Private donations to UW exceed $40 million

For the second year in a row, private donations to the University of Wyoming exceeded $40 million.

It is the first time in UW history that the UW Foundation has raised more than $40 million in private support in two consecutive years.

According to the foundation, UW received $40.1 million from more than 23,550 private contributors in the last fiscal year ending June 30. The total includes $11.5 million in estate gifts and more than $5 million in annual giving. Support for Wyoming Public Radio and the Cowboy Joe Club is accounted for in UW's gift total.

UW President Tom Buchanan says in a statement that the money will help UW programs and facilities development that will benefit the university and students for decades to come.

Western wildfire recovery likely to take years

Wildfires across the West are burning homes, businesses, highways and other infrastructure necessary for everyday life - and the disaster isn't over when the wildfire is snuffed out and the firefighters go home.

Experts say recovery can take years and untold millions of dollars simply to make conditions livable again. In Colorado alone, insurers estimate that wildfires have caused some $450 million in damage to personal property, and that number is expected to grow.

Nationally, the U.S. Forest Service is on track for another possible record with nearly $28 million spent so far on burned-area recovery work. The agency spent a record $48 million last year.

USDA Undersecretary Harris Sherman says everyone needs to be aware of the fact that the landscape doesn't restore overnight, and wildfires have long-term implications.

Man dies after thrown from horse in Yellowstone

One man is dead and a 10-year-old boy injured after they were thrown from their horses during a guided trail ride in Yellowstone National Park.

Park officials say some birds spooked the horses in the Tower Junction area Monday afternoon.

Yellowstone officials identified the man killed as 56-year-old Carl Dullmaier, of Gernsheim, Germany. They say Dullmaier had a head injury and he died after he was flown to a Billings, Mont., hospital.

The unidentified boy was taken to a Mammoth Hot Springs clinic with minor injuries.

Also Monday, a bull bison threw a 65-year-old man from Thailand into the air at Mammoth Hot Springs. Meanwhile, a thermal feature near Old Faithful burned a 37-year-old man from Provo, Utah.

Both men were taken to hospitals. Park officials didn't release their names.

Wyoming's Big Show Has Something For Everyone

The gates will open at 10:30 AM at Wyoming's Big Show at the Sweetwater Events Complex. The carnival will open at noon. Chad Banks says there are some great things to see at this year's fair.






Of course, one of the biggest attractions at the fair is the food and Banks says they have some new things to sample this year.






Admission to the fair is 10 dollars for adults, 6 dollars for seniors and children ages 6 to 12. Children under the age of 6 are free.

Bridger-Teton: Watch out for Kemmerer-area bears

Forest rangers are warning campers north of the Kemmerer area to keep an eye out for bears.

People have been seeing bears in the Carl Creek and Ham's Fork campgrounds in Bridger-Teton National Forest. The forest boundary is about 25 miles north of Kemmerer.

Forest officials say the campgrounds remain open but people should abide by a food storage order requiring them keep all food out of reach of bears.

Union Pacific’s Train Town USA Registry

Green River has been awarded a membership in Union Pacific’s Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad’s year-long 150th anniversary celebration.
Green River received an official Train Town USA resolution signed by Union Pacific Chairman Jim Young, and Green River’s historical connection with Union Pacific will be featured at www.up150.com.
“We are proud to recognize Green River as we commemorate our railroad’s sesquicentennial celebration and growing up together,” said Dick Hartman, Union Pacific director - Public Affairs for Wyoming and Colorado. “Union Pacific has been part of the country’s fabric throughout the railroad's 150-year history. That bond between us and the nearly 7,300 communities we serve continues to strengthen.
“Our shared heritage with Green River is a source of pride as we remember our past while serving and connecting our nation for years to come.”
Train service began through Green River with the completion of the rail line in 1868 by the Union Pacific Railroad. A second main line was built by Union Pacific in 1908 west of Green River and in 1910 east of town.

Seminoe fire Update

The lightning-caused Seminoe fire has burned approximately 3,829 acres of grass, sagebrush, juniper, and ponderosa pine on BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, state and private lands since July 21. It is 100 percent contained and the road closure on Carbon County Road 351 has been lifted.
Due to recent rainfall and successful firefighting efforts, crews and equipment are being demobilized from the complex. Two engines and one crew will remain on the Seminoe fire while two crews and one engine will remain on the Ferris fire to monitor and patrol the areas.
The public is advised to continue using caution in both areas due to ongoing fire activity and traffic.

Bear Mountain Complex Fire Update

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District is making significant progress on the 6,671 acre Bear Mountain Complex, comprised of the Ferris and Seminoe wildfires, 30 miles northeast of Rawlins, Wyo.
The Ferris fire has burned an estimated 2,842 acres of grass, sagebrush, and mixed conifer trees with heavy pine beetle kill since July 27. The fire is located in very steep, rugged terrain on BLM, state and private lands on Ferris Mountain, including the Ferris Wilderness Study Area, and continues to creep and smolder with interior single and group tree torching. Effective burnout operations on the east and northeast perimeters increased the fire’s containment to 47 percent. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The lightning-caused Seminoe fire has burned approximately 3,829 acres of grass, sagebrush, juniper, and ponderosa pine on BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, state and private lands since July 21. It is 100 percent contained and the road closure on Carbon County Road 351 has been lifted.

Fire

The Green River Fire Department recently responded to a structure fire , Erick Pauley has the Story

Warm water closes Yellowstone rivers to fishing

Parts of 3 rivers in Yellowstone National Park will be closed to fishing due to unusually warm water temperatures.

Starting Wednesday, park officials will prohibit fishing on the Gibbon River below Gibbon Falls, Firehole River below Keppler Cascades, and the Madison River.

The reason is water temperatures ranging into the high 70s - too warm for trout. Warm weather, hot water from thermal features and low stream flows all are causing the water to warm up.

Warm water can be stressful or even fatal for trout.

Yellowstone officials say the forecast calls for more warm weather and that could cause additional areas to be closed to fishing.

BLM Makes Progress on Bear Mountain Complex - Carbon County Road 351 Now Open

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District is making significant progress on the 6,671 acre Bear Mountain Complex, comprised of the Ferris and Seminoe wildfires, 30 miles northeast of Rawlins, Wyo.

The Ferris fire has burned an estimated 2,842 acres of grass, sagebrush, and mixed conifer trees with heavy pine beetle kill since July 27. The fire is located in very steep, rugged terrain on BLM, state and private lands on Ferris Mountain, including the Ferris Wilderness Study Area, and continues to creep and smolder with interior single and group tree torching. Effective burnout operations on the east and northeast perimeters increased the fire’s containment to 47 percent. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The lightning-caused Seminoe fire has burned approximately 3,829 acres of grass, sagebrush, juniper, and ponderosa pine on BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, state and private lands since July 21. It is 100 percent contained and the road closure on Carbon County Road 351 has been lifted.

Due to recent rainfall and successful firefighting efforts, crews and equipment are being demobilized from the complex. Two engines and one crew will remain on the Seminoe fire while two crews and one engine will remain on the Ferris fire to monitor and patrol the areas.

The public is advised to continue using caution in both areas due to ongoing fire activity and traffic.

RAND: Put water scoopers at core of firefighting

A think tank recommends a much different strategy for using airplanes to fight wildfires than the one being pursued by the U.S. Forest Service. A report out Monday by the RAND Corp. says most large airplanes the Forest Service uses to fight wildfires should be water scoopers. A water scooper is a plane that skims across an open body of water and scoops up water to drop on wildfires. Right now, the Forest Service doesn't use water scoopers to fight wildfires, relying instead on planes that drop fire retardant chemicals. The Forest Service contracted RAND to study the optimal combination of planes and helicopters to fight wildfires. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell says he disagrees with the suggestion to contract water scoopers instead of planes that drop fire retardant.

Wyoming's Big Show Opens Tuesday

Well, it's finally here. Wyoming's Big Show at the Sweetwater Events Complex opens today. The gates and the Midway open at 4 PM with Kelly Pickler performing tonight at 8 PM. Chad Banks says you can also catch a lot of good free entertainment this year.






On Wednesday, the carnival opens at noon. Other events that day include a Diaper Derby Contest, Barrel Races, Pole Bending and the Grandstand show on Wednesday evening will feature Sick Puppies.

