By AP

By AP

Jackson , Wy – While there have been recent avalanches caused by skiers many are caused by snowmobiles. Scott Wiley of the Jackson area group the Snow Devils says common sense needs to be used by those who travel the backcountry. That includes not climbing when new snow has fallen. Wiley also says being prepared, with life saving devices is critical.

Laramie, Wy – A survey of Wyoming drivers finds that only about 60 percent of people from the state wear seat belts. The Department of Transportation did a survey of vehicles and found that those with out- of-state license plates wore seat belts much more often. WyDOT's Matt Carlson says that's especially disturbing because of the number of people that die in crashes simply because they weren't buckled up.
The survey also found that Wyoming men were less likely to wear seatbelts than women and people in pick up trucks wear seat belts less than people in other types of vehicles.

Cheyenne, Wy –
Whether or not Wyoming passes an eminent domain bill this legislative session remains to be seen. While many want it passed, they have concerns that it could go too far. The other issue is that the bill has been changed from a previous compromise measure. Speaker of the House Roy Cohee had originally supported it...but now he has concerns. Several supporters will be on hand to push for passage of the bill on Tuesday.

Laramie, Wy – Albany county planning officials will once again ask the public to provide input on how the county should grow. Last month, citizens were asked to share their views on growth. One of those helping develop the plan is Diana Hulme of the Ruckelshaus Institute. She says public comments shared a common thread. Hulme says people are worried about rising costs because of growth, the loss of open space and impacts on the environment. Citizens will now be asked to attend meetings to develop alternatives for future land use and development in the county.

Laramie, Wy – Five years ago Wyoming's child welfare program failed a federal review. Though back then no state passed review. Now Wyoming's program is one of just 29 that have improved and received federal approval.
This review is of how the state takes care of abused or delinquent children. The Department of Family Service's Chad Shaver says what they did to improve is to do more of a holistic approach to dealing with their cases, where they try to address the underlying cause of the abuse.

Laramie, Wy – A small fire this afternoon (Friday) at Cheyenne's Frontier Oil Refinery injured one refinery worker before
it was put out.
The fire was apparently caused by two small explosions in a device that separates oil and fuels from waste water.
Witnesses said flames reached thirty feet high, but the fire was extinguished within 20 minutes.
The injured worker was taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center but had only minor cuts and bruises.

Laramie, Wy – Gary Trauner insists he's NOT behind a plan to recount the paper records from electronic voting machines in Sheridan County.
However, he does think it's a good idea.
Three Sheridan County Democrats announced this week they planned to review the paper records. They say they just want to make sure the paper records match up with the electronic totals provided by the voting machines.
Liz Howell is one of those Democrats. She says she's been told by county officials that she and two colleagues will be allowed to review the records.

Laramie, Wy – The Wyoming department of health's staff dentist says at least 800 children in the state needed to repair or remove rotting teeth last year in Wyoming.
Doctor Grant Christensen says it's a significant and expensive problem for the state the size of Wyoming.
The children, under the age of four, are suffering from bottle-mouth tooth decay. That's when they are allowed to suck on bottles or sippy cups containing sweet liquids. Over time, their teeth decay due to the prolonged sugary bath.