As Flu Season Begins, Wyoming Officials Urge Vaccination

As a handful of flu reports begin to emerge in the state, Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) officials are urging residents to get an annual flu vaccination. Kim Deti with the Wyoming Department of Health reminds the public that flu season has officially begun.






Deti says that last year's flu season proved how important getting the vaccine is.






Everyone who is six months or older should get an annual flu vaccine to help stop the spread of the virus. Influenza vaccines are available in many locations, including local public health offices, workplaces, doctors’ offices and retail stores. Basic common-sense measures can also slow the spread of influenza such as covering your mouth and nose with your sleeve or a tissue when you sneeze and cough, frequently washing your hands, and staying home from work, school, day care and errands when you are ill.

Feds defend plan to drop gray wolf protection

The director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is strongly defending its proposal to drop federal protection for gray wolves across most of the Lower 48 states ahead of a series of public hearings on the plan. The agency in June called for dropping the wolf from the endangered list everywhere except in parts of Arizona and New Mexico, where a subspecies called the Mexican wolf is struggling for survival. Agency director Dan Ashe said Monday that the wolf's recovery in the Great Lakes and Northern Rockies is one of the greatest conservation successes ever. He said the species is no longer in danger of dying out. But some environmentalists and scientists say it's too soon to drop federal protections. The first public hearing is Monday in Washington, D.C.

Industry estimates groundwater testing cost

The oil and gas industry estimates that Wyoming's proposed groundwater testing rule for new wells will cost $18,000 per well. Under the proposed rules, operators would have to test four water sources within in a half-mile of a well. Jerimiah Rieman, Gov. Matt Mead's natural resources policy adviser, shared the cost estimate last Friday with the Legislature's Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee in Cheyenne. Supporters say data from testing would help protect industry from allegations of groundwater contamination if data proves there is no change in water quality. Conversely, landowners would be better protected if the data shows change. The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is accepting public comment on the proposal rule.

Hunters' help sought in tracking Wyo. sage grouse

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking sage grouse hunters for help in tracking the activities and population numbers of the chicken-sized, ground-dwelling birds. The department wants hunters to drop one wing from any sage grouse they harvest in marked barrels placed at major access roads to popular hunting areas. Biologists can tell the age and sex of the harvested birds by examining their wings, which is key to determining reproduction rates and, ultimately, the population trend. Each year, in addition to the wing data, biologists count the number of male birds on spring strutting grounds, or leks, and then try to get a sample of brood counts after the chicks have hatched.

Wyoming taking part in lawsuit against EPA

Wyoming is one of a dozen states suing the Environmental Protection Agency over what the states see as a cozy relationship between the agency and environmental groups. The lawsuit was filed this summer in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City. It alleges that the EPA and environmental groups cooperate by employing a so-called "sue and settle" strategy. Environmental groups sue the EPA and the two enter a binding consent decree setting new rules and regulations. Wyoming contends the strategy was used when the EPA rejected the state's plan for controlling regional haze from coal-fired power plants and the agency offered its own proposal. The EPA denies that it participates in any such practice, noting it has no control over what parties sue the agency and what issues are involved.

Mo. couple accused in Wyo. of killing exes, 2 kids

A Missouri couple has waived extradition to face first-degree murder charges in Wyoming in the deaths of their ex-spouses and two children more than 30 years ago. Seventy-one-year-old Gerald Uden and 74-year-old Alice Uden of Chadwick, Mo., were jailed in Christian County in southwest Missouri. Gerald Uden is accused of killing his ex-wife, Virginia Uden, and her two children, 12-year-old Richard Uden and10-year-old Reagan Uden. Virginia Uden and her children were last seen in Fremont County in central Wyoming in 1980. Alice Uden is accused of killing her ex-husband, Ronald Holtz, who disappeared in 1974 or 1975. His remains recently were found in an abandoned mine in Laramie County in southeast Wyoming. Neither Gerald nor Alice Uden had an attorney. A neighbor said the Udens worked as long-haul truckers and were rarely home.

Mule deer illegally killed in Riverton

Wildlife officials are investigating after a mule deer was illegally shot and killed in Riverton and left to rot. A witness heard a gunshot just before 11 a.m. on Sept. 23 and saw the deer fall in a field in the 2200 block of Riverview Road. The witness did not see who shot the deer or any vehicles nearby. Wyoming Game and Fish warden Allen Deru says the poaching "takes away from the people who are trying to (hunt) legally." The deer was a mature male and had three points on each antler. No meat or any other part of the animal was removed from the carcass.

Farson Sex Offender Sentenced

A Farson man has been given his sentence for crimes he committed against a minor. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that 35 year old Marty Rhodes was found guilty on May 21st of Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Third Degree.






Under state statute, the maximum penalty for Child Abuse is five years of imprisonment; for Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Third Degree the maximum is 15 years.






Lavery sentenced Rhodes to imprisonment for not less than four and not more than five years for the Child Abuse charge, and a minimum of 13 years and not more than 15 years for Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Third Degree, and ordered that the sentences be served consecutively. Rhodes will receive credit for 476 days already served.

Lubnau questions document dump by superintendent

Wyoming House Speaker Tom Lubnau says state schools Superintendent Cindy Hill isn't cooperating with a special committee's investigation into her management of the Wyoming Education Department. The Gillette Republican sent a letter to Hill on Friday saying her office intentionally submitted thousands of irrelevant and unorganized documents in response to two subpoena requests by the committee. Hill told The Associated Press in response that she submitted everything from her office because the subpoena requests were so broad. She says the committee has more resources than her office and can sift through the documents to find what it needs. Depending on its findings, the panel could recommend that the full House of Representatives initiate impeachment proceedings against Hill, who denies any wrongdoing.

Throwback soda keeps Wyo. sugar farmers happy

A Worland-based bottling and distribution company has helped lead the way back to using real sugar in soft drinks. Admiral Beverage Vice President of Production Dave Willard says the company convinced PepsiCo to go back to the real sugar and the result has proved to be a success for the company and Wyoming sugar beet growers. Using Throwback concentrate from PepsiCo, Admiral Beverage combines it with Wyoming sugar and water, then carbonates it and puts it in cans or bottles. Admiral Beverage used slightly more than 700,000 pounds of sugar from Big Horn Basin beets in 2012. Willard says that the Throwback products brought back a lot of interest in the sugar beet industry.

Man accused of fleeing prerelease center arrested

Authorities in Arizona have arrested a Pinedale man accused of fleeing a Casper prerelease center late last year. Lt. Mark Sellers with the Natrona County Sheriff's Office says that Jeffrey Brost was arrested in Dolan Springs, Ariz., on Thursday. Brost was 20 years old when he went missing after he was dropped off at the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Casper on Sept. 21, 2012. He served three months of a six- to nine-month probation sentence at the Casper Re-entry Center on a theft charge. Sellers says Brost will be transferred back to Casper.

Hay prices down in Wyoming from last year

Wyoming ranchers are paying lower prices for hay in the state compared to last year. Ranchers who paid around $310 per ton last year are seeing prices in the $180 a ton range this year. But at the same time, hay producers have experienced some challenges in raising hay crops this year. Axel Garcia y Garcia, of the University of Wyoming Powell Research and Extension Center, says hay at the center has done well this year, but not as good as last year's. Gerry Danko, of rural Powell, tells the Powell Tribune that unusually high humidity has made it hard to get hay dry. Adding to that difficulty have been repeated rain and hailstorms in some areas.

Early snowstorm hits central Wyoming

Snow is falling not only in the mountains of central and northern Wyoming but in lower elevation areas as well. A winter storm warning is in effect for parts of central Wyoming, including Riverton and Lander, until noon Friday. Snow also is falling in Casper and Buffalo, where a winter weather advisory is posted. The National Weather Service reports 2 inches of snow has fallen already in Riverton with 5 inches recorded just outside the city. Up to 8 inches is possible in the surrounding area. Thermopolis reports 4 inches. Up to 20 inches is possible in the mountains. The snow was expected to taper off Friday afternoon. Other than U.S. 212 over Beartooth Pass north of Cody, the snowstorm wasn't hampering traffic although some roads were slick in spots.

