Fire destroys Lander Community Center

A fire has destroyed the Lander Community Center, a landmark for the Fremont County community for many years. The fire was reported about 5:30 Thursday afternoon and when firefighters arrived the building was fully engulfed in flames. There were no injuries and the cause of the fire at the community center is under investigation. The Lander Community Center has been the scene of many weddings, concerts, dances, funerals, the polling place for voting in the Lander area, as well as the home for the One Shot Antelope Hunt. Numerous events were planned for the weekend at the community center and plans have not been announced for alternate locations.

A 3rd wildfire in Wyoming's Medicine Bow Forest

The Medicine Bow National Forest in southeast Wyoming is seeing its third wildfire of the season. The 5,000-acre Arapaho Fire is the second so far in the Laramie Peak area in northern Albany County. It's believed to have been started by lightning Wednesday night and spread quickly Thursday. Some local residents were evacuated. It's only a few miles from the Cow Camp fire that burned 13 square miles earlier this month. The Russell's Camp fire has burned about 8 square miles of the Medicine Bow in neighboring Converse County. That fire is 80% contained. In western Wyoming, the Fontenelle Fire remains out of control in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. That fire has burned about 44 square miles. Fires also are burning in Park, Washakie and Platte counties.

State of Wyoming wildfire bill already at $6M

The state of Wyoming has already spent $6 million in fighting wildfires so far this season. Renny MacKay, of Gov. Matt Mead's office, says the state has $2 million in its 2-year budget for fighting wildfires. The state also has a $2.8 million budget for general operations such as fire preparedness. In addition, there is $9.2 million available in an emergency fire suppression account. The governor recently put $6 million in unspent money into his office budget for fighting wildfires. Wyoming's last big fire season was in 2006, and the state spent $17 million. Firefighting on federal land, including national forests, national parks and Bureau of Land Management land is paid for with federal dollars.

GRPD New Home

A new home for the GRPD is in the works, Erick Pauley has the Story

Where Does Wyoming Go Now Regarding Health Care?

There are 93,000 state residents in Wyoming that are uninsured. That's about 17 percent of the population. Now that the health care act moves ahead, where does Wyoming go? Wyoming has not implemented health care exchanges but a steering committee is studying an exchange for Wyoming and will present a report to the Legislature this fall. Gov. Matt Mead, who has said he considers the federal health care law bad policy, says no decisions on what Wyoming will do now will be made until the Supreme Court opinion is studied and experts, citizens and lawmakers are consulted.

Tribal group lauds high court's health care ruling

A national tribal advocacy group is praising the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that essentially upholds President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. The National Congress of American Indians says Thursday's ruling affirms the permanent reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act that passed with Obama's Affordable Care Act. NCAI President Jefferson Keel says the decision is an important step for Indian Country. According to the organization, American Indians and Alaska Natives have disproportionately high rates of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and substance abuse. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act authorizes new and expanded efforts to improve the health of indigenous people, including programs addressing health professional shortages, dialysis services, urban Indian health, Indian veterans and behavioral health. The health care improvement act was last reauthorized in 2000.

2 arrested in Torrington in Guernsey Park fire

Authorities say two people have been arrested in Torrington in connection with the wildfire that burned in Guernsey State Park earlier this month. The fire chased out campers and park users on June 9 and ended up burning about 2,700 acres in and near the park. The park was closed for five days, but no structures were lost. The fire cost about $2.5 million to fight. The two people were arrested by Goshen County deputies on a warrant out of Platte County charging them with arson. The park is fully reopened but with fire restrictions.

Officials Urge All Residents To Use Extreme Caution Regarding Fire

The devastating photographs of the wildfires that are still burning across Colorado and in Wyoming are all across the Internet. Shelley Gregory with the Bureau of Land Management hopes the images will serve as a reminder that as the Fourth of July approaches, the use of any fireworks poses a danger not only to yourself, but also to others.






If you plan on camping out for the 4th, you will also want to remember the danger that a campfire imposes.






Gov. Matt Mead is urging Wyoming residents and visitors to take extra care in the outdoors because of the extreme fire danger. Mead notes there are fire bans on all state lands. In addition, 12 of the state's 23 counties have instituted their own fire bans so far. The counties with fire bans as of Wednesday are: Uinta, Sweetwater, Carbon, Albany, Laramie, Natrona, Converse, Platte, Goshen, Weston, Campbell and Crook. Also, the Game and Fish Department is banning open fires on all lands it administers in the southeastern and central parts of Wyoming.

Bridger-Teton fire makes big run, more new fires

A wildfire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming has become the largest in the state to date this year. The Fontenelle Fire in the Wyoming Range made a 3-mile run on Wednesday and has now burned about 36 square miles of forest. An undetermined number of campers in the area were forced to flee but no structures have been lost or injuries reported. Officials say more hot, dry and windy conditions are expected Thursday. There is no containment and more firefighting resources have been requested to help the more than 100 on hand. Elsewhere, new fires have been reported in Albany and Platte counties, joining ongoing fires in Converse, Park and Washakie counties. Red flag warnings have been posted for most of western, central and southern Wyoming.

Wyoming US Sens. vow health care repeal effort

Wyoming Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso say the U.S. Supreme Court decision on the health care law doesn't change their stance that the law is bad policy that must be overturned. Enzi and Barrasso both say they will work to repeal the law passed by a Democratic Congress in 2010. Barrasso, who is an orthopedic surgeon, says the law remains bad for patients, providers and taxpayers. Enzi says the Supreme Court affirmed that the law is a massive tax increase on Americans. They say the law should be replaced with a step-by-step process of sensible health care reform.

Fontenelle Fire

A Type II firefighting team has now been assigned to the Fontenelle Fire after it jumped the county line from Fremont into Sublette and is darkening skies in Pinedale with its smoke.The wildfire increased tenfold in the past 24 hours after winds maxing out at 40 miles per hour changed direction. Currently, 12,000 acres have burned as the fire settled into Snider Basin and is moving toward Big Piney. Incident Commander Mike Wilde is ordering additional resources today. Five engines and 92 crew members were assigned to the fire as of this morning. BTNF spokesperson Mary Cernicek said water drops by the helicopters have been useless due to high winds.
The wildfire on the Kemmerer Ranger District, 33 miles northwest of LaBarge, WY, in Lincoln County, was discovered around 4:30pm on June 24, 2012. The LaBarge Creek Road the Thompson Pass Road (to Snider Basin) are now closed. Cause of the fire has not been determined.

Sixth Penny Tax

The final tally for projects seeking sixth-penny-tax consideration will amount to $128.58 million. The committee charged with selecting projects for consideration released their final project listing last week, with Rock Springs Mayor Carl Demshar sending an official letter and listing to the Sweetwater County Commissioners early this week.
The next step in the process is for the commissioners to decide which, if any, of the projects listed will be placed on the November ballot, Demshar said.
Projects in the final listing include $59.29 million in infrastructure related projects for cities and towns throughout Sweetwater County. That amount breaks down to $19.71 million for work in Rock Springs, $14 million for infrastructure projects in Green River, $6.62 million for streets and sewer projects in Superior, $2 million to pave the main road into Bairoil, $8.2 million for streets and a pump station in Granger and $5.26 million for streets and sewer work in Wamsutter. Sweetwater County also has $3.5 million requested for various road-surface projects throughout the county.

