The Powell Tribune Blog

Governor spending Memorial Day in Cody

2012-05-25T18:37:00.000-06:00

Governor Matt Mead, First Lady Carol Mead and their children -- Mary and Pete -- will attend a ceremony commemorating Memorial Day in Cody. The annual ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Park, east of Cody on U.S. 14-16-20. Wyoming veterans, military, surviving spouses, family members and the general public are invited to attend as Wyoming honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our state and nation, said a news release from the governor's office. Gov. Mead will serve as the keynote speaker and Cody Mayor Nancy Tia Brown is also scheduled to speak. The ceremony will feature the laying of memorial wreaths by Veterans Service Organizations and other civic groups. Following the event, Mead will attend a veteran's luncheon at the Best Western Ivy Inn and Suites.

Watch Cody filmmaker's award-winning short

2012-05-21T16:39:00.000-06:00

Cody filmmaker Preston Randolph -- with some help from his brother Garrett Randolph -- recently won top honors (and $25,000) in the Wyoming Film Office's Short Film Contest.

We have a story in Tuesday's Tribune and you can watch Randolph's 15-minute-long film, “The Summer of '81,” below.

Here's the description given by the Wyoming Film Office in their press release announcing Randolph's win:

The short tells the unique story of Wyoming man, Bob Taylor and the spirit and struggles of his life's journey. From teaching in the city, to being a Cowboy in Wyoming, to raising his family without electricity in the cabin he built by hand, and of course, baseball.

“Overall I think it's a touching story, and I'm just thankful Bob trusted me to tell it,” Randolph said.

First day of filings busy for commission

2012-05-17T17:29:00.001-06:00

The race for two seats on the Park County Commission has already proven a crowded one.

Five contenders filed for the position today (Thursday), the opening of the filing period for the Aug. 21 primary election.

They are:

Current commissioner Bucky Hall of Cody
Greg Gaspers, a Cody designer
Alex Gisoldi of Wapiti, a former Park County Homeland Security coordinator
Lee Livingston, a Wapiti outfitter
Bob Stevens, a Wapiti attorney

Hall, Gaspers and Livingston all had previously announced their intent to run.

Powell City Councilman John Wetzel did not file today, but has previously said he plans to run.

All six men will run as Republicans.

The filing period runs through June 1.

Updates from state track

2012-05-17T12:29:00.000-06:00

Updates will be posted at the top:

1 p.m., Saturday -- I am happy to report that forecasts of miserable weather may have been misplaced. The clouds broke and we're running championship Saturday under mostly blue skies.

I am also happy to announced that Powell High School has its first state champion of these games. Sophomore Garrett Lynch unleashed a school-record throw of 168 feet in the discus to record a 2-inch victory and capture the state title. Vince Sleep scored a personal best of 159-9 to place third.

Also this morning, Josh Cragoe ran to a runner-up finish in the 110-meter hurdle finals. The bigger news may have been Kalei Smith, who came in fourth in the race, stealing some valuable team points for the Panthers. On the girls' side, Desiree Murray ran to a runner-up finish in the 100-meter hurdles, but took a nasty spill in the 300-meter hurdle finals. Murray eventually regained her feet and finished the race well after the other seven runners had crossed the line. The bigger question will be how the mishap impacts Murray, who still has the 400 and 200 finals this afternoon. Coach Smith assures me she's "one of the toughest kids I've coach," adding that she's the sort who might run the finals today and show up at school in a body cast on Monday. Since Murray's graduating on Sunday, I doubt she'll be in school come Monday morning, but point taken.

As expected, Douglas passed Powell in the team standings, but the gap was only half a point before the Panthers surged back into the lead with their discus performance. That 4x400 relay keeps looming larger and larger as the afternoon moves closer and closer here on championship Saturday.

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7:15 a.m., Saturday -- Welcome to championship Saturday at the state track meet in Casper! Remember those 77 degrees that we began the meet with two days ago? Well forget about them, they're not coming back. It's been raining on and off throughout the night and with a humidity hovering around 80 percent and an air temperature of 42 degrees presently, it's going to feel just a handful of degrees above freezing. It should warm up into the mid or upper 50s, but there's also the threat of, yes, more rain moving in.

That said, we should have a hot battle for most of the day in the 3A boys' standings, if not for the champion's trophy, then at the very least for the runner-up and third-place hardware. Powell begins in second place today, 13.5 points in back of Jackson. Douglas should come shooting up from back in the pack with a host of early competitors, however. Star Valley will make waves in any sprinting events as well. Jackson, though, might have too many horses, especially with the 1600 yet to be run.

On the girls' side, a Friday largely without points sent the Panther girls down to seventh-place in the standings. How far they climb back will largely be determined by Desiree Murray, who will close out a stellar Panther career today by running in four different finals.

A final word -- due to the wet weather, I'm not certain how many online reports I'll be able to file today. Fans can follow along with the action on the WHSAA website (www.whsaa.org) as the Hy-Tek results stream along the state track page. I'd like to give a big thanks to everyone back at the home office as well for taking my phone reports amidst spotty coverage and questionable weather here to help provide updates this week.

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9:30 p.m., Friday -- Heading into championship Saturday, the boys' standings look like this -- Jackson 72, Powell 58.5, Douglas 36, Cody 35, Star Valley 34.5. The Panthers made some major strides today, capped by a runner-up finish from the 4x100 relay team.

That's the good news. The bad news is that the Panthers could be in third place by the lunch hour tomorrow because Douglas has a ton of points lined up in the early finals events on the track. Douglas has seven early runners, compared to just two for the Panthers. Star Valley, which has some of 3A's top sprinters, will also climb quickly once action resumes in Casper.

The Panthers could add some big numbers in the discus around midday. Blaise Gann added a qualification for the 400 meter finals late today, so he'll add to Powell's point total as well. Catching Jackson could be a tough task -- the Broncs have three of the top 1600 runners in 3A and will get big points there. They'll also have some hurdlers pulling in points that should help keep them ahead of the field barring significant mishap. The fight for runner-up honors could come down to that 4x400 relay with Douglas, Powell and Star Valley all projecting to be neck and neck going into that final event. Powell and Douglas, the two fastest regional times, will go head-to-head in that race while Star Valley has the disadvantage of running in the first heat.

