One More For The Road

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Cowboy State Daily is Wyoming’s largest newspaper with Wyoming’s most experienced journalists. 

<title>One More For The Road: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Reindeer under the Northern Lights...

One More For The Road: Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Heinz mark

Mark Heinz

Outdoors

Wildlife

A hiker probably couldn't have done anything more to save himself when he surprised a grizzly at close range in the dark in Glacier National Park on May 3 and was subsequently killed, a seasoned bear-country trekker told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday.

Anthony Pollio, 33, of Davie, Florida, used bear spray at some point during the attack “but it is unknown if and where the spray contacted the bear,” according to an incident report from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. 

The attack likely occurred between 9:15 and 10 p.m., when Pollio was hiking down the Mt. Brown lookout trail, the report states. He suffered fatal bit wounds to his head. 

“Darkness and deadfall on the trail would have prevented the bear and Mr. Pollio from seeing each other until they were very close,” according to the report. 

Pollio might have been using his cell phone light to illuminate his path, but it isn’t known whether he was making any noise before encountering the bear, the report says. 

Outdoor adventurer Michael Hodges was in Glacier at the time, and said he avoids hiking before dawn or after dark whenever possible. 

“I’m not saying he (Pollio) did anything wrong,” said Hodges, a novelist and internet personality.

He said Pollio, who was described by friends and family as an experienced outdoorsman, probably didn’t set out with the intent of staying out past dark. 

Letting the day get away while enjoying the backcountry and hiking out later than planned is a mistake even experienced outdoors people sometimes make, Hodges said.   

Running into a grizzly on a narrow trail in the dark is a “worst-case scenario,” Hodges said. “That’s a nightmare scenario.” 

“No bear spray, no gun is going to save you in a situation like that,” he added. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Brief, Intense Attack"}]

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee includes officials from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the National Park Service and other agencies. 

The committee’s report on the investigation of the site where Pollio’s body was found May 6 indicate 

, by an adult male grizzly, was brief and intense. 

His body was found about 69 feet below the trail and about 2.5 miles from the trailhead. 

During the attack, Pollio “fell or was thrown downhill” off the trail about 93 feet during the initial contact with the bear, according to a detailed incident report from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. 

“His path was littered with personal effects beginning 10 ft (feet) below the trail. We believe the bear followed Mr. Pollio downhill, continuing the attack. Spatters of blood increased in frequency and volume down the hill,” according to the report. 

One of Pollio’s ears was found about 40 feet downslope and a large pool of blood marked the end of his descent, the report states. 

“Based on blood marks and the orientation of branches, it appears as though Mr. Pollio managed to climb back up slope approximately 18 ft, at which point the bear re-engaged and inflicted the fatal bites to Mr. Pollio’s head,” the report states. 

There was no evidence of “predation” on Pollio’s body and the bear apparently left immediately after the attack, the committee reported. 

Pollio’s last known communication was a text message sent to girlfriend at 8:20 p.m. May 3 from about .9 miles up the trail from the attack site, according to the report. The text indicated that he expected to make it back to the trailhead around 11 p.m.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Bears Use Trails Too"}]

Bears are smart enough to “take the path of least resistance,” so they like using hiking trails, Kim Titchener, founder of the Bear Safety and More organization in Canada, told Cowboy State Daily. 

Bears like to avoid people and will use hiking trails at times when people typically don’t, such as before dawn or after dark, she said.

That’s can make hiking on trails during those times particularly dangerous, she said. 

The trails in Glacier  have “lots of switchbacks” and blind corners with thick vegetation, she said. 

That can make surprise close encounters more likely, and bears might react defensively in those situations, Titchener said. 

Grizzlies usually attack to “neutralize a perceived threat” and will stop once they realize a person is no longer a threat, she added. 

In many cases, “playing dead” will stop a grizzly attack, she said.

It’s best to hike during the daylight, in groups, “making lots of noise,” Titchener said. 

