WEDNESDAY THE SHERIDAN January 29, 2020 PETERSON 134th Year, No. 223 LEADS BY Serving Sheridan County, EXAMPLE Wyoming, since 1887 ON YOUNG www.thesheridanpress.com TEAM www.DestinationSheridan.com SPORTS • B1 75 Cents Press Selena Not Afraid investigation continues CONTENT WARNING: This article includes detailed information about autopsy procedures and the disappearance and death of a teenage girl.

BY ALLAYANA DARROW [email protected]

HARDIN — Big Horn County on Tuesday official- ly requested the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation perform an inde- pendent analysis of its inves- tigation regarding Selena Not Afraid’s disappearance and death. What began as a miss- ing person’s case has morphed into an ongoing investigation since Not Afraid’s body was found last week. The 16-year- old was found within 1 mile of where she was last seen at a rest stop near Hardin after a ALLAYANA DARROW | THE SHERIDAN PRESS 20-day search. Big Horn County Undersherif Eric Winburn tapes a map of the search for Selena Not Afraid to the wall in Big Horn County Sheriff his ofce Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. Lawrence Big Hair was quick to declare there was no foul New Year’s Eve, where she er he said the review process of death will be determined play suspected — a position was allegedly served alcohol, will be completed in a timely upon review of the full toxicol- which drew criticism from to where she was left at the manner to preserve witness ogy report. some of the public. rest area. recollections and evidence. Winburn said the results “No characterizations of evi- Harris said in the release he should be back within about dence or promises of immu- considered the search for Not four weeks. The BHCSO’s Potential charges nity by the Big Horn County Afraid to be both a missing position at this time is there Big Horn County Attorney Sheriff’s Office are binding person’s case and a criminal is no definitive evidence to Jay Harris issued a press upon the State of Montana investigation as of Jan. 14. suggest foul play based on release Jan. 21 demanding in criminal prosecution,” Harris issued a public release the investigation up to this the production of evidence Harris said in the release. Jan. 23 with the preliminary point, and note of a lack of tire from the BHCSO and other “The County Attorney’s Office results of Not Afraid’s autop- treads and footprints around involved agencies detail- will not characterize the cir- sy. Not Afraid’s body when she ing law enforcement’s efforts cumstances of the discovery Montana State Chief was found. in the search. No charges of any dead body as reflecting Medical Examiner Dr. Robert “It’s still too early to clear against any individuals have foul play or not reflecting foul Kurtzman conducted an exam- anything up,” Winburn said. been filed as of noon Tuesday. play, until such time as all ination at the Montana State The undersheriff would not Big Horn County necessary and proper inves- Crime Lab in Billings and did comment on the estimated COURTESY PHOTO | Undersheriff Eric Winburn tigative leads are followed not find any injuries to her time of the girl’s death, and Claire Nettles, 2, was born with Myotonic said Harris and Yellowstone and all available evidence is body that suggested assault or the county attorney told The Dystrophy. Due to that, she is behind devel- County officials will deter- reviewed and scrutinized.” physical abuse. Press the coroner would also opmentally and is unable to walk on her mine if the details of the case Harris declined to speculate Evidence from the examina- not give a comment until after own. Her mother, Sheyle, said Claire moti- warrant criminal charges — on a timeline for when all tion is consistent with death the official release of findings. vated her to pursue the building of an inclu- from the house party Not evidence will be compiled and by exposure, according to the sive park in Sheridan. Afraid attended in Billings charges decided upon, howev- release, but an official cause SEE INVESTIGATION, PAGE 2 New playground to promote inclusion Groups, residents discuss Sheridan County’s open spaces BY MICHAEL ILLIANO BY KRISTEN CZABAN [email protected] [email protected] SHERIDAN — Wyoming’s SHERIDAN — For some, going to the open spaces represent assets park means watching other children run that can be leveraged in several and play on the jungle gyms and longing different ways. to climb the ladders and slip down the In Sheridan County in par- slides. But, Sheyle Nettles recognized ticular, making the most of that varying levels of ability sometimes those assets requires residents limit opportunities for play. to decide how they want to Nettles daughter, Claire, was born balance the various demands with Myotonic Dystrophy. Due to that, placed on land. she is behind developmentally and is The Sheridan County unable to walk on her own. Chamber of Commerce hosted Nettles said Claire may never be able the first of four community to walk without assistance — currently discussions on balancing she’s learning to walk using a walker the use of Sheridan County’s — and may some day need to utilize a open spaces at Luminous wheelchair. Brewhouse Tuesday. The ses- Nettles, Sheridan Jaycees vice pres- sion focused on the role of pub- ident of management and community lic lands, in an effort to begin development, approached the Jaycees a dialogue around how county organization with the idea for an inclu- residents want to see their sive playground last year. open spaces utilized. MATTHEW GASTON | THE SHERIDAN PRESS SEE PLAYGROUND, PAGE 4 The Sheridan County Land Trust’s executive director Brad Bauer hosted a community discussion on open space and land management at Luminous Brewhouse Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. SEE OPEN SPACES, PAGE 3

