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CHURCH ABUSE-WYOMING BISHOP-INVESTIGATIONS
Church: Wyoming sex abuse queries lacked victim cooperation
(Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com)
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Two Catholic Church officials who succeeded a Wyoming bishop accused of sexual abuse say a lack of victim cooperation hampered the investigations.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports at least 16 men said they were abused by former Bishop Joseph Hart, who retired in 2001.
Bishop David Ricken took over for Hart in Wyoming before transferring to Wisconsin in 2008. He was followed by Bishop Paul Etienne, who headed the Cheyenne diocese until 2016.
The diocese says a 2002 allegation against Hart was forwarded by Ricken to police but was dropped due to a lack of alleged victim cooperation.
The church says Etienne requested a Vatican investigation into Hart in 2010, but did not initiate his own investigation because alleged victims "were not willing to speak."
Hart has denied all allegations.
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BODY FOUND-CODY
Wyoming homicide victim identified as Cheyenne woman
(Information from: The Billings (Mont.) Gazette, [, http://www.billingsgazette.com](<, http://www.billingsgazette.com>))
CODY, Wyo. (AP) — Investigators say a homicide victim found in northern Wyoming was a 40-year-old woman from Cheyenne.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation on Tuesday identified the victim as Angela Elizondo.
A hunter found her body off Wyoming Highway 120 outside Cody on Saturday.
Investigators say a suspect arrested is a 45-year-old man from Cheyenne. They haven't released his name but Park County records show 45-year-old Joseph Carl Underwood was jailed early Sunday on five potential charges including mutilating or disposing of a dead body in a hidden location.
Jail records show Underwood was arrested near where the body was found and being held on $1 million bond.
The Billings Gazette reports investigators believe Elizondo was killed elsewhere before being left in the remote area.
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WYOMING-MEDIA SHIELD LAW
Wyoming broadcaster group to push for media shield law
(Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com)
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Association of Broadcasters says it will push state lawmakers to pass a media shield law.
Wyoming is the only U.S. state without legal protections for journalists who refuse to provide the names of confidential sources to law enforcement officers.
Such laws can encourage whistleblowers to report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.
Wyoming Association of Broadcasters lobbyist Laura Grott says Wyoming lacks a shield law not because of opposition but lack of effort by Wyoming media.
The broadcast journalist group unveiled the proposal at a recent meeting of the Legislature's Joint Judiciary Committee.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports the Wyoming Press Association has largely resisted a media shield law. The newspaper organization argues existing First Amendment protections are enough for the press and their sources.
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WYOMING-QUARTERBACK
Knee injury ends season for Wyoming quarterback Chambers
(Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com)
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming quarterback Sean Chambers will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
Tyler Vander Waal will take over as the Cowboys' starting quarterback Saturday against No. 21 Boise State.
Chambers took a hit to his knee during a 2-yard touchdown run Oct. 26 against Nevada. Chambers returned briefly in the second quarter but missed the second half.
Head coach Craig Bohl said Monday the injury is more severe than originally thought. Bohl says Chambers' long-term prospects are good, however.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports Vander Waal started nine games for Wyoming (6-2, 3-1 Mountain West) in 2018. Chambers took over as starter late in the season and played two full games before breaking his fibula.
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LONGEST-SERVING EDUCATION EMPLOYEE
Wyoming education employee celebrated after 50 years
(Information from: Wyoming Tribune Eagle, http://www.wyomingnews.com)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Department of Education has named a conference room after the longest-serving department employee to commemorate decades of her work.
Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that Superintendent Jillian Balow honored Rita Watson Monday with a plaque and surprise dedication for her 50-year work anniversary.
Department officials say Watson, her husband and Balow ate with Republican state Gov. Mark Gordon and his wife Friday to celebrate the milestone.
Officials say they plan to place a plaque outside the room as a tribute to her career.
Balow says Watson has worked for every superintendent of public instruction since 1974.
Watson says one of her favorite parts of the job was enabling others to do their best and she hopes to be remembered by her work ethic and love for the job.
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WEST YELLOWSTONE FIRE
Commercial building, 2 houses burn in West Yellowstone
(Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com)
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — An early-morning fire burned a commercial building and two homes in West Yellowstone.
Police Chief Scott Newell tells the Bozeman Daily Chronicle an officer spotted the flames at 2:19 a.m. Tuesday. The fire had engulfed one building and was starting to spread when are fire departments arrived.
West Yellowstone officers and the Hebgen Basin Rural Fire Department evacuated some residents in the area of the fire.
Newell says the fire was contained at around 9 a.m. The cause is still under investigation.
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