SARATOGA, Wyo. (AP) – A portion of Wyoming Highway 130 over the Snowy Range has been closed for the season.      The road was closed Thursday between Laramie and Saratoga. The Wyoming Department of Transpiration says over four feet of snow has fallen between Libby Flats and Bellamy Lake.      On the westside, the closure begins at the Green Rock Picnic Area, about 8 miles above Centennial. On the eastside, the closure begins near milepost 48 above Ryan Park.      The stretch of road is closed each year for the winter and typically reopens in May. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Preliminary tests indicate that the bacterial disease brucellosis (brew-suh-LOW’-sis) has been found in three cows in northern Wyoming.      The Wyoming Livestock Board says more tests are being done to confirm the disease in the cows from a single herd in Park County. Nearby herds also are being tested. Results could take about two weeks.      Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that can cause pregnant bison, cattle and elk to abort their fetuses. Strict measures are taken if it spreads to cattle in order to protect the beef industry.      Wyoming last had a confirmed case of brucellosis in cattle just over two years ago in Sublette County. … Read entire article »

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) – The U.S. Forest Service plans to burn slash piles in areas of the Jackson and Buffalo ranger districts.      The Bridger-Teton National Forest says the public may see smoke from the burning. The work is to reduce the fire danger on public lands adjacent to private property.      Piles will be ignited in the following areas: Wilderness Ranches in Moran; Buffalo Ranger Station; Jackson Hole Mountain Resort; Fall Creek Corridor; Palmer Creek in Hoback; and Jack Pine Summer homes in the Granite Creek drainage.      The piles will be burned this year when weather and fuel conditions permit. … Read entire article »

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) – A proposal is being floated in Teton County schools to adopt a calendar that would spread out the school year and shorten summer break.      The idea was discussed at a recent school board meeting.      Jessica Lindstrom is co-chairwoman of the parent-teacher organization at two elementary schools. She says a lot of parents are asking her about the proposal.      Lindstrom says she’s hearing from people both for and against the idea and most people seem opposed to it.      Hayden Leeds, a junior at Jackson Hole High School, tells the Jackson Hole News & Guide students have rallied around the idea.      Under the proposal, summer break would be shortened from 12 weeks to five weeks and students would get a three-week break after each nine-week block of school.      —      Information from: Jackson Hole News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com … Read entire article »

     LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) – The Laramie High School has a national FFA championship to its credit.      A team of four Laramie High students won the horse evaluation title at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis last weekend.      The team consisted of senior Nina Adams, juniors Sadey Saputo and Christa Avery and sophomore William Wood.      The Laramie Boomerang reports each student won $1,000 college scholarships to the school of their choice.      Principal Kim Sorenson says it’s the first national championship in Laramie High history that anyone at the school could remember.      FFA adviser Danielle Kunkel said it was only the ninth national championship in an FFA event for anyone from Wyoming and the first in the horse evaluation career development event.      —      Information from: Laramie Daily Boomerang – Laramie, http://www.laramieboomerang.com … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Democrat Mike Massie and Republican Cindy Hill have each raised more than $100,000 since the August primary in their race for the state’s top education job.      Hill reports raising over $119,000 over about the last two months, while Massie has collected over $104,000.      While Hill reports raising more money, her total includes $60,000 in loans. Massie reported no loans.      For the entire campaign, Hill has raised over $226,000 and Massie nearly $180,000.      Hill had to spend a good chunk of money to beat three others in the GOP primary. Massie was unopposed in the Democratic primary.      More than $127,000, or 56 percent, of Hill’s money came from loans or her immediate family, whereas, Massie reports just $1,300 in family contributions. … Read entire article »