BLM Rawlins Issues North Platte River Recreation Area Management Plan

Serena Baker with the Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office says they have released the North Platte River Recreation Area Management Plan, environmental assessment finding of no significant impact and decision record which authorize campground and river access improvements and adjusts the number of Special Recreation Permits issued.  






The RFO manages more than 122 miles of the North Platte River from the Colorado border to the Seminoe Reservoir, including numerous public access points for recreation.






The decision record is subject to administrative review through the appeal process.  For more information, call 307-328-4206.  

Sweetwater County's Unemployment Rate Continues To Decline

Sweetwater counties un-employment rate continues to decline, thats according to the Wyoming Department of Workforce services. The counties un-employment rate in August of this year stood at 3.7 percent, compared to July's rate of 3.9 percent. In August of 2012, the rate was at 4.3 percent. Their are currently 932 job seekers in the county, compated to over 1,000 a year ago. The statewide un-employment in August stood at 4.1 percent. The highest un-employment rate in Wyoming is in Fremont county at 5.5 percent, while the lowest is in nearby Sublette county, 3.0 percent. The US un-employment rate in August stood at 7.3 percent.

Daniels Fund awards $891K to Wyoming groups

The Daniels Fund has awarded nearly $891,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations serving seniors, youth and the homeless in Wyoming. Grant recipients are the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming, the Casper Family YMCA, the Hot Springs County Senior Citizens Center in Thermopolis, the Northwest Wyoming Treatment Center in Powell, the Stride Learning Center in Cheyenne, the Youth Crisis Center in Casper and Youth Emergency Services in Gillette. The Daniels Fund is expected to award about $3.3 million in grants to Wyoming nonprofit organizations this year. The Daniels Fund Grants Program regularly awards money to programs in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

UW Hall of Famer Keith Bloom dies

University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame member Keith Bloom has died. He was 86. Bloom died last week in his hometown of Powell. He was recognized as 1 of the last three sport athletes at UW, competing in football, basketball and baseball. He lettered in all three. Besides the UW hall, Bloom was inducted into the Wyoming Coaches' Association Hall of Fame and the National High School Coaches' Association Hall of Fame. He also was active in local youth sports in Powell. He is survived by a son and daughter, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services are set for Saturday at Union Presbyterian Church in Powell.

Lawmakers frustrated by lack of orphan well action

Some Wyoming lawmakers are expressing frustration with how the state Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is addressing thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells. The so-called orphan wells are primarily wells that belonged to companies that have gone out of business and it's up to the state to plug and reclaim them. There are about 1,250 orphan wells in Wyoming, and another 1,300 that are likely to be added to the list. The backlog and expense of plugging them means many abandoned wells may sit for years without any resolution. Lawmakers have been pressing the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for months on how it plans to address the problem. On Thursday, members of a joint legislative minerals committee were critical that the commission hadn't provided any plans.

Wyoming refuge may open for hunting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to allow hunting on the Cokeville-Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in western Wyoming. Project leader Tom Koerner says the agency's draft management plan is an important step toward allowing more public access to the refuge in Lincoln County. He says that in addition to hunting, the agency is planning to allow fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, environmental education and interpretation at the refuge. The agency is accepting public comment until Oct. 24 on its proposal.

Snow expected in central Wyoming

The National Weather Service has posted winter storm warnings and advisories for large section of central Wyoming. Up to 16 inches of snow is possible in some mountain areas, while up to 8 inches is possible in lower elevations, including the city of Lander. The heaviest snow was expected Thursday night and Friday morning. The storm system moving through the state already dumped up to a foot of snow in the mountains of northwest Wyoming

BLM Monitoring Sublette Wildfire

Shelley Gregory with the Bureau of Land Management High Desert District says they are monitoring the Sublette Wildfire approximately 10 miles north of Cokeville in the Raymond Mountain Wilderness Study Area. 






Gregory says the fire is creeping and smoldering but producing significant smoke due to heavy timber.






Outdoor recreationists are urged to use caution or avoid the area entirely since fire behavior can change suddenly and fire spread is unpredictable if high winds develop.

Educators get look at new school grading system

The Wyoming Department of Education has given educators in the state a sneak preview of how state schools will be graded on accountability. The agency presented information Tuesday during a conference in Cheyenne on how schools might fare under a grading system that is being developed. Schools would be graded in 1 of 4 categories: exceeding expectations; meeting expectations; partially meeting expectations; or not meeting expectations. Using data from last year, the department was able to tell how many schools fell into each category. The agency did not identify individual schools in each category. That information will be released later. Officials say that the system will be ready in the fall of 2014.

State vet: horses still need West Nile vaccine

Despite the onset of fall, cases of West Nile Virus in horses continue to be reported throughout the state of Wyoming. At least 15 West Nile horse cases have been diagnosed this season by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory. State Veterinarian Jim Logan says the West Nile season can last until a hard frost. The Wyoming Livestock Board veterinary staff recommends that owners vaccinate their horses if they have not done so already. Horses are far more affected by the West Nile than other livestock and domestic animals. Signs of West Nile include initial flu-like symptoms, where the horse becomes lethargic and depressed, followed by weakness, incoordination and seizures. Of those that become ill, about 30% die or need to be euthanized.

Wyo. health insurance exchange questions remain

There's less than a week to go before the federal government is set to open an Internet site offering health insurance to Wyoming residents under the federal Affordable Care Act. Wyoming is among 36 states in which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, not the individual state government, will operate the so-called health insurance exchanges. Beginning in January, the public may purchase insurance through the exchange. Wyoming will see some of the highest premiums. But the federal government intends to offer tax credits to low-income residents to even out rates. Wyoming Insurance Commissioner Tom Hirsig says higher rates are predictable because it's expensive to provide health care to the state's sparse population. Hirsig says the federal agency hasn't told Wyoming yet which companies will offer coverage.

Snow hits northwest Wyoming mountains

The first major snowfall of the season has dumped closed to a foot of snow in the mountains of northwest Wyoming. The National Weather Service says 11 inches of snow had fallen by Wednesday afternoon on Togwotee Pass in Teton County. Up to a foot of snow was possible in areas above 8,500 foot elevation in the Teton Range, Yellowstone National Park and parts of the Absaroka Mountains. Up to 6 inches was possible in lower elevations to 6,000 feet. A winter storm warnings and watches were posted for northwest and central Wyoming, including the Lander foothills. A section of U.S. 212 was closed at Beartooth Pass because of snow Wednesday afternoon. The Weather Service said the snow is likely to spread into central and southwest Wyoming by Thursday.

Ghost Walk Tickets on Sale Oct. 1st

Just in time for Halloween, the Sweetwater County Library is hosting a paranormal investigation of the “haunted” library. According to Brittany Wells, tickets will go on sale Tuesday, October 1st at 9 a.m. at the Green River library for the Ghost Walk that will be held on Saturday, October 26th.






The ghost log is a collection of reports documenting unexplained events in the library since 1993. It is available to the public for use in the library during regular hours.






The Ghost Walk tours are an hour long starting at 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. No refunds will be given and tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis.

UW launches professional land management program

The University of Wyoming has launched a new program for students interested in land management related to oil, gas and mining. UW's Professional Land Management program is 1 of just nine in North America accredited by the American Association of Professional Landmen. This fall, 13 students are enrolled in the program, developed in partnership with the Wyoming Association of Professional Landmen and the energy industry. Don Roth is the program's director and deputy director for academics in UW's School of Energy Resources. He says there's a tremendous demand for landmen. Landmen determine land ownership and availability for mineral leasing; negotiate agreements with landowners for drilling and production rights; draft and administer contracts with the assistance of corporate couns

Wyoming jobless rate remains at 4.6%

Wyoming's unemployment rate remains unchanged at 4.6%. The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported the jobless rate for August on Tuesday. It has remained at 4.6% since May. Wyoming's unemployment rate for August was lower from a year ago when it was 5.4% and was significantly lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 7.3%. Across Wyoming, county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and fell slightly, or were unchanged from July to August. Sublette County posted the lowest unemployment rate in August at 3%, followed by Teton and Converse counties at both 3.1%, and Campbell and Niobrara counties at 3.5%. The highest unemployment rates were found in Fremont at 5.5%, Big Horn at 4.8% and Platte at 4.7%.