Woman Rescued

An unidentified woman had to be rescued after she was apparently swimming in the area of Expedition Island at about 2 Monday afternoon. She was caught in the rapids and pulled into the main channel, then carried quickly to the east. A passerby saw her from the river bridge on Uinta Drive and notified authorities. Dea Cargile, assistant chief for the Green River Fire Department, said they received the call just after 2 p.m. The Bureau of Reclamation began reducing the flow from Fontenelle Reservoir yesterday, according to Katerina Grantz. It will be reduced by a total of 1,100 cfs by the end of the week, but that does not change the fact that the river is dangerous. Cargile recommends that everyone wear a lifejacket when around the river just to be safe.

Green River students to get iPads

Public school students in Green River will be getting to use Apple iPads soon. The Sweetwater County School District 2 Board of Trustees allocated $26,000 to buy iPads for its students. District Technology Supervisor David Holt said $19,039 will go to purchase a 25-station iPad cart with 25 iPads, which allows staff to synchronize and charge the machines. Another $7,000 was allocated to purchase applications. Holt says that the purchase will help the district meet its goal of having an iPad cart in each school building by 2014. He said because iPads have many applications that engage students at different ages and levels of understanding, they can be used to help individual students in a specific area.

Wildfire Updates From Across The State

New wildfires have started in northern Wyoming. A new fire is burning in the Shoshone National Forest near the Montana border. The fire has forced the closure of a 15 mile section of U.S. 212 in northern Park County. Another fire is burning about 12 miles south of 10 Sleep in Washakie County. And firefighters are tending to a grass fire that burned about 15,000 acres Tuesday in Johnson and Sheridan counties. About 30 ranch homes had to be evacuated. However, lighter winds kept fire activity down Wednesday. Elsewhere, fire lines held on the Russell's Camp fire in the Medicine Bow National Forest on Tuesday despite 50 mph wind gusts. And the Fontenelle fire in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming has grown to about 12,000 acres.

GE Mobile Mammography Unit Fights Breast Cancer With Prevention

The Wyoming Department of Health and Susan G. Komen Foundation partnered up with General Electric and Wednesday they unveiled a new mobile mammography screening unit that will help get more women screened and begin saving lives. Nationally 25% of women aren't getting screened for breast cancer, but in Wyoming that percentage rises to 33%. The state is trying to reverse that with a new partnership with the Komen Foundation and GE. The result of this partnership is a mobile unit that will come to you and be able to take mammogram's for women in every part of the state. The GE Mobile Mammography unit will begin operating on August 6th with it's first stop being in Rock Springs.

BLM Kemmerer Continues "Seeds of Success" in 2012

The Bureau of Land Management Kemmerer Field Office is collecting native plant seeds for the third year as part of the BLM’s Seeds of Success program. Shelley Gregeory says the seed collecting effort this year will be focused on species which occur above 7,000 feet in elevation because of severe drought conditions. 






SOS is part of the Native Plant Materials Development Program established by Congress in 2001 after the severe wildfire seasons of 1999 and 2000.






More information about SOS can be found at www.nps.gov/plants/sos. For more information about the KFO program, please contact KFO Natural Resource Specialist Marion Mahaffey at 307- 828-4543.

Fireworks Reminder

With the current dry conditions and high fire danger, the Green River Police Department would like to remind all Green River residents that as we draw closer to the 4th of July holiday, the use of ANY and ALL Fireworks are illegal in the city limits. The fine for the first offense Use of Fireworks is $225.00 and this will be vigorously enforced by the GRPD. Please remember that any negligent use of fireworks or burning can also result in additional criminal charges being filed and you may be held responsible for any resulting personal injuries or property damage as a result of that negligence. Please be careful. If you have any questions, contact the GRPD at 872-0555.

Seeds of Success

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kemmerer Field Office (KFO) is collecting native plant seeds for the third year as part of the BLM’s Seeds of Success (SOS) program. The seed collecting effort this year will be focused on species which occur above 7,000 feet in elevation because of severe drought conditions.
The BLM has contracted with botanist Denise Wilson to collect 10,000 to 20,000 seeds each of 30 species of native forbs, grasses and shrubs. Utah Conservation Corps crews, BLM employees and volunteers will assist with these collections. All collections are done by hand; with a crew of 8-10 workers an estimated 10,000 seeds can be collected in just a few hours.
SOS is part of the Native Plant Materials Development Program established by Congress in 2001 after the severe wildfire seasons of 1999 and 2000. Native forb, grass and shrub seeds are collected for long-term storage and use in conservation and reclamation. These native seeds are beneficial because they provide genetic diversity and ecological resilience and their ability to compete with non-native species is critical to offset the effects of climate change, wildfire and drought.

GR Fire

It's been a busy week already for the Green River Fire Department, Erick Pauley has the story

Miss Goshen County Named Miss Wyoming

A Torrington native has been crowned Miss Wyoming. Lexie Madden will go to Paradise, Nev., next January to compete in the Miss America competition. As Miss Goshen County, Madden was crowned Miss Wyoming 2012 in Sheridan on Saturday. Madden's platform is "Raising Awareness of the Importance of Physical Activity in Youth." She runs a youth program at the Laramie Recreation Center to promote childhood activity. The runners up were Miss Johnson County Sarah Cheeney, Miss Sheridan County Heidi Montano, Miss Newcastle Rebecca Podio, and Miss Central Wyoming Jessica Bean.

Armed Rock Springs Man Arrested After Stand Off

On June 22nd, the Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Team arrested 31 year old Christopher Bowman of Rock Springs after an armed standoff. According to Sweetwater County Sheriff Detective Dick Blust, Jr., Bowman's wife, Lavina, reported that her husband had been drinking at their home all day and threatening suicide. Mrs. Bowman told Deputy Sheriff Brad Wallendorff that she had removed several weapons from the house, but had left a .22 rifle in the bedroom.






At that point, Mrs. Bowman called 911. Blust says the Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Team was activated and carried out a tactical entry into the Bowman residence at about 4:40 PM.






Bowman has been charged with Reckless Endangering and Interference with a Peace Officer.  On Monday, Judge Dan Forgey set his bond at $10,000, cash or surety. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

More Details On June 22nd Plane Crash Released

Additional details have been released concerning the airplane crash on White Mountain on June 22nd. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that 51 year old Jana Van Amburg of Bend, Oregon, was flying her single-engine Beech A36 from Bend to Salina, Kansas, when she experienced engine trouble at an altitude of about eight thousand feet over White Mountain at around 11 AM.






Unable to get a cell phone signal at the crash site, she climbed a nearby rise and contacted the Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport to report her situation.






Blust says that federal authorities have been notified and will be conducting the official investigation.

Firefighters seek to suppress new wildfire in Wyo.

The first major wildfire of the season in western Wyoming has burned about 300 acres in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The Fontenelle Fire is located about 30 miles northwest of LaBarge and is burning in heavy and down timber. It was discovered late Sunday afternoon. Forest spokeswoman Mary Cernicek says 60 firefighters and three helicopters are on the scene now, but more firefighters have been requested. There are no structures in the vicinity, but Cernicek says fire managers have decided to fully suppress the fire. In east-central Wyoming, about 620 firefighters are still working to contain a wildfire burning in the Medicine Bow National Forest. The Russell's Camp fire has burned about 8 square miles. It is 35% contained. Red flag warnings are posted for most of the state.

