Volume 5 Issue 17
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Proud Member of the
Check Out Our Gorgeous Travel Section On Pages 3
Mead Signs Bill Aimed At Ending Wolf Protections
Wyoming Winds Too Much For This Glenrock AreaTurbine
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead has signed a bill aimed at ending federal protections for wolves inWyoming. The new law signed Wednesday allows trophy hunting for wolves in a flexible zone around Yellowstone National Park beginning this fall, while classifying wolves as predators that could be shot on sight in the rest of the state. It's a critical step toward ratifying the agreement the governor reached with the federal government last year over how to end Endangered Species Act protections for the animals. Uncertainty remains over possible legal challenges to Wyoming's wolf management plan. Many hunters and ranchers in the state worry that a large wolf population poses an unacceptable threat to other wildlife and livestock.
Community News
Sometime during last week’s high winds a wind turbine suffered blade damage out near the Glenrock Coal Mine just off 55 Ranch road. Photo Keith Eitel.
Biggest Solar Storm in Years Hits Earth Causes Some Disruption To Converse and Natrona Area Residents ficials said were minimal reports of problems with power grids, GPS, satellites or other technologies that are often disrupted by solar storms.
Wolf Population Rises
But that still can change as the storm shakes the planet's magnetic field in ways that could disrupt technology but also spread colorful Northern Lights. Early indications show that it is about 10 times stronger than the normal solar wind that hits Earth.
Matt Volz, Associated Press HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The wolf population in the Northern Rockies rose in 2011 despite the removal of federal protections and hunts held in Montana and Idaho, federal wildlife officials said Wednesday. The animal's numbers rose by more than 7 percent to 1,774 wolves, as state officials look for more ways to reduce the population under pressure from hunters and ranchers who blame the predators for livestock and big-game losses. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services officials said the population estimates show that Montana and Idaho have done a good job in their first year of managing the species since Congress removed federal protections in May 2011. "The states have done a very responsible Continued page 2
In and around Casper and Glenrock many residents of the two counties experienced everything from their online banking being disrupted, cell phones losing service, animals standing one place for long periods of time, to internet service and computers going completely on the fritz.
This handout image provided by NASA shows a solar flare errupting at 7 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, and that is heading toward Earth. An impressive solar flare is heading toward Earth and could disrupt power grids, GPS and airplane flights. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center said the sun erupted Tuesday evening and the effects should start smacking Earth late Wednesday night, close to midnight EST. They say it is the biggest in five years and growing. (AP Photo/NASA)
Seth Borenstein AP Science Writer Edited by Amanda Smith The Glenrock Bird
One of the strongest solar storms in years engulfed Earth early Thursday March 8, but scientists say the planet may have lucked out. Hours after the storm arrived, of-
The storm started with a massive solar flare Tuesday evening, March 6 and grew as it raced outward from the sun, expanding like a giant soap bubble, scientists said. The charged particles hit at approximately 4 million mph. The storm struck about 6 a.m. EST in a direction that causes the least amount of problems, said Joe Kunches, a scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. "It's not a terribly strong event. It's a very interesting event," he said. Continued page 6
G-Rock Wrestlers- Page 2 & 4 Oil Rigs Fluctuate in Numbers in County - Page 2 New G- Rock Volleyball Team - Page 2 Glenrock Library News - Page 2 Girl Scouts Turn 100- Page 4 Pyatt’s Pieces - Page 4 -
Converse County and Beyond Wyoming Turns to Electronic Health Records - Page 5 Wolf Management in Wyoming - Page 5 and more.
News From The Nest - Pg 7
Bird Odd’s and Ends
Wesley’s Way - Page 8 Cowboy Poetry - Page 8 Bunkhouse Recipes - Page 8 Straight Talk With Sassy, Savvy Sustainability and so much more in this issue of The Glenrock Bird! Check out Susan Stoltz’ NEW COLUMN!!
Bird Business Directory Area Businesses - Page 9 Bird Classifieds - Page 9
Mead Undecided On Ending $2 Atm Fee Cap CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming is the only state to cap ATM fees but that could change. Wyoming lawmakers passed a bill to scrap the state's $2 fee limit this session, sending the measure to Gov. Matt Mead. Mead spokesman Renny MacKay says the governor hasn't decided whether he'll sign the bill. The Casper Star-Tribune reported Friday that the bill
passed with overwhelming support. Backers said the fee is unfair to the owners of independent ATMs, many of them in family-owned businesses, because it doesn't cover the costs of operating the machines. Technically, nationally chartered banks are exempt from the $2 cap because they're regulated by the federal government. However, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Bruce Burns, says most banks voluntarily adhere to the $2 limit out of respect for state law.
Community Message Board
Meetings in Glenrock Where: The Senior Center East Door (thrift store entrance.) When: Monday nights from 7pm - 8pm
Bird Special Announcements!
The Town of Rolling Hills - Where the deer and Antelope really do play! If you haven’t done so already, check out the Town of Rolling Hills great website. Chock full of information so be sure and check it out: www.rollinghillswy.org
Attention Class of 1972! Request from Vickie Sturlin: The class of 1972 is planning our 40th class re-union, to be held the same weekend of Glenrock days 2012. Anyone who is from the class or knows the location of anyone from the class can contact Terry Henderson, Janet Perino, or Vickie. Vickie's email is freetime@wyomingway. com
Glenrock Library News Salve!! Hello in Latin from the library! Visit our Mango Foreign Language database on line. Find out how to get connected. There are over 80 languages to choose from. Learn from the comfort of your own home. This database comes to us courtesy of the state library. We have our new audio books in!! We have, The Bronzed Hawk by Iris Johansen and Private- No. 1 Suspect by James Patterson plus more.