On the girls' side, Tori Sleep made it on the podium in the discus tonight and Desiree Murray cruised to a win in her prelim heat of the 400. But the Panther girls were passed by several teams today and will be in seventh place heading into Saturday. Murray has the chance to pick up big points as she runs in four finals on Saturday, but it's a tall climb to get back into trophy position.

The weather forecast continues to be less than ideal and tomorrows action could find itself delayed again due to rain and storms.

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4:15 p.m., Friday -- We waited for most of the day, but the Powell girls have added to their team point total finally with a sixth-place finish in the girls' 4x100. They'll add some more as soon as the girls' discus goes final. VERY dark and ominous skies approaching, so the laptop is returning to the safety of my car and this will probably be it until tonight's post assessing how things stand for the Panthers heading into championship Saturday.

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1:15 p.m., Friday -- Updating quickly from the state soccer tournament in Sheridan, it was just announced that the Powell boys fell by a 2-1 count to Cody and are thus eliminated from state competition.

Here in Casper, Desiree Murray won her prelim heat of the 300m hurdles. Brendon Phister and Kalei Smith both failed to advance to Saturday's final. Marco Borja also narrowly missed moving ahead in the 100. KaDee Harrison was similarly denied a spot in the finals on the girls' side of the 100 while Mikaila Moore missed advancing in the 300 hurdles.

The day's bizarre incident came during the boys' 800 final in 3A. Justin Lynn was running near the front of the pack, which contained about 10 bodies, with 350 meters remaining in the race. Lynn was jostled by another runner in the pack and forced onto the infield grass. He returned to the track and completed the race, but was four seconds behind the field and eight seconds off his regional time. No disqualifications were made as a result of the incident as race officials could not identify the origin of the contact.

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12:15 p.m., Friday -- Tribune Sports Editor Randal Horobik called with these updates from the second day of the state track meet in Casper:

It’s been a good day so far for the Powell boys. Hayden Cragoe finished second in pole vault and Brendon Phister took fifth place.

Zach Thiel added a fifth place finish in the 3A boys’ 800.

In the shot put, Powell placed three in the top five. Garrett Michael was fifth, Vince Sleep placed third and Garrett Lynch had a personal best of 54-2 to finish second.

No new place winners for Powell girls to report this morning. We are eagerly awaiting the start of the 100 meter prelims and the Powell-Cody soccer game in Sheridan.

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7:45 a.m., Friday -- We'll start the day in the mid-to-upper 50s, there's a bit of an overcast haze to the sky, but that might be burned away by the sun here in the next 75 minutes before the action actually gets started. Weather forecast for the day is calling for a high in the lower 70s and a wind of 10-15 mph increasing to 20 this afternoon -- not good news for those wanting to set records on the track as it will be a headwind for the final 100 meters of any race. The real fun could come around 2 p.m....that's when the National Weather Service says thunderstorms could begin flaring up around the region.

We'll see what happens. I'm off to the stadium to try and get a front-row parking spot just in case those calls for rain turn out to be spot-on. Go Panthers!

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9:15 p.m., Thursday -- Both Panther teams are in fourth place currently, but that could change early Friday morning, particularly on the boys' side. The 3A pole vault will take off at 9 a.m. with what, in my opinion, could be one of the most exciting and talent-packed races of the entire state meet field -- the 3A boys' 800 -- following shortly thereafter at around 9:45 a.m.

But that could all be teaser to the 11 a.m. sendoff of the 3A boys' shot put. Can Vince Sleep add to his school record? Can Garrett Lynch return the school mark to his family? More importantly, can either of them provide Powell with its first gold medal of this championship? Stay tuned to find out!

On the girls' side, Friday will start slower. Jada Swires will have a chance to get points early in the triple jump finals, where she enters seeded ninth. Bailey Sanders will have a chance to add to the Panthers' point count in the 800 finals. Much of the early Friday girls' action though will come in the prelims of the 100 and 300-meter hurdles. The big Friday event for the Panther girls comes at 3 p.m. with the girls' discus finals, where Tori Sleep and Shawnea Harrington are both contenders for team points and their second state medals of these games.

That'll do it for me tonight from Casper. I'll post a quick weather update in the morning before heading to the stadium. Safe travels to all making the trip down from Powell for Friday and championship Saturday action.

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7 p.m., Thursday -- The Powell boys' 4x800 team just crossed the finish line in third place to wrap up the first day of state track action with the highest finish thus far for the Panthers. The foursome of Zander Andreasen, Marshall McArthur, Zach Thiel and Justin Lynn looked to cross the line in a time of roughly 8:41 (official times haven't been flashed on the screen yet). The girls' 4x800 relay team finished fourth, losing a footrace to the finish line against Douglas.

In other action since my last posting, Josh Cragoe and Hayden Cragoe finished 5-6 in the high jump for the Panthers. Josh also turned in the fastest time of the day in the 110 hurdle prelims, with the only sub-15 second time. Lining up further to the outside of Cragoe will be Panther teammate Kalei Smith, who also found a place in the top eight and a spot on the starting line on championship Saturday. Overall though, the prelim races may have harmed Powell's trophy chances on the boys' side. Blaise Gann narrowly missed advancing in the 200 prelims, finishing 10th overall. Hayden Cragoe was guilty of a false start in the 110m hurdles. Both were possible point-scorers in a team race that looks to be incredibly close.

On the girls' side, Desiree Murray advanced with ease in both the 200 and the 100m hurdles. KaDee Harrison wasn't quite as fortunate in the 200, where her time of 27.5 was good for 12th, ending her state meet in that event. She's still got the 100, as well as a relay leg with the 4x100. In the only other final on the girls' side, Jada Swires's best long jump of 14-4 1/2 left her more than a foot shy of the top eight.

