Interchange May 2018
The Photogrammetry Program Serving up digital deliverables
Interchange
Vol. 46, Issue 5
Interchange is published for employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspondents. Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to: Carlie Van Winkle, Interchange editor, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by sending an email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov
Staff WYDOT Director: William T. Panos
Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee
Editor:
Carlie Van Winkle
Contributors: Aimee Inama J.L. O’Brien Carlie Van Winkle Matt Murphy Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Laura Dalles Cody Beers Sgt. Kyle McKay
Photography: Rick Carpenter
Public Affairs Public Affairs Public Affairs District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 Patrol Public Affairs
Be sure to check out the online version of Interchange at http://issuu.com/wydot.pao or click on the link found on the employee’s internal website home page.
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A WYDOT PUBLICATION
Contents
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Features 10 Photogrammetry Program Serving up digital deliverables
14 WYDOT “all-hands� meetings Director gives update on new state laws, other issues
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Also in this issue District briefs.............................................................................4 By the Numbers.......................................................................7 HR Happenings......................................................................13 TechNotes................................................................................15 Training.....................................................................................15 District news...........................................................................16 Awards......................................................................................19 Wellness...................................................................................19 Passings................................................................................... 20 Extra Mile Awards................................................................. 20 WTDEA......................................................................................21 Break Time.............................................................................. 23
On the cover:
The specialized equipment and software used in Photogrammetry and Surveys allows the surveyors to overlay different types of information produced by planimetric data, orthophoto and Lidar. Photo: WYDOT
Kindly recycle this publication after reading. May 2018
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District Briefs WHP seizes an estimated $285,000 in marijuana
CHEYENNE – Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers arrested two Washington state residents after finding 114 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $285,000 in their vehicle on April 14. Troopers arrested driver Ngoc Thi Bich Pham, 39, and her passenger Hung Minh Nguyen, 45, both of Renton, Washington, following a traffic stop on Interstate 80. They were charged with possession of a controlled substance in plant form more than three ounces, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and conspiracy to commit a felony, which are all felony charges. The arrests happened after Pham stopped at the road closure gate asking troopers why the road was closed. The road was closed eastbound of Cheyenne to the state line due to hazardous road conditions in Nebraska. Pham asked for directions on how to get around the road closure in order to continue to her destination and told troopers that she was heading to Charlotte, North Dakota, but then changed her destination to Charlotte, North Carolina. Troopers also noticed an odor coming from her vehicle that smelled like marijuana. They saw a blanket covering several large suitcases on the rear seat that reached the rear window of the vehicle. With the odor of raw marijuana present, troopers had probable cause to search her vehicle. Inside, they found 108 clear plastic packages containing a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana. Troopers also found a backpack belonging to Pham on the rear seat floorboard under the bags of suspected marijuana. Evidence inside the backpack indicated a large money laundering enterprise. Troopers read Pham and Nguyen their rights and interviewed them. Nguyen said he gets paid about $18,000 and Pham about $4,000 relating to the incident.
Troopers attempted to arrest her after a short foot pursuit. During the pursuit, a Trooper’s vehicle did sustain damage and the Trooper was treated for minor injuries. Patnode was treated for her injuries at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and booked into the Laramie County Detention Facility. She is being held on a $10,000 cash bond.
They were taken to the Laramie County Detention Center and booked in on felony drug charges.
Work zone safety in spotlight as construction season begins
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Photo: WHP
HQ
108 clear plastic bags filled with marijuana were found in a car traveling eastbound on I-80 near Cheyenne on April 14.
WHP arrests Cheyenne woman after high-speed chase Wyoming Highway Patrol arrested a Cheyenne woman on several charges following an incident on April 9 and 10 on Interstates 25 and 80 in Laramie County. Troopers arrested Natasha Jo Dawn Patnode, 29, on April 10 and charged her with fleeing/eluding, interference, speeding, reckless driving, wrong way on an access highway, failure to stop at stop signs and lights, no insurance, driving through the median, leaving the scene of an injury crash, no seat belt and failure to maintain a lane. She was also arrested on a Wyoming warrant for child endangerment. Troopers observed Patnode traveling 104 mph in a 75 mph on I-25 on April 9. When they attempted to pull her over, she fled south to Colorado. Troopers terminated the pursuit once the vehicle entered into Colorado. On April 10, Troopers then attempted to stop Patnode on Leisher Drive in Cheyenne for speeding in a 30 mph zone. She then drove on I-80 eastbound where Troopers continued to attempt to pull her over. At milepost 391, Patnode crashed her vehicle, sustaining injuries. However, she fled on foot. She then resisted arrest when
CHEYENNE – A close call in a bridge construction zone on Interstate 80 near Cheyenne last year could have been much worse. When a tractor trailer driver didn’t slow down his vehicle from 75 mph to the reduced construction zone speed, he temporarily lost control of his vehicle, which partially drove up on a concrete barrier. Luckily, no workers were working close to the incident when it happened. “There was cement dust flying everywhere,” said Ethan Crockett, WYDOT engineer in Cheyenne. “The contractors were running to get away. The driver apparently didn’t slow down. There were tire marks on the concrete barrier 18 inches to 2-feet high.” April 9-13 was National Work Zone Awareness Week and the Wyoming Department of Transportation reminded motorists to follow posted speed limits, pay attention and not drive distracted when entering construction zones. While the number of crashes in work zones are down over the past five years in Wyoming, these events still make up more than 200 crashes per year, for a total of 1,271. More than 30 percent of those crashes led to injuries or fatalities. Construction season in Wyoming can start as early as April but typically gets under way in May. WYDOT will have construction along interstates 80, 25 and 90, and secondary highways. “Our main goal out there is to keep the traveling public and everyone safe,” said Kevin Erickson, resident engineer in Cheyenne. “We’re out there working alongside of the traveling public. We want to establish traffic control, so they can maneuver through the site safely.” Work zones are designed to separate
traffic from construction activities so workers and drivers are safe. Although the lanes are narrower, they are wide enough to safely accommodate traffic. WYDOT also posts safety signs before construction sites to alert motorists of upcoming work. In work zones, motorists may see traffic cones, concrete barriers, flaggers, reduced speed signs and other safety-related measures. “Every work zone is different so you really need to pay attention to what’s on the signs,” Erickson said. “The configurations vary from site to site. The important thing is to just slow down when you’re in construction zones. There are a lot of people out there working. We want everyone to go home safe.” When traveling in or near work zones, motorists should: • Plan ahead and give themselves extra time to reach their destinations.
Distracted driving can turn normal days into life-changing events CHEYENNE – What started as a normal work day a few years ago for a Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance crew quickly became a lifechanging event because of a distracted driver. A truck driver who was using his laptop while driving sideswiped a WYDOT maintenance vehicle. A WYDOT worker sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the truck driver walked away uninjured. The WYDOT employee, however, never went back to work.
• Slow down and follow speed limit signs. • Pay attention to other drivers. • Don’t drive distracted. • Wear their seat belts. • Visit WYDOT’s 511 website at wyoroad.info for the latest road and travel information.
Work zone crashes
1,271 crashes 278 injury crashes 381 injuries 17 fatal crashes 22 fatalities 976 property damage only
Source: WYDOT Highway Safety Program
Photo: WYDOT
While the number of crashes in work zones are down over the past five years in Wyoming, these crashes still make up more than 200 crashes per year, for a total of 1,271. More than 30 percent of those crashes led to injuries and fatalities.
In 2015, a WYDOT maintenance vehicle was sideswiped by a distracted driver in a semi truck on I-80.
“My guys and I have seen distracted driving getting worse over the years,” said Tony Avila, area foreman for WYDOT. “Every day we see people driving distracted in their vehicles. People need to pay attention and watch the road. That way, they can avoid getting into an accident and possibly hurting themselves, someone else or, worst case, killing themselves or someone else.” With April having been national distracted driver awareness month, WYDOT officials reminded motorists to pay attention while driving and eliminate distractions. Common distractions include using cellphones, talking to passengers, changing the radio station, putting on makeup and eating. “There are three types of distractions
– visual, manual or cognitive,” said Sgt. Momen Elazizi of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. “Texting and driving combines all three types of distractions. When you’re texting, you’re taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the steering wheel and thinking about what you’re typing. That’s definitely a recipe for disaster.” Over the past five years, statistics from WYDOT’s Highway Safety Office showed distracted driving crashes have remained steady in Wyoming. In 2017, there were about 180 crashes resulting from people using cellphones or other electronic communication devices. There were 165 crashes in 2016, 180 in 2015, 181 in 2014 and 172 in 2013, statistics showed. “If you’re driving at 55 mph and take your eyes off the road for five seconds, that’s approximately the length of a football field,” Elazizi said. “That’s a far distance to travel and not be looking at where you’re going.” Besides cellphone use, other distractions that have caused crashes are TVs, computers, passengers, pets and outside distractions. In 2017, there were 51 crashes from “other electronic devices,” which includes TVs, computers and other palm held devices. There were 376 crashes reported in 2017 for distractions inside a vehicle, which included passengers and pets. For distractions outside a vehicle, there were 304 crashes reported. The best advice for motorists is to always pay attention. “The fight with distracted driving starts with you,” Elazizi said. “You obviously need to do what’s important right now, which is driving. If you are a passenger, you need to speak out if the driver of your vehicle is distracted.”
Department offers online motorcycle training option CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation is committed to removing barriers for riders on the path to the freedom of the open road on a motorcycle. Starting this spring, Motorcycle Safety classes through WYDOT will now include an online component for a portion of the classroom learning. The classes Briefs continued on page 6 May 2018
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Briefs continued from page 5 will provide students a flexible option to complete a 3-hour e-course during the two weeks prior to the class. The hands-on safety riding instruction will still require face-to-face time with riding coaches to, after the online learning portion, get students acquainted with the motorcycles during a low-risk exercise at the beginning of class. The curriculum employed by WYDOT is provided by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). The updated curriculum is the result of extensive research which has been successful at a national level, WYDOT Motorcycle Safety Program Manager Jennifer Goodrich said. The new curriculum, including the online, classroom and on-cycle training is more dynamic and engaging, Goodrich added. Each riding coach is required to get certification in the updated curriculum. All WYDOT motorcycle trainers are MSF certified RiderCoaches. WYDOT’s training team is excited about the changes, Goodrich said. Classes do fill up quickly, Goodrich said, and only cost $50. Registrations will be accepted online beginning in March. Now that department personnel can track if a student rider has completed the online training portion, “no shows” are reduced, and a spot in class can be offered to another student up to two days prior to the class. People interested in a class that appears “full” are encouraged to contact the department to be placed on a wait list. To sign up or learn more about the new motorcycle safety online training program, go to www.dot.state.wy.us or contact Goodrich at 307-777-4874 or email jennifer.goodrich@wyo.gov.
Work underway on I-80 westbound between Central Avenue, Archer CHEYENNE – Work has started on a project to repair concrete at the Interstate 80 Port of Entry and also repave I-80 between the Central Avenue and Archer interchanges. A lane closure has been in effect on I-80 near the Port of Entry
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since April 16, and a temporary off ramp will allow access for traffic that needs to visit the facility. The lane closure continues into May. In July, crews will begin milling and paving the interstate and will move from east to west. Work is scheduled to be complete by the fall. Lane closures will be in effect while work takes place and drivers should be mindful and use caution in work zones. This project complements similar work performed in the eastbound lanes in 2017. Simon Contractors of Cheyenne is the prime contractor for the project.
Howe Road railroad crossing repairs LARAMIE – The Union Pacific railroad crossing at Howe Road south of Laramie was closed temporarily for repairs. The closure began April 16 and continued through April 21. Traffic was not allowed to access the crossing during the repairs. Drivers were instead routed around the closure by using US 287, Skyline Road and Soldier Springs Road. Simon Contractors is the contractor for the project.
Road work on I-80 near Rawlins RAWLINS – Two road work projects on Interstate 80 on either side of Rawlins began in April and will continue for much of the construction season. The first project is in the eastbound lanes of I-80 from Creston Junction to the Sweetwater/Carbon County line (mileposts 188.62 to 199.05). The second is in the eastbound lanes of I-80 in the vicinity of Fort Steele, or mileposts 227.5 to 233.76. Each project is broken down below: Creston Junction The Creston Junction project will involve bridge repair and a new layer of pavement in the eastbound lanes, and mirrors work performed in 2017 in the westbound lanes. Crews with Simon Contractors constructed crossover ramps the week of April 10. Work zone speed limits will be in effect. In mid-May, all I-80 traffic in the work
area will be moved to the westbound lanes in a two-lane head-to-head configuration. That pattern will remain in place until work is complete in late August. Fort Steele Like at Creston Junction, work in the Fort Steele area will involve bridge repair and new pavement on the road surface in the eastbound lanes. Drivers will also see a similar traffic pattern through the work zone. Crews with Lewis & Lewis Inc. constructed crossover ramps in April, with lane closures in the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-80 during daylight hours and work zone speed limits in effect. In May, traffic will be switched to the westbound lanes in a two-lane head-tohead configuration until construction is complete at the end of August. During the 2019 construction season, construction will return to the area, but in the westbound lanes.
WHP seizes 123 pounds of marijuana CASPER – The Wyoming Highway Patrol seized about 123 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $307,000 following a traffic stop on April 12, on US 220 near Casper. Troopers arrested driver Thong Xiong, 29, and his passenger, Choua Khang, 30, both of Wisconsin, after finding the marijuana following a traffic stop. Troopers stopped their Chevy Silverado after observing it traveling 71 in a posted 65 mph zone. After being stopped, Xiong told troopers that he was traveling from Grenada, California, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before heading home to Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. When troopers questioned the passenger (Khang) about their travel plans, she gave a conflicting story. Troopers also saw several boxes and Xiong admitted to having the drugs within the vehicle. Troopers then deployed a WHP canine around the vehicle, and the dog alerted to the odor of narcotics.
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After searching the vehicle, Troopers found about 111 individual vacuumsealed packages containing Marijuana. Troopers found the packages in a large box, a modified washing machine and a purse. Troopers contacted the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to assist with the investigation. Thong and Khang were taken to the Natrona County Detention Center and booked in.