Houde Fire

The Green River Fire Department responded to a house fire over the weekend, Erick Pauley has the details

PAW pays BLM to speed along drill permits

A petroleum industry group is trying to speed along federal drilling permits by paying the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to hire temporary staff and cover overtime expenses to process them. The manager of the BLM's Casper Field Office, Joe Meyer, says applications for drilling permits have more than doubled in the past couple years. He says the Casper BLM office is hiring contract employees through a local temp agency. The Petroleum Association of Wyoming is paying for those workers through the temp agency. Association President Bruce Hinchey says the costs will be at least $100,000. Meyer says neither the association nor any company is involved in hiring the workers and there is no way for the petroleum association to exert improper influence.

Two Evanston Men Face Multiple Charges Following Crime Spree

18 year old Taylor Dee Miles Berry and Jacob J. Swisher, who is also 18, both from Evanston, now face multiple charges stemming from two car thefts, a crash, and a confrontation Sunday with Sweetwater County deputies and Rock Springs police officers. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says it all started when an eyewitness saw a 1996 Plymouth Neon pass him at a high rate of speed.






Officials said the Plymouth was airborne for about 50 feet, then traveled another 109 feet before stopping near a small tree. Swisher and Berry were the vehicle’s two occupants.






County detectives were called out and it was also discovered that Swisher and Berry had traveled to Rock Springs in a black Ford Excursion stolen in Evanston.  Haskell said the Excursion wound up in the parking lot of K-Mart in west Rock Springs, where Fischer located and recovered it. Also recovered from a dumpster behind the Liquor Depot, across Foothill Boulevard from K-Mart, were a number of personal items from both the Ford Excursion and the Plymouth Neon. Both suspects remain in custody at the Sweetwater County Detention Center under a $20,000 cash or surety bond each.

Law Enforcement Confirms Plane Crash On White Mountain

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that a plane did crash on White Mountain north of Green River. Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says the light, private plane crashed on the western slopes late on the morning of June 22nd.






Federal Authorities have been notified. Blust says that more information on the crash will be released at a later date.

Yellowstone road work set for summer season

Road and parking area improvement projects are scheduled to begin the first week of July in Yellowstone National Park's Tower Junction and Canyon Village areas. But the park says little impact is expected on visitors enjoying the summer season because most of the work will be during the night. Crews will construct and widen a 2.5-mile stretch of road between Tower Junction and Tower Fall and reconstruct the Canyon Village parking lot. The Tower Road work will result in closures from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. into September. There could be 30-minute delays during open hours. The Canyon Village Main Parking Area will be open during the day but closed from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. All stores will remain open for business during their normal operating hours.

DFS pitches cuts: 30 positions, $8M in spending

The Wyoming Department of Family Services is proposing to eliminate 30 positions and cut $8 million in spending to meet Gov. Matt Mead's request for spending reductions. The cuts would leave DFS with about 750 positions. Department spokesman Tony Lewis says the agency is going through a reorganization that mainly involves consolidating management jobs. He says the cuts would include a deputy director job that is empty and would not be filled.

Wildfire Burning South of Glenrock

A wildfire burning south of Glenrock grew to more than 8 square miles over the weekend, but firefighters have managed to gain 25% containment. Officials say the fire moved to the northeast, jumping a containment line at one point. Fire spokeswoman Susan Ford says the fire is being driven mostly by strong, erratic winds. The winds aren't expected to be strong Monday but 40 to 50 mph gusts are expected on Tuesday. The fire is burning in old growth forest about 30 miles south of Glenrock in Converse County. There are more than 600 firefighters on the scene. They are being aided by seven helicopters. Despite large fires in Colorado, Ford says fire managers in Wyoming feel they have the resources they need to battle the fire.

Fire Restrictions

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will issue fire restrictions for all Rock Springs Field Office-administered public lands in Uinta and Sweetwater counties effective Monday, June 25. Fire restrictions have already been implemented in Albany, Carbon, Sweetwater and Laramie counties by the Rawlins Field Office.

Due to hot, dry conditions and high fire danger, the following activities are now prohibited:

· Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼” spark arrester type screen, or within fully enclosed grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas.
· Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
· Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
· Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity.

These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered lands throughout Wyoming, including:

· The discharge or use of any fireworks.
· The discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
· The burning, ignition or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
· Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).

Violation of this Fire Prevention Order is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both. (43 CFR 9212.4 and 18 U.S.C. 3571). Restitution for total suppression and damage costs incurred will be borne by the violator.

For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, please visit www.wy.blm.gov/wy_fire_restrictions/.

Sweetwater County Uranium Mine Moves Closer To Production

Sweetwater County's economy is driven by oil, gas and trona production. But a planned uranium mine in the Lost Creek area north of Wamsutter is expected to increase domestic uranium production between 25 and 50% by 2014. Ur-Energy has acquired most of the necessary licenses and permits for the project and anticipates an annual output of 1 million to 2 million pounds of refined yellowcake uranium powder. Production is slated to begin spring 2013 and increase to full capacity by 2014. Uranium has been mined in the Great Divide Basin for more than 40 years. Ur-Energy says that 58 jobs would be created by the mine.

Woman strikes plea deal in infant son's death

A Pavillion woman accused of causing the death of her infant son has accepted a plea deal and may avoid jail time. Candace Lea Wagner has agreed to plead no contest to a misdemeanor charge of criminally negligent homicide in connection with the Nov. 11 death of 2-month-old Clancy Lee Wagner. In exchange, felony child abuse and manslaughter charges would be dismissed. The deal filed June 15 calls for a suspended sentence and one year of probation. Police say Wagner went to a bar the night before the 2-month-old boy died and nursed him before they both went to sleep in her bed. Her son wasn't breathing in the morning, and the cause of death was later ruled asphyxia.

Russell's Camp Fire In Converse County Continues To Burn

A fire burning southwest of Douglas is threatening several homes in the area. The Russell's Camp Fire is now burning on over 3,900 acres, of mixed conifer on the Medicine Bow National Forest, as well as on state and private lands. Due to high winds is spreading quickly and growing to the north and east. The fire is now 10% contained. The fire is located 32 miles south of Glenrock and has burned north of Buffalo Peak, south of Squaw Mountain and west of East Box Elder Creek, according to Wyoming Forest Service Department of Agriculture. No structures have been destroyed or damaged, however 20 primary and 20 outbuildings are threatened. Homes and cabins along Cold Springs Road, which is near the east boundary of the fire, are in danger and those living in that area are asked to evacuate.

BLM Kemmerer Issues Fire Restrictions for Uinta and Sweetwater Counties

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District (HDD) is warning the public that the fire danger rating for southern Wyoming is high. Sweetwater, Carbon, Albany, Uinta and Laramie counties are experiencing energy release component (ERC) levels approaching 90 percent and higher. The ERC scale relates fuel energy potential to an area and these levels have not been seen since the summer of 2002. Shelley Gregory says that fuels located below 7,500 feet in elevation are highly susceptible to fire due to lower snow accumulation, early snow melt and unseasonably warm weather.






Because of the hot, dry conditions and high fire danger, building a fire, smoking, operating a chainsaw or using an arc or gas welder are now prohibited on public lands.






For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, got to blm.gov.

BLM Extends Fire Prevention Order to Laramie and Sweetwater Counties

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has extended fire restrictions to all BLM-administered lands in Laramie and Sweetwater counties which are within the Rawlins Field Office area. Fire restrictions have already been implemented in Albany and Carbon counties.

