Damage reported at Sinclair refinery near Rawlins

Sinclair police are investigating a report of damage to valves at the Sinclair Oil Corp. refinery near Rawlins. Company spokesman Clint Ensign says the damage was an intentional act and could've eventually caused a compressor unit to shut down. Workers discovered the damage Oct. 18. Sinclair Police Chief Jeff Sanders confirmed Wednesday that his department is investigating the matter. He declined to comment further. Wyoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration spokeswoman Hayley Douglass says her agency sent investigators to the refinery to check the unit after the report of damage. She said the FBI also was investigating. An FBI spokesman didn't confirm or deny an investigation. Ensign says the damage doesn't appear to be terrorism.

Special emergency incident exercise set for Friday and Saturday

Local emergency response agencies and the Wyoming National Guard will be staging a special incident training exercise in Rock Springs on Friday and Saturday. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says the exercise involves a fictional scenario in which a terrorist group has planted explosives in a vehicle and blown it up at the Coleman/Kanda/Nightingale Compressor and Gas Processing Complex near Wilkins Peak, southwest of Rock Springs, and that also threatens the Questar Meter Station on Foothill Boulevard in northern Rock Springs.






Blust says the exercise is designed to simulate a real-world scenario. A similar exercise was conducted in Rock Springs in June of this year, when over a dozen public and private agencies, departments, businesses, and emergency response units carried out a complex simulated disaster exercise - a fictional chlorine spill - at the Halliburton facility on Blairtown Road. 






Bulletins and updates will be broadcast via County Emergency Management’s special emergency radio system (Radio Stat) during the exercise on Saturday. Those interested are encouraged to tune in on AM frequencies 1620 or 1530.


Agencies involved include the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office and County Emergency Management Agency, the Wyoming National Guard, Sweetwater County Fire District #1, the Rock Springs Police Department, the Rock Springs Fire Department, Regional Emergency Response Team 4, the Sweetwater Bomb Squad, Questar, Kinder Morgan, and volunteers from Western Wyoming Community College’s Criminal Justice Program and Sweetwater County CERTS, as well as other volunteers from Sweetwater and Daggett Counties. Support from the Wyoming Guard will include the 84th Civil Support Team, Joint Task Force, the National Guard Response Force and the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability. In addition, members of the Wyoming Joint Force Headquarters Joint Operations Center personnel will be supporting the exercise from Cheyenne. 

Anadarko wants to nearly double Wyo. oil field

Anadarko Petroleum wants to nearly double the size of an existing oil field in southern Wyoming by drilling 125 wells. The Patrick Draw field, east of Rock Springs, was established more than 50 years ago and acquired by Anadarko in 2000. The Woodlands, Texas-based company wants to drill 105 oil wells, 18 carbon dioxide wells and two water injection wells over nine years. The Patrick Draw field is 1 of 2 fields in Wyoming where Anadarko uses carbon dioxide to free oil and gas deposits. The Bureau of Land Management announced Tuesday that it would be taking comments on the proposal through Nov. 30. After that it will begin an environmental assessment. Anadarko spokeswoman Robin Olsen says that the expansion wouldn't start until at least 2016

Another suspect to plead guilty in Hudson slayings

Another defendant accused in a double slaying in Hudson has reached a plea agreement. Court documents indicate Ryan Blake Hanway, of Riverton, plans to plead guilty Nov. 9 to conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. Hanway is 1 of 5 people accused of killing Eric Clinton Likes and his girlfriend, Elva Charlotte Quiver, at Likes' home last year in a robbery plot. Under Hanway's proposed plea agreement, first-degree murder charges would be dismissed, and Hanway would give a truthful account of what happened. Co-defendant Samantha Hanway pleaded guilty last month to two counts of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and has agreed to testify against others in the case. Her husband, Joseph Jude Jenkins, Laziur Stephen Hanway Jr. and Jude Blackburn also are charged.

U and U Agreement

On the morning of Tuesday, Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County and
University of Utah Healthcare announced their recent partnership and signing of a master affiliation agreement. David Entwistle, CEO of University of Utah Healthcare, and Dr. Sean Mulvihill, CEO of University of Utah Physician Group, were both in attendance to speak with MHSC board members, staff, physicians, and the
media. Artis Kalivas, MHSC Board President, introduced the U of U and spoke about his own family’s personal interaction with the facility. “Many of my family have used the specialists at the U of U. We’ve had great experiences there and we want to use the resources of the U of U to bring that care here to Sweetwater County.
This is a big deal.”The master affiliation agreement is a brief document that outlines the services of both entities and how they will supplement each other to bring quality care and a better experience to the patients of Memorial Hospital. It has come about during ongoing discussions between Mr. David Entwistle (U of U) and Mr. Jerry Klein, CEO at
MHSC, for the past year. David Entwistle said, “The University of Utah and Memorial Hospital have had a relationship with our AirMed helicopter and fixed-wing plane transferring patients, long before I came into the picture. With this partnership, we can strengthen that relationship and also figure out solutions to keep the transfers going down and keep that care provided here in Sweetwater County.” The ageement includes 4-pages
of potential services that over time will be introduced to the community of Sweetwater County and the surrounding area.

Memorial Hospital Will Also

Some of the parents and grandparents may remember the days when hospitals would X-ray Halloween candy on Trick-or-treat night. While those days may be behind us, Gary Collins with Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County says it is still very important for kids to have their parents check out their treats before eating them.






Collins says the safest way for kids to trick-or-treat is to keep to houses and places they know.






Be sure and have that annual Trick-or-treat safety talk with your kids before they venture out. Remind them to never run out into a street and look both ways before crossing. Also, make sure the older kids are in a group and have some sort of reflective clothing or are carrying a flashlight.

Citizen board recommends BLM sterilize wild horses

A citizen advisory panel is recommending that the federal government consider sterilizing some wild horses and burros that freely roam across miles of federal land in the West. Members of the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board say the Bureau of Land Management should consider the step to protect rangelands and control booming populations of mustangs in 10 Western states. The bureau already uses vaccines to slow horses from reproducing and rounds them up for adoption, but thousands of those horses currently live in captivity. The BLM also has been criticized for allowing a horse slaughter proponent to buy hundreds of horses over the past five years. The agency acknowledged Monday that its inspector general is investigating allegations that the Colorado man purchased more than 1,700 horses for slaughter in Mexico.

Riverton woman accused of hundreds of prank 911 calls

A Riverton woman has been arrested after Fremont County Sheriff's deputies say she made more than 625 prank 911 calls over the weekend. Investigators tracked the calls to the prepaid cellphone of a 19-year-old woman, who was arrested on suspicion of misuse of 911 and interference with a peace officer. Deputies aren't sure what the woman's motive was.

Bronc rider killed in rollover crash in Texas

A saddle bronc rider with ties to Wyoming and Colorado has died after the pickup he was driving rolled over near Rockdale, Texas. The Steamboat Pilot and Today reports a memorial service for Travis Darling is planned Sunday at the University of Wyoming's Cliff and Martha Hansen Arena in Laramie, Wyo. Darling had won at least a share of 10 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association saddle bronc riding titles. He grew up in Steamboat Springs but also lived in southwest Colorado, where he competed in rodeo and wrestling for Ignacio High School. He later earned a rodeo scholarship to Casper College in Wyoming. His mother, Barb Lynn, said Tuesday that her son had recently moved to Rockdale and was excited about a new job on a ranch.

Hunters more than halfway to 1st Wyo. wolf quota

Hunters are more than halfway toward meeting the quota for Wyoming's first wolf hunt since the animals were reintroduced to the Yellowstone region in the 1990s. The hunt began Oct. 1 and continues through Dec. 31. The quota for this year's hunt is 52 animals. As of Monday, hunters had killed 27 wolves. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed wolves from endangered species protection in Wyoming last summer. Wolves are classified as trophy game animals outside Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks in northwest Wyoming and are subject to regulated hunting in that area. Wolves elsewhere in the state are classified as predators and can be shot on sight without a license. Wyoming is home to an estimated 328 wolves.