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BIGHORNS Arts and culture, outdoor adventures, restaurants and bars, family activities, and much, much more. A2 THE SHERIDAN PRESS www.thesheridanpress.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 INVESTIGATION : Female witness gave no explanation for why Not Afraid crossed fence FROM 1 rescue team executed a grid A forensic pathologist search to definitively elim- will examine internal Days that followed inate each area of the grid, organs and look for damage. Winburn said. A map of the A hair sample would show Six individuals — four search shows what areas drug use that can be dated adult males, one adult were searched by day. One like tree rings. Sometimes, female and Not Afraid, the expansive search along I-90 a coroner must attempt to only juvenile — left a house Jan. 17 was executed on the disprove a litany of possible party in Billings when their assumption that if she had causes of death rather than car broke down at the rest walked, she’d stay close to proving any one, Kane said. area, Winburn recounted the road. “Hypothermia, it’s some- from witness statements. “We could have got the thing that you can’t test The driver figured if he got tracking team out quicker,” for,” Kane said. “So, the the car running again, all Winburn said. “We realize reason that we would do individuals should be back that volunteer searches are the forensic autopsy, pho- in the vehicle so they could not that — they’re helpful tograph, go through every- leave without the car break- but they’re not helpful to thing — nothing else is ing down again. the point where we can say, found...you rule out every- The males returned to ‘This has been searched thing else possible and then the vehicle but the females enough, we know she’s not you’re left with that.” didn’t want to get back in there.’ They could have In a standard case, the cor- and the driver “took off,” walked by her.” oner or medical examiner Winburn said. The driver Winburn said the BHCSO begins by collecting body then called his mother to go could have also organized specimens and blood for the to the rest area and pick up some further training with toxicology report, which the two females. When she COURTESY GRAPHIC | volunteers about search tac- will test for a broad panel of arrived, Not Afraid was not Above: A map provided by the Big Horn County Sherif’s Ofce shows search routes by day from tics to potentially find her drugs, Kane said. there. Jan. 11 through Jan. 20. Below: Yellow pins show the approximate recovery location of Selena Not body more quickly. There The female witness told Afraid’s body relative to the rest area where she was last seen alive. was no debris covering Not law enforcement Not Afraid Afraid’s body and no obvi- One account crossed a fence and started search over 20 days. Neither ous scavenging, Winburn of the search hiking toward trees. The the Bureau of Indian Affairs said. mother continued on to help nor BHCSO could provide Because of the angle from Billings Police escort the vehicle that broke a comprehensive list of the road and nature of the Department Officer David down again farther down when agencies and individ- landscape, when they looked Firebaugh and K9 Dutch the road. uals became involved in the in the direction she was joined the search around The female witness gave search. found, they couldn’t see her 8:30 p.m. on Day One — New no explanation for why Not BHCSO deputies searched until they became extremely Year’s Day. They also assist- Afraid crossed the fence but the afternoon she was close to the body, he said. ed with evidence tracking in said Not Afraid had tried to reported missing, through A full coroner’s report Billings. convince the witness to go the night and into the next and death certificate have Firebaugh and with her, Winburn said. day when Winburn was not been filed as of 1 p.m. Dutch searched a 500- by Winburn declined to com- sworn in as undersheriff Tuesday. A toxicology 500-yard grid area near ment on whether Not Afraid and joined the search. They report will show if she had the rest stop staging area. had run away before or began in the direction the consumed alcohol or other He based his search on shown a history of similar female witness statement drugs around the time of where the search party had behavior. provided. her death. stopped, started at that bor- Despite witness state- Not Afraid was found der and continued east. ments, Winburn said for the wearing boots and with Dutch is trained to follow first few days of the search, an un-powered cellphone, Breaking down the strongest human scent law enforcement wasn’t which they determined an autopsy and will pick up the hottest convinced she had made it had died in Billings where trail, meaning tracking an to the rest area until they the last ping was recorded, Sheridan County Coroner individual from their last found “hard evidence” she Winburn said. Leads from on either,” Winburn said. The FBI out of Billings PJ Kane said if this were his known point is difficult, he had been there — a social the investigation influenced “So, in their minds, that joined the search and case, he wouldn’t jump to said. media post showing part of the search. For example, might have limited how brought a Child Abduction any conclusions about the Firebaugh said rather her body with the clothes the female witness left her far out they went that first Rapid Deploy team leader cause of death until toxicol- than letting Dutch off-leash she was reportedly wearing. shoes at the house party in night...once it started get- from Denver to organize ogy results come back. to spread out on his own, he About 25-30 law enforce- Billings. ting dark it was windy and the command center at the Body position at the scene kept him close to prevent ment professionals and 20-30 “They weren’t posi- rainy and cold. It got really BHCSO while the BIA man- is an important consider- any potential bite situations volunteers assisted in the tive [Not Afraid] had shoes cold that night.” aged the command center at ation for determining cause with searchers. Dutch is the rest area. of death, especially if hypo- a trained bite dog who is The first night, law thermia is possible, Kane accustomed to catching enforcement deployed and said. Weather plays a role “bad guys,” not missing peo- then recalled a thermal in body condition after a ple, Firebaugh said. drone when the weather 20-day period — birds will Another K9 from became wet and windy. typically feed on anything Stillwater County, Montana, The operator was con- deceased quickly and some assisted with the search cerned about flying the warm January days might along the interstate, he said. drone around power lines, have spurred insect activ- Firebaugh said they spent Winburn said. He could ity, he said. Every peck about an hour and a half not confirm if the area was mark and bite should be searching the area but with- searched on foot after the documented along with any out concrete information drone was recalled. other markers on her body, to guide their search, their Not Afraid was found Kane said. route was fairly arbitrary. beyond the power lines. She If forensic experts Firebaugh said he learned may have hiked out some approach the case as a later they had been heading distance the first day and potential homicide and in the opposite direction of returned later — one rea- work their way backward, where she was found. son why she may not have “every cut, scratch, tattoo, Dutch ran several suc- been found the first night, bruise, anything like that cessful tracks but all Winburn said. they would go ahead and turned out to be searchers’ The Department of document and photograph scents. After resting and Interior’s ranger search and at that time,” Kane said. preparing to redeploy with Dutch, Firebaugh was called off and told the area had already been ground searched. Firebaugh also attempt- ed to locate evidence in Billings based on pings from Not Afraid’s cellphone. The FBI provided GPS markers for cellphone pings, which were likely social media posts during and after the party she was reportedly at New Year’s Eve, he said. Firebaugh searched from the house and along Montana Avenue in Billings, following the most likely path from the party to I-90. He was attempting to ensure the phone wasn’t lost, thrown out or dumped — using Dutch to search for items with human odor. He found plenty of items but none indicating a lead on Not Afraid, he said. “That late in the game, that’s normal and expect- ed,” Firebaugh said. The possibility that her body was laying there and everyone missed it isn’t out of the question, he said. However, neither Firebaugh, his K9, nor his partner who joined the search found any visual signs of her body. Again, officials did and would not estimate the amount of time it would take to receive the toxicol- ogy report back, but Harris hopes for an expedited pro- cess. THURSDAY THE SHERIDAN February 6, 2020 EAGLES, 134th Year, No. 230 RAMS Serving Sheridan County, Wyoming, since 1887 LOOK TO IMPROVE www.thesheridanpress.com SPORTS • B1 www.DestinationSheridan.com 75 Cents Press AFFORDABLE HOUSING

MATTHEW GASTON | THE SHERIDAN PRESS Homeowners park in front of their patio homes in the Woodland Park subdivision Tuesday, November 26, 2019. Developers present project plans

