TRUMP-PUBLIC LANDS
Opponent of nation’s public lands is picked to oversee them

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has put a conservative advocate who argues for selling off the nation’s public lands in charge of the nation’s nearly 250 million public acres.

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Monday signed an order making William Perry Pendley acting head of the Bureau of Land Management. The move puts the lawyer and Wyoming native in charge of the nation’s public lands and their resources.

Pendley contends the writers of the U.S. Constitution intended to sell off nearly all of the country’s federally owned land. Pendley accuses environmental groups of blocking ranchers and miners from profiting off publicly owned range and forest.

The Wilderness Society conservation advocacy group’s spokesman Tony Iallonardo says he fears the Trump administration is positioning itself to “liquidate” the nation’s public lands and resources.

The Interior Department made no immediate comment with Pendley’s appointment.

MISSING WOMAN

Green River woman remains missing in western Wyoming

PINEDALE, Wyo. (AP) — Authorities in western Wyoming say they continue to investigate the disappearance of a 28-year-old woman although the search for her has been suspended.

Aubree Corona, of Green River, was reported missing July 15 after she texted her friends that she was lost and didn’t come back to a campsite near Union Pass in Sublette County as planned. A search turned up nothing.

She was reported to have been last seen in the Dubois area.

The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office says multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Wyoming Highway Patrol and Wyoming Game and Fish Department, have continued a coordinated investigation into her case.

GUARD DEPLOYMENT

Wyoming National Guard unit deploys to Middle East

(Information from: Wyoming Tribune Eagle, http://www.wyomingnews.com)

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming National Guard brigade is heading out for eventual deployment to the Middle East.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that several hundred friends, family and leaders from across the state attended a ceremony Monday in Cheyenne for the 130 soldiers from the Guard’s 115th Field Artillery Brigade. Gov. Mark Gordon was among the speakers at the ceremony.

The soldiers will spend the next several weeks training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before heading off to the Middle East.

This is the third deployment for the 115th since 2001.

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, which appears to be accidental.

WYOMING-POLLUTION

Tribe opposes Wyoming oilfield pollution proposal

(Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com)

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — An American Indian tribe opposes a company’s plan to dump oilfield wastewater upstream of a river in central Wyoming.

The Northern Arapaho Tribe says Aethon Energy’s plans to put over 8 million gallons (30 million liters) of polluted water into two creeks would affect tribal business opportunities.

The creeks flow into the Wind River and Boysen Reservoir. Tribal officials tell Wyoming regulators in a recent letter the pollution could harm tribal fishing and rafting guide businesses.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also has concerns. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is reviewing public comments on the plan.

Dallas-based Aethon says it would follow all regulations and offer more water protections than those required under previous permits. The Wind River flows through the Wind River Indian Reservation.

FRONTIER DAYS ATTENDANCE

Cheyenne Frontier Days reports slight attendance increase

(Information from: KGAB-AM, htp://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.

Associated Press State News