Public Meetings on Proposed 2014-2015 Fishing Regulations To Be Held

A change in the designation of several fish species from game to nongame in certain waters or drainages is among the proposed fishing regulation changes that will be discussed at public information-gathering meetings across Wyoming in May. Lucy Wold with the Green Region of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department says there are two specific proposals that affect anglers in our area.






Another proposal that effects fishermen in the area is one that would designate burbot from game to nongame.






There are several other proposals that will also be discussed. Meetings locally include Green River on May 6th at 7 PM at the Green River Regional Office and Pinedale on May 9th at 7 PM at the Pinedale Regional Office. For a complete list of proposals, go to wgfd.wyo.gov and follow the news link to the press release entitled Public Meetings on Proposed 2014-2015 Fishing Regulations.

Public Meetings on Proposed Changes for Wolf Management/Seasons

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will be holding a series of public meetings in May to discuss proposed changes to wolf management and wolf seasons for 2013. Local meetings will include on May 7th in Dubois at the Headwaters Arts and Conference Center at 6 PM and in Laramie at the Albany County Fairgrounds Dining Room at 6 PM. On May 8th, in Pinedale at the Regional Office at 6 PM. On May 22, in Sheridan, May 23 in Cody and May 28 in Jackson. The Green River meeting will be held at the Green River Regional Office on May 29th at 7 PM. In Sundance on May 29th at the Courthouse and on May 30th in Casper at the Casper Regional Office at 7 PM.

Good Samaritan in Green River Calls In Report That Had a Good Ending

Here is a case of it was not what it seemed.... A good samaritan in Green River called Green River police officers about a female child that was walking down the middle of the street in the area of the Harley Davidson store on Uinta Drive. The caller reported that a black truck had stopped and picked up the child. Officers later located the driver of the truck and questioned him. It seems he was the the girl's grandfather. The youngster had ran away from Roosevelt park before he could catch her. While this story had a good ending, officers still encourage residents to report any suspicious activity.

Slain student's mother touched by Collins' tribute

The mother of a gay University of Wyoming student who was robbed and beaten to death in 1998 says she finds it touching that NBA veteran Jason Collins honored her son by wearing jersey No. 98. Matthew Shepard's mother, Judy, said that she hadn't known about the tribute by Collins, who this week became the first player still active in 1 of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues to announce that he is gay. While Collins hid his sexual orientation until now, he said he quietly made a statement for gay rights by wearing No. 98 with the Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards. The number refers to 1998, the year Matthew Shepard was tied to a fence and beaten outside Laramie. Shepard died days later on Oct. 12, 1998.

Wyo. student cited for violent Facebook post

University of Wyoming police say a student targeted by an anonymous Facebook posting that included a threat of sexual violence against her had posted the item herself. The university announced Tuesday that police cited Meg Lanker-Simons for misdemeanor interference with a police investigation by giving false statements. The posting occurred on a Facebook page not affiliated with the university and led to an outcry that forced UW police to investigate because it was directed at a UW student. The Facebook page was taken down and a student-led demonstration against sexual violence was held. UW police say they found what they called "substantial evidence" verifying that the post came from the computer belonging to Lanker-Simons. Lanker-Simons is a blogger and local radio show host who advocates for liberal causes.

Cold, snowy weather returns to Wyoming

The National Weather Service says another round of snow is in the offing for parts of Wyoming. A winter storm warning and winter weather advisory have been posted for southeast Wyoming Tuesday night and Wednesday. The Weather Service says the most snow is likely to fall along the Interstate 80 corridor from just west of Laramie to the Nebraska state line. Six to 12 inches is predicted. Three to six inches is possible in Wheatland and Torrington, while 3 to 5 inches is possible from Lander to Casper with higher amounts in the surrounding mountains. High temperatures Tuesday were expected to be 20 to 30 degrees lower than on Monday.

Search continues for Wyo. Boater at Flaming Gorge

Authorities have identified the missing fisherman they're searching for after his boat was found partially underwater in Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Deputies from Daggett County, Utah, say they're looking for 46-year-old Jackson, Wyo. resident Danny Angelo Durante. Durante's boat was reported about 6 p.m. Sunday in the Jug Hollow area. Rescuers believed it capsized amid high winds and treacherous waters at the reservoir. Deputies say they continued their search through the night using sonar systems provided by Summit County rescuers and the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Shoshone Avenue Closed Through Wednesday In Green River

Depending on the weather, Shoshone Avenue will periodically be closed from Mountain View to Hitching Post for a water line crossing through Wednesday. Traffic will be detoured during the closures. Work is expected to take approximately three working days and will occur between 7 am and 7 pm. For questions call Green River Public Works at 872-0528.

Driver sentenced in fatal Campbell County crash

A driver involved in a Campbell County crash that killed his passenger has been sentenced to 11 to 18 years in prison. Alexander Earl Jennings also was fined $3,445 at a sentencing hearing Monday. Jennings pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide in February after a crash that killed Sarah Van Woerkom. Highway Patrol troopers say that after Jennings had visited bars on July 7, he drove away with his friends but rolled his vehicle while trying to enter Interstate 90. Van Woerkom died of injuries from the crash. Prosecutor Ron Wirthwein said that at the time of the crash, Jennings was on probation for his second and third convictions for driving under the influence.

BLM Initiates Morgan Creek Prescribed Fire

Shelley Gregory with the Bureau of Land Management High Desert District anticipates optimal burn conditions and will initiate a 350 acre prescribed fire along the Seminoe-Alcova backcountry byway south of Miracle Mile approximately 30 miles northeast of Rawlins this Thursday with the possibility of extending through the weekend.






Outdoor enthusiasts are advised to avoid this area during prescribed fire operations. 






For more information or to check burn status, call 307-328-4250 or the Rawlins Field Office at 307-328-4200.

Search on for Wyoming fisherman at Flaming Gorge

A search is underway for a fisherman whose boat was found partially underwater in Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Deputies from Daggett County, Utah, say they've called in their search and rescue team to look for the fisherman after his boat was reported about 6 p.m. Sunday in the Jug Hollow area. Officials say there were high winds and treacherous waters at the reservoir Sunday. Deputies say they believe the boater was alone at the time. He's described as a Wyoming resident, but authorities didn't give additional information about him.

Wyoming votes to invest $600M in private equity

The state of Wyoming plans to increase its investment in private equities. The state's Loan and Investment Board voted Monday to invest up to $600 million in investments that aren't traded on the stock markets over the next three to five years. The state has more than $16 billion in its total portfolio. The board includes Gov. Matt Mead and the other four statewide elected officials. They voted to invest $200 million each in Hamilton Lane of Philadelphia and Neuberger Berman of Dallas. The state treasurer's office intends to research other firms to handle the remaining $200 million. Bob Grady, a principal in Cheyenne Capital Fund, says his firm plans to bid to manage the remaining $200 million. It has handled state investments in private equity since 2003.

GOP fissures exposed on Wyo. superintendent law

Wyoming Republican Party leaders considered demanding three state legislators remove themselves from the party over a new law changing the duties of the state schools superintendent. The GOP Central Committee did not take the step in regards to House Speaker Tom Lubnau, Sen. Hank Coe and Rep. Matt Teeters, but it underscores the intraparty division the superintendent law has caused within the state's dominant political party. The law passed this past winter by the GOP-dominated Legislature and signed by Republican Gov. Matt Mead severely curtailed the administrative duties of Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill. Hill has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law. In addition, a petition is circulating around the state to refer the law to a statewide ballot in 2014.

Central Wyoming College upgrading its food court

The Central Wyoming College food court is being remodeled. The school's board of trustees this month approved a bid from Mid-Valley General Contractors of Riverton to do the work. Ron Granger is the vice president for administrative services at Central Wyoming College. He says the food court's dish room will be moved, the serving area will be expanded, and more seating will be added. The walk-in freezer and refrigerator will be upgraded, and the salad bar will be moved and modified. The approved bid estimated the project would cost more than $550,000, but Granger says he expects to save at least $30,000 in equipment costs.

