Green River Star

09/02/2025

Be aware of lien washing or title washing scams.

‼ Fraud alert ‼ WYDOT is warning the public about recent attempted lien washing scams that total to almost $1 million.

Also called title washing, lien washing is fraudulently and illegally omitting or removing lien information on a vehicle title in order to evade paying loans tied to those vehicles, including mechanic liens, storage liens or auto loan liens.

Earlier this summer, multiple counties in southwest Wyoming reported attempted lien washing scams to WYDOT’s Compliance and Investigation division. Fortunately, these attempts were largely unsuccessful.

“WYDOT collaborates closely with our county partners to stop attempted title fraud like lien washing,” said Lacey Bruckner, investigation supervisor with WYDOT Compliance and Investigation. “The vigilance and partnership between the counties and the state help send a clear message to criminals – don’t try it here.”

Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details, including which counties were involved, are available.

“We’ve seen unsuccessful lien washers try their luck at neighboring jurisdictions, so be on the lookout for this and other types of vehicle fraud in your community,” said Bruckner.

More info: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/news/wydot-sees-increase-in-attempted-lien-washing-scams

09/02/2025

A special ceremony took place this morning recognizing the 140th anniversary of the Rock Springs Chinese Massacre and sharing the unveiling of the new "Requiem" memorial statue. A group of descendants of Chinese miners from the time period came from across the country to attend the ceremony. The event included several special speakers, prayers, songs, and a lion dance. Those who attended were also able to see the ongoing archeological dig nearby that is unearthing artifacts from the historic Chinatown.

09/02/2025

FROM WYOFILE:

Bison eradication stripped western grasslands of nutrients, Yellowstone research shows

Free-roaming herds of large herbivores are few and far between on Earth, but where they do occur — like with bison in northwest Wyoming — monitoring shows a remarkable bump in grassland nutrition.

By Mike Koshmrl, WyoFile.com

The remarkable seasonal flow of thousands of bison into and out of Yellowstone National Park is both a relic of an earlier, pre-settlement era and a source of great debate — Montana’s even sued in pursuit of fewer bison.
But there’s now less debate about the ecological good the herds of native herbivores bring to the landscape. A new study published in the journal Science shows that the migratory herds of bison effectively function as nature’s fertilizers, providing an astonishing 2.5-fold bump in crude proteins growing into the grasslands that blanket Yellowstone’s Northern Range.
“It’s mainly coming from urine and feces,” said Jerod Merkle, a professor of migration ecology and conservation at the University of Wyoming. “What happens is it goes into the ground, and it lights up the microbial ecosystem in the soil.
“It’s a circle,” he added. “Bison graze, p*e and p**p. That facilitates the insects and the microbes, which then creates better soil, which then the plants take up again.”
Bison and other critters, in turn, benefit.
Merkle, along with co-authors Chris Geremia of Yellowstone National Park and Bill Hamilton of Washington and Lee University, even estimated the net benefit migratory bison add to the landscape in terms of crude protein. There’s not actually more grasses growing — even though they’re heavily grazed, the volume sprouting off the landscape stays about the same.
“It’s not biomass,” Hamilton told WyoFile. “It’s more productive — the nutritional quality is improved. There’s more nitrogen and crude protein in the forage.”
Across Yellowstone’s Northern Range, researchers calculated that the bison stimulation effect added 3,549 tons of crude protein to a 329-square-mile region, which pencils out to an estimated 37-pounds-per-acre bump in nutrition.
The benefits aren’t uniform. There’s a “mosaic” of bison grazing’s influence on the landscape, Merkle said, both in terms of space and time due to seasonal migrations. Grazing provided 156% more crude protein in the lawn-like habitats like the Lamar River valley and 155% more in high-elevation landscapes. In dry areas, the effect was slightly more subdued, with a 119% increase.
To make those calculations, the research team assessed grazing and nutrient dynamics at 16 sites from 2015 to 2022. They used fenced exclosures moved every five weeks and kept track of datapoints including plant consumption, plant growth and plant composition, nutrient cycling, plant and soil chemistry and soil microbial populations.
Merkle, Hamilton and Geremia did not detect overgrazing, which can result in declining plant productivity and diversity and soils becoming compacted. Rather, they detected the opposite and a lot of variation across the landscape, Merkle said.
“There are spots that bison hit hard, and places they don’t touch at all — and that can change over the years,” he said. “The cool thing is that allowing these bison to freely move across the landscape at a big scale, creates the heterogeneity.”
On the broader western landscape, it’s an effect that’s largely been lost. Although there are a few exceptions and efforts to grow more free-roaming herds, bison are generally not allowed to behave like wildlife in the modern world.
In Wyoming, for example, bison are classified as a big-game species where the roughly 500-animal Jackson Herd roams and in the unoccupied Absaroka herd unit east of Yellowstone. But elsewhere, they’re not considered wildlife and instead considered “privately owned or bison running at large.”
That’s not particularly unique. Today, about 95% of the 400,000 bison that exist are privately owned or commercially raised for their meat. The few “conservation herds” that exist average just 300 animals, and they’re “almost universally managed in constrained areas with strict limits on numbers and movements,” according to the Science paper. It’s a far cry from the 20,000-strong bison herd that early explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark encountered in South Dakota in 1806, which was just a sliver of the tens of millions that existed before white settlers hunted the American bison to near extinction.
Yellowstone is one of the very few exceptions. The herd-oriented, migratory plant-eating megafauna — and their quantifiable ecological effects — have been lost almost everywhere else.
“The closest relatable ecosystem is the Serengeti, where we have big herds of wildebeest and zebra moving and migrating in a similar way and creating a similar nitrogen and ecosystem cycle,” Merkle said. “It’s kind of cool for Yellowstone to be on par with a Serengeti-type place.”

