TODAY'S NEWSCAST.mp3

 

09-05-08

 

A tip from a part-time resident of Jackson has led police to a home containing a stolen property missing from recent car and home burglaries.  Sergeant Scott Terry says police recovered a para-glider Tuesday known to have been stolen in a car burglary last July and photographed other items suspected to have been stolen.  Those pictures have been placed on the police department website, and Terry asks that anyone who has recently been a victim of a car or home burglary – whether or not it has been reported – look at the photos and tell police if anything looks like property they lost.  Terry says one individual was taken into custody and faces charges of receiving stolen goods.  Meanwhile, the individual providing the tip to police received an appreciable award from Jackson Hole Crimestoppers.

 

An educational program in Jackson has been named as one of three consortiums selected by the Wyoming Department of Education to receive funds as part of statewide Career Technical Education Demonstration Projects.  Each consortium is comprised of a minimum of a high school, community college and business or industry partnership.  Among the three chosen is a program entitled “Hospitality School to Industry Connection” offered by Central Wyoming College, Teton County School District #1, and the Wyoming Lodging & Restaurant Association.  The CTE Demonstration Project is being funded by the Wyoming legislature for a two-year period and the WDE is requiring each consortium to fund a third year through their own funding sources to assure continuance of the projects.  A total of $1.3 million will be released to the selected consortia over the 2008-2010 project period. The State Department of Education outlines the purpose of the CTE Demonstration Projects are to prepare high school students for a full range of postsecondary options, including two (2) year and four (4) year college, apprenticeship, military and formal employment training; to integrate core and CTE curriculum that is grounded in industry standards; to provide innovative strategies that ensure students access to career choices and opportunities for work-based learning and dual enrollment options that connect to postsecondary programs; and, to support the workforce, education and economic needs of Wyoming.

 

Sunday marks the 20^th anniversary of the firestorm at Old Faithful that almost claimed the historic inn and other buildings.  Bob Barbee was the park superintendent at the time, and he recalls meeting with the incident commander of the North Fork Fire some days prior to the firestorm.  Barbee says he told the commander in no uncertain terms to do whatever it takes to save the Old Faithful Inn. While the fire did destroy several employee housing cabins, a gas station and some incidental structures, most of the buildings in the popular area of the park were preserved thanks to heroic efforts on the parts of firefighters there.  Structure protection was provided not only by forest firefighters, but fire departments from across the country sent units that week who worked side-by-side to save the icons of the park.

Photo: Jeff Henry, YNP                                         (YNP 1988 Fire History Suppliment)

 

Flu shots are again becoming available in Teton County.  Beginning this week, the annual flu vaccination program began with immunizations available Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at Emerg-A-Care on west Broadway.  A $22 donation being accepted for the immunization is being set aside for the Teton Science Schools and the Journeys School for their programs.  According to Dr. Brent Blue, the Center for Disease Control recommends that all persons including school-aged children should be vaccinated in order to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or transmitting the disease to others.

 

A Jackson retailer has joined an effort to obtain shoes for the needy.  Skinny Skis announced this week that it is hosting a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls Inc., the international footwear charity that delivers shoes to needy people around the world.  During the shoe drive, Skinny Skis will be offering free Wigwam performance socks to all customers who bring in gently worn pairs of shoes for the effort. The shoe drive begins September 10th and continues indefinitely. The Wigwam socks promotion however will end September 30th.

 

 

 

09-04-08

 

The Snake River downstream from Palisades Reservoir is flowing at nearly 10,500 cubic feet per second, which is the highest rate since the mid 1960s, and fully 2,000 CFS more than the past several years. Mike Beus of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Burley, Idaho office explains irrigation demand and available water supply is leading to those higher flows.  Palisades Reservoir had achieved about 100% of its capacity in mid-June, but it has since been drawn down to 58% while Jackson Lake Reservoir upstream is still 85% full and is releasing 2100 CFS downstream so that about 4400 CFS is flowing into Palisades from the Snake and Hoback Rivers combined.

 

It may not look like it down here, but the high country of Grand Teton National Park has had an early taste of winter.  Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says travelers in the high country are finding less-than-pleasant hiking conditions as they get up in elevation. Skaggs says back country rangers tell of hiking through knee-deep snow in some areas.  Skaggs says with the turn of the weather to a more unsettled pattern, those who will be heading into the back country will have to be more prepared than they perhaps were during mid summer. Skaggs says back country travelers should be extra careful to provide their plans in detail to a family member or a friend, check with rangers on the latest travel conditions, and review the weather forecast for the period they will be gone.

 

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal has been watching with interest the proceedings of the Republican National Convention this week in Minnesota.  Freudenthal says what he found of particular interest were the comments about the selection of  Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as their vice presidential candidate. Freudenthal remarked that the premise would put him in a select group with former Governors Jim Gerringer, Mike Sullivan and the governors and prior governors of other states as being particularly fit for national office. Freudenthal says he has met Governor Palin through the Western Governor’s Association and found her to be a western energy state governor who is bright and personable.

 

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is cautioning residents living in bear country that with the onset of autumn weather, the bears will be getting themselves ready for the cold winter months ahead.  Spokesman Ray Hagaman says that means people need to be extra deliberate about bear-proofing their yards. Among the items to be concerned about are pet food dishes, barbeque grills, ripe fruit on trees, and of course, trash.  Compost piles can also be an attractant, and so should be fenced.

 

Hunting seasons are once again opening up across the state and hunters are encouraged to review the rules and regulations pertaining to public use on Wyoming State Trust Lands. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says department employees receive a wide variety of questions about rules and regulations about activities the department may or may not be responsible for handling. State Game warden Duane Kerr says it is the responsibility of outdoor recreationists – especially hunters and anglers – to know where they are, who owns the land and what rules are in place. As always, be sure to have written landowner permission before entering private property. Kerr says the best source of information on public use rules for these lands can be obtained by contacting the Office of State Lands and Investments in Cheyenne by phone, or through their web site slf-web.state.wy.us/

 

 

 

09-03-08

 

Yesterday was the first day of school in Teton County, and student enrollment is being monitored throughout the first week.  Yesterday’s head count put School District #1 enrollment its highest ever.  According to Tuesday’s statistics, 2353 students are enrolled for the 2008-2009 school year which compares with the next highest first day enrollment of 2333 for the 2005-2006 school year.  School officials caution, however, that those numbers can change appreciably in the week ahead.  Specific enrollments place 428 students at Jackson Elementary, 394 at Colter Elementary, 218 at Wilson School, 53 at Alta School, 39 at Kelly School, and 13 at Moran for a total of 1175 elementary students in the district.  Meanwhile, 527 students are enrolled at Jackson Hole Middle School, 35 at Summit High School, and 646 at Jackson Hole High School.  The eighth grade boasts the highest enrollment on the first day with 174 students in that single grade.

 

Even as the weekend rains and snow did much to quell the wildfires burning in Northwestern Wyoming, the precipitation was also sufficient to drop the fire danger in the Park, Forest and County to Moderate.  Fire Danger had been considered Very High up until the weekend, and at one point late last month, restrictions were considered for fire use.  Fire officials caution that a moderate rating for fire danger does not mean the area is fireproof, and firefighters had to extinguish several fire starts this weekend caused by unattended campfires.

 

It is national preparedness month, and in Teton County, the focus is to urge residents to be ready to survive an event, regardless of what that event is.  In many cases, says Teton County Sheriff Bob Zimmer,  that may mean having to look after your own needs for a time until help can reach you. Zimmer suggests residents have a 72-hour kit put together with survival needs as recommended by the county’s emergency management office.  Communications, he adds, will be swamped after an emergency; so calls made to emergency services need to be kept to a minimum, and only life-or-death types of calls should be made. Finally, Zimmer says that in the event of an emergency; always follow the direction of your local law enforcement, community and emergency services representatives.

