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Tuesday, July 31, 2007 HOW MANY YEARS TIL' WE RUN OUT OF WATER IS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS CURRENTLY BEING STUDIED - HKM Engineering is midway through a water-supply study for Sheridan and Johnson Counties. An update meeting was held in Sheridan last night; Sheridan Media's Betsy Love was in attendance and has this report:
MORE CAR THIEVES APPREHENDED IN SHERIDAN - It's been a summer of burglaries, property damage, and car thefts, with last night being the latest of such incidents, says Sheridan Police Officer, John King:
WCDA RAISES PURCHASE PRICE LIMIT FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS - The Wyoming Community Development Authority, better known as the WCDA, recently made a significant change at their latest Board of Directors meeting. Sheridan Media's Ron Richter has the details:
SHERIDAN HOLIDAY INN CELEBRATES A DOUBLE BIRTHDAY TOMORROW - A double milestone is happening at Sheridan's Holiday Inn tomorrow, and Sheridan Media's Mary Jo Johnson has the story:
PROFESSIONAL TEAM BULL RIDING COMES TO THE SHERIDAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS THIS FRIDAY - The Sheridan County Fair is in full-steam-ahead mode as the fairgrounds is teeming with activities all week. Friday night is no exception as the Professional Team Bull Riders will be in Sheridan for a one-night-only performance. Facilities Director, Sharon Nadeau, explains a little bit about the event:
NASA WILL LAND AT THE WYOMING STATE FAIR IN DOUGLAS - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi is helping NASA bring the final frontier to the Wyoming State Fair. Children and parents will be able to journey to the moon and Mars and back again, all while staying in Douglas:
HORSES VS. DRILLING? - A citizen-proposed wilderness area, which is home to wild horse herds, is also looking to be a site for gas drilling and a road-building project. The Bureau of Land Management has cleared a gas well for McCullough Peaks in the Bighorn Basin. Deb Thomas, with the Clark Resource Council, says there are more appropriate drilling sites nearby, and the one they are considering doesn't make sense:
Monday, July 30, 2007 THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST UNIQUE SADDLES DIES AT AGE 83 - Don King passed away at Sheridan Memorial Hospital Saturday after a six month battle with cancer. King was 83 and was born in Douglas Wyoming in 1923. In 1957 he turned his love of saddle making and leather tooling into a full time profession and later opened King's Saddlery in Sheridan in 1963. King incorporated his own unique style of tooling that is now known as Sheridan Style tooling. King has won various awards over the years for his tooling expertise and his work has been featured in museums across the country. Memorial Services for Don King will be at 10am Friday at the Big Horn Events Center with the Reverend David Duprey officiating. SMOKE FROM WILD FIRES IN YELLOWSTONE AND MONTANA CONTINUE TO FILL THE SKY IN NORTHEAST WYOMING - The owl fire in Yellowstone National Park continues to grow as it has now burned almost three thousand acres and is twenty five percent contained. In Montana, there are at least eight confirmed wildfires burning in the northwest part of the state with the two biggest being in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The Ahorn fire nearly doubled in size Sunday and it is now at thirty thousand acres, the fire is located approximately thirty miles west of Augusta, Montana and continues to grow at an alarming rate. Crews battling wildfires in both Montana and Wyoming also continue to tangle with hot dry weather conditions and very low humidity. The smoke that has filled the skies over much of Sheridan County is a direct result of the wildfire activity in Northwest Montana and Western Wyoming. THE SHERIDAN LANDFILL MAY SOON BE OPEN ON SUNDAYS - People often complain that not enough shops and businesses are open locally on Sundays — and that includes the Sheridan landfill. That, and the public response to free landfill days on Saturday is why Sheridan Mayor Dave Kinskey has decided to bring the issue to Council:
HUNTINGTON SID WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A SPECIAL MEETING THIS THURSDAY - With a large majority of Huntington residents signing a petition against creating a Special Improvement District for that road, paving, curb and gutters are once again pushed to the future. Still, the City is having a meeting regarding the project, says Public Works Director Rod Liesinger, because there still seem to be a lot of unanswered questions among the residents:
GLOBALIZATION AND FOOD WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE SHERIDAN FULMER PUBLIC LIBRARY TONIGHT - The final film in a three-part film festival at the Sheridan Fulmer Public Library plays tonight. The series is designed to augment the Thursday Farmer's market and to encourage discussion about our food supply. We Feed the World is tonight's film, and Librarian Cathy Butler tells us what it is about:
WEEKLY POLL QUESTION CHECKS IN WITH YOUR OPINIONS ABOUT TERRORISM IN WYOMING - Earlier this month, a North Salem, Pennsylvania man went on trial on charges of trying to plot with al-Qaida to destroy the Alaska pipeline and other U.S. oil facilities, including some located in our state.The situation prompted this week's poll question: Do you think Wyoming could be a potential target for a terrorist attack?
SHERIDAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS IS THE PLACE TO BE THIS WEEK AS THE FAIR ROLLS ON - The Sheridan County Fair may have officially gotten underway last week, but now is the time when things really start to heat up at the fairgrounds. Sheridan Media's Ron Richter has the details:
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 87 SOUTH OF SHERIDAN, BE PREPARED FOR DELAYS STARTING TODAY - Another paving project starts today in Sheridan County, this time on County Road 87. WyDOT Region 4 Information Specialist, Ronda Holwell, brings us the information: YELLOWSTONE DELAYS ROAD SURFACING PROJECT - An upcoming road project in Yellowstone National Park that promises to cause traffic delays has itself been delayed for a week.Park officials say that the project to resurface the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower Junction was originally setto start tomorrow, but now they say that the road work won't start until next Monday, August sixth.If you're planning to travel through the park next week, you can expect delays of at least 30 minutes between the hours of 6 am and 8:30 pm while the work is going on. Motor homes, pickup campers, tour buses and similar wide, long vehicles may be subject to delays of up to two hours. It's also possible they could also be detoured around the construction zone through Canyon and Norris Junction.The mammoth Hot Springs / Tower Junction project is expected to last through Saturday, August 11th.
Sunday, July 29, 2007 LAKE DESMET COULD BE A SOURCE FOR DRINKING WATER IN THE FUTURE - Growth is directly tied to water supply and so it becomes increasingly important for growing areas to know about water availability and potential. HKM Engineering has been working on one for our region, and will have a public update in Sheridan at 6 pm tomorrow night at Sheridan City Council Chambers. They are about midway through the project, says Dayton Alsaker: RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 87 SOUTH OF SHERIDAN, BE PREPARED FOR DELAYS STARTING TOMORROW - Another section of road will be reduced to limited access beginning tomorrow, and WyDOT Region 4 Information Specialist, Ronda Holwell, brings us the information: VACCINATION PROGRAM CONTINUES TO EXPAND COVERAGE - As Naitonal Immunization Awareness Month gets set to begin August 1st, the Wyoming Department of Health recently expanded vaccine coverage for Wyoming youth, to help fight against diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, meningitis and cervical cancer. Officials with the department say that with school starting very soon, August is a great time to ensure children are up to date on required and recommended vaccines. The department's Wyoming Vaccinates Important People Program, or WyVIP, recently expanded the eligibility for T-dap, Menactra (muh-NACK-truh) and Gardasil (gar-duh-sill) vaccines to include the recommended age groups for these vaccines up until the day before Wyoming kids turn 19 years old. Covered vaccines are available to children of Wyoming residents at no cost, although there may be a small administrative fee. In a statement from Dr. Brent Sherard, Wyoming Department of Health director and state health officer, he says, “Vaccines work and are an excellent investment,” adding that he considers vaccines to be one of the greatest triumphs of public health. MAN ACCUSED IN SHERIDAN COURT, SCHOOL BOMB THREATS PLEADS GUILTY - A man accused of calling in bomb threats to the Sheridan County Courthouse and Sheridan's high school and junior high school has pleaded guilty to three counts of making terroristic threats. Twenty-three-year-old Thomas Mines admits that he was high on methamphetamine when he made the calls on May 23rd, and Mines says he made the calls to cancel his court appearance for violating probation on a burglary charge. Mines pleaded guilty Thursday before District Judge John Fenn. A sentencing date has NOT been set. Mines faces up to three years in prison on each of the three counts. ALERT!! THERE IS A CONSPIRACY AMONG SHERIDAN'S LIBRARIANS! - The Sheridan Fulmer Public Library continues to be in a slight state of disarray as remodeling construction continues. Sheridan Media's Betsy Love has an update: SHERIDAN COUNTY FAIR HAS PLENTY OF EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY - This morning at the Sheridan County Fair, you can take in dog agility performances on the pavilion lawn or you can head to Arena 2 and watch the miniature horses. However those aren't the only events at the fairgrounds today, as Facilities Director Sharon Nadeau explains:
Saturday, July 28, 2007 THE FIRE UNION APPROVED THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT OVER THE LAWSUIT REGARDING THE HIRING OF FIRE CHIEF PATRICK REITZ - The controversy over the hiring of Fire Chief Patrick Reitz looks like it is now officially over. Though it was acknowledged by members of each party that Reitz was the most qualified of the candidates and would have been selected regardless, the Union contended he was illegally hired because they say the City, rather than the Fire Commission, formulated the preliminary list of candidates. Now that the settlement has been approved by City Council, the Fire Commission and the Union, Fire Chief Patrick Reitz's contract will not be voided, though procedure for future hirings will be clarified. Union President George Neeson: FIRE SEASON IS IN FULL SWING, BUT LOCAL DEPARTMENTS STILL NEED FIREFIGHTERS - Fire season is booming, but local fire departments find they have a shortage: WYOMING IS RATED AS A GOOD PLACE FOR KIDS — SO WHY IS THE KID POPULATION SHRINKING? - Things are looking good for kids in Wyoming — at least on paper. A report released this week shows Wyoming has gone up three spots to 25th in the nation for scoring higher on issues impacting kids. For instance, Wyoming has lower child poverty than most states, lower child death rates and good school test scores. Still, our child population continues to decline. But an aging population isn't good for long-term economic development, and so getting the word out that Wyoming is “kid-friendly” is important, says Marc Homer, Wyoming Kids Count Coordinator: AMERICAN DAY OF THE COWBOY CELEBRATED TODAY - Earlier this week, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso too a moment to honor America's cowboys, and one cowboy in particular, the late Senator Craig Thomas. The senators spoke on the Senate floor about the third annual “National Day of the American Cowboy”, which is being observed today. A day to honor cowboys was introduced by Senator Craig Thomas, says Enzi: WYOMING STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL TO PRESENT EMPLOYER AWARD - The State Rehabilitation Council for the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will be holding their quarterly meeting this Tuesday and Wednesday in Buffalo. It's a meeting that is open to the public and will deal with the Council's efforts to improve services for Wyoming citizens with disabilities. Lisa Osvold, Communications Committee Chairperson of the State Rehabilitation Council and Deputy Director for the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services says that an employer in the Buffalo area will be receiving and Employer Award from the Council: DAYTON DAYS CONTINUES TODAY WITH PLENTY EVENTS FOR EVERYONE - Another full day of events are planned for Dayton Days today as the rotary pancake breakfast will run to 9:30 this morning then the parade along main street at 10. There'll be a duck race in the park at noon and after that Councilman Norm Anderson explains what will be going on: SHERIDAN COUNTY FAIR IS CHALK FULL OF EVENTS TOMORROW - A full day of events are set for the Sheridan County Fair tomorrow and Facilities Director, Sharon Nadeau, tells us how the day will get started: FLYING H POLO GAMES HAVE BEEN RE-SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW - Flying H polo club usually plays it's games Thursday's and Saturday's but this weekend will be a little bit different due to mother nature intervening on Thursday says Laura MacCarty Public Relations Director with Flying H:
Friday, July 27, 2007 THE FIRE UNION APPROVED THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT OVER THE LAWSUIT REGARDING THE HIRING OF FIRE CHIEF PATRICK REITZ - The controversy over the hiring of Fire Chief Patrick Reitz looks like it is now officially over.Though it was acknowledged by members of each party that Reitz was the most qualified of the candidates and would have been selected regardless, the Union contended he was illegally hired because they say the City, rather than the Fire Commission formulated the preliminary list of candidates. Now that the settlement has been approved by City Council, the Fire Commission and the Union, Fire Chief Patrick Reitz's contract will not be voided, though procedure for future hirings will be clarified. Union President George Neeson:
THE 2007 SENIOR OLYMPICS IS UNDERWAY IN SHERIDAN, AND LAST NIGHT, OPENING CEREMONIES WERE HELD AT KENDRICK PARK - Last night participants of the 2007 Senior Olympics took part in the parade of athletes that ended up in Kendrick Park, where contestants enjoyed barbecue and oldies music. Sheridan Media's Ron Richter was there and has the details:
“PROJECT SCHOOLHOUSE” HAS NOW FINISHED BUILIDNG A SCHOOL IN RURAL NICARAGUA — THANKS TO LOCAL SUPPORT - “Project Schoolhouse” has now completed its first school in a rural village in Nicaragua. Sheridan Media's Betsy Love has more:
THE ENERGY BILL IN CONGRESS COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON WYOMING, SOME SAY - An energy bill in the U.S. House, which could have large impacts on Wyoming, is expected to reach the House floor soon. The bill is House Resolution 23-37, and opponents worry it will mean higher prices for consumers, lost jobs and energy shortages. Supporters say it will give property owners in Wyoming more say in how projects are developed on their land. Molly Absolon with the Wyoming Outdoor Council:
THE NEXT CLOSURE OF THE LINDEN STREET PROJECT IN SHERIDAN IS ANNOUNCED - Crews from Hot Iron Construction, Inc. continue to make their way along the Linden Street Re-Construction Project, working on the sewer construction.Beginning next Monday, July 30th, Jefferson Street from Burkitt to Whitney will be closed, remaining so until approximately August 17th.Listen to News Talk 930 KROE every Monday morning for a more detailed Linden Street Re-Construction Update, usually given before the 7a:10a newscast.For more information, call Hot Iron Construction / Todd Kroger: (307) 682-8702, or Rod Leisinger – City Public Works: (307) 674-6483. OFFICIALS IN CHEYENNE GET READY FOR THE UNVEILING OF WYOMING'S STATE QUARTER - We're down to just 49 days before the state unveils its very own quarter. Because the quarters have been issued in the order in which their respective states were admitted to the Union, Wyoming is the 44th quarter – which, when you think that we're usually last in any list because of where we sit alphabetically, isn't so bad.So what is going to represent, for years to come, the state of Wyoming? It's a symbol you look at every single day around the state – the bucking horse and rider, along with the words “Equality State” written by it.Milward Simpson, director of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources in Cheyenne, outlines what all will take place at the official launch ceremony on September 14th:
DAY TWO OF DAYTON DAYS CONTINUES THIS EVENING WITH A FULL ARRAY OF EVENTS - The 31st annual Dayton Days got underway last night with the Cow Pie Classic golf tournament. Starting this evening, there will be another full slate of events, explains Councilman Norm Anderson:
Thursday, July 26, 2007 RANDALL LUTHI TALKS ABOUT HIS MOST RECENT D.C. APPOINTMENT, AS DIRECTOR OF THE MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE - Wednesday we reported that former Wyoming State House speaker, Randall Luthi, who until this week was serving in Washington D.C. as Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has now been appointed to head the Minerals Management Service, which is also under the Department of Interior. Sheridan Media's Mary Jo Johnson has more:
SENATOR ENZI PRAISES SENATE PASSAGE OF SOLDIER CARE BILL - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi praised the unanimous Senate passage of a bill that is geared to improve management of health care facilities for wounded soldiers and also increase military pay:
VANDALISM TO ONE OF THE GRINNELL PLAZA STATUES – SUSPECTS ARRESTED - Last night at about 11:30, Officer Randy Pitchford of the Sheridan Police Department observed two male subjects destroying the Indian Chief statue in Grinnell Plaza. Pitchford detained the men, and a witness positively identified that they were the perpetrators. Officer John King tells us:
SHERIDAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ONE STEP CLOSER TO UNVEILING FOUR-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO THE PUBLIC - The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees met for their monthly meeting last night. Sheridan Media's Ron Richter was there and has the details:
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WELCOMES NEW MARKETING MANAGER; TAKES BLOOD DRAW APPOINTMENTS - Elsewhere at Sheridan's Memorial Hospital, there's a new gal in town, and she comes to us from Park County Hospital in Cody. Her name is Danae Birch, and she's the new Marketing Manager. Danae describes her role at Memorial:
EXPECT TO SEE “SLEEPER FIRES” RE-IGNITE IN THE COMING DAYS - Local fire crews responded to over a dozen fires around Sheridan County this week. Sheridan Media's Betsy Love has more:
THERE WAS A ROLLOVER ON REDGRADE - There was a rollover accident towards the bottom of Redgrade late yesterday. Marc Ketchum with Rocky Mountain Ambulance:
DAYTON DAYS GETS UNDERWAY LATER TODAY WITH AN EVENT THAT HAS GROWN QUITE POPULAR - The 31st annual Dayton Days will officially get underway today with the 6th annual Cow Pie Classic golf tournament. Dayton Councilman Norm Anderson says the Cow Pie Classic has taken off over the last few years:
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 JUST IN DETAILS NOW IN ON LONESTAR TICKET EXCHANGE FOR AUGUST 20TH CONCERT - We now have updated information on the Lonestar concert tickets.Ticket “re-issue” will begin Wednesday, August 1st, after 12:30 pm at the WYO Theater. ALL tickets that were purchased for the July 7th show are being reprinted for the August 20th show. These tickets will be re-issued to the original purchaser only. The only stipulation – proof of ID is required to get the re-issued tickets. For example, if you bought several tickets by credit card and gave some to friends, you will be required to go to the WYO Theater, get all the number of tickets you'd originally purchased, and then re-distribute them. Again, only the original purchaser will be allowed to get the new tickets.Those who paid by check are recorded much like the credit card sales, and those who paid cash to the WYO and still have their tickets can take their tickets in for a re-issued ticket. Cash ticket purchasers that “lost” their tickets will have their name and purchase information taken down and contacted directly by the Sheridan WYO Rodeo Board for resolution.There will be no refunds. No tickets that were sold the first time will be re-sold, only re-issued to the original purchaser. About 15-hundred tickets will be available for first-time purchase, also beginning on August 1st. If someone from outside Sheridan bought tickets and can't come for the August 20th show, they will not re-sell their tickets nor give a refund. If you bought tickets and can't make it to the show on the 20th, you can get the re-issued ticket, then you can sell them yourselves.Lastly, remember, there are no upgrades, downgrades, exchanges for different seats, refunds or any other change in your original purchase.For more info, call the WYO Theater or log on to www.wyotheater.com Again we stress, the ticket exchange begins Wednesday, August 1st.