Trick or Treat

It's trick or treat time tomorrow, and the Green River Police Department will be busy, Erick Pauley has the story

Ex-UW athletes charged with theft-related crimes

Two former University of Wyoming athletes who were kicked off their teams after they were arrested Tuesday have been charged with theft-related crimes. Former men's basketball player Shakir Smith faces one felony count of larceny for his alleged involvement in a burglary Sept. 29. Former wrestler Patrick Martinez faces one misdemeanor count of wrongfully taking or disposing of property for allegedly having a stolen TV that belonged to the university's athletic department. A news release from the UW athletics department after the players were dismissed said Cowboys basketball coach Larry Shyatt and wrestling coach Mark Branch wouldn't comment. Smith, a sophomore, played in 15 games last season with the Cowboys. Martinez, a junior, was 1 of Wyoming's top returning wrestlers this season.

Bats studied ahead of wind turbine project

Researchers are studying the population of bats in the Shirley Basin ahead of a wind project to provide energy to a million homes. Zoologists Doug Keinath and Ian Abernethy are collecting bats to determine the species of bats living in the area. The goal of researchers with the Natural Diversity Database is to document where the three species of Wyoming bats live in the hope of preventing deaths. Bats avoid the moving turbines but scientists say the change in barometric pressure near them kills bats by bursting capillaries in their lungs in a phenomenon known as barotrauma. Construction of the 1,000 wind turbine Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project near Rawlins could begin next year.

Wyoming voters face 3 amendments next week

Wyoming voters face three constitutional questions in next week's general election. The first proposal would amend the Wyoming Constitution to specify that competent adults have the right to make their own health care decisions. Republican Sen. Leslie Nutting of Cheyenne was the main sponsor in last year's legislative session. Proponents originally pushed the amendment to voice the state's opposition to the federal Affordable Care Act. Nutting says she still sees a place for the amendment despite the U.S. Supreme Court ruling this summer upholding portions of the federal law. Critics of the proposal warn that it's likely to have unintended consequences. The next amendment would specify that the state will preserve citizens' opportunities to hunt, fish and trap. The final amendment would expand the powers of district court commissioners.

Make Sure Kids Are Safe For Halloween

Last minute preparations on underway for the biggest candy night of the year. But Gary Collins with Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County says that grown ups can help fight childhood obesity and unhealthy habits for kids by simply handing out a different sort of treat.






As you are setting out decorations, there are also some simple safety reminders to keep in mind as well.







Collins says you should also make sure that kids are visible. Using Glo Sticks is okay, but always keep in mind that they can break. Make sure the ones you have bought say non-toxic and simply wash off the area where the chemical touches the skin including eyes and in the mouth.

Birth Certificates

Not all documents described as “birth certificates” are truly the official birth certificates needed to prove identity according to a Wyoming Department of Health official.
“Folks trying to renew or obtain driver’s licenses are finding that a hospital birth certificate will not work to prove identity,” said Jim McBride, Vital Statistics Services program manager. “Unfortunately, these are essentially souvenirs.”
The Wyoming Department of Transportation started to require official proof of identity for driver’s licenses in 2011 to be consistent with federal security regulations. Official birth certificates are the most common document accepted to prove identity.
“We would like to help people avoid a frustrating visit to their local Driver Services office,” McBride said.
Tell-tale signs of souvenir hospital birth certificates include:
· There are baby footprints on the document.
· The mother or father’s finger print is on the certificate.
· There is a gold (or other color) seal from the hospital.

Official birth certificates, McBride said, include these features:

· A state file number in the top right corner.
· It will show city and county of birth, rather than the facility name.
· Shows the birthplace for the mother and the father.
· Shows the date of birth or age at the time of birth for the mother and the father.
· Shows a date issued at the bottom.
· Regardless of how old the certificate is, the record will be issued on security paper.

For people born in Wyoming, certified copies of their official birth certificates are available for $13 from Vital Statistics Services, which is part of the Wyoming Department of Health.
For more information or to order a certified birth certificate for those born in Wyoming, please go http://www.health.wyo.gov/rfhd/vital_records/birthcertificate.html online, call 307-777-7591, or visit the office in Cheyenne at 2300 Capitol Avenue on the first floor of the Hathaway Building
Individuals born in other states can find where to get certified birth certificates by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm.

US Supreme Court sets aside Wyo. teen's sentence

The U.S. Supreme Court has vacated a life sentence for a Wyoming teenager in the 2009 home invasion killing of a Sheridan man. The court this month sent Wyatt Bear Cloud's case back to the Wyoming Supreme Court for reconsideration. Bear Cloud was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the killing of Sheridan businessman Robert Ernst. Bear Cloud was 15 at the time of the killing. Two other teens also were sentenced to life. The U.S. Supreme Court this summer threw out mandatory life sentences for juvenile offenders. The ruling doesn't forbid such sentences but requires that sentencing judges consider other options. State prosecutors say the Wyoming Supreme Court could order a new sentencing hearing for Bear Cloud.

Air tests clean at Pavillion gas field

A Wyoming state study has found no air quality problems near Pavillion's natural gas field after more than a year of testing. The Department of Environmental Quality used a monitoring station near the field owned by Encana Oil and Gas. It measured nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, particulate matter and ozone. The study said no results exceeded standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The state and the EPA are also investigating whether natural gas drilling at the field contaminated several water wells in the area.

Judge rules for government in bear mauling suit

A judge has dismissed a wrongful death suit that claimed negligence by federal researchers led to the fatal mauling of a man in Wyoming's Shoshone National Forest. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal ruled Wednesday that researchers had no duty under Wyoming law to warn that a bear had been trapped and released in the area. Freudenthal also found it wasn't obvious to the researchers that the man would enter the area. A 430-pound grizzly killed Erwin Evert of Park Ridge, Ill., in June 2010. The male grizzly had just reawakened after being trapped, tranquilized and studied by members of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team. The team researches grizzly bears in the Yellowstone region.

Group seeks to mandate oil and gas disclosure

A Wyoming landowners group and other advocacy groups want the Environmental Protection Agency to require oil and gas extractors to disclose the chemicals emitted from oil and gas production each year. The alliance of 17 organizations, including the Wyoming-based Powder River Basin Resource Council, filed a petition with the EPA on Wednesday. The petition includes hydraulic fracturing, a production technique used to free underground oil and gas deposits. The requested rule change would not alter current emissions limits or permit requirements. Deb Thomas, of the Powder River Basin Resource Council, says people need to know what's in their air and water. A spokesman for the American Petroleum Institute declined comment until the organization has a chance to analyze the petition.

Native women face patchwork of policies for Plan B

Months after the federal Indian Health Service said it was finalizing a policy that would make emergency contraception more accessible to American Indian women, advocates say they're still waiting. And in the meantime, Native women face a patchwork of policies at hospitals and clinics that don't always ensure timely access to the medication. Across the country, any woman 17 or older can buy emergency contraception from behind the counter at retail pharmacies. But the Indian Health Service has no retail pharmacies. Instead, Native women must visit a clinic, urgent care facility or emergency room and have a consultation before being prescribed the medicine that is dispensed on-site. The Indian Health Service's chief medical officer said in May that the agency is working on a new policy aimed at allowing pharmacies to give Plan B directly to patients. The IHS has since declined to discuss when that policy might be released.

Court hearing for Montana man delayed

The next court appearance for a Montana man suspected of abducting and assaulting an 11-year-old Wyoming girl has been delayed. Thirty-9-year-old Jesse Paul Speer of Manhattan, Mont., was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Friday in Circuit Court in Cody. However, court officials say the hearing has been continued and no new date has been set. Prosecutors allege Speer forced a Cody girl into his SUV at gunpoint on Oct. 8, then assaulted and abandoned her outside of town. The girl was found by hunters driving through the mountainous area. He was later arrested in Montana. Speer is a nature photographer and divorced father of 2 children. He remains in the Park County Detention Center.

Don't Miss The Action At the Mountain States Circuit Rodeo Finals

The Mountain States Circuit Rodeo Finals website says it all... the best family times involve, dirt, sweat and a clown running for his life. Chad Banks says you don't want to miss the action this weekend at the Sweetwater Events Complex.






