Snow water equivalent drops again; statewide average at 82 percent of normal
(Cheyenne, Wyo.) – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service released its sixth snow report of the season earlier today. Statewide, snow water equivalent has dropped two percent of normal compared to last week’s report. (Note: Not all the 1981-2010 30 yr averages and medians have been completed for all the southeastern basins.) Last year about this time the state median was 98% with a low of 63% and a high of 141% of median. This year the state median is 82% with a low of 30% and a high of 104% of median.
The map below may differ slightly from the table depending upon how many stations were reporting at the time or date.
This report and map showing SWE percentages for the state can be found at “http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/nrcs/nrcs.html”. Go to http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/normals/median_average.htm for median info.
red = down, blue = up, green = even, *data is suspect
| DRAINAGE BASIN |
1/7/2013 |
12/31/2012 |
12/24/2012 |
1/7/2012 |
12/31/2011 |
|
| SNAKE RIVER |
104 |
113 |
124 |
82 |
88 |
|
| MADISON |
100 |
110 |
117 |
80 |
85 |
|
| YELLOWSTONE |
101 |
109 |
117 |
104 |
112 |
|
| WIND RIVER |
96 |
100 |
104 |
96 |
103 |
|
| BIGHORN BASIN |
84 |
90 |
91 |
117 |
122 |
|
| SHOSHONE RIVER |
104 |
112 |
124 |
108 |
114 |
|
| POWDER |
90 |
91 |
95 |
108 |
111 |
|
| TONGUE |
69 |
66 |
71 |
141 |
142 |
|
| BELLE FOURCHE |
71 |
45 |
62 |
96 |
109 |
|
| CHEYENNE |
68 |
48 |
49 |
100 |
105 |
|
| UPPER N. PLATTE |
73 |
80 |
74 |
72 |
78 |
|
| SWEETWATER |
97 |
98 |
112 |
82 |
85 |
|
| LOWER N. PLATTE |
30 |
30 |
23 |
124 |
124 |
|
| LARAMIE |
69 |
77 |
74 |
86 |
93 |
|
| S. PLATTE |
64 |
72 |
70 |
109 |
116 |
|
| LITTLE SNAKE RIVER |
80 |
91 |
83 |
76 |
87 |
|
| UPPER GREEN |
96 |
104 |
116 |
80 |
84 |
|
| LOWER GREEN |
98 |
106 |
108 |
88 |
94 |
|
| UPPER BEAR |
94 |
105 |
103 |
63 |
68 |
|
| Weighted State Average |
82 |
84 |
87 |
98 |
103 |
Cowboys basketball makes national rankings
(Laramie, Wyo.) – With an undefeated record, the University of Wyoming men’s basketball team has reached the national rankings.
According to ESPN.com, Wyoming made the number 25 spot in the USA Today Coaches Poll. UW was also a contender for the AP’s Top 25 list, receiving 87 votes.
UW has an overall record of 13-0 this season, with nine of those wins coming at home. The streak marks the best opening record in team history. The previous high mark was 12 wins.
The team’s latest win came several days ago against Southern Methodist University in a 59-56 final score. UW will face Boise State on Wednesday.
Lander Council to host community center presentation; new members will be sworn in
By Joshua Scheer, reporter, county10.com
(Lander, Wyo.) – Tomorrow’s Lander City Council meeting will conclude with a public presentation of current community center plans.
The original community center was destroyed in a June 2012 fire. A steering committee has been working with the architectural firm Plan One Architects to design a replacement.
Tuesday’s presentation will provide an overview of the work so far. On Dec. 18, the council was given some of the information. Read that story here. After the presentation, there will be opportunities for the public to have individual discussions with the architects and steering committee members.
The regular council meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Lander City Hall. New councilors Wendell “Dick” Hudson and Dan Hahn, along with returning councilor Cade Maestas, will be sworn in at the start.
Eric Siwik of the Lander Volunteer Fire Department is set to be sworn in as the new Fire Chief.
Other items of business include: a grant application to the Lander District Recreation Board for the Arts and Science Center, an electrical service agreement with Rocky Mountain Power and writing-off several water accounts.
Irene Joyce Fegler
Irene Joyce Fegler, 91, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, lost a hard fought battle with Alzheimer’s on January 5, 2013. She passed away surrounded by family at Westward Heights in Lander. She was admitted there on November 30, 2012 with the hope of improving and extending her quality of life.
Irene was born November 23, 1921 in Melbeta, Scottsbluff County, Nebraska to Henry and Minnie (Miller) Reichert. She was the youngest of seven brothers and sisters. Cremation has taken place.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riverton. Pastor David Magruder will officiate with inurnment following at Mountain View Cemetery. A funeral dinner will immediately follow at the fellowship hall of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Irene Fegler spent her growing up years in Nebraska. She graduated from Gering High School in 1938, and immediately accepted a position at F.W. Woolworth’s in Scottsbluff. She held many positions there, working her way up to Assistant Manager.
On May 2, 1944, Irene married Harry H. Fegler. They first farmed in Nebraska on the Fegler farm, but moved to Wyoming in 1945 where Harry worked on his cousin’s farm growing potatoes, sugar beets and beans. In 1946, they ventured out and rented their own land. By 1950 they were able to purchase the materials to build their own farmhouse on a 40-acre home site on 17-Mile Road in upper Arapahoe. Irene and Harry remained in the farmhouse raising four children, Harlan, Sandy, Debbie and Steve, until they retired from farming and moved to Riverton in the Fall of 1976.
Irene was a homemaker, and helped on the family farm driving tractors and beet and grain trucks all the years they lived in Arapahoe. She was a 25-year member of the Wind River Homemakers Club, and served as an election judge in the Mill Creek voting district. She was an avid crossword puzzle fan and loved to read and stay abreast of current events. She was a good cook and was quick to set an extra plate for anyone who dropped in at mealtime on the farm.
In her retirement years Irene and Harry traveled in their mini home, enjoying winters in California with Irene’s sisters, and summers fishing at Boysen and camping at Worthen Meadows with family. Her favorite season was Spring. She was always eager to get out in her flower beds and see what new life was popping through the dirt. As the growing season progressed, she especially enjoyed her roses.
Irene was a big fan of the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies, and never missed a game on television. She knew all the players by name and always had her favorites. She also enjoyed following golf, especially Tiger Woods.
Family was everything to Irene. Her warmth, kindness, and generosity extended to her own generation as well as to her children’s and grandchildren’s. She is survived by her loving Husband of 68 years, Harry; Sons Harlan (and wife, Peggy) of Arapahoe, and Steve (and wife, Jeanna) north of Riverton; Daughters, Sandy (and husband, Eric) Martinez, west of Riverton, and Debbie Lucas, of Riverton; Grandchildren Thayne, Daryne (and wife, Kristi), Scot (and wife, Teffany) Fegler, Suzie (and husband, Travis) Koehn, Karri (and husband, Billy) Brost, Misty (and husband, Tony) Larvie, Robyn and Cory (and wife, Crissy) Lucas, and Jamie Fegler; Great Grandchildren Macey, KayLee, Camey, Blake, Tye and McAye Fegler, Kaitlin and Rylan Koehn, Brett and Jared Lucas, Lance, Zac and Caleb Larvie, Braden and Kamryn Brost, Step Grandchild Donald Grosch; Step Great Grandchildren Talin and Cole O’Neal, Lexy Brost, Mark Larvie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and her sisters.
The family would like to extend special thanks to all the family and friends who showed their love and support during this difficult time. A special thanks to the staff at Westward Heights in Lander.
Memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Riverton in care of the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main Street, Riverton, WY 82501.
On-line condolences for the family may be made at: theDavisFuneralHome.com.
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.
County Commissioners sworn in; tomorrow is first meeting of the new year
New and returning Fremont County Commissioners Stephanie Kessler, Doug Thompson and Larry Allen were sworn in to office Monday morning in the commission chambers. (Jeannette Curtis photo)
By Joshua Scheer, reporter, county10.com
(Lander, Wyo.) – The Fremont County Commission, now including new commissioners Stephanie Kessler and Larry Allen, as well as returning commissioner Doug Thompson, will meet for the first time in 2013 tomorrow at 9 a.m.
