displays of existing information available for viewing. As well,
project team members from the Inberg-Miller Engineers, both Cities and the County, will be able to discuss the
project one-on-one with interested citizens.
Individuals requiring special accommodations are encouraged to contact the City of Green River Public
Information Office at 307-872-6133 at least 7 days prior to June 30th.

City Council Meeting Report

The Green River City Council met on Tuesday night , Erick Pauley has the story

Flaming Gorge Days Are Here

Flaming Gorge Days have arrived in Green River. Janet Hartford, Executive Director of the Green River Chamber of Commerce says it all starts with a day out on the green.






Hartford says there is also still time to become a part of the parade.






Flaming Gorge Days are organized by a group of volunteers. It features a variety of events and concerts. For a complete schedule, go to flaminggorgedays.com.

Mead Signs Disaster Declaration for Wyoming

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead has signed a disaster declaration for damages around the state caused by the ongoing flooding. Rain and snowmelt have flooded several areas of the state, including Crook, Carbon, Albany, Lincoln and Sheridan counties. Many other rivers and streams are running high or near flood stage. Marsha Sears reports…






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The state estimates about $6.8 million in damages so far to agriculture and infrastructure. That includes the cost of preventative efforts, mainly Mead's decision to deploy Wyoming National Guard members. State Homeland Security Director Guy Cameron says he expects the damage estimates to rise. The governor's office says the state Transportation Department has responded to or is monitoring 37 landslides across the state. Mead says the disaster declaration is needed for Wyoming to qualify for assistance from the federal government.

Spelling Bee

The winner of this year’s A-A-R-P National Spelling Bee in Cheyenne didn’t ‘monkey around,’ when it came to studying or winning. Tony Johnson of LaGrange, Georgia, took home the top prize of five thousand dollars by correctly spelling the name of a South American monkey. His study method? Systematically going through the dictionary from 'A to Z.' Here's Johnson spelling the winning word.






Johnson was taken by surprise when first announced as the winner...







Joanne Mai with A-A-R-P Wyoming says complete lists of words used in this year's competition are available online (AARP.org/spellingbee), along with information to prep and register for next year's event. The bee turned 16 this year. Mai traces the beginning to a brainstorming session.







Two former winners of the bee took second and third places. Michael Petrina, Jr., of Virginia placed second, and third went to last year's winner - Scott Firebaugh of Tennessee. Spellers ranged in age from 50 to 81 this year.

Three Green River Teens Rescued on Green River

A tragedy was narrowly avoided last week when three teenagers were rescued from the Green River. Sweetwater County Sheriff Department Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that three people were reported struggling in the swollen Green River west of the city of Green River on June 15th.






None of the girls were injured, although one was transported as a precaution to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County where she was treated and later released.






Blust warns that tubing on the river can be risky under even ideal conditions, but with the runoff we're having this year, the danger level is extremely high. Blust recommends simply avoiding tubing altogether.

Green River Warnings

The Green River Police have some warnings about water fun in the Green River

Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport To Receive Funding

The Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport is going to get some much needed money for repairs and improvements. Marsha Sears reports…






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The Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport JPB had requested a $1 million Community Readiness grant from the Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board. The money was requested to replace an existing 75,000 gallon water tank, install a new 500,000 gallon water storage tank, and construct 6,700 linear feet of new domestic water distribution system to provide infrastructure for the development of a 54 acre Aviation Business Park. The SLIB approved that grant in full yesterday. At the same meeting, representatives from Rock Springs also reported on the benefits of the YWCA Childcare Center expansion. That project was previously funded through the Wyoming Business Council.

EPA To Address Haze Issues in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and North Dakota

In a settlement with conservation groups, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agreed to give final approval next year of plans to address haze in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and North Dakota. Marsha Sears reports…






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A judge must still approve the settlement filed last week in federal court in Denver. WildEarth Guardians and others had said the EPA violated the Clean Air Act when it missed deadlines to approve the states' plans for addressing air pollution or to develop federal plans for the states. WildEarth Guardians said Tuesday the states' proposals would retire or retrofit at least 18 coal-fired power plants. The settlement includes deadlines for the EPA to give final approval of the haze plans in 2012 and for the federal government to pay WildEarth Guardians almost 24 thousand dollars for litigation costs..

