Estimated read time: 3-4 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING
Wyoming COVID-19 new-case count ties early-May previous high
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The number of people infected with the coronavirus in Wyoming grew by the fastest rate since early May in numbers released Monday. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the 27 lab-confirmed and six suspected cases matched the previous high of 33 cases on May 6. The Wyoming Department of Health reported Monday that 17 more people with lab-confirmed cases had recovered from the COVID-19 illness, for a total of 245 active, lab-confirmed cases statewide. That’s up from 203 such cases May 22, 131 on April 22 and 19 on March 22. Twenty people have died of the coronavirus in Wyoming.
CHURCH ABUSE-WYOMING
Police: Wyoming prosecutor says bishop abuse case still open
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Police in Wyoming say a criminal investigation into a retired Roman Catholic bishop accused of childhood sexual abuse by more than a dozen men remains open. The Casper Star-Tribune reports a victim advocate from the Natrona County district attorney’s office had told an alleged victim that retired Bishop Joseph Hart would not be charged. District Attorney Dan Itzen told Cheyenne police that he is still pursuing charges. A police spokesman said Itzen had a misunderstanding over a document. Neither prosecutors nor an attorney for Hart returned messages Monday seeking comment.
SAFETY SYSTEM-TETON PASS
Temporary barrel safety system set up on Wyoming highway
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Department of Transportation has established a temporary system of safety barrels to prevent runaway trucks and other vehicles from going off the side of a high mountain road. The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported the transportation department has set up the system of barrels on Highway 22 in the Teton Pass near Jackson. The containers filled with sand are meant to slow and eventually stop an out-of-control vehicle and can be replaced after an accident. The system known as a sand barrel array cost about $75,000 will be used until the department can finalize a permanent solution.
EVANSVILLE MAYOR-OFFICER-CHARGES
Evansville mayor, police officer charged in data misuse case
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Prosecutors say the mayor of a small Wyoming town and a police officer were charged this week after allegedly misusing a police database. The Casper Star-Tribune reported that Evansville Mayor Jennifer Sorenson was charged with misusing public office while officer Matt McGraw was charged with conspiracy to misuse public office and drug possession. Neither have entered pleas to the charges. Town attorney Kyle Ridgeway says McGraw was suspended without pay on Thursday. The mayor’s status has not changed. A town public meeting is scheduled Monday to discuss the situation.
YELLOWSTONE-THERMAL DAMAGE
2 women get jail time for damaging Yellowstone thermal area
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A federal magistrate judge has ordered two women from Pennsylvania to spend two days in jail for leaving a boardwalk and damaging a thermal area in Yellowstone National Park. U.S. District Magistrate Judge Mark Carman also ordered 31-year-old Tara Davoli and 30-year-old Sarah Piotrowski of Philadelphia to pay a $350 fine, about $107 each in restitution and banned them from the park for two years. Prosecutors say the women illegally left the boardwalk in the park’s Midway Geyser Basin on June 11. Prosecutors say they damaged orange bacterial mats at Opal Pool. Phone messages left for Davoli and Piotrowski were not immediately returned on Thursday.
EXCHANGE-GRIZZLY-CATTLE CONFLICTS
Judge upholds lethal removal of cattle-killing grizzlies
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A federal judge has upheld U.S. Forest Service grazing plans that allow the lethal removal of grizzly bears that are caught killing cattle. The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports the decision comes in a lawsuit filed by environmental groups seeking to ban the killing of nuisance grizzly bears in Wyoming's Upper Green River area. Thousands of cattle graze in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in the summer. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife in 2019 allowed up to 72 grizzly bears to be killed as a result of conflict with livestock. Three bears were killed last summer, meaning 69 more can be killed between now and 2028.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
