Posted: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 12:00 am
Early returns go against rec center
CHEYENNE - A proposed sixth-cent sales tax to build a $55 million recreation center in north-central Cheyenne was headed to defeat in Laramie County Tuesday night.
With 57 of 60 precincts reporting, the number of votes against the proposal led those for it, 56 percent to 44 percent, or 6,855 to 5,403, according to results from the county clerk's office. Final results weren't available before the Star-Tribune's deadline.
The rec center was by far the highest-profile item on the ballot. Three other proposed sixth-cent tax projects for Cheyenne, Laramie County, Burns, Albin and Pine Bluffs were winning with percentages of at least 53 percent.
Supporters of the rec center said Cheyenne needs a family recreation center like other cities have. Opponents said the project was too expensive and would compete with several private gyms, the YMCA and the local community college's facilities.
Plans called for the center to have a senior/community wing, indoor and outdoor pools, a climbing wall, fieldhouse, gymnasium, basketball courts, cardio and fitness areas, an arts and crafts room, a woodworking shop, party rental rooms and community gathering space.
Murder trial gets under way
RAWLINS - A second-degree murder trial has begun for a man accused of shooting another man in the face with a shotgun.
The prosecution and defense gave opening statements Monday in the trial of Forrest Bromley, who's accused of shooting Jason Voss on April 25, 2007.
Prosecutor Cal Rerucha and defense attorney Jason Tangeman agreed that the men drank beer and smoked marijuana before the shooting. But similarities in the two accounts ended there.
Rerucha told jurors that Bromley pointed a shotgun at Voss, aimed the gun at his friend and deliberately pulled the trigger.
Tangeman said what happened was an accident. He also said the prosecution's key witness didn't see Voss get shot.
Rerucha said the shotgun blast created horizontal wounds and must have occurred with the shotgun pointed directly at Voss. But Tangeman said accurately recreating Voss's posture at the time of the shooting would be difficult.
Tangeman said Voss could have been slouching or slumped when he was shot.
Second-degree murder is punishable by 20 years to life in prison.
Snow delays park facility opening
MOOSE - Lingering deep snow has delayed the opening of facilities at the south end of Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park.
Those facilities include the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, which originally was scheduled to open this coming Saturday and now won't open until May 22.
Opening of the campground at Jenny Lake also has been pushed back about 10 days to May 22.
Grand Teton spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs says there's still 3 to 4 feet of snow on the ground in many areas. The park got heavy snow all winter, and temperatures have been chilly this spring.