Wednesday, 03-10-10

The rise in unemployment in the state has nearly halted its steady march upward during the January.  The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Employment reported today that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 7.5% in December to 7.6% in January which they add is not a statistically significant change. At the same time, Wyoming’s unemployment rate remains significantly lower than the U.S. rate, 9.7%. While Teton County had moved in one of the three most impacted counties for the past few months, the jobless rate here has begun dropping and is now at 8.1% of the workforce idled.  Sublette County is considered the second best in the state with a 5.8% jobless rate.

Members of Teton County Search and Rescue were called about 1:00 pm Monday to No Name Peak near Jackson Hole Mountain Resort where they evacuated an out-of-bounds snowboarder who had injured himself on a jump.  Search and Rescue Coordinator Doug Meyer says the 24-year-old man had fallen while attempting the jump and injured his hip.  For the sake of expediency, Meyer says the short-haul method below their contract helicopter was used to evacuate the man to a waiting ambulance.  Meyer says members of the ski patrol from the resort attended to the injured man and prepared him to be airlifted out.  Meyer says the injury was not life-threatening.

Crews have started clearing Yellowstone’s roads for automobile travel beginning on the north end of the park. Spokesman Al Nash says over-snow travel between Mammoth Hot Spring and Norris Junction ended Sunday evening and the first thing Monday morning, park road crews began making their first pass with plows to clear a lane south from Mammoth. Nash says a brief spring bicycling season is offered on some park roads after the plows safely clear traffic lanes and before the roads are ready for automobile travel.  Once they are open to cars, visitors to Yellowstone will be impacted by one major road construction project this year between Madison and Norris through Gibbon Canyon where delays of 30 minutes or more are possible.

Teton County Public Library’s Information Technology team has innovated a way to save $15,000 in the library’s current budget and to reduce an additional  $100,000 in estimated technology costs for the library’s addition and improvements.  Library officials say the fiscal savings resulted from an innovative way to create self-checker kiosks. Self-checker machines allow patrons to check out library materials themselves, providing the option for faster service and increased privacy, as well as reducing the time library staff spend performing these routine tasks. While kiosks of this sort typically come with a price tag of between $15,000- $30,000, a Technical Support Librarian in Ankeny, Iowa discovered a way to duplicate the functionality of the software for such systems using a web-based interface with his library’s database. He then proceeded to build a self-checker that saved his cash-strapped library thousands of dollars. Teton County Library Director Deb Adams discovered an article about the Iowa library’s innovation in The Des Moines Register, and passed the information to her IT Manager, Madeleine Mundt. Within one week collaboratively working with the library in Iowa to refine the code for Teton County Library’s needs, the Teton County Library IT team created a fully-functioning kiosk ready for use.  Adams applauds the new innovation as being particularly timely when the library’s budget is exceedingly tight.

“No Child Left Behind” as the focus of a hearing in Washington yesterday in which Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi spoke out about what needs to be fixed in the system.  Enzi told those at the hearing on the Importance of World-Class K-12 Education for Our Economic Success, that the Elementary and Secondary Education Act sets the stage to develop legislation that must build upon what we have learned from No Child Left Behind.  However, he says, at the same time it needs to improve upon what isn’t working.  Enzi told the group the nation’s economy depends on an educated and skilled workforce to be successful in the global market.  Enzi says one country after another has surpassed the US in the number of well educated people entering the workforce over the past 30 years.

Tuesday, 03-09-10

The Teton County, Idaho Sheriff’s Department arrested a man Friday evening after he allegedly made threats against himself, his family and law enforcement officers.  According to a news release, the unidentified Teton County, Idaho man had made statements to his mother that if she contacted law enforcement concerning his behavior, he would kill any officer that approached him and would kill her and his family.  Investigators ascertained that the man routinely carried a 40mm handgun where ever he went and also carried an assault rifle with him in his travels outside the house.  Officers caught up with him in the parking lot in front of a Driggs grocery store and took him into custody.  Officers say he was heavily armed at the time.  He was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for mental evaluation.  Sheriff’s officials say due to the medical nature of the case, the suspect’s name is being withheld.

Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott is to act as Regional Director for the Intermountain Region. Scott steps in for Mike Snyder, who recently retired. Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says Scott will assume her duties in mid-March. Skaggs says this is only a temporary assignment and Scott plans on returning the Grand Teton as soon as the new Regional Director is named.  In the meantime, Skaggs says Deputy Superintendent Bob Vogel will step in as the acting Superintendent of Grand Teton National Park.

Business during the last month at Jackson Hole Airport was mixed while the year-to-date figures have continued to experience a decline in ridership.  According to the monthly report to the board, those catching flights out of the valley during February were 2% fewer than the same month last year while those arriving numbered about 50 passengers more.  Year-to-date, there have been 2% more passengers flying out of the valley, but 2% fewer flying in.  At the same time, the airlines serving the valley have cut back on their flights, with the highest number of flights dropped made by Skywest which went from 134 flights in February 2009 to 102 flights last month.  However, the number of flights in and out of Jackson Hole is still higher for the month and the first two months of the year than they were in 2008 despite the ridership being noticeably off from that year.

The annual plowing of the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park is set to begin next Monday.  As plowing operations get underway, recreation on the snow-packed trail will come to an end for the winter season although park visitors may continue to use other winter trails—or areas adjacent to the Teton Park Road—for skate skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing until snow conditions are no longer favorable for such activities. However, park officials say skiers and snowshoers using areas adjacent to the Teton Park Road are cautioned to avoid the arc of snow being blown from the rotary equipment because pieces of ice and gravel can be mixed with the snow spray. Depending on weather, snow conditions and plowing progress, the roadway should become accessible to traditional springtime, non-motorized activities in early April.

State Representative Keith Gingery of Jackson says he will not be submitting his name to be appointed as the new District Court Judge for Teton County.  Gingery explains that he is prohibited by the Wyoming Constitution to being appointed to a judgeship while serving as a legislator.  Furthermore, Gingery says he is leaning toward seeking a fourth term as State Representative for Teton and Fremont Counties, although he has not completely decided yet.  Gingery says he has until the Republican County Convention later this month to make that decision.  Gingery says he has received numerous phone calls and comments during personal visits where people have been urging him to seek the District Court Judgeship, but he points out he is active as Chairman of the State Judiciary Committee through the legislature.  Gingery predicts Judge Hawes of Pinedale and the Teton County Attorney, Steve Weichman, one of the longest serving county attorneys in the state, will be the leading the names of those being considered.

The sage grouse decision by the US Fish and Wildlife Service raises more questions for the state’s Sage Grouse Implementation Team – which meets beginning tomorrow. The team was appointed by the governor with the goal of keeping sage grouse off the endangered species list, and the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service decision Friday to move towards protection for the bird may mean the job has become more urgent. Clait Braun – retired head of Colorado Division of Wildlife sage grouse research says he finds good news in that science has shown how preservation of sagebrush landscapes is the key. A sage grouse endangered species listing would carry a heavy impact on oil and gas drilling and wind energy production in Wyoming. Critics of the agency’s decision say with close to 200-thousand of the birds left, they’re not yet truly endangered.

Monday, 03-08-10

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal Friday signed the budget bill outlining state spending for the next two years.  Freudenthal praised the legislature for their work on the budget, especially noting that they were careful not to disregard the needs of essential services as this year’s tight budget was allocated. The two-year state budget is valued at just under $2.9-billion dollars.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its decision Friday to classify the greater sage-grouse as a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act.  Wyoming Game and Fish Department Deputy Director John Emmerich says the warranted-but-precluded decision maintains the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission management authority.  It also gives Wyoming time to demonstrate that its sage grouse conservation policies and conservation efforts will maintain robust populations that do not warrant a listed status. Sage grouse are still abundant and well distributed in Wyoming and overall numbers have increased substantially since 1996 with the exception of the Powder River Basin.  Emmerich says the state is confident that, over time, state-imposed conservation measures will justify the removal of sage grouse as a candidate species. 

The Jackson Bronc Boys and Girls swapped standings by the end of the regional basketball tournament this weekend with the girls ending up in first place – the boys in second.  State competition begins Thursday in Casper.  In the State Alpine Skiing finals this weekend, the Bronc boys finished number one again a full 103 points ahead of number two Natrona, while the girls squeaked by second place Pinedale by a single point.  Meanwhile, the Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team found great success this past weekend at the National Forensic League (NFL) District Tournament, held March 4-6, at Worland High School. Senior Brandon Kapelow, who qualified in two events, will join Seniors Duncan McLaurin and Oliver O’Connor in representing the Wind River District this summer at the National Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. Additionally, three Jackson students secured alternate slots to the Tournament. 

Recreational visits to Yellowstone National Park last month saw a slight increase, according to the monthly report to the Interior Department.  The gate count shows an increase of about 750 visitors over February 2009 amounting to a 2.7% rise in recreational visitation. It was the north entrance to the Park through Gardiner that accounted for all of the increase during the month.  Including non-recreational travel into the park, Yellowstone experienced a 1% increase in visitation.  Statistics for the month are not yet available from Grand Teton National park.

There’s a new scam that has showed up in Wyoming which tries to get consumer credit card information by selling an illegal, and nonexistent, certificate. The Wyoming Department of Revenue is warning residents that the website offers to sell fake “Sales Tax Resale Certificate Numbers” for all 50 states and fraudulent federal tax identification numbers for $37 each. Excise Tax Division of the Department Administrator Dan Noble reminds residents you can’t buy a certificate for $37 – or for any price – to avoid paying sales tax.  Noble adds that once they have the credit card number, there’s no telling what they might do with it. Noble says those who may have purchased such a certificate should contact their bank or credit card issuer immediately.

Friday, 03-05-10

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal called a news conference Thursday morning to announce his intentions for the upcoming gubernatorial election. Freudenthal said he wanted to step down and allow for fresh ideas, even though he continues to enjoy high popularity across the state. Freudenthal told the reporters in the end, being Governor is still just a job – a unique one – but a job nonetheless. Once Wyoming selects its new governor, Freudenthal told reporters, “We look forward to working with our successor later this year in a transition process which will be marked by a sense of cooperation and goodwill.”  Freudenthal pledged that in the remaining ten months of his term he would continue giving the job his full effort.

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal yesterday signed to juvenile justice reform bills championed by Teton County Representative Keith Gingery.  One of the two bills deals with creating standards within facilities that hold juveniles.  Gingery says that means that in Teton County, Sheriff Whalen will now need to form standards for the holding of juveniles at the staff secure facility in Adams Canyon.  Other facilities used by Teton County, such as the Hardware security facilities in Lander, Wyoming and Rexburg, Idaho will also have to comply with the Wyoming Standards.  Gingery says by implementing standards within facilities holding juveniles, it will ensure that kids are held safely and not held improperly with violent criminals and not subjected to abuse from facility managers, which occurred in facilities in this state in the past few years. The other bill, Gingery says, requires Sheriff Whalen to create an assessment tool for both Sheriff Deputies and Jackson Police Officers to use when deciding what to do with a kid picked up by an officer. Depending upon the seriousness of the offence, the juvenile may either be released into the custody of his parents or locked up in a secure facility for serious offences. 

The Jackson Police Department is again seeking volunteers to join the Citizen’s Mounted Unit. The mounted unit augments downtown patrol presence, and staffs many of the local special events.  The Citizens’ Mounted Unit was first established in 1996 to form a partnership between community members and the local police not unlike the days of the old west.  The riders will meet later this spring to undergo an intensive 40-hour training course with their horses, being taught by the Jackson Police Department. There will be in information meeting in the Jackson Town Council Chambers March 31st.  Sergeant Alan John says in recent years in particular, the police department’s budget has been trimmed to the point that without the citizen’s mounted unit, some special events could not be staffed.

The Jackson Hole High School Broncs are off to a great start at the 3A West regional basketball tournament taking place this weekend in Lyman.  The first-ranked boys solidly finished their first game in the tournament against Mountain View with a 66 to 31 win while the second-ranked girls took the game against Lyman 59 to 33.  The second game for the girls will be played against third-ranked Mountain View at 7:00 pm tonight while the boys face fifth-ranked Cody at 8:30 pm.

Snow King Resort in Jackson plays host today through the weekend to the state high school alpine skiing championship.  Mountain Manager Jim Sullivan says the high school skiers will compete on the same course that the US and French Olympic teams practices on just prior to the games in Vancouver, and the conditions remain excellent there. Sullivan says the events will focus on slalom and giant slalom.  Being on the front of the mountain near the Snow King Center, Sullivan says the race provides an excellent opportunity for parents and supporters to watch the race since nearly the entire course is visible from below.

Wyoming Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, have announced that 11 Wyoming airports will be able to better meet increasing transportation needs in rural areas thanks to more than $7.3 million recently awarded in grants.  Among the grants is $1.1-million being awarded the Jackson Hole Airport to help pay for a portion of a construction project to expand the terminal building.

Thursday, 03-04-10

The Wyoming Legislative Budget Session is quickly drawing to a close and Senator Grant Larson from Teton County says he expects the lawmakers will be on the road back home by Friday.  Larson says as far as the budget that was produced is concerned, it is one he believes that state can live with, but was still a little higher than many in the Senate would have liked to see. Larson says it was the bills on a variety of social concerns that really dominated the discussions in the legislature while the House and the Senate were fairly close to being in accord on the budget issues.

Lincoln County investigators are sifting through the remains of a home in Star Valley Ranch that was leveled by an explosion mid-day Tuesday. Thayne Fire officials say when they arrived on the scene, they found the home had been totally destroyed by the explosion and some debris in the basement was burning.  The explosion also shattered windows and blew the siding off neighboring homes.  Fortunately, the residents of the home were away at the time of the explosion.  While investigators suspect the explosion was the result of a propane leak, the incident is still under investigation by the Wyoming State Fire Marshall’s office.

Depending on the plan you purchased with your cell phone, minutes can be precious – and the last thing you want is to waste them on a telemarketer.  Yesterday, the Wyoming House approved legislation outlawing such calls from telemarketers to cell phones including those to cell numbers on the national Do Not Call Registry and unpublished numbers.  The bill originated as Senate File 57 and saw amendments in the House serving to broaden the provisions of the bill.  The Senate will now have to concur with those changes before the bill goes to the governor for his signature, but the initial bill won in the Senate with near unanimous approval before it was sent to the House.

Drivers had better put their cell phones away while traveling in Wyoming very soon.  Members of the House have passed second reading of a bill that would make texting while driving in the state an offense.  Senate File 20 entitled “Text-based Communications Prohibited While Driving,” prohibits texting while driving except in emergency situations or when the car is parked. Teton County Representative Keith Gingery says the bill appeared that it would not pass until another Teton County Representative rose and spoke about an incident illustrating the need for the law.  The bill authorizes a fine similar to those imposed for speeding violations. The bill now faces third reading before final passage in the House.

Informational meetings and a public comment period for a new Yellowstone Winter Use Plan and Environmental Impact Statement continue. Individuals, groups, and agencies have until the end of the month to submit written comments on the purpose, need and objectives, as well as the issues and alternatives they would like to be considered in the new plan.  Meetings later this month are scheduled for Cheyenne and Cody, but none for Jackson.  A scoping brochure is available at online from the park and a draft EIS and proposed rule are expected to be released in the spring of 2011 for public review.

Wednesday, 03-03-10

Winter season is almost over in Yellowstone National park.  With snow conditions in the park deteriorating, Park officials are already considering curtailment of over snow travel in certain areas where travel is still permitted.  Meanwhile, motorized over snow travel between the park’s East Entrance and Fishing Bridge over Sylvan Pass ended Monday evening.  The road from Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris Junction is scheduled to close to motorized over snow travel on Sunday evening, March 7th. Snowmobile and snowcoach travel between Madison, Norris, and Canyon ends March 9^th, while travel on the road from Canyon through the Hayden Valley to Fishing Bridge concludes March 14th. The remainder of the motorized over snow travel in the park is scheduled to end March 15th.  Winter travel in Grand Teton National Park is rapidly drawing to a close as well.

Teton County Sheriff’s Department has apprehended a suspect in connection with damage done to an electronic highway sign last month thanks to assistance from citizens.  Captain Scott Terry says the sign, mounted on a trailer, was shot and damaged where it had been placed near Dog Creek to warn motorists of wildlife in the area.  Terry says the person believed to be responsible was found through a Crime Stoppers tip and reward money that was provided through the Crime Stoppers organization. Terry says damage to the electronic sign is estimated at just under $1000.  Portable electronic signs of this nature are typically valued at just under $20,000.  The crime was similar to an incident in January when vandals caused $23,000 damage to three electronic signs along Interstate 80 in Carbon County by apparent rifle fire.

The Summit Chairlift at Snow King Resort was taken off line last Saturday night due to the failure of some parts on the lower bull wheel, but resort officials say repairs should be completed and the lift running again by the middle of next week.  Spokesman Tom Fortune says operators noticed some vibrations late Saturday and determined the bearings on the lower wheel had burned out.  Friday, a crew from Dopplemeyer/Cetec will be on hand to remove the giant wheel from the lower lift station and replacement parts for the wheel are slated to arrive on Monday.  Fortune says engineers anticipate having the lift operational again by Wednesday or Thursday.  In the meantime, Fortune says with the state high school skiing competition taking place this weekend, the resort is still operating the Cougar and Rafferty Lifts, and the terrain there is in excellent condition.

Wyoming Game and Fish is offering a free summer camp in August for Wyoming students, with a week of activities centered just outside DuBois.  Spokesman Ray Hagaman says participants will learn outdoor skills and conservation ethics.  The camp is free, but Hagaman says the 40 available positions are filling rapidly.  Applications may be made through May 28^th at the regional game and fish offices, including the office in Jackson.

