No clues, winter weather suspends search for missing hunter
The weeklong search for a hunter missing in the Deep Jack area of the Sierra Madres was suspended late Saturday afternoon. Carbon County Sheriff Archie Roybal made the announcement Monday.
The sheriff said that after six days of searching by ground and by air, rescue and recovery teams found no signs of Mark Anthony Strittmater.
With more bad weather moving into the region, the sheriff said he called off the search.
The 44-year-old Strittmater went elk hunting on Saturday morning, October 19th, and never returned. He was reported overdue the following evening. More than a foot of snow had fallen over his tracks by the time the call was made.
Searchers focused their efforts in the area around Forest Roads 801 and 830 where Strittmater’s truck was found. An Air Force helicopter from Cheyenne joined the search on Monday and Tuesday.
Later in the week, the Civil Air Patrol from Pinedale flew a plane with a three-man crew over the Sierra Madres. On the ground, teams divided the area into a grid and searched by foot.
Sheriff Roybal said even though the search area was expanded, no trace of Strittmater was ever discovered.
Family members said Strittmater went hunting alone. The storm and blizzard conditions that developed after he set out may have played a role in preventing the experienced hunter from returning to his vehicle.
Whatever happened out there, the heavy snow that covered his tracks prevented searchers from finding any signs of him. A lot of hunters were in the Deep Jack area. Sheriff Roybal said some reported seeing his truck the weekend he went missing, but few, if any remember seeing Strittmater himself.
Strittmater’s father told Bigfoot 99 last week that his son was known to track animals long distances. Roybal said the search had been frustrating because nothing had been recovered to help locate Strittmater. The sheriff said the result was a sad situation for the family because it offers no closure at this time.
The sheriff thanked all of the searchers, volunteers and outside agencies who participated in the search. At least five other search and rescue missions were conducted in other areas of the county while teams tried to locate Strittmater.
Rawlins police addresses state of the department
Facing public scrutiny and skepticism, high ranking members of the Rawlins Police Department invited local media to discuss “the more positive things the PD is doing.”
The meeting came after citizen complaints against high profile incidents involving officers over the the last few years. Cali O’Hare attended the meeting and filed this report.
Click here to view Rawlins Police Department application information
Hospital explores expanding mental health services
Memorial Hospital of Carbon County plans to look into delivering mental health services to the community with technology.
The Wyoming State Penitentiary mental health director spoke to hospital officials recently about if they could implement a telepsychiatry service in Rawlins. Emma Diercks reports.
Voting for Strand Theater funding closes tonight
Time is running out for the 100-year-old playhouse theater in Rawlins to receive a share of $2 million in critical preservation funding.
Today is the final day for residents to vote for the Strand Theater in Rawlins as the nationwide contest, Vote Your Main Street comes to a close tonight.
Cali O’Hare reports on where the tally stands going into the final countdown.
Sports: Rattlers look to stay perfect in playoffs
The Little Snake River football team put together a perfect season to win the 6 Man West and will play host in the first round of the playoffs. Joey Saverine has the story.
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