1 year delay possible for new Wyo. lotto start

The goal of starting Wyoming's lottery early next year may be too ambitious. The new chief executive officer of the Wyoming Lottery Corporation presented a timetable that pushes the full implementation of the lottery from early spring 2014 to 2015. Jon Clontz presented his preliminary timeline to the Wyoming Lottery Board on Monday. Clontz says the timeline hinges on the contract with a vendor but could be shortened if the board is willing to rush the process. Lottery Board chairman Brian Scott Gamroth says that the delayed timeline came as a surprise. But he says the board has only one chance to establish the lottery. He said the goal is to do it as fast as possible without unnecessary risk.

Wyo. sees decrease in wildfires this year

The end of summer means that the major wildfire season is all but over in Wyoming. While the number of fires and acreage burned is still being tabulated and more wildfires can start this fall, state forestry officials say this year's fire season has been completely opposite from last year. According to the Wyoming State Forestry Division, the cost of fighting fires on state and private land so far has totaled a preliminary $1.5 million. That compares to about $42 million for 2012. The largest fire this summer burned about 25,000 acres in the Shoshone National Forest. That would have been small compared to 2012 when one fire burned nearly 100,000 acres. Forestry officials attribute the better fire season to timely rain, fewer dry lightning strikes and better fire response.

Join the BLM Rawlins at the Corral Creek Campground National Public Lands Day Event

The Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office invites individuals, families and groups to participate in its annual National Public Lands Day event on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Serena Baker says that this year, volunteers will help construct tent pads, repair picnic tables, fix fire rings, install water filters, paint restrooms, pull weeds, and pick up litter at the Corral Creek Campground along the North Platte River southeast of Saratoga. 






Gas powered weed eaters are also needed for the event. Children must be at least eight years old to volunteer. Participants are also asked to bring a sack lunch, plenty of water, and provide their own transportation, 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. 






Volunteers collected an estimated 23,000 pounds of invasive plants, built and maintained an estimated 1,500 miles of trails, planted an estimated 100,000 trees, shrubs and other native plants, removed an estimated 500 tons of trash from trails and other places and contributed an estimated $18 million through volunteer services to improve public lands across the country.

Teton Co. puts moratorium on new cell towers

Teton County commissioners have imposed a 105-day moratorium on the construction of new cell towers. The moratorium approved last week will give the county time to write new cell-tower regulations. ATandT has plans to erect more than a dozen new cell towers in the county. ATand T's lawyer, Bruce Salzburg, told the commission that telecommunications companies have successfully sued municipalities to overturn moratoriums. But Melissa Wittstruck of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance says current county cell tower regulations are outdated and insufficient to deal with modern laws and equipment.

3 Yellowstone leaders say the park needs advocates

Three men who have served as superintendent of Yellowstone National Park say the park will always need advocates. Former Yellowstone superintendents Bob Barbee and Mike Finley joined current Superintendent Dan Wenk for a fireside chat on Saturday with several hundred members of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. The three said that although the park is healthy in many respects, there are looming threats to its integrity. Among the problems is decimation of the native cutthroat trout population by exotic lake trout. The three spoke at a convention in West Yellowstone, Mont., on Saturday celebrating the 30th anniversary of the conservation organization. They said park managers alone may not be able to defend Yellowstone adequately and said support from outsiders is critical.

Money available to help ag producers go organic

There's financial help for Wyoming agriculture producers interested in going organic. The Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture administer a USDA grant program that helps producers pay for becoming organically certified. The grant covers 75% of organic certification costs up to $750. It reimburses applicants for expenditures, which must be made before receiving an award. Wyoming farms and ranches are eligible to apply for reimbursement if they are a Wyoming company or a Wyoming-based subsidiary company that is farming or ranching organic products in Wyoming. They must be able to document that they have achieved organic certification with a USDA-accredited agency. The deadline to submit grant applications is Nov. 1, but applications are being accepted now.

Historic saddle donated to Frontier Days museum

A 106-year-old championship saddle from Cheyenne Frontier Days has been donated to the rodeo's Old West Museum. The family of Clayton Danks, a 3-time Frontier Days winner who was awarded the saddle in 1907, gave it to the museum after they obtained it from King's Saddlery and Museum in Sheridan. The saddle is the oldest trophy in the Old West Museum. Curator Mike Kassel calls the saddle a priceless artifact. Danks' family began searching for the saddle in 2008 when he was inducted into the Frontier Days Hall of Fame. They have been negotiating with King's Saddlery and Museum for several years to buy the saddle

Wyoming lottery names chief executive officer

The Wyoming Lottery Corporation has named an Oregon man to serve as its first chief executive officer. The corporation on Monday announced the selection of Jon Clontz as CEO. He's set to start in Wyoming in early October. Clontz comes from Oregon, where he's served as deputy director with the Oregon Lottery for the past two years. Brian Scott Gamroth is chairman of the Wyoming Lottery Corporation board. The Wyoming Legislature approved the creation of a state lottery early this year. Gov. Matt Mead appointed the nine-member lottery board this summer. Officials hope to have the lottery up and running next year. Gamroth says Clontz's leadership qualities, communication skills and record with the Oregon Lottery give the board confidence in his ability to get the Wyoming Lottery going.

Forest Service lowers Medicine Bow camping limit

The U.S. Forest Service has lowered the maximum daily limit for dispersed camping on the Medicine Bow National Forest in southeastern Wyoming from 21 days down to 16. Dispersed camping means camping outside of developed campgrounds. The limit for staying at developed campgrounds remains unchanged at 14 days. Under the new order, campers must move their camp at least three miles after they've been in one spot for 16 days. Campers cannot come back to the same site to camp for at least 30 days. The Forest Service says the new rule is designed to discourage people from locking up spots on the forest for long periods.

Rock Springs man sentenced to lengthy prison terms

Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that a Rock Springs man was sentenced in District Court on September 18th to as much as a century in prison.






Grady’s charges were the result of an extensive Sheriff’s Office investigation led by Detective Michelle Hall.






Hodge is also wanted  by authorities in Burnet County, Texas, for multiple counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency With a Child (Sexual Contact). He is fighting extradition on his Texas charges.

Judge grants fees in Fremont County voting case

A federal judge has approved over $960,000 in legal fees for lawyers who represented American Indians who successfully challenged Fremont County's system of at-large voting for county commissioners. U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson of Cheyenne on Friday granted the bulk of the request for fees from the legal team that represented five members of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes. Their litigation changed the structure of Fremont County government. Johnson wrote in his decision that the purpose of this litigation was to seek justice for people who have historically been marginalized and whose voting rights had been diminished. He overrode objections from Fremont County that fees were too high.

Cowboy Joe Club raises $315K for athletics

The Cowboy Joe Club's annual auction has raised more than $315,000 for University of Wyoming student-athlete scholarships and resources. The club is UW athletics' main fundraising organization. A sold-out crowd of close to 600 UW supporters from around the region attended the auction held recently in Cheyenne. The auction is the Cowboy Joe Club's largest annual fundraising event. UW Senior Associate Athletic Director Randy Welniak says it's impressive that the auction generates the amount of money it does.

Bull Moose Wanders Into Rock Springs

On Saturday afternoon, a bull moose caused quite a bit of excitement in Rocks Springs. The Rock Springs Police Department received numerous calls of a bull moose which had wandered into the Killpecker Creek area near Springs Drive and Stagecoach Blvd. Several local residents lined up to watch as the animal strolled through a residential trailer court. The Rock Springs Police Department would like to remind citizens are reminded to give wildlife ample room to avoid potentially violent encounters when the animals become startled by humans.

