Wyoming's 1st regulated wolf hunt begins Monday

Wyoming's first regulated wolf hunt is set to begin today (Monday). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last month it would entrust Wyoming with managing wolf numbers and endorsed a plan that allows for the animals to be shot on sight in most of the state, while keeping them permanently protected in designated areas like Yellowstone National Park. Wyoming Game and Fish spokesman Eric Keszler says that through Friday afternoon, Wyoming had sold 2,236 wolf licenses. Park County led sales with 562. Hunters in Fremont County bought 327, while Teton County followed with 324, Sublette with 228 and Natrona with 117. Governor Matt Mead has called the hunt "scientifically sound."

SD horse owner offers $2,000 reward in hair theft

A South Dakota horse owner is offering a $2,000 reward for information about the theft of mane and tail hair from his 10-year-old palomino mare. T.J. Aisenbrey told police Friday that his horse, Sundance, had her flaxen mane and tail hair cut for the second time in a month and a half. The report comes as Wyoming officials are investigating an estimated 100 cases of horsehair thefts in several counties. Aisenbrey's horse is housed in a paddock and barn on the western edge of Rapid City. The Pennington County Sheriff's Office has no suspects in the case. The 59-year-old Aisenbrey says he's "totally upset" about the vandalism and says, "If you saw it, you'd be disgusted."

Authorities want help identifying woman's remains

Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman whose remains were found north of Laramie two years ago. The remains were found Sept. 9, 2010, by a sheepherder on the Warren Livestock Co. property near Roger Canyon Road. Detective Cpl. William Meyer with the Albany County Sheriff's Office says the skeletal remains were those of a woman between the ages of 30 and 50 and who was between 5-foot-2 and 5-foot-4 and weighed 105 to 120 pounds. An autopsy determined the woman's body was in the area between the fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010. Meyer says he believes the woman died under "suspicious circumstances."

Rock Springs coal mine accused of safety violations

Federal mining regulators gave a southwestern Wyoming coal mine more than two dozen safety violations this week, ranging from the lack of an updated mine map to hydrants with low water pressure. Operators of the Jim Bridger Coal Mine east of Rock Springs have vowed to fight at least some of the charges. The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration says the mine has stopped production while safety changes are made. The violations stem from an August inspection. Other safety allegations included an escape line dangling too high for all workers to reach and a segment of roof that wasn't properly supported. PacifiCorp, the mine's majority owner, says it will challenge the MSHA over some of its findings.

Trial in Riverton infant death now set for April

A Riverton man accused killing an infant last year is now scheduled to go to trial next April. Jonathan David Marshall is charged with first-degree murder. He was the sole person supervising 7-month-old Eli C'Bearing on the night of July 28, 2011, when a call came in that the baby wasn't breathing. The infant died and an investigation showed that the baby had a skull fracture, fractured rib, bruising and other injuries. Marshall's attorney, Thomas Fleener, says he is lining up expert witnesses to testify in the case. One of those experts can't testify until next year. Marshall remains in jail. His trial previously was set to begin Jan. 17, March 19 and this past Monday.

Sierra Madre Elk Herd

Wildlife managers with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are continuing to seek the public’s help in reviewing the elk herd objective for the Sierra Madre Elk Herd. The WGFD manages big game for specific post hunting season population objectives. Population objectives give the department a management bench mark to manage populations. The department periodically reviews wildlife herd objectives through public input and data analyses to determine if they are appropriate. The Sierra Madre Elk Herd is comprised of elk hunt areas 13, 15, 21, 108, and 131. These hunt areas are located primarily between Rawlins, Baggs, and Encampment. The current population objective is 4,200 elk following each hunting season and the herd is presently estimated to be significantly over objective. For more information or to relay questions, please contact Tony Mong at (307) 380-8283.

New data, but not much new in Wyo. fracking study

Environmentalists and the petroleum industry haven't changed their minds about any damage done by hydraulic fracturing to the groundwater in Wyoming. That's despite new groundwater sampling data the U.S. Geological Survey has released from the gas-drilling area of Pavillion in west-central Wyoming. The new data follows a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report last year that theorized fracking might have affected the groundwater in that area. Fracking blasts water, sand and chemicals deep into well holes to open fissures and improve the flow of oil and gas. Some Pavillion-area homeowners say their well water stinks of chemicals. The Natural Resources Defense Council says the new data still shows fracking is a threat. Pavillion gas field operator Encana says the new data still shows that drilling and fracking didn't affect the groundwater.

Hospital trustee apologizes in Strep A disclosures

A Campbell County Memorial Hospital trustee is apologizing for how the community learned the hospital had treated two cases of flesh-eating bacteria. When a newspaper reporter asked about rumors of a Streptococcus A outbreak on Sept. 5th, hospital spokeswoman Karen Clarke said there were only rumors. The hospital has since said it treated three patients with serious Strep infections, including two with flesh-eating bacteria. Trustee George Dunlap said Wednesday he had heard about the cases before Clarke's initial response and believes she was given bad information. Dunlap said he didn't speak up because he was tired of Board of Trustees Chairman Brook Bahnson criticizing him for speaking out about hospital issues. Bahnson declined to comment. Hospital officials maintain they informed the public as they learned of information.

Former Powell officer faces sex assault charge

A former Powell police officer is accused of using his former position of authority to get a woman to submit to unwanted sexual contact. Kirk B. Chapman is charged with third-degree sexual assault, and a judge ruled last week that there is enough evidence for the case to proceed. Chapman allegedly encountered the woman after officers stopped to deal with two men wrestling outside a bar. The woman, who apparently was worried about getting in trouble for public intoxication, asked officers for a ride home, and Chapman agreed to drive her. The woman alleges Chapman inappropriately touched her and kissed her at her home. Chapman repeatedly denied the allegations to investigators. Chapman resigned in November. He is free on a $2,500 cash bond.

Latest Employment Numbers For Sweetwater County

Job numbers in Sweetwater County continue to look good as we head into the fall---According to the Wyoming Department of workforce services, Sweetwater counties un-employment dropped to 4.4 percent in August, compared to 4.6 percent in July. A year ago, the rate in August was 4.9 percent. Sweetwater County currently has 24,274 employed, and 1,114 un-employed. As for the state, the un-employment rate went up, from 5.6 percent in July to 5.7 percent in August. Nearby Sublette county has the lowest rate in Wyoming, 3.5 percent, while the highest un-employment rate in the state belongs to Fremont County, at 6.6 percent. The US unemployment rate in August stood at 8.2 percent.

Rock Springs Man Arrested Smoking Meth In Parking Lot of Sheriffs Office

According to Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust Jr., using drugs under any circumstance is inadvisable, but doing so in the parking lot of a law enforcement agency is a particularly bad idea.






A court clerk notified deputies who confronted the man identified as 28 year old Chadwick Churney of Rock Springs.






Churney was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. He remains in custody at the Sweetwater County Detention center in lieu of a $600,000 cash or surety bond.

New Wyo. tests show less benzene in fracking zone

Both sides of the debate over whether hydraulic fracturing has contaminated groundwater in Wyoming say they need more time to analyze the results of testing done by the U.S. Geological Survey before they can comment. The USGS tested 1 of 2 wells dug by the EPA, and found low levels of the carcinogen benzene much as the EPA did. It didn't test a second well in which the EPA said benzene was found at 50 times the recommended limit. USGS said it couldn't get enough water for a reliable sample in that well. EPA spokeswoman Alisha Johnson says the results released Wednesday generally are "consistent with ground water monitoring data previously released." Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead also said the state would need more time to review the data gathered in collaboration with the USGS, Wyoming, the EPA and two American Indian tribes. The USGS released tables with the amounts of dozens of chemicals without offering any analysis.

State inspector investigating horsehair thefts

A Wyoming Livestock Board inspector has begun investigating the theft of horsehair by thieves who clip the animals' tails. Wade Werbelow says that officials from four counties hit by the thieves tentatively plan to meet next week to discuss any similarities among the incidents. Thieves have struck nearly 100 times in the current outbreak, including 61 times in Natrona County, about 30 in Converse, eight to 10 in Fremont and two in Sweetwater. Natrona County Sheriff's Lt. Gus Holbrook says most of the thefts in his county were in areas easily accessible by road but away from neighborhood watch groups. Holbrook says extra patrols have been sent to vulnerable areas but authorities need the public's help to catch whoever is responsible.

City administrator starts

Bill Thompson, new city administrator for Green River, started Monday and hit the ground running as far as meeting employees and getting settled in the office. Thompson, who filled the role during the transition period between former administrator Barry Cook and new City Administrator Martin Black, left the position last week. Black said he’s focusing his first week by meeting with department heads who provide direct service to city residents.

