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Partial eclipse of the sun Sunday, May 20 (posted 5/20/12)
Bob Rule, KPIN 101.1FM Radio
Late in the day on Sunday, May 20th, those living in the mid and western portions of the United States will be able to observe a partial eclipse of the sun. Sunday's solar eclipse will not be total in any location, because at this point in time, the apparent size of the moon is slight smaller than the apparent size of the sun, meaning the moon cannot completely cover the sun.
In Sublette County, the eclipse can be viewed late in the afternoon and early in the evening, prior to sunset, this Sunday. BUT... and this is very important... viewing the eclipse by looking into the sun can cause permanent loss of vision. Often, people think that by using multiple sunglasses, or two polarized sunglasses with the vision darkened by crossing one over the other, or other direct-observation methods, will work, but these persons will most likely have their retinas burned permanently due to the fact that invisible rays from the sun are not filtered.
Here are two safe methods of observing the eclipse: The first is to observe it through a rectangular number 14 arc-welders glass filter. Again... do not attempt to duplicate this with multiple sunglasses ... too much invisible radiation will pass through them. You must use a number 14 arc-welders glass filter for direct observation.
Tthe safest way to observe it is by projecting an image of the sun onto a white surface, using essentially a home-made pin-hole camera. You can easily do this, safely, with two sheets of cardboard. Punch a small hole in one of them, and then hold them a couple feet apart, allowing the sun's rays to go thru the hole, and then illuminate the other piece of cardboard or poster board. Don't look thru the hole... just look at the image of the sun which will be projected onto the board without the hole.
One more warning: Do not attempt to use your camera to take a picture of the eclipse, as this can burn out the image sensor in your camera.
Again, the partial solar eclipse will be visible throughout Wyoming, late in the day Sunday, May 20th, prior to sunset.
For those wishing to see a total solar eclipse, which occur infrequently, one will be visible in our area from Boundurant through Jackson on August 21, 2017 (in 5 years).
Wyoming wolf killed in South Dakota (posted 5/20/12)
Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
A reportedly 130-pound wolf believed to have originated in Wyoming was recently found dead along a road on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota.
For details, click on the links below.
Related Links:
Rapid City Journal - Read the article here.
Wolf Watch - by Cat Urbigkit
Fletcher Turcato and Megan Bruce dazzle the audience with their dynamic salsa routine at Friday night’s "Dancing with the Sublette Stars." The event, held in the Pinedale Library’s Lovatt Room, was a benefit for the Sublette County Children’s Learning Centers. Photo by Andrew Setterholm, Sublette Examiner.
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Sublette Examiner – May 15, 2012 (posted 5/15/12)
Seeing ‘stars’
Rural Cora Post Office safe for now
County, Pinedale elections tight
Task force defines ozone objectives
Barrasso sees disaster looming for year-end lame-duck session (posted 5/11/12)
Lame-Duck Disaster in Democrats’ Future
By: Sen. John Barrasso
May 10, 2012
America is now six months away from the November elections. Senate Democrats have decided to put off dealing with problems that must be solved by the end of this year. If we continue at this pace, the Senate will have to resolve some of the country’s most pressing tax, spending and broader policy issues during a lame-duck Congress.
By deciding to coast for the next six months, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and his caucus have taken sole ownership of Washington gridlock. Twenty-six Tuesdays from now, Democrats will deserve another shellacking from American voters.
During this 112th Congress, the Senate already appears to be the laziest in 20 years.
• It has been more than three years since the Senate passed a budget.
• In 2011, the Senate spent more than half of the year out of session — 195 days.
• As of Monday morning, the Senate had taken just 87 recorded votes in 2012 — 100 fewer than it took by this point in 2009.
• Of those votes, 54 have dealt with just three bills. Another 17 were to confirm judges.
Democrats have wasted much of their time on messaging votes they knew would fail. The "Buffett Rule" is a perfect example. Under the Constitution, bills to raise revenue must originate in the House. Senate Democrats know this, but they spent four days on the bill anyway.
Because of the time Democrats have wasted on irresponsible political gimmicks, the country will suffer. They’re planning to cram an overwhelming volume of major issues into the post-election lame-duck session.
After the elections, there are only 55 calendar days before the end of the year. It’s just not enough time to responsibly handle all of the things Democrats have put off.