The PRCA ProRodeo features the best of the best, down to the stock, performer J.W. Winklepleck, announcer Bob Edmonds and bullfighters Dusty Tuckeness and Cade Burns.






Tonight and Saturday, the gates open at 6 PM with rodeo performances beginning at 7:30 PM. For all of the results, lists of stock providers, sponsors and more, go to mountainstatesrodeo.com.

9th Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame class inducted

Four more individuals have been added to the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame. Among them is famed 1800s showman William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The other three were John Turner, former Wyoming legislator and director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; retired state Game and Fish chief game warden Dave Bragonier, and retired state game warden Rex Corsi. The ceremony to honor the inductees was held last weekend at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody. The four were the ninth class to be inducted in the hall. The Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant, lasting lifetime contributions toward conserving Wyoming's outdoor heritage.

Snow leaves slick roads in Wyoming

Travel is hazardous in much of southeast Wyoming after a snowstorm swept through the state. The Wyoming Department of Transportation reports numerous slick roads, including Interstate 80 from the Nebraska state line to near Rawlins. Black ice is a major problem in other areas, including Lusk and Douglas. The National Weather Service reports most areas of central and southern Wyoming received 2 to 4 inches of snow. Mountain areas received up to 9 inches. The Weather Service says the state will see widespread snow showers Thursday but little additional accumulation in the lower elevations.

Election Update

Election Day is drawing closer, Erick Pauley has a look at some of the items on the ballot

Wyoming jobless rate falls to 5.4% in Sept.

Wyoming's unemployment rate fell to 5.4% in September. The rate dropped from 5.7% in August. The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services says a year ago in September the rate was at 5.9%. The agency says nearly every county in the state saw unemployment rates fall. Big Horn County's rate fell from 6.2% to 5%. Goshen County fell from 5.8% to 4.6%. Sublette County reported the state's lowest jobless rate last month at 3%, followed by Niobrara County at 3.2%, Converse at 3.6% and Campbell and Albany both at 3.7%. The highest unemployment rates by county were in Fremont with 5.6%, Lincoln with 5.4% and Laramie with 5.2%.

Sweetwater extends wind farm moratorium

The Sweetwater County Commission has extended a moratorium on wind farms by six months. The county's moratorium was set to expire in December, but the extension takes it to the beginning of next summer. The county enacted the moratorium while it considered enacting wind farm regulations for issues such as noise. The commission decided to extend the moratorium after it recently heard conflicting testimony from experts on proposed noise regulations.

Woman pleads guilty to federal child porn charge

A Virginia woman accused of sending a Wyoming man images of herself molesting an infant has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography. Jessica Shockley faces between 15 and 30 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday in federal court in Wyoming. She is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 4 in Cheyenne. Investigators arrested Shockley in January after finding the images in question on a cellphone of James Hawkins of Rock Springs. Hawkins told investigators he had met Shockley through a cellphone chat site. Authorities traced the images to Shockley. Hawkins pleaded guilty earlier to receiving child pornography. He was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison

Public Comment Sought on Proposed Sublette Mule Deer Mitigation Project

Public comment is being sought on a joint proposal between the Bureau of Land Management, Pinedale Anticline Project Office and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to improve the quantity and quality of habitat in the Sublette Mule Deer Herd Unit with focus on the Ryegrass, Soapholes and Mesa areas. Shelley Gregory tells us that the “10-Year Sublette Mule Deer Mitigation Plan” proposal is in response to the decline of mule deer on the Mesa winter range and is associated with the 2008 Pinedale Anticline Project Area Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision. It can be found at blm.gov.






Also on Nov. 1, a public meeting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Pinedale Field Office to provide information on the project’s proposed vegetation treatments and gather public comments.






Comments on the plan must be received by 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30.

Mead pushes broadband as way to grow economy

Gov. Matt Mead wants to continue expanding access to high-speed Internet in Wyoming as a means to spurring economic growth.
About 80% of all Wyoming homes have access to broadband services through telecommunications, cable or wireless providers.
The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that Mead says he would be willing to support state investments to help bring broadband to areas not served.
Mead spoke to state and business leaders gathered Tuesday for the inaugural Wyoming Broadband Summit in Cheyenne. About 225 attend the event that was designed to highlight successes, as well as challenges, in the efforts to expand Internet capabilities across the state.

Stagecoach and Springs Streets to be closed next week

Pacific Railroad Company will be making repairs to the railroad crossings at railway intersection across Stagecoach Blvd in Rock Springs. Union Pacific will be installing
72 feet of new concrete surfacing and rail panels. The work should take about two days and is tentatively scheduled to start on Oct. 31.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation will be assisting in traffic control and will be
closing the section of Stagecoach Blvd. at Springs Drive and just past the McDonald's and Flying J approaches. Residents and motorists will still be able to access both businesses from the East. Local residents who travel Stagecoach to Elk Street are advised to find an alternate route or be prepared to detour onto Springs Drive during the work. Following the work on Stagecoach, the Union Pacific Railroad Company will also be installing new concrete surfacing and rail panels on Springs Drive. The work should also take about two days and is tentatively scheduled to begin on Nov. 2. Local residents who travel Overland Drive and Winterhawk Drive to Elk Street are advised to find an alternate route during the work. WYDOT would like to remind drivers to slow down in work zones, be alert and cautious of roadside workers. For more information on road construction, closures and weather conditions, please visit http://www.wyoroad.info.

Wyoming inmate dies at State Pen at Rawlins

The Wyoming Department of Corrections says an inmate in the State Penitentiary has died of natural causes. The agency says 54-year-old Roger Ford died on Sunday at the prison in Rawlins. Ford was serving time for three counts of sexual assault. He was sentenced in February 2001 by District Court Judge John Perry in Weston County. The Corrections Department says its policy requires an autopsy to be conducted.

Cheyenne council passes bird feeding ban

The city of Cheyenne has made it illegal to feed geese and ducks on any city-owned or city-operated property. The Cheyenne City Council approved the ban on an 8-2 vote Monday. There was no discussion from the public or from council members. Those who violate the law can be issued a written warning or cited. Those cited will face a fine of $10-$25. Officials say the ban is necessary to control the migratory bird population. They say birds that have become accustomed to being fed by humans no longer migrate, meaning more birds are spending more time in the city.

Wyo. treasurer finalist censured by high court

A Wyoming Republican Party finalist to succeed the late state Treasurer Joe Meyer was censured by the state Supreme Court for misleading an opposing lawyer in a civil lawsuit. The court censured Rock Springs lawyer Clark Stith in April 2011, saying he failed to tell an opposing lawyer that Stith's client had insurance that could help settle a civil claim. Stith says he didn't mention the coverage because his client didn't want to file an insurance claim. Stith says he did nothing wrong and that the matter has no bearing on his ability to serve as treasurer. Gov. Matt Mead plans to interview three finalists for treasurer on Wednesday and announce his choice Friday.

2012 fire season among worst on record in Wyoming

State Forester Bill Crapser says this past wildfire season was among the worst on record in Wyoming. Crapser estimates there were between 1,300 and 1,400 wildfires in the state that burned about 560,000 acres of state, federal and private land. He says over the last 25 years Wyoming averaged only about 75,000 burned acres a year, meaning this year was about seven times worse than normal. In addition, 75 homes and cabins along with up to 60 outbuildings were destroyed this year. Crapser says the wildfires cost about $100 million to fight and at the high point of the fires in July there were 4,000 firefighters from around the country battling fires in the state. Crapser blames the big fire season on hot, dry weather and increased dry lightning strikes.

Fugitive Caught West of Rock Springs

A fugitive wanted on multiple felony drug charges was captured Monday afternoon west of Rock Springs. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that deputies tracked 42 year old Steven Scott Chapman and arrested him without incident.






The DCI Southwest Enforcement Team is a special unit comprised of DCI special agents and investigators from the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, the Green River Police Department, the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office, the Evanston Police Department, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Circuit Court Judge Victoria Schofield set Chapman’s bond at $20,000 cash or surety Tuesday morning.






Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rasmussen, Egbert, or Draney is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office or other law enforcement agency.  Haskell said calls will be handled with discretion.

WY treasurer finalists picked for fund approaches

Wyoming Republican officials say the three finalists for state treasurer were selected because of their approaches to managing the state's $15 billion investment fund. Members of Wyoming's Republican Party Central Committee considered the 10 candidates on Monday in Riverton. They picked Bruce Brown, an accountant; Mark Gordon, a former board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and Clark Stith, a Fulbright scholar, to advance to interviews with Gov. Matt Mead. Stith thinks he can reduce the fund's investment management fees. Gordon said he would revisit keeping 60% of the fund in fixed assets if the market forecast weakens. Brown said it would be a mistake to tap into the state's rainy day fund. Mead is to meet with the three finalists Wednesday.

Winter weather closes roads in Yellowstone

Winter weather has forced the closure of several roads in Yellowstone National Park. The National Park Service reports road closures on Monday included Craig Pass between Old Faithful and West Thumb and the park's east entrance to Fishing Bridge. The Park Service intends to update the road closure list as conditions change so people traveling in the park should check on road conditions. The National Weather Service says snow is likely all week in Jackson, near the park's southern border.

UW Prepares for Possible Budget Cuts

Aiming to reduce its faculty and staff budgets without layoffs, the University of Wyoming has begun holding some positions open to prepare for a state budget cut of up to $15.7 million in fiscal year 2014. The actions are in line with UW's budget reduction plan presented in May to Gov. Matt Mead. Anticipating declines in state revenues, the governor in April asked state agencies to plan for possible 8 percent budget reductions for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2013. On Oct. 3, UW's vice presidents reviewed 84 vacant non-academic staff positions and chose to hold open 28. The non-academic staff positions are scattered across numerous campus units, including Academic Affairs, Administration and Finance, Athletics, Information Technology, the President's Office, the Office of Research and Economic Development and Student Affairs. The next quarterly meeting to review vacant non-academic positions will take place in January.

Wyo. project looks at energy-eagles relationship

Researchers are trying to learn whether bald eagles are affected by natural gas infrastructure in western Wyoming. Biologists have outfitted six bald eagles with GPS transmitters that will record the location of each bird every hour for the next three or four years. The research was funded by a $60,000 grant from the Pinedale Anticline Project Office. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is participating in the project. Jackson Hole biologists Bryan Bedrosian says the project will gather detailed information on where the eagles nest, forage and winter. Bedrosian says it will require some interesting analysis to ascertain the true impacts of the gas fields on the bald eagles because researchers don't have data from when there were no gas wells.

Wyoming forecast projects slight revenue bump

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead says he's still requiring state agencies to prepare for 8% budget cuts even though the latest state revenue projections show slight improvement. The state's Consensus Revenue Estimating Group released a report Monday projecting an extra $85 million in state revenues for the 2-year budget cycle that runs through mid-2014. That's in addition to the $3.2-billion budget the Legislature approved early this year. The report says Wyoming finished the last budget cycle with just over $200 million more than analysts had predicted in January. Mead says the state still needs to brace for the expected loss of more than $700 million in federal funds for abandoned mine land cleanup in coming years. He says the state might consider reducing its savings rate to free up funds.

Cowboys Against Cancer Banquet Sold Out But You Can Still Help

The Annual Cowboys Against Cancer Banquet is scheduled for November 3rd at the Sweetwater Events Complex. If you haven't got your ticket yet, Chad Banks says they are sold out. But you can still help out by making a donation.






Cowboys Against Cancer was established in 1994 to raise fund for Sweetwater County residents diagnosed with cancer.






The money raised at events such as the banquet and by contributions are made available to patients and their families. Once again, that website is cowboysagainstcancer.com.

Wyoming releases new school progress reports

The Wyoming Department of Education says 139 schools and six school districts in the state failed to meet federal education goals last year. The federal No Child Left Behind Act sets so-called adequate yearly progress benchmarks for schools to meet in order for all students to be proficient in language and math by 2014. The Wyoming Department of Education had released preliminary results in September. But those results hadn't accounted for one provision, and the agency had to review the results and issue a new report. The new report was issued last week. Of the 139 Wyoming schools that missed their goals, 80 missed the target for the first year and 59 have missed in consecutive years.

Wyo. treasurer candidates interviewed in Riverton

The field of candidates hoping to become Wyoming's new treasurer includes the governor's chief of staff and a former Federal Reserve Bank official. The ten candidates are being interviewed by the Wyoming Republican Central Committee in Riverton Monday. It's the first public discussion of who should replace the late Joe Meyer. The committee will narrow the field to three. Gov. Matt Mead will then choose a new treasurer from that group by Friday.

The candidates are: Mead's chief of staff, Kari Jo Gray; Mark Gordon, formerly of the Kansas City Fed; former state rep. Ed Prosser; Fulbright scholar Clark Stith; accountant Bruce Brown; Lars Lone of the Wyoming Policy Institute; bank holding company president Daniel Furphy; former Conoco employee Janet Anderson and John Allan Holtz, who has held several judicial system positions.

Judge denies appeal of Riverton killing conviction

A Riverton man convicted of first-degree murder has lost his latest bid for a new trial. Gabriel R. Drennen is serving a life sentence for the shooting death of Leroy Hoster in 2010. Trial testimony indicates Drennen was trying to evict Hoster and shot him after Hoster pushed him. He appealed his conviction on grounds that he had poor representation during his trial. Drennen argued his lawyers failed to call expert witnesses who could have bolstered his claims of self-defense. District Court Judge Norman E. Young ruled this month that Drennen's attorneys nevertheless did argue self-defense and that while Drennen may not have received a perfect trial, he did get a fair one.

Wyo. judge sets $2M bail for Montana man

A judge has set bail at $2 million cash for a Montana man suspected of abducting and assaulting an 11-year-old Wyoming girl. Thirty-9-year-old Jesse Paul Speer of Manhattan, Mont., made his initial court appearance Friday before Circuit Court Judge Bruce Waters in Cody. Speer was advised of the charges against him, and Waters appointed Cody attorney Travis Smith as his public defender. Waters set Speer's preliminary hearing for Oct. 26. Prosecutors allege Speer forced a Cody girl into his SUV at gunpoint on Oct. 8, then assaulted and abandoned her outside of town. The girl was found by hunters driving through the mountainous area. He was arrested in Montana. Speer is a nature photographer and divorced father of 2 children. Speer remains in the Park County Detention Center.

1 teen killed, 1 injured in crash near Powell

A funeral service will be held Monday for a Powell teenager who died in a single-vehicle rollover accident. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 17-year-old William C. Hill was riding in a pickup truck that went off of Road 7 southeast of Powell at about 12:15 p.m. Wednesday. The driver, also 17, was taken to a hospital with undisclosed injuries. The patrol says the vehicle skidded before entering a broadside slide and rolling.

Rawlins Man kills himself after 50-mile pursuit

Authorities say a 29-year-old Rawlins man shot and killed himself after leading troopers on a 50-mile chase through southern Wyoming. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says a trooper pulled over a stolen motorcycle for speeding through Arlington on Interstate 80 just after 10 p.m. Thursday. The man on the motorcycle, identified as Chad Nickelson, fled after the trooper got out of his patrol vehicle. The chase continued until the motorcycle either ran out of gas or had mechanical problems just east of Rawlins. Authorities say Nickelson fled on foot and fired a shot in the air before turning the gun on himself. No troopers were injured.

1 killed, 3 hurt in I-25 crash in Natrona County

Authorities say one person was killed and three others were injured in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 in Natrona County. The dead and injured were all in a truck that rolled over north of Bar Nunn at about 3 p.m. Saturday. The injured included two young children, though they were not seriously hurt. The Wyoming Highway Patrol has not released the names of the victims.

