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A rock slide ….. gun laws ….. grizzly trappings ….. benefit for muscular dystrophy….. and a town hall meeting about expanding Lander’s airport make today’s news …..

By News Director Leslie Stratmoen

ROCK SLIDE

SHOSHONI, Wyo. – The rock slide was on US 20/Wyoming 789 between Shoshoni and Thermopolis. It closed the road Wednesday afternoon. That’s all we know, at this point, but expect to have more on that story later this morning.

GUN RIGHTS-STATES

     Magistrate recommends dismissing states’ gun suit    

     HELENA, Mont. – A federal magistrate is recommending the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by eight states seeking freedom from federal gun laws. The states, which include Wyoming, argue they should decide which rules would control the sale and purchase of guns and paraphernalia made inside their borders.

On Wednesday, the federal magistrate sided with the U.S. Department of Justice and gun control advocates who say the courts have already decided that Congress can set standards on such items as guns through its power to regulate interstate commerce. The recommendation now goes to the federal judge hearing the case.

Joining Wyoming in the lawsuit are the states of Montana, Utah, Alabama, Idaho, South Carolina, West Virginia and South Dakota.

From information provided by The Associated Press

Researchers will trap grizzlies in Yellowstone

     YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) – In Yellowstone National Park, researchers will be trapping grizzly bears in some remote areas over the next two months. Park officials say none of the trap sites are near established hiking trails or backcountry campsites and warning signs will be posted.

The trapping is part of a monitoring and research project on Yellowstone area bears that’s been underway for 36 years.

Two people have been fatally mauled by grizzlies so far this year in Wyoming and Montana. In the first attack, a botanist from Cody was killed by a bear shortly after the animal woke up from being tranquilized by researchers. Researchers had removed warning signs but investigators say the victim knew researchers were studying bears in the area.

MDA COLLECTION

Local firefighters join MDA fight

Asst Chief Ralph Estell

RIVERTON, Wyo.

- Local firefighters are encouraging everyone to “Fill the Boot” this weekend.

That means the firemen of the Riverton Volunteer Fire Department would like citizens to swing by K-Mart or Walmart on Saturday, from between 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon to put money in the boot. It’s their way of raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation which is the fund-raiser held annually on Labor Day, hosted by Jerry Lewis.

Riverton’s Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Estell says it would be a “great chance” to support a “great organization that’s helping local children.”

He says all funds raised by fire departments in Wyoming will stay in the state.

TOWN MEETING

Plans underway for developing Lander airport

LANDER, Wyo. -  A public meeting has been scheduled in Lander tonight to discuss the Environmental Assessments currently being performed on the current Lander Rodeo Grounds along with 60 acres of undeveloped property near the Wyoming Life Resource Center. The meeting starts at 6 at the town’s city hall on Lincoln Street. 

The assessments are being performed to accommodate future development of Hunt Field Airport.  The plans were identified in a recently completed Hunt Field Airport Master Plan in cooperation with the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration. 

The plans include expanding Lander’s Hunt Field Airport onto the current Lander Rodeo Grounds and a resulting replacement of the Lander Rodeo Grounds to a new site.  The area located near the Wyoming Life Resource Center has been preliminarily identified by a committee of local stakeholders as a replacement site for the Lander Rodeo Grounds.  A layout plan for the new rodeo site will also be made available to the public for comment. 

An Environmental Assessment evaluates the impacts of a proposed project on the local environment, and is based on criteria set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  Informing the public and receiving feedback is part of the process.  The expression of comments and concerns at the public meeting are strongly encouraged.  For more information, call Gary Michaud, Community Resource Coordinator, at City Hall. That number is 332-2870.

From information provided by the Lander Chamber of Commerce