Grizzly bear diet study is key to fed protection

Researchers say a study on Yellowstone ecosystem grizzly bear diets should be completed this October. The study will help determine whether managers will recommend ending federal protections for the species. Frank van Manen is the team leader for the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team. Van Manen says the study is taking a "holistic approach" to analyzing grizzly bear diets. He says that researchers are looking at the changing availability of different food types available to the bears. Grizzlies have very broad-based diets that complicate the study. Grizzlies have been listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act for the past four years.

Work delays traffic near Thermopolis

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is reminding motorists that a highway project northwest of Thermopolis is causing delays. Todd Frost is resident engineer with the Wyoming Department of Transportation in Cody. He says work on the $6.6-million highway project is causing 20-minute delays for motorists on Wyoming 120, between Thermopolis and Meeteetse. Frost says wet weather has caused delays in paving work. He says citizens should continue to expect detours at various locations. The project is set for completion at the end of September.

Wild-horse advocates rally vs. roundups, slaughter

Wild-horse advocates staged weekend rallies across the country, including ones in Carson City and Las Vegas, to drum up opposition to the government's removal of mustangs from the range and to proposals to slaughter them. According to organizers, rallies were held Saturday in all 50 states as well as Canada and Australia. Organizers say a demonstration that drew some 70 people outside the Legislative Building in Carson City was the largest. Similar rallies attracted about 50 people in Las Vegas, 25 people in Oakland, Calif., and 20 people in Rock Springs. The rallies were initiated through social media by Wild Horse Preservation League member Patty Bumgarner of Dayton. Organizers hope new Interior Secretary Sally Jewell will halt the federal government's ongoing removal of wild horses in the West.

Volunteers Needed for 20th Annual Deer Mortality Surveys

The public is invited to participate in the 20th Annual Deer Mortality surveys. Lucy Wold with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Green River region, says not only does the survey provide valuable information on how the past winter affected mule deer herds, it can also be educational for participants.






The Cokeville area surveys will take place on Saturday, May 4th. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Stateline Gravel Pit, three miles southwest of Sage Junction on U.S. Highways 30/state Route 89. The Leroy surveys, east of Evanston, will take place on Saturday, May 11th. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Leroy exit (Exit 24) off Interstate 80.






In order to participate in the mortality surveys, new volunteers will be required to fill out a volunteer form upon arrival.

Wyoming Sugar breaks ground on silo project

A project to erect new silos at the Wyoming Sugar Factory in Worland is drawing praise from Gov. Matt Mead. Mead was on hand this past week to congratulate all involved in the project by a plant that was on the brink of becoming a thing of the past several years ago. The governor says the project shows how a Wyoming issue can be addressed in the Wyoming way with Wyoming people. Officials say lack of storage at the Worland facility has forced the plant to slow down production at times. The plant nearly closed about six years ago but growers in the region raised the money to buy it and keep it going.

Mills woman admits creating, sending child porn

A 26-year-old Mills woman has acknowledged photographing herself sexually abusing two young children and texting the images to a man. Kelly Kay Turner pleaded guilty Friday to manufacturing child pornography and first-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Prosecutors agreed to limit their sentencing recommendation to no more than 35 years in prison in exchange for the plea. Meanwhile, seven charges have been filed against Jonathon Cummins, the man who allegedly received the text messages. Authorities say he called them in mid-January to report that someone had sent three images of child pornography to his cellphone. Prosecutors say Cummins originally said he didn't know who texted the photographs, but he later acknowledged asking Turner to perform sex acts on the children and to send him the images.

Wyo. graduation rate falls again to 78.9%

Wyoming's high school graduation rate fell to 78.9% in 2011-12. Figures released Friday by the Wyoming Department of Education show the rate is down from 79.7% in 2010-11 and 80.4% in 2009-10. In the 2011-12 school year, just over 5,400 students graduated on time from high school while 1,450 did not. Washakie County School District 2 in Ten Sleep had the highest graduation rate in the state, with all 7 of its students graduating on time. On the other hand, Fremont County District 21 in Fort Washakie had the lowest rate at 11%, with just 2 of its 18 seniors graduating. State Education Department interim director Jim Rose says the statewide rate is distressing but the graduation data can be used to help achieve improvement.

Draft rule ends protections for gray wolves

Federal wildlife officials have drafted plans to lift protections for gray wolves across the Lower 48 states, which would end a decades-long effort that has restored the animals but only in parts of their historic range. A draft U.S. Department of Interior rule obtained by The Associated Press says roughly 5,000 wolves in the Northern Rockies and Great Lakes are enough to prevent the species' extinction. The document was first reported by the Los Angeles Times. It says having gray wolves elsewhere - such as the West Coast, parts of New England and the Southern Rockies - is unnecessary for their survival. The rule would give control of wolves to state wildlife agencies, which wildlife advocates warn could effectively halt the species' expansion. A small population of Mexican wolves in the Southwest would continue to receive federal protections. Flesher reported from Traverse City, Mich.

Wyo. ed director candidates will face public forum

The public will be allowed to ask questions of those in the running to become the Wyoming Department of Education director. Education board members decided Thursday to hold a moderated forum for people to ask questions of candidates for the newly created job. The board also plans to interview about six semi-finalists behind closed doors on May 31 and June 1 in Cheyenne. Board chairman Ron Micheli said it's reasonable for the public to know who the candidates are at that point. The planned process is a contrast to the search for the University of Wyoming president. The search was initially closed to the public, which lead to months of legal disputes with media organizations. The director will earn between $190,000 and $220,000.

Green River Earth Day Fair Will Be Held Friday from 4 to 8 PM

Don't forget that Green River will be holding an Earth Day Fair at the Island Pavilion from 4 to 8 PM today. The fair is a family oriented event where community members come together to learn ways to reduce our impact on the environment. It will include something for everyone including displays, vendors, crafts, games, food and much more! A naming contest will be held for the “BUG” made out of recycled chrome bumpers and other items by Green River’s Mark Peterson. Peterson donated it to the Green River Recycling program for aesthetics promotion and will be placed at the Public Works Berto Castillon Recycling Center.

UW launches center on law and energy resources

The University of Wyoming is launching its new Center for Law and Energy Resources in the Rockies. Robert Nordhaus, one of the nation's leading experts on energy law and policy, is scheduled to be the inaugural speaker Thursday evening. UW says the Center for Law and Energy Resources in the Rockies provides a focal point for the many energy and natural resources activities at the UW College of Law. It offers an interdisciplinary approach for exploring the legal, social, economic, technological and political realities that affect energy and natural resources policy. Officials say the center will be a leader in addressing the region's most pressing energy law and policy problems.

UW researchers find lithium in SW Wyoming

University of Wyoming researchers say they have discovered lithium near Rock Springs. The lithium was found while researchers were studying the idea of storing carbon dioxide underground in southwest Wyoming. Ron Surdam of the UW Carbon Management Institute says researchers estimate there could be up to 18 million tons of lithium in a 2,000-square-mile area. A lithium commodity specialist with the U.S. Geological Survey says the find could be significant because there is only one lithium mining operation in the United States. But Brian Jaskula says extracting lithium in Wyoming depends on how economically it can be done. UW researchers suggest lithium mining could piggyback with a carbon sequestration operation. Lithium is a key ingredient in lithium-ion batteries, which are found mainly in cellphones, laptops and other electronics.

Wyo. unemployment rate steady at 4.9%

Wyoming's unemployment rate held steady at 4.9% in March for the fourth month in a row. That's according to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. The state agency says the seasonally adjusted figure is significantly lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 7.6%. Senior economist David Bullard says the steady unemployment rate comes as no surprise considering Wyoming's jobless rate had been steadily declining for more than two years before leveling off. Unemployment declined slightly in Johnson, Hot Springs and Fremont counties in March but rose slightly in Niobrara, Big Horn, Teton and Goshen counties. Bullard says he doesn't see any signs that Wyoming's unemployment rate will change much in the months ahead.

Unlucky pair arrested on drug charges

Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that two people, a Rock Springs man and a woman from Utah, were arrested by county officers last week on felony-grade drug charges. 