Undoubtedly, most people have at least heard that Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its centennial this year.  That is cause for celebration in the scouting community.  Through those years, many young men grew up learning the values of leadership, character, community service, achievement and the love of the outdoors.  That has been no less the case here in Jackson Hole.  Since the 1950s, local scouts have collected antlers in order to help raise money for the activities of the National Elk Refuge.  Scouts have been a familiar sight in local parades, flag presentations, food drives, and individual projects as older scouts have strived for the program’s top rank, Eagle.  As part of the centennial celebration, the Jackson District of Teton Council is hosting a Gathering of Eagles March 19^th at Snow King Resort.  Local dignitaries will be joined by some of Wyoming’s state and national dignitaries to celebrate 100 years of scouting, and honor those who, through the years, attained the elusive rank of Eagle Scout.  The event will be highlighted by a dinner, displays representing scouting activities through the years in Jackson Hole, and a recommitment by those Eagle Scouts – young and old – to their Eagle Charge. Tickets for the event are in limited supply and may be purchased through any of the valley’s Boy Scout, Cub Scout, or Venture Scout units.

Tuesday, 03-02-10

Teton County Representatives Keith Gingery and Pete Jorgensen are opposing a Senate bill that they say has the potential of blocking the protection of pristine or near pristine lands in Western Wyoming.  Senate File 40 entitled “Establishment of Highways” has been proposed in past sessions as well. The bill is backed by Sublette County and Lincoln County legislators and is based on a federal law passed in 1866 that allowed for “constructed highways” to cross federal lands. In 1976, Congress repealed the law and stated that highways that existed as of 1976 would be allowed across federal lands.  Gingery says the provision has sparked ongoing fights over whether certain roads existed prior to 1976. In some cases, he says, these routes are only faint trails, old streambed paths, and other paths that are clearly not roads. This maneuver, Gingery says has been used in the past to try and block wilderness designations and roadless rules, by arguing that a path or trail is actually a road and existed prior to 1976. For that reason, Gingery and Jorgensen are seeking to kill the bill in the House this week.

The National Institute for Business and Home Safety is saying the tragedies of the recent earthquakes in Chile and Haiti should serve as a reminder that parts of the United States are highly vulnerable to the devastating effects of this unpredictable natural disaster.  While most Americans believe earthquakes are a catastrophe that primarily strikes California, there are major fault lines located in numerous other areas around the United States – including one at the foot of the Tetons rated for a maximum event topping 7.5 on the Richter scale.  Teton County’s Building Official Mark Antrobus says for the most part, buildings in the county are constructed with higher codes than most parts of the country for that reason. Antrobus points out that the construction codes seek to make the building survivable, not assure that the building will necessarily be habitable after an event.  Those who have older homes and are concerned that they are safe can contact a structural engineer for advice about possibly retrofitting it.

If the bears are emerging from hibernation in Yellowstone National Park now, it should come as no surprise that there is also evidence of bears out and about in Grand Teton National Park as well.  Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says not only has there been bear sign, a male grizzly was actually seen by a park employee in the vicinity of Grassy Lake Road on February first.  Skaggs says it would be wise for those who will be out of doors for any reason to begin being bear-aware again. Like the emergence of bears in Yellowstone, Skaggs says the appearance of the bears in Grand Teton is earlier than average as well.

A 32-year-old Victor, Idaho man is dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound suffered late last week on Pine Creek Pass.  Teton County, Idaho Sheriff’s officers found Stephen R. Miles in his car last Thursday night at about milepost 15, after receiving a 911 call reporting a vehicle that had gone off the road in the area. The reporting party initially reported that it appeared the driver was unconscious.  However, as the Reporting Party was able to approach the vehicle, they said they observed what appeared to be a gun between the driver’s legs and blood on the driver’s side window. Teton County Deputies arrived on scene at a short time later and determined Miles was deceased.

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal and First Lady Nancy honored 25 Wyoming high school students who received Horatio Alger scholarships at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda last week.  The $5,000 scholarships went to students from around the state. Freudenthal noted that the students persistence resulted in the receipt of the scholarships. None of the recipients of the state scholarship were from Jackson Hole.

Monday, 03-01-10

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal says he anticipates the state legislature will be able to wrap up the budget session early this week.  While signing a bill regarding education funding Friday, Freudenthal told reporters that what few differences there are between the Senate and the House on the budget should be easily resolved.  Freudenthal quipped that had the legislature adopted the budget proposed and sent it to him, they could have been done by now.  However, the governor more seriously said he was delighted with the positive work that has been done to date by the two bodies of lawmakers.

 The DUI bill passed out of the Senate has now passed the House of Representatives as well with an overwhelming vote of 53-5 with 2 excused.  The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.  Representative Keith Gingery originally brought a comprehensive DUI bill to the legislature last year.  That bill was passed by the House, but died in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Senator Tony Ross of Cheyenne, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, took Gingery’s DUI bill from last year and pulled out those provisions that he believed the Senate could approve.   Senator Ross’ bill includes provisions that expand the definition of drug to include drugs not specifically included on the controlled substance list, an adopted time of test rule allowing for conviction to occur if the driver is found to be impaired within two hours of the traffic stop, a look-back period at previous convictions going back ten rather than five years, and a limit of those look-backs to the date of conviction.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is calling out groups like Defenders of Wildlife, Western Wildlife Conservancy and others for their disingenuous use of data on wolves and elk. The RMEF action was prompted by each group’s recent op-ed articles in the media, as well as testimony before Utah lawmakers by Western Wildlife Conservancy Executive Director Kirk Robinson. All cited RMEF statistics to argue that restored wolf populations have somehow translated to growing elk herds in the northern Rockies. In letters to legislators and newspapers across the West, the RMEF explains that population data, which come from state wildlife agencies, show that elk populations are expanding the most in areas of the northern Rockies where wolves are not present. However, where elk share habitat with wolves, such as the greater Yellowstone area, the RMEF says some elk populations are declining fast. In fact, since the mid-1990s introduction of gray wolves, the northern Yellowstone elk herd has dropped from about 17,000 to 7,100 animals. Other localities in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming also are documenting precipitous downward trends. RMEF says they continue to support state-regulated wolf management to include hunting and other viable methods.

The groundhog may have predicted more winter ahead, but Yellowstone’s bears are already coming out of hibernation and looking for food. Park spokesman Al Nash admits, this is early for bears to emerge from their dens. Nash says the early emergence is probably weather related. Nash says Grizzly bear tracks were spotted in the Blacktail Deer Plateau area east of Mammoth Hot Springs February 19th.  Since the bears begin looking for food soon after emerging from their dens, those disturbing a bear feeding on a carcass put themselves at serious risk for injury. Nash reminds that park regulations require you to stay 100 yards from black and grizzly bears at all times. 

A 52 year-old Jackson man has been sentenced in Federal District Court for being a felon in possession of explosives. Robert Doll was fined $250 and sentenced to 48 months in prison and three years supervised release by Judge Alan Johnson.  The case was jointly investigated by the Jackson Police Department, the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Friday, 02-26-10

The Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Team Wednesday potentially identified its first district to target for energy conservation projects and moved forward with the establishment of three task forces and a communications team.  Jackson Mayor Mark Barron, who chairs the team, says once the selection of the target district is finalized, work can begin on the demonstration projects there. Barron says the town and county both have put in for federal grants from the department of energy to support the project, which have been endorsed now by Governor Dave Freudenthal. Barron also says the communications team has established a regular newsletter and a webpage to keep the community informed on the progress of the project.  The Energy Sustainability Team meets again next Wednesday.

The Wyoming House of Representatives focused on the issue of city and county funding yesterday during continued discussion of the state budget.  Teton County Representative Keith Gingery says while that funding has been cut, it is not as bad as it might be since it has only been set back to the 2004 – 2005 level.  At the same time, Gingery says the only attempt this session to dip into the so-called rainy day funds has been in connection with town and county funding. Gingery says the restoration of funds for the developmentally disabled survived an attempt to strip it from the budget again, but he fears it may not survive the conference committee.  Gingery says he has been meeting with some of the senators to win them over prior to the meeting of that committee.

If the Sage Grouse is listed as a threatened species, what more can Wyoming do to protect the bird?  That’s what Governor Dave Freudenthal is puzzling over as the state waits to hear the decision of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Freudenthal says Wyoming is home to about half of the nation’s sage grouse population.  The decision is now delayed until next week due to the unexpected death of Fish and Wildlife Director Sam Hamilton this week while on a skiing trip in Colorado.

Even though this has been a mild winter for the wildlife in this part of the state, wildlife officials are concerned about their welfare if there isn’t more precipitation going into the summer season.  Ray Hagaman of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department says more spring snows and rains are needed if the range is to sustain the habitat improvements seen last year. Hagaman says snow cover is also minimal in the Pinedale area raising similar concerns.

So you think that photo you took this winter in the Greater Yellowstone area is pretty special. Photographers are invited to share those favorite winter photos during the Second Annual Winter Photo Festival, which will be held in early March in West Yellowstone. The festival is sponsored by the National Park Service and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, and will be held at the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center March 11th. Photographers are asked to bring digital photos on a thumb drive or photo CD so they can display and narrate their photos. Participants need to register by Monday, March 8th.

Thursday, 02-25-10

Whether the House-passed amendment that restored funding for developmental disability needs in Wyoming survives remains to be seen.  Representatives Keith Gingery of Teton County, Elaine Harvey of Park and Big Horn Counties, and Mike Madden of Johnson and Sheridan Counties successfully argued for increased funding Tuesday, but Gingery says that funding may be removed again today. Gingery says he intends to fight off the move and is seeking support from other representatives who initially did not support the amendment.

The joint town and county planning commissions meet again tonight as discussions of the comprehensive plan continue – shifting now to discussions of the economy.  County Planner Alex Norton says last week’s discussions centered on a review of Theme 2 regarding growth management and did not turn to Theme 5 as expected. Norton says while the economy is an integral element in deciding how to approach the other themes of the plan, decisions made regarding the other themes will be reviewed at the end of the process to determine if any of those decisions are not compatible with economic decisions.

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal was honored Tuesday night with the Travel and Tourism Industry’s “Big Wyo Award” at the Hospitality and Tourism Conference in Cheyenne.  Freudenthal, who thought he was there to present the award says considering the importance of the industry to the state, he was deeply honored. As the travel industry’s largest honor, the “Big Wyo Award” has been awarded since 1977 by the Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association’s to somebody who has advanced the cause of travel and tourism in Wyoming. While there have been exceptions, usually the individual is not an elected official or travel industry public employee at the time of consideration. 

Gallatin National Forest managers are reminding visitors that the forest-wide Food Storage Order goes into effect March first.  The annual order went into effect in March 2007 and is designed to reduce adverse human-wildlife interactions, thereby promoting human safety and the protection of bears and other wildlife species.  The order requires that unattended food, refuse, and attractants be stored in hard-sided vehicles or bear-resistant containers (or hung above the ground out of the reach of wildlife) at all locations in the Gallatin National Forest.  The food storage order remains in effect through December first.  While this order is forest-wide, forest officials say portions of the Gallatin National Forest, primarily Hebgen Lake and Gardiner Ranger Districts on the southern end of the Forest, were previously covered by a food storage order.

The US Forest Service has announced a series of events to provide opportunities for public discussion on the development of a new Forest Service Land and Resource Management Planning Rule. To that end, the Forest Service will host a national science forum, three national roundtables and nine regional roundtables.  While the national roundtables will be held in Washington D.C., one of the nine regional roundtables will be held for this region in Salt Lake City on April 8^th.  Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell says through public input and collaboration, the Forest Service hopes to be able to better address the current and future needs of the Forest System such as restoration, protecting watersheds, addressing climate change, sustaining local economies, improving collaboration, and working across landscapes.   

Wednesday, 02-24-10

Jackson police snagged a shipment of a controlled substance this week and traced it to the individual receiving it with the help of a local shipping company who was suspicious of the package.  Sergeant Alan John says the department was contacted when a company employee was handling a package they thought smelled like marijuana. John says the package was then returned to the shipper and delivered.   Then, after the delivery, the subject to whom the package was addressed accepted it and was arrested.  John says the 33-year-old Jackson resident has been charged with felony possession of marijuana and approximately 100 grams of marijuana buds have been seized.

A 23-year-old Jackson man was arrested yesterday in conjunction with a residential burglary on Rodeo Drive earlier this month.  In that burglary, the perpetrator was spotted by the home owner and escaped the attempts to detain him.  In response to a composite sketch that resulted from police investigations and was published in the newspapers and the police department website, sources contacted Crime Stoppers and provided leads that led to the arrest of Douglas Currie Tuesday morning.  Currie now faces felony charges of burglary.

The Wyoming House of Representatives has been making swift progress on a number of bills which are accompanying the biennial budget session.  Among them is a Senate-passed revision strengthening the state’s DUI laws originally proposed by Representative Keith Gingery. Another bill that has received approval on third and final reading in the House would allow Wyoming residents to purchase insurance coverage from across state lines.  Additionally, Gingery says a bill won final House approval that would infuse nearly $3-million annually in tax money into the budget from the Exxon Mobil operation in Sublette County by redefining what a “dehydrator” is as used in natural gas processing. Gingery says the loophole had been discovered by the Wyoming Supreme Court in an earlier finding.  Both bills now go to the Senate for action there.  Meanwhile, Gingery says there are about 49 amendments proposed to the state budget in the House that will call for long hours in through the rest of this week.

Wyoming US Senator Mike Enzi says he's looking forward to an upcoming meeting with President Obama and top-ranking members of Congress to talk about health care reform. Enzi says the meeting will take place Thursday at the White House. Enzi was selected as ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.  However, Enzi points out that he has been working on health care reform for the past three years and worked out a ten-step plan to deal with health care along with the late Senator Ted Kennedy.  The meeting is intended to show a bipartisan effort to resolving the ongoing debate over the issue.

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal says he is not keen about the idea of the sage grouse being listed as a threatened species, but he is committed to maintaining Wyoming’s economy and the viability of the species and its habitat. 

Consequently, the governor has called a meeting of his Sage Grouse Implementation Team March 10^th to discuss how to address the anticipated listing of the bird at the end of this week. The group had been created in 2008 to develop and coordinate sage grouse conservation efforts with the ultimate aim of preventing the need to list the species under the Endangered Species Act.  Freudenthal says now the group will need to put Wyoming in a position to safeguard both the state’s economy and the grouses’ habitat should the grouse be listed as anticipated.

Tuesday, 02-23-10

Members of the Jackson Town Council and Teton County Commission met Monday afternoon to begin reviewing some $66-million dollars in applications for 12 projects seeking to be placed on the upcoming Special Projects Excise Tax Ballot.  Mayor Mark Barron says the commissioners and councilmen spent the meeting time reviewing the applications and the work on those applications by the subcommittee. Barron says the actual discussion of the proposed projects will be Thursday, March 11^th and the selection process for which projects will be placed before the voters will begin. Primarily, Barron says, the discussions are intended to determine what the applications are for and to make sure each cause is legitimate.

It may not show on the marquees in the valley quite yet, but gasoline prices are on their way up again – and experts are saying they will continue to climb into the summer months.  As of the beginning of the week, AAA Auto Club’s Fuel Gauge Report showed the national average up over three cents from last week and continuing to climb.  The price average in Wyoming has remained stable for now with the state posting one of the lowest averages in the nation.  Teton County has also stayed fairly stable with a current average of $2.61 per gallon of unleaded regular, but analysts say the price of crude is rising on the international market due to increased demand in China. That, they say, will soon affect the prices at the pump – both for local travel, and vacation travel in the months ahead.

Should the Sage Grouse be listed as an endangered species?  Some biologists think so.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service says there once were more than two million sage grouse throughout the West; but now, best estimates show there are somewhere between 200 and 300-thousand of the birds left – mostly in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and Idaho. The USFWS is expected to announce this week if that means the bird qualifies for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Wildlife biologist Clait Braun says it appears to be a matter of habitat. Sage grouse feed exclusively on sagebrush and they don’t successfully nest unless there are large, intact expanses of sagebrush and native grasses. Some oppose listing the bird out of concern how that might impact oil and gas development, and possibly ranches. However, Braun says livestock and sage grouse can get along in the same areas with no problem. The Fish and Wildlife Service will announce its decision by Friday.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has finished five years of trapping elk in western Wyoming and testing the animals for brucellosis. However, while the Game and Fish Department facilitated the study, it is up to the governor’s Brucellosis Coordination Team to study the information gathered and draw conclusions from the study.  Altogether, the study has involved capturing and testing elk at three feed grounds while the Game and Fish Department operates 22 such feed grounds throughout the state.  With the extensive trapping efforts at the Muddy Creek elk feed ground the past five years, workers have been able to capture an average of just less than half (49%) of the test-eligible female elk.  Over the past five years of testing there, brucellosis seroprevalence rates progressively decreased from 37% to 5% for the animals that were captured and tested. Game and Fish Spokesman Mark Gocke says that group meets in the spring and again in the fall, and it’s not known at this point when they may publish conclusions from the study. 

Wyoming’s US Senator Mike Enzi told the Wyoming House Friday that the number of young people participating in his annual inventors’ conference has dropped off significantly.  Enzi asked the state legislators to help him promote the event. The annual event, which is known as “From Your Garage to the Assembly Line,” is in Gillette on April 17^th this year.

