The Green River Star T h u r s d a y , M a y 6 , 2 0 21 $ 1.5 0Vol. 130, No. 50 Thursday, May 6, 2021 $1.50Vol. This issue is for Ron and Louise Carey and the people of Sweetwater County. Could we get another road home? A rutted and potholed road runs along Interstate 80. Once part of the Lincoln Highway, it has fallen into disrepair and is seldom used. How- ever, some see a future in it being an alternate route between Green River and Rock Springs. By DAVID MARTIN He’s also working to get support for such March 29, 2007 and a seven-hour closure on Oct. Editor a project, having spoken with the Sweetwater 17, 2006, were attributed to weather. The third- County commissioners Tuesday morning and longest closure, occurring for six hours July 23, It was after moving to Green River that Mark having previously brought the issue up with other 2004, was due to a crash. Baker found himself traveling along Interstate 80 legislators during the previous session in Chey- The study also identified hurdles in using much more frequently. enne. the remnants of the Lincoln Highway near the Baker, the Republican legislator represent- interstate. The county does not have right-of- ing House District 60, said he sees what kind of Study says -- the need is questionable way access as much of the highway is on private threat driving on I-80 can be for people com- Sweetwater County’s engineering department property, which would prevent the county from muting between Sweetwater County’s two cities has a study regarding a proposed alternate route directing vehicles to the road. The road also as a result of heavy traffic often using the route. in its archives. The study was completed in 2008 doesn’t meet “horizontal or vertical geometric de- Semi trucks, using the route as a direct means of and was created by Short Elliot Hendrickson, sign standards” and would open both the county shipping goods across the country, are a common Inc., an engineering firm from Boulder, Colorado. and private land owners to legal liability if a crash sight on the interstate, as well as travelers and At the time, WYDOT had received three letters occurred on the road. Concerns about the Joint locals making their way to their destinations. of support for an alternate route, which came Powers Water Board waterline to Rock Springs The heavy traffic load means an increased po- from The Green River Chamber of Commerce, were also raised, as increased traffic on the road tential of crashes and Baker said the five deaths Sweetwater County School District No. 2 and the would increase the chance of the line failing due that have occurred on the interstate in the past now defunct Sweetwater Economic Development to heavier loads on the line. Overall, the study year is proof of how dangerous it can be. Association. placed the cost of creating a gravel route between “I-80 is the second busiest road in Wyoming,” Among proposed economic benefits to the the two cities using the Lincoln Highway to range he said, citing information that the busiest can route, it was touted as a means of improving from $26.7 million to $26.9 million. be found leading to Jackson. “I’m not concerned emergency medical services to Green River resi- A second alternate route, leading from East with losing my life going to downtown Jackson.” dents. As the interstate is the only paved route Teton Boulevard and ultimately connecting with Baker said he’s also concerned with weather between Green River and Rock Springs and with U.S. 191 South was more expensive, ranging from and crash closures, saying access to emergency Rock Springs having the county’s only hospital, $39 million to $51.4 million for a gravel road. medical care could be hampered by delays and the proposal suggests the availability of emergen- Ultimately, the 2008 study concluded the need traffic stoppages. cy care depends on I-80 being open. for an alternate route is questionable based on Baker is attempting to revive an idea to build A study of how frequently the interstate closes the cost and the projected vehicle numbers using an alternate route between Green River and revealed closures were short and infrequent. it. It concludes that an alternate route would be Rock Springs. He will host a community meet- From 2004-2007, the Westbound lanes were beneficial if a crash causes a closure on the inter- ing to discuss the route May 12 at the Sweetwater closed a total of eight hours while the eastbound state, but if it’s closed due to weather, the alter- County Library in Green River. The discussion lanes were closed for 30 hours. The largest nate route would also be closed due to weather. takes place from 6-7:30 p.m. eastbound closures, a 14-hour closure recorded Continued on A9 Inside this issue: A2: Former legislator arrested in sting A4: Maintenance a concern for alternate road A8: Softball team continues to grow A12: Cheney and Trump at odds again A2 www.greenriverstar.com Thursday, May 6, 2021 Former legislator arrested in traffi cking sting, pleads not guilty to charges By DAVID MARTIN heard a knock at the door at 4:10 Editor p.m. Court documents state one of the investigators, identified as SA A former Wyoming legislator Allison observed Hastert through the For from Green River entered not guilty peephole in the door. pleas to misdemeanor charges of Documents state a takedown solicitation of prostitution and command was given and Allison interference with a peace officer opened the door displaying his parties. Friday afternoon. badge. Lt. Joseph Tomich of the John Hastert, 62, was arrested Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Thursday after Sweetwater County wearing ballistic armor with his Sheriff’s Office deputies claim badge on the left of his chest and Hastert attempted to seek sexual a yellow “sheriff” placard on the OUTSMART COVID-19 favors from an undercover operative right chest, identified himself as during a sting operation initiated by police and grabbed Hastert by multiple Wyoming law enforcement the shirt collar in an attempt to agencies. Hastert is also accused of bring him into the room. Hastert resisting arrest, being taken down by allegedly tried to pull away from multiple officers as he allegedly tried Tomich as Tomich gave commands SAFE. FREE. EFFECTIVE. to avoid being handcuffed. to stop fighting him. Tomich pushed The solicitation of prostitution Hastert into a wall to gain control charge carries a maximum of him as Hastert allegedly penalty of six months in jail continued struggling. Allison, and a $750 fine while the an undercover operative interference with a peace and a detective identified officer charge carries a in documents as Det. Rhea maximum sentence of one assisted Tomich in gaining year in jail and a fine of control of Hastert, dragging Get back out there in style this summer! $1,000. Hastert’s trial date him to the ground as Hastert was set for Sept. 9, 2021. He allegedly continued fighting Recreational Vehicle loans Includes RVs, ATVs, boats, was issued a bond of $4,500 the officers. starting at only % motorcycles, campers, etc. with 10% cash required Tomich and Allison for 48 or 60 months 3.99 by Third Judicial District John Hastert were able to gain control *Applies to A+, A, and B credit only Circuit Court Judge Craig of Hastert’s left hand and OAC* before May 31st! Jones. As part of his bond placed a handcuff on it as conditions, Hastert is prohibited Hastert allegedly continued to resist from using social media, as well as arrest by placing his right hand the website and app provided by underneath himself. Tomich utilized www.skipthegames.com. a “pain compliance technique” on According to charging Hastert’s left arm, after which he was documents, an investigation arrested. Tomich received cuts to involving the sheriff’s office, his right palm and right ring finger Wyoming Department of Criminal during Hastert’s alleged attempt at Investigation and Homeland Security resisting arrest. Investigations were conducting an Documents state Hastert initially investigation into human trafficking refused to identify himself, but later at the Rock Springs Clarion Hotel, verbally identified his name and located at 2518 Foothill Boulevard. date of birth. Tomich performed an As part of this investigation, an internet search on Hastert and found investigator from Homeland Security photographs from his time with the Investigations posed as a female Wyoming Legislature to identity him. Finance a new recreational vehicle with us or refinance prostitute on www.skipthegames. During a post-arrest interview, com and was contacted by a person investigators claim Hastert admitted what you’ve got from another financial institution! using a ViOP phone number, which he knew street slang through investigators claim is a common the skipthegames.com website, tactic used by sex trafficking buyers admitting to previously soliciting to contact potential victims. A text prostitution in Casper and Salt Lake conversation started April 28 and City. Investigators also claim Hastert continued the next day, where the admitted to using a “burner” phone investigator set her rates at $100 for to communicate so his wife would 15 minutes, $200 for 30 minutes and not find out what he was doing. $300 for an hour. During a search of Hastert following Investigators claim Hastert his arrest, Tomich discovered three asked what the half-hour rate was $100 bills, along with some pocket and later stated what specific acts change and two cloth face masks.