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A man accused of vehicular homicide after his friend died in a car crash pleaded not guilty to the felony charge. Tyler W. Jones, 24, of Rock Springs appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Richard Lavery at an arraignment to one count of aggravated homicide by vehicle. If Tyler is found guilty of the charge, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. A jury trial has been scheduled to take place March 13, 2017 at 9 a.m. According to court...
There’s no doubt the recent bitter cold winter conditions are impacting people and wildlife in southwest Wyoming, but there is still a bright side to the daunting winter weather conditions, thanks to some volunteers and the good folks at Wyoming Department of Transportation. Cokeville Game Warden Neil Hymas has responded to multiple calls in which 23 antelope, over 20 mule deer and 40 elk were hit and killed by trains near Sage Junction, as these animals move south and west. Hymas located a hole in the “deer fence” and volunteers with the S...
A Rock Springs City Councilman believes increased internet shopping has resulted in sales tax declines seen in both Green River and Rock Springs. David Halter, a councilman who works as the information technology director for the Sweetwater County Combined Communication Joint Powers Board, said sales tax revenue, which has declined in Sweetwater County for the past several years, has fallen partly due to the oil and gas industry not making large purchases within the county. However, Halter also...
Sweetwater County is siding with a growing group of concerned residents and organizations against the idea of a transfer of federal lands to the state government. A battle over public lands has brewed since legislators introduced a bill proposing a constitutional amendment which would transfer federal lands to the state. The amendment will be debated in the upcoming legislative session in Cheyenne, where it’s expected to be one of the major issues the legislature will tackle. The county has m...
The last year was a busy one in Green River. During the elections, Mark Peterson decided to seek higher office as a Sweetwater County commissioner and declined to run for his spot on the Green River City Council. That decision resulted in a race between Tom Murphy and Ken Ball. Murphy ultimately defeated Ball in the General Election. “He’s a nice young man, I’m happy he did as well as he did,” Murphy said after the election. Brett Stokes lost his re-election bid to Robert Berg. Berg said the rac...
Black-footed ferrets, mule deer migrations, and grizzly bear management were among the top issues in 2016 for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “It’s been a memorable year for Wyoming’s wildlife and those who support this incredible resource,” Game and Fish Director Scott Talbott said. “It’s rewarding to look back on a year’s accomplishments for our state-due to the great collaborative work between the public, partners and Game and Fish.” The following is a snapshot of notable accomplishments and impactful events this year in Wyoming cons...
Wyoming’s notorious winters are marked by some of the most severe durations of snowfall, freezing rain and blowing snow. Western Wyoming’s winter conditions are severe and unlike any other region, with winds exceeding sustained speeds of 30-40 miles per hours with gusts to 50 or 60 miles per hour. The wind, coupled with snowfall and snow drifting, can create blizzard conditions, wind chills and ice pockets that challenge any road maintenance team. For those who must travel, WYDOT is offering these winter driving tips: • First and foremost, wear...
The Green River Police Department responded to an alleged stabbing early Sunday morning. At about 1:04 a.m., the GRPD responded to an undisclosed residence on West Teton Boulevard. The report initially claimed a 17-year-old male had stabbed his older brother following an altercation between the two and left the address on foot. The victim was transported to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County for a wound to the left side of his torso, with the extent of the injuries unknown as of press time....
The Sweetwater County Commissioners decided to help fund the purchase of an emergency generator for the Sweetwater County Events Complex, as well as costs associated with installing the unit. The commissioners met with county grant’s manager Krisena Marchal, Sheriff Mike Lowell and the executive director of the complex, Larry Lloyd to discuss the generator, which would be used to provide backup power during an emergency situation. The complex is a designated drop off point for vaccines and is a...
A man accused of stabbing another man to death in Rock Springs will undergo another examination to determine if he had a mental illness or deficiency at the time of the crime. Charles K. Carter, 27, of North Carolina, who was charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed another man in front of the Rock Springs Loaf ‘N Jug Foothill Boulevard location, filed an order for an examination of responsibility for criminal conduct pursuant to Wyoming Statute 7-11-304. Prior to this f...
Two years after the death of her infant child, Amanda Triplett was sentenced for her role in the child’s death. Triplett, who appeared in court Monday, was sentenced to 30-50 years in prison. She initially pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder, one charge of aggravated child abuse and two charges of child abuse at a hearing last year. Sentencing was delayed until after her husband, Jacob, pleaded no contest to six felony charges, including second-degree murder, in May. Jacob was...
A motion to reduce the bond on alleged murderer Bradley Fairbourn was denied Tuesday afternoon. Fairbourn, originally of Utah, is accused of an attack that lead to the death of one woman and injuries to another at a hotel in Rock Springs June 23. Appearing with his attorney, Devon Petersen, and with his parents in the audience, Judge Richard Lavery denied the request, citing his lack of local ties to the community and his determination that Fairbourn is a danger to the community. Petersen moved...
An economic study commissioned by Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County claims the hospital generated a $216 million economic impact within the county in 2015. The report, which was posted on the hospital’s website, was created by Quorum Health Resources, a Tennessee-based company which provides consulting for independent hospitals, as well as purchasing and website support. Quorum health lists hospitals throughout Wyoming as clients and owns Evanston Regional Hospital. Report Highlights According to the report, the hospital’s impact inc...