Swarm of earthquakes shake Yellowstone

Scientists have been busy monitoring earthquake swarms in and around the Yellowstone Caldera. University of Utah geophysics professor Bob Smith says they have come across three simultaneous earthquake swarms. He calls the simultaneous swarms "remarkable." Smith says that the swarms have left many questions for scientists to ponder. He says that's because concurrent swarms have never been detected in the past. Temblors from the three quake swarms mostly hit in three areas: Lewis Lake, the Lower Geyser Basin and the northwest part of Norris Geyser Basin. A total of 130 earthquakes ranging from magnitude 0.6 to 3.6 were observed. Yellowstone's recent earthquake swarms started on Sept. 10 and were shaking until about 11:30 a.m. Sept. 16.

4.9 magnitude earthquake jolts W. Wyoming

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake jolted much of western Wyoming on Saturday, but no damage was reported. John Bellini, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colo., says the temblor occurred at 7:16 a.m. about 45 miles underground. The nearest city is Fort Washakie, about 9 miles east of the epicenter. Bellini says "it was felt widely in western Wyoming, but this is too deep of an earthquake to cause any damage. ... A lot of people might have felt something but they wouldn't know what they felt because it woke them up." The area west of Yellowstone National Park experiences a handful of earthquakes a year.

Woman accused of having sex with 15-year-old boy

A 27-year-old Natrona County woman accused of having sex with a 15-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual abuse of a minor. Sarah Rae Cady entered her plea Tuesday after authorities say she acknowledged engaging in a six-month relationship with the boy. A sheriff's office report says Cady and the boy had sexual contact, once in January and once in May, at each of their homes. She also is accused of sending nude photos to the boy and visiting him at his high school during his lunch break.

Yellowstone remains closed to hunting

Officials at Yellowstone National Park are reminding the public that the park is closed to hunting. Fall hunting seasons are opening on lands around the park. While most of the park boundary is well marked, officials say it's hunters' responsibility to make sure they don't enter the park. Federal laws prohibit killing or removing any animal, living or dead, from inside Yellowstone. That includes animals that are shot outside the park and die within the park boundaries. It's also illegal to remove any animal parts including shed antlers from the park.

BLM Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility Temporary Closure for Cleaning

Serena Baker with the Bureau of Land Management has announced that the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility will be temporarily closed for cleaning from Sept. 23rd until approximately Oct. 15th. 







Approximately 660 wild horses from the North Lander and Red Desert Complexes; McCullough Peaks, Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, Great Divide Basin, White Mountain, and Little Colorado Herd Management Areas are currently held at the facility






To see a full calendar of adoption events and requirements, just google blm wild horse adoptions or go to blm.gov.

1st snow of season hits Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park is reporting snow at higher elevations, and meteorologists also spotted it on Togwotee Pass between Dubois and Jackson in northwestern Wyoming. National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Lipson tells says that even though both areas only received a dusting Wednesday, they are among the first in the state to see snow accumulations this season. The Weather Service reports the earliest recorded snowfall accumulation in populated areas in Wyoming was on Sept. 6, 1929, when Riverton received 3 inches. Lipson says elevations above 10,000 feet could see significant snow next week. Summer officially ends Sunday.

Ecuadoran wounded in shooting at Wyo. camp

A rock climber from Ecuador is recovering from a gunshot wound he received at a campground near a popular climbing location in northern Wyoming. Jose Mosquera (MOHS'-kehr-uh) is being treated at a hospital in Billings, Mont., where he is in stable condition. Mosquera's companion says the two were camping at Leigh Creek Campground in Ten Sleep Canyon when they fled their tent early Monday because of a falling tree limb and rock. She says that while the two were running to their car, Mosquera was struck in the chest by a bullet. She says she saw someone rustling in the bushes and Mosquera heard a vehicle drive away. Washakie County Sheriff Steve Rakness was not immediately available for comment.

Senate passes bill to avert helium shortage

The Senate has approved a bill to avert an impending shutdown of the federal helium reserve, a key supplier of the lighter-than-air gas used in a wide range of products, from party balloons to MRI machines. The Federal Helium Program, which provides about 42% of the nation's helium from a storage site in Texas, is to shut down Oct. 7 as a result of a 1996 law requiring the reserve to pay off a debt by selling its helium. The debt is paid, but billions of cubic feet of helium remain. Closing the reserve would cause a worldwide helium shortage - an outcome lawmakers from both parties hope to avoid. The bill the Senate passed Thursday differs slightly from a House-approved bill. President Barack Obama favors the Senate version.

Judge rules against challenge to uranium mine

A federal judge has ruled against an environmental group's challenge to an in-situ uranium mine that started production last month in Sweetwater County. U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl on Wednesday upheld the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's approval of the Lost Creek In-Situ Uranium Recovery Project operated by Ur Energy. The mine is about 15 miles southwest of Bairoil. The Biodiversity Conservation Alliance in Laramie had challenged the project, saying the BLM had failed to consider its effect on sage grouse and other species. Alliance lawyer John Persell says the group is disappointed with the judge's ruling. A statement on Ur Energy's website quotes company President Wayne Heili saying he commends state, local and federal officials who worked to confirm the company's compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Judge rejects plea agreement in Lander shooting

A judge has rejected a plea agreement that prosecutors had reached with a man accused of shooting at three people early this year in Sinks Canyon near Lander. District Judge Marvin Tyler rejected the plea agreement Wednesday because it didn't reflect the number of victims. Prosecutors allege defendant Jeremy Cunningham shot at three people on Jan. 31 on Sinks Canyon Road in a "road rage" incident. Prosecutors initially charged Cunningham with three counts of attempted second-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault. He had agreed to plead guilty to two counts of aggravated assault. Tyler approved reinstating the dropped aggravated assault charge. The judge granted a request from Fremont County Attorney Michael Bennett to dismiss the attempted murder charges.

Green River man sought by Sheriff’s Office on felony drug charges

Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. tells us the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team is seeking information on the latest entry on the agency’s Sweetwater County’s Most Wanted list.






Each charge is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years, a fine of $25,000, or both.






Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office or other law enforcement agency. 

Western Wyoming ranked 7th in the nation among community colleges by Washington Monthly

Western Wyoming Community College has been ranked seventh nationally among community colleges by the news and public-affairs organization Washington Monthly. Western is Wyoming’s only community college to appear in the annual Top 50 list this year. The Washington Monthly College Guide rankings aim to serve as a counterpoint to the U.S. News and World Report rankings (which do not include community colleges), and are based on the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) and the U.S. Department of Education’s measures of student retention and completion. The Washington Monthly ranking is the latest in a series of mentions for Western in national Top 20 lists for community colleges. Previously, CNN Money had ranked Western number 13 for student success among community colleges nationwide, while the college website TheBestSchools.org ranked Western number 18 in the country.

WWCC student Alexandra Shannon, of Rock Springs, receives Mary K. Anderson Scholarship award

Western Wyoming Community College freshman Alexandra “Alex” Shannon has received the Mary K. Anderson Scholarship from the Rock Springs AE Chapter of Wyoming’s State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Shannon is pursuing General Studies at the College. The P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Sisterhood is a society dedicated to supporting educational opportunities for women. There are three chapters in Rock Springs and one chapter in Green River. The Mary K. Anderson Scholarship was awarded by the Rock Springs AE chapter in the amount $700 for the academic year. Mary K. Anderson was a former professor at Western and a chapter member, and the scholarship is named in her memory.  As part of her scholarship application, Alex wrote an essay about community service and why she wants to pursue higher education.  

Mead appoints new School Facilities director

Gov. Matt Mead has appointed Bill Panos as the new director of the Wyoming School Facilities Department. Panos is currently the City Manager in Eureka, Calif. He previously served as School Facilities Director in Washington State. The Wyoming School Facilities Department is charged with making sure each public school district has adequate space to deliver quality education to students. Mead noted in a statement that the state has spent more than $1 billion on building schools over the last decade, and there are many more school projects in line. Panos plans to start work in Wyoming on Nov. 4. He will be paid $150,000 a year.