Green River Awarded Membership in Union Pacific’s Train Town USA Registry

Green River has been awarded a membership in Union Pacific's Train Town USA Registry as part of the railroad's year-long 150th anniversary celebration. Green River received an official Train Town USA resolution signed by Union Pacific Chairman Jim Young, and Green River's historical connection with Union Pacific will be featured at www.up150.com. Union Pacific director Dick Hartman says that they are proud to recognize Green River as they commemorate the railroad's sesquicentennial celebration and growing up together. He says the shared heritage with Green River is a source of pride as they remember their past while serving and connecting the nation for years to come. Train service began through Green River with the completion of the rail line in 1868 by the Union Pacific Railroad. A second main line was built by Union Pacific in 1908 west of Green River and in 1910 east of town.

Fracking dust study no surprise to Wyo. officials

Wyoming oil and gas officials say they weren't surprised by findings of new research on fracking dust. Last week, two federal agencies released studies on the dangers of exposure to silica sand, used in hydraulic fracturing or fracking. The studies were done at wells in five states, but not Wyoming. Nearly a third of samples taken by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health were 10 times or more above recommended limits for silica. EnCana spokesman Doug Hock told the Casper Star-Tribune Monday that the company has done its own overexposure measurements and adopted its own dust control measures. The Petroleum Association of Wyoming says it's taking the new research seriously and will make sure its members know about it.

KIDS COUNT study

Wyoming last week received its yearly check-up regarding how the state’s children are doing – and found itself 19th in the nation overall. The KIDS COUNT Data Book released Wednesday shows Wyoming ranks strongest in the economic well-being, and family and community, and weakest in health. Marc Homer with Wyoming KIDS COUNT says the state is trending in the right direction. While Wyoming ranks nearly last in the nation in the health category, Wyoming’s child poverty rate is 14 percent, much lower than the national rate of 22 percent. For comparison, Idaho is ranked 20th overall, and Montana is 28th. Wyoming came in sixth for family and community which measures the number of children being raised in resilient and traditional family units. New Hampshire and Massachusetts were the top ranked states overall in the KIDS COUNT study.

Seminoe Fire containment line 90 percent

Fire lines on the Seminoe Fire held today despite 45 mph wind gusts. There was isolated tree torching within the fire perimeter and the fire was burning downhill on the east and south side of the fire. Firefighters worked to stengthen and improve all fire lines.
Fire containment lines are west Seminoe Canyon, east of Long Creek Canyon and north of Morgan Creek. Firefighting efforts focused on keeping the fire within those boundaries. At the Bureau of Reclamation government housing area, 12 structures and power lines in the area are being protected. Firefighters have protected the structures with preventative burnout operations and are prepared to further protect the area.
Evacuations have been lifted for Miracle Mile campground and the campground is open. But recreationists should be cautious and aware that evacuations could be put in place again at any time. County Road 351 is partially closed. The road is open until Seminoe State Park at the Red Hills entrance, then closed northward. The road is also closed just south of the Miracle Mile bridge, where the fire is still active.
Fire acreage was adjusted to 3,813 acres after more accurate data was received. More firefighters were released from working on the Seminoe fire and many were reassigned to a new fire that was reported today, the Ferris Mountain fire. The current number of personnel on the Seminoe Fire is now 139 people.The fire was first reported on Saturday afternoon and believed to have been started by lightning.

Wyoming's Big Show To Open on Tuesday

The Midway and Concessions are moving in today (Monday) for Wyoming's Big Show at the Sweetwater Events Center. Besides exhibit judging, several 4H events will take place. 4H Halter and the 4HHorse Show will take place at 9 AM. At 1 PM, tthe 4H Horse Show will continue, along with Reining, Western Riding and Working Cow Horse. at 5:30 PM, Leadline, the Open Horse Show, Walk Trot, Western Equitation and Western Pleasure will also take place. ON Tuesday morning at 9 AM, 4H Poultry Judging and Showmanship, 4H Western Horse Classes, the Mini Costume Class, Mini Trail, Snaffle Bit/Hackamore Western Pleasure, Trail, Walk Trot Pleasure and Western Equitation will all take place. The Main Gates and Magnificent Midway will open at 4 PM on Tuesday.

BLM Requests Motorists Avoid Carbon County Road 497 due to Ferris Wildfire

Serena Baker with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District says they are requesting that motorists avoid Carbon County Road 497 due to firefighting activity for the Ferris wildfire approximately 30 miles northeast of Rawlins.






The wildfire was first reported at 11 a.m. on July 27; the cause is under investigation. BLM High Desert District Fire Management Officer Frank Keeler says the goal right now is to keep the fire west of County Road 497, so it doesn’t cross into the Seminoe Range.






Shared resources between the Ferris and Seminoe fires include seven interagency crews, six engines, four Type I helicopters, three single engine air tankers, one heavy air tanker, two air attack planes and one lead plane. Air support is engaged in fighting the fire on top of Ferris Mountain. Carbon County firefighters are also conducting structure protection for private homes and barns in the area.

Game and Fish wants reports on dead sage grouse

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking all Wyoming residents to report dead sage grouse they find so the birds can be tested for West Nile virus. Sage grouse have low resistance to the disease and it usually kills infected birds. Game Department Sage grouse biologist Tom Christiansen says there is no sign yet of an outbreak of West Nile virus in the state this year. A recent limited survey in the Powder River Basin detected only low numbers a particular type of mosquito known to carry the disease. Christiansen says that testing dead birds helps the department monitor the disease across the state. He says that birds that are obviously road kill shouldn't be reported for testing.

BLM catches Pryor mustangs in Wyoming, Montana

The Bureau of Land Management is conducting an operation to capture excess wild horses in the Pryor Mountains, which straddle the Montana-Wyoming border. There are around 175 mustangs on the range. The appropriate management level is 90-120 horses. Bureau employees hope to catch 30 or 40 mustangs from four bait-trap sites to put up for adoption. The agency is taking a slower approach by using baited traps instead of helicopters to catch horses. In addition, they are removing only specific horses. The public can see the removed mustangs at the Britton Springs area in northern Wyoming. Pryor horses have boasted a 100% adoption rate.

BLM Fighting Ferris Fire 30 Miles North of Rawlins

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District and Carbon County, Wyo. are fighting the Ferris wildfire approximately 30 miles northeast of Rawlins, Wyo. The wildfire was first reported at 11 a.m. on July 27; the cause is under investigation. The fire has burned an estimated 250 acres of grass, sagebrush, and mixed conifer trees with heavy pine beetle kill. It is located in very steep, rugged terrain on BLM lands within the Ferris Wilderness Study Area. Resources on the wildfire include five interagency crews and one Type I helicopter. Due to the difficult terrain, the crews have moved to the base of Ferris Mountain and will conduct a flanking operation to prevent the fire from moving on to private property. The helicopter is being used to attack the head of the fire. Crews and equipment are being transitioned from the Seminoe Fire to help battle the blaze. Fire activity is visible from Wyoming Highway 287 and motorists are advised not to drive into smoke obscured areas. The public is asked to use caution or avoid the area entirely as fire behavior can change suddenly and fire spread is unpredictable if high winds develop.

Wyoming Patrol cracks down on drunk motorcyclists

The Wyoming Highway Patrol is launching an effort to crack down on impaired motorcycle drivers. Wyoming usually sees an increase in motorcycle use during this time of year. As the number of motorcycles increases on highways, so does the number of reported motorcycle crashes. In 2011, out of the 308 reported motorcycle crashes in Wyoming, 24 of those crashes involved impaired motorcycle drivers. So far this year, Wyoming law enforcement officers have investigated six motorcycle fatality crashes. 2 of those involved alcohol. The Patrol says extra troopers will be assigned to northeast Wyoming during the 72nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which begins Aug. 6 in South Dakota.

Wyo. to open books on 100s of oil-gas wells

Petroleum companies and investors are about to get a better idea who has struck black gold and who might be in the red as a result of drilling into the Niobrara (NYE'-oh-BRER'-uh) Shale beneath eastern Wyoming. The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is preparing to open up a vast amount of up-to-now confidential information on more than 900 recently drilled oil and gas wells. The commission regulates oil and gas drilling in Wyoming and plans to lift "confidential" status for the wells on Wednesday. Newly available information will include production rates for hundreds of recently drilled Niobrara Shale oil wells. The Niobrara Shale has seen intense activity over the past couple years. Relatively few oil wells drilled into the formation in Wyoming are known to be highly productive.