Due to hot, dry conditions and high fire danger, the following activities are now prohibited:

· Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼” spark arrester type screen, or within fully enclosed grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas.
· Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
· Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
· Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity.

These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered lands throughout Wyoming, including:

· The discharge or use of any fireworks.
· The discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
· The burning, ignition or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
· Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).

Violation of this Fire Prevention Order is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both. (43 CFR 9212.4 and 18 U.S.C. 3571). Restitution for total suppression and damage costs incurred will be borne by the violator.

For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, please visit www.wy.blm.gov/wy_fire_restrictions/.

Debate over fire retardant toxicity rages in West

Add another concern for the tanker plane pilots who bomb fire retardant around the wildfires raging in the West this summer - endangered species. New rules adopted by the U.S. Forest Service dictate where fire retardant can and can't be used in dozens of national forests. The goal is to prevent fire retardant from harming protected plants and fish. Forest Service officials insist the new rules won't hinder firefighting. Dan Snyder, president of Missoula, Mont.-based Neptune Aviation Services, says he agrees for the most part, though pilots will need to learn in advance where they can and can't drop retardant. Documented cases of fire retardant killing fish are relatively rare. Fire retardant can harm endangered plants by acting as a fertilizer and encouraging other plant species to crowd them out.

Teen Presumed Dead at Glendo Reservoir

A 17-year-old from Colorado is presumed dead following a canoeing accident at Wyoming's Glendo Reservoir. Authorities say the boy was canoeing with two friends on Wednesday afternoon when the boat capsized. The two other teens were found by rescuers. Divers have been searching for the unidentified teen and planned to use sonar equipment to find him on Friday. The reservoir has 9,000 surface acres of water. Platte County emergency manager Jane Carlson said one or two people die there every year.

Wyoming bans fires at 2 state parks, rec area

A fire ban has been issued for the Hawk Springs State Recreation area. The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources issued a statement saying that the fire ban at Hawk Springs follows fire restrictions issued by Goshen County. The ban at Hawk Springs is in addition to existing fire bans at Glendo and Guernsey State Parks. The bans prohibit all wood fires. Charcoal and gas fire units must have a lid. Smoking is permitted only in vehicles and campers. The bans will remain in effect until further notice.

Firefighters Prepare For Worse in Medicine Bow National Forest Fire

The return of hot, dry and windy weather has firefighters preparing for the worst at a wildfire burning in the Medicine Bow National Forest in east-central Wyoming. Fire spokeswoman Susan Ford says fire crews Friday morning were preparing safety zones where firefighters can flee in case the fire makes a sudden run. In addition, backup fire lines are being constructed four or five miles from the fire to help stop any run. The fire has burned more than 4 square miles and is only about 10% contained. Ford says the north side of the fire has little containment because of the rugged terrain. Southwest winds gusting up to 45 mph are expected to hit the fire zone, driving the fire northeast into an area with old forest.

Flaming Gorge days

As Citizens gather along the Green River to Enjoy Flaming Gorge days, another group is hard at work protecting the water itself, Erick Pauley has the story

5% containment on Russel's Camp wildfire

Anticipating a return of hot, dry, windy weather by this weekend, firefighters worked Thursday to build lines around a wildfire in the Medicine Bow National Forest in east-central Wyoming. The Russell's Camp fire is located about 30 miles south of Glenrock and has burned just over 4 square miles since Sunday. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Wednesday lessened fire intensity, allowing firefighters to gain 5% containment. But the fire was more active Thursday with warmer temperatures. The number of firefighters on the scene has increased to 385 with the addition for more highly trained crews. They are aided by five helicopters. Elsewhere in the state, all of Teton County, including Grand Teton National Park, in northwest Wyoming has been elevated to a high fire danger rating.

OSHA issues alert related to hydraulic fracturing

Federal officials have issued a hazard alert aimed at protecting workers at hydraulic fracturing operations from silica exposure. Hydraulic fracturing involves blasting rock with water, sand and chemicals to extract oil and natural gas. Crystalline silica is part of sand. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health say workers who regularly breathe it are at greater risk of developing silicosis. They say silica also is linked to lung cancer and tuberculosis. A hazard alert they issued Thursday describes how engineering controls, work practices, protective equipment, worker training and product substitution can protect employees. OSHA released statements from officials with the Association of Energy Service Companies and the AFL-CIO saying they support efforts to raise awareness of the hazard.

BLM Issues Fire Prevention Order for Carbon and Albany Counties

Due to hot, dry conditions and high fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rawlins Field Office is implementing fire restrictions for all BLM-administered public lands in Carbon and Albany counties effective today.

The following activities are now prohibited:

· Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼” spark arrester type screen, or within fully enclosed grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas.
· Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
· Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
· Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity.

These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered lands throughout Wyoming, including:

· The discharge or use of any fireworks.
· The discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
· The burning, ignition or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
· Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).

Violation of this Fire Prevention Order is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both. (43 CFR 9212.4 and 18 U.S.C. 3571). Restitution for total suppression and damage costs incurred will be borne by the violator.

For more information on BLM fire restrictions or conditions, please visit www.wy.blm.gov/wy_fire_restrictions/.

Flaming Gorge Days Parade To Honor Hometown Heroes

The Annual Flaming Gorge Days parade will take place tomorrow starting at 10 AM. Jasmine Weaver says that with this year's theme... Hometown Heroes – Red, White and Blue... the parade promises to be bigger than ever.






If you plan on going to the parade or to any of the events, you may wonder about parking. Weaver says nothing much has changed since last year.






Flaming Gorge Days offers plenty of tournaments this year including Dodge Ball, Volleyball and Horseshoes. For more information, go to flaminggorgedays.com.

5 Percent containment on Wyoming wildfire

Firefighters have gained 5% containment on a fire burning in the Medicine Bow National Forest in east-central Wyoming. The Russell's Camp fire is located about 30 miles south of Glenrock and has burned just over 4 square miles since Sunday. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Wednesday lessened fire spread and intensity, allowing firefighters to make progress on all areas of the fire. However, very hot, dry weather is to return by the weekend. The number of firefighters on the scene has increased to 385. They are aided by five helicopters. Elsewhere in the state, all of Teton County in northwest Wyoming has been elevated to a high fire danger rating because of dry, warm weather. That includes Grand Teton National Park and the vast Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Unemployment Numbers

Un-employment numbers continue to decline in Sweetwater County. According to the state department of workforce services, the counties un-employement rate in May stood at 4.2 percent, down from 4.4 percent in April. A year ago, Sweetwater County had an un-employment rate of 4.9 percent. The statewide average is 5.0 percent, down from 5.6 percent in April. The lowest rate in Wyoming is in near-by Sublette County at 3.2 percent. Campbell County, rich with Coal, is at 3.9 percent. The highest rate in Wyoming is Teton County, at 8.7 percent.