WYDOT crews able to make WIMS repairs ahead of schedule WILSON – A break in the weather allowed crews an opportunity to diagnose and replace radio technology at one of the communications relay towers on Teton Pass that was causing issues for the weighin-motion system (WIMS). “There is a tower and a small building on the top of Teton Pass that houses some radio equipment used for the WIMS. It is difficult to get up there in the winter,” Wyoming Department of Transportation Maintenance Foreman Bruce Daigle said. WYDOT Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technicians needed to access the tower and building in order to diagnose and address the communication issues. WYDOT maintenance workers and technicians were able to use a snowcat to access the location, evaluate and ultimately repair the communications
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Total number of employees: As of April 10, 2018
1,893
One month ago
1,903
One year ago
1,945
WHP Photo: WYDOT
Photo: WYDOT
At a traffic stop on April 12, a WHP K-9 alerted to the washer-tub filled with marijuana.
issues the system was experiencing. “Skiing into the area would have been difficult, considering how much equipment they would have to haul in. It would have taken them several trips,” Daigle said. The WIMS was constructed in 2014. The purpose of the unmanned scale is to weigh and measure trucks and trailers passing through and alert the Highway Patrol of vehicles in violation of trailer and weight restrictions on Teton Pass. Late last year, the system began experiencing communication issues–some of the information was not making it to the Highway Patrol dispatch. WYDOT’s technicians were able to replace some of the radio equipment and bring the WIMS back on line. The system is now operational and communicating with Highway Patrol Dispatch. “The weigh-in-motion system is like an extra phone call–an extra notification. The notification, in conjunction with phone calls from the public and our WYDOT guys, as well as our heavy presence on the pass, helps us identify violators. The weigh-in-motion clarifies known issues that we have already been addressing on the pass. It’s just another tool for us to use,” Highway Patrol Lieutenant Matthew Brackin said.
The WIMS weighs and measures trucks and trailers and sends collected data and images to the WHP.
Chief Joseph Scenic Highway slide active, highway remains open CODY – Parts of the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (WYO 296) slid downhill overnight on April 19 northwest of Cody. The slide area is in the same area where parts of the highway slid downhill
Total number of highway fatalities: As of April 19, 2018
22
One year ago
29
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we’ve been receiving,” Hahn said. Hahn offers tips for drivers and citizens who encounter WYDOT striping crews: • Decrease speed (the law requires it);
Briefs continued from page 7 last year. A 10-foot width and 48,000-pound restriction is in place for WYO 296 until further notice. “Special thanks goes to our Cody maintenance crew and all WYDOT personnel for the quick response,” said WYDOT District Engineer Pete Hallsten.
to normal. Progress is being made on the $13.96 million North Federal Boulevard project in Riverton.
Project underway between Lovell, Cowley
• Pay attention to digital message boards near the striping operation; • Do not pass in and out of striping equipment. If possible and if it’s safe and legal, pass all vehicles at once;
Photo: WYDOT
Photo: WYDOT
• Don’t forget it is now law (thanks to passage of the new move over law) that drivers must slow down (20 mph below the posted speed limit) when approaching WYDOT vehicles/workers with flashing yellow lights.
The Chief Joseph Slide is on the move once again, causing road damage on WYO 296.
Hallsten said drivers are asked to drive slowly, and use care and caution driving through the area. WYDOT workers will continue monitor the slide activity of the Chief Joseph Slide, which is located northwest of Cody, about 20 miles west of WYO 296’s intersection with WYO 120.
WYDOT striping crews painting highways in northwest Wyoming RIVERTON – Wyoming Department of Transportation striping crews are out and about striping highways in central and northwest Wyoming, and the crews are asking for help from drivers. “We really need people to give us a brake,” said WYDOT rural striping foreman Dan Hahn of Lander. “It’s been a bit crazy out here.” WYDOT’s urban striping crew started its spring striping in March, and WYDOT’s rural crew launched their spring/summer striping season April 9. “We are focusing our efforts on highways south of Wind River Canyon right now, especially with the wet weather
Striping activities on WYO 789 between Hudson and Riverton.
Traffic signal power outage at intersection in Riverton
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Woman rescued after being pinned inside her vehicle on WYO 28
RIVERTON – A planned power outage on April 6 cut power to the traffic signal at the intersection of North Federal Boulevard and East Park Avenue in Riverton.
Photo: WYDOT
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The project area near Main/Federal intersection.
During the planned 3-hour power outage (noon to 3 p.m.), workers moved power lines to a new light pole while traffic using the area was moved through the intersection by flaggers. Following the outage, power to the traffic signal was restored and the signal’s operation returned
LOVELL – Improvements began April 2, on US 310/WYO 789 between Lovell and Cowley in northwest Wyoming. The $11.7 million Sage Creek highway and bridge improvement project consists of road widening, bridge widening over the Shoshone River, replacement of the Sage Creek and railroad bridges, asphalt paving and other work. Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Michael Miller of Basin said work is continuing on the railroad bridge, including slope paving. “The girders have been set on the Sage Creek bridge,” Miller said. “Work on the Shoshone River bridge is anticipated to continue May 1.” Prime contractor is S&S Builders LLC, of Gillette. Contract completion date is June 30, 2019.
LANDER – An observant Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance employee saw tire tracks and a hole in the fence along WYO 28 south of Lander March 27, eventually leading to the rescue of a Fort Washakie woman. Candice Tindall, 25, of Fort Washakie was extricated from her crashed vehicle by Fremont County fire and emergency services personnel after they were dispatched to the scene by South Pass WYDOT workers. She was life-flighted to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City with an assortment of nonlife threatening injuries, according to Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Daniel Eggli of Lander. “EMS crews and firefighters removed Tindall from the vehicle and carried her on a backboard the rest of the way down the hill to an awaiting deputy sheriff ’s vehicle, and she was slowly driven up a two-track road to an awaiting ambulance,” Eggli said.
said.
new double gutter for the new entrance into the climbing area parking lot, and paving and chip sealing of the parking area. Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody said prime contractor S&L Industrial of Cowley had a 14-day work window (between April 16 and April 30), by contract, to remove the existing guardrail and replace it and complete installation of curb and gutter, and double gutter. Frost said traffic control on the tunnel parking project and the current rockfall mitigation project (west of the tunnels) is being handled by S&L Industrial. “This should help with coordination of traffic movements,” he said. All work, except paving and chip sealing, is required to be complete by April 30. “Our goal is to not interfere with traffic driving to Yellowstone National Park,” Frost said. By WYDOT specifications, chip sealing of the climbing area parking lot won’t happen until after June 1. By contract, chip sealing of the parking lot is required to be complete by June 15. “The parking lot won’t be opened for public use until chip sealing and striping is complete,” Frost said. “This parking lot project is being reopened to improve safety for climbers, with regard to traffic using US 14-16-20 and the growing number of pedestrians accessing the popular climbing area by parking in a known rockfall area and walking through two tunnels to reach it.” n
Reduced speed limit in place on WYO 132 north of Ethete RIVERTON – Maintenance crews from the Wyoming Department of Transportation are working to hold together WYO 132 (Blue Sky Highway) near Wyoming Indian Elementary School on the Wind River Reservation. The highway, between the traffic signal in Ethete and US 287 north of Lander, is slated for reconstruction this spring. The reconstruction project is expected to be completed in 2018. In the meantime, parts of the roadway between Lander and Ethete are “falling apart,” according to WYDOT maintenance foreman Matt Sanders of Lander. WYDOT’s Lander maintenance crew is patching the highway on an as-needed basis. A reduced speed limit of 40 mph is in place between WYO 132’s junction with 17 Mile Road and Wyoming Indian Elementary School, and between the school and US 287, north of Lander.