Hodges agreed that bears in Glacier like using hiking trails at odd hours, usually in the dark, and so he tries to avoid being on the trails at those times. 

The attack on Pollio was most likely the result of bad circumstances, he said. 

But he’s observed other hikers in Glacier displaying bad behavior. 

“They’re spending 10 minutes filming themselves out hiking and not paying attention to what’s going on around them,” he said. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Glacier is no place for that, Hodges said."}]

“This is a national park that has the same number of bears as Yellowstone, in an area that’s about half the size of Yellowstone,” he said. 

Glacier grizzly v2 7 22 26

<title>"Nightmare Scenario": Victim Of Glacier Grizzly Attack Likely Surprised Bear In The Dark | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Officials concluded Tuesday that a 33-year-old man likely surprised a grizzly in the dark before he was killed in Glacier National Park in May. Running into a bear in the dark is a “nightmare scenario,” said an outdoorsman who was in the park at the time.

"Nightmare Scenario": Victim Of Glacier Grizzly Attack Likely Surprised Bear In The Dark

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's general assignment reporter, Clair McFarland.

Clair McFarland

Politics

Government & Politics

The Wyoming Republican Party’s decision to buck tradition, and maybe state law, by 

 before the primary election is sparking controversy and consternation for some.

The GOP state central committee voted Monday night to endorse Brent Bien for governor, Chuck Gray for U.S. House, and Harriet Hageman for U.S. Senate. Also: Tom Kelly for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Scott Smith for state Treasurer and Rachel Williams for Secretary of State – all over their respective Republican opponents.

That could alienate numerous candidates and their supporters, said Rodger McDaniel, a former legislator who had tried, in 1977, to stop the passage of the law the party is potentially flouting.

“This is the kind of thing that really tears a political party up,” said McDaniel, who served in the Legislature as a Democrat and now says he's a Republican-in-name-only. “To make those endorsements when you have other Republicans running, that’s not going to go easy.”

State Party Chair Bryan Miller has countered in both a press release and an email interview, saying the party respects the “fiercely independent, discerning” voter base.

"This process is not about party leadership picking winners and losers, nor is it about telling anyone how to vote,” Miller said in a Tuesday statement to Cowboy State Daily. “It is about transparency.”

Miller emphasized that the state party’s platform – 80% approval of which was the entry ticket to participate in the endorsement process – was written and passed “by grassroots delegates from all 23 counties.”

People elect their Republican neighbors to GOP precinct committee positions. Those officials then elect their state delegates.

“Our endorsement simply highlights candidates whose platform pledges and track records most closely align with those grassroot conservative principles,” added Miller.

[{"type":"text","text":"‘You’re The Insider Now’"}]

McDaniel’s prediction is manifesting, through recent statements by a few – though not all – of the non-endorsed candidates.

Senate President Bo Biteman, who’s running in a 10-candidate field against Gray for U.S. House, did not seek the party’s endorsement.

Though ranked conservative by many of its vetting committee’s metrics, Biteman didn’t return the party’s questionnaire, so he wasn’t eligible for endorsement.

He told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday that party leadership and their favorites are coalescing into a group of insiders.

“Republicans have always stood against that kind of crap,” said Biteman. “We’ve always, you know, looked at the Democrats and laughed at them for doing what they’ve done … We’re becoming what we railed against.”

[{"type":"text","text":"Biteman mixed Gray into his critique."}]

“Now we have a new establishment. Like Chuck Gray comes on your show and rails against the ‘woke wind,’ the ‘liberal media’ and the ‘insiders,’” said Biteman. “Well Chuckie-boy  you’re the insider, buddy. I don’t know how else to tell it to you.”

Biteman has served in the state Legislature for a decade. He recalled being part of an anti-establishment conservative movement that gained momentum after 2014 to buck "party insiders." 

"Things do have an equal and opposite reaction. So when you get into power you've got to use it wisely. You've got to use it fairly," he said. "Or else you won't have it for very long." 