Fire Update

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming High Desert District (HDD), in coordination with BLM Colorado, Carbon County, Wyo., and Moffat County, Colo., is fighting the Willow wildfire approximately 15 miles southeast of Baggs, Wyo.
The wildfire was first reported at 2:30 p.m. on June 19; the cause is under investigation. The fire began in Wyoming and crossed into Colorado, burning an estimated 750 to 800 acres of juniper, sagebrush and grass in rolling terrain. Firefighters initiated structure protection on two mobile homes and a barn but no evacuations were ordered.
The blaze is approximately 70 percent contained and BLM Incident Commander Eric Stuart expects to control the fire the evening of June 21, if current progress is maintained.
Stuart states, “Windy, hot weather and dry fuels contributed to the fire’s growth and made initial attack difficult for this time of year. We are using all available resources to pursue containment.”
Resources on the wildfire include one Type II helicopter, the Lakeview, Ore., helitack crew, three BLM engines from Rawlins, Wyo., three BLM engines from Vail and Burns, Ore., and one Type II handcrew from central Oregon.
Released resources include three Carbon County engines, two Moffat County engines, three Baggs Volunteer Fire Department engines, and two volunteer fire department engines from Encampment, Wyo.
Outdoor recreationists are urged to use caution or avoid the area entirely since fire behavior can change suddenly and fire spread is unpredictable if high winds develop.

New Police Station

The New Police Station is making some progress in the design phase, Erick Pauley has the story

Rugwell chosen for BLM Wyoming position

The Bureau of Land Management has chosen a Cheyenne native to be the new associate state director for BLM Wyoming. BLM Wyoming State Director Don Simpson said Wednesday that Mary Jo Rugwell plans to report to the Wyoming state office in late August. He says Rugwell has an extensive background in management, renewable resources, wild horses, oil and gas, grazing, fire and recreation. Rugwell most recently was a district manager for the BLM's southern Nevada district office. She began her BLM career in 1984 at the Wyoming State Office in Cheyenne in the fluid minerals branch.

Groups sue over Fortification Creek development

Three conservation groups are suing the U.S. Interior Department over a plan to open the Fortification Creek area in northeast Wyoming to coal-bed methane development. The Bureau of Land Management has approved phased development starting this year. The National Wildlife Federation joined in the lawsuit with two Wyoming groups - the Powder River Basin Resource Council and the Wyoming Outdoor Council. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. The Fortification Creek area consists of about 100,000 acres in Campbell, Johnson and Sheridan counties. It is home to a rare prairie elk herd and large areas of steep slopes and sensitive soils.

Meteorite report grounds Colo firefighting planes

Authorities say reports of a possible meteorite or meteor shower briefly grounded firefighting aircraft battling a central Colorado wildfire. Meteorologist Scott Entrekin of the National Weather Service says emergency officials in Chaffee County reported a possible meteor in the skies near the Springer Fire. They briefly grounded four single-engine aircraft fighting the 1,100-acre blaze west of Colorado Springs. Entrekin said Wednesday that the crews of 2 commercial aircraft flying over Liberal, Kan., reported what appeared to be a meteorite at 12:47 p.m. MDT. He said the Colorado sighting occurred at about the same time. The Federal Aviation Administration says it has no confirmed reports of a meteorite. It says there were no reported disruptions to commercial airlines.

Bikers and Kids Have Special Entertainment at Flaming Gorge Days

With Flaming Gorge Days kicking off today at 3 PM at the Rolling Green Country Club, you may want to check out their schedule of events. The adults have some great concerts to choose from, but Jasmine Weaver says there is plenty of children's entertainment and at a really great price.







Motorcycle fans will also not be disappointed this year with the Flaming Gorge Harley Davidson Pancake Breakfast and Bike Run that will raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.







The Bike Show will take place this Saturday from 1 to 4 PM. Flaming Gorge Days has a great website that lists all of the events and sponsors. Just go to flaminggorgedays.com.

Fire Danger High

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District (HDD) is warning the public that the fire danger rating for southern Wyoming is high and urges extreme caution for those recreating on public lands.
Sweetwater, Carbon, Albany, Uinta and Laramie counties are experiencing energy release component (ERC) levels approaching 90 percent and higher. The ERC scale relates fuel energy potential to an area and these levels have not been seen since the summer of 2002. Fuels located below 7,500 feet in elevation are highly susceptible to fire due to lower snow accumulation, early snow melt and unseasonably warm weather. HDD Fire Management Officer Frank Keeler states, “The lack of spring moisture has stunted most new growth for this year; however, the previous two years of grass growth is still there and very ready to burn.” Keeler requests that the public be very diligent in maintaining campfires within fire rings and making sure they are 100 percent out by touching the coals with their hands. All agricultural burns should also comply with local government permitting and notification policies. Please report wildfires immediately to 911 or the Rawlins Interagency Dispatch Center at 1-800-295-9953.

Green River City Council

The Green River City Council met for its second monthly meeting last night, Erick Pauley has the Story

Advance Tickets Still Available For Flaming Gorge Days Concerts

You still have time to get the advance price on tickets for the concerts at Flaming Gorge Days. Jasmine Weaver says that this year is even better with the line up.






If country isn't your favorite, there is always Saturday night.






Flaming Gorge Days kick off tomorrow at 3 PM at the Rolling Green Country Club. For a complete schedule of events, go to flaminggorgedays.com.

Power line suspected in Natrona Co. fire Sunday

A power line is suspected of starting a grass fire that destroyed four structures, including two homes, in Natrona County on Sunday. Lt. Mark Sellers of the Natrona County Sheriff's Office says investigators have ruled out human involvement in the fire that swept through a rural residential area near the small community of Mills. Sellers says investigators believe a power line arc started a grass fire that was then driven by wind gusts of up to 45 mph. There were no serious injuries.

Wyoming wildfire triples in size in 1 day

More experienced fire managers and crews have taken over the fight against a wildfire burning in a rough, mountainous area of the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming. The fire is located about 30 miles south of Glenrock in Converse County and has burned about four square miles since Sunday. Its cause is under investigation. About 40 residents of widely scattered ranches and cabins in the area were advised to evacuate Monday afternoon. Converse County Sheriff Clint Becker says he hasn't heard of anyone using a shelter set up in Douglas. There are more than 200 firefighters on the scene. They include crews trained in fighting fires in rugged terrain. Their efforts are being challenged by another day of hot, dry, windy conditions.

High Fire Danger; BLM Urges Caution During Fire Season

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District (HDD) is warning the public that the fire danger rating for southern Wyoming is high and urges extreme caution for those recreating on public lands. Sweetwater, Carbon, Albany, Uinta and Laramie counties are experiencing energy release component (ERC) levels approaching 90 percent and higher. The ERC scale relates fuel energy potential to an area and these levels have not been seen since the summer of 2002.

Fuels located below 7,500 feet in elevation are highly susceptible to fire due to lower snow accumulation, early snow melt and unseasonably warm weather. HDD Fire Management Officer Frank Keeler says that “The lack of spring moisture has stunted most new growth for this year; however, the previous two years of grass growth is still there and very ready to burn.” Keeler requests that the public be very diligent in maintaining campfires within fire rings and making sure they are 100 percent out by touching the coals with their hands. All agricultural burns should also comply with local government permitting and notification policies. Please report wildfires immediately to 911 or the Rawlins Interagency Dispatch Center at 1-800-295-9953. “Initial attack resources have a small window for being successful and any delay could promote very large fire growth with the potential for loss of property or life,” Keeler adds.

The public is also reminded that the use of fireworks is illegal on public lands at all times and that off-highway vehicles must be equipped with Society of Automotive Engineers approved spark arresters.

Wyoming wildfire triples in size in 1 day

More firefighting resources are being sent to help battle a 2,000-acre wildfire burning in the Medicine Bow National Forest. The fire is located about 30 miles south of Glenrock in Converse County. It was spotted on Sunday and tripled in size on Monday because of strong winds. Residents of widely scattered ranches and cabins in the area were advised to evacuate Monday afternoon. A shelter has been set up in Douglas. There are more than 200 firefighters on the scene, aided by six helicopters and two bulldozers. On Tuesday, two single-engine air attack planes are joining in. The firefighting effort will be challenged again by another day of hot, dry, windy conditions. The National Weather Service has posted a red flag warning for much of southern Wyoming.