Wind City Wrestlers Showing Their All On The Mats Wind City Wrestlers really showed their oompf during the Casper Wrestling Club Memorial Tournament in Casper the last weekend of February. Jackson Taylor of Windy City Wrestling Jackson Taylor pins his opponent during the Casper Club took 1st in Wrestling Club Memorial Tournament. the 120-pound Photo Tammy Taylor Cadet division Wyoming for the Touch of Gold during the last weekend of February. Joseph Ironman tournament, a tourTaylor of Windy City Wres- ney that hosts all three styles of tling Club took second in the wrestling (Folkstyle, Greco and Schoolboy 75-pound division. Freestyle.) in this tournament, Aftin Matthews took 2nd in wrestlers competed at the Tourthe 75-pound Novice division ney to win the "Triple Crown". and Dayton Matthews took first Results are as follows: Dayton place in the 55-pound Bantam Matthews (Douglas Wrestling division. Dayton Matthews re- Club) placed 3rd in folksytle and mains undefeated in his second- 2nd in both Greco and Freestyle, year of USA wrestling. Dayton's Aftin Matthews (Douglas Wresfirst year in wrestling was last tling Club) placed 4th in all three year, going the entire year un- styles, Joseph Taylor (Windy defeated. "He is a little bulldog" City) placed 4th in the folkstyle stated Tammy Taylor of Wind but did not wrestle the other two styles, Jackson Taylor (Windy City Wrestlers. City) placed 3rd in folkstyle and Jackson Taylor, boasting his 1st in both Greco and freestyle. most successful year yet expe- Wyatt Patzke did not place at rienced only one loss during his the Tournament, but gave it his middle school season this year, all with some pretty tough wresand only one loss out of Love- tling. land, Colorado during the USA season beating Jordan Britton At press time on March 10th, from Torrington, a wrestler that the younger wrestlers headed Taylor has never been able to to Douglas for another Ironman win against in the past. Joseph Tournament that also hosted all Taylor (Glenrock) and Aftin three styles of wrestling and the Matthews (Douglas) placed dur- older wrestlers headed to Rivering every tournament this year ton for a Middle School qualiin Wyoming "they've both great- fier, where the top two places in ly improved their skills this year each weight bracket qualify to travel to Iowa with "Team Wyofrom last year" stated Tammy. ming" in April. Traveling throughout Wyoming and Colorado the wrestling club Congratulations to all the wreshas faced new challenges, al- tlers who competed. Good luck lowing them to increase their at the Folkstyle Tournament at mat time and experience wres- the Event Center on the 24th and tling against other competitors 25th! throughout the region. The team traveled to Gillette at the end of the month for the
New G-Rock Volleyball Team Needs Your Help The NEW Platte River Volleyball Club is seeking your help with sponsorship for the 2012 AAU season. This is a new club this year which has 18 local Glenrock girls participating. There are two teams. The group consists of a 4th grade team and a combined 5th & 6th grade team. All 18 girls are in need of uniforms ($23 each); warm up suits ($66 each) and entry fees (prices vary). It is not a school affiliated program so any amount you are willing to donate to help this group of future Glenrock Herd-
ers would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call Sandy Muller at 797-3796 or Shelly Whalen at 267-8950. A donation bucket has also been placed at Shear Haven Hair Salon in Glenrock. end donations to: Platte River Volleyball Club PO Box 1555 Glenrock, WY 82637
Weekly Us Oil, Gas Rig Count Down 16 To 1,973 The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down by 16 this week to 1,973. Oklahoma lost six rigs, and Pennsylvania dropped by four. Alaska lost three rigs, and Colorado fell by two. New Mexico, West Virginia and Wyoming lost one apiece. The Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,296 rigs were exploring for oil and 670 for natural gas. Seven were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week Baker Hughes reported 1,715 active rigs. Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas and North Dakota gained three. Louisiana picked up one. Arkansas and California were unchanged. The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999. Currently there are 45 working rigs in Wyoming as of February 24th of this year. That number is down from 49 on February 3rd of this year. Chesapeake Energy has a total of seven rigs in Wyoming all of which are in Converse County, up two more from five six months ago. The 2010 monthly average rig count was 40; the 1995 average of 23 was the lowest since WWII. In 1981, the all-time record year for rotary rig activity in Wyoming, there was an average of 192 units working monthly. HOUSTON (AP) - Edited by Amanda Smith
Mark your calendars, Thursday, March 15 at 6:00! This is the date set for the library to host Dr. Seth Ward from the University of Wyoming. His topic will be on democracy in the Middle East. Everyone is welcomed!! I want to thank all of our patrons who celebrated with us, Enoch Williams and Mrs. Gaines, the middle school principle, for making Dr. Seuss Day at the library fun!! I’m sure he will be pleased that so many still remember, even after 108 years!! For Read Me A Story March 10- March 17: The Night Before St. Patrick Day by Natasha Wing. March 17- 24: Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski. Pick up the phone and dial 4362353 to listen to a great story!! We’re on the web at http:wyldweb.state.wy.us/glen or at www.conversecountylibrary.org. Our phone number is 4362573. Fax number is 436-8525. Be sure to “friend” us on Facebook!! Just look up Glenrock Library.