BY ASHLEIGH SNOOZY [email protected] ALLAYANA DARROW | THE SHERIDAN PRESS SHERIDAN — A pot of $340,000 sits Big Horn County Undersherif Eric Winburn sends an ofcial request to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation to perform an indepen- available for developers through the dent review of their case Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. Sheridan County Commission for afford- able housing projects. Four developers presented their projects to the commu- nity Wednesday evening, most having run the numbers according to if the project received full funding. But what if that pot of financing did Selena Not Afraid case not go toward one single project? the other agencies involved Sheridan realtor and associate broker ‘Ongoing investigation’ prevents THE SHERIDAN in the investigation and will Matt Westkott — who sat in the audi- PRESS SUBMITTED begin reviewing all inves- ence with fellow realtors, government tigative materials and evi- officials and community members — agencies from sharing details A FREEDOM OF dence,” Administrator Bryan asked all four presenters if they could INFORMATION Lockerby said in a statement continue their respective projects with- BY ALLAYANA DARROW going missing from Montana Jan. 29. “One of our prima- out the fully-funded amount and still [email protected] reservations with alarming ACT REQUEST ry roles in a tragic incident provide affordable housing to Sheridan frequency, analysis of resourc- TO THE FBI. like this is to help provide an County communities. SHERIDAN — The Montana es, process and protocol in external professional perspec- “If they were to use incentives just to Division of Criminal these investigations will be tive for the lead law enforce- say, ‘Hey if you’ve got 25 building sites,’ Investigation is directing, critical to approaching future Afraid’s disappearance and ment agency. The results of — and all of these are great… — ‘could reviewing and assisting the cases. death per the request of the our review often assist local you make it work if the county gave you ongoing investigation into John Barnes with the Big Horn County Sheriff’s agencies with their ongoing guys $3,000, $6,000 per building site?’” Selena Not Afraid’s death, Attorney General’s Office in Office, though he declined to investigations and provide Westkott asked. while Big Horn County the Montana Department of provide details into an “ongo- direction for a future course of Attorney Jay Harris reviews Criminal Justice confirmed ing matter.” action.” SEE HOUSING, PAGE 8 the case for potential criminal the MDCI is assisting with “We will be in further con- charges. With young women the investigation into Not versation with the sheriff and SEE UPDATE, PAGE 2 Armed teachers would be trained to deal with danger, ofcials say

BY KATHY BROWN the hearing outnumbered those “This is not because two kids to applicants for the police that’s Reznicek also fielded four ques- GILLETTE NEWS RECORD who showed up to make comments are having fisticuffs, this is not designed to discover a person’s tions from retired Gillette teacher VIA WYOMING NEWS EXCHANGE and asked questions during the because of an argument in a tendencies and not simply a pass Vicki Swenson, some she asked 30-minute session. lunch room, this is that one hor- or fail test. for others who couldn’t attend. GILLETTE — If a proposal gets “This is intended for the very rid moment that we all dread,” “I get a little bit nervous for She asked what the estimated final approval, armed educators worst moment that could ever Reznicek said. “That’s what the students who might be targeted” cost to the district would be per in the Campbell County School happen in a school district,” training would be for. if they are just acting out or act- applicant since the district would District will be trained to run Reznicek said as he responded to a “It’s not about shooting a fire- ing abnormal, said Jacobs, who pay for everything except hol- toward danger, not away from it. question about what the training arm. It’s about preparing yourself brought her three school-age chil- sters and firearms. That includes That’s what Larry Reznicek, and psychological evaluations for mentally and not backing away dren with her. ammunition, lock boxes, evalua- human resources manager in the armed staff would entail. from danger, going to the danger She said she worries that some- tions, drug and alcohol tests and school district, told those gathered Leigh Jacobs, who asked the and mitigating it quickly.” one would consider a student who 56 hours of training. Tuesday night as he answered question, said she worries about He said de-escalation techniques is acting out as a target “by some- Officials haven’t compiled an what if and scenario-related hidden biases and whether kids would be involved in training one who is carrying when they’re estimate, Reznicek said. questions from the public. The acting out in crisis could be scenarios. And the pysch evalua- not really a threat. I think about number of district employees at harmed. tions are the same as those given that a lot.” SEE TEACHERS, PAGE 2

Scan with your The Sheridan Press Today’s edition is published for: OPINION 4 SPORTS B1 smartphone for 144 Grinnell Plaza, Sheridan, WY 82801 PEOPLE 5 COMICS B3 latest weather, 307.672.2431 George Buszkiewic www.thesheridanpress.com AT A GLANCE 6 CLASSIFIEDS B4 news and sports of Ranchester ALMANAC 7 LEGALS B5 A2 THE SHERIDAN PRESS www.thesheridanpress.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020 SCENE moves to UPDATE : FBI ofce in Billings is satellite ofce of Salt Lake City division

FROM 1 American Indian or Alaska weekend newspaper ‘In order for the FBI to obtain federal criminal Native,” Barker said. “The FBI Big Horn County investigates all matters that FROM STAFF REPORTS Undersheriff Eric Winburn jurisdiction, three things must be satisfied: predication of a meet these criteria without said the missing person com- regard to age, race, gender or SHERIDAN — The Sheridan Press is ponent of the case and investi- criminal act for which the FBI has jurisdiction; commission other personal demographics.” moving SCENE to the weekend newspa- gation into Not Afraid’s death About three quarters of per. is considered one ongoing on a reservation where FBI has jurisdiction; and the subject, FBI investigations in Indian Over the past decade, The Press has investigation, and the BHCSO Country fall under death delivered its weekly arts-and-entertain- isn’t releasing any new details victim or both must be American Indian or Alaska Native.’ investigations, physical ment section to homes across Sheridan at this time. abuse of a child, sexual abuse County every Wednesday. Starting Feb. Once the BHCSO speaks with Sandra Yi Barker of a child, violent felony 8, SCENE will be published in the newly the family and Montana DCI Public Afairs Specialist with the FBI Salt Lake City division assaults and rape. The FBI enhanced weekend newspaper, as well as has completed its review of the SLC office declined to provide featured in The Press’ app, My Bighorns, case, they will put out an offi- information about the details which is available for free download on cial statement, Winburn said City division. According to the federal crimes including mur- of the search for Not Afraid, the App Store and Google Play. Wednesday. FBI website, about 100 agents der, child sexual and physical including how many agents SCENE will continue to showcase art, in 19 FBI field offices work full abuse, violent assaults, drug were involved, what the first music and theater in our region. Events time on “Indian Country mat- and human trafficking, pub- 24 hours of the search looked will continue to be listed on the At a FBI involvement ters.” lic corruption and financial like, financial details of the Glance page daily. Sandra Yi Barker, Public The search for Not Afraid is crimes on about 200 of the 573 search or a detailed record of “We are listening to our readers,” Affairs Specialist with the FBI one of 165 CARD team deploy- federally-recognized Native resources and agents’ contribu- Sheridan Press Publisher Kristen Salt Lake City division, said ments since 2006, involving American reservations in the tions over the 20 days. Czaban said. “So, SCENE stories will the BHCSO was the lead inves- about 180 victims. The team U.S. Jurisdiction is shared with The Sheridan Press submit- now be in our app and a key part of our tigating agency in the search has a 90% success rate for the Bureau of Indian Affairs ted a Freedom of Information new amped-up weekend newspaper expe- but the FBI began assisting as recovering missing children Office of Justice Services. Act request to the FBI, seek- rience. We want people to be able to sit soon as Not Afraid was report- both alive and deceased, and “In order for the FBI to ing financial details about down with a cup of coffee on a Saturday ed missing Jan. 1. The BHCSO “provides investigative, tech- obtain federal criminal juris- FBI resources and agents, a or Sunday morning and leisurely go requested the Child Abduction nical and resource assistance diction, three things must detailed timeline and proof of through what’s happening in our area.” Rapid Deployment team and to state and local law enforce- be satisfied: predication of a participating agencies’ capaci- In addition to SCENE, the weekend it was immediately deployed, ment during the critical time criminal act for which the FBI ty to investigate crimes related edition will include outdoors features, Barker said in an email to The period following that abduc- has jurisdiction; commission to missing Indigenous women. local columnists and new regional and Sheridan Press. tion or mysterious disappear- on a reservation where FBI Harris did not respond to two national news sections, as well as the The FBI office in Billings is a ance,” Barker said. The FBI is has jurisdiction; and the sub- requests for comment Tuesday usual local news and sports articles. satellite office of the Salt Lake responsible for investigating ject, victim or both must be and Wednesday mornings. TEACHERS : District ofcials said training likely will make up bulk of cost FROM 1 a teacher to teach in a “It’s meant to conceal, it’s educator committee would Reznicek said under Reznicek said while the classroom and also conceal not to scare or to be brag- review a person’s status for questioning Tuesday that district wants to be trans- As a member of the two carry. gadocious, to show off. It’s concealed carry if it was conceal carry educators parent as it considers the committees that wrote the “How the heck do you meant to conceal and there revealed he or she had a or employees would have proposal, there also is some proposal after more than 30 teach and conceal?” she will be lots of training on weapon. live rounds in their weap- reluctance to talk about spe- hours of work, he said the asked. “A teacher in a that.” “Can it be physically ons and no safety or other cific scenarios because that psych evaluations would classroom, it’s going to be Justine Schuff thanked revealed or if it’s like seen device on them, similar to would give clues to potential cost about $500 each, the pretty hard to conceal the school officials for put- under your clothing or what the way police officers are shooters. drug and alcohol tests would weapons. I know people that ting the proposal in place if rumors are going around trained. “Part of this too, and I’m be between $75-$100 and do (conceal), but if you’re a at just six rural schools and they are accurate?” she Swenson also wondered if telling the group, is that one background checks about man you can’t wear a shirt (Conestoga, Rozet, Rawhide, said. there were an active shooter of the things that is very $50-$75. He based those costs or a T-shirt. There’s just a 4-J, Little Powder and Reznicek replied that’s and students and teachers tough is when we lay all our on information given by the lot of obstacles to be able to Recluse), if approved. why the issue of a reveal were told to shelter in place, cards out on the table and police department. effectively conceal.” “I think it’s important to was added to the proposal. what would happen if a we say these things,” he District officials have Reznicek said that also personally have the oppor- “We thought it was teacher was carrying under said. “There is an element said the training likely will will be covered in training. tunity to opt out or in,” she important to be able to say the policy. of trying to make sure that make up the bulk of the “If you notice, it does said. “I’m against it, but in that policy, OK, maybe Would that teacher people don’t know what cost. absolutely say concealed I think it’s a fairly good that person doesn’t carry remain with the class to we’re doing because once Swenson said she also firearm. This is not going option.” anymore and how would we protect students or leave to they know ... they’re going was talking to other retired to be like when you see a She also asked about a address that,” he said. handle the situation? to have a work-around for teachers who questioned police officer at the school, section of the proposal “I guess I’m more con- “It’s like anything, ‘Watch that. if it would be possible for that’s on his belt,” he said. that the district’s armed cerned about the teacher’s my class, I’m going to the Reznicek said school trust- safety,” Schuff said, adding danger,’” Reznicek respond- ees want to know what the that she worries that if ed. “You know, Vicki, that public thinks about the pro- there were a school shoot- they’re going to take care posal and people can do that ing, teachers would be of that class first. … They’ll at two remaining listening targeted on the assumption train for that specific situa- sessions, through letters or they might be armed. tion.” with online comments. FRIDAY THE SHERIDAN February 28, 2020 COMMUNITYC 134th Year, No. 249 SUPPORTS Serving Sheridan County, ASSISTSA IN Wyoming, since 1887 ELEVATINGE HAWKSH PLAY www.thesheridanpress.com SPORTSS • B1 www.DestinationSheridan.com 75 Cents Press Seeking answers FOIA applied to local case BY ALLAYANA DARROW [email protected]

SHERIDAN — Sheridan community members continue to grieve and search for answers regarding missing and murdered indigenous individuals after one young girl was found dead in late January. The conversation surrounding Wyoming and Montana Native The Freedom of American res- ervations — in Information Act, popular cul- ture, at dinner passed in 1967, tables and in Wyoming’s gives the public Legislature — MATTHEW GASTON | THE SHERIDAN PRESS continues to Students study, socialize and eat lunch at the Sheridan College student union Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. the right to access take shape. A joint res- records from any olution rec- ommended by federal agency, the Wyoming NWCCD BEGINS PROCESS OF Legislature’s with numerable Joint Judiciary Committee exemptions, passed through the House CREATING FOUR-YEAR DEGREES according to the Committee of the Whole BY DARCI PETERSEN U.S. Department of Tuesday, ask- [email protected] ing the U.S. Justice. Congress to SHERIDAN — In fall 2021, students of the “enact legisla- Northern Wyoming Community College District tion expanding and improving efforts may have the option to enroll in a four-year to coordinate reporting, investigation degree program. and pursuit of justice for missing and Recently, the Wyoming Community College murdered Native Americans and other Commission unanimously agreed to grant the persons.” approval needed for NWCCD to develop a four- In addition, a bill sponsored by the year degree. Joint Judiciary Committee passed Wyoming remains the last state in the nation through the Senate Committee of the to have only one institution offer baccalaure- Whole Feb. 20 and was introduced to the ate degrees. That title will dissolve as the state House Tuesday. broadens its post-secondary availability and makes higher education options more accessible to a greater number of Wyomingites. SEE FOIA, PAGE 7 Sheridan College students study at the library Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. SEE DEGREES, PAGE 2 State legislator proposes program to combat school lunch waste