Young Author State Competition Report

School district number 2 prefrormed brilliantly in this year's young author state competition. Erick Pauley has the story

haskell's Son Not Attending Training

Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell’s son will not be attending a law enforcement conference in Douglas on the county's dime. That's the word from County Commissioners as they voted to deny two voucher requests. According to Sheriff Rich Haskell, Stephen is a reserve deputy for the sheriff’s office -- which is a volunteer position. Haskell said reserve deputies often volunteer during special events, such as the Sweetwater County Fair, and give the sheriff’s office a way to avoid overtime hours for regular deputies.
Haskell said the one thing the county provides for reserve deputies is training

Fire Extinguisher Class

It may seem like a no brainer, but often times operating a fire extinguisher can be a daunting task, given the stress involved at the time when the device would be needed. To help prepare residents for such an occasion, the Green River Fire Department held a fire extinguisher operation class for about 100 Green River city employees. During the course, which is mandated by OSHA, the employees learned how to operate a fire extinguisher safely. Assistant Fire Chief Dea Cargile said class participants watched a video showing the correct way to use an extinguisher. Before even trying to put out a fire, call the fire department for help, Cargile cautioned.

Vandalism Reported

Green River police took a report of vandalism call yesterday. A Malicious Mischief report was taken on Washakie Ave when the victim reported the driver’s side window of his silver 2002 Saturn car was shattered. Anyone with information please contact the GRPD at 872-0555.

Name Your Price At the Rock Springs Humane Society Rummage Sale

There are not many places that you really can just name your price for an item that you want to purchase and then pay that price. If you go to the Rock Springs Humane Society's Rummage sale this Saturday, that is just what you will be able to do. Chelsea Molitor with the Humane Society says you can even get a chance to preview the items that will be for sale.






Molitor says they will also be taking donations on Friday for the sale.






The actual sale will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday at the Rock Springs Community Center. As always, donations of bedding, food, sturdy toys and other items for cats and dogs will also be accepted.

EPA Enters into Settlement with Wyoming, Other States

In a settlement with conservation groups, the EPA's going to sign off next year on plans to deal with haze in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and North Dakota. A judge still has to approve the deal. Environmental groups claimed the EPA violated the clean air act when it missed deadlines to approve the states' plans for addressing air pollution or to develop federal plans for them. WildEarth Guardians says the states' proposals would retire or retrofit at least 18 coal-fired power plants.

Sweetwater County School Board Meeting Report

Sweetwater county school district #2 met Tuesday, Erick Pauley has the story

SE Wyoming Flooding

The Spring flooding picture's showing some signs of stabilizing in southeast Wyoming, although rivers are still running high and fast. The Billings Gazette reports the Upper North Platte, Laramie and Encampment rivers are holding steady, slowly falling or fluctuating around flood stage in Carbon and Albany counties. The state's starting to size up the damage that's been done, although the flood threat hasn't passed in all areas of the state.

Golf With The Cowboy Joe Club This Saturday

This Saturday, you can tee off with the University of Wyoming's Cowboy Joe Club during their Cowboy Joe Golf Tournament. Jeff Tivick with the Cowboy Joe Club says the tournament, held at the White Mountain Golf Course, is just one of many.






The four-person scramble tournament is open to the public. Entry fees of $100 per CJC member and $125 for non-members include green fees, cart, food and a UW Nike golf gift. A handicap system will be used. The winner will go to Laramie to compete for a grand prize of a $1000 and a trip for four with the Wyoming Cowboy football team to San Diego State for the 2011 football game. For more information or to register, call 766-6242.

Town Opposes Post Office closing

Residents and Community leaders in Bairoil do not want their post office closed. The town is opposing plans by the U.S. Postal Service to close the town's post office.
Bairoil is located in the northeast corner of Sweetwater County. It is 45 miles away from the next-closest post office in Rawlins.
Bairoil Mayor Doug Reaser says some ranchers who use the Bairoil Post Office are up to 90 miles away from Rawlins. The Postal Service would save about $27,000 a year by closing the post office. Bairoil officials said the closing would impact a community that already has limited communications with the rest of the state and country.