Up in Sheridan on the soccer field, I have received word from Greg Wise that Powell fell by a 4-2 count in a game that was cut short by a few minutes due to lightning. Jackson jumped ahead in the opening minute of play and later added a second goal before Ty Ouellette's penalty kick drew net to give the Panthers' their first goal of the season against the Broncs. Jackson and Powell traded goals before Jackson sailed home an insurance goal just before Mother Nature rumbled an end to the contest. The Panthers will face Cody, a 3-2 loser to Buffalo, in a Friday elimination contest that should kick off around 11 a.m.

That'll do it for me here at Kelly Walsh on Day 1. I'm going to go find dinner and my hotel, by which point they should have the Thursday team scores posted and we can talk a bit about what we're looking forward to tomorrow here in Casper.

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1:45 p.m., Thursday -- The boys' portion of the 3A state championships also began successfully for the Powell Panthers as Zander Andreasen placed fifth in the 3200. Andreasen ran a strong race, spending the better part of six laps amidst a lead pack of four runners before sagging back over the final 800 meters. The heat is definitely playing a wild card on the early distance race as temperatures in Casper are around 80 now and wind is virtually non-existent. I, not being a competitor, have retreated to an air conditioned location. The big winners early on are definitely the lemonade vendors around the stadium.

We'll begin prelims on the track soon. The next event for the boys will be the high jump where Josh and Hayden Cragoe could both provide points for the Panthers. After that, we wait for the last event of the day as both 4x800 relay teams line up to carry the baton.

Barring something pretty amazing in the high jump, expect the next update to come from the hotel tonight as I wrap up the prelim race action and late-afternoon finals.

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Tribune Sports Editor Randal Horobik phoned in this noon news from the first day of the state track meet in Casper:

"What a difference a year makes. Instead of snow flakes, the national anthem was sung to 77 degrees.

Powell High School freshman Gretchen Morretti got things started with a seventh place finish in the 3200. Sophomores Tori Sleep and Shawea Harrington placed fifth and sixth, respectively in the shot put.

We're about half an hour away from Zander Andreassen in the boys 3200."

Randal promised more updates as the day's events warrant.

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Romney "delighted" with Wyo. win

2012-03-13T11:30:00.000-06:00

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney said he's "delighted" with the results of Wyoming's county conventions.

Romney took seven Wyoming delegates last week and has mounted a legal challenge to get an eighth --Park County's delegate, which was awarded to Rick Santorum. In his Saturday evening statement, Romney made no mention of the pending challenge.

Here's the full text of Romney's statement, as put out by his press shop:

“I am delighted to have won the support of seven of the twelve national delegates selected at Wyoming’s County Conventions. Our campaign is on the move and today's victories in the island territories bring us one step closer to defeating President Obama and restoring American's promise. I am grateful to our extraordinary supporters in Wyoming and look forward to sharing my message of more jobs, less debt and smaller government with voters across the nation.”

PHS boys and girls open with regional wins

2012-03-01T18:07:00.001-07:00

So far, so good for the Powell High School basketball teams: the Panthers and Lady Panthers each won their opening matches at the Class 3A West regional tournament in Jackson on Thursday.

The PHS girls came from behind late to claim a 29-24 overtime victory over Mountain View. They scored the last 12 points for the win. Powell, seeded fourth, advances to play Cody, the No. 1 seed, at 4 p.m. Friday. The Lady Panthers will be looking to avenge their narrow 51-45 loss to the Fillies last Saturday; they also played Cody oh-so-close in a 23-22 heartbreaker on Jan. 13.

Powell's No. 1-seeded boys, meanwhile, clobbered No. 8-seeded Pinedale 76-30 in Thursday morning action. They'll play Lyman, the No. 4 seed, at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Lyman and Powell split their two contests in the regular season, PHS winning a 51-48 decision on the road on Jan. 7, LHS nabbing a 53-52 win on Feb. 10.

Regional tournament brackets for the boys and girls are available at WHSAA.org.

Video: Cody PD news conference on homicide

2012-02-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was busy for Cody police, as they sought a man in connection with a Sunday night homicide. The PD arrested their suspect, Myron Friday, yesterday evening after a day-long search.

Cody police initially announced the search for Friday in a bare-bones morning news release. Police Chief Perry Rockvam then released more information at an afternoon press conference.

For anyone who's interested, here's the video of that briefing, as broadcast by the city of Cody through their online streaming service:

The video is also available on the city of Cody's website, as is the press release announcing Friday's arrest.

At least one individual was upset with the lack of information released and relayed by the local media yesterday, calling Cody police dispatch around 5:30 p.m. for more information on the homicide. He said the local paper account told him "nothing" and wanted to speak with someone about his and others' safety, according to the Cody police log. Someone from the department was going to call him back, the log says.

Dr. Schneider's press release responding to allegations

2012-02-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

In case anyone is interested, below is an unedited copy of the press release that Cody neurosurgeon John H. Schneider Jr. put out yesterday announcing he had filed a response to Cody orthapedic surgeon Jimmie Biles' defamation suit against him. I wrote a more detailed story about Schneider's response in today's paper.

The release was sent by an individual with Acclaim, LLP Public Relations in Billings.

Local Surgeon’s Response to Libel Allegations

Cody, WY – Dr. John H. Schneider, Neurosurgeon, filed in federal court on Tuesday in response to recent allegations of defamation of character by orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jimmie Biles. Dr. Schneider’s response not only addresses the suit brought on by Dr. Biles but will carry with it a countersuit on behalf of Dr. John H. Schneider as well as a suit on behalf of the People of Wyoming.

Court filings hold sworn testimony that proves Dr. Schneider had no involvement in the negative flyer distributed last December about Dr. Biles. The individual named in disseminating the flyer testified that she, and she alone, created the flyer. Court records also indicate that Dr. Biles has a long history of erratic, alcohol and substance abuse related behavior that has left many, including patients, the general public and Dr. Schneider, feeling victimized.

“It's a shame it had to come to this,” said Dr. Schneider. “Dr. Biles has some personal demons to overcome, and I feel sorry for him. It's sad to see a man lash out at others in a desperate attempt to salvage a career that is crumbling around him. I hope he is able to get healthy and in control again someday.”

Attorney for Dr. Schneider, Laurence Stinson of Bonner Stinson Law Firm, feels the suit brought on by Dr. Biles is another attempt to cause harm to Dr. Schneider “as a result of long-standing animosity and jealousy toward Dr. Schneider, his former friend, who refused to finance a ranch operation owned by Dr. Biles.”