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.

PHOTO CUTLINE:
Bison graze near Roosevelt Arch in the spring. (Jacob W. Frank/Yellowstone National Park)

09/02/2025

Today in Wyoming history:

In 1885, in one of the worst examples of race-based violence in Western US history, 150 white miners in Rock Springs, brutally attacked their Chinese coworkers, killing 28, wounding 15 others, and driving several hundred more out of town. Gov. Francis E. Warren intervened to stop further bloodshed by having federal troops sent to Rock Springs.

(Thanks Wyoming Historical Society.)

Tomorrow in Wyoming history:

In 1885, Gov. Francis E. Warren arrived in Rocks Springs by train, following the previous day's violent riots.

(Thanks On This Day.)

08/31/2025

The Green River Wolves Tennis team competed against Casper teams on August 29. The girls lost against Kelly Walsh and Natrona County while the boys lost against Kelly Walsh and won against Natrona County.

Girls:

Kelly Walsh 5 Green River 0
1S: Whitney Bradfield (KW) def. Rylie Caldwell: 6-0, 6-0
2S: Olivia Wilson (KW) def. Megan Thomas: 6-0, 6-1
1D: Klosterman/Bradfield (KW) def. Lopez/Beutel: 6-1, 6-1
2D: Nokes/Hager (KW) def. Britton/English: 6-2, 6-2
3D: Sherman/Boyles (KW) def. Davis/Johnson: 6-4, 5-7, 6-3

Natrona County 4 Green River 1
1S: Sara Lester (NC) def. Rylie Caldwell: 6-1, 6-2
2S: Harper Joy (NC) def. Amanda Davis: 6-4, 6-2
1D: Lopez/Beutel (GR) def. Scott/Kauffman: 7-5, 7-5
2D: Abegglen/Keller (NC) def. Britton/English: 6-2, 6-2
3D: Cantrell/Monger (NC) def. Johnson/Thomas: 3-2, retired

Boys:

Kelly Walsh 3 Green River 2
1S: Dylan Archibald (GR) def. Bode Strand: 6-3, 6-4
2S: Miles Romer (KW) def. Aiden Meyer: 6-3, 6-1
1D: Ramsey/Reishus (KW) def. Hokanson/Dodson: 6-7, 6-4, 6-3
2D: Larsen/Dresang (KW) def. Arnold/Olson: 6-2, 6-4
3D: Taylor/Bundy (GR) def. Skaf/Gillum: 7-6, 6-4

Green River 4 Natrona County 1
1S: Dylan Archibald (GR) def. Grayson Ingram: 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
2S: Aiden Neher (GR) def. Josh Reyes: 6-1, 6-4
1D: Hokanson/Dodson (GR) def. Gorman/Danford: 6-2, 6-4
2D: Arnold/Olsen (GR) def. Martin/Elston: 6-0, 6-2
3D: Miller/Haigler (NC) def. Taylor/Bundy: 6-4, 7-5

08/31/2025

The GRHS Boys Golf team competed at the Rock Springs Invite on Thursday and Friday.
Leading the Wolves was Adam Robertson with a score of 149 after two days on the course, taking the title for the tournament in first place. Robertson was one shot under Rock Springs’ TJ Atkinson with 150 points.
Green River finished the tournament in fourth place with 663 total points.
Congratulations!