I-80 Accident

I-80 just west of Green River was shut down for a couple of hours Monday afternoon following a truck accident. The Wyoming Department of Transportation says the eastbound lane was closed from the Covered Wagon exit near Rolling Green Country Club to exit 89 on the west side of Green River. Traffice was diverted through Jamestown, and then back on to the interstate at milepost 89 on ramp. At 11 Monday morning, a tanker semi-truck rolled over, crossing lanes of traffic. The tanker was carrying hazardous water, but did not spill its cargo in the roll over and there was no spillage onto the road. No word from authorties if their were injuries involved

Fire Update

The White Mountain Mall was evacuated on Saturday, Erick pauley has the story

Federal judge denies sweat lodge request

A federal judge has ruled against a Northern Arapaho man's claim that Wyoming prison officials improperly denied him access to a sweat lodge for religious purposes at the state prison in Torrington. Andrew John Yellowbear Jr. is serving a life sentence in state prison in the 2004 beating death of his daughter, 22-month-old Marcela Hope Yellowbear. U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson has dismissed Yellowbear's civil rights lawsuit on the sweat lodge issue. Yellowbear filed the lawsuit last year claiming that prison officials said they could not allow him to participate in sweat lodge ceremonies at the Torrington prison.

8 more homes lost in northern Colorado wildfire

Sheriff's officials say they have found eight more homes burned by a northern Colorado wildfire that has burned on almost 92 square miles. That means the fire has damaged at least 189 homes. The fire was 50% contained Monday. Fire information officer Brett Haberstick says firefighters are grateful that the wind was relatively calm much of the day Monday. But temperatures have been in the mid-90s and the relative humidity is extremely low at 3 to 5%. Meanwhile, a fire that started Sunday west of Colorado Springs has burned about 1½ square miles and prompted evacuations of cabins and a recreation area near Elevenmile State Park. Another fire near Pagosa Springs in southwestern Colorado has grown to nearly 19 square miles and is 30% contained.

Forest fire south of Glenrock Fanned By Winds

Winds gusting up to 40 mph doubled the size of a wildfire in southern Converse County. The wildfire is burning in rugged terrain in the Medicine Bow National Forest. It was first spotted Sunday about 30 miles south of Glenrock. The fire had grown to more than 1,200 acres Monday afternoon. The strong winds forced the initial firefighting crews to pull back, and sheriff's deputies started going door to door early Monday afternoon advising people at the area's scattered ranches and summer cabins to voluntarily evacuate. A shelter was set up in Douglas, about 35 miles away. Forest Service spokesman Larry Sandoval said more experienced federal fire managers were being brought in Monday evening to take over fighting the fire.

Using Fireworks Now Is Simply A Bad Idea

The Fourth of July usually means fireworks and celebrations. But this year, Rock Springs Fire Inspector Carl Blanksvard warns that you might want to think twice about that rocket's red glare.






In the cities of Rock Springs and Green River, fireworks are illegal with the exception of sparklers, caps and party poppers. But Blanksvard says even using sparklers are simply a bad idea right now.






If you are going to use sparklers, Blanksvard recommends having a bucket of water or sand to place the used rods in. He also emphasizes, that if you set off any fireworks, you should walk the perimeter following the display to make sure there are none still smoldering. Some can smolder for hours before igniting a fire.

Jessica Fritts,

An Oregon woman arrested in Summit County has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a multistate crime spree that police say she and her fugitive husband carried out last year. Jessica Fritts, 36, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne, Wyo., to felony carjacking and weapons charges. Fritts was arrested Aug. 14, 2011, after officials say her husband, Roy Scott Fritts, shot and wounded a man in Wyoming, stole his car and fled across the Utah border.
Jessica Fritts faces up to 30 years in prison when she is sentenced Aug. 22.
Roy Fritts, 34, appeared in a Wyoming court via video Thursday, according to the Sweetwater County, Wyo., Sheriff’s Office. Fritts is being held in a Rock Springs jail on charges of attempted murder and larceny. His bail is set at $1 million.
Last year, police say Roy Fritts shot 54-year-old Edmund Thornell, of Costa Mesa, Calif. A family that found the man wounded on a Wyoming roadway said Thornell told them "a man he had picked up hitchhiking ... and a female who had red hair had lured him away from his van, shot him and took his van," according to the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office. Roy Fritts was wanted at the time for fleeing from parole in Oregon, where officials say he fired at police during a chase. He also was wanted for a jailbreak in Tennessee, according to Sweetwater officials. Officers spotted the van near Evanston and tried to stop it, but it continued into Utah. Summit County deputies picked up the chase near Echo. Spike strips stopped the van, and Jessica Fritts was caught. Roy Fritts continued to run but was arrested after a short standoff, police said.

Changes proposed in miners' medical program

The Wyoming Miners' Hospital Board is faced with too little money to deal with a growing numbers of miners registering for its medical program. The more than 7,600 current and former miners currently enrolled are taxing the system to the point that services are having to be suspended. The Miners' Hospital Board is proposing several major changes to eligibility criteria to help save money. For instance, office staff and other workers who have casual or no direct contact with the mining process would be excluded. Those who met the old requirements and already have signed up would be grandfathered in. The Miners' Hospital Board is taking public comment on the proposal until June 20.

Police looking for man who robbed Cheyenne bank

Authorities are looking for a man who robbed a bank north of the Cheyenne Regional Airport. Police say the robber entered the American National Bank branch on Yellowstone Road at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, handed a teller a note demanding cash and fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. No weapon was shown during the robbery. The suspect is described as 25 to 30 years old, white, 5-foot-9 and about 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a camouflage hat, sunglasses, a black shirt and blue jeans.

Woman involved in fatal rollover crash gets 2 yrs

A 32-year-old Ethete woman who was involved in a fatal rollover crash southwest of Riverton has been sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. District Judge Clarence A. Brimmer sentenced Michelle Crispin on Friday and ordered her to pay $8,203 in restitution. Crispin pleaded guilty in March to involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say she was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the Jan. 2 crash west of Arapahoe that killed 27-year-old Mitchell James C'Hair Jr., also of Ethete.

Transient Man Arrested in Farson For Trying to Mail a Fake Bomb

A 63 year old transient man identified as Nicholas Lynn Hoffman Yager has been arrested after he tried to mail a suspicious package from the Farson Post Office to a number of top federal officials. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that the arrest took place on June 13th.






Hoffman Yager was located in the bathroom at Mitch’s Café where he was changing clothes.  When the officers told him to come out of the bathroom, he began yelling obscenities, causing a disturbance.






The package was classified as an intentionally-manufactured hoax device that contained no explosives and no one was injured. A federal official met with the Bomb Squad last Thursday, and Hoffman Yager remains in custody at the Sweetwater County Detention Center, charged with Breach of Peace, as the investigation continues.