Monday, 02-22-10

A 30-year-old Driggs, Idaho man died Sunday morning when he apparently triggered and was caught up in an avalanche on the South Face of the South Teton.  Grand Teton National Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says Wray Landon was skiing with two companions about 11:30 when the avalanche occurred, sweeping Landon over a 1500 foot cliff band.  His companions reported the incident by cell phone, and the park immediately dispatched a helicopter from Teton County Search and Rescue to look for the victim.  Skaggs says he was quickly spotted in the debris field and determined to deceased.  Skaggs says Landon’s companions, Nathan Brown and Brady Johnston, both from Idaho, were able to ski out unassisted.  This marks the first avalanche fatality this season in Grand Teton National Park.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced Recovery Act awards to states, tribal governments, cities, counties and transit agencies across the country last week. However, among those projects not approved was a nearly $28-million grant sought for Teton County’s START BUS system in order to build facilities for maintenance, employee housing and offices.  Even though the decline of the grant was not totally a surprise, START Administrator Michael Wackerly says it is disappointing none-the-less.  Now, says Wackerly, the service hopes to find a place on the Special Purpose Excise Tax ballot to enable phase one of the project which would be to purchase the property and build storage and housing units there.  Wackerly says as a general rule, busses that are stored out in the elements have a two-year shorter lifespan.  The recently purchased hybrid busses which START hopes to operate for up to 15 years cost the community about $500-thousand apiece.

The Wyoming State Legislature tackles the budget beginning today with both the Senate and the House reviewing what the Joint Appropriations Committee has sent them for consideration.  Teton County Representative Keith Gingery says he is optimistic passage of the budget will be pretty swift. One major piece of legislation introduced Friday. Gingery says would allow health insurance to be purchased from providers across state lines. Gingery says among those opposing the bill was Teton County’s other Representative Pete Jorgenson who wanted the idea studied more.  However, the bill was passed out of Committee of the Whole and moves on to second reading.  Another bill would infuse nearly $3-million annually in tax money into the budget from the Exxon Mobil operation in Sublette County by redefining what a “dehydrator” is as used in natural gas processing.

Don’t look for snow conditions to improve anytime soon.  That’s the word last week from Wyoming NOAA hydrologist Jim Fahey.  Fahey presented the media with maps and graphs showing both current and predicted trends in snow accumulation and water content.  Currently, the river basins in the Northwestern part of the state are experience about 60% of normal with a prognosis for the seasonal drought to persist or intensify in Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming through May.

There’s a parade through town, a road is closed for repairs, there’s an event ahead with heavy pedestrian congestion – how do you get the word to motorists entering town?  Jackson Police Department has just acquired a new digital display trailer to place in key locations to alert drivers.  Sergeant Alan John of the Jackson Police Department says a federal grant made the purchase possible. John says the trailer will be shared between the various town departments as needs dictate.

Friday, 02-19-10

Former Wyoming US Senator Alan Simpson is being tapped by President Obama to co-head a commission on reducing the federal deficit. Obama signed the executive order yesterday to create the 18-member, bipartisan commission which will be given the task of recommending steps to rein in the deficit, which is forecast to hit a record $1.6 trillion this year.  Viewing the task with no small amount of skepticism, Simpson says when your President calls and asks for your help, you heed the call.

The Wyoming Legislature’s Budget Session is at the point today that any legislation that is to be considered this year must be out of the general file and introduced on the floor by the end of the day.  Teton County Representative Keith Gingery says that means there will be some bills that will have to wait until next year for consideration. Gingery says the majority of debate for the past few days has centered around proposed taxation of wind energy – whether it should be done to offset expenses counties incur because of the development of wind farms or whether it should be avoided in order to encourage that development.

A change in federal law effective Sunday allows people who can legally possess firearms under federal, state, and local laws, to possess those firearms in Yellowstone National Park.  The new federal law makes possession of firearms in national parks also subject to the firearms laws of the states where the parks are located. Yellowstone spans portions of the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Park Spokesman Al Nash says each state has somewhat different firearms regulations and so the respective areas of the parks are subject to those state regulations. Nash adds that while the state boundary lines are posted along park roadways, they are not posted along trails or in the backcountry. Nash also reminds that the new federal law has no affect on existing laws and regulations regarding the use of firearms in national parks or hunting. Hunting or the discharge of a firearm in Yellowstone National Park continues to be prohibited.

Reverend Dr. Paul Hayden, Senior Pastor at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, will be the guest speaker at the annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast in Cheyenne one week from today.  The nondenominational event is an opportunity for members of the community to enjoy a meal together.  The theme of Reverend Hayden’s address will be Wyoming’s role as the best in the West. The Laramie County Community College music students will also perform at the breakfast.

It’s nearly tax time again.  The I-R-S prosecuted more than 200 people for bogusly acting as tax preparers last year, including a couple of Wyomingites. Some victims discovered false returns had been filed, or their "preparers" had convinced them they didn't need to pay income taxes at all. Richard Panick with the I-R-S says their investigations division is already hearing about scammers in action again this tax season. Panick says you should plan to sit with the preparer if possible as your taxes are being done – and never just sign a blank form and trust them to file it.  He adds that only C-P-As, enrolled agents and attorneys are allowed to represent taxpayers if their returns are questioned by the I-R-S, and if the I-R-S has a question about your tax return, a notification will arrive in the mail – never through an email.

Thursday, 02-18-10

A House committee Tuesday signed off on two proposals that would loosen Wyoming gun laws. Under one bill, a permit would no longer be required to carry a concealed weapon in Wyoming. A second bill, asserts that firearms made, sold and kept in Wyoming are exempt from federal gun control regulations.  …and while you might think the legislation is about guns, Teton County Representative Keith Gingery says that’s only on the surface of this legislation. Gingery says many of the communications come from people who had previously not been active in the political process.  In other legislative action, the DUI bill sponsored by Gingery in the House was defeated, but a very similar bill passed the Senate and is on its way to the House for concurrence there.  Gingery says he introduced his bill last year and it passed the House, and Senator Tony Ross sponsored the bill there based on that previous bill.  Gingery says something needs to be done to toughen the state’s laws since Wyoming is the second worst state in the nation for Driving Under the Influence.

Montana State wildlife officials have transported 88 bison from a quarantine facility near Corwin Springs to the Green Ranch, operated by Turner Enterprises west of Bozeman. Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim says the state and Turner Enterprises reached an agreement late Tuesday which would permit the bison to be relocated if another option evolved within the next five years.  Turner Enterprise's Green Ranch agreement will provide 12,000 acres of suitable habitat, experience with bison, and secure living space for the animals. The Green Ranch will in return retain 75 percent of the quarantined bison's offspring to offset management costs. Transporting of the animals to their new home was completed yesterday. The bison are part of a five-year old study directed Fish Wildlife and Parks, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at a 400-acre bison quarantine facility north of Yellowstone National Park.  Aasheim says with the relocation of the 88 bison completed, work will begin immediately on the next phase of the project involving the brucellosis-free bison still in the Corwin Springs facility.

A quick look back at Theme Two will start off tonight’s meeting of the joint planning commissions of the Town of Jackson and Teton County – but then, attention will soon turn to determining how the comprehensive plan should address the valley’s future economy.  Teton County Planner Jeff Daugherty says the plan needs to preserve those elements that assure the valley is favorable for its unique business.  Daugherty says among the concerns are how to employ strategies that help small, one-of-a-kind businesses already here to thrive in Teton County while still attracting other businesses into the county.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding antler hunters there is now a season in place which prohibits the gathering of shed antlers from January 1st through April 30th on public lands west of the Continental Divide. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission enacted the regulation following a series of public meetings held in the fall of 2009.  The regulation applies to all federal lands and lands owned or administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. All private and state lands are excluded from the regulation. The regulation will not affect most big game winter ranges in Teton County, which are already off limits to human presence from December 1st through April 30th by regulation of the Bridger Teton National Forest.

Many who have visited Yellowstone National Park consider the park out of this world.  Now, several small items representing the world’s first national park are literally out of this world and are currently orbiting the earth. They’re aboard the shuttle Endeavour, which launched into space early on February 8th from the Kennedy Space Center, headed for a rendezvous with the International Space Station. Because of his love for the national parks, Mission Specialist Robert Behnken, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force, sought to take items from iconic national parks like Yellowstone with him into space on the current flight of the space shuttle Endeavour.  Weather permitting, Behnken will also attempt to take photographs of Old Faithful from earth’s orbit. Honoring the parks during space missions is not new.  Grand Teton National Park was also recognized by a space mission in 2002, when Astronaut Jerry Ross took items with him in the Atlantis space shuttle during a mission to the International Space Station in April of that year.

Wednesday, 02-17-10

The joint planning commissions this week move on to theme five in the comprehensive plan after dealing with the affordable housing question over the past few weeks.  Teton County Planner Jeff Daugherty says discussions closed on that section of the plan after the two boards decided to diversify the kinds of housing being considered. Beyond that, Daugherty says the two boards passed the recommendation that the valley’s housing authority work under the authority of both the town of Jackson and Teton County, rather than one or the other. Tomorrow, the joint boards take on consideration of the valley’s economic future.

Dangerous driving habits are among the discussions in the Wyoming Senate as part of the non-budget concerns being considered this session.  Teton County Senator Grant Larson says one law on its way to passage involves texting while driving on the state’s highways. Larson says the Senate is also making the state’s drunk driving penalties tougher – similar to a bill now under consideration in the House.  Those two bills will have to be considered side-by-side, however, and a final compromise bill derived from the two.  Larson says today, both sides of the legislature get their first look at the budget proposed by the appropriations committee, but action is not expected on it immediately. Larson says the budget is late in coming to the legislators and it will be good to finally have it in hand to work on.

While Colorado was allocated $32-million for beetle mitigation in its national forests, Wyoming received only $8-million last week with those funds benefiting only two of the state’s national forests. Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal says it is good that the Forest Service is at last recognizing the problem in the western forests, but he is hopeful more funds will be forthcoming.  Freudenthal says that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be attending a meeting of the Western Governors Conference this weekend, at which time he hopes the western leaders will make a concerted push for more funding.

Grand Teton National Park is reporting one of the wolves living there was hit and killed by a car Monday evening.  Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says the young black male wolf was crossing Highway 89 just south of Moran about 7:30 pm when it was struck.  No charges will be filed against the motorist . Skaggs says the park is home to about 60 wolves making up about a half dozen packs.  Through the years, Skaggs says the wolf population has remained fairly consistent despite occasional losses. 

Wolf numbers in Yellowstone National Park declined for the second consecutive year -- a decline officials say was expected and considered natural. The greatest decline occurred on the northern range where numbers there dropped 29 percent, from 56 to 40 wolves. More broadly the Yellowstone Wolf Project reports the 2009 population at 96-98 wolves, down 23 percent from the 124 wolves recorded in 2008. Officials say this is the fourth decline since wolf reintroduction began in 1995. Population declines in 1999, 2005, and 2008 were associated with the disease distemper, but so far there is no evidence that distemper was the cause of this year’s decline. Instead, biologists say the probable causes for this last decline were wolves killing each other, malnutrition, and mange.

Tuesday, 02-16-10

Jackson crews today are digging up a collapsed portion of sewer main that has caused blockage affecting a portion of Flat Creek Drive.  Residents of Wister Drive and Upper Pine Drive had been requested to minimize their use of water through the long weekend since only partial flow was available to that neighborhood. City crews utilized thaw equipment through the weekend in order to reach the blocked section of sewer main and prepare to dig it up today.  Travelers on Flat Creek Drive between Aspen and Pine Drive can expect road closures and lane closures throughout the day as the work takes place.

The Jackson Hole Shriners’ Cutter Races saw a slight decline in participation this year, but organizers say the event went well, none-the-less.  Mark Mickelson of the Jackson Shrine says there were 17 large teams racing Saturday with weather conditions turning out to be very good for racers and spectators alike.  Mickelson says despite strong Calcutta wagering and some major donations, it is anticipated that the money raised for the Crippled Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City will be down slightly from previous years.  Actual proceeds from the event are expected to be known later this week.

The National Park Service has issued a prospectus soliciting proposals to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail sales, marinas, camping and other services in specific areas of Grand Teton National Park. The concession contract available would be valid for 15 years. The existing concession operation provides lodging, food and beverage service, retail, marinas, camping and other services at the Signal Mountain Lodge and Leeks Marina areas within Grand Teton National Park. The Par Service says there is no preferred vender for this contract. Prospectus packages are available by contacting the Intermountain Region chief of concessions based out of Lakewood, Colorado.

The Idaho Falls District of the Bureau of Land Management is in the process of drafting  a new comprehensive resource management plan for the Upper Snake River area, and has now made a document that is considered the initial step in that planning process available to the public. The “Upper Snake Field Office Analysis of the Management Situation” summarizes the Field Office’s current management guidance and the area’s unique biological, physical, social and economic qualities.  The area in question includes much of Eastern Idaho and a portion of Teton County, Wyoming in the vicinity of the town of Alta.  Public input regarding the document is to be used as the basis for the forthcoming environmental impact statement for the resource management plan that evolves. The document may be reviewed online or may be seen at the public libraries in Alta, Wyoming and Victor, Idaho.

A bill that would have had a major impact on the accommodations and food service industries failed on first reading in the Wyoming House last week.  House Bill 21 would have raised the state’s minimum wage to $7.25 an hour for hourly employees and five dollars per hour for employees receiving tip credit, effective July first. That would have brought the state’s minimum wage in sync with the federal minimum wage. It also would have raised the minimum wage on employees who receive tips to $5-an-hour from the current $2.13. The bill failed introduction last Wednesday by a vote of 23-35.

Monday, 02-15-10

Governor Dave Freudenthal says he hopes a U.S. Forest Service decision last week is an indicator the agency is finally serious about dealing aggressively with pine bark beetle issues in Wyoming forests. The Forest Service has announced Wyoming forests will receive $8 million of the $40 million tapped to deal with the beetle situation -- $7-million of it allocated to the Medicine Bow National Forest and $1-million to Shoshone National Forest. None was earmarked, however for the Bridger Teton National Forest.  Freudenthal has repeatedly urged the Forest Service to send more money to western beetle impacted states and specifically lobbied for a larger share of the $40 million. Freudenthal says while the $8-million is a good start the state is in for an exceptionally long period of work and it will take an investment of decades and dollars to help guide achieve sustainable recovery in the state’s forests.

The Wyoming State Legislature has been seriously working on stronger laws dealing with driving under the influence – this year with both houses of the legislature simultaneously working on their own versions of bills.  Teton County Representative Keith Gingery says having been a champion of revised regulations says he is very pleased with the progress. Gingery says two juvenile justice reform bills are also seeing good progress which is another issue that has been of concern for Gingery.  Meanwhile, he says, virtually everyone in the legislature is determined not to touch the so-called “rainy day” funds. Gingery says he is confident that the budget session will finish on time with minimal contention among the legislators.

Local motorists may notice the price of gasoline has risen again in this part of the state…but that apparently is not the national trend.  According to AAA Auto Club’s Fuel Gauge report, the national average has actually dropped four cents from last week.  The survey now sets the average at $2.62 per gallon of unleaded regular and lists Wyoming among the lowest priced state for gasoline – still nine cents more expensive than the lowest priced state; Oklahoma.  Statewide, the average according to AAA is $2.52 per gallon.  Here in Teton County, the price average has risen to $2.62 per gallon. 

Friends of Pathways and Jackson Hole Community Pathways have entered into a new cost-share agreement intended to gauge interest and support for winter plowing of the southern section of Teton County’s Moose-Wilson Pathway.  Yellow Iron Excavating has been contracted to regularly plow the pathway after accumulation of four or more inches of new snow on a 2.8-mile section stretching from the Stilson parking lot at the intersection of Highway 22 north past the Aspens to the driveway just north of the C-V School. Though it is not currently possible to plow additional pathways, Town and County Pathways Task Force Member Holly Pratt explains that this ‘test section’ was chosen for the program because of its ease of access, nearby neighborhoods with year-round residents who can use it for walking and biking, and its proximity to START Bus locations.  If the plowing program is considered successful, she says, it may be continued in future years.

The Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest has announced plans to step up law enforcement to address the problem of dog waste in trailheads around Jackson. Cache Creek, Game Creek and Trail Creek trailheads will receive particular focus due to the proximity of creeks in these areas.  The Forest Service says it continues to receive public complaints about dogs. Jackson District Ranger Dale Deiter says, “No one wants to see or accidentally step in dog waste and it can contribute to water contamination and the spread of disease.”  Forest officials say citations will be handed out to dog owners now for further infractions.

Friday, 02-12-10

(by Dee Dee Dudley)

CALENDAR ITEM: A lot of people will have a good time for a good cause this weekend . . . .  It’s Cutter Race time again.  The Jackson Hole Shrine Club has been hosting the event for 8 decades.  While the races are no longer ran right down the middle of town, the spirit of competition, fun and excitement has remained.  The Cutters, which can most closely be described as single rider chariots pulled by two-horse teams, now race at Melody Ranch.  For just 10 dollars, locals and visitors can attend what has been called the biggest tailgate party in the valley.  Calcutta wagers are auctioned off between the races.  A portion of the monies raised are donated to the Salt Lake City Shriners Hospital for children.  Shriners Hospitals treat patients at no cost to their families. That’s why the event’s official slogan is “The Cutters Run So a Child May Walk.”  The races will be held tomorrow at Melody Ranch and Sunday beginning at noon.  Gates will open each day at 10. 

CALENDAR ITEM: We’ve all seen the heart wrenching videos and photos of Haiti in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that leveled that nation’s capital city a month ago, and many of us have wondered how we can help.  Well one local woman did more than wonder -  Ashley Watson has organized Hole Hearts For Haiti – a benefit party to be held tonight at the Pink Garter Theater.  The event will take place this evening at the Pink Garter Theater, and will include a silent auction, free pizza and a diverse mix of local music featuring Mandatory Air, the Chanman Roots Band, Cut La Whut, Jet Black Ninja Fungrass Unit, Soul Impressions and Mr. Whipple.  There is a suggested donation of $10.00.  The total of all money raised will be matched by local businessman and philanthropist, Foster Friese. 

