Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cookibook Sales To Benefit Children's Cancer Camp

Sales of the Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium's new cookbook will help support a Wyoming camp for children with cancer and their families. With more than 80 pages of recipes and color photography, the cookbook also features stories of childhood cancer survivors and interesting tidbits to help celebrate cancer survivors of Wyoming. The camp, to be held Aug. 10-12 at the Crooked Creek Guest Ranch in Dubois, will include components for the ill child, parents and siblings.
One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the creation of Wyoming's First Childhood Cancer Camp. The cookbooks are $25. Order forms are available online at www.fightcancerwy.com.

Advocates Want To Give Buffalo More Room To Roam

Ranchers and wildlife advocates are urging changes in the management of Yellowstone National Park bison to give the animals more room to roam while decreasing the chances of disease transmission. Those recommendations came Wednesday from a diverse citizens group set up to advise state and federal officials struggling to deal with thousands of bison that regularly migrate outside the park in search of food. Many bison carry brucellosis, a disease that can cause pregnant animals to miscarry. In the last decade, more than 3,000 Yellowstone bison have been slaughtered to guard against transmissions to cattle. The advisory group wants more hunting to keep bison populations in check while still allowing them more room in Montana. The group also says vaccinating bison against brucellosis should have lower priority than vaccinating cattle.

Group Accuses BLM Of Neglecting Science Favoring Politics

An environmental group accuses the U.S. Bureau of Land Management of neglecting science in favor of politics when it conducted a series of ecological studies covering millions of acres in the West. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility says the BLM ignored scientists' concerns by not evaluating livestock grazing as a cause of environmental change on public land. The group says the BLM feared backlash from the livestock industry. A complaint filed with the BLM on Wednesday centers on six ecological studies covering 12 mainly western states. The group says the studies overlook what it calls the massive effects of livestock grazing while considering low-impact activity such as rock hounding. Interior Department spokesman Adam Fetcher says the department will review the complaint under its scientific integrity policy.

Wild Horse Gathered From White Mountain Herd Now On Reality TV

A wild horse gathered from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rock Springs Field Office’s White Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) is in the top ten finals of the reality TV show 2012 America’s Favorite Trail Horse Competition. Serena Baker with the BLM says the horse, now named Lindsay's Faith, won episode nine which earned them a spot in the finals.






Baker says we can help help Jordan and Lindsay's Faith in their effort to win.






Jordan says that as she began training Lindsay, she realized the horse was really training her. She says she allowed herself to listen to the horse's subtle ways of communicating and that allowed their partnership to flourish.
 

BLM Fast-tracks Wind Energy Projects

Three proposed wind farms in Wyoming are among the projects that the Bureau of Land Management plans to fast-track nationally. One is the 1,000-turbine Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy project south of Rawlins, proposed by the Denver-based Anschutz Corp. The Casper Star-Tribune reported Wednesday that it's the largest on BLM's priority list for 2012. The other Wyoming projects are the 25-turbine Sand Hills Farm Project northwest of Laramie and the White Mountain project northwest of Rock Springs. That farm could have up to 240 turbines. The projects were previously listed as priorities by the state BLM office. The new national list also includes projects in Arizona, Nevada and California.

WY Department of Health Offers Free HIV Testing

The Wyoming Department of Health is encouraging people to take advantage of free HIV testing available at family planning clinics and public health offices throughout the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20% of the people who are positive for HIV don't know that they have it.

New Scam Hits Sweetwater County

A densely-worded “prize notification” letter making the rounds in Sweetwater County is not only a scam - it’s misspelled. Sheriff Rich Haskell said his office has received numerous reports of a letter from an organization calling itself the “Prize Research Intelligence Agency” being mailed to county residents that makes reference to a “prize total of $2,536,092.23" that is now “due for payment.” The letter goes on to request that the recipient send $20 in “transfer fees” to an address in Miami in order for the “claim to be processed.” Haskell says the letter is personally addressed, talks in circles and includes and easily-overlooked fine-print disclaimer. Haskell says those who send in their 20 dollars won't get a two and a half million dollar prize, but, instead, will receive information about entering sweepstakes or even more letters soliciting money.

Civil Suit Dismissed

A civil suit filed against employees at the Sweetwater County Detention Center was recently dismissed with prejudice. Included in the suit were the county commissioners, Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell and detention center employees Matt Weber, Leeland Reese and Elizabeth Lopez. Dylan Torres initially filed the suit in 2010, alleging the detention center engaged in torturous conduct and violated his eighth and 12th Amendment rights when Weber, Reese and Lopez injured Torres while he was a juvenile inmate at the center in 2007. The three employees did plead guilty to battery and were ordered to pay a total $330 in fines and court costs. They originally faced charges of battery and child abuse according to the Green River Star.


Cloud Seeding Program Seeks More Time and Money

Officials say a cloud seeding research project in Wyoming needs two more years and another $2.4 million to be considered scientifically complete. The state has invested about $11 million in the project since 2005. The project seeks to determine whether cloud seeding increases the amount of snowpack in several Wyoming mountain ranges. Supporters of the project say increasing the state's winter snowpack would provide more water for communities and irrigation and would be cheaper than building new dams and reservoirs. Barry Lawrence, of the Wyoming Water Development Office, says the state Water Commission and Legislature must approve the request to extend the research project to March 2014. State Republican Sen. Gerald Geis, of Worland, says it's worthwhile for the state to see the effort completed.

Dog Owner Accused of Ordering Attack On Ranger

A chocolate Lab named "Rampage" is being considered a deadly weapon in Cody, where a man faces an aggravated assault charge for allegedly commanding the pup to attack a Wyoming park ranger. The Powell Tribune reports that a Buffalo Bill State Park ranger was cut and bruised by Rampage in September when the ranger tried to interview 31-year-old dog owner Benjamin B. Daniels. Daniels allegedly smelled of alcohol and was trying to drive his Jeep out of a muddy patch. Daniels allegedly yelled "Get him, Rampage," and the dog attacked. Another ranger used pepper spray on Daniels and handcuffed him. At the time, Daniels was free on bond on an unrelated charge. Daniels is being held on that charge and has pleaded not guilty to the dog-related assault.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Kids Get Your Lighted Entries Ready For the Green River Lighted Kiddie Parade

Start adding lights to that bicycle and wagon... the Lighted Kiddie Parade will be taking place next Monday at 6 PM at the Island Pavilion. Janet Hartford with the Green River Chamber says the parade is open to children ages 12 and under.






Everyone is encouraged to bring a canned food item or new toy for donation.






Hartford says the crafts available will also include making ornaments. She encourages all kids to bring their Santa Letters and parents to bring their cameras.

Grand Teton Elk Harvest Lower Than Last Year

Grand Teton officials say the national park's elk reduction program has harvested 28% fewer animals this year compared to the same time last year. Park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs says hunters killed 221 elk through Sunday, compared to 305 by the same time last year. Skaggs says that while the harvest is low compared to years past, "the numbers have definitely come up in two weeks." She also notes hunting on the National Elk Refuge and the Bridger-Teton National Forest, as well as grizzly bears, wolves and disease, will help keep the herd's population under control.

Mountain Pine Beetle Problem Worsening In Black Hills

The mountain pine beetle problem is worsening in the Black Hills National Forest. U.S. Forest Service spokesman Frank Carroll told the Rapid City Journal that beetles have now damaged trees on more than 405,000 acres in the 1.2 million acre forest in southwest South Dakota and northeast Wyoming. Carroll says the beetles that have killed millions of trees in the Mountain West in recent years are in "an explosive cycle." Crews in Custer State Park expected to find about 15,000 infested trees during an annual survey but instead found 142,000.

Convicted Tribal Embezzlor Gets Probation

A former director of the Northern Arapaho tribe's Department of Social Services will serve three years of probation for embezzling tribal funds. George Moss was sentenced in federal court in Cheyenne on Tuesday. Judge Alan B. Johnson ordered the 65-year-old to serve the first six months of his sentence under house arrest. Federal prosecutors charged Moss with improperly approving requests by two former employees for over $100,000 in pay advances or loans from 2005 to 2006. Moss pleaded guilty this summer. The other two employees also have been convicted. Moss apologized in court, saying he trusted his employees too much and turned a blind eye to what they were doing. Lawyers said Moss himself didn't receive any of the money.

