State Briefs

Energy companies eyeing Goshen County for oil and gas wells

TORRINGTON – Several energy companies are eyeing oil well locations in Goshen County, and while it’s too early to say that Goshen County will be the next location for an energy boom, local officials are optimistic about the trend. 

Goshen County Engineer Bob Taylor told the Goshen County Commission on June 18 that two companies have come close to completing the lengthy permitting process for drilling in Goshen County, while several others have begun the process. 

MCM Operations and Ossidiana Energy, both from Oklahoma, are working with the county to build oil and gas wells in southern Goshen County. The wells will likely be hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, wells. 

According to Taylor, MCM is ready to get to work at a location a few miles north of Yoder.

“They have been working with us for about four months,” Taylor told the commission. “Their plans were initially to start by now. 

“We met with them a week ago and they think they’re going to get started here next week or two. We are going through the process of permitting. We provided the documents for them like the construction permit, access to the county roads, and we also go through a commercial addressing permit. We also have a road use agreement document that they go over with us and agreed to.” 

Taylor told the commission MCM has agreed to perform substantial upgrades to the county roads it intends to use during its operations.

Woman accused of biting cop, abuse of vulnerable adult

GREEN RIVER — A woman allegedly bit a Green River police officer following an altercation at her home June 6.

Jeanette Wilson, 63, of Green River, is being charged with two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult and one count of interference with a police officer. 

The three charges, all felonies, each carry a potential sentence of not more than 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If found guilty of all charges, Wilson could face up to 30 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

According to documents from Sweetwater County Circuit Court, the charges stem from a domestic violence call the Green River Police Department received June 6 to an address on West Teton Boulevard. The caller requested Wilson be removed from the residence as she was intoxicated. 

Officer Monique Castro responded to the residence and discovered Wilson had left. 

While speaking with occupants at the residence, Castro was told Wilson becomes violent when drinking and had allegedly attacked her husband, who was bed ridden after having surgery on his right leg three weeks prior. 

While speaking to Wilson’s husband, Castro was told she had become increasingly violent toward him after his surgery and had threatened to beat him with a belt.

Wilson’s husband said earlier on June 6, Wilson had been drinking whiskey and had about 12 beers throughout the day. 

While at the residence, Castro noticed Wilson walking up the driveway and made contact with her to get her statement. 

According to court documents, Wilson was allegedly uncooperative during her arrest, threatening Castro and biting Castro’s hand as she reached to fasten Wilson’s seatbelt.

Pyrotechnics group wants to set off biggest bang

GILLETTE (WNE) — The Pyrotechnics Guild International wants to end its annual convention with a bang so big it sets a world record when it meets in Gillette Aug. 10-16.

To do that, however, would require a temporary road closure. Cam-plex General Manager Jeff Esposito said PGI is asking for the state Department of Transportation to shut down Highway 51 from Garner Lake Road to American Road from 10 to 10:45 p.m. Aug. 16.

“If we move it in any other direction, the safety radius would be inside of where houses are,” he said of the planned record display. “As bad as it is to close a highway, this is the best spot and really their only choice to do this.”

He said PGI is a little behind the curve in making the request, but he’d like to accommodate his customer.

Esposito said he isn’t sure what kind of world record PGI is looking to set.

County clerk and fireworks enthusiast Susan Saunders asked what kind of fireworks it would involve.

“Does this involve pretty lights or is it just noise?” she asked.

“Pretty much a big boom,” Esposito said.

“A big boom, no lights?” she asked. “There’ll be a flash, but it’s not a really pretty one.”

Since the section that PGI hopes to shut down is in both the city and county jurisdictions, the Gillette City Council and commissioners would have to support the special event application.

The commissioners voted to support it at their regular meeting Tuesday afternoon.