Yesterday was day 4 of the Wyoming Legislatures 2010 Budget Session.  The House voted to introduce a bill keeping wolf hunting license applications private.  Other bills that were approved for introduction include  a bill that would specify an additional penalty for anyone who kills a pregnant woman, resulting in the death of the fetus as well, a bill that would allow people to carry concealed firearms without a state permit and a bill that would specify that firearms produced and sold within Wyoming would be exempt from federal regulation.

The Senate voted to introduce a bill that would provide civil penalties for people who stock fish illegally into waters of the state. As well as legislation that would  allow county governments to decide whether they want to allow poker games in business establishments. The Senate also voted to delay its second consideration of a bill that would prohibit drivers from sending text messages while driving.  The second consideration will take place today.  Legislative Updates are also available online. 

Thursday, 02-11-10

(by Dee Dee Dudley)

Following the avalanche death of a snowmobiler in the Squaw Creek area on the Grey’s River Ranger district this past weekend, officials at the Bridger Teton National Forest office  are issuing a warning to all back-country recreationists.  BTNF Public Affairs Assistant Nan Stinson says back country travelers should be aware that the snowpack on much of the forest is more unstable than it appears.   Stinson said that even familiar terrain can be treacherous with less than favorable snow conditions. There have been several live burials on the Bridger Teton National Forest this year, and two fatalities.  Those include the 50 year old Montana man who died Saturday, and Jackson Hole Ski Patroller Mark” Big Wally” Wolling who died from injuries suffered at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in early January. Stinson says there’s still plenty of safe terrain available on the Bridger-Teton.  The key is being informed, and making good choices. Updated avalanche forecasts are available by calling the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche center at 733-2664, or by clicking on the Avalanche Forecast Link at www.jacksonholeradio.com. 

A five-year-old boy died Wednesday night following an accident inside the Metcalf School building in Etna.  According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office, a 911 call was received at about 6:45 Wednesday evening.  The reporting party said CPR was underway, but medical help was needed.  The boy was transported to Star Valley Medical Center, but died from severe head injuries.  No further details about the accident were available. 

CALENDAR ITEM: A cancer fundraiser will be held this evening at the Wort Hotel’s Silver Dollar Bar.  Monies raised will benefit local resident Dianne Northam Tharp, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in September.  Tharp and her husband, Rick have faced a series of catastrophic events, including the loss of their health insurance.  In addition to Dianne’s cancer diagnosis, Rick suffered a stroke the day before her first surgery.  The couple are forced to come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars in down payments up front to continue Dianne’s  cancer treatments.  Tonight’s fundraiser will feature dozens of silent auction items.  The silent auction is now open at Galleries West, and will close this evening at 8 at the fundraiser.  There will be a costume contest, as well as a best wig contest along with music from Garrett Nickell & Retrospect, members of the Channman Roots Band, Jason Fritts and others.   The fundraiser begins at 5 o’clock this evening at the Wort.  Attendees are encouraged to wear pink in honor of Dianne and all those battling breast cancer.  If you can’t attend, donations are also being accepted at Wells Fargo Bank in Jackson. 

Wednesday, 02-10-10

Efforts to reduce the number of wildlife vs. vehicle accidents in Grand Teton National Park seem to be falling short of their marks.  Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says a recent park survey indicates the number of these incidents appears to be fairly consistent again this year despite all of the Parks efforts. Skaggs says just in the first few weeks of this year, vehicle vs. wildlife accidents have claimed the lives of a coyote, a fox, two bison, one elk, and three moose (including two moose calves). Skaggs says the loss of those calves is particularly disturbing considering the current decline in the moose population here. One of the steps taken was the placement of flashing message boards at strategic locations along Highway 26/89/191, but Skaggs says while they seem to be effective at first, motorists too soon become accustomed to them and ignore them.  Skaggs says the park is now working with the Wyoming Department of Transportation on developing additional mitigation measures, including the possible reduction of speed along that section of the highway.

The National Elk Refuge has announced that supplemental feeding for the wintering elk and bison will begin on Friday, approximately three weeks later than the historic average start date. Above normal grass production and below average snow cover have delayed the need for supplemental feeding up until this time.  Still, Refuge Manager Steve Kallin says the late start date is not unprecedented. In fact, Kallin says the Refuge has been able to hold off until February during three of the last ten winters.  Furthermore, if increased irrigation of the Refuge is successful in providing more natural forage in future years, the feeding season can be shortened on a more regular basis. Keeping the herd from congregating as it does during the feeding seasons is a means of reducing the risk of spreading disease within the elk and bison herds.

Governor Dave Freudenthal again addressed the subject of state sovereignty as he was concluding his State of the State address this week.  Freudenthal told the lawmakers that Wyoming should not be put in the role of an empty vessel whose job is to execute federal policy. Freudenthal says the answer is to amend the state constitution in the area of interstate commerce forcing the federal government to have to address the question.  Freudenthal told the legislators that he has watched many resolutions get passed over the years and given much testimony, but they do nothing to change the power of the federal government in the end.  Whether it is “No Child Left Behind” or they way states report domestic violence, Freudenthal says the federal government is regulating nearly everything and the balance of power between the states and the federal government needs to be re-established.

Jackson Hole CrimeStoppers is offering up to $1,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of an apparent would-be burglar who entered a home in Jackson Sunday night and was discovered rifling through bathroom drawers by the resident of that home.  Despite efforts by the resident to detain the trespasser, the suspect escaped before police could arrive.  If you have information about this crime, police are asking that you call 733-5148 or leave information on the CrimeStoppers tip site.  You do not have to give your name.

Another fatality has been recorded in western Wyoming this week as the result of an avalanche.  Lincoln County Sheriff’s officers say a Dillon, Montana man was buried over the weekend as he was snowmobiling in the Greys River area.  The victim was wearing a locator beacon and his companions were equipped to dig him out, but officials say it took too long to free the victim and he died of compression asphyxiation.  This marks the second avalanche death in two weeks in the region.

Tuesday, 02-09-10

The Winter Olympic Games are still a month away, but Jackson residents in the vicinity of Snow King this week will get a small sample of what is to come.  Beginning today, women from the US Olympic Ski team will be training for the slalom and giant slalom and will be joined as the week goes on by six more Americans and 10 French skiers.  Snow King Mountain Manager Jim Sullivan says the conditions on the mountain for the training are excellent. Sullivan says the Olympians will actually be rotating in so that different athletes will be on the hill on different days. Sullivan says the racers are accompanied by their coaches, physical therapists, technicians and even physicians.  The last of the Olympians training here will finish up one week from Friday.

Over 300 Special Olympics Wyoming athletes, coaches and partners from all over the Cowboy State arrive in Jackson today for this year’s Winter Games competition.  Teams competing in this year’s Winter Games include teams from Cody, Lander, Washakie County, Jackson, Star Valley, Sublette County, Crook County, Gillette, Newcastle, Sheridan, Casper and Douglas.  Athletes will compete in alpine skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding and cross country skiing -- all events being held at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort at Teton Village.   The Games will begin tonight with the Opening Ceremonies at Snow King Resort at 7:00 pm at which time the athletes, coaches and volunteers gather for the lighting of the “Flame of Hope.”  The public is encouraged to attend the events and encourage the Special Olympians in their quests.  

Governor Dave Freudenthal yesterday told the joint session of the legislature in his State of the State Address that he was not pleased with the way the Legislative Appropriations  Committee dealt with the school capital construction funds when they simply unfunded projects at the bottom of the list.  Freudenthal encouraged a strategy to deal with such school issues.  Freudenthal further suggested school funding be tied to results when the legislature takes on recalibration of school funding. Freudenthal says the state is “writing off” one out of every four students in terms of ever completing their education, and are realizing far less from the states schools collectively that what they should expect in standardized scores.

The mood at the state capitol as the legislative session begins is one of consensus that the budget needs to be approached very conservatively.  Teton County’s Representative Keith Gingery says the trick will be to avoid the temptation to tap into the state’s rainy day funds. Gingery says he is very concerned about the fate of his bills dealing with developmental disabilities which he still maintains is an area of great need.  At the same time, Gingery says he is pleased that the governor supports his DUI bill and the Juvenile Justice bills Gingery is currently working on with other legislators.

Traffic in and out of Jackson Hole Airport last month was a little lopsided according to the monthly report to the airport board.  Those flying out of the valley in January totaled 24,436 for a 7% gain over the same month last year, but those arriving totaled 19,947 for a 5% decline from last year.  The report goes on that the number of flights in January declined by 3% from last January which had seen a 13% increase over the previous year.  Most of the decline in passengers was seen in those flying in and out of the valley on American Airlines. Those flights are from more distant locations and rely on destination skiers who declined in numbers this season.

Monday, 02-08-10

Making ends meet will be the subject that is expected to dominate the State of the State address today kicking off the 2010 Session of the Wyoming Legislature.  This is the so-called “short session” that takes place every other year under the provisions of the state constitution.  Currently being debated, even before the session begins, is whether or not to tap into the state’s rainy day account.  Conservative legislators say it should remain in tack for what they fear will be harder times when the budget is again considered in 2012.  Governor Dave Freudenthal’s message today will set the tone for the discussions ahead.  The gavel drops on the joint session for that address at 10:00 am.

Grand Teton National park has released its visitation figures for January which indicates a more than 7% decrease in visits from the first month of the year last year.  Park spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says the report shows Grand Teton counted 40,509 visitors through the gates this year compared with 43,659 last January. Skaggs adds, however, factoring in non-recreational visits to the park, there were nearly 2% more people in the park last month than the previous year.  Non-recreational visits include traffic along US Highway 89 which passes through the eastern side of the park.

It’s really no surprise that a key indicator provides further evidence of the economic decline in the state over the last year. The Wyoming Department of Employment is reporting that total unemployment insurance covered payroll fell by $145.4-million from second quarter 2008 to second quarter 2009. Unemployment insurance covered payroll represents approximately 92% of all wage and salary disbursements and 45% of personal income in the state. On an over-the-year basis, employment fell by 10,132 jobs, or 3.5% and the average weekly wage decreased by $12, or 1.5%. Total payroll is an important economic indicator because it is often associated with consumer spending, retail sales, and sales tax revenue.

Blayne "Bud" Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, was this year’s winner of the 8-day International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race while his neighbor, Lina Gladh of Fort Nelson took second. Streeper is a familiar name in mushing having won 10 races in 2009, including the Canadian Open, Exxon Open, Willow Open, Anchorage, and the Fur Rondy World Championship.  The 15^th annual IPSSSDR which began in Jackson January 29^th concluded Saturday in Park City, Utah.

Jackson Bronc Varsity Girls split their weekend basketball games with a fourth quarter loss to Powell 51 to 42 on Friday and a win over Cody 73 to 58 on Saturday.  Meanwhile, the boys won both games:  75 to 51 over Powell on Friday and then 67 to 60 over Cody on Saturday maintaining their undefeated status this season.  Meanwhile, Jackson’s Speech and Debate team placed third over the weekend among 3A schools and fifth overall at the two-day Mustang Classic at Natrona County High School.  With 31 teams competing in twelve events, Powell snagged the first place 3A slot with 38 sweepstakes points, followed by Worland and Jackson with 30 and 27 points respectively. The remaining eight 3A schools garnered only 30 sweepstakes points collectively. Jackson, Powell and Worland have had close matches all season.

Friday, 02-05-10

Wyoming’s US Representative Cynthia Lummis objects to yesterday’s passage of a $1.9 trillion increase in the national debt limit which she says will allow President Obama to continue to borrow and spend enough money to keep up with his record-breaking $3.8 trillion budget proposal.  The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed the bill which increases the current statutory debt limit from $12. 4 trillion to $14. 3 trillion.  The 15.3 percent increase would be the third raise since February 2009, and the largest amount of a one-time debt limit increase in history. Lummis voted against the bill.

Teton County Commission Wednesday concurred with a hearing officer that a parcel of property along Fish Creek Road should not be divided four ways.  Kip Konigsberg had sought the split in 2006 utilizing a family subdivision exemption.  County Planner Jeff Daugherty explains that the state exemption law allows subdivisions of land to be made outside most county regulations if the property transfers are between or among family members. During their meeting Wednesday, the board of county commissioners voted four to one to uphold that decision.  While each of the four parcels was in part titled to Konigsberg’s children, he maintained a majority of each title himself.  Daugherty says he is fairly certain the case will again be appealed.

Visits to Yellowstone National Park last month posted an increase over January of 2009.  According to the report published by the National Park Service, 25,595 visitors were in the nation’s first park in January compared with 24,770 last year.  That’s an increase of 3.3%.  Those entering the park through the South Entrance, however, declined by over 300 people for a decrease of 6.1% there.  No statistics are immediately available for visitation in Grand Teton National Park.

Blayne Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia has been watching his lead shrink as he finished day 6 of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race in third place – but he still remains in first place by several minutes.  Today, teams are on the 45-mile Bridger Valley Stage located 30 miles south of Evanston, Wyoming, on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, Highway 150. Returning to the Stage Stop for a fifth straight year is Bruce Magnusson of Manchester, Michigan who has competed in a variety of other major events like the Beargrease 150, Grand Portage Passage and the Midnight Run.  This race, Magnusson says he was only going to participate in the race one time, but it has since become a favorite event. Magnusson is currently in fifth place and he says the competition is excellent.

Teton Science Schools have announced they will be working with the National Military Family Association to host three Operation Purple programs in Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding areas. These week long get-aways empower military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy relationships while honoring the sacrifices those families make for our country. Each program encompasses all military service branches and components, and is offered free of charge to all.  From March 19^th through 23^rd, the school will host a family retreat to help military families reconnect after deployment and enjoy the surroundings of the forests and parks.  From June 19^th through 25^th, children in the fifth through ninth grades whose parents are deployed, were recently deployed or are soon to be deployed will attend a camp to explore the wonders of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  Then, a second family retreat will be hosted from July second through the sixth as an alternative to the March retreat.  The events are offered free to all participants thanks to the Sierra Club and the Sierra Club Foundation.

Thursday, 02-04-10

The joint Jackson and Teton County planning commissions meet again tonight as discussion continues on the question of affordable housing in the valley in connection with the area’s comprehensive plan.  County Planner Jeff Daugherty says tonight’s discussion will pretty much focus on about a half-dozen points. If they do finish theme four, the planners will move ahead next week with Theme 5 about the future of the valley’s economy.  As always, the Thursday session begin with a period of time for public input prior to discussions by the joint boards.  The review session begins at 5:30 pm in the Teton County Commission Chambers.

The earthquake swarm that began in Yellowstone National Park January 17th is continuing, with an increased period of activity Tuesday afternoon from about 3:30 pm and continuing late into the evening.  During that time, at least two events that people reported feeling including a 3.1 at 7:31 pm and a 2.8 at 7:44 pm. The largest quake since the swarm began occurred January 20th and measured 3.8 on the Richter scale. While the shakes have continued over an uncommonly long period of time, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientists still consider that the swarm events are likely the result of slip on pre-existing faults and are not thought to be caused by underground movement of magma. Ongoing observations and analyses are continuing in connection with the swarm.

The upcoming legislative session is bound to be an animated one to say the least.  That’s the assessment of Teton County Representative Keith Gingery who says the tight money and the threat to a variety of projects from the various districts will make for certain debate. At the same time, Gingery says now is not the time to tap into the so-called “rainy day funds” because leaner times are likely to be ahead in 2012.  This year is a year of what is referred to as a “short session” – typically about 40 days – with the focus being the forging of the state’s biennial budget.

Senator Mike Enzi explicitly outlined for U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner how important federally-backed lending is to small businesses.  Specifically, Enzi told Geithner he is very concerned about how small businesses will be impacted by the tax increases in the recently released presidential budget. Geithner responded that he is willing to work with Enzi to establish an understanding about the relationship of cuts outlined in the bottom with Wyoming’s economy.

Senator Mike Enzi explicitly outlined for U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner how important federally-backed lending is to small businesses.  Specifically, Enzi told Geithner he is very concerned about how small businesses will be impacted by the tax increases in the recently released presidential budget. Geithner responded that he is willing to work with Enzi to establish an understanding about the relationship of cuts outlined in the bottom with Wyoming’s economy.

While Joe Gans from Chaska, Minnesota, placed first in Day Five of the 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race, Blayne Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada still has the lead overall in the 8-day race as the mushers take to the trail just outside Kemmerer/Diamondville today.  The International Stage Stop Sled Dog Race typically attracts some of the top racers on the circuit, but it also provides the opportunity for those new to the sport to cut their teeth on some world-class racing.  Among those on the race course this year is a 16-year-old high school girl from Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  Krista Halsnes began mushing with two sprint dogs at 9 years old. She says her hobby eventually grew as the Halsnes' home-bred team of Alaskans evolved into longer distance dogs. Her team has now competed in the Green River Classic, Mancos Mush, San Juan Stage Race and various four- to six-mile sprint races in addition to this race. This marks Krista's second time running the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race.

Wednesday, 02-03-10

The director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has signed a record of decision this week that allows the agency to relocate all 88 disease-free bison from a quarantine facility near Corwin Springs to the Green Ranch, operated by Turner Enterprises west of Bozeman.  The bison are part of a five-year old study directed Fish Wildlife and Parks, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at a 400-acre bison quarantine facility north of Yellowstone National Park. Turner Enterprise's Green Ranch proposal will provide 12,000 acres of suitable habitat, experience with bison, and secure living space for the animals. The Green Ranch will in return retain 75 percent of the quarantined bison's offspring to offset management costs. Under a different alternative that would have sent 74 bison to the Green Ranch and 14 to Guernsey State Park in Wyoming, only about 10 percent of offspring from the Green Ranch would have been returned to Montana.  Additionally, Guernsey State Park would only be ready to take bison after Wyoming completes its own environmental and public processes.