2 Poaching Cases

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is looking for information on two wildlife poaching cases that occurred this month in the Bridger Valley. Mountain View Game Warden Dustin Kirsch is investigating a case in which a young buck mule deer was shot and left in early September. Some evidence has been collected at the scene, but Kirsch is looking for more information from someone who might have been in the area on the east side of Lyman, near a residential subdivision on Prairie View Drive. “In addition to information on the poached deer I am also looking for information on another case where a pronghorn antelope carcass was found dumped on the west slope of Sage Creek Mountain,” Kirsch said. “It appears someone harvested the pronghorn, field dressed the animal, and then dumped the animal without removing any of the edible portions. Anyone who might have been in the area of Sage Creek Mountain around September 16 or 17th, and may have seen suspicious activity or other vehicles in the area, to please contact Kirsch. Kirsch has also encountered hunters trespassing and camping illegally on a walk-in area and advises hunters to become familiar with the hunting regulations and the information needed to legally access the Cedar Mountain Walk-In Area (WIA). Cedar Mountain WIA opened in the fall of 2011 and is part of the department’s Private Lands/Public Wildlife Program (PLPW). The 1,300 acre WIA is located on Cedar Mountain, Sweetwater County, in deer hunt area 132, elk hunt area 107, and antelope hunt area 95. Kirsch said these lands are also open to hunting of waterfowl, sage grouse, doves, and cottontail rabbit. Detailed information and maps for the access areas are listed in the Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 Walk-In Area Hunting Atlas, listed under the section “Sweetwater County #2.”

BLM Rawlins and Rock Springs Lift Fire Restrictions

Effective at midnight on Friday, Sept. 28, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will lift all fire restrictions implemented by the Rawlins and Rock Springs field offices within Albany, Carbon, Sweetwater and Uinta Counties. Rock Springs Field Manager Lance Porter says, quote “This was a tough fire year; without the public’s adherence to the fire restrictions, it would have been a lot tougher. We’re grateful to everyone for their cooperation and vigilance.” unquote.
 
Cooler temperatures and increased moisture have helped improve conditions so that the following activities can resume on BLM-administered public lands:
 
·         Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
·         Smoking.
·         Operating a chainsaw.
·         Using an arc or gas welder or acetylene or other torch.
 
The following restrictions are in effect year-round on BLM-administered public lands:
 
·         Discharging or using fireworks.
·         Discharging a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
·         Burning or igniting tires, wires, magnesium, or other hazardous or explosive material.
·         Operating an off-road vehicle unless it is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester.
 
The public is asked to check with towns, counties and other agencies for fire restrictions on non-BLM lands. 
 
BLM Fire Management Officer Frank Keeler stresses that even though the fire restrictions have been lifted, the fire season is not over and the threat of wildfires has not disappeared.

Campfire safety continues to be a priority. Hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts should maintain campfires within fire rings, never leave a fire unattended and drown all embers with water and stir with a shovel to ensure any fire is properly extinguished.

Sex Offender Awaiting Extradition to Wyoming

A sex offender wanted out of Laramie County has turned himself in. 28 year old William Richard Tallerdy was wanted on a felony warrant for Escape from a Transitional Center and Probation Violations on two previous counts of sexual assault in the third degree. He's a Level 2 Sex Offender after assaulting a 14-year-old. Tallerdy turned himself in to the Baxter County Sheriff's Department in Arkansas, where he resides. The department had sent out an alert to officers in Baxter and surrounding counties to watch for Tallerdy and gave a description of the vehicle he was driving. He's now awaiting extradition back to Wyoming.

Campbell County dog dies of flesh-eating bacteria

A Campbell County dog died last week of the "flesh-eating bacteria" known as necrotizing fasciitis. Dr. Darren Lynde, a veterinarian at Animal Medical Center in Gillette, says it's unknown how the 6-year-old Great Dane was infected. But Lynde says the case is not related to three human cases of flesh-eating bacteria recently reported by Campbell County's Memorial Hospital. Lynde says that it's rare for animals to be infected with the bacteria.

One 'flesh-eating' strep patient in Wyoming dies

An infectious disease specialist at Campbell County Memorial Hospital says one of the three people treated there for Group A Streptococcal infections has died. Chris Brown said Wednesday that the person who died had close contact with one of the other patients before they got to the hospital, and both had necrotizing fasciitis (fash-ee-EYE'-tiss), sometimes described as "flesh-eating bacteria." Brown says the third case did not have necrotizing fasciitis. Brown says the cases originated in the community, and the hospital knows of no more cases. Brown says the serious cases of the disease typically pop up in isolated, sporadic clusters. He described the risk of serious infection as low but says it can spread through close contact with infected patients, such as with immediate family members or caregivers.

Sweetwater County Police Dog to Receives First In-Clinic Stem Cell Therapy in Wyoming

The first veterinary hospital in Wyoming to perform in-house stem cell therapy helped a police dog suffering from a painful condition that affects up to 40 percent of the 164 million dogs and cats in the U.S. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that the procedure took place yesterday at the Desert View Animal Hospital in Rock Springs on Blitz, a veteran 10 year old yellow lab who serves as a drug detection canine with the Sweetwater County Sheriff's office.






Blitz’s handler, Corporal Matt Bartolotta, says Blitz becomes stiff after a strenuous day.






Within two months of the procedure Blitz should be moving well, with little or no pain.

5 horsehair thefts reported in Fremont County

Fremont County authorities say a criminal enterprise may be behind a rash of recent horse tail thefts. At least four residents since Sunday have reported that their horses' tails have been cut off. Fremont County sheriff's Capt. Ryan Lee says the investigation includes contacting Natrona and Converse counties, where more than 30 reports of stolen horse tails have been reported during the past month. Hair from horse tails can be used in violin bows, pottery, brushes and in crafts. Lee says those involved could face charges of trespassing, larceny and property destruction.

No citation for interstate accident tanker driver

Authorities say a tanker truck driver swerved to avoid a deer, causing an accident that spilled crude oil and closed Interstate 25 north of Wheatland for several hours. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 55-year-old Torin Williams of Johnstown, Colo., has not been cited for the accident. Williams was hauling oil from Wellington, Colo., to Guernsey in a tanker owned by Basin Western Inc. of Roosevelt, Utah. Patrol spokesman Sgt. Stephen Townsend says the tanker carrying 8,820 gallons of crude oil went into the median, spun around then rolled 1.5 times. About 800 gallons of oil spilled. The highway was closed for about eight hours.

Public Land Withdrawal for BLM High Desert District/Rock Springs Field Offices

The Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Field Office published a Public Land Order on Monday in the Federal Register withdrawing and reserving 4.93 acres of public land from settlement, sale, location, surface entry and mining for a period of 20 years. Serena Baker says that the High Desert District/Rock Springs Field Offices are located on the site. 






Baker says the withdrawal will not have an economic impact. It is in conformance with the 1997 Green River Resource Management Plan and is compatible with the current use of surrounding lands. The land has been and will remain open to mineral leasing.






The purpose of the action is to expand the withdrawal protecting the site. For more information, go to blm.gov.

Lawyer sues state public defender over firing

A Cheyenne lawyer claims that Wyoming State Public Defender Diane Lozano terminated him because he ended a relationship with her years before. Dion Custis charges in a federal lawsuit that Lozano and the Wyoming Public Defender's Office violated his civil rights and federal anti-discrimination laws by terminating him last year. Custis says he had a relationship with Lozano from 1992 until he ended it in 1997. He states that he's a member of a protected class because he's a Hispanic male over age 40. Lozano couldn't immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. Custis started working at the Public Defender's Office in 1994. He claims Lozano began discriminating against him once she was appointed state public defender in 2007.

Wyoming officials say proposed AML fund cuts dire

Top Wyoming officials say congressional action to block about $700 million in federal Abandoned Mine Land payments to the state over the next 10 years threatens to be devastating to the state budget. Gov. Matt Mead and Sen. Phil Nicholas, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee in the Wyoming Legislature, say the loss will leave the state hard-pressed to continue to pay for coal research and other programs it has covered with the AML dollars. The U.S. Senate on Saturday approved a continuing resolution to fund the federal government that now heads to President Barack Obama. It would cap Wyoming's AML funding at $15 million a year, down from about $150 million currently. Members of Wyoming's congressional delegation promise to continue to seek restoration of the funds.

Federal agency reminds hunters of fire danger

The U.S. Forest Service is reminding hunters to be aware of the threat of wild fires as dry conditions continue in much of Wyoming. Fire restrictions remain in effect in much of the state. Even in areas were fires are allowed, the Forest Service says campers should use caution when building and maintaining campfires. Campers should make sure their campfires are thoroughly extinguished before them unattended.