 

The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole is gearing up for Old Bill’s Fun Run #12 on September 13^th with matching donations being finalized.  To date, says Community Foundation President Kathy Conover, Mr. and Mrs. Old Bill and 40 Co-Challengers have donated a record of $2-million-50-thousand dollars to the Match.  All organizations raising money through Old Bill’s 12 will benefit from this generosity which exceeds last year’s record breaking Match total by $200,000. Conover says Mr. and Mrs. Old Bill, as they are affectionately known, provided the initial $500,000 contribution to the Old Bill’s this year’s Match.  Thirty-nine Co-Challengers, seven of whom are first-time Co-Challengers, have joined the anonymous couple by supplementing their lead gift with additional contributions ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.  As community members give to their favorite charities through Old Bill’s Fun Run 12, their gifts are matched by Mr. and Mrs. Old Bill and the Co-Challengers.  The match percentage last year was 43%.  Altogether, $7,747,327 was distributed in 2007 through Old Bill’s Fun Run representing contributions from 2,887 donors.

 

Two head gates controlling outflow from Hebgen Lake near West Yellowstone have failed.  That means the level of run-off is running unchecked at springtime flow levels.  Engineers are trying to determine how best to correct the situation, but point out that it is not dangerous to those downstream along the Madison River.

 

 

 

09-02-08

 

Jackson Police are still untangling the circumstances surrounding the discovery of explosives in a yard at Cottonwood Park Thursday evening.  Jackson Police Department’s Bomb Technician, Andy Pearson, was called to the scene to evaluate the container and its contents and found it to contain what appeared to be blasting caps and other objects that could have been explosives.  Pearson called out other members of the regional Bomb Task Force team, which has members from the Jackson Police Department, the Teton County and Sweetwater County Sheriffs’ Offices, and the Green River and Rock Springs Police Departments.  The container was taken to a safe area south of town by the team, and it was opened and defused with the help of the Sweetwater County bomb robot. Both, the Jackson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms are reviewing the incident to determine the proper charges to be filed.

Photo: Jackson PD

 

It’s back to school today for about 2000 young people in Teton County, and that means there will be concentrations of young folks near the schools and select areas along the highways as they wait for school busses to pick them up.  Sheriff Bob Zimmer urges valley motorists to be very cautious as the students and drivers get back into their school-year habits. Zimmer reminds drivers that students will be waiting for school busses even in remote parts of the county and drivers need to observe and obey school bus signals as they stop to make their pick-ups. Safety officials from AAA Auto Club also remind that students who are excited about seeing their friends again after the three months of summer may not be as observant as they should around traffic, and drivers need to be particularly ready now to expect the unexpected.

 

A motorcyclist from Green River Wyoming and his passenger were killed in a collision Friday afternoon on the west side of Togwotee Pass.  53-year-old Dean Hill of Green River Wyoming was westbound and failed to see a pick-up truck driven by Sandra Leseberg of Dubois waiting for eastbound traffic to clear so she could complete a left turn.  Hill attempted to brake prior to impact but could not stop in time before his motorcycle rear-ended Leseberg’s pickup truck. Upon impact, Leseberg’s pickup was forced across the eastbound lane of travel and spun 180 degrees counter clockwise and came to rest on the eastbound shoulder. Hill’s motorcycle came to rest on the westbound lane of travel with Hill partially under the motorcycle. His passenger, 50-year-old Kathy Sander of Apple Valley, Minnesota was totally ejected from the motorcycle during the impact.  Both Hill and Sander were pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Cooler temperatures and precipitation have helped quell the wildfires that have been burning for the past month in Northwestern Wyoming.  At the Gunbarrel Fire near Cody, Fire activity was light with little to no perimeter growth due to cooler temperatures and precipitation. The fire received 1/2 inch of precipitation on Sunday night, with snow above 7,500 feet. On and off rain continued during the day on Monday, September first. Crews concentrated on retrieving pumps, hoses and other equipment from areas of the fire where they are no longer needed. Preparations also began for downsizing the firefighting operation in advance of the forecasted arrival of a cold front and associated precipitation. They also began rehabilitation efforts on areas of the fire that no longer had any fire activity in them. The fire size is 67-thousand acres.  The New Fork Lake Fire north of Pinedale is 15-thousand acres and very little smoke was visible across the valley following rains and snows in the fire area over the weekend.  No new information has been available since mid August about the LeHardy Fire in Yellowstone. (more fire information)

 

Job-related deaths have set a new record in Wyoming. The Department of Employment is reporting 48 worker deaths in 2007 – that’s up 33 percent from the year before. Dan Neal with the Equality State Policy Center says it has to be noted that the number of deaths on-the-job have increased right along with the oil and gas boom, and while there’s no easy answer, there are things the state can do to try to save lives.Neal says the state needs to put more inspectors out into the field. State officials point to a plane crash that caused six deaths as part of the reason the number went up. And the oil and gas industry calls cases like traffic crashes “isolated incidents.” The report came in conjunction with the national celebration of Labor Day which traditionally is a time when the workforce is saluted.

 

 

 

Labor Day 09-01-08

 

While Labor Day typically signals the end of the traditional summer season, post season visitors and recreationists will find Grand Teton National Park is still very much open for business.  Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says in fact, this may be the best time of the year to experience the park. Skaggs says there are new ranger presentations and ranger-led activities planned for the fall season.  At the same time, Skaggs says facilities are all still open. At the same time, Skaggs says, there are fewer visitors in the park enabling guests to enjoy their park in a little more solitude.

 

The addition of passing lanes on US 191 between Rock Springs and Pinedale was completed last Wednesday.  The $14 million project was made possible through the additional funds appropriated by the 2007 State Legislature. Each of the 16 passing lanes is slightly more than a mile in length and the project spans nearly 75 miles in length. The lanes enable motorists to have the opportunity to safely pass other vehicles about every five minutes at a speed of 65 miles per hour.

 

The Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest opened the North Cottonwood Creek road again on Friday, August 22^nd. Two bridges were constructed on this road near McDougal Gap located approximately 20-miles southwest of Merna, Wyoming. The bridges are in place and the grout in the concrete deck is curing for the required time period. Some clean up work will continue through the week but vehicles will be able to pass. This road will be closed again for one day next summer while asphalt is laid over the bridges.

 

Grand Targhee Resort has become a founding reporter of “The Climate Registry” by being among the first to join that organization.  The Climate Registry is a non-profit organization established to measure and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions in a manner consistent across industry sectors and borders.  Grand Targhee Resort is the first in the ski industry to voluntarily commit to measure, independently verify and publicly report their greenhouse gas emissions on an annual basis utilizing The Climate Registry General Reporting Protocol.  The protocol is based on the internationally recognized GHG measurement standards of the World Resources Institute and World Business Council on Sustainability.

 

Area residents will be hearing a lot about disaster preparedness in the month ahead as the county joins the rest of the US in an educational campaign.  County Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator Rich Ochs says the campaign this year will focus on personal preparedness. Ochs says people tend to think of disasters in terms of the mega events that become the subjects of movies, but in fact, they can be much more common like flooding or a crippling blizzard. The month will be highlighted by educational opportunities for the public through features in the media and classes, including one about citizen preparedness on September 15^th.

 

 

 

08-29-08

 

A 54-year-old Minnesota man was found, cold and tired but otherwise OK after he became disoriented Wednesday afternoon and spent the night in the mountains near Cascade Canyon.  Charles Mastny of  Lakeland, Minnesota had been hiking with his wife about 2:30 pm and parted from her to, in his words “do some exploring” while she read a book at the base of Hidden Falls.  When he did not return, his family reported him missing about 6:30 pm.  At that time, says Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs, a preliminary search with 13 personnel was launched, but then postponed until Thursday morning due to darkness.  Ultimately, 65 people joined the search Thursday morning who instituted a grid search.  Skaggs says Mastny was found by some hikers who informed rangers they had just seen him and provided him a candy bar to eat.  Skaggs says Mastny told rangers he had become disoriented after scrambling up a rocky hillside above the waterfall.  Mastny found himself in a spot that he thought it was not safe to return the way he came, and he became lost trying to find another way down. Skaggs says the search effort involved members of a number of divisions within the national park, interagency fire fighters, Teton County Search and Rescue team members, three search dogs from Wyoming K-9 Search and Rescue,  and the park’s contract helicopter.  Skaggs says the park is fortunate to have so many resources available when a large-scale search like this becomes necessary.

 

Seven human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported this summer to the Wyoming Department of Health, indicating a slower rate of infection across the state compared with the previous season. According to health department records, five cases have been reported among Fremont County residents, and one each from Goshen and Platte counties. In 2007, 184 West Nile Virus human cases and one death were reported in Wyoming. There were 65 human cases and two deaths in 2006. West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes after they feed on infected birds and then bite people, other birds and animals. Most people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms and among those who become ill, most develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. 

