Casper Star-Tribune from Casper, Wyoming • 3

Thitfsday. January 17, 2013 Managing Editor Ron Gullberg can be reached at 307-266-0560. 1-800-559-058 or ron.gullbergtrib.com A3 In brief Students rescue stranded woman By KELLY BYES Star-Trbune staff writer Three University of Wyoming students, one a Casper native, found a Nebraska woman stranded in the snow while hiking near the Happy Jack recreation area early Monday morning. Brian Schlidt of Casper; Anton Schabauer of Rapid City, S.D.; and Tyler Soulek of Littleton, saw the woman's vehicle stuck in the snow near the recreational area east of Laramie, according to a University of Wyoming press release. They marked the location with a portable GPS device and returned to Laramie, where they run out of gas and out of power for her cell phone," Samp said The chief said the woman was in "distress" and had distributed clothingitemsandherpurseaways from the vehicle to alert passersby.

The hikers found the items before coming upon her vehicle. "These young men certainly went well above and beyond the typical actions we see in today's society," Samp said. "If it were not for their actions, it's quite likely that this young lady may have perished." Reach city reporter Kelly Byer at Follow her on Twitter alerted the University of Wyoming Police Department. Police Chief Mike Samp saidhis department received the call about 2:30 a.m. and notified the Albany County Sheriff's Department.

A deputy located the vehicle and called paramedics, who treated the woman at the location. She was then taken to Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie for early stages of frostbite and hypothermia, according to the release. "She was there long enough to I 1 I I 1 xY V- to 'i'A 1 -i I 4 DAN CEKSA fM-TVMMC Kayla McGehee prepares the chicken for a chicken noodle soup in the 'Cooking With Class' cooking class at Kelly Walsh High School on Wednesday morning in Casper. Class members are preparing the soup, which includes their own hand-made noodles, for the Bubbles, Bauble 'n Beans event Friday. Beans for bucks FROM STAFF WIRE REPORTS Woman pleads not guilty to felony child abuse charge The Casper woman accused of beating her child with a rhinestone belt pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning in Natrona County District Court.

Jennifer Silva was charged with felony child abuse in October, shortly after a representative from the Department of Family Services spoke to the girl. According to her daughters, on various occasions the defendant had additionally thrown candles at one of her girls and kicked one in the crotch, the affidavit states. Officers say the incident with the bejeweled belt caused red, bubbling welts, a claim they say is supported by photographs of the injuries. Police say Silva denied ever beating her daughter with a belt. Silva remains freed on a $2,500 bond.

If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison. A trial or change of plea hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Officials charge man with sexual assault of minor A Casper man has been charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault of a minor and one count of indecent liberties with a minor. Clifford Alcorn, 51, was arrested Tuesday about 3:20 p.m., according to Casper Police. Alcorn made his initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.

He was not represented by an attorney but said he had filled out the paperwork for a public defender. Natrona County Circuit Judge Michael Huber set Alcorn's cash or surety bond at $15,000 and ordered that he have no contact with the alleged victims. Alcorn should attend a preliminary hearing within 10 days to determine whether his case will be heard in District Court. No injuries reported in Cheyenne refinery fire No injuries were reported aftera Wednesday afternoon fire at the HollyFron-tier Corporation-owned refinery in Cheyenne. According to company investor relations representative Julia Heidenreich, the fire happened just after noon following a leak in the refinery's delayed coker unit.

The fire was contained and the unit has since been isolated. Lummis votes against Superstorm Sandy relief bill Wyoming congresswom-an Cynthia Lummis says she voted against $50.5 billion in Superstorm Sandy disaster relief because lawmakers refused to cut federal spending to offset it. Lummis joined other GOP lawmakers Tuesday in a failed bid to make the relief contingent on a I.63 percent reduction in federal spending this year. Lummis said storm victims deserved the money but she had to oppose the bill. Northeast lawmakers Said passage of the spending amendment could have complicated prospects for quick action on the broader Sandy aid package in the Senate, which passed a $604 billion aid package.

ma statement, Lummis aid that Wyoming has had to cut Its budget by percent She questioned how lawmakers can address the $16 trillion debt if they cant cut 1.6 percent in spending. Soup and chili help Meals on Wheels serve more Here is a list of participants in Friday's Bubbles Baubles 'n Beans fundraiser to benefit Meals on Wheels: 12-24 Club Bullwhip Catering Cole Creek Bar Grill Decker Auto Glass Don Juan Mexican Restaurant Dori-Lou's Place Dorn's Fireside Eggington's El Jarro Family Restaurant Famous Dave's FireRock Horseshoe Bar JC Burgers Catering Johnny J's (ice cream) KWHS Cooking with Class LaCocina Life Care Center of Casper Parkway Plaza Hotel Perkins Restaurant Poor Boys' Steakhouse Poplar Living Center Shepherd of the Valley Care Center Sinclair Oil Refinery Stuff Gourmet Baked Potatoes The Wonder Bar Western Grill Wonderful House Qdoba Mexican Grill Wyoming Contractors Association McMurry Training Center New this year By SALLY ANN SHURMUR Star-Tribune staff writer What could be better on a cold winter afternoon than a bowl of chili or steaming hot soup? How about 27 varieties from which to choose Eat as few or as many as you'd like. For fun, throw in some icy cold beverages and ice cream to cool the tongue. Oh, and for additional incentive, how about the chance to win 31 cash prizes, ranging from $100 to And a host of other raffle prizes for $5 a ticket. Meals on Wheels is the beneficiary of Friday's annual Bubbles, Baubles 'n Beans celebration.

Please see BEANS, A4 Officials charge woman for creating and distributing child porn Wyo Medicaid reform clears Senate committee Overhaul responds to rising costs IQ alleged victims. No further information is available at this time, as Turner's file has been sealed by the Circuit Court. Under current Wyoming law, court documents for criminal cases involving sexual assault of a minor are sealed until a probable cause hearing is held. "Under Wyoming statute, files such as this file have to be sealed," Huber said. Turner will attend a prelimi-'nary hearing within the next few weeks to determine whether the case will be heard in District Court ByKEGANCASSIDY Star-Tribune staff writer i The Natrona County District Attorney's Office has charged a woman with three counts of creating and distributing child pornography.

KeDy Turner, 26, made her initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court on Wednesday afternoon. She was not accompanied by an attorney and only spoke to answer procedural questions. Judge Michael Huber set her bond at $15,000 and ordered Turner to have no contact with the By JOSHUA WOLFSON Star-Tribune staff writer A bill that would overhaul key parts of Wyoming's Medicaid program won approval Wednesday from a state legislative committee. The bill attempts to address escalating Medicaid costs by focusing on some of the most expensive parts of the program, including long-term care and services for people with developmental disabilities and brain injuries. It would create incentives for both patients and physicians and aims to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits.

Please see MEDICAID, A4 MEDICAID REFORM I BILL'S EFFECTS: An overall of the state Medicaid program, including long-term care and services for people with developmental disabilities and brain injuries. THE LATEST: The Senate Labor. Health and Social Services Committee approved the bill after two meetings this week WHAT'S NEXT. The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider it. flHtt: Jailed WUn Km Turner wiattenda preiiiinary hearing to determine whether tttecasewibeheardinttstnctcourt HUE My Turner ML26 CHUCO: Three counts of creation and dstrtxjbonofcHMpamography 3 BID DC.