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Converse County’s Premier Travel Section brought to you by The Glenrock Bird
Sunday March 11, 2012 The Glenrock Bird Page 3
Glenrock Wrestling Club Takes To Mats At Casper Event Center Sunday February 26th the Glenrock Wrestling Club participated in the Casper Wrestling Club Memorial Invitational at the Casper Events Center. The wrestlers really showed their individual strengths on the mats during the tournament and the results are as follows: Peewee 40lb – Jarrett Guerrera placed 2nd. Pewee 50lb Ayden Moulton placed 5th. Bantam 40lb Makalup Barnes placed 4th. Intermediate 70lb Gavin Guerrera placed 5th. Intermediate 75lb Dustin Simmons placed 5th. Intermediate 75lb Jonah Young placed 4th Intermediate 80lb Alex St. Gelais placed 6th. Intermediate Heavyweight Caden Stoldt placed 2nd. Novice 70lb Dakohta Reynolds placed 6th. Novice 75lb Charles Kidd placed 5th. Novice 80lb Zane Moore placed 2nd. Novice 80lb Weston Knight placed 3rd. Novice 85lb Isak Elisson placed 5th. Novice 120lb Cody Pinkerton placed 3rd. Schoolboy/girl 98lb Trenten Kraft placed 5th. Schoolboy/girl 112lb Christopher Raines placed 4th. Schoolboy/girl 120lb Kayla Likes placed 4th. Schoolboy/girl 120lb Logan Pickett placed 6th. Cadet 138lb Shae Simmons placed 2nd.
March 12, 2012 officially marks the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting. To celebrate this historic milestone, Girl Scouts of the USA has declared 2012 the Year of the Girl: a celebration of girls, recognition of their leadership potential and a commitment to creating a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals in support of balanced leadership in the workplace and in communities across the country. “Since 1912, Girl Scouting has built its success on a deep commitment to timeless values,” said Sally Leep, Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming CEO.
Wrestling hard but not placing were: Peewee Chad Preston Peewee Keegan Roumell Bantam Jason Howell Bantam Kal Thompson Bantam Cedar Guerrera Intermediate Ronald Hicks Intermediate Allyssa Hicks Novice Tate Stoddard The Glenrock Wrestling Club also travelled to Gillette, on March 3rd and 4th, taking part in the IronMan wrestling tourny. The results are as follows:
Above His Pay Grade? Trenten Kraft pins his opponent during the Casper Event Center wrestling tournament. Photo Karie Moulton.
Freestyle results: Casey Sebesta placed 5th in the Intermediate 75lb bracket Cody Pinkerton placed 2nd in the Novice 120lb bracket. Derrick Robinson placed 2nd in the Novice 140lb bracket. Kayla Likes wrestled hard but did not place. Greco Results: Derrick Robinson placed 2nd Cody Pinkerton placed 3rd. Casey Sebesta and Kayla Likes wrestled hard but did not place. Folkstyle Results: Casey Sebesta placed 5th Derrick Robinson placed 2nd Cody Pinkerton placed 1st. Wrestling hard but not placing were Dakohta Reynolds, Christopher Raines, and Kayla Likes.
A Casper tourney wrestling ref calls the pin for Christopher Raines at the Casper Event Center wrestling tournament. Photo Karie Moulton
Congratulations to all the wrestlers! Alyssa Hicks readies for her pin against her opponent at the Casper Event Center wrestling tournament. Photo Karie Moulton
Girl Scouts Is Turning 100! “The organization has shown remarkable resilience in meeting the changing needs of girls while remaining faithful to Low’s vision of a safe and supportive environment in which girls can develop the courage, confidence, and character to become leaders today, as well as tomorrow.” In the 100 years since Juliette Gordon Low began the Girl Scout movement by gathering together a small group of girls in Savannah, Georgia, Girl Scouts has grown into an organization with 3.2 million members and 50 million alumnae. During the Year of the Girl, local Girl Scout
councils across the country will hold celebrations in honor of the organization’s 100 years as the premier leadership experience for girls. On March 30 – 31 Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming is hosting the biggest birthday party in a two-state area at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana Convention Center. Friday night Girl Scout alumnae, friends and supporters are invited to take a walk down memory lane at Denim and Pearls! Wear your favorite blue jeans and pearls and enjoy Girl Scout-themed appetizers and desserts. An actor will bring Juliette
Low to life with an interactive presentation about the founding of Girl Scouts! During the event, girls are invited to their own party—PJs and Pearls, featuring a pampered evening of fun and fashion! Door prizes, raffle items, and more! Saturday the fun continues throughout the day culminating with a birthday cake and Girl Scout carnival! Friends and family are welcome to attend! Visit www.gsmw.org/100 for details or to register to attend! Be there when our first 100 years turns into our next 100 years!