[{"type":"text","text":"‘Insiders,’ And ‘Leftwing Media’"}]

Gray in a Wednesday text message said the party’s endorsement of him reflects a “record of standing with Wyoming Republicans, advancing the conservative movement, and delivering real victories — not just talking about them," and said he’s put principles ahead of political convenience.

Gray pointed to his backing of numerous election-reform bills, and again derided an unspecified group of “insiders.”

“I took on the political insiders, the out of control leftwing media, and the special interests when they tried to destroy me because I refused to back down from conservative principles,” said Gray.

Gray asserted that he “made sure that President Trump remained on the ballot.”

Colorado litigants had tried to remove Trump from that state’s ballot in 2024. Gray filed amicus briefs to dispute that, including about one of 76 amicus briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court case.

The move prompted a controversy on the House floor about whether Gray could use state money for out-of-state litigation, which then ballooned into an unsuccessful defamation suit, as Gray’s allies had claimed some lawmakers who voted to curb his spending power had “voted to keep Trump off the ballot.”

Gray asked Wednesday, “Where were the other candidates in this race when that fight was happening?”

“It's not surprising that some candidates are disappointed they didn't earn the party's endorsement,” said Gray, adding: “But I've never believed conservative leadership is measured by complaints after a vote — it's measured by the work you've done and track record.  I've shown that I work hard to advance the priorities of the people of Wyoming.” 

Gray is running for the nomination against Biteman, philanthropist Steve Friess, Casper businessman Reid Rasner, Teton County-based attorney Frank Chapman, military veterans Kevin Christensen and David Giralt, former legislator Keith Goodenough, former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, and the self-described “pragmatic” Republican Richard Dodson.

[{"type":"text","text":"The primary election is Aug. 18."}]

Christensen was vocally critical of the party’s process. The state central committee had approved its candidate vetting committee to consider candidates’ donations to the party.

[{"type":"text","text":"Christensen worried aloud this lent the perception of “pay to play.”"}]

Crook County GOP Chair Mark Koep disputed the assertion Monday, suggesting Cowboy State Daily retract Christensen’s statement.

Treasurer Curt Meier, who did not win endorsement, had scored higher in party donations than his opponent Rep. Scott Smith.

[{"type":"text","text":"Koep pointed to that."}]

However, Cowboy State Daily learned by obtaining the vetting committee’s chart after the meeting, all the other endorsed candidates scored either equal to or better than their non-endorsed foes on the party donations metric.  

That was just one of many metrics. The party also considered legislative record breakdowns, past political involvements and other factors.

[{"type":"text","text":"The Call To Serve Our Country"}]

The vetting committee recommended an endorsement for Giralt as well as Gray.

Giralt came narrowly within winning a statement of “support,” but it failed by one vote.

In a Tuesday statement he thanked the party for its consideration and said he’s

grateful for the support we’ve received from Republicans across Wyoming.”

The party’s considerations of political activity, giving, and legislative records might disadvantage military veterans, both Giralt and Christensen have noted.

“I respect the committee’s decision, but I don’t believe anyone should be penalized for answering the call to serve our country, and I won’t apologize for serving mine,” said Giralt. “If my time away from Wyoming was spent defending the freedoms we all cherish, that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”

Balow told Cowboy State Daily in a Wednesday phone interview that she filled out the party’s questionnaire as a gesture of transparency for the voters.

But, Balow said, she had announced publicly that she wouldn’t accept the party’s endorsement, if given.

“The (Gray) endorsement comes as no surprise,” she said. “But honestly it’s not something that I think Wyoming will pay a great deal of attention to.”

Balow said she’s spoken with Republicans across the state who believe Wyoming GOP leadership isn’t representative of party generally.

“The heart of it is that the Wyoming people should choose their nominees – not the party,” she said. “And that’s the process that’s kept our state red and strong for years.”

If the state GOP decides at some point to take over nominating power from the voters, it will need a law change to do so. 