Dr. Schneider continued “We look forward to getting this over with so we can get back to our purpose – helping our patients and our community.” Dr. Schneider stated that he has tried to take the higher ground in his dealings with Dr. Biles over the last several years, but “my personal integrity and my professional career demand that I not stand idly by any longer.”

A hearing date is pending.

Stay informed during legislative session

2012-02-21T11:49:00.002-07:00

With the 2012 Budget Session under way in Cheyenne, residents have a variety of ways to stay informed. The Wyoming Legislature offers numerous services to help Wyoming residents actively participate in the legislative process during the 2012 legislative session. Below is a list of those services:

General telephone messages and correspondence for legislators
If you would like to contact a legislator directly during the session, call the Senate receptionist at 307-777-7711 or the House receptionist at 307-777-7852 to leave a brief message for a member. Written mail may be directed to a designated legislator in care of the Wyoming House or Senate, State Capitol, Cheyenne, WY 82002. Fax messages may be sent to a designated legislator at 307-777-5466.

Contacting legislators by email
You may also contact members of the Wyoming Legislature via email. Many legislators use email to correspond with their constituents and other members of the public. This is one of the most effective ways to communicate with legislators, especially if you would like to provide more detailed information than is available through the various telephone services. Legislators who can be contacted by email are listed on the Legislature’s website (http://legisweb.state.wy.us).

Online hotline and telephone hotline
During the legislative session, you can recommend support for or opposition to, a particular piece of legislation by using the online hotline. In addition to expressing support for, or opposition to, an identified bill, you can leave a short comment regarding the bill. This service is available on the Legislature’s website at http://legisweb.state.wy.us/postcomments/onlinehotline.aspx.

Comments will be available to all legislators, but keep in mind that legislators consider a variety of factors when making decisions on pending legislation. The telephone hotline also is available toll free for people without Internet access. Within Wyoming, the number is 866-996-8683. Callers will not be able to leave comments regarding a bill. The information that you provide using these services is considered a public record.

Bill Status Hotline
You can call the bill status information service within Wyoming at 800-342-9570 to obtain the current status of any bill in the legislative process. This is a limited service that provides information about where the bill is in the process, but does not provide information about the details of the legislation. In addition, callers cannot leave messages for legislators at this telephone number. This service is available on days the Legislature is in session from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Out-of-state callers should dial 307-777-6185 for this service.

Hearing Impaired Service
If you have a hearing impairment, call the toll-free Wyoming Relay Service for information on any bill. The number is 800-877-9965 for TDD or Text Telephones. Ask the Wyoming Relay Service operator to dial 307-777-6185 to obtain the status on bills. This service is available to all Wyoming residents with hearing impairments.

Information on the Legislature’s website
A great deal of legislative information is available electronically through the Wyoming Legislature’s website. This site also can be accessed through the State of Wyoming’s Web page. During legislative sessions, the website will be updated daily with important legislative information, including the text of all introduced, engrossed, and enrolled bills; information about amendments; a record of all roll call votes posted as soon as possible after each vote; record of actions taken on bills; bill status; Senate and House daily calendars; and standing committee meeting schedules.

Streaming Audio of Legislative Proceedings
Live and archived audio proceedings of the Wyoming Senate and the Wyoming House of Representatives are available on the Wyoming Legislature’s website. A link will be prominently displayed on the website when the session begins to provide the option of listening to live proceedings, if the House and Senate are convened, and an archive of daily legislative proceedings. If you have trouble hearing sound on your computer when the House or Senate are in session, please click on the Audio Troubleshooting Guide for assistance. The system will not stream live audio when the House and Senate are adjourned, at recess, or at ease for more than 15 minutes.

Roll Call Votes
Current technology allows the Wyoming Legislature to post roll call votes almost in real time for floor votes. You can find out how legislators vote on every roll-call vote taken both on the floor and in committee during this year’s session. This information is available within several minutes after each roll-call vote. Users should click on the “2012 Bill Tracking Information” link on the homepage and then on the “Roll Call Votes on Bills and Amendments” link.

On the top of the page select Floor Votes or Committee Votes from the drop-down menu. Then, select whether you would like the votes on House Bills or Senate Files. A list of all bills will then display on the page. Once you have selected the bill you want to review, the actions that were taken, as well as the day the actions were taken will display in the main section of the page. Click on the “view” link to see how each individual legislator voted.

Electronic and Paper Copies of Legislation (House Bills and Senate Files)
The text of each bill will be posted on the Legislature’s website as soon as the legislation is assigned a bill number. Fiscal notes are also included on the website, which provide information about the fiscal impact of the bill. The text of each bill that passes one house (called “engrossed bills”) and bills that are passed by the Legislature (called “enrolled acts”) are posted on the site as they are approved. Bills can be viewed by subject or sponsor. If you do not have Internet access, you can call the Legislative Service Office at 307-777-7881 to request paper copies of legislation for a minimal fee. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on days the Legislature is in session.

Amendments to Legislation
Amendments under consideration each day are listed on the legislative website when they are released for distribution. Amendments that have been adopted are compiled daily.

Senate and House Schedules
Calendars for floor proceedings in the Senate and House of Representatives will be available on the Legislature’s website in the late afternoon for the next day’s floor proceedings in each chamber. The calendars include legislation under consideration and the general order of business.

Standing Committee Meetings
During the session, when a bill is introduced in either the Senate or the House, it is sent to a standing committee for review and to receive public comment. You are welcome to attend standing committee meetings and to testify for or against legislation. If you would like to provide written information to the Committee, you will be requested to fill out a Committee Handout Form at the meeting (copies of the form are also available on the Legislature’s website). You are encouraged to email an electronic copy of your handout in advance to the LSO at legdocs@wyoleg.gov, so staff can maintain an electronic archive of committee handouts. A schedule of standing committee meetings and the bills that will be considered by each committee for the next legislative working day will be posted on the Legislature’s website each day in the late afternoon.

