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ELECTION 2020-WYOMING-SENATE
Republican county commissioner joins Wyoming US Senate race
GLENROCK, Wyo. (AP) — Another Republican has entered the race for an open U.S. Senate seat in Wyoming. Converse County Commissioner Robert G. Short announced his candidacy Monday in Glenrock. Short seeks the GOP nomination to succeed Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, who is retiring after four terms. Short held a campaign kickoff rally at a hotel in Glenrock. The Casper Star-Tribune reports Short plans to run as a “centrist Republican” who's focused on building the state's energy extraction, tourism and agriculture industries. He's among seven Republicans and Democrats running including Republican former state treasurer and U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, of Cheyenne.
STATE LAND PURCHASE
State leaders propose purchasing land in southern Wyoming
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — State officials have discussed purchasing land to improve public land access and generate new revenue. The Casper Star-Tribune reported Monday that Republican Gov. Mark Gordon announced two pieces of legislation that would allow him to enter into negotiations to purchase more than 1,560 square miles of land. Officials say the legislation would authorize the State Loan and Investment Board to appropriate funding from multiple state saving accounts to make the purchase in southern Wyoming. Gordon says the state hopes to close by the end of summer. It is unclear how much the purchase would cost.
BODY FOUND-CODY
Wyoming man pleads not guilty to killing girlfriend
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming man who has suffered several two brain injuries has denied charges that he killed his girlfriend during an argument in which she returned a ring he gave her. Joseph Underwood pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree murder in the death of 40-year-old Angela Elizondo of Cheyenne. Her body was found in early November in a creek bed south of Cody. Underwood's attorney, Brandon Booth, said he wanted to have Underwood evaluated for competency due to brain injuries suffered in a 1992 motorcycle crash and when he shot himself in the head in 2014. Booth said Underwood also reserved the right to plead not guilty by reason of mental illness.
COUNTERFEIT MONEY-JAIL
Wyoming jail returns funds after receiving counterfeit bills
GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — Authorities say a Wyoming jail unwittingly helped an inmate earn a profit from counterfeit money when it returned unused funds from a commissary account where he's accused of depositing fake bills. The Gillette News Record reported the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office returned $261.69 to the defendant when he was released in October. Authorities say the 43-year-old was arrested earlier that month on suspicion of shoplifting and he turned over money as part of the booking process that included $120 in counterfeit bills. He faced an additional forgery charge after being accused of passing counterfeit bills at a restaurant where he worked. He's pleaded not guilty.
ANIMALS RESCUED
Police rescue 31 animals from trailer, motel room in Wyoming
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Police and animal control officers say they rescued 31 animals from a trailer and motel room in southern Wyoming. They found 28 dogs and puppies, and three cats, in “extremely unsanitary conditions" Saturday in Rawlins. Police say they also found several dead dogs inside the U-Haul trailer that a caller said had been parked for two days. Surviving animals were taken to an animal shelter for evaluation and rehabilitation. K2 Radio reports the animals' owners were traveling through Rawlins. Police didn't release their identities or more information while they continued to investigate.
WEST YELLOWSTONE HOMICIDE-VIGIL
Vigil planned for West Yellowstone boy who was killed
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Residents of West Yellowstone plan a candlelight vigil this weekend for a 12-year-old boy who was beaten to death. Organizers say the vigil for James Alex Hurley will start at 5 p.m. Sunday at the West Yellowstone City Park. Attendees are being asked to bring their own candles and to wear blue ribbons for child abuse awareness. Hurley died on Feb. 3 and his grandparents and a 14-year-old uncle face deliberate homicide charges. Investigators said they found cellphone videos showing family members torturing and beating the boy in the months leading up to his death. He had been removed from school in September 2019.
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