ANNUAL GROUNDHOG DAY JOB SHADOWING / REAL LIFE FAIR JUST AROUND THE CORNER - Groundhog Day is next week, and we will see some human shadows creeping through the community – high school students job shadowing business people to learn about potential careers.  Sheridan Media’s Mary Jo Johnson has the story: . For more information call the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce at 672-2485.

“SLEEPLESS IN SHERIDAN” – PART FOUR … IT’S OUR “RESULTS” REPORT IN THIS SPECIAL SERIES - Our special series is called “Sleepless in Sheridan” – and Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the final report in this 4-part report: . Need more information about insomnia & sleep apnea?  Check out: http://www.sleepfoundation.org.

A SHERIDAN COUNTY OFFICIAL ANNOUNCES HE’S RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION - It’s official.  A Sheridan County Law Enforcement official announces he’s running for re-election.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the details: .

WYSTAR WILL HAVE A MEETING TONIGHT THAT WILL FOCUS ON DRUG ENDANGERED CHILDREN - Methamphetamine use is a growing problem nationwide and it’s a problem that is a reality right here in Sheridan County. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the story: .

SHERIDAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Sheridan Memorial Hospital Board had their trustee meeting Wednesday night.  Sheridan Media’s Betsy Love was at the meeting and has the report: .

GOVERNOR FREUDENTHAL SPEAKS TO SHERIDAN MEDIA’S GENERAL MANAGER FROM THE MIDDLE EAST - Governor Dave Freudenthal has been in Iraq and Kuwait this week to visit Wyoming troops with three other state governors.  In an exclusive phone interview, Sheridan Media owner Kim Love spoke to him about the visit: . As the governor indicated, for security reasons, the exact whereabouts and U.S. return for the four governors is unknown. 

SHERIDAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY LEARNS ABOUT POLO’S HISTORY IN THE AREA AT THE SOCIETY’S MONTHLY MEETING TONIGHT - The Big Horn Equestrian Center was built a little over 25 years ago to host weekly polo matches each summer, but the game of polo has been integral to the Big Horn community for well over a hundred years. Mike Morton will be the featured speaker this evening to share Polo’s rich – no pun intended – history in the County, as he is the featured speaker at the monthly Historical Society’s dinner. . That’s Historical Society member Mary Ellen McWilliams, who tells us tonight’s event takes place at the Holiday Inn.  Dinner begins at 6 pm and costs 13 dollars, which includes tax and tip.  The program alone, however, is free, and she asks that you be in attendance by 6:45.

January 25, 2006

STATE LAND AND INVESTMENT BOARD APPROVES SIZEABLE GRANT TO IMPROVE THE SHERIDAN WATER TREATMENT PLANT - Good news for the City of Sheridan – monies requested from the State Land and Investment Board, or SLIB, have been approved for Sheridan to improve the Sheridan Water Treatment Plant.  Mayor Dave Kinskey tells us: . That 1-point-2 million is half of what is needed to fund the project, but the Mayor indicates that the other half is available: . He says that the City will have enough money to finish the Water Treatment Plant project, but monies needed for other projects will be sorely missing if the Optional 1-Cent Sales tax is not passed this Fall.  Mayor Kinskey explains why the water treatment plant needs a major overhaul: . Great news for water treatment, but what about sewage treatment?  We’ll have to wait a bit for that, Kinskey says: . As he indicated, the water treatment plant improvements are needed to comply with anticipated changes in federal drinking water laws, and to accommodate future expansion of the plant.  In addition, the disinfection system at the treatment plant will be completely replaced as part of this project.

WE’LL HEAR FROM SENATOR MIKE ENZI HIS THOUGHTS ON SUPREME COURT JUSTICE NOMINEE SAMUEL ALITO - As the grueling Confirmation Hearings came to a close, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi tells us he looks forward to voting on Judge Samuel Alito, President Bush’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court: . Senator Enzi commented on Judge Alito’s character: . In a written statement, Senator Craig Thomas indicated that he met personally with Judge Alito and is confident he will do an excellent job “handling his Constitutional responsibility”.  Senator Enzi echoed that sentiment: . Senator Thomas, too, was impressed by how the judge handled his confirmation hearing, saying that, quote “after more than 700 questions over an 18-hour period, Alito cut through any partisan stunts to prove his fitness to serve the nation’s highest court.” The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10 to 8 in favor of Alito yesterday.  The full Senate is expected to vote on Judge Alito this week.