Tie in 2 of 3 Wyo. 'flesh-eating' strep cases

The Wyoming state epidemiologist says 2 of 3 people recently treated for so-called "flesh-eating bacteria" at Campbell County Memorial Hospital were in close contact before being admitted to the hospital. State Epidemiologist Dr. Tracy Murphy said Tuesday health officials are still investigating what if any relationship the third case might have to the other two cases. All three cases have been within the past three weeks but Murphy says nothing so far indicates a public health concern at the hospital in Gillette. Health officials have been silent about where the three may have contracted invasive Group A Streptococcus. The officials cite patient privacy concerns in withholding information including the current condition of the three. A strep infection typically causes mild symptoms but can be life-threatening if it enters the bloodstream.

Tanker accident closes I-25 north of Wheatland

A tanker truck accident and crude oil spill has closed Interstate 25 north of Wheatland. Wyoming Highway Patrol spokesman Stephen Townsend says the accident happened shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday. Townsend says the tanker truck carrying 8,400 gallons of crude oil spilled most of its contents on the highway when it crashed, ending up on its side. The main north-south route through the state remained closed in both directions for at least five hours as crews cleaned up the oil. The cause of the accident and spill remains under investigation.

DON'T SNAG THAT FISH

The kokanee salmon are spawning in the Green River. If you are even the slightest bit tempted to snag one of those large, red, spawning kokanee, a word to the wise - don’t
Snagging is an attempt to take a fish in such a manner that the fish does not take the hook voluntarily in its mouth. In the “old days” it was legal to snag fish and consequently, many vulnerable spawning fish were taken. Snagging fish in Wyoming is illegal.
Each year Wyoming Game and Fish Department game wardens issue warnings and citations for snagging kokanee on the Green River and Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The Game and Fish is asking for help from parents to get the message across to children, as most warnings are typically “Early run kokanee are starting to change color and congregate in some of their favorite spawning areas in the Green River,” says Green River Game Warden Duane Kerr. “Anglers who aggressively jig for kokanee this time of year should be aware that snagging kokanee or any fish is illegal. So far, we have only had one report of someone trying to net spawning kokanee.” Kokanee are fall spawners and begin running the Green River in late August. There are two distinct strains of kokanee in the Green River, an early run strain, which spawns in September, and a late run strain, which spawns in October. The spawning fish can’t eat, as their stomach is absorbed. After spawning is complete, all kokanee die. Their decaying carcasses supply nutrients for other plant and animal life, as well as their offspring when they hatch. Copies of the 2012-2013 Wyoming Fishing Regulations may be picked up at any local sporting goods vendor or Green River Game and Fish Office. Fishing

Vote early: Skip the lines, maybe the debates, too

Some Americans are already voting, even though Election Day is more than a month away. Early voting by mail is under way in two dozen states, with more to come. And in three states - Idaho, South Dakota and Vermont - voters already can show up in person to vote. Wyoming begins its in-person voting Thursday, as does the presidential battleground state of Iowa. In some of the other hotly contested states - Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina and Florida - more than half the ballots are expected to be cast early. President Barack Obama pulled off an aggressive early mobilizing strategy in 2008 that overpowered Republican challenger John McCain. This year looks different. GOP nominee Mitt Romney is pouring manpower and money into a push to sew up early votes.

Gillette hospital confirms 3 with invasive Strep A

Campbell County Memorial Hospital confirms three cases of invasive Group A Streptococcus, also known as flesh-eating bacteria. The hospital disclosed the cases Friday. All three cases occurred in the past six weeks. Hospital spokeswoman Karen Clarke says patient privacy rules prevent her from commenting on the patients' condition. She says the three patients are no longer at the hospital. Hospital CEO Bob Morasko would not comment on whether anyone died from the bacteria, citing advice from legal counsel not to comment. He says state health officials have been notified. Usually any illness that results from Strep A is mild, with symptoms such as a sore throat. The bacteria can become life-threatening if they get into the blood stream, muscles or lungs.

Combat vet sues over Wyoming traffic stop

A Lincoln County sheriff's deputy who detained a motorcyclist for openly carrying a pistol offered to let him go if he agreed to let another deputy cover him at gunpoint as he drove away. Capt. Robert Pierson, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot, has filed a civil rights lawsuit over the August 2011 incident. Pierson, of Pensacola, Fla., was openly carrying a pistol, which is legal in Wyoming, when he was pulled over by Deputy Corry Bassett. Bassett says he handcuffed Pierson because he was concerned about his own safety. He said he offered to release Pierson on condition that another deputy would shoot Pierson if he made any sudden movement. Pierson declined the offer. He was released when a supervisor arrived.

Sheriff’s Office and Rock Springs Police Department collecting unwanted prescription drugs on Saturday

The Rock Springs Police Department and Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office will be teaming up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in an annual program that gives the public the opportunity to prevent prescription pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says it all takes place on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.






Blust says the initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue.






To dispose of your medications, take them to the Sheriff's Office North Substation on Yellowstone Road north of the main fairgrounds entrance. Or you can take them to the pharmacies at Smith's on Foothill Drive and Albertson's Dewar Drive in Rock Springs where deputies and city officers will be manning special collection stations.

Duluth pathologist dies in Wyoming plane crash

Officials in northeastern Minnesota are mourning a longtime Duluth pathologist and deputy St. Louis County medical examiner who died in a plane crash in Wyoming. Dr. Donald Kundel was flying to Wyoming for a hunting trip with his son when his single-engine homebuilt RV-7A plane crashed at the Laramie airport Friday. He was 79. Kolleen Kennedy, chief investigator in the medical examiner's office, says that Kundel had just been declared cancer-free after being treated for bowel cancer and was traveling to Laramie to celebrate by going bird hunting with his son. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Kennedy says family members told her Kundel had been cleared to land when the crash occurred. She says someone on the ground heard the engine stop.

Game and Fish Meeting

Simplifying and modernizing the legal firearm regulations and establishing a big game baiting regulation to help with harvest in developed areas highlight regulation proposals being discussed at public meetings through Oct. 4.
The Game and Fish is also proposing to update its regulation governing license agents for the first time in 11 years and finalize late migratory regulations.
Specifically, the Game and Fish is proposing to allow pronghorn, deer, mountain lion, and gray wolf (where designated as trophy game) hunters to use calibers .22 and larger that have a cartridge of at least 2 inches in overall length. Bighorn sheep, elk, moose, mountain goat, black bear, and grizzly bear hunters would be required to use at least .24 caliber firearms with a cartridge at least 2 inches in overall length.
In addition, for all the above species, hunters could also use: firearms of .35 caliber and larger with a cartridge of at least 1.5 inches, a .40 caliber and larger muzzle-loading rifle with a minimum of 50 grains of black powder, shotguns loaded with buckshot 00 (double ought) or larger or slugs. Turkey hunters could use any shotgun, center-fire firearm,muzzleloader or archery equipment, plus .22 magnum and .17 HMR rimfire firearms.
All interested parties are encouraged to attend

Sept. 25 - 7 p.m. Green River Game and Fish Office

Sweetwater School District Number One Kids Gear Up for St. Jude's Bike-a-Thon

School kids will be riding their bikes for a good cause this Wednesday. Chad Banks with the Sweetwater County Events Complex says that kids have been gathering pledges for St. Jude's hospital.






Banks says the bike-a-thon is a great way to get kids to exercise and raise money for a great cause.






The kids will ride from 4:30 to 7 PM. If you have not made a pledge yet, you can call the Sweetwater County School District Number One to see how you can sponsor a child.

Wyo. worker safety seeks $60K after Sinclair fire

Wyoming safety regulators are seeking more than $60,000 in penalties against Sinclair Oil for a refinery fire that injured two workers. The fire happened May 25th at the Sinclair Refinery in the town of Sinclair. Three such fires at the refinery since early May have injured a total of 7 workers. The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Occupational Safety and Health Administration Office announced a dozen citations against Sinclair on Friday. Eleven of the twelve citations were considered serious. The violations include failing to inspect equipment and correct deficiencies, and failing to develop and implement safe work practices. A spokesman for Salt Lake City, Utah-based Sinclair said Friday the company takes responsibility for possible safety deficiencies at the refinery and is working urgently to correct them.

