Casper Star-Tribune from Casper, Wyoming • 15

Saturday, March 20, 1982 Star-Tribune, Casper, Wyo. B1 Hanna mine lays off 100 employees By ANNE MacKINNON Star-Tribune staff writer HANNA About 100 employees will be temporarily laid off today from the Medicine Bow Coal Co. 1 mine 15 miles northwest of Hanna, Arch Mineral Corp. announced Thursday. The company cited a "delay In the resumption of shipments" to a major utility customer in Indiana as the reason for the layoff.

Workers laid off today are expected to be recalled on about May 1, and Medicine Bow Coal will continue health Insurance coverage until that date the company said. Arch Is the parent company of Medicine Bow Coal. The Medicine Bow mine layoff Is the fourth this year for Hanna area coal mines. Medicine Bow laid off 62 workers Feb. 5 due to "general market conditions." At the time, those layoffs were described as permanent.

Energy Development Co. laid off 125 workers March 5 when Its underground mine near Hanna was put in a "standby position," awaiting an Improved market. Another 22 miners worked their last day Friday at Peter Kiewit Sons' Rosebud Mine, five miles northeast of Hanna, a spokesman downturns In Industrial production, Arch Vice President and Treasurer J.H. Armstrong III said Friday In St. Louis.

"YOU HAVE TO have an awful lot of house lights go on to equal one auto plant," he said. The current reduction In workforce at Medicine Bow reflects problems experienced by the mine's "most significant customer," Northern Indiana Public Service which serves industrialized northwest Indiana, Armstrong said. Rosebud's coal shipments have dropped due to reduced utility purchases under existing contracts, and the difficulty of selling coal on for the mine said. That layoff was announced In February. The layoffs have contributed to Carbon County's unemployment rate of close to 5 percent, according to Allen Gelster, unemployment claims laker at Rawlins Job Service.

More than 500 people in the county are out of work, Gelster said. Today's layoffs at Medicine Bow Involved hourly and salaried employees, Arch said. Coal production in Hanna Basin has been affected by problems encountered by utility customers, typically serving heavy-industry areas. Those utilities have had trouble adjusting to the drop In demand for electricity that has accompanied the short-term "spot" market at a time when utility demand is down, the Rosebud spokesman said. Armstrong said current production cutbacks and layoffs at Hanna Basin mines follow more than two years of market difficulties for Hanna coal, due to decreased utility demand and high freight rates.

Arch Is "optimistic about the coal industry over the long term," as indicated by the company's purchase of two federal coal leases last year to add reserves to Arch's Seminoe 2 mine, Armstrong said. But current efforts to obtain new coal contracts for the company's mines don't indicate an upturn In the near future, he said. Border to Border VstarWYO MING 111 9 Groups agree to protect rare plant at air base llltlll By PHILIP WHITE tmAr 1 experts and the Nature Conservancy on a weed management plan that will not harm the plant. Lichvar said Warren has been a preserve for the plant which has been harmed by housing development, haying, overgrazing and other human activities outside the base. i HE SAID SCIENTISTS know of about 5,000 individual plants on the base, which he called "quite a healthy population." He said only about 500 plants still survive off the base, including the one to three plants that remain in the last Colorado population.

Lichvar said part of the Warren population and the populations west and south of the base were discovered by Robert Dorn, a mine land reclamation specialist with the Department of Environmental Quality, in 1977 and 1978. Lichvar found more of the plants on base last year. Dorn and Lichvar are experts on the native Wyoming flora. The agreement "is a good example of how agencies and other interested parties can protect sensitive species without locking up the land," Lichvar said. "Only in the most extreme cases of near-extinction should lands be withdrawn from development to protect a species." Lichvar said Gaura is one of three native plants proposed for listing with the Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered species.

He said five others have been proposed for listing as threatened species. Star-Tribune staff writer CHEYENNE Warren Air Force Base and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have agreed to protect a rare plant that still survives in relative abundance along two creeks inside the base. The agreement is a history-making event in Wyoming, according to Wyoming Native Plant Society President Robert Lichvar of Cheyenne. "This is the first agreement of any kind in Wyoming to protect a federally-proposed endangered species," he said.

In an agreement signed in January and released this week, the WAFB combat commander and the FWS regional director in Denver have committed their agencies to implement protective measures for the Colorado butterfly-weed. The tall, white-flowered member of the evening primrose family is known to science as Gaura neomexicana subspecies Coloradensis. Lichvar said Friday the plant was first collected in Colorado in 1895 and four years later was found at Pine Bluffs. "It has been collected only rarely during the past century," Lichvar said. Although it once ranged from Fort Collins to Pine Bluffs and into the Cheyenne area, it is now known to survive in only three small populations in Wyoming and one in Colorado.