The meeting will be held in the commission chambers at the Fremont County Courthouse in Lander.
Earlier today, commissioners Kessler, Allen and Thompson were sworn in to office by Ninth District Court Judge Norman E. Young. A small reception followed. Former Commissioners Dennis Christensen and Pat Hickerson were defeated in the 2012 elections.
Tuesday’s meeting will begin with acceptance of bills, election of officers and liaison designations.
Transportation Superintendent Dave Pendleton will give a department update, which will be followed by a Community Development Block Grant public hearing regarding a proposed water line loop project along Highway 789. Read a previous story about the project here.
At 10:30 p.m., Weed and Pest District Supervisor Lars Baker will give a year-end report.
Other topics for the morning include a Dubois property purchase for an ambulance station and an update on the day reporting center.
In the afternoon, starting at 1:30 p.m., commissioners will tour the county offices.
Mileage rates, the 2013 meeting schedule and the county’s logo policy are also slated for discussion.
LEADER meeting to hear about 1 percent sale tax projects
Police Blotter: Arrests; Death of 30-year-old in Riverton under investigation; Man finds passed out individuals in his home on Sunday
(Updated at 4:10 p.m. to include some RPD call information.)
(Lander, Wyo.) – Monday’s law enforcement recap from across Fremont County.
Fremont County Coroner
Fremont County Coroner Ed McAuslan said his office is investigating the death of Jason Andrew Gillenwater, 30, of Riverton. “He was found dead at his residence Saturday morning,” McAuslan said. An autopsy was conducted yesterday and preliminary findings were inconclusive. McAuslan said full autopsy results will be available in four to six weeks. The Sheriff’s Office call log listed the 10:49 a.m. call as a report of an overdose.
Fremont County Sheriff’s Office
Arrests:
Charles Brown, 56, Arapahoe, Simple Assault and Interference with an Emergency Call.
Shaniece Headley, 19, Arapahoe, Driving Under the Influence and No Valid Driver’s License.
Bernard King, 47, Riverton, Failure to Appear Warrant.
Christopher Sebring, 20, Riverton, Driving Under the Influence, Minor in Possession and Duty Unattended Vehicle.
Wanda Spoonhunter, 43, Riverton, Criminal Trespass. “The Fremont County Sheriff is investigating a break-in that occurred early Sunday morning in the 7200 block of Riverview Road,” said Sheriff’s Capt. Ryan Lee in a news release. “The owner of the home had arrived shortly after 6:00AM to find a disabled vehicle in his drive way and an intoxicated person sleeping on his couch. The intruder was awoken by responding Deputies and arrested for Criminal Trespass; she is identified as 43 year old Wanda Spoon hunter of Riverton. Spoonhunter’s two accomplices had left the area prior to the homeowner arriving, presumably leaving Spoonhunter behind after obtaining a separate ride out of the area. Spoon hunter was taken to the Fremont County Jail. The suspects are believed to have entered the home after their car broke down. They then helped themselves to food, some alcohol, articles of clothing, and then sat around smoking cigarettes in the home. We do have some property that was found missing, we are treating the case as a burglary, and the incident is under investigation.”
Gordon Smily, 71, Riverton, cited for No Valid Driver’s License and Hit and Run. The citation was issued Sunday afternoon following a 2:31 p.m. report of a drunk driver on Missouri Valley Road. Lee said Smiley was not intoxicated but does have vision problems.
Calls:
“A hit and run incident occurred Sunday morning on East Park in Riverton,” Lee said in a news release. “A 1995 Ford Mustang was found to have collided with an unattended parked vehicle and then a fence in the 2000 block of East Park. Witnesses reported that two people fled from the vehicle after the collision, they were not located. The vehicle has been impounded, the owner has not presented himself to law enforcement as of Monday morning and the case is still under investigation.”