Saratoga sawmill set to reopen, generating jobs

A sawmill is expected to reopen in Saratoga in December, bringing what the new owner says will be more than 80 job opportunities to Carbon County. The mill, now known as Saratoga Forest Management, was purchased by Gary Ervin of Oregon in April 2011. The new owner says he needs to replace some equipment before opening, but when it does, the mill "will be a shot in the arm to the local economy." Numerous sawmills in the Rocky Mountains have closed in recent years. The industry blames low timber prices, inconsistent supply from federal lands, increased transportation costs and competition from Canadian sources, among other factors.

Horse hair theft reported in Fremont County

Authorities say a Fremont County woman has reported that someone cut her horse's tail off earlier this week, adding to the more than 30 recent reports of horse hair being stolen in Natrona and Converse counties. Karen Gibson, who lives near Kinnear, called sheriff's deputies Tuesday morning to report that her horse's tail had been stolen. Horse hair can be worth quite a bit of money and is often used to create belts, paintbrushes and the bows of musical instruments.

Chall Creek Fire Near Pinedale Now Contained

The Chall Creek fire was completely contained this past Saturday. The blaze was first reported on September 16th about 30 miles west of Pinedale. It burned 687 acres. All closures have been lifted, but crews continue to work in the area continue mop up operations. Hunters in the area are asked to use extreme caution. Hazards exist such as snag, rolling debris, smoke, pockets of heat, and open flames. All fire restrictions are still in effect.

1 of 5 suspects in Hudson slayings pleads guilty

One of five people accused in the slayings of a Hudson couple last year has pleaded guilty in a deal requiring her to testify against the other suspects. They include her brother, husband and cousin. 21-year-old Samantha June Hanway of Ethete (EE'-tha-tee) pleaded guilty Thursday in Lander to two counts of aiding and abetting second-degree murder in the deaths of 42-year-old Eric Clinton Likes and 20-year-old Elva Charlotte Quiver. Investigators say they were stabbed on Nov. 15 and that the suspects returned two days later to rob the house and set fire to it to cover up the killings. The judge was likely to accept the deal but wanted to review a pre-sentencing report first. Hanway faces a maximum of between 25 and 50 years in prison.

Authorities: sex assault explains homicide secrecy

Authorities in Fremont County confirm they are relying on a state law that allows restricting information about sexual assaults to withhold the names of both the victim and suspect in a recent homicide. Deputy Fremont County Attorney Patrick LeBrun says a court order signed by Circuit Court Judge Robert Denhardt prevents releasing the identity of either man involved in the Sept. 11 shooting in Lander. Authorities have said the suspect is a 24-year-old Lander man, and the victim was a 32-year-old St. Stephen's man. LeBrun says he couldn't say whether the alleged sexual assault victim was the suspect, the victim or another person. LeBrun says the records could become public if the case advances to district court after the defendant has a preliminary hearing.

CHALL CREEK FIRE

The Chall Creek fire began Sunday September 16, 2012 around 2:00 pm approximately 25 miles northwest of Daniel Junction, Wyoming. The cause is currently under investigation. There are approximately 246 personnel working on the fire including several Helitack crews, 23 fire engines, 4 helicopters, 2 bulldozers and 5 hand crews being used on this fire. This fire is under full suppression by the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Cooperators include a number of engines and firefighters from Sublette County. A Type III Incident Management team is managing the fire. The fire is estimated to be about 400 acres in size and is confined between Thunder Road and Merna-North Beaver Road. Firefighters are containing the fire east of the western bulldozer line, south of the Rim, west of Thunder Road and north of Chall Creek. The evacuation notice will be lifted today after 8 p.m. Homeowners will be allowed back into their properties after that time. here is an emergency closure for Forest Road 10359 and Forest Road 10143 The Sublette County Sheriff's Office has closed County Rd 115 (Merna N Beaver Rd) and Siems Rd (County Rd 163). The public is asked to stay away from the area of the fire to allow firefighters to do their work. Fire restrictions remain in place and the fire danger is Very High. Hunters and other campers should exercise extreme caution. For more information on this and other area fires visit www.tetonfire

Powell-area beet farmers hope for big harvest

Sugar beet farmers in the Powell area are hoping for just the right weather to help them bring in a near-record crop this fall. Farmers say they're expecting to see around 30 tons of sugar beets per acre, and sugar prices have been favorable - around 40 cents per pound. What the growers need now are some cool, crisp days over the next few weeks. Beets do best when they're stockpiled at temperatures no higher than 55 degrees. But farmers say they don't want the weather to get too cold. A hard freeze such as one that happened in October, 2009, can make it impossible to dig the beets out of the ground.

Evacuees being allowed back home near Pinedale

Residents evacuated by a 400-acre fire burning west of Pinedale are being allowed back home. Fire managers were letting residents return Thursday night. The Chall Creek Fire, which started Sunday, is 30% contained. The fire had threatened 13 homes but no buildings have been lost. The cause isn't known. Meanwhile the fight against a wildfire that once posed a threat to the town of Jackson is ramping down. The 3,400-acre Horsethief Canyon Fire is 83% contained. Full containment could come as early as this weekend. In northern Wyoming, the roughly 8,050-acre Gilead Fire near Buffalo is 47% contained. It was started by lightning in the Bighorn National Forest on Aug. 14.

Dry conditions keep fires burning in Yellowstone

Dry conditions are helping to keep a handful of wildfires burning inside Yellowstone National Park. Light to moderate smoke still hangs in the air over much of Yellowstone, though much of that smoke is from wildfires burning outside the park. The biggest fire within Yellowstone is the more than four-square-mile Cygnet Fire five miles southwest of Canyon Village. Nine miles to the southeast of Canyon Village, the Dewdrop Fire has burned about two square miles. Some backcountry areas remain closed because of the Dewdrop Fire. The Range Fire has burned about 400 acres eight miles southwest of Tower Fall. Fire danger in Yellowstone continues to be classified as "extreme." No campfire restrictions are in place but park officials urge visitors to be careful with fire.

Three involved in missing-bridge crash

According to Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. three Western Wyoming Community College students took a short but very rough ride north of Rock Springs on Wednesday night.






The three managed to extract themselves from the vehicle and called 911.  Deputies and an ambulance responded, but all three refused treatment. 






Blust says that neither alcohol nor drugs were factors in the accident.

State foresters wrap up annual meeting in Cheyenne

State foresters from around the country are in Cheyenne discussing this year's fire season and sharing tips on managing forests. Nearly 200 officials representing 44 states are attending the National Association of State Foresters at the Little America Hotel. The conference wraps up Thursday. Beetle kill and other dangerous fire fuels have been a popular topic. South Dakota state forester Ray Sowers said his department has been focused on beetle-killed forests this summer. Montana state forester Bob Harrington says intermountain West states will be dealing with beetle-killed trees for decades. California forestry officials didn't attend the conference because of budget constraints.

100s of oil wells possible in east-central Wyo.

Hundreds of oil and gas wells could be drilled in the months ahead in an area spanning Converse County and part of Niobrara County. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management recently completed environmental studies for potential drilling in that area. As many as 444 new oil and gas wells could be drilled. Joe Meyer, manager of the Casper BLM Field Office, says about 20 companies have applied to drill in the area. The companies include Chesapeake, EOG and Samson Oil and Gas. Meyer says interest in drilling in northern Converse County has picked up since last year.

Uinta Man Killed in Crash

An accident that occurred Tuesday evening has claimed the life of Troy L. Turner, 36, of Afton. The accident took place approximately two miles south of Afton just after 8:30 p.m. According to information provided by the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the accident involved a 2006 Honda CFR100 Motorcycle and a 2012 Blue Bird School Bus from Uinta County. “The Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatch Center in Cheyenne received a report from a citizen of two dirt bikes traveling through the Town of Afton, southbound on U.S. 89 with no lights,” the Highway Patrol report of the incident states. “A trooper was dispatched to this report, however, 11 minutes later the dispatch center received the report of the crash with one of the dirt bikes and a school bus.”

Jury Duty

Most people called for jury duty never make it to the jury box. They’re filtered out through lotteries, but if you’re curious about how it all works behind-the-scenes – there’s an opportunity Saturday in Laramie. That’s the day of the annual University of Wyoming College of Law voir dire competition. Marcia Shanor with the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association says students will learn how to select ideal juries – something that isn’t “taught” in law school.






The Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association is sponsoring the event, which is also a competition among students. Those who volunteer to be jurors are treated to lunch and snacks, and they get to play the role of “judge” in scoring law students’ performances.
Shanor says the students will practice how to screen jurors for both criminal and civil trials.






Those interested in volunteering can register at 307-635-0820.

