State Briefs

Sheridan students join national mask protest

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Dozens of students at both Sheridan High School and Sheridan Junior High School got up out of their chairs Friday and walked out of school, joining the scores of students across the country who protested mask requirements during the National School Walkout.

SHS Senior Christian Meza joined a handful of his friends and fellow high-schoolers in walking out of class at 10 a.m., then standing outside the school’s front entrance before finally going home.

“I just feel like our country is falling apart,” Meza said. “We’re supposed to be free.”

Meza said he not only participated in the National School Walkout to protest the masking requirement approved Aug. 30, just a day before the start of the 2021-22 school year, by the Sheridan County School District 2 Board of Trustees, but also the announcement of stricter national mandates by President Joe Biden.

Talon Kugler, also a member of the school’s senior class, said he believes masking requirements stand in opposition to the country’s founding principles.

“America was founded on individual liberties,” Kugler said. “Right now, though, that’s not where we are.”

At same time, Kugler said he has no issue with other students making the decision to wear masks.

Some of the student protestors had the chance to talk with SCSD2 Superintendent Scott Stults, as he walked out of the high school. 

Stults told the students he appreciated their efforts to keep the protest respectful and for not disrupting others. However, he said the relatively small number of students who participated in the walkout was also a telling measure of the efforts of other students who look to stay healthy and stay in school.

Murder trial in July shooting death moves forward

NEWCASTLE (WNE) — Sixth Circuit Court Judge Matthew Castano bound over Paul Manders to district court on the charge of second-degree murder, following his preliminary hearing on Sept. 1. 

Castano also denied Manders’ request to have his bond lowered. 

During the hearing, both Weston County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Fields and Special Agent Ed Rosier of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation testified that enough evidence, in their opinion, existed to support the view that the murder was committed with purpose and malice. 

Wyoming statutes state that murder in the second degree is committed when a person “purposely and maliciously, but without premeditation, kills any human being.” 

“We have met the burden; there is probable cause that the crime was committed by Manders,” prosecuting attorney Alex Berger said. “That on July 27 Manders purposely and maliciously killed Clyde [Vernon].” 

According to Berger, the testimony proves the purposeful intent of the shots because two of the wounds were in the head and the other was in the chest. 

After closing statements, Castano said that it appeared that Manders shot with purpose but that the question of malice is more complex.

“Given the nature of the incident, the ongoing dispute and the multiple shots, malice can be inferred,” Castano said. “The court does find probable cause to bound over to district court.”

Missing man may have gone camping, family says

JACKSON (WNE) — Robert “Bob” Lowery, a visitor from Texas who has been missing in Jackson Hole for over two weeks, had never been to Jackson before and maybe had plans to go camping.

His sister, Leigh Lowery, who is in Jackson with her and Robert’s family, told the Jackson Hole Daily that Bob had recently acquired a sleeping bag and a tent, but had no camping experience. She speculated he may be working somewhere around town.

Bob, 46, is 6 feet tall, has brown hair and blue eyes, often wore a Patagonia vest over a T-shirt, and typically was in touch with his kids, his sister said.

“Bob is a loving dad to his 15-year-old and 12-year-old,” she said. “He’s never out of touch with them. And that’s what’s concerning.”

Lowery was last seen wearing a black baseball hat with the letter P, a blue down vest, a plaid shirt and blue jeans, according to sheriff’s Deputy Chad Sachse.

Before Lowery left Houston, he canceled his mail, sheriff’s Deputy Chad Sachse said.

Attempting to locate Lowery, the sheriff’s office pinged his cellphone: The last ping came in Jackson on Aug. 23, but the phone is no longer working or trackable, Sachse said.

On Thursday, Leigh Lowery passed out flyers in Idaho with Bob’s pictures and a physical description. 

Lowery was last seen Aug. 19 on video at Piste Mountain Bistro at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village, Sachse said. It is believed he took a Lyft to Pearl Street Bagels in Wilson the following day.