A peek at tomorrow's paper using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“I’m sitting right out there, so I’ll put my headphones on,” a Powell volunteer firefighter overheard on emergency radio channels Thursday, as he prepped his ears for a imminent test of the city's fire whistles. The siren on West Eighth Street had been acting up a few minutes earlier, and the firefighter was on scene waiting for a system test. A bit about the minor malfunction on page 1.
“They made an offer for me to play and to pay for my school. That sounded pretty good to me,” University of Wyoming junior golfer Gabe Maier on how he came to play for the Cowboys. Maier, who currently ranks fourth in the Mountain West Conference, and teammate Clinton Boutelle, both of Cody, talk about their season on page 9 of Tuesday's Tribune.
“Overall, recession slows peoples' moves across states. (But) despite (Wyoming's) economic recession, which was mainly caused by the downturn in energy exploration, in-migration was still quite strong,” state senior economist Wenlin Liu, highlighting Wyoming's population increase between 2008 and 2009. Read a little about the state's rapid growth on the front page.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 12-22
A peek at tomorrow's paper using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“I think it looks like a big ice cream cone,” Chuck Hewitt, city parks superintendent, commenting on the festively-decorated tree near the corner of Absaroka and Second Streets. In recognition of the centennial year, city crews gave Powell extra pizzazz for this year's holiday season. See page 8.
“I’m really excited about how much buzz it’s created here at the clinic,” Dr. Charlie Bennett, talking about Christmas donations he made to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Read about it on page 13 (Family).
“We find plenty of things to work on when we watch film,” Luke Danforth, head coach of the Powell High School girls basketball team, explaining that while the Lady Panthers are off to a stellar start, there's still room for improvement. Read about the PHS girls' latest victories on Sports (page 9).
“I think it looks like a big ice cream cone,” Chuck Hewitt, city parks superintendent, commenting on the festively-decorated tree near the corner of Absaroka and Second Streets. In recognition of the centennial year, city crews gave Powell extra pizzazz for this year's holiday season. See page 8.
“I’m really excited about how much buzz it’s created here at the clinic,” Dr. Charlie Bennett, talking about Christmas donations he made to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Read about it on page 13 (Family).
“We find plenty of things to work on when we watch film,” Luke Danforth, head coach of the Powell High School girls basketball team, explaining that while the Lady Panthers are off to a stellar start, there's still room for improvement. Read about the PHS girls' latest victories on Sports (page 9).
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Candidate eyes governor run... in four years
Kevin Seney is a Republican candidate for governor of Wyoming.
With elections still months away, it may seem a little early. But you don't know the half of it: Seney's not running for governor in 2010 -- he's running in 2014.
Seney, who has run ads on Facebook advertising his candidacy, concedes that it's “way early,” but he says it’s no gimmick.
“We’re serious about it,” said Seney in a Thursday telephone interview. “I’ll definitely run.”
He's already lined up a former co-worker as a campaign manager, and as of this writing, Seney's page on Facebook had 574 fans from across the U.S. For those keeping score at home, that's 246 more than the 328 supporters belonging to Matt Mead, a Republican candidate actually running in 2010.* And Seney has another four and a half years to build support for the 2014 election year.
Seney, who has a background in the real estate industry, said he's been thinking about running for some time.
“I’m 50 years old and I’m kind of at the part where I’ve been there, done that,” he said. “There’s got to be something else to do out there.”
Seney said he likes to aim high, for things that “literally seem unattainable.” Hence shooting for the state's top office without prior political experience.
“I'm not going to run for mayor, I'm not going to run for councilman, I'm going to run for governor,” Seney recalls telling himself.
Though born and raised in Buffalo, until this past summer, Seney had most recently been “out chasing careers and raising kids and doing all that” in California.
That's why running for governor next year was literally unattainable -- to qualify as gubernatorial material, the Wyoming Constitution says you must have lived in the state for the past five years.
“It’s a valid question that 2014 is a long ways away, but it’s the first election I can run in,” said Seney, who now lives in Jackson with time also spent in Buffalo. He's in the process of selling his San Francisco-based real estate business.
The biggest issue of his burgeoning campaign is promoting a business-friendly attitude in the state.
“My feeling is that small business is struggling right now in Wyoming,” he said.
With Wyoming's people and resources and the connectivity of the Internet, he said there are serious opportunities for the state to support long-distance businesses.
For three months in 1924 and 1925, Seney's great-grandfather, Frank E. Lucas, actually was Wyoming's governor, but Seney said he personally has no political connections in the state. Not being a "career politician," and not having a boatload of money to throw at a campaign, Seney said he wants to run a grassroots effort. He notes the success of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in using online social networking tools to gain and communicate with supporters.
Next spring, while he works on a book, Seney plans to hit the road in an RV and start visiting the sometimes-overlooked smaller towns and cities across Wyoming.
The goal is to “find out what people are really concerned with in this state,” though Seney admits the process “might just scare me right out of (running). Who knows.”
Fortunately, he'll have plenty of time to figure it out.
*Ron Micheli, another Republican candidate for governor in 2010 had 788 fans on his Facebook page (where, incidentally, Seney advertisements have occasionally popped up).
With elections still months away, it may seem a little early. But you don't know the half of it: Seney's not running for governor in 2010 -- he's running in 2014.
Seney, who has run ads on Facebook advertising his candidacy, concedes that it's “way early,” but he says it’s no gimmick.
“We’re serious about it,” said Seney in a Thursday telephone interview. “I’ll definitely run.”
He's already lined up a former co-worker as a campaign manager, and as of this writing, Seney's page on Facebook had 574 fans from across the U.S. For those keeping score at home, that's 246 more than the 328 supporters belonging to Matt Mead, a Republican candidate actually running in 2010.* And Seney has another four and a half years to build support for the 2014 election year.Seney, who has a background in the real estate industry, said he's been thinking about running for some time.
“I’m 50 years old and I’m kind of at the part where I’ve been there, done that,” he said. “There’s got to be something else to do out there.”
Seney said he likes to aim high, for things that “literally seem unattainable.” Hence shooting for the state's top office without prior political experience.
“I'm not going to run for mayor, I'm not going to run for councilman, I'm going to run for governor,” Seney recalls telling himself.
Though born and raised in Buffalo, until this past summer, Seney had most recently been “out chasing careers and raising kids and doing all that” in California.
That's why running for governor next year was literally unattainable -- to qualify as gubernatorial material, the Wyoming Constitution says you must have lived in the state for the past five years.
“It’s a valid question that 2014 is a long ways away, but it’s the first election I can run in,” said Seney, who now lives in Jackson with time also spent in Buffalo. He's in the process of selling his San Francisco-based real estate business.The biggest issue of his burgeoning campaign is promoting a business-friendly attitude in the state.
“My feeling is that small business is struggling right now in Wyoming,” he said.
With Wyoming's people and resources and the connectivity of the Internet, he said there are serious opportunities for the state to support long-distance businesses.
For three months in 1924 and 1925, Seney's great-grandfather, Frank E. Lucas, actually was Wyoming's governor, but Seney said he personally has no political connections in the state. Not being a "career politician," and not having a boatload of money to throw at a campaign, Seney said he wants to run a grassroots effort. He notes the success of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in using online social networking tools to gain and communicate with supporters.
Next spring, while he works on a book, Seney plans to hit the road in an RV and start visiting the sometimes-overlooked smaller towns and cities across Wyoming.
The goal is to “find out what people are really concerned with in this state,” though Seney admits the process “might just scare me right out of (running). Who knows.”
Fortunately, he'll have plenty of time to figure it out.
*Ron Micheli, another Republican candidate for governor in 2010 had 788 fans on his Facebook page (where, incidentally, Seney advertisements have occasionally popped up).
Friday, December 18, 2009
'Shorter days' photos and the next photo theme: 'Christmas'
With the winter solstice just days away (Dec. 21), the days are feeling shorter and shorter. Over the past month, Tribune staffers and readers have captured images illustrating the waning daylight hours.
Our next photo theme is "Christmas." If you capture photos of the holiday season, we'd love to see them. We invite photographers — of any age or skill level — to participate in our photo themes. Just e-mail high-resolution photographs to web@powelltribune.com in jpeg, png, tiff or PSD format. Please include the photographer's first and last name, and tell us a bit about your submission. For more information, see our blog entry.
Crews pile sugar beets during an evening shift at a beet dump east of Powell. This year's beet harvest was plagued by an early October freeze, and farmers harvested under an allotment.
Tribune photo by Carla Wensky
The moon sinks over foothills east of Carter Mountain at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2. “The snow squeaked under my feet in the -9 degree temperature,” said Fred Burris, who took this photograph.
Our next photo theme is "Christmas." If you capture photos of the holiday season, we'd love to see them. We invite photographers — of any age or skill level — to participate in our photo themes. Just e-mail high-resolution photographs to web@powelltribune.com in jpeg, png, tiff or PSD format. Please include the photographer's first and last name, and tell us a bit about your submission. For more information, see our blog entry.
Jefferson Street stays quiet during a rather long night in fall. Tribune photographer Kara Bacon took this photo while trying to see the meteor shower in mid-November.
A field near Ralston is set ablaze on a November evening. Tribune photo by CJ Baker
Crews pile sugar beets during an evening shift at a beet dump east of Powell. This year's beet harvest was plagued by an early October freeze, and farmers harvested under an allotment.
Tribune photo by Carla Wensky
The moon sinks over foothills east of Carter Mountain at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2. “The snow squeaked under my feet in the -9 degree temperature,” said Fred Burris, who took this photograph.
Sundown too soon: It gets dark too darned quick these days. While hiking in a remote area, yours truly truly faced the error of his ways when he was forced to withdraw with dusk closing like a heavy, chilling cloak in the forest with grizzly bear tracks abounding. My timing was way off. I reckoned I could hike in X number of miles and return before sundown, but my calculations were erroneous, especially after lingering too long by a snowy creek, absorbing the beauty and tranquility. It was right scary with no moon, but plenty of clouds to hamper progress and lend the air an eery aura. Still, I made it. A little wet and cold, but no worse for wear. I promised myself I would never make the same mistake, but I know sooner or later the wilderness — like a Greek siren — will seduce me once again. Tribune photo by Gib Mathers
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 12-17
A peek at tomorrow's paper using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“You can't have a Christmas display without deer,” Myron Heny, commenting on his award-winning residential Christmas display, which features the obligatory deer. For a full list of homes and businesses that received awards in this year's city Christmas Decorating Contest, see page one.