In the 2008 election cycle, Presidential candidate Barack Obama, absent his trademark teleprompter, halted, in an unartful dodge to Saddle Back Church’s Pastor Rick Warren’s TV friendly question, “At what point does a baby get human rights in your view?” “I think that, whether you are , uh, looking at it from a theological or scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity , you know, is above my pay grade.” Perhaps, he was trying to infer that “it is up to God to decide such slippery queries, not him.“ Unfortunately, God doesn’t make policy. People do. Three years later we now have President Barack Obama still operating above his pay grade. In 2008, Senator Obama believed rising gas prices were a “crisis”. Today, though the ability to doing anything about it is “above his pay grade”, President Obama knows it’s not his fault. On February 21, 2012, Press Secretary Jay Carney made it known that there were a myriad of factors pushing the price at the pumps, but there is no “silver bullet”. Translation: it’s above the President’s pay grade. However, the media darlings and left-leaning pundits held Bush the Younger accountable for rising gas prices, since it evidently wasn’t above his pay grade, even though prices were around $1.80 a gallon at the end of his term. Presenting a budget after occupying the West Wing for three years, apparently was also above his pay grade. However, nixing the Keystone Pipeline was clearly within his pay grade. What a job! Some may call it “pick n’ choose”. His energy Secretary Steven Chu reminded us that lowering the price of gas was not the administration’s policy, but to “enhance American energy independence.” The former is “above his pay grade”, and the latter is not, evidently. How convenient. However, supporting policies that reduce the pain at the pump is “above his pay grade.” Even the “serial foot-in-mouth” prone Vice President Joe Biden ventured out into the deep murky waters of a “theological quagmire” and affirmed his belief as a Catholic, that “life begins at the moment of conception.” So, it’s not out of Joe’s pay grade. Are you confused? Should the VP get
a raise? Or do we cut the President’s pay? Conveniently, it was not “above his pay grade” to preemptively berate private citizen radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh, for his “absurd” remarks about Georgetown Law Student Sandra Flukes contraception demands before a Congressional hearing, but “above his pay grade” to chastise publicly remunerated Congressional member Maxine Waters, California Democrat, for her August, 2011, verbal tirade that the “tea party can go straight to hell.” Still confused? Perhaps someone should place a lock on the President’s helicopter and Air Force One’s fuel tank until someone with the “right pay grade” can lower the price of fuel at our pumps. This President should consider buying one of those electric cars that he stridently touted. It would shorten his trips, of course, but it isn’t very far to the Avenel links or Trump National Golf Club in D.C. Battery cables in his caddy’s bag? No one would ever have to know. General Motors has an “overstock” of electric cars. Soft sales demand for the Chevy Volt has prompted GM to idle about 1300 workers for about five weeks at their Hamtramck, Michigan, plant where the plug-in is built. Officials now admit that they over estimated consumer demand. Even after a “rebate” off the sticker price of $41,000, the premium price doesn’t make economic sense for most consumers, evidently. Perhaps a “package deal” could be brokered by Energy Secretary Chu (it is surely within his pay grade) whereby the Oval Office could relieve GM of its backlog of “four wheeled batteries on steroids”. After all, it wasn’t “above his pay grade” to prod them to build the electric car, as part of the “auto bail out.” stimulus. A “green alliance” with Overstock.com may make sense. Make payments? Any money left from the Solyndra debacle? Sadly, we are unable to “dock” his pay, and he is unlikely to resign. Some have suggested we “fire” him. Good help is hard to find, isn’t it? What do you think? Remember, that is “not above our pay grade.”
Funding Available To Help Ag Producers, Handlers Go Organic CASPER, Wyo. – Wyoming agriculture producers and handlers interested in going organic may apply now for grants to help offset the costs associated with certification.
director of the Agribusiness Division. “This reimbursement grant may help those producers who have been hesitant to become organically certified due to the cost.”
The Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture are offering the Organic Certification Reimbursement program to help producers and handlers become organically certified.
The grants cover 75 percent of organic certification costs up to $750. The grant reimburses applicants for expenditures, which must be made before receiving an award.
“Organic certification can be a way for producers to add value to their operations in a market where consumers are increasingly interested in how their food is grown,” said Cindy Garretson-Weibel,
“In the environment I have my business it’s really crucial to be evolving,” said Stefan Grainda, owner of Jackson Hole Coffee Roasters in Jackson, Wyo. “People in Jackson are concerned about what they put into their bodies, so for my business it
was very important to be USDA certified in order to remain competitive as well as attract new customers. This program was very easy and straight forward.” To qualify for the program a producer or handler must become certified between Oct. 1, 2011 and Sept. 30, 2012. Certification must be obtained before applying for the grant. The deadline to submit grant applications is Nov. 1, 2012, but applications are being accepted now. For more information about the program or to receive an application packet, please contact Terri Barr at 307.777.2807
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Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Off to Good Start Encouraging the use of electronic health records by Wyoming healthcare providers is the goal of the Wyoming Department of Health’s Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. The federally funded EHR incentive program was authorized under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. “EHR technology can help Wyo-
ming’s healthcare providers see an increase in productivity for their practice,” said Teri Green, state Medicaid agent with the Wyoming Department of Health. According to Rural Assistance Center (http://www.raconline.org/ hit/), health information technology (HIT) has the potential to transform healthcare. Integrating a patient’s health information into an electronic health record (EHR) and health information exchange offers multiple opportunities for benefits such as: improving patient care, improving efficiency and reimbursement and improv-
ing health. Since launching in December 2011, Wyoming has had 69 providers and nine hospitals register for the program through our statelevel registry. The Wyoming Department of Health has approved federal payments of approximately $4.5 million in incentive funding to nine hospitals and 29 other providers that have attested to adopting, implementing or upgrading an EHR. “We see the potential for some very real benefits in Wyoming
Wolf continued from front page job of having wolf hunts and managing wolves," said Mike Jimenez, a wolf recovery project director for the agency. "They're looking at bringing (the population) down responsibly." Most of the wolves in the Northern Rockies are in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, though the region also includes portions of Washington, Oregon and Utah. Federal protections remain in place in Wyoming, where that state's wolf policy had been considered a threat to the species' survival. Gov. Matt Mead signed a bill on Wednesday to change the law as part of Wyoming'sefforts to remove Endangered Species Act protections for wolves there. The new law will allow tro-
phy hunting for wolves in a flexible zone around Yellowstone National Park beginning this fall, while classifying wolves as predators that could be shot on sight in the rest of the state. A final determination on whether to lift federal protections in Wyoming is expected by the fall, wildlife officials said. Montana and Idaho held their second wolf hunts since 2009 with the aim of reducing the population in their states. Their management plans set a population minimum at 150 wolves and 15 breeding pairs. Idaho lowered its population by 31 to 746 wolves in 2011, according to the state's Fish and Game department. The department has a goal of reducing the number in the state, but has not set a target population
or limit.
Montana had aimed to cut its wolf population by 25 percent in 2011, but the numbers actually rose 15 percent to at least 653 animals. State wildlife officials attribute that to the hunt falling short of a quota of 220 animals and to wildlife officials responding to livestock losses killing fewer than half the problem wolves than they had the year before. That increase has prompted grumbling by county officials who say state Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulators aren't doing enough to take on the predator problem. Representatives from more than a dozen counties told FWP commissioners on Wednesday that they wanted hunting restrictions loosened so that more wolves are killed in this year's hunt. "This is as important as the price of gas right now," said
through the adoption of electronic health records,” Green said. “For example, we believe EHR technology will help our providers connect more easily with telehealth options, which provide enhanced access to care for rural Wyoming citizens.” Eligible medical professionals can receive up to $63,750 over the six years they choose to participate in the program. To be eligible for the program providers must have a 30 percent Medicaid patient volume in a 90-day reporting period or 20 percent for pediatricians.