FOUR U.S. GOVERNORS, INCLUDING WYOMING GOVERNOR DAVE FREUDENTHAL, VISIT IRAQ - Surprising U.S. Troops, Governor Dave Freudenthal visited Iraq this week, joining Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Freudenthal told Fox News that the United States faces challenges in building Iraq's infrastructure from the bottom up and gathering intelligence to dismantle the insurgency.  But he said that progress is being made. Wyoming has ten Air National Guard and ten Army National Guard troops in Iraq right now. Another 154 Wyoming Guard members are in Fort Lewis, Washington, in preparation for deployment to Iraq. There are a total of 272 Wyoming Guard members who are currently deployed overseas, including in Afghanistan and Kuwait. Freudenthal's first stop in the Middle East was to a base in Kuwait, where he had dinner with a group of Wyoming troops. For security reasons, the four governors’ whereabouts in Iraq on any given day are unknown, as is the date of their return to the United States.

OVERVIEW OF SHERIDAN INN’S RESTORATION PROJECT IS DISCUSSED AT A SPECIAL MEETING - A public meeting detailing the Sheridan Inn restoration project was held Tuesday night. Sheridan Media’s Betsy Love was there and has the report: .

“SLEEPLESS IN SHERIDAN” GETS THE TRUE TEST WHEN SHERIDAN MEDIA’S ACE YOUNG ATTEMPTS TO “CATCH SOME Z’S” IN THE SLEEP LAB - We continue our special series of perhaps the biggest ignored medical malady in modern times – insomnia.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young finds out first hand … in part 3 of “Sleepless in Sheridan”: .

SHERIDAN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SCOTT STULTS NAMED WYOMING PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR  - Walking into Sheridan Jr. High Principal Scott Stults’ office, one might need a shovel right now, as every square inch of floor space is covered in blue and gold balloons.  In some areas of the room, the balloons are knee-deep.  And in the midst of them is the school’s grinning leader.  Sheridan Media’s Mary Jo Johnson with the story: .

IT’S A MEDICAL MALADY OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS.  WE PRESENT PART TWO OF “SLEEPLESS IN SHERIDAN” - Yesterday we told you about a medical problem affecting up to a hundred million Americans.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has part 2 of “Sleepless in Sheridan”: .

THE SHERIDAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY UPDATES THEIR AGENDA - Work, both inside & out, continues at the new site of the Sheridan County Historical Museum on 5th Street.  Fundraiser Mary Ellen McWilliams says they remain on target for an opening on or about June first. And the Historical Society’s fundraising efforts continue too: . The Kiewit money is the 200-thousand dollar-matching grant from the Peter Kiewit Foundation.  Meanwhile, new to the museum is Nathan Doerr.  Doerr recently completed a Masters Degree in Museum Interpretation from Prescott College in Arizona.  He’s familiar with historic Sheridan – before college, he was a volunteer at the Sheridan Inn.  His biggest challenge in his new position as Curator of Museum interpretation? . And will Nathan’s educational work at the museum also extend out to the schools? . And what does Doerr like best about being back in Sheridan? . Nathan Doerr … the brand new curator of Education & Interpretation at the Sheridan County Historical Museum.

THE SHERIDAN HERITAGE CENTER HOSTS A PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT ON RESTORATION OF THE SHERIDAN INN - Restoration of the historic Sheridan Inn continues to be a major concern in the community.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the update: .

RESIDENTS OF SHERIDAN’S SUMNER STREET NEIGHBORHOOD PREPARE FOR THE BIG “TEAR UP” - For residents of Sheridan’s Sumner Street, it’s a case of “there goes the neighborhood.”  -- In this particular case, though, it’s a good thing. Sumner Street and a handful of side streets are slated for an extended reconstruction project: . Public Works Director Jackie Flowers says there WILL be an impact to residents and, for that reason, there’s an open house on the subject tonight at 7 at Coffeen Elementary School: . Flowers says the Sumner Street Project will be bid out in late February with construction expected to be completed in the fall of this year.

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION GIVES THE THUMBS UP TO HOME DEPOT AND PROPOSED SIGN ORDINANCE - Sheridan’s Planning Commission discussed a proposed sign ordinance as well as giving the go ahead to Home Depot at their meeting last night. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter was there and has the details: .

IT’S JANUARY, BUT WHERE’S THE SNOW?  - The calendar says January, but looking out the window you’re probably saying to yourself: “Where’s all the snow?” Sheridan Media’s Dave Wooten went to the National Weather Service to get an answer: .