UW professor drops US Senate bid

A University of Wyoming history professor is dropping his bid to run as an independent for U.S. Senate. Phil Roberts says there is no room in this year's Senate race for him because in order to be successful he would need support from a number of Republicans. But as his petition drive to gather signatures progressed, it became clear that most of his support was coming from Democrats and independents. Roberts says it's clear that he would hand certain victory to incumbent Republican John Barrasso by going through with the bid. Roberts was a Democratic candidate for governor in 1998 and lost the primary to John Vinich, who then lost the general election Republican Gov. Jim Geringer.

Feds instruct Wyoming to continue PAWS test

The U.S. Department of Education has informed the Wyoming Department of Education that it should continue administering the state Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students test for high school juniors next year. The Wyoming Legislature earlier this year directed the state Education Department to discontinue the PAWS test for high school juniors. Lawmakers instructed the department to use results from the standardized ACT test instead. A company called NCS Pearson Inc. has administered the PAWS test since 2007 under a 4-year, $40 million contract. The 2010 test was plagued with software problems. Lawmakers at Thursday's meeting of the Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability in Torrington questioned what the federal government would do if the state refuses the test. They suggested the state may ask the federal government to reconsider.

Wyo. ranchers consider drought management options

University of Wyoming Extension is holding workshops around the state to discuss drought management options for livestock producers. UW Extension educator Dallas Mount says the situation for livestock producers is severe, especially now that cattle prices have dropped from a high point six weeks ago. Mount says the mood of producers is somber. Eight counties in Wyoming had been designated as primary natural disaster areas because of drought, with eight others qualifying for assistance for being contiguous to those primary counties. Gov. Mead has requested that all Wyoming counties receive the drought disaster declaration except for Teton County. The federal disaster designation makes agricultural operators eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency if they meet eligibility requirements.

Parking Will Be Safer For Wyoming's Big Show

Wyoming's Big Show kicks off this week, with the Red Desert Rodeo Classic currently going at the Sweetwater Events Center. Exhibits will be accepted this weekend with judging taking place on Monday. Chad Banks says one thing to keep in mind when the Midway and Concessions move in on Tuesday is parking.






Banks adds that the National High School Rodeo Finals actually has contributed to making the parking lots safer.






Daily unlimited ride passes for the Midway are available for 30 dollars on-site or you have until July 30th to buy the special 20 dollar passes in advance. Those are available at the Rock Springs and Green River Chambers of Commerce.

Seminor Fire 50% contained

Firefighters continue to make good progress in containing a wildfire burning north of Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County. The Seminoe Fire is now 50% contained. The fire has burned about 5 square miles of sagebrush, juniper, ponderosa pine and grass. Seminoe State Park remains open, but there are road closures in the Miracle Mile area north of Seminoe Dam. Fire spokeswoman Lauren McKeever says firefighters made such good progress on the fire that an earlier decision to bring in more experienced firefighters was reversed.

Estimated 38K spectators saw high school rodeo

An estimated 38,000 spectators turned out for 2012 National High School Finals Rodeo held in Rock Springs. Sweetwater County Events Complex Executive Director Larry Lloyd provided a preliminary estimate of the attendance over the 13 performances. The rodeo ended last weekend. Lloyd believes the attendance was comparable to or a little better than when the rodeo was held in Gillette in recent years. Lloyd says a more complete picture of total attendance at the NHSFR would likely not emerge until Sweetwater County Events Complex personnel have a chance to review the rodeo data in detail.

Non Native Turtle Caught

This past weekend a Rock Springs angler was fishing at Meadow Lake and snagged what appeared to be a turtle using a lure. After contacting Game and Fish officials, the angler brought the turtle to the Green River office of the Game and Fish so it could be identified. The turtle was identified as an alligator snapping turtle. Certainly, not a Wyoming native species. As a matter of fact, there are no native turtle species in Wyoming west of the Continental Divide. “This is just another example of people bringing another nonnative species into Wyoming to keep as their pet and then letting the animal loose when they don’t want it anymore,” said Mark Zornes Green River wildlife management coordinator. “We have a bunch of folks bringing non- natives in. With each population boom we seem to see a new species, or two. This latest species is threatened in much of its native range in the southeast and moving this turtle impacts both Wyoming and the state it was removed from.”
“Reptiles are favorites of the legal and illegal pet trade,” Zornes said. “So far this summer, the department added two new reptiles; an albino corn snake or Great Plains rat snake, and now this alligator snapping turtle.“ Last year I had two Mediterranean geckos brought into the office that hitched a ride in potted plants,” Zornes said. “We are already dealing with illegally introduced burbot (a.k.a. ling) and zebra and quagga mussels now live in waters of neighboring states. If you see or catch any species you believe to be out of place contact the nearest Game and Fish regional office. The Green River Game and Fish office phone number is 307-875-3223 and the Pinedale Game and Fish office phone number is 307-367-4353.

Seminoe Fire UPDATE

Fire crews continue to make excellent progress in fighting the Seminoe Fire, located roughly 30 miles north of the Town of Rawlins, and one mile north of the Seminoe Dam. The fire has burned to Kortes Reservoir. Today, crews prepared for burnout operations on southwest side of the fire and were mopping up on the north side of the fire where the fire was not actively burning.
Crews have been working on fire containment lines at west Seminoe Canyon, east of Long Creek Canyon and north of Morgan Creek. Firefighting efforts focused on keeping the fire within those boundaries. There are 24 structures and power lines in the area being protected, including two ranch houses north of the fire and Bureau of Reclamation housing near Seminoe Dam, roughly one-half mile south of the fire. No structures have burned. Nine cabins just one mile west of the fire were not considered threatened as of July 24. Firefighters have protected the structures with preventative burnout operations which involve burning materials between the fire and a barrier, such as a road, to prevent future fire spread. With the success of firefighting efforts, management of the fire stayed with Markason's Type III team instead of changing to a Type II team as was decided several days ago. More than 300 firefighting personnel remain working on the fire. Evacuations were lifted for Miracle Mile campground. Recreationists should be cautious and aware that evacuations could be put into effect again at any time. Carbon County Road 351 remains partially closed. The road is open until Seminoe State Park at the Red Hills entrance, then closed northward. The route is also closed just south of the Miracle Mile bridge, where the fire is still active. The fire was first reported on Saturday afternoon and is suspected to have been started by lightning. Priorities for firefighting include suppressing the fire and keeping all involved safe.

Pronghorn Shot Accidentally

Another pronghorn antelope was shot at a local shooting range, prompting officials with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to remind anyone who is target shooting to pay attention to their target and what is beyond that target.
Game Warden Grant Gerharter said a doe pronghorn antelope was shot on or around July 13 at the Green River shooting range. The doe had two fawns that are now on their own. The pronghorn death is similar to three other pronghorn antelope deaths which occurred at shooting ranges in Rock Springs, Rawlins, and Sinclair earlier this month. “At this point, we are investigating whether this pronghorn killing was an accident or done on purpose,” Gerharter said. “I am looking for information and want to talk with anyone who was in the area around July 13 and might have seen someone or something related to this incident.
“Whether you are target shooting at a rifle range, at a gun club, on federal lands, or anywhere else for that matter, make sure you know your target and what lies beyond that target. If you are going to a range that is new to you look at your surroundings before you start target practice. If you are taking a young person out to target shoot make sure they, too, are aware of their target and what is beyond that target. We can’t stress this safety practice enough.”
Anyone with information on these or any wildlife violation may call the STOP Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP. Tips may be reported to Game Warden Grant Gerharter at 307-875-3223 or 1-800-843-8096. Tips may also be reported on line at http://gf.state.wy.us/stoppoaching. Tips may result in a reward up to $5,000.00 and informants can chose to remain anonymous.

BLM Releases Deerwood Ranch Wild Horse Ecosanctuary Environmental Assessment

Serena Baker with the Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office says they are launching a public comment period on an environmental assessment analyzing a proposed wild horse ecosanctuary on the Deerwood Ranch, approximately 30 miles west of Laramie, Wyo.






If the proposal is approved, the BLM would sponsor the ecosanctuary at a funding level comparable to what the Bureau pays for the care of excess wild horses on long-term pastures in the Midwest. The partnership agreement would contain an ecotourism component which would defray costs for operating the sanctuary and save taxpayer dollars through fundraising.