The driver, 26 year old Manuel Cruz Maez (Maze) of Rock Springs, wasn’t the man the deputies were looking for at that moment, but they recognized him to be a fugitive wanted on probation violation and drug charges and took him into custody.






Maez is currently charged with Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Heroin), Unlawful Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Heroin), and Possession of a Controlled Substance, Third Offense (Methamphetamine and Marijuana). Solt faces charges of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Heroin), Unlawful Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Heroin), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine, Xanax, Morphine, and Klonopin), and Unlawful Possession (Marijuana). The two remain in custody at the Sweetwater County Detention Center.

Fugitive Added To Sweetwater County's Most Wanted List

Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that another fugitive has been added to the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office Most Wanted List. 






Arreola is described as a white female, standing 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. On February 20, 2013, Arreola pled No Contest to two counts of Aggravated Assault in District Court in Green River.






Anyone with information on Arreola and her whereabouts are asked to not confront or contact her, but get in touch with law enforcement as soon as possible.

New Wyo. National Guard center planned for Afton

The Wyoming Army National Guard is planning to build a 30,000-square-foot armory near Star Valley High School in Afton. The new readiness center will replace a 1950's-era complex and provide Lincoln County with key structures in case of a disaster. The current armory lacks the space for the large trucks, boats and bridging equipment used by the soldiers of the 1041st Engineer Company that are based at the Afton armory. Guard officials say the $13.6 million center will be designed to withstand earthquakes. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and be done by January 2015. Plans are that Lincoln County would take over the older armory.

Two Wyoming companies win business ethics awards

Two Wyoming companies claimed top prizes at the Northern Colorado and Wyoming Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Business Ethics at a ceremony held in Fort Collins, Colo. Basic Beginnings Early Learning Center, Laramie, Wyo., and Gluten Free Oats, Powell, Wyo., were two of the three winners of the award that recognizes business ethics. In a Wyoming Business Council release earlier this week, CEO Bob Jensen said of the companies: “We are really proud of these Wyoming business men and women who exemplify the high-level of professionalism and ethics that have become synonymous with Wyoming business. It is a great honor for these folks and a great honor for Wyoming. We’re very proud that these companies call Wyoming home.”

For more information on these companies and the award, visit: wynco.bbb.org

Court date set in Clark triple slaying

Two teenagers charged in the shooting deaths of a woman and her parents near the Wyoming-Montana border are due to be arraigned in Park County District Court on May 22. Court documents filed Wednesday said Stephen Hammer and Tanner Vanpelt, both 19 years old, will appear before Judge Steven Cranfill in Cody to enter pleas. They are represented by attorneys from the Public Defender's Office. Prosecutors charge the teens shot and killed Ildiko Freitas and her parents, Janos and Hildegard Volgyesi, at a residence in the small community of Clark, Wyo., on March 2. The teenagers allegedly wanted Freitas' Audi sport-utility vehicle to drive to Denver to sell stolen handguns. Police say the teenagers shot and killed Freitas and her parents after Freitas argued against giving them her vehicle.

Record low spring temperatures set around Wyoming

The latest cold front and snow to hit Wyoming helped break temperature records around the state. The National Weather Service said low temperatures Tuesday in Casper, Rock Springs, Worland, Cody and Kemmerer were the lowest ever seen in the spring. For example, Casper had a new record low of 9, beating the old record for the day set in 2011. It also beat the previous springtime low of 13 set on April 28, 1984. Cheyenne's low was 11, which tied the old 1873 record. Trees shouldn't be damaged by weeks of below-normal spring temperatures. Horticulture specialist Chris Hilgert says the weather has kept trees dormant longer, preventing the damage that can be done when newly growing trees are shocked by cold snaps.

Fremont Co. district court clerk to resign in June

Fremont County's district court clerk is resigning after 18 years in office. Katie Brodie Meredith told county commissioners in Lander on Tuesday that she would resign effective June 30. Meredith has worked in county government for nearly 38 years and was elected clerk in 1994. Meredith is the second county-wide elected official to resign this year. Brian Varn resigned as county attorney in February. Meredith is a Republican so the GOP will nominate three people to fill out her term. County commissioners will pick 1 of them to take over the office starting July 1.

Medi Pot Moratorium

In hopes that pending state and federal legislation regarding medical marijuana dispensaries will pave the way for local governments, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to prohibit any new establishments from opening.
The vote also bans current legal marijuana dispensaries from expanding.

Dual lawsuits proceed over Wyoming wolves

Two parallel lawsuits will continue to run in Cheyenne and Washington, D.C., over environmental groups' challenges to the federal government's transfer of wolf management to the state of Wyoming. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington this month denied a request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state of Wyoming to transfer a case to federal court in Wyoming. A similar case is pending in federal court in Cheyenne. Environmental groups in both lawsuits say Wyoming's management plan classifying wolves as predators that can be shot on sight in most of the state is inadequate. They want the courts to restore federal protections. Gov. Matt Mead defends Wyoming's wolf management. He says it's a matter of intense local interest that should be decided in Wyoming courts.

Judge: Lawsuit against missing former CEO proceeds

A fraud lawsuit against a former Powell health care CEO will proceed even though he's been missing since August. Former Powell Valley Healthcare CEO Paul Cardwell is being prosecuted and sued for allegedly defrauding the company of nearly $848,000. He disappeared shortly before he was set to accept a plea deal. Cardwell's two lawyers have been trying to pull out of the case. They've also argued that the company's management firm should have to prove that Cardwell fled before allowing the case to proceed. They say he could be dead or being held captive. Last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Carman ruled that the circumstances indicate that Cardwell is trying to avoid being prosecuted or being sued and the lawyers must continue to represent him.

Democratic Party wants to repeal unpaid wages law

Wyoming Democrats plan to try to repeal a new state law that would allow employers to avoid paying employees for their accrued vacation time upon termination if the employees had agreed earlier to give it up. The state Democratic party's Central Committee intends to push a ballot referendum to repeal the new law that goes into effect July 1. The committee claims the law, which passed the Legislature earlier this year, is detrimental to employees. The Democrats are probably too late to collect enough signatures to get the issue on the 2014 ballot. They would have to get more than 37,000 signatures of registered voters by May 18 from two-thirds of the state's 23 counties.

Weather improves in Wyoming

Sunshine and warmer temperatures are following the latest snowstorm to hit Wyoming this spring. Monday's storm dropped up to 13 inches of snow in some mountain areas. Lower elevations received generally 2 to 6 inches. The storm brought record cold to the state. Cheyenne's 11 degree reading overnight tied a 140-year record set in 1873. The temperature dipped to 16 below near Grant Village in Yellowstone National Park. Casper dropped to 9 degrees, and Worland 8. But the National Weather Service says temperatures will warm up to 70 degrees this weekend. Travel remained touchy early Tuesday morning with slick areas primarily in central and southeast Wyoming. However, conditions improved as the day wore on. One fatal accident Monday on Interstate 25 in Natrona County is being blamed on slick roads.

C-130 Makes Emergency Landing At Cheyenne Airport

An Air Force Reserve Unit flying out of Minnesota had to make an emergency landing at the Cheyenne Airport Tuesday afternoon. Two engines, both located on the left side of the aircraft, malfunctioned during the flight causing them to shut down. Emergency responders at the airport waited while the pilot navigated the plane to a safe landing. However, one of the tires on the aircraft did blow out, forcing personnel to shut the runway down for a bit while the tire was fixed and the plane could be towed away. No injuries were reported.

Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office fugitive team make 125th arrest

The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team recently racked up its 125th fugitive arrest in three months. Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says for the four arrested, charges range from midsdemeanor offenses to major felonies.






24 year old Brittany Lyn Scott, also known as Brittany Lyn McIzzie of Rock Springs was arrested on multiple counts of 3rd Offense Felony Possession of Heroin and Methamphetamine and Child Endangerment (Methamphetamine). Blust says there were two others arrested as well.






The Fugitive Apprehension Team is a special unit created by Sheriff Rich Haskell in January. The Team’s mission is to track down and apprehend wanted individuals who have so far evaded capture.