[{"type":"text","text":"Biteman called the endorsement maneuver a step in that direction."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"“Thank God we can still vote,” Biteman said Tuesday."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Only Democrats Opposed This"}]

It’s been at least 49 years since Wyoming let its major parties financially back their favorites in the primary election.

The late state Sen. Robert Frisby, a Park County Republican, sponsored a bill in 1977 creating numerous election restrictions. 

One of them says: “No political party funds shall be expended directly or indirectly in the aid of the nomination of any one person as against another person of the same political party running in the primary election.”

Miller told state GOP convention attendees in April that the law has been interpreted as a ban on endorsements.

He asserted in a Wednesday email the law doesn’t work that way, however.

It’s a point of debate. McDaniel said he’s unsure if the law bans endorsements, though he acknowledged indirect expenses can be associated with vetting and announcing endorsements.  

State GOP leadership is now suing Gray in his official capacity to get the law overturned. The party leaders say the law violates parties’ First Amendment rights.

[{"type":"text","text":"McDaniel said he’s not sure how the court challenge will end."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Only Democrats, including McDaniel, voted against the bill in 1977."}]

It cleared the Senate with 18 in favor, 11 against and one excused; it passed the state House 42-19, one excused.

Then- state Rep. Al Simpson, a Park County Republican who went on to serve Wyoming in Congress, voted aye.

In McDaniel’s recollection, the party rule didn’t offend the Democrats, but another provision of the bill did. That was a ban on trade unions supporting candidacies, which remains in place today.

“Actually, the idea of parties not endorsing is a pretty good idea,” McDaniel reflected on Wednesday.

“What’s going to be more interesting though is the impact it has internally on the party,” he added. “When you endorse somebody you’ve made five or six others really unhappy. And they all have constituencies and they all have members of the party apparatus that will be unhappy. So it doesn’t seem to me to be a very prudent move.”

[{"type":"text","text":"Blaming Others"}]

Miller answered the candidates’ critiques in a Wednesday email to Cowboy State Daily.

“I understand why any candidate who is not endorsed or who self-eliminates by their refusal to participate in the vetting process set in place would want to find fault in our vetting and endorsement process or create doubt in the public's mind as to its validity,” wrote Miller.

“That line of thought is politics as we know it today,” said Miller, adding that candidates blame others for their shortfalls.

Miller sought to “remind all of these facts,” and pointed to the party leadership’s selection by precinct committee people at the “neighborhood level” – and more than 600 elected delegates to the state convention passed the bylaw calling for this endorsement process.

“The 74 elected state level members of the Wyoming State Republican Party Central Committee … are duty bound to execute said processes,” wrote Miller.

The April state convention in Douglas was fraught with controversy, however.

A motion to amend the floor rules descended into confusion as party leaders, the party’s attorney and delegates debated fine points of Robert’s Rules of Order that at one point had Miller asking rhetorically, “Is that clear as mud?”

“Because there’s lots of confusion here, let’s have our legal counsel explain things again,” Miller said as the nearly 300 delegates tried to finalize how to consider changes and amendments presented by the party’s Bylaws Committee.

At one point during debate, Miller expressed that much of the debate was over rules of order that had already been set.

“That’s the point, people are trying to modify the rules,” Miller said, later adding, “does everyone understand where we are?”

Wilkins informed the meeting that 30 minutes of the two hours slotted for bylaws debate had already passed with delegates still hashing out how to debate the proposed bylaws.

Biteman Gray 7 22 26

<title>Biteman Criticizes GOP Endorsements, Says Chuck Gray "Chuckie-Boy" Is Establishment | Cowboy State Daily</title>

U.S. House candidate Bo Biteman is one of many criticizing the Republican Party's decision to endorse candidates. He called Chuck Gray, who sought and received the endorsement, the establishment. "Well Chuckie-boy you’re the insider, buddy," he said.

Biteman Criticizes GOP Endorsements, Says Chuck Gray "Chuckie-Boy" Is Establishment

Kolby fedore

Kolby Fedore

Courts

A former Special Olympics Wyoming employee accused of stealing more than $200,000 from the nonprofit has agreed to plead guilty to six felonies, bringing one of Wyoming's most closely watched charity theft cases a major step closer to resolution.