The environmental assessment analyzes the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative and is available on the BLM website. There is a reminder that before you include your personal information, you can request that the BLM with hold that information, but they cannot guarantee they will do so.

Firefighters get handle on wildfires in Wyoming

Wildfires continue to start and burn across Wyoming, but state Forester Bill Crapser says firefighters appear to be handling them well thanks to heavy initial attacks as soon as a fire is reported. Crapser says after a busy June and July it appears that fire activity has settled down to what the state would normally see at this time of year. But he expects more fires as the summer wears on. Wyoming's fire season generally is most active now and through September. The most active fire now is the Seminoe Fire north of Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County. The fire has burned about 5 square miles and is 37% contained. Seminoe State Park remains open, but there are road closures in the area north of Seminoe Dam.

Report: child death rate rising in Wyoming

A national study shows the death rate for children and teens in Wyoming inched up during the second half of the past decade while the national rate declined. The report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows the rate of child and teenage deaths in Wyoming rose from 45 to 47 per 100,000 during the years 2005 to 2009. The national average dropped from 32 deaths to 27 over the same period. Wyoming's disturbing trend contributed to the state's poor health score in the foundation's annual Kids Count report measuring child well-being. The state ranked 47th in the nation in the health category.

Cloud Peak, Crow Tribe reach 1.4B ton coal deal

A Wyoming mining company has reached a tentative deal to mine an estimated 1.4 billion tons of coal on southeastern Montana's Crow Indian Reservation. Cloud Peak Energy says it would pay the tribe up to $10 million if the deal is approved by the tribal legislature and the Department of Interior. Agreements between the parties cover three coal deposits near Cloud Peak's existing Spring Creek mine. Tribal leaders have said the coal could be exported to Asian markets. The announcement follows a stalled partnership between the Crow and an Australian company to build a $7 billion coal-to-liquids plant on the rural and impoverished reservation along the Wyoming border. Tribal leaders hoped that plant would give an economic boost to their people, but it has not come to fruition.

Fremont County investigates woman's death

Authorities in Fremont County are investigating the death of a 28-year-old Riverton woman whose body was recovered from a local reservoir on Saturday. Fremont County Coroner Ed McAuslan identified the dead woman as Dawn Michelle Day. McAuslan says an autopsy conducted Sunday in Loveland, Colo., was inconclusive about the cause of death. Wardens with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department discovered Day's body in the reservoir known as Morton Lake. The lake is roughly seven miles west of the town of Kinnear. Sheriff's Capt. Ryan Lee says the woman was at the lake with friends before she disappeared.

Seminoe Fire

Firefighters continue to make headway today on the Seminoe Fire, burning 30 miles northeast of Rawlins, Wyo. Fire managers report that the 3,425- acre blaze slowed in its growth, due in part to some rain on Monday evening and cloud cover today. Crews made progress on the north and west flanks of the fire, while
helicopters suppressed the fire on the south and southwest areas. Roughly 300 firefighting personnel has been requested for the fire, with crews from Wyo., Ore., Utah, Alaska, Mont., Colo. and Idaho responding. The fire, actively burning grass, sagebrush, juniper and ponderosa pine in steep, rugged terrain, is located an estimated one mile north of the Seminoe Dam. There was tree torching during the moderate fire growth today. Fire on the steep, rugged terrain on the east side is being suppressed by firefighting air craft. Ground crews are working on the southwest corner and the west side of the fire.

Wyoming Unemployment Rate Continues To Run Below National Average

Wyoming's unemployment rate is below where it was this time last year and continues to run far below the national average. The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reports Tuesday that the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 5.2% in May to 5.4% in June - not a statistically significant rise. The national rate now stands at 8.2% while Wyoming's jobless rate for June 2011 stood at 6%. Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming increased from 295,800 in June 2011 to 298,300 in June 2012 - a gain of 2,500 jobs.

Red Desert Rodeo Kicks Off Thursday

The Red Desert Round Up Rodeo will kick off Thursday night at the Sweetwater Events Center. Chad Banks says you can still get tickets to the 33rd Annual event that leads right into Wyoming's Big Show.






Special events at the rodeo include mutton bustin, kids calf scramble, mini-bulls and wild horse races every night. On Friday night, the teen cash scramble will be held with the adults scramble on Saturday night. A 5K Run will be held before the parade on Saturday. That starts at 9 AM. The rodeo parade will start at 10 AM in Rock Springs. Stock for the rodeo will once again be provided by Powder River Rodeo Productions out of Riverton.

Solvay Chemicals Holds Ribbon Cutting For Waste Gas Recovery Facility

Solvay Chemicals recently held a ribbon cutting to mark the start up of an innovative waste gas recovery facility. Al Harris reports...

Seminoe Fire Slows In Its Growth Northeast of Rawlins

The Seminoe Fire, which is burning 30 miles northeast of Rawlins, has now burned 3,425 acres, but has slowed in its growth. The rain on Monday evening and cloud cover helped firefighters in their efforts. No structures have burned, and there are no injuries to date; but 25 structures and power lines in the area are being protected. Firefighters have protected the structures with preventative burnout operations and are preparing to further protect the areas. There have been mandatory evacuations at the Miracle Mile campground and voluntary evacuations at the Kortes campground, northeast of the fire. Roughly 300 firefighting personnel has been requested for the fire, with crews from Wyo., Ore., Utah, Alaska,  Mont., Colo. and Idaho responding. The fire was first reported on Saturday afternoon and is strongly suspected to have been started by lightning.

School Board Meeting

The school board held their meeting last night, Erick Pauley has details

Wyoming leftover big game licenses go fast

The state Game and Fish Department says its leftover Wyoming big game hunting licenses went fast. Leftover full-price elk, deer, and antelope licenses went on sale at 8 a.m. on July 10, and reduced price cow/calf elk and doe fawn deer and antelope licenses were released a week later on July 17. Game and Fish says more than 2,500 full price licenses were sold in the first 30 minutes on July 10 and over 5,500 reduced price licenses were sold within the first half hour on July 17. The agency says the licenses went so fast because hunters could go online to buy them. For several years the Game and Fish has been issuing leftover licenses online via the Game and Fish website. Game and Fish computer programmer Tom Graham says hundreds of people were waiting online when the licenses were released.

Body found on coal car passing through St. Louis

Authorities are trying to identify a body found on a train's coal car as it passed through St. Louis. The man's body was discovered Monday night inside a car on a train that left from Wyoming. Workers from American Commercial Lines were unloading the coal when they found the body in the coal. Police aren't sure how the man died.

American Idol Auditions Will Stop In Casper

American Idol will make a stop in Wyoming for its its audition opportunities for contestants. The show will launch the American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour stopping in ten towns across the nation hosting auditions in Casper, WY; Idaho Falls, ID; Billings, MT; Rock Rapids, IA; Iowa City, IA; Bowling Green, KY; Clarksdale, MS; Joplin, MO; Dodge City, KS; and Grand Junction, CO. Specific dates and locations will be announced soon. Interested participants can check at www.americanidol.com and also download forms and review rules and terms and conditions. The show is also launching the Nominate An Idol program where family and friends can nominate individuals; more information and submission rules will be posted soon on www.americanidol.com. Online auditions for season 12 will open August 1 through August 14 where participants can submit an audition video online. Submission rules and terms and conditions can also be found soon at www.americanidol.com. American Idol debuts season 12 in January 2013 and auditioners must be between the ages of 15-28 (on June 5, 2012) and a legal US citizen or a permanent US resident who is eligible to work full-time in the US.

