Wyoming News Briefs

Gordon extends executive order to aid in livestock, feed transport

CHEYENNE (WNE) — As significant wildfires continue to impact Wyoming’s agricultural producers, Gov. Mark Gordon has extended the executive order which eases restrictions to transport loads of livestock feed and livestock, exempting motor carrier drivers from operating time requirements.

“The extension of this EO allows our ranchers to continue to move their livestock to safety quickly and expedites bringing in necessary feed. Wyoming’s commitment to supporting agricultural producers remains unwavering and responsive. It is clear wildfires threaten livelihoods, and we need to do all we can to aid recovery,” Gordon said in a news release. “Thank you to all who are fighting these fires on the front lines and offering resources to support those in affected.”

Wyoming is still experiencing multiple fire starts weekly from a number of causes.

Evansville wins $8.9M

grant for new factory

CASPER (WNE) — The Wyoming Business Council Board of Directors has approved an $8.9 million grant request from the Town of Evansville for business expansion at Mesa Solutions. 

Evansville requested the Business Committed grant to “develop a 206- acre site, which will provide the needed infrastructure to serve the committed business, Mesa Solutions, on 43.8 acres, as well as an additional 162 acres of developable land.” 

Describing the staff recommendation to approve the request, Noelle Reed, grants portfolio manager for the council, said, “This project has the highest number of retained jobs for a [Business Ready Community] project.” 

“They currently have 222 positions,” Reed added. “It will also be the highest number of creative jobs for a BRC project. They plan to create 261 jobs by the end of Year 5. In addition to the number of jobs, these jobs have a high level of complexity, they are unique and there are multiple types of knowledge needed to be successful.” 

“The wages for this are 30% higher than the Natrona County median wage.” Reed said. “They are proposing $29.74 per hour. Natrona County’s current wage is $22.77 per hour, and these are higher than both Wyoming and national average manufacturing industry wages.” 

PACT Act contributed

to record breaking VA benefits

for 2024 fiscal year

SHERIDAN (WNE) — With the help of the PACT Act, veterans across the country have received a record number of benefits for the 2024 fiscal year.

According to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs press release, 1.1 million veterans have been granted benefits. 

The PACT Act was signed into law in 2022 and expands access to VA health care for veterans exposed to toxins while serving. More specifically, all veterans exposed to toxins while serving will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without applying for VA benefits first.

During the Vietnam War, veterans were exposed to burn pits — open-air pits used to burn waste products — and Agent Orange, a chemical herbicide used by the military during the Vietnam War.

Veterans Benefit Specialist John Goodell of Sheridan said veterans who were exposed to the toxic fumes from the burn pits during the Gulf War are beginning to show symptoms from that exposure.

Another benefit under the PACT Act is the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) pension, Goodell said.

Under the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation pension, spouses who have lost their partner due to the toxic fumes that they may have been exposed to during the Vietnam and Gulf War are eligible for compensation, Goodell said. 

The VA’s Public Affairs and Congressional Liaison Officer Christina Miller encourages veterans to come in and get checked out to see if they qualify for any benefits.

“If you’re eligible for some kind of benefit because of a claim, it could have significant long term impacts to your spouse, who may be eligible for that financial compensation when you pass,” Miller said.

Rain, snow slow Fish

Creek Fire growth

JACKSON (WNE) — Rain, snow and high humidity levels have slowed the Fish Creek Fire burning southwest of Togwotee Pass.

The lightning-caused fire was last reported at 24,904 acres. Four-hundred and thirty-seven total personnel were working on the fire, including 16 engines and two helicopters.

The number of resources needed to fight the fire continues to drop daily, said Cecile Stelter, a public information officer assigned to the fire.

“As late as last weekend, there were five helicopters assigned to this incident,” Stelter said Friday afternoon. “As of today, there are two, because three helicopters were released to higher priority incidents. But our resources felt very comfortable with coverage on this incident with two helicopters.”

Resource levels continue to depend on fire behavior.

Fremont County decreased the Level 3 evacuation order to Level 2 for the Brooks Lake, Pinnacle and Breccia areas. Level 2 is “Set” on a scale of the “Ready, Set, Go.” Level 2 means residents should still be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

Officials are advising residents to monitor the situation, as evacuation levels could rise again if conditions worsen.

Air quality also improved with the rain and incoming cold front; however, smoke is expected to continue to impact the Highway 26/287 corridor and immediate area around the fire. Air quality levels could be especially poor in low-lying drainages.

Although Highway 26/287 is open, a 45 mile-per-hour speed restriction is in place for the fire area due to smoke and limited visibility.

Cheyenne man climbs

down from bridge after five

hours of negotiations, now in police custody

CHEYENNE (WNE) — After five hours of negotiations, Cheyenne police were able to convince a local man to come down from the railroad bridge on West Lincolnway Friday afternoon.

The 47-year-old had been on top of the bridge, throwing rocks at vehicles.

The man, identified by police as Ronald Stringer, had climbed to the top of the bridge around 8:45 Friday morning. According to a news release, he was taken into custody and booked into the Laramie County jail for making terroristic threats, destruction of property, criminal entry and interference with a peace officer.