Teton County Sheriff’s officers are seeking the public’s help in identifying an individual who may be able to help them solve a recent hotel burglary.  The department has posted a video on their website of the individual with whom they would like to visit.  Investigator John LaBrec says the burglary involved the theft of a radio from a fitness room in a Teton Village hotel.  Anyone who might know who the person in the video is, is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.

The snow over the weekend in Jackson Hole has been a blessing to the area’s ski resorts and to the local aquifers for the summer season ahead.  It’s a little late on average, but less snow overall, bigger piles of it when it does fall, and the timing of that big snow are all part of the unusual winter weather hitting parts of Wyoming possibly in part due to global warming. Climate scientist Amanda Staudt says communities need to take the new trends into account when planning for snow and ice removal, flood management, tourism and wildlife habitat protection. Explanations for wacky weather can get complicated – and a report in the journal Science this week explains that water vapor in the atmosphere plays a role in global warming. It may intensify, or sometimes moderate, the heating effects of carbon pollution. Staudt adds, however that El Nino is another factor that scientists are investigating.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service says the amount of snow at the various measuring sites in the Snake River and Upper Yellowstone/Madison basins is still well below average.

President Obama has released his Fiscal Year 2011 budget which included a predicted cut to Wyoming’s nearly $115 million in Abandoned Mine Land (AML) money, depending on the state’s annual coal production. Governor Dave Freudenthal, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis are teaming up to ensure the cut doesn’t make it into Senate and House budgets.  Enzi explains that a tax was levied against every ton of coal produced in 1977, when the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was passed, to help clean up coal mines that were abandoned before reclamation laws existed.  Half of that tax was promised to states, and the other half went to the federal government to run the Abandoned Mine Land program and direct more money to the states with the largest reclamation needs. Unfortunately, he says, money that was promised to Wyoming was not sent back to the state, and money that was supposed to do reclamation was not sent to states with reclamation needs.  Instead of on-the-ground projects, the money was kept in Washington, DC, spent on unrelated federal programs or used to make budget numbers look better. 

 "Bud" Streeper of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, has again posted the fastest time for the third day in a row of the 2010 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race keeping him in the lead for this year’s IPSSSDR.  Today, teams will race a 54-mile course from Alpine up the Greys River Trail to the Box Y Ranch. Among the 17 racers, John Stewart is here from Scotland to race in the IPSSSDR for a second year in a row…a major commitment to be sure.  However, Stewart says the great interaction with other racers and the spectators brings him back, and Stewart says dog racing is more of a competitive sport here. Stewart says for the most part, he races here with dogs belonging to other mushers. This year, Stewart is racing dogs belonging to two-time IPSSSDR winner Melanie Shirilla of Lincoln, Montana. 

Tuesday, 02-02-10

The state of Wyoming made its case for wolf de-listing again Friday in the Federal Courtroom in Cheyenne.  Once again, the US Fish and Wildlife Service attorney argued that the state still has been unable to guarantee it will be able to maintain a minimum population in the state under its proposed management plan.  Currently, those target populations for the state are significantly over the numbers set by the feds. No decision was immediately forthcoming after Friday’s oral arguments. Governor Dave Freudenthal says while he is watching the case he has no comment other than hope that the case will turn in Wyoming’s favor.

Bridger Teton National Forest has released the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for oil and gas leasing in the Wyoming Range.  Leases in this area have been strongly contested over the past year, leading to the halt of those leases by the Interior Board of Land Appeals pending further environmental analysis.  Forest Spokesperson Mary Cernacek says Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton has identified the no leasing alternative in the supplemental analysis as the preferred alternative. The public now has 45 days to comment on the draft Supplemental EIS, after which Hamilton will make the final decision regarding leasing in the Wyoming Range area.  Cernacek says this process is meant to resolve the conflict over those area leases. A draft copy of the draft EIS is available online from the Bridger-Teton National Forest website.

Hopefully – unlike Bill Murray – you woke up today and it is a different day from yesterday.  None-the-less, it is Groundhog Day and according to folklore, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If on the other hand, the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks.  Of course, the first day of spring according to the calendar is six weeks from now anyway.  Groundhog Day began in the U.S.  as a Pennsylvania German custom in the 18th and 19th centuries and has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog.  And what does the oversized rodent have to say about this year?  You guessed it (and Wyoming's marmots agree)  …six more weeks of winter.

Friday's guilty verdict against 46-year old Troy Willoughby is still the talk in Sublette County.  Willoughby is the first person since 1912 convicted for murder in Sublette County.  Willoughby was found guilty of killing then 25-year old Lisa Ehlers of Jackson back in 1984 in a turn-out at the south end of Hoback Canyon near Boundurant.  It was a verdict the Ehlers family had been waiting for for a long-time. Willoughby will be sentenced at a later date.  A complete gavel to gavel recap of the trial from Joy Uffort can be found in today's edition of the Sublette Examiner.

The Wyoming Lands and Investments Board last week awarded $375,715 to help build about 27 miles of hiking and biking trails near Jackson. The money will help pay for part of a $775,000 project intended to add trails and improve existing trails on Teton Pass at Snow King Resort and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.  At Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the project provides for 10 miles of new bike trails and a bike park near the Teewinot lift.  The plan also includes improving portions of the Upper Game Creek trail.

Monday, 02-01-10

It took only two hours Friday for a jury to turn in a unanimous guilty verdict against 46-year-old Troy Willoughby, formerly of Daniel, in connection with the murder of Jackson Waitress Lisa Ehlers in 1984.  Sentencing has not yet been set for Willoughby, but he could face up to life in prison.  Ehlers body had been found next to her car which was still running in a turn-out at the south end of Hoback Canyon in the early morning of June 21st, 1984.  She had been shot to death.  The case had been cold until Willoughby’s wife and a friend finally came forward last year and informed police of what they had witnessed that morning.  The case continued for eight days with a variety of witnesses called including those two and a variety of Ehlers friends.  No defense witnesses were called and Willoughby did not take the stand in his own defense.  A date for sentencing Willoughby has not yet been set.

(Information provided by Joy Ufford, Sublette Examiner)

Teton County Search and Rescue provided assistance to Teton County, Idaho Search and Rescue Saturday in recovering the body of a 62 year old man who had been buried in an avalanche on Garns Mountain west of Driggs.  According to a news release from the Idaho agency, the Sheriff’s office in Driggs received the report of the incident about 1:30 pm and responded with the assistance of a helicopter from Jackson Hole.  The victim and his son were located shortly after 3:00 pm and were flown to Driggs where the victim was pronounced at Teton Valley Hospital.  Identify of the victim was not immediately available.

It’s another attempt at winter planning in Yellowstone National Park.  The National Park Service published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register Friday announcing the start of public scoping for the long-term Winter Use Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Yellowstone National Park. This long-term plan will guide the management of winter use in the park, replacing the temporary winter use rule now in place. The temporary plan allows a maximum of 318 snowmobiles in Yellowstone each day while up to 78 snowcoaches are also permitted each day. Both forms of transportation must be commercially guided. Spokesman Al Nash explains that scoping is an early opportunity in the planning and EIS process for the public to offer their thoughts on the issue.  A draft EIS and proposed rule are expected to be released in the spring of 2011 for public review. The NPS intends to complete the EIS process and issue any new regulations prior to the start of the 2011-2012 winter season.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has renewed an agreement with the Shoshone–Bannock tribes to conduct a limited ceremonial bison hunt on the National Elk Refuge, tentatively scheduled for February 4^th and 5^th. The tribes will be allowed to harvest up to five bison per year as part of a traditional ceremonial activity, and one that will be closely coordinated with National Elk Refuge staff.  During a normal year, that hunt would be delayed until spring due to the supplemental feeding program on the refuge.  However, this year officials say the refuge has not yet initiated its supplemental feeding because abundant food is still available on the refuge and snow cover is not limiting access to the standing forage. As of this week, some 400 bison have been observed on the refuge which is the largest number of bison present on the refuge so far this season.

The 15^th annual International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race got under way Friday, starting from the Jackson Town Square with dignitary sleds followed by the 17 competors who were able to make it out of the 20 registered.   Race Marshall Mark Nordman says after the famed Iditarod, Wyoming’s IPSSSDR is considered just about at the top of race events by those on the circuit. No less appealing to the racers, Nordman says, is the reception the racers receive from the residents of the various towns they pass through. The race continued yesterday just outside Lander.  At the end of the second leg, Blayne "Bud" Streeper  from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada, posted the fastest time of the day and took the lead.

Friday, 01-29-10

Both the prosecution and the defense – who didn’t call a single witness and
with the defendant's own decision to not take the stand – rested their cases Thursday after lunch in the first-degree murder trial against 46 year-old Troy Willoughby who was accused of killing Lisa Ehlers near Bondurant in 1984.  Right after Prosecuting Attorney Lucky McMahon announced he was resting his case, State defender Todd Oldham then stood and told the judge and jury the defense was resting as well. It had been expected that the defense would call witnesses that knew or worked with Willoughby on a Daniel-area oil rig at that time.  Final witness on the stand was a fellow inmate with Willoughby in the Sublette County Jail who spoke of the things Willoughby had told him about the murder.  Closing arguments in the case are under way today.

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal Thursday encouraged Wyoming’s legislature preparing to meet early next month, to seek action to amend the U.S. Constitution and restore the balance of power between federal and local governments.  Freudenthal told the legislators that from wolf and grizzly bear management, to gun control, and endless regulation and unfunded mandates — the federal government has become far too powerful. Freudenthal explained that one of the ways the U.S. Constitution can be amended is by a convention called for this purpose by two-thirds of the state legislatures, if the convention’s proposed amendments are later ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.  Short of that, however, Freudenthal says the legislature can make a clear modification to the current language in the Wyoming Constitution pertaining to interstate commerce and force the federal government’s hand.

Wyoming’s Washington leadership is applauding President Barack Obama’s plan to freeze government spending, announced during his State of the Union Address, but they quickly add, it’s not planned soon enough. In Senator Mike Enzi’s Words, “The President still leaves the federal faucet turned on at full blast.” Representative Cynthia Lummis says the freeze needs to come now. On another issue, Lummis says, that there is a glimmer of hope provided by the President's comments about backing small business ventures. Overall, however, Lummis says the address was rhetoric and calls the president a master at advocating hope and the policies after the address are the same policies being debated for the past year. Still, she says she is hopeful that his overtures for working with Congressional Republicans will spell more opportunities ahead.

The swarm of earthquakes in Yellowstone National Park has been pretty constant for more than a week and a half now, with shakes ranging from barely detectable to 3.8 on the Richter scale.  Dr. Robert Smith of the University of Utah Seismic Geology and GeoPhysics Department says while this is not typical of a swarm of earthquakes; it is still nothing to be a cause for concern.  Smith says another swarm that continued over an extended period of time occurred in 1986.  Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientists still consider that the swarm events are likely the result of slip on pre-existing faults and are not thought to be caused by underground movement of magma. While the swarm is not indicative of any change or increase in volcanic activity in Yellowstone, ongoing observations and analyses are continuing to evaluate these different sources.   

The 15^th Annual International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race kicks off with no small amount of fanfare today, taking the field of 20 racers through nine communities in Western Wyoming and into northern Utah. The International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race was founded in 1996 by Frank Teasley to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. Towns along the 2010 route will receive one year’s worth of pet food for one dog, thanks to Pedigree ® Food for Dogs. This is Pedigree® Food for Dogs’ eleventh year as title sponsor of the IPSSSDR. The IPSSSDR, the largest sled dog race in the lower 48 states and attracts world class dog race teams from throughout the US and Canada.  This year, the race route will pass through Jackson, Lander, Pinedale, Big Piney/Marbleton, Alpine, Kemmerer/Diamondville, Evanston, Mountain View/Lyman, and Park City and will distribute the donated food to the local animal shelters.  The race begins from the Jackson town square tonight at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, 01-28-10

The 2009 Wyoming Youth Risk Behavior Survey results, released yesterday, show that some at-risk behaviors continue to be a problem in Wyoming middle and high schools. Still, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tim McBride says there are trends that have shown improvement over the past two years. For instance, the survey indicates that 92.8% of middle school students did not smoke cigarettes during the past 30 days. In addition, 95.1% of high school students have never used methamphetamines. However, McBride says the survey shows areas that continue to exist as challenges include a high number of high school students who said they drank alcohol in the last 30 days, and a concerning number of middle school students who said they rode in a vehicle driven by someone who had consumed alcohol.  Another area that was alarmingly high was the number of high school students who have engaged in sexual activity.  Youth Risk Analyst Nathanial Castellanos says he is confident that the surveys completed by students were pretty accurate.  Castellanos says the department has methods for weeding out those surveys where students have shaded in random bubbles. The results of the 2009 report are NOT broken down by district.

Prosecution could wind up its case today in Pinedale against Troy Willoughby in the 1984 murder of Lisa Ehlers of Jackson.  All week, Sublette Examiner Reporter Joy Ufford says the jury has been listening to a host of witnesses recalling the circumstances surrounding the case, including Willoughby’s ex-wife, Rosa Hosking.  Hosking is currently incarcerated in a correctional facility in Colorado on drug charges.  According to Ufford’s report, Hosking also testified she remembered being at a party in Jackson the night before the murder, they did drugs and drank.  She said that they had left and stopped before Hoback Junction while she was lying down in the back seat. Hosking said she recalled seeing headlights behind their parked car and hearing conversation but had laid back down. She testified the car stopped  again and she looked up and saw a car running in the pullout near Black powder Guest Ranch but didn't see anyone at first; but then she told jurors she heard an argument, and recognized Troy’s voice.  Hosking testified she recognized that Willoughby’s tone was "irritated," she heard a shot, sat up and asked what have you done?  She said he got back in the car and they went on to Daniel.  Ufford told us the trial is set to wrap up Friday, but if needed, the jury will reconvene Monday and Tuesday.
 

Former State Representative Ron Micheli yesterday kicked off his campaign for Governor of Wyoming from his hometown in Lyman. Micheli says he plans to focus his campaign on making it easier to do business in Wyoming, and by defending the state’s constitutional rights. Ron Micheli is a fourth generation small businessman and operates a ranch in the Bridger Valley in southwest Wyoming. He has served 16 years representing Unita County in the Wyoming State House of Representatives and also served as the Speaker Pro Tempore and the Majority Floor Leader during his tenure.

Street crews in Jackson tomorrow begin pushing snow back ONTO several Jackson streets in preparation for the 15^th annual International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race.  Streets that will be deliberately snow-clogged through the day Friday include East Broadway, Redmond and Cache Creek.  Activities begin at 9:00 am at the Home Ranch Parking Lot on north Cache Street where the Mushers and their teams gather for the mandatory pre-race veterinarian check of the participating dog teams.  Then, the start of the race will be preceded on the town square by Winter Fest activities and a pig roast at 5:00 pm and the ceremonial start of the race at 6:30 pm.  Altogether, there are twenty teams from throughout the US as well as from Canada and Scotland participating.  The first leg of the race through town is a short one and is followed by a reception for the participating mushers at the foot of Snow King Mountain at 7:00 and fireworks at 8:00.

Wednesday, 01-27-10

The state’s unemployment rate continued to climb in December, but according to the Wyoming Department of Employment, that rise has slowed.   The monthly report indicates that the jobless rate climbed from 7-point-2 percent to 7-point-5 percent, which analysts contend is not statistically significant.  Through the year, the report says Wyoming’s employment picture declined by some 20-thousand-600 jobs.  The state says unemployment rates from county to county tended to follow their normal seasonal patterns with slight winter increases between November and December.  Currently, Teton County has the second highest jobless rate in the state, posting 9% of its workforce idled.  Neighboring Sublette County had the most positive employment scene in the state with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Nationally, the unemployment rate at the end of the year was 10%.

The prosecution is expected to continue making its case against Troy Willoughby through tomorrow in a Pinedale Courtroom as the case involving the 1984 murder of Jackson Waitress Lisa Ehlers continues.  Jurors have heard testimony already from a variety of friends as well as witnesses who saw Ehlers’ body shortly after she was killed at a turnout near the southern end of Hoback Canyon.  Yesterday, it was testimony from one of the individuals who implicated Willoughby in the case leading to Willoughby’s arrest.  Court officials expect the case to take at least nine days to try.

Wyoming’s winter playground has made an appearance now at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the form of video displays near the baggage carousels.  State Travel Commission Director Diane Shober says two advertising firms were contracted by the state, to create large, moving images of kids on sleds, skiers, snowmobiles, and winter adventure scenes for the terminal 1 and 3 bag claim area. Shober says once the winter season is over, the displays will be converted to a summer travel theme.  Shober says the displays take advantage of the idle time passengers are standing around waiting for their luggage to arrive.

Those who have lived in this part of the state for more than a decade will remember the debate surrounding the New World Mine northeast of Yellowstone National Park.  The project was vigorously opposed by environmental groups because of the potential for damage to water, recreational assets and wildlife in the area, and in particular, to Yellowstone Park itself. Ultimately, the United States signed a settlement agreement with Crown Butte Mining, Inc. to purchase the company’s interest in their District holdings in 1996.  The transfer of property to the U.S. resulted in the establishment of a $22.5 million fund to clean up historic mining impacts to specific properties in the mining district.   Now, the annual technical meeting for the New World Mining District Response and Restoration Project is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3^rd in Bozeman, Montana.  Agenda items include a discussion of completed 2009 project activities and upcoming work outlined in the 2010/2011 annual work plan.  Individuals from the U.S. Forest Service and Tetra Tech Inc. will make presentations and answer questions about several topics, including a review of natural resource work completed to date.  The meeting will be from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm in the Madison Room at the Comfort Inn in Bozeman.