Seminoe Fire Continues to Actively Burn

Firefighters made significant headway today on the Seminoe Fire, burning 30 miles northeast of Rawlins, Wy. Type III Team Incident Commander Steve Markason reported that by Monday afternoon the 3,125 acre blaze was roughly 22 percent contained. The fire, actively burning grass, sagebrush, juniper and ponderosa pine in steep, rugged terrain, is located an estimated one mile north of the Seminoe Dam.
Ground crews and fire engines, with support from helicopters and air tankers, made good progress on the north and west flank of the fire on Monday, said Markason. The fire is actively burning on all boundaries with 176 firefighting personnel currently working on the fire. Agencies working cooperatively to fight the fire are from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District, the U.S. Forest Service, Carbon County, Wy., the City of Rawlins, Wy. with additional firefighting personnel reporting from other parts of the country.
The fire containment lines are planned for west Seminoe Canyon, east of Long Creek Canyon and north of Morgan Creek. Firefighting efforts are currently focused on keeping the fire within those boundaries. Fire on steep, rugged terrain on the east side is being suppressed by firefighting air craft. Ground crews are working on the southwest corner and the west side of the fire. In some areas, the fire is spreading from tree top to tree top with tree torching in timbered areas.
No structures have burned, and there are no injuries­ to date; but 24 structures and power lines in the area are being protected. Two ranch houses north of the fire, nine cabins just one mile west of the fire, and Bureau of Reclamation housing near Seminoe Dam, roughly one-half mile south of the fire, are threatened. Firefighters have protected the structures with preventative burnout operations and are preparing to further protect the areas.
There have been mandatory evacuations at the Miracle Mile campground and voluntary evacuations at the Cortes campground, northeast of the fire.
Firefighting resources include: five hand crews, nine engines, one water tender truck, two Type I helicopters, one Type III helicopters, four single-engine air tankers (SEATS), one heavy Type II tanker, and one air attack coordination plane.
The fire was first reported on Saturday afternoon and is suspected to have been started by lightning, however the cause is still under investigation. Afternoon thunderstorms are expected for the next few days, in addition to warm and dry conditions. Priorities for firefighting include suppressing the fire and keeping all involved safe.

PAWS results show improved test scores

Wyoming students improved their statewide test scores this past year. The Wyoming Department of Education on Monday released results for the 2012 Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students, or PAWS. Statewide results show higher math scores from 2011 at every grade level. Every grade, except fourth, also recorded improved reading scores. And in science, every grade, except fourth, had higher scores. PAWS tested students in grades three through eight and 11th. State Superintendent Cindy Hill says the improvement shows that everyone involved in public education is working together to help students succeed. State education reform initiatives will mean some changes in student assessments next year, especially for high school students.

American Idol to host small town tryouts

"American Idol" plans stops in some smaller cities in search of singing talent for its 12th season. The FOX television show's website says the new "Small Town Audition Bus Tour" is scheduled to make stops in Idaho Falls, Idaho; Billings, Mont., and Casper, Wyo., as part of a 10-city tour that starts next month. The dates, times and locations are to be announced. Small town auditions also are scheduled in Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. The show also is taking nominations for people who may not think of trying out and is accepting online video submissions for two weeks, starting on Aug. 1.

Interior Secretary says grizzly delisting by 2014

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is telling Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead that he shares the governor's desire to end federal protections for Yellowstone grizzly bears. Salazar wrote to Mead last week saying he expects the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies will finish their court-ordered analysis of the effect of the decline of the whitebark pine tree on bear populations by early 2014. Mead wrote to Salazar in May saying that the gravity of the bear situation around the nation's oldest national park cannot be overemphasized. Mead said bears killed four people in the area over the past two years. Biologists estimate the Greater Yellowstone area had about 600 bears last year. The area includes parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

Shooting near Cheyenne Frontier Park injures One

Cheyenne police say they are investigating a possible gang-related shooting that occurred early Monday near the park where Cheyenne Frontier Days is being held. Police say a 17-year-old male was being treated at the local hospital for a gunshot wound to the back. Police did not release his name and said his condition wasn't available. Police say no arrests have been made and the shooting remains under investigation.

Progress Made In Fighting Seminoe Fire Northeast of Rawlins

Shelley Gregory with the Bureau of Land Management High Desert District says that firefighters have made significant headway on the Seminoe Fire, burning 30 miles northeast of Rawlins.






Approximately 300 firefighters have been dispatched to the fire which is now at 22 percent containment. Resources include one Type III helicopter, two Type I helicopters, four single engine air tankers, or SEATS, one heavy Type II tanker, an air attack coordination plane, twelve interagency crews, and Rawlins and Carbon County as well as  BLM engines.






There have been mandatory evacuations at the Miracle Mile campground and voluntary evacuations at the Cortes campground, northeast of the fire. Due to fire activity and firefighting traffic, Carbon County Road 351 has been closed to the through traffic but is open to Seminoe State Park from the south and Miracle Mile Bridge from the north. Afternoon thunderstorms are expected for the next few days, in addition to warm and dry conditions.  Priorities for firefighting include suppressing the fire and keeping all involved safe.

Wyoming funds counseling program from settlement

The state of Wyoming will use money it received in a settlement with mortgage companies to fund a program to provide financial and mortgage counseling to state residents. The state received $2.6 million in a settlement with five large mortgage companies over foreclosure abuses and unacceptable servicing practices Attorney General Greg Phillips announced Monday that the state will work with the nonprofit Wyoming Housing Network, Inc., to administer the counseling and assistance program. The $2.6 million will fund the counseling program for six years. The Wyoming Housing Network is developing the counseling program and it will start this fall.

Judge sets bond for teen in burglary case

A Fremont County judge has set bond at $25,000 cash for a teenager accused of burglary. Circuit Court Judge Wesley Roberts set the bond for 19-year-old Stephanie Janae Whitman at a court hearing earlier this month. Whitman faces three felony burglary charges. Roberts declined a request from defense lawyer Kate McKay to lower the bond to $5,000. McKay had pointed to her client's young age, lack of criminal history and ties to the community. Roberts said his decision to keep the bond higher was based on his concerns about community safety and his desire for people to feel safe in their homes.

No progress for plans for horse slaughter plant

A proposal to build a horse slaughter plant in western Missouri has stalled but the main proponent of the plan says she isn't giving up. In June, Wyoming legislator Sue Wallis announced that a former beef processing plant in Rockville was being retrofitted to be a horse slaughtering plant. But the Kansas City Star reports that wasn't true. Wallis' company, Unified Equine, has not acquired the building. Wallis says the plans are still on, but she's also announced plans to open a slaughter plant in Oklahoma. The beef processing plant in Rockville is mired in ownership and legal troubles. Owner Vincent Paletta was sued for breach of contract and he and his wife have been sued by an electrician who says he's owed $60,000.

BLM Fighting Seminoe Wildfire

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, Carbon County, Wyo., and the City of Rawlins, Wyo., is fighting the Seminoe wildfire approximately 30 miles northeast of Rawlins, Wyo.
The wildfire was first reported at 3 p.m. on July 21; the cause is under investigation. The fire is burning an estimated 650 acres of grass, sagebrush, and juniper and ponderosa pine on BLM and Bureau of Reclamation lands, roughly one mile north of the Seminoe Dam.
Resources on the wildfire include one Type III helicopter, air tankers, and six interagency crews. The Western Wyoming Type III Incident Management team will also be deployed to battle the blaze today.
Outdoor recreationists utilizing the campgrounds and summer cabins near the Seminoe Dam west of the Miracle Mile area 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.

BLM fencing

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District (HDD) is planning a variety of activities in August and September to celebrate this year’s National Public Lands Day (NPLD).
On Aug. 15, the Kemmerer Field Office plans to remove almost nine miles of fence to improve the seasonal movement of deer and pronghorn herds throughout their crucial winter range.

On Aug. 25, the Pinedale Field Office will convert existing BLM fencing in various areas to wildlife friendly specifications in order to reduce stress and energy expenditure of wildlife in critical habitat.
On Sept. 29, the Rawlins Field Office intends to repair and paint the campground and day use area and facilities at Teton Reservoir which have been impacted by extreme winter weather.
Also on Sept. 29, the Rock Springs Field Office will clean-up areas that have been used as unregistered dump sites along the base of White Mountain and in its various draws and ravines.
NPLD began in 1994 with 700 volunteers and three sites. Last year, more than 170,000 volunteers worked at over 2,067 sites and collected an estimated 500 tons of trash, removed an estimated 23,000 pounds of invasive plants, built and maintained an estimated 1,500 miles of trails, planted an estimated 100,000 trees, shrubs and other native plants and contributed an estimated $17 million to improve public lands across the country.
Volunteers are needed to make any NPLD event a success. For more information about an NPLD event near you, please contact your local HDD field office:

What's New At Cheyenne Frontier Days?

So, what's new at Cheyenne Frontier Days for this year? More rides and space have been added to the midway after parking spaces were removed from "A" lot. The most extensive additions were made to the Wild Horse Gulch. Just north of the brand new barn kids can enjoy a petting zoo with horses, pigs, goats, a camel and more. Brand new permanent bathrooms have been added to replace the portable ones. A pee wee stampede rodeo will give kids the chance to compete in their own rodeo. If you come over to frontier park be sure to pick up a map of the park and which also tells you all the festivities that are going on at the park and around Cheyenne during CFD. Cheyenne Frontier Days began on Friday and will go through July 29th.