Rock Springs Wild Horse Facility Temporarily Closed

Serena Baker with the Bureau of Land Management High Desert District tells us that the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility is closed for adoptions until Jan. 2013. Wild horses being gathered from the North Lander Complex Wild Horse Gather are being brought to the facility and must be health inspected, vaccinated, and test negative for Equine Infectious Anemia before available for adoption or sale to the public. However, public viewing at the facility’s kiosk remains open daily. A special event is planned for the re-opening in January.






Following the grand opening, a special preview day is planned for those considering adoption.






Baker encourages anyone who can, to considering making on the living legends a part of their family. For more information, go to blm.gov.

Funeral Friday for former Wyo. treasurer Joe Meyer

Former Vice President Dick Cheney will be among the speakers at services to honor the life of former Wyoming Treasurer Joe Meyer. Meyer, who died earlier this month from cancer, was best friends with Cheney, going back to when they played football together in Casper as boys. Lynne Cheney is also scheduled to speak at Friday's funeral in Cheyenne along with Gov. Matt Mead and former Govs. Dave Freudenthal (FREE'-den-thawl) and Mike Sullivan. In addition to treasurer, Meyer also had served as secretary of state and state attorney general.

Mont. man accused of abducting Cody girl in court

A Montana man suspected of abducting and assaulting an 11-year-old Cody girl is set to make his first court appearance in Wyoming. Thirty-9-year-old Jesse Paul Speer of Manhattan, Mont. is scheduled to appear in a Cody courtroom on Friday to be advised of the charges against him. Circuit Court Judge Bruce Waters will also set bond for him. Prosecutors allege Speer forced the girl into his SUV at gunpoint on Oct. 8 then assaulted and abandoned her outside of town. The girl was found by hunters driving through the mountainous area. He was arrested Saturday in Montana and transported to Wyoming Wednesday. He's a nature photographer and divorced father of 2 children. Speer and his former wife lived in Colorado for about five years before moving to Montana in 2008.

2 Million Dogs Campaign

Man's best friend could be man's best hope for a cancer cure. The group "2 Million Dogs" is raising awareness about canine cancer through its "Puppy Up" campaign - and possible links to similar cancers in humans. The group's Ginger Morgan explains that pets are exposed to many of the same environmental risks as people, and there's hope for animal and human cancer patients.






Morgan says the "Puppy Up" campaign, which includes walks in some states, is intended to raise awareness about comparative oncology. Morgan says the objective is to broaden the understanding of the links between human and companion animal cancer.






Morgan says researchers have already documented cases where humans have benefited from limb-sparing techniques developed for dogs.

Wyoming goes through 3rd driest water year

Wyoming just completed its third driest water year in 118 years. In addition, the state saw its driest March through September period ever. The National Weather Service reports that Wyoming averaged 8.77 inches of snow and rain in the last water year, which covers the period from October last year through September this year. Weather Service hydrologist Jim Fahey says only the 1988-89 and 1959-60 water years were drier. The dry year comes after several wet years in Wyoming. In 2011, Wyoming saw record snow packs. Fahey says he hasn't seen such a big drop off in precipitation from one year to the next in the last 20 years. Current predictions call for the drier than normal weather to continue. Most of the state is seeing at least severe drought.

Judge sets hearing for kidnapping suspect

A Montana man suspected of abducting and assaulting an 11-year-old Wyoming girl faces an initial court appearance Friday in Cody. Jesse Paul Speer of Manhattan, Mont., was transported from Montana on Wednesday to face charges. Prosecutors allege Speer forced the Cody girl into his SUV at gunpoint on Oct. 8 then assaulted and abandoned her outside of town. The girl was found by hunters driving through the mountainous area. The 39-year-old Speer was arrested Saturday in Montana and waived extradition on Monday. Speer and his former wife lived in Colorado for about five years before moving to Montana in 2008. Circuit Court Judge Bruce Waters of Cody will advise Speer of the charges against him at Friday's hearing and set bond.

Remains of missing Colorado man found in Wyoming

The remains of an elderly Colorado man who disappeared more than seven years ago have been found in Wyoming. Fred Dingler of Boulder County had Alzheimer's disease and was 82 when he disappeared. He was last seen on Aug. 10, 2005, leaving his home in Gunbarrel while his wife was napping. His vehicle was later found outside of Hanna. Two archaeologists found human remains near Hanna last week, and a search of the area turned up a mandible that investigators were able to match to Dingler's dental records. The Carbon County coroner's office in Wyoming is handling the autopsy.

Mountain States Circuit Finals PRCA ProRodeo Next Week

As we have told you, the Mountain States Circuit Finals PRCA ProRodeo is coming to Sweetwater County. Chad Banks with the Sweetwater Events Complex says the event promises to be fast paced and top notch.






This particular event is a particularly special and important rodeo in this year's calendar.






For more information, go online at mountainstatesrodeo.com or at sweetwaterevents.com.

Well Known Rock Springs Resident Dies

An accomplished and well known resident of rock springs has died this week, Erick Pauley has the story.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk, and moose has been discovered in deer hunt area 132. Green River Wildlife Management Coordinator Mark Zornes said this case involved a mule deer doe that was collected within a half mile of the Green River Game and Fish regional office because it was emaciated and in poor body condition. The doe was euthanized and submitted for testing. This is the first time we have found CWD in this hunt area,” Zornes said. “However, the occurrence of CWD in Green River is not a huge surprise. CWD has been documented in Utah near the Wyoming border, about 40 miles to the south.”
Chronic Wasting Disease is not known to be a disease of humans and presents no known public health significance at this time. Nonetheless, to avoid risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people avoid eating meat from deer and elk that look sick or that test positive for CWD. Green River region personnel continue to collect samples through hunter field checks and at CWD sampling stations. WGFD personnel collect and analyze more than 4,000 CWD samples annually throughout the state. “There are no methods that have been proven effective in stopping the expansion of CWD, although a number of things have been tried in other states,” said WGFD Public Information Officer Eric Keszler. “Recent research in Wisconsin and Colorado has shown that large-scale culling of animals is ineffective in stopping the spread of the disease or reducing its prevalence. Currently, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is monitoring the disease, conducting various research projects to understand more about CWD, and educating the public on the presence of the
disease and what it means for wildlife and people. The department is committed to using the best available science to manage this disease in a manner that makes sense for the wildlife and people of Wyoming.”

Burn Ban

The burn ban in Laramie County and Cheyenne has finally been lifted after being in place since May 4.
Wyoming's fire season has been one of it's largest on record. It burned over half a million acres and cost more than $20 million in state and local expenses.
"Due to the temperatures, the low relative humidity, the fuel loads," said Bill McHenry, Deputy Director with Laramie County Emergency Management.
For the past four and a half months a burn ban was in place in Laramie County, but Tuesday night it was removed. That doesn't mean we aren't still at risk for wildfire.
"The lighter fuels are still present. High wind as we have today poses a danger and so there are specific guidelines that we put out," McHenry said.
Despite the lift on the fire ban, Laramie County Emergency Management is highly recommending that hunters and campers do not use campfires, especially in windy conditions.

Federal approval sought for Montana coal railroad

Owners of a proposed railroad serving southeastern Montana's coal fields have applied to the federal government to build an 83-mile line carrying up to 20 million tons of fuel annually. Tuesday's application to the Surface Transportation Board comes after a federal court said in December that prior approvals for the long-stalled Tongue River Railroad were outdated. The line is owned by BNSF Railway Co., Arch Coal, Inc. and billionaire Forrest Mars, Jr. It would stretch from Miles City south to Ashland, where Arch is seeking to mine a 1.5 billion ton coal reserve. Construction of the line would take three years and cost $490 million. BNSF spokeswoman Suann Lundsberg says it is up to federal officials when work could begin. Landowners along the route vow to stop the project.

Wyoming voter registration deadline Oct. 22

Monday is the deadline for Wyoming voters to register ahead of next month's election. Secretary of State Max Maxfield says voter registration closes 14 days before the general election to give county clerks time to prepare poll books. A person must be a U.S. citizen, a Wyoming resident and at least 18 years old to register. Maxfield urged people who aren't registered to do so by contacting their county clerk's office. Those who don't register by the Oct. 22 deadline may still register at their polling place on Election Day, Nov. 6.

