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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID GILLETTE, WY PERMIT NO. 5105
The Campbell 00 $1. County Observer
Subscribe Online at www.CampbellCountyObserver.net
Volume 4 • Issue 20
May 16 - 23, 2014
www.campbellcountyobserver.net
“If it doesn’t have to do with Campbell County, we don’t care!”
This Week’s June 17 - 24, 2011 Highlights
• Schladweiler to Run ...........................Page 3 • Hope’s Haven .............Page 4 • 2014 Scholarship Winners ........................Page 6
PINERIDGE “A ridge above the rest.” Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Water, Fire & Mold Damage
Dusty Linder
307-660-7856 www.pineridgeclean.com
• What’s Going On This Week?....................Page 7
Cleaning & Restoration
• New Life for the Old Lakeview ...............Page 8
Little Miss Patriotic, Emma Hegel hold the flag during “Breakfast with a Fireman” at the WY Family Literacy
• Comics .................... Page 10 • Bold Republic: Freedom or Equality ..................... Page 11 • Cole Sports.............. Page 15 • A Tale of Two Lawmen ............. Page 20
Photo by Dottie Rankin
Governor Mead Pleased That Work Will Start on Orphaned Well Plugging
overnor Matt Mead complimented the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for taking the next step in its aggressive four-year plan to plug orphaned coal bed methane wells. The OGCC has selected a contractor to conduct reclamation work on 141 wells in the Ucross and Spotted Horse areas in Sheridan and Campbell Counties.
“In our effort to be the standardbearer for responsible energy development, Wyoming is committed to protecting and restoring our natural resources for the benefit of our citizens,” Governor Mead said. “Protecting our land, water and wildlife is as important as responsible oil and gas development. In Wyoming we are committed to both. I am pleased the Oil and Gas
Commission is moving forward with this project.” The work will be conducted by Pluggin Along LLC of Gillette. The project’s funding comes via revenues from the conservation tax, which is assessed on oil and gas production. The contract specifically covers wellbore plugging. Landowners will have input into surface restoration.
Johnson County Elk Poaching Case Settled A Gillette woman, Prairie Whiteface, has been ordered to pay fines and restitution totaling $19,500 following a guilty plea of the illegal taking of two bull elk in 2011 and 2013 on a ranch near the Powder River east of Buffalo. Due to the seriousness of the elk violations, and because of a previous case involving Whiteface in 2009, Johnson County Deputy Attorney Ryan Wright and Whiteface’s defense attorney drafted a plea agreement for the fines and restitution. Circuit Court Judge Shelley Cundiff then sentenced Whiteface in accordance with the agreement. On April 28, 2014 Whiteface, entered a plea of guilty to the illegal take of two
elk without proper licenses in 2011 and 2013. The case was initiated in October 2013, when Gillette game wardens Dustin Kirsch and Teal Joseph relayed information they had received regarding a possible poaching incident to Buffalo game warden Jim Seeman. After Seeman received the information he recalled a similar type violation that occurred in 2009 involving the same defendant. In that case, Whiteface’s license was given to a Texas man to use when he harvested a buck mule deer. The Texas man was charged with taking a deer without a proper license and paid a fine of $780. The mule deer in that case was also confiscated. In the elk cases, it was Whiteface
that used licenses in 2011 and 2013 that were not issued to her. After the Gillette wardens and Seeman collected physical evidence about both elk, Seeman interviewed Whiteface who admitted to killing both elk and having the elk she killed in 2011 mounted. In addition to fines and restitution, Prairie Whiteface lost her privilege to purchase licenses and hunt for three years. With her hunting privileges suspended in Wyoming, Whiteface will not be able to purchase hunting licenses in 38 other states that are members of the Wildlife Violators Compact. Both elk heads were confiscated and the meat from the elk taken in 2013 was donated to a family.
‘No Watering on Mondays’ Begins June 1 The City of Gillette reminds City water customers that the “No Watering on Mondays” restrictions the Gillette City Council approved by ordinance during the spring of 2013 go back into effect on June 1st through October 1st. “The public did a great job last year by observing the “No Watering on Mondays” and we look for their support again this summer,” said Public Information Officer Joe Lunne. Summer 2014 Water Conservation Information: Follow the Water Schedule for your Address: • Even Number Addresses water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays • Odd Number Addresses water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays • No Watering allowed on Mondays. (Against City Code June 1st through October 1st) • 7 - 7 - Only water between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Evaporation occurs most during the daylight hours. NEW GRASS SEED & SOD New Grass-Seed-Sod Watering Exemption- A sign can be obtained if new grass, seed or sod has been planted granting further watering privileges. Signs can be obtained by calling the City of Gillette Sustainability Office at (307) 686-5228. Sod can be watered
five times a day, every day, for two weeks, then five times a day, every other day, during the third week. Seed can be watered five times a day, every day, for three weeks, then five times a day, every other day, during the fourth week. Following the privilege period, the normal watering schedule must be followed and the sign must be returned. SUMMER WATERING TIPS Choose an Automatic Irrigation System - An automatic sprinkler system can be set to water the lawn for a specific amount of time. If you don’t have an automatic sprinkler system, set a kitchen timer. Outdoor faucets can flow at rates as high as 300 gallons per hour and can create a lot of waste. Use a soil probe to test soil moisture - Water only when a soil probe shows dry soil or a screw driver is difficult to push into the soil. Don’t water the pavement - Position sprinklers so that water lands on the lawn or garden, not in areas where it is not needed. Also avoid watering when it is windy. Wind causes water to evaporate quickly and blows water onto areas where it is not needed. Consider drip irrigation systems around trees and shrubs - Drip systems permit water to flow slowly to
roots, encouraging strong root systems. These systems also cut down evaporation. Mow as infrequently as possible and higher than normal - Mowing puts the grass under stress that requires more water. Longer leaf surfaces promote deeper rooting and shade the root zone. Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade in one mowing. Return mulched clippings to the lawn. Use a broom to clean the driveway and sidewalk - Sweeping the driveway and sidewalk will get them clean enough without wasting water. Plant drought resistant trees and plants - Landscape with plants that require less water. These plants can be very attractive and can survive drought better than turf. Use a cistern or rain barrel to collect rainwater - Store collected water and siphon it off to water garden areas or flower beds. Have your irrigation system audited by a professional to determine the most efficient use of your water. Reduce your outside monthly water use by 10%. Contact your local nursery or Master Gardener for plant suggestions that require less water and are Campbell County friendly.