Bills awaiting consideration account for billions or trillions of dollars each. This is not the kind of legislation that should be taken lightly or rushed through on deadline. Especially not when we have plenty of time for proper debate if Senate Democrats would only schedule the votes now.
There are 109 tax provisions and at least 25 policy issues that need to be taken up by the end of the year. Most of this legislation is not optional; these are urgent priorities. The failed stimulus, along with Obamacare’s long list of failures, show what happens when Congress passes laws in a rush. The Senate should be taking the time now to get the right answer, not just the answer that best fits the political calendar.
Most crucial is the budget. The Senate has not passed a single one of the 12 appropriations bills this year. Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) summed up his party’s attitude by saying that now is "the wrong time" to talk about doing a budget.
The Defense Authorization Act will lapse by the end of the year. So will the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and important farm and surface transportation programs.
President Barack Obama is expected to ask for his fifth increase of the debt ceiling during the lame-duck Congress. At the rate he’s been spending for the past three years, he will need more than $1 trillion to cover another year’s deficit.
If Washington doesn’t act during the lame-duck Congress, the Obama tax hike will take effect Jan. 1. That would amount to $4.5 trillion in higher taxes during the next 10 years. The death tax alone will jump to 55 percent.
The stakes could not be higher. The entire U.S. economy could hang in the balance of what happens between Election Day and Dec. 31. Recently the Federal Reserve warned that we are headed for a "fiscal cliff" and called on Congress to act.
Under the best of circumstances, resolving any of these weighty issues could easily take weeks of debate. Stall tactics by Senate Democrats will force a year’s worth of important work into eight short weeks.
The American people expect their elected representatives to lead, not just run out the clock. By wasting time on gimmicks instead of governing, Democrats have shown they do not deserve to lead.
Sen. John Barrasso (Wyo.) is chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee.
Dr. James Quirk casts his ballot on Tuesday for the Sublette County special election. Voters decided to decrease the number of commissioners back to three by 142 votes. Photo by Matthew Manguso, Pinedale Roundup.
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Pinedale Roundup – May 11, 2012 (posted 5/11/12)
Board of Commissioners goes back to three
Sublette County deemed ‘marginal’ nonattainment
One incumbent and one new council member
Yellowstone’s south entrance opens to cars May 11 (posted 5/11/12)
Yellowstone National Park
The South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park opens for automobile travel at 8:00 a.m. Friday, May 11, allowing spring visitors from the Jackson, Wyoming, area access to Lake and Old Faithful. The roads from the park’s North and West Entrances opened as scheduled on April 20, and the East Entrance opened May 4.
Visitors should be aware that spring in Yellowstone is very unpredictable and can still bring cold temperatures, high winds and falling snow. Even cleared sections of roads can be narrow and covered with a layer of snow, ice and debris. Drivers should use extreme caution as road clearing operations can be ongoing at any time throughout the park.
By Friday, most visitor facilities will be open at Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful, and limited facilities will be available at Canyon, Fishing Bridge and Grant Village. The opening of popular campgrounds and trails, especially those in the backcountry, could be delayed. A complete list of facility and road closures can be found on the web at
www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/open_closedates.htm.
Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.
For information on roads outside of the park from Cooke City over Colter Pass to the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, travelers in Wyoming may dial 511; those outside of Wyoming may call 1-888-996-7623, or visit the Wyoming Department of Transportation website at http://www.wyoroad.info/.
For information on the Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana, travelers in Montana may dial 511; those outside Montana may call 1-800-226-7623, or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website at http://mdt511.com/.
Related Links:
www.nps.gov/yell Yellowstone National Park
Second Jackson Hole wolf killed (posted 5/11/12)
Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
A second wolf has been killed by federal wildlife officials because it had become habituated to humans and human development.
For more information, click on the link below.
Related Links:
Jackson Hole Radio - Read the article here.
Wolf Watch - by Cat Urbigkit
Outbreak map for turtle-related Salmonella (as of May 10, 2012). CDC graphic.
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Five multi-state outbreaks of Human Salmonella infections linked to small turtles (posted 5/11/12)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Five multi-state outbreaks of Human Salmonella infections
Contact with reptiles (such as turtles, snakes, and lizards) and amphibians (such as frogs and toads) can be a source of human Salmonella infections. Small turtles, with a shell length of less than 4 inches, are a well-known source of human Salmonella infections, especially among young children. Because of this risk, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the sale and distribution of these turtles since 1975. Amphibians and reptiles can carry Salmonella germs and still appear healthy and clean. Salmonella germs are shed in their droppings and can easily contaminate their bodies and anything in areas where these animals live. Reptiles and amphibians that live in tanks or aquariums can contaminate the water with germs, which can spread to people.