Public Input Sought in Methane Farming

The public is getting a chance to weigh in on proposed rules for the methane farming industry in Wyoming. The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is accepting public comment on the changes through July 8. Methane farming involves pumping water and nutrients into depleted coal-bed methane wells. The goal is to stimulate microbes that live in underground coal seams, which break down coal and produce methane gas as a waste product.

Marine From Douglass Killed

A Marine from Douglas was killed yesterday during combat operations in Afghanistan's Helmand province. The Pentagon's identified him as 22-year old Lance Sean M. N. O'Connor. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Plane Crash In Oregon of Plane Bound for Wyoming

A small plane bound for Wyoming has crashed in rugged terrain in eastern Oregon; at least two people were killed. The Civil Air Patrol says the third person believed to be on board has not been found. The plane was reported missing Sunday after taking off from Dallesport in Washington. The wreckage was found 13 miles east of Ukiah, about 50 miles south of Pendleton.


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Pay Increases for GR School Employees

Pay increases for all employees in the Green River school district will highlight Tuesday nights Green River school board meeting. The board and the Green River education association recently hammered out an employee agreement and according to that agreement, teachers in the district will see right at a 3 percent increase in pay. The proposal is for a 500 dollar increase in the districts base pay, which is the pay first year teachers recieve. The new base will be 45,782 dollars. Teachers will be allowed a vertical step, 712 dollars, and a horizontal step, 1,017 dollars. Support staff, who qualify, will receive a 35 cent per hour increase. The district will also hand out a 500 dollar stipend to be paid on November 30th for teachers, while support staff will receive 14 cents per hour based on their annually scheduled hours. Insurance for the district and the employees will increase. Covered employees will be paying an increase of 193 dollars per year for family coverage and 90 dollars per year for single coverage.
The District will pay the additional employee contribution of 1.43 percent of gross pay for the Wyoming Retirement system.
The GREA approved the contract in May, and the board is expected to approve the deal at there meeting Tuesday night(tonight). The school board meeting is set for 7pm at the Central Adminstration building.

Inmates and Sheriff's Office Stockpile Sandbags

Inmates serving with the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office Inmate Community Service Program have filled over 1,500 sandbags in case of flooding. Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says the stockpiling of the sandbags has taken place at the County Road and Bridge yard to make sure they are on hand just in case they are needed.






Blust says the sheriff's office would like to thank those businesses for their generosity. He added that they hoped they would not need them, but they are there if they do.

Mountain Snowpack

A new federal study suggests the snowpack declines in the Rocky Mountains in the last 30 years are greater than in the past few centuries. That could strain cities whose water supplies are tied to mountain snow. The U.S. Geological Survey says historically, the northern Rockies have had large snowpacks when the southern Rockies had meager ones and vice versa. But since the 1980s, there have been drops in snowpack along the entire Rockies and unusually severe declines in the north. The USGS says deep snowpack in the northern Rockies this year are "only a small blip" in a century-long snowpack decline. Previous studies by the USGS and others have said unusual springtime warming, more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow and earlier snowmelt have contributed to snowpack declines.

Flooding Continues in Region

Northwest Colorado River levels seemed to have stabilized for now, just as forecasters have predicted. Last week, flood watchers said they expected to see levels stabilize over the weekend, with some rivers actually receding slightly. The Yampa and Elk Rivers in Colorado, and the Little Snake and North Platte Rivers in Wyoming have gotten much attention this year. The rivers have spilled over their banks in some areas, and the National Guard, inmate crews, local emergency workers and residents have been working to shore up other spots with sandbags and berms. The relief is not expected to last very long, as warmer temperatures this week will likely cause another rise in water levels. Emergency personnel are still urging residents to stay off the rivers. They say debris can be dangerous, and the water is faster and colder than it may appear.