More Wyo. schools fail to meet federal benchmarks

More Wyoming schools failed to meet federal education benchmarks last year. Fourteen of Wyoming's 48 school districts and 180 schools didn't meet what's called adequate yearly progress under the No Child Left Behind law. State education officials couldn't name the districts. Natrona County School District officials say the district was labeled as not making progress but they're appealing. Last year, eight districts and 101 schools didn't show adequate yearly progress. No Child Left Behind requires states to have every student performing at grade level in math and reading by 2014, which most educators agree is an impossible goal. Wyoming superintendent of public instruction Cindy Hill says her department will keep working to meet 100% proficiency but she'd prefer "more reasonable expectations."

Wyoming could move or kill Encampment bighorns

A state lawmaker wants the option to remove a small herd of bighorn sheep from U.S. Forest Service lands in southeastern Wyoming if necessary to protect local sheep ranchers. Sen. Larry Hicks, a Baggs Republican, says he hopes it won't be necessary to remove about 40 bighorns from the Encampment River canyon in Carbon County. Hicks plans to ask a legislative committee later this month to endorse his proposal in case it's needed. The Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, a Laramie conservation group, is pushing a lawsuit against the Forest Service challenging its decision to allow continued domestic sheep grazing in the area. The group says domestic sheep could pass diseases to the bighorns. Ranchers in Idaho are challenging a Forest Service decision to cut domestic sheep grazing to protect bighorns there.

Man killed in crash with Evanston school bus

An Afton man who was riding a dirt bike with no lights is dead after being hit by a school bus carrying football players from Evanston. The Wyoming Highway Patrol said 36-year-old Troy Turner was hit Tuesday night near Afton. The crash was reported just 11 minutes after someone reported that two dirt bikes were traveling through town with no lights. The driver of the school bus told troopers that she didn't see Turner in time to stop and rear-ended his motorcycle. The bike was caught under the bus and Turner was ejected. No one on the bus was injured. The bus was carrying 22 students and three coaches home from a freshman football game. They had to wait for another bus to take them back home.

Three Motor Events This Weekend at the Sweetwater County Events Complex

The Sweetwater County Events Complex will be roaring with engines this weekend. Chad Banks says one of the biggest events is the excitement of motorcross.






Friday will feature a practice session from 10 AM to 4 PM.






Also this weekend, Car Wars will continue where area car dealerships feature their vehicles all in one spot. And... a Monster Truck show will be held on Saturday.

Wildfire west of Pinedale is 10% contained

Firefighters are making progress against a 400-acre wildfire in western Wyoming. The 400-acre Chall Creek Fire was 10% contained Wednesday. It ignited Sunday 30 miles west of Pinedale and has prompted some evacuation orders. No buildings have been reported lost. The cause remains under investigation. Near Jackson, the nearly 3,400-acre Horsethief Canyon Fire is 82% contained. Fire managers say getting the fire fully contained could take another three or four days if the weather cooperates. The danger posed to the town of Jackson has passed. Sprinkler lines set up to protect homes on the eastside of Jackson have been dismantled. Firefighters are still working to build lines to protect some homes on the southern end of the fire.

City Use of Funds to Pay for Sewer Called a Mistake

The City Council says the use of tax payer money to Repair a homeowners sewer line was a mistake –– Erick Pauley has the story

Unclear how many Wyo. jobs will be lost in layoffs

The number of jobs Alpha Natural Resources plans to cut in Wyoming's Powder River Basin remains unclear after the coal giant said it plans to cut production by 16 million tons. About 40% of Alpha's production cuts will come from high-cost eastern mines while about half will occur in the Powder River Basin. The company is eliminating 1,200 jobs companywide, laying off 400 workers immediately by closing mines in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. But, the company says most of the displaced workers may eventually be rehired. Alpha's Wyoming operations, Alpha Coal West, consist of the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayre surface coal mines. Together, the mines have about 650 employees and produce about 50 million tons of coal a year, according to the Wyoming Mining Association.

Crews build lines around wildfire in western Wyo.

Fire officials say a wildfire burning about 30 miles west of Pinedale in western Wyoming is 10% contained. The Chall Creek Fire was burning on about 400 acres Tuesday. It ignited Sunday and has prompted evacuation orders for Timberline Lodge and some homes near Merna. There have been no reports of any buildings lost. Near Jackson, the nearly 3,400-acre Horsethief Canyon Fire continues to burn. It is 58% contained.

Farmers markets have big economic impact on Wyoming

Farmers markets throughout Wyoming contributed over $1 million to the state’s economy in 2011, according to data recently compiled by the Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division. The information, collected by the Agribusiness Division and run through an economic impact model by David "Tex" Taylor from the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, found that direct sales of $800,000 also generated secondary sales of nearly $250,000.  The results are based on responses collected by the Business Council from 14 of the 44 farmers markets operating in Wyoming.  The study also found that farmers markets supported the equivalent of nearly 10 annual jobs in the state’s economy with labor income totaling nearly $244,000.  The average annual earnings per job are estimated to be over $25,000.  

Cowboy's Death Ruled Accidental

A mixture of alcohol and medication caused the death of a cowboy during Cheyenne Frontier Days. Marty Luna, the Laramie County Coroner, released the coroner report on Broc Cresta, which says his death has been ruled an accident. Oxycodone and alcohol were found in Cresta's blood, which the report says caused "central nervous system suppression." 25 year old Cresta was a PRCA Team Roper competing at the 2012 Cheyenne Frontier Days. He was the 14th ranked team roping heeler in the PRCA standings. He also won the 2008 Cheyenne Frontier Days Team Roping title with his partner Logan Olson. After Cresta was found dead in his trailer, CFD Chairman Rod Hottle issued a statement calling Cresta "an outstanding athlete and more importantly a great young man."

BLM Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project

Shelley Gregory with the Bureau of Land Management Pinedale Field Office says they are seeking public input on a Wyoming Game and Fish Department proposal to improve the quantity and quality of mule deer habitat in the Wyoming Range through phased vegetation treatments.






The majority of proposed vegetation treatments are located in arid sagebrush communities while some are in aspen, mixed-mountain shrub, and riparian communities. The proposal is in response to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s 2012 Wyoming Range Mule Deer Habitat Management Plan which can be found online at wgfd.gov.






A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the PFO’s Rendezvous Room located in Pinedale to provide information about the project and gather comments. Comments can also be mailed, hand delivered, faxed or emailed and must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19. For more information, call 307-367-5317.

Petroleum companies challenge federal leasing

Oil and gas companies are asking federal judges to force the U.S. Department of Interior to move more quickly on issuing oil and gas leases. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver heard arguments Tuesday about whether the Department's Bureau of Land Management must issue oil and gas leases within 60 days after they're sold. The energy companies want to overturn a federal ruling issued last year in Wyoming. The Wyoming judge said BLM needed to decide whether to issue an oil or gas lease within 60 days of auctioning it off. The lawsuit followed years of delays in issuing hundreds of leases in the West amid environmental protests. The decision could affect pending leases in Colorado and Utah.

Duke disputes Converse County wind farm valuation

Duke Energy says it's Top of the World wind farm in Converse County doesn't produce as much energy as the company's other Wyoming wind farms and its tax valuation should be cut nearly in half. The energy company disputes the Wyoming Department of Revenue's $414.7 million valuation. The company says an independent estimate places the wind farm's valuation at $225 million. If Duke prevails, its tax liability would drop to $1.57 million from $2.89 million. Duke spokeswoman Tammi McGee says the amount of energy produce is a factor in the lower valuation. Top of the World is 1 of 4 of Duke Energy Wyoming wind farms. Top of the World is the only valuation under dispute.

Sage grouse hunting season

Sage grouse hunting season opened September 15 and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is urging all sage grouse hunters to drop one wing from any birds they harvest in one of the sage grouse wing barrels that have been placed at convenient locations in the field. Game and Fish biologists have placed the marked barrels at major access roads to popular hunting areas. Hunters are encouraged to deposit one wing from each grouse harvested in the barrel when leaving the field. Biologists can tell the age and sex of the harvested birds from their wings, which is a valuable piece of information in determining reproduction rates and ultimately the population trend. Each year, in addition to the wing data, biologists count the number of male birds on spring strutting grounds, or leks, and then try to get a sample of brood counts after the chicks
have hatched. Together, these data provide wildlife managers a pretty good picture of the population trend.

Child Development Center

The Child Development Center building in Green River is nearing completion , Erick pauley has the story

Last 2 firefighting C-130 planes return home

The last two military C-130 transport planes that have been fighting wildfires around the West have gone home. Fires are dying down and the U.S. Forest Service says it no longer needs the planes, for now. This summer was a busy one for the specially equipped planes. All eight planes outfitted with the latest-generation Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System were called into action. 1 of 2 planes operated by a North Carolina National Guard unit crashed in the Black Hills, killing four crew members. The other six firefighting C-130s belong to Guard and Reserve units from Wyoming, California and Colorado. The last two planes are headed home after fighting fires out of a base in Sacramento, Calif., over the past few weeks. The planes are from North Carolina and California.