Bill Status Information
In addition to the Bill Status Hotline telephone service described above, the Legislature’s website provides information regarding the current status of each bill under consideration, as well as previous actions on the bill (journal digest). The journal digest includes the dates actions were taken on the bill, all roll call votes related to the bill and the text of all amendments offered regarding the bill.

Details on Yellowstone winter use? Stay tuned

2012-02-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

If you're wanting details on the new options being considered for winter recreation in Yellowstone National Park, you'll have to wait for a few more days.

On Tuesday, the Park Service announced that it's seeking comments from the public on a range of options for regulating snowmobile, snowcoach and other winter traffic in the future.

The press release was fairly general in describing the six alternatives officials are considering, but said more information could be found online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yell.

The problem? The site currently has no information about the new options.

Here's the explanation from Yellowstone park spokesman Al Nash:

The 30-day public comment period doesn't officially begin until the Park Service publishes a notice in the Federal Register, a kind of daily government newspaper.

"We had thought that might be today (Friday), now it's going to be the middle of the week," Nash said. He's guessing the notice will go in the Wednesday, Feb. 8, edition of the Federal Register.

At that point, "there will be some materials posted to that (parkplanning.nps.gov/yell) website," Nash said.

The press release went out Tuesday instead of later because open houses on the winter use alternatives are coming right up, he said.

"We wanted to get the word out to people so they could put the public meetings on their schedule," Nash said.

Indeed, the Cody event -- the first of four such meetings in the region -- is slated for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13 at the Holiday Inn. Waiting for the (tentative) Feb. 8 publication in the Federal Register would have meant less than a week of notice, versus the nearly two weeks that Tuesday's announcement gave.

"I realize we ended up announcing this in a little different fashion than we typically do," Nash added.

The revised options under consideration include ending snowmobiling in the park and closing Sylvan Pass to winter travel, leaving daily limits at the current 318 sleds/78 snowcoaches threshold or setting limits based on the number of “sound events” created by the traffic, rather than on specific numbers of machines.

The Park Service decided to re-examine its options after the public found fault with the preferred plan managers released last year.

Now, Yellowstone managers are seeking more feedback from the public with a "scoping" period on the new alternatives.

"What scoping is all about is, 'We have some ideas, we need some more from you,'" Nash said.

Fast facts about Wyoming

2012-01-24T18:25:00.000-07:00

Gov. Matt Mead won't deliver his "State of the State" address until next month, but if you're looking to brush up on where the state stands statistically, there's no need to wait.

The state of Wyoming's Economic Analysis Division released the 2012 edition of its "Wyoming – Just the Facts!" publication this week.

The fact sheet lays out a host of basic Wyoming facts and how those figures compare nationally. The division says the information covers "demography, weather & geography, recreation & tourism, crime & law enforcement, education, health & social welfare, housing, the economy, employment & labor, tax environment, mining, energy, & the environment, transportation, agriculture, and government."

Data from 63 different sources has been plugged into the four-page sheet. Although most of the information comes from 2010 or earlier (2011 just ended, after all), it's a good one-stop shop for stats.

Here's a sampling of facts from the publication:

The Bureau of Land Management controls 17.6 million acres in Wyoming, the U.S. Forest Service 9.2 million acres (spread among 10 national forests) the National Park Service 2.4 million.
There were 1,560 filed bankruptcies in Wyoming in 2010 (per capita, that ranked 44th in the U.S.).
Approximately 8.9 percent of Wyoming's workers were employed in mining in 2010 (tops in the nation), while 25.7 percent worked in government (second-highest).
Wyoming's per capita crime rate ranked 32nd overall, but 43rd for violent crime back in 2009.
The state paid an estimated $16,066 per pupil on the state's public schools in 2011 (fourth highest in the nation)
The average elevation in Wyoming is 6,700 feet above sea level.
Our state dinosaur is the triceratops.

Read for yourself below or download the fact sheet here.

Video: Northwest College makes Leno

2012-01-18T22:07:00.001-07:00

When Northwest College announced last month that Del Nose was returning to coach the college's rodeo team, the news was picked up by several media outlets.

Here are some examples of the headlines:

The NWC press release: "Del Nose returns to Northwest College to coach Rodeo Team"
The Powell Tribune: "He's back: Former coach returning to NWC rodeo"
The Billings Gazette: "Nose returns to NWC rodeo"

Rock Springs' Rocket-Miner, however, offered a slightly different take, and it drew the attention of comedian Jay Leno during his Tuesday night "Headlines" segment. Check out the clip below.

Court says no compensation for prison head-butt

2012-01-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

A Wyoming prison inmate will not receive worker's compensation after the state Supreme Court rejected his suggestion that movements in the earth's crust -- and not a fellow inmate's angry head-butt -- may have led to his nose being broken.

Steven DeLoge -- who is serving six consecutive life sentences for repeatedly raping an 8-year-old girl and has had numerous appeals before Wyoming's high court and others -- began his bizarre quest for compensation on July 1, 2008.

A fellow inmate working in the Wyoming State Penitentiary's kitchen, Scott Bronson, believed DeLoge had complained to a supervisor about a dirty bread slicer. Bronson was upset DeLoge went to a supervisor first, and an argument ensued.

According to Bronson, the conversation reached a point where it went something like this:

DeLOGE: "Get the (expletive) out of here."
*BRONSON argues, then turns to leave*
DeLOGE: "and stay the (expletive) out of here."
BRONSON: "Why don't you make me stay out of here?"

By that point, the two were in each other's faces and Bronson told DeLoge to get out of his face.

“He didn’t, so I head-butted him," Bronson later told a detention lieutenant -- adding that he had only wanted DeLoge out of his face and hadn't meant to break the fellow inmate's nose.

DeLoge sought worker's compensation, but was turned down by the Wyoming Workers’ Safety and Compensation Division because injuries resulting from illegal activities* -- like a battering -- aren't covered. DeLoge, through Laramie attorney Vaughn Neubauer, appealed to the Supreme Court after an unsuccessful effort in the Carbon County District Court. Neubauer argued that Bronson hadn't actually illegally battered DeLoge under state law because there was no evidence Bronson did the head-butting in a "rude, insolent or angry manner."