New Biking Helmets For Wyoming Kids

Wyoming kids are gearing up for summer fun – and the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association is working to make sure that “gear” includes a helmet. The organization distributes hundreds of free bicycle helmets each year, and presents safety demonstrations at fairs and schools. W-T-L-A President Bryan Ulmer says helmets reduce injuries whether kids are bicycling, skateboarding or riding a scooter.








Ulmer says the free helmets come with a message, not just for kids and their parents. The group also wants motorists to be aware that children are out enjoying their summer







Since 1999, more than eight thousand helmets have been handed out around the state.

The World's Largest Swim Lesson Take Place Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the World's Largest Swimming Lesson will take place around the world… and Green River will be a part of it. Green River Rec Supervisor Brenda Roosa says the event is all about teaching the importance of learning to swim. She also says that you can do just that with one of the Recreation Center's swim lesson sessions.






Tomorrow, the doors open for the World's Largest Swim Lesson at 2 PM, with the event taking place at 3. . Olympic Gold Medalists' Rowdy Gaines and Janet Evans are official spokespeople for the event. Last year, almost 4,000 participants across 34 states, five countries and 3 continents participated.

Crystal Classic To Return

Councilmember Lisa Maes is showing some concern for the Crystal Classic, an event thyat didn’t take place last year because of severe budget cuts the city faced. She said the city had to cut roughly 30 percent of their budget two years ago and lost another 30 percent from the state last year. Now, Maes said the first major reason the city decided to return the Crystal Classic is due to the its goal of increasing tourism by hosting events. With a budget allocation of $40,000 in the 2011-2012 budget, the event is poised to return.

Flooding

Emergency workers, National Guard troops, Inmate crews, and residents are all working to shore up rivers in Northwest Colorado and South Central Wyoming. A total of three National Guard crews have been sandbagging along the Little Snake River in Saratoga and Baggs. The Little Snake River is one that experiences flooding nearly every year, but this year's huge snowpack is causing more problems than normal. In Routt County, the Elk is at levels not seen in 400 or 500 years. That's according to officials at the U-S Geological Survey, who also say the Elk hit a record Tuesday with a flow rate of 8,250 cubic feet per second. The previous record was set exactly one year prior at 6,970 cfs. Yesterday, crews started building a berm to hold back water along Highway 40 near Saddle Mountain Ranch. Water from the Elk had crept to within a foot of the road

World's Largest Swimming Lesson Teaches The Importance of Learning To Swim

What would be the purpose of thousands of people getting a swimming lesson at the same time? Green River Recreation Supervisor Brenda Roosa says it is all about making everyone aware of how important it is to learn to swim.






The World's Largest Swimming Lesson will take place next Tuesday at the Green River Recreation Center. Doors open at 2 PM and the event takes place at 3. Swimmers worldwide will also be participating in the lesson at the exact same time.

Students Learn Texting While Driving Impares Abilities to Drive

So far 30 states have banned texting while driving, including Wyoming, and many are going one step further, sending kids through obstacle training courses so that the errors, accidents and fatalities they cause during the course-run can hopefully diminish their attempt to send an electronic message to someone while actually behind the wheel.
In Green River, the City has collaborated with Green River H.S. to perform the obstacle trainings. What the students do is drive through the course two times; the first time as a safe driver and the second time while texting on their phone information to a number provided by their direct passenger in the vehicle Scott Morris, Green River Police Detective and Green River High School Resource Officer. Morris, who witnessed every students’ driving ability while texting behind the wheel, hopes the students realize
the importance of why Wyoming has banned texting while driving. “We want to make these students aware of the dangers of texting while driving and how it slows their reaction times to things going on outside of the car in front of them where their eyes should always be,” says Morris. Morris says that most of the students were surprised at how difficult it was to text while navigating through the tight turns, corners, and stop signs throughout the obstacle course. Morris hopes that in the future these students will put their cell phones on silent or turn them off when they decide to get behind the wheel.