BY CARRIE HADERLIE tuted a “share table” where kids to local soup kitchens or shelters, [email protected] can drop off unwanted, unopened instead of going into the garbage. food and drink items to share or “Each school has a school lunch SHERIDAN — One state legis- donate; and other schools practice program, and federal law has not lator from Gillette was a school “offer versus serve” as a way to allowed us to give that food out principal for years, and was always minimize food waste by allowing at the end of the day. We have to astonished at the amount of food students to decline food they will throw that food out,” Wasserburger wasted every lunch period. not eat, selecting something they said. “I served as a building princi- In the years since, schools across will instead. pal for 14 years, and it always both- Wyoming have tried to reduce Sen. Jeff Wasserburger, ered me that we threw away good waste. Some do lunch time head R-Gillette, sponsored a bill this leg- food at the end of lunches. What counts, tallying exactly how many islative session that would do even the bill does is allows us to is give children will eat hot lunch so the more: Allow for surplus school that food out instead.” kitchen can prepare a reasonable lunch food to be donated to chil- amount; some schools have insti- dren at the end of the day, or given SEE FOOD, PAGE 2

A bill making its way through the Wyoming Legislature would allow for surplus school lunch food to be donated to children at the end of the day, or given to local soup kitchens or shelters, instead of going into the garbage. COURTESY PHOTO | METRO CREATIVE

Scan with your The Sheridan Press Today’s edition is published for: FAITH 4 SPORTS B1 smartphone for 144 Grinnell Plaza, Sheridan, WY 82801 PEOPLE 5 COMICS B2 latest weather, 307.672.2431 Frances Huggins www.thesheridanpress.com AT A GLANCE 6 CLASSIFIEDS B3 news and sports of Story ALMANAC 7 LEGALS B5 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 www.thesheridanpress.com THE SHERIDAN PRESS A7 FOIA : FBI denied requests Eaton seeks high court review, claims mental FROM 1 The law outlines administrative and investigative competency was not properly determined duties for law enforcement and provides a framework for interagency cooperation in cases of missing and BY SHANE SANDERSON death. An anticipated sen- examined new evidence of Penitentiary, authorities murdered indigenous people. CASPER STAR-TRIBUNE tencing hearing in Natrona Eaton’s mental illness in found Eaton’s DNA linked Statistics among the supporting clauses in the VIA WYOMING NEWS EXCHANGE County District Court is deciding the issue. him to Kimmell’s body. bill include the high rate of murder, sexual assault, now on hold, as Eaton In support of their In 2002, authorities rape and violent crime toward Native Americans CASPER — A Wyoming appeals to the country’s request, Eaton’s appeals unearthed Kimmell’s car on compared to other U.S. ethnic groups; the 5,712 cases man who more than 30 highest court. lawyers attached an affi- Eaton’s property in Moneta, reported in 2016 compared to the 116 logged in the years ago kidnapped, raped In the latest filing, Eaton davit from the doctor who about an hour from Casper. U.S. Department of Justice federal missing person’s and murdered a teenage asked the Supreme Court found Eaton competent In 2003, the Natrona database; and Wyoming’s own 93 missing Native woman asked this week for to review his case, arguing for trial stating that more County District Attorney’s Americans reported as of July 2019. the U.S. Supreme Court to that a lower court finding recent findings are consis- Office charged Eaton with In an attempt to answer questions posed by the pub- review his case, arguing was incomplete when it tent with a number of men- Kimmell’s death, and in lic about the investigation into Selena Not Afraid’s that his mental competency determined that Eaton’s tal illnesses. early 2004 jurors convicted disappearance and death — which cast skepticism on to stand trial was not prop- court-appointed trial law- That affidavit, Eaton’s him of first-degree premed- regional law enforcement — The Sheridan Press sent erly determined in lower yers did not provide him lawyers argue, would have itated murder, felony mur- a request for information to the FBI, first by email, courts. effective assistance. been used to consider an der, aggravated kidnapping, then as allowed by the Freedom of Information Act. The request is the latest in Appellate courts have altogether new claim of inef- aggravated robbery and Through the initial email, The Sheridan Press a series Dale Wayne Eaton, already found that Eaton fective assistance of counsel first-degree sexual assault. requested a comprehensive report about the search 75, has made of the appel- was not properly assisted in appeals circuits other Days later, the jury found from the FBI, including how many hours FBI agents late system since his 2004 during the phase of his trial than the 10th U.S. Circuit Eaton should be put to spent on the search; who was in charge; dispensation conviction for crimes com- that resulted in his death Court of Appeals, which death. of public and private funds and a detailed timeline of mitted in 1988 against Lisa sentence. determines application of It was in 2014 that a feder- the first 24 hours of the search. Marie Kimmell, who disap- However, in the latest federal law to Wyoming and al district court judge found The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office referred ques- peared during a drive from request, Eaton’s lawyers other states in the region. in favor of Eaton, staying tions about the on-site command center to the Bureau Colorado to Montana. argue that none of the lower The appellate team argues his execution and ordering of Indian Affairs, which cited a national agency pol- Although Kimmell’s body courts have fully deter- that discrepancy merits a new sentencing hearing. icy prohibiting the release of information for any was found in the North mined whether his trial a review by the Supreme Then, last year, the circuit ongoing investigations. The BIA referred the inquiry Platte River shortly after lawyers harmed his case Court. court upheld that ruling to the FBI, which maintained the highest position of the killing, the case went by failing to investigate his Although authorities and declined a request from oversight throughout the search. cold and prosecutors did not competence before the trial began investigating Eaton to keep prosecutors Sandra Yi Barker, public affairs specialist for the charge Eaton for 15 years. began. Kimmell’s death shortly from again seeking a death FBI Salt Lake City Division, said in the email request Following his trial, Eaton Eaton’s appellate team after her body turned up sentence. she “would not be able to provide that information.” was sentenced to death. — led by Sean O’Brien, a in the North Platte River, In August, Natrona The ensuing FOIA included the same questions, After a federal judge Kansas City law profes- investigators were unsuc- County District Attorney along with a request for a financial breakdown of gas, vacated Eaton’s sentence, sor — asks in the 39- page cessful for a decade. Dan Itzen filed paperwork food, technology and lodging costs for Billings FBI prosecutors announced filing for the U.S. Supreme In 1998, after Eaton was with the state court indicat- agents if applicable; what investigative leads were last year they would again Court to determine whether convicted of assault and ing he would seek capital followed; the condition of the body upon discovery attempt to put Eaton to lower courts should have sent to the Wyoming State punishment in the case. and transportation from the scene; FBI oversight regarding the case after the search concluded; proof of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’, FBI’s and BHCSO capacity to investigate the incident; and where the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team searched in relation to the search map provided by the BHCSO. The request did not seek information about the ongoing investigation into Not Afraid’s death but the details of the search that led to the discovery of her body. A death certificate for Not Afraid has not been filed as the investigation into the cause and manner of her death is ongoing, pending a toxicology report. The Freedom of Information Act, passed in 1967, gives the public the right to access records from any federal agency, with numerable exemptions, accord- ing to the U.S. DOJ. Among the nine exemptions, which protect certain information from public release, the FBI cited several subsections from No. 7: Records used for law enforce- ment purposes to the extent that if released, the infor- mation could interfere with enforcement proceedings, fair trial, unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, endanger an individual or disclose techniques that could affect future investigations or attempts to cir- cumvent the law. In the initial request, The Sheridan Press argued the requested information is timely and necessary for public knowledge, and that federal agencies have a responsibility to transparency regarding these cases, which are not consistently subject to the same level of scrutiny as investigations outside “Indian Country.” The request argued Not Afraid’s death is an urgent matter of public interest given doubt about partici- pating agencies’ competence during the investigation into her disappearance. “This case should be considered in context of the high number of Indigenous women who have been found dead as a result of ‘hypothermia’ in Crow and Northern Cheyenne regions after weeks of searching, or not found at all,” The Sheridan Press request stat- ed. A letter denying the request received Feb. 13 claimed both the requested information and request to expedite the information failed to provide suffi- cient information showing a person’s imminent safe- ty was at risk, “an urgency to inform the public about an actual or alleged federal government activity, if made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating information” or “a matter of widespread and excep- tional media interest in which there exists possible questions about the government’s integrity which affects public confidence.” In the follow-up request sent Feb. 17, in addition to details included in the first, the citation of statutes supported the request for information further. The information requested included: a financial breakdown from Jan. 1 to Jan. 20 during the search for Selena Not Afraid including gas, lodging, food, overtime, technology and miscellaneous costs; a detailed timeline of FBI involvement from the first 24 hours to the discovery of Not Afraid’s body; number of agents involved and their qualifications; proof of agents’ experience with missing person cases; details of when the FBI exited the case or if the agency is still monitoring progress; how the body was handled upon discovery; proof of FBI and BIA competence and adherence to protocol; details of the search that led to the discovery of her body. The FBI denied the second FOIA request and said a search into the requested records had been completed and because the information is located in an investi- gative file, the request was “administratively closed.” The only avenue left for appeal is to the Washington, D.C., Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy, within 90 days of Feb. 21. Big Horn County, Montana, Prosecuting Attorney Jay Harris, who is reviewing the case for potential criminal charges, attempted to contact The Press via cellphone Feb. 15 but did not return four phone calls in the following days. Despite FOIA rejections, some actions — such as the Wyoming Legislature’s resolution and bill — suggest more state residents have taken notice of the issue regarding “a lack of necessary training, MATTHEW GASTON | THE SHERIDAN PRESS equipment or funding, complicated jurisdictional structures, a lack of interagency cooperation and a host of inadequate laws” affecting the investigation and prosecution of missing and murdered Indigenous Taking the stage individuals. With one final look back, Supaman takes the stage to a packed house at Kinnison Hall Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. THURSDAY THE SHERIDAN March 12, 2020 SKATERS 134th Year, No. 260 TO PUT Serving Sheridan County, Wyoming, since 1887 ON A SHOW www.thesheridanpress.com SPORTS • B1 www.DestinationSheridan.com 75 Cents Press

