West Nile strikes first 2008 victim

A Fremont County male is Wyoming's first 2008 human West Nile virus case, according to a release from the Wyoming Department of Health.

"We expected to see West Nile virus activity in the state this summer. This should serve as an eye opener to remind Wyoming residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites," said Tracy Murphy, state epidemiologist with the department.

WNV is spread by mosquitoes after they feed on infected birds and then bite people, other birds and animals.

Most people infected with WNV do not develop symptoms. Among those who become ill, most develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. A very small percentage of those infected develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease. Symptoms of West Nile neuroinvasive disease may include severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions and paralysis.

Construction slowdown helps projects

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - The nationwide building slowdown has given a boost to construction projects in Yellowstone National Park.

Steve Iobst, chief maintenance officer for Yellowstone, said the slowdown has resulted in more bidders for park construction projects - and in some cases, lower costs.

"It's a better market," Iobst said.

A new visitor center at Old Faithful is going up after the previous visitor center, an A-frame building constructed in 1972, was torn down.

Plans also call for new holding cells in a justice center.

Existing jail cells in a 1911 building are being upgraded with new bars, doors and security system. Iobst said the improvements are viewed as a temporary solution until a jail wing eventually is added to the justice center.

Arkansas man dies in motor home crash

BUFFALO - A man was killed when a motor home lost its brakes and crashed into a storefront in downtown Buffalo.

The crash happened around 4:45 p.m. Thursday. The Wyoming Highway Patrol estimates the motor home was going 50 mph when it came to a T-shaped intersection and crashed into the building.

The patrol said 73-year-old James D. Stark, of Hot Springs, Ark., died at the scene. His wife, 68-year-old Saralee Stark, was taken to Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.

Stark was listed in stable condition at the hospital on Friday.

According to the patrol, the Starks were headed downhill from Powder River Pass on U.S. Highway 16 when their brakes began to overheat. James Stark pulled over to give the brakes time to cool off, but the brakes went out after the couple got back on the road.

Stark swerved into and out of traffic to avoid a collision. Along the way, the motor home clipped the rear of a pickup truck. The couple inside the pickup wasn't hurt.

The motor home crashed where the highway intersected with Main Street. The motor home came to rest inside the building.