 

T. Boone Pickens is in Denver this week to pitch the media and politicos on his "Pickens Plan." He says the plan would reduce dependence on foreign oil by developing wind and solar power and switching to natural gas for vehicles. Without a major change, Pickens predicts ten trillion dollars will be spent on foreign oil in the next decade. And he says that's something we can't afford. Pickens says he's spoken with Barack Obama, John McCain and President Bush about his plan. He says he's launched a media blitz around his campaign, to get millions of Americans involved and stress the urgency of the energy crisis. He predicts oil prices could reach two to three-hundred dollars a barrel in the coming years.

 

A public meeting is scheduled for 4:30 pm today at the Emigrant Community Center in Paradise Valley north of Gardiner.  Gallatin National Forest officials want to visit with area residents about two prescribed burns in the area proposed for this fall.  Both burns are part of the Paradise Valley Fuels management and Prescribed Burning Project. Forest managers anticipate favorable burning conditions in mid-September, depending on weather.  The Old Chico Prescribed Burn is located on the southwest side of Emigrant Peak, and the Lower Big Creek Prescribed Burn is located on the west side of Paradise Valley in the lower portion of the Big Creek drainage. Forest officials say the burns, each approximately 300 acres in size, are designed to meet a multitude of ecological resource benefits including: reducing encroachment on aspen stands, grassland, and sagebrush meadows; maintaining areas with prescribed fire within their normal fire return interval; thus improving both public and firefighter safety in the event of an unwanted fire ignition.

 

The long Labor Day holiday weekend begins this afternoon. The Wyoming Highway Patrol will be working with other law enforcement agencies surrounding Wyoming this long holiday weekend as they perform highly visible enforcement operations for Operation C.A.R.E..  Sergeant Steve Townsend says the holiday period is considered to begin Friday and continue through Monday. Townsend says while local law enforcement will also be active in their own jurisdictions through the holiday weekend, Operation C.A.R.E. actually involves only the state agencies. Last year Wyoming Troopers investigated 53 of 120 crashes handled by Wyoming law enforcement agencies statewide during the 2007 Labor Day holiday weekend including two fatal accidents. Troopers also made 39 arrests for impaired driving and cited 122 drivers and passengers for not wearing seatbelts.

 

 

 

08-28-08

 

The Gunbarrel Fire west of Cody has grown to over 57-thousand acres now with high winds leading to extreme fire behavior yesterday and grounding helicopters and slurry bombers.  40-mile-per-hour winds caused fires to spot up to a half mile ahead of the fire lines at times.  While residents and guests at the Goff Lodge were told to be ready to evacuate, firefighters have still been able to keep from losing any further structures to the fire.  In the meantime, Buffalo Bill State Park has closed the North Fork Campground and Sheep Mountain Day Use Area to accommodate the staging area for helicopters used in fighting the Gunbarrel Fire.  Park Superintendent Ron Livesay says the closure may inconvenience some holiday visitors who had hoped to use that area. Fire officials say there may also be some brief delays on the road leading into Yellowstone National Park’s east entrance due to heavy smoke or movement of firefighting equipment there.

 

Even though fires in Idaho and the Gunbarrel Fire near Cody continue their uncontrollable behavior, the New Fork Lakes Fire near Pinedale has not grown significantly for the past several weeks and Bridger Teton National Forest Spokesperson Mary Cernicek says it continues to be monitored as a managed fire. Cernicek says the fire has pretty well settled into smoldering and creeping through the ground cover with only occasional flare-ups.  As such, the fire’s resource benefits have led to the decision to simply monitor its progress and intervene only if necessary.

 

Even as teachers are attending in-services and preparing their classes for the beginning of the school year in Teton County next week, nearly 2000 students are laying in new school clothes and class supplies for when they return next Tuesday.  According to the Teton County School District, 1939 students are preregistered for school with 653 at the high schools, 533 at the middle school, and 1123 at the various elementary schools.  School officials point out that over the summer, some of those people may have moved away with others moving into the district.  Consequently, a true count of this year’s student population will not be known much before the end of the first week.

 

Those who have lived in Jackson more than 25 years will remember a fire which destroyed much of the Wort Hotel.  Early yesterday morning, a fire at the architectural look-alike in West Yellowstone had authorities concerned about losing that hotel. Fire units from surrounding areas responded to a fire in the Stage Coach Hotel shortly after 1:00 am Wednesday fearing a rapid spread through the structure.  However, firefighter efforts and the hotel’s sprinkler system kept the fire confined to the hotel’s laundry area.

 

It will take some unnatural intervention to return an area north of Yellowstone National Park to its natural state in order to benefit wildlife there.  Park staff members are beginning a pilot project to restore former agricultural fields to native vegetation species that will benefit pronghorn antelope and other wildlife habitat. The project will be focused in the park along the Old Yellowstone Trail/ Yellowstone River corridor northwest of Gardiner, Montana. The first phase of the project will begin with 22 acres of land being fenced. The fence will remain in place for approximately 10 years to keep wildlife out and allow the necessary work and time needed for native plants to re-establish. If funds allow, another two pilot areas totaling approximately 25-30 acres will be fenced next year.

 

 

 

08-27-08

 

A type-one fire team has taken over suppression efforts on the Gunbarrel Fire near Cody today.  That fire has been experiencing significant growth, being pushed by high winds in the area over the past few days.  At this time none of the structures threatened, including the Elephant Head Lodge have been lost.  Firefighters expect to continue defending homes in upper portions of the Jim Mountain, Jim Creek, and Big Creek areas; and cabins and lodges on the fire's west end in the general area of Libby Creek.  Currently the fire involves 55,471 acres, 350 people including 8 crews, 6 helecopters, 33 engines and five water tenders.

 

To help Wyoming homeowners who are struggling with the increasing costs of food, gasoline and home heating fuel, Governor Dave Freudenthal has proposed the reactivation of the homestead property tax exemption as a means for short-term relief.  Last year, the Governor's office proposal to order tax relief to Wyoming seniors did not gain support in the Wyoming Legislature.  Teton County Representative Keith Gingery says he applauds the Governor's action and hopes it will lead to something more permanent.  The homestead exemption was originally passed in 1979 as a tax exemption and then modified to a tax credit in 1980.  Based on date developed by the Department of Revenue, an exemption of $3,000 to $5,000 of assessed value for an owner-occupied residence would cost the state $29 to $56 million dollars respectively. This would produce an average of $184 to $291 in tax relief per owner-occupied residence.

 

The first annual Tin Cup Challenge for charities in Teton Valley, Idaho has raised over $900-thousand dollars. According to Cathy O'Conner, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Teton Valley, this year's total raised through the Tin Cup Challenge represents contributions from over 600 donors.  More than $300-thousand dollars of this amount was contributed to a match fund by Community Challengers, Friends of the Match and Community Ambassadors. O'Conner adds the fundraising effort exclusively for Teton Valley charities was a positive addition.  For a majority of nonprofits, she says, it resulted in a larger award check than they received last year participating in Old Bill's Fun Run.  In fact, the total dollars raised through the Tin Cup exceeded the collective amount Teton Valley nonprofits received through the Wyoming fundraiser.  Proceeds were split between the 37 participating charities Monday night.

 

Voters in November will find some names on the ballot that weren't there during the primary election last week.  Monday was the deadline for those wishing to run for nonpartisan offices to file with the county clerk.  By the close of the day, former Town Councilman Mike Lance had filed to run against incumbent Mayor Mark Barron.  Seven people have filed to run for four available seats on the school board.  They include Greg Dennis, Liz Dufault, Robbi Farrow, Cherie Hawley, Dawn Hazen, Kate Mead and Debbie Maegher.  Jenifer Beastrom who had filed to run for school board earlier withdrew from the race. Six individuals have joined incumbent John Cardis for a seat on the hospital board.  Those candidates include William Best, Bruce Hayse, Herb Hazen, Emily Knobloch, Peter Moyer and Smokey Rhea.

 

Wyoming's colorectal screening program has just completed its first year and state health officials are terming it a major success.  Health Department Spokesperson Kim Deti says in terms of the numbers of people benefiting from the program alone, the program has proven well worth while. Under the program, the Wyoming Department of Health is reimbursing contracted providers for colonoscopies and polyp removal to help prevent colon cancer for eligible men and women, leaving the beneficiary with little or no cost.  Deti says there is no question the program will continue.  There are screening arrangements in 20 of the state's 23 counties -- including Teton County.  Deti says those wishing more information about the program can contact Enrollment Specialist Alice Preheim at 307-777-2932 or <alice.preheim@health.wy.gov>.

 

 

 

 

 

08-26-08

 

Health officials have revealed that one of the participants in the recent Boy Scout project in Teton County contracted a laboratory-confirmed case of bubonic plague.  According to health officials with the national park service, the 18-year-old Connecticut resident had recently traveled to Wyoming and camped in several locations in the Greater Yellowstone area including Grant Village and the Goosewing area of Bridger-Teton National Forest and participated in outdoor activities there.  According to their report, based on the incubation period and travel history, the disease was possibly acquired at one of those locations. Wyoming Department of Health Spokesperson Kim Deti says with modern medicine, bubonic plague is readily curable with antibiotics and the young man is well on his way to recovery. The disease is typically transmitted from rodents through the bite of a flea.  An environmental investigation is being launched at all sites to search for evidence of plague activity and to assess any human health risk there.  Officials say no-one else in the young man's group showed any symptoms of the disease.  This is the sixth human case of plague thought to be acquired in Wyoming since 1978.

 

Five area banks are still seeking a missing data tape containing customer information that was lost recently while being transported between processing sites.  The information included names, addresses, Social Security numbers and account numbers for customers of The Jackson State Bank & Trust, Shoshone First Bank in Cody, Sheridan State Bank, First State Bank of Pinedale and United Bank of Idaho in Driggs.  Jackson State Bank President Peter Lawton says there is no indication that the information on the tape has been accessed or misused, and since special equipment is needed to retrieve the tape’s contents, it is highly unlikely that the customer information will be misused.  Lawton says all affected customers will be notified by September 5 and eligible customers are being offered a free one-year identity theft subscription.  Meanwhile, the bank will also monitor activity on the accounts involved to watch for anything unusual.  Lawton also recommends that affected customers regularly monitor their accounts, report any suspicious activity immediately and place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.

 

AAA Auto Club is projecting a slight decrease in the number of Americans traveling during the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend. Over 34 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday weekend, which AAA Spokesman Mike Pina says is down 0.9 percent, or almost 320,000 Americans, from the number who traveled last year. The cost of fuel seems to be the focus of this decline with the national average for self-serve regular gasoline at $3.69 per gallon. While the traveling public will encounter gasoline prices about 40 cents less than the Fourth of July travel holiday, it is still 91 cents more than this time last year. Pina says The greatest number of Labor Day holiday weekend automobile travelers will originate in the West with 7.2 million.

 

Jackson Hole Police are warning that there are two similar scams underway involving buying or renting agreements over the internet.  Corporal Andy Pearson says in one scam, people are finding rental properties here and re-listing them for a much lower price if those interested  will simply send them a down payment to secure the reduced rate – usually to an address in a foreign country. In a similar scam, Pierson says those purchasing items listed on the internet will send a money order for more than the required price and ask for a refund of the balance. Pierson says if someone has been the victim of a scam where they have lost deposit money, the property owner is not responsible for honoring that loss.  At the same time, Pierson urges those who see their property falsely advertised elsewhere to contact the internet listing service about the fraudulent listing.  Also, those receiving an overpayment should return the check rather than  refund the difference.

 

AARP, The American Association of Retired People,  honored Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi last week for his work on behalf of the country’s seniors.  At Enzi’s Casper office Wednesday, Wyoming Director Rita Inoway and State President Les Engelter presented Enzi with the AARP Legislative Achievement Award for his bill, the Safety of Seniors Act, to protect older Americans from falls. In accepting the award, Enzi again stated that  falls are the leading cause of injury death and the most common cause of trauma-related hospital admission for older Americans. The bill, which President Bush signed into law on April 23rd, gives the Department of Health and Human Services authority to oversee and support national and local education campaigns to reduce falls and prevent repeat falls among older Americans. The AARP Legislative Achievement Award is given to 10 senators and 10 representatives annually for their work on legislation benefiting older Americans.

 

 

 

08-25-08

 

While not much has been said recently, the three wildfires that started last month in the region continue to burn, but are away from populated areas and are being managed for their resource benefits.  The Gunbarrel Fire outside Cody has been converted from a managed fire to wildfire status after the most aggressive burning in some time seen yesterday.  That means the fire will be attacked to be confined and controlled.  As of this weekend, the fire is now over 53-thousand acres and burning in forested area that is up to 80% beetle killed pine.  Around the fire’s eastern end, firefighters made preparations among the houses near the base of Jim Mountain and scouted in Rattlesnake Creek.  A helicopter dropped water to slow fire spread in Laughing Water and Burnt Timber Creeks.  While some spotting was seen near Elephant Head Lodge yesterday, firefighters say no homes or structures are immediately threatened.  Currently, fire management efforts involve 203 people including 5 crews, 4 helicopters, 12 engines and 3 water tenders and slurry bombers have now been added to the effort.  The Lehardy fire in Yellowstone National Park continues to burn as a managed fire as well and was last estimated at 93-hundred acres.  The New Forks Lake fire near Pinedale is now estimated at about 12-thousand acres.

Gunbarrel Fire Photo: NIFC

 

Five more Jackson Hole liquor retail establishments were cited recently for selling liquor to minors.  Police Sgt. Alan John  says it's all part of an effort this summer by the Jackson Police Department which has been actively addressing the youth alcohol problems in the area.  Through the Wyoming Communities in Action Grant, Jackson officers are conducting compliance check stings at area bars and other retail outlets.  Last week, John says citations were issued to employees of  Smith’s Liquor Store, The Blue Lion, Thai Me Up, Koshu Wine bar, and Chinatown for selling to under-aged patrons.  Over the last week 36 alcohol compliance checks were completed at local restaurants, bars and liquor stores.  20 shoulder tap stings were attempted. 

 

One of the nation's oldest ski areas, located just outside Yellowstone National Park, is slated to reopen this year if planned improvements are completed there.  Sleeping Giant Ski Area, which first opened in 1936,  has been closed the past four winters due to a lack of snow, and safety concerns associated with the older lift equipment in use there.  Now, new management of the facility, Yellowstone Recreations Foundation, says the ski area could be open again by this Thanksgiving. Investors and others have been involved with in excess of $2½-million in repairs and improvements, including installation of a used triple chair purchased from Mammoth Mountain, California, snowmaking machines, and expanded runs.  The small facility has long been noted for its family atmosphere.

 

There will be a new earth friendlier look to the Democratic National Convention when it opens in Denver today. Along with the security set in place, and so are... the compost bins. The Democratic National Convention opens in Denver today with party and city officials working to make this convention the "greenest" in history. Damon Jones with the Democratic Convention Committee says they've been working since last year to come up with a plan to prevent more than 80 percent of the trash from ending up in a landfill.  Bins for compost and recyclables are in place throughout the convention grounds. Free loaner bikes will also be available for visitors during convention week at seven locations around the city. Organizers for next week's Republican convention in Minnesota say their big party will also be eco-friendly.

 

With the school year beginning again, the Jackson Police Department is reminding motorists that school speed zones on High School Road, Middle School Road, South Park Loop Road, Willow, Broadway and Deloney are all 20mph zones in the designated time frames.  Police Sergeant Alan John emphasizes “20 mph means 20 mph,” and John says officers will be less tolerant of any speed violations in proximity to schools.  Drivers should be aware of children walking or riding their bikes to and from school and take extra precautions to allow them enough room on the side of the road.  Students will also be gathering along sides local streets and roads to ride school busses. Additionally, says John the schools are already busy with sports activities and these will continue after school during the school year. 

 

 

08-22-08

 

Estimates have not been released yet about the amount of damage done late last week to the artificial turf fields on the east side of Jackson Hole High School by someone using spray paint to write ethnically disparaging messages and drug-related messages on the artificial surfaces. At the same time, someone believed to be the same vandals also tagged the rock at the end of High School road which for over a year now has been dedicated and maintained by Jackson Hole High School students to the memory of their late classmate Adam Denton. Local law enforcement would like to locate the person or persons responsible for these acts.  Tips may be phoned to Crimestoppers at 733-5148 and any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators may be eligible for a reward of up to $5000.  Those providing the information do not have to give their names.