Man accused of using child's birthday cash for pot

A 28-year-old Evanston man faces charges in Utah after allegedly using his child's birthday money to buy marijuana. Morgan County deputies say the man was arrested last week after the vehicle he was riding in was pulled over on Interstate 84 outside of Morgan. Deputy Christian Peay says that several bags of marijuana were found in a backpack. Peay says a loaded gun was also found in the vehicle. Two young children were among the passengers. Authorities say they later received a call from the man's wife, who was upset because the money used to buy the drugs was supposedly meant to be a birthday present. The man was charged this week with felony child endangerment and illegal gun possession, as well as misdemeanor drug offenses.

Still time to Volunteer for the Mountain States Circuit Finals PRCA ProRodeo

Time is winding down before the Mountain States Circuit Finals PRCA ProRodeo at the Sweetwater Events Complex. The event takes place October 25th through the 27th and Chad Banks says that if you have horse and livestock knowledge, they need your experience.






If you had previously volunteered at the National High School Finals Rodeo, you can just log in to the online scheduling program and pick your shift. But if you are new to volunteering at the Complex, you will need to complete an application.






Banks says the volunteer shifts are simple, short and you'll get to experience the fast paced rodeo action of the Mountain States Circuit Finals.

Healthcare Asscociated Infections

A Wyoming Department of Health representative is advising Wyoming consumers they can help prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAI) when they visit a medical facility. HAIs are infections people can get while receiving treatment for other conditions. “While most healthcare facilities have professionals who work hard to prevent the transmission of infections, there are additional things patients can do to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Thorp said.
Thorp recommended 10 steps for patients to help prevent healthcare-associated infections:
Speak up. Talk to doctors about your concerns and ask what they are doing to protect you
Keep hands clean. Remind healthcare providers, family and visitors to wash their hands.
Ask if you still need a catheter (central line or urinary). The chances of infection are increased if catheters are left in place longer than necessary.
Ask if new needles, syringes and medication vials are going to be used for your procedure or injection. Needles, syringes and medication vials should never be reused between patients.
Be careful with medications. Follow the exact directions for any prescribed medication and tell your doctor about other medicines you are taking to avoid harmful drug interactions.
Get smart about antibiotics. Take all your antibiotics as prescribed and do not share.
Prepare for surgery. Talk to your doctor about preparing yourself for surgery to prevent infection and bathe before arrival.
Watch out for C. diff. Important risk factors for infection with Clostridium difficile are prior healthcare exposure and antibiotic use. Tell your healthcare provider if you have severe diarrhea, especially if you are taking an antibiotic.
Know the signs and symptoms of infection. Redness, pain or drainage at IV catheter or surgical incision sites and a fever are classic signs. Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms.
Get your flu vaccine. Help protect yourself and loved ones against influenza.

Forest Service wants help removing stray cattle

The U.S. Forest Service is asking for help locating stray livestock in the Bighorn National Forest. The Forest Service also is asking for help identifying stray livestock found in the forest this fall. The agency issues permits for cattle and sheep to grave on the forest in the summer but they're supposed to be moved to lower elevations in the fall. Range management specialist Zach Palm says cattle or sheep sometimes get left behind when livestock are rounded up. The Forest Service is asking people who spot stray sheep or cattle in the Bighorn National Forest to call the local ranger district office.

Interviews planned for Wyo. oil-gas supervisor job

The top state regulatory agency for oil and gas development in Wyoming is about to interview candidates to become the next state oil and gas supervisor. The interviews are planned Wednesday at Gov. Matt Mead's office in Cheyenne. Mead is chairman of the commission, which has four other members. Interim oil and gas supervisor Bob King says the commissioners will interview seven candidates this week. He says five candidates are either licensed geologists or licensed engineers in Wyoming. The job has been vacant since Tom Doll resigned last summer. Doll quit following criticism for saying that some residents in the Pavillion area whose groundwater is contaminated are motivated by greed. The EPA has been investigating whether hydraulic fracturing played a role in the contamination.

Scalia to speak at UW under media restrictions

he University of Wyoming has agreed to host a public speech by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia next week on the condition that the university will restrict media coverage of the event. Scalia's appearance Oct. 25 will include a question and answer session with the justice. The university says reporters won't be allowed to ask Scalia any questions. The university also will prohibit any video or audio recording of Scalia for the purpose of broadcast. University spokesman Chad Baldwin says the rules for media coverage are Scalia's and are consistent with the media rules for his public appearances elsewhere. After his speech, Scalia will sign copies of his new book: "Reading Law: The Interpretation of Legal Texts." The book is available in the UW bookstore.

Oktoberfest Provides Polka Fun For All Ages

Everybody polka! The Sweetwater Events Complex is hosting the 33rd Annual Young At Heart Senior Center Oktoberfest. Chad Banks says that it will be held this Friday and Saturday and is open to all ages.






Three local bands will be performing this year.. the Eee Eye Oh Band, the Sundowners and Brandy and Sweetwater. Banks points out that teenagers might even be surprised how much fun Polka can be.






Tickets are 10 dollars per person per night. They are available at the Senior Center or at the door. Doors open at 5 PM each night.

Abduction suspect's ex-wife wants custody of kids

The ex-wife of the Montana man accused of kidnapping and assaulting an 11-year-old girl is asking a judge to grant her sole custody of their two young children. Maleesha Kovnesky filed the emergency motion in Gallatin County District Court Monday as Jesse Speer agreed to return to Cody, to face charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault and felony use of a weapon. Kovnesky writes that she is asking for sole custody of the children, ages 7 and 4, for at least the next year. She writes that if Speer is found not guilty, they can revisit the plan in the future. Police say a man lured the Cody girl into his SUV on Oct. 8, assaulted her and then abandoned her outside town. Speer was arrested Saturday in Belgrade, Mont.

2nd Evanston man pleads not guilty in Nebraska

Another Wyoming man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted bank robbery for a failed heist in western Nebraska. Twenty-year-old Drew Steier made the plea Monday in Lincoln County District Court. He and 52-year old Tracy Black are accused of trying to rob Farmers State Bank in Wallace on Aug. 13. Black also has pleaded not guilty. Both men are from Evanston. Police say the pair fled the bank without any money and no one was injured. The men were captured in Imperial.

House Fire

The Green River Fire Department responded to a house fire Monday Morning, Erick Pauley has the story

Christensen apologizes for comments after AFA loss

Wyoming football coach Dave Christensen is apologizing for his comments after the Cowboys' 28-27 loss to Air Force. After Saturday night's game, Christensen questioned whether Air Force quarterback Connor Dietz was really injured when he left the game for one play with an injury with about eight minutes left. He said the several minutes that trainers attended to Dietz gave Air Force time to strategize the next play. The referee announced that Dietz, by rule, had to leave the game because his helmet came off. In a statement Sunday evening, Christensen said he let his emotions and frustrations with the first half of the season get the best of him. Falcons coach Troy Calhoun described his conversation with Christensen as "probably not a conversation that I'd have with my mom."

Suspect in Wyo. kidnapping won't fight extradition

A Montana man faces charges of kidnapping and assaulting an 11-year-old girl in Wyoming after police said he lured her to his car by saying he needed help finding a missing puppy. Thirty-9-year-old Jesse Paul Speer is being held without bond and waived his right to an extradition hearing during a brief court appearance Monday in Bozeman. He has not entered a plea. Police charging documents said Speer drove the girl to a church parking lot and tied her hands behind her back after abducting her Oct. 8. Passing elk hunters found the girl later in the day and took her to safety. Authorities have looked into a possible connection between the case and the disappearance of Jessica Ridgeway, a 10-year-old girl in Colorado, but now say they don't think the cases are related.