Grizzly bear deaths in NW Wyoming puzzling

Bear biologists are refraining from assigning a single reason for a two-fold increase in the rate of natural grizzly bear deaths in the Yellowstone National Park region. According to data from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, 10 of the 16 grizzlies that died this summer have died of natural causes. A major increase in natural mortality could have bearing on policy. But biologists aren't jumping to conclusions. Grizzly Bear Study Team leader Frank van Manen says that biologists are seeing an aging of the grizzly population so it wouldn't be surprising to see more bears dying from old age. He says grizzly managers will assess the significance of the mortality trends after final numbers for the year are in.

Dry conditions increase Wyoming fire activity

Increasingly hot and dry conditions are resulting in more fire activity on the unburned portions of the Arapaho and Squirrel Creek Fires on the Medicine Bow National Forest. The Arapaho fire has burned more than 150 square miles northwest of Wheatland. The Squirrel Creek fire about 30 miles west of Laramie has burned more than 17 square miles. Crews on both fires continue to mop up the hot spots that they can manage safety. Fire restrictions remain in effect on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and the Thunder Basin National Grassland.

Seminoe Fire Breaks Out Northeast of Rawlins

A fire has broke out 30 miles northeast of Rawlins. Serena Baker with the Bureau of Land management High Desert Distrist says they are fighting the blaze in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service of Carbon County.






Resources on the wildfire include one Type III helicopter, air tankers, and six interagency crews. The Western Wyoming Type III Incident Management team will also be deployed to battle the blaze today.






In the meantime, the Fontenelle Fire 18 miles of West Piney is at 87 percent containment. The priority is for firefighters to seek out hot spots that might threaten the current containment line. Smoke will be visible in the coming months as the fire creeps through unburned vegetation.  Firefighters will monitor the fire throughout the summer to ensure that the isolated, interior fire activity stays within the existing perimeter. Estimated containment date is November 1st.

Wyoming MarketMaker

The Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division is providing a means for the state’s agriculture producers and processors to connect with buyers through a national food-related database.
Wyoming MarketMaker, a partner of National Food MarketMaker, is part of a network of states that connects farmers, ranchers and fishermen with consumers, schools, processors, caterers, chefs, food retailers and grocery stores, to build a virtual infrastructure that provides buyers a means to locate food products.
National Food MarketMaker is one the largest collections of searchable food industry-related databases in the country. The free online resource is categorized by buyers, sellers, location, and other demographic information. Currently, 20 states have invested in this coordinated effort.
“Wyoming MarketMaker is a great way for Wyoming consumers, food retailers and many others to locate local foods,” said Terri Barr, Wyoming MarketMaker program coordinator. “There is the capability to connect producers with those who buy their products via a connections function within MarketMaker. This would include farmers markets connecting to their vendors. Anyone can find where a specific producer is selling their meat, produce, and other food products or what stores sell Wyoming food products.”
Barr added there are many resources available via the website, such as a buying and selling forum to place ads, marketing information and tutorials for all MarketMaker users, and much more. Consumers can also find out what’s in season and how to find where local products are sold via a mapping function.
The program also has a component for agritourism with profiles that may contain information such as activities, facilities, hours/days of operation, amenities, accommodations, and other information for consumers to help them decide on destination vacations, meetings, weddings and other events.
The site is not, however, an ecommerce site and buyers must contact sellers directly.
Food producers, processors or agritourism operations who have not already been contacted regarding this free service or that would like information about the program should contact Barr at 307-777-2807 or terri.barr@wyo.gov. Producers, processors, farmers market managers, and buyers may all register at www.wyomarketmaker.com.

Rodeo Update

Friday marks another day for the National High School Finals Rodeo, Erick Pauley has an update

Colorado Guard unit starts Wyo. wildfire

Officials say a Colorado National Guard engineer unit training with explosives started a wildfire that's burned about 22 square miles in southeast Wyoming. The Sawmill Canyon Fire began last Saturday on the Wyoming National Guard's Camp Guernsey training area. No structures were lost and no one was hurt, but the fire forced the state to evacuate and close the east side of nearby Glendo State Park. The fire is 60% contained and crews are being released. The entire park reopened Thursday. Wyoming Guard spokeswoman Deidre Forster says the incident remains under investigation. The training area is about 100 miles north of Cheyenne. Besides the Wyoming Guard, it's been used by the U.S. military as well as various state, federal and local government agencies that need weapons and explosives training.

Two Arrested, One Injured In Golf Cart Crash at National High School Rodeo Finals Campground

Two juveniles were arrested Thursday for alcohol-related offenses after a golf cart crash at the National High School Finals Rodeo campground put a third juvenile in the hospital. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that deputies were dispatched to the campground complex at the Sweetwater Events Center around 2:00 AM on July 19. 






The driver was arrested and charged with DUI and reckless driving.  Another occupant of the golf cart, age 17, was also arrested, charged with minor in possession of alcohol.






Undersheriff Craig Jackson said special enforcement patrols at the campground complex, funded by a Wyoming Department of Transportation grant, will began Thursday and will continue throughout the event.  County deputies, Rock Springs police officers, and Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers are participating.

Yellowstone Lifts Fire Restrictions

Recent rains in Yellowstone National Park have allowed officials there to lift the prohibition on open campfires. The rains also have helped firefighting crews to suppress the Blacktail Fire near the park's northern boundary. The fire began July 12 and has burned 29 acres. It's now about 95% contained and officials say they expect it will be fully contained by next week. Campfires in the park must not be left unattended and may only be lighted in designated areas.

Dogs At Work

If you see sheep while in the backcountry, slow down and go around – whether you’re on foot, horseback, bike, or A-T-V. That message is aimed at people enjoying public lands in order to reduce conflicts with “dogs at work.” Livestock protection dogs are used to keep predators at bay and sound alarms, and they might see you as a danger if they don’t have time to check you out first. Wildlife biologist Michael Marlow with Wildlife Services says it’s also important to note that the dogs are not pets.






Livestock protection dogs are usually white, and common breeds are Pyrenees (PEER-uh-neez), Akbash (AHK-bahsh), Komondor (COMMON-door), and Anatolian shepherds. Predator threats to sheep in Wyoming include coyotes, mountain lions, bears, wolves and domestic dogs. Marlow says livestock protection dogs often appear shaggy, but that’s normal and not a situation indicating the dog needs to be rescued.






Also, if you have a pet dog with you, keep it on a leash. Marlow says livestock protection dogs have been used around the world for centuries because they’re so effective.

Oil and Gas Operators Meeting

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office (PFO) will host oil and gas operators at the annual planning meeting (APM) for air, water and socioeconomic topics at 9 a.m., Aug. 9, in the PFO Rendezvous Room at 1625 W. Pine St., Pinedale, Wyo.

Man sentenced in assault on 3 federal officers

A Shoshone tribal member accused of assaulting three federal law-enforcement officers on the Wind River Indian Reservation has been sentenced to 10 months in prison. Federal prosecutors say 30-year-old Russell James Ute also was sentenced to two years of supervised release, with the first six months to be served at the Casper Residential Re-Entry Center. Prosecutors say the officers were investigating a report of a disturbance at a home in February when they were assaulted. Ute was ordered to pay a $1,000 special assessment and restitution for the officers' injuries. Prosecutors said Wednesday that the amount of restitution will be determined later.

Woman rescued from Wind River Range wilderness

A New York woman injured while hiking in Wyoming's Wind River Range is in the hospital after an arduous rescue. Thirty-6-year-old Leah Bursey broke her leg while trying to cross a boulder field near Gannet Peak, Wyoming's tallest mountain, Tuesday afternoon. Fremont County authorities dispatched a rescue helicopter after getting a distress signal from Bursey and her husband but crews weren't able to reach them until just before dark. The area was too rugged for the chopper to land there and it took crews nearly four hours for them to hike her out on a stretcher in the dark. She and her husband were flown to the hospital but some crew members had to spend the night in the backcountry because of the chopper's weight restrictions.