Extension Service Gets New Names

The extension service and a department within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming have been renamed. The UW Board of Trustees has voted to change the Cooperative Extension Service to the University of Wyoming Extension. The trustees also approved changing the name of the Department of Renewable Resources to the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

Cheyenne Approves Sale of Land To Menard's

Cheyenne city councilors have approved selling land to the Menards home improvement chain. The council voted 7-3 Monday night to approve the $5.4 million deal. The money will pay for improvements in the city's parks and recreation system. Menards plans to build a store on the 24-acre plot this spring and expects to provide 200 jobs. City Council president Mark Rinne opposed the deal because he said the price was based on an old appraisal and because the city didn't widely advertise the sale. Councilors who backed the sale said the city doesn't need any more parks in the area Councilwoman Georgia Broyles said not selling the land would send a message that the city isn't business-friendly.

No. 844 to Depart Rock Springs Today

Today is the day that the Union Pacific Railroad’s legendary steam locomotive No. 844 is traveling throguh Rock Springs after visiting New Mexico and Arizona on a tour celebrating both of those states’ centennials and railroad heritage. The train arrived in Rock Springs yesterday and will depart today to head on to the final stop of Cheyenne. Union Pacific Railroad’s long history helped lay the foundation for America's current and future freight transportation needs. The safe and efficient operation of trains over Union Pacific's 32,000-mile network benefits everyone. Freight rail service continues to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, freight trains are nearly four times more fuel efficient than trucks. Motorists also benefit when goods move by rail from reduced congestion on highways as a single Union Pacific train can remove up to 300 trucks off our roads.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Documentary and Discussion At Rock Springs Library Focuses On Native American Boarding Schools

For almost 90 years, the American government placed Native American children in boarding schools to be assimilated into white American culture. Tonight, at 6:30 PM, the Rock Springs Library will present “Taken From My Home,” a documentary written and produced by Robin Levin, head of library services at Fort Washakie School/Community Library and Holocaust Fellow. Cindy Moore, who is the Head of Reference and Circulation, says that Levin will not only present the documentary, but will, along with students from the Fort Washakie School, lead a discussion about their perspectives and the challenges faced by the Native American culture from the practice.






Moore says Levin has used her expertise with the Holocaust to teach her Native students that they are not the only culture that has been pushed down.






The documentary showing and discussion will take place in the Ferrero Room at the Rock Springs Library tonight.

Jackson Seeks Green Tourism Designation

The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is leading an effort to have the region named one of the world's top 10 sustainable tourism destinations. The Jackson Town Council has thrown its support behind the chamber's application to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, which is a United Nations-affiliated nonprofit organization that coordinates the award. If selected, Jackson Hole would receive recognition and promotion from the group as well as guidance on how to further improve sustainability efforts.

Purchase of Central Wyoming Gas Field Called Off Amid EPA Investigation

A company has called off its purchase of a central Wyoming gas field where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been investigating groundwater pollution and is preparing to release a report soon on the possible sources. Midland, Texas-based Legacy Reserves LP announced earlier this month it was buying an undisclosed number of gas wells and related assets in the Pavillion area in Fremont County from Calgary, Alberta-based Encana Corp. for $45 million. The week after the sale announcement, the EPA said it had found high levels of benzene and other contaminants in two wells drilled to test for groundwater pollution in the Pavillion area. Previous EPA investigations found hydrocarbons in 17 local water wells. According to a spokesman for Encana, Legacy is not prepared to complete the transaction while the EPA investigation is taking place.

Wyoming's Snowpack Drops a Bit In A Week

Wyoming's snowpack has dropped a bit in the last week because the state didn't get enough new snow. The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Casper said that the statewide average snowpack went from 110% last week to 101% on Monday.
Last year at this time, the statewide average snowpack was 104%. Six basins are above average and seven are below.
The Wind River basin has the lowest snowpack at 79%. The highest measurement is in the Powder-Tongue basin - 129% of average. The conservation service warns that early season averages go up and down frequently and snowpack measurements don't really become meaningful until the end of January.

Three Garbage Fueled Power Plants Moving Ahead

Plans are moving ahead for three power plants in Wyoming that would burn trash to produce electricity.
Guernsey-based American Renewable Energy Associates proposes to build power plants in Cheyenne and Guernsey.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports the Guernsey plant would process 150 tons of garbage a day and produce 9 megawatts. The Cheyenne plant would process 200 tons per day and produce 13 megawatts.
Company spokeswoman Heather Foster says the plants are on schedule to open next year.
A third garbage-fueled power plant would be built in Riverton. A representative of Dynamis Energy has been discussing those plans with Fremont County officials.

Hunters Asked To Participate In Harvest Survey

Resident and nonresident big game hunters in Wyoming are being asked to participate in a harvest survey.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department contracts with Tetra Tech to conduct the large surveys for antelope, deer, elk, and black bear information.
More than 90,000 hunters will receive green postcards from Tetra Tech asking them to complete their harvest survey online.
Hunters with internet access can use their personal password provided on the green postcard to complete the survey online at www.wyhunter.org.
Hunters who have not responded will be mailed the hardcopy survey.
Game and Fish survey coordinator Gail Sheridan says the survey only takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
The survey information is integral to management objectives for the various herd units in Wyoming.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Wild Turkey Season Grows In Popularity

There are many in Wyoming who enjoyed wild turkey for their Thanksgiving Dinner, but did you know that Wyoming did not even have wild turkeys before the 1930s? A 1935 trade of sage-grouse for just 15 wild turkeys from New Mexico has led to a wildlife management success story.






COPY:

Those first wild turkeys were released in the Laramie Peak area. In a little over a decade, those first 15 birds increased to over 1000 birds. In the early 1950s, 33 turkeys were transplanted from Laramie to the Black Hills along with 15 more from New Mexico. Since then, turkeys have been transplanted across the state with primary locations in the northern and eastern parts of the state. Turkey season is still open although Game And Fish says some hunt areas will close November 30th while others will stay open until December 31st. So, you still have time to get that license and bag a bird for Christmas. Go to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website for more information. For the radio network, I'm marsha sears.

Wind River Reading Program Under Investigation

The Wyoming Department of Education has spent at least $82,000 for travel and training for a reading tutoring program on the Wind River Indian Reservation, a cost some educators say is not sustainable. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the department also promised federal stimulus money to Fremont School District 38 to hire one-on-one tutors that never materialized, despite expenditures to start the program.

Report Says Yellowstone Air Quality Worsening

A report says Yellowstone National Park's air quality is worsening. The Natural Resource Vital Signs report measures park health based on the condition of 25 natural resources in 2010. It was authored by Yellowstone National Park. Temperature, precipitation, snowpack and streamflow are all within normal ranges. But the Jackson Hole News and Guide reports that the study finds indications that the growing season in the park has been starting earlier and getting longer. Biologists say the longer summer season allows pine beetles to reproduce more than once, and warmer temperatures mean fewer deep freezes to kill them. Many whitebark pine trees have died from beetles and blister rust. The report says visibility, ozone and sulfur concentrations are considered moderate worries, while nitrogen concentrations are a bigger concern.

UW Studies Potential Oil Boom In Southeastern Wyoming

A team from the University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center is assessing people's perspectives about a potential oil boom in southeast Wyoming The UW project involves videotaped interviews with residents in eastern Laramie, Goshen and Platte counties. Interviews focus on how the potential development of the Niobrara shale formation affects them. Those interviewed include city and county officials, landowners, residents, business owners and people who work in the oil business
The project will record opinions about economic, environmental and social issues. UW hopes to assess people's views before, during and after development of the Niobrara field. The information will become part of the heritage center's research collection.
Officials say the project will help others find out how a community prepares.

Former Wyoming Senator Larry Gilbertz Dies

Rancher and former Wyoming Sen. Lawrence "Larry" Gilbertz has died at age 82. Gilbertz's family says he died Saturday at his home in Gillette. Gilbertz served as the senator for District 23 from 1993 to 1998. Gilbertz also served on several boards, including a local school board, the Court Reform Committee and the Farmer's Co-op board. He served in the Army in post-World War II Germany as part of the United States' occupation force. And after a stint working for a uranium company in Douglas, Gilbertz and his wife, Vera Ann, moved back to the Gilbertz family ranch in southern Campbell County and built it into a 10,000-acre operation by the time they retired in 1986.

