Around the 307
News, commentary, and other items of interest from the greater Wyoming landscape.
Some Cowboy State news items of interest from the week of December 3rd, 2023:
It has been a tough past week for a number of mule deer bucks across the State of Wyoming. On Sunday, December 3rd members of the Green River Fire Department and its Swift Water Rescue Team along with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) rescued a large mule deer buck that had broken through the ice at Expedition Island. The 4x5 buck with an approximately 24-inch spread most certainly would have frozen to death if not for the good samaritans who came to its aid. Also this week, the WGFD received reports of at least three bucks sporting Christmas lights in downtown Sheridan. The lights, entangled in the bucks’ antlers are not currently deemed a threat to the animals, however, WGFD personnel will continue to monitor the situation. With any luck, as bucks usually begin shedding antlers in December, the situation may resolve itself naturally quite soon. Cowboy State Daily covered both the buck water rescue and holiday-spirit deer stories. Click the links to read the complete articles.
Photo courtesy of Sheridan resident Bryan Anderson. On Tuesday, December 5th, the Star Valley Independent published an article announcing the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) will receive a $24.3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete a wildlife crossing project south of Kemmerer. Multiple wildlife crossings including five underpasses and one overpass will be built on a 30-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 189 between Kemmerer and Evanston; a stretch of road that has a deadly history of wildlife-vehicle collisions. The project will also include fencing improvements. Read the full story here.
University of Wyoming (UW) Cowboys head football coach Craig Bohl announced his retirement on Wednesday, December 6th. Bohl’s has led the Cowboys squad for the past 10 years; his final game will be the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl in Tucson on December 30th. Defensive Coordinator Jay Sawvel will take over as the new Cowboys head coach. Read UW’s press announcement here.
It appears cooler heads have prevailed as on Thursday, December 7th, the State Board of Land Commissioners delayed taking any action on the proposed sale of the 640-acre “Kelly Parcel” in Teton County. The Commission will defer until at least next fall as it explores options for a possible land exchange. Read the story here which has made national headlines.
Lastly, in my Around the 307 post from the week of October 22nd, I reported on the pending electricity rate increase being proposed by Rocky Mountain Power (RMP). While Star Valley isn’t serviced by RMP, the proposed 21.9% hike would affect a huge portion of Wyoming. I am pleased to report that on December 8th, RMP testified before the Wyoming Public Service Commission about the proposed rate hike and a decision was made to reduce the rate increase to 8.3%. The latter will go into effect after the first of the year. Read the full story here.
That’s it for now ya’ll. Have a good week!