Republican state senator endorses Democrat

10:25 a.m. Updated to add Cindy Hill's Republican endorsements

During political campaigns, candidate endorsements are common, but a few recent endorsements are a little unusual, including the endorsement of a Democratic candidate by a prominent Republican Park County state senator.

In addition, two prominent Wyoming political leaders have issued endorsements in the race for Park County clerk. Gov. Dave Freudental has officially endorsed Democratic candidate Kelly Jensen, while Republican Jerri Torczon has received the official endorsement of from U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.

While top Wyoming officials often express support for candidates in local elections, it is unusual for them to issue formal endorsements in local races.

An even more unusual endorsement was issued this week by Wyoming state Sen. Hank Coe of Cody, a Republican, in support of Mike Massie, the Democratic candidate for state superintendent of public instruction.

Coe, who is chairman of the Senate Education Committee, said in a release, “Education is not about being a Republican or Democrat. When it comes to the Superintendent of Public Instruction position, it is about who knows the issues and who is qualified for the job.”

Citing Massie’s work on educational issues as a member of the Wyoming Legislature, Coe said “There are few people I know that understand what it takes to make our schools better than Mike does.”

Massie’s ability to work with people is another important qualification for the office, Coe said.

Another Republican state senator, Bruce Burns of Sheridan, also endorsed Massie.

Though not unusual, Republican superintendent candidate Cindy Hill has racked up a host of GOP endorsements -- with Wyoming U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Enzi, 18 state representatives and six state senators (including Ray Peterson, R-Cowley) among them.

(Tribune reporter Don Amend wrote this post.)

Panther girls win state title

Get the fire engines ready for a parade through the streets. The Powell High School girls' cross country team is bringing home their third state championship in the past five years after running away from the competition in Douglas.

Freshman Sierra Morrow and sophomore Tally Wells, both in their first year of competition, earned all-state honors after placing fifth and seventh, respectively. In all, the Panthers finished with five of the 16 fastest runners at the 3A championships to score a decisive 30-point margin of victory over 3A West rival Jackson. Lander edged Cody on a sixth-runner tiebreak for third place honors.

The Panther boys are also bringing back some hardware with a third-place finish at this year's state championships. Running for a measure of redemption after a fifth-place team finish at the regional meet last week, the Panthers found that and then some. Bodie Friday placed 13th to finish as Powell's top runner as PHS leapfrogged three teams that finished ahead of it in the regional standings, placing third behind state champion Jackson and state runner-up Newcastle.

Pictures and details of the Panthers' state cross country haul will appear in Tuesday's edition of the Powell Tribune .

Who do you want to see at the 2011 Park County Fair?

On a scale of 1 to 5, where would you rate Air Supply, the popular 1980s rock duo?

Park County Fair organizers are posing that question to residents in a online survey of possible live concert performers for the 2011 fair. They are considering both country and classic rock performers, and seek the public’s help in selecting who will perform at the Park County Fair next July.

The online survey lists 10 musical acts for participants to rate on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the most preferred).

Residents also can say whether they prefer country music or classic rock. The survey has a comment box for additional feedback or questions.

To take the online survey, visit the fair's web site.

A paper version of the survey can be obtained from the Park County Library locations in Powell, Cody and Meeteetse.

Tour Cody’s new airport terminal Wednesday

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m., the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After Hours tour of the new Yellowstone Regional Airport’s terminal building.

There is a $5 entry fee and the tour is open to the public.

Tara Raymond of the terminal’s The Landing restaurant will present new menu items and offer samples.

The new terminal is tentatively slated to open for business in December.

Video: Boeing's 747-8 over Powell

The low-flying test run of Boeing's new 747-8 aircraft Saturday morning over Powell was hard to miss with the naked eye, but apparently -- at least among Tribune staffers -- it was a little harder to catch with a camera lens.

As a Tribune reader noted today in a comment on our site, we didn't have photos of the plane.

This reporter actually had his camera out when the jet passed -- with even the zoom lens on, and the lens cap off -- but was obliviously snapping photos in the wrong direction and never saw it.

Fortunately, rural Powell resident Andrew Cubbage spotted the jet as it turned near Powell, and whipped out his video camera. He kindly shared what he shot with the Tribune. It's embedded below.

The flight originated from, and headed back to, Glasgow, Mont., where the 747-8 is reportedly undergoing spray certification testing.

If the plane looked really big, there's a good reason for that: the new aircraft is more than 250 feet long and 224 feet wide. The freighter version will be able to carry a maximum payload of more than 300,000 pounds. Equipped for passengers, the 747-8 Intercontinental will hold up to 467 folks and carry them up to 8,000 nautical miles before refueling. This model of the jet is bigger and more fuel efficient than earlier 747s.

Powell residents hoping to catch another glimpse of the new craft may have to wait a while. Boeing announced last week that the 747-8 Freighter will not be ready for delivery until mid-2011; the passenger version is slated to arrive later next year.

If you snapped any photos of the big plane passing over Powell skies and feel like sharing them, please let us know. Shoot me an email at cj@powelltribune.com.