Star Valley Independent

According to the Wyoming Department of Health, influenza was associated with the recent deaths of two more Laramie County residents. The two men were both elderly and had underlying health conditions associated with higher risk of severe illness. One died last week; the other about three weeks ago. These are the seventh and eighth flu-related deaths reported [...] Full Story »

Clair Bruce Nichols has entered a plea in the case relating to the May death of Alpine resident David Reneker. According to a press release from Lincoln County Attorney, Eric F. Phillips, “On November 9, 2009, Clair Bruce Nichols entered a no contest plea to the charge of Manslaughter. Nichols will be sentenced at a later [...] Full Story »

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jim McBride, released his draft comments on what he believes needs to be changed or addressed when No Child Left Behind is considered for reauthorization. “It’s critical for our neighboring western and frontier states that Wyoming stays involved and be a leader in the reauthorization process,” Dr. McBride said. “With [...] Full Story »

According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP), Bracken G. Erickson 18, of Afton, and Michael J. Stanek 19, of Jackson, were not wearing seat belts and were both ejected from the cab of their 2004 GMC 2500 pickup at a high rate of speed resulting in their deaths on Thursday Nov. 5. According to the same [...] Full Story »

The Mine Safety and Health Administration has awarded the J.R. Simplot Smoky Canyon Mine with the Sentinel of Safety honor. The annual award encourages accident-prevention and is presented to mining operations that exhibit safe programs. Dennis Facer, Smoky Canyon Manager, says he is proud of the employees for achieving a great safety record. Facer says Smoky [...] Full Story »

Wyoming’s economy showed a small increase in strength in October but job losses continue, according to a monthly report gauging the business climate. The Wyoming Business Conditions Index, produced by the Goss Institute for Economic Research based on a survey of the state’s supply managers, increased to 47.5 from 47 in September. The index, based on [...] Full Story »

In the wake of the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, flags should immediately be adjusted to half mast. Governor Dave Freudenthal requests that flags be flown at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset, Tuesday, November 10, 2009. President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation which calls for the flags to be flown at half-staff as a mark of [...] Full Story »

The following are obituaries and death notices that appeared in the November 5, 2009 edition of the Star Valley Independent. Lester LaVerne Weber, age 77, a longtime resident of Jackson, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 at the St. John’s Hospital in Jackson. Les was born Nov. 8, 1931 in Bladen, Neb., to Andrew and Rose Meester [...] Full Story »

A single rollover accident on Highway 238 west of Afton resulted in the deaths of two Star Valley residents on Thursday morning. The accident is still under investigation by the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) but initial reports stated that the driver and a passenger of a car traveling on Highway 238 took a corner too fast [...] Full Story »

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports that there are three Hunter Management Areas, also known as HMAs, involving private lands near Big Piney, Daniel and Boulder. The Big Piney and Daniel areas include 28,000 private aches, while the Boulder location includes 10,470 acres. An HMA is composed of one or more large ranches that [...] Full Story »

Lower Valley Energy will conduct a planned, one-hour power outage on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 2:30 in the afternoon. The planned outage will affect the Riverview Subdivision on the North side of Highway 89 in Alpine and every residence between there and the Palisades Dam. Lower Valley energy extends apologies for any inconveniences the outage [...] Full Story »

Wyoming State Treasurer Joe Meyer announced in press conference today, Tuesday, Nov. 3, that he has been diagnosed with a tumor on the outside of his lung. Meyer explained the tumor is encapsulated in fluid, and although malignant, it has not metastasized. He also noted the bone scan tests have been clear. “I am very [...] Full Story »