Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LARGE METH BUST
2 caught with nearly 22 pounds of meth in Wyoming sentenced
(Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com)
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Two Californians who were caught with nearly 22 pounds (nearly 10 kilograms) of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in southern Wyoming have been sentenced.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports Adrian Reyna Sr. was sentenced Wednesday to one month shy of 11 years in federal prison, while Andrea Aldaco received a seven-year term. The two, who are from Wasco, California, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute.
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper pulled over Reyna's rental car on Interstate 80 in Albany County in February and found 20 vacuum-sealed bags filled with a white substance in the trunk. Investigators say the bags were filled with 21.7 pounds of 90-percent pure methamphetamine.
According to court records, the two were transporting the drugs for an unknown drug trafficking organization.
___
CHURCH ABUSE-WYOMING BISHOP
Missouri diocese: More abuse claims against bishop credible
(Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com)
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A Roman Catholic diocese in Missouri says three people who accuse a former Wyoming bishop of sexual abuse are credible.
The three have raised allegations against Bishop Joseph Hart over the past year.
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri, spokesman Jack Smith says two allege abuse in Wyoming but a review board considered only alleged abuse in Missouri.
Hart was a priest in Kansas City, Missouri, before moving to Wyoming in 1976 and eventually becoming bishop.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports several people allege Hart sexually abused them as children.
Hart has denied the allegations and his attorney, Tom Jubin, did not return a message Wednesday seeking comment.
The Missouri diocese has reached legal settlements with at least 10 alleged victims. The Wyoming diocese says it has substantiated six allegations.
___
WYOMING EDUCATION
Wyoming students test above national average
(Information from: Wyoming Tribune Eagle, http://www.wyomingnews.com)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming students have scored higher than national averages on standardized reading and math tests.
Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress released Tuesday reflects the academic proficiency scores of about 8,900 Wyoming students across about 210 schools.
School officials say Wyoming students outperformed its six neighboring states in fourth-grade math recording 87% of scores were at or above the basic achievement level.
Officials say the state tied its neighbors in fourth-grade reading, eighth-grade reading and eighth-grade math.
Officials say state score averages for special education students also surpassed the national averages.
School officials say data from the nationwide assessment was also categorized by geographic lines showing Wyoming students outscored national averages in cities, towns and rural regions.
___
GRAND TETON-ELK HUNTING
Annual Grand Teton elk hunt begins Saturday
MOOSE, Wyo. (AP) — An annual elk hunt is about to begin in Grand Teton National Park.
Wildlife managers have authorized 375 permits for this year's hunt, which begins Saturday.
They will allow hunting in an area mainly east of U.S. Highway 89 in the southeast part of Grand Teton in western Wyoming. Hunting in two different portions of the hunt area will end on Nov. 25 and Dec. 8.
Hunting typically isn't allowed in national parks but the 1950 law authorizing Grand Teton allows elk hunting in the park. Park officials call the hunt an "elk reduction program" intended to cull animals in the Jackson elk herd.
Hunters must abide by several rules that often don't apply outside the park. They include requirements to carry bear spray and use non-lead ammunition.
YELLOWSTONE BRIDGE
Park Service proposes new Yellowstone bridge
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — The National Park Service proposes to replace a bridge in Yellowstone National Park.
The bridge over the Yellowstone River near Tower dates to the 1960s and its concrete is deteriorating.
Yellowstone officials say options for a new bridge include a span located 500 feet (150 meters) south of the existing one and building a new bridge just north of the existing bridge.
In either case, the bridge would be widened from 24 to 30 feet (7 to 9 meters).
Park officials will take public comments on the proposals until Nov. 16. They plan to release an environmental study in the spring and decide on the project next summer.
VAPING ILLNESSES-WYOMING
Wyoming records first 2 vaping illness cases
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming has recorded its first two cases of vaping-related illnesses.
The cases announced Wednesday occurred in Uinta and Park counties around the second week of September. Wyoming Department of Health spokeswoman Kim Deti says both people were hospitalized.
The illnesses are prompting the department and Gov. Mark Gordon to warn people to avoid vaping products containing THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
Symptoms of vaping illness include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports over 1,600 lung injury cases and 34 deaths nationwide.
About 80 percent of cases involve THC use.
Gordon says he has told the department to investigate ways Wyoming can address vaping-associated illness.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