A national realty website, keying in on Valentine’s Day for a promotion called “Top Ten Most Romantic Homes.”  In order to qualify, the homes must currently be for sale with features such as design, location, history, views or amenities that are truly love inspiring.  TopTenRealEstateDeals.com has selected a Jackson Hole home as number three in their ski resort category. The Jackson Hole Home is located in Teton Village and is to be featured on HGTV in March.  It is currently listed at $29½ million dollars.  Homes are currently being nominated for the Valentine’s Day category and the web service plans to narrow their choices to the top ten overall next month.

Tuesday, 01-26-10

While the town budget looks pretty grim right now, Jackson Mayor Mark Barron says the town’s staff has been pretty creative in finding ways to meet the community’s needs within the finances available.  Town Council and staff meet in a day-long retreat Friday and not surprisingly, spent a considerable amount of time discussing belt-tightening. Barron says at the same time, the belt-tightening has led to more efficiency and an enthusiastic “can-do” attitude by members of staff.  At the same time, however, Barron says the town is taking a realistic view of the dwindling revenue stream. Barron says while he is hopeful for the remainder of the winter tourist season to be solid, the town cannot count on any significant improvement in the near future.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal said Friday that he agrees with the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group’s decision to maintain a bottom-line estimate similar to their October figures. The state’s fiscal counselors Friday made only slight changes in Wyoming's government revenue picture, revising October estimates downward by $1.9 million from lagging sales and use taxes.  Freudenthal told reporters, that recommendation sounds reasonable. The JAC yesterday began their work to mark up the governor's budget in preparation for the 20-day legislative budget session which opens February 8^th.

The Ehlers murder trial continues today in Pinedale with the prosecution of accused murderer 46 year old Troy Dean Willoughby, formerly from Daniel, Wyoming, expected to continue making their case through Thursday.  With the event having occurred 25 years ago, witnesses in the case have been allowed to refresh their memories before testifying. Jackson Waitress Elizabeth Ehlers was found shot to death on a gravel pullout along U. S. highway 191 near Hoback Canyon in Sublette County in June of 1984. 

The recent snows over Western Wyoming has helped the snowpack situation, but not as much as is needed.  According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, snowpack in the Snake River Basin now is considered 66% of the 30 year average with a water content only 61% of normal.  Further north, snow accumulations in the Upper Yellowstone and Madison River Basin, are 71% of normal with a water content that is 68% of average.  Snowfalls predicted in the beginning of this week are not expected to generate more than an inch in the valley and two to four inches in the mountains.

A Jackson Hole native has thrown his hat into the ring now for the coming governor’s race.  Beginning his campaign where he started his career as a prosecutor, former US Attorney for Wyoming Matt Mead officially launched his 2010 gubernatorial bid in Gillette Friday morning. Mead spoke to a packed room of over 100 attendees, discussing his campaign theme of putting Wyoming First.  Mead is a 4th generation Wyomingite, who was born in Teton County and raised on the family ranch.   Matt and his wife Carol continue the family’s agricultural legacy with a small agricultural business in Southeastern Wyoming, living in Cheyenne since 1991.

Monday, 01-25-10

While the state is looking at areas to trim funding for K through 12 education, it appears not much will change in the coming year for Teton County.  Superintendent Pam Shea attended a meeting between school districts and the state Joint Education Committee last week where proposals for the belt tightening were discussed.  One area involves a reduction in funding for capital construction, but Shea says that won’t affect Teton County now. An area that has received a lot of media attention has been the area of educational facilitators which had been proposed for a 20% cut: but that may be maintained after all.  Shea says all districts have such facilitators which play an important role in the classrooms.  Shea says the districts will know more by the end of this week after the Appropriations Committee meets, but she feels positive about how the local district will fare in the wake of their decisions. Shea says it is the following year when major local work will have to be done on school finance and funding under a process called recalibration.

Yes it was an earthquake about 3:00 pm Saturday, but few in Jackson Hole actually made note of it.  According to the University Of Utah Seismic Center, the shake measures 3.6 on the Richter scale and the epicenter was located 26 miles directly east of Jackson.  The shallow event caused very weak motion by the time it reached the valley.  Meanwhile, the swarm of quakes continues in Yellowstone, one full week now after they began January 17th. Ten of the earthquakes have been magnitude 3.0 or greater, with a 3.8 magnitude earthquake recorded late Wednesday evening. The larger quakes have been felt by people in Old Faithful, West Yellowstone, Canyon, Mammoth Hot Springs, Grant Village, Madison, and Gardiner. No damage or injuries have been reported. Scientists are confident that the current earthquake activity is due to the shifting and changing pressures in the earth’s crust, and not to any change or increase in volcanic activity in Yellowstone. Yellowstone averages nearly 1,200 earthquakes a year and recorded 1,652 earthquakes in 2009.

The trial in a 25 year old murder case involving a Jackson Hole waitress resumes today in a Pinedale courtroom.  46 year old Troy Dean Willoughby, formerly from Daniel, Wyoming is charged with first-degree murder in the 1984 death of Elizabeth Ehlers. Ehlers was found around shot to death, at a gravel pullout along U.S. 191 near Hoback Canyon.  The case had been cold since that time until authorities arrested Willoughby in Montana early last year when Willoughby's ex-wife and an old friend implicated him.  After both sides made opening statements Wednesday, prosecutors called their first witnesses. Among them was a now-retired state highway worker who was among the first to discover Ehlers’ body.  Others who testified about arriving at the scene included a fence builder who was hauling some logs, and Retired Sublette County sheriff Hank Ruland.  Jurors also viewed a videotape taken of the crime scene and showing Ehlers’ body near her car.  Court officials anticipate the case will take upwards from nine days to hear before the jury is sent out to deliberate the case.

While the statistical data is not in yet, it appears tourism in Wyoming last year wasn’t as bad as it could have been.  State Travel Commission Director Diane Shober says impacts varied from one part of the state to the other and pretty much focused on the areas of lodging and miscellaneous purchases.  Overall in comparison with national trends, Shober says it appears Wyoming got its fair share.  Looking ahead to 2010, Shober says she is optimistic.  Shober says she does not foresee any significant cuts in the budget for the coming season’s advertising which kicks off in March. Shober says the focus in 2010 marketing will be on the same message used last year regarding the value of a Wyoming vacation.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort made Orbitz list of top ten ski resort destinations in the country.  The Orbitz list is based on hotel and package (air plus hotel) bookings on Orbitz.com from October 1^st through December 31^st, 2009, for travel in 2010.  Jackson Hole was listed as number 7 while number one was Lake Tahoe, California.  Others finishing ahead of Jackson Hole were Breckenridge, Colorado; Park City, Utah; and Vail, Winter Park and Aspen in Colorado.

Friday, 01-22-10

Three local men have been arrested following a cooperative investigation by the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Police Department into a series of vehicle burglaries.   Sheriff’s Captain Scott Terry those men were rounded up in the week between January 14th and 20th.  20 year old Kevin Anthony Petersen  was arrested on January 14th, 23 year old Joseph Jacob Scheller was arrested Wednesday afternoon by the Nebraska Highway Patrol after he fled Wyoming, and 19 year old Lee Andrew Rollman was arrested on the evening of January 20th in Jackson. Terry says Peterson’s arrest was connected with a vehicle burglary on South Highway 89 in December, charges against Scheller stem from a series of vehicle burglaries near Hoback Junction, and charges against Rollman involve conspiracy to commit burglary and accessory to burglary.  Altogether, Terry says felony charge combinations so far include vehicle burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and accessory.

The Wyoming Business Council Board of Directors yesterday reviewed six applications for funding from the Long Term Care Planning Program, totaling $275,250, and approved two grants applications and partially funded a third. That third program is in Teton County, and it received a $31,500 grant to carry out a detailed financial feasibility study and site analysis for construction of three to four Green House ® homes in Teton County, each with 10-12 beds. It will be conducted in close cooperation with St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson. The community match is $10,500.  The board also approved an extension of a grant award for the construction of a new Jackson visitor center and changes to the project. In January 2009, Jackson was awarded a $500,000 Business Ready Community grant to construct a new visitor’s center at the Home Ranch Parking lot. The facility would house the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. The project has since changed in size and will not include space for the chamber of commerce. While the State Loan and Investment Board has final decision on awarding BRC grants, the extension of a grant does not need to go before them.

Gasoline prices rose a couple weeks ago and then stayed put for the most part as evidenced by the signs outside Jackson Hole service stations.  According to AAA Auto Club’s Fuel Gauge Report, the national average is 15-cents higher than it was one month ago, but Wyoming reports in with the second lowest average of the 50 states.  According to the Auto Club, the state average for a gallon of unleaded regular is $2.55 per gallon second only to Missouri where the price is a penny cheaper.  Jackson Hole’s average is even money with the state average while gasoline across the pass in Teton Valley, Idaho averages 20 cents more per gallon.

Are you among the many looking for employment – or a way to bring in a little more money to pay bills?  The US Census Bureau is rounding up a large number of people to help effect a count of the population here and is willing to pay handsomely for the effort.  Local Recruiting Assistant J.R. du Neige says around 200 staff members are needed locally for various positions. Du Neige says people are being in four to eight week increments and hours can range upward to 40 hours a week.  The census process will continue from now through December.  Interested people can call 866-861-2010 to express an interest. 

The state of Wyoming is looking for information leading to the apprehension of vandals who damaged variable speed limit signs at three locations along eastbound Interstate 80.  The damage took place at about 6:00 pm on January 6th. WYDOT officials determined that someone fired a handgun at the signs, which are near the Wagonhound, Arlington and Cooper Cove Interchanges.  The vandalism resulted in damages to several cables, batteries and transceivers.  Altogether, there was about $23,000 in damages, which includes $8,000 in labor and $15,000 in equipment costs.  The Wyoming Department of Transportation is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who damaged the variable speed limit signs earlier this month. Tips can be called in to WYDOT at (307) 777-4375.

Thursday, 01-21-10

A skier who left the slopes of Grand Targhee Ski Resort Tuesday afternoon has died after spending the night out and suffering extreme hypothermia.  46-year-old Edward Fitzgerald of Forest Hills, New York called the Teton County Sheriff’s Department about 7:45 pm reporting that he had become disoriented and could not find his way back to the ski area.  The call was made from his cell phone, but the signal was so poor, an exact description of his surroundings could not be learned.  Teton County Search and Rescue Coordinator Doug Meyer says a search was launched immediately in cooperation with the ski patrol, the Teton County, Idaho Sheriff’s Office, and Grand Targhee Ski Patrollers found Fitzgerald’s tracks shortly before 11:00 pm.  Searchers determined that the Fitzgerald had skied past the northern boundary of the resort and into the Leigh Creek drainage.  Due to the rugged terrain and risk to rescuers, the search was suspended until first light Wednesday when a helicopter was called in to aid in the search. Fitzgerald was spotted from the air at about 8:45 am, and rescuers who responded to the site on foot found him lying wet and unconscious next to Leigh Creek.  Meyer says Fitzgerald was transported to where he could be put onto the helicopter and flown to St. John’s Medical Center.  He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Discussions of housing needs during the review of the Comprehensive Plan last week yielded an additional concern for the valley’s future.  Teton County Planning Director Jeff Daugherty says a concept being called “generational continuity” looks at a concern for residents’ maturing children to be able to maintain their roots here. Other issues addressed at last week’s meeting included what percentage of the valley’s work force to assure housing for, and how much of the workforce currently can find housing here.  Daugherty says tonight’s meeting has been postponed a week due to a lack of a quorum from the combined planning commissions.  Discussions about Theme Four of the Comprehensive Plan will resume on January 28^th.

A computer malfunction took down the phones at the Jackson/Teton County dispatch center for a time last night, restricting calls to emergency calls on 911 only.  By about 8:00 pm, repairs were made and the facility has been operating normally since then.

The final year of a five-year elk test and removal pilot project begins near Pinedale next week. Personnel from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and other agencies plan to conduct two elk capture operations again this winter during the weeks of January 24^th and February 7^th.  The pilot project was one of 28 recommendations made by the Governor's Brucellosis Coordination Team in a comprehensive effort to deal with brucellosis in the state. The research recently led to implementation of the Target Feedground Project, an effort to reduce brucellosis prevalence in elk by utilizing low-density feeding methods combined with shortening the length of the feeding season.  Following the conclusion of this year’s testing, a comprehensive review of the findings will be conducted by the Governor’s Brucellosis Coordination Team.

Governor Dave Freudenthal told reporters this week he expects the upcoming legislative session to be pretty smooth.  That’s because, he says, it is the biennial budget session and there isn’t much money to spend.  Illustrating that point, Freudenthal says there currently are 25-30 percent fewer bills than normally would have been filed at this point in time.  Still, he says there are some bills he really wants to see have some action. Overall, Freudenthal says the legislators should probably observe the old naval term, “steady as she goes.”  The 2010 legislative session begins on February 8^th.

Wyoming State Auditor Rita Meyer has announced intention to run for Governor of Wyoming. Meyer says she is committed to promoting the multiple use of Wyoming’s natural resources. Meyer told reporters and supporters that preparedness would be the watchword of her administration.  Fort Bridger rancher Ron Micheli, already announced his intentions to run as a GOP candidate last year while a handful of other potential candidates from both sides of the aisle says they will wait until after the legislative session to announce their intentions.  Former US Attorney Matt Mead is also eyeing a possible spot on the ticket.

Wednesday, 01-20-10

A Jackson-based jet charter company, New Flight Charters has begun a private jet relief mission to Haiti, including the evacuation of several orphans.  New Flight Charters President Rick Colson says the company coordinated a Challenger 300 super-midsize private jet filled with two doctors, food, water purifiers and other necessities for delivery to three orphanages in Port-au-Prince.  Colson says the luxury jet, with U.S. State Department approval, was then used to evacuate ten orphans to the U.S. for the Morrell Family Charities organization based in Utah.  Since the Port-au-Prince airport was closed to civilian aircraft, Colson says the plane landed in Barahona Tuesday morning and the cargo was transferred to helicopters for delivery to the Port-au-Prince orphanages.  The ten orphans were then flown by helicopter to the waiting private jet and evacuated to Miami where they met their newly adoptive families arranged by Morrell Family Charities.

The swarm of earth tremors in Yellowstone National Park is continuing today with the largest shake so far since Sunday – 3.5 – felt at about 2:30 yesterday.  The swarm is located about 10 miles northwest of Old Faithful, and 9 miles southeast of West Yellowstone, Montana.  There have been 469 located earthquakes in the swarm of magnitudes 0.5 to 3.5. This includes 5 events of magnitude larger than 3, and 34 events of magnitude 2 to 3. Another 430 events were magnitudes less than 2.  Swarms like this in such a geologically active area are not considered out of the ordinary.

Governor Dave Freudenthal toured Yellowstone National Park with Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes and Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland Saturday, as they got a first-hand view of the “best available technology” snowmobiles, which have been mandated in Yellowstone for several years.  During yesterday’s news conference, Freudenthal said he again has expressed his hopes to the officials that the Department might eventually raise the daily limit back to 750 per day.  He says he emphasized the need for firm limits with periods of greater use within the average, before ongoing shifts in the regulatory landscape put concessionaires in and around the Park out of business. Still, Freudenthal told reporters yesterday he realizes such a move is unlikely. Saturday’s trip afforded the Deputy and Assistant Secretary their first ever opportunity to ride a “best available technology” snowmobile through the Park.

It really doesn’t require a report for local residents to know the tourist business last year was a little slow in Teton County.  The Jackson Hole Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday released its statistics for 2009 calendar year travel and tourism inquiries.  According to the chamber, visitation at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center was the same as it was in 2008, but down by 8% as compared with 2007.  Meanwhile, visitor inquiries at the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce are up by 8.5% for December 2009 as compared with December 2008, but down for January through December by 1% from 2008 and down by 17.5% compared with 2007.  Lodging occupancy rates were also down, dipping by 3% for December 2009 from what they were in December 2008, and by 14.5% for the entire calendar year 2009 from 2008.

The local environmental sustainability granting organization, 1% for the Tetons, is opening its 2010 grants cycle on Monday. This is significantly earlier than in past years, when the grants cycle opened on May 1st – and 1% for the Tetons Executive Director Jonathan Schechter says it is only one of a number of changes that have been made this year. For instance, Schechter says the grant application process will now consist of two rounds. Round 1 asks applicants to provide a two page general description of their proposed project.  Those selected in Round 1 will then be invited to participate in Round 2 where they will be asked to provide a more detailed written description of their projects.  The Finalists will then be required to make a 5 minute oral presentation of their proposal on May 8th. Another change Schechter says will allow 1% for the Tetons member businesses to be able to direct up to 100% of their annual 1% for the Tetons donations to Finalists of their choice. Additionally, individuals and businesses which do not belong to 1% for the Tetons will be able to help fund Finalists’ projects.

Tuesday, 01-19-10

The University of Utah reported that a notable swarm of small earthquakes as large as magnitude 3.3 occurred throughout Sunday evening and into Monday evening northwest of Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.  The largest tremors in the swarm were a shock of magnitude 3.3 that occurred at 8:39 pm and another of 3.1 at 11:03 am yesterday.  Altogether, says Dr. Robert Smith of the University of Utah, there were a total over 200 in the swarm of magnitude 3.3 to 0.5 in the latest swarm.  Dr. Smith says the activity really is not a harbinger of anything and is not out of the ordinary.  Dr. Smith says the swarm has been located on the northwestern edge of the Yellowstone caldera.