Beagle Freedom Project

Nine beagles who have spent their lives in cages in a research lab got their first taste of freedom when they were rescued Wednesday by animal rights advocates. It took place in California, but has ramifications across the country. More than 67-thousand dogs are used annually in the U-S in laboratory testing, of everything from surgical techniques to industrial chemicals. Attorney Shannon Keith says her volunteer rescue team has to move quickly...as a research facility calls and gives them only a day or two to come get the dogs, before they're put down. She says the beagles aren't sure how to handle their new freedom.






Martin Stephens is with the Humane Society of the United States. He says beagles are the most common type of dog used in research when larger animals than mice or rats are needed. And more of them are being rescued, although the cases are rarely publicized.






Keith's organization, the Beagle Freedom Project, is one of only a few in the country focused on rescuing research animals. She says donations and adoptive families are helpful...but just as important, is sending a message to the research industry by purchasing products that are not tested on animals.






Keith says eventually, the dogs started running around and tails started wagging. But rescued research dogs have special needs and many have been de-barked, so they can't communicate like a normal dog. The goal is to rehabilitate them to become adoptable pets.

Telephone Scam Returns To Sweetwater County

A phone scam that defrauded several Green River residents out of thousands of dollars two years ago has returned. Sweetwater County Sheriff Office Detective Dick Blust says the con artists have done their homework.






Blust says the first call will not be the last.






Blust recommends anyone who receives such a call to confirm the story with relatives before sending any money. And as always, never give out any personal information over the phone.

Flooding in NW Colorado

Flooding is now occurring in many areas of Northwest Colorado. Moffat County Sheriff Tim Jantz says flow measurements in some areas of the Yampa and it's tributaries are higher now than they've been in more than 30 years. Parts of the Elk have reached 100 year flood stage levels, and experts say it's not done rising yet. National Guard and inmate crews are sandbagging on the Little Snake River in Carbon County, Wyoming. The flooding has closed roads and parts of the Yampa Core Trail in Steamboat, and has even forced some to evacuate their homes. County Emergency Managers urge people to stay off area rivers. They say the most dangerous part can be the debris the river carries with it.

Expedition Academy Students Celebrate Recycling Win With BBQ

Expedition Academy students celebrated their national winning recycling competition honor recently by inviting members of the community to join them, their principal, teachers, and fellow classmates for a celebratory outdoor barbeque. Over 100 schools competed in the first-ever Great American Can Roundup (GACR) School Challenge, a
national competition sponsored by the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI). CMI awarded $1,000 to the top recycling school in each state and an additional $5,000 to the top school nationally. Green River Mayor Hank Castillon says, “I am delighted in the winning achievements of these outstanding students and their willingness to work together in collecting as many cans as they possibly could.” Students at Expedition Academy collected and recycled 1,753 pounds of cans which turned out to be a recycling
rate of 29.21 pounds (approximately 1,000 cans) per student, securing themselves as not only the $1,000 state prize winner, but also the national spot which awarded the school an additional $5,000 in prize earnings.

Green River City Council Meeting Report

The Green River City Council Met on Tuesday Night, Erick Pauley has that story

Yellowstone Numbers Down

Yellowstone National Park is showing a big dropoff in visitors so far this year compared to last year. Heavier than usual snowfall could be one reason why the numbers are down more than 11 percent. However, Yellowstone's peak time of year, the summer, is still ahead. Last year, the park set a record with three-point-six million visitors.

Grad Rates

Wyoming was one of 13 states to lose ground in graduating high school seniors. The national graduation rate increased 6.1 percent in the past decade, but Wyoming's feel 7 tenths of a percent.

Foster Care Report

A new Kids Count snapshot of foster care in the U-S shows a slight decline in the overall number of children in care. But it also shows that the older a child is, the less likely he or she is to be placed in what’s considered the best scenario for success later in life...especially in Wyoming. Laura Speer with The Annie E. Casey Foundation says the data they released shows Wyoming teens are ending up in non-relative foster homes, group homes or institutions too often, and that puts them at a disadvantage as they are about to “age out” of the system…








About 12-hundred children are in foster care in Wyoming, whether that be with relatives, non-relatives, or in institutions and group homes.








Speer says is calling for more focus on foster care with relatives, which says is “ideal” for most kids.

