Officials arrest murder suspect

BILLINGS, Mont. - Federal task force officers arrested a man wanted in a Wyoming murder case in Billings Tuesday night.

Dan Orr, supervisory deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service, said Wednesday that officers arrested Sterling Frey Wolfname, 26, at the Montana Rescue Mission about 6:45 p.m.

The officers were at the mission working on another case when they happened to walk past Wolfname and recognized him from information they had from Wyoming, Orr said. "He was just there getting a meal. He lied about who he was," he said. But the officers noticed a tattoo on the side of his head that said "Wolfname."

Wolfname was wanted on a warrant from the Fremont County Sheriff's Office on charges of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and battery and felonious restraint.

Wolfname is a suspect in the beating death of Ernest Paul Jenkins, 32, of Riverton, who died July 31 at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. Riverton police said earlier that there was a fight during a party at an apartment on July 30. A woman who lived at the apartment found the victim later and called the police.

Two other suspects, Basil Blackburn and Vincent Yellowbear Jr., are in custody and have been charged in the case.

Wolfname was being held at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility on a $1 million cash bond and is expected to be sent back to Wyoming.

Fire meeting attracts 80 people

CODY - About 80 people attended a Forest Service meeting on a fire burning in wilderness areas east of Yellowstone National Park in northern Wyoming.

The Gunbarrel fire has burned about 39,500 acres, or roughly 62 square miles, since it began July 26.

Fire spokesman Ben Brack says fire managers addressed questions and concerns from area residents and business owners had about the fire at the meeting Wednesday.

Brack says the fire is being managed to allow it burn in wilderness areas where it will help the overall forest health.

However, firefighters are closely monitoring the fire to make sure it doesn't turn toward the developed areas along U.S. Highway 14-16-22 between Cody and Yellowstone.

Historical center reduces its staff

CODY - As part of a wider cost-cutting effort stemming partly from reduced visitation and revenue, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center announced Wednesday the elimination of seven full-time and three part-time positions.

"Any time you make personnel changes, it's difficult," said Bruce Eldredge, executive director of the museum.

Eldredge said the museum has 102 full-time and 30 part-time workers, and employs an additional 60 people during the busiest summer months.

The museum did not identify employees whose jobs are being eliminated, but said the cuts affect staff members from a cross-section of the organization, including management.

The cuts are expected to save the museum $125,000 during the last quarter of the year, and about $500,000 over 2009.