Doctor faces additional charges

A Lovell doctor charged two months ago with the illegal distribution of painkillers was charged last week with additional counts of the same offense.

Dr. Joseph Baumstarck Jr. was arrested in May during the execution of a search warrant at Lovell's Strong Tree Clinic, his place of business.

He was charged then with four counts of unlawful distribution of hydrocodone and two counts of distribution of oxycodone, outside the scope of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose. Both drugs are prescription narcotics.

A superseding indictment against Baumstarck filed last week in U.S. District Court alleged three new counts of supplying oxycodone to an individual under 21 and one new count of supplying hydrocodone to an individual under the age of 21.

The additional charges filed last week were the result of an ongoing investigation and new evidence provided to a federal grand jury, said John Powell, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Cheyenne.

All the events outlined in both indictments are alleged to have occurred between January and May.

Baumstarck has pleaded not guilty to the initial charges, but has not yet entered a plea on the four additional counts. He is free on a $20,000 bond while awaiting trial, currently scheduled for Oct. 28.

The Wyoming Board of Medicine in June suspended his license.

Senators keep Stevens cash

WASHINGTON - Wyoming's two U.S. senators, John Barrasso and Mike Enzi, are holding on to campaign cash donated by indicted Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.

Stevens' political action committee has donated $6,000 to Barrasso since he was nominated to the Senate in June 2007 and $10,000 to Enzi since 2001. Both senators are up for election this November.

Stevens is charged with lying about accepting gifts from oil services contractor Veco Corp. Enzi said in a statement that he will "look at his options" if a link is found between Stevens' campaign funds and the gifts.

Barrasso spokesman Joe Milczewski said the senator will let "justice run its course" before making a decision on the donations.

At least five other Republicans up for re-election shed contributions from Stevens and his political action committee Wednesday.

Reservation will get another casino

RIVERTON - The Northern Arapaho Tribe has begun construction on a new casino on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

The 12,000-square-foot Little Wind Casino will feature about 200 gambling machines and a full-service restaurant located less a mile north of Ethete on Wyoming Highway 132.

The tribe opened its new Wind River Casino near Riverton in April.

Wind River Casino manager Jim Conrad said the new Little Wind Casino is expected to have its grand opening on New Year's Day.