Daily news roundup, Jan. 10, 2008
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Jan 10, 2008 Posted by Bill Luckett
Lotsa news today! To begin, Gov. Freudenthal wants to generate ideas to answer this question: “How do we continue to enjoy a thriving economy and still keep in mind the kind of Wyoming we want our children and grandchildren to enjoy?” To suggest some answers, the governor’s office is sponsoring the “Building the Wyoming We Want” conference today and Friday at Casper College's Gertrude Krampert Theatre. Topics will include roads, subdivisions, development patterns, open spaces and wildlife, water, sewers and septic systems, and the increasing costs for local governments:
‘Building the Wyoming We Want’ agenda
Meanwhile, the governor is among three undecideds in this Associated Press story on where your five Wyoming Democratic Party superdelegates stand on the 2008 presidential race (the other two back Obama):
The Jackson Hole paper reports that action is still pending on two congressional bills of importance to Teton County residents – the Snake Headwaters Legacy Act and the Wyoming Range Legacy Act:
Our senior senator comments on the future of energy:
The Wyoming Water Development Commission approved a resolution Wednesday in Casper to delay any public hearing on the proposed Kendall Reservoir dam on the Green River until next fall:
The Green River Star reports that opponents of Green River’s new smoking ban have forged ahead with their petition to repeal the law, despite the City Council’s decision to exclude bars from the ban:
Petition filed despite changes to ordinance
The Cody Enterprise reports on preparations for a group hoping to find avalanche and winter access solutions on Sylvan Pass as it readies for a Jan. 28-30 meeting in Billings. The Sylvan Pass Study Group was authorized by wording in the Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks’ winter use Record of Decision that was signed Nov. 20. If the group cannot come up with a workable plan by June 1, the Park Service will proceed to close Yellowstone’s East Entrance in winter, claiming avalanche danger threatens both park employees and the public:
Sylvan Pass Study Group prepares for meeting
Wyoming Public Radio reports that Wyoming’s Office of Consumer Advocate is challenging the size of an electric rate increase sought by Rocky Mountain Power:
Consumer Advocate says electric increase too high
The Gillette News-Record tells us that Campbell County school trustees plan to explore the idea of providing land for an affordable-housing model in their booming county:
School trustees mull proposed housing plan
Also from the Gillette paper, Mayor Duane Evenson says revitalizing Gillette’s downtown area will require significant investment and strong involvement of downtown business owners:
Mayor: Business must pitch in for downtown remodel
Casper-area law enforcement officials are pursuing legislation that would require drunken driving suspects to remain in jail until they sober up. The announcement comes nine days after a drunken driving suspect was charged with dragging a Casper man underneath a car shortly after being released from jail. The dragging victim suffered massive internal injuries and remains hospitalized:
Officials seek law to keep DUI suspects in jail
Although methamphetamine use may be on the decline, it's not time for the Cowboy State to declare victory. So cautioned Casper Police Chief Tom Pagel at the opening of the fifth annual Methamphetamine and Substance Abuse Conference in Casper:
Meth conference opens in Casper
The Laramie Boomerang reports that John Barrasso spoke at the meth conference: