CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — New data from the federal government show that Wyoming had the lowest retail rates for electricity in the country in 2010. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the average price in Wyoming that year was 6.2 cents per kilowatt-hour. The Gillette News-Record reports (http://bit.ly/waCXSa) that Hawaii had the highest retail rate, 25.1 cents. The national average was 9.83 cents. Most electricity generated in Wyoming in 2010 came from coal. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Two Wyoming Air National Guard units are being recognized for their work. The Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and 153rd Medical Group in Cheyenne have both received the 2011 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The logistics readiness squadron was recognized for orchestrating air support for flood missions in Fremont County and for moving passengers, cargo and supporting combat sorties in Afghanistan. In addition, the unit assisted the Wyoming Honor Flight Program with helping World War II veterans travel to see the World War II monument in Washington, D.C. The 153rd Medical Group unit provided medical processing of airmen returning from deployments and was the first Air Force unit to earn a perfect score in its Aerospace Medicine Program for a health services inspection. … Read entire article »

(JACKSON, Wyo.)   Averaging 12.8 miles per hour, Blayne “Buddy” Streeper from Fort Nelson, British Columbia, posted the fastest time on Day Three of the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) with a time of 3:21:51. Streeper has won the race (IPSSSDR) in 2004, 2010 and 2011. In second place, John Stewart from Scotland posted a time of 3:24:25. James Wheeler from South Portland, Maine, a newcomer to the race (IPSSSDR), came in third with a time of 3:29:48 In overall times, Streeper leads with a time of 6:29:06. Aaron Peck from Grand Praire, Alberta, is second with a time of 6:37:01.  Stewart is in third place with a time of 6:37:28. Today the teams will race a 64-mile course in Big Piney. The 2012 IPSSSDR continues this week through Alpine, Evanston, and Lyman/Mountain View, Wyo., before arriving in Park City, Utah, for the final stage … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department plans to hold another series of meetings to discuss plans for managing the Platte Valley mule deer herd. The department already has held two series of meetings to discuss the decline of the mule deer population in the Platte Valley. At the third set of meetings in late February, the department will present the draft management plan and seek public input. ____ The meetings will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the following locations: Feb. 21: Saratoga, Platte Valley Community Center, 210 W. Elm St. Feb. 22: Rawlins, Jeffrey Memorial Community Center, 315 E. Pine St. Feb. 23: Laramie, UW Business Bldg. Rm. 129; corner of Ivinson and 15th Street. Feb. 24: Cheyenne, WGFD Headquarters, 5400 Bishop Blvd. … Read entire article »

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming wildlife officers have caught one of two young cougars that had eluded them since their mother was captured last week. The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports (http://bit.ly/x9RDyT ) the 7-month-old female was captured Sunday. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says she had been feeding on a moose carcass was in good condition. Officers plan to use some of the meat from the carcass as bait for the second young cougar. The Game and Fish Department decided to trap and move the three cats after they killed deer in a residential area. Officials say they will probably be released in the Lander area. The mother cat was captured Jan. 23. She and the female kitten are being kept at a wildlife research center in Sybille (se-BILL). … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — It’s almost time for Girl Scouts to begin selling cookies in Wyoming and Montana and some people are apparently trying to cash in on pent up demand for Thin Mints. The organization says there have been reports of people taking money in advance for cookies in Cheyenne, promising to deliver the cookies later. However, Girl Scouts spokeswoman Anna Paige says troop members don’t take money in advance and the cookie program in Wyoming and Montana doesn’t begin until Feb. 11. Girl scouts will go door-to-door to take orders for cookies between Feb. 11 and Feb. 26. Cookies will be sold from booths starting March 31. … Read entire article »

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A new TV series about a Wyoming sheriff begins filming in March. The New Mexico Film Office announced Monday the A&E cable television network series Longmire will mainly shoot in northern New Mexico and may use the Greer Garson Studios on the Santa Fe University of Art and Design campus, The Santa Fe New Mexican (http://bit.ly/zZNcKH ) reports the contemporary Western is based on Craig Johnson’s novels about a county sheriff trying to put his life and career back on track after the death of his wife. It stars Robert Taylor, perhaps best known for his role in The Matrix, with Lou Diamond Phillips. New Mexico has hosted several high-profile Western movie locations including No Country For Old Men, 3:10 to Yuma and the recent remake of True Grit. … Read entire article »

(LANDER, Wyo.)  Contracts totaling nearly $22.4 million for 12 highway projects around the state were awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its January meeting in Cheyenne. Donald B. Murphy Contractors of Federal Way, Wash., submitted the low bid of $5.8 million for reconstruction of a section of WYO 28 about 19 miles south of Lander damaged by a landslide. The work is expected to begin in June and the contract completion date is Sept. 20. High County Construction of Lander won a $5.4 million contract for reconstruction of eight miles of a road in Johnson County. Western Wyoming Construction of Lander was awarded a $1.2 million contract for widening and drainage improvements on a half-mile section of WYO 28 in the Red Canyon area about 15 miles south of Lander. The work also will include installation of cable safety barrier and a pavement overlay.  The … Read entire article »

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — A national architectural firm says it has been selected to help design a center to welcome people to the University of Wyoming. DLR Group announced Tuesday that it was picked for the Gateway Center job along with Pappas & Pappas Architects of Cheyenne. DLR Group has designed buildings, including court houses, schools and stadiums, across the country and in China. The center will be built on the former U.S. Forest Service Research Station, across from the university’s conference center. It’s intended to be a place to welcome students and their parents and host visiting alumni and recruiters. It will be paid for with money from the University of Wyoming Foundation, including revenue bonds, and fundraising. DLR said the center will include a public reception area and visitor’s center along with exhibits, offices and conference and seminar rooms. … Read entire article »

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Marine Corps captain from Florida has filed a federal lawsuit claiming Lincoln County, Wyo., sheriff’s deputies violated his Second Amendment rights by arresting him while repeatedly asking him whether he was carrying a handgun. Robert Pierson, of Pensacola, Fla., contends in a federal lawsuit filed Friday in Cheyenne that he was pulled over while motorcycling through Lincoln County in August. Pierson claims in the lawsuit that two deputies handcuffed him for 45 minutes while they repeatedly asked him if he had a gun. Pierson states he was released only after the deputies’ supervisor arrived. Pierson’s attorney says his client was legally carrying a pistol at the time. Lincoln County Sheriff Shane Johnson said he hadn’t been served with the complaint and had no comment on it. … Read entire article »