Photo: WYDOT
WYO 132 near Ethete looks forward to the road reconstruction coming this spring.
US 14-16-20 safety project to reopen parking area for climbers west of Cody
Photo: WYDOT
Tindall was trapped inside her vehicle for more than 10 hours. And luckily, the keen eye of a WYDOT worker spotted the tire tracks and the hole in the rightof-way fence, according to South Pass maintenance foreman Mike Hitshew. The crash site is locally known as Johnny Lee’s Corner, six miles south of WYO 28’s junction with US 287 (Rawlins Junction), and about 20 miles south of Lander. WYDOT South Pass maintenance worker Todd Long had attended an allemployees’ meeting Tuesday morning in Riverton. He was returning to the South Pass camp Tuesday afternoon driving a tractor-trailer combination with a load of salt brine. When Long saw the hole in the fence and tire tracks, he notified WYDOT’s radio dispatch center in Cheyenne. WYDOT South Pass workers James McLean and Jake Small responded and found the vehicle. “It looked as if the car had rolled several times over the embankment,” Hitshew said. “The driver was inside the vehicle, and she was waving at our guys. Small ran to the vehicle, and found the driver (Tindall) pinned inside. McLean radioed for help. Everyone worked together to save a life.” “We have to thank Todd Long for notifying others about the fence issue, and McLean and Small for reacting to what was out there. There’s a real possibility that if Long wouldn’t have seen the hole in the fence, we might not have found the crash on Tuesday. We’re all thankful she was found,” Hitshew said. “We had driven by the crash location about 9 a.m. Tuesday on our way to Riverton, but I doubt we would have ever seen the hole in the fence as we were driving north.” Eggli said Thursday the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. “For an unknown reason, the driver was traveling westbound and left the roadway to the left, crossing the opposing lane at Johnny Lee’s Corner,” Eggli said. “The vehicle went through the right-of-way fence and down the hill until her vehicle hit a boulder. This slowed the vehicle almost to a stop and the vehicle came to rest just below the boulder.” Eggli said evidence gathered after the crash and rescue suggests Tindall was not wearing a seat belt. “It is possible Tindall was in the vehicle for approximately 10 hours,” Eggli
A popular climbing area will soon be easier for climbers to access with the reopening of the parking area west of Cody.
CODY – A parking area will be reopened in June to improve pedestrian safety to a popular climbing area in between the tunnels on US 14-16-20 near Cody. Improvements on the $219,000 project began April 9. Work consists of replacement of guardrail, new curb and gutter, May 2018
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Digital Deliverables By J.L. O'Brien
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The first step in the process is for the P&G group to call a survey meeting for the job, so all parties involved understand the needs on the front end. After that, the department contacts landowners to get access to land that will be involved with the project. Then surveying begins. Information gathered from the surveys is the starting point for all projects. “We are the foundation of all the design processes,” said Curtis Clabaugh, the state P&G engineer. “They can’t start until we get done.”
the information to any angle they need to identify potential issues that might be missed using photography alone like faults or cracks in the landscape that need to be mitigated, Clabaugh said. “It’s like being there,” he said. In addition to being used for engineering purposes, the point clouds can be used to create three-dimensional animated visualizations to demonstrate to shareholders what a project will look like upon completion. Clabaugh said point clouds can be produced much faster than previous methods for this type of data collection. The equipment to produce point clouds is expensive, but he said: “It has such valuable return and is so expedient. Everybody is happy with the results.” “It’s important that it is accurate because everybody depends on us,” Clabaugh said. “It’s an expectation. They expect this quality. It’s a standard. It enables them to do their job better.” If the department could not provide these visualizations, the state would have to hire a vendor to provide them, Clabaugh said.
Digital deliverables
P&G harkens the idea of open skies, but the reality includes equipment both in the air and on the ground that produces impressive, reliable mapping with seemingly endless data usage possibilities. The end product for these surveys is a “point cloud,” a product of aerial photography and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). LiDAR uses a pulsed laser to measure ranges. It produces the highly detailed, accurate three-dimensional point clouds used for engineering. The current LiDAR scanner can produce as much as 50,000 points of information per second. Clabuagh said he hopes the department can upgrade to a newer model, which produces 1 million points per second, allowing employees to work faster and safer. Point clouds are so accurate and detailed, they can be mistaken for photography despite that they are actually high-fidelity computer-generated representations that include GPS data like elevation. The additional information allows engineers to rotate
Photo: WYDOT
Photo: WYDOT
The data the Wyo m ing D epartm ent o f Trans po rtatio n needs to co m plete projects is as varied as it is detailed , and the firs t s tep fo r all projects is s urveying by the departm ent’s Pho to gram m etry and Surveys (P&G) pro gram .
The department uses Photogrammetry and Surveys to develop the data necessary for mitigation of landslides. The Quarantine slide impacted US 26/287 between Dubois and Moran Junction.
Another advantage to using LiDAR and aerial photography for surveying purposes is it alleviates some need the department has to accessing private land. Point clouds are used for all types of projects including rural and urban projects and are useful for all types of engineering applications. Clabaugh said one application the department finds point clouds helpful for are designs that address ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) needs. Continued on page 12 May 2018
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Continued from page 11 The point clouds provide very specific information down to being able to accurately measure how closely a wheelchair can get to a traffic signal button, ensuring that the designs allow access for those with disabilities.
WYDOT workhorses
While the department may send up its plane for surveying year-round, the work is mainly weather-dependent, Clabaugh said. However, in this case, it’s not just fair skies in which department personnel is interested. Clabaugh said the photography requires “bare earth,” meaning images need to be taken when leaves are off of trees to provide a less obstructed view of the geography. Photogrammetry employees survey between 50-100 hours annually. Some surveys have been as large as 250 square miles. The team covers the entire state road system every five years to look for potential issues, to keep updated resources and to create a historic record to track the work the department has done. This includes an extensive record of natural disasters and how those have been mitigated. The team follows the news, Clabaugh said, and gets out in front as much as possible to proactively provide the data the department engineers will need in recovery efforts. The types of disasters they look out for include flooding, tornadoes and rock slides. Photogrammetry also has helped out with large traffic events. The Wyoming Highway Patrol and a number of attorneys used the photography from the pileup on April 16, 2015, to investigate the crash. Photogrammetry employees collect as much data as they can in order to produce efficiencies and anticipate future needs, however they can adjust the information they output in point clouds to match the fidelity needs each end user has. n Point clouds, like this one of a bridge (and the inset with the truck overlaid with a photo), look like a photograph, despite that they are visualizations made up of millions of points of GPS data.
