G&F probes elk poaching

RAWLINS - Investigators are looking into the poaching of a bull elk in Medicine Bow National Forest between Cheyenne and Laramie.

Game warden Roger Bredehoft says the poaching near Pilot Knob was a "thrill killing, plain and simple."

The poaching happened sometime within the past week. Bredehoft says the elk had velvet antlers but the poacher took neither the antlers nor any meat.

Bredehoft is asking anyone with any information about the incident to call him at 745-4402 or to call the Wyoming Game and Fish Department office in Laramie at 745-4046.

Palin's resignation puzzles gov

CHEYENNE - Gov. Dave Freudenthal said he's perplexed by Sarah Palin's decision to resign as governor of Alaska.

Freudenthal said he was stunned to learn of Palin's decision to step down. Palin announced last week that she will leave office July 26.

Palin stepped into the national spotlight late last year when Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain tapped her as his running mate in his unsuccessful bid for the White House.

Freudenthal is in his second term as governor and has been noncommittal about whether he will seek a third term. He said he has things he wants to accomplish in the 18 months he has left in his second term.

He said he may run for a third term, but may not.

Health plan contribution changes

SHERIDAN COUNTY - Sheridan County employees will be required to start contributing to their health insurance coverage as officials prepare for a budget shortfall next year.

The County Commissioners approved the plan Tuesday and the change affecting 396 workers will take effect immediately. Single employees will pay $51.35, while workers including their children in their plan will pay $114.05. Employees choosing coverage for their entire family will pay $156.29.

County Administrator Renee Obermueller said the change came after a year of discussions and after officials conducted research and price comparisons and realized they had "been quite generous" in the past.

Obermueller said the employee contributions are 12 percent of the premium's totals.

Feds seek new easements

CHEYENNE - Federal land managers have adopted a new travel management plan for the Thunder Basin National Grassland in northeastern Wyoming.

The plan calls for seeking new public rights of way on more than 400 miles of roads that both lead to the area and cross it. Managers say that would improve public access.

Grassland managers announced Tuesday that they had selected the plan from the alternatives in their final environmental assessment. The decision is still subject to public appeal.