SLEEPLESS IN SHERIDAN?  THERE’S HELP FOR THOSE “COUNTING SHEEP AT NIGHT” –There’s relief for those who stay up at night “counting sheep” – and the relief is closer than you might think.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the details: .

A U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE DOES SOME WEEKEND BARNSTORMING IN SHERIDAN - It may seem early for campaigning but, in fact, the “political season” has already begun – at least when it comes to the senatorial campaign.  A Wyoming Democrat has thrown his hat in the ring, and Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the story: .

THE MISS WYOMING SCHOLARSHIP BOARD ENJOYED SUCCESSFUL WEEK IN LAS VEGAS – LOOKS FORWARD TO PREPARATIONS FOR MISS WYOMING PAGEANT IN JUNE - The weeklong events in Las Vegas for the 2006 Miss America pageant have come to an end, but the work continues in each state as those contestants who did not take away the coveted Miss America crown – this year going to Miss Oklahoma’s Jennifer Berry – return to their states to work with communities and students about their various platforms. For the Miss Wyoming Scholarship Program, headquartered here in Sheridan, plans will now be under way to schedule visits and programs for Miss Wyoming, Heather Jackelin, while at the same time gearing up for the next Miss Wyoming pageant, this year planned for early June. Co-Executive Director, Arlis Wozniak, tells us that the board members who went to Vegas last week learned a lot about running the program: . Indeed, the big pageant states would seem to be in the South, as eight of the ten semi-finalists Saturday night were from that region.

2005 REPORTS A GOOD YEAR FOR WYOMING’S COAL INDUSTRY - The word is very good – adjectives like “banner” to describe 2005 being the 14th consecutive year of increasing production for Wyoming's vast coal industry. In Campbell County, where most of Wyoming's active coalmines are located, production increased by nine (M) million tons to more than 390 (M) million tons. Meanwhile, spot prices nearly tripled to more than 18-dollars per ton.  It gets better, too -- industry officials say the best is yet to come. They point to increasing energy use and growing demand for Wyoming's cleaner, low-sulfur coal. In other coal industry news -- two rail projects are expected to boost coal shipments out of the Powder River Basin by the end of this summer. One project is a 19-mile track expansion from Reno Junction to Shawnee Junction in southern Campbell County. The other project is a staging yard west of Rozet. The projects have a combined price tag of more than 70 (M) million dollars.

January 21, 2006

SHERIDAN, BIG HORN AND TONGUE RIVER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPETE IN ACADEMIC CHALLENGE TODAY - It’s called the Academic Challenge and it’s today beginning at noon at Sheridan College.  Sheridan Media’s Steve Sisson has the details:

MISS AMERICA PAGEANT AIRS TONIGHT - The Miss America Pageant is tonight -- tune in to a new network, C-M-T for the two-hour show.  Arlis Wozniak serves as Co-Executive Director of the Miss Wyoming board, headquartered here in Sheridan as of last March.  While the contestants have been competing in preliminary contests all week, state boards have been meeting: So as the clock ticks down to the pageant’s beginning, what will our Miss Wyoming experience today? Which means it’s live back east at 7 pm, with a time delay for the central and western states.  Check local or satellite listings for the live broadcast on C-M-T.  And something unusual…if you miss the pageant tonight, C-M-T will re-broadcast it on Sunday evening.

January 20, 2006

AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPETE TOMORROW IN THE 10TH ANNUAL SHERIDAN COLLEGE ACADEMIC CHALLENGE - It’s called the Academic Challenge and it’s tomorrow at Sheridan College.  Sheridan Media’s Steve Sisson has the details: .

SHERIDAN DOWNTOWN RETAIL COMMITTEE HEARS UPDATE ON SIGNAGE ORDINANCE ISSUE - It’s an issue that has been controversial for a number of years, and one that the Sheridan City Planning Department has been working to improve since last February.  We’re talking about retail and business signage, and City Planner Robert Briggs hints at why the issue has been rather contentious: . Briggs gave a special presentation this week at the Historic Downtown Retailers Committee meeting, where he went through a draft of ideas highlighting proposed regulations, allowances, limitations, incentives and special considerations.  The process to come up with revisions has not been so easy, because there are definite feelings about each side of the issue: . Will existing businesses have to change their signs when the revised ordinance is adopted?  . Robert says that the planning commission will meet and discuss the sign ordinance issue on February 23rd – that meeting is open to the public, as will be an open house, the date of which is yet to be determined.  Briggs encourages public input, so that the ordinance can be finalized and presented to the City Council.