Interior Improvement Funding For State Capitol Building Considered

Wyoming lawmakers and administrators are examining ways to make up to $60 million of interior improvements to the Wyoming State Capitol while allowing work to continue during the project. Construction management administrator Rich Cathcart says the building is structurally fine. However, the building needs a fire-suppression system, along with updates to the heating system, electrical wiring, plumbing and air conditioning system. The last major interior update was completed in 1980 at a cost of $7.6 million. Lawmakers are considering building a new $70 million state office building on newly acquired land near the Capitol to accommodate year-round workers. The State Building Commission last month recommended $4.4 million to design the new building. The appropriation will be considered during the 2012 budget session.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Pheasant Hunters

Wildlife officials with the Lander Regional Office of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are alerting pheasant hunters that there will be no pheasants released on November 29.
Lander Region Wildlife Supervisor Jason Hunters says the Sheridan Bird Farm will not be providing pheasants for release on November 29, 2011 for the Sand Mesa and Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMAs).
“Traditionally, we have pheasant hunters travel to these WHMAs from several areas around the State, including Casper and Rock Springs,” Hunter says. “Some pheasants that would have normally been released on our WHMAs will be used for "brood stock" at the Downar Bird Farm near Yoder.”
In May, WGFD personnel confirmed the presence of cecal worms in pheasants at the Downar Bird Farm. They also discovered Chlamydiophila psittaci, which causes the disease psittacosis. To help contain the diseases and prevent future outbreaks, department personnel euthanized approximately 1200 pheasants from the farm's brood stock and destroyed all unhatched eggs and euthanized all chicks.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

New Scams 2

It's the holidays and the scammers are coming out of the woodwork. Detective Dick Blust with the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office






New Scams 1

It's the holidays and the scammers are coming out of the woodwork. Detective Dick Blust with the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office







Crop Workshops

A series of workshops are set for southeast Wyoming and the Big Horn Basin to help agriculture producers learn about mitigating increased risk in their operations.
Risk Management Marketing, Serving Farmers and Ranchers through Targeted Risk Management Education, will teach crop producers with limited knowledge of alternative commodity marketing strategies how to use price and financial risk management tools to improve marketing positions for their crop enterprises.
The workshop, sponsored by the Wyoming Business Council, is comprised of four sessions and will take place at Eastern Wyoming College Dec. 1 and 13, and Jan. 5 and 12. In the Big Horn Basin the same courses will be held during WESTI Ag Days in Worland on Feb. 7 at the Extension Office and in Powell at Northwest College on Feb. 21 and 29 and March 15.

Wyoming Business Council Meeting Scheduled

The Wyoming Business Council Board of Directors will hear updates from three of its operational divisions as well as review community applications for Business Ready Community (BRC) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds at its December meeting.
The Business Council’s Agribusiness, Business and Industry, and regional office divisions will report on their recent work. The board will also evaluate eight Business Ready Community grant applications totaling $6,233,392 and 13 CDBG applications totaling $2,653,393.
The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. at The Plains Hotel.

New Drilling Plan Needed

The U.S. Forest Service announced today that a controversial 136-well natural gas development in the Wyoming Range cannot proceed until the agency completes a more careful analysis.
This decision comes after the Bridger-Teton National Forest received a record number of public comments — nearly 60,000 — on the proposed drilling plan.
The full-field development, proposed by Houston-based Plains Exploration and Production Company (PXP), is highly contentious — and largely unpopular with locals and state wildlife officials — because it would occupy one of the most important wildlife crossroads in the nation, the Upper Hoback Basin.
“It is encouraging to see that the Forest Service listened to the valid comments and serious concerns submitted by Wyoming citizens, state agencies and the governor,” said Dan Smitherman, spokesman for Citizens for the Wyoming Range. “There were just too many new factors, too many problems and too many flaws with the project that the Forest Service really had no option except to go back to the drawing board and give it a more critical look.”

New Scams Reported

The holidays are nearly here, but the telephone and Internet scams that proliferate this time of year have also arrived.
Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell said today that his office has recently received reports of four different swindles circulating around the county.
The first is the “grant scam,” which surfaced in the area in October, but is now apparently back. Callers tell people they are being awarded a grant from the United States government, usually in the amount of $7,000, that need not be paid back. “That’s when the hook is set,” said Haskell. “The callers ask for personal and bank account information so that the funds from the fraudulent grant can supposedly be ‘deposited.’” Once the scammers have that information, they go after the funds in the account.

The Publisher’s Clearing House / Sweepstakes Winner swindle is also making the rounds. Prospective victims are contacted and told they have won a large amount of money, sometimes in the millions. They are informed by the caller that they must send a thousand dollars or so to cover “taxes” or “processing fees,” at which time they will receive their winnings. In another variation, the victim receives a very official-looking check made out to them, which they are instructed to deposit. They are also instructed to mail or wire a considerable sum to cover the bogus “taxes” or “processing fees.” The whole thing is a scam; there are no winnings, and the victim is out the funds sent.
In yet another scam, callers claiming to be FBI agents or other law enforcement officers have been soliciting account information, claiming they need the information as part of a major investigation.

First and foremost, always use common sense. If you suspect something isn’t legitimate, you’re probably right. Remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
Watch for high-pressure tactics. Scammers want your money right now. They don’t want to give you any time to think things over; if you are being pressured to decide immediately, decide “no.”
Be especially suspicious of callers who insist that you wire funds. Wired money is like cash – once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Never provide personal or account information to someone you do not know, especially when it was they who initiated the call, not you.
Remember that no legitimate lottery or sweepstakes ever asks for money up front for any “expenses” or “fees.”
Officials recommend a visit to the FBI’s “New E-Scams and Warnings” web page at www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams as an excellent source of information.

Union Pacific Railroad’s No. 844 Travelling the Area

Union Pacific Railroad’s legendary steam locomotive No. 844 is traveling back to its home base in Cheyenne, Wyo., after visiting New Mexico and Arizona on a tour celebrating both of those states’ centennials and railroad heritage. A rare opportunity to witness history as No. 844 celebrates railroad heritage as it travels from Cheyenne to New Mexico and Arizona and back to Cheyenne. Union Pacific Railroad’s long history helped lay the foundation for America's current and future freight transportation needs. The safe and efficient operation of trains over Union Pacific's 32,000-mile network benefits everyone. Freight rail service continues to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, freight trains are nearly four times more fuel efficient than trucks. Motorists also benefit when goods move by rail from reduced congestion on highways as a single Union Pacific train can remove up to 300 trucks off our roads. The train makes its way through the area on Mon., November 28 Ogden, Utah to Rock Springs, Wyo. then on Tues., November 29 Rock Springs, Wyo., to Cheyenne, Wyo.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

World Aids Day

Every nine and a half minutes someone is infected with HIV in the United States. World AIDS Day 2011 is about raising awareness and support for people at risk and living with HIV/AIDS. Sweetwater County Community Nursing will be conducting FREE HIV testing on Thursday Dec. 1, 2011. Please call 307.872.3944 for an appointment. Donations are welcome and appreciated.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Hunt Area Closed

Mountain lion hunters are alerted that hunt area 12, the Flaming Gorge Area, closed on Sunday, November 20 at 7:45 p.m.
Mountain lion area 12 is south of Interstate 80, west of Bitter Creek Road (County Road 19) and east of Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
Mountain lion areas have a mortality quota. A mountain lion hunt area closes as soon as the quota is filled or when the season ends, whichever comes first. It is the hunter’s responsibility to call the mountain lion area mortality quota hotline at 1-800-264-1280 before going hunting to check the status of a hunt area. The hotline is operable 24 hours a day.
Other laws and regulations pertaining to mountain lion hunting can be found in the 2011-2013 mountain lion hunting regulations, which are available at department offices, most local license agents and on the department’s website at http://gf.state.wy.us. For more information go to the website or call the Green River Game and Fish Office at 1-800-843-8096.

Gasoline Leak

A leak at the ConocoPhillips tank farm outside Rock Springs resulted in a spill of approximately 1,100 barrels, or 44,000 gallons, of unleaded gasoline Thursday night. Dick Blust, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, said.
"Something like this is a major cooperative effort,” as the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Fire District No. 1, Wyoming Highway Patrol and Sweetwater County Emergency Management all responded. Blust said the leak was stopped immediately and the spill was contained inside the facility. Despite the smell of gasoline being present near the facility Friday evening, Blust said there are no concerns with air quality and monitoring systems are still checking the air quality around the facility.

Natural Gas Production

Natural gas production in Wyoming and a few others states gets a top-to-bottom look in a new report from the National Wildlife Federation – which verifies that natural gas is part of the nation’s energy future, but one that needs some guidance to protect air, water, public health and wildlife. Neil Thagard with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has hunted on most public lands in Wyoming, and says there’s no doubt that the boom of natural gas production, especially through fracking, is taking a toll…







**The Wyoming experience is mentioned in the report, which calls for federal oversight as well as state oversight. The E-P-A recently confirmed that compounds used in fracking have contaminated water supplies in Pavillion.**

Thagard says the key is to find ways to make natural gas extraction productive, but not destructive.







The oil and gas industry argues that fracking is safe, since the water is usually injected miles underground, well below any water sources.

Council Meeting Report

The city council met for its second monthly meeting last week, and parking trailers on the streets of green river was on the agenda once again







Friday, November 18, 2011

Significant Snowfall Expected Across Wyoming

A storm system moving across Wyoming is expected to bring some significant snowfall. About 8 inches had fallen in Buffalo and Cody by Friday morning. The National Weather Service said the storm will also impact western Wyoming before moving to Sweetwater and Natrona counties later in the day into Saturday. Up to a foot of snow is forecast in the Jackson area. There's a chance of snow in Cheyenne late Friday. So far this snow season, the city has gotten 25.1 inches, making it the third snowiest snow season there so far.

Wyoming Well Water Of Concern by EPA Chief

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency says high levels of methane, benzene and chemicals found in two Wyoming water monitoring wells are “of concern” and said hydraulic fracturing or fracking may be responsible. In an interview set to air on the Bloomberg cable news channel on Saturday and Sunday, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said the agency discussed results from two monitoring wells in the Pavillion area with state and local officials. The well data was released to the public last week. Jackson’s comments marked the first time she has raised a possible link between the oil and gas industry practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, with drinking water pollution in the area.

More Elk Moving Into National Elk Refuge

More elk have been making their way to the National Elk Refuge. Last week only one radio-collared bull elk had been spotted on the south end of the Jackson refuge and another bull elk on adjacent Teton National Forest lands. The Jackson Hole Daily reported Friday that small groups of elk have now been moving into the refuge. However, refuge biologist Eric Cole said the number of elk is still much lower than normal for this time of the year. He attributed the late elk movement to a spring runoff which provided abundant forage for the elk and the late arrival of significant snow. A storm brought snow to the area on Thursday and more is expected over the weekend. Cole expects that to bring more elk to the refuge.

Toys For Tots Collecting Toys At Wyoming Football Game

Toys for Tots will be collecting toys tomorrow at the Wyoming-New Mexico football game in Laramie. Cash donations will also be accepted by the Marine Corps Reserve-run program that collects toys for needy children.

Eastern Shoshone Tribe Mourns Loss of Three In Crash

The Eastern Shoshone Business Council says the tribe is still absorbing the loss after 3 of its members were killed in a fiery crash that Wyoming authorities say was a murder-suicide. Corina Surrell-Norman, her ex-husband, Arvin Surrell, their son and his girlfriend died instantly when an SUV being driven by 17-year-old Matthew Denton plowed into their minivan last week near Lander. Authorities say teen deliberately caused the crash.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Woma Sentenced For Allowing Party Which Lead To Death of Son

A 39-year-old Burlington woman accused of letting her son drink with his friends at her house before he was killed in a car crash has been sentenced to five days in jail. The Powell Tribune reported Tuesday that Judge Thomas Harrington sentenced Donna Marie Burke Brunko after she pleaded no contest to allowing the house party before the March 11 death of 17-year-old Tylor Burke. A plea deal dismisses a negligent homicide charge if Brunko completes a year of probation. In total, she must serve a year and a half of probation and pay $340.

Prosecutors say that after leaving the home and going to a serving room, Burke's friends placed him, apparently drunk, in the driver's seat of a running car. He was found dead the next morning near an intersection north of Burlington.

BLM Taking Comments On Proposed Expansion of Wells 40 Miles East of Rock Springs

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rock Springs Field Office (RSFO) has initiated a 30-day public comment period on the environmental assessment (EA) for a Chevron U.S.A., Inc. proposal to expand the Table Rock Field with development of up to 88 new oil, gas and water injection wells. Serena Baker with the BLM says the Table Rock Field encompasses 13,644 acres of primarily federal and private land, with a small amount of state-owned land, approximately 40 miles east of Rock Springs, Wyo. in Sweetwater County. 






Eighteen existing wells would also be converted to water injection wells.  Chevron plans to develop the wells during the next 14 years. 






Written comments should be received by Dec. 14th.

Tribes Hold Hearing About Internet Gambling

Native Americans say they want the ability to compete for money and jobs generated by Internet gambling if Congress legalizes it. But they don't want to lose their sovereignty to get it. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing Thursday about tribes' concerns over Internet gambling, which has been banned in the U.S. since 2006. Many people have been playing at offshore sites anyway. Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka of Hawaii says Internet gambling is getting more attention as Congress seeks more revenue sources and looks for ways to create more jobs. Some bills have been proposed in the House, but tribes say no legislation protects their interests so far, including protecting any money they make from being taxed.

Advocacy Group Seeks Multiple Payments For Power Lines On Farms and Ranches

An advocacy group for farmers and ranchers in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico says landowners should receive annual payments for having power lines built across their property. The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union also wants landowners to have a bigger say in placement of power lines. Landowners currently get 1-time payments from developers who build power lines on their land. The ability of developers to condemn land has fueled several disputes that have delayed power line projects. The farmers union says its proposal would speed up those projects and wind farm developments they serve.

Fatal Crash Near Lander Now Determined a Suicide

Authorities now say a head-on crash that killed five people in central Wyoming last week wasn't an accident but a suicide that resulted in the deaths of 4 others. The crash happened Nov. 10 four miles south of Lander. Fremont County Coroner Ed McAuslan says that 17-year-old Matthew Denton deliberately turned the Chevrolet Suburban he was driving into the other lane. McAuslan says authorities determined the crash was intentional after inspecting a vehicle data recording device in the Suburban and based on other findings from their investigation. The Suburban crashed head-on into a 2005 Dodge Caravan minivan. Denton died at a hospital in Casper shortly after the crash. The wreck also killed four people in the minivan: 41-year-old Corina Surrell; her ex-husband, Arvin Surrell; their 25-year-old son, Ethan; and his 20-year-old girlfriend, Melinda Escamilla. The Surrells lived in Fort Washakie.

Gas To Gasoline Plant May Build In Southwestern Wyoming

A Casper company hoping to turn natural gas into gasoline says it's now looking at building its plant in southwestern Wyoming. Nerd Gas Co. had hoped to place the facility on land it owns next to Lake DeSmet, south of Sheridan. But company representatives of Nerd Gas Co. told the Casper Star-Tribune on Tuesday that they think it will take too much time and money to get the water they need from the lake. Johnson County commissioner Delbert Eitel serves on a board that controls the water in the lake. He said the announcement was a shock and wonders if it's aimed at putting pressure on Johnson and Sheridan county officials to make a decision on water rights. The company plans to build a smaller plant that will only process gas, not coal.

Rawlins City Employees To Get $1000 Bonuses

After two years of some job and service cuts, the city of Rawlins is giving bonuses to its employees. The city council voted on Tuesday to give its 93 full-time employees an extra $1,000 next month. Bonuses for part-time workers will be pro-rated. City manager Steve Golnar said the city can afford the bonuses because it has more than $800,000 in its reserve. Tax revenue is also up 9.7 percent so far this fiscal year because of higher revenue in October and November. City workers last got a raise in 2009. Since then, 21 jobs have also been cut. Vice Mayor Judy Dixon tried to reduce the bonuses to $500. After two months of good tax news, she said, it's too soon to celebrate.

Rep. Lummis Supposts Concealed Weapon Law

Rep. Cynthia Lummis is applauding a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a law that would require states that allow concealed carry of handguns to recognize carry permits issued in other states. Lummis, a Republican who is Wyoming's sole U.S. Representative, is a member of the Second Amendment Task Force. She says the U.S. Constitution guarantees law-abiding citizens the right to keep and bear arms regardless of where they live. The House on Wednesday passed the bill 272-154 with only seven Republicans voting against it and 43 Democrats supporting it. There's no parallel bill pending in the Democratic-controlled Senate, but some senators have pushed in the past to attach a similar measure to a larger bill.

