WYOMING WILDFIRES
New wildfire sparked east of Yellowstone Park in Wyoming
CODY, Wyo. (AP) — A new wildfire has grown rapidly east of Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming.
The fire was reported Monday evening in the Washakie Wilderness about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Cody and south of U.S. 14/16/20. It quickly spread because of gusty winds and burned an estimated 3 square miles (8 square kilometers) of forest, with no containment reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Elsewhere in Wyoming, investigators say a weekend fire just outside Jackson was sparked by foil balloons that came into contact with power lines, causing sparks and burning balloon material to ignite dry grass. Firefighters were able to keep the fire away from nearby homes.
Firefighters have gained about 37 percent containment on a fire burning near the Pathfinder Reservoir in central Wyoming.
ELK POACHING
Elk poached in northern Wyoming; meat left to rot
BUFFALO, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is investigating the poaching of a bull elk in the Sheridan area.
The agency says an elk was shot with only the head removed on private property about 13 miles north of the Interstate 90 Powder River Rest Area. The remainder of the carcass was left to rot.
The incident likely occurred last Thursday in a hunt area that did not open for hunting until Saturday.
Access Yes Coordinator Troy Tobiasson says not only was the elk killed out of season but the meat was wasted and those responsible trespassed on private property to commit the crime.
He says everything about this killing was illegal and unethical and he hopes someone comes forward with a tip to help the agency solve the case.
GRAND CANYON BISON
Grand Canyon to make second run at corralling bison herd
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — In the two years since the Grand Canyon approved a plan to reduce the number of bison in far northern Arizona, the herd has only grown in size.
No one is sure exactly how many of the massive animals call the region home, but it’s in the hundreds. Left unchecked, it could reach 1,500 in several years.
The Grand Canyon tried to round up bison last year and ship them away, but the animals migrated north. Park officials are trying again this month.
The National Park Service released a plan in September 2017 that called for a mix of corralling the animals at the North Rim and for citizen volunteers to shoot the bison. The park has made no significant movement on lethal options.
YELLOWSTONE-FISH POISONING
Yellowstone Park river to close area for exotic fish removal
(Information from: Jackson Hole (Wyo.) News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com)
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park biologists have announced plans to release toxins into a river to remove exotic fish.
The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported Friday that the poisons are expected to be discharged Monday into the upper Gibbon River drainage in northwest Wyoming.
Park officials say the project targets rainbow trout and brook trout native to the Yellowstone River watershed, but not to the upper Gibbon ecosystem.
The region is expected to remain closed until Sept. 13.
Park officials say about 110 miles (177 kilometers) of stream and seeps could be poisoned, and the treatment could be repeated in 2020 to ensure the fish are wiped out.
Officials say this step would enable the reintroduction of westslope cutthroat trout and Arctic grayling planned for 2020 or 2021.
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NANNY-CHILD ABUSE
Wyoming nanny gets 18 months for child abuse
(Information from: Jackson Hole (Wyo.) News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com)
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming nanny has been sentenced to 18 months in jail after being caught on video abusing a 15-month-old boy.
The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports Sandy Olvera of Jackson pleaded no contest to three counts of unlawful contact. Teton County Circuit Court Judge James Radda sentenced Olvera Friday and ordered her to pay $19,000 in restitution.
The boy’s family said in the months after hiring Olvera, their son went from happy and easygoing to scared and irritable. They ordered cameras that captured nine incidents of rough handling and abuse in a five-hour period and called police.
The boy’s parents say he suffers from night terrors and is undergoing counseling.
Olvera’s attorney Chris Leigh says Olvera was physically and verbally abused as a child and has enrolled in counseling.
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MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYER
Halliburton named Mountain West defensive player of week
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming senior strong safety Alijah Halliburton has been named the Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week.
It is the first league defensive Player of the week award for Halliburton.
Halliburton led Wyoming in tackles with an amazing 17 total tackles versus Missouri on way to a 37-31 home victory over the SEC member school. Among his 17 total tackles were 13 solo stops.
Halliburton also recovered a fumble and returned it 79 yards to set up a Wyoming field goal as the first half ended, giving Wyoming a 27-17 halftime lead.
It was one of three Missouri turnovers forced by the Wyoming defense.