OLIVER’S RESTAURANT IS THE SITE FOR THE LATEST DOWNTOWN SHERIDAN SCULPTURE - Downtown Sheridan looks a little different these days.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the story: . Fachon Wilson talks about the new sculpture

SHERIDAN SHERIFF HOFMEIER TALKS ABOUT STANDBY PAY - It’s called “standby” or “on call” pay – on Tuesday, the Sheridan County Commissioners addressed the issue … and today, Sheriff Dave Hofmeier weighs in on the matter.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the story: .

SPEED & TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS ARE RELEASED FOR SHERIDAN’S SPARROW HAWK ROAD - The area is the proposed home for the Cloud Peak subdivision -- 400 single-family homes and almost 300 multi-family homes and a new elementary school. We’re talking about Sheridan’s Sparrow Hawk Summit neighborhood and, specifically, Sparrow Hawk Road, which is the major corridor through that area. Mayor Dave Kinskey expresses his concerns: . Kinskey says that speed study has now been released: . … along with some double yellow lines and, at one location, a no parking zone. . Again, the speed study in the Sparrow Hawk Summit neighborhood will be discussed at the City Council’s regular February 6th meeting.  City Hall informs us only one reading on proposed traffic changes is necessary so it’s possible the aforementioned changes could be adopted by council then and there.

SHERIDAN COLLEGE BOARD APPROVES BUDGET REVISION AND HEARS GOOD NEWS DURING THE FINAL AUDIT REPORT - The Sheridan College Board of Trustee’s held their first meeting of the year last night. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter was there and has the details: .

January 19, 2006

FOUR LOCAL ATHLETES ARE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S NATIONAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS - This year’s Special Olympics will be held in Ames, Iowa and  four local athletes have been selected to compete in these games.  Betsy Love has more: .

WYOMING’S AIR NATIONAL GUARD ASSISTS NASA WITH THE STARDUST COMET MISSION – WE’VE GOT THE FOLLOW-UP -  NASA scientists have had less than 24 hours to check out the tiny capsule of comet dust from the Stardust Space Mission.  And the Wyoming Air National Guard has had less than 24 hours to revel in their key role in the safe retrieval of that precious cargo.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has a special follow-up report: .

VOTERS IN HARDIN MAY BE DECIDING IF THEY WANT A POLICE DEPARTMENT - This November, voters in Montana’s Big Horn County could decide to create a new police department in Hardin.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the story: .

SHERIDAN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAD THEIR FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR. - Some more pleasing news about Sheridan is heard at the Sheridan County Public Library Board of Trustees meeting.  Sheridan Media’s Betsy Love was at the meeting and has the story: .

DAYTON’S COUNCIL APPROVES NEW FIRE CHIEF AND SETS DATE FOR NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND - Dayton’s Town Council had several important issues on their agenda last night. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter was there and gives us the details: .

MISS AMERICA PAGEANT PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY – SHERIDAN’S STATE BOARD REPRESENTATIVE GIVES US AN UPDATE - The 61st annual Miss America Pageant will air on a new network from a new city in a new month.  Country Music Television, or C-M-T, will broadcast the event from Los Vegas this Saturday, January 21st, and several of the Miss Wyoming Board, which is now headquartered in Sheridan, are in Vegas to take in the weeklong series of activities, meetings, and preliminary competitions.  Sheridan Media’s Mary Jo Johnson has more:

SHERIDAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TALK ABOUT THE JAIL, EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION … AND FLUSHING TOILETS AT THE AIRPORT - Sheridan County Commissioners talked “toilets”, “employee compensation” & yet another hike in jail costs at Tuesday’s meeting.  News Director Ace Young was in attendance and has the details: .

CENTER FOR A VITAL COMMUNITY HAS BUSY SPRING PLANNED - You’ve been hearing so much lately about the Center for a Vital Community’s upcoming CiViC Project in May, that you may not be aware that the CVC does have other projects on deck for the springtime season.  Sheridan Media’s Mary Jo Johnson tells us what else is on tap for the organization in the coming months: .