Blisteringly fast Wyo. supercomputer put to work

One of the world's fastest computers has gone to work for science on the high plains of Wyoming. National Science Foundation Director Subra Suresh and Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead took part in a ribbon-cutting Monday for the machine named Yellowstone. The IBM supercomputer on the outskirts of Cheyenne already has begun crunching numbers for several large-scale scientific modeling projects. The computer is so fast that a person with a pocket calculator would need almost 50 million years to complete as many computations as Yellowstone can run in one second. The National Center for Atmospheric Research supercomputer ranks among the world's 20 fastest supercomputers. It's believed to be the world's fastest machine dedicated to earth sciences. Wyoming officials say they hope the project will lure more high-tech jobs to their state.

UW to withhold names of president candidates

The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees has voted not to identify any candidates seeking to become the next president of the college. The decision made last Friday means that the public will not know who is being considered until the board votes to hire a replacement for the retiring Tom Buchanan. A news release from the university says the secret hiring process doesn't violate the Wyoming Open Meetings Act. In addition, it said three search firms advised the board that a confidential process presents the greatest opportunity for UW to attract the deepest pool of candidates. The board also approved forming two screening committees to review candidates, hiring a private firm to recruit candidates and setting a timetable that would have a new president introduced by Feb. 27.

BLM Pinedale Postpones Wildlife Annual Planning Meeting

Shelley Gregory with the Bureau of Land Management says they and the Pinedale Anticline Project Office are postponing the Wildlife Annual Planning Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 24 at the BLM Pinedale Field Office.






For more information on the meeting or the Pinedale Anticline Project, call Eric Decker at 307-367-5386.

Motorcyclist Killed In Green River Identified

The 57 year old man killed in a motorcycle accident Sunday night has been Identified, Erick Pauley has the story.

Motorcycle Crash with Fatality

A man riding a motorcycle was killed in a traffic accident in Green River last night, Erick Pauley has the story

6 Elk Poached

Officials with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are investigating six elk poached in elk hunt area 30, Aspen Mountain, and are asking people for any information to help. On Sunday, October 14 Game Wardens Dave Hays and Duane Kerr received two reports from legal hunters in the area about elk that had been poached. Hays and Kerr responded to the first report and found two yearling bull elk that had been shot and left to rot in elk area 30, near the Lower Sage Creek Road. The spike bulls were located about 300 yards from a road and were about 35 yards apart. Both had been dead for several days. A small amount of evidence was recovered from one of the elk, but no tire tracks or footprints were found due to recent rain showers. Kerr and Hays traveled to the scene of a second report in elk area 30 approximately six
miles from the previous location. There, one bull and three cow elk had been shot, probably within the past three or four days. The head and hind quarters of the bull had been removed, but the only things removed from the cows were the ivories, or upper canine teeth. Tracks found at the scene showed that the violators had used two ATVs to get near the bull elk to haul out the parts that were “It appeared one of the ATVs was a ‘side by side’ model, and the other a single seat ATV,” Kerr said. “The tracks found at the scene had been somewhat affected by a rain shower, but were distinct enough to be recognizable. A small amount of other evidence was recovered at the site of the dead bull.” “These are some of the most frustrating violations wardens encounter,” said Kerr. The removal of only a pair of decorative teeth from three of the elk shows a total disregard for the animals and the quality meat they would provide. Also, these elk were destroyed by violators in an area where licenses are highly sought after and drawing odds are extremely high. Anyone with information is urged
to call Kerr or Hays or the office in Green River at (307)-875-3223. Reports may also be made to the "STOP POACHING" Hotline: 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847) or 1-307-777-4330 for out-of-state "STOP POACHING" calls only.

Wolf Quota

The hunt of wolves in the Jackson Hole area is approaching its quota in three of the four hunting areas. Collectively, those three areas permit the taking of six wolves as trophy game while the fourth area just north of Wilson and Jackson permits another seven. According to this week’s report from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 16 animals have been killed so far in this year’s hunt which would permit 52 animals to be taken as trophy game in the northwestern corner of the state. Five have been shot in the Absaroka management area, four in the Wind River unit and six in the Jackson area.

Wyoming Best for Tax Climate

A non-partisan tax research group known as the Tax Foundation has released this year’s rankings of states considered the best tax climate for business. Topping the list is Wyoming. Contributing to that ranking is Wyoming’s lack of a corporate or individual state income tax. Tax Foundation Manager of Communications Richard Morrison explains that the Index enables business leaders, government policymakers, and taxpayers to make an apples-to-apples comparison of their state’s tax system. While some similar studies focus on the total amount residents pay in taxes each year, Morrison says the Index focuses on whether the state’s tax code itself enhances or harms the competitiveness of its business environment.

Man Arrested

The FBI says authorities have arrested a man in connection with the kidnapping of a Wyoming girl. The agency says in a statement Sunday evening that the man was arrested in Belgrade, Mont. The man's identity and details of the arrest were not released.
Police say a man lured the 11-year-old girl from the town of Cody into his SUV last Monday by claiming he needed help finding a missing puppy. A group of hunters found the girl outside the town several hours later.
Officials will hold a news conference Monday morning in Cody to discuss the case.

Suspect in Wyo. girl kidnapping held in Mont. jail

Wyoming authorities plan to release details Monday on the man arrested in connection with a Cody girl's kidnapping. The FBI hasn't identified the suspect arrested in Belgrade, Mont. But jail records there indicate a 39-year-old named Jesse Paul Speer was booked over the weekend on a hold for Wyoming, with bond set at $2 million. Jailers say he's charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault and felony use of a weapon. Police say a man lured the 11-year-old girl into his SUV by claiming he needed help finding a missing puppy. Hunters found the girl safe outside the town several hours later. A man with Speer's date of birth lives in Bozeman, Mont., with previous addresses in Colorado, including Divide, where he had a photography business. He has no apparent criminal record.

New welcome center on I-25 opens in SE Wyoming

The new $13 million Southeast Wyoming Welcome Center along Interstate 25 is open to the public. State tourism officials officially unveiled the center at the new High Plains Road exit near the Colorado border Friday. That particular passage into Wyoming is used by three times more visitors than any other, making it a priority to upgrade the welcome center. The 27,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building not only serves as a welcome center but also as the new home of the Wyoming Office of Tourism. Alan Dubberley, deputy director of Wyoming Tourism, says "we've got visitors from all over the country that are saying wonderful things about it so far, so we're really excited about the initial reaction."

New suspect description in child abduction case

The FBI has released a revised description and a composite drawing of a man suspected of kidnapping a girl in Cody. Police say the man lured the 11-year-old girl into his SUV Monday by claiming he needed help finding a missing puppy. A group of hunters found the girl outside the town several hours later. The man is described as between 45 and 60 years old, between 185 and 200 pounds, with short strawberry blond or white hair. He had a neatly trimmed mustache or beard and brown eyeglasses with blue accent stripes. The unidentified suspect was driving a white SUV, possibly a 2004-2005 Toyota Forerunner. Authorities investigating the disappearance of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway from Westminster, Colo., initially looked for a connection between the two cases but later determined they were not related.

WYDOT installs 8 new webcams in NW, central Wyo.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation has installed eight new webcams throughout the central and northwestern parts of the state. The cameras are operating at Beaver Rim near the Sweetwater Station rest area; at Kinnear Junction near Riverton; in Wind River Canyon south of Thermopolis; on Meeteetse Rim north of Meeteetse; and on Skull Creek Hill north of Cody. Other cameras have been installed west of Jeffrey City, at Muddy Gap at the junction of Wyoming 220/Wyoming 789 and U.S. 287, and on Willow Hill north of Rawlins. Russ Dowdy, WYDOT maintenance foreman in Thermopolis, says the webcams "will help drivers make good choices about winter travel before heading out there this winter."

Political Forums To Be Held At White Mountain Library

This week, political forums will be held at White Mountain Library. Brittany Wells with the Sweetwater County Library System says the forums give citizens a chance to know the candidates and to get involved.






The format for the forums includes the introduction of the candidates and panelists by the moderator.






The forums are organized by the Sweetwater County Library System. Once again, the first forums for the County Assessor and County Commissioner will be held at 6 PM tomorrow. The second round of forums will be at 6 PM Wednesday for House District 17 and House District 48 candidates.