“It’s in our best interests to serve as many people in northern Wyoming as possible. ... We certainly don’t want to leave anybody hanging,” KTVQ general manager Monty Wallis, talking about the TV station's future broadcasting plans in Park County. County commissioners voted on Tuesday to stop maintaining the area's translators, which provide over-the-air television channels. The TV stations the translators rebroadcast - like KTVQ - will now have to mull how or if they'll pick up the slack. Read about it on one.
“There's no whacko test around here,” Tim French, Park County commissioner, noting that there are no rules barring people with different ideas from moving to the area. Commissioners and residents were discussing a proposed zoning change in the Crandall area, and what a future property owner might be able to do if regulations were relaxed. What the commission did is recapped on Region (page 5).
“You can't have a Christmas display without deer,” Myron Heny, commenting on his award-winning residential Christmas display, which features the obligatory deer. For a full list of homes and businesses that received awards in this year's city Christmas Decorating Contest, see page one.
“It’s in our best interests to serve as many people in northern Wyoming as possible. ... We certainly don’t want to leave anybody hanging,” KTVQ general manager Monty Wallis, talking about the TV station's future broadcasting plans in Park County. County commissioners voted on Tuesday to stop maintaining the area's translators, which provide over-the-air television channels. The TV stations the translators rebroadcast - like KTVQ - will now have to mull how or if they'll pick up the slack. Read about it on one.
“There's no whacko test around here,” Tim French, Park County commissioner, noting that there are no rules barring people with different ideas from moving to the area. Commissioners and residents were discussing a proposed zoning change in the Crandall area, and what a future property owner might be able to do if regulations were relaxed. What the commission did is recapped on Region (page 5).
Cody pet shelter seeking aid
Talk about cat burglars.
Last week, the Humane Society of Park County's animal shelter outside of Cody was broken into and cash stolen. The Tribune was unsuccessful in talking with anyone from the shelter before press time on Monday, but on Tuesday I caught up with Leigh Dvarshkis, the president of the humane society's board.
Citing an ongoing investigation, the Cody Police Department has declined to release details about how much money was stolen. Dvarishkis said it was under $2,000, and that the shelter did have insurance to cover the bulk of the losses.
Some of the pilfered funds had been raised by Cody gradeschoolers.
“The biggest part of (the theft) is, it was very discouraging,” Dvarishkis said.
In the burglary, the thief, or thieves, ransacked the place, strewing the shelter's pet files all over the facility, and tossing the computers on the floor; the cats were loosed from their cages, and apparently doused with glitter.
However, Dvarishkis said the animals were apparently unharmed, and that there was minimal damage to the shelter's equipment. She classified the vandalism as “a lot of just frustrating stuff.”
“It was mostly just a big mess,” she said. (Some vacuuming de-glitzed the felines.)
“It was almost like a prank,” Dvarishkis said of the break in. “I don’t know what to make of it.”
She said the Humane Society's security “wasn’t where it should have been, but that goes back to being non-profit.” The group is currently looking for some volunteers handy with tools - like those with carpentry skills - to help make some security upgrades.
As always, the organization is also more than happy to take donations - in cash or in-kind gifts like pet food or cleaning supplies, Dvarishkis said.
Already, she said support from local residents has been a silver lining.
“The good news is that the community has been fantastic,” Dvarishkis said.
For more information, call the Humane Society of Park County at 587-5110, or visit their Web site at www.codyshelter.org.
Last week, the Humane Society of Park County's animal shelter outside of Cody was broken into and cash stolen. The Tribune was unsuccessful in talking with anyone from the shelter before press time on Monday, but on Tuesday I caught up with Leigh Dvarshkis, the president of the humane society's board.
Citing an ongoing investigation, the Cody Police Department has declined to release details about how much money was stolen. Dvarishkis said it was under $2,000, and that the shelter did have insurance to cover the bulk of the losses.
Some of the pilfered funds had been raised by Cody gradeschoolers.
“The biggest part of (the theft) is, it was very discouraging,” Dvarishkis said.
In the burglary, the thief, or thieves, ransacked the place, strewing the shelter's pet files all over the facility, and tossing the computers on the floor; the cats were loosed from their cages, and apparently doused with glitter.
However, Dvarishkis said the animals were apparently unharmed, and that there was minimal damage to the shelter's equipment. She classified the vandalism as “a lot of just frustrating stuff.”
“It was mostly just a big mess,” she said. (Some vacuuming de-glitzed the felines.)
“It was almost like a prank,” Dvarishkis said of the break in. “I don’t know what to make of it.”
She said the Humane Society's security “wasn’t where it should have been, but that goes back to being non-profit.” The group is currently looking for some volunteers handy with tools - like those with carpentry skills - to help make some security upgrades.
As always, the organization is also more than happy to take donations - in cash or in-kind gifts like pet food or cleaning supplies, Dvarishkis said.
Already, she said support from local residents has been a silver lining.
“The good news is that the community has been fantastic,” Dvarishkis said.
For more information, call the Humane Society of Park County at 587-5110, or visit their Web site at www.codyshelter.org.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Audio: Christmas sounds
One of the nice things about trombones at Christmastime is that unlike sleigh bells, there's no need to strain your ears to hear them.
“We always know people that have been to trombone concerts before because the back seats are always full (first),” quipped Northwest College low brass instructor Rick Parmer last week. “It's kind of like going to church; the first one there gets to sit in the back row.”
Parmer was directing -- and frequently joining in with -- a regional trombone ensemble Thursday night at Plaza Diane, performing hardy, trombone-only renditions of classic and lesser-known holiday carols.
For those who weren't in attendance, here's a sampling of what you missed. And if it's too loud, you can control the volume with a few clicks of your mouse instead of switching seats.
I've cut together four songs the trombone choir played -- Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Good King Wenceslas, and A Holly Jolly Christmas -- into one continuous music file that clocks in just over five minutes.
Trombone Christmas selections - time: 5:12
If the audio player doesn't work in the space above, you can download the recording here.
As a bonus, here's some more holiday audio that (Managing Editor) Tessa captured on Dec. 5. It's the song Silent Night, sung during a “Holiday Music from Around the World,” event, also at the Plaza. It featured NWC staff and students singing in over 10 different languages -- Italian, French, Spanish, English, Cantonese, Korean, Hindi, Filipino, Japanese, and German among them -- all at the same time.
As one attendee joked, “Tower of Babel.”
Silent Night - time: 52 seconds
If the audio player doesn't work in the space above, you can download the recording here.
“We always know people that have been to trombone concerts before because the back seats are always full (first),” quipped Northwest College low brass instructor Rick Parmer last week. “It's kind of like going to church; the first one there gets to sit in the back row.”
Parmer was directing -- and frequently joining in with -- a regional trombone ensemble Thursday night at Plaza Diane, performing hardy, trombone-only renditions of classic and lesser-known holiday carols.
For those who weren't in attendance, here's a sampling of what you missed. And if it's too loud, you can control the volume with a few clicks of your mouse instead of switching seats.
I've cut together four songs the trombone choir played -- Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Good King Wenceslas, and A Holly Jolly Christmas -- into one continuous music file that clocks in just over five minutes.
As a bonus, here's some more holiday audio that (Managing Editor) Tessa captured on Dec. 5. It's the song Silent Night, sung during a “Holiday Music from Around the World,” event, also at the Plaza. It featured NWC staff and students singing in over 10 different languages -- Italian, French, Spanish, English, Cantonese, Korean, Hindi, Filipino, Japanese, and German among them -- all at the same time.
As one attendee joked, “Tower of Babel.”
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 12-15
A peek at tomorrow's paper using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“This is the guts of the pool — my favorite part,” Nancy Ronto, project manager for Burbach Aquatics, commenting on the Powell Aquatic Center's mechanical room. Ronto answered questions from city, county and school leaders during a tour of the pool last week. An update on the project on page 1, below the fold.
“I hope there’s some snitch out there that needs some Christmas cash,” Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers, jokingly expressing a wish that a new $2,500 reward from a local business will draw out new information about Powell's rash of Halloween night vandalism. More about the serious reward on page six.
“There is an option that floats clear to the top,” Tod Stutzman, president of the North End Water Board, outlining what the board believes is the best option for providing potable water to its customers. Two of North End's three wells were found to contain high nitrate levels, creating a need for a new water source. That top option -- to merge with Northwest Rural Water District -- is explained on the front page.
“This is the guts of the pool — my favorite part,” Nancy Ronto, project manager for Burbach Aquatics, commenting on the Powell Aquatic Center's mechanical room. Ronto answered questions from city, county and school leaders during a tour of the pool last week. An update on the project on page 1, below the fold.
“I hope there’s some snitch out there that needs some Christmas cash,” Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers, jokingly expressing a wish that a new $2,500 reward from a local business will draw out new information about Powell's rash of Halloween night vandalism. More about the serious reward on page six.
“There is an option that floats clear to the top,” Tod Stutzman, president of the North End Water Board, outlining what the board believes is the best option for providing potable water to its customers. Two of North End's three wells were found to contain high nitrate levels, creating a need for a new water source. That top option -- to merge with Northwest Rural Water District -- is explained on the front page.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Pointed encounter
While I was strolling along the Shoshone River last week, a porcupine availed himself for a picture.
Although Russian olives are designated weeds and water hogs, the quilled one seemed to fancy the tree’s leaves that were clinging to the limbs like tiny tattered pennants from last year’s Indy 500.
It was funny observing the little guy that looked like a beaver having a bad hair day, but after a minute or two Porky began shuffling about in the branches and making snuffling sounds as though dismayed by the goofy person’s presence.