Sheriff’s Office warns of Boston Marathon bombing Internet scams

The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about numerous Internet scams, some new, some recycled, that are attempting to take advantage of the April 15th Boston Marathon bombing. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that law enforcement information networks have identified multiple fake domains and/or websites and charity efforts engaged in fund-raising activity.






Scammers are using social networking websites to circulate hoaxes, including information about  the purported deaths of child runners when the fact is that children are not permitted to run in the Boston Marathon. 






Blust warns residents to be cautious of emails and unfamiliar websites that provide links to information about the bombings. Also, never reveal or give out personal or financial information in an email or on the Internet before you check out the legitimacy of a website or organization.

Possible Fraud and ID Theft Reported in Green River

Possible fraud and identity theft were reported in Green River by a resident that received a suspicious phone call at her home. The reporting person told Green River Police Officers that she received a phone call from a person claiming to be an attorney out of Illinois. She was told that she was being sued for payday loans that she had not taken care of. The caller then attempted to get money and information from the reporting person. She ended the call and no monetary loss was reported. The Green River Police Department advises residents against giving personal information over the phone, or sending money to anyone without checking into the validity of the organization or claim.

City of Green River Receives $1 Million Deopt Grant

The City of Green River has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Wyoming State Land Investment Board for “Destination Green River Station”, the redevelopment and restoration of the historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Green River Council member Brett Stokes says, quote, “This is the second time in the last six months that the State has stepped forward to help Green River move forward with exciting projects that benefit all members of the community. The funding that the State Land Investment Board has provided for our new Police Building and now for the Depot is allowing us to leverage local resources and return state funds back for the benefit of our residents.” The next steps will be to prepare the construction plans and documents for this first phase of the project, including the roof and exterior of each of the three existing buildings and the renovation of Lynch Hall.

Calf losses likely from Wyo. snowstorm

This week's spring snowstorm likely resulted in deaths among newborn calves in Wyoming, but ranchers are OK with the losses because of the moisture the storms brought to parched grazing pastures. The 3-day storm dumped around a foot of snow in many areas of southeast and central Wyoming, with higher amounts in the mountains. Dallas Mount of the University of Wyoming Extension Service in Wheatland says calves born during the storm would have had a tough time surviving. While the number of losses won't start being reported until next week, Mount says his own cattle operation lost three calves. But Mount says the moisture that came with the snow was a good trade-off because pastures have been extremely dry for the last year.

Wyoming snowpack now back to normal after storms

Wyoming's snowpack is now back to where it should be this time of year. The federal Natural Resources Conservation Service's latest report released Monday puts the statewide average at 100% of normal. Spring snowstorms over the last two weeks have sent the snowpack souring in much of the state. Each storm dropped up to several feet of snow in many mountain areas. More snow is falling Monday from yet another storm. Just two weeks ago, the snowpack was 77% of normal and dropping quickly across the state.

Fort Carson soldier getting valor medal

An Army sergeant at Fort Carson has received the U.S. military's third-highest combat medal for intercepting a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in August. Sgt. Andrew Mahoney received the Silver Star at a ceremony Monday at Fort Carson, outside Colorado Springs. The Army credits Mahoney with saving the lives of 24 people. He was assigned to protect the commander of Fort Carson's 4th Brigade Combat Team when two suicide bombers attacked. One got through, killing three officers, but Mahoney flung the other attacker aside. The attacker detonated his explosives, injuring Mahoney and others. The other suicide bomber killed Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin. Griffin was from Laramie, Wyo. Col. James Mingus, commander of the 4th Brigade, survived.

Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility Reopens

The Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility has reopened following its annual spring cleaning. Shelley Gregory says the facility was closed as a safety precaution while crews used front end loaders, backhoes and dump trucks to clean pens and holding corrals.






With the reopening, adoptions are starting up again.






A full calendar of adoption events and requirements are available at the BLM website.

Drought costs Fremont County its No. 1 hay spo

Fremont County has lost its spot as Wyoming's No. 1 alfalfa-producing county, growing only two-thirds of the hay in 2012 than it did in 2011. Local farmers produced 157,000 tons of the crop, topped only by Goshen County's 202,000 tons. Fremont County had been the top alfalfa-producing county since 1962, when Park County grew 109,900 tons to local farmers' 104,500 tons. Last year's production marked a 38% drop from 2011. University of Wyoming Extension educator Ron Cunningham says drought caused the low production. Fremont County placed 10th out of 16 in terms of yield, with 2.7 tons of alfalfa produced per acre. Platte and Goshen counties topped that list, both with 4.45 tons per acre.

Lawyers exchange letters over school chief debate

The new law changing the duties of Wyoming's superintendent of public instruction is bringing more legal wrangling. Earlier this week, a lawyer representing Superintendent Cindy Hill demanded the Republican Rep. Rosie Berger of Big Horn substantiate statements made in a report authored by other lawmakers explaining why the changes were needed. The lawyer threatened possible legal action. On Friday, an attorney for Berger responded that the report had all the facts laid out and accused Hill's attorney of using scare tactics to try to silence lawmakers. Berger vowed to resist what she called intimidation tactics. The new law removed Hill as head of the state Education Department and replaced her with a director appointed by the governor. Hill has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law.

Stove blamed for fire at former Fremont County sheriff's home

Investigators say a pellet stove started the fire that destroyed the home of former Fremont County Sheriff Tim McKinney last weekend. The home was on the family's Twin Creek ranch. Fire investigator Donnie Reed says the pellet stove ignited an outside wall of the house April 13. He says the two-story house south of Lander is a total loss. McKinney's daughter, Fremont County Assessor Tara Berg, says her father had burns to his arm and the side of his face during the blaze, which he initially tried to control with a fire extinguisher.

Natural gas site burns in Evanston, no one hurt

A natural gas storage site in southwestern Wyoming has exploded in flames, but no one is hurt. Officials say firefighters are staged early Sunday about a mile away and monitoring the situation. They're waiting for daylight to tackle the flames. Crews responded late Saturday afternoon to a report of an explosion at the facility, 15 miles north of Evanston in Uinta County. Fire official Eric Quinney says they suspect a faulty pressure valve caused the problem. Since no people or buildings are threatened, Quinney says firefighters are waiting until they can see better. The facility includes a main structure and some pipelines. Companies store natural gas underground there.

Billionaire owner of Sinclair Oil, Sun Valley dies

Billionaire Robert Earl Holding, whose business empire included ownership of Sinclair Oil and two world-class ski resorts in the West, has died at the age of 86. Sinclair Oil issued a statement saying Holding died Friday. According to Forbes, the Utah native's net worth of $3.2 billion made him the 423rd wealthiest person in the world at the time of his death. In 1952, he became manager of the Little America truck stop near Green River. He acquired the Mobil refinery in Casper, in 1968 and Sinclair Oil in 1976. He later purchased the Sun Valley Resort in Idaho and Snowbasin Resort in Utah. He also was a member of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee board that lured the 2002 Winter Games to Salt Lake City.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 20th ANNUAL DEER MORTALITY SURVEYS

Wildlife managers with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department invite the public to participate in the 20th annual deer mortality surveys. The mortality surveys assess how
this past winter has affected the Wyoming Range and Uinta mule deer herds of western
Wyoming. According to Gary Fralick and Jeff Short, wildlife biologists and survey coordinators, the annual surveys are conducted on mule deer winter ranges to assess overall mortality for the herds, and to evaluate which age classes have been impacted the most. The Cokeville area surveys will take place Saturday, May 4. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Stateline gravel pit, three miles southwest of Sage Junction on U.S. Highways 30/89. The Leroy surveys (east of Evanston, Wyo.) will take place Saturday, May 11. Volunteers will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Leroy exit (Exit 24) off Interstate 80. Participants should bring a lunch, water, and dress appropriately for weather conditions. Surveys will be conducted on foot or horseback. If participants chose to conduct their work from horseback, they are welcome to bring their own horses or mules. In order to participate in the mortality surveys, new volunteers will be required to fill out a volunteer form upon arrival. For more information on the Cokeville surveys contact Thayne
Wildlife Biologist Gary Fralick at 307-883-2998. For more information on the Leroy surveys contact Mountain View Wildlife Biologist Jeff Short at 307-782-6810.

