Murie hospitality lives on. See StEpping Out.
Jackson, Wyoming
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 ▲
2 Teton collared wolves killed
One dollar
Red, white & Blue
Rash of killings of wandering park wolves spark calls for hunt buffer zones. By Mike Koshmrl Hunters have killed two radio-collared wolves that roamed Grand Teton National Park, localizing a debate about the legal killing of “park” wolves used for research. Details about the animals are few because a state statute prevents the park from releasing wolf-specific information, Grand Teton spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs said. A look at harvests in hunt areas bordering the park shows that it’s likely many more Grand Teton wolves have been killed. Wyoming Game and Fish Department harvest data shows 13 wolves reported killed in hunt areas bordering the park. For wildlife managers, the portion of those that were park wolves is inconsequential and biologically insignificant. Because wolves range great distances, the loss of those that use the parks is unavoidable. The deaths of well-known wolves and sound wolf management are different issues, said Mike Jimenez, wolf management and science coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “When you radio-collar wolves, especially in areas where you can see them and identify them, those wolves take on identities,” Jimenez said. “Those wolves evoke strong emotions, that’s an issue. “Wyoming has a very sound hunting program with conservative quotas,” See WOLVES on 20A
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Snowboarder Stephen Bailey shreds through fresh powder at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on Saturday, relishing the new snow as he carves deep turns through Cascade.
Party lot debate intensifies As county commissioners approach vote on new rules to regulate rural events, questions remain. By Kevin Huelsmann While Teton County commissioners forge ahead with plans to adopt new rules for commercial parties on rural land, some are begging them to slow down. A week after the commissioners changed key provisions of new land-use regulations for rural events, planners are once again recommending that the new rules be approved. And as board members approach what could be their final vote on the rules, they are facing calls to postpone the isue and address it in a more comprehensive update of regulations. “After a long day, it ended up raising new questions, while leaving some continuing concerns on the table,” Me-
lissa Wittstruck, community planning director of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, said in a letter to commissioners. “It is late in the game to bring up substantive changes and difficult for the public to effectively engage.” Commissioners should take a gradual approach, Wittstruck said. They should first approve basic regulations to address any existing issues with rural events and fold the rest of their changes into a more comprehensive review of the rural parts of the county. “Close the potential loopholes for more intensive commercial use and evaluate the results as the [land development regulation] update moves forward next year,” she said in a letter to commissioners. Commissioners are supposed to once again take up the new regulations at 9 a.m. Tuesday. They said their review likely will be narrowly focused on recent changes they made to the rules, which are available at TetonWyo.org and at the See PARTY LOT on 21A
Cops’ process questioned in DUI interference appeal Attorney fights procedure requiring suspects to give blood samples. By Emma Breysse Whether a Jackson man’s actions while under arrest for DUI qualified as interference with a police officer is now in a judge’s hands. Ninth District Judge Timothy
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Day heard oral arguments in a twohour hearing Thursday to determine whether Gregory Matthews’ conviction in February for interference with a peace officer will stand. The hearing covered wide swaths of law, including whether an officer must give an order before a defendant’s refusing to comply becomes a crime. At the heart of the case is the way Teton County law enforcement officers implement a year-old law allowing police to obtain a DUI suspect’s blood. 2A 2A 3A
Suspect out of doghouse Dino skull has NYC link Statues wear sweaters
The law allows police officers to get a search warrant for the blood remotely — by phone, email or text message. Teton County policy is to charge defendants who refuse to comply with such warrants with interference rather than resort to physical force and get a sample. Jackson lawyer Bob Schroth argued Thursday that a defendant must either refuse a direct order from officers or resist physically before he or she can be charged with interference. 7A 8A 9A
State school squabble Higher fines for truckers? Grouse plan to see scrutiny
In Matthews’ case, officers asked whether the defendant would voluntarily comply, Schroth said. Answering “no” is not enough to support a criminal charge, Schroth said. “There was no order given to Mr. Matthews,” Schroth said. “The warrant was not directed to him. Mr. Matthews was not ordered to do anything. There was no attempt to physically escort Mr. Matthews to the hospital.” See COPS’ PROCESS on 20A
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