First Wyoming case confirmed in Sheridan County

FROM STAFF REPORTS tested if needed. As is currently ‘Our state has been planning standard, the test result is con- SHERIDAN — A woman from sidered to be a “presumptive Sheridan County has been diag- for this situation for weeks, and positive” and the Centers for nosed with the first reported Disease Control and Prevention case of coronavirus in Wyoming, we will continue our coordinated will conduct further testing for according to a press release from confirmation. MATTHEW GASTON | THE SHERIDAN PRESS the Wyoming Department of eforts to address this threat...’ In an email to The Sheridan A man in a Bobcat moves flammable debris into a pile to complete the Health. Press on Wednesday evening, controlled burn of a building in Banner Wednesday, March 11, 2020. The patient has recent domestic Gov. Mark Gordon a representative of Sheridan travel history. Wyoming Memorial Hospital said the team WDH is following up to learn would provide an update with more details about the woman’s more information as it becomes exposure risk and to identify contact with her, according to available. DEQ investigates and communicate with anyone the release. Known contacts will who may have been in close be monitored for symptoms and SEE VIRUS, PAGE 2 burning of Banner store

BY ASHLEIGH SNOOZY threatening a nearby power- [email protected] line, according to Story Fire Chief Ken Damon. SHERIDAN — An open burn The group of seven volun- of a building in Banner is now teer firefighters preserved the under investigation by the powerline — which Damon Department of Environmental believed to be an essential Quality Air Quality Division. power source for Story — and Around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, used 11,000 gallons of water Story Volunteer Fire and four trucks from around Department responded to a 8:45 a.m. until noon to control call at 612 Highway 193 in the fire. Banner for a controlled burn that had “gotten out of hand,” SEE FIRE, PAGE 8 Walker resigns, personnel concerns prolong meeting BY DARCI PETERSEN one and a half hours. After all [email protected] three had spoken to the board, board members continued CLEARMONT — An exec- their closed-door session for utive session started the an additional 30 minutes. At Sheridan County School 9:06 p.m., the executive session District 3 board meeting ended. Wednesday evening to listen In regard to personnel con- to public commenters sharing cerns, the board stated it is personnel concerns regarding are taking information into the district math program. consideration and appreciate Three community members parents coming forward. individually spoke to the COURTESY PHOTO | METROCREATIVE board in private for a total of SEE MEETING, PAGE 2 A blood test comes back positive for coronavirus in this photo illustration. Sheridan County confirmed the first Wyoming case of the virus. Interdisciplinary approach: Missing, murdered Indigenous people BY ALLAYANA DARROW of all backgrounds and disciplines the conversation surrounding deaths and deaths classified as the County’s high rate of missing [email protected] to the table and demand results. Montana and Wyoming’s MMIP to result of exposure, undetermined and murdered Indigenous women A final ruling based on Selena the forefront, from popular culture causes or “wrongfully classified as and girls compared to the rest of SHERIDAN — While many con- Not Afraid’s autopsy was made to Sheridan’s Main Street to the natural causes.” the nation — 74% of the county’s tinue to question how to reverse publicly available Feb. 28, when halls of the Wyoming Legislature. Big Horn County Attorney Jay deaths were of Native American the disturbing trend of missing the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Four days prior to the release of Harris, in an open letter March 5, decent, who comprise just under and murdered indigenous peo- Office issued a press release stat- autopsy results, SBI issued a letter described the county as a commu- 60% of the overall county popu- ple, one Big Horn County offi- ing four Montana state medical to Big Horn County, Yellowstone nity in crisis. Harris called for the lation. While the issue is nothing cial and the Indigenous leader- examiners signed off on hypo- County and Montana state offi- MMIP dynamic to be considered new, SBI statistics indicate the ship nonprofit Sovereign Bodies thermia as the cause of death and cials, calling for a “rigorous” this generation’s most pressing problem has only grown in the Institute are working toward a “accidental” as the manner of study into investigatory actions civil rights cause. region. platform for developing actionable death. and results of missing person Among the supporting clauses solutions. Basically, bring people Not Afraid’s case brought cases, homicides, suspicious in its letter, SBI cited Big Horn SEE SOLUTIONS, PAGE 3