So, being a good sport, I decamped Mr. Porcupine’s plantation and he returned to his crunchy salad.
Although Russian olives are designated weeds and water hogs, the quilled one seemed to fancy the tree’s leaves that were clinging to the limbs like tiny tattered pennants from last year’s Indy 500.It was funny observing the little guy that looked like a beaver having a bad hair day, but after a minute or two Porky began shuffling about in the branches and making snuffling sounds as though dismayed by the goofy person’s presence.
So, being a good sport, I decamped Mr. Porcupine’s plantation and he returned to his crunchy salad.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 12-1
A peek at tomorrow's paper, using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“If I were king of the world, I’d sit down with two or three of the smartest residents and ask ... what effect the increase will have. How can we save money?” Kathy Bieke, Powell Valley Healthcare Board member, talking about a rate increase at The Heartland. Read about it on page 3.
“We got beat up pretty good for raising rates from $60 to $90 a ton. We weren't real popular.” “Neither were we.” Park County Commissioner Tim French and Powell City Councilman Josh Shorb, respectively, discussing tipping fees at the county's landfills. Officials from around the county talked about how to pay for and potentially equalize garbage rates at a meeting last week. The discussion recapped on page 5.
“You want to know (why) in one word? It was cool,” Zack Thorington, Powell Information Technology Manager, explaining why he added an online radio scanner to the Powell Police department's Web page. You can listen to live police, EMS, and fire chatter from the police site (it's definitely cool) and read about it tomorrow above the Tribune's fold.
“If I were king of the world, I’d sit down with two or three of the smartest residents and ask ... what effect the increase will have. How can we save money?” Kathy Bieke, Powell Valley Healthcare Board member, talking about a rate increase at The Heartland. Read about it on page 3.
“We got beat up pretty good for raising rates from $60 to $90 a ton. We weren't real popular.” “Neither were we.” Park County Commissioner Tim French and Powell City Councilman Josh Shorb, respectively, discussing tipping fees at the county's landfills. Officials from around the county talked about how to pay for and potentially equalize garbage rates at a meeting last week. The discussion recapped on page 5.
“You want to know (why) in one word? It was cool,” Zack Thorington, Powell Information Technology Manager, explaining why he added an online radio scanner to the Powell Police department's Web page. You can listen to live police, EMS, and fire chatter from the police site (it's definitely cool) and read about it tomorrow above the Tribune's fold.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tomorrrow's Tribune: 11-24
A peek at tomorrow's paper using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“You’re preaching to the choir, Myron,” Powell Mayor Scott Mangold, assuring Powell Valley Recycling secretary Myron Heny that the city wholeheartedly agrees that a garbage transfer station is needed after the Powell landfill closes to municipal solid waste. Future plans for recycling are laid out on the front page.
“The attack has already happened,” Ham Bryan, Sleeping Giant's Executive Director, explaining that he feels little need to lobby Park County commissioners to re-consider giving a liquor license to the ski slope. Bryan said that on the Web, the general public has already voiced their disagreement with the commission's license denial. But that dispute's not what's making headlines in Tuesday's paper -- a delay is, on page one.
“While Yellowstone National Park was created ‘as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people’ and the (National Park Service) has been charged by Congress to ‘provide for the enjoyment’ of the Parks, the 2009 Winter Use Plans systematically exclude thousands of people who would otherwise peaceably enjoy the Parks by snowmobile,” the state attorney general’s office, contending in a civil complaint that the federal government’s winter rules cutting Yellowstone and Grand Teton snowmobile access are “arbitrary and unlawful.” The latest litigation leads the front section.
“You’re preaching to the choir, Myron,” Powell Mayor Scott Mangold, assuring Powell Valley Recycling secretary Myron Heny that the city wholeheartedly agrees that a garbage transfer station is needed after the Powell landfill closes to municipal solid waste. Future plans for recycling are laid out on the front page.
“The attack has already happened,” Ham Bryan, Sleeping Giant's Executive Director, explaining that he feels little need to lobby Park County commissioners to re-consider giving a liquor license to the ski slope. Bryan said that on the Web, the general public has already voiced their disagreement with the commission's license denial. But that dispute's not what's making headlines in Tuesday's paper -- a delay is, on page one.
“While Yellowstone National Park was created ‘as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people’ and the (National Park Service) has been charged by Congress to ‘provide for the enjoyment’ of the Parks, the 2009 Winter Use Plans systematically exclude thousands of people who would otherwise peaceably enjoy the Parks by snowmobile,” the state attorney general’s office, contending in a civil complaint that the federal government’s winter rules cutting Yellowstone and Grand Teton snowmobile access are “arbitrary and unlawful.” The latest litigation leads the front section.
Friday, November 20, 2009
NWC pushes Ravens to the wire
Down two games to none, the Northwest College Trappers forced San Jacinto-Central to a sudden-death fifth game before bowing out of the 2009 NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament in a 25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 21-25, 15-13 defeat. NWC will share 11th-place honors with Panola College at this year's tournament.
Unlike the Trappers' game against West Plains on Thursday, which featured frequent, wild shifts in momentum for both teams, Friday night's clash with the No. 10 Ravens was championship volleyball at its finest. Neither team was able to hold momentum long. Northwest College failed to score more than three points in succession until more than midway through game three. San Jacinto faced similar struggles over the final three games of the match.
The tone for the contest was set in game one. The Trappers and Ravens found themselves tied on 11 different occasions as the teams played virtually point-for-point all the way from an early 8-8 deadlock all the way out to 19-19. A late Raven run of four consecutive points proved to be the miniature rally that tipped the scales in favor of the Texas school.
A similar run much earlier in game two allowed the Ravens to open a 17-11 lead. NWC trimmed the gap to 18-16, but watched as San Jacinto closed out with seven of the next eight points.
With their backs to the wall, the Trappers found the grit and determination needed to answer the challenge. Northwest built an early 10-5 lead in game three, but saw San Jacinto trim the margin back to 14-13 before head coach Flavia Siqueira's crew broke through the ice to finally score more than three points in succession. The burst enabled the Trappers to build a 20-14 cushion en route to a 25-18 win.
Game four featured a return to the same point-for-point volleyball that began the match. The Trappers scored four in a row to break away from a 13-13 tie before the teams resumed their tit-for-tat action all the way to a 25-21 NWC win that forced game five.
Given the two schools' balanced play, it was little surprise when NWC and San Jacinto were separated by a single point midway through the tiebreak game. The Ravens took their 7-6 lead and widened it to 12-8 before the Trappers mounted a final late rally. Northwest scored four of the next five points to close to within a point before San Jacinto closed out the match with back-to-back points.
Northwest College wraps up its year with a 27-10 final record.
Net Notes:
* It is going to be a very late night in Council Bluffs. The Trappers and Ravens began their match 47 minutes later than the scheduled 3:30 p.m. start time. After going a full five games, it appears the semifinal round of games will start somewhere around 80 minutes behind schedule.
* San Jacinto-Central was the only one of the top eight national tournament seeds to be upset in the first round at Council Bluffs. The Ravens were also the only consolation bracket school to appear in the final regular-season top 20 poll released by the NJCAA.
* With a listed enrollment of 27,000 students, San Jacinto was one of the largest schools in the 16-team national tournament field. Spartanburg Methodist, with an enrollment of 806 students, holds the distinction of being the smallest school at this year's event.
* The Trappers continued their scorching attack at the net at the national tournament. In this morning's match against Temple, NWC registered a .322 attack percentage. Irelis Ilarraza finished with 10 kills.
* More impressive, though, was the Trappers' service game against the Leopards. NWC sent 13 aces sailing over the net at Temple. Katie Gregg led the assault with five. Gregg also played a role in six of the Trappers' 14 blocks at the net in the contest.
Unlike the Trappers' game against West Plains on Thursday, which featured frequent, wild shifts in momentum for both teams, Friday night's clash with the No. 10 Ravens was championship volleyball at its finest. Neither team was able to hold momentum long. Northwest College failed to score more than three points in succession until more than midway through game three. San Jacinto faced similar struggles over the final three games of the match.
The tone for the contest was set in game one. The Trappers and Ravens found themselves tied on 11 different occasions as the teams played virtually point-for-point all the way from an early 8-8 deadlock all the way out to 19-19. A late Raven run of four consecutive points proved to be the miniature rally that tipped the scales in favor of the Texas school.
A similar run much earlier in game two allowed the Ravens to open a 17-11 lead. NWC trimmed the gap to 18-16, but watched as San Jacinto closed out with seven of the next eight points.
With their backs to the wall, the Trappers found the grit and determination needed to answer the challenge. Northwest built an early 10-5 lead in game three, but saw San Jacinto trim the margin back to 14-13 before head coach Flavia Siqueira's crew broke through the ice to finally score more than three points in succession. The burst enabled the Trappers to build a 20-14 cushion en route to a 25-18 win.
Game four featured a return to the same point-for-point volleyball that began the match. The Trappers scored four in a row to break away from a 13-13 tie before the teams resumed their tit-for-tat action all the way to a 25-21 NWC win that forced game five.
Given the two schools' balanced play, it was little surprise when NWC and San Jacinto were separated by a single point midway through the tiebreak game. The Ravens took their 7-6 lead and widened it to 12-8 before the Trappers mounted a final late rally. Northwest scored four of the next five points to close to within a point before San Jacinto closed out the match with back-to-back points.
Northwest College wraps up its year with a 27-10 final record.
Net Notes:
* It is going to be a very late night in Council Bluffs. The Trappers and Ravens began their match 47 minutes later than the scheduled 3:30 p.m. start time. After going a full five games, it appears the semifinal round of games will start somewhere around 80 minutes behind schedule.
* San Jacinto-Central was the only one of the top eight national tournament seeds to be upset in the first round at Council Bluffs. The Ravens were also the only consolation bracket school to appear in the final regular-season top 20 poll released by the NJCAA.
* With a listed enrollment of 27,000 students, San Jacinto was one of the largest schools in the 16-team national tournament field. Spartanburg Methodist, with an enrollment of 806 students, holds the distinction of being the smallest school at this year's event.