The agreement states that Warren officials will confer with FWS Star-TribuneBob Kennedy Cloud lift after dropping a light mow on Sheep Mountain near Lovell One governor sought third term Man arrested on Montana warrant GILLETTE A man wanted in Missoula, for taking bis car from an impound lot was arrested in Wright Wednesday, according to Campbell County Sheriff Spike Hladky. Clayton Giese, 18, was arrested at 7:55 a.m. after a sheriff's deputy located the pick-up truck identified by the National Crime Information Center computer as the one that had been removed from a Missoula Impound lot. Hladky said Giese is wanted for burglary for breaking into the lot, where his car had been placed because of some other crimes. Ehnes bound over on firearms charge CHEYENNE (UPI) A 50-year-old Cheyenne electrician charged with manufacturing firearms without paying the federal firearms-making tax has been bound over for trial in federal district court.

Steve Ehnes was arrested earlier this month on several charges, including resisting arrest, as deputy federal marshals took him Into custody on a federal contempt of court charge which resulted from his actions in an Internal Revenue Service Investigation. During a subsequent search of the house he In which he lived and an adjacent building, federal agents allegedly found several homemade weapons. County Judge sought for Uinta CHEYENNE (UPI) The Wyoming Judicial Nominating Commission has started the selection process for the new county court Judge position in Uinta County. Chief Justice Robert Rose, chairman of the commission, said Thursday the commission will select three names and send them to the governor. The governor Is required to make the Judicial appointment from the list submitted by the commission.

Qualified applicants must be authorized to practice law In Wyoming and be qualified Wyoming -''e r. The deadline for applications Is Aprils. 5 counties benefit from Thunder Basin LARAMIE (UPI) The U.S. Forest Service has announced that five Wyoming counties have received more than a half-million dollars as their share of the gross receipts generated by various activities on the Thunder Basin National Grassland. Medicine Bow National Forest Supervisor Donald Rollens said Wednesday' that Campbell, Converse, Crook, Niobrara and Weston Counties have received $580,175.58.

That is twice the amount the counties received last year. The payments represent 29 percent of the $2,320,702.32 paid to the. United States last year for mineral, grazing and other special use activities on the grassland. rTne counties are supposed to use the money for roads and schools The allocations to the Individual counties are based on the acreage of federal lands in each county. Individual county shares were: ramnhiril tlftfi SS: Converse.

IT WAS ALSO discovered that seven Wyoming governors were elected twice, but so far only Miller has appeared on the ballot for a third term So Herschler would not be the first governor to try for a third term. He would, however, be the first governor to serve a third term if he chooses to run and is elected. And assuming Herschler completes his second term, he will share honors with Gov. Stan Hathaway as the only two Wyoming governors to serve two full four-year terms. Herschler, who is retracing his World War II path through the South Pacific this month, has Indicated he will announce after his return whether he will seek a third term.

While nobody has yet won a third term, Nelson was sure somebody had at least tried, so he did some research and came up with Miller. Miller, also a Democrat, was elected in 1932 to a two-year term to fill the unexpired term of Gov. Frank Emerson, who died in 1931. Miller was re-elected to a full four-year terra in 1934, but was defeated in 1938. Ironically, Miller lost to Nels H.

Smith, grandfather of Nels Smith of Sundance, the only announced candidate for the 1982 Republican gubernatorial nomination. Another historical Irony Is that a member of Miller's administration was the father of Herchler administrative assistant Richard Skinner. C.W. "Jack" Skinner was director of the old Department of Public Welfare under Miller. CHEYENNE (AP) f- While Gov.

Er Herschler ponders his political plans In the South Pacific, an aide -has come up with an interesting footnote to this year's political history. According to Herschler aide W. Don Nelson, Herschler will not be the first Wyoming governor to seek a third term if he runs. That honor belongs to Gov. Leslie Miller; who served as the state's chief executive from January 1933, to January 1939, but lost his bid for a third term.

Nelson, the former state Department of Health and Social Services director who now is Herschler's administrative aide, has been Joking with reporters about stories referring to Herschler contemplating "an unprecedented third term." Autopsy report on men shot in Worland done Drug suspects bound over to court By SHERYL DAVIS Star-Tribune staff writer responded, they reportedly found Nickels slumped over the shooting bench and Salzman was discovered about 30 yards in front of the bench. No weapons were found at the scene, but a later police search of Sauter's residence turned up an XP100 7mm Silhouette pistol and a Remington .22 rifle with scope iden- tified as belonging to Salzman. Also found at the house was a 220 Swift rifle identified as belonging to Nickels and a semiautomatic weapon with a seven- round clip. Salzman and Nickels were re-; portedly excellent marksmen and had won a number of awards for shooting. Both were employed by the Dowell chemical company in Worland.

Sauter is presently being held without bond in the Washakie County Jail. No trial date has been set. WORLAND An autopsy report on two men who were fatally shot in Worland Tuesday has indicated they were killed with bullets from a gun that was larger than .22 caliber but smaller than .45 caliber. Jerry Salzman, 31, and Richard Nickels, 39, both of Worland, were found dead at the Worland Hunters Range northwest of Worland Tuesday afternoon. Nickels had been shot four times in the chest and neck area, and Salzman had been shot an undetermined number of times in the' head and neck.