“The Sheriff’s Office is looking into suspicious circumstances that were reported Sunday afternoon along the CD snow machine trail near Union Pass,” Lee said. “Basically someone located what appeared to be a large amount of blood near the route, the suspected blood then trailed away for a considerable distance along the route. Members of the Fremont County Search and Rescue Dubois Division had been in the area conducting a training exercise. They tracked the suspected blood trail for some distance before it disappeared. At this time we do not have any reports of anyone missing. The Sheriff’s Office also did not receive any reports of anyone suffering any serious injuries in the area. We do not have any concrete evidence that the blood is even human; however given the totality of the circumstances, we are looking into the matter; the incident is under investigation as of today.”
At 8:12 p.m. on Friday, deputies received a call from a woman who said she was fired from a business in Kinnear. She said the owner called her several bad names. The caller said she was walking home when the owner’s wife allegedly drove by and swerved as if to hit her. Deputies were unable to contact the woman.
Riverton Police Department
Arrests:
Ed Brown, 53, Riverton, for Public Intoxication. At 7:40 p.m. on Sunday, police were called to the Fremont County Alcohol Crisis center for a report of a subject who punched a staff member in the nose. Capt. Eric Murphy said Brown had a .27 BAC.
Shaun Farris, 33, Ethete, for Shoplifting, Resisting Arrest and Public Intoxication. Camille Goodman, 30, Arapahoe, Resisting and Failure to Appear Warrant. The pair was arrested in connection with a 12:59 p.m. call on Sunday for a man caught stealing a bottle of alcohol at Smith’s Food and Drug Center.
Amber Kealer, 28, Riverton, Driving Under the Influence.
Sterling Howell, 36, Riverton, Contempt of Court.
Charles Geboe, 42, Riverton, Contempt of Court and Failure to Appear warrants.
Chauncey Friday, 46, Ethete, Shoplifting and Failure to Appear Warrants.
Raphael Truyen, 57, Riverton, Driving Under the Influence.
William Hubbard, 42, St. Stephen’s, Driving Under the Influence, Open Container and Contempt of Court.
Dwight Begay, 25, Riverton, Public Intoxication.
Calls:
Specific call information was not readily available for Friday and Saturday calls. This will be updated when possible.
At 1 a.m. on Sunday, police were called to the 600 block of West Main Street for a report of a red east-bound SUV that almost struck the caller’s vehicle head-on. Police were unable to locate the suspect vehicle.
At 12:48 p.m. on Sunday, a caller from Remax All Star Realty reported a broken glass door at the business.
At 1:38 p.m., Sunday police took a report on the 1400 block of Redwood Drive about the window of a green 1997 Ford Explorer with a broken back windshield.
Lander Police Department
Arrests:
Jacob Griffin, 27, Lander, Driving While Suspended, No Interlock Device and Speed Contest on a highway. Sgt. Ron Wells said an officer observed a grey GMC pickup truck and a white Subaru start a drag race on the 500 block of Main Street at 2:29 p.m. on Friday. The officer was only able to stop the pickup but was able to get registration information for the second vehicle. Contact with the other driver is pending, Wells said. Griffin was arrested as the driver of the pickup.
Calls:
Wells said a traffic stop was initiated on the 900 block of Main Street at 11:34 a.m. on Friday after an officer observed an expired registration on a vehicle that crossed the center line a couple times. In the process of the stop, the driver of the vehicle pulled on to the lawn of the Silver Spur Motel. Wells said field sobriety tests were done and it was determined the driver was not intoxicated but suffering from low blood sugar. The 50-year-old Rock Springs man was cited for driving with a suspended license. He was transported to Lander Regional Hospital for care.
At 1:01 p.m. on Friday, police were called to the intersection of Third and Main Streets for a report of a blue SUV that almost hit a pedestrian. The female pedestrian told officers she had the right of way and a vehicle making a turn came so close to her she was able to slap it as it went by. The plate information supplied by the woman did not match the vehicle’s description.
At 12:34 p.m. on Saturday, police were called to the Oxbow Restaurant for a report of a dual hit and run. Witness reported seeing a vehicle sideswipe one car and then back into another, Wells said. After a witness supplied plate information, officers tracked the vehicle to Harold Davis, 90, of Lander. Davis has not been cited, Wells said, but a review of his license is under way.