* The Trappers continued their scorching attack at the net at the national tournament. In this morning's match against Temple, NWC registered a .322 attack percentage. Irelis Ilarraza finished with 10 kills.
* More impressive, though, was the Trappers' service game against the Leopards. NWC sent 13 aces sailing over the net at Temple. Katie Gregg led the assault with five. Gregg also played a role in six of the Trappers' 14 blocks at the net in the contest.
NWC topples Temple
Complete domination.
The Northwest College Trappers snapped a five-match losing skid at the national tournament with a commanding 25-21, 25-14, 25-20 victory over Temple College of Texas on Friday morning to remain alive in the 2009 NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Save for a couple of points early in the third game, the Trappers led wire-to-wire throughout their morning win.
NWC scored the first four points in game 1 and never allowed Temple closer than two on the scoreboard from that point forward. The Leopards managed to make life interesting by mounting a late charge to trim the gap from 22-16 back to 22-20, but could get no closer.
The Trappers followed the same early script in game 2, again tallying the first four points. This time, Temple found no recovery. Northwest controlled every facet of activity on the court in building a 20-8 lead before a late five-point rally by Temple gave the game a deceptively closer margin.
Game 3 saw Temple strike first, but the Leopards never were ahead by more than two points in the early going. The Trappers took the lead for good at 12-11 and ended the game scoring six of the final eight points to claim victory and remain alive at the national tournament.
Northwest College plays again at 3:30 p.m. today. The Trappers will face another Texas foe in San Jacinto-Central out of Houston. NWC will be one of 12 teams remaining in the national tournament for that contest.
Net Notes
* Temple College was one of only two teams at the 2009 national tournament to boast a roster comprised of players solely from the school's home state. Alabama's Wallace State was the other such team, and suffered a similar fate in being eliminated from the national tournament field after falling 3-0 to San Jacinto this morning.
* While the Trappers and San Jacinto-Central Ravens haven't played each other this season, there should at least be a degree of familiarity when the teams face off roughly six hours from now. Both schools were part of the tournament field at Miami-Dade last month, but played in opposite pools.
* The Trappers demonstrated a balanced attack in yesterday's loss to West Plains. Irelis Ilarraza finished with 15 kills to lead the offense, but Northwest added 13 from Paula Barros, 10 from Katie Gregg, nine from Randi McInerney and eight from Mayara Conilho. NWC had an impressive .241 attack percentage in the contest.
The Northwest College Trappers snapped a five-match losing skid at the national tournament with a commanding 25-21, 25-14, 25-20 victory over Temple College of Texas on Friday morning to remain alive in the 2009 NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Save for a couple of points early in the third game, the Trappers led wire-to-wire throughout their morning win.
NWC scored the first four points in game 1 and never allowed Temple closer than two on the scoreboard from that point forward. The Leopards managed to make life interesting by mounting a late charge to trim the gap from 22-16 back to 22-20, but could get no closer.
The Trappers followed the same early script in game 2, again tallying the first four points. This time, Temple found no recovery. Northwest controlled every facet of activity on the court in building a 20-8 lead before a late five-point rally by Temple gave the game a deceptively closer margin.
Game 3 saw Temple strike first, but the Leopards never were ahead by more than two points in the early going. The Trappers took the lead for good at 12-11 and ended the game scoring six of the final eight points to claim victory and remain alive at the national tournament.
Northwest College plays again at 3:30 p.m. today. The Trappers will face another Texas foe in San Jacinto-Central out of Houston. NWC will be one of 12 teams remaining in the national tournament for that contest.
Net Notes
* Temple College was one of only two teams at the 2009 national tournament to boast a roster comprised of players solely from the school's home state. Alabama's Wallace State was the other such team, and suffered a similar fate in being eliminated from the national tournament field after falling 3-0 to San Jacinto this morning.
* While the Trappers and San Jacinto-Central Ravens haven't played each other this season, there should at least be a degree of familiarity when the teams face off roughly six hours from now. Both schools were part of the tournament field at Miami-Dade last month, but played in opposite pools.
* The Trappers demonstrated a balanced attack in yesterday's loss to West Plains. Irelis Ilarraza finished with 15 kills to lead the offense, but Northwest added 13 from Paula Barros, 10 from Katie Gregg, nine from Randi McInerney and eight from Mayara Conilho. NWC had an impressive .241 attack percentage in the contest.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Trappers fall in NJCAA opener, play Friday
The Northwest College Trapper volleyball team fell to Missouri State-West Plains in opening-round action at the 2009 NJCAA national tournament, but not before making sure the Grizzlies knew they were in a fight.
No. 8 West Plains, which bested NWC by a 25-15, 25-15, 25-17 count in early October, was blindsided out of the gate. The Trappers scored 15 of the first 18 points tallied in the national tournament to grab a commanding lead in game 1. West Plains recovered from the initial shock to fight to within 18-13, but the Trappers cruised home with the win.
The Grizzlies and Trappers fought to 11-11 ties in both games two and three. In both cases, West Plains was able to break away from those mid-game deadlocks to build five point leads before finishing with 25-22 wins on both occasions.
Game 4 saw the Trappers maintain early momentum and build an 11-7 lead, only to watch it evaporate in a 6-1 Grizzly run. After a 14-14 tie, Northwest College extended to a 20-15 lead and appeared on the verge of forcing a fifth-game tiebreak after reaching 22-18.
West Plains found one last momentum surge, scoring seven of the final eight points to steal a 25-23 win and send the Trappers to the elimination half of the tournament with an 18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23 win.
Northwest College will play Temple College (22-22) at 9 a.m. mountain time on Friday in a loser-out game. Temple, a school of approximately 5,200 students, located in Temple, Texas, fell 25-19, 21-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-8 to No. 5 Iowa Western in its first-round contest.
No. 8 West Plains, which bested NWC by a 25-15, 25-15, 25-17 count in early October, was blindsided out of the gate. The Trappers scored 15 of the first 18 points tallied in the national tournament to grab a commanding lead in game 1. West Plains recovered from the initial shock to fight to within 18-13, but the Trappers cruised home with the win.
The Grizzlies and Trappers fought to 11-11 ties in both games two and three. In both cases, West Plains was able to break away from those mid-game deadlocks to build five point leads before finishing with 25-22 wins on both occasions.
Game 4 saw the Trappers maintain early momentum and build an 11-7 lead, only to watch it evaporate in a 6-1 Grizzly run. After a 14-14 tie, Northwest College extended to a 20-15 lead and appeared on the verge of forcing a fifth-game tiebreak after reaching 22-18.
West Plains found one last momentum surge, scoring seven of the final eight points to steal a 25-23 win and send the Trappers to the elimination half of the tournament with an 18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23 win.
Northwest College will play Temple College (22-22) at 9 a.m. mountain time on Friday in a loser-out game. Temple, a school of approximately 5,200 students, located in Temple, Texas, fell 25-19, 21-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-8 to No. 5 Iowa Western in its first-round contest.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 11-17
A peek at tomorrow's paper using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“The Forest Service needs to receive funding to do what the Forest Service needs to do,” Hilary Eisen, public lands advocate for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, outlining her belief that the Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Region needs more money as it fights beetle-kill. As it currently stands, funding the beetle fight elsewhere in the region could result in a shortfall that will close the Shoshone National Forest's campgrounds next summer. Details on one.
“It looks to me like you were having your cake and eating it too,” Commissioner Jill Shockley Siggins, chiding Park County Library representatives for overspending their budget in fiscal year 2008-09. A rundown on Region (page 5).
“Just because you didn’t harvest doesn’t mean you didn’t have a successful hunt,” Corey McGregor, president of Wyoming Disabled Hunters, talking about hunting. His Park County group held its first-ever deer bow-hunt for disabled sportsfolk earlier this month, and you can read about on Wyoming (page 7).
“The Forest Service needs to receive funding to do what the Forest Service needs to do,” Hilary Eisen, public lands advocate for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, outlining her belief that the Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Region needs more money as it fights beetle-kill. As it currently stands, funding the beetle fight elsewhere in the region could result in a shortfall that will close the Shoshone National Forest's campgrounds next summer. Details on one.
“It looks to me like you were having your cake and eating it too,” Commissioner Jill Shockley Siggins, chiding Park County Library representatives for overspending their budget in fiscal year 2008-09. A rundown on Region (page 5).
“Just because you didn’t harvest doesn’t mean you didn’t have a successful hunt,” Corey McGregor, president of Wyoming Disabled Hunters, talking about hunting. His Park County group held its first-ever deer bow-hunt for disabled sportsfolk earlier this month, and you can read about on Wyoming (page 7).
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 11-12
A peek at tomorrow's Tribune using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“Who is going to police something like that?” Rex Sanders, Powell City Councilman, responding to a resident's suggestion that the city's amended animal cruelty ordinance include a provision that bars pet owners from keeping animals confined for more than four and a half hours. Read about what is included in the proposed ordinance on page 3.?
“There’s a lot of unstable feeling out there,” Cody auctioneer Harold Musser, talking about buyers' skepticism towards the United State's economic future. Musser thinks that unease, along with a couple other factors, lead to a dearth of bids for the old Cody library property. On Tuesday, Park County commissioners had to call off the scheduled live auction of the site. Details on Region (page 5).
“We’re never going to be at a point where the county’s going to lose the money,” West Park Hospital CEO Doug McMillan, assuring Park County commissioners that the $468,000 the county has given to the hospital for its planned Spirit Moutain Hospice will be used or returned before a state deadline. Yesterday, the county chose to commit the last of its State Loan and Investment Board consensus funds to the hospice's $4 million capital campaign. A run down of who else was after the money on page 5.
“Who is going to police something like that?” Rex Sanders, Powell City Councilman, responding to a resident's suggestion that the city's amended animal cruelty ordinance include a provision that bars pet owners from keeping animals confined for more than four and a half hours. Read about what is included in the proposed ordinance on page 3.?
