Sheridan man still missing

BILLINGS, Mont. - The search for a Sheridan man missing in the Tongue River Reservoir continues and authorities are using sonar and cadaver dogs to try to locate the body.

The Montana reservoir, 20 miles north of Sheridan, is muddy from stream runoff, making the search difficult.

The man's name has not been released. He fell off a dock during a fast moving thunderstorm Wednesday evening.

A Sheridan woman, who had been in a small boat by herself, was reported missing Wednesday night and searchers Thursday morning found the body of 47-year-old Debra McCaffrey.

McCaffrey drowned when the 14-foot aluminum boat she was in capsized during the Wednesday storm.

Climbing guide died Saturday

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK - A guide died Saturday while climbing alone at Grand Teton National Park, officials said.

George Gardner, 58, of Ridgway, Colo., died Saturday evening, said Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott. She said Gardner was not guiding clients at the time. Park rangers are investigating the incident.

Gardner worked with Exum Mountain Guides for 28 years. His companion guides found him dead Sunday morning beneath the Lower Exum Ridge.

"Needless to say, we're all devastated," said Jack Turner, president of Exum Mountain Guides. "I don't know a single human being that didn't love George."

A park news release said Gardner set off on a free solo climb at about 5 p.m. Saturday after the group he was guiding settled into camp for the evening.

Fellow guides contacted authorities and initiated a search when they noticed Gardner still hadn't returned at 3 a.m., the time they woke up to begin preparing for the day's excursion. A searcher spotted Gardner's body about three hours later.

Park rangers say wind gusts up to 60 mph Saturday evening could have contributed to the fall, according to the news release. Park rangers and Exum guides both said Gardner was climbing within the realm of his capabilities.

Closures set for Teton Pass trails

Users should expect minimal closures next week along the Teton Pass trails, according to a release from the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Bridger-Teton, in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America, will work on the trails Monday through Aug. 1. As part of the service project, the Scouts will construct new trails and rehabilitate existing trails.

Existing trails on the Pass will be open during the project with the exception of the Big Rocks trail. New trails will not be available for use while crews are working.

The new, 4.2-mile Arrow Trail will be designed for cross-country mountain biking.

On Phillips Ridge, there will be 1.3 miles of new trail to connect the missing segment of trail along the Phillips power-line road. The trail will be designed for multi-use travel.

The History Trail will be 2.5 miles of new and reconstructed trail following the Old Wagon Route from the Trail Creek trailhead to the top of the Pass. The trail will be for horse riding and hiking.

The Big Rocks project for horse riding and hiking includes 1.5 of reconstructed trail.