Wyoming News Brief Updates

POWELL, Wyo. (AP) — Powell police say counterfeit money started showing up in the area on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, and the bills are still turning up. Police Chief Roy Eckerdt tells the Associated Press that the bogus bills lack a security strip and the exact coloring of legitimate bills. Police say at least $440 in counterfeit $20 bills have been passed to businesses during the holiday season.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming police officers are predicting an increase in marijuana crimes in the state because of Colorado's new law allowing anyone over 21 to use the drug. The Associated Press reports officers expect there will be an increased flow of cannabis through Wyoming because of the state's proximity to Colorado and Montana, which allows medical marijuana for people with certain conditions.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) —Wyoming finished