Nebraska-bound bees die in Wyoming snowstorm

A Nebraska bee supplier says millions of honeybees headed for Nebraska and other states have died during a Wyoming snowstorm. Jane and Warren Nelson own Valhalla Bee Farm in Lincoln, and she says they were notified about the problem Thursday morning. A semitrailer was hauling the more than 16 million bees from a Northern California supplier. The California company hopes to replace the shipment within a few days. Jane Nelson says many of her customers are hobbyists, describing them as "people who want to have a little bit of honey for themselves or promote good pollination in their gardens."

Sweetwater County 2013 Assessment Schedules Sent Out

Within the next few days, County residents will be receiving their 2013 Assessment Schedules. Sweetwater County Assessor Pat Drinkle wants everyone to take the time to look them over since they will be the basis for the 2013 property taxes being mailed in September.






This year saw increases in values of residential properties within the County. The sales information collected during 2012, which is used to value residential property for tax year 2013, showed an increase in sales prices of approximately 9% overall. The total number of sales also showed an increase of approximately 18%. Commercial properties also showed some increase in values. New construction and major remodeling of existing buildings added to the total county valuation.






After looking over your assessment schedule, if you have any questions or concerns about the valuation of your property, please call or stop by the Assessor’s office located in the Courthouse in Green River.

Storms over last 2 weeks boost Wyoming snowpack

Spring snowstorms over the last two weeks have boosted Wyoming's mountain snowpack to near normal levels, especially in areas that saw skimpy snowfall during the winter. Storms this week and last week each dumped up to 3 feet of snow in the mountains of central and southern Wyoming. Ken Von Buettner of the Natural Resources Conservation Service says the storms went a long way to helping alleviate the drought conditions that began last year. Von Buettner says the Upper and Lower North Platte, Upper Green, Laramie and Wind River basins benefited from the storms. Statewide, he estimates the snowpack has increased from 77% of normal at the beginning of last week to about 94% now.

Thief snips hair off horse tail in Pavillion area

A thief has snipped the hair off another horse tail in Wyoming. The latest theft happened in the Pavillion area. The Fremont County Sheriff's Office says the owner of the mare reported the theft Saturday but said the theft could have happened as long ago as April 10. Another horse on the same property was injured. The owner told investigators the horse may have been injured while the thief was chasing the animals. Authorities in Converse and Natrona counties reported dozens of horsehair thefts last year. Thefts also have occurred in Colorado and Utah. Horsehair can be valuable for its use in violin bows, pottery, brushes and in crafts.

Judge dismisses Y Cross Ranch suit, appeal planned

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that contested how the University of Wyoming and Colorado State University managed and planned to sell a ranch jointly owned by the universities' foundations. The attorney for the Denver woman who donated the ranch to the two universities said Thursday that Amy Davis would appeal to the Wyoming Supreme Court. The Y Cross Ranch covers 50,000 acres between Cheyenne and Laramie. Davis' lawsuit alleges the schools haven't honored her intent for her family's ranch to be a place where agriculture students could learn firsthand about cattle ranching. Laramie County District Judge Thomas Campbell found Davis lacks standing and dismissed the lawsuit Monday. Davis' attorney, Steve Miller, says the Supreme Court can resolve whether Davis has standing to contest how the ranch is managed.

Oct. trial for man accused of abducting Cody girl

A Montana man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a girl from Cody, Wyo., is scheduled to go on trial in October. Jesse P. Speer, who previously lived in Colorado, had been tentatively set to go on trial next week on six felony charges relating to the girl's disappearance last October, but his attorneys sought a delay. The Powell Tribune reports the trial is now scheduled Oct. 7-Oct. 25. Speer is accused of luring the girl to his vehicle by saying he needed help looking for a lost puppy. Investigators say he forced her into his vehicle at gunpoint, took her to a remote area and sexually assaulted her before abandoning her. Hunters found her and took her to safety. Speer remains in jail.

Chamber News

Several Citizens of Green River were honored for the community involvement yesterday, Erick Pauley has the story

Environmentalists appeal decision in fracking suit

A coalition of environmental and landowner groups is appealing a district judge's decision that individual ingredients used in hydraulic fracturing can be protected under Wyoming's trade secrets law. The group, which includes the Powder River Basin Resource Council and the Wyoming Outdoor Council, appealed the decision by Natrona County District Judge Catherine Wilking to the Wyoming Supreme Court. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process wherein water, chemicals and sand are pumped below ground to break rock and free trapped oil and natural gas. In March, Wilking sided with energy industry attorneys who argued reverse engineering and industry competition make proprietary information worth protecting. A date for possible arguments before the Wyoming Supreme Court has not been set.

Snow keeps eastbound I-80 closed in Wyoming

Eastbound Interstate 80 remains closed because of slick conditions and blowing snow between Rock Springs and Laramie. Interstate 25 south of Cheyenne was back open Thursday but the Wyoming Department of Transportation warns drivers to be careful because of black ice. The spring storm that brought waves of snow over the last three days has now moved out of the state. Sgt. Stephen Townsend of the Wyoming Highway Patrol said there were numerous accidents Wednesday and a report of 1 fatality in the Laramie area. No details have been released yet.

Even With The Snow, Take Time To Educate Yourself About The Dangers Of Lightning

While it may be hard to think about this week with the snow, this really is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wyoming. According to Chris Jones with the National Weather Service in Riverton, now is the time to refresh your knowledge of severe weather especially the dangers of lightning.






Whether you are indoors or out, lightning can be dangerous. And Jones says you do not have to see it to be in the path of the danger.






Jones says that indoors if you are on a corded phone or in the shower when it is lightning, you are in danger. He also says you should always be aware of the fire danger if your house is struck. Sometimes those fires can smolder for hours and ignite when you least expect it. And if you are outdoors, go inside... whether into a structure or a vehicle... until the danger has passed. For more information, go to crh.noaa.gov/riw and click on the link to Wyoming Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Green River Resident Victim of Green Dot Card Scam

Green River Police Officers investigated what is known as “The Green Dot Card Scam”. According to a report, a local citizen received a call saying they had won a large amount of money and a vehicle. In order to receive those winnings the victim needed to pay taxes and shipping. The caller instructed the person to purchase Green Dot Scratch Cards and then transfer money through the Green Dot Cards to the callers account. After sending several hundred dollars the victim realized that she might be the victim of a scam. After she quit transferring the money she began to receive threatening phone calls against her and her property. Officers found the calls were originating from Jamaica. The Green River Police Department encourages citizens to talk with family members including parents and grandparents and remind them not to send money in any form to anyone they do not know. Also, encourage them to call someone they know before sending any money.

Linkup! Milestone in Y'stone budget-cut plowing

A public-private effort to plow roads in Yellowstone National Park and open up 2 of the park's entrances on time this spring despite federal budget cuts has reached a milestone with state and federal road crews meeting up on the park's East Entrance Road. The Wyoming Department of Transportation crews plowing westward and Yellowstone crews plowing eastward met up around 11 a.m. Wednesday. The Cody Country Chamber of Commerce and town of Jackson have pooled $171,000 to hire the state snow-clearing crews. The goal is to open the East gate May 3 and South gate May 10 as had been planned before federal budget cuts took effect in March. The cuts caused park officials to delay spring plowing and the gate openings by two weeks.

Niobrara River 10th on endangered list

Officials say sediment problems have put the Niobrara River on a list of the nation's most endangered rivers. The American Rivers conservation group announced Wednesday that the nearly 570-mile-long river was 10th on the 2013 list. The Colorado River led the list. The Niobrara begins in Wyoming and flows through northern Nebraska. It joins the Missouri River near the top of Lewis and Clark Lake, the reservoir formed by Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, S.D. American Rivers says the Missouri River sediment backs up in Lewis and Clark Lake. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working on sediment and high-water conditions that could affect the village of Niobrara and nearby farm fields.