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HR Happenings
planning for college expenses, student loan coaching, home purchase education, identity theft solutions, credit report reviews, etc.
Employee Assistance Program and Work-Life Services
• Legal Services – Offers one telephone consultation and/or 30-minute in-person consultation per legal matter, with no limit on the number of different legal matters. This benefit helps in the areas of bankruptcy, foreclosure, home sale/purchase or lease agreements, separation or divorce, adoption, child custody/child support, simple will preparation, traffic, civil, or criminal matters, elder law, legal document review, simple dispute resolute, etc.
By Amanda Santee, Human Resources
“You don’t have to do it alone.” Earlier this year, Director Panos shared that the Wyoming Department of Transportation partnered with other state agencies and FEI Behavioral Health to contract for a new and enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Work-Life Services. At one time or another, most of us will face a personal problem or family care issue that impacts the quality of our home life, relationships, health or ability to do our best at work. Most of the time we can work these things out ourselves, but at times we could benefit from professional and objective guidance. Help through your EAP and Work-Life Services is . . . • Professional – You have access to highly skilled, licensed, professional counselors and work-life specialists at no cost to you.
• Manager Resources – Offers managers and supervisors unlimited telephone consultations regarding job performance and workplace issues as well as a Manager Exchange blog and a Crisis Management Blog. Online content provides excellent resources for a variety of topics relevant to daily managerial experience as well as guidance for referring employee to the EAP and Work-Life Services. We encourage you to explore the website and learn more about the benefits of the EAP and Work-Life Services. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Human Resources team. We are always available and happy to assist. n
• Convenient – Counselors with flexible hours are available near your home or workplace. Referrals for worklife services are also made to local resources. • Confidential – Your right to privacy is fully protected by law and company policy. No one at work or outside of work will know if you use the EAP and/or Work-Life Services.
Photos: WYDOT
WYDOT is pleased to offer these benefits as a commitment to making our department a better place to work and to helping all of us achieve our full potential—both personally and professionally. Below is a description of EAP and Work-Life Services. • EAP Counseling Services – Offers up to three solution-focused in-person or telephone counseling sessions per incident per eligible individual with 24-hour, toll-free telephone access to live counselors for assessment and consultation. This benefit helps navigate life’s transitions in areas such as family/ parenting challenges, interpersonal relationships, alleviating stress, addressing substance abuse, managing strong feelings, building on personal strengths and working through grief and loss.
State of Wyoming EAP services The EAP program offers services that support your well-being and resilience in work and life. There is no cost to you, no registration, and is completely confidential. For more information or to access benefits, call 888-218-7360 to speak with a counselor and be connected with services. Visit the EAP website for a wealth of information www.feieap.com username: SOWY1. Register for the monthly webinar on a variety of topics; or listen to a replay in the archive.
Counseling Benefit
Work-Life Benefit
Up to 3 sessions per incident for you or your dependents can help you
Unlimited offers consultation and referrals for
•
Alleviate emotional stress
•
Child care
•
Enhance interpersonal relationships
•
Adoption
•
Address family/parenting challenges
•
K -12 & Higher Education Resources
•
Address substance abuse
•
Elder care
•
Manage strong feelings
•
Dependent care
•
Build on personal strengths
•
Navigate life transitions
•
Work through grief and loss
Legal Benefit
Financial Benefit
One consultation per issue; unlimited issues helps with
One consultation per issue; unlimited issues helps with
•
Bankruptcy, foreclosure
•
Managing expenses and debt
• Work-Life Services – Offers telephone consultations with work-life specialists and referral services regarding dependent care issues such as child care and parenting, adoption, K-12 and higher educational resources, and dependent adult and elder care.
•
Home sale/purchase or lease agreement
•
Preparing a realistic budget
•
Separation or divorce
•
Dealing with tax-related questions
•
Adoption
•
Planning for retirement
•
Child custody/child support
•
Identity theft solutions
•
Simple will
•
Investing in a college education
•
Traffic, civil or criminal matters
•
Student loan coaching
•
Elder law
•
Home purchase education
•
Legal document review
•
Credit report review
• Financial Services – Offers one telephone consultation and/or 30-minute in-person consultation per financial matter, with no limit on the number of different financial matters. This benefit helps in the areas of managing expenses and debt, budget preparation, tax-related questions, retirement planning,
•
Simple dispute resolution
•
Online financial resource center
•
Online legal content and document library
phone: 888-218-7360 website: feieap.com username: SOWY1
State of Wyoming Employee Assistance Program
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Noteworthy
Commission on forming a capacity purchase agreement. State funding will be earmarked for the work. Those funds, however, cannot be expended until the 2019 Legislature has a chance to review the new capacity purchase agreement for air service. Panos and other WYDOT officials began looking at ways to keep air service in Wyoming a few years ago. They spoke with officials throughout the country to see what was possible. By Aimee Inama The end result was the law that essentially buys capacity to Maintenance workers will soon have added protection when create stable air service. working along the side of the interstates and secondary roads. “We’re going to buy 10 years of air service up to three flights The state Legislature approved changing the state’s Move Over per day in these airports and it will be half the cost that we’ve law to include highway maintenance, construction and utilities paid for the last 10 years,” Panos said. workers in addition to emergency Another new bill the legislature responders like the Wyoming Highpassed was the creation of a wildlife way Patrol. The new law takes effect conservation plate, which will be on July 1, 2018. available Jan. 1, 2019. “This new law will help ensure It will cost $150 to buy the plate the safety of our employees who initially and then $50 every year to work on our highways and interrenew. All of the proceeds for the states,” said WYDOT Director Bill plate will go to WYDOT for animal Panos. “We’re pleased the legislature migration routes. saw the need to enhance the law “There are already 2,300 people and protect more people who work who are ready to buy this plate even alongside the roads.” before it passed,” Panos said. “That Panos explained the new Move shows us there’s definitely interest in Over law and other issues during this type of plate.” his April all hands meetings, where Panos also talked about the he met with WYDOT employees to federal government’s passage of an discuss the latest issues. Panos holds omnibus appropriations bill that the all hands meetings regularly and includes infrastructure and benefits throughout the state as one way to to Wyoming. The new bill puts keep employees informed. funding aside for grant programs for “These meetings help us effecrural state like Wyoming. WYDOT tively communicate with our emand other states will still need to apployees,” Panos said of the all hands ply and compete for the funding. meetings. “It’s important for all of Besides current legislation that us to know where we are and where passed, Panos gave an update on we’re going.” several WYDOT projects and Besides the Move Over law, programs such as the department’s Panos gave an update on other bills Revenue Information System (RIS). the legislature passed that will imThe state Legislature will be pact WYDOT such as the WyoLink looking at the possibility of replacfunding legislation that will provide ing RIS, a citizen identification financial relief for cities until 2020, system. commercial air service and the new RIS contains a person’s driver wildlife conservation plates. license information, voter registraFor commercial air service, the tion, retirement information and new law will ensure air service other vital information. Every state remains in communities while also has a similar system of data to idenproviding a most cost effective air tify citizens. service. The cost to the state will RIS is in need of being replacing decrease by half and is projected to because it was built in 1978 usbe more reliable service. ing programming language that is “If this bill wouldn’t have passed The state Legislature approved changing the state’s Move Over no longer being used or taught in law to include highway maintenance, construction and utilities we would have lost air service school. Officials estimate it may cost workers in addition to the emergency responders like the WHP. in Sheridan, Riverton and Rock anywhere from $40 to $50 million Springs,” Panos said. “We would and take about five years to replace have had no course of action to deal with it but today, thanks to because of the data migration that will be involved. n the legislature, we have a more efficient and effective program.” The new law creates a council that will advise the Aeronautics Photo: WYDOT