Wyo. could lose up to $700M under federal budget

Wyoming stands to lose up to $700 million over the next decade under a budget extension expected to win approval in Washington. Last week, the U.S. House passed the measure, which is aimed at avoiding a government shutdown when the current budget expires Sept. 30. At issue are taxes paid by coal producers for abandoned mines. Half goes to the federal government and half goes to states. A previous transportation bill capped payments to states at $15 million. The budget measure restored payments to other coal states but not to Wyoming, the nation's top coal producer. It's the only state that was expected to get more than $15 million next year. Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis calls it a "raid on Wyoming."

Body found in debris left by mobile home fire

Authorities say a man's body has been found in debris left by a mobile home fire that erupted in Evansville over the weekend. Wayne Reynolds with the Natrona County Coroner's Office says 28-year-old Joshua Rodriguez was found dead after Sunday afternoon's fire. Rodriguez was a Casper resident and was not living at the home. Evansville Police Chief Zach Gentile says the mobile home was the only structure damaged, and the investigation is ongoing.

BLM Seeks Public Comment on Mesa Habitat Improvement Project Environmental Assessment

The deadline to submit your comments on the environmental assessment for the proposed Mesa Habitat Improvement Project. Shelly Gregory with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office says comments from the public are being sought by their office in coordination with the Pinedale Anticline Project Office (PAPO).






The proposed water well and green space would draw grazing in the Mesa Common Allotment away from the PAPA Core Development Area, reduce grazing pressure on and improve the opportunity for successful reclamation of disturbed areas. It will also increase the potential for these areas to return to functioning wildlife habitat.






The Environmental Assesment is available at the BLM website. Comments can be submitted by email or delivered in person by 4:30 PM on Thursday, September 20th.

New Wildfire Near Pinedale

A new fire is threatening homes in western Wyoming. The Chall Creek Fire started yesterday afternoon about 30 miles west of Pinedale spread to 140 acres. Two crews and a helicopter that had been working at the Horsethief Canyon Fire south of Jackson were among those assigned to fight the new fire today.

Teton County hunters quick to grab wolf tags

Wildlife officials say hunters in Teton County have been fast to grab their wolf tags. Jean Cole, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's license section manager, says it's not surprising that sales for the state's first legal wolf hunt are centered near the trophy game area in the northwest corner of the state. Teton County had 91 licenses sold between midnight and 3:30 p.m. Friday. After Teton County, the counties that reported the highest sales were Fremont, with 71; Park, with 68; and Sublette, with 64. The hunt begins Oct. 1 a half hour before sunrise. The state has 12 wolf hunting units and a state quota of 52 wolves, and each unit will close after it reaches a mortality quota.

Arrest made in fatal shooting in Riverton

Police say they have made an arrest in the shooting death of a 27-year-old man at an apartment complex in Riverton. 23-year-old Dustin Nickelson is facing a first-degree murder charge stemming from fatal shooting of Lucas Myhre. Both men are from Riverton. Officers were called to the complex on Adams Avenue at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday and found Myhre unresponsive at the scene, where he was later pronounced dead. Police also recovered a handgun thought to have been used in the shooting.

BLM Pinedale Installs Lander Road Interpretive Signs

Shelley Gregory with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office says that four new interpretive signs for the Lander Road have been installed 21 miles south of Pinedale at the Lander Road historical site (mile marker 78.5) on Highway 191.






The interpretive signs are the result of a cooperative mitigation effort for impacts to the portion of the 256-mile Lander Road, a branch of the California National Historic Trail, traversing the Pinedale Anticline natural gas field.






For more information on the signs, you can call Sam Drucker at 307-367-5358.

Three Arrested in Alvarado murder

Three arrested in Alvarado murder

(Rock Springs, Wyo. - September 14, 2012) Three teenage youths, two from Rock Springs and one from Green River, have been arrested on charges stemming from the murder of 17-year-old Rigoberto “Rigo” Alvarado, whose body was found in a shallow grave north of Rock Springs on August 19.

In a joint release, Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell and Rock Springs Chief of Police Mike Lowell said Brady Jacob Trevino, 18, of Rock Springs, Jose Antonio Campos, 18, also of Rock Springs, and a 17-year-old male, a resident of Green River whose name officials are currently withholding, were taken into custody without incident on Friday afternoon by arrest teams from the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office and Rock Springs and Green River Police Departments.

Trevino is charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder. Campos and the 17-year-old male are each charged with conspiracy to commit first degree murder.

A joint investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Rock Springs Police Department, augmented by the Green River Police Department, has been underway since Alvarado’s father, Rigoberto Alvarado, Sr., reported him missing to the Rock Springs Police Department on the morning of July 30.

Alvarado was last seen by his family around 8:30 PM on the night of July 29, when he left his family’s home at the Imperial Apartments in Rock Springs in the company of his girlfriend, a minor authorities declined to identify. According to court documents, the girlfriend told investigators the two went to her home in Rock Springs, where they “‘hung out’” until later that night when, at about 11:00 PM, Alvarado “stepped outside of her residence to meet one of his friends, identified as Brady J. Trevino.”

The young woman said she “eventually fell asleep, while Alvarado was still outside of her residence with Trevino. When she awoke several hours later, in the early morning hours of Monday, July 30, 2012, Alvarado and Trevino were no longer outside of her residence, and Alvarado was gone. Alvarado never returned to her residence.”

Contacted by investigators, Trevino told them he picked up Alvarado from the girlfriend’s residence “at or around 11:00PM on Sunday, July 29 2012. While together, Trevino and Alvarado got into an argument. Alvarado left Trevino to ‘walk home’ and ‘cool off,’ and Trevino did not know where Alvarado went. Trevino had not seen Alvarado since that time.”

As described in charging documents, “Preliminary examinations of Alvarado’s, [the girlfriend’s], and Trevino’s mobile phones revealed apparent gaps in text-message and phone-call correspondence between Alvarado, [the girlfriend], and Trevino, beginning on or around Saturday, July 28, 2012 and ending on or around Monday, July 30, 2012... Further investigation and subsequent examination of these mobile phones and their corresponding cellular telephone record data confirmed multiple text-message and phone-call correspondence between Alvarado, [the girlfriend] and Trevino had been deleted from each of their mobile phones.”

On August 19, a group of people exploring the remains of long-abandoned coal camps and coal mining operations outside of Rock Springs near Lionkol Road came upon the body, later confirmed to be Alvarado’s, and notified authorities. Authorities excavated the shallow grave and noted that Alvarado’s hands and feet appeared bound behind his back and his face was “partially covered.”

An autopsy was performed on August 21 in Loveland, Colorado, the results of which “indicated the body had suffered multiple injuries including likely blunt force trauma and gunshot wounds, and forensic medical examiners concluded the death a homicide.” Also, “an additional small-caliber “mushroomed” bullet fragment was located and recovered from the immediate area of the body subsequent to autopsy.”

Detectives and crime scene technicians from the Sheriff’s Office and Rock Springs Police Department searched and processed the scene and recovered a range of physical evidence, including “multiple expended small-caliber ammunition casings and several cigarette butts from the immediate area surrounding the burial vault.” As noted in court documents, “on or around Wednesday, August 22, 2012, during a secondary canvass of the scene for additional items of possible evidence, an expended small-caliber ammunition casing was located and recovered from the immediate area surrounding the burial vault... Investigators noted the empty shell casing looked similar to the empty shell casing seized from one of the vehicles located at Trevino’s residence.”

During the course of the investigation, city and county detectives recovered from Trevino’s residence a small-caliber semiautomatic rifle as well as and “an expended small-caliber ammunition casing and a piece of binding material from inside of two vehicles located at Trevino’s residence.”

Detectives noted that “the expended small-caliber ammunition casing seized from inside of one of the vehicles located at Trevino’s residence appeared similar to several of the expended small-caliber ammunition casings located and recovered from the immediate area surround the burial vault” and “the piece of binding material seized from inside of one of the vehicles located at Trevino’s residence looked similar to the binding material found on the recovered body.”

As a result of well over a hundred interviews and combing through Facebook posts, investigators developed information identifying the 17-year-old male and Jose Campos as associates of Trevino and Rigoberto Alvarado. Detectives also “developed and corroborated [information] identifying Alvarado, Trevino, the 17-year-old male and others as known drug users and associates likely involved in a conspiracy to obtain, possess, use and/or buy and sell illegal drugs, namely marijuana.”