Changes Proposed For Lodging At Old Faithful

Yellowstone National Park is considering changes to visitor and employee housing in the Old Faithful area. One proposal allows existing Old Faithful Lodge cabin units that currently house park concessioner staff to be made available for overnight visitor use. The units are some of the most affordable lodging in the park. That alternative would also allow for the construction of a new 77-room dormitory in the Old Faithful administrative area to house up to 144 employees displaced by the change. The National Park Service is seeking public comment through Dec. 20 to help identify issues or concerns that the park staff should consider.

Pit Bulls Blamed For Sheep Attacks In Riverton

Pit bulls are blamed for killing sheep in Riverton. Farm owner Bill Jennings says he has found over 50 sheep dead in the last few months. He told KCWY-TV that he has found dogs in with the sheep twice and put down three dogs. Capt. Ryan Lee of the Fremont County Sheriff's Office said there seems to be a lot of people that are allowing their dogs to run free. However, he says owners can be criminally and civilly responsible for any damage they cause to livestock. The Farm Bureau is offering a reward of over $2,000 for information on the sheep attacks.

WY Superintendent Hill Offers Different View on PAWS Teacher Assessment

Wyoming Superintendent Cindy Hill and a consultant are offering differing views on whether the state's annual public school assessment exam can be used to hold educators more accountable.

The consultant told a legislative panel Wednesday the test is the best option to weigh the performance of teachers. Hill, however, says the exam is designed to measure school performance, not teacher performance.

The Legislature's Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability heard the comments as it works out details on how to implement a new law that seeks to hold school administrators and teachers more accountable for how well students perform.

The committee will meet again in December to discuss the issue.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Utah Joins Initiative To Purchase Natural Gas Powered Vehicles For State Use

Utah is joining a multi-state initiative intended to encourage the production of more vehicles fueled by natural gas. Gov. Gary Herbert says the state will be part of a joint request for proposals to purchase natural gas vehicles for the state fleet. Herbert says working with other states gives more leverage to the push for the expanded use of natural gas vehicles. The governors of Colorado, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Wyoming signed the agreement last week. Through the initiative, the five states would each decide how many natural gas vehicles to commit to buy. The request would specify that the ultimate cost of the vehicles should be comparable to gasoline-powered vehicles.

Speed Limits Drop On Highway Through Grand Teton After Dark

Drivers passing through Grand Teton National Park at night will have to slow down as part of an effort to reduce the number of wildlife crashes. Yesterday, the speed limit on highway 26/89/191 between the park's south boundary and the east boundary dropped from 55 mph to 45 between dusk and dawn. It will take drivers about six minutes longer to drive the 28-mile stretch at the reduced speed. The number of vehicles colliding with wildlife in the park has been growing since 2008. Last year was the worst on record, with 162 animals hit and killed.

Buffalo Residents Concerned Fired Coach Still Working As Guidance Counselor

Some residents in Buffalo are concerned that a football coach who resigned after using sexist and anti-gay language has kept his job as a high school guidance counselor. Pat Lynch resigned Nov. 7 after distributing a mock survey titled "Hurt Feelings Report" to the team before a playoff game against Afton. It provided boxes for players to check next to wording such as "I am a cry baby," ''I am a queer," ''I have woman like hormones." The Casper Star-Tribune reported the school committee apologized for the incident at their meeting on Monday but wouldn't discuss the decision to let Lynch keep his guidance counseling job. One resident said the fact that Lynch remains makes it look like the board condones his survey but board member Rich Hall said the board does not.

Can PAWS Assess Teacher Performance?

A legislative panel is hearing conflicting views on whether Wyoming's annual statewide public school assessment exam can be used to help determine the classroom performance of teachers. The Legislature earlier this year passed a law that seeks to hold school administrators and teachers more accountable for how well students do in school. The Legislature's Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability is working on the details of how to implement the law, such as how to measure teacher performance. A consultant told the panel Wednesday that the Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students, or PAWS, is the state's best option for determining accountability. However, State Superintendent Cindy Hill says PAWS is designed to measure school performance, not teacher performance. The committee will meet again in December to discuss the issue.

Pipelines Undergoing Repairs In Northern Wyoming

Energy companies say some repairs are already underway after federal regulators revealed some oil and other hazardous liquid pipelines near Montana and northern Wyoming waterways could be at increased risk of failure. Many of the pipelines were installed decades ago in shallow trenches just a few feet beneath riverbottoms. Erosion caused in part by record flooding has since exposed the lines or left them buried under minimal cover.

Perry Livingston Elected to 7th Term As WY Farm Bureau President

Perry Livingston, of Sundance, has been elected to a seventh term as president of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation. Livingston and his family run a cow/calf operation in Crook and Weston counties. Livingston says it's a privilege to continue serving agriculture and Wyoming Farm Bureau members. The federation is the state's largest general agricultural organization.

Rep. Lummis Calls For Attorney General Holder To Resign

U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis has become the latest member of Congress to call on Attorney General Eric Holder to resign.
Holder has received much criticism over his handling of a flawed federal operation to stem gun-smuggling. Lummis says Holder is stonewalling and refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the operation known as Fast and Furious. The Wyoming Republican says Holder's failed leadership of the Justice Department is a danger to Americans and a threat to those protecting the borders. Fast and Furious tried to track gun-smuggling, but some guns supplied by federal agents in the operation ended up at crime scenes, including the shooting death of a Customs and Border Protection agent.

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected In Wyoming Deer

Chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk and moose, has been detected in Wyoming's deer hunt area 165, bringing the known CWD areas in the Bighorn Basin to 15 out of 39.
A white-tailed deer taken on Oct. 15 near the Greybull River has tested positive for the disease. Hunt area 165 borders CWD endemic hunt areas 122 to the north, 124 to the east, and 125 to the south. The disease is now known to occur in Bighorn Basin deer hunt areas 37, 39, 41, 42, 46, 47, 51, 119, 120, 122, 124, 125, 127, 164 and 165.
There is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans. But to avoid risk, parts or products from any animal that looks sick or tests positive for CWD should not be eaten.

Cheyenne Will Get $35 Million Data Center

Wyoming-based Green House Data announced Tuesday that it will begin work next year on a $35 million wind-powered data center in southeast Cheyenne. The 25,000-square-foot data center, which will be built next to the company’s existing data center, will be paid for in part with $1.5 million in state grants, making it the first project to receive funding from the Wyoming Business Council’s new data center incentive program. Up to 25 jobs will be created when the data center is completed in 2013. Unlike other data centers in Wyoming, which are built to serve a single company, Green House Data, founded in Cheyenne in 2007, rents out server and computer storage space to companies such as the National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander and New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colo.

Green River City Counil Holds Second Monthly Meeting

The city council met for its second monthly meeting, and parking trailers on the streets of green river was on the agenda once again, Erick Pauley has the story:







Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tough Turkey Volleyball Tournament To Take Place This Weekend In Green River

This weekend, teams from all over are going to be talking Tough Turkey at the Green River Recreation Center. Recreation Supervisor Brenda Roosa says the annual volleyball tournament features several divisions.






While registration is closed for the tournament, Roosa says spectators are welcome.






A list is being kept of persons interested in playing, in case some teams have players cancel. Contact the Green River Recreation Center for more information.

Farmland Values Rise 25 Percent Since Last Year

The average value of farmland in some Midwestern and Western states has risen 25% in the past year. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Mo., which covers Wyoming, says bumper crops and strong farm income in northern Plains states, like Nebraska, helped push up prices despite drought and flooding.

Pipelines On Verge of Failing In Montana and Wyoming

Federal safety regulators say they have found pipelines carrying oil and other hazardous liquids at risk of failure at seven major river crossings in Montana and hundreds of smaller crossings in Montana and northern Wyoming. The U.S. Department of Transportation said says erosion has exposed the lines or left them buried under minimal cover across the Missouri, Musselshell, Gallatin and other rivers.

