Fatal wreck involves sheriff

A Powell man was killed Monday morning in a two-vehicle accident that involved the Park County sheriff.

David A. King, 49, died in the accident 7.5 miles from Cody on U.S. Highway 14A, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

King's 2006 Chevy Cobalt swerved suddenly for unknown reasons, striking an oncoming 1997 Dodge pickup driven by Park County Sheriff Scott Steward.

"I'm doing fine, and my daughter is doing fine. Everybody is sore, but we're fortunate," said Steward, 41, who was off duty at the time of the accident.

Steward's daughter, a passenger in his vehicle, was given medical treatment that included dental work and released, he said.

"I don't know what happened," Steward said of the accident, which occurred about 5:45 a.m.

"All I know is, about the time we were ready to meet it, the car made an abrupt swerve into our lane," Steward said.

He speculated that King may have been trying to avoid a deer.

Hospitals dissolve partnership

BILLINGS, Mont. - Billings' two hospitals are ending a 21-year partnership in two cancer treatment centers, including one in northern Wyoming, the hospitals announced Monday.

Billings Clinic is withdrawing from its relationship with St. Vincent Healthcare in operating the Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center in Billings and the Big Horn Basin Radiation Oncology Center in Cody.

St. Vincent will take over as sole owner of the radiation treatment centers on Jan. 1. No employees are expected to lose their jobs.

Patients of Billings Clinic doctors who receive treatment at the centers will continue to do so until the scheduled August opening of the Clinic's new $27 million cancer treatment center, which will offer radiation treatment. Billings Clinic is also building an inpatient oncology center on its campus.

Ex-Park Co. employee pleads guilty

POWELL - A former Park County employee has pleaded guilty to making personal purchases with taxpayer dollars.

Mike Vowell was head of Park County's Buildings and Grounds department.

Authorities say he billed the county for a water pump and PVC piping he was using to irrigate his home's property.

He recently pleaded guilty to charges that include wrongfully appropriating public property. As part of an agreement with the county attorney's office, Vowell will receive no jail time or fines.

But he must pay $745.17 in restitution to the county and will be placed on five years' supervised probation.

Investigators continue search

JACKSON - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is hoping a $10,000 reward will help solve the killing of two grizzly bear cubs in October near Dubois.

The two yearling bears, one male and one female, were found outside Dubois on Warm Springs Mountain. Officers suspect the bears were shot late Oct. 18 or early Oct. 19.

Regional wildlife supervisor Kent Schmidlin said investigators have received some good leads but need to talk with people who contacted the agency anonymously earlier to clarify some information.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lander Game and Fish office or call the state Stop Poaching Hotline at 877-WGFD-TIP.