Boys Team Scores = Evanston 639, Rock Springs 652, Star Valley 660, Green River 663, Pinedale 671, Kemmerer 748, Lyman 756, Rawlins 808.

08/31/2025

The Lady Wolves Varsity Volleyball team traveled to compete in the Cheyenne Invitaional on Friday and Saturday.
Green River had amazing performances, winning four of the five teams they played.
On Friday, the Lady Wolves won 2-1 against Cheyenne East, 2-0 against Cheyenne South and 2-0 against Cheyenne Central.
On Saturday, Green River won 2-0 against Sheridan and then lost against Laramie 0-2.
Congratulations Lady Wolves on an outstanding start to your 2025 season!

08/31/2025

Congratulations to Green River’s Tavia Arnell!
Arnell won first place in the Gillette Pentathlon today in Gillette with a total time of 4:28.21 in all five events.
The Lady Wolves Swimming and Diving team took sixth place overall.
Team Scores = Thunder Basin 105, Cheyenne Central & Sheridan 97 (tie), Laramie 84, Buffalo 78, Green River 61, Kelly Walsh 53, Campbell County 52, Natrona County 18, Cheyenne South 4 and Newscastle 3.

08/31/2025

The Green River High School Lady Wolves Freshman Volleyball team took first place at the tournament in Evanston today. Green River beat Riverton, Laramie, Lyman, Evanston, and played Rock Springs in the championship game. The Lady Wolves won 2-1 sets to win the game.
Congratulations Lady Wolves!

Photo courtesy of Bridgette Nielsen

08/30/2025

The Green River Lady Wolves Swimming and Diving team traveled to compete in the Gillette Relays to officially start their season. The teams included: Green River, Buffalo, Campbell County, Cheyenne Central, Cheyenne South, Kelly Walsh, Laramie, Natrona County, Newcastle, Sheridan and Thunder Basin.
The Lady Wolves had several impressive finishes in the relay events, including a first place finish in the 200 Yard Medley. The swimmers included Alayna Kellhofer, Kaylin Uhrig, Tavia Arnell and Zoie Gilmore. The same team of swimmers also took third place in the 400 Yard Medley. Green River snagged another third place finish in the 200 Yard Butterfly with swimmers: Arnell, Bella Anderson, Gilmore and Linkin Lucero. Diver Isla Sasha had great performances and finished seventh in the 1-Meter Diving event. The Lady Wolves finished the meet in fifth place overall!
Congratulations ladies!

Team Scores = Laramie 262, Central 221, Buffalo 157, Kelly Walsh 155, Green River 148, Thunder Basin 141, Campbell County 136, Sheridan 104, Natrona County 102, Cheyenne South 93 and Newcastle 17.

08/30/2025

Wyoming's cowboy spirit was represented all the way over in Boise, Idaho tonight with Bruce Pivic's cowboy hot air balloon at the Spirit Of Boise Balloon Classic Night Glow!

08/29/2025

NEWS BRIEFS for Friday, August 29, 2025
From Wyoming News Exchange newspapers

Lost hiker found dead in Cloud Peak Wilderness

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Grant Gardner has been found deceased in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
On Aug. 26 during the late afternoon/early evening hours, a professional climbing team from North Carolina summited Cloud Peak and descended on the northern route of the peak, prior to a summit attempt on Woolsey Peak the next day.
While making camp for the evening, the climbers noticed a slight reflection a few hundred feet above them underneath a ledge. They were confident it was a backpack.
The climbing team notified the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office via satellite of its finding and
First Flight of Wyoming transported search and rescue teams to the North Carolina climbers’ high altitude camp.
Gardner’s remains were located near the backpack. Gardner was wearing clothing that blended in with the surrounding terrain. A difficult and dangerous recovery was conducted and Gardner is being brought home to his family.
The case has been transferred to the Big Horn County Coroner’s Office to determine time, manner and cause of death. Sheriff Ken Blackburn said he and his staff believe Gardner succumbed to a tragic accident.
"Thank you to the SAR Teams for not giving up, for many tips and support from the outdoor community and others that has led to the end of this mission," Blackburn wrote in an update on Facebook Aug. 28. "We waited to release this final update pending family notification and to give them a moment to process. While it’s not the outcome we hoped for, we are hopeful this will provide much needed peace and closure to the family."