Man gets prison after police officer bitten

A man accused of biting a police officer during a disturbance in Cheyenne has been sentenced to three to six years in prison.
David C. Croy appeared in court Monday after previously pleading no contest to interfering with a peace officer. Police who were called to a disturbance Sept. 21 say Croy was in an argument and smelled strongly of alcohol. He then became agitated and started swinging his arms back and forth as paramedics were treating him. Authorities say the officer was bitten on his right hand as he was trying to stop Croy from injuring the paramedics.

South Dakota couple gets $8 million award in Sweetwater County wreck

A federal jury has awarded a South Dakota couple more than $8 million for losses they suffered in a 2009 traffic accident in Sweetwater County. A judgment filed Wednesday following a jury trial in Casper awarded the money to Alexsandr and Lyudmila Durnyak of South Dakota. The couple last year sued Nebraska-based trucking company Prime Inc., and 1 of its drivers. The lawsuit claimed Mr. Durnyak was injured when a truck operated by Prime pulled in front of him as he was driving westbound on Interstate 80. The lawsuit states that he suffered extensive injuries including brain injuries, impaired vision and broken bones. The lawsuit claimed Mrs. Durnyak suffered damages because of the injuries to her husband.

Census figures: 1 in 7 in Wyoming lacks insurance

New U.S. Census figures show that more than one in seven Wyoming residents lacks health insurance. The federal government released new figures on Tuesday that show the estimated number of uninsured people in Wyoming stands at 89,000. That's down by 11,000 people from last year. Nearly 10% of the children in Wyoming are uninsured. Anne Alexander is an economist at the University of Wyoming. She says having a large number of uninsured residents drives up health care costs in the state because they tend to wait until medical conditions are serious before seeking emergency help. The new figures come three months before the federal Affordable Care Act will require most Americans to possess health insurance.

WYDOT Cleans Up Flooding damage near La Barge

This year's snow has not fallen yet, but the Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance crews were out in full force due to the recent weather. Stephanie Harsha says that flooding, mudslides and fog caused many delays and at times, closures, on western Wyoming's roads. Although Evanston saw some brief delays on WYO 89 within the city limits on Sept. 7th through the 8th, most of the damage was done south of La Barge in Lincoln County on US 189.






During the downpour, silt, mud and debris was building in and over the top of drainage ditches and box culverts, causing the water to build up and then overflow, carrying mud and debris over the highway.






The rain continued through Sunday, causing a second brief closure, this time southbound, on US 189 at milepost 79 and milepost 80, due to flash flooding. Clean-up still continues on US 189, but some work will have to take place on an emergency contract. Other areas were also affected by limited flooding were WYO 414 in the Bridger Valley and US 191 near Bondurant. However, the most severe damage was done near La Barge.

Anti-drunken driving campaign launched in Wyoming

A new statewide advertising campaign against drunken driving takes aim at the culture of drinking and driving in Wyoming. The radio, television and newspaper ads began Monday - the 12th anniversary of the deaths of 8 University of Wyoming cross country runners killed by a drunken driver in 2001. The horrific event is a central part of the new campaign sponsored by the Governor's Council on Impaired Driving. Mike Reed of the governor's office says the campaign has the backing of the families who lost sons in the wreck. Reed says a single advertising campaign won't change the culture of drinking and driving, but it's a step in advancing public discussion about the need to change attitudes about drunken driving.

Wyo. Game and Fish, Chesapeake cooperate on grouse

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has been working with a petroleum company to develop a plan to guide oil drilling in a vast area of designated sage grouse habitat in east-central Wyoming. A representative of Chesapeake Energy and Bob Budd with the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust will present the proposal in Cheyenne on Wednesday. Budd says the plan will concentrate drilling in already disturbed areas while protecting habitat that is more pristine. Sage grouse are chicken-sized birds in steep decline over the past century. Wyoming officials want to avoid an endangered species listing for sage grouse, as that could impede development. Federal officials praise Wyoming's strategy of setting aside core areas for grouse. Others say Wyoming officials are too willing to allow drilling in the core areas.

Wyo. Game and Fish: hunters need bear spray

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is urging hunters and others who go into the back country to be cautious in grizzly country and carry bear spray. Tara Teaschner with the game department in Cody says the department anticipates more people will encounter bears as they become more active and hunters take to the field. Teaschner says hunter's techniques such as moving quietly and being active at dawn and dusk make them more likely to encounter bears. She says hunters and others in bear country should be prepared for a confrontation. The game department recommends that hunters carry bear spray and know how and when to use it. Hunters also should hunt with a partner and stay in sight of each other.

Lander company gets training grant money

A Lander technology company has been awarded a grant to train 30 people how to become software developers. The grant to PitchEngine comes from a fund administered by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services that encourages business expansion, enhances employment opportunities within Wyoming and meets the training needs of new and existing businesses in the state. PitchEngine's eight-week program will prepare graduates with the skills needed for an entry-level software development position that can pay between $35,000-$40,000 annually. Several Wyoming-based employers have expressed a shortage of the skill sets that the training is designed to meet. The companies will interview candidates who complete the program and consider them for employment within their organizations.

Urgent Call Made For Equine Volunteer Rescues From Colorado

An urgent call for volunteers with equine experience to register for rescues of equine flood victims in Colorado has been made. You can register at www.FleetOfAngels.org and then join the Fleet of Angels page on Facebook (only after registering, please), and stay tuned for more information and specific rescue missions when they start.

Degree of flooding reported in Sweetwater County over weekend

Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that some flash flooding occurred over the weekend in Sweetwater County, though damage was minimal and no injuries were reported.






Funnel clouds were also reported north of Green River and near Wamsutter. Blust recommends that out-in-the-county travelers use caution. 






In addition, County Road and Bridge is checking a bridge on County Road 23 north of Wamsutter for damage as well as other impacted areas and roads. 

White Mountain Library To Host Author Broughton Coburn Tuesday

Fifty years after America’s first ascent of Mt. Everest, you can hear the remarkable story of men and mountain tonight (Tuesday) at the White Mountain Library. New York Times Bestselling author Broughton Coburn will present the illustrated program, “The Vast Unknown,” about his latest book that is based on the first American expedition to Mount Everest in the spring of 1963. According to Brittany Wells, “The Vast Unknown” is a harrowing, character-driven account of this momentous climb and its legendary team of inspiring and troubled climbers who suffered injuries, a near mutiny, and a death on the mountain.

BLM seeking comments for wild horse analysis

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on how to address wild horse and burro management in southern Wyoming. The agency is conducting the study as part of the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, though it addresses wild horse herding areas close to Rawlins. BLM spokeswoman Serena Baker says that the agency will issue two records of decision in 2016 - one for Rock Springs and one for Rawlins. In 2011, the Rock Springs Grazing Association filed a lawsuit against the BLM to get the BLM to remove all wild horses from private land. To settle the lawsuit, a federal judge approved a consent decree, which outlines specific wild horse management analyses the BLM must perform. Public comments are due Sept. 27.

Linc moving ahead on Wyo. gasification project

After three years of work invested into bringing an underground coal gasification project to Wyoming, Linc Energy has reached a milestone in its efforts. Linc announced this month that it received official notification from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality that the application for the Underground Coal Gasification demonstration project is complete and ready for public notice. The company says it's a milestone which, pending the outcome of the public notice period, will permit the demonstration of Linc's underground coal gasification technology in the Powder River Basin. Underground coal gasification is a technology that has been in use in various forms for decades. The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources is working on Powder River Basin coal gasification research.

Wyoming lawmakers review new education evaluations

Wyoming lawmakers are reviewing a proposed new teacher and school administrator evaluation system. Lawmakers answered questions last week about what makes a good teacher, whether student performance should be tied to a teacher's evaluation and how far the state should reach in holding its teachers and administrators accountable while still allowing for control at the school district level. An advisory committee to the Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability is developing the state's first standardized teacher-leader evaluation system as outlined in the Wyoming Accountability in Education Act.

UW hosts national job fair for geoscience students

About 350 geoscience students from across the nation are expected to attend the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous Job Fair hosted by the University of Wyoming next weekend. The event where students meet with representatives of petroleum companies is scheduled to begin Friday and continue through Sept. 30 at the UW Conference Center and Hilton Garden Inn. It is 1 of 5 regional job fairs nationwide. The Rocky Mountain event is sponsored by the American Association of Geologists and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. The UW Department of Geology and Geophysics and the School of Energy Resources will co-host the event. The 4-day event includes a vendor expo, on-site job interviews, short courses, student presentations and field trips.