Photo: WYDOT
WYDOT Director Bill Panos updates employees on new state laws, other issues
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May 2018
TechNotes WYDOT to institute least privilege user access
By Dan Tolman IT Program Manager I’m sure many of you have heard about the recent events with Colorado Department of Transportation. In case you haven’t heard they were hit by a ransomware attack in February, which began to encrypt data on systems all across the network. The attacker holds the encrypted data and promises to give it back if a ransom is paid. In an effort to prevent further spread, CDOT shut down all their systems on the network. Over six weeks have past and according to the Denver Post CDOT is now back to about 80 percent functionality with an estimate of costing up to $1.5 million. This is only one example of a recent event. These things happen to businesses on a regular basis increasing the need to implement appropriate preventive measures. Currently the state of Wyoming has policy that when implemented properly will help to prevent this type of activity. Today WYDOT is not in full compliance with the policy but has a plan to become compliant. This year IT will be working with WYDOT employees who are receiving new computers to implement what is known as least privilege user access. The intent of this policy is to ensure that people have only the level of access needed to perform their job functions. Our plan for implementation is to configure the users of these new computers with a standard or least privilege user account. The technician deploying the computer will work with the user to identify any challenges that may arise due to the new configuration. Through a collaborative effort between the technician and the user, we hope to be able to identify appropriate configurations that will allow us to operate securely without impacting business processes. If you have any
Training
Upgrades at WYDOT University By Amy Bale, Training Services Anyone who has ever attended a class, meeting or conference in the WYDOT University & Conference Center has probably noticed a small deficiency in our rest room facilities. Especially if you’ve had to stand in line to wait during a short break – and not just the ladies: we have an equal opportunity waiting line here at WYDOT-U! Or, to avoid the line, you’ve taken the tour of our spooky basement in search of the alternate facilities. Over the next few months you will notice construction going on in and around the WYDOT-U building. I know what you’re going to say – “Wait. What? Didn’t they just go through a major renovation?” That’s true – first stage renovations on our building were completed about 18 months ago. In this second stage of renovations we’ll be updating the bathrooms, both upstairs and downstairs, to include larger facilities for both men and women. That’s good, right? “And that’s not all!” The construction will also include a new classroom space in the basement, which will become a dedicated computer lab to replace the lab currently in the basement of the old Qwest building.
questions or have a business process you would like to test with this new configuration please reach out and let us know. User Access Management Policy: https://docs.google.com/a/ wyo.gov/document/d/1HCc-7_pc917TzgJr_RHLqvsDw1cEgLqViOEWHZ1JisI/edit?usp=drive_web Logical Access Control Policy: https://drive.google.com/ file/d/0B_YE8dWRQWQAQWFvQ1BUMkdaZzg/view Denver Post Article: https://www.denverpost. com/2018/04/05/samsam-ransomware-cdot-cost/ Least Privilege Article: https://www.beyondtrust.com/blog/ what-is-least-privilege/ n
Like all our other spaces this lab will be available in the WYDOTU building for agency employees to use for training classes or meetings. Additionally, there will now be a full size break room in the basement. This will allow meeting coordinators the option of bringing lunch on site for their events, or allow individual class participants who brown-bag their lunch to have a place to eat. So what does all this construction mean? • Over the next few months things in the WYDOT-U building are going to be noisy and messy! • We’ve taken steps to temporarily relocate our scheduled classes to other meeting rooms around the complex. • Meetings can still be scheduled in WYDOT-U rooms, but coordinators will need to be aware of the potential noise and mess. • Our team members will temporarily be relocated to another building. Without a doubt our Training Services team will do all we can to make this as painless for our participants as possible. We’ll provide notifications of venue changes, and work with meeting coordinators that plan to use our training spaces during the construction, to make sure they have what they need. Overall, we look forward to our upgraded spaces making your experience at the WYDOT University and Conference Center even better! n
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District News
Frazier was born in Flint, Michigan, and was originally hired as an engineer for WYDOT in Laramie. He went to the University of Wyoming where he received degrees in general business and civil engineering.
Headquarters
Welcome Daniel Adame, Patrol-Safety and Training; Sherika Alexis, Patrol Dispatch; Rebecca Cassidy, Patrol-Safety and Training; Kebin Haller, Patrol-Safety and Training; Melissa Palka, AeronauticsAirports; Luis Tapia Vera, Patrol-Safety and Training; and Jordan Wade, PatrolSafety and Training.
Promotions and Transfers
Richard Joyner, Cheyenne I-25 Port of Entry – 20 years; LaDonna Hurd, Contracts and Estimates – 15 years; Elena Alvarado Mondragon, Facilities Management-Custodial – 10 years; Bobby Robertson, Highway Development-Project Development – 10 years; Ethan Bowers, Patrol-Capitol Services Protection – 5 years; and Debra Ross, IT-Financial Systems – 5 years.
Debra Long retired on April 3 after working for WYDOT for 26 years. She was a dispatcher for the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Donald Timm retired on April 3 after Long working for WYDOT for almost 42 years. He was a staff technician in the Maintenance program.
Katherine Bradfield, MaterialsPavement Management Systems; Sara Casner, Materials-Pavement Management Systems; Karson James, Highway Safety; Christopher Martin, Patrol-Safety and Training; and Susan Talkington, Cheyenne Port of Entry.
Bradfield
Congratulations Hurd
Mondragon
Robertson
Bowers
Jeri Yearout has been selected as Principal Engineer in Cheyenne Engineering and Planning at Headquarters, effective April 19. Yearout has worked for the state of Wyoming and WYDOT since January 2000 and most recently as Project Engineer for the Engineering and Yearout Planning. n
Talkington
Spring Fun? Vacation of a lifetime?
James Dahill, Geology-Administration – 30 years; Michael Sandidge, Planning-Traffic Data Analysis – 30 years; Michael Bowen, Facilities Management-Building Maintenance – 20 years; Douglas Drake, Planning-Counter Shop – 20 years; Dahill
Bowen
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May 2018
We want to be jealous!
Doug Drake (left) received his 20 year service award from Planning Engineer Mark Wingate. Drake works in the Planning Program with the Counter Shop.
Outdoors deadline:
Retirements Jeffrey Frazier retired on March 2 after working for WYDOT for almost 30 years. He worked as a staff engineer in the Maintenance program.
Joyner
Interchange
Photo: WYDOT
Service Awards
06/15/18 Frazier
carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov
District 1
Retirements
Ted Gallegos, Laramie Construction; and Joshua Todd, Telecom-Telephone.
Elling Mellem retired on March 16 from Cheyenne Maintenance with 7 years of service. n
Service Awards Gary Curry, District 1 Shop – 35 years; Mark Johnson, Laramie Construction – 30 years; Tyler Matheney, Cheyenne Patrol – 5 years; and Michael Petruso, Laramie Patrol – 5 Curry years.
