Two die in cycle crash

CHEYENNE - A man and a woman on a motorcycle were killed when they tried to turn around on Interstate 80 and were struck by a tractor-trailer near Pine Bluffs.

David M. Rhoades, 55, and Lillian K. Rhoades, 50, both of Lewisville, Texas, stopped alongside the eastbound lanes Saturday to take pictures of the Nebraska state sign, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

David Rhoades then drove their 1995 Harley-Davidson across the median. He pulled into the path of a Volvo tractor-trailer, which hit the motorcycle broadside.

The truck driver was not hurt.

The weather was dry and clear at the time.

Wildfire blackens 1,050 acres

CHEYENNE - Firefighters on Monday continued to monitor the scene of a 1,050-acre wildfire after bringing it under control the night before.

The fire was started by lightning Saturday and burned through grass, sage and mountain mahogany about 20 miles southwest of Wheatland, according to Larry Helmerick, of the interagency Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center in Denver.

No buildings were threatened.

Authorities warn about lottery scam

CHEYENNE - Authorities warned Wyoming residents not to fall for a mail scam requiring them to send in a cashier's check so they can claim supposed lottery winnings.

Dee Martin, of Cheyenne, recently received a letter saying she had won $55,000 through the North American Shoppers Lottery. To claim the money, the letter said, she would have to send in a cashier's check for $2,300.

The letter included a cashier's check for that amount. But Martin, who used to work at a bank, became suspicious and took the check to her bank.

"I'm blonde, not stupid," she said.

The cashier's check was determined to be fake. "It looked good," Western Bank operations officer Gina Vining said.

The letter, which came from Canada, was an international scam, according to Mark Moran, of the Consumer Protection Unit in the Wyoming Attorney General's Office.

Gas prices not affecting SUV sales

CHEYENNE - Despite soaring gas prices, some Wyoming residents said they had no plans to get rid of their sport-utility vehicles, and dealers said SUV sales have been strong.

Lisa Smith said she likes her white Dodge Durango because she can see well from its higher platform. "I would buy an SUV again," she said.

She said gas prices don't matter much to her because she doesn't drive much.

Tim Joannides, president of Halladay Motors in Cheyenne, said many SUV buyers use them for pulling duty and drive more fuel-efficient vehicles the rest of the time.

In June, Leland Brain bought his first SUV, a dark blue Ford Expedition. "Oh, I don't have any particular need for it," he said.

At the time, gas was selling for about $2.39 a gallon. The last time he bought gas for it, the price was $2.45. He put about 20 gallons in and spent about $50.

Filling up the entire tank now will cost about $100. "That would be exciting," he said.

Earlier this year, General Motors, Ford and Daimler-Chrysler extended employee discounts for SUV purchases to the general public. Sales responded.