Zwonitzer pulls out of House race

CHEYENNE - State Rep. Dan Zwonitzer of Cheyenne pulled out of the Republican primary race for the U.S. House, saying he lacked enough money to compete.

But Zwonitzer, 28, said Thursday his age was the most determining factor in his decision not to run.

People would tell him he was a good speaker, had the best ideas and is doing a great job in the Legislature but is not quite old enough or experienced enough to serve in Congress, he said.

There are no 20-somethings in Congress currently, he pointed out.

Zwonitzer said he will seek re-election instead to his House District 43 seat. He said the Republican Party so far has not found a replacement� for him in the Wyoming House.

Democrat Kevin Lumsden has announced he will be a candidate for HB 43 this year.

Zwonitzer's decision also came down to finances. he said his friends are his age and are in law, business or medical school and can only contribute $50 to $100 each, not the maximum $2,300 his opponents are receiving.

Zwonitzer's decision leaves three Republican candidates for the U.S. House - Cynthia Lummis, Bill Winney and Mark Gordon. Gary Trauner is the only Democrat to announce.

Guardsman faces theft charges

TUCSON, Ariz. - Federal authorities have arrested a Wyoming air national guardsman on suspicion of stealing and selling scrap metal from the border fence construction project for more than $8,000.

Authorities arrested Master Sgt. Robert Kelley of Carpenter on Wednesday in Phoenix.

Kelley, 48, was accused in a criminal complaint of theft of government property for selling at least five dump truck loads of Department of Homeland Security scrap metal to a Tucson company for more than $8,000.

The complaint alleges he bought personal items including a pistol, cowboy boots and a garage door opener.

Kelley was deployed to Task Force Diamondback near Sonoita as part of Operation Jump Start.

Conviction could bring a 10-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine.

Parks division gets new leader

CHEYENNE - A state park administrator from Nevada has been named administrator of the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails.

Domenic Bravo replaces Pat Green, who transferred to the Wyoming Department of Health.

Bravo has spent the last four years as superintendent of Washoe Lake and Dayton Cave state parks in Nevada. Bravo begins his new job with the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources on June 1.

UW law school preps for addition

LARAMIE - Ground will be broken May 17 for a new addition at the University of Wyoming law school in Laramie.

UW officials say the new William N. Brimmer Legal Education Center will add about 3,800 square feet to the College of Law building.

Inside the addition will be a room that can serve as a courtroom or as a lecture hall with seating for more than 160 people.

The addition will cost $4.5 million.