"Mr. DeLoge must concede that inmate Bronson’s statement, 'he didn’t [get out of my face], so I head-butted him' ... could possibly be interpreted as an indication that Bronson intended to touch Mr. DeLoge in a rude manner, but this would suppose facts not in evidence," Neubauer wrote. "At no time did inmate Bronson clarify whether or not the bump of heads occurred due to an intentional act of his own volition, an accident, or a sudden geologic shift in the surface of the earth which caused his head to contact Mr. DeLoge’s."

The state attorney general's office, defending the worker's compensation division, said the evidence showed the head-butting was clearly intentional.

"(N)othing in the record suggests that Bronson suffered some sort of muscle spasm or incontrollable (sic) twitch, or otherwise was subjected to some movement of the earth or stars which forced his head into DeLoge’s face," wrote senior assisant attorney general Mike Causey.

The Supreme Court agreed and flatly rejected DeLoge's appeal on Nov. 9.

"Bronson’s admission of his intent leaves little room for speculation as to the possible involvement of tectonic plate activity," wrote Justice Barton Voigt. "This appeal borders on the frivolous."

The court did not address what a wholly frivolous appeal would look like.

*Personally, I think a more novel position for the worker's compensation division would have been to argue that anyone in prison is there as a result of illegal activity, and, therefore, that all injuries suffered while incarcerated are ineligible for compensation.

Firefighters rescue trash container

2011-12-02T10:59:00.001-07:00

Don't mistake a city of Powell trash bin for a burn barrel.

That may be the takeaway from a Monday morning incident in which discarded ashes from a wood stove proved too hot for a Washington Park Dumpster to handle.

Members of the Powell Volunteer Fire Department (seen above) got to the brewing blaze while it was still just smoldering and doused it around 8:40 a.m.

Given the trash bin's contents, Fire Chief Joey Darrah said he assumed someone from out of town had dumped the refuse. "It wasn't trash from the park," he said.

In good news for city utility customers, Darrah believed the bin suffered no serious damage.

Lummis says Romney will be GOP nominee

2011-11-08T00:26:00.000-07:00

Wyoming's Congressional Representative, Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., hasn't made an endorsement in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, but last week she did make a prediction.

Speaking with KGWN TV in Cheyenne, Lummis named former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney the favorite.

"I do believe that eventually we're going to see Mitt Romney emerge as the Republican nominnee," she told interviewer Rylee DeGood.

Lummis said it's "been wonderful to watch these candidates grow on the campaign trail and hone each others' (economic) plans" and that the "great" Republican debates have better prepared the eventual party nominee (which, according to her prediction, will be Romney).

Another Wyoming political powerhouse, former U.S. Sen. Al Sipmson declined to pick a winner while speaking to the Cheyenene station on Thursday.

"I have irritated so many people in the world that at this point, if I were to pick one, I would again rain boulders on my bald dome and I'm not going to do that," Simpson said during a joint interview about his recently-published biography.

"However," Simpson said, "there are some real nutcases in the race, I just would throw that in. You pick them out."

While not naming any nutcases, Simpson did laugh off the chances of one would-be presidential contender -- himself.

The Cody Republican said an effort to draft him into the 2012 Presidential race (www.alsimpson2012.com) "gives me goosepimples all over."

"Those guys got together over 18 beers and put together this YouTube thing [Note: PG13 language] ... I nearly died laughing when I saw it because they had quoted one of my great phrases which I don't use here," Simpson said.

The "great phrase" Simpson is apparently referring to is, well, we won't use it here, either.

The Smith Mansion's paranormal activity

2011-10-31T14:51:00.003-06:00

The Smith Mansion's strange, pagoda-like frame can look a bit spooky from the Cody-Yellowstone highway near Wapiti.

In March, the Powell-based Wyoming Area Paranormal Society investigated whether the spirit of the structure's inventive creator, Francis Lee Smith, was present at the site; Smith died while working on the landmark home in 1992.

Tribune reporter Gib Mathers tagged along with the W.A.P.S. team at the Smith Mansion and wrote about it for the paper, but we never shared the footage the paranormal investigators eventually posted. It being Halloween, now seems like a prime time do so.

On the website she's set up to help preserve her father's creation, www.smithmansion.org, Sunny Smith Larsen wrote of the Wyoming Area Paranormal Society's work:

"This was an amazing experience and I cannot believe what was caught on W.A.P.S. equipment. A lot of things have happened over the years, strange things.

I have experienced many questionable things within the house, along with my mom, Linda. Friends and even strangers have told me about their experiences with "something" in that house.

I am glad to know that spirits do haunt the mansion, but I am left with even more questions."

A follow-up W.A.P.S. investigation had been scheduled for the night of Nov. 11, but recently had to be canceled.

Former Yellowstone spokesperson honored for conservation

2011-10-17T18:41:00.002-06:00

Former Colorado National Monument Superintendent and Yellowstone National Park spokesperson Joan Anzelmo has been honored by the National Parks Conservation Association for "her commitment to preserving the integrity and open access of the park for all visitors."

The National Parks Conservation Association gave Anzelmo its Stephen T. Mather Award -- named after the first director of the National Park Service -- on Friday. In giving the award, the environmental group specifically cited Anzelmo's December 2010 decision to prohibit a professional bicycling race from going through the Colorado National Monument.

Organizers and elected officials in Colorado had said the event would be an economic boon to the area; Anzelmo and Park Service Director Jon Jarvis said it would have gone against policy, adversely affected the monument and temporarily shut off access to the public.

"Her (Anzelmo's) actions in the last year at Colorado National Monument, in preventing the overt commercialization of the park by a privately-sponsored competition, despite personal attacks and political maneuvering, are merely the latest examples of her dedication to the principles the National Parks System is built upon,” said NPCA Southwest Regional Office Senior Director David Nimkin.

NPCA's senior vice president for government affairs, Craig Obey, said Anzelmo -- who retired in July after 35 years of park service -- is "exactly the type of person we want in charge of our national treasures."

"Throughout her career she remained focused on the proven policies and science that she knows are needed to retain the character and spirit of the National Park system for the future," Obey said.