This story was published on August 28, 2025.

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Drought conditions in Park County worsen

CODY (WNE) — Moderate to severe drought conditions have continued throughout Park County, according to the government drought monitor.
The National Integrated Drought Information System and National Oceanic Atmospheric Association determined that more than 74 percent of the county is affected by drought conditions.
According to NIDIS there are five levels of drought, with D0 being “abnormally dry” and D4 signifying “exceptional drought” conditions.
Presently, a majority of Park County is experiencing moderate (D1) to severe drought (D2). More than 25 percent of the county is abnormally dry (D0) while less than a percentage point of the county is reporting extreme drought conditions (D3). The agency expects conditions to continue over the next three months.
Despite 1.38 inches more precipitation than average over the course of this year, June 2025 marked the 23rd driest on record for the last 131 years with precipitation falling below average.
Overall, the August 2025 report marks a worsening in drought conditions from 2024. While the agencies reported last year that over 75 percent of the county was experiencing moderate drought and that number has fallen this year to 38 percent, severe drought conditions have grown more prevalent throughout the area. Meanwhile, there was no report of extreme drought last year.

This story was published on August 27, 2025.

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West Nile virus cases increasing in Wyoming

SHERIDAN (WNE) — West Nile virus was first detected in mosquitos collected from Sheridan County in July. Since then, additional infected mosquitoes have been discovered in Sheridan County and surrounding areas.
Equine West Nile virus cases have been confirmed in Sheridan County and Johnson County. Human cases of West Nile virus continue to occur in other counties throughout Wyoming, most recently in Natrona County.
Historically, the mosquito species capable of transmitting West Nile virus remains viable through the month of September.
An infected mosquito can transfer the virus during feeding. The virus can infect horses, birds, and in some cases, humans. Human cases are generally asymptomatic but can be more severe in elderly and immunocompromised individuals.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms can include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea and rash. Most people will recover from these symptoms completely. In some cases, fatigue and weakness can last up to several months. Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should consult with a medical professional.
Sheridan County Public Health, in cooperation with the Sheridan County W**d and Pest Control District, encourages the public to stay mosquito safe.
The public can take steps to protect themselves and their neighbors from West Nile virus by applying larvicide to areas of standing water. Residents should also remember the five Ds of mosquito prevention: Dump, Drain, Dress, DEET, and Dusk/Dawn.

This story was published on August 27, 2025.

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Yellowstone Regional Airport sees decrease in traveler numbers

CODY (WNE) — Passenger numbers at Yellowstone Regional Airport are down about 15% compared to last year.
During YRA’s August board meeting, airport director Aaron Buck said that the airport has had a total of just under 18,000 enplanements, compared to approximately 21,000 enplanements at this time last year.
“I think a lot of that has to do with delays and people not being able to get where they’re wanting to go, so they’re not getting on the planes,” Buck said.
During May and June, flights at YRA had a completion percentage of 97% but an on-time percentage of just 66%.
Delays at YRA this year are largely downstream of delays occurring at Denver International Airport.
During the July YRA board meeting, airport consultant Bill Tomcich shared that other airports operating connecting flights out of Denver, including Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, Colo. and Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport in Gunnison, NM have been experiencing similar if not worse delays.
Daily weather microbursts and an unprecedented amount of ground construction at DIA are part of the cause for delays to afternoon and evening flights out of YRA, Tomcich said.
“It’s not so much Cody. We certainly have some local issues, but the bigger issue is what’s happening in Denver,” Tomcich said.
For comparison, Salt Lake City International Airport experiences approximately three air traffic control related delays per year, whereas DIA experiences about three air traffic control delays per day, Tomcich said.
“Be assured that that is a huge focus for United to try to improve,” Tomcich said.

This story was published on August 27, 2025.

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