At 2:26 p.m. on Saturday, police received a report of a gray Ford Explorer that left the Maverik gas station without paying for $78.53 in gas, Wells said. Officers were unable to locate the vehicle.
At 4:51 p.m. on Saturday, a Lander man reported approximately 50 pieces of firewood stolen from his residence on the 700 block of North Third Street. The man was unsure exactly when in the past few days the theft occurred.
On Sunday afternoon, police received several calls about a man who was possibly intoxicated driving back and forth between his home and Westward Heights Care Center. Ultimately, police were able to make contact with the individual and he was deemed to not be intoxicated.
The Lander Police Department wants to make individuals aware of a new e-mail scam that has started to hit the Lander area. The scam involves an e-mail allegedly from a close friend or family member who took an unannounced trip to the Philippines. The e-mail then states the relatives were mugged, lost all their money and were unable to return to the states without financial assistance.
Riverton Little League to meet with council about field issues; public hearing to be held on allowing chickens within city limits
By Joshua Scheer, reporter, county10.com
(Riverton, Wyo.) – The Riverton Little League is scheduled to address the Riverton City Council with concerns regarding the city-owned fields the club uses.
The discussion will be part of the council’s regular meeting set to begin at 7 p.m. tomorrow night in the council chambers at Riverton City Hall. A pre-metting will be held at 6:45 p.m. Prior to addressing business, a presentation will be given to out-going councilor Diana Mahoney, and new and returning councilors Todd Smith, Lars Baker and Jonathan Faubion will be sworn into office.
In a letter to the council, Little League President Jason Muehler lists a number of issues he’d like to see the city address.
“The first and what we believe is the most important is the current location of our fields on Smith Road,” he wrote. “We know that there have been issues with environmental quality due to the fields being built over a garbage dump site. We would like to know if there have been any discussions regarding closure of our current location due to those concerns.”
Other concerns Muehler lists for discussion are drainage issues, soil problems, Geotextile complications, site conditions and odor.
The council is also set to host a public hearing on allowing chickens in city limits. Along with that are first readings of amended ordinances to allow for the birds.
Another public hearing will be held to address a Community Development Block Grant application authorization for Community Entry Services to pursue planning for a Level 2 dementia facility.
National Register of Historic Places lists Atlantic City’s Carpenter Hotel.
This photo fo the Carpenter Hotel was taken in 1913.
(Atlantic City, Wyo.) – The Carpenter Hotel Historic District became Wyoming’s latest addition to the National Register of Historic Places on Dec. 12, 2012. The inclusive years of historic significance for the hotel range from 1904 to 1961.
Nellie Carpenter and her eldest daughter, Ellen, began accommodating overnight and long-term guests in six hotel rooms during a resurgent Atlantic City gold rush in 1904. When a dredge was placed on Rock Creek in 1935 the Carpenters expanded the hotel with five more hotel rooms, five log cabins, and living quarters for Ellen. Ellen accommodated guests and cooked meals at the hotel until her passing in 1961.
During the Carpenters’ time the hotel dining room also housed the Atlantic City post office, where Ellen was postmistress, and the town’s first public telephone. At one point there was also a filling station on the property.
In the 1950s Ellen ran the only business in Atlantic City, renting hotel rooms for $1 a night and serving meals for 50 cents each. A couple from New York City stayed at the Carpenter Hotel during that period and in 1963 bought the hotel from Ellen’s estate. Out of respect for Miss Ellen the couple, Gina and Paul Newman, changed the name to Miner’s Delight Inn when they added a liquor license to complement the gourmet meals they served at the inn.
The Carpenter Hotel, as Miner’s Delight Inn Bed & Breakfast, is likely the only remaining Atlantic City business that is still being used for its original purpose. Current owners, Barbara and Bob Townsend, are in their seventh year at the inn. Barbara worked for more than 100 hours to compile the information and photographs needed to nominate the Carpenter Hotel for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Barbara’s inspiration for the project was Betty (Carpenter) Pfaff. As a girl Betty spent many summers helping her Aunt Ellen at the hotel. Betty provided a wealth of information that led to her family’s hotel being added to the register.
