Wyoming Governor Matt Mead presented his second state of the state address to the legislature this morning, emphasizing the need to support those industries that keep the state sustainable. Not surprisingly, he pointed to Agriculture, Tourism, Energy and Small Business as the state’s economic focal points. However, he made a special point to … Continue Reading
The 2nd Annual Jackson Hole WinterFest is under way in Jackson hole from now through Monday, February 20th. The event is intended to … Continue Reading
“Not Guilty.” That was the verdict today of a seven-man, six-woman jury after only five hours of deliberation. With that, Troy Dean Willoughby – accused in the 1984 murder of Jackson Waitress Elizabeth Ehlers – is free. District Court Judge Timothy Day had … Continue Reading
Timeline race start at Town Square Friday, January 27, 2012:
The annual International Stage Stop Sled Dog Race steps off from the Jackson town square Friday evening. Race officials have released the schedule for the ceremonial start for what will be a nine-day race taking 22 sled-dog teams through nine western Wyoming towns before … Continue Reading
Biologists from Bridger Teton National Forest in cooperation with Wyoming Game and Fish Department have trapped the mountain lion that has been active in the area of the Cache Creek Trail Head just east of Jackson. However, Game and Fish Spokesman Mark Gocke says the cat’s two 7-month-old kittens have still not been rounded up. Gocke says … Continue Reading
Broadcasting and electricity could get a little “jiggy” today and tomorrow after a strong solar flare erupted Sunday evening and continues to affect the earth. According to the National Weather Service Space Weather Prediction Center, the impacts of the solar storm are likely to be minimal, but could pose an impact to power grids, where voltage corrections may be required and false alarms triggered on some protective devices. Satellite radio signals could also be briefly interrupted. The weather service also says high-latitude sky watchers could be treated to some displays of the aurora borealis.
Forty hours after it closed on Thursday, Teton Pass has been reopened after pretty-much round-the-clock work by highway crews. Altogether, a Wyoming Department of Highways spokesman says there were 12 major snow slides over two days, and he estimates there were another 20 minor slides. While crews have conducted considerable avalanche control, the snow on slopes above the road is still unstable. There are concerns that slides could be easily set off by skiers who may enter the area. The avalanche danger in the region continues to be rated “high” and forest and weather officials are discouraging any travel in avalanche-prone areas by back-country travelers. This includes, but is not limited to the Teton Pass area.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Friday night issued an avalanche warning for the western mountains of Wyoming effective until midnight Sunday. This warning includes the Teton, Gros Ventre, Snake River, Salt River and Wyoming Ranges as well as the west slope of the Wind River Range and the Togwotee Pass area. Forecasters say heavy snow and strong winds have created very dangerous avalanche conditions where medium to large natural avalanches are likely, and in fact have been already impacting the area’s roadways. The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center says over the past seven days, there have been 135 avalanches in the area. Travel in avalanche prone areas is to be avoided. Weather officials and urge all outdoor recreationists – regardless of their ability – to heed the warning.
Teton Pass remains closed. Efforts to clear multiple avalanches continued through the day, but crews only made it to the summit while the west side remains blocked tonight. Crews hope to try again Saturday to reopen the highway. However, as much as a foot of additional snow is forecast for the area of the pass on Friday night, bringing with it the possibility of more instability to the slides that already have been cleared, as well as adding to those areas that have not.