National High School Finals Rodeo

On Wed., July 18, a number of 2012 National High School Finals Rodeo competitors will take a break from their events to spend time with a very special group of youngsters. The Exceptional Kids Rodeo will be hosted at the Sweetwater Events Complex Indoor Arena starting at 4:30 p.m.
The free event gives the children a chance to experience rodeo excitement first-hand. Horseback riding and roping lessons are just the beginning. Bullfighters – the performers who keep the bull riding contestants safe – will also be on hand to interact with the children. Additionally, the rodeo queen contestants and the National High School Rodeo Association student officers will sign autographs and show the kids the rodeo ropes. The festivities end with refreshments for all. Each child who participates in the Exceptional Kids Rodeo will be given two tickets to a National High School Rodeo performance on July 19 so they can come back and cheer on their favorite cowboy and cowgirl.
It’s all part of the National High School Finals Rodeo, which will take place at The Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs, Wyo., July 15-21. With 13 performances over seven days, the “world’s largest rodeo” is expected to draw more than 100,000 attendees. More than 1,500 cowboys and cowgirls from 41 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces and Australia compete.

Green River Milestone

Today marks a milestone for a building in Green River, Erick Pauley has the story

Herren Positively Identified

A routine autopsy has confirmed the identity of the remains recovered from Flaming Gorger earlier this week. They have been positivily identified as those of 43 year old Richard D. Herren who drowned while fishing on May 4, 1997. Because of several items found near the remains, including his wallet, keys and his wedding ring, they are certain that the remains are that of Herren.

Escaped Wyoming honor camp inmate caught

Authorities say an inmate who escaped from the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp in Newcastle earlier this week has been captured. The Wyoming Department of Corrections says 24-year-old James Friesen was apprehended Wednesday night by a Weston County sheriff's deputy in Pennington County, S.D. Authorities say Friesen was found missing on Monday. Friesen was sentenced in 2011 to three to five years for forgery. The Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp is a minimum security facility. The Corrections Department says it's conducting an internal investigation into Friesen's escape.

Oregon man appears in court in Rock Springs on attempted murder, larceny charges

An Oregon man appeared in  Circuit Court in Rock Springs Thursday charged with Attempted First Degree Murder and Larceny. 34 year old Roy Fritts made a video appearance on Thursday afternoon before Circuit Court Judge Daniel Forgey, who set his bond at $1 million, cash or surety.  Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that Fritts remains in custody at the Sweetwater County Detention Center in Rock Springs.






The family notified authorities via cell phone and Thornell was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs.






On June 13th, Jessica Fritts pleaded guilty to federal charges of Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking, Aiding and Abetting Carjacking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne before Judge Nancy Freudenthal. She has been scheduled for a federal sentencing hearing in Cheyenne on August 22 and is facing a possible 30-year prison term.

2012 Mustang Versatility Trail Ride Buckle Series is on the Move

The 2012 Mustang Versatility Trail Ride Buckle Series will hit the road this year holding events not only at the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility, but also along the Little Sandy River, north of Farson and at the Scotts Bottom Nature Area in Green River. Serena Baker says the Trail Ride Buckle Series showcases mustangs, but is open to all breeds of horses.






You can meet “Freckles” and the rest of the Salt Wells Creek horses available for adoption at blm.gov. This is the third year of the Trail Ride Buckle Series co-sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District and the Green River Chamber of Commerce. 

4 Teens Arrested

The Green River Fire Department responded to a call behind Pamida yesterday morning when Sgt. Mark McDonald of the Green River Police Department spotted some juveniles lighting a fire.
The call was at about 8:30 a.m. as McDonald was making his usual rounds and saw four boys running from the area then saw smoke.
They had apparently used a cigarette lighter to ignite some weeds and trash in a back corner of Pamida’s property along the alley.
The four boys, ages 13-14, were later apprehended and charged.

Bottle Assulat

An altercation at a local watering hole resulted in one man allegedly being cut in the neck by a broken beer bottle while another faces charges of aggravated assault and battery. On June 9, officers were dispatched to 580 East Flaming Gorge, The Wild Horse Saloon, to respond to a call regarding an aggravated assault. Once they arrived, they met up with the victim, Roman Terry, who alleged Byron Tucker, 47, of Green River, had cut his neck with a broken beer bottle. Terry told police Tucker approached Terry and asked why he was “messing with Tucker’s friend.” Terry said Tucker had a beer bottle and was holding it by the neck and became aggressive. Terry pushed Tucker away, but Tucker swung the bottle to hit Terry. He missed and broke the bottle against a nearby wall

Pauley School District Report

School district #2 Finished some Financial business at Tuesday nights meeting, Erick Pauley has more

Fremont County investigates boy's death

The Fremont County Coroner's Office is investigating the death of a 2-year-old boy whose body was recovered Monday night from a river. The boy was reported missing Monday night on the North Fork Road between Lander and Fort Washakie. Fremont County Coroner Ed McAuslan identified the toddler as Joshua Hurtado and said he's from the Ft. Washakie Area. Hurtado was found in the North Fork River. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. McAuslan says he understands the child was at a family reunion picnic in the area. An autopsy on Hurtado was scheduled for Wednesday in Loveland, Colo.

Fuel may have played role in Riverton plane crash

Police say a fuel malfunction apparently played a role in causing a crop duster to crash while attempting to land at the Riverton airport. The crash happened Monday morning. Nobody was hurt. Riverton police Capt. Eric Murphy says firefighters found the plane with its landing gear collapsed at the end of the runway. The propeller blades were bent out of shape. Murphy says the pilot planned to land at a farm but diverted to the airport instead. The pilot said his misjudged the distance to the runway. The plane destroyed a runway light as it crash-landed at the airport.

Oregon woman pleads guilty in carjacking case

An Oregon woman has pleaded guilty to carjacking a man in western Wyoming last year. Jessica Fritts faces a 30-year prison sentence under the plea agreement with federal prosecutors. U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal (FREE'-den-thawl) on Wednesday set sentencing for Aug. 22. The 36-year-old Fritts and her husband Roy Fritts were arrested near Echo, Utah, in August following a police chase. Police say they were driving a van belonging to a California man found shot and wounded near Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming. Federal prosecutor Jim Anderson says Jessica Fritts' plea agreement hinges on her husband pleading guilty to state charges of attempted murder and grand larceny. Anderson says Roy Fritts faces a state sentence of life without parole plus 8 to 10 years for larceny.

Multiple Agencies Participate In Simulated Disaster Exercise

Over a dozen public and private agencies, departments, businesses, and emergency response units worked together in a complex simulated disaster exercise in Rock Springs on June 8th. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says the simulated incident addressed the fictional scenario of a chlorine spill from a railroad tank car near the Halliburton complex on Blairtown Road west of Rock Springs.






Law enforcement set up roadblocks and an emergency command post. Memorial Hospital of Rock Springs also participated by treating people who acted as though suffering from chemical exposure.






The exercise took place at about 9 AM on June 8th and was completed by noon.  At a debriefing later, participants and observers made a detailed evaluation of the operation.

School Board Meeting

School District #2 met last night, Erick Pauley has the story.