Senior Lawmakers Concerned About Wyoming State Education Department Turnovers

Some senior Wyoming lawmakers say they're concerned that high turnover at the state Education Department could derail its ability to track information about student and teacher performance. Education consultant Richard Seder recently warned members of the Joint Appropriations Committee that the loss of key personnel had brought the Education Department to the verge of not being able to track data. Cody Republican Sen. Hank Coe, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and Laramie Republican Sen. Phil Nicholas, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, both say they're concerned about the situation. The state superintendent of public instruction, Cindy Hill, said Tuesday that her staff continues to handle information and do its job. She said no one warned her in advance of Seder's testimony, so she wasn't at the meeting to respond.

Teen Driver Killed In Lander Crash Last Week Was Speeding

The Wyoming Highway Patrol now says 17-year-old Matthew Denton was speeding before triggering a crash that killed himself and four others near Lander last week. The crash happened early Thursday. Denton's Chevrolet Suburban crossed into the oncoming lanes of state highway 789 and crashed nearly head-on with a Dodge Caravan. All four people in the van were killed.
Sgt. Stephen Townsend said Tuesday that investigators don't know yet what caused Denton to cross into oncoming lanes. Townsend said results of tests for drugs or alcohol aren't in yet.
Those killed have been identified as 41-year-old Corina Surrell of Fort Washakie, her ex-husband Arvin Surrell, their 25-year-old son Ethan and his 21-year-old girlfriend Melinda Escamilla. The Surrells lived in Fort Washakie.

Cheyenne Man Killed Following High Speed Chase

Authorities are investigating after a 35-year-old man was killed in a car crash in Converse County during a high-speed chase that involved a state trooper. The Casper Star-Tribune reports that Brian A. Bonomo of Cheyenne was pulled over for speeding on Wyoming Highway 59 Saturday evening. Wyoming Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Stephen Townsend says the trooper smelled marijuana on Bonomo as he was handing him the ticket. Bonomo then sped off at more than 90 mph and crashed his SUV as he tried to negotiate a left curve a few miles down the road. He was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Tree-Clearing Starts Along Wyoming Highway 230

Logging crews are out along Wyoming Highway 230 cutting dead and dying trees along the highway between Woods Landing and the Colorado border. The trees need to be cut so they don't fall into the highway or damage the right-of-way fence that keeps cattle off the roadway. Work will continue through the winter until conditions become too wet in the spring. The work is scheduled to resume next f

Game And Fish Commission To Meet Nov. 17-18 in Afton

Approval of the Emergency Rule for Late Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons and Regulations Governing Private Fish Stocking and Fish Hatcheries will be topics presented to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission at their Nov. 17-18 meeting in Afton. The commission will also receive updates on Game and Fish Wildlife Habitat Management Areas and Public Access Areas. Also on the agenda is an update on the status of the swift fox in Wyoming, a presentation on non-quota mountain lion hunt areas, and updates on the Aquatic Recommendations for Oil and Gas Development and the Chokecherry Sierra Madre wind development project in Carbon County. In addition, the commission will be asked to vote to approve a policy for the translocation of prairie dogs. The open meeting session begins at approximately 9:15 a.m. at the Afton Civic Center.

Statue of Governor Hathaway To Be Unveiled Friday

A statue of Governor Stanley K. Hathaway will be unveiled in Cheyenne on November 18th. Governor Matt Mead will accept the gift of the statue on behalf of the State of Wyoming. Governor Hathaway served from 1967 to 1975. He is most remembered for enacting Wyoming’s first mineral severance tax in 1969 and for playing an instrumental role in creating the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund in 1973. After serving two terms as Governor, Hathaway went on to become Secretary of the Interior for President Gerald R. Ford. The bronze statue was created by Wheatland artist Carl E. Jensen. The unveiling ceremony will take place at the Hathaway Building, 2300 Capitol Avenue, on November 18th, at 11 a.m..

Dress Code For Rock Springs-Area Teachers On Hold

A dress code for faculty and staff in Rock Springs-area schools is on hold after criticism from teachers. Jeans, flip-flops and sweatsuits would be among the items banned. The board of Sweetwater County School District No. 1 has gotten many comments from teachers critical of the proposal. The president of the Sweetwater Education Association complained that it's vague and subject to interpretation by administrators. She said one teacher also questioned whether clothing choice affected the effectiveness of a teacher. Board member Justin Spicer said he thinks students respond better to teachers who dress up while Member Brady Baldwin thought the proposal was too ambiguous. The school board sent the proposed dress code back to the policy committee.

Meeting Held To Work On Plans To Boost Platte Valley Mule Deer Population

Hunters, conservationists and state officials are working on plans to boost the Platte Valley mule deer population that has thinned out in recent years. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department hosted a public meeting Monday to discuss the problem and find possible ways to improve the state's management plan for the deer. The state officials said there are many reasons for the sluggish numbers including predation, changes to their migration routes and a loss of their habitat due to human and natural causes. The deer are highly coveted targets by hunters in the southeastern part of the state, but the herd’s population has fallen below the state’s recommendations. Will Shultz, the department’s wildlife biologist in Saratoga, said the herd’s population is at about 16,000, which is 4,000 less than the ideal population.

Meeting Held Tonight In Riverton On Federal Protection of Wolves

The only U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-sponsored public meeting in the state on a plan that could end federal protection for Wyoming wolves is scheduled for tonight in Riverton. The meeting starts with an informational session followed by a public hearing about the plan Gov. Matt Mead and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar agreed to this summer. It designates wolves as predators that could be shot on site in most areas of the state. If a person doesn't want to testify, written comments are accepted. The 100-day public comment period for the wolf plan ends Jan. 13th. The Endangered Species Act requires one public meeting or hearing, if requested, for plans lifting federal protections of an animal.

Groups Back Legislation To Help Grand Teton Deal

Environmental groups say they support legislation being billed as way to help the federal government pay for a significant new addition to Grand Teton National Park. Federal and state officials agreed last year that the Interior Department will pay $107 million for more than two square miles of Wyoming state land within the boundaries of Grand Teton. Now, new efforts to reduce the federal debt threaten to hold up the deal, which would take place in four installments from 2012-2015. Wyoming Republican Rep. Cynthia Lummis is co-sponsoring a bill to reauthorize the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act. Before it expired this year, the act enabled the federal government to sell some land and use the proceeds to buy other land. Groups including the Sierra Club say they support the reauthorization.

Portions of WY 70 and 130 Close For Season

Portions of Wyoming 70 between Encampment and Baggs and Wyoming 130 between Centennial and Saratoga are now closed for the season. The Wyoming Transportation Department says strong wind and precipitation in southern Wyoming over the past few days have created very large, firm drifts. The high elevation portions of both roadways are closed annually in late autumn when relatively low traffic volume and increasing snow accumulations make plowing operations impractical. Both alpine highways will open next spring, traditionally in late May.

Monday, November 14, 2011

37 Black Footed Ferrets Released in Eastern Utah

State wildlife officials have released 37 black-footed ferrets into the wild in eastern Utah as part of an ongoing effort to restore the endangered species to its historic range across the West. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists say the ferrets were split into three groups for release Friday in specific areas of in the eastern part of the state. Biologists say ferrets primarily eat prairie dogs and they were released in areas with sufficient prairie dog populations.

Jackson Hole Resort Lobbies For Better Cell Service

The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has organized a letter-writing campaign to lobby Verizon Wireless for better cellphone service in Jackson Hole. Jackson Hole Airport and areas in Wilson are among the areas where customers get weak signals and calls dropped. Jackson Hole Resort chief marketing officer Chip Carey asked about a dozen business and community leaders to support the effort to lobby Verizon. Verizon spokesman Bob Kelley says that the company can work out some issues through more minor adjustments, such as repositioning antennas or installing signal amplifiers. Kelley says he hadn't heard of coverage problems in Jackson until now. He believes having former Vice President Dick Cheney residing in Jackson Hole will add some motivation to improve service.

Rep. Lummis To Chair Romney's Wyoming Campaign

Rep. Cynthia Lummis is endorsing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The Romney campaign announced Monday that Lummis will be chairman of Romney's campaign in Wyoming. Lummis is quoted in a news release by the Romney campaign that she thinks Romney's experience as both a chief executive and conservative businessman makes him highly qualified to lead our nation at this time. Lummis says she looks forward to bringing Romney's conservative message of fiscal responsibility to Wyoming voters. The endorsement by Lummis is important for Romney because Lummis embraces many tea party ideals. Other GOP presidential candidates, such as Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain, have been more identified with the tea party movement.