Star Valley Flooding

Cooler temperatures have lowered the flooding threat over the next 24 hours for Star Valley, Residents are being encouraged to prepare for historic flood waters, especially along the Salt River and its tributaries. The Star Valley Independent reports there's a public meeting tomorrow at 4pm at the Afton Civic Center. Local officials will be there to provide the latest information on where things stand and what's expected over the next few days.

Sage Grouse

Gov. Mead's issued an executive order laying down new guidelines on accommodating future development in sage grouse core population areas. His order, like his predecessor, Gov. Freudenthal, requires constant scientific re-evaluations to see if the policy discouraging wind energy development in core population areas should be altered. And, for the first time, it creates a 2015 expiration date on the entire sage grouse plan.

High Speed Chase Ends, Suspect In Custody

A California parole violator was arrested by county and state officers after a high-speed chase on Interstate 80 May 31.
Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell said Sergeant Dave Johnson of the Sheriff’s Office stopped Tuan Nguyen, 29, of San Jose California at about 8:00 AM on the 31st when he observed him driving erratically on Interstate 80 several miles west of Green River. During the stop, Johnson determined Nguyen to be a convicted burglar and parole violator out of Santa Clara County, California.
When a backup unit arrived, Nguyen fled west on Interstate 80 with deputies and state troopers in pursuit.
The chase ended in Uinta County near mile marker 46 on Interstate 80 when authorities deployed road spikes, which disabled Nguyen’s vehicle. At that point he was taken into custody and transported to the Sweetwater County Detention Center in Rock Springs.
Haskell said his agency is working with officials in Santa Clara County to return Nguyen to California.
No one was injured during the course of the incident.

Carbon County Flooding

Carbon County emergency personnel have some help in trying to hold back flood waters. There are two 23-man National Guard teams in South Central Wyoming setting up sandbags along rivers and streams. One team is in Baggs and the other is in Saratoga. In addition, a 40-man inmate team from Newcastle and an 18 man inmate team from Riverton are helping out. Two 5-man inmate crews from the Carbon County Jail have been sandbagging in Medicine Bow. By next week, forecasters expect rivers and streams to reach levels not seen since 2008, with higher levels to come later.

Yellowstone Road Reopened

A road into Yellowstone National Park, closed last week by a rockslide, has been reopened. The stretch of road from Mammoth to Lamar Valley and Cooke City, Montana, was deemed safe for motorists Wednesday afternoon after crews removed several boulders the size of cars.

South-central Wyoming rivers nearing flood stage

South-central Wyoming rivers, including the North Platte, are rising to flood stage as the mountain snowpack in the higher elevations begins to melting. The melt's hitting the North Platte, Little Snake and Encampment rivers in Carbon County. The North Platte's expected to hit flood stage on Friday at Saratoga and near Sinclair.

American Energy Fields, Inc. will soon be doing a geologic mapping

An Arizona compnay's buying the Knight Ridge uranium project near Evanston. According to the Casper Star-Tribune, American Energy Fields, Inc. will soon be doing a geologic mapping, a grid radon survey, and do surface sampling. After the initial work, the company will conduct a drilling program. The company already has uranium interestes in Utah, Colorado, California and Arizona.

Obama Backing Off Wilderness Declaration

The Obama administration is backing away from a plan to make millions of acres of undeveloped land in the West eligible for federal wilderness protection. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a memo to his agency that officials will not designate any public lands as "wild lands." Instead Salazar said the agency will work with members of Congress to develop recommendations for managing millions of acres of undeveloped land in the West. Salazar's decision reverses an order issued in December to make millions of acres of public land eligible for wilderness protection. A budget deal approved by Congress prevented the Interior Department from spending money to implement the wilderness policy. Several Western states filed suit to block the plan.

Green River Man Sentend to 4 to 7 Years for Sex With Minor

A Green River man has been sentenced for sexual abuse. 28 year old Andrew P. Grubb plead guilty to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the second degree in District Court. The plea stemmed from an investigation by the Green River Police Department on Jan. 24 when three concerned citizens reported they had information that Grubb was having a sexual relationship with a 14 year old female.
Detectives from the GRPD conducted numerous interviews with witnesses, the victim and suspect which eventually led to the suspect admitting to the allegations. Grubb was sentenced to four to seven years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary.