“There’s a lot of unstable feeling out there,” Cody auctioneer Harold Musser, talking about buyers' skepticism towards the United State's economic future. Musser thinks that unease, along with a couple other factors, lead to a dearth of bids for the old Cody library property. On Tuesday, Park County commissioners had to call off the scheduled live auction of the site. Details on Region (page 5).
“We’re never going to be at a point where the county’s going to lose the money,” West Park Hospital CEO Doug McMillan, assuring Park County commissioners that the $468,000 the county has given to the hospital for its planned Spirit Moutain Hospice will be used or returned before a state deadline. Yesterday, the county chose to commit the last of its State Loan and Investment Board consensus funds to the hospice's $4 million capital campaign. A run down of who else was after the money on page 5.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
'What makes your day' photos and next photo theme
Wyoming's beauty, a hot morning espresso, beloved children and friendly animals are all day-brighteners for Tribune readers. For our "What makes your day" photo theme, readers shared a variety of moments with us. A few were published in the Tuesday, Nov. 10 edition, and we've posted more photos here.
Our next photo theme is "Shorter days." If you capture photos of autumn's dwindling daylight hours, we'd love to see them. We invite photographers — of any age or skill level — to participate in our photo themes. Just e-mail high-resolution photographs to web@powelltribune.com in jpeg, png, tiff or PSD format. Please include the photographer's first and last name, and tell us a bit about your submission. For more information, see our blog entry. Please submit "Shorter days" photographs by 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Our next photo theme is "Shorter days." If you capture photos of autumn's dwindling daylight hours, we'd love to see them. We invite photographers — of any age or skill level — to participate in our photo themes. Just e-mail high-resolution photographs to web@powelltribune.com in jpeg, png, tiff or PSD format. Please include the photographer's first and last name, and tell us a bit about your submission. For more information, see our blog entry. Please submit "Shorter days" photographs by 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25.
"What makes my day?" Pamela Kresky wrote. " The beauty that is Wyoming ... Before moving here several years ago, I had no idea I'd find such breath-taking beauty just a short drive away. This picture was taken in July on a trip up to Kerwin. It was 100 degrees in Meetetsee and about 70 degrees here in the forest.
Cool, quiet and mossy — peaceful beauty. Wyoming is such a land of contrasts."
Cool, quiet and mossy — peaceful beauty. Wyoming is such a land of contrasts."
What makes Michelle Johnson's day? "Waking up to my blessings everyday!" Pictured are her children, Dominik, Averee, Nyah and new baby Knox.
For Jim Thompson of Powell — and other area hunters — going into hunting camp is the highlight of any day.
Pam Menuey of Ralston shared this photograph of two of her favorite little clients, Harley and Buddy. "Grooming dogs makes my day!" she said.
Pam also shared this photo, adding "Catching little brookies always makes a perfect day in the mountains. I love these beautiful little fish! Always makes my day!"
Psssst ... Rocky the cat tells Maggie a secret. For Willie Marcus, her animals make her day.
Willie also shared this shot of Koaly and Rocky cuddling. "These are our critters that make life more fun and interesting," Willie wrote.
"Free time to spend with my little girl, Bliss, is the best part of my day," said Yancy Bonner, Tribune publications manager. "Especially when we get to enjoy beautiful Wyoming weather with our dog, Charlie."
Stacey Cannon shared this shot, with the note: “What makes my day? A hot velvety shot of espresso to go in my morning latte.”
Friendly pets add color to many lives — a cat named Owl does that for her owner, Tribune staffer Kara Bacon, who took this photograph.
For Donna Wageman, the highlight of her day is "looking out my front door and seeing a beautiful landscape
in our front pasture on the ranch in Cody."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 11-5
A peek at tomorrow's paper, using quotes that didn't make the cut...
On Tuesday, Park County Commissioner Dave Burke called a decision by Sheriff Scott Steward a “violation of everything we try to stand for in Park County.” The decision that got the commissioners that upset is recapped on page one.
“It was fun. I liked being on this side of the floor a lot better,” NWC women's basketball coach Janis Beal describing her first contest as the Trappers' coach. Beal came to Cabre Gym during the 2008-2009 season as an assistant for visiting Snow College. Read about the Lady Trappers' season-opening win (and Beal's first with the team) on Sports (Page 9).
“We didn’t want it to get stale, because it’s a little esoteric,” Park County Elections Deputy Virginia Livingston, explaining that preparations for the 2010 election began immediately after wrapping up '08's, in part because election procedures and policies are so complex and unique. An extremely early look at next year's election on Region (Page 5).
On Tuesday, Park County Commissioner Dave Burke called a decision by Sheriff Scott Steward a “violation of everything we try to stand for in Park County.” The decision that got the commissioners that upset is recapped on page one.
“It was fun. I liked being on this side of the floor a lot better,” NWC women's basketball coach Janis Beal describing her first contest as the Trappers' coach. Beal came to Cabre Gym during the 2008-2009 season as an assistant for visiting Snow College. Read about the Lady Trappers' season-opening win (and Beal's first with the team) on Sports (Page 9).
“We didn’t want it to get stale, because it’s a little esoteric,” Park County Elections Deputy Virginia Livingston, explaining that preparations for the 2010 election began immediately after wrapping up '08's, in part because election procedures and policies are so complex and unique. An extremely early look at next year's election on Region (Page 5).
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 10-27
A peek at tomorrow's paper, using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“I don’t have a gift because I’m just a standard, normal guy, because I can’t see ghosts,” Robert Larson, talking to the Powell Valley Genealogical Society last month about the technique of grave dowsing. How you can (reportedly) talk with your dead ancestors on page 14.
“The concept that justice is blind does not require the Court to gouge out its own eyes and wander in exile like Oedipus,” the state public defender's office, writing in a colorful appeal of Richard Gordon Bloomer's conviction of aggravated assault and aggravated robbery in January. The state defender's office contends, among other things, that local prosecutors made missteps in the case, and the attorney general's office has agreed on one point. Why Bloomer will likely receive a reduced sentence, on page 5 (Region).
“Keep ‘em in the (Big Horn) Basin, that’s what it’s about,” Forward Cody's James Klessens, talking about the renewed effort to lure Eleutian Technologies to Cody. The company is expanding, but no longer in its original home of Ten Sleep. Some details on the front page.
“I don’t have a gift because I’m just a standard, normal guy, because I can’t see ghosts,” Robert Larson, talking to the Powell Valley Genealogical Society last month about the technique of grave dowsing. How you can (reportedly) talk with your dead ancestors on page 14.
“The concept that justice is blind does not require the Court to gouge out its own eyes and wander in exile like Oedipus,” the state public defender's office, writing in a colorful appeal of Richard Gordon Bloomer's conviction of aggravated assault and aggravated robbery in January. The state defender's office contends, among other things, that local prosecutors made missteps in the case, and the attorney general's office has agreed on one point. Why Bloomer will likely receive a reduced sentence, on page 5 (Region).
“Keep ‘em in the (Big Horn) Basin, that’s what it’s about,” Forward Cody's James Klessens, talking about the renewed effort to lure Eleutian Technologies to Cody. The company is expanding, but no longer in its original home of Ten Sleep. Some details on the front page.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 10-22
A peak at tomorrow's paper using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“Growers lose precious harvest time every day, introducing the specter of freezing temperatures coming again before the beets are out of the ground,” state representative Dave Bonner (R-Powell), writing to Park County commissioners about the crisis being faced by local sugar beet farmers. The commission took action, requesting emergency federal aid on county growers' behalf. Details on page 1.
“We just can’t make them go away,” Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers, explaining that officers can't stop door-to-door salesmen from knocking on your door with the city's Green River ordinance suspended. However, salesfolk don't have free reign in town, either. Check the story below the fold.
“I was quite beside myself watching my wife hemorrhaging,” Clark resident Scott Brazil, narrating the need for emergency services in his community. Brazil said with responders in Powell and Cody roughly 30 miles away, Clark-based services are essential; he said it was agonizing to wait for over a half-hour for an ambulance to arrive for his injured wife. On Tuesday, Brazil, along with a host of fellow Clark residents, urged the county to OK an expanded Clark Fire Hall.
“Growers lose precious harvest time every day, introducing the specter of freezing temperatures coming again before the beets are out of the ground,” state representative Dave Bonner (R-Powell), writing to Park County commissioners about the crisis being faced by local sugar beet farmers. The commission took action, requesting emergency federal aid on county growers' behalf. Details on page 1.
“We just can’t make them go away,” Powell Police Chief Tim Feathers, explaining that officers can't stop door-to-door salesmen from knocking on your door with the city's Green River ordinance suspended. However, salesfolk don't have free reign in town, either. Check the story below the fold.
“I was quite beside myself watching my wife hemorrhaging,” Clark resident Scott Brazil, narrating the need for emergency services in his community. Brazil said with responders in Powell and Cody roughly 30 miles away, Clark-based services are essential; he said it was agonizing to wait for over a half-hour for an ambulance to arrive for his injured wife. On Tuesday, Brazil, along with a host of fellow Clark residents, urged the county to OK an expanded Clark Fire Hall.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Radio shipping costs county a boatload
Park County typically pays out well over $1 million a month meeting payroll and other expenses. Commissioners sign off on hundreds of bills every couple weeks, usually with little to no discussion.
However, one unusual bill drew their attention last week -- a $580.25 invoice to ship five radios.
“They must have been heavy,” quipped Commissioner Jill Shockley Siggins.
After a closer look at the voucher, commissioners found it was actually the insurance costs that drove up the freight costs at Cody's UPS Store.
County CIO Mike Conners submitted the bill, which he readily called, “crazy”* in a conversation with the Tribune.
“I figured that might raise a red flag somewhere,” he said.
The $5,000 radios - only about five years old - had been removed from some older, soon-to-be decommissioned patrol cars from the sheriff's department, Conners said. The communication devices were being shipped out to Veto Enterprises in Sycamore, Ill., where they'll be installed in shiny new squad cars.
“The radios are still in good shape,” Conners said.
Making sure they stayed that way was the big financial burden -- UPS insurance on the pricey items cost just under $60 per radio.
“I didn’t dare not insure them for five grand a piece,” said Conners.