 

It was a matter of wind, trees, power lines, and metal roofs don’t mix yesterday afternoon.  Fire units were called to a home on Vine Street near Snow King where wind toppled a tree which brought a live power line down onto the metal roof of that home.  High voltage was conducted through the roof and into the home’s electrical system, damaging that system and causing minor fire damage under the roof and nearby siding.  Fire Inspector Cathy Clay says about twenty firefighters joined linemen from Lower Valley Energy to cut the power, remove the tree and power lines, and stop the fire from spreading.  Clay says a certain amount of smoke caused by burning electrical components also had to be cleared from the home.  There were no initial estimates of damage to the structure, electrical system or appliances.

 

Voters in Teton County will see the issue of building an expanded justice center sometime in the future; but perhaps with a little more education included in the effort.  Sheriff Bob Zimmer says there is no way around the county needing a new jail and also needing space for additional officers and staff. Zimmer says the price tag of the justice center itself was about $18 million but the costs of planning and moving the federal courthouse were included in the additional costs reflected on the ballot.  Zimmer says when the issue comes up again, the county will have to be more deliberate in presenting the information. The $53-million dollar project went down to defeat Tuesday by a 78.6% margin while all other special purpose excise tax projects were overwhelmingly approved..

 

For many Wyoming students and teachers, summer is over.  35 new teachers have reported this morning for orientation at Jackson Hole School District #1 and new or transfer students have reported for sessions at the University of Wyoming.  Students are moving into UW residence halls today with their first meals at the Washakie Dining Center to be served today as well.  Classes start Monday morning at UW.  Meanwhile, for out of state students, classes not already under way begin this coming week as well.  K-through- 12 students in Jackson Hole return to classes one week from Tuesday.  The high school golf team is already participating almost daily in invitational competition, and the football team's first game will be at Evanston August 30^th.

 

Beetle-killed trees are spreading into more parts of Grand Teton National Park, and that spread has not been going unnoticed by visitors.  According to Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs, the number of red-colored trees interspersed throughout the conifer forests of Grand Teton National Park have captured the attention of visitors and local residents and prompted many questions about what is happening.  Skaggs says with the warmer weather of the past few years, beetles have been climbing to the higher, normally cooler elevations and attacking trees there now. Park biologists are particularly concerned about the impacts the beetles are having on whitebark pine trees at those higher elevations.  Biologists are also using pheromone pouches to try to protect small numbers of individual whitebark pines that appear to be genetically more resistant to white pine blister rust, thereby preserving the seed source for the future. Skaggs says while the mountain pine beetle activity in whitebark pine ecosystems is atypical, the effects of beetles on local lodgepole pine forests are more common and also of concern now.

 

 

08-21-08

 

Where there's smoke, there's.............  well, not always.  Smoke drifted into Jackson Hole yesterday making itself known both visibly and odiferously.  While checks with authorities throughout the region indicated no significant fires nearby, weather satellite imagery indicated streams of smoke from fires in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest being driven over western Wyoming.  Mary Cernicek of Bridger Teton National Forest says this is not surprising. At the same time, the visit of smoke to the valley can serve as a very tangible reminder that fire danger here is very real and caution needs to be exercised by those using campfires or other open fires – including smoking – until the fire danger retreats again later in the year.

 

Commercial vehicle safety inspections last week in Grand Teton National Park resulted in the discovery of several violations on commercial vehicles traveling through the park and suspension of their operation. A full-level inspection evaluates both the driver and the commercial vehicle to ensure full compliance with the federal regulations. The inspections resulted in five vehicles being parked because their drivers had worked too many hours or had failed to properly log their hours worked. One bus operation was suspended until emergency exits could be repaired, and three other buses were taken out of service due to tire, brake and steering failures. Last week’s inspections were unannounced and focused on commercial buses and trucks.

 

St. John's Medical Center is getting into the urgent care business, having just purchased the urgent care clinic located in front of Smiths Grocery Store.  According to a hospital spokesperson, Dr. Jim Little, Jr., who was raised in Jackson Hole, returned to his hometown to assume medical director responsibilities for the new St. John's Family and Urgent Care Center.  St. John's plans to complete the purchase of the clinic in late August and will utilize the state-of-the-art facility to improve access to primary care services in the community.  Along with Emerg-a-Care in the Powderhorn Mall, the Urgent Care facility will be one of two such facilities serving Jackson.

 

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal was alarmed at a suggestion recently by Presidential Candidate John McCain that the 1922 Colorado River Compact be revisited.  During a news conference yesterday, Freudenthal told reporters when he read an interview in a Colorado newspaper last week where McCain said the compact between seven Western states doesn't address increases in population or changing water needs, he figured the interests of those upstream were not what McCain had in mind. Freudenthal says water agreements in the West have only been forged after long, difficult negotiations that spanned decades.  Freudenthal says what he thought was particularly odd about it was that there's just been a fairly lengthy set of discussions between the states in which they developed the manner and means by which they would deal with drought.

 

The National Museum of Wildlife Art has announced that its nominee, Jackson Hole High School Junior Hillary Lavino, has been selected to participate in Polar Bears International’s “Adventure Learning Leadership Camp” in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, from October 1 through October 9th.  Lavino will join more than a dozen students from four countries on the adventure to Churchill for the annual fall polar bear migration. There they explore a range of issues relating to polar bears, humans, and the environment. Camp participants learn from some of the foremost scientists, educators, and resources on polar bears and arctic habitat. High-speed data links allow them to report to their home communities from the tundra. The experience is intended to give them an opportunity to learn about polar bears and the arctic and understand the importance of bringing people together to discuss and develop solutions.

 

 

08-20-08

 

Four of the five propositions for the special purpose excise tax in Teton County over the next five years won clear voter approval yesterday while the fifth was soundly defeated.  Voters approved funding for the construction of pathways, and sidewalks in town and the design and preparation of facilities for the county library and public transportation facility, but overwhelmingly turned down money for construction of a new detention center.  With only 40% of the county’s registered voters turning out, Democratic voters selected Andy Schwartz and Claire Fuller to be placed on the ballot in November for County Commissioner while the Republicans chose Leland Christiansen and Dennis Triano to run on their side of the ticket.  Of the ten non-partisian candidates seeking a seat on town council, the four chosen to go on in November were incumbents Abe Tabatabai and Mark Obringer along with challengers Greg Miles and Louise Lasley.  Cynthia Lummis outpolled Mark Gordon and Bill Winney to win the Republican right to meet challenger Gary Trauner in the race for the state's lone US House seat.  Chris Rothfuss will face Republican Incumbent Mike Enzi, winning handily over Al Hamburg yesterday, and Nick Carter slipped by Keith Goodenough by a very slim margin to emerge as John Barraso's Democratic challenger.

(see vote count at Planet Jackson Hole)

 

It took just an hour and a half to tally all 18 precincts in Teton County last night – a fete for which County Clerk Sherry Daigle credits her staff.  Daigle says she can only hope for as much in November. Daigle also points to the low voter turn-out for the speed in which returns were tabulated, saying it is more typical for 60% or more of Teton County’s voters to turn up at the polls.  She says while November will probably see a more normal turnout, she is optimistic for the counting process to be as efficient.

 

Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.2% in June to 3.6% in July as the state's unemployment continues a slow climb from its recent low of 2.6% in April. Despite the recent increases, the state Department of Employment says Wyoming unemployment remains much lower than the U.S. average of 5.7% .  Meanwhile, Teton County's unemployment dropped from 1.9% in June to 1.7% last month making the jobless rate the second lowest in the state behind Sublette County which posted a 1.5% rate.  Despite the drop in joblessness, Teton County's employment picture declined by about 300 jobs over the past month.

 

A 52-year-old Idaho Falls man died Sunday after he lost control of his motorcycle on Teton Pass and struck a guardrail.  According to Sgt. Steve Townsend of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Anthony Sturtevant was westbound about 3 ½ miles west of Wilson at about 11:36 pm when his bike failed to negotiate a left-hand curve and crashed into the guardrail, ejecting Sturtevant.  Sturtevant was catapulted over the guardrail and was pronounced dead at the scene.  The accident is still under investigation.  Townsend ways Sturtevant was wearing his helmet at the time of the crash.