Five Victims of Crash Near Lander Now Identified

All five people killed in a head-on crash near Lander last week have now been identified. The crash happened early Thursday when two vehicles collided on state highway 789. A van involved in the crash caught fire sometime after the crash which slowed down the identification of some of the victims. Fremont County coroner Ed McAuslan said 17-year-old Matthew Denton of Lander was driving one of the vehicles and died at a hospital in Casper shortly after the crash. The coroner said that the passengers of the van were 41-year-old Corina Surrell, her ex-husband Arvin Surrell, their 25-year-old son Ethan and his 21-year-old girlfriend Melinda Escamilla.

Golden Hour Senior Center To Hold Thanksgiving Dinner This Thursday

You can start your Thanksgiving celebration early this Thursday with dinner at the Golden Hour Senior Center in Green River. Director Dean Makie says everyone is welcome.






A very large crowd is expected this year.






Following dinner, patrons are welcome to stick around for cards and catching up with friends.

Former Cheyenne Firefighter Now Being Prosecuted For Child Porn

A former Cheyenne firefighter accused of possessing and distributing child pornography is now being prosecuted in federal court. Thirty-one-year-old Joseph Golden had been charged in state district court, where he pleaded not guilty last week. The charges against him have been refiled in U.S. District Court. According to court documents, a Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation special agent received information in August regarding a Yahoo! user who had allegedly sent a nude photo of an elementary-aged girl to another person. The sender's screen name was allegedly traced to Golden. On Oct. 5, several DCI agents served a search warrant on Golden's home. They say they found several images and a video showing children in sexually explicit conduct.

Old Grizzly Euthanized Near Cody After Biting Hunter

An old and underweight grizzly bear was euthanized over the weekend after biting a hunter on the leg along the South Fork of the Shoshone River. According to Wyoming Game and Fish spokesman Dennie Hammer, the man was hunting with a friend in a dense will patch. He walked in on a bear that was lying there and was bit on the left thigh. Hammer said the attack occurred late last week during a full moon at around 7:30 a.m. Biologists searched for the bear over the weekend and found the animal in poor shape. According to Hammer, it had broken teeth and its body fat was around 15 percent. Bears this year average around 31 percent body fat. While the bear was acting normally, biologists opted to euthanize the animal because of its condition, age and proximity to populated areas. The bear's exact age was not yet known.

Perricone Suggests National Budget Cuts

In just over a week, the Super Committee is due to make recommendations to Congress on how to reduce federal spending by more than a trillion dollars over ten years. A new National Wildlife Federation report makes the case that conservation programs should be spared, since they’ve already seen funding cut by more than 30 percent by Congress. Gaspar Perricone with the Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance says rural Wyoming communities depend on the outdoor recreation industry tied to those programs.







(short tag) The N-W-F report outlines more than 100-billion dollars in budget savings by eliminating some tax breaks and incentives for oil, coal and ethanol.

Perricone says when you look at the entire federal budget, conservation programs are a tiny part of spending, yet they’ve already seen cuts up more than four times higher than other spending.








Numbers from the report – the outdoor recreation industry contributes more than 730 billion dollars to the economy and delivers 49 billion in tax revenue.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Santa Paws Is Coming To Town

With the holidays knocking at the door, it is a great time to get that photo for your Christmas cards. Melinda Voss with the Red Desert Humane Society says one great way to get a cool photo is to take your pet to the Rock Springs Historical Museum on November 19th for Santa Paws is Coming To Town.






Pictures will be taken from 10 AM to 2 PM, and, according to Voss, the price is right,






Cost of packages range from 10 to 20 dollars. There is no pre-appointment needed, but Voss reminds everyone to take your dog for a walk before going inside the museum.

Jackson Resort Begins Making Snow for Ski Season

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Snow King have fired up their snowmaking machines in preparation for the upcoming winter season. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort began snowmaking in late October. The resort has increased its snowmaking capabilities in each of the past two summers so that it can open more terrain earlier in the season. The resort is scheduled to open Nov. 26th.

Homeowners Near Jackson Remove Fence For Elk Crossing

Homeowners near Jackson have removed a half-mile stretch of barbed wire fence to give elk a clearer migration path. A group of volunters took down the stretch Friday after tree landowners agreed to remove it. One of the residents of Bar Y Estates says he saw a cow elk trip earlier in the week when a herd of about 100 went over the fence. Skin and fur on the barbed wire suggested other elk have been hurt at the crossing. The three homeowners along contacted the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation for help. A group of volunteers took down the fence from the entrance of the Bar Y Estates to the mouth of Coyote Canyon.

Laramie County Deputy Shooter Was Reported As Being Suicidal

The mother of a man accused of shooting a Laramie County deputy allegedly told authorities that her son was suicidal. Deputy Sheriff Chance Walkama was shot early Thursday when he and another deputy went to perform a welfare check on 24-year-old Brian Noel of Cheyenne. The sheriff's department said Noel fired a 9-mm pistol through the door of his hotel room at the deputies. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that court documents show that Noel's mother, Alisa Noel, called 911 to report that her son was suicidal. The documents say she also told authorities that two rifles and two handguns were missing from her home. Deputies then tracked Noel down at his hotel. Noel faces a preliminary hearing this week.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Blue Star Monument Dedicated in Downtown Douglas

Today, a Blue Star monument was dedicated in downtown Douglas in honor of one man's father and all of the men and women who have served their country. Doug Olson, raised 5300 dollars for the marker and a silver flagpole in honor of his father, Master Sgt. Ralph D. Olson, who served in North Africa and the Ardennes during World War II. Governor Matt Mead was at the dedication this morning along with Douglas City Administrator Steve Henning. A flyover by Air Force jets from Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado also took place. Wyoming has seven Blue Star Memorial Highways that are marked by the National Garden Club to pay tribute to America's armed forces. Doug Olson says he's still working with the Wyoming Department of Transportation to officially designate West Yellowstone Highway as the eighth such highway in the state.

WYDOT To Close Highway Over The Bighorn Mountains

The Wyoming Department of Transportation plans to close a 22-mile stretch of highway over the Bighorn Mountains at the end of November. Crews from the state highway department intend to close U.S. 14-A, west of Burgess Junction, for the winter on Nov. 30. The department typically closes the road at the end of the fall hunting season. Robin Nichols is WYDOT maintenance supervisor in Basin. Nichols said the state may close the highway sooner if there's a significant snowstorm and says hunters should monitor weather forecasts and consider camping hear the highway.

Enzi Proposed Sales Tax Collection

U.S. Senators Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) announced that a bipartisan group of ten senators are introducing legislation today that would give states the option to collect the sales taxes they are owed under current law from out-of-state businesses, rather than rely on consumers to pay those taxes to the states—the method of tax collection to which they are now restricted.
Under the current tax loophole, while brick-and-mortar retailers collect sales taxes from customers who make purchases in their stores, many online and catalog retailers do not collect the same taxes. Under the Marketplace Fairness Act, states would have the option to collect sales and use tax revenues from out-of-state sellers through a new, simplified tax system.
Enzi said: “For over a decade, Congress has been debating how to best allow states to collect sales taxes from online retailers in a way that puts Main Street businesses on a level playing field with online retailers. This bill empowers states to make the decision themselves. If they choose to collect already existing sales taxes on all purchases, regardless of whether the sale was online or in store, they can. If they want to keep things the way they are, it’s a state’s choice.”

BLM Kemmerer Survey

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cadastral survey crew will be in the Kemmerer Field Office (KFO) the week of Nov. 15 to survey the official boundary of the Green Hill parcel within the city limits of Kemmerer, Wyo.
After extensive public scoping, the KFO 2010 Resource Management Plan (RMP) identified the Green Hill parcel as an area not to be used for off-road vehicle travel due to the amount of noise and dust created.
The survey will establish the official boundaries of the parcel so that the public will know where off-road vehicle travel is not permitted.
Additional information on the KFO RMP is available at http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Planning/rmps/kemmerer.html
For more information, please contact the KFO at 307-828-4500.