Rawlins vets see more horses with snakebites

Veterinarians in Rawlins say drought conditions seem to be causing more horses to be bitten by rattlesnakes. The Carbon County Veterinary Hospital recently treated four horses for snake bites within a two-week period. Veterinarian Liz Schroeder says it's more typical for the clinic to see just one snake-bitten horse a year. The drought is causing mice to move closer to ranches in search of water. Rattlesnakes follow the mice. Schroeder says dog and cat owners can help to protect their pets by keeping them away from rocky areas that are attractive hideouts for rattlesnakes. She says it's more difficult to prevent horses from being bitten.

Rock Springs Woman Arrested After Firing Pistol Into Air

Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that a Rock Springs woman who had allegedly been drinking and accused several people of stealing her cell phone was arrested on July 11th for firing a pistol into the air from her Ford Expedition.






Witnesses said Hruska was involved in an argument with a woman named Verna Thomas who received a small scratch on her arm when Hruska drove at Thomas with her vehicle. While witnesses heard two gunshots, Hruska admitted to firing one shot in the air to try to show Thomas that she was quote “not afraid of her” unquote. She also claimed that Thomas had a knife.






Hruska, who was charged with Reckless Endangering and Breach of Peace, is free on a $4,000 bond. The Sheriff’s Office investigation into the case is continuing.

Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Review Meeting

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rawlins Field Office (RFO) will host an Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Review team meeting on Tuesday, July 31, beginning at 10 a.m. at the field office.
The meeting will give the public an opportunity to hear updates from BLM specialists on wildlife, big game and song birds, as well as mule deer collaring and Greater Sage-Grouse monitoring techniques. Progress reports will be presented by the Muddy Creek monitoring working groups.
The Atlantic Rim Project Area (ARPA) is a multi-operator project to drill roughly 2,000 gas wells south of Rawlins, Wyo. on approximately 270,080 acres, of which 173,672 acres (64 percent) are federal surface, 82,348 acres (31 percent) are private surface, and 14,060 acres (5 percent) are state surface. The ARPA final environmental impact statement was issued in 2006, and the record of decision was signed in March 2007. Site-specific environmental assessments are conducted for each new development within the ARPA. During the 30 to 50 year life of the project, the development is expected to produce nearly 1.35 billion cubic feet of natural gas, providing enough natural gas to heat 19.3 million homes for one year.

2012 Cheyenne Frontier Days

The Wyoming Business Council is outfitting its General Mercantile with Wyoming-made products at the 2012 Cheyenne Frontier Days, July 20-29.
The store, in its 10th year of operation, features products from about 50 Wyoming companies with products ranging in price from $2 to $300.
The Mercantile’s wide array of offerings includes horsehair pottery from Cheyenne, bath and body products out of Lance Creek, glass housewares and accessories from Casper, jewelry from local artists, and a variety of spices, rubs, soups, jams, jellies and other food items from across the state.
A highlight to the Mercantile this year will be a book signing from Wyoming authors on Monday, July 23 from 3-5 p.m.
“If you are looking for a unique Wyoming gift, this is really a great opportunity to find it,” said Wyoming Business Council Marketing and Attraction Program Manager Annie Wood.
The Mercantile, which sports a wooden storefront reminiscent of 1880s-era Cheyenne, is located in Wild Horse Gulch at Frontier Park. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily during Frontier Days.

Rodeo Roundup

The NRA shooting events for the national highschool finals rodeo kicked off tuesday morning, Erick Pauley has the story

19 Year Old Could Be Banned From Hunting For Life

A 19-year-old could be banned from hunting for the rest of his life after pleading guilty to killing antlered deer out of season. Colton Lapp is the first person prosecuted under Wyoming's enhanced anti-poaching law. Lapp has agreed to a sentence that calls for him to give up his hunting privileges in Wyoming and 36 other states that participate in the wildlife compact.

Eastern Shoshone Claim Closer Ties To Land

The Eastern Shoshone Tribe asserts that its members have closer ties to the Wind River Indian Reservation than do members of the other tribe that lives there, the Northern Arapaho. The Eastern Shoshone Tribe makes the claim in legal papers seeking to block the Northern Arapaho from getting a federal permit to kill bald eagles for religious purposes on the reservation the two tribes share in central Wyoming.

Oregon man pleads guilty in Wyoming shooting

An Oregon man has pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and larceny in the shooting and carjacking of another man in western Wyoming last year. Roy Fritts, of Union, Ore., entered the plea Tuesday before Sweetwater County District Judge Nena James in Green River. Fritts faces life in prison without parole when he's sentenced later. Utah police arrested Fritts and his wife, Jessica Fritts, last August. The couple was driving a van belonging to a California man found shot and wounded near Flaming Gorge Reservoir in southwest Wyoming. Sweetwater County Attorney Brett Johnson says Fritts admitted in court Tuesday that he shot the victim and took his van. Jessica Fritts pleaded guilty to carjacking in federal court in June and faces 30 years in prison when she's sentenced later.

Sweetwater Bomb Squad Patrols National High School Rodeo Finals Grounds

The presence of the Sweetwater Bomb Squad and a Wyoming Highway Patrol explosives detection canine are all part of the law enforcement campaign to keep the 2012 National High School Finals Rodeo safe. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Joe Scimone (si-mone) of Cheyenne and Lily, his 5-year-old bomb detection dog, a very eager and friendly black Labrador, have been teaming with Bomb Squad officers at the rodeo, checking the grandstands and other areas.






The security sweeps paid off on Monday, when Bomb Squad technicians found an unexploded firework classified as a black powder “consumer aerial display” device about the size of a golf ball. 





 
Blust says the grounds are patrolled around the clock, and as of Tuesday afternoon there had not been a single arrest made connected with the rodeo.  

Wyo. Game and Fish to survey deer hunters

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is conducting a survey of deer hunters around the state. The state agency plans to contact 2,400 deer hunters in its first such survey since 2005. Both resident and nonresident hunters will be polled. Susan Boston with Game and Fish says it's valuable for the department to get information and feedback from hunters. The survey will ask hunters what sorts of things affect the quality of their hunts. Hunters also will be asked questions about mule-deer hunting opportunities. A survey of elk hunters is planned in November.

Sweetwater County Assesment'

The numbers are in and they are very positive. Sweetwater County Assessor Pat Drinkle announced today ( Monday) that the counties assessed valuation is up 12 percent from last year. The valuation determines the amount of tax dollars local entities will receive during the current fiscal year. Drinkle says the assessed valuation is 2.853 billion dollars, up from 2.5 billion dollars. The counties minerals industry makes up just over 2 billion dollar of the total. School district number one in Rock Springs saw their valuation increase 10.5 percent to 1.7 billion dollars, while school district number two in Green River saw a 12 percent increase to 947 million dollars. The numbers were released today after the certification process was completed by the State board of equalization.

Medicaid Survey

Residents interested in Wyoming Medicaid are being asked by the Wyoming Department of Health to provide online input as part of a study of the program.

A link to a brief survey will be available online at www.health.wyo.gov until August 6. The survey invites Medicaid clients, providers and anyone else interested in Wyoming Medicaid to provide their ideas and comments about strengthening the program and using available funding responsibly.
Tom Forslund, Wyoming Department of Health director, said the Wyoming Legislature approved legislation earlier this year requiring the department to carry out a study of Wyoming Medicaid. “We expect the study to examine cost drivers, identify areas of Medicaid programs that may benefit from redesign and evaluate design options,” he said.
As part of the study a number of public forums were also scheduled. Remaining forums are:

Riverton - Tuesday, July 24, 5-7 p.m.
Central Wyoming College - RAP Theater (Arts Center Building), 2660 Peck Avenue

Rock Springs - Wednesday, July 25, 5-7 p.m.
Rock Springs City Hall Council Chambers, 212 "D" Street

Jackson - Tuesday, July 31, 5-7 p.m.
Teton County Administrative Building- Commissioners Chambers, 200 South Willow Street

Rodeo Roundup

Rain and Wind welcomed rodeo contestants to the second night of competition at the national Highschool finals rodeo, erick pauley has the story

VA looking for caretakers to keep veterans at home

he Veterans Administration is trying to find ways to keep some Wyoming veterans from having to live in nursing homes unnecessarily. The VA is establishing a foster care-style program for veterans in the state who don't need around the clock care but also don't have families available to help them with things like taking their medication. It's reported that the veterans could live in a caretaker's home and veterans' assistance payments would pay for their care. The VA is recruiting caretakers, who can earn between $1,500 and $3,000 a month. The program has been implemented in 35 states.