THE BIG HORN NATIONAL FOREST HASN'T IMPLEMENTED FIRE RESTRICTIONS YET, BUT THAT COULD CHANGE SOON - The recent hot and dry conditions have officials with the Big Horn National Forest Service keeping a close eye on things in the Bighorns. Sheridan Media's Ron Richter has the details:
TERRORISM IN WYOMING? - A man was recently convicted of a internet-based terrorist plot. Sheridan Media's Betsy Love has more:
HYPE IS HOSTING A COMMUNITY BBQ AND VOLLEYBALL MATCH - Communities attractive to twenty-to-thirty somethings tend to be more vibrant, and also have a better longterm outlook for economic and cultural prosperity. That is why Forward Sheridan initiated a task force to help make our local communities more youth-friendly. The group is now known as HYPE, or “Helping Young Professionals Engage.” Getting more music to come to the area, recruiting new restaurants, and encouraging and improving local outdoor and recreational activities are a few of the projects HYPE is working on. HYPE member Erin Oetkin:
SHERIDAN'S TAEKWON-DO CLUB DOES WELL AT NATIONALS - The United States Taekwon-Do Federation held their National Championships last weekend in Wisconsin. The tournament, which is held every two years, had a total of 187 entrants from around the country participate.Athletes from Wyoming returned with a total of 14 medals, including seven golds. Sheridan resident, DeeDee Connell, who is a 3rd Degree Black Belt, is now a three-time National Champion in Patterns, having won the event in 2003 and 2005. This year, Connell also took a silver medal in Technique Breaking.Sheridan's Taekwon-Do Club will be hosting a statewide U.S.T.F. Color Belt Test at Sheridan's YMCA this Saturday. To learn more, call Mr. Robin Johnson: 751-0716
BLACK IS ON SALE RIGHT NOW—AT THE SHERIDAN ANIMAL SHELTER - Black is on sale right now...no we are not talking about clothes but kittens at the Sheridan Animal Shelter. They recently received several litters of mostly black kittens. Cel Hope, Director of the Shelter, explains:
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 WATER MAIN GETTING REPLACED - Yesterday the City of Sheridan and SSR Construction began replacing the water main in Dow Street, between North Main and North Brooks Streets.This section of road will be closed until approximately July 30th. As alternate routes, the Public Works Department is suggesting the use of either 1st Street or Alger Avenue.We will keep you posted as to any further developments with the project. RANDALL LUTHI SELECTED AS NEW DIRECTOR OF THE MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE - We received word Monday afternoon – former Wyoming Speaker of the House and Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Randall Luthi, of Freedom, Wyoming, has been selected as the new Director of the Minerals Management Service in Washington D.C.In that position, Luthi will be in charge of managing the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf. The agency also collects, manages and disburses more than 8 billion dollars per year in revenues from federal offshore and onshore mineral leases.U.S. Senator Mike Enzi on hearing the news:
HOW COULD A FENCING COMPANY BRING ALL OF OUR LOCAL PHONE LINES DOWN – INCLUDING 911 – SO EASILY? - How prepared are we for an emergency? Sheridan Media's Betsy Love continues with part two in this series:
SHERIAN CITY PLANNING TABLES 5TH STREET – I-90 CORRIDOR SUBDIVISION - The Sheridan City Planning Commission had a relatively smooth meeting last night except for one item which they eventually tabled. The developer asked the Commission to approve a preliminary plat of the RRL&C Subdivision creating four lots for commercial development, near the 5th Street - I-90 Corridor. The sticking point was the configuration of the lots; the developer wanted an irregular configuration cutting lots 3 into 4 at a diagonal rather than perpendicular angle. Mike Butcher, who was acting Chairman, explains:
IF YOU DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO CATCH ANY OF THIS YEAR'S SHERIDAN WYO RODEO, YOU'RE IN LUCK, AS YOU'LL HAVE YOU CHANCE TO VIEW SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS ON NATIONAL TELEVISION - We told you few months prior to this year's Sheridan Wyo Rodeo that crews from the Outdoor Life Network or OLN would be in Sheridan taping some of the action to be played back on the network at a later date. But just when is it going to be aired? Sheridan Media's Ron Richter has the details:
THE “LARAMIE PROJECT” RETURNS TO THE STAGE AT THE CARRIAGE HOUSE THEATER THIS THURSDAY - The first week of “The Laramie Project” got underway at the Carriage House Theater in Sheridan over the weekend. The play was written after the 1998 case of Matthew Shepherd, the University of Wyoming student who was brutally beaten and left hanging on a fence post for days, and dying in the hospital soon after he was finally found. Even though the perpetrators claim they were on drugs at the time, the general consensus is that Shepherd was beaten because he was gay.After Sunday's matinée of “The Laramie Project”, there was a special discussion about the community's responsibility in preventing hate. Kyan Sanderson helped organize the discussion and describes how it went:
SHERIDAN COLLEGE HOSTS SUMMERTIME SCIENCE LECTURE TOMORROW - During the spring semester this past school year at Sheridan College, the Mohns (like “ahh) Science Center was the location for several lectures in a series covering a range of topics.Tomorrow, you'll have an opportunity to get out of the heat and back into the Mohns, as Sheridan College's Ryan Ragan tells us:
Monday, July 23, 2007 LOWER PRAIRIE DOG ROAD FIRE A fire that started late this morning on Lower Prairie Dog Road about six miles east of Sheridan was quickly contained but not before it burned approximately 140 acres of dry pasture land. Fire Chief Patrick Reitz on how the fire was started:
SHERIDAN COLLEGE AND A NEW YORK UNIVERSITY TEAMING UP TO OFFER TWO, FOUR-YEAR DEGREES - The Northern Wyoming Community College District is at it again – two more bachelor degrees will be offered, thanks to a special partnership. Sheridan Media's Mary Jo Johnson has the story:
WHY WASN'T ONE OF THE MOST INTENSE LOCAL STORMS OF THE CENTURY ANNOUNCED AHEAD OF TIME? - Snowstorms, terrorists, and yes, even squirrels can threaten Wyoming's infrastructure and security. So how reliable are our security systems in Northeast Wyoming? Sheridan Media's Betsy Love takes a look at that question this week in a series starting today looking at our weather warning systems:
OUR WEEKLY POLL QUESTION ADDRESSES DRIVERS WITH CELL PHONES - You see them more often than not, anymore – drivers half paying attention, or not paying attention at all, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding a little device to their ear. Will they stop at that red light? This week's poll question asks – would you support a law making it illegal to drive and talk on cell phones?