CDC continues to collaborate with public health officials in multiple states and the FDA to investigate 5 overlapping, multistate outbreaks of human Salmonella infections linked to exposure to turtles or their environments (e.g., water from a turtle habitat). Because the majority of ill persons who reported contact with small turtles purchased the turtles from a street vendor, it is difficult to determine the original source of the turtles.
The 5 multistate outbreaks of human Salmonella infections linked to small turtles are numbered in the order in which they were identified. The details of each investigation are described in detail at >http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/small-turtles-03-12/index.html
If any of you are involved with any type of regulatory activities involving street vendors illegally selling small turtles related to these outbreaks, please contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.cdc.gov.
Educational posters on the risk of Salmonella from amphibians or reptiles are available for distribution to case-patients, pet stores, street vendors, etc:
• Educational Poster: After you touch amphibians or reptiles, wash your hands so you don't get sick! (PDF - 1 page)
• In Spanish: Afiche: Si toca anfibios o reptiles, ¡lávese las manos para no enfermarse! (PDF - 1 page)
The number of ill persons identified in each state (as of May 10, 2012) is as follows: Alaska (2), Alabama (1), Arizona (3), California (21), Colorado (5), Delaware (3), Georgia (3), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (6), Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), Nevada (4), New Jersey (7), New Mexico (3), New York (24), North Carolina (1), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (9), South Carolina (3), Texas (12), Virginia (3), Vermont (1), and West Virginia (1).
Dog food Salmonella outbreak map. CDC graphic (as of May 10, 2012).
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Multistate outbreak of human Salmonella Infantis infections linked to dry dog food (posted 5/11/12)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with public health and agriculture officials in multiple states and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multistate outbreak of human Salmonella Infantis infections. Multiple brands of dry pet food produced by Diamond Pet Foods at a single manufacturing facility in South Carolina have been linked to some of the human Salmonella infections. The details of this investigation are described at http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/dog-food-05-12/index.html
If any of you have heard of any ill pets confirmed with Salmonella who were fed recalled dog food, please contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.cdc.gov.
The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Connecticut (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (3), North Carolina (3), New Jersey (1), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (2), and Virginia (1). One new ill person was reported from Pennsylvania.
FBI issues travelers' hotel internet access warning (posted 5/9/12)
Malware Installed on Travelers’ Laptops Through Software Updates on Hotel Internet Connections
May 8, 2012—Recent analysis from the FBI and other government agencies demonstrates that malicious actors are targeting travelers abroad through pop-up windows while they are establishing an Internet connection in their hotel rooms.
Recently, there have been instances of travelers’ laptops being infected with malicious software while using hotel Internet connections. In these instances, the traveler was attempting to set up the hotel room Internet connection and was presented with a pop-up window notifying the user to update a widely used software product. If the user clicked to accept and install the update, malicious software was installed on the laptop. The pop-up window appeared to be offering a routine update to a legitimate software product for which updates are frequently available.
The FBI recommends that all government, private industry, and academic personnel who travel abroad take extra caution before updating software products through their hotel Internet connection. Checking the author or digital certificate of any prompted update to see if it corresponds to the software vendor may reveal an attempted attack. The FBI also recommends that travelers perform software updates on laptops immediately before traveling, and that they download software updates directly from the software vendor’s website if updates are necessary while abroad.
Anyone who believes they have been a target of this type of attack should immediately contact their local FBI office and promptly report it to the IC3’s website at www.IC3.gov. The IC3’s complaint database links complaints together to refer them to the appropriate law enforcement agency for case consideration. The complaint information is also used to identify emerging trends and patterns.
Source: http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams
Related Links:
www.fbi.gov Federal Bureau of Investigation
Rocky Mountain Power offers cash incentives for efficient irrigation equipment (posted 5/8/12)
Rebates for energy-saving equipment
Rocky Mountain Power is offering cash incentives for efficient irrigation equipment used growers, ranchers, farms and dairy equipment. Eligible items include low pressure sprinklers, impact sprinklers, regulators, nozzles, or gaskets for mobile or portable irrigation systems in the Rocky Mountain Power service area.