Beaverhead County Commissioner Tom Rice. FWP wildlife director Ken McDonald said the agency was considering several proposals, including getting rid of quotas altogether and reducing the price of non-resident licenses from $350 to $50 to encourage more hunters.
Eligible providers may still participate in the program and receive incentive payments for the 2011 calendar year until March 30. The last year to register for the program and receive the full $63,750 payment will be 2016. For more information on Wyoming’s EHR incentive program, please visit http://www.wyomingincentive.com/ online.
"We're going to be much more aggressive in our proposals next season," Maurier said.
A total of 18,689 licenses were purchased in 2011, including 158 non-residents, and 166 wolves were killed in the hunt that ended in mid-February. Other suggestions, such as allowing hunters to kill more than one wolf, would require a change in state law. FWP director Joe Maurier said the agency plans to present a package to lawmakers when the MontanaLegislature convenes in January. Commissioners will hear specific proposals for the 2012 hunt in May and make a final decision in July.
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Oregon Trail Rural Health Clinic provides quality basic medical care to the communities of Glenrock and Rolling Hills. Unlike other Rural Health Clinics, Oregon Trail is part of Memorial Hospital of Converse County, one of the most trusted healthcare providers in the area. Memorial Hospital operates Oregon Trail RHC as an extension of care. The clinic is connected to the hospital by a dedicated high-speed network, and more importantly, dedicated providers who ensure their patients receive the best possible care. Our clinic, combined with some of the most respected healthcare providers in the area, creates a unique healthcare experience for Glenrock and its neighbors. In addition to stuffy noses, sore throats, and wellness exams, the clinic staff also perform EKG’s, minor surgery procedures, women’s health services, blood tests, physicals, and much more. Carla Bloem, PA-C, and her team provide healthcare services Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM; closed over the noon hour.
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Glenrock resident Carla Bloem is a Certified Physician’s Assistant trained and licensed to practice medicine in Wyoming under the supervision of Memorial Hospital doctors. Carla has been treating family and friends in Glenrock for more than a decade. Her background in medicine and love for Carla Bloem, PA-C small town living provides Glenrock area residents the perfect mix of Advanced Medicine and Hometown Care. Carla’s experience, combined with the clinic’s diagnostic services, ensures Glenrock area residents have access to basic health services close to home. In addition to Carla, Dr. Brian Retherford— Memorial Hospital’s Board Certified obstetrician and gynecologist—also sees patients at Oregon Trail Rural Health Clinic. Dr. Retherford is trained in a broad array of women’s reproductive health issues as well as all aspects of pregnancy healthcare. He Dr. Brian Retherford performs yearly gynecological checks and deals with common women’s disorders such as endometriosis, infertility, urinary incontinence, and menstrual problems. Dr. Retherford also performs minimally invasive surgeries for gynecological disorders.
oregon trail
of Converse County
Rural Health Clinic
Advanced Medicine. Hometown Care.
Advanced Medicine. Hometown Care.
111 South 5th Street ~ Douglas, Wyoming
525 E. Birch St. ~ Glenrock, Wyoming
307-358-2122
307-436-8838
Sunday March 11, 2012 The Glenrock Bird Page 5
GE and Chesapeake Energy Corporation Announce Collaboration to Speed Adoption of Natural Gas as Transportation Fuel • Initiative Targets Natural Gas Fueling Infrastructure Development • Agreement Designed to Develop Products and Services for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Transportation and Home Fueling Solutions • Chesapeake to Deploy More than 250 of GE’s ecomagination™-Qualified “CNG In A Box™” Fueling Systems across the United States through 2015 through its Affiliate, Peake Fuel Solutions HOUSTON—March 7, 2012— GE (NYSE: GE) and Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK) today announced a collaboration to develop infrastructure solutions that will help accelerate the adoption of natural gas as a transportation fuel. This groundbreaking technology and services project marks a significant milestone toward increasing energy independence in the United States through the increased use of natural gas—an abundant, reliable and cleanerburning source of energy for both consumers and commercial users. To formalize the agreement, GE and Chesapeake have signed a memorandum of understanding on a product and services development partnership, representing a multi-year collaboration between the two companies to develop and bring to market compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation and natural gas home-fueling solutions. By improving access to CNG, which is most commonly used in light- to medium-duty vehicles such as pickups, vans, SUVs, taxicabs, transit buses, refuse and delivery trucks as well as consumer vehicles, along with LNG, which is commonly used for heavy-duty industrial purposes, dependence on foreign energy sources can be reduced while simultaneously lowering