Sunday, July 22, 2007 COULD WYOMING BE A POTENTIAL TERRORIST TARGET? - Is Wyoming a potential terrorist target? Before you say “absolutely not,” consider this: Wyoming, called the “Saudi Arabia of the United States,” is among the top energy producers in the U.S., with much of that energy being supplied from right here in Northeast Wyoming. This means that we may not be as low on a terrorist target hit-list as one might assume. And what about disasters in general? Last week we saw regional phone lines, including 9-1-1 services, mostly down for several hours. So how prepared are our local communities for disaster? FORMER MONTANA JUDGE GOES UNDERCOVER TO HUNT TERRORISTS ON WEB - A former Montana judge takes on the identity of a Muslim extremist when she goes online. It allows Shannen Rossmiller the ability to strike up conversations with actual terrorists and hopefully ferret out their plans to harm the U-S and its allies. Then the 38-year-old mother of three from Conrad, Montana, sends the information to the F-B-I. As a volunteer terrorist hunter, she has brought down two suspects so far. One is Michael Reynolds, an ex-con found guilty in Pennsylvania last week of offering to help al-Qaida blow up U-S pipelines and refineries, including one in western Wyoming. Rossmiller uses 30 different fake identities when she pretends to be an angry male terrorist. She has been classified as an official F-B-I intelligence asset for the past three years. But Rossmiller says she doesn't get a salary and doesn't want one. TROOPER, STATE SUED OVER WOMAN'S '05 SHOOTING DEATH - The husband of a woman killed by a state trooper more than two years ago has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Alex Harriet is suing the trooper, the head of the Highway Patrol and the state Transportation Department. He contends excessive use of force and poor policies led to the death of his wife, Alyssa May Harriet, of Buffalo, on June 16, 2005. Harriet is asking the U.S. District Court in Cheyenne to award him two million dollars in damages. On that fateful day, Trooper Paul Brunner stopped Alyssa Harriet for speeding about 19 miles west of Gillette. Brunner tried to arrest Harriet for drunken driving, but she resisted and hit Brunner on the head with his baton. Brunner shot her twice in the chest when she refused to drop the baton. An investigation after the shooting cleared Brunner of any wrongdoing. Attorney General Pat Crank says the state still believes Brunner was justified in using deadly force. SEARCHERS RECOVER BOY'S BODY FROM NORTH PLATTE RIVER - Authorities have identified the 10-year-old boy who drowned Friday in the North Platte River in Casper. Joshua Heyer was swept away after he jumped into a creek that leads to the river yesterday afternoon. A playmate flagged down a passing motorist to report that the boy had disappeared. A kayaker found the boy's body at about 7:45 p-m in the river near the Casper Whitewater Park. Heyer was identified Friday night by the Natrona County Coroner's Office and his family was notified. Doctor James Thorpen is the coroner. He says that the boy was set to enter the fifth grade this fall. Bob Fawcett is inspector with the Casper Fire Department. He says the boy was not wearing a life vest and says that it appears no adults were watching the boys as they played in the fast-running creek. SHERIDAN FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 276 INVITES YOU TO A PICNIC TODAY - The public is invited to spend the afternoon with Sheridan's firefighters, as they host a picnic in Kendrick Park. Firefighter-EMT, Jerry Johnston, tells us: DIRLEEN WHEELER'S GOT A MUSICAL SIDE - She's a high school principal during the week, but did you know that Sheridan High School's leader has another life? Sheridan Media's Mary Jo Johnson has more: TUESDAY'S CONCERT IN THE PARKS TO BENEFIT THE ADVOCACY AND RESOURCE CENTER - The Tuesday evening Summer Concerts in the Park series continue this week with a duo-purpose event. Director of Sheridan's Advocacy and Resource Center, Charlotte Jenkins, explains:
Saturday, July 21, 2007 HOW DO HOMESCHOOLERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE DROPOUT RATE AT SHERIDAN HIGH SCHOOL? - At Wednesday night's School District 2 board meeting, Sheridan High School principal, Dirleen Wheeler, came to the podium with a unique request – would the board consider creating a policy modifying the practice of having home schoolers attending part-time to shift to full-time, because, she says: BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AT CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS - Cheyenne Frontier Days begins this weekend, but it's not just rodeo action people will be able to take in. The Bureau of Land Management will be at the Wild Horse Gulch with a unique re-enactment. Called the General Land Office, this year's theme will highlight BLM's role in mineral development. BLM staff will be on hand all ten days to provide information on how energy is produced, what types of energy are produced, and the role of public land mineral development in meeting the nation's energy needs. The General Land Office will also host a variety of educational demonstrations ranging from paleontology to proper horse care. Information will also be available on public land recreation, wild horse adoptions, and historic surveys. Two wild horses will be on site and will be offered for adoption by silent bid, with the winning bidders announced at the end of Cheyenne Frontier Days. The General Land Office at the Wild Horse Gulch is located on the east grounds of Frontier Park, between the Indian Village and Old West Museum. Hours will be from 11 am to 8 pm today through the 28th, and from 11 am to 3 pm July 29th. BLM Wyoming State Office (307) 775-6304 VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY AND HIS WIFE CREATE UNPRECEDENTED STUDY ABROAD ENDOWMENT - Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne have created for the University of Wyoming the largest single university endowment dedicated to study abroad support. U-W International Programs Director, Ann Alexander, explains the many benefits of this endowment: 07-21-20. Alexander said that more than four-hundred U-W students participated in international program opportunities last year, and the endowment will surely make that number grow in the future.
SHERIDAN COLLEGE I-TEC DIRECTOR LEAVING FOR A TEACHING JOB IN CLEARMONT - After ten years with the Northern Wyoming Community College District – seven in Gillette and three in Sheridan – I-TEC director, Linda Crawford, is leaving college life and entering the teaching world. Crawford, as of Wednesday night's District 3 school board meeting, was officially awarded a teaching contract at Arvada-Clearmont high school:
THE TOWN OF KAYCEE JUST MISSES GETTING HIT WITH A BAD STORM - Bad weather just about hit the town of Kaycee yesterday, as late afternoon thunderstorms headed into the area and stuck around throughout most of the evening. Kaycee Police Chief, Tad Dickey, tells us what happened: SO WHY DID WE EXPIERENCE A REGION-WIDE COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN YESTERDAY? - Phone and Internet service was severely affected throughout Sheridan County Thursday, including Sheridan 911 being down for a short time. Vice President of ACT in Sheridan, Tim Green, explains why:
SHERIDAN COUNTY FAIR BOARD OUTLINES PRIORITIES AND PREPARES FOR THE 2007 FAIR - Postponed a week because of rodeo activities, the Sheridan County Fairboard met last night for their regular monthly meeting. Sheridan Media's Mary Jo Johnson has more:
THE SHERIDAN RECREATION DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD THEIR BUDGET HEARING LAST NIGHT - One more round of budget hearings, this time it was the Sheridan Recreation District Board of Trustee's turn at their meeting last night. Sheridan Media's Ron Richter was there and has the details:
WYOMING WILDERNESS: WILL WYOMING SENATOR JOHN BARRASSO CONTINUE THE THOMAS TRAIL OR PAVE A NEW ROAD? - Since taking a seat in the U.S. Senate, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso has been cautious when speaking about sensitive issues. Though his approach to politics hasn't barred him from critics – Governor Dave Freudenthal recently described Barrasso as “tepid” on “Thomas” issues, specifically referring to his position on protecting the Wyoming Range and Snake River. Prior to his death, Thomas was drafting legislation to protect these areas. So many Wyomingites are wondering – will Barrasso continue the Thomas trail to protect areas of Wyoming wilderness, or pave a new road?