A typical rebate might involve, for example, 40 sprinklers and 100 gaskets for $220. Or a grower might replace 148 regulators and sprinklers on a pivot and get a rebate for ($2.75 + $3.00) x 148 = $851.
There is very little process involved in applying for these incentives. These are post-purchase rebates. Participants send in the application with a copy of an invoice or receipt after purchasing and installing the items. The incentive comes as a check 4 to 6 weeks after a qualifying application is received.
To qualify, an applicant must be a Rocky Mountain Power customer installing qualified equipment as listed on the application form. The customer must also be on one of the qualifying rate schedules shown on the back of the application. Rocky Mountain Power staff is available to help people fill out the forms and answer questions.
Incentives for energy-saving equipment not listed on these applications may also be available. There are many possibilities, such as VFDs, chillers, controls. These are handled in the Energy FinAnswer program. The process is more elaborate – They come out and do an analysis to calculate energy savings. The incentive is based on the savings, and there is a commissioning process to make sure the equipment is working correctly. For larger projects this can be quite an opportunity.
For more information call Paul Warila, P.E., Energy Efficiency Alliance Manager, Pacific Power – Rocky Mountain Power, Phone 503-319-1021.
2012 Aquatic Invasive Species decal required for boats (posted 5/8/12)
Wyoming Game & Fish
Boaters are reminded that along with registration of boats for the upcoming boating season, watercraft using Wyoming waters must have an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) decal. This is the third year the AIS decal and watercraft inspection program has been in effect.
The 2012 decals are now available on the Game and Fish website wgfd.wyo.gov, at all Game and Fish regional offices, and at automated license agents.
The decal must be displayed on all watercraft using Wyoming waters with the exception of inflatable watercraft 10-feet in length or less. Costs are $10 for motorized watercraft registered in Wyoming, $30 for motorized watercraft registered in other states, $5 for non motorized watercraft owned by Wyoming residents, and $15 for non-motorized watercraft owned by nonresidents.
In 2011 more than 34,000 decals were issued representing nearly 80 percent of the boats registered in Wyoming. The decal program raised more than $430,000 in 2011 to fund the AIS inspection program and monitoring for AIS in Wyoming waters.
Last year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department conducted nearly 43,000 watercraft inspections at 33 different waters throughout Wyoming. According to AIS coordinator Beth Bear, the majority were standard inspections with very few high risk inspections or decontamination's.
Bear said that with each year, boaters are becoming more familiar with the watercraft inspection process. "More and more boaters are following the Drain, Clean, and Dry procedure, which greatly speeds up the inspection process," Bear said.
Additional information on AIS is on the Game and Fish website wgfd.wyo.govwgfd.wyo.gov.
Firewood collection begins on the Bridger-Teton National Forest (posted 5/7/12)
The Bridger-Teton National Forest will sell firewood permits for private use beginning Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the District offices.
Firewood permits are a service offered by the U.S. Forest Service and cost four dollars per cord with a minimum purchase of five cords for twenty dollars. The Forest also offers permits for sale via postal mail. Details can be obtained through the Forest Offices or from the website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/btnf/passes/firewood.shtml
When gathering firewood, permits allow for the harvest of down or standing dead wood only. All wood gathered must be kept to a length of 8-feet or less. All Forest users are encouraged to check with the local ranger stations for information about the areas trails and roads.
In the Jackson area, Interagency partners at the Jackson Hole / Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center are again selling firewood permits on behalf of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, including weekends and holidays. The visitor center is the sod-roofed building located at 532 N. Cache in Jackson. Firewood permits can be obtained at the visitor center any time during their regular business hours. Permits are offered at the following Forest offices.
Big Piney Ranger District
315 South Front Street
Big Piney, WY 83113
(307) 276-3375
Buffalo Ranger District
Highways 26/287
Moran, WY 83013
(307) 543-2386
Grey’s River Ranger District
671 N. Washington St.
Afton, WY 83110
(307) 885-3166
Kemmerer Ranger District
308 Highway 189 North
Kemmerer, WY 83101
(307) 877-4415
Pinedale Ranger District
29 East Fremont Lake Road
Pinedale, WY 82941
(307) 367-4326
For more information, contact the Bridger-Teton at 307-739-5500.
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