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SEX ASSAULT-RETRIAL
Businessman released from prison after conviction overturned
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming businessman whose sexual assault conviction was overturned last week is out of prison as he waits to hear whether prosecutors will re-try him. The Casper Star-Tribune reports that Tony Cercy paid the required $100,000 bail Tuesday and was released from the Newcastle prison camp where he had been serving a six- to eight year prison sentence. The Wyoming Supreme Court overturned his third-degree sexual assault conviction after finding that that jurors weren't properly instructed on state law regarding the crime. District Attorney Dan Itzen wants to speak to the alleged victim and her family before deciding what to do next.
EXCHANGE-WYOMING BEEF
The next big market for Wyoming beef: Wyoming
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming has deep pride in its ranching industry. But real Wyoming beef can be tough to find in-state. It's a problem compounded by high demand outside Wyoming, a growing international market and a lack of USDA-certified processing facilities. That forces many Wyoming ranchers to sell to larger packers at a fraction of what they could make independently. The status quo will change soon: A Laramie processing plant and retail facility is set to open within a year. It will join another such plant in Fremont County and help small producers who want to sell locally.
ROCKIES WEATHER
Colorado, Wyoming start new year with lots of snow and wind
Parts of Colorado and Wyoming started the new year with lots of snow and wind. Interstate 25 was shut down near the Wyoming-Colorado border Wednesday after the Wyoming Highway Patrol says winds up to 70 mph overturned some vehicles and pushed others off the road. Video from Denver's KMGH-TV showed the driver of one truck lose control on I-25 and swing across both lanes and into the median. In the mountains, over 20 inches of snow was possible in the Tetons and the Sierra Madre and Snowy ranges through Thursday. In Colorado, the heaviest snowfall is expected near Rabbit Ears Pass.
HUNTING LICENSE APPLICATIONS
Hunters can begin applying for Wyoming licenses Jan. 2
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming wildlife officials have announced plans to open hunting applications for six different big game species and wild turkey in January. Rocket-Miner reported Thursday that the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will open applications Thursday for elk, deer, antelope, spring turkey, moose, sheep and mountain goat. Department officials say the first deadline is Jan. 31 for resident and nonresident spring turkey hunters and nonresident elk hunters. Department officials say tentative season information for elk, deer and antelope would not be listed in the application packet but is expected to be available for moose, sheep and mountain goats. Additional information is available on the department planner.
OIL-GAS PERMITTING
New Wyoming rule seeks to boost oil, gas permit competition
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A new rule in Wyoming seeks to reduce a record number of applications for permits to drill oil and gas wells. The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rule makes it easier for other developers and mineral owners to challenge permit applications and contest permits when drilling doesn't begin right away. Recently companies with no immediate plans to drill in have been applying for multiple permits to secure control over potential drilling areas in Wyoming. The commission received almost 70,000 drilling permit applications in just three years, creating a backlog of thousands of permit applications and protests from competing operators.
ARSONIST-DRUG TREATMENT
Wyoming man who set fires sentenced to drug treatment
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming man who pleaded guilty to setting fires has been sentenced to a drug treatment program after serving nearly a year in jail. The Laramie Boomerang reported 23-year-old Samuel Pennington has been jailed since Jan. 15 for causing fires around Laramie between September 2018 and January 2019. Pennington was charged with seven counts of third-degree arson and three counts of burglary. Investigators say Pennington started vehicle, dumpster and trash compactor fires. A district court judge suspended an 8-10 year prison sentence and ordered Pennington to complete an in-patient treatment program or Laramie County’s drug court program.
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