Police were unable to confirm what motivated Stringer to climb onto the bridge.

Initially, police negotiators and co-responders tried to talk with Stringer from the ground, according to the release. When that wasn’t effective, police officers and firefighters used a bucket truck to lift personnel to the top of the structure to better communicate with Stringer.

Stringer was asked to come down from the bridge, but repeatedly refused, which resulted in hours of negotiations prior to his compliance.

According to a CPD Facebook post, the incident posed no danger to the public. It did, however, lead to the closure of West Lincolnway from Westland Road to Missile Drive for several hours Friday.

The nature of the incident prompted a multi-agency response from the Cheyenne Police Department, the Cheyenne Police/Laramie County Crisis Negotiation Team, Cheyenne Fire Rescue, the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Co-Responder Team, Union Pacific Railroad and American Medical Response.

Carbon County Visitors Council director clarifies comments about ‘rebranding’ Saratoga slogan

SARATOGA (WNE) — The discussion of rebranding Saratoga leapt back into the spotlight at the September 3 meeting of the Saratoga Town Council. 

Leslie Jefferson, executive director of the Carbon County Visitors Council, apologized for the miscommunication on changing Saratoga’s town motto “Where the Trout Leap in Main Street.”

She said she was questioned about branding and “did a poor job in framing branding around a possibly outdated Saratoga slogan.” 

“No one on the council is in favor of changing the motto. It means a lot to us,” said Mayor Chuck Davis. 

Jefferson wanted to clear up the purpose of the council’s master plan for tourism. 

She also introduced Cindy Loose, of VIP Marketing, as the destination specialist for the visitors council, which does business as Discover Carbon County. 

Loose, who will be working as tourism and marketing advocate for the 11 municipalities in the county, also said she loves Saratoga’s slogan and would not change it.

A committee of 10 to 12 people will be formed in each community to have a say in the vision and direction of the brand for individual towns. 

“The committees will be grassroots brainstorming groups who don’t want communities to lose their character,” Loose said.

She said she hoped people of all generations would be willing to jump in to define the brand. Councilman Jerry Fluty voiced his concerns over too much advertising for Saratoga.

“The more people we drag here the less it’s Saratoga,” he said. 

“This is a great place to live, and concerns should be raised about ruining Saratoga” with an abundance of advertising, Fluty said. 

“There is a balance [between tourism and maintaining uniqueness] and we need to work together,” Loose said. 

Short Draw Fire has now burned 30,500 acres

GILLETTE (WNE) — The Short Draw Fire is now estimated to have burned 30,500 acres in northern Campbell County and Montana after updated mapping was done Thursday.

Winds from the north pushed the fire to the south Thursday, according to a press release from the Campbell County Fire Department, and with forecasted winds, it’s expected to keep growing.

Containment remains at 0%, and fire crews have been focusing on protecting structures. Structures in the Border Line Estates/Ranchettes area have been threatened by fire throughout the day.

Wyoming and Montana fire crews, heavy equipment and multiple aircraft worked on the fire Thursday and will continue into the night. An incident management team from Montana will be assuming command Friday morning, according to the press release.

Crews fight back wildfires

CASPER (WNE) — Multiple agencies, including the Casper Fire Department, responded to a fast moving wildland fire Wednesday, and Homa Hills and Barr Nunn residents were advised to prepare to evacuate. 

“Multiple resources” responded to an area west of I-25 and Bar Nunn, and north and east of the Casper/ Natrona County International Airport. The fire was discovered just before 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, and spread to 75 acres before being brought under control, according to National Interagency Fire Center data. 

At 8:30 p.m., the Natrona County Emergency Management Service downgraded the warning for Homa Hills residents, warning that while the “set” phase is canceled, to “please remain in “ready” for the time being. 

Just 15 minutes earlier, the county had warned residents to “get set” to evacuate. 

The situation is shifting as “weather and wind direction continue to change,” the county posted to Facebook. 

“Please remain vigilant, and always have your home and family prepared to evacuate,” Natrona County Emergency Management said in the post. 

Just before 8 p.m., the National Weather Service reported winds at 14 mph with gusts to 24 mph at the airport. According to Natrona County Emergency Management, should an evacuation have been ordered, deputies would have gone door to door and the county would have notified residents through an emergency alert to phones. 

The fire center has labeled the cause of the fire as undetermined. 

A separate 44-acre fire west of Casper near Poison Creek was also discovered on Wednesday. The origin of the Poison Creek Fire is also labeled as natural.

Third annual Governor’s Mental Health Summit set for Oct. 2

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Following successful events held the past two years, Gov. Mark Gordon is hosting the third Governor’s Mental Health Summit in Casper on Oct. 2. The free, in-person event will feature discussions and workshops focusing on mental health awareness and support.

While recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Month, Gordon emphasized the continuing work to advance mental health reform that is occurring statewide.

“Since the first mental health summit, we have made progress in raising awareness of this issue and how mental health challenges impact our communities,” he said. “We know that we have more work to do, and this summit provides an opportunity to come together and share the important work that’s taking place.”