A man wanted for aggravated kidnapping in Texas was apprehended Friday in Teton County by local officers.  According to a sheriff’s report, a deputy with the Teton County Sheriff's Office observed a person wearing dark clothing walking in the area of Willow Street and Pearl Street in downtown Jackson at approximately 3:30 am.  The subject's actions seemed suspicious to the deputy and based on the recent burglaries throughout the area, the deputy decided to make contact with him.  In the process, 28 year old Neill Austin Beckham, was found to have an active felony warrant for aggravated kidnapping with a knife out of Nacogdoches County, Texas.  Beckham was arrested without incident and placed in Teton County Jail.

More snow on the ground would certainly make the upcoming International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race a more natural event, but it is not threatening the event by any means.  After 15 years of staging the event, Race Director Frank Teasley says he can always find an alternative for a trail that will work. Specifically, Teasley says he already has plans A, B, and C for most of the locations along the route to choose from. The IPSSSDR has a full slate of competitors again this year, a number of whom are familiar names from famed races like the Iditarod.

Smith's Food & Drug Stores in Wyoming have teamed up with the American Red Cross of Wyoming to accept donations for international relief in response to the earthquake in Haiti. Starting today through January 30th, Smith’s corporate officials say Smith’s customers can make a donation to the American Red Cross by simply adding any amount to their checkout purchase.   All funds collected will directly benefit Red Cross International relief efforts in Haiti to provide food, water, shelter, medical supplies and other assistance.  In addition to its Jackson store, Smith’s is a division of the Kroger Co. and currently operates 132 stores in seven western states. Store officials point out that together with its other stores, the employees, customers and suppliers have been able to generate millions of dollars in charitable giving each year.

Biologists with the Grand Teton National Park say a female cougar known for wandering around the Jackson region has died of plague. The 6-year-old cat had been tagged with a global positioning system collar. National park officials say the carcass was found at the southern end of Grand Teton National Park, near the base of the Tetons.

Monday, 01-18-10

Teton County may be in line for considerably more money than it has been receiving due to undercounting during the last federal census.  Local Census Office Manager Frank Zitkovic says the results of the count influence many entitlements of local residents. Zitkovic adds that every person who is not accounted for costs the county $1000 per year in money it would receive from the federal government to help pay for services.  Recruiting Assistant J.R. Smith says ten years ago, census takers were recruited from outside Teton County, and their unfamiliarity with the area resulted in many people not being counted.  That, he says, is why this year, they want as many local workers as they can find. For those filling out the census questionnaire, Smith says there are only ten simple questions requiring a minimum amount of time.  Furthermore, Zitkovic assures that information gathered for the census is closely guarded under federal law.

Today is Equality Day, in part, commemorating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King.  Here in Jackson, residents will find banks, the Teton County Public Library and many government offices closed.  Jackson Hole High School will be involved in a day of activities focused on exposing students to the personal impacts of inequality and the possibilities for change. Activities include a video created by the video class consisting of interviews with both young people and adults from Jackson speaking to their views of segregation in our community.  Students are also participating in a “March for Equality” from the Recreation Center to the Fairgrounds during the afternoon.

Response from the American public to the needs of the earthquake victims in Haiti has been overwhelming – but at the same time, there are those who take a tragedy and spin it to make money.  Teton County Interim Emergency Management Coordinator Rich Ochs says the FBI is warning those who would seek to donate money, to be careful about whom they send their

money to. Ochs says people should not respond to unsolicited emails or phone calls seeking donations, and if interested in contributing, check out the organization through which they intend to donate. Furthermore, Ochs warns that some of the unsolicited emails may contain computer viruses, so if the agency does not look familiar, don’t open the email.

When the Congress reconvenes tomorrow after the Equality Day holiday, discussion of America’s role in the rescue and recovery efforts in Haiti are likely to be high on the agenda.  Wyoming Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis says she and colleagues have been shocked by the images coming back from the stricken Caribbean nation. Lummis says the Congress looks forward to further assessments of the situation to be available when they reconvene so that they can discuss appropriate further response.  Here in Wyoming, Lummis says the state’s National Guard units are currently deployed in Kuwait and so cannot respond to the emergency in Haiti, but when they return in April, they may be sent to help with reconstruction in Haiti if needed.

It was a great weekend for both the boys and girls varsity basketball teams with both teams winning clear victories in the Friday and Saturday afternoon games.  Danny Mayer has the details.  The girls rolled over Lyman 51 to 39 on Friday and then beat Mountain View 36 to 32 on Saturday. The boys meanwhile, beat Lyman 68 to 54 Friday, and then gave Mountain View no quarter, finishing the game with a 72 to 30 win. Also this weekend, the Jackson Hole High School Speech and Debate Team placed first among 3A schools at the Star Valley Speech Invitational for their third win in as many starts this season.

Friday, 01-15-10

Even though it may be as much as four years before the fate of listing the Grizzly Bear as a threatened species is determined, bear managers must press on with determining the best practices for the recovery of the animal. That was the consensus of a two-day winter meeting of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee in Missoula, Montana this week.  Furthermore, IGBC Education and Information Chair Gregg Losinski says that is not just limited to the Greater Yellowstone population. Overall, Losinski says the welfare of the bear populations appear to be good in two of the five recovery regions, but progress is being made in the other recovery areas as well. Among the revisions to the IGBC’s action plan is addressing bear-human confrontations.  Losinski says the IGBC considers this a very serious concern that must be dealt with on a social, political and educational basis.

Snowfall in northwestern Wyoming has been anything but record-setting this year.  According to the latest figures released by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, snowpack in the Snake River Basin still is hovering around 65% of normal while the amount of snow measured in the Upper Yellowstone-Madison Basin is about 73% of the 30-year average.  However, while the dry conditions are bad news for the winter season, the Bureau of Reclamation assures there is a significant amount of carry-over in the area’s reservoirs for going into the summer months.  The most recent reports show Grassy Lake still 82% full, Jackson Lake is 74% filled and Palisades is 73% full.  All told, reservoirs in the region average 72% of normal.

Could the disaster in Haiti be a textbook for what might be in Teton County’s future?  Probably not, says Interim Emergency Management Coordinator Rich Ochs who admits the Teton Fault is rated for a potential maximum event larger than the one that hit the Caribbean Tuesday.  Ochs says the fault here is rated as high as 7.6 to 7.8, but our building codes are a lot higher than they were in Haiti and so may be less prone to collapsing. The collapse of so many homes, Ochs says, does bring up a concern about being disaster ready with 72-hour kits – which in such a case would probably be buried in those homes.  Ochs suggests making up multiple kits and keep them in various locations like the house, the car and the office. Ochs says perhaps the biggest lesson we can learn is that the first 72 hours of rescues and survival involve neighbors helping neighbors before external aid can arrive.  Ochs says because of Teton County’s geography, this area could be similarly isolated in a disaster.

The supplemental feeding program for elk and bison wintering on the refuge will begin later this season than in most years. According to Refuge officials, above normal grass production and below average snow cover have delayed the need for supplemental feed. Refuge Manager Steve Kallin says the delay is good for the herd since such a delay keeps the elk and bison more dispersed over a larger area for a longer period of time, reducing animal concentrations and so  the likelihood that disease will be spread throughout the herd.  Regular condition assessments will be made to assure a sudden change in weather patterns or snow depths don’t have an impact on the availability forage for the animals. Currently, approximately 4,000 elk are on the National Elk Refuge, compared to 6,000 elk at this time last year. Bison numbers have remain low, too, with only 110 counted on the refuge this week, an 82% decrease from the same date in 2009.

The state of Wyoming is in need of medical practitioners like most rural areas of the country.  Health care officials here hope that better availability of grant and scholarship information will encourage more students to pursue a course of study appropriate to such a career.  To that end, the Wyoming Department of Health announced a new web-based resource for healthcare professionals and students who may be looking for education loan repayment or scholarship information.  The new web page includes links to numerous loan repayment and healthcare scholarship programs for doctors, nurses, healthcare faculty, mental health and allied healthcare professionals. Jeff Hopkins, healthcare recruitment and workforce specialist in the department’s Office of Rural Health, says costs associated with becoming a healthcare professional can range from $2,000 to $200,000.  Hopkins says many of the programs featured on the web page have significant funding to encourage healthcare professionals to relocate to rural and underserved areas.

Thursday, 01-14-10

A hunting group is appealing the federal court ruling that put grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Area back on the list of threatened species. Safari Club International appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday to overturn U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy’s September ruling. U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge of Idaho granted a request from Safari Club International and Safari Club International Foundation in November to participate in the lawsuit as friends of the court.  The bears had been de-listed in 2007, but a several environmental groups sued to reverse the action and that lawsuit was upheld last year by Malloy who concurred that a combination of climate change pressures and lax protections from government agencies put the region's 600 grizzlies at risk.

Former Jackson/Teton County Fire Chief Rusty Palmer was sworn in as Chief of Island County Fire District 3 in Washington this week in front of a standing-room-only audience.  Palmer had served the community here for over 33 years before accepting the position in Washington.  Locally, Teton County Commissioner Leland Christiansen says the search for his successor has not yet begun. Christiansen says the search will be open to finding that successor either locally or outside the valley…but he quickly adds that there are very qualified candidates right here at home.

Running an airport in Wyoming is becoming more than just landing fees and security hirings–negotiation skills are now becoming just as important as Wyoming airports lobby the airlines serving their communities for more competitive fares and more flights.  A Wyoming Department of Transportation report shows that while Jackson’s annual drop from 2008 was just under 7%, airports like Cheyenne saw as much as a 25% drop.  Airports complain that there are fewer seats available out of their communities in recent years – and while Jackson saw a 2% decline in flights serving the valley in 2009, it experienced a 38% surge in additional flights during December.  Altogether, the efforts to bring more flights into Jackson Hole last month produced an 18% increase in the number of passengers arriving here, and a 24% increase in those catching flights out of the valley during December…according to an airport board report.

Young people looking for summer employment with the flavor of the outdoors may be interested in applying for positions being offered in Grand Teton National Park.  Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says this marks the fifth year for the Youth Conservation Program in the park. Skaggs says participants also learn about the management of a national park.  The 2010 YCP program will run for ten weeks from June 14 through August 19. Participants must be students in good standing, and live locally as housing is not provided.  Wages are 10.88 per hour, and applications are available online or at the park foundation office.

It’s January 14^th, and we all know what’s only one month away now…Valentine’s Day. A number of towns around the nation capitalize on their names to help people celebrate the holiday, and yesterday, Loveland, Colorado announced their 64^th year of re-mailing greeting cards for the holiday bearing their distinctive postmark and a brief poem.  It’s a way to provide a little more romantic spice to some of the tired old lines we hear every year at this time.  Volunteers begin stamping the more than 12-million valentines they see annually on February first.  The pre-addressed, pre-stamped cards can be mailed to the Loveland Postmaster with the notation “valentine re-mailing” on the outside envelope.

Wednesday, 01-13-10

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee wraps up their two day winter meeting today in Missoula, Montana.  Primary on the agenda is the development of a new 5-year action plan to help guide future work – particularly in light of the re-listing of the bear by Federal District Judge Donald Malloy last year. Partners in the IGBC include the wildlife agencies of the states that contain grizzly bear recovery areas, as well as the state representatives from the Bureau of Land Management and related National Forest units.  Upper level management from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and the United States Geological Survey are also included.   Because certain recovery zones cross the international boundary with Canada, members also include key managers from Parks Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Environment.  One traditional agenda item in the winter meeting is a report on the status of bear recovery and management from each of the five grizzly bear recovery ecosystems. 

A late morning fire rendered a mobile home south of Jackson a total loss yesterday.  Jackson/Teton County First Battalion Chief Mike Moyer says quick response from three stations helped keep the fire confined to three rooms, but smoke damage throughout the residence was extensive.  Moyer says the home was occupied but the residents were not at home.  Moyer says the fire originated in the dryer vent. Units had the fire out in about a half hour.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration, clothes dryers were involved in over 15,000 U.S. structure fires, and caused an estimated $99 million in direct property damage, annually, between 2002 and 2004.

Select middle school aged students from Jackson, Pinedale, Lyman, Mountain View, Alpine, Evanston and Herriman, Utah will participate in a sled dog race of their own on the final day of this year’s International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race.  The IPSSSDR Jr. Stage Stop will take place on Saturday, February 7, at 3:00 p.m. during the final day of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race in Park City, Utah. Race officials say host communities for the IPSSSDR are eligible to send two students to represent their towns in the short exhibition fun run. In order to participate in the race, students agree to perform 10 hours of community service work prior to the race, and donate $25 to the nonprofit Uinta County Community Youth Coalition.   Surprisingly, no Jackson students have stepped up as yet to participate.  Students do not need their own dogs or previous mushing experience since the equipment and dog teams are being provided by IPSSSDR.

The state of Wyoming is trying to head off federal restrictions being placed on species as they become threatened or endangered by improving the survival rates of such species.  According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, funding for sensitive species project work in Wyoming increased significantly in recent years through legislative appropriations of over four million dollars-money in order to help reduce Wyoming’s vulnerability to such listings.  State Wildlife Action Plan coordinator Glenn Pauley says the state is home to over 800 species of wildlife; 278 of which are considered Species of Greatest Conservation Need.  Pauley, proactive approaches to conserving wildlife are more effective and less expensive than recovery efforts initiated after a species has been listed under the Environmental Species Act.  Furthermore, Pauley says a species being considered at risk does not necessarily mean it is in trouble, but may be simply because we don’t have enough data to know what the current status of the species actually is.

The bitter cold temperatures in the valley may be interfering with residents’ best intentions to get out and get more exercise for the sake of their health.  Still, the American Heart Association says those who made resolutions for the New Year to improve their health will probably succeed. And for those who haven't done their best yet, physiologist Karen Zurn with the A-H-A offers a few simple tips:  hop out of bed a half-hour earlier to alleviate the morning rush and to make time for a healthy breakfast. Furthermore she says exercise doesn’t have to mean a costly gym or new treadmill - simply being more active will improve heart health. Zurn says when shopping for food, consider looking at foods with the heart 'check mark' symbol on the label that indicates the food meets A-H-A guidelines for heart-healthy eating. Zurn also advises walking during work breaks and planning physical activities to take the place of some of the night's T-V couch time.

Tuesday, 01-12-10

Visitation at Grand Teton National Park increased slightly during December from visitation levels in 2008.  Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs says about 6% more visitors were in the park during December. Skaggs says the strong showing in December helped end the calendar year point-4% ahead of the previous year’s visitation.  Skaggs credits the value of a national park visit for helping attendance maintain their levels through a recession year.  Helping evidence that was the increase this year in camping. Still, Skaggs says the quality and value of a national park experience seems to been the method chosen by more members of the public to stretch their limited dollars for vacations this year.

Jackson Hole Airport has released the year-end statistics which indicate both those arriving and departing on flights this year declined by less than 10%.  However, the same statistics indicate that those numbers were six and four percent higher respectively than 2007 which until 2009 had been the airport’s second busiest year.   According to the monthly report to the airport board, 257,645 people arrived in Jackson by air last year while 260,263 caught flights out of the valley during 2009.  Meanwhile, the number of actual flights serving the valley declined by three percent.  Specifically in December, enplanements declined from December 2008 by a single percent while those flying out decreased by five percent.

Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal has expressed displeasure with the Interior Department’s plans to reform federal oil and gas leasing policies.  In a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Freudenthal warned that those changes would lead to burdensome new requirements rather than seeking to solve the underlying problems.  Freudenthal told Salazar that instead, the Interior Department should focus its energies on compliance, monitoring and inspections.  Freudenthal says in terms of development of energy reserves, given the right information and proper motivation this country can accomplish this, meeting both the needs of production and protection.  However, the proposed changes could add up to three additional layers of analysis to the existing leasing process and would be akin to (quoting now) “putting on two additional belts and two additional pairs of suspenders without even knowing if we are going to wear pants.”

Discussions about housing are to continue on Thursday as work on the joint Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive plan moves ahead.  Jackson Planning Director Tyler Sinclair says work wrapped up discussions of Theme Three, “Jackson as the Heart of the Region” and opened discussions of Theme Four, “Meeting Our Community’s Housing Needs” last week.  Sinclair says it does not appear that there are any particular points of debate in the housing question and fairly quick progress should be possible on the theme. The weekly Comprehensive Plan meeting begins at 5:30 Thursday in the Teton County Commissioners’ Chambers and reserves the first 45 minutes to field comments and concerns from the public.

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter last week announced he would not run for re-election, and that could open a real “fruit basket upset” with a potential of touching Wyoming politics.  Should Interior Secretary Ken Salazar decide to step down from that position to run for the Colorado governorship, some believe Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal could be in line to be considered in the pool for potential Interior Secretary successors.  While Freudenthal has not responded to the speculation, he continues to consider running for a third term as Wyoming’s governor.  At least four other western governors have been mentioned by those speculating who might succeed Salazar if he were to run for governor.

Monday, 01-11-10

Despite sagging returns at the familiar red Salvation Army kettles nationwide over the Christmas Season, giving in Jackson Hole actually set a new record.  According to Kettle Coordinator Chuck Webber, the highest amount collected previously was $11-thousand in 2008, but Webber says even before the money from the counter kettles is counted, collections netted about $12,300 here this year. Webber reiterates that funds collected here stay in the valley for local needs. Webber says next year, the local Salvation Army is hoping to add even more collection locations to help meet the expanding need here.