Evacuation notices lifted on Wyoming park fire

Residents who fled their homes near the wildfire at Guernsey State Park in southwest Wyoming are being allowed to return to their homes. However, the park remains closed. Thanks to ideal weather conditions and a heavy dose of water dumped from helicopters, firefighters have gained 80% containment of the fire. It was 20% contained on Monday. The fire, which has burned about four square miles, started Saturday and forced the evacuation of hundreds of campers and park users. While one private vacation cabin was lost, firefighters were able to protect the park facilities. About 50 residents in the area voluntarily evacuated their homes. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Wyoming sends helicopter to help fight Colo. Fire

A Wyoming National Guard helicopter is being sent to Colorado to help fight a wildfire there. Gov. Matt Mead's office says the state of Colorado asked for a Wyoming Guard Black Hawk helicopter and its four crew members to help in the fight against a fire west of Fort Collins. The state of Colorado will pay the cost of using the helicopter. Mead says he's pleased to help out a neighbor facing a serious fire. Three of the Wyoming Guard's Black Hawks proved effective in helping fight the Guernsey State Park wildfire in southeast Wyoming on Monday. The fire in the state park went from 20% contained on Monday to 80% contained on Tuesday. The Wyoming helicopter and crew will be on loan to Colorado for 15 days.

Rawlins city reservoir getting new lining

A reservoir that supplies water to the city of Rawlins is getting a new lining to help reduce leakage that has occurred since the reservoir was built in the late 1970s. City officials have estimated the Atlantic Rim Reservoir loses 150,000 gallons of water a day. The reservoir has been drained while workers install the lining. The project should be done by mid-July, at which point the reservoir will be refilled with water from the North Platte River. Water treatment superintendent Danny Rodriguez says sediment will be given time to settle to the bottom before the city uses the water.

Body of Missing Man Recovered From Flaming Gorge

The remains of 43 year old Richard D. Herren of Green River, who drowned in Flaming Gorge on May 4, 1997 were recovered Tuesday morning. Herren of Green River, fell out of a boat in the Holmes Crossing area of Flaming Gorge, known then as Squaw Hollow.  At the time, Herren's wife Mary and family friend Dan Lindholn were also in the boat. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that conditions on the lake that day and during the course of the search for Herren were rough, and searchers’ efforts were unsuccessful.   






The Sheriff’s Office and County Emergency Management began planning and preparation for a June recovery.  The largest concern was the lake’s depth at the body’s location since deep diving at Wyoming’s altitude can be very dangerous.






Recovery craft were on the water by 8:00 AM and the operation was completed about two hours later. About 30 people took part in the operation. A routine autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday in Loveland, Colorado.

Rocky Mountain Power Rate Hike

Higher bills on the way…again. Rocky Mountain Power is requesting a rate hike for the sixth year in a row, citing the need to cover rising electricity costs, growth, pollution control, and transmission and power plant maintenance. The Wyoming Public Service Commission is holding a public hearing this week (Friday, in Casper) to hear the customers’ side of the story. A-A-R-P Wyoming is one of the groups intervening in the case. State director Tim Summers says the original 62-million dollar increase is now down to about 50-million.






The Wyoming Office of Consumer Advocate has recommended R-M-P is entitled to a rate hike of about 15-and-a-half million dollars. Wyoming Industrial Energy Consumers is another one of the groups intervening in the case.

***
Summers says these increases year-after-year hit lower-income residents of all ages the hardest, and create situations where Wyomingites have to choose between paying their utility bills or buying basics, such as food and medications. A-A-R-P and other groups have suggested the company do some long-term planning to avoid an annual rate hike process.






Rocky Mountain Power would like the increased rates to go into effect in October.

School District Meeting Preview

School District #2 will hold its june meeting tonight at 7PM , Erick Pauley has more

Riverton police revise Taser policy

Police in Riverton have revised their official policy on the use of Tasers. A Taser is a handheld device that immobilizes a person by delivering a strong electrical shock. The American Heart Association recently warned that Tasers can cause heart problems. Riverton Police Chief Mike Broadhead says that he's not convinced that the new study isn't unbiased. Even so, he says previous policy department policy about the circumstances in which Tasers could be used gave him some pause. He says the new policy is consistent with good standards and helps to minimize risks. The policy requires somebody to physically resist by striking or kicking an officer or innocent person before they can be shocked with a Taser.

Inmate escapes Wyo. conservation camp

The Wyoming Department of Corrections says an inmate has escaped from the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp in Newcastle. The escaped inmate is identified as 24-year-old James Friesen. He's described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall and about 160 pounds. He is a Caucasian male with brown hair and hazel eyes. Witnesses last saw Friesen leaving the facility headed south. Authorities warn anybody who might see Friesen not to approach him. Instead, they should call (307) 746-4486. Friesen was sentenced in 2011 to three to five years for forgery.

Progress Made In Guernsy State Park Wildfire

Firefighters are making good progress in battling a wildfire at Guernsey State Park in southeast Wyoming.

But as a precaution the tiny community of Hartville remains on alert for possible evacuation within an hour's notice. About 70 people live in Hartville.

Fire spokeswoman Beth Hermanson says helicopters are doing a good job of keeping the fire cool, allowing firefighters on the ground to build fire lines. Hermanson says the helicopters are particularly effective because Guernsey Reservoir is right next to the fire.

The fire has burned over six square miles of the park since Saturday. It is 20% contained. Hundreds of campers had to evacuate and the park remains closed.

Officials say about 50 residents outside Hartville evacuated their rural homes but none used shelters that were set up.

Steel Targets and Target Systems Available For Handgun Shooters at Local Shooting Range

The Sweetwater County Shooting Sports Complex officially reopened for the season last month, and now offers a variety of reactive steel targets and target systems for handgun shooters. Acting as a spokesman for the County Recreation Board, Dick Blust of the Sweetwater County Sheriff's office says the targets and target systems were obtained in 2011 by the Sheriff’s Office through a Friends of the NRA grant.






Multiple senses are effected in the reaction, and studies have shown that the more senses involved, the more powerful and more swiftly the conditioning becomes.






The total for the NRA grant came to just under $11,000, and included, along with the targets, the secure steel Conex box in which they are stored, utility carts for shooters, and an assortment of leather sandbags and fore-end rests.  There is no charge to use the targets or the shooting range. Range officers are on duty at the Complex Thursdays through Sundays from May through October, weather permitting, and will be available to check the steel targets out to shooters for use at the range. Hours are 8 AM to 5 PM. The range is located southwest of Rock Springs on the Little Bitter Creek Road about four miles south of its intersection with U.S. Highway 191.

Wolves removed from sanctuary near Colo. wildfire

Volunteers at a wolf sanctuary near a large wildfire burning in northern Colorado have removed 11 of the animals and hope the remaining 19 will take shelter in a series of underground concrete bunkers if the blaze passes through. WOLF sanctuary spokeswoman Michelle Proulx says the wolves were taken to kennels in Larimer County, and depending on the conditions Sunday, volunteers could go back and retrieve the remaining animals. If not, she says the wolves could take shelter at the sanctuary in what are known as "fire dens." The fire is burning in a mountainous area about 15 miles west of Fort Collins and grew to 22 square miles within about a day of being reported. It has destroyed or damaged at least 18 structures.

UW Provides Website To Reduce Fire Risk For Landowners

The University of Wyoming has a website that provides ways for landowners to reduce wildfire risks to houses, cabins and outbuildings. The website address is http://barnyardsandbackyards.com. Subjects in how-to articles and videos include creating defensible space around a house, cabin or outbuilding, firewise plants that can be used in landscapes and other steps to prepare for wildfire.

Two Wildfires Keep Firefighters Busy

Two wildfires near Wheatland are keeping firefighters busy. One blackened 6 square miles in Wyoming's Guernsey State Park and forced the evacuation of hundreds of campers and visitors. Meanwhile, firefighters are mopping up hot spots at another wildfire that burned about 13 square miles near Wheatland. Firefighters say they were able to contain about 90% of the fire over the weekend.