fueling costs and vehicle emissions. The collaboration is designed to leverage GE’s global Oil & Gas technology portfolio with Chesapeake’s expertise in developing innovative fueling solutions to lower the ownership and operational costs of natural gas vehicle (NGV) fueling stations. With the development of shale resources dramatically increasing the amount of low-cost natural gas in North America, the GE-Chesapeake collaboration can help incentivize operators to put more NGVs on the nation’s highways. As part of today’s announced collaboration, beginning in the fall of 2012 GE will provide more than 250 modular and standardized CNG compression stations for NGV infrastructure. These units, also known as “CNG In A Box™,” have gone through GE’s rigorous ecomagination-qualification process and will provide the core infrastructure to enable expanded access to CNG at fueling stations and other designated installations. A vehicle using CNG can reduce annual fuel costs up to 40 percent, assuming 25,700 miles per year driven, gasoline priced at $3.50/gallon and CNG at $2.09/ gasoline gallon equivalent. This represents savings totaling as much as $1,500 per fleet vehicle per year. In total, for each fleet vehicle using fuel provided by CNG In A Box instead of gasoline, a fleet operator can reduce CO2e emissions from fuel combustion by about 24 percent, or 2.2 metric tons per vehicle annually, assuming an average fleet vehicle travels approximately 25,700 miles per year. “Both GE and Chesapeake are known for taking on tough energy challenges and putting the best minds and technologies to work to develop solutions,” said Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake’s Chief Executive Officer. “The partnership announced today between GE and Chesa-
peake’s affiliate, Peake Fuel Solutions, combines Chesapeake’s natural gas expertise with GE’s extensive global manufacturing capabilities and will bring transformative products to industries and individual consumers across the U.S. These products and services will allow customers to enjoy the clear advantages of clean, affordable and abundant American natural gas at about half the cost of gasoline.” Said GE Energy President & CEO John Krenicki, “GE is fundamentally committed to natural gas—our technologies help extract it, move it and turn it into power, whether it’s highly efficient gas turbines delivering electricity at the utility scale or, in the near future, a vehicle at a refueling station. What makes this project particularly exciting is that it paves the way to taking the immense reserves of natural gas being discovered in the U.S. and using them right here in the U.S. That paves the way for faster economic growth, energy security, more jobs and reduced environmental impact.” This CNG technology will be brought to market by Peake Fuel Solutions—a Chesapeake affiliate—which has extensive experience with natural gas vehicles, vehicle emission controls and natural gas market dynamics. Chesapeake also brings considerable in-house expertise in CNG market development to the GE collaboration, including retail station relationships, fleet outreach and education programs and policy engagement. CNG In A Box takes natural gas from a pipeline and compresses it on-site at an industrial location or at a traditional automotive refilling station to then turn it into CNG. A CNG vehicle, such as a taxi, bus or small truck, can then refill its tank using a traditional fuel dispenser, much like those used for diesel or gasoline refueling.
cooling, drying and controls are easy to ship and maintain due to its compact “In Box” design. • The units come in two configurations: an 8 foot x 20 foot container or 8 foot x 40 foot container, depending on the site’s need. • Its modular and intuitive design makes it “Plug & Play” on-site. • The offering includes GE Wayne branded dispensers with credit card capability and provision for “Point Of Sale” interface. • The fuel dispenses at a rate of about 7 gasoline gallon equivalent per minute.
Other elements of the new collaboration include: • Aftermarket services for natural gas fueling infrastructure. • GE’s LNG fueling plants, which adapt GE’s proven largescale LNG liquefaction technologies to smaller-scale operations. Using LNG as a substitute for diesel or fuel oil can reduce combustion emissions up to 25 percent. • Development of home refueling technologies. • Co-marketing of products and services resulting from the partnership.
Ag Photo Contest Underway, Cash Prizes Available CASPER, WYO. – The Wyoming Business Council’s Agribusiness Division is now accepting photos for its 5th Annual Ag Photo Contest. Amateurs, professionals, youth and adults may submit photos to the Agribusiness Division until Sept. 1, 2012. While there are no subject categories, all submissions must be agriculture related and taken in Wyoming. Photos could include crops; livestock and farm animals; ag recreation and activities; or scenic agriculture. Photos may be in color or black and white. Contestants may submit multiple photos to the contest. All contestants are eligible for the Grand Prize of $300. Adult contestants may win $150 and $75 for 1st and 2nd places respectively. Youth contestants may win $50 and $25 for 1st and 2nd places respectively. Winning photos will also be used in the 2013 AgriCulture Calendar issued in fall 2012. “This is the fifth year for the ag photo contest and the response we get grows every year,” said Terri Barr, senior marketing information specialist in the Agribusiness Division. “The first year, there were only 28 photos submitted; last year, it was just shy of 300. Wyoming has some exceptional amateur and professional photographers. We hope to receive a record breaking number of photos again this year from both former and new contestants.”
should include the location of the picture, the contestant’s name and a title (optional) on the back of the photograph. Digital photos may be submitted on CD or via email. For questions or to receive the application and contest rules, contact Terri Barr at terri.barr@ wyo.gov or 307.777.2807. Applications, contest rules and tips are also available online at www.wyomingbusiness.org in the Ag and Business Assistance Section. All photos become property of the Agribusiness Division and may be used in marketing materials, publications and the AgriCulture Calendar. For a free copy of the 2011 AgriCulture calendar featuring last year’s winning photos and submissions, contact Barr. The mission of the Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. The Business Council, a state government agency, concentrates its efforts on providing assistance for existing Wyoming companies and start-ups, helping communities meet their development and diversification needs, and recruiting new firms and industries targeted to complement the state’s assets. For more information, please visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.