Wyo. inmate out on bond on DNA evidence, new trial

A Wyoming man who was granted the state's first retrial based on DNA evidence has been released from jail on bond after more than 23 years in prison. A stepdaughter of 63-year-old Andrew J. Johnson says he posted $10,000 bond Wednesday. Johnson previously had been transferred to the Cheyenne jail from the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Rawlins. Johnson was convicted of raping a Cheyenne woman in her apartment in 1989. He was sentenced to life in prison because he had previous convictions. Recently, the first-ever DNA tests in Johnson's case showed a match for the man who was the victim's fiance at the time, not for Johnson. A judge on Tuesday granted Johnson a new trial. Johnson's stepdaughter, Angela Johnson of Denver, says she was thrilled to hear of his release.

PROPERTY SALES ON THE RISE FOR 2013

Within the next few days, County residents will be receiving their 2013 Assessment Schedules according to Pat Drinkle, Sweetwater County Assessor. Please take the time to look over the schedules as they will be the basis for the 2013 property taxes being mailed in September.
This year saw increases in values of residential properties within the County. The sales information collected during 2012, which is used to value residential property for tax year 2013, showed an increase in sales prices of approximately 9% overall. The total number of sales also showed an increase of approximately 18%. Commercial properties also showed some increase in values. New construction and major remodeling of existing buildings added to the total county valuation.
Industrial values will again be the largest percentage of valuation within the county, accounting for approximately 89% of the total value of the County. The gas valuation is expected to be significantly lower this year due to the drop in gas prices last year. However, coal production is anticipated to be higher and oil and trona should be up slightly also. The mineral valuation will be delivered to the County Assessor by the Department of Revenue in June.
After looking over your assessment schedule, if you have any questions or concerns about the valuation of your property, please call or stop by the Assessor’s office located in the Courthouse in Green River. Phone numbers are – Green River 872-3700 – Rock Springs 922-5200

Game and Fish catches antler poachers

Two southwest Wyoming men have been successfully prosecuted for violating the state's antler collection regulation. A 2-year Game and Fish antler task force investigation resulted in guilty pleas from the two over the last six months. Habitat Access Coordinator Andy Countryman says both men removed shed antlers on Miller Mountain, within a Bureau of Land Management big game winter range closure, before the antler season opening date of May 1. In the spring of 2010, Game and Fish implemented the antler collection regulation in an effort to minimize unnecessary stress and disturbances on wintering wildlife. Countryman credited anonymous public tips helped in getting the cases solved.

Snow closes I-25 between Casper and Cheyenne

I-25 was closed between Cheyenne and Casper Wednesday though northbound traffic can still use the highway between Glenrock and Casper. I-25 is open south into Colorado but the road is slick. It's the third day of snow from a spring storm system stuck over the state. More than 2 feet is expected in some mountain areas of central Wyoming before the system is expected to move out in the evening. The National Weather Service says Casper Mountain received 18 inches of snow through Tuesday afternoon. Only 3 inches have fallen at Yellowstone National Park, where spring plowing continues.

Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium

he Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium (WCCCC) is working to support the state’s young adult cancer survivors by bringing them together in a new group.

“We are looking for young adult cancer survivors to help start a Wyoming chapter of the ‘Stupid Cancer’ organization,” says Jessica Perez, WCCCC outreach coordinator with the Wyoming Department of Health. Stupid Cancer is a national non-profit organization designed to support young adults affected by cancer.
Perez said there were more than 557 young adult (between the ages of 15 and 39) cancer survivors living in Wyoming in 2009.
“Young adults are a largely overlooked and perhaps less understood group in the war on cancer,” she said. “For example, young adult survivors may have concerns that are different than older survivors such as fertility questions; body image; cognitive function; late treatment effects; and issues related to education, employment and insurance.”
To get involved with the new chapter as a survivor or for more information, please contact Perez at jessica.perez@wyo.gov or 307-777-7362.

Woman Reports False Kidnapping in Green River

A woman just trying to give her sister a hard time, was left to explain herself to Green River police officers. On Monday, officers received a report of a possible kidnapping of a Hispanic woman and her two children. Supposedly, the vehicle the kidnap victims was in was driving to Green River to release the children at a local address. Marked and unmarked police vehicles were sent to watch the residence. When the vehicle was located, all of the occupants were interviewed. Come to find out, the supposed victim was sending texts to her sister stating that she had been kidnapped along with her two children by two unknown Hispanic males. She admitted she had not been kidnapped and the two males she was with were friends. There was no word on if any charges were filed against the woman. Oh, and as she was being interviewed, she also reported her car as being stolen several days earlier. That vehicle was recovered in Alhambra, California.

Wyoming Supreme Court hears DUI testing case

The Wyoming Supreme Court is considering a challenge to a recent state law that allows judges to give permission over the phone to police officers to draw blood or perform other tests on people suspected of drunken driving. Two drivers who submitted to testing after a Teton County judge authorized officers over the phone are contending the tests should be disallowed in their cases because the search warrants don't meet constitutional requirements for written affidavits. The state contends the telephone warrants are as valid as ones with written affidavits because the conversation between the officer and the judge is recorded. The state adopted the law allowing telephonic approval for DUI tests in 2011. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case Tuesday and will issue a ruling later.

Wyo. snowstorm hinders travel, school, state govt

The second spring snowstorm in as many weeks to hit Wyoming hindered travel, schools and state government business on Tuesday. A 100-mile section of Interstate 80 between Cheyenne and Rawlins and I-25 south of Cheyenne are closed. No travel was advised on I-25 in the Casper area. Many other highways are slick with limited visibility. All but the northwest corner of the state is under a winter storm warning or advisory. The storm forced some colleges and schools to close early Tuesday and some state government meetings were canceled. The snow started Monday and is expected to linger in central and southern Wyoming into Wednesday. More than 2 feet is expected in some mountain areas from the storm with around a foot possible in the Casper, Lander and Cheyenne areas.

Sweetwater County Sheriff issues alert on fraudulent email

Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. tells us the Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert on a fraudulent email being circulated.






The email provides a link and directs the recipient to download their phony “ticket.”






Officials stressed that people should never open links contained in emails from unknown sources.

Phishing Scam

The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office yesterday issued an alert on a fraudulent email being circulated. Sheriff Rich Haskell said the bogus email looks like a “Customer Notification” that was sent from American Airlines and supposedly notifies the recipient that a “bought” airline ticket is attached and available. The email provides a link and directs the recipient to download their phony “ticket.” Haskell says If you click on the link, you’ll find yourself on a fake website that will begin requesting personal or financial information. In many instances, by clicking on the link you will be downloading spyware or a virus. Officials stressed that people should never open links contained in emails from unknown sources.

Equal Pay Day

Today is Equal Pay Day. It’s noted every year to highlight the wage gap between men and women, and a new report from the National Partnership for Women and Families shows that Wyoming’s gap is one of the largest in the country. Women earn an average of about 17-thousand dollars less a year for full-time work. While the report points to discrimination in many cases, Rebekah Smith at the Wyoming Women’s Foundation says there’s more to the story here because of the dominance of oil and gas industry jobs – which women generally shun.






Smith’s organization issued a paper last year examining the wage gap and making recommendations - such as improving pay for tipped workers. She says they’re also educating women about how to negotiate for higher salaries.







The report shows that full-time working women in Wyoming make more than women in neighboring states.

Colo. company seeks to revive Wyo. uranium mine

A Colorado company is planning to reopen a uranium mine in central Wyoming. Lakewood, Colo.-based Energy Fuels says reopening the Sheep Mountain mine outside Jeffrey City would create nearly 170 jobs. That's three times the current population of Jeffrey City. Company officials recently updated Fremont County commissioners on the project. They said construction work to reopen the mine could begin in late 2015. Energy Fuels recently acquired the rights to the mine from Titan Uranium. Jeffrey City used to be a boomtown of 5,000 people because of uranium mining. The town lost nearly all of its population after uranium prices collapsed in the 1980s and mining stopped. Energy Fuels officials are optimistic that higher prices will make the mine feasible once again.