Because if they did get destroyed, and Conners had to submit a $25,000 bill for their replacement?
“Then I’d get some questions, I suppose,” he said.
Last Tuesday, commissioners were satisfied with a second look at the receipt.
“Sometimes you wonder, you know?” said Commission Chairman Bill Brewer, who initially inquired about the expense. “We just get a bill and approve it.”
*Consider this: it's about 1,250 miles to Sycamore from Cody, which Google Maps conservatively estimates as a 21-hour drive. So if you paid someone $12 an hour to deliver just the radios in a vehicle getting 15 miles per gallon (at $2.50 a gallon), it would cost only $460. Granted, that doesn't cover any insurance. (An addition: As anon points out in the comments, that figure is also assuming that the driver lives in Sycamore or something, and has no need to return to Cody. The number would double to $920 for going both ways, which makes UPS cheaper. Of course, the the UPS price doesn't include return delivery, either. At a doubled-bill it would tally $1,160.50. I guess the point is that this comparison is clunky.)
However, one unusual bill drew their attention last week -- a $580.25 invoice to ship five radios.“They must have been heavy,” quipped Commissioner Jill Shockley Siggins.
After a closer look at the voucher, commissioners found it was actually the insurance costs that drove up the freight costs at Cody's UPS Store.
County CIO Mike Conners submitted the bill, which he readily called, “crazy”* in a conversation with the Tribune.
“I figured that might raise a red flag somewhere,” he said.
The $5,000 radios - only about five years old - had been removed from some older, soon-to-be decommissioned patrol cars from the sheriff's department, Conners said. The communication devices were being shipped out to Veto Enterprises in Sycamore, Ill., where they'll be installed in shiny new squad cars.
“The radios are still in good shape,” Conners said.
Making sure they stayed that way was the big financial burden -- UPS insurance on the pricey items cost just under $60 per radio.
“I didn’t dare not insure them for five grand a piece,” said Conners.
Because if they did get destroyed, and Conners had to submit a $25,000 bill for their replacement?
“Then I’d get some questions, I suppose,” he said.
Last Tuesday, commissioners were satisfied with a second look at the receipt.
“Sometimes you wonder, you know?” said Commission Chairman Bill Brewer, who initially inquired about the expense. “We just get a bill and approve it.”
*Consider this: it's about 1,250 miles to Sycamore from Cody, which Google Maps conservatively estimates as a 21-hour drive. So if you paid someone $12 an hour to deliver just the radios in a vehicle getting 15 miles per gallon (at $2.50 a gallon), it would cost only $460. Granted, that doesn't cover any insurance. (An addition: As anon points out in the comments, that figure is also assuming that the driver lives in Sycamore or something, and has no need to return to Cody. The number would double to $920 for going both ways, which makes UPS cheaper. Of course, the the UPS price doesn't include return delivery, either. At a doubled-bill it would tally $1,160.50. I guess the point is that this comparison is clunky.)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
'Autumn' photos and the next photo theme: 'What makes your day?'
After enjoying crisp Autumn air in September, the first weeks of October brought snowfall and frigid temperatures to northern Wyoming. Readers shared scenes of autumn with the Tribune as part of our photo theme.
The next photo theme is: "What makes your day?" We're asking readers to submit photographs of the moments that brighten your day.
If you're a photographer — of any age or skill level — we'd love to see what you've got for our themes. Just e-mail your submissions to web@powelltribune.com in jpeg, png, tiff or PSD format. Please include the photographer's first and last name, and tell us a little bit about your photo. For more information, see our blog entry. Please submit photographs by 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
We published three of our favorite autumn photographs in the Thursday, Oct. 15 Tribune. Here are more autumn-themed shots:
Donna also captured this fall image on Oct. 1 at Mesa Falls, Idaho. Mesa Falls is where the Henry' s Fork of the Snake River is squeezed into a gorge that drops 115 feet. It is located along the Mesa Falls Scenic byway, Highway 47 in Island Park, Idaho.
A colorful leaf in the snow illustrates autumn weather in the Big Horn Basin in this photo taken by Donna Wageman.
Steve Jackson took this photo of a ripe apple framed by changing leaves.
Pamela Kresky shared this shot of South Fork aspen trees in all their autumn glory.
The next photo theme is: "What makes your day?" We're asking readers to submit photographs of the moments that brighten your day.
If you're a photographer — of any age or skill level — we'd love to see what you've got for our themes. Just e-mail your submissions to web@powelltribune.com in jpeg, png, tiff or PSD format. Please include the photographer's first and last name, and tell us a little bit about your photo. For more information, see our blog entry. Please submit photographs by 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
We published three of our favorite autumn photographs in the Thursday, Oct. 15 Tribune. Here are more autumn-themed shots:
A lovely October day inspired this shot by Laurie Vredenburg.
Laurie also shared this photo, which was taken near Roscoe, Mont.
Donna Wageman trudged through snow to take this photo of a scarecrow in her window. "One can see some of the snow reflected in the window which comes from the mountains on the east side of our little ranch in Cody," Donna said.
Donna also captured this fall image on Oct. 1 at Mesa Falls, Idaho. Mesa Falls is where the Henry' s Fork of the Snake River is squeezed into a gorge that drops 115 feet. It is located along the Mesa Falls Scenic byway, Highway 47 in Island Park, Idaho.
A colorful leaf in the snow illustrates autumn weather in the Big Horn Basin in this photo taken by Donna Wageman.
The Moore family shared this photo from Paducah, Kent., at the annual Seabee get together.
Steve Jackson took this photo of a ripe apple framed by changing leaves.
Tribune photographer Gib Mathers shared this about a photo he took of a fall drake: "Yeah, yeah, yeah. It isn’t that good a picture of a drake mallard lifting-off a puddle near the Shoshone River in Cody, but the duck, geese and sandhill crane fall assembly in Park County always gives me a lift. Two days ago a flock of sandhill cranes flew over my car. On Sunday, I heard a gander of geese voicing their melancholy call while flying in formation. I know honking is just a signal to other geese, but it always invokes a bittersweet sentiment — a forewarning of winter. Still, watching waterfowl has been a favorite fall pastime of mine for years. You can’t beat nature."
Pamela Kresky shared this shot of South Fork aspen trees in all their autumn glory.
Even with their petals buried in snow, these flowers proudly showed their color in this photo by Tribune News Editor Ilene Olson.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 10-15
A peek at tomorrow's paper using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“We’re always on the look out for juice,” Cindy Balderas, talking about items residents can donate during the Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes food drive, which takes place in Powell neighborhoods on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Read about it below the fold.
“It’s a maintenance issue for you; it’s a liability issue for you,” Willwood Irrigation District Manager Tom Walker, lobbying Park County Commissioners for financial help on a project that would bury an unstable drainage ditch running along Road 4. Several groups sought money from commissioners as they divvied up the last batch of State Loan and Investment Board consensus funding given to the county. Who got money and who might go without on the Region page (5).
“He was gone by the time we got there,” Police Chief Tim Feathers, speaking about a prowler who reportedly climbed into a Powell woman's bed on Wednesday. Some details on Digest (page 6).
“We’re always on the look out for juice,” Cindy Balderas, talking about items residents can donate during the Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes food drive, which takes place in Powell neighborhoods on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Read about it below the fold.
“It’s a maintenance issue for you; it’s a liability issue for you,” Willwood Irrigation District Manager Tom Walker, lobbying Park County Commissioners for financial help on a project that would bury an unstable drainage ditch running along Road 4. Several groups sought money from commissioners as they divvied up the last batch of State Loan and Investment Board consensus funding given to the county. Who got money and who might go without on the Region page (5).
“He was gone by the time we got there,” Police Chief Tim Feathers, speaking about a prowler who reportedly climbed into a Powell woman's bed on Wednesday. Some details on Digest (page 6).
Monday, October 12, 2009
A map of Park County's TV Translators
The Tribune ran a number of stories about Park County's television translators this spring and summer (read your heart out). If you're unfamiliar, translators beam the over-the-air (free) television signals picked up by rabbit-ears and other basic antennas.
There are a total of 38 translators (one per channel) serving the county from eight different sites, and it's a fairly complex and counter-intuitive system.
To help make visual sense of the thing, I put together the map embedded below. Click around on the towers and broadcast beams to pull up info bubbles and learn which channels and translators are found where. You can also check it out in a larger view.
View Park County's TV Translator System in a larger map
There are a total of 38 translators (one per channel) serving the county from eight different sites, and it's a fairly complex and counter-intuitive system.
To help make visual sense of the thing, I put together the map embedded below. Click around on the towers and broadcast beams to pull up info bubbles and learn which channels and translators are found where. You can also check it out in a larger view.
View Park County's TV Translator System in a larger map
Friday, October 9, 2009
Jail no longer an echo location
The hallways of the Park County Detention Center should soon echo a bit less a bit less.
Jail staff got the go-ahead from county commissioners on Tuesday to install sound-absorbing “Echo Eliminator” panels at the facility.
Reverberating sounds have been an issue since the jail opened in 2006, said Lt. Rick Atwood, the detention center administrator.
The problem, put simply, is that inmates at the jail are serving hard time — literally.
“Basically, there’s no soft surfaces in our building,” said Atwood.
A total of 422 two-by-four foot burgundy wall panels, made of recycled cotton, will be slapped on jail walls. Those supplies, along with 85 tubes and 43 cans of adhesives, will run a total bill of $11,089.30, to cover some 3,376 square feet.
After the commission approved the project, Commissioner Jill Shockley Siggins asked why the one-inch thick panels were ordered in burgundy. She noted psychological studies that show that “red makes people angry.”
“Green would be more soothing in a jail,” Siggins suggested.
Atwood said the burgundy matches color in the jail's tiling, though he quipped that had it been up to him, the facility would have pink-inlaid flooring.
Jail staff got the go-ahead from county commissioners on Tuesday to install sound-absorbing “Echo Eliminator” panels at the facility.
Reverberating sounds have been an issue since the jail opened in 2006, said Lt. Rick Atwood, the detention center administrator.