 

Today is August 20^th.  Twenty years ago, the region had been watching in disbelief as multiple unquenchable fires burned in Yellowstone National Park – but on this date which would become known as “Black Saturday” winds in some cases exceeding 80 miles per hour would fan those fires to historic proportions.  Joan Anzelmo was Yellowstone's public information officer then. Anzelmo goes on to recall that she was not alone in that wonder with seasoned firefighters watching those same plumes and acknowledging there was no way man was going to extinguish those fires. Those same winds further south brought down power lines south of Flagg Ranch which instantly triggered the Huck Fire which eventually involved 90-thousand acres and on Shadow Mountain which triggered the smaller Hunter Fire.

Photo: YNP

 

 

08-19-08

 

Wyoming voters are going to the polls today to determine who will represent their parties in the November general election.  Teton County races in the primary include republicans Charles Stough and Donn Wooden seeking their party's nomination for House District 22 of the state legislature, Democrats Claire Fuller, Brian Grubb and Andy Schwartz along with Republicans Leland Christensen, Bob Morris, Rick Roth, Kim Sturlin and Dennis Triano all seeking the nod to run for two open seats on the county commission, and non-partisian candidates John Bickner, Jr., Kyle Burson, Louise Lasley, Matthew Lee, Greg Miles, Mark Obringer, Tim Sullivan, Abe Tabatabai and Tommy Wood seeking the two available seats on the town council.  Michael Holland of Green River and Bill Winney of Bondurant, Cynthia Lummis of Cheyenne and Mark Gordon of Buffalo are vying to run as Republicans for the state's lone seat in the House of Representatives.  Democrats Chris Rothfuss, of Laramie, and Al Hamburg, of Torrington, are each hoping to challenge Senator Mike Enzi for his seat in the Senate in the November Election while Democrats Nick Carter, of Gillette, and Keith Goodenough, of Casper, will compete in the primary for their party's nomination to challenge Senator John Barrasso in the general election.   Additionally, voters will also be asked to approve five proposals for the use of the county's special purpose excise tax over the next five years.  Voters must declare a party in order to participate in the partisian primaries.

 

Polls opened at 7:00 this morning for the primary elections and voters may continue to show up to cast their votes until 7:00 pm.  There are 18 designated polling places around the valley. Those living south of Jackson in precinct 1-1 will vote at the Lower Valley Energy building, those living in mid-east Jackson in precinct 1-2 will vote at the LDS Church, those living at Skyline, Hi Country, or Gros Ventre Butte in precinct 1-3 will vote at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and those living in north Jackson in precinct 1-4 will vote at the Recreation Center.  Precinct 1-5 voters from Mid-west Jackson will vote at the fair building, precinct 1-6 voters living in Cottonwood Park or Indian Trails will vote at the Presbyterian Church, precinct 1-7 voters in Rafter J will vote at the Chapel at River Crossing, and precinct 1-8 voters from East Jackson will vote at the senior center.  West Jackson's precinct 1-9 voters vote at the Teton County Public Library, the South Hoback precinct 1-10 voters vote at the WYDOT building, precinct 2-1 voters from the Kelly, Moose and airport areas vote at the airport, and precinct 2-2 voters from the areas of the Elk Refuge or South Gros Ventre Butte will vote at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.  In Moran, voters from precinct 3-1 vote at the school, and Wilson voters from precinct 4-1 vote at their school. On the west bank, those from precinct 4-2 living along the Moose Wilson Road south and west of the power transmission lines vote at the new Wilson firehouse, those residents living north of the power transmission lines and west of Fish Creek in precinct 4-3 will vote at the Old Wilson School Community Center, Residents living in Teton Village or along the Moose Wilson Road north and east of the power transmission lines in precinct 4-4 vote at the Teton Village Fire House, and those living in Alta vote at the Alta School. A map showing the precinct boundaries is available online at tetonwyo.org

 

The first day of school for Teton County children is only a week-and-a-half away now.  With new teachers reporting for orientation at the end of this week and the remaining teachers joining them for in-service sessions next Tuesday, students can look forward to their first day in class for the year on Tuesday, September second. Those who have not yet registerred for the year says middle school principal Deb Roehrkasse, can do so anytime between now and the first day of school. In the meantime, parents wishing to know particulars about school bus schedules, class supply lists and athletic registration can find those items posted now on the school district website. 

 

Owners of horses, mules, and burros will now need to have proof that their animals have recently been tested for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) before bringing them into Yellowstone National Park. The virus is spread from infected to healthy animals through large biting insects like horseflies. There is no vaccine, treatment, or cure. The disease can be fatal to members of the horse family. The only way to know if an animal is infected with EIA is to conduct a Coggins Test. This test checks for EIA antibodies in the animal’s blood. Proof that a negative Coggins Test has been conducted in the past 12 months must accompany every equine that enters the park.

 

Senator John Barrasso who will face Democratic challengers to remain in office after November says as he tours the state, one of the topics he hears brought up repeatedly by constitutants is the question of illegal immigration. Barrasso says a bill he has opposed on Capitol Hill would clear the way for illegals to obtain drivers licenses. Barrasso says this country won't truly be serious about securing its borders and stopping illegal immigration until America stops the practice of issuing driver’s licenses to the very individuals who are breaking its laws. Furthermore, in a position that breaks ranks with President Bush, Barrasso has openly opposed general amnesty for illegal immigrants.

File Photo

 

 

 

08-18-08

 

Jenny Lake Lodge staffers became firefighters Saturday when a small wildfire broke out in the forest near the historic lodge.  The small human-caused Trail Fire, was located approximately 300 feet west of the one-way Jenny Lake scenic drive, and was reported to park dispatch shortly after noon Saturday by Jenny Lake Lodge staff. Two park rangers and five firefighters with two wildland fire engines joined the Lodge staff—who had initially responded to the fire with shovels and fire extinguishers and together, controlled the fire by 2:45 pm.  The fire was confined to a single tree and nearby brush, with short-range spotting in dead and downed litter. Park officials say the fire was apparently ignited by a cigarette from a smoker or smokers using an undeveloped trail in the String Lake/Jenny Lake Lodge area.

 

The 41-thousand acre Gunbarrel Fire west of Cody is restricting access to that part of the forest for sportsmen – including bighorn sheep hunters.  Consequently, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is giving hunters the option of delaying the execution of their licenses in area two until NEXT year.  Approximately 150 square miles of area two is closed due to the fire.  Game and Fish Spokesman Ray Hagaman says there is no indication of when the area may be reopened or how large the fire might grow. Altogether, there are 24 hunters who hold bighorn sheep licenses to hunt in that area.

 

Tomorrow is primary election day, but in addition to narrowing the candidates from each party for office races, voters here in Teton County will also be asked what they think of five specific purpose excise tax projects that have been propose over the next five years. Those SPET projects presented for voter consideration are:  The Highway 22/Highway 189 (West Broadway) Pathway for $6-million, The Construction of Sidewalks in the Town of Jackson for $1-million, Design Costs of  a Library Addition $1.5-million, Design Costs of a START Transit Facility and Town of Jackson Public Works Maintenance Facility for $2.5-million, and a new Teton County Justice Center $52 ¾- million.  A brochure describing each project is available at tetonwyo.org/cc, complete with contact information for each project.  Polls open tomorrow at 7:00 am and close at 7:00 pm.

 

If you are not going to be in town for the primary election, Tuesday, you can always vote absentee.  That’s what Vice President Dick Cheney did Friday – stopping by the Teton County Courthouse with wife Lynn and a gaggle of secret service agents.  Absentee ballots may be cast in lieu of voting at the polls for any reason, and may be filed between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm yet today.  While the Vice President’s ballot remained secret, it is a cinch he voted in the republican primary races.