Donald L. Sauter, 35, was charged Wednesday with two counts of first-degree murder with intent to commit robbery in connection with their deaths. According to Worland authorities, the two men were shot between 1 30 and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Sauter called the police on the mobile radio in Salzman's vehicle, claiming to have found the bodies.

When police Sharon, 24, were dismissed due to insufficient evidence, according to Campbell County Attorney Terry Preuit. CHARGES AGAINST Mike Clark were also dismissed because the wrong papers were served on him, Preuit said, adding that charges will probably be filed again against him. Still awaiting preliminary hearings set for March 23 are Lee D. Estenson, 22; Gary J. Latuseck, 21; Charlene S.

Palowez, 26; and Richard C. Woj aim, 21. A hearing for Alva E. Simmons, 26, has been delayed until March 30 because he Is In the hospital. Preuit said his office will try and combine the trials, like the preliminary hearings.

More than 40 officers from the Campbell County Sheriff's Office, Gillette Police Department and the state Division of Criminal Investigation, which directs WYCAT, participated In the raids, which followed a six-week undercover vestlgation. Bound over to district court fol: lowing preliminary hearings Tuesday and Wednesday were: Joseph P. Feeley, 22; William N. Clark, 23; Kelsey J. Vancamp, 20; James A.

Hamre, 20; Daniel R. Gibson, 21; Randy L. Clark, 19; Eldon D. Clark, 19; Virgil Rask 24; Debt Rask, 22 and Perry R. Glasser, 21.

Stephen W. WUczek, 29, waived his preliminary hearing and was automatically bound over to district court. Charges against his wife, GILLETTE Eleven suspects arrested two weeks ago during a series of drug raids In Campbell County have been bound over to district court for trial. Charges against two others were dismissed, and preliminary Dealings In justice court arc scheduled during the next two weeks to the other five. The 18 county residents were arrested on a variety of drug-related charges, Including conspiracy to deliver marijuana, cocaine and hashish.

They were picked up In a dozen earry -morning raids March conducted by WYCAT, the Wyoming dime Attack Team. Crook Niobrara, $8SLU; and Weston, $230,871.14. False reports may bring legal action Credit union investigated CHEYENNE (UPI) Cheyenne police officials say they plan to begin filing criminal and civil ac-, Hons against people who are wasting the department's money and resource by reporting crimes that Reining clinic is rescheduled. I- POWELL A snaffle reining Clinic sponsored Northwest Community bit and the Collegt never occurred. be has been contemplating action against people making false reports for a long time.

"I think we need to get the Idea across to people because so much time and money are wasted when we are given untruthful complaints," be said. Barker estimated over I percent of the felony reports the department has received ever the past three 'years had ne factual basis, and they cost taxpayers about $25,000 during the period. He said some of the phony reports are probably filed to enter to cover lasses end make fraudulent Insurance claims. SHERIDAN (AP) A federal credit union that serves coal miners in the Sheridan area Is under Investigation by the FBI, but a credit union spokesman says there Is no evidence of any problems. FBI agent David Como of Casper confirmed Thursday that an investigation is in progress, but be declined to give details.

The Investigation concerns possible irregularities in handling money at the SherDek Credit Union of Sheridan, which serves approximately 340 people. Most of the shareholders work tor the Decker Mine Just across the border In Montana, the Big Horn Mine in Sheridan County and Peter Kiewit Sons' Mining Co. in Sheridan. The FBI is Involved because the credit union, like a bank or savings and loan. Is federally-insured Institution.

Brian Johnson, the new president of the credit union, said an audit was conducted after new officers were recently elected, but be said he does not know of any irregularities. "I'd say an investigation might not be impossible," he said, "but there no factual evidence there Is problem." the city attorney to file criminal and civil actions against a 21-year-old Cheyenne woman who has admitted falsely reporting a sexual assault. It will be the first request of that nature the department has made. The civil suit will be Initiated to recover from the woman the department's expenses during investigation of her report. Barker estimated the cost of overtime pay for off-duty officers called to for the investigation and laboratory and hospital tests conducted could reach as much as $800.

City Attorney Bernard Pitta said conviction on the misdemeanor false reporting charge carries a maximum penalty of six months In jail and a $750 fine. Horsemen's Club Jias been re-; scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, AprtHandi According to Assistant Protestor of Equestrian Studies, Barbara Hot-too, the clinic was previously scheduled lor Karen KV27 and But bat now been rescheduled for the first weekend to Aprfl. The public is invited to attend the dim, for more information and to "Every falsa report whether rape, burglary, or whatever casts doubt on other genuine reports," said Lt Jim Barker, detective commander, "Ws are going to be taking a firm stance, and to situs-i Jons where ve can prove falsity, we win file criminal charges and ctvil actions for expenses. Wo are sick end tired of these unnecessary expenses. pre-reglster, Individuals should contact Hortao at 7H44.

Chief Byrea Reokstool said BARKER SAID RE plans to ssk tmtm lt.j.lJtt,tJlB.