Judge: Councilman must step down

LANDER - A judge has ruled that a Pinedale councilman must give up his seat because he wasn't registered to vote in the town when he was elected last May, according to the man who contested the election.

District Judge Norman Young ruled Thursday. He was expected to issue an order regarding Dave Smith's council seat within 10 days.

Robert Brito, himself a council candidate last spring, said he challenged Smith's election because he believed that everyone needed to be treated equally.

"I didn't do this to run for office again," Brito said. "I did this because I wanted people to see that this was a wrong."

Smith's attorney requested a stay that would suspend Smith's removal from the council while the case is appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Pinedale Mayor Stephen Smith, no relation to Dave Smith, said no changes would occur on the council right away. If the appeal fails, the next-highest vote-getter, Dave Hohl, would replace Dave Smith.

"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to be on the council again," Hohl said. "Having the issue resolved on legal grounds, rather than on a public opinion basis, pleases me."

Hohl previously served on the council.

Snowmobiler dies in tree collision

JACKSON - A Wisconsin man was killed Tuesday when his snowmobile collided with a tree along the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail near Togwotee Pass.

Michael Earl Willson, 61, of Palmyra, Wis., was wearing a helmet, but suffered severe head and neck injuries in the crash, according to the Teton County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities said Willson failed to negotiate a sharp turn in the trail, and his snowmobile collided with a tree, throwing Willson from the saddle and into the tree.

A friend who was with Willson tried to revive him, but neither the friend nor medical personnel were able to do so.

Grizzlies begin emerging from dens

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - Grizzly bears have begun emerging from their dens, and rangers say it's a good idea for visitors to keep their eyes and ears open.

Biologists reported seeing grizzly tracks as early as Feb. 28. They confirmed an aerial sighting of a grizzly in the Indian Creek area on Tuesday.

That's about the same time as years past. Last year, bears began emerging in Yellowstone on March 10. In 2005, bears began emerging March 7.

Park spokesman Al Nash said people in Yellowstone should be cautious.

"The challenge with bears and visitors is that early activity tends to be lower elevation, and lower elevation can be around roadways or developed areas," he said.

"You are talking about animals that have been hibernating. You know how you wake up after a deep sleep - I don't know that I'd say grumpy, but what I have heard from our bear experts is that it is not quite like an animal waking up completely alert."

He said bears eventually begin looking for food. This time of year, that often means eating the carcasses of animals that didn't survive the winter.