Yellowstone Rock Slide

It looks like Friday will be the earliest that a road in Yellowstone National Park can be re-opened. A rock slide last weekend closed the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower Junction, cutting off the park's northeast entrance from most of the rest of Yellowstone. Federal and park officials took a look at the area Tuesday and are coming up with a plan to monitor the slide and clear the debris.

Wilderness Land Designation

Under pressure from Congress, the White House is backing off a plan to designate millions of acres of undeveloped land in the West eligible for federal wilderness protection. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says his agency will work with members of Congress to develop recommendations for managing millions of acres of undeveloped land in the West.

More Problems On Highway 70

More highway problems...A landslide undermined a section of highway over the Sierra Madre Range, affecting Wyoming Highway 70 about 30 miles east of Baggs. About 100 yards of the road slid downhill as much as 15 feet. WyDOT says crews might be able to build a temporary detour, but if not that area will be shut down two to four months.

Mineral Values Increase

Taxable mineral values in Wyoming rose in 2010 to 15 and a half billion dollars, up 23 percent from the year before. According to figures released by Governor Matt Mead, natural gas and oil led the way, each up by 30 percent or more, as the state posted its second highest mineral value ever.

No Holiday Fatalities

For the first time in five years, Wyoming had no traffic fatalities over the three-day Memorial Day weekend. However, the Highway Patrol does report about 60 vehicle crashes, 13 of which resulted in injury. And 23 people were arrested for driving under the influence.

WHO Says: Limit Cell Phone Use

Minimize cell phone use...it's confirmed by the world's leading health body, the W-H-O (World Health Organization) but some scientists outside the agency say there are also concerns about the effects of chronic low-power exposures to wi-fi. Camilla Rees, founder of ElectromagneticHealth.org, says the W-H-O's International Agency for Research on Cancer was only charged with reviewing data specifically related to cancer. She says there is a mounting body of evidence of other biological effects - such as changes in DNA, fertility and brain metabolism - from cell phones, and other wireless technologies...







Doctor Annie Sasco is a leading cancer epidemiologist with the University of Bordeaux, France and a distinguished 20-year veteran of the International Agency for Research on Cancer for the W-H-O. Her interpretation of the research indicates the radiation from cell phones may be more dangerous than the World Health Organization is saying now, but while the research continues, people need to protect themselves.







It's estimated that there are five-billion cell phones in use around the world. Experts recommend using a hands-free device or speaker phone feature on your cell phone, and lowering exposure to all wireless devices and infrastructure.

New DL Requirements

Starting today, if you're renewing or applying for a Wyoming driver's license, you'll have to bring along some additional paperwork to deal with new federal identification requirements. WyDOT says that means you'll have to have either a certified birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, a consular report of birth abroad, a certificate of citizenship, or a certificate of naturalization.

The Wyoming Department of Health says West Nile virus is still a threat

The Wyoming Department of Health says West Nile virus is still a threat even though Wyoming has had only a few recent cases. Mosquitoes spread the virus by feeding on infected birds and then biting people, other birds and animals, so keep standing water to a minimum. And use the mosquito spray this summer.

new Fracking Rules

Wyoming has rules requiring energy companies to disclose the contents of fluids used in hydraulic fracturing. Now other states are following suit, most recenlty Michigan and Texas. The so-called “Frack Act” - which would make full disclosure federal law - was reintroduced to both the U.S. House and the Senate in March.

Snow Pack Levels Extremely High

Lee Hackleman, water supply specialist at the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service issued a report today saying water content of the snowpack statewide's now 327% of average, last weeks estimate was 227%. Last year at this time it was 126% of average and Wyoming had significant flooding. What's coming this year? Hackleman tells the Billings Gazette we'll either have high runoff into Jult, or there's be new all-time flow rrcords set. It all depends on the weather.