 

The state of Wyoming has announced plans to “explore the possibility” of helping the National Park Service pay for additional avalanche control equipment on Sylvan Pass at the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park.  In a letter to Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis following up on the latest Sylvan Pass Study Group meeting, Governor Dave Freudenthal says he plans to raise the issue with the Joint Appropriations Committee of the Wyoming Legislature. And, while he doesn’t guarantee success there, Freudenthal told the superintendent he plans to explore the inclusion of $35,000 to appropriate a howitzer and another $3500 for its storage and maintenance by the state national guard in his next budget. Freudenthal’s comments come in response to the national park service’s amendment to the record of decision last month to keep Sylvan Pass open to winter travel.  That decision came after several meetings of a Sylvan Pass Study Group which included representatives from the National Park Service, the Governor’s Office, Park County and the City of Cody.
 

 

 

08-15-08

 

Environmental groups have begun lining up to appeal a decision this week by Federal Judge Clarence Brimmer in Wyoming to file a permanent injunction overturning the 2001 Roadless Rule.  In that decision, Brimmer said the Department of Agriculture and its sub-agencies had created defacto wilderness areas without Congressional action.  However, Lisa McGee of the Wyoming Outdoor Council says Wyoming is one of the few states that hasn't dropped its opposition to a rule she says is actually becoming popular elsewhere. McGee says many westerners are beginning to see their favorite hunting, fishing and camping spots disrupted by development, and there’s been growing public support for the roadless rule.

 

Fire management officials held a community meeting Wednesday with local residents and lodge owners affected by the Gunbarrel Fire west of Cody. Approximately 85 people were in attendance. Topics of discussion were the resource benefits that areas of the Gunbarrel Fire are receiving, long term strategies and an overview from Incident Commander Don Angell in regards to the current fire management efforts being organized.Focal to the discussion during the meeting was the resource benefit to the burned areas. Allowing fire to play its natural role in the wilderness environment Angell says is nature's way of cleansing itself. In the future a reduced risk of unwanted fires, better wildlife habitat and fuels reduction will provide the forest with an opportunity to rejuvenate to a healthier state. Currently, the Gunbarrel Fire involves 41,066 acres.

 

Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi says he is pleased the President signed the Higher Education Opportunity Act yesterday.  Enzi calls the new law a major victory for Wyoming’s students and their families because he says it will significantly improve higher education affordability, access and accountability. Enzi points to the increasingly high-tech workplace for which tomorrow's American workers need to be prepared. As Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Enzi played a pivotal role in the development of the Higher Education Opportunity Act since the last reauthorization expired in September 2004. Final Congressional passage came at the end of last month  – a full 10 years after the last reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act.  Senator John Barrasso says this new legislation will work together with Wyoming's  Hathaway Scholarship to help more students in our state obtain higher education. The new national legislation also streamlines the free application for federal student aid form from 14 pages to only three. In addition to qualifying for federal student assistance, the FAFSA is also required by all state and many school student assistance programs.

 

New data released this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that, since last November, Americans have driven 53.2 billion miles less than they did over the same period a year earlier – topping the 1970s' total decline of 49.3 billion miles. U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters says Americans drove 4.7 percent less, or 12.2 billion miles fewer, in June 2008 than June 2007. The decline she adds is most evident in rural travel, which has fallen by 4 percent – compared to the 1.2 percent decline in urban miles traveled – since the trend began last November. Here in Wyoming, statistics show that traval declined by 5.2 percent.

 

It may look like a scene from the Highlander, but don't look for Christopher Lambert or Sean Connery at the Teton County Fair Grounds Friday and Saturday. The event is the 8th Annual Jackson Hole Scottish Festival. Participants will hear many of the region's finest bagpipe bands and be spectators for a variety of unusual athletic competitions. New this year is the Scottish dance competition, featuring a display of many traditional dances. The Wolves of Dunvegan will reenact historic Scottish battles with real weapons while the Renaissance Scots demonstrate early Scotland's weaving and crafts. The Jackson Hole Scottish Festival is quickly making a name for itself among Scottish festivals throughout the region. Gates open at 5:00 pm Friday, with a concert at 6:30pm.  Then gates open again Saturday at 8:00 am with summer games to follow.  Admission is $5.00 for anyone over 12.

 

 

 

08-14-08

 

Wyoming’s ACT scores released Wednesday by the state department of education show that Wyoming students’ composite scores  decreased slightly this year. According to Spokesman Tim Lockwood, the composite state average went from 21.5 to 21.1-- the same as the national average  Lockwood says about 80 percent, or 4,361 of Wyoming’s high school graduates, took the ACT test last year. Statistics for individual schools in the state were not immediately available. Lockwood says in general,  students who took a core curriculum continue to excel significantly on the ACT compared with students who did not take a core curriculum. Those who did take a core curriculum scored on average 22.3.  Students who did not scored on average 2 1/2 points lower.  A core curriculum is considered four years of English and three years of math, science and social studies each. 

 

Wyoming Attorney General Bruce Salzburg says he’s pleased about the ruling from U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer overturning the 2001 Roadless Rule. Salzburg says  the Court found that in imposing the Rule, that the Department of Agriculture and its sub-agencies violated both the National Environmental Policy Act and the Wilderness Act. The ruling found that a permanent injunction was appropriate in light of the potential harm that the Roadless Rule poses to our national forests due to beetle infestation and forest fires. The Court specifically found that in designating some 58.5 million acres of national forest lands as ‘roadless areas,’ the Secretary of Agriculture had created defacto wilderness areas within the forests. Under the Wilderness Act, the authority to designate wilderness areas is exclusively vested in the Congress through legislation, not in a federal agency through its rule making authority. Salzburg says he fully  anticipates an appeal by either the United States or one or more of the intervenors. As such, says Salzburg, the state considers the matter still in litigation.

 

Another small fire on the Bridger Teton National Forest is serving as a reminder that the danger of wildfires in the area is very high right now.  Forest Spokesperson Mary Cernicek says the Hole in the Wall Fire west of Big Piney was triggered by lightning Tuesday and was caught before it had involved more than a quarter acre. Cernicek says besides the public helping spot such fire starts, visitors to the forest need to be especially mindful at this time about making sure their campfires are dead out before they leave their camping or picnic spot, and be cautious about any other use of fire.

 

Governor Dave Freudenthal is to be on hand for the national Council of State Retail Associations conference being held in Jackson Saturday through Tuesday.  Freudenthal will participate on a panel during session one about sustainable solutions to environmental challenges that deliver long-term value for the retail industry.  Serving on the panel with the governor are executives from Publix Super Markets, Target, Wal-Mart and others. The Council of State Retail Associations seeks to improve and advance the retail industry through close cooperation and mutual assistance among state retail association executives.

 

Petitions with 13 hundred signatures have been delivered to the Bureau of Land Management, urging official historic designation of Wyoming’s South Pass. The area from Independence Rock to Farson is where the Pony Express, Mormon Pioneer, California and Oregon trails meet and intertwine. Barbara Dobos with the Alliance for Historic Wyoming says an official designation doesn’t change how the land is used today, it just helps define the historic area and landmarks. While some area property owners have been concerned a designation could limit land use, Dobos says all current land use would stay the same.

 

 

 

08-13-08

 

While the decision to appoint Paul Vogelheim to fill out the unexpired term of the late Teton County Commissioner Bill Paddleford was unanimous, it didn't come without a certain amount of discussion.  Commission Chairman Andy Schwartz says all three candidates submitted by the Teton County Republicans were strong contenders. Vogelheim assumes his duties immediately beginning with meetings with Schwartz and County Administrator Jan Friedlund to bring him up to speed on the issues.  Schwartz says while Paddleford was the liaison to Clean Cities, emergency management, engineering, historic preservation, public lands, federal agencies, and road and levee, those duties will be redistributed among the commissioners to give Vogelheim a lighter load at first.

 

The price of a gallon of gasoline nationwide has continued to fall with that price now averaging $3.79 per gallon.  In Wyoming, the statewide average is 14 cents higher than the national average, but in western Wyoming and eastern Idaho, the price gasoline has not dropped below 4-dollars – except for one outlet which yesterday posted a price of $3.99 – ten cents lower than the next lowest price in the valley.  Prices in Idaho Falls and Pocatello have also begun to decline now, but finding prices below four dollars in the region still requires some hunting.  AAA Auto Club is predicting that national price for gasoline will continue to drop through the Labor Day Weekend.