The problem, put simply, is that inmates at the jail are serving hard time — literally.
“Basically, there’s no soft surfaces in our building,” said Atwood.
A total of 422 two-by-four foot burgundy wall panels, made of recycled cotton, will be slapped on jail walls. Those supplies, along with 85 tubes and 43 cans of adhesives, will run a total bill of $11,089.30, to cover some 3,376 square feet.
After the commission approved the project, Commissioner Jill Shockley Siggins asked why the one-inch thick panels were ordered in burgundy. She noted psychological studies that show that “red makes people angry.”
“Green would be more soothing in a jail,” Siggins suggested.
Atwood said the burgundy matches color in the jail's tiling, though he quipped that had it been up to him, the facility would have pink-inlaid flooring.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Eddie 'The Wonder Horse' goes international
Eddie, a Powell horse with a knack for survival and a fondness for apples, has drawn the attention of equine-focused Kiwis.Horsetalk, a New Zealand-based online news source, recently posted a story on Eddie’s perilous swim through the 3.3-mile Corbett Tunnel. Horsetalk deemed Eddie the “miracle horse” after the 9-year-old Arabian survived the perilous journey through the dark tunnel’s cold, rushing water.
Horestalk’s Neil Clarkson called the Tribune last week looking for contacts related to Gib Mathers' story about Eddie. Clarkson interviewed Eddie’s Powell owner, Paul Watkins, as well as Shoshone Irrigation District Manager Bryant Startin.
Startin told Clarkson: "It's absolutely amazing he survived. It's a miracle. He would have been in the pitch black for 3 miles, wondering what the hell was going on. And he makes it out and survives. It's the most fascinating story ... unbelievable.”
Eddie is now relaxing at a local pasture after the traumatic ordeal — healthy, happy and oblivious to the regional and international attention and well wishes.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Harvest photos and next photo theme: 'Autumn'
For the past few months, local residents have welcomed the 2009 harvest season. Farmers across the Big Horn Basin have harvested a variety of crops, including the local staples — beets, beans and barley. Readers shared scenes of the harvest with the Tribune as part of our photo theme.
The next photo theme is "Autumn." Please submit photos by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
If you're photographer — of any age or skill level — we'd love to see what you've got for our themes. Just e-mail your submissions to web@powelltribune.com in jpeg, png, tiff or PSD format. Please include the photographer's first and last name, and tell us a little bit about your photo. For more information, see our blog entry.
Three harvest pictures were printed in the Tribune on Thursday, Oct. 1. Here are more harvest-themed photographs:
A Powell farmer lights his field on fire after harvesting to prepare for the next stage in the growing process. Tribune photo by Kara Bacon
Donna also shared this photo of Bev harvesting a big cabbage in her garden on Sept. 10. The vegetable was steamed for a large dinner to go with ham the following day.
Farmers harvest their crops in the Powell Valley. Tribune photo by Kara Bacon (Editor's note: A previous caption incorrectly identified the crop as sugar beets. Sorry, anon.)
A busy bee harvests pollen from colorful flowers. Tribune photo by Ilene Olson
The next photo theme is "Autumn." Please submit photos by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
If you're photographer — of any age or skill level — we'd love to see what you've got for our themes. Just e-mail your submissions to web@powelltribune.com in jpeg, png, tiff or PSD format. Please include the photographer's first and last name, and tell us a little bit about your photo. For more information, see our blog entry.
Three harvest pictures were printed in the Tribune on Thursday, Oct. 1. Here are more harvest-themed photographs:
Dennis and Pamela Kresky of Powell shared this photo and note: "Not the typical harvest picture you'd expect here in Powell, but we were so happy with this prolific little $2 tomato plant, we just wanted to share it.
It has been supplying us with several tasty tomatoes every week for two months now.
Only problem is we can't remember where we bought it!"
It has been supplying us with several tasty tomatoes every week for two months now.
Only problem is we can't remember where we bought it!"
A Powell farmer lights his field on fire after harvesting to prepare for the next stage in the growing process. Tribune photo by Kara Bacon
Donna Wageman took this photograph of a big kohlrabi grown by Bev Sutton of Cody and harvested Sept. 10.
Donna also shared this photo of Bev harvesting a big cabbage in her garden on Sept. 10. The vegetable was steamed for a large dinner to go with ham the following day.
Willie Marcus captured this image last spring of a bee dutifully collecting nectar from cherry blossoms in the bright sunshine.
Farmers harvest their crops in the Powell Valley. Tribune photo by Kara Bacon (Editor's note: A previous caption incorrectly identified the crop as sugar beets. Sorry, anon.)
A busy bee harvests pollen from colorful flowers. Tribune photo by Ilene Olson
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Audio: PHS alum calls old ball game
What's a story about a radio broadcaster without audio? Well, hopefully it's still enjoyable, because, as a printed newspaper, we couldn't include audio in last week's feature on Powell High alumni Anthony Masterson, who spent the summer helping call baseball games for the high-A minor league affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
Fortunately, our paper has this blog, and we can embed audio here.
Anthony was kind enough to email the Trib a sample taken from a game he called in Winston-Salem, N.C. The following clip covers the bottom of the fourth inning during an Aug. 19 game between the Potomac Nationals and the hosting Winston-Salem Dash.
Anthony Masterson calls the bottom of the 4th - time: 5:58
If the audio player doesn't work in the space above, you can download the recording here.
As an epilogue, the only downside to the above clip is that it doesn't include any of the audio commercials Masterson produced this summer. They were, in baseball terms, full of “high cheese.”
One spot promoting a dog-permitted night at the ballpark featured Masterson singing to a pooch, while another, pitching Ladies Night at the stadium, pitched the woman-wooing power of P-Nats baseball.
“The guidelines I got were pretty much, ‘Be as campy as possible,’” said Masterson.
With the number of times the ads were repeated, “No matter what I do with the commercials, people are going to hate them,” he said. “My job is to make them not hate them the first couple times.”
Fortunately, our paper has this blog, and we can embed audio here.
Anthony was kind enough to email the Trib a sample taken from a game he called in Winston-Salem, N.C. The following clip covers the bottom of the fourth inning during an Aug. 19 game between the Potomac Nationals and the hosting Winston-Salem Dash.
As an epilogue, the only downside to the above clip is that it doesn't include any of the audio commercials Masterson produced this summer. They were, in baseball terms, full of “high cheese.”
One spot promoting a dog-permitted night at the ballpark featured Masterson singing to a pooch, while another, pitching Ladies Night at the stadium, pitched the woman-wooing power of P-Nats baseball.
“The guidelines I got were pretty much, ‘Be as campy as possible,’” said Masterson.
With the number of times the ads were repeated, “No matter what I do with the commercials, people are going to hate them,” he said. “My job is to make them not hate them the first couple times.”
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Local resident recaps 9/12 rally in D.C.
Earlier this month, folks fed up with big government marched on Washington, D.C. to voice their disapproval with a slew of government policies.
Among them was Emblem attorney Robert DiLorenzo, who made the trip out east for the conservative Sept. 12 rally.
DiLorenzo helped organize the Tax Day Tea Party protest in Cody, where hundreds of people showed up — in the snow and cold — to voice complaints with big government and spending.
As much of a success as that April 15 event was, DiLorenzo said he realized, “I’m making a speech and I’m preaching to the choir.”
So when the opportunity arose to head to D.C. for a similarly-themed protest this month, he jumped at the chance.
He wasn’t the only one.
“Every state in the union was (represented) there,” said DiLorenzo. “It was quite remarkable.”
Quite the controversy erupted in the blogosphere over how many people showed up, with estimates ranging from 70,000 to 2,000,000.
DiLorenzo said from his vantage point, the true number likely fell somewhere in between those tallies, guessing that there were at least several hundred thousand folks on hand.
At the height on the 9/12 march, he could see people packed in from the steps of the capitol all the way to theLincoln Memorial Washington Monument.
“That was not 70,000,” said DiLorenzo. “That’s 70,000 times many times.”
He added that part of the difficulty in getting a firm number is that there were different events from different groups all over the city.
“You just can’t get that many people in front of the capitol building,” DiLorenzo said.
Back in Wyoming, the state 9/12 Coalition held a parallel event in Casper which was “a total success,” according to organizer David Kellett of Powell.
“At the high point we had more than 200 people there at the same time. We eventually got rained out around 2:30 p.m., but that was okay,” he said. “We communicated with our people in DC, we had lots of good speakers, a very good open mic, and lots of coverage from the TV stations in Casper as well as the Casper Star Tribune.”
In D.C., DiLorenzo was able to get the ears of Senators John Barrasso and Mike Enzi (both R's-Wyo), meeting privately with both -- including over 90 minutes with Barrasso.
“They were fabulous,” DiLorenzo said of the senators. “Our representatives are just remarkable people and they really listened.”
DiLorenzo jokingly contrasted the 9/12 protest with that of the Vietnam War protests, which he said were youthful with a party vibe, and “a good place to meet a girl.”
“This march wasn’t like that,” said DiLorenzo, who attended the rally with his wife. “I would say the median age was 40. And they were upset.”
Generally, he said the crowds were full of folks who oppose “bailouts of anything,” and the growth of government. New federal involvement in healthcare was a common topic of complaint.
DiLorenzo said he saw “an enormous amount of fear and some anger (about) where the country is going.”
“There were saying enough is enough,” he said, adding, “When I’m seeing 70- to 80-year-old ladies marching down Massachusetts Avenue, I’m going, ‘Good grief — these people are really upset!’”
DiLorenzo predicted that 9/12 will not be the last that America will hear from Tea Party-ers.
“It’s only going to get bigger,” he said.
Among them was Emblem attorney Robert DiLorenzo, who made the trip out east for the conservative Sept. 12 rally.
DiLorenzo helped organize the Tax Day Tea Party protest in Cody, where hundreds of people showed up — in the snow and cold — to voice complaints with big government and spending.
As much of a success as that April 15 event was, DiLorenzo said he realized, “I’m making a speech and I’m preaching to the choir.”
So when the opportunity arose to head to D.C. for a similarly-themed protest this month, he jumped at the chance.