Envriomental groups seek coal leasing moratorium

Environmental groups are calling for a moratorium on coal leasing in the Powder River Basin of Montana and Wyoming until the federal government reviews the program. Representatives of 21 groups including Greenpeace and the Sierra Club requested the moratorium Monday in a letter to newly-confirmed Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. The Powder River Basin produces more coal than any other area of the country. As companies seek to ramp up coal exports, the environmentalists say the government needs to make sure companies are paying proper royalties. They also want more attention given to the climate change impacts of greenhouse gasses emitted when coal is burned. The Interior Department's Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have been investigating alleged problems within the coal leasing program at the request of Congress.

Thermopolis couple settles lawsuit over shot horse

A Thermopolis couple has reached a $2,700 settlement with a Hot Springs County undersheriff who shot and killed their horse on their land. Chris and Larry Bentley sued after their 15-year-old horse, Bud, was shot by undersheriff David Larson about 100 feet from their home in August 2010. According to court documents, Larson had assumed that the horse was a neglected stray. The settlement was reached Wednesday. Larson will also pay legal fees. Senior Assistant Attorney General Patricia Bach represented Larson. In court papers, she said the decision to settle was not an acknowledgement of wrongdoing. The Bentleys say a lack of nutrition before they adopted Bud caused him to develop arthritis. However, they say he was well taken care of and treated like a pet.

NWS To Conduct Test For Warning Systems on Wednesday

The National Weather Service and Emergency officials around Wyoming are continuing their efforts in keeping the public informaed through Wyoming Severe Weather Awareness Week that runs through April 19th. Meteoroligist Chris Jones with the National Weather Service in Riverton, Hopes the public will use this time to refresh themselves on severe weather terms.






Another way to prepare is to make sure you have a plan, a survival kit and a weather radio. You can also sign up, in Green River, to be a part of the Code Red warning system. Statewide, those systems will be tested tomorrow.






During this week, you can sign on to crh.noaa.gov/riw and click on the link to Wyoming Severe Weather Awareness Week to find out more information daily on on how to prepare. Each day will feature a new topic. Today, the topic is Planning for a Natural Disaster and All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio.

Sweetwater County Medical Reserve Corps

The Sweetwater County Medical Reserve Corps is in the early stages of planning.
This group of volunteers will assist in dealing with natural disasters, mass
prophylaxis/vaccination clinics, and other public health needs. Our focus will
be the recruitment of licensed health and medical personnel, but ancillary
volunteers are also necessary to meet the needs of the community. If you would
like information please attend an informal question and answer segment at Fire
District #1, 3010 College Drive, on Thursday April 18 from 6-8 pm. If you are
unable to attend the meeting and would like additional information please call
307-922-5390.

SkyWest trimming flights in Gillette, Rock Springs

SkyWest Airlines Inc. plans to eliminate 1 of its roundtrip flights between Gillette and Denver, starting May 2. The airport in Rock Springs also will lose an early morning departure to Denver and late evening arrival from Denver. SkyWest operates flights to Denver for United Airlines. SkyWest needs to cut the number of flights so it can meet the overall sleep network requirements and to clear time to paint of some of its aircraft. SkyWest is seeking an increase in subsidies from local governments to continue serving Rock Springs and Gillette.

Co-sleeping is problem in Fremont Co.

The leading cause of infant deaths in Fremont County over the last decade is co-sleeping. That's when an infant sleeping with an adult dies from asphyxia. In November 2012, a four-month-old child died from one such incident, and from 1999 to 2010 there were 10 co-sleeping deaths in Fremont County. Fremont County Public Health Nurse Jamie Cardine says that co-sleeping remains an issue even though it is preventable. Cardine says it's important to educate everyone who takes care of a baby about the dangers of co-sleeping and where a baby should sleep. Fremont County Public Health and Northern Arapaho WIC programs offer safe sleep surfaces for babies to reduce chances of co-sleeping deaths.

Riverton Ex-bookkeeper ordered to pay $1.5M in restitution

The former financial manager of 2 Riverton companies has been sentenced to six to 10 years behind bars for stealing from his employers. A judge also ordered Gerald Emil Anderson to pay $1.5 million in restitution. Anderson had been accused of embezzling more than $2.5 million from 2000 through 2010 from Star-Tech Inc. and Precision Analysis. He entered Alford pleas Wednesday to two felony counts of larceny by bailee. Under an Alford plea, a defendant acknowledges that prosecutors likely have enough evidence for conviction, without actually pleading guilty. Anderson's attorney, Jeff Stanbury, says Anderson still faces federal proceedings regarding tax liability.

Wyoming Severe Weather Awareness Week Starts Monday April 15th

The National Weather Service (NWS) offices in Wyoming are sponsoring severe weather awareness week that starts today. Meteoroligist Chris Jones with the National Weather Service in Riverton, says the week is an important one in helping to keep the public safe.






During this week, you can sign on to crh.noaa.gov/riw and click on the link to Wyoming Severe Weather Awareness Week to find out more information daily on on how to prepare. Each day will feature a new topic. Today, you can learn about the National Weather Service Watch and Warning Program and Climatology.

Explosive device investigation continues

Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. has issued an update in the investigation of the explosive device found on a Rock Springs street on April 4th. It has been confirmed as being a perforating gun which are used in oil and gas well operations in preparation for production. 






The Squad’s investigation has identified the device’s owner, a Rock Springs oilfield services firm. Blust says that are being conducted and the circumstances behind the device’s loss investigated. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was notified not long after the device’s discovery.






Blust says that the person who found the device did the right thing.  Any time a suspicious device or object is found or discovered, it should not be touched, picked up, or even approached. Put some distance between yourself and the object and notify law enforcement.

State board approves economic development grants

The Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board has approved about $8 million in grants to help communities around the state with economic development and community projects. The board on Thursday approved $4 million in Business Ready Community grant requests and $4.4 million in Community Facility Program grants. The largest grant awarded was $2.25 million to Laramie County to help expand a data center. It also approved $1.5 million to improve a 12-mile road in Sweetwater County that leads to a planned uranium mine. The State Loan and Investment Board is made up of the five statewide elected officials: Gov. Matt Mead, Secretary of State Max Maxfield, State Treasurer Mark Gordon, State Auditor Cynthia Cloud, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill.

5 get fines for animal cruelty at Wheatland hog farm

Five former employees of a hog farm in Wheatland have been convicted of multiple counts of animal cruelty and sentenced to probation and fines. 4 of the five were fined $530. The charges were filed as a result of an undercover investigation last spring by The Humane Society of the United States, which disclosed employee abuse of pigs and piglets. The organization posted video of workers kicking live piglets like soccer balls, striking pigs with their fists and kicking them when they showed reluctance to leave their offspring. A total of 9 former employees at the Wheatland hog processing farm were charged in late December. All had been terminated from their jobs by the time charges were filed. The four remaining cases are pending in court.

Ozone Study

Results of a Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) study of possible health effects linked with higher amounts of ground-level ozone in Sublette County are now available.
For the study, WDH compared health records from two local health clinics with ground-level daily ozone concentrations, temperature and humidity data collected by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The study suggests that for every 10 parts per billion increase in the eight-hour maximum ground-level ozone there was a 3 percent increase in local health clinic visits due to respiratory-related complaints the following day.
Dr. Kerry Pride, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention epidemiologist and veterinarian, said exposure to ground-level ozone can make it more difficult for some people to breathe deeply and vigorously; cause coughing and sore or scratchy throats; inflame and damage airways, which leads to increased susceptibility to infections; and aggravate lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Some Wind Damage Reported At The Sweetwater Events Complex

The wind did do some damage to the Sweetwater Events Complex. They are reporting that several horse shelters were damaged. Part of the grandstand roof was torn off and some fencing was blown down. They said it was fortunate that no animals were injured. Just last month, the ground in the indoor area was tested so that improvements to the footing could be made. The Complex then added close to 100 ton of washed sand and 100 cubic yards of sawdust to the arena. That material was blended into the top 8 inches of the ground. Also this month, street lights were added to Yellowstone Road just outside of the complex.