The Governor’s WY We Care initiative, announced earlier this year, is a collaborative effort that includes all three branches of state government, local community teams and private sector providers. The initiative aims to reduce Wyoming’s suicide rate, improve access to behavioral health services, and strengthen the state’s behavioral healthcare workforce.

With support from the Hughes Charitable Foundation and Align, the Fall 2024 Governor’s Mental Health Summit starts at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 2 at Events at the M, 234 E 1st St. in Casper. A full agenda will be available in the coming days. Free tickets are limited and are available at tinyurl.com/2024-mental-health-summit.

Herschler Building evacuated due to letter containing unidentified white powder

CHEYENNE (WNE) – The Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office received an unidentified white substance in the mail Monday morning, prompting an evacuation of the Herschler Building in Cheyenne, where the office is located.

Wyoming was among three states whose secretary of state offices received suspicious mail, with the others being in Nebraska and Iowa. Reports out of those two states covering similar incidents did not mention a white powder, however.

Secretary of State Chuck Gray told the WTE via text message that his office immediately contacted law enforcement once the powder was discovered, and the building was evacuated. The office also notified county election officials, advising them to use precautions and be aware of potentially suspicious mail.

Law enforcement is investigating the incident, and the substance has yet to be identified.

“We take this very seriously,” Gray stated via a news release. “We will continue to work with law enforcement in monitoring this situation.”

The substance delivered in Nebraska was tested, identified and found to be non-hazardous. In both Wyoming and Nebraska, the envelopes and their contents have been turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Employees and others in the Herschler Building in Cheyenne were evacuated from the building by 11:30 a.m. By noon, a bomb squad carrying hazmat tubes on their backs entered the building. Cheyenne Fire Rescue was among the local authorities who responded to the scene.

Herschler Building East houses the Secretary of State’s Office, the Wyoming Departments of Education and Revenue, and the state treasurer’s and state auditor’s offices.

The substance, its origin and its potential consequences have not been identified at this time.

Short Draw Fire is 40% contained

GILLETTE (WNE) — Fire crews have made a lot of progress on the Short Draw Fire in northern Campbell County.

On-the-ground and aerial mapping conducted over the weekend has put the wildfire’s size at 35,222 acres, much of it in Montana, and as of Monday morning it was 40% contained.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is overseeing the fire, which started Wednesday afternoon and grew very quickly due to strong winds and dry conditions.

More than 230 people are working on the fire, and all evacuation warnings and notices associated with the fire area have been rescinded.

Over the weekend, fire crews conducted a burnout operation on the northwest side of the fire to connect and reduce an unburned pocket of vegetation, and hand crews, engine teams, and dozers have established control lines along the southeast and western perimeters, according to a press release.

There are many green unburned pockets within the fire, and over the next few days, firefighters expect these isolated fuel pockets to burn due to changing winds.

For information on post-fire relief, please visit uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/resources/wildfire.html.

To the south of Campbell County, firefighters are working on a 3,300-acre wildfire.

The La Bonte Fire started Thursday and is burning in steep, rugged terrain on BLM and private lands more than 20 miles south of Douglas, according to a press release.

This fire was 11% contained as of Monday morning.

Fatal motorcycle crash on Lincolnway kills 18-year-old

CHEYENNE (WNE) — An 18-year-old man died at the scene of a motorcycle crash around 11:25 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Nationway and East Lincolnway.

Initial investigation shows that the crash occurred as two motorcyclists were traveling along East Lincolnway. According to an officer in the area, the two bikes were traveling at high speeds, and as one rider approached a turn, he lost control of his motorcycle, colliding with a building, according to a Cheyenne Police Department news release.

The collision resulted in a fire, which prompted additional response from Cheyenne Fire Rescue.

The other rider, 23-year-old Cheyenne resident David Rutherford, remained on scene. Rutherford sustained no reported injuries, and was issued citations for careless driving and driving without a motorcycle endorsement, according to the CPD release.

Pennsylvania motorcyclist killed in crash south of Cody

POWELL (WNE) — A 67-year-old Pennsylvania man died in a Thursday motorcycle crash south of Cody.

Timothy Clymer and three other motorcyclists had been traveling south on Wyo. Highway 120 when a deer walked out onto the road, the Wyoming Highway Patrol said.

The front rider “quickly” braked to avoid the animal, the patrol wrote in a preliminary report. Clymer then crashed into the lead rider and came off his motorcycle, the report indicates.

He was taken to a Billings hospital for medical treatment but later died from his injuries, said Park County Coroner Cody Gortmaker.

Clymer was wearing a helmet at the time, but according to the report, it was open-faced and didn’t meet Department of Transportation safety standards.

The crash occurred roughly halfway between Cody and Meeteetse.

It was the fifth fatal crash in Park County in 2024 — including an Aug. 25 crash on Wyo. 120 that claimed the life of a 44-year-old Missouri motorcyclist; the earlier crash occurred about 17 miles to the south of last week’s incident.

Park County’s sixth fatal crash of the year followed on Monday morning west of Ralston.