Texas men killed in Wyo. plane crash identified

Authorities have released the names of 4 east Texas men killed in a plane crash in the mountains of Wyoming. Searchers looked for the plane for almost two days before they found the wreckage of the single-engine Piper plane toward sunset Thursday. There were no survivors. Albany County officials said Friday those killed were 52-year-old Charles Ford and 29-year-old James Morgan, both of Marshall, Texas; along with 21-year-old Maverick Cayce, of Longview, Texas; and 65-year-old Billy Gee of Karnack, Texas. The plane had taken off from Marshall, Texas, and was due in Casper Tuesday evening. The plane went missing in foggy weather. A pilot spotted the wreckage on Laramie Peak in a remote area of southeast Wyoming. The crash is being investigated and authorities plan to remove the wreckage.

BLM Lifts Some Restrictions

Effective at midnight on Friday, Oct. 12, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District will lift all fire restrictions implemented by the Kemmerer, Pinedale and Rock Springs field offices within Fremont, Lincoln, Sublette and Uinta counties.
Fire restrictions were put into effect in June when the fire danger level rose to high due to dry fuel conditions, hot weather and low moisture. 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.

Poaching Incident

Officials with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department are investigating a cruel, senseless killing of a doe mule deer in Green River and they are asking people for any information to solve the case. On October 10 repeated phone calls from concerned residents of Green River were made to the game and fish office to report a doe mule deer walking around town with an arrow poking through her head. Upon investigation, game wardens Duane Kerr and Grant Gerharter and wildlife biologist Patrick Burke made the decision to euthanize the deer because there was no way to remove the arrow and the deer was suffering a slow death from infection. Green River Wildlife Supervisor Steve DeCecco says this case is not a hunting-related incident, but rather, a blatant poaching of a “resident” mule deer in town. Anyone with information is urged to call the office in Green River at (307)-875-3223.

FBI describes SUV linked to abduction in Cody

Authorities are asking for the public's help locating an SUV linked to the abduction and sexual assault of a girl in Cody, Wyo. The FBI said Thursday that based on witness statements and video footage from cameras around town, the vehicle is believed to be a 2004 or 2005 white, 4-door Toyota SR-5 4-Runner, with a removable rooftop cargo box that's silver on top and black underneath. Cody police have said a man lured an 11-year-old girl into his SUV Monday by claiming he needed help finding a missing puppy. The man threatened the girl with a pistol and sexually assaulted her before releasing her. Authorities say the suspect is a white man, between 55 and 60, weighing 185 to 200 pounds, with short, light hair and trimmed facial hair.

44 sheep deaths in Fremont Co. blamed on dogs

The Fremont County Sheriff's Office is blaming roaming dogs for the deaths of 44 sheep valued at about $6,000. The office says the owner of the sheep reported Wednesday morning that he found 50 to 75 of his animals dead or injured north of Riverton. Investigators say it appears the dogs entered a feed lot and ran the sheep against the outer railings. Some sheep appeared to have died due to being trampled while others were directly attacked by the dogs. Some injured sheep may still die as the result of injuries.

Wreckage of Plane Headed from Texas to Wyo. Found

Searchers in southeast Wyoming have found the wreckage of a single-engine plane that failed to arrive at the Casper airport as planned after taking off from Texas. Albany County Undersheriff Rob DeBree says the plane was found in pieces Thursday on the south face of Laramie Peak, and there were no survivors. Earlier he said four people were on the plane for business. Their names weren't immediately released. DeBree says crews plan to recover the wreckage Friday. The search for the Piper PA-32 had been led by the Wyoming Civil Air Patrol, a U.S. Air Force helicopter and ground crews. The plane had been scheduled to land Tuesday evening at the Casper airport after taking off from Marshall, Texas, and stopping for fuel in Dodge City, Kan.

Volunteers Help BLM Rock Springs Clean Up White Mountain

Fifty-three volunteers of all ages helped clean up White Mountain back on September 29th. The BLM Rock Springs Field Office in cooperation with the Rock Springs Chamber and the City of Rock Springs held the clean up event as part of National Public Lands Day. The volunteers collected twelve truck loads of trash and debris from two sites at the base of White Mountain in three hours. The Sweetwater County Landfill waived the fee for disposal of large items and the City of Rock Springs arranged for transportation of the heaps of trash.

Fire Restricitons Lifted On BLM High Desert District Lands

Here is a little relief from the Bureau of Land Management High Desert District. Shelley Gregory tells us that as of midnight Friday night, all restrictions will be lifted by the Kemmerer, Pinedale and Rock Springs field offices within in Fremont, Lincoln, Sublette and Uinta Counties.






Some restrictions are in effect year round on BLM administered public lands including the use of fireworks, discharging a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition, burning tires or explosive materials and operating off road vehicles without a spark arrester.






BLM Fire Management Officer Frank Keeler stresses that Temperatures are cooling; however, until the weather changes significantly with sustained rain or snowfall, conditions will remain extremely dry and the risk of wildfire will remain high.

Justice Department to oversee Wyoming election

The United States attorney for Wyoming says his office will be handling any complaints about election fraud or voting rights abuses in next month's election. U.S. Attorney Christopher "Kip" Crofts says that lawyer Stephanie I. Sprecher of his office will lead the effort to address any election problems. The Justice Department has a nationwide program to protect the voting process. Crofts says every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have their vote counted. He says the Justice Department will act aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.

UW trustees to discuss presidential search process

University of Wyoming trustees will discuss their upcoming search for a new president during a special meeting. The closed meeting will take place in Laramie on Friday. UW President Tom Buchanan plans to retire at the end of next summer. University officials say the trustees will talk about appointing a consultant to help with the search for Buchanan's successor. The trustees plan to follow the closed meeting with an open session.

Plane with 4 on board still missing in Wyoming

A search is continuing in southeast Wyoming for a single-engine plane carrying four people from Texas. Albany County sheriff's spokesman Lt. Brian Fritzen said Thursday the search is focusing on Laramie Peak north of Laramie because that is where radar operators lost contact. Jeanne Stone-Hunter of the Wyoming Civil Air Patrol says the Piper PA-32 aircraft was reported missing after it failed to land as scheduled Tuesday evening at Casper/Natrona County International Airport. She says the flight originated from Harrison County Airport in Marshall, Texas, and stopped in Dodge City, Kan., to refuel.

Recruiting, student retention boost UW enrollment

The University of Wyoming's highest ever enrollment numbers at the start of the fall semester is being attributed to better recruitment and improved retention of students. UW counted 13,122 students this fall, an increase of 202 students from the 2011 fall semester. The previous record for fall enrollment was 12,992 in 2010. The number does not include Outreach School enrollment, which will be recorded later in the semester. UW Student Affairs Vice President Sara Axelson says enrollment at the state's only 4-year public university is strong. Axelson says UW has made a point of maintaining funding for student scholarships and increased spending on recruitment in the last year. She says UW also increased its freshman-to-sophomore retention rate from 73% to 76% this past year.

Police say no specific connection between Colo. and Wyo. abduction cases

Police say there's "no specific connection" between the disappearance of a Colorado girl and the abduction and assault of an 11-year-old girl Monday in Cody, Wyo. Westminster, Colo., police spokeswoman Karlyn Tilley said Wednesday investigators "just don't want to leave any stone unturned." 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway vanished Friday on what should have been a short walk to school in Westminster. Police initially said the public didn't need to fear a kidnapper, but now they say they believe she was abducted by an "unknown suspect." In the Wyoming case, a man lured the girl into an SUV, saying he needed help finding his puppy. The girl was released four hours later and was discovered by hunters.

Exotic Five Foot Snake Found on Sweetwater County Road

Animal Control officers deal mostly with stray dogs and cats, but occasionally have a wild card dealt to them. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that this month it was a boa constrictor, about five feet long.






Powell took the snake to the animal control facility in Green River which has a heat lamp and an enclosure.






Exotic pets that escape or are released by owners are a serious problem in some parts of the country particularly Florida where authorities have verified that over 50 types of non-native reptiles and amphibians have become established as evasive species.