Bus wrecks injure miners

DOUGLAS - At least three coal miners were hospitalized after two Powder River Transportation buses wrecked separately early Monday on Wyoming Highway 59.

The two buses were each carrying 10 to 15 coal miners from Douglas to their day-shift jobs at Peabody Energy's North Antelope/Rochelle Mine when they struck black ice and crashed within a quarter mile of each other, according to Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Joe Ryle.

"It had rained earlier in the evening, and it had turned to black ice," Ryle said. "The roads were real, real bad."

The first bus went out of control on the ice about a quarter mile north of Bill and rolled, landing on its top, Ryle said. The force of the impact compacted the roof. Several miners riding that bus were extricated by the Douglas Volunteer Fire Department. North Antelope/Rochelle Mine also dispatched an ambulance and rescue team to assist, Peabody Energy spokesman Derrell Carter said.

The second bus wrecked at 35 miles north of Douglas at Bill on a slight corner, Ryle said. Most of the passengers in both buses were transported to Memorial Hospital of Converse County, he added, noting at least one serious, but not life-threatening, injury.

Powder River Transportation runs buses chartered by the mines to transport employees to and from work in the Powder River Basin.

No citations have been issued, although Ryle said the investigation is ongoing. Both bus drivers were not seriously injured.

Family sues nursing home

JACKSON - The family of a woman who was allegedly fondled at a nursing home is suing the nursing home in federal court.

A former certified nurse's assistant at St. John's Living Center in Jackson allegedly was caught touching the woman in a sexual way on multiple occasions. The victim "suffered severe dementia and was unable to consent," the lawsuit said.

Relatives of the woman, who has since died, are seeking more than $75,000 in damages. The first hearing in the civil case is set for Feb. 28 in Casper.

Attorneys for St. John's have entered a motion to dismiss the civil case, arguing among other points that the lawsuit didn't specify a constitutional right denied to the woman.

The Wyoming Office of Healthcare Licensing and Surveys in June released an audit of St. John's Living Center. The audit said the nursing home violated Wyoming and federal laws by not reporting the alleged crimes when they were known.

Historical center official will retire

CODY - Bob Shimp has announced he will retire by the end of the year as executive director of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

Shimp, who turns 65 on March 1, has held the job since 2002.

"I wanted to give the board plenty of time to search for a new executive director, so I felt it right to announce my intentions now," he said.

The center's board of trustees is expected to put together a search committee soon.