HISTORIC LODGE FIRE
Historic Wyoming lodge remains open after fire
DUBOIS, Wyo. (AP) — A fire damaged the historic Brooks Lake Lodge in northwest Wyoming this past weekend, but the 98-year-old lodge remains open thanks to quick action by staff and firefighters.
Fire officials estimate the fire early Sunday caused about $300,000 in damage but no guests or employees were hurt.
The lodge is still hosting guests although the dining room and tea room are closed. The bar, lobby and lodging remain open.
Officials say lodge general manager Adam Long discovered the fire about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, and the Dubois Fire Department and Fremont County Fire Department responded.
The Wyoming State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.
YELLOWSTONE-FIRE INVESTIGATION
Small human-caused grass fire in Yellowstone investigated
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — Investigators are looking into who started a small grass fire that temporarily closed the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park over the weekend.
The fire occurred about 6 p.m. Friday and was quickly contained by firefighters. It burned just four acres of grass and sage between the North Entrance and the Gardiner River.
However, the North Entrance Road was closed for about 90 minutes until the fire was contained.
The National Park Service is asking for help from anyone who was in the area on Friday evening and has information about people using the picnic area near the entrance station.
FRONTIER DAYS ATTENDANCE
Cheyenne Frontier Days reports slight attendance increase
(Information from: KGAB-AM, http://www.kgab.com)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Cheyenne Frontier Days officials report a slight increase in attendance at night shows this year while rodeo attendance saw a slight drop.
The annual western and rodeo event ended on Sunday
KGAB-AM reports that officials say in a news release that overall attendance increased slightly this year compared to 2018.
Total night show attendance this year was 120,518, compared to 115,214 last year. Rodeo attendance this year was pegged at 97,373 in 2019 compared to an official attendance of 101,462 in 2018.
The official attendance for the three 2019 CFD pancake breakfasts was pegged at 22,713 while 50,998 visited the Indian Village.
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING MARKETING
University renews its ‘World Needs More Cowboys’ campaign
(Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com)
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — The University of Wyoming is renewing its year-old marketing campaign that proclaims “The World Needs More Cowboys.”
University officials said last week the campaign helped build enrollment and sell merchandise and has been popular among Wyoming residents.The Casper Star-Tribune reported Wednesdaythe second phase will last a year and will include digital advertising inside and outside the state. The budget is just under $1 million.
The university budgeted $1.4 million for the first 12 months of the campaign, which plays off the school’s Cowboy mascot.
Some faculty members criticized the original campaign, saying it was sexist and promoted a while male stereotype.
University spokesman Chad Baldwin said the campaign is aimed at changing the traditional image of a cowboy and is meant to be an inclusive and diverse effort.
FOOTBALL PLAYER-SEXUAL ASSAULT
Ex-Wyoming football player seeks retrial in sex assault case
(Information from: Laramie Boomerang, http://www.laramieboomerang.com)
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — A former University of Wyoming football player who was signed by the New Orleans Saints is asking for a new trial after pleading no contest to sexual battery and unlawful touching.
The Laramie Boomerang reported Friday that Carl Granderson’s attorney told a judge that Granderson wants to withdraw his plea and have his 6-month jail sentence overturned.
The attorney, Megan Overman Goetz, told the newspaper she couldn’t comment.
Granderson was a defensive end for Wyoming. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said last week the team was waiting to see the outcome of the court case before deciding what action to take.
Granderson was originally charged with third-degree sexual assault, which can carry a prison term of up to 10 years. He pleaded no contest to lesser charges in a plea deal.
WILDLIFE UNDERPASSES
Wyoming Game and Fish approves $1.25M for wildlife underpass
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission has approved spending $1.25 million to help pay for two wildlife underpasses along U.S. Highway 189 in western Wyoming to reduce the number of collisions between vehicles and mule deer.
Wyoming Public Media reports the Department of Transportation and other organizations are also funding the project along a five-mile stretch of highway north of LaBarge.
Game and Fish spokeswoman Sara DiRienzo says the two underpasses and associated fencing are the first phase of a project that aims to reduce wildlife collisions along 28-mile stretch of the
road. The road intersects an area where mule deer cross in the fall and spring traveling to and from their winter range.
The agency expects the underpasses will reduce collisions by up to 90 percent. The projects are expected to be completed by 2022.