Contract Resolved For VA Hospital In Denver

The Veterans Affairs Department has resolved a contract impasse with a construction company that delayed work on a new veterans hospital for Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming. The VA said Thursday the 200-bed, $800 million hospital in the Denver suburb of Aurora will be completed in early 2015, about a year late. The VA said in a written statement it reached an agreement with a partnership of Turner Construction Co. and Kiewit Corp. on Wednesday. It's not clear when construction will start. Democratic Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet and Rep. Ed Perlmutter had pressed the VA to end the delay. The hospital replaces a 59-year-old facility in southeast Denver.

Northern Wyoming High School Football Coach Resigns After Sexist Survey

A high school football coach in northern Wyoming has resigned after handing out a mock survey to his players that included sexist and anti-gay references. Pat Lynch had been coach at Buffalo High School for 13 years and had led the Bison to two state football championships. Lynch's resignation Monday came after he handed out the survey to the team titled "Hurt Feelings Report." It provided boxes for players to check next to wording such as "I am a cry baby," ''I am a queer," ''I have woman like hormones." At the bottom it had lines reading "Name little sissy filing report" and "Girly-man signature." Lynch later apologized.

Rock Springs and Green River High Schools To Compete With State Drama Showcase

Two big rivals will square off in competition at Western Wyoming Community College on Saturday. Rock Springs High and Green River High have joined up with Western to present a State Drama Showcase beginning at 11 AM. Green River Drama Director Terrin Mustach (muss-stack) says the performance are in preparation for the State Drama Competition.






Mustach encourages community members from both Rock Springs and Green River to come out and support the kids.






The performances are free, but donations will be taken to go toward a scholarship fund at the state level. Performances will take place at the Rock Springs WWCC Campus.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Construction on New Three-Lane Bridge East of Worland To Begin

Work is scheduled to begin this week on a $7-million highway improvement project that will include construction of a new three-lane bridge east of Worland. WyDOT says crews will build a detour over Slick Creek so work on the new bridge and other improvements can happen this winter and spring.

Cheyenne Is Best City For Military Retirees To Live

A new report ranks Cheyenne as the best city with a population under 175,000 for military retirees to live. The report by financial services firm USAA and Military.com notes Cheyenne has relatively high employment opportunities and local access to medical care for veterans. Army Reserves Lt. Col. June Walbert, of USAA, said that the nationwide study looked at 379 communities. She said Cheyenne scored high on criteria that included: housing costs; taxes; proximity to a U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital; and the ability for veterans to start new careers after ending military service. Cheyenne is home to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming Air and Army National Guard facilities and the VA hospital.

BackPack Theft

Officers took a report of a Larceny at Monroe Middle School when an 11 year old male left his backpack at the library door and when he came back to retrieve the backpack it was gone. The victim described the backpack as a black plaid with white stripes containing an Arizona brand red and gray coat and an Alcatel cell phone. Anyone with information please call the GRPD at 872-0555.

Wyoming P-B-S documentary

The surprising life of the grown-up brain. That’s the title of a call-in show tomorrow (Thursday) night that begins after the airing of a Wyoming P-B-S documentary about how our brains age. Casper neurologist Dr. David Wheeler says there is a lot of new research showing that old brains can be taught new tricks – and that keeping busy keeps brains healthy.








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Dr. Wheeler is one of the experts who will be answering viewer questions. The documentary, “Gray Matters: Exploring the Mature Mind,” was produced by the Wyoming Geriatric Education Center. It airs at 7 p-m, with the call-in show immediately following at 7:30 – dial 1-800-495-9788.


Wyoming Health Fairs exercise physiologist Alice Burron will also be standing by to offer advice. Her focus is on research that shows how the body really is connected to the mind.







A-A-R-P Wyoming has held similar “Gray Matters” workshops around the state, and they’ve been so popular, 100 people were on the most recent workshop waiting list. The call-in show offers a way for more people around the state to get involved.

Grizzly Trapped and Moved From Ranch North of Cody

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says it has trapped and moved an adult male grizzly bear from a ranch north of Cody. Game and Fish says the grizzly was in an area that wouldn't be considered typical grizzly habitat. The department trapped and moved the bear Friday to an area between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks not far from the Idaho line. Game and Fish officials say they moved the bear to pre-empt any problems with people, property or livestock.

Sales Tax May Soon Be Charged On Internet Purchases

A bipartisan group of 10 U.S. senators wants to give states a way to require online retailers to collect sales taxes. The group is led by Sens. Mike Enzi of Wyoming, Dick Durbin of Illinois and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. They announced Wednesday that they're introducing a bill that would allow states that adopt the same administrative procedure for collecting taxes to be able to require online sellers to collect taxes. States that don't accept the national standard could still collect sales taxes but only if they agree to some minimum streamlining of their tax system. Amazon says it strongly supports the bill. It has fought state laws forcing it to collect taxes, saying it preferred a federal solution.

Idaho Man Charged With Illegally Shooting Bison In Grand Teton National Park

A 48-year-old Idaho hunter is accused of illegally killing a bull bison in Grand Teton National Park.bbDaniel Kluth, of Kimberly, Idaho, was cited by park rangers for shooting the bison near Uhl Hill on Sunday. Park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs says Kluth began his hunt in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, where he had a permit to shoot a bison. But he ended up within the park's boundaries when he tried to circle around to get to the herd. Skaggs says an outfitting service that was called to help remove the bison reported the animal was shot within the park's boundaries. Hunting is prohibited in the park, except for those who have a permit to participate in its elk reduction program.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

BLM Seeks Comments About Quaking Aspen Wind Project Near Rock Springs

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rock Springs Field Office has kicked-off a 30-day public scoping period to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Quaking Aspen Wind Energy Project near Rock Springs. BLM Rep Serena Baker says comments from those who know the area of proposal are encouraged to speak up.






Baker says this project is just one of many energy projects for the BLM.






The proposed project would be located in Sweetwater County on approximately 3699 acres of public, 3865 acres of private and 630 acres of state land roughly 11 miles southeast of Rock Springs. Comments are requested by December 7th and can be submitted by mail, or hand-delivery to the BLM Rock Springs Office on Highway 191 North.

School Board Meeting

Sweetwater county school district #2 met for their monthly meeting last night, here's Erick Pauley with more...







Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Sweetwater BOCES To Hold Make and Take Holiday Workshops

Sweetwater BOCES(boe-seas) is holding some special Make and Take Holiday Workshops to get you in the decorating mood. Bernadine Craft says the first workshops will be held this Saturday at Rock Springs Junior High.






That workshop runs from 10 AM to noon with another following at 1 PM.






A third workshop to make a Fabric Wreath and assorted ornaments will be held next Saturday. For more information on fees and other workshop offerings, call the Sweetwater BOCES office at 307-382-1607.

Project To Store Carbon Dioxide Near Rock Springs Is Questioned

A project to store carbon dioxide underground near Rock Springs has some Wyoming state lawmakers questioning the steep cost of buying the greenhouse gas. Those in favor want to come up with a way to store the gas in case the coal industry is barred from releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. However, right now, the gas actually has value because it's used to reac hard-to-extract oil. Project Director Rob Hurless says the gas could cost 750 million dollars. Senator Eli Bebout (bee-bout) says the project doesn't make sense to pay a premium for carbon dioxide now for something that may not be used for a while.

Former WY Attorney General and Federal Judge James Barrett, dies at 89

Former Wyoming Attorney General James Barrett has died. Barrett died Monday at the Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne. He was 89. Barrett served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He later earned his law degree from the University of Wyoming. Governor Stan Hathaway appointed Barrett as Wyoming Attorney General in 1967. Former President Richard Nixon appointed him to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1971. He also served on another federal court that reviewed foreign espionage cases. Barrett was the son of former Wyoming Governor and U.S. Senator Frank A. Barrett.

Wyoming and Colorado Share In Federal Energy Revenues

Wyoming is tops among states that shared in revenues from oil, gas and mineral production on federal land within their borders in the last fiscal year. The Interior Department said Monday it collected $11.16 billion from energy production on public lands and offshore areas in fiscal 2011, or about $2 billion more than in the previous year. About $6 billion of that went to the U.S. Treasury, but some money also went to 37 states where mineral production occurred on federal land. Wyoming received more than $971 million. Among other top energy-producing states, New Mexico received more than $434 million. Colorado received nearly $157 million. About $538 million was disbursed to 34 American Indian tribes and about 30,000 individual Indian mineral owners, up from $407 million in fiscal 2010.