YET ANOTHER UPDATE ON THE LINDEN STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT - Two updates in less than a week from Hot Iron, Inc. on the Linden Street Construction project – beginning today, the next section of roads to be closed is the intersection of Whitney and Jefferson.The reason is the same as it has been up to this point; Hot Iron crews are working on sewer construction, and this segment of the undertaking is scheduled to go through July 26th.For more information, or if you have questions or concerns, call Todd Kroger - Hot Iron, Inc.(307) 682-8702 or (307) 689-4680. SHERIDAN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS A POST-WINDSTORM REQUEST - As we near the two-week mark of the wind and rain storm that wreaked havoc on hundreds of trees in the area, City of Sheridan Public Works has the next step in the clean-up plan, which also involves residents. Public Works requests that citizens have all downed trees and branches placed in the street, at curbside parking only, by July 23rd – that's next Monday. A private tree service has been contracted to remove the downed trees. After Monday, the department requests that citizens utilize the green waste containers located at Marshall Park, Washington Park, Highland Avenue, 6th Street ballpark, 11th Street Skate Park, Kendrick Park (behind Stop and Shop), and Mavrakis Pond. If the containers are full, they ask that you do not put the limbs on the ground. And they remind folks that for green waste only, there is no landfill fee. PROFFIT GETS UP TO 120 MORE YEARS IN PRISON - A two-time convicted murderer already serving life in prison without parole received another 80 to 120 years for molesting his former stepson.District Judge Dan R. Price sentenced Kent Alan Proffit Senior this week to ten to fifteen years in prison on each of eight sexual assault convictions. The sentences are to be served consecutive with one another and with the three life sentences Proffit was already serving. Proffit was convicted by a jury on June 27th of eight counts of third degree sexual assault. The charges stem from sexual encounters between Proffit and Bryce Chavers that took place between 2002 and 2004. Chavers was 16 when his mother, who once was married to Proffit, found him shot to death in his bedroom in November 2005. Proffit received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for ordering that murder to keep Chavers from testifying about the sex offenses. Proffit received two more life sentences without parole for ordering the separate murder of another teenager in October 2005.
Thursday, July 19, 2007 FIBER OPTIC CABLE IN BUFFALO CUT CAUSES MUCH OF SHERIDAN COUNTY TO LOSE PHONE AND INTERNET SERVICES - Phone and Internet service has been severely affected throughout Sheridan County today including Sheridan 911 being down for a short time. Vice President of ACT in Sheridan Tim Green explains why:
DISTRICT 2 BUDGET HEARING AND REGULAR JULY BUSINESS MEETING GOES SMOOTHLY - As part of the statewide school budget hearing meetings last night, Sheridan County School District 2 is looking at a 37 million dollar general fund budget. Business Manager Marilyn Koester breaks down dollars per student for '07-'08, and good news for enrollment:
DISTRICT 1 BUDGET HEARING - Over in District 1, Superintendent Sue Belish says that also, thanks to months and months of preparation, the budget hearing portion of last night's meeting went fairly swiftly. Here are their projected numbers for '07-'08:
DISTRICT 3 SECURES THEIR BUDGET AND LOOKS FORWARD TO A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING WHEN CLASSES BEGIN IN AUGUST - Sheridan County School District 3, which includes Arvada, Clearmont, Leiter and Ucross, also conducted their budget hearing last night. Sheridan Media's Mary Jo Johnson has the report:
IS THE HUNTINGTON SID DOOMED BY DESIGN? - Is the Huntington SID “doomed by design”? Sheridan Media's Betsy Love considers that question in this report:
THERE IS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED HUNTINGTON SID—BUT IS IT MORE FACT OR FICTION? - There has been a lot of talk about the proposed Huntington SID—and a lot of misunderstanding, especially how the cost of the project is divvied up. Sheridan Media's Betsy Love spoke with Joe Schoen, City Engineer about the costs:
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MARKET VEGGIE? - Those of you who like your fruits and veggies fresh and local, you'll be happy to know the Farmer's Market in Sheridan starts today. There is, however, a very important change – the location has moved from Grinnell Plaza to 211 Smith Street, in the Senior Center Parking Lot, near the Whitney Commons. The outdoor amphitheatre in the Commons will house live music and other entertainment, and of course the fountains will be handy for hot kids to cool off. Sheridan Media's Betsy Love spoke with Kim Detmer from the Sheridan Chamber of Commerce to see if the downtown folks are pleased the market is coming to town:
FIRE NEAR BROADUS UNDER CONTROL BUT HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS COULD SPELL TROUBLE FOR BLM LAND IN SOUTHEAST MONTANA - A fire that was sparked by a lightning storm Tuesday afternoon near Broadus, Montana is now under control as fire crews will now monitor the area for flare-ups over the next few days. The Timber Creek fire is on BLM land, and has burned approximately six hundred acres. Fire Mitigation Specialist with the BLM in Miles City, Dena Lang, said that crews were aided by rain and high humidity late Tuesday night that made control of the blaze manageable. Lang says that over the next few weeks, mother nature will play a large role in calming any fires that may break out in the area:
Wednesday, July 18, 2007 A FIRE NEAR BROADUS MONTANA ON BLM LAND IS JUST ABOUT UNDER CONTROL - An afternoon lightning storm Tuesday started a fire near Broudus Montana on BLM land that has burned some six hundred acres. Fire Mitigation Specialist with the BLM in Miles City Dena Lang gives us the details:
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