2nd Weekend of Barrell Racing At The Sweetwater Events Complex

Another weekend of the 4D Saddle Series Barrel Racing Event at the Sweetwater Events Complex will be held this weekend. Chad Banks says that Bar H Saddles will be awarded to the series average winners in each open division.






There is 2000 added cash each weekend as well as trophy leather jackets awarded to weekend average winners in each division.






Trophy breast collars will be awarded to youth and senior series over-all and trophy spurs will go to the Target Race Winner of each weekend. The third and final race of this series will be held May 11th and 12th.

Wyo. wolf hunting quota may be halved

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is proposing to reduce wolf hunting quotas by half this fall because of the state's successful first hunt last year. Officials say the state's wolf population could not withstand another 52-wolf quota without coming dangerously close to the required minimum set in Wyoming's delisting plan. If wolf numbers drop below the minimum requirement, it could lead to re-listing the wolf as an endangered species, which results in special federal protections. Hunters killed 42 wolves during the trophy and seasonal trophy hunting seasons from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 last year. Game and Fish officials say they are proposing a quota of 26 wolves this year. The agency will hold public meetings on the proposed quota.

Year after Wyo. blowout, no fines for Chesapeake

The owner of an eastern Wyoming oil well that blew out, causing 50 people to flee their homes, has not been fined in the year since the accident. The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission concluded that human error played a role in the drilling accident last April 24 but also that Chesapeake Energy didn't violate any commission rules. Wyoming interim Oil and Gas Supervisor Bob King says Chesapeake will not be fined. The blowout released an estimated 2 million cubic feet of explosive natural gas and up to 31,500 gallons of oil-based drilling mud. A team of specialists plugged the spewing gas three days after the blowout began. Jill Morrison with the Powder River Basin Resource Council calls it "disconcerting" Chesapeake faces no penalties for the blowout and pollution.

Timeline set for edu agency director selection

The State Board of Education hopes to have its search for Wyoming Department of Education director candidates completed by early June. The board is tasked with coming up with three names for Gov. Matt Mead, who will appoint the new director. Applications for the position will be accepted until May 15. The director position was created by the Legislature this winter. The governor has appointed a temporary director and has until December to appoint a permanent director. State board coordinator Paige Fenton Hughes says the board will seek comment from educators and citizens during the process. Public meetings on April 18 and April 19 are planned. The names of the three director candidates will be made public.

3 arrested after Wyoming police follow footprints

Three men have been accused of stealing items that include a samurai sword - but according to central Wyoming police the suspects weren't exactly ninjas. Authorities in Riverton say they tracked the men down by simply following a series of footprints in the snow leading away from a home where the robbery was reported. Police Capt. Eric Murphy says the tracks led investigators from the victim's house straight to another house where authorities found three men in their 20s "digging through" stolen property that included several other types of swords. Police say they also found marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the home late Monday night. They say the suspects were arrested and face various robbery and drug charges.

Defendants waive prelim hearing in Clark slaying

Two teenagers charged in the shooting deaths of a woman and her parents near the Wyoming-Montana border have waived their right to a preliminary hearing in circuit court. With the action Wednesday, the case against the defendants, 19-year-old Stephen Hammer and 18-year-old Tanner Vanpelt, now moves to Park County District Court. Park County prosecutors charge the teens shot and killed Ildiko Freitas and her parents, Janos and Hildegard Volgyesi, at a residence in the small community of Clark, Wyo., on March 2. Prosecutors say the teenagers wanted to take Freitas' Audi sport-utility vehicle to drive to Denver to sell stolen handguns. Police say the teenagers shot and killed Freitas and her parents after Freitas argued against giving them her vehicle.

Local Green River Business Reports Fraud

A local Green River business reported a possible fraud to police officers. The business reported they received a call from a male subject with a Middle East accent and made an order for goods and offered a credit card number. The business did not run the transaction. Everything about the order and the caller indicated the attempted business deal was an attempted fraud. Local business are reminded if they receive any orders via the telephone in which the caller raises suspicion to be very cautious.

Green River Police Respond to High Wind Damage

Green River Police officers responded to numerous locations in town as a result of the high winds. Numerous trees were blown over in Green River due to the high winds, some in local parks, some blocked roadways and some on private property. High winds also were the cause of damage to various kinds of personal property throughout the city

Superior man’s death under investigation

Sweetwater County Dick Blust, Jr. tells us that a joint investigation with the Sweetwater County Coroner's officer is being conducted in the death of a Superior man.






Responding deputies and county detectives noted heavy fire damage to the residence’s living room.






Blust said there were no indications of foul play.  An autopsy is scheduled in Loveland, Colorado, today (April 11).

Construction of southwestern Wyo. coal mine halted

A Nebraska company has suspended construction of a coal mine in southwestern Wyoming. Haystack Coal Co. blamed poor demand for coal for its decision. Twelve people will lose their jobs at the project northeast of Evanston. In a statement, spokesman Tom Janssen said the company is working to find jobs for the workers at projects being done by its parent company, Omaha-based Kiewit Corp. Pending restrictions on coal-fired power plants, a mild winter and low natural gas prices have reduced demand for coal. Wyoming, the nation's top coal producer, mined 8% less coal last year. About 3% of coal workers lost their jobs in 2012, according to federal data.

Snowstorm moves out of Wyo., leaves cold

A snowstorm has moved out of most of Wyoming but unseasonably cold temperatures and snow drifts up to 6 feet deep remain behind. Some snow continues to fall in the extreme northeast corner of the state in the Sundance area. The rest of the state can begin digging out. The National Weather Service says 28 inches of snow fell in the Lander area with the town receiving 14 to 27 inches. Up to 20 inches fell in eastern Wyoming, including Lusk and Torrington. Five- to 6-foot drifts have been found in Converse County. Cold temperatures remain behind with many areas of the state expected to get into only the 20s Wednesday. The far western part of the state will warm up first with temperatures reaching into the 40s.

14 UW students among those being deployed

Fourteen University of Wyoming students are among the Wyoming Army National Guard soldiers being deployed to the Middle East. The 162 members from the 133rd Engineer Company, based in Laramie, will be deployed to Bahrain for Operation Enduring Freedom. A deployment ceremony for the unit is set to be held Thursday afternoon at the UW Arena-Auditorium in Laramie. The Wyoming unit received federal mobilization orders for 400 days to conduct base security operations. The unit will receive more than one month of pre-deployment training at Camp Shelby, Miss., followed by nine months in Bahrain, a small island country near the western shores of the Persian Gulf.

Breaking News: Body found in Superior trailer after fire

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a body was found in a trailer in Superior after a fire. The body was found Monday. The person's name hasn't been released because relatives haven't been notified yet. Detective Dick Blust, Jr. said he hopes to release more information once they are notified. An autopsy was planned Thursday.

Nomination Deadline Approaching To Nominate Sweetwater County Fair Farm Family Today

If you are still snowbound, you might take the time to nominate your favorite farm family for the Sweetwater County Fair Farm Family Today award. Chad Banks says the award is brand new for 2013.






Families are eligible from any agricultural basis and must be farming/ranching in Sweetwater County. The selected producer will receive recognition during the Sweetwater County Fair, Wyoming’s Big Show, in the Fair’s brochure and website as well as in many other areas.  






Banks says that Fair officials are encouraging a positive relationship between the urban fairgoer and the agriculturalists who have made fairs a modern tradition for so many people. For more information, go to sweetwaterevents.com or on Facebook under Sweetwater Events Complex.

2nd Evanston man sentenced in botched Neb. bank heist

Another Wyoming man has been given 18 to 36 months in prison for a botched bank robbery in western Nebraska. Twenty-year-old Drew Steier was sentenced on Monday in Lincoln County District Court. Steier told the judge that he regretted what he did and was glad no one was injured. Steier's accomplice, 53-year-old Tracy Black, was given the same sentence last month. Authorities say Black was the getaway driver in the attempted robbery of Farmers State Bank in Wallace in August. Steier went into the bank wearing a ski mask and wielding a BB gun. Steier fled without any money and drove away with Black, who was waiting in a pickup outside. They were arrested near Imperial about an hour later. Both men are from Evanston.