ANOTHER AVALANCHE SPELLS TRAGEDY – THIS TIME IN MONTANA - Last week we ran a special series on surviving an avalanche.  Today we report on the latest avalanche incident – this one near Kalispell, Montana. Flathead County Undersheriff Mike Meehan tells us what happened: . Meehan says a wall of snow, water, ice and broken trees quickly overran three people.  Two people perished … a third survived: . Again, all of that just outside Kalispell.  And while a 30-acre lake actually flipping upside down is highly unusual, experts tell us we can expect many more avalanche incidents between now and springtime.

GOOD NEWS THIS MORNING FROM BYRON, WYOMING:  OPEN SINCE 1935 BUT SLATED TO CLOSE … THE COZZENS CASH STORE WILL STAY OPEN AFTER ALL.   - There is good news in Byron, Wyoming.  The Cozzens Cash Store has been in business since 1935 … but was slated to close.  There apparently, though, has been a reprieve for Cozzens.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the details: .

RANCHESTER COUNCIL TAKES A LOOK AT OUTDATED ORDINANCES - Cleaning up outdated ordinances is the current task being tackled by Ranchester’s Town Council. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details: .

RESULTS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING STUDY REVEALED AT SHERIDAN COLLEGE TUESDAY NIGHT  - During the second of two Needs Assessment Study meetings on affordable housing, experts revealed the study’s findings: provide more upper-income rental housing to address restricted-income housing needs.  Sheridan Media’s Betsy Love explains: .

JUST IN: SHERIDAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TALK ABOUT THE JAIL, EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION … AND FLUSHING TOILETS AT THE AIRPORT - Today Sheridan County Commissioners talked “toilets”, “employee compensation” & yet another hike in jail costs.  News Director Ace Young was in attendance and has the details: .

BIG BROTHERS / BIG SISTERS HONORS VOLUNTEERS TOMORROW NIGHT - January is National Mentor Month, and our local chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters is celebrating with a special “Volunteer Appreciation” dinner tomorrow evening.  Sheridan Media’s Mary Jo Johnson with more: .

IT’S TIME ONCE AGAIN FOR THE KIWANIS STARS OF TOMORROW – AUDITIONS HELD THIS WEEK - An annual Sheridan tradition is on the horizon, and the call is out for county youth to audition for the Kiwanis Stars of Tomorrow competition, held this year on Friday, February 3rd at the WYO Theater. Kiwanian Judy Taylor tells us this is the 45th year for the show.  Just what is the purpose of the event? . Taylor has been a Kiwanis member for fifteen years, ten of which she has served as host for the competition.  She gives us the particulars for the audition process, should your child be interested in trying out: . Interested participants can pick up entry forms at their school, from their music or dance teacher, or at the WYO the evening of their audition. So what benefit will go to the winners?  Trophies are awarded to the top three in each division, and in addition, scholarships of 2 hundred, 1 hundred and 50 dollars are awarded to the top three in Division 4.  The top two in Division 4 can also compete in a combined Division show, and the top two of the Division show will compete in the Rocky Mountain District show.  From there, the sky’s the limit, as many who start out competing in Stars of Tomorrow go on to become real stars of today.  Again, Sheridan’s Stars of Tomorrow competition will be held on Friday, February 3rd at 7 at the WYO, and tickets are available at the WYO Box Office.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS ARE AIRED DURING A SPECIAL CITY OF SHERIDAN PUBLIC MEETING - The issue of affordable public housing was the topic at a special City of Sheridan community meeting Monday.  Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the story: .

SHERIDAN POLICE TARGET ABANDONED VEHICLES - Cleaning Up Sheridan.  There was a work session on the subject this past summer and now, there’s some graphic proof that it’s starting to happen.  Sheridan Media News Director Ace Young has the details: .

SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO RECEIVES A-PLUS ON AUDIT REPORT - School District #2 Receives an “A-Plus” on an Audit report.  Sheridan Media’s Betsy Love was at the meeting and has the story: .

WYOMING’S STATE PARKS ARE A MONEY DYNAMO - Visitors to Wyoming’s state parks & historic sites last year did more than just take in the sites or enjoy a relaxing weekend.  They contributed nearly 40 million dollars to state & local economies.  That’s a huge boost, we’re told, to the well being of local communities – especially rural communities.  Michigan State University researcher Dr. Daniel Stynes tells us: . And more than a few of those visitors, according to Stynes, eventually decide to live or retire to Wyoming. During their initial visit, though, for every dollar tourists spend, over six dollars is eventually returned to state & local coffers. And while this may sound like “voodoo economics”, it isn’t.   Wyoming State Park’s spokesperson Todd Thibodeau sa