A plea agreement filed in Natrona County District Court shows Christine Rodriguez, 57, of Bar Nunn, will plead guilty to three counts of felony theft and three counts of felony forgery. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss three additional forgery charges, according to documents made available Monday.

[{"type":"text","text":"The agreement still must be accepted by a judge."}]

Rodriguez's attorney, Ryan Semerad, declined to discuss the specifics of the agreement before sentencing but said his client is accepting responsibility.

"She is very remorseful for her actions and deeply regrets them," Semerad told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday, adding the defense plans to address those issues more fully at sentencing. 

Rodriguez worked for Special Olympics Wyoming for roughly a decade before the alleged thefts came to light.

[{"type":"text","text":"Police Called Alleged Scheme 'Sophisticated'"}]

Casper police arrested Rodriguez in April after a monthslong financial crimes investigation into the missing money.

Investigators alleged Rodriguez embezzled roughly $206,000 over several years by writing unauthorized checks, falsifying financial records, forging signatures and concealing missing cash.

Police described the alleged scheme as "sophisticated," alleging Rodriguez altered audit documentation and misapplied deposits to hide missing cash. Investigators said those actions concealed the missing money from the nonprofit for years.

When Rodriguez first appeared in court in April, she was charged with nine felonies — three counts of theft and six counts of forgery.

The alleged theft reached far beyond a balance sheet. The missing money belonged to a nonprofit that raises funds to provide year-round athletic training and competition for Wyoming athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Lead investigator Officer Jace Carver added that crimes involving charitable organizations ultimately hurt the athletes and families those organizations exist to serve.

[{"type":"text","text":"Three Charges Dismissed"}]

Under the negotiated plea agreement, Rodriguez will plead guilty to the three theft charges and the first three forgery charges.

[{"type":"text","text":"The remaining three forgery counts will be dismissed."}]

The agreement also outlines how the parties will recommend Rodriguez be sentenced.

The three theft convictions would run concurrently, and the three forgery convictions would also run concurrently. Those two groups of convictions, however, could be ordered to run consecutively, leaving Rodriguez with a maximum sentencing exposure of 18 to 20 years in prison.

The plea agreement also states Rodriguez cannot withdraw her guilty pleas if the judge ultimately imposes a sentence different from the prosecution's recommendation.

[{"type":"text","text":"Restitution Still Pending"}]

Rodriguez agreed to pay restitution for all criminal conduct, including losses tied to the three forgery charges to be dismissed.

The final restitution amount has not been determined, though both sides anticipate it will exceed $200,000, the plea agreement says.

Police credited Special Olympics Wyoming with providing extensive financial records and cooperating throughout the investigation.

Because of the scope and complexity of the review, detectives enlisted the Rocky Mountain Information Network — part of the Regional Information Sharing Systems network — to help analyze the records.

Investigators also noted the case carried added significance because of Special Olympics Wyoming's longstanding partnership with law enforcement through programs such as the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Tip-A-Cop fundraisers.

[{"type":"text","text":"Organization Waiting For Sentencing"}]

Special Olympics Wyoming CEO Jen Haines declined to comment on the specifics of the plea agreement, saying the organization does not want to jeopardize the proceedings and plans to speak more openly once the case is resolved.

Haines did confirm one important detail: The organization has not received any restitution while the criminal case remains pending

 She said the restitution amount, along with any prison sentence, is expected to be determined at sentencing. 

In a written statement, the organization said it remains focused on the people it serves.

"Special Olympics Wyoming is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and protecting the interests of all of our athletes, donors, and supporters,” it says. "Special Olympics Wyoming appreciates the past, and continued, much-needed support of SOWY athletes at this time. SOWY has been offering sports training and competition programming since 1972 and looks forward to the continued implementation of our mission to benefit athletes with intellectual disabilities from across Wyoming."