It was also determined that “Trevino’s vehicle traveled to the immediate area of Campos’s apartment on 6 separate occasions over the course of approximately 5 days after Alvarado’s disappearance, beginning on or around Monday, August 13, 2012 and ending on or around Sunday, August 19, 2012.”

During the course of an interview, an incident that occurred around the time of Alvarado’s disappearance was described to detectives wherein “Trevino, Campos and the 17-year-old male were together in Trevino’s vehicle using marijuana belonging to Alvarado. This incident was substantiated through a subsequent interview with [the 17-year-old male]... Through the course of interview, it was determined there was a dispute between Trevino and Alvarado about money and/or drugs owed by one party to another through illegal drug transactions... Through the course of interview, it was further determined Campos likely benefitted from a disputed illegal drug transaction between Alvarado and Trevino.”

In addition, investigators learned that the young woman Alvarado was with the night of his disappearance was Campos’s ex-girlfriend, and “it was further determined Campos had, on more than one occasion and to more than one person, openly expressed his dislike of Alvarado.”

Trevino, the 17-year-old male, and Campos provided DNA samples to investigators, and the Wyoming DCI’s State Crime Laboratory began its examination of the evidence collected in Sweetwater County. On August 31 and again on September 7, detectives were notified that the DNA samples from Trevino, the 17-year-old male, and Campos matched the DNA from seven of the cigarette butts found at the crime scene, further that Alvarado’s DNA was also present on two of the seven cigarette butts, mixed with [the 17-year-old male’s] and Campos’s DNA.

There was more to come from the State Lab, authorities said. As detailed in court documents:

“On or around, Tuesday, September 11, 2012, investigators were notified of the preliminary findings from forensic ballistics comparisons, conducted by personnel from DCI’s State Crime Lab. The preliminary findings from the forensic ballistics comparisons are generally summarized, in part, as follows:

“The ‘mushroomed’ bullet fragment, recovered by investigators from the area of Alvarado’s person subsequent to autopsy, shared the same classifying characteristics unique to a single firearm in the FBI’s General Rifling Characteristics Database – a small-caliber semi-automatic long-rifle of the same make and model as the firearm seized from Trevino’s residence;

“The expended small-caliber ammunition casing, seized from inside of one of the vehicles located at Trevino’s residence, shared the same classifying characteristics (such as firing pin impression, and extractor and ejector marks) as other known casings test-fired from the small-caliber semi-automatic long-rifle seized from Trevino’s residence.

“The expended small-caliber ammunition casing, located and recovered by investigators during a secondary canvass of the immediate area surrounding burial vault, shared the same classifying characteristics (such as firing pin impression, and extractor and ejector marks) as other known casings test-fired from the small-caliber semi-automatic long-rifle seized from Trevino’s residence.”

Trevino, the 17-year-old male, and Campos will likely have initial court appearances Monday in Circuit Court in Rock Springs, as the investigation continues.

###

Sheep Herder Hill fire is 70% contained

A return of warm, dry and windy weather will test the containment lines built around a wildfire that's destroyed 36 homes and cabins on Casper Mountain. The Sheep Herder Hill Fire was 70% contained Friday after firefighters took advantage of a few days of cooler, more humid weather to put in more fire line. The shift in the weather was expected to begin Friday and could continue in south and central Wyoming through Sunday. The fire hasn't been growing much lately but it's now listed at about 24 square miles due to better mapping. Some people evacuated by the fire have been allowed to return home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Sweetwater Co. opposes BLM fracking rules

The Sweetwater County Commission says the federal government doesn't need to impose rules for hydraulic fracturing on public lands.
The commission has written the U.S. Bureau of Land Management saying the federal government should leave oversight of the oil and gas industry practice to state regulators.
For two years now, Wyoming has had rules that require companies to disclose the chemicals they use in fracking. The process involves pumping water, sand and chemicals down well holes to crack open deposits and improve the flow of oil and gas.

Sweetwater county becoming more Republican

Sweetwater county becoming more Republican. After years of leaning Democrat, Sweetwater is showing signs of swinging to the right as races for both Sweetwater County Assessor and the two available Sweetwater County Commissioners seats are races featuring candidates from both parties. Also, at the state level, there are a two state representative races taking place within Rock Springs featuring members of both parties. For Clark Stith, chairman of the Sweetwater County Republican Party, the increased Republican activity is blessing. According to Dale Davis, Sweetwater County Clerk, Sweetwater County does have more Republican voters than Democrats, with nearly 47 percent of voters registered as Republicans while nearly 43 percent are Democrats. This contrasts to 2000, when nearly 60 percent of Sweetwater County’s voters were Democrats.

Summer School a Success

The summer school program was deemed a success by Green River High School Assistant Principle Darren Howard, thanks to a high percentage of attendance and very few behavioral problems. Kindergarten through sixth graders had the highest success rate, as 98 out of 107 students completed the program. With limited unexcused absences, the children were awarded with a picnic for achieving a 90 percent attendance rate.

Golf Tournament Helps Put Books In The Hands of Area Youngsters

For the 6th year, the United Way Golf Tournament will be held at Rolling Green Country Club in Green River this Saturday. Kelly Frink says that teams of four paid 400 dollars to participate in the fundraiser.






The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides free age-appropriate books to children up until they reach the age of five. Frink says that although the golf tournament is full, you can still contribute to the program.






If you would like to donate to help a child receive books in our area or would like to receive more information about the program, contact the United Way of Southwest Wyoming in Rock Springs.

Casper Mountain fire damage becomes clearer

Fire officials say many more homes than originally estimated have been destroyed by a wildfire on Casper Mountain. Firefighters took advantage of another day of favorable weather on Thursday to make progress on the fire and another near Jackson. Fire managers have counted 36 homes and cabins and an additional 16 outbuildings destroyed by the wildfire burning on Casper Mountain. Just seven homes were confirmed destroyed earlier this week. Spokesman Pat McJunkin says the improved conditions allowed firefighters to do a more accurate survey. The fire about five miles south of Casper has burned about 24 square miles. Some 400 people were evacuated since the fire started Sunday. It was 50% contained Thursday.

Near Jackson, the 3,300-acre fire burning next to Snow King Mountain is about 36% contained.

F-16s intercept single-engine plane in Denver area

A single-engine plane that entered a temporary no-fly zone in the Denver area has landed without incident after the military scrambled two F-16s to intercept it. The plane was intercepted after President Barack Obama spoke in Golden, Colo., around 11 a.m. Thursday but before he flew out of Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora a few hours later. North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, says the plane was out of radio communications around 12:30 p.m., when Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson says the plane flew near Buckley. Robinson says the F-16s escorted the plane to Centennial Airport south of Denver, where authorities determined the pilot made an honest mistake. Robinson says the pilot regularly flies from Wyoming to Colorado and somehow missed the notice on restricted air space.

Wyo. officials investigate Burns longhorn deaths

The Wyoming Livestock Board is looking into what killed at least five longhorn cattle in a pasture near Burns in southeast Wyoming. Board Director Leanne Correll says the state agency got an anonymous call about the dead cattle Tuesday. Correll says she has very limited information about the dead cattle so far. She says the cattle died more than a month ago. Five dead steers remained in the area recently. Correll says she doesn't know who owns the cattle.

Judge blocks information in Lander homicide

A judge in Lander is ordering authorities not to identify a homicide victim or the man accused of killing him. Circuit Judge Robert B. Denhardt entered an order forbidding officials from releasing information about a fatal shooting Tuesday in Lander. Denhardt is apparently relying on a Wyoming law that specifies public employees may not release the identity of a person accused of sex crimes unless charges are filed in district court. The Wyoming Press Association, including The Associated Press, is challenging the constitutionality of that law in another case. Lander Police Chief Jim Carey says the victim was shot in the head and that the accused man is in custody at the Fremont County Detention Center. He says Denhardt's order prevents him from identifying either man.

New Forest Park Fire Flares Up On Wednesday

A new 40-acre fire that was started on Wednesday was expected to be contained yesterday, according to fire managers. The fire was located roughly 33 miles southeast up the Grey’s River Road outside of Alpine and near the Forest Park campground on forest service property.

The cause of the fire is undetermined, and was hit hard with firefighting efforts shortly after being reported. The Box Y Ranch is roughly four miles from the fire, the Forest Park campground is within two miles of the fire and a Wyoming Game and Fish Department feed ground is also roughly two miles away from the fire. The fire was burning in heavy timber on flat terrain.

Recreationists and other area users are asked to follow the legal fire restrictions in place on the forest since August. Campfires are prohibited on the forest, except within an approved fire “structure,” within a designated area as defined by the forest’s fire restrictions. Smoking outside a vehicle or building is also prohibited. Full fire restriction information is posted at the entrance of forest lands.

