WyoTech plans to remain open

LARAMIE (WNE) — Local technical college WyoTech is canceling its graduation ceremonies scheduled for this month, but otherwise plans to forge ahead with a new term bringing 30-35 new students from all over the U.S. to Laramie on March 31.

Several local businesses and institutions have had to make adjustments or close facilities this week and many events were canceled as Albany County prepares for what seems like the probable arrival of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. 

WyoTech intends to continue its programming, pointing to a small student population and large, open spaces in its facilities as reasons for a lower risk of spreading the virus, Director of Communications Jadeen Mathis said.

“We don’t have a big start in March, so it’s not that big of a deal, but the goal is to stagger registration and adhere to that minimum of 10 people in a group,” Mathis said. “That is the goal, but you never know -- that could change tomorrow.”

Among other recommendations this week from the Trump administration, Americans were advised to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.

Knowing that some of those students are coming from areas of the country with higher rates of infection than seen in Wyoming -- as of Wednesday morning, there were 15 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Cowboy State -- Mathis said the college is trying to take precautions to avoid creating any risks to public health.

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Wyoming 2-1-1 and the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) partnering to provide public telephone helpline for COVID-19 questions and information

DOUGLAS (WNE) — Wyoming 2-1-1 is a statewide helpline which provides free, confidential information and referrals to health and human services. 

By dialing 2-1-1 from anywhere in the state of Wyoming, people are linked to information about COVID-19 as well as local resources, from both government and nonprofit agencies.

2-1-1 is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.to 6 p.m. Service is available statewide by dialing 2-1-1 or 888-425-7138 during normal business hours.

Callers requesting information outside standard business hours may leave a voicemail message and will receive a follow-up call the next business day.

Wyoming 2-1-1 also connects callers to other health and human services in their community. Many of these resources may also be needed by Wyoming residents at this time.

CDC COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html

Wyoming Department of Health COVID-19 website: health.wyo.gov

Questions can also be emailed to wdh-covid-19@wyo.gov.

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Man accused of attempted murder

SHERIDAN (WNE)  — Three Sheridan Police Department patrol officers responded to a report of a male subject stabbing and choking a female victim in an apartment around 11:17 p.m. Monday.

The female reporting party told law enforcement the male stabbed a female subject with a knife, according to SPD Lt. Travis Koltiska.

The reporting party told officers she removed the knife from the man’s hand as he was choking the alleged victim. Patrol officers entered the apartment after hearing yelling coming from within, and observed the man on top of the female, choking her, and a “significant amount” of blood covering both subjects, Koltiska said. An officer deployed a taser, ending the assault, when the man refused commands to get off the female victim. The reporting party was treated for minor lacerations.

The alleged victim was conscious when officers arrived but sustained stab wounds and lacerations, Koltiska said. All parties were transported to Sheridan Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment. As of early Tuesday morning, the victim is in stable condition, Koltiska said.

Pursuant to investigation of the incident, the man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree attempted murder and reckless endangering.

Sheridan County Sheriff Allen Thompson said the man was arrested at 1:49 a.m. Tuesday and remains incarcerated at the Sheridan County Detention Center. Koltiska said alcohol was involved in the incident, which began as a verbal disagreement and escalated to physical altercation. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Two injured in Sublette County plane crash

AFTON (WNE) — The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Sublette County EMS, and Sublette County Unified Fire responded to an airplane crash near the Pinedale Airport Monday, March 16th.

According to the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, the call came in at approximately 5:30 PM. Upon arrival Deputies found the aircraft to be nose down into the ground. 

Two occupants were located in the airplane and were transported for outside medical treatment for their injuries.  No information was given as to the extent of the injuries.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the Wyoming Highway Patrol and NTSB.