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UNIVERSITY-PRESIDENT SEARCH
University of Wyoming president finalists to visit campus
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — University of Wyoming officials say the search for the school's next president has narrowed to three finalists, all of whom are expected to visit the campus next week. University spokesman Chad Baldwin says the finalists' names will likely be announced soon. He says the details of the visits are not final, but the plan is for the candidates to attend events with students, faculty and staff. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the board of trustees will conduct interviews with the finalists at the end of the month, with a decision possible by the first week of March.
HIGHWAYS CLOSED-WINTER CONDITIONS
US 30, I-80 closed to westbound traffic in western Nebraska
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Westbound traffic into Wyoming has been halted in western Nebraska. Authorities said Monday that U.S. Highway 30 is closed from 9 miles west of Brule to the Wyoming state line. The Nebraska Transportation Department says Interstate 80 is closed from Big Springs west to the state line. Wyoming authorities report that much of I-80 has been closed to travelers because of whiteout and other winter conditions.
SPARKLERS-WORLD RECORD FAIL
Technicality extinguishes sparkler record attempt in Wyoming
GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — An attempt in Wyoming to break a world record for the most sparklers lit simultaneously has failed on a technicality. The Gillette News Record reports Guinness World Records officials have ruled each participant was required to light his or her own sparkler during the August attempt in Gillette. The event had an apparatus for lighting multiple sparklers that was built by students and instructors at Gillette College. Volunteers lit 2,500 sparklers and distributed them to more than 1,700 people who attended the kickoff event for the Pyrotechnics Guild International convention. The current sparkler record is 1,713.
DOCTOR-DRUG DISTRIBUTION
Wyoming doctor reaches plea agreement in opioid prescribing
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming doctor who has been charged with illegally prescribing opioids and other controlled substances has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. KTWO-AM reports David Ray Cesko of Rawlins is scheduled to plead guilty during a federal court hearing in Cheyenne on Feb. 26. Court records did not indicate to what charges he would plead guilty. Cesko faced a 32-count indictment alleging he improperly prescribed anti-anxiety drugs, stimulants and painkilling opioids from 2014 to 2017. Cesko's medical license was suspended in 2017 and he relinquished it in 2018.
COLORADO AVALANCHE-DEATHS
Searchers recover bodies of 2 killed in Colorado avalanche
VAIL, Colo. (AP) — Searchers have recovered the bodies of two Colorado men who died in a weekend avalanche in Colorado. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center says three men were riding snowbikes late Saturday afternoon when they were caught in the slide about 10 miles north of Vail. One man was able to dig himself out and call for help. The other men were carried into a gully at the bottom of a drainage area, avalanche debris piled up deeply and they were fully buried. The avalanche center reports the bodies were recovered on Sunday. The victims were identified as 28-year-old Dillon Block and 30-year-old Cesar Almanza-Hernandez, both of Gypsum.
CAR STRIKES OFFICER
Billings police officer injured, intentionally struck by car
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Billings police officer was injured and a 14-year-old boy faces an attempted deliberate homicide charge after the teen reportedly struck the officer with a vehicle during a traffic stop. Police said an officer was giving commands to the occupants of a stopped vehicle early Saturday when the driver accelerated and drove straight at officers. The vehicle struck a 35-year-old officer, causing serious injuries that required surgery. The vehicle crashed nearby and all six occupants fled on foot, but were apprehended. The investigation continues.
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