Each submitted photograph should be accompanied by a completed and signed application form. The photos must be at least 300 dpi in jpeg or tiff format. Each submitted photo
Key features include: • The gas compression, storage,
Solar Storm Continued From Front Page Forecasters can predict the speed a solar storm travels and its strength, but the north-south orientation is the wild card. And this time, Earth got dealt a good card with a northern orientation, which is "pretty benign," Kunches said. If it had been southern, that would have caused the most damaging technological disruption and biggest auroras. "We're not out of the woods," Kunches said Thursday morning. "It was a good start. If I'm a power grid, I'm really happy so far." But that storm orientation can and is changing, he said. "It could flip-flop and we could end up with the strength of the storm still to come," Kunches stated from the NOAA forecast center in Boulder, Colo. A massive cloud of charged particles can disrupt utility grids, airline flights, satellite networks and GPS services, especially in northern areas. But the same blast can also paint colorful auroras farther from the poles than normal. Astronomers say the sun has been relatively quiet for some time. And this storm, while strong, may seem fiercer because Earth has been lulled by several years of weak solar activity. The storm is part of the sun's normal 11-year cycle, which is supposed to reach a peak next year. Solar storms don't harm people, but they do disrupt technology, much like the disruptions that Converse and Natrona area resi-
dents experienced. "I got up this morning and my whole world seemed out of whack, my cell was acting erratic and so was my internet" stated Amber Miles, a customer service representative working at Verizon Wireless. The region of the sun that erupted can still send more blasts our way, Kunches said. Another set of active sunspots is ready to aim at Earth. "This is a big sun spot group, particularly nasty," NASA solar physicist David Hathaway said. "Things are really twisted up and mixed up. It keeps flaring." Storms like this start with sun spots, Hathaway said. Then comes an initial solar flare of subatomic particles that resemble a filament coming out of the sun. That part from this storm hit Earth only minutes after the initial burst, bringing radio and radiation disturbances. In 1989, a strong solar storm knocked out the power grid in Quebec, causing 6 million people to lose power. Solar storms can bring additional radiation around the north and south poles — a risk that sometimes forces airlines to reroute flights. Satellites can be affected, too. NASA spokesman Rob Navias said the space agency wasn't taking any extra precautions to protect astronauts on the International Space Station from added radiation.
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Gov. Matt Mead Signs Wyoming Budget Bill CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Mead has signed the $3.2 billion budget bill that calls for keepingWyoming's spending flat over the coming two years. Mead signed the bill Thursday in Cheyenne with only limited lineitem vetoes that don't appear likely to prompt protests from lawmakers. Mead credited members of the Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee, which meets through-
out the year, for their work setting state budget priorities. The budget keeps spending for state agencies generally flat at first but requires agencies to present plans to cut their budgets by 4 percent next year in response to falling natural gas prices Republican Rep. Rosie Berger of Big Horn and Laramie Republican Sen. Phil Nicholas said they believe the budget serve the state well over the next two years.
Wyo. House Sends Workplace Safety Bill To Mead CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A proposal aimed at increasing workplace safety in Wyoming through voluntary inspections is on its way to Gov. Matt Mead. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that the Senate gave final approval to the bill on Wednesday. The House previously approved the bill, which would pay for five consultants to conduct voluntary inspections.
fine employers if they found any problems. It would also provide $500,000 for matching grants that companies can use to get extra training or safety equipment. The governor worked with Rep. Tom Lubnau of Gillette to craft the bill to help end the state's ranking as one of worst for deadly workplace accidents.
They wouldn't be able to cite or
Agreement Reached On Wyo. Education Reform Bill BOB MOEN, Associated Press CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — With not much time to spare, a committee of lawmakers has reached agreement on solving differences between the state House and Senate on an education reform bill. A conference committee made up of members from each chamber haggled into Wednesday evening on Senate File 57 before coming back Thursday morning on the last day of the session and settling on a compromise version.
The revised still bill must be approved by both chambers before going to Gov. Matt Mead. The overall proposal advances Wyoming's effort to help make its public school students better prepared for college and careers after high school. Lawmakers say the bill is another step in a multiyear education reform process that will require more work by the Legislature next year.
Governor and Legislature Further Streamline State Government CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Matt Mead has signed a bill into law, which will consolidate state government’s common Information Technology services and staff in one agency. Previously the state had individuals assigned to each agency to handle things like email. With the consolidation fewer people will be able to provide better service to the public. “We are already seeing some savings as services are consoli-
dated,” Governor Mead said. When Wyoming switched to use Google Apps last year, all state employees went on the same email server. Before, Wyoming had more than 13 different servers. Just this week Colorado followed Wyoming’s lead and switched to Google. “This new law and the move to Google have improved the security for our data and Information Technology,” Governor Mead said.
also signed House Bill 89, which enhances the Wyoming OSHA program to support companies in their efforts to improve workplace safety. “This new law and the work already underway in the Department of Workforce Services are great steps toward making Wyoming workplaces safer,” Governor Mead said.
This afternoon Governor Mead
Barrasso: Obama Throws Up Another Roadblock to Pipeline Project WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding bipartisan amendments to the highway bill about TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline project and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) boiler MACT rule: “The White House just threw up another roadblock against the Keystone pipeline, American energy development and new jobs. It’s especially hypocritical that the President lobbied against Keystone on the exact same day he gave a big speech about his support for ‘all of the above’ energy development. As long as he continues to say one thing and do another, Americans will feel the pain at the pump. “I am also disappointed that Democrats voted to protect red tape that will destroy thousands of jobs and costs billions of dollars. The EPA’s boiler MACT rule will hurt
small businesses, schools, hospitals, municipalities, and other important parts of communities across the country. This poorly conceived rule will make it harder and more expensive for the private sector to grow and create new jobs across the country.” BACKGROUND ON THE AMENDMENTS: AMENDMENT #1660 – Boiler MACT (Senator Collins) This amendment provides a legislative stay of four EPA rules, known as the Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rules, regulating air pollutant emissions from boilers, process heaters, and solid waste incinerators. It requires the EPA Administrator to put forward new Boiler MACT rules and finalize them 15 months after enactment of the legislation.
AMENDMENT #1537 – Keystone XL Pipeline Authorization (Senator Hoeven) This amendment provides Congressional authorization to TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the Keystone XL Pipeline to import crude oil and other hydrocarbons into the U.S. from Canada. This authorization is made in accordance with Section 8, Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which delegates to Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. This approves the pipeline.
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The Cowboy Code Gathered steers on the old red river; loaded cars in Omaha. The northern wind sure made him shiver on the stage at Tonopah.
TJ Casey is a singer/ songwriter, storyteller, composer and entertainer. He was raised up on ranches in Wyoming and Montana and now teaches the "Code of the West" and poetry to students all across America. Check him out at: www.tjcasey.net.
He stepped aboard the horse he bought at the livery down town; then he rode on back to Texas to buy a piece of ground. Was the peak of the cattle gather by the time that he got home. He hired on the (4*6) 6666’s wagon, from there, began to roam. Five times, up north he gandered ‘fore they made him trail boss; by then, he knew every single man and the name of every hoss. He knew every river crossing from Texas to ol’ Montan; and every place an outlaw lingered all the way up the Rio Grande.
Count Your Blessings You know, sometimes you have to stop and think. Really, truly think. Count your blessings. A lot of people today seem to take others for granted. People have gotten selfish, rude, and just downright unfriendly. You can blame whatever you want to blame for it too. You can blame cell phones, social networks, what have you for how anti-social people have gotten. What I think it is – people aren’t appreciative of what they’ve got. They don’t take the time to reflect on themselves and think about what they contributed to the world today. That’s where the problem lies. You see, people these days think that everything should be handed to them, and that’s not the way life works. I have a friend that works in a certain government office that tells me all the time about how the people that come
into her office just whine and cry because they aren’t getting things just handed to them. These people purposely won’t seek employment, waste the money they do have on unnecessary things, and think that society owes them something for nothing. Newsflash… and it’s a big one… society doesn’t owe you anything – and they don’t have to give you anything, either. Take some time today. Stop, think, and reflect on yourself and your life. Remember that in the end all you have in this world ultimately is you. You need to make sure that you’re appreciative of the things you have in this world and don’t go a day without appreciating everything in your life. I talk a lot about how people need to think about themselves, and now I am suggesting you be thankful for the things that make your life possible. It’s called counting your blessings. I think of it as a way to check myself and make sure that I ultimately am being the best person I
can be. I sit down every night before bed and I think about the home that I have, the dog at the end of the couch, my job and the people that make it possible – just everything in my life. I take into account all the little things and I smile and feel like it’s good to be alive. You should too – it’s quite healthy! You’ll find that you might be less cranky today, or you won’t be so angry while you’re driving to work, or you might clean up the kitchen for your wife so she doesn’t have to for once. It makes you stop and it makes you think not only about yourself but others as well. When it comes to counting your blessings, there are always people that are in worse situations than you. Think about those people the next time you find yourself whining and moaning about how horrible your life is. If you truly think that your life is that bad – please think about what you could be doing better to improve it and then do
He knew every town and brothel; every hotel and saloon. Every place to bed the cattle and when to travel by the light of moon. He was loyal and honest and trusted by the men that owned the herd. They shake of his hand and the look in his eye said “he’d” die to keep his word.” Now folks? That there’s a cowboy, it’s the way we are today; and we wouldn’t change our ethics for a double raise in pay. Its cowboy pride, folks, and integrity our hearts and souls in this western land. We’ll always live by the cowboy code, and ride for the Masters brand.
something to improve it and make it better. Nobody owes you anything - you owe it to yourself and your family. Generally, people are there to help and make things better. It’s what makes us different from robots. However, in the end its you that makes the decision to make things better. If you don’t – don’t expect anybody else to feel bad for you or give you pity. Take some time today Glenrock.
Wyoming House Bill 85 Generates Concern Over Dependence On A Failing Federal Government - Let's Take It One Small Step At A Time Wyoming is one of the few states to consider what would happen in the case of a National Government Collapse. State of Wyoming via House Bill 85, creating a state-run government “continuity task force to prepare for the possibility of disruptions in energy and food to a total breakdown of the federal government.” Other states are following suit and some think it's total lunacy. In my opinion I like the premise of this bill but think that the citizens of Wyoming are innovative enough to start with small steps in their own homes and lifestyles. These articles are focused on becoming free of big box stores, having to buy products that we can produce and grow ourselves, and start gaining some self-sufficiency one small step at a time. And so we begin with one of the smallest steps we can take. As I began to look for alternatives to products we buy without thinking I noticed my use of paper napkins. This seems like such an innocuous product to have, after all, we get them in our fast food bags (unless you have to eat in the car - that's when they forget to put them in the bag), at restaurants, coffee joints, around ice cream cones, and at our own tables. So my very first step toward solving this problem was to get cloth napkins. I made my own napkins out of bandana fabric, however Amazon.com has bandanas of many different colors and patterns and there are several bandana stores on-line that sell them also. So if you're not up to sewing your own, there are other options available to you. I wondered if this was going to add to my water consumption now having to wash napkins, but I just throw them in with the towels or the sheets when I do the laundry each week and it adds no more water or detergent than I would use otherwise. I've been using cloth napkins for about two years. I don't miss the paper napkins anymore and I don't miss having to buy them. Since paper napkins cost the average family between $7.00 and $12.00 per month the savings per year could be as high as $144.00. Although a slight investment up front, cloth napkins save trees, and cuts down on the trash and waste going into our landfills nationwide. Even better, it eliminates our reliance on having to buy a product from a store and increases our independence one small step at a time.
Reflect on your life and the people in it. Stop, think, and give thanks to the things you have and more importantly the people in your life. If you need suggestions on something fun and special you can do you can feel free to email me. Just remember that you could have nothing in your life, and yet everybody has at least one little something to be thankful for. Give thanks every day, and God bless.
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Housing/Offices For Rent Choice Office Space 213 W. Birch Street in the heart of Glenrock A/C, security lighting, ample parking, utilities paid. Call 307-436-9615 Apartment for Rent: 201 Boxelder Trail #4, $540 per month plus gas & electric, 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. Laundry hookups, dishwasher, off street parking. Commercial Services Inc. (307) 234-7179.
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