Anzelmo previously served as chief of public affairs for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks -- including acclaimed work during the 1988 Yellowstone fires. She later headed up public affairs for the entire National Park Service. Anzelmo also worked for the Park Service's unified area command in May 2010 following the BP oil spill.

Former Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Bob Barbee, who was Anzelmo's boss at the park, called her a top-flight professional.

"Her principled dedication to the values embodied in the national parks is unrivaled -- and when faced with pressures to compromise those values, Joan (Anzelmo) can be counted on to hold the line," Barbee said.

Anzelmo has received numerous awards, including from the Department of the Interior, honors in Congressional Record and in White House commendatory documents.

She called the NPCA's Stephen T. Mather Award the "honor of a lifetime"

"I am so grateful to have the National Parks Conservation Association as a steadfast partner and leader in helping to protect our nation's most precious natural and cultural resources and serve the vast visiting public to America's national parks," Anzelmo said.

She now lives in Jackson.

Economic official irritated by "Occupy" movement

2011-10-13T23:49:00.003-06:00

The "Occupy Wall Street" protests and their cry against corporate power have spread to other parts of the United States -- and that includes Wyoming.

~~I haven't heard of any events locally.~~ Update: An "Occupy Powell" protest is planned from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, according to organizer Faith Wicks.

"We're going to be loud, but we're going to be peaceful," Wicks said on Friday, while protesting in downtown Powell.

It seems to be a safe bet that local economic development officials won't be joining any local "occupy" protests.

In Forward Cody's latest newsletter, the organization's business development specialist, Scott Wagner, wrote that he is "truly irritated" with the Occupy Wall Street movement. Wagner's take:

"Hundreds of chronically unemployed people are out pitching a fit about their situation and wanting someone to fix it for them. Speaking out for your rights is a good thing, however, I think that the best thing for these people to do is to help solve this high unemployment and stagnant economy is to take the proverbial bull by the horns and become an entrepreneur. Small business is what makes our economy the world powerhouse that it is, and starting a business is a great way to solve the unemployment issue..."

Wagner goes on to say many people he talks to don't know where or how to start a business; he says the solution is as simple as seeking help from Forward Cody.

Police chief's retirement letter

2011-10-13T11:20:00.001-06:00

As you may already know from reading the Tribune, Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers is retiring at the end of the year -- officially on Wednesday, Dec. 28. That will conclude roughly 30-and-a-half-years of service with the Powell Police Department.

In case anyone's interested, here's some of what Feathers wrote in his official retirement memo to City of Powell Administrator Zane Logan, dated Sept. 29:

It has been my privilege to serve the citizens of Powell for over 30 years as a Police Officer. I would like to thank the City for the many opportunities I have been afforded through my employment with the City, it has certainly been a blessing to me and my family. I am grateful for a fulfilling career in which I was given every opportunity to make a difference for my neighbors. However the time has come where a candid assessment of the leadership needs of the Police Department clearly indicate it is time for a Chief with a different skill set, a fresh vision and more energy than I possess. I leave with fond memories of my years with the City of Powell and the many friends I made here. I would like to personally thank you (Logan) for being the model of a 'good boss', I have cherished our working relationship. I wish you the best, may God bless you and your leadership of the City in the days ahead.

Feathers asked that his successor be in place and assume responsibility for the department's operations at the end of his shift on Dec. 23.

Food-conditioned wolf killed in Yellowstone

2011-10-12T16:32:00.000-06:00

A habituated gray wolf believed to be conditioned to human food was killed by Yellowstone National Park staff Saturday.

Since July, the 110-pound male wolf had approached staff and visitors at close range at least seven times and had been unsuccessfully hazed each time from developed areas at Fishing Bridge.

The estimated 2- to 4-year-old wolf was a member of Mollie’s Pack from the Pelican Valley area.

The decision to remove the wolf came following a history of fearless behavior in the presence of humans, repeated visitation to developed areas within the park and numerous unsuccessful hazing attempts. Each of these factors was indicative of the wolf’s potential habituation to human food, which posed an increased risk to park visitors and staff.

Efforts to relocate food-conditioned animals generally have proven unsuccessful because the animals simply return to the areas from which they were removed.

Park visitors are reminded that intentionally feeding or allowing animals to obtain human food is a violation of park regulations, and may ultimately lead to the death of the animal involved. Park rangers vigorously enforce these regulations, which are designed to protect both people and animals. Visitors also are reminded to be vigilant at all times with proper food storage by keeping food, garbage, coolers and other attractants stored in hard-sided vehicles or food storage boxes.

Park rules require people to remain at least 100 yards from wolves at all times. Visitors also are advised to stay on designated trails, hike in groups of three or more people, be alert for wildlife and make noise in blind spots.

The best defense against attacks is to maintain a safe distance from wildlife and use binoculars, spotting scope or telephoto lens to get a closer look. Never feed, approach, disturb or entice wolves in any way. Bear spray may be an effective last resort should a wolf approach too closely.

Sightings of wolves in close proximity of humans and developed areas may be a dangerous situation developing and should be reported to the nearest visitor center or ranger station as soon as possible.

A reporter's wild goose chase ends

2011-06-27T19:14:00.000-06:00

One of the Tribune's longest-suffering and most inconsequential investigations has come to an appropriately frivolous end.

One of these things is not like the others.

Ever since we ran a photo of the County Road and Bridge Department performing some Bitter Creek culvert repair on Lane 7 last month, I've been trying to learn what a plastic goose was doing at the scene.

On the north side of the road, a faceless goose decoy had been strategically placed alongside the roadside cones warning oncoming travelers of the narrowed roadway.

I'd originally hypothesized the fake gander was some inventive technique to, say, keep road-undermining varmints away from the construction site. But Road and Bridge brass quickly kiboshed my bird-brained notion that it was there per department policy.

"We don't stockpile geese cones," said an amused County Project Manager Mike Collier a couple weeks back. Collier helpfully added that the set of national engineering standards used by the county "doesn't say anything about reflective geese."

The decoy stoically supervised the arrival of soil to the project.