 

A brief travel closure has been announced the unpaved section of the Moose-Wilson Road within Grand Teton National Park for about ten hours beginning at 7 am Thursday. The temporary closure is scheduled to allow for grading work to be done on the gravel roadbed. The Moose-Wilson Road will reopen by 5 pm, barring inclement weather or equipment malfunction.  Those wishing to access either the Lawrence Rockefeller Preserve or the Death Canyon Trailhead will have to travel there via the north end of the road.

 

Workers this week have begun hanging the track cable for the new tramway at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort keeping it right on schedule to open this ski season.  Resort Spokesperson Lisa Watson says the work at this point has become a very visual event. Watson says the new tram is slated to open December 20^th which is the traditional opening time for the tram as the resort observes an annual split opening of facilities for the season.  Watson says the cabins are finished and awaiting shipment from Europe later this month and should arrive to be hung from the track cables about the time the cables are completed.

Photo: JHMR

 

This Friday, Toyota will present a check of more than $800,000 and five vehicles to the Yellowstone Park Foundation – the official fundraising partner of Yellowstone National Park.. The donation will be used by Yellowstone National Park to support a variety of educational initiatives in the park over the next five years with a focus on cultivating environmental stewardship and inspiring future Yellowstone leaders. Following the check presentation, a group of children from C5 Youth Foundation will participate in a ranger-led educational program, one of the many programs enhanced through Toyota’s contribution. C5 Youth Foundation is an intensive 5- year leadership development program for high-potential children from backgrounds with limited support. Children will spend two four-week sessions in Wyoming where significant emphasis is placed on environmental awareness and conservation, reaching an estimated 9,000 students annually.

 

 

08-12-08

 

An investigation of dying trees on one family's property north of Jackson in the Solitude subdivision has led to the discovery that those trees had been vandalized sometime over the past ten months. Teton County Sheriff's Detetective Gary Shaw says someone had hand cut into the trunk of each of the 30 trees – not enough to cut the trees down, but several inches into the trunk to kill the trees.  Damage to the trees is estimated to exceed 20-thousand dollars.  Shaw says the case is most disturbing, especially since there is no clear motive. Shaw says the damage was not discovered until now when the trees have begun to die off. Shaw says the public's help is needed in finding those responsible for this vandalism. People can contact the department, or Crimestoppers at 733-5148 and be eligible for a sizable reward.

 

Election Day for most is still three months away, but for one person in Teton County, their position on the Board of County Commissioners will be decided today.  After hearing presentations from candidates yesterday, the Commission will determine who among three people nominated by the county's Republican Party will fill the remaining two years of the late Bill Paddleford's term and swear that person in this afternoon.  Those Candidates include former town councilman Scott Anderson, former town council candidate Paul Vogelheim, and former Targhee Ski Resort manager Larry Williamson.

 

Gallatin National Forest has opened Soda Butte and Chief Joseph Campgrounds, located east of Cooke City along Highway 212, to tents and tent trailers now. The closure to tent and tent trailer camping was implemented on July 29^th to address human and wildlife safety issues resulting from a bear mauling that occurred July 17^th.  Forest officials say there has been no bear activity in the area since July 24^th, but Forest managers remind visitors that a food storage order requiring appropriate storage of all wildlife attractants continues in effect for the entire Gallatin National Forest.

 

Teton County Transfer Station fees for dropping off solid waste will increase from $50 per ton to $70 per ton for all waste received at the Transfer Station beginning September 1st. County officials say this tipping fee has not been increased since 2000, and if factored out over the eight years, it equates to a 5% annual increase. In addition, the tipping fee for business generated non-sorted loads will be increased from $100 to $200. Officials explain that a budget review indicated not all associated costs were being covered with the current fee structure and so the increase was needed.

 

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal says that Communities in Wyoming have the power to determine the future of the state as it grapples with the challenges of growth and development. Freudenthal says Wyoming is fundamentally changing as a result of increasing rural housing development, energy development and evolving views on land use, but how it deals with these changes needs to be addressed on the local level. Freudenthal says the state needs to get people to think about what comes next as opposed to thinking about their fears with regard to the future. Freudenthal announced the leader of a new statewide organization that will follow up on ideas and recommendations developed at the “Building the Wyoming We Want” conference earlier this year. Torrington native Jeff Fuller of the Sheridan firm HKM Engineering has been tapped to oversee the non-profit organization. Starting this month, Fuller will begin a series of small gatherings across the state with local and state staff, private individuals and elected officials to discuss how citizens think the state can welcome growth and prosperity while still protecting the things and places that make Wyoming special.

 

Grand Targhee Resort diverted approximately 1/3, or about 3,000 lbs., of its waste stream from the landfill through recycling and composting at the recent Targhee Fest.  In partnership with Greeneck Earthworks and Terra Firma Organics, the Resort composted approximately 30 cubic yards or almost 700 lbs. of food waste.  All of the food & beverage vendors at the three-day music festival provided only compostable disposable products, such as cutlery, plates, containers, and cups.  Samples of Terra Firma Organic’s compost were handed out to guests and included information on how the material can help save water, grow hardier plants, and replenish depleted soil.   

 

 

08-11-08

 

Two mountain accidents late last week concluded with opposite outcome.  A rescue Thursday afternoon took rangers in Grand Teton National Park's contract helicopter to the upper saddle of the Grand Teton where Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says 46-year-old Merry Carny of Salt Lake City, Utah had sustained multiple broken bones after landing hard during a rappel on her decent.  She tumbled over onto her back sustaining injuries to her leg, her back and her side. The Carnys used their cell phone to report their situation at about 1:30 pm.  Five rangers were flown to the scene and inserted near the injured woman to begin emergency medical care and prepare Carny for her airlift beneath the helicopter to the rescue base at Lupine Meadows.  From there, she was transported to St. John's Medical Center for treatment. Two days later, a 55-year-old man from Helena, Montana took a fatal fall while traversing the ridge between the South Teton and Cloudveil Dome with three companions. According to park rangers, Chris Pazder slipped on snow shortly after 1:00 pm Saturday afternoon while crossing the south side of Gilkey Tower and tumbled about 800 feet over steep rock before landing on a ledge on the north side of Avalanche Canyon. He was carrying an ice axe at the time of the slide, but was unable to self arrest.  Rangers recovered Pazder’s remains Sunday morning.

 

A  sixteen year old boy was killed Saturday evening in a one-vehicle rollover in Grand Teton National Park. The accident occurred at 7:05 p.m. on Highway 26/89/191, near the Elk Ranch south of Moran junction. Seven people—an extended family from Washington State and Hungary—were traveling in a Honda Odyssey minivan when the accident occurred. In addition to the fatality, the driver and six passengers sustained injuries; one of the passengers, an eight-year-old boy, suffered life-threatening injuries. Four of the vehicle occupants were wearing seatbelts and remained in the minivan; two passengers, including the deceased teenager, were ejected from the vehicle. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

 

While there was little growth to the Gunbarrel Fire near Cody over the weekend, still no fireline has been established to effect containment.  Fire crews are bracing themselves there for more activity today as the weather becomes warmer and drier once again.  Current size of that fire is 35,650 acres.  Near Pinedale, the New Fork Lakes fire is now 95% contained and behavior has gone to creeping and smoldering  Crews on that fire have been significantly reduced since last week. A temporary closure imposed in the fire area by the forest service has been lifted.  In Yellowstone National Park, the Lehardy fire is estimated at 9332 acres and is still only 5% contained.  With significantly reduced numbers of personnel on the fire, attention is beginning to turn to restoring areas cleared for firelines to their natural condition. (see fire updates online)

New Fork Fire Photo: NIFC

 

The Teton County Sheriff's Office has received a number of calls from local residents saying they had received phone calls from an organization calling itself the United States Deputy Sheriff's Association asking for money to buy bullet-proof vests for deputies.  Detective Todd Stanyon says the organization does not represent the Teton County Sheriff's Office, and no funds or equipment has come to the department through the organization. Stanyon says the group is legitimate and is registered with the Internal Revenue Service, but he says the tactics that being used in the phone calls are somewhat misleading.  Stanyon suggests those wishing to donate to charities should contact them directly or ask for materials to be mailed to them before making a comittment.

 

In spite of all the airline woes in the news over the past few months, air travel in and out of Jackson Hole continues to grow.  According to the monthly report from the airport board, travel out of the terminal last month increased over the previous July by 10% making the year-to-date total show an increase of 17%.  Those arriving through the Jackson gates increased last mont