Photo: WYDOT
Promotions and Transfers
Matheney
Petruso
Survey training in the snow at the end of March in Laramie.
District 2
Welcome
Service Awards
Logan Allen, Torrington Traffic-Striping; Claudia Birge, Douglas Construction; Dea Koch, Kaycee Maintenance; Sonny Olsen, Kaycee Maintenance; Tony Ortega, Midwest Maintenance; and Landon Utter, Chugwater Maintenance.
Brian Wagner, Casper Construction – 30 years; Stephen Thomason, Casper Construction – 20 years; Sterling Richardson, Midwest Maintenance – 15 years;
Thomas Green, Casper Construction – 10 years; and Benjamin Walker, Casper Maintenance – 5 years. n
Barry Armstrong, Casper Maintenance; Scott Elliott, Douglas Mechanics; and Anna Jones, Casper Construction.
Photo: WYDOT
Promotions and Transfers
Armstrong
Richardson
Walker
Good day for pouring concrete around Casper. WYDOT Casper crews 2032 and 2042 were working on repairing a section of Interstate 25 through town.
District 3 Kalie Anderson, Telecom District 3-Radio Shop; and Sarah Brown, Rock Springs Driver Services.
Service Awards Robert Maxam, Pinedale Construction – 35 years; Michael Collins, Rock Springs Con-
Maxam
Collins
struction – 30 years; Keith Fitzgerald, Rock Springs Construction – 30 years; Jeffrey Aullman, Pinedale Patrol – 10 years; Travis Wyss, Jackson Mechanics –10 years; and
Aullman
Dallas Lopez, Rock Springs Patrol – 5 years. n
Photo: WYDOT
Welcome
Fitzgerald
Lopez
Congratulations the Wyoming Highway Patrol for their victory in the Rock Springs Civic Center Coed Recreational League Championships! (From left standing) Tpr. Brock Weitzel and wife, Sam; District 3 Public Involvement Specialist Stephanie Harsha; Kristi Taylor; Allison Minick, wife of Tpr. Joe Minick, who also played on the team; and front and center, Cody Tippy, son of Tpr Barry Tippy. Apparently Cody Tippy has done some modeling work before...
May 2018
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District 4
Welcome Laura Dalles, District 4-Administration; Allen Larsen, Gillette Mechanics; and William Ziska, Sheridan Construction. Photo: Misty Wood
Promotions and Transfers Timothy James, District 4 Support. The Big Horn Mountains on the horizon just outside of Sheridan on the first day of spring.
Service Awards Louis Tegdesch, Sheridan Patrol – 10 years; and Brigitte Funk, Driver ServicesSheridan/Buffalo – 5 years. n
On behalf of Kodi Hendrickson, District 4 would like to say thank you!
Tegdesch
District 5
Service Awards
Haller
Sundance employee Kodi Hendrickson has been fighting stage 4 cancer for the past year and District 4 personnel organized a benefit raffle raising funds to offset costs associated with her treatments. The drawing was on March 30.
Winners
David Haller, District 5 Construction Staff – 30 years; Aron Mullis, Worland Maintenance – 10 years; and William Schoening, Cody Construction – 10 years.
Your support has been very much appreciated and has not gone unnoticed.
1st prize Sharon Kennedy Cheyenne A .22 Henry lever action rifle
2nd prize Linda Scott Gillette A knife made by Greg Worrell
3rd prize Nick Bohl Hulett Lifetime Wyoming conservation stamp
Thank you for all the help and support that has been given.
Mullis
Schoening
Photo: WYDOT
Kelly Webb retired on March 3 from Lander Construction with more than 29 years of service to the state. n Still winter on Togwotee Pass (US 26-287) with snowplows and rotary plows in action on April 4, during a heavy morning blizzard.
Webb
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May 2018
Photo: WYDOT
Retirements
WYDOT maintenance crews on pothole duty in the early morning hours in the construction work zone on North Federal Boulevard (WYO 789).
Classic? Hot rod? Late model? Two wheeler?
Awards Service Award Recipients
Get those photos in!
Photo: Rick Carpenter
Rides submission deadline:
05/15/18
carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov
Service award luncheons are held by the Transportation Commission for employees celebrating milestones of 25 years of service or greater. Service award recipients at this month’s luncheon: (left) James Dahill, 30 years; (right) Mike Sandidge, 30 years.
Wellness
The skinny on fats
By Carlie Van Winkle When it comes to the fats in your daily intake of nutrients, are they good fats or bad fats? Here is the low-down on healthy versus unhealthy fats. Polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) are a healthy type of fat which can be found in liquid state at room temperature and are known to help lower cholesterol. In addition to the oils (olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil) high in PUFAs, many foods contain PUFAs and could be beneficial to add to your diet. Walnuts, wild-caught salmon, tuna, peanut butter and chia seeds contain high amounts of PUFAs and are easy additions to your daily intake. Monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) plant-based fats are good for targeting stubborn belly fat by replacing salty, fatty snack foods in your diet. These MUFAs fill you up and help you feel full much longer. Nuts, nut butters, olives, avocados, seeds and dark chocolate all contain MUFAs and can be consumed, in moderation, daily. MUFAs along with PUFAs should make up about 20 percent of your daily intake of calories. Saturated fats are not recommended to be consumed in great quantities to maintain a healthy diet. No more than 10 percent of your daily diet should be made up of saturated fats. Saturated fats can increase your cholesterol and increase risk for type 2 diabetes. Most of these unhealthy fats can be found in certain meats,
seafood, dairy products and oils. Coconut oil is an exception to the rule because it is classified as a saturated fat, but is beneficial in that it has been found to help your “happy” HDL cholesterol in the right direction. You may have already heard the news about trans-fats shouted from rooftops, “Trans-fats are not good for you at all!” Trans-fats have been linked to a rise in your total blood cholesterol numbers, a rise in your “bad” LDL cholesterol numbers and can contribute to clogged arteries. Clogged arteries, in turn, increase your risk of both heart attack and stroke. Foods which are made with or are fried in margarine, shortening or other hydrogenated oils will contain high quantities of trans-fats. The World Health Organization has recommended that a daily diet should only contain up to one percent trans-fats daily. Going forward, try swapping out some of your favorite “notso-great-for-you” fats out with some good fats. Here are a few MUFA swaps to try: • 1/4 sliced avocado instead of 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on a sandwich; • 4 tablespoons shelled pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead of 2 ounces cheese on a salad; • 2 tablespoons hummus instead of 2 tablespoons ranch dip on sliced vegetables; or • 1/2 cup mixed nuts with dark chocolate pieces instead of one chocolate bar. Happy eating, all. n May 2018
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Passings
James A. “Jim” Ditsch
Barbara Brooks Barbara “Bobbi” Brooks, 77, passed away March 31. Brooks was originally from Mineral City, Ohio, and was a graduate of Ridgedale High School in Marion, Ohio. Brooks was hired by WYDOT as Port of Entry seasonal help in May of 2001 and was shortly thereafter hired on full time as a Port of Entry officer. She retired in July 2014 with 10 years of service to the state. Her memorial services were held April 5 in Lusk.