Prelim autopsy: Worland man drowned

Authorities say no foul play is suspected in the death of a 91-year-old man whose body was found in Worland last week. George Sumida, of Worland, was reported missing on Sept. 8 and his body was found in a canal last Wednesday. Washakie County Coroner Jeff Lapp says the preliminary autopsy lists the cause of death as drowning. Lapp says that Sumida was a World War II veteran who suffered flashbacks during thunderstorms. There were storms in the area on the night Sumida went missing.

Wyo. Guard activated to support flooding in Colo.

Five Wyoming National Guard helicopters have been activated to help with the flood response in Colorado. Gov. Matt Mead has activated UH-60 Black Hawks and their 20 crew members on Saturday. The guard members were activated through a national mutual aid partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance. The crew of each helicopter consists of a medic, crew chief and two pilots. The UH-60s are part of the Charlie Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment with the Wyoming Army National Guard.

BLM Congratulates Winners of the 2013 Saratoga Mustang Versatility

The Bureau of Land Management High Desert District in cooperation with the Platte Valley Ranch Supply and 5N Ranch congratulate Sidney Englert, Freddie Wagner, Ella Fluer, Natasha Lookingbill, Dawn Helms, and Travis Englert for being high point winners in their respective classes at the 2013 Saratoga Mustang Versatility. Serena Baker says that nearly 25 horse/rider pairs participated in the second annual event on September 7th at the 5N Ranch Arena in Saratoga, which showcases mustangs, but all breeds of horses are welcome.






Points were tallied from trail, reining and keyhole games to determine the overall high point winners. Classes were divided not only among age groups, but whether the participant was riding a mustang or domesticated horse.






For more information, call 307-352-0292 or 307-326-8211.  You can also find out more at blm.gov.

Prince Albert to visit Wyoming on Sept. 28

Prince Albert II of Monaco will be in Cody on Sept. 28 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of his great-great grandfather's hunting trip with "Buffalo Bill" Cody. He also plans to deliver a new scientific research grant supporting biodiversity studies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The prince is revisiting the area surrounding the hunting camp Prince Albert I of Monaco and Buffalo Bill established in 1913, near what is now Yellowstone National Park. Albert I was concerned about deforestation and overfishing in ocean waters. In the 21st century, Prince Albert II wants to carry on the tradition with his scientific interest in the environment. Six years ago, he created the Prince Albert II Foundation to protect the environment and encourage sustainable development.

Yellowstone jolted with small earthquake

A small earthquake jolted Yellowstone National Park near Old Faithful geyser on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey says the 3.6 magnitude temblor occurred just before 10 a.m. with the epicenter located about 6 miles north of Old Faithful, 1 of the park's main attractions. A live video feed provided by the National Park Service showed Old Faithful erupting later in the day in front of several hundred onlookers.

Burbot removed from Fontenelle Dam spillway

State and federal fisheries biologists removed about 300 burbot from the base of the Fontenelle Dam spillway last month. The burbot is an eel-like, predatory fish that was illegally introduced to Wyoming waters. They can out-compete and prey on existing game fish populations, reducing their numbers and increasing the cost of fishery management. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says the large number of burbot found at Fontenelle Dame shows how prolific they have become. The state Legislature passed a bill this year classifying burbot as a nongame fish in the Green River drainage, meaning sport fish regulations no longer apply. They are still a sport fish in all other drainages of the state.

Minor flooding in southeast Wyoming

Storms dropped more rain on parts of southeast Wyoming on Saturday, causing some minor flooding in and around the Cheyenne area. The National Weather Service reported 2 to 3 inches of additional rain fell Saturday in areas already saturated with rain this week. Water was flowing over U.S. 85 northeast of Cheyenne but not enough to close the highway. Street flooding was reported in Cheyenne, along with parts of 2 city parks and areas of the F.E. Warren Air Force Base. There were no reports of anyone being forced to flee their homes.

2 Riverton teens bound over for trial

Two teenagers accused of killing a man and beating a woman on a bike trail have been bound over to district court for trial in Riverton. Circuit Court Judge Wesley Roberts ruled Thursday that the case against 16-year-old Santana Mendoza and 15-year-old John Potter, both of Riverton, should proceed. Both teens face second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder charges in the Sept. 4 death of 25-year-old David Ronald Moss Jr., and the beating of Aleeah Crispin. They were found together on the Rails to Trails pathway on the edge of Riverton. Crispin remained in a coma this week at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.

Body of Worland man found in irrigation canal

The body of a 91-year-old man who had been missing for several days has been found in Worland. Police Chief Gabe Elliott says George Sumida's body was discovered in a canal on Wednesday. Elliott says an autopsy was to be done to help determine what happened to Sumida. Sumida went missing sometime last Saturday. He was last seen that night leaving the Elks Club after playing cards. Sumida, who had the early onset of dementia, was reported missing on Sunday morning by his daughter-in-law.

PAPO Sets Project Application Deadline

Shelley Gregory has announced that the Pinedale Anticline Project Office (PAPO) is accepting applications for potential 2014 project funding until Oct. 31.






All submitted applications will be reviewed by PAPO staff. Final funding decisions will likely be made by the PAPO Board of Directors at its May 2014 meeting in Pinedale, Wyo. There is no guarantee that any submitted application will be funded.






For more information,  307-367-5386 or go to blm.gov. 

Sweetwater County Investigation results in child pornography arrest

Sweetwater County Dick Blust, Jr. tells us that a Sweetwater county man was arrested last week and faces federal charges related to possession, production, and distribution of child pornography.






The arrest was the result of a joint investigation carried out by the Sheriff’s Office, the Rock Springs Police Department, the Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the United States Marshals Service.

Wyoming sees increase in whooping cough reports

The Wyoming Health Department is reporting a sharp increase in whooping cough cases. State health officer Wendy Braund says the number of cases is a cause for concern. Braund is encouraging awareness and vaccination to help protect vulnerable residents from the disease. The agency says it has recorded 63 whooping cough cases so far this year, compared to a total of 59 in 2012, 13 in 2011 and 14 in 2010. Braund says many of the cases were reported over the last two months. Infants less than a year old are the most in danger from whooping cough and usually must be hospitalized.

Beer tax hike talk draws opposition

The idea of increasing the state tax on beer is drawing opposition from beer wholesalers who say it would hurt their ability to compete and hurt the pocketbooks of beer drinkers. The Wyoming Legislature's Interim Revenue Committee is set to discuss a proposed beer tax increase on Friday in Buffalo. The state hasn't increased the tax since it was levied at 2 cents a gallon in 1935. It's currently the lowest beer tax in the nation. Republican Sen. Ray Peterson, of Cowley, has proposed raising the tax to help pay for substance abuse treatment. But Pat Higgins, of Orrison Distribution Co. in Cheyenne, says that any increase will be paid by beer drinkers. In addition, neighboring states have more population and can sell beer for less.

Man charged after cow found fatally shot

A 30-year-old Gillette man accused of fatally shooting a yearling cow for its meat and then damaging a backhoe after disposing of the remains has been charged with two felony counts of destruction of property. Justin Epley was charged after deputies were tipped off that cow remains were found in the basement of a home where he rented a room. Investigators say they found the rear legs of a cow hanging from the ceiling and knives near the cow parts. They also found unwrapped meat in a freezer. Epley is accused of shooting the cow and disposing of its remains with a backhoe. Authorities say he then put the backhoe into drive and sent it into a ditch. The cow carcass and backhoe were found Sept. 4.

Flash flood watch in central Wyoming

The National Weather Service has posted a flash flood watch for parts of central and southeast Wyoming. Flash flood watches are in effect for areas of the upper Wind River Basin and the southern half of the Absaroka Mountains in central Wyoming as well as the Snowy and southern Laramie ranges in southeast Wyoming. The weather service says rain shows and isolated thunderstorms on Thursday can be expected to produce moderate to heavy rain in already saturated areas. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches is possible. The rain could cause flash flooding along small streams and some road areas. Rock and mud slides are possible in the mountains.