Tonight, however, Powell Road and Bridge employee Clarence Anderson confirmed the goose was placed on the road not for any practical reason, but as a practical joke. The decoy was apparently found bobbing in Bitter Creek and the crew working on the road and culvert placed it alongside the cones for a laugh.

The goose has since taken up residence at the pond outside the Powell Road and Bridge Shop on Lane 9 West.

"I think it's still floating out there," Anderson said. "I think."

Free watercraft safety inspections Saturday

2011-06-16T13:26:00.003-06:00

If you’d rather be safe than sorry this boating season, take advantage of the free watercraft safety inspection being offered on Saturday June 18. The free inspection is scheduled to take place between 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Cody Wal-Mart parking lot.

The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that boats are properly registered and equipped with safety and operational equipment. Each inspection takes approximately 15 minutes, depending upon the condition and number of watercraft present. Watercraft — which includes boats, jets skis and wave runners — that are in compliance and pass the safety inspection will receive two 2011, “Safe Boat” inspection stickers, indicating they are properly equipped with safety equipment.

“A dry-land safety inspection is a preventative measure; it could save lives,” said Cody game warden Craig Sax, who will conduct and coordinate the inspection. According to Sax, one benefit of having a game warden inspect your boat on dry land is that no citations will be issued.

“Certainly it is better to discover that something like a life jacket or fire extinguisher needs to be replaced before getting on the water,” said Sax. “You never know when an accident might occur or when you might find yourself in an emergency situation.”

The department uses a very detailed checklist while conducting the inspections and makes note of equipment for the boat owner that should be replaced or repaired.

Sax also encourages boaters to do a little home study and take the free “Boating Basics” course offered by the department.

“The boating basics course is a good way to increase your general watercraft knowledge and safety and may qualify for reduced insurance rates with some carriers,” added Sax.

For more information on the boating basics course or free watercraft inspections, call the Cody region office at 1-800-654-1178.

Beartooth Highway opens for season

2011-06-10T15:32:00.002-06:00

After two weeks of delays caused by heavy, late spring snow conditions, U.S. Highway 212, known as the Beartooth Highway, opened to vehicle traffic at 9 a.m. today (Friday).

Friday's opening was just in time for the highway's 75th anniversary celebration, which takes place this weekend in Red Lodge, Mont.

Through a joint effort conducted each spring, snow plowing crews from both Yellowstone National Park and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) cleared the famous 67-mile passage that links the park’s Northeast Entrance with the community of Red Lodge.

The Beartooth Highway is maintained as a seasonal road that opens around Memorial Day weekend and closes by mid-October, depending on snow conditions.

This year a majority of the road spent well past its traditional opening date buried under more than 25 feet of snow and ice. In advance of the scheduled May 30 opening, MDT had cleared a section from Red Lodge to Vista Point, though the road was opened and closed several times over the next few weeks due to adverse weather and snow conditions. At the same time Yellowstone crews were forced to pull resources from the Beartooth to focus on road clearing efforts over Dunraven Pass to increase visitor access that was being affected by other weather-related delays within the park.

Each year the National Park Service clears the road from the park’s Northeast Entrance at Milepost 0.0 through Wyoming to the Montana state line at Milepost 43.1., meeting up with MDT crews that have plowed the road from Red Lodge.

Cutting through the Absoroka-Bearthtooth Wilderness, the Beartooth Highway is the highest elevation highway in Wyoming (10,947 feet) and Montana (10,350 feet), and is the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies, passing through one of the highest and most rugged areas in the lower 48 states, with 20 peaks reaching more than 12,000 feet in elevation. Because of the road’s altitude, extreme weather conditions including snow, ice, rain and high winds can force road closures at a moment’s notice. In 2008 the road was closed for nearly the entire season when a rock slide caused by heavy rains buried the road.

Because of rapidly-changing conditions, motorists are encouraged to check the status of the road in advance by contacting the proper state transportation departments.

Travelers in Wyoming may dial 511; those outside of Wyoming may call 888-996-7623, or visit the Wyoming Department of Transportation website at http://www.wyoroad.info.

Travelers in Montana may dial 511; those outside Montana may call 800-226-7623, or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website at http://mdt511.com/.

For road conditions inside Yellowstone National Park, visitors can call the parks’ 24-hour road hotline at 307-344-2117 or visit http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit.

Yellowstone plans vehicle checkpoints this weekend

2011-06-03T09:05:00.001-06:00

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (AP) — Rangers in Yellowstone National Park will be conducting vehicle safety checkpoints this weekend (June 3-4).

The checkpoints will allow rangers to look for traffic and safety violations and watch for impaired drivers. Rangers will also hand out information on safe driving tips, seatbelt use and DUI awareness.

Yellowstone has more than 300 miles of paved roads. Park officials say driving conditions can be challenging because of heavy traffic, rapidly changing weather and visitors and wildlife on roadways.

For current road conditions in the park, call 307- 244-2117.

Panthers capture state title, girls finish second

2011-05-21T18:02:00.002-06:00

For the fourth time in six years, the Powell High School boys' track and field team will be returning home as the state champion in Class 3A. The Panthers scored an 11-point win over Douglas to raise the trophy.

The Panthers carried an 11-point lead into the day and never saw that gap sink below nine points. By the time Douglas had fought back from a gap that at times soared above 20 points on Saturday, there was only the 4x400 relay remaining. The Panthers simply had to hold onto the baton for four laps of the track to guarantee victory.

But the Panthers did far more than just hold the baton. The team punctuated its 2011 state title with an exclamation point, winning the final relay by a margin of more than eight seconds. Afterward, not even a late-arriving rain could douse the spirits of the squad.

On the girls' side, the Panthers used a pair of top-three finishes from Desiree Murray to fight into second place, but it was the team's performance in the 1600 meters that provided the margin of comfort for the Panthers' runner-up trophy. Powell placed all four of its runners -- Kassey MacDonald, Tess Mitchell, Sierrra Morrow and Tally Wells -- in the top eight, earning 11 points as the team finished second behind Cody.

After three rainy, windy and, at times, snowy days, here's hoping the community will stay up late to provide a warm welcome home for the teams tonight.

For full details from this championship weekend, be sure to check out Tuesday's edition of the Powell Tribune.