The Republican Party continues to be a dominating force in Sweetwater County politics as Republican candidates won every election they were involved in Tuesday night. In the race for two Sweetwater County Commissioner seats, incumbents Wally Johnson and Don Van Matre ended the night in commanding leads over their opponents. According to unofficial results, Johnson finished ahead of the pack with 7,905 votes, while Van Matre finished with 7,205. The two ended election night with 55.24 percent of...
A sibling fight leads to a felony charge for the sister involved. Misty R. Mares, 25, of Green River appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Richard Lavery at an arraignment to aggravated assault and battery. She pleaded not guilty to the felony; and a jury trial has been scheduled to take place March 13, 2017. If found guilty, Misty could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. According to court documents, on Aug. 17, 2016, officers responded to the...
Dominant Republican support in Wyoming resulted in wins for both Liz Cheney in her U.S. House bid and president-elect Donald Trump. Democrat and Rock Springs resident Ryan Greene, was defeated by Cheney after she earned 156,040 votes statewide to his 75,419. Cheney received 62.2 percent of the vote statewide. In Sweetwater County, voters sided with Cheney over Greene. Cheney earned 9,233 votes to Greene’s 6,536. Sen. Mike Enzi, who faced Cheney in 2014 before she suspended her campaign, c...
The rift between the county commissioners and the board of trustees at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County appears to be closing. Through a joint media release, the county commissioners and hospital board announced making a number of agreements in regards to the interpretations of state statutes the two groups have argued over. According to the release, the hospital board will transfer ownership of the former College Hill Women’s Health Center at 1200 College Drive in Rock Springs to the c...
A serial killer suspected of a 1977 murder in Sweetwater County won’t be extradited to face charges here. Last week, Sweetwater County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe announced Rodney Alcala won’t be extradited from California due to his health. Alcala is in the hospital wing of Corcoran Penitentiary in Corcoran, Calif., and is unable to leave without medical support. Alcala is accused of the 1977 murder of 28-year-old Christine Ruth Thornton, of San Antonio, Texas. Thornton’s remains were found nort...
In one last public forum Monday evening, all five Sweetwater County Commissioner candidates attended to answer various questions. Moderators asked the candidates questions about the economy, building codes, lobbying and taxing alternative energy. Candidates are Democrats Gary Bailiff and Holly Dabb and Independent R. Scott Hamel and Republican incumbents Wally Johnson and Don Van Matre. 1. What could the commissioners do to improve the economics of Green River and Rock Springs? Do you think the...
With Lousie Wesswick’s passing last week, the county has lost one of its biggest proponents of the humanities. Wesswick headed up the Wesswick Foundation, which provided funding to a number local events and causes, much of which supported speakers and performers at Western Wyoming Community College. The college’s speaking series was named for both Louise and her sister, Arlene Wesswick. The work she did through her foundation ultimately resulted in her receiving the Governor’s Arts Award in 2010. More recently, the foundation donated books to s...
A emotional courtroom audience heard the sentence handed down in the case of Jacob Tripplet. He’ll be going to prison and won’t be getting out any time soon. Triplett pleaded no contest in May to six felony charges, including second-degree murder, related to the abuse and neglect of his four children. He was sentenced to between 128 and 166 in prison, 40-50 years of which will be served concurrently and 88-116 years will be served consecutively. Triplett was initially charged with fir...
A 640-acre solar-energy project, which would be located 11 miles northwest of Green River, is attempting to get off the ground in Sweetwater County. The project is being fronted by Sweetwater Solar, LLC., a subsidiary of the Hanwha Group, a company that manufactures solar cells and develops solar energy projects. Betsey Biesty, a representative of the Hanwha Group, said the company is from South Korea and has been involved in more than 35 utility-scale projects. The company works primarily in...
A woman who admitted to stealing about $40,000 from a local construction company will serve time in prison. Janette M. Klapel, 34, of Rock Springs, recently appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James at a change of plea and sentencing hearing to 31 counts of felony forgery charges and four counts of felony theft charges. In exchange for Klapel’s guilty plea to three felony forgery charges and two felony theft charges, all of the other felony charges were dismissed. Klapel was g...
The Sweetwater County Commissioners agreed to support a speed study the Wyoming Department of Transportation plans to conduct near Jamestown. According to Public Works Director Gene Legerski, WYDOT has received a number of complaints about the 70 MPH speed limit change that occurs near the town on Wyo. Highway 374, which cuts through the unincorporated town. He said while WYDOT has jurisdiction over the highway, they seek support from the county as the community is located on county land. The speed limit shifted from 65 MPH to 70 MPH earlier...
With elections around the corner, many eyes are focused on the contest between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. However, more important races are taking place across the state, with more direct consequences tied to the victors. In the many campaigns for seats in the Wyoming Legislature, voters have a lot to consider when they walk into their voting booths. With a slumping energy economy, voters are tasked with deciding if they want representation who want to open the state’s Legislative Stabilization Reserve Fund to help state agencies, as w...