Scan with your The Sheridan Press Today’s edition is published for: OPINION 4 SPORTS B1 smartphone for 144 Grinnell Plaza, Sheridan, WY 82801 PEOPLE 5 COMICS B2 latest weather, 307.672.2431 Norman Feck www.thesheridanpress.com AT A GLANCE 6 CLASSIFIEDS B3 news and sports of Story ALMANAC 7 LEGALS B5 An insider’s guide to northern Wyoming in the palm of your hand.

BIGHORNS Arts and culture, outdoor adventures, restaurants and bars, family activities, and much, much more. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 www.thesheridanpress.com THE SHERIDAN PRESS A3 SOLUTIONS : Harris considering developing new working group FROM 1 welfare of children and brib- on suspicious deaths in the pared to suspend the initia- the issues can be addressed, by authorities, to provide ery in Crow Tribal Court county. Harris said pro- tive based on a lack of inter- balancing all the various better insight and closure All but six of the 32 docu- in 2008, the Billings Gazette ductive, professionally-di- est and participation from concerns that have led to for the families (and pub- mented murder and missing reported. The charges were verse working groups may the sheriff’s office — a crit- the dynamic,” he said. lic) as to the known and person cases in the county eventually dismissed. Big be the most effective way ical partner in the discus- Furthermore, federal provable circumstances of since 1977 occurred after Hair did not respond to a to address the public safety sion. SBI’s letter rekindled MMIP coordinators are these tragedies, and to iden- the turn of the century, phone message from The concern surrounding miss- interest in using a working tasked with being recep- tify common risk factors according to SBI. Of eastern Sheridan Press Wednesday ing and murdered indig- group to produce actionable tive to recommendations presented to inform policy Montana’s 1,000 death inves- afternoon. SBI’s letter fur- enous people — from the solutions by expanding from all levels of society makers of the best means by tigations, twice as many ther called for open commu- FBI and U.S. Department of relationships between stake- and government, and have which proactive measures Native Americans died com- nication with the public and Justice on a federal level to holders, he said. thus far been receptive to can be employed to stop this pared to the overall popula- victims’ families and a clear local medical professionals, Harris said there is no Harris’ suggestions, he said. dynamic,” Harris said in tion percentage. dedication to accountability. law enforcement, attor- existing best practice for U.S. DOJ MMIP task force an email to The Sheridan Those who signed the SBI “The days of saying, ‘we neys, families and cultural navigating the interagency Montana coordinator Ernie Press. letter include families of don’t know what to do’ are experts. complexities of cold cases Weyand is among the listed John Barnes with the victims whose cases remain over,” the letter said. “We Harris is considering and suspicious deaths in recipients of SBI’s letter. Montana Attorney General’s unsolved. The letter detailed are telling you what to do: developing a new working and near Indian Country. Harris said SBI could Office, speaking on behalf concern that some regional review the cases and hold group — in addition to Today’s best practices will potentially “serve as a of the Montana Division of law enforcement leaders agencies accountable for the Missing and Murdered be the first of their kind. conduit” for family-agen- Criminal Investigation, said have “documented and their apathy towards the Persons Investigation and But the U.S. DOJ is the cy cooperation. Working Tuesday an update regard- repeated history of violence death and disappearance of Prosecution Task Force only entity with the author- groups hinge upon a willing- ing Not Afraid’s case is not against women and history our people.” formed in October 2019 ity and resources necessary ness to accept constructive available, as their review of citation by professional Harris has not issued a — as a result of the evolv- to address the issue on a criticism from all sides, and of the Big Horn County ethics boards for viola- written response to SBI but ing dynamic surrounding national scale — in partner- provide an opportunity for Sheriff’s Office investiga- tion of a Native woman’s said he is in communication MMIP in recent months, ship with local and tribal communities to put their tion is still in progress. remains.” with the executive director including SBI’s letter. governments and the pri- positivity and optimism into Wednesday marks five Big Horn County Sheriff regarding SBI’s requests. Few attended the first vate sector — to develop a practice, he said. weeks since DCI received Lawrence Big Hair plead- Harris said his office sup- task force meeting but best practice model, he said. “The purpose of such the investigative file and six ed not guilty to charges of ports interdisciplinary it produced rich and “The mold is being cast working groups should be weeks since Undersheriff partner or family member working groups as a method lengthy discussion, Harris as we speak...I don’t know to ensure maximum efforts Eric Winburn sent a request assault, endangering the of examining and reporting said. However, he was pre- that there’s another way have been and will be made for assistance on the case. Bad years put strain Tiny on beet growers dancer Tiny dancer Grace BY KEVIN KILLOUGH Tellez performed POWELL TRIBUNE a high flying dance VIA WYOMING NEWS EXCHANGE routine for her audition for Stars POWELL — It was once a lucrative crop, but sever- of Tomorrow al disappointing years have left sugar beet farmers Wednesday, March 11, in a tough spot. 2020. “There’s a lot of concern out there. Many farmers are wondering if they can afford to grow the beets,” said Kurt Dobbs, an agronomist. For the past couple years, the weather hasn’t coop- erated and many growers produced beets at a loss. However, unlike other crops, local sugar beet farmers are part of a cooperative and face financial penalties if they stop growing the crop. That’s left some beet growers feeling as though they’re caught between producing sugar beets at a loss or paying the penalty for not producing. “We have seen our sugar beet growers’ balance sheets shrink tremendously over the course of five MATTHEW GASTON | years to the point of non-existence in some cases,” THE SHERIDAN PRESS said Greg Borcher, agricultural loan officer with First Bank of Wyoming. “With low sugar prices and Western Sugar [Cooperative] performance, or