Coal dust fire at Wyoming mine burns 3 miners

A fire at a Campbell County coal mine has left three coal miners with second- and third-degree burns. Officials with the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration say the men were burned Tuesday about 10:50 a.m. at a coal truck crusher dump while they were working to change a bearing on a chain conveyor at the North Antelope Rochelle Mine. They say that coal dust was ignited by embers and a burner used to heat the bearing race. The miners were transported to Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette and then sent to a hospital in Greeley, Colo. Their names were not released. The mine is owned by St. Louis-based Peabody Energy Corp. Peabody spokeswoman Charlene Murdock says the incident is under investigation.

67 WyoLink sites now in service across Wyoming

Wyoming's statewide digital radio system for local, state and federal health and safety agencies continues to expand. Bob Symons of the state Public Safety Communications Commission says there are now 67 sites around the state set up for the WyoLink network. About 16,000 radios can use the shared radio system, and 112 agencies have moved their operations onto WyoLink. Symons says that once the network is completed there will be 95 to 96% coverage across state. Members of the Public Safety Communications Commission met Wednesday in Sheridan and discussed the budget for WyoLink.

Manhunt Continues In Sweetwater County For Escaped Prisoner

The manhunt for a fugitive who escaped from custody near Independence Rock last month entered its twelfth day on Wednesday morning. Sweetwater County Detective Dick Blust, Jr. says that 51 year old Kenneth James Ward, who was deported by Mexican authorities, was wanted on charges that stemmed from thefts valued at over $100,000 from Eaton Trucking of Farson.






Once Natrona County authorities were notified, they began an immediate, though unsuccessful, search.






Law enforcement officers in Rawlins, including the Rawlins Police Department, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the United States Marshals Service, launched an intensive search and followed up a number of leads, one of which confirmed Ward’s presence in Rawlins after he was dropped off.






Ward is described as a white male, age 51, 6 feet in height, weight about 180 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. According to the man who drove him from Bairoil to Rawlins, he appeared “disheveled” with a five- to six-day beard and was “wearing a red and black checkered shirt, blue jeans, brown boots and holding a Nabor’s trucking shirt.” Travelers on Interstate 80 are warned not to pick up hitchhikers. Ward should not be approached. Anyone who thinks they have seen him or who has come into contact with him should notify law enforcement immediately.

DA to charge teens as adults in bike trail slaying

Fremont County prosecutors say two teenagers held in the bike trail slaying of a man and beating of a woman could be charged as adults. Prosecutor Michael Bennett intends to charge the boys - ages 15 and 16 - as adults. Both teens face second degree murder and attempted second degree murder charges in the Sept. 4 death of 25-year-old David Ronald Moss Jr., and beating of Aleeah Crispin. They were found together on the Rails to Trails pathway north of Riverton. Fremont County undersheriff Ryan Lee says Crispin remains in critical condition at a Casper hospital. Documents show that the teens were arrested after the 16-year-old spoke about the crime. Authorities say he later confessed to police.

Low magazine rankings don't faze UW officials

The University of Wyoming received low scores in a new set of national rankings by US News and World Report. UW was ranked 161st out of 201 universities listed. UW also was listed as 88th of 117 for top public universities. But UW President Bob Sternberg says the university has a different mission than many of those that scored well on the rankings. Sternberg says UW is a land grant university that wants to accept a lot of students. He says the US News and World Report ranking favor schools that reject many students. UW has about a 95% acceptance rate. In addition, Sternberg says that UW's goal is to make positive ethical leaders, which isn't something that is measured in the report.

Wyo., Kan., brace for more Colorado pot

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead's says he's concerned about increased marijuana trafficking in his state as Colorado prepares to allow the sale of recreational marijuana to the public. Colorado released rules Monday covering licensing, tracking, packaging and advertising of recreational marijuana sales. Colorado officials have emphasized the marijuana should be consumed in-state. But Mead, a former federal prosecutor, says Wednesday he remains concerned about drug smuggling into his state and increased impaired driving.

Sept. 30 deadline to apply for preference points

The deadline for Wyoming hunters to apply for preference points to give them an edge in seeking hunting licenses is Sept. 30. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department sent out more than 17,000 letters to hunters earlier this summer to notify them that their accumulated preference points are in jeopardy of being lost. Hunters may apply to purchase preference points from July through September. Preference points help to increase the odds of drawing resident moose and bighorn sheep licenses and also apply for nonresident elk, deer, and antelope. Hunters must apply for a license involving preference points or purchase preference points at least every other year to maintain their accumulated points.

Escaped Inmate seen twice in Wyoming since escape

Authorities say an inmate has been seen twice in Wyoming since he escaped on his way to the Sweetwater County jail. Natrona County Sheriff Gus Holbrook says that Kenneth James Ward was seen in Bairoil north of Rawlins on Monday, about 20 miles from where he first went missing. He is believed to have walked that distance before hitchhiking to Rawlins. The man who gave him a ride called authorities after he dropped him off. Ward fled Saturday evening after the Inmate Services Corp. van stopped near Independence Rock for a restroom break, and Holbrook says the company's two guards decided to search for him on their own before notifying his office. Ward was handcuffed but wasn't wearing leg or belly chains, which would have slowed him down.

Jim Bridger Plant - investigation of suspicious activity reported yields little

Detective Dick Blust, Jr. with the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports of suspicious activity relative to the Jim Bridger Power Plant east of Rock Springs, but the investigation has so far uncovered nothing definitive.






County detectives worked with federal authorities and air traffic control officials in Salt Lake City in checking the flights. All but a few have been confirmed as routine commercial flights, and those remaining continue to be investigated.






Authorities confirmed that while private security resources have been enhanced at the Jim Bridger Plant, it is not in lockdown, as has been reported.

WWCC announces public comment period in advance of upcoming accreditation visit

Western Wyoming Community College is seeking comments from the public about the College in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The deadline for submitting comments is Monday, Sept. 23. WWCC will host a visit on Oct. 23-25 by a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Western has been accredited by the Commission since 1976. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation.
 
The public is invited to submit comments regarding the College to:
 
Third Party Comment on Western Wyoming Community College
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
 
The public may also submit comments on the Commission’s website at http://www.hlcommission.org/Information-for-the-Public/third-party-comment.html
 
The WWCC home page also contains a link to this site at http://www.wwcc.wy.edu.
 
Comments must address matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. All comments must be made in writing.

Teton County to consider cell tower moratorium

Opposition to a proposed 110-foot cell tower has prompted Teton County planning commissioners to consider a moratorium. The commission will consider the moratorium at its meeting Monday. The freeze is opposed by real estate agents, hotels and cell providers. Commissioners say the temporary ban is needed to give county staffers time to write regulations to deal a recent influx of cell-tower permit applications. Current regulations could allow a 110-foot cell tower proposed atop a hill overlooking Swinging Bridge on the Snake River south of Jackson. Nearby residents have complained about the tower which would dwarf four existing 35-foot towers.

Super PAC formed to support incumbent Wyo. senator

Supporters of Sen. Mike Enzi have created a super political action committee to help the Republican incumbent fend off what could turn into an expensive primary challenge from Liz Cheney. The super PAC has been named Wyoming's Own and was founded by Casper accountant and political strategist Bill Cubin and businessman Dick Bratton. Wyoming generally doesn't feature races that require donors with deep pockets. But campaigning against Cheney will be different because her father is former Vice President Dick Cheney, who has ties to big political donors. Cubin says that Liz Cheney can raise enough money to make the race competitive. Cheney campaign finance Chairwoman Margaret Parry says they are doing much better than expected this early in the campaign.