Christine rodriguez special olympics 7 22 26

<title>Woman Accused of Stealing $200K From Special Olympics To Plead Guilty To Six Felonies | Cowboy State Daily</title>

A Bar Nunn woman has agreed to plead guilty to six felonies for embezzling $206,000 from Special Olympics Wyoming. Her attorney told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday that she is "very remorseful for her actions and deeply regrets them."

Woman Accused of Stealing $200K From Special Olympics To Plead Guilty To Six Felonies

State Sen. Eric Barlow released poll results Tuesday showing him with a sizable lead over other Republican candidates in the race for Wyoming governor.

[{"type":"text","text":"Two of his opponents doubt that outcome. One of them doesn’t."}]

Barlow, a legislator of 13 years and former House speaker, is running for the Republican nomination against Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, retired Marine Col. Brent Bien, and Centennial man Curt Blake.

His campaign released polling results Tuesday showing him at 42% support, followed by Degenfelder at 19% and Bien at 14% — with 22% undecided — when people were asked who they would vote for if the election were held today.

The poll was taken in the past three days by the Pulse Decision Science firm, the campaign says.

“Barlow has gained 10 points since the campaign’s previous survey and his net favorability has climbed from +19 to +34,” says a Tuesday statement by his campaign. “This comes even as he has been outspent more than 5-to-1 by Degenfelder and the outside groups supporting her.”

Barlow said he’s taken six full trips through all 23 Wyoming counties and is starting his seventh statewide tour.

[{"type":"text","text":"The primary election is set for Aug. 18."}]

“We believed from the beginning that if we showed up, listened and stayed focused on Wyoming, voters would respond,” Barlow said. “This poll is encouraging, but it does not change how we campaign.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"We will keep showing up, keep listening and keep earning every vote.\""}]

Barlow told Cowboy State Daily in a Tuesday-evening phone call that he trusts the polling, and its cross-tabulation veracity checks. He said Wyomingites' reception of him on the campaign trail is also "quite encouraging." 

His campaign has amassed 2,500 volunteers and contributions from nearly 2,000 individual Wyoming donors, with more than $1 million raised from in-state individuals, the statement says.

The statement says Barlow has focused his campaign on expanding economic opportunity, improving access to rural health care, strengthening Wyoming’s energy and agriculture industries, addressing housing challenges, keeping decisions local and keeping the state's public lands accessible to Wyomingites. 

[{"type":"text","text":"Nah, Says Degenfelder"}]

Degenfelder’s campaign manager Charlotte Jones emphasized that Barlow’s numbers are from his own campaign.

“Voters should take the Barlow campaign’s internal ‘polling’ numbers with a heavy grain of salt, which come as no surprise from the campaign of a career politician desperately trying to run from his record of opposing Wyoming Industries and Wyoming values,” wrote Jones in a Tuesday email. 

“Megan’s campaign is focused on talking to voters about the issues they care about and highlighting her record as the only candidate in the race with a proven record fighting for our mineral industries, and defending women’s sports and parental rights," wrote Jones, "which is why she has earned the support of Donald Trump and Harriet Hageman.”

Trump endorsed Degenfelder in January before she entered the race, and doubled down with a 

U.S. House Rep. Harriet Hageman, who’s running for U.S. Senate, has endorsed Degenfelder and campaigned with her in multiple locations.

[{"type":"text","text":"Not Doing That"}]

The Wyoming Republican Party Central Committee broke tradition Monday night and 

One delegate, Weston County GOP Chair Kari Drost, asked the committee to consider endorsing Degenfelder as well, but the committee cast a majority vote to end the process instead.

The Central Committee considered, but voted against, adopting an official position opposing Barlow.

The Eric Barlow gubernatorial campaign released an internal poll Tuesday showing a significant lead over both Megan Degenfelder and Brent Bien. According to his internal polling numbers, 42% of voters support Barlow while Degenfelder is at 19% and Bien at 14%.

One More For The Road: Tuesday, January 17, 2023

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