A very prominent figure in Jackson Hole’s social scene and popular Ski Patroller Mark “Big Wally” Wolling died Saturday afternoon as a result of the injuries he sustained Thursday when he was buried by an avalanche while participating in avalanche hazard reduction activities.  Wolling was removed from life support early Saturday afternoon and died shortly thereafter.  Wolling had been swept over a cliff at Casper Bowl early Thursday morning where he and other patrollers were routinely detonating hand charges to bring down slides on the upper mountain of Jackson Hole Ski Resort.  Companions quickly located and unburied Wolling, but his apparent head injuries proved fatal despite two days in critical care.  A memorial service is planned for 6:30 pm Wednesday in front of the Mangy Moose in Teton Village.  In an official statement released by JHMR, Resort President Jerry Blann remarked, quoting now,   “Widely loved by colleagues at JHMR and across the ski industry, his passing leaves us with an enormous sense of loss.”  Wolling had worked at the resort since 1978 and had been on the ski patrol since 1989.

The proposal to locate previously quarantined bison from Yellowstone to a private ranch in Montana and a state park in Wyoming did not meet with much favor Thursday night during a hearing in Bozeman.  Under the proposal, about 74 wild bison would find a home on a ranch owned by Ted Turner while another 14 would be sent to Guernsey State Park southeast of Casper.  For the most part, says Montana Wildlife Chief Ken McDonald, the 50 in attendance largely opposed the plan, based on the agreement proposed with the Turner Ranch. Meanwhile, the portion of the plan that would transport bison to Guernsey State Park met with no opposition. McDonald says should this plan fail, it would not lead to the destruction of the bison, but would make for a severely overcrowded situation at the holding facility. The public comment period on all the alternatives closes January 12^th after which all the comments will be reviewed and appropriate modifications may be made.  Then the director of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks will determine which alternative proposed will be pursued.

Grand Teton National Park’s Moose Headquarters Rehabilitation Site Work Environmental Assessment has been released now for public review and will remain open for comment through February 9th. Park Spokesperson Jackie Skaggs explains that the site work would restructure vehicle/pedestrian access points, promote better traffic flow, reduce user-created trails and consolidate pedestrian walkways, and improve way-finding throughout the Moose headquarters complex. Skaggs says the NPS preferred alternative involves the reconfiguration of vehicle and pedestrian traffic within the park administrative area and the Moose river landing access, the removal of several temporary buildings, and restoration work targeted at providing appropriate storm water management. The EA also evaluates a no-action alternative which describes the current condition with no site work applied. Copies of the EA are available online or may be requested through the park’s Planning Office.

If you missed Jackson Hole Broncs basketball at home this weekend, you missed quote a show with the boys decisively winning their games both on Friday and again on Saturday and the girls splitting their results.  The Boys won Friday night’s game against Worland 51 to 41 and a decisive win over Lander 59 to 38.  The Girls split their weekend with a 49 to 22 win over Worland, but a 52 to 51 loss to Lander after double overtime.

Friday, 01-08-10

Historically, school children in the valley would be picked up by the school transportation system and taken to school in town with covered sleighs heated by oil-fired stoves.  While the ride to school today is certainly more comfortable than it was then, the wait at the school bus stops is just as bitter in the current temperatures.  School Superintendent Pam Shea says the welfare of those students at the bus stops is very much on the minds of school officials.  Shea urges parents to not only be sure the children have the proper coats hats and gloves on, but that they are zipped, and no portion of the child’s skin is left exposed to the elements. While such parental supervision is very natural for those children in the elementary graded, Shea quickly points out to secondary students that this is not a time to be overly concerned about making a fashion statement. Furthermore, Shea says when temperatures get into the sub-zero range, another extra layer of clothing may very much be in order.  Temperatures during the time children are waiting for busses this week have dropped in some parts of the county to more than 30 degrees below zero.

This week’s winter storm did little to improve conditions for snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park.  Park Spokesman Al Nash says those conditions are still rated fair to good, depending upon which part of the park you travel.  Specifically, Nash says accumulations ranged from an additional 2 ½ inches at Old Faithful to seven inches at South Entrance.  East Entrance received four inches.  Of particular concern however, says Nash, are the cold temperatures that have settled in.  Thursday morning’s lows included 39-below at West Yellowstone, 38-below at Canyon, and 34-below at Old Faithful.

Don’t look for any immediate changes at Jackson Hole Airport as the result of Mesa Airlines -- which serves the valley as United Express -- filing for protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy code.  That’s because the valley is currently being served by United’s full sized airliners operated by the airline itself.  Mesa has served the valley as United Express during the low season with its 37 passenger turboprop deHavilland Dash 8-200 with flights between Jackson and Denver.  However, Airport Manager Ray Bishop says when flights are again scaled back in April, United Express will reappear as new Brasilia EMB 190 jet aircraft seating 99 people.

The Teton County Animal Shelter is reminding residents that license renewal time is here for dogs and cats.  Licensing pets is required by ordinance, and citations may be issued to the owners of unlicensed animals.  In addition, having pets licensed is very helpful for reuniting pets with their families as quickly as possible should they become lost.  Licenses require proof of current rabies vaccination, contact information, and a fee of $1.00 for spayed or neutered pets, $5.00 for non-neutered animals.   Licenses may be obtained at the Jackson/Teton County Animal Shelter, Town Hall, County Treasurer, or local veterinary clinics.

Gasoline prices have begun creeping upward again with local prices having risen a couple pennies in the last week.  AAA Auto Club’s Fuel Gauge Report shows a seven cent increase in the national average over the past week with unleaded regular now selling for an average price of $2.63 per gallon.  Wyoming has the lowest average of the 50 states this week at $2.46 per gallon.  The average in Jackson Hole is $2.51 – about three cents higher than last week – while the average this week in Teton Valley, Idaho is $2.69. 

Thursday, 01-07-10

A popular Jackson Hole ski patroller clings to life at an Idaho Falls hospital after a large avalanche crashed down the northeast aspect of Cheyenne Bowl on the upper mountain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, burying him. 58-year-old Mark Wolling, a patrolman on the mountain since 1989, was participating in routine avalanche hazard reduction work there control when the incident occurred.  Wolling was quickly dug out, taken to the Teton Village Clinic and then transported to St. John’s Medical Center. From there, he was airlifted to Idaho Falls where he remains in critical condition.  The incident took place prior to the lifts being open to the public, but other members of the Ski Patrol were in the vicinity.  Avalanche conditions are considered high today as Jackson Hole Mountain Resort received 10 inches of snow in the previous 24 hours and over 30 inches in the previous week.

The Teton County Public Health Department is reminding local residents that seasonal flu vaccine continues to be available at the Public Health office for adults and children.  Public Health Response Coordinator Tammy Marshall says the H1N1 vaccine is widely available for all ages now with more vaccine arriving weekly.  Marshall adds that both Vaccines are still recommended even if someone has had the flu.

There is plenty to view at the National Elk Refuge for those hiking or driving the refuge road, but Refuge Spokesperson Lori Iverson says there are also some real concerns right now because of the large trucks that are making deliveries along that road. Iverson says people are stopping north of the Miller House and eyeing the cliffs above the road for the cougars that are being seen there regularly.  However, Iverson says considering the traffic, it would be best if those viewing the wildlife would remain in their cars and at the designated pullouts to avoid a potential incident with the tractor trailers.

Jackson’s Police Department has been honoring its own for outstanding performance based on nominations from within the department as well as from members of the public.  Among those honored were officer of the year Tony Matthews who works as a school resource officer in the local school district and investigates incidents involving students.  Among the information that led to Matthews selection was a particularly poignant letter from an eighth grade student.  Another of the awards was a life-saving award presented by Jackson’s town administrator to Police Chief odd Smith and Officer Mark Morzov for their actions last August involving a man who had fallen and suffered severe injuries in the Snake River Canyon.

New rules of the road have been unveiled for oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands. The reforms have been promoted as a way to improve certainty for the industry, better protect the great outdoors, and reduce lawsuits. B-L-M director Bob Abbey says new policies for increased environmental review and more gathering of public input will reduce the conflict that has dominated leasing decisions over the past ten years. Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar announced the reforms, pointing out that most of the land leased in recent years is not in production – so there’s a cushion to slow down the pace of leasing without impacting domestic supply.  Salazar says many of the leases issued in recent years will now get a second look. Some oil and gas industry lobby groups have blamed Salazar’s review of policy for a recent slowdown in production, although several economists say the lower production levels are related to a drop-off in demand because of the poor economy.

Wednesday, 01-06-10

It is a little like robbing Peter to pay Paul – and it may be a decision that will be placed in front of the voters by the Town Council and Teton County Commission in order to meet the cost of essential services in the current economy without raising the sales tax burden on residents.  County Attorney Keith Gingery explains that the additional revenues could be accomplished through what is called a “tax swap.”  Gingery says if the Special Purpose Excise Tax could be set aside until better times, an additional one percent could be levied to raise the money needed to maintain the county’s essential services.  The elected officials are expected next month to determine whether to put this option before the voters.  Then, later in the year, voters would be asked in two separate questions if the additional penny tax on sales should be approved and if the SPET tax should be retired for now. Gingery says the tax swap is not totally popular because of the good the SPET tax has done for the community in the past.  However, Gingery admits that the voters could vote to levy both and in effect, raise their own taxes by a penny.

It may not have been a banner holiday season in Yellowstone National Park last week, but the park did end up the year with a record number of visitors despite the sagging national economy.  According to statistics released yesterday, nearly 144-thousand more visitors passed through the gates of the nation’s first park than in any other calendar year.  Meanwhile, visitation to Yellowstone National Park for the month of December was up 10.8% compared with 2008. Of the 18,107 visitors to Yellowstone in December, 9,483 came by automobile, RV, or bus; 4,740 were passengers on snow coaches; and 4,512 entered the park on guided snowmobile tours.

Burglars in the area appear to becoming bolder as county cases are starting to include entry into homes as well as unlocked autos.  Now, says Jackson Police Sergeant Alan John, these cases are beginning to make their way into the town limits too.  John says more than $900 in sporting equipment including a snowboard, a stereo and a GPS were stolen early Sunday from an unlocked vehicle parked on Corner Creek Lane off High School Road. The key to preventing such losses, says John, is to lock ones doors and vehicles.  Meanwhile, John says law enforcement officials are seeking tips from anyone who may have seen something suspicious as soon after witnessing it as possible. John says the CrimeStoppers phone number for incidents either in the town or the county is 733-5148.

In case it escaped your attention, the Town of Jackson and Jackson Hole in general are in the middle of a winter storm warning.  What that means, says Chris Jones of the National Weather Service Office in Riverton, is that the storm over the area has the potential of creating very hazardous travel conditions.  Jones says while the forecast is for severe winter conditions, if what materializes in the Town of Jackson is less severe than anticipated, don’t think such warnings are unwarranted.  Jones says in Jackson Hole, accumulations can vary dramatically from one part of the valley to the other – but regardless, people should be prepared for winter driving conditions and have a survival kit in their vehicles whenever they go somewhere.  Jones says during a weather warning like this, people should monitor local radio, the weather service website and the Wyoming Department of Highways hotline and website for conditions as they develop.

Governor Dave Freudenthal has announced Jackson Native Kelly Rankin will serve as the Governor’s legal counsel. Rankin served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming until yesterday. Rankin said he is glad to be joining the Governor’s staff.  Rankin replaces Kip Crofts, who recently left the Governor’s Office following his confirmation as U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming.

Tuesday, 01-05-10

The Town of Jackson again has a permanent chief of police.  Todd Smith yesterday accepted the position of Chief of Police following five months of serving as the interim chief after Dan Zivkovich resigned to accept a position in Massachusetts direct that state’s Municipal Police Training Committee. Smith has served on the Jackson Police Department since 1989 when he first served as a part-time seasonal Community Service Officer and investigated a rash of arsons in downtown Jackson.  Smith then rose through the ranks to the position of Sergeant before serving a short stint with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Smith’s appointment is effective immediately. 
 
The Christmas rush at the airport is over, and now the challenge of getting to and from the planes should be easing as Airport Manager Ray Bishop says smaller planes are being scheduled into Jackson Hole.  Still, Bishop says those flight are scheduled to arrive and depart in the same short space of time around the middle of the day – and that makes for a fairly crowded rush period. Bishop says there were a number of hosts at the airport to assist people in making their conditions.  Bishop says despite the crowded conditions everyone but about two dozen last Saturday were able to connect with their flights.
 
While the snow in Northwestern Wyoming over the weekend was welcomed by skiers and snowmobilers alike, it still wasn’t enough to bring accumulations up to average.  According to the Natural Resources Conservation Center, Monday’s measurements showed snow in the Snake River Aquifer to be 68% of the thirty year average with a water content of 61%.  Further north, the accumulation in the Upper Yellowstone/Madison basin was 74% of normal with a water content of 73% and the Wind River Basin was at 75% of normal with a snow/water equivalent computed to be 79% of normal.  While snow is in the forecast early this week, the National Weather service says accumulations are likely to be fairly light.
 
It was less than a record-shattering holiday season in Yellowstone National Park where travel into the park did not approach the peak limits set under the interim winter plan.  Previous years, that would not have been the case.  This year, says Park Spokesman Al Nash, the peak day was recorded on December 29th when 284 snowmobiles carrying a total of 419 visitors were joined by 52 snow coaches carrying a total of 477 visitors into the park.  Nash says snow depths range from 26 inches at Canyon to 10 inches at Madison, and he says it is hoped that the several inches forecast to fall on the park early this week will augment those conditions some.  However, Nash quickly points out that the low numbers aren’t totally a result of marginal snow conditions.  Limits to travel through Sylvan pass also impact the number of travelers into the park from the East Entrance.  Altogether, 5812 visitors riding 3801 snowmobiles and 5295 snow coach passengers traveled the park during the holiday period.
 
A recent mountain lion sighting north of Pinedale and the killing of a llama near Alta has prompted Game & Fish officials to remind local residents that mountain lions are currently active around the area.  Game and Fish Spokesman Mark Goeke says simple precautions can reduce the chance of conflicts or an encounter.  Foremost, Gocke says, don’t feed wildlife on your property since mountain lions will follow their prey there.  Since mountain lions are territorial, they’re often are attracted to and kill outdoor cats; and Gocke adds small dogs can also be an attractant as a potential food source.  Goeke says mountain lion attacks are extremely rare in Wyoming, but if you do encounter a mountain lion be aggressive. Gocke says it really isn’t that uncommon that these lions have been seen near populated areas since they do follow the winter migration patterns of their prey to the lower elevations.  However, residents need to be reminded to be watchful for them.  
 

Monday, 01-04-10

Members of the Teton County Tactical Team were dispatched Thursday afternoon to join with law enforcement officers from around Southwestern Wyoming in the apprehension of a man who apparently shot and seriously injured a Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy.  According to Lincoln County Sheriff Shane Johnson, Deputy Cory Stoof observed a man in the community of Opal who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Johnson says Stoof took chase on foot at about 1:00 pm and the man drew and fired a large caliber handgun hitting Stoof in his right arm. Due to his injury, Stoof was unable to return fire.  The suspect, 27-year-old Jacob Thoman of Opal then barricaded himself with his girlfriend in his residence. Both were taken into custody approximately 10 hours later when negotiation failed, and entry was made into the residence. Johnson says Stoof underwent surgery Friday in Salt Lake City to repair severe damage to his right arm from the gunshot.  Altogether, Johnson says the effort included officers from the Wyoming Department of Investigation, Kemmerer, Diamondville, Labarge, Rock Springs, Green River, and Jackson police departments, the  Sweetwater County and Teton County  sheriff’s offices and the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

A 33-year-old Billings, Montana man died yesterday after being buried in an avalanche triggered when he and a companion were snowmobiling in northeast of Yellowstone National Park.  According to Park County Sheriff Alan Lutes, the avalanche occurred between noon and 12:30 pm in the area between Scotch Bonnet and Lu Lu Pass.  Lutes says the unidentified victim was located by the second member of the party with a beacon and probe pole  and other nearby snowmobilers aided in uncovering  him. Lutes says CPR was administered even before the victim was completely unburied.  Park County Search and Rescue personnel and Cooke City EMS arrived on scene at 1:16 pm but were unable to resuscitate the victim.  Lutes reminds back country travelers in the area to check conditions and avoid avalanche prone areas.

There will be some new faces at the hearings over the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan when they resume Thursday after a two-week holiday break. Jamie Walter replaced Geneva Chong on the town planning commission in December and with the New Year, the newly appointed Mark Newcomb and Peter Stewart replaced county planning commissioners Larry Hamilton and Joe Palmer, whose terms expired. In December, the planning commissioners began reviewing Theme Three, "Uphold Jackson as Heart of the Region." The commissioners are expected to wrap up Theme Three on Jan. 7 and then start working on Theme Four, "Meet Our Community's Housing Needs."  The next Comprehensive Plan meeting is set for 5:30 to 8:30 pm Thursday in the County commissioners' chambers.

Looking back on 2009, The National Wildlife Federation considers the year was very good for the state’s environment.  Adam Kolton with N-W-F issued a list numbering what he calls success stories this year, including the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act – which put the Wyoming Range Legacy Act on the books. The House and Senate clearing a 32-million dollar Interior and Environment appropriations bill Kolton says also gets kudos because it brings about a five billion dollar budget increase. The U-S House passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act made the list. Although it has been controversial in states like Wyoming that rely heavily on oil and gas production, and hasn't yet passed in the Senate, Kolton expects the clean energy momentum to continue. 

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has released its year-end report on the capture and relocation of Grizzly Bears in the state.  According to the department, 26 bears were trapped and relocated on 29 occasions including one animal that was captured once and another that was captured three times.  According to the report, three of the bears were orphaned sibling cubs and another three was a family group of a mother and two cubs.  Of the actions taken, 20 took place in Park County, four in Sublette County, three in Fremont County, and two here in Teton County.  55%  of the all the relocations were to bear recovery zones in Teton County.  The primary reason for management action sited by the Game and Fish Department was human-bear interactions typically caused by bears seeking domestic attractants including livestock, foods or garbage.