le Afte yc
r
ea Pl
ading Re !
se Re c
Brooks
Jim Ditsch, 60, of Cheyenne died April 6 at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. Ditsch was born March 16, 1958, in Kittery, Maine, a son of the late Donald C. and Delores M. (Ellett) Ditsch. Ditsch met Judy Fleck in Torrington, while attending Eastern Wyoming Community College. They dated for a period of time and were married Nov. 17, 1979, they married and lived in Torrington for a year until moving to Newcastle in 1980 where they operated J & J Comfort Villa. In 1986, they moved to Cheyenne and in 1993, Ditsch began working for the Wyoming Department of Transportation where he served as a Utilities Officer in the Right of Way Program. He had worked at WYDOT for the past 24 years. Ditsch lived his life to the fullest Ditsch and he faced life’s challenges with vigor, never considered himself handicapped. His many interests included shooting guns, hunting, fishing and spending time with his wife and many friends. He will be remembered as a loving husband, brother and friend and will be missed dearly. A memory service was celebrated on April 14. n
s S tate E mployee
SERG
up Retirement Gro
Congratulations to our April recipient! WYDOT salutes the following Director’s Extra Mile Award recipients. The award is presented to individuals who have traveled the “extra mile” in service to WYDOT.
Lauren Spelts
Gather with other state retirees monthly.
SERG meets at noon the second Monday of each month at the Cheyenne Radisson. The gatherings include a brief business meeting, social luncheon and an educational program. Contacts for further information:
For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Katherine Castaneda at Katherine.Castaneda@wyo.gov. 20
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May 2018
Roger Nelson – 634-1881 Ron Labreque – 632-8240 Donella Marrs – 635-5858
WTDEA 2018 Walleye Roundup Rules & Regulations
All contestants must register by Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 3:00 pm. Contact Mike Calaway at 777-4172 or Vickie Hintze at 777-4427. Contestants can start fishing at 5:00 a.m. and must meet at far east boat ramp no later than 2:00 p.m. to enter walleye (NO EXCEPTIONS). All fishing will take place at Grayrocks. Four prizes will be awarded. 100% payback of money received. (1st place – 40%; 2nd place – 30%; 3rd place – 20%; 4th place – 10%) Winners will be determined by weight (walleyes only). One entry per person. In case of a tie, fish will be measured in inches. ALL 2018 Wyoming Game & Fish Rules apply. (A.I.S.) Drain, Clean, Dry Ages 13 & under - no entry fee required. Register early. (Limited to 45 participants.) Register with cash only please. (No checks.) Unregistered fishermen caught fishing with tournament participants will disqualify the entire group.
A BIG thanks to the WTDEA for sponsoring door prizes and trophies for the tournament!
Grayrocks Reservoir June 9
5am - 2pm
$15 Entry
WTDEA
UW 2018 football game Raffle For the WTDEA State Board Scholarship Fund Winner will receive 2 tickets for a 2018 University of Wyoming football game of choice (based on availability) | a gift certificate for the room (either an executive king suite or a 2-Queen bed room) Vouchers for 2 Complementary breakfasts | 2 free drinks at the 5220 Lounge at the Holiday Inn.
$5 per ticket or 5 for $20 Only 500 Tickets available!
Tickets on sale April 9 - May 21
For tickets, contact your WTDEA State Board Representative. For more information, contact Audrey Hobbs at 777-4456.
Drawing held June 8
May 2018
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YOU ENVISION IT. WE’LL FINANCE IT.
HELOC
RATES AS LOW AS
5.25
% APR
*
You can use the value within your home for any variety of needs. But if you don’t want the amount in one lump sum, but access to the funds in bits and pieces when you need it — then a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is the route to go. So if you own property in the State of Wyoming, our Home Equity Line of Credit offers:* • Rates as low as 5.25% APR • Loan to Value: Up to 100% • Draw Period: Up to 120 months / 10 years • Repayment Terms: Loan is amortized for 240 months/20 years with the final 10 years strictly repayment of the loan balance. • Closing Fee: None • Early Payoff Penalty: None • Easy online access to make payments, check your balance and more
*Visit WyHy.org/HELOC or contact us today! 307. 638.4200 • memberservices@WyHy.org *Rates are subject to change. Rates and maximum loan terms are dependent on credit qualifications and loan-to-value (LTV) percentage.Visit WyHy.org or contact the Credit Union for full details and disclosures.
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May 2018
Break Time See if you can find the following 25 words hidden in the grid to the right: ALVA ASPHALT OVERLAY ATV BANNER BAR NUN BOATING CAMPING CATCH AND RELEASE CHIP SEAL DAFFODILS ENCAMPMENT FISHING HOOK FOX PARK GARDENING HIKING LAGRANGE MOUNTAIN BIKING MOUNTAIN VIEW OPAL ROBIN ROCK RIVER ROZET SPRING TOURIST VACATIONERS
Answer to the April 2018 Break Time sudoku puzzle:
9 6 7 2 1 2 9 7 4 1 8 3 5 6 1 6 3 2 5 7 48 9 7 5 9 1 8 4 6 3 2 3 2 8 7 6 5 9 14 641 9 3 2 8 7 5 8 1 6 5 4 3 2 9 7 9 3 2 6 7 1 5 4 8 4 7 5 8 2 9 1 6 3 5 8
4
3
Check your answers online using the intranet, or by checking next month’s Interchange.
W O H E S X D A I C I P S A M R S O C W K H E S A A L R R Z M G N A T I D C
C A T S H F I S H R A S T P R U H I K I N G T M T E R B Z A O E R O N S H N
A H T O D H M E O I J N I L O I P H B N I L E G E E O R S C M S L M T R A E
R M O V I V E R R N A U D D S D S U O L P R A S R N D T O E K I C E N O Y S
O K R B N A R O V M S N D E L G E E I T I O Y R E B E O L A Y O I T U C K E
S L I L L Y B E C E H T R G B I A O A C T A R O C G A L R C D T S N A K N C
E F I S H I N G H O O K O M V O N L A B Q E D S T F S R E R I C U M T R O N
S A D W N N B V C M L D A A E B A N O N O U R P Y I O R N V T N P E O I E R
D A N D E L I O N S A J E N L E L T P S N V E R E L K Q P U S I V L B V N C
C T X S Q K G L H P I K B R D A V L I A O R E I X J U A R D N E I O L E A E
O A M U U L A G R A N G E O N O A S O N X S T N N I B U N G O B G I U R L S
S Y M T I X R L B F M D U M M C E X N H G D O G E B N T K M Y O N L N D P G
U F G P L Y D Z D A A Y C N N O I A T K E F A T K T O K L O P A L S R X R E
A P C E T R E I C E S N D I U G H N Y Z E N J R I Y P U N U O I K Z E N F B
I E M E B F MU O R U D N I T I A M I B N L V E I C E A W T T C U H O A R N T D I R D E H L M E X A Z S T E E O X T N T N E O G I M P E D O R I D C E Y
O R R I O E N A N I R I A Q H E N H E I S T N E Q I R H N A Y A S G S R P T
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