Cattle driven through Cheyenne for Frontier Days

Cheyenne Frontier Days doesn't officially start until Friday but reminders of the Old West have already arrived. People watched as about 500 cattle were driven through the city on Sunday. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Dandies galloped ahead of the cattle, which were taken down a road adjacent to Interstate 25. About half the steers stopped to graze at one point but cowboys on horseback got them moving again. The five-mile journey ended at Frontier Park. The cattle will be used in rodeo events, including roping.

New Wyo. Miners' Hospital qualifications scrapped

New rules to narrow those who can qualify for a state program that provides health benefits to miners are being scrapped. The Wyoming Miners' Hospital Board received a letter from the Wyoming Legislative Services Office stating some of the amendments passed by the board appear to exceed its authority. Hospital Executive Director Mary Ellen Young says the letter essentially says the board can't change who receives benefits under the program. Any change in eligibility would have to go through the Legislature. Last month, the board decided to change the health programs they offer miners, adding new rules meant to narrow the scope of who could be considered a miner. The proposed rule changes were part of an effort to keep the Miners' Hospital fiscally sound.

BLM Seeks Nominations for Pinedale Anticline Working Group

Shelley Gregory with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) says they are now accepting nominations for seven positions on the Pinedale Anticline Working Group (PAWG) representing landowners, permittees, transportation or rights-of-way, recreation interests, environmental organizations, academicians, the public-at-large, local government or an elected office.






PAWG members must be Wyoming residents. Mail or deliver nominations for the two-year terms by Aug. 13th to Shelley Gregory, BLM Pinedale Field Office, 1625 W. Pine St., P.O. Box 768, Pinedale WY 82941, or send via email to ssgregory@blm.gov.






For more information, please contact Gregory at 307-315-0612.

Sweetwater County Assessor Announces Counties Assessed Valuation

The numbers are in and they are very positive. Sweetwater County Assessor Pat Drinkle announced today ( Monday) that the counties assessed valuation is up 12 percent from last year. The valuation determines the amount of tax dollars local entities will receive during the current fiscal year. Drinkle says the assessed valuation is 2.853 billion dollars, up from 2.5 billion dollars. The counties minerals industry makes up just over 2 billion dollar of the total. School district number one in Rock Springs saw their valuation increase 10.5 percent to 1.7 billion dollars, while school district number two in Green River saw a 12 percent increase to 947 million dollars. The numbers were released today after the certification process was completed by the State board of equalization.

Fire Breaks Out on East Side of Glendo State Park

Campers and visitors on the east side of Glendo State Park were evacuated last night because of a wildfire on the nearby Wyoming National Guard training grounds. They were moved to the west side of the park and its reservoir.

Central Wyoming College President Won't Be Getting A Raise

The president of Central Wyoming College isn't getting a raise. On Monday that the board of trustees has voted to keep Jo Anne McFarland's salary at $167,775 a year. They did agree to give her 10 more vacation days. The decision followed a lengthy discussion behind closed doors by the trustees. The board says their decision doesn't reflect any lack of confidence in McFarland but was instead of reflection of today's economic climate. Central Wyoming College is 1 of 7 public community colleges in Wyoming.

Fraud Alert

Following a handful of recent reports of suspicious activity around the state related to Medicaid, the Wyoming Department of Health is reminding residents to be cautious when giving out personal information to an unknown person.

Wyoming Medicaid representatives are hearing of situations involving individuals who claim to be affiliated with Medicaid and who ask older adults for personal information or try to convince them to purchase something they claim Medicaid will pay for.

“Wyoming Medicaid should only need your personal information if you have applied for a specific Medicaid program or service,” said Kim Latta, Medicaid programs coordinator with the Wyoming Department of Health. “A Medicaid representative rarely if ever would come to your home and would never show up unannounced.”

Latta noted that if residents apply for Medicaid to pay for services in the home, in an assisted living facility or in a nursing home, a public health nurse will come to do an assessment. “In these cases you would be notified in advance the nurse is coming,” she said.

Latta suggested steps to take if someone comes to the door claiming to be representing Medicaid and asks for personal information:
1) Ask for the person’s full name and the agency he/she works for.
2) Ask to see the person’s government-issued ID.
3) Write down the person’s name and contact information or ask for a business card.

“There are cases when individuals representing reputable organizations do help with filling out forms,” Latta said. “It’s important you understand why they are asking for the information.” Latta advised calling the agency to verify the person’s identity BEFORE providing personal information. It is recommended to call the number for the organization published in the phone book rather than a number given to you by the individual.

“Again, anyone coming to your home to help you apply for Medicaid will have called you in advance and will be coming at your request,” Latta said. Other points to keep in mind:
*No one has to let a person in the home just because they knocked on the door.
*If a salesman comes to the door who has not been invited, do not open the door.
*Once someone is inside the home, it can be difficult to get them to leave.
*If someone will not leave, consider calling local law enforcement.
*If potential criminal activity is suspected, consider calling local law enforcement.

To report suspicious activity by someone claiming to work for Wyoming Medicaid, please call the Medicaid Fraud Hotline at 1-855-846-2563.

Fed Ex Thief

A Rock Springs man will spend at least 6 months in a Wyoming boot camp for stealing several items from Fed Ex. 22 year old Jayce Brood pleaded guilty to felony larceny, and felony wrongful disposing of property, and was sentenced to 3-10 years in prison. However, if Brood can complete the boot camp assignment, he will be able to petition the court to modify his sentence to probation. Investigators say Brood was a driver for Fed-Ex and was stealing his own cargo. They found iPads, audio amplifiers, speakers, a flat screen T.V., and a couple of computers in a search of his apartment.

Rodeo

The National High School Finals Rodeo kicked off over the weekend, Erick Pauley has more.

Sweetwater County Spends $1.4 Million on National High School Rodeo Finals

Sweetwater County has spent about $1.4 million for the National High School Finals Rodeo. The money includes improvements to the county fairgrounds in Rock Springs and the rodeo arena and shooting range in Green River. The rodeo began Sunday and runs through Saturday at the Sweetwater County Events Complex. Events Complex Executive Director Larry Lloyd says while it's difficult to anticipate how much revenue will be collected by the end of the event, he expects the county to at least break even. Lloyd says the rodeo should be in a black next year because the county won't incur many 1-time expenses it faced this year.

BLM Encourages Wild Horse Owners To Enter Competition

The Bureau of Land Management is encouraging people who have adopted wild horses to enter the 3rd annual wild horse competition at Wyoming Mustang Days at the state fair next month in Douglas. The fair is Aug. 17-18 and wild horse events will include riding, team sorting and western cow handling.

Some Roads Now Open In Fontenelle Fire Area

With 87 percent containment and having some rains pass through the area, some of the Fontenelle Fire area closures have been lifted. The following roads and trails are now open: Middle Piney Road to the summer homes and Middle Piney Lake;
The road north from Middle Piney to Bare Pass; South Piney Road to Snyder Basin and over Thompson Pass to LaBarge Creek and LaBarge Creek Road. Indian Creek-Coal Creek Road through Fish Creek from Middle Piney to South Piney at Snyder Basin remains CLOSED. Fire management team cautions that it was not enough to put out the fire and containment efforts will continue. The public is urged to use caution when entering the fire area as there will be fire-related traffic and the possibility of limited vision due to smoke.

Sweetwater County Law Enforcement Is Ready For the Challenge of the National High School Rodeo Finals

Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell helped to welcome the National High School Rodeo Finals yesterday, which opened at the Sweetwater County Events Complex in Rock Springs.






Haskell says that preparing for 4 to 5 thousand spectators per day plus having 6 to 8 thousand people living at 1220 RV sites presented a challenge.






Agencies working together to protect local residents and the visitors include the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, the Rock Springs and Green River Police Departments, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, law enforcement officers from Bairoil and Granger, Emergency Management personnel from Sweetwater and Sublette Counties, Uinta County deputies, and all local fire departments and ambulance services.

BLM has wild horses for adoption at Frontier Days

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will offer two horses that were captured from wild herds in Wyoming for adoption by silent auction at Cheyenne Frontier Days this month. The horses will be available for public viewing in a corral across from the General Land Office in Wild Horse Gulch, located east of the fairgrounds. The public may place bids during the event, which runs the last full week in July. The bidding will close at noon on July 28, and the two yearlings will go home with the highest qualified bidders.