non-performance thrown in, it has caused a great amount of concerns to local beet growers.” Legislature approves bill for monthly mineral tax payment However, Ric Rodriguez, vice-chairman of the Western Sugar Cooperative Board of Directors, said BY GREG JOHNSON they owe,” he said. “It’s for companies to pay. The counties then recon- growers will not be growing beets at a loss this year. GILLETTE NEWS RECORD always a year behind and The monthly rate will be cile any differences, with “We certainly ... don’t want growers to plant and VIA WYOMING NEWS EXCHANGE never gets to the point of estimated by counties based any amounts still owing or then lose money,” he said. “Without the weather paying 45-60 days out.” on a low average of assessed refunds of overpayments to events the last two years, there would not be a dis- GILLETTE — Mineral Making such a fundamen- valuation and paid to the be made by Dec. 20 of that cussion on planting. The cooperative has operated producers in Wyoming will tal change to how taxes are state Treasurer’s Office. The year. better the last two years, but because of the weather, have to pay their ad valor- collected in Wyoming isn’t state will then disperse the This version of HB 159 “is it has reduced the amount of sugar we have to sell, em taxes owed to counties easy, Von Flatern said. money collected to counties the best we could do with which affects the payment.” on the same schedule as One obstacle is reconciling on June 1 of the calendar the assessment dates always The Western Sugar directors say they understand their state severance taxes a desire to collect taxes year following the produc- being a year behind,” Von the challenges growers are facing, as they are grow- if Gov. Mark Gordon signs monthly, but the assessed tion year. For example, Flatern said, adding he’d ers too, but the potential penalties are necessary to a bill that cleared its final valuation for counties is a monthly ad valorem taxes like to seen an interim com- make the business model work. hurdle in the Legislature on year behind, which makes it collected in 2020 would be mittee take it up this sum- “The quickest way to fail a sugar refinery is to not Wednesday. difficult to set accurate rates paid out June 1, 2021. mer to refine the law. have a supply of sugar beets,” said Tod Stutzman of House Bill 159 calls for Powell, who also serves on the co-op board. monthly payments of county In the early 2000s, food and beverage giant Tate production taxes, a signif- & Lyle operated six sugar factories in the region, icant change from the cur- including the one in Lovell. But as sugar prices — rent schedule that allows and the company’s stock — fell, Tate & Lyle looked oil, gas, coal and uranium to divest itself of the sugar business. There was the producers to pay up to 18 possibility that the company wouldn’t find a buyer, months after the minerals in which case the factories would close. Without fac- were sold. That has led to tories to buy the beets, the entire industry was going several high-profile bank- Our mission is to inform and engage to go belly-up. ruptcies that has seen tens the community by creating, producing To save this key regional industry, growers formed of millions of dollars unpaid and distributing exceptional content the Western Sugar Cooperative in 2002 and bought to counties along with other and trusted journalism. the business from Tate & Lyle for $78 million. companies that went out To be profitable, the factories need to guarantee a of business left owing back (ISSN 1074-682X) steady supply of sugar to their customers, who are taxes at least 18 months in Published daily except Sunday “leading food companies and small businesses,” said arrears. and six legal holidays Heather Luther, vice-president and general council The final version of HB ©COPYRIGHT 2020 by for Western Sugar. In order to maintain a commit- 159 that was approved by SHERIDAN NEWSPAPERS, INC. ment to production, Luther said the growers agreed the House on a vote of 51-9 to bylaws requiring each shareholder to produce an Wednesday, minerals pro- CONTACT US: acre of beets for every share they own or pay a pen- ducers must begin paying 307-672-2431 alty — currently about $385 per acre. their ad valorem taxes 144 Grinnell Ave. “We all had an agreement with each other,” monthly beginning Jan. 1, P.O. Box 2006 Stutzman said. 2023. They also can choose Sheridan, Wyoming 82801 Beets cost a lot to produce, and farmers need about to start paying monthly thesheridanpress.com $40 per ton to break even. Several years ago, farmers earlier than that deadline Periodicals Postage Paid in were making $70 per ton or more on sugar beets. beginning Jan. 1, 2021, or Sheridan, Wyoming Over the last five years, the payout has declined con- Jan. 1, 2022. Publication #0493-920 siderably. Last year, farmers were paid $17 per ton, One big change that takes and they had 30% to 40% losses on their crops due to a lot of the teeth out of the SUBSCRIPTION RATES late-season snowstorms. bill is that while production City Outside County Out of Carrier cuty mail county Stutzman said the average payment between 2010 taxes eventually will be 1 month $12.75 $14.75 $16.25 $22.75 3 months $35.25 $41.25 $47.75 $63.75 and 2018 was $46 per ton. paid on a monthly schedule, 6 months $67.50 $79.50 $88.50 $123.00 David Northrup, who grows sugar beets and other they’re still a year behind, 1 year $126.00 $150.00 $168.00 $234.00 crops in the Willwood area, is among the farmers said state Sen. Michael Von ONLINE RATES

growing more frustrated with the cooperative. Flatern, R-Campbell. Instead 1 month $8.50 6 months $45.00 “I had not planned on planting after five years of of being 18 months behind, 3 months $24.00 1 year $79.00 poor management at the co-op,” he said. collections are about 12 Northrup said a lot of farmers were hoping that months. That means a com- EXECUTIVE STAFF 2019 would be the year things turned around, but pany starting Jan. 1, 2021, Kristen Czaban Publisher then the weather went bad, with a damaging freeze would be collecting monthly Ashleigh Snoozy Managing Editor Janea LaMeres Lead Marketing Specialist in early October. taxes generated by produc- Caitlin Addlesperger Director of Special Projects Other cooperatives have paid more for their beets, tion starting Jan. 1, 2020. Jon Cates Art Director which Northrup said indicates at least part of the “They pay monthly, which Becky Martini Ofce Manager problem lies with the way Western Sugar is being is a good thing, but they Chad Riegler Production Manager run. only pay a portion of what