UW to host 11th Rocky Mountain job fair

The University of Wyoming will host a regional job fair for geoscience students later this month. The 11th annual Rocky Mountain Rendezvous is scheduled for Sept. 21-24 at the UW Conference Center and Hilton Garden Inn. It is 1 of 5 regional job fairs sponsored by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society for Exploration Geophysicists. The event offers an opportunity for geoscience students from across the United States to visit with oil, gas and environmental industry representatives, and showcase their work. Close to 200 students have attended in recent years, and approximately 25 companies are expected this year. Chevron, Shell, ExxonMobil, Anadarko, Encana Oil and Gas, BP Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil, Hess Corporation and Schlumberger will be among the companies with representatives at this year's fair.

Parts of central Wyo. get first freeze of season

After a record hot summer in Wyoming, central parts of the state have gotten their first freeze of the season. A very dry air mass and light winds allowed temperatures to drop below 32 degrees in many low-lying areas of central Wyoming Thursday morning. The temperature dropped to 30 degrees in Lander, Hudson and Green River and as low as 25 along Interstate 80. However, nearby areas that were slightly higher didn't dip that low. The National Weather Service's Riverton office is on a hill and didn't have a freeze but forecaster Paul Skrbac (Skir-back) said some lower spots in the city did. There was no freeze in the Casper area but temperatures have been dropping into the 20s and 30s for the past few days near the Jackson wildfire.

Firefighters conduct burnouts on Jackson fire

Firefighters are getting more aggressive in attacking a wildfire threatening the town of Jackson. Firefighters were able to conduct burnout operations Wednesday afternoon to help deny the fire fuel within established fire lines. The 2,700-acre Horsethief Canyon Fire is burning south of the resort town next to Snow King Mountain. The fire is about 10% contained. Cooler weather and lighter winds are keeping the fire from making any big runs. About 1,000 residents remain on alert to be prepared to leave in case the fire gets too close. No evacuation orders have been issued, and the community's tourist activities are unaffected. The fire has been ruled human caused but remains under investigation.

Wyo. Supreme Court sets term limits arguments

The Wyoming Supreme Court has set a date to hear arguments on Secretary of State Max Maxfield's lawsuit challenging term limits for himself and other statewide elected officials. The court this week set arguments for Oct. 24 on the lawsuit that Maxfield filed last year as a private citizen. The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled in 2004 that the term limits law was unconstitutional in regard to state legislators. The court ruled that qualifications for state offices are spelled out in the Wyoming Constitution. It said the requirements can only be changed by constitutional amendment, not state statute. The Wyoming Attorney General's Office is defending the statute against Maxwell's lawsuit.

BLM Plans Little Red Creek Prescribed Fire

The Bureau of Land Management High Desert District, in coordination with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Mule Deer Fanatics Foundation, is planning a 1,000 acre prescribed fire in the Little Red Creek drainage at the intersection of the Wyoming, Colorado and Utah borders 59 miles southeast of Rock Springs. Optimal burn conditions are anticipated in mid-September to mid-October contingent upon fuel moisture and weather. Operations will take an estimated two to three days and hunters and recreationists are advised to avoid the area during firing operations.

The project area is located south of Telephone Canyon with the Tepee Mountains to the west and Pine Mountain to the east. The area is historically moderately grazed with water available from Red Creek and numerous ponds. However, due in part to drought conditions and fire exclusion, fuel accumulation and shrub encroachment into aspen stands has diminished the drainage’s water supply and decreased overall eco-system vitality.

The prescribed fire will burn juniper and conifer stands in a mosaic pattern to reduce hazardous fuel loading, improve watershed condition for wildlife and fisheries habitat, decrease sagebrush and juniper competition with aspen, mountain shrubs and native grasses, deter juniper and conifer encroachment into aspen stands while stimulating new aspen growth, and improve forage for ungulates within the Little Red Creek drainage.

Sweetwater County Diving Team Assists In Locating Washakie Reservoir Drowning Victim

Members of the Sweetwater Dive Team assisted in recovering one of the bodies of the two drowning victims at Washakie Reservoir last week. Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says the recovery took place on September 5th.






Friday’s body was recovered by Fremont County authorities on September 4th, but searchers were unable to locate Quiver.






The investigation into the deaths is being conducted by the Wind River Police Department, the Fremont County Coroner’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Witnesses: Fire near Jackson began in back yard

Witnesses say a wildfire threatening part of Jackson appears to have started in the back yard of a home south of town. The ground was charred up to the door of the home that records show belongs to James Anderson III. The home was undamaged. A statement released Tuesday by Jay and Jason Anderson says their father, 76-year-old James Anderson - QUOTE - "remains extremely distraught" about the ignition of the fire and is working with investigators. Investigators say the fire was "human-caused" and won't release more information before they complete their investigation. The Little Horsethief Fire has burned more than 4 square miles of forest since starting Saturday. About 1,000 Jackson residents are told to be ready to evacuate if necessary.

Casper Mtn. firefighters building line near homes

Firefighters are taking advantage of cooler, more humid weather to dig in around a wildfire burning on Casper Mountain. Crews were focusing Wednesday on building containment lines around the northwest corner of the Sheep Herder Hill Fire, the portion closest to most of the 750 homes threatened by the blaze. The fire has destroyed seven homes on the mountain overlooking Casper since breaking out Sunday. It hasn't spread much in the last 24 hours and is listed at nearly 25 square miles and 10% contained. Investigators will also be in the fire zone looking into how the fire started. Fire spokeswoman Susan Ford said that's a standard procedure when there aren't any obvious signs of how a fire started, such as a lightning strike.

Wyo. gov. to Interior: Back off on fracking rules

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead is telling the Interior Department to back off on proposed rules for hydraulic fracturing, the controversial technique that boosts the productivity of oil and gas wells. The proposed U.S. Bureau of Land Management rule would require petroleum companies to disclose the chemicals they pump underground during hydraulic fracturing on public lands. Some states, including Wyoming, already have similar regulations. Mead says in a letter Monday that such rules on the federal level would be duplicative and unnecessary. He says the Interior should allow states to take the lead. Environmentalists say fracking can contaminate groundwater. Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency theorized that hydraulic fracturing may have contaminated groundwater in a central Wyoming gas field. Wyoming and EPA now are coordinating on additional testing in the area.

Disabled vets climb mountain in Grand Teton Park

A group of disabled veterans successfully climbed to the summit of the 13,770-foot Grand peak in Grand Teton National Park on Tuesday. The climb was made to both commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America and help in their healing process. The climbing party consisted of about a dozen people, including three disabled combat vets. Guide Mike Kirby says the climb symbolizes moving beyond Sept. 11 and the resulting war against terrorists.

Man found dead with gunshot wound in Lander

Police are investigating the death of a man found with a gunshot wound to the head in a home in Lander. The death was reported around 3 a.m. Tuesday. Police Chief Jim Carey says that the shooting wasn't a random act. Police aren't commenting on the motive but say only one bullet was fired. One person has been taken into custody. Names of the victim and the person taken into custody weren't immediately released.

Rock Springs Soldier Among 44 Returning Wednesday From Deployments

Forty-four Wyoming National Guard troops will return today (Wednesday) from deployments to Kosovo and Afghanistan. Among those, one will return at 2:39 PM today at the Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport. The group includes 23 Soldiers from Detachment 3, B Company, 777th Aviation, and 21 Airmen with the 153rd Airlift Wing, both based in Cheyenne. The returning troops are from three separate deployments. The 23 Soldiers assigned to Detachment 3 provided aviation maintenance support for the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation, North Dakota Army National Guard, during a year-long deployment to Kosovo.

Oregon Man Gets Life In Prison For Attempted Murder South of Rock Springs

Sweetwater Detective Dick Blust, Jr. has announced that 34 year old Roy Scott Fritts of Oregon was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for attempted first degree murder, plus 8 to 10 years for larceny. The sentences are to be served consecutively.






Fritts, who has a long criminal record including the attempted murder of a Union County Oregon Sheriff and his wife, who had served time for bank robbery, were on the run when Thornell picked them up as they were hitchhiking.






Thornell was spotted and rescued by a family along the Little Firehole Road, about 15 miles from Rock Springs. Following a high speed chase into Utah, Jessica Fritts was captured without incident. Roy Fritts, still armed, was taken into custody after a brief standoff with Summit County deputies.
 
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. She was sentenced to 30 years on August 29th. Roy Fritts pleaded guilty to his charges of attempted first degree murder and larceny on July 17th. Edmund Thornell continues to recover from his injuries.