Jackson pronghorn numbers strong for second year

Biologists are reporting a second straight year of near record numbers of pronghorn antelope in Jackson Hole. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department's annual 2013 pronghorn survey counted 391 animals, four more than last year. Although that's just about a record, Game and Fish wildlife biologist Doug Brimeyer noted the fawn ratio was lower. Fawn ratios, which compare numbers of young against adult females, are a key indication of future population growth. This year, the ratio in the Jackson Hole herd fell to 45 fawns per 100 does from 54 fawns per 100 does last year. Brimeyer says that the Jackson herd's fawn ratio is below average.

Inmate found dead in Natrona County jail

Authorities say a Natrona County Detention Center inmate with a history of health problems has been found dead in his bunk. Sheriff Gus Holbrook says 63-year-old George E. Mudge was found unresponsive at about 6 a.m. Friday. Foul play is not suspected, and authorities have not said why Mudge was being held.

Worland Police Seek Help In Locating Missing 91 Year Old Man

The Worland Police Department is requesting assistance in locating George Sumida, a 91-year-old asian male, brown eyes, gray hair, 5 foot 9 inches tall, 135 pounds, who wears glasses. George was last seen Saturday night at approximately 8:00 p.m. at the Legion in Worland. He was last seen wearing a blue button up long sleeve shirt and blue jeans. He may have been transported to these other counties. Please call 9-1-1 to relay any information.

BLM Rock Springs Holds Scoping on Desolation Road Natural Gas Project

The Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Field Office is holding a public scoping period before preparing an environmental analysis on a proposal by Samson Resources to develop up to three new natural gas wells on a single well pad in the Desolation Road Unit. Serena Baker says that the Desolation Road 11-34V project encompasses about 61 acres of primarily federal land, with a small amount of privately owned land, about 35 miles northwest of Baggs in Sweetwater County.






The improved access road and pipeline would be co-located and would tie into an existing road and pipeline to minimize surface disturbance. The maximum surface disturbance is anticipated to be around 61 acres. The wells would be developed during the next three years, with the life of the project anticipated to be between 40 to 50 years. 






Written comments will be accepted until Sept. 20th. For more information, call (307) 352-0325.

Wyoming State Fair hay show winners announced

Producers from around the state earned winning titles recently for their premium hay at the Wyoming State Fair Hay Show. Producers competed in the Open Hay Show, sponsored by the Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division, in three forage divisions: alfalfa, mixed hay, grass hay.
Grand Champion titles by division went to, in Alfalfa - Grand Champion – David Hinman, Hardrock Farms of Wheatland, Mixed Hay - Grand Champion – David Hinman, Hardrock Farms of Wheatland, Grass Hay - Grand Champion – Dwayne Anderson of Pine Bluffs.
Hinman also won the Best of Show and Premier Hay Exhibitor titles, which recognizes the exhibitor who has the most entries placing the highest among all four divisions.
Additionally, the Business Council will forward several entries on to the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl that will be held at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., Sept. 31-Oct. 5. Those include for Alfalfa - David Hinman, Kellie Hinman and Hard Rock Farms of Wheatland, Harlan Fegler of Araphaho, and Robert Baumgartner of Yoder.  For Grass Hay - David Hinman of Wheatland, Dwayne Anderson of Pine Bluffs, Gerry Danko of Powell, and Anderson Livestock of Pine Bluffs.
Wyoming producers have won or placed extremely high in the commercial hay division at the World Dairy Expo for the last several years.

Committee eyes raising beer tax

Wyoming's 2 cent per gallon tax on beer has remained unchanged since 1935, but that could soon change. The Joint Revenue Interim Committee plans to discuss raising the tax during its meeting Friday in Buffalo. Sen. Ray Peterson, R-Cowley, says he'd like to at least double the tax to pay for substance abuse centers and other health programs that deal with alcohol abuse. Wyoming currently collects $265,000 a year through the tax, known as the malt beverage excise tax. Wyoming's current tax is the lowest in the nation. Alaska's $1.07 per gallon is the highest.

Yellowstone Natl. Park visitation tops 2.5 million

Yellowstone officials say they have seen increased traffic this summer at most entrances at the national park. In August, the number of recreational visits to the park surpassed 2.5 million, with more than 2 million visitors to the park during the three summer months. Yellowstone has recorded nearly 2.6 million recreational visits so far this year, and the total number of vehicles was up 4.37% from the same time period in 2012. July is typically the park's peak visitation month, followed in order by August, June, September and May.

Enzi a 'no' vote on Syria use of force resolution

Sen. Mike Enzi says he's planning to vote against a likely Senate resolution to authorize a strike on Syria. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had been planning a vote Wednesday. Reid now says there's no need to rush, especially during international talks over what to do about Syria's chemical weapons. President Barack Obama advocates an attack to deter the Syrian government from using chemical weapons against rebels. The administration says a gas attack by government forces Aug. 21 killed hundreds of civilians. Enzi said Monday he hasn't received good answers to what objective a U.S. attack would accomplish or what U.S. interests that would serve. Liz Cheney also says she would not vote to authorize force in Syria. Cheney is opposing Enzi in next year's Senate race.

Officials ID girl, 3, shot at Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park officials have identified a 3-year-old girl who died from a gunshot wound at the park over the weekend. They identified her as Ella Marie Tucker, of Pocatello, Idaho. Park officials say Ella's mother called for help on Saturday to report her daughter had shot herself with a handgun. Park officials released the girl's name Monday but said they are not releasing her parents' names. Officials say Saturday's shooting at the Grant Village Campground remains under investigation. In the meantime, they're releasing no further details, including how they believe the girl got ahold of the gun. It was the first shooting death in Yellowstone since 1978. Carrying a gun in a national park is legal under a federal law that took effect in 2010.

Sunset Bvld Closed West of Rock Springs Starting Monday Sept. 9

Beginning today, the Wyoming Department of Transportation will be closing a small section on the west end of Sunset Blvd. West of Rock Springs, as crews begin paving  on the Flaming Gorge Road Project. The closure is expected to last about 10 days.  Stephanie Harsha with WYDOT says that Motorists traveling on US 191 will not be able to access Sunset Blvd and will be detoured eastbound on Foothill Blvd, onto the Interchange Road near the Rock Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant and then back onto Sunset.






During closures, WYDOT crews and contract crews from Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company will begin concrete paving.






For information on road closures and weather conditions, dial 511 or go to wyoroad.info.

Wyomingites driving less, but still more than most

A new report says motorists in Wyoming have been driving less. The report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund is based on statistics from the Federal Highway Administration. It finds that Wyoming has both the highest per-capita mileage driven but the sharpest drop in the same mileage over about the last decade. Drivers hit their peak mileage in 2003, when the average Wyoming motorist drove 18,485 miles. By 2011, that total fell to 16,272 miles, a drop of more than 2,200. Report author Phineas Baxandall tells says that Wyoming saw the biggest decline in mileage than any other state over the period.

Crew braves rugged conditions to rebuild trail

The Wind River Range in central Wyoming is so rugged some people often call it a rock pile. But a hearty crew has been working to smooth out trails to make access easier for hikers, horseback riders and other recreationists. Matt Walter is the trails technician for the south zone of the Shoshone National Forest. He leads teams who smash, move or blow up rocks and boulders to help widen and clear trails. Walter led a crew through five weeks of work in the mountains in July and August to rebuild switchbacks on seven miles of trail and to improve several miles of other trail. Walter says that he plans to lead a trail crew back to that area for a final 8-day hitch next summer.

Child dies from gunshot at Yellowstone campground

Authorities say a child has died from a gunshot wound at a Yellowstone National Park campground. In a release, park officials said rangers responded to a 911 call Saturday morning from a woman at the Grant Village Campground. She had reported to a dispatcher that her young daughter had shot herself with a handgun. The name and age of the girl have not been released pending. The incident is under investigation.

Horse hair thefts reported in Natrona County

Authorities are investigating after someone cut the tails off several horses in Natrona County in the past week. Quinton Gladson, who lives on Meadow Lane east of Casper, says that he noticed the tails on 3 of his horses were significantly shorter last Wednesday. In the other Natrona County report, someone made off with an estimated 8 inches each from an appaloosa and two mustangs near Poison Spider Road west of Casper. Horse hair can be worth quite a bit of money and is often used to create belts, paintbrushes and the bows of musical instruments.