Good morning, Gillette.

A woman was arrested for felony possession of meth after speeding on Highway 50.

The Wyoming Economic Analysis Division reported that mining jobs fell by 3,900 positions — 19.6% below pre-pandemic levels — with nearly 500 jobs lost from the final quarter of 2023 to that of 2024 while most other sectors added jobs, including about 1,100 in construction and 1,700 in government, even as unemployment rose slightly to 3.5%.

On April 3 Keyhole State Park reported the reservoir was free of ice with the Coulter Bay ramp ready for use — though the Wind Creek ramp stayed closed because water levels were too low; park staff said they will monitor conditions until it is safe to open the ramp.

Experian reported that Wyoming’s average mortgage debt increased 3.8% to $237,616 in 2024— which is $14,889 below the national average.

Mortgage rates stayed steady between 6% and 7% as the report highlighted tougher borrowing conditions for homebuyers.

On April 2, the Campbell County Fire Department responded to several emergencies in Gillette including multiple medical calls and traffic collisions such as a single vehicle collision near mile marker 134 on Interstate 90, a two-vehicle accident at Highway 51 and Fairview Road, and a vehicle rollover on North Heptner Road. They also handled an activated fire alarm call and have responded to 868 service requests this year — data provided by the department.

State Forestry said yesterday that Wyoming will hire its first helitack crew made of state staff and new fire suppression resources to fight wildfires amid drought conditions.

The plan includes adding a medium helicopter this summer, two air tankers, extra firefighting staff and a temporary reload base at Gillette airport—while the state has dealt with 103 wildfires that burned 2,600 acres so far this year.