Man pleads no contest to stabbing death

KEMMERER -- A Lincoln County man has pleaded no contest to a charge of manslaughter in the May 17 stabbing death of another man

The plea by Clair Bruce Nichols, while not technically a guilty plea, has the same immediate effect as a guilty plea, Lincoln County Attorney Eric Phillips said Monday in a media release.

Nicholas could be sentenced to up to 20 years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary and may be fined up to $10,000, the release said.

Nicholas is being held under $100,000 bond until sentencing.

David Reneker, 41, the victim, went drinking with Nichols, 51, at the Flying Saddle Bar on May 16. He was found dead in his home the next day with stab wounds to his neck.

An autopsy revealed that Reneker bled to death after being stabbed in the neck five to seven times, the release said. Large pools of blood were found both outside and inside Reneker's home.

The charging document said Nichols had blood from the victim on his clothes and on a knife.

The Wyoming State Lab confirmed it was it was Reneker's blood on the clothing and the knife. Nichols' DNA also was found on the knife.

During Monday's hearing, Nichols said he was so intoxicated on the night in question that he has no memory of the incident, Phillips said in the release.

Meyer undergoes cancer surgery

CHEYENNE -- Wyoming Treasurer Joe Meyer is in good condition after undergoing surgery to remove a malignant tumor from one of his lungs.

Dr. David G. Silver performed the surgery Monday at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

Hospital spokeswoman Kathryn Baker said the surgery went well and Meyer is expected to remain in the hospital for several days. A determination about additional treatment has not been made.

Meyer's wife, Mary, expressed gratitude for the cards, e-mails and phone calls from people around the state.

The cancer was discovered recently when the 68-year-old Meyer sought medical treatment for chest pain.

The Republican was elected state treasurer in 2006. He also has served as Wyoming attorney general and secretary of state.

Firefighters face pension deficit

CHEYENNE -- A state-managed pension plan for Wyoming firefighters is facing up to a $30 million deficit for all those hired before July 2, 1981.

Jon Narva, the president of Cheyenne Professional Firefighters Local 279, said many longtime firefighters and widows rely on the pension to see them through retirement.

Stephen Sommers, who represents retirees on the Wyoming Retirement System Board, outlined problems with the fund for the Joint Appropriations Interim Committee. He said the big problem with the plan is that it's closed. That means all contributions stopped in 1997. At the time, investment advisers said the fund would be solvent by relying on investments. But those advisers didn't anticipate the recent economic downturn.