The Townsends thank Betty and other members of the Carpenter family for sharing their memories, newspaper clippings, photographs, and time. “We congratulate the Carpenters for the national recognition of their family hotel’s rich history,” Barbara Townsend said.
–Wind River Visitor’s Council
Future of Lander’s WLRC to be debated in upcoming legislative session
The Riverton Chamber of Commerce hosted a Meet Your Legislator day last month. Fifteen different groups and organizations have scheduled appointments. At 10 o’clock, Shawn Griffin and members of his staff from Community Entry Services met with, from right, St. Rep. Rita Campbell, St. Rep.-elect Lloyd Larsen, St. Rep. David Miller and St. Sen. Eli Bebout. (Ernie Over photo)
By Ernie Over, managing edtior, county10.com
(Lander, Wyo.) – When the Wyoming Legislature convenes later this week in Cheyenne, the fate of Lander’s single largest employer will be one topic of discussion. Not only is the Wyoming Department of Health’s Wyoming Life Resource Center (formerly known as the State Training School) facing budget reductions with all other state agencies, the Joint Interim Labor Committee will be introducing a bill that calls for a study of the WLRC’s future.
State Senator Cale Case, R-Lander, and State Representatives Rita Campbell, R-Missouri Valley; and Patrick Goggles, D-Ethete, and Rep. Elect Lloyd Larsen, R-Lander, met in late December with representatives from the Friends of the WLRC and the Health Department to discuss the pending legislation and budget issues.
Case said the lawmakers were impressed with the individual stories presented about the importance of the WLRC, and he said they could be key to the institution’s future. Case has written to the Department of Health asking that he be allowed to have a letter sent to each parent and guardian of residents at the center informing them of the legislation and ways they could respond. Due to the Federal Health Information Protection and Portability Act, or HIPPA, privacy laws, those names and addresses are kept confidential.
“I am convinced that telling legislators our individual stories is the key to evolving the proposed study bill into one that is more balanced and securing the future of the Life Resource Center,” Case said in an email following the meeting.
Larsen said he would also strongly urge the Department of Health to make sure that all families and guardians of WRLC residents be contacted so they know what is going on and be able to contact their individual legislators, member of the Labor Committee and the Friends group.
Members of the Labor Committee earlier suggested reductions at the WRLC could reduce costs, and thus budget expenditures there. The committee this fall drafted a study bill that could be finalized during the upcoming session.
Case said one possible avenue to reduce expenditures at the institution that he would explore once the session began would be the acceptance of additional clients with dual diagnoses of Developmental Disability and Mental Health. “More clients would lower average costs and make the Center more economical,” Case said.
The President of the Friends of the Wyoming Life Resource Center, Paul DeBock, attended the last meeting of the Labor Interim Committee in Cheyenne in mid December and was able to convicnce the panel to add a friendly amendement to the bill.
“The final outcome is the families, parents, and guardians will be consulted pre-and-post study on all of the areas of the study and they will be given the opportunity to have their comments included in the record… to be submitted back to the committee,” he said in an email to county10.com. “This is very important if this study does in fact happen because if the guardians don’t know what is going on, which many right now do not, then there is nothing they can do to stand up and have their voices heard. Now the Department of Health has no choice but to hear the stories, comments and concerns about this study and how each individual client and family will/can be impacted.”
DeBock had also requested that the study be conducted by an independent, outside entity, rather than by the Health Department.
“Our first request (to the committee) was the Governor be directed in the bill to appoint an independent non-biased committee to conduct the study,” he said. “Our fear is that with the strict direction that the Governor has given to all department heads to cut costs and budgets that the Department of Health could easily show bias in the report they submit to the committee making it easier to downsize or close WLRC in the future saving the state money but shifting those costs to already struggling community organizations and families.”
That request was rejected by the panel, due to time and financial constraints.
County10.com will continue to follow this issue in the legislative session. View a previous story on the issue here.