He wasn’t the only one.
“Every state in the union was (represented) there,” said DiLorenzo. “It was quite remarkable.”
Photo of 9/12 D.C. rally courtesy of Dale Lanham.
Quite the controversy erupted in the blogosphere over how many people showed up, with estimates ranging from 70,000 to 2,000,000.
DiLorenzo said from his vantage point, the true number likely fell somewhere in between those tallies, guessing that there were at least several hundred thousand folks on hand.
At the height on the 9/12 march, he could see people packed in from the steps of the capitol all the way to the
“That was not 70,000,” said DiLorenzo. “That’s 70,000 times many times.”
He added that part of the difficulty in getting a firm number is that there were different events from different groups all over the city.
“You just can’t get that many people in front of the capitol building,” DiLorenzo said.
Back in Wyoming, the state 9/12 Coalition held a parallel event in Casper which was “a total success,” according to organizer David Kellett of Powell.
“At the high point we had more than 200 people there at the same time. We eventually got rained out around 2:30 p.m., but that was okay,” he said. “We communicated with our people in DC, we had lots of good speakers, a very good open mic, and lots of coverage from the TV stations in Casper as well as the Casper Star Tribune.”
In D.C., DiLorenzo was able to get the ears of Senators John Barrasso and Mike Enzi (both R's-Wyo), meeting privately with both -- including over 90 minutes with Barrasso.
“They were fabulous,” DiLorenzo said of the senators. “Our representatives are just remarkable people and they really listened.”
DiLorenzo jokingly contrasted the 9/12 protest with that of the Vietnam War protests, which he said were youthful with a party vibe, and “a good place to meet a girl.”
“This march wasn’t like that,” said DiLorenzo, who attended the rally with his wife. “I would say the median age was 40. And they were upset.”
Generally, he said the crowds were full of folks who oppose “bailouts of anything,” and the growth of government. New federal involvement in healthcare was a common topic of complaint.
DiLorenzo said he saw “an enormous amount of fear and some anger (about) where the country is going.”
“There were saying enough is enough,” he said, adding, “When I’m seeing 70- to 80-year-old ladies marching down Massachusetts Avenue, I’m going, ‘Good grief — these people are really upset!’”
DiLorenzo predicted that 9/12 will not be the last that America will hear from Tea Party-ers.
“It’s only going to get bigger,” he said.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Mandatory swine flu vaccinations? Not in Wyoming.
Don't worry -- government agents are not going to storm your home, strap you down, and inject you with swine flu vaccine.
An email making the rounds from a liberty group claims that state legislators are thinking about forcing Wyoming residents to receive the swine flu (the H1N1 virus) vaccine.
It reads in part:
"There is no consideration of mandating swine flu vaccinations," Bonner said this morning.
He said the question was raised by a representative from Kemmerer at a Sept. 9 committee meeting in Sheridan. The issue has been hotly debated elsewhere as health personnel in New York state are being required to receive flu vaccinations.
Bonner said Kathy Davison (R-Kemmerer) had heard concerns from her constituents about forced shots.
"I'm glad it did come up, because it was answered directly," said Bonner.
Officials from the Wyoming Department of Health stated that when it comes to H1N1 vaccination here, "There is nothing mandatory about it," Bonner said. He added that the program is wholly different from school vaccination programs.
In general, the US Centers for Disease Control is recommending that pregnant women, people with or caring for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between 6 months and 24 years old, and those with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems get vaccinations. The vaccine is not yet available.
The circulating email asks folks to email their legislators and ask them to make the vaccine available -- but only to those who seek it out. That is exactly the current plan, said Bonner.
"There is no place for legislation at this time in cases like this," he said, adding, "We are hoping the flu vaccine is available soon for at-risk populations."
As of Sept. 18, there were 199 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Wyoming.
As a final aside, in this writer's opinion, if the state of Wyoming tried to make residents bare their arms for shots, it seems more likely they'd bear their arms. Just a thought.
An email making the rounds from a liberty group claims that state legislators are thinking about forcing Wyoming residents to receive the swine flu (the H1N1 virus) vaccine.
It reads in part:
The Wyoming state Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee is considering making swine flu shots mandatory for Wyoming residents. As you probably have guessed, the swine flu is no more dangerous than regular flu but the government is excitedly trying to panic everyone.However, a member of that committee, Dave Bonner (R-Powell), says that's not true.
"There is no consideration of mandating swine flu vaccinations," Bonner said this morning.
He said the question was raised by a representative from Kemmerer at a Sept. 9 committee meeting in Sheridan. The issue has been hotly debated elsewhere as health personnel in New York state are being required to receive flu vaccinations.
Bonner said Kathy Davison (R-Kemmerer) had heard concerns from her constituents about forced shots.
"I'm glad it did come up, because it was answered directly," said Bonner.
Officials from the Wyoming Department of Health stated that when it comes to H1N1 vaccination here, "There is nothing mandatory about it," Bonner said. He added that the program is wholly different from school vaccination programs.
In general, the US Centers for Disease Control is recommending that pregnant women, people with or caring for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between 6 months and 24 years old, and those with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems get vaccinations. The vaccine is not yet available.
The circulating email asks folks to email their legislators and ask them to make the vaccine available -- but only to those who seek it out. That is exactly the current plan, said Bonner.
"There is no place for legislation at this time in cases like this," he said, adding, "We are hoping the flu vaccine is available soon for at-risk populations."
As of Sept. 18, there were 199 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Wyoming.
As a final aside, in this writer's opinion, if the state of Wyoming tried to make residents bare their arms for shots, it seems more likely they'd bear their arms. Just a thought.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tomorrow's Tribune: 9-24
A peek at tomorrow's paper using quotes that didn't make the cut...
“I’ll ask myself the inevitable question here: why 318?” Yellowstone Deputy Park Superintendent Colin Campbell, speaking to a Cody Club luncheon about the park's proposed plan to cut snowmobile levels to a maximum of 318 per day. The reasoning and an update on the latest legal developments on page one.
“I don’t think anyone would want to vote against Family Day,” Mayor Scott Mangold, commenting after the Powell City Council’s unanimous approval of a proclamation that declares Monday “Family Day: A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.” For the story, see page 3.
“He’s a big blue thing. I don’t know how to explain it except he’s big and blue,” Powell native Anthony Masterson, trying to describe Uncle Slam, the mascot of the Pomotac Nationals. Masterson served as a broadcaster for the minor league club this summer, and he recapped his experience for the Tribune. Read about it on the Sports page (9).
“I’ll ask myself the inevitable question here: why 318?” Yellowstone Deputy Park Superintendent Colin Campbell, speaking to a Cody Club luncheon about the park's proposed plan to cut snowmobile levels to a maximum of 318 per day. The reasoning and an update on the latest legal developments on page one.
“I don’t think anyone would want to vote against Family Day,” Mayor Scott Mangold, commenting after the Powell City Council’s unanimous approval of a proclamation that declares Monday “Family Day: A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.” For the story, see page 3.
“He’s a big blue thing. I don’t know how to explain it except he’s big and blue,” Powell native Anthony Masterson, trying to describe Uncle Slam, the mascot of the Pomotac Nationals. Masterson served as a broadcaster for the minor league club this summer, and he recapped his experience for the Tribune. Read about it on the Sports page (9).
Monday, September 7, 2009
Video: Sleeping Giant heli-lift
Please be patient as the video player and video may take some time to load...
Last month, a helicopter crew zipped new ski lift equipment up the mountain and into place at the Sleeping Giant Ski Area up the North Fork. We wrote a story about the operation, and it was a few weeks back now, but nonetheless, in case anyone's interested, we've provided some video of the helicopter-lifting in action.
Tomorrow's Tribune: 9-8
A peek at tomorrow's paper using quotes (and a photo) that didn't make the cut...
“They’re whacking off 30 to 40 horses in the national forest simply because they’re calling them trespassers,” Ginger Kathrens of the Cloud Foundation, voicing frustration that roughly 39 wild horses grazing in the Custer National Forest will be driven out of the area and rounded up because they are outside the boundaries of their horse management area. It's a part of a current helicopter-driven Bureau of Land Management wild horse roundup (photographed by Gib Mathers above). The BLM's goal is reduce the Pryor Mountain mustang herd by capturing the horses and adopting out around 70 animals - a plan Kathrens opposes. A story about the process and controversy leads Tuesday's paper.
“This isn’t going to get done any time soon... which is probably good, because it’s pretty complex,” Rod Barton, chief executive officer of Powell Valley Healthcare talking about the expected time-line on congressional health reform. The third-part of a series on health care on page one.
“Tennis isn’t something you’re born to play. ... It’s not like sprinting or track where you come out of the womb ready to go,” Ray Bieber, Powell High School's head tennis coach talking about how the sport requires experience and developed skills. The Panthers had a tough set of matches against Cody on Thursday, but the young team will look to continue improving throughout the season. Some results on page 9.
“They’re whacking off 30 to 40 horses in the national forest simply because they’re calling them trespassers,” Ginger Kathrens of the Cloud Foundation, voicing frustration that roughly 39 wild horses grazing in the Custer National Forest will be driven out of the area and rounded up because they are outside the boundaries of their horse management area. It's a part of a current helicopter-driven Bureau of Land Management wild horse roundup (photographed by Gib Mathers above). The BLM's goal is reduce the Pryor Mountain mustang herd by capturing the horses and adopting out around 70 animals - a plan Kathrens opposes. A story about the process and controversy leads Tuesday's paper.“This isn’t going to get done any time soon... which is probably good, because it’s pretty complex,” Rod Barton, chief executive officer of Powell Valley Healthcare talking about the expected time-line on congressional health reform. The third-part of a series on health care on page one.
“Tennis isn’t something you’re born to play. ... It’s not like sprinting or track where you come out of the womb ready to go,” Ray Bieber, Powell High School's head tennis coach talking about how the sport requires experience and developed skills. The Panthers had a tough set of matches against Cody on Thursday, but the young team will look to continue improving throughout the season. Some results on page 9.
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