CASPER, Wyo. (AP) – A task force that’s been looking into wind energy development is meeting in Casper.      The group is expected to issue its recommendations during Thursday’s meeting.      The task force has been reviewing how landowners should be compensated for large wind farms and also at whether there’s a need to change the state’s eminent domain law to deal with wind farms.      In recent years, some Wyoming residents have complained about the power of eminent domain being used to take private land for power lines as well as railroads, pipelines and coal-bed methane discharge water.      Wyoming has imposed a moratorium on the use of eminent domain for electrical collector lines. The moratorium went into effect in March and will last through next June. … Read entire article »

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) – Wyoming’s attorney general is defending his decision to join nine other states in signing a brief opposing gay marriage in a fight over California’s law.      The amicus brief sent last week to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said that the Constitution does not require marriage to include same-sex couples. The fight over California’s voter-approved gay marriage ban is expected to go to the U.S. Supreme Court.      Attorney General Bruce Salzburg tells the Casper Star-Tribune that the state has an interest in the ultimate ruling in the case.      Wyoming has a law defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Last year, state lawmakers defeated a resolution to ban recognition of gay marriages performed in other states.      —      Information from: Casper Star-Tribune – Casper, http://www.trib.com … Read entire article »

GREEN RIVER, Wyo. (AP) – The Green River City Council has voted to make a bid to buy nearly 1,200 acres of Bureau of Land Management land near the town.      Mayor Hank Castillon said he hopes Green River will be able to buy the land but it may not happen for a few years.      Castillon told the Rock Springs Rocket-Miner that if the city buys the land it could sell parcels for development.      The city has not allocated any money for the land.      The BLM land is west of Green River. Supporters of purchasing the land say the town is landlocked and needs room to grow and provide space for commercial development.      —      Information from: Rock Springs Rocket-Miner, http://www.rocketminer.com … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – An upcoming conference in Cheyenne will discuss the educational and social issues facing Latina girls in Wyoming.      The Wyoming Latina Youth Conference is scheduled for Oct. 15-17 and is hosted by Laramie County Community College. Girls statewide in grades 5-12 are invited to attend.      There will be discussions and workshops on education, teen pregnancy, healthy relationships, substance abuse and even dancing.      Special events will include a Latin jam concert at the Cheyenne Civic Center and a folkloric dance workshop at the YMCA. … Read entire article »

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) – A law-enforcement dispatcher in Sweetwater County is being honored by the Wyoming Peace Officers’ Association.      The association recently honored Communications Officer Tasha Urbatsch as state dispatcher of the year for 2010.      Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell says Urbatsch called an armed man who had been involved in a shooting incident and a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 80 this spring. She persuaded him to leave his vehicle with his hands up and surrender to police. … Read entire article »

DOUGLAS, Wyo. (AP) – The Thunder Basin National Grassland is imposing fire restrictions in response to hot, dry conditions.      Misty Hays is acting district ranger on the grassland. She says the area has received little moisture lately and says there’s none in the forecast.      The prohibition will remain in effect until further notice. It includes open fires as well as charcoal grills, hibachis and coal- or wood burning stoves.      Smoking is prohibited except within enclosed vehicles or buildings, developed recreation sites, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.      Petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices are still allowed provided they meet safety specifications. … Read entire article »

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) – A lighting-sparked wildfire burning in Yellowstone National Park has increased to about 4,370 acres, or 6.8 square miles.      Yellowstone National Park officials say the fire grew by about 1,300 acres Tuesday and there’s no update on containment. The fire was 50 percent contained on Sunday.      The fire west of the Yellowstone River is the biggest of 11 fires within the park this year. Firefighters have been battling it since Sept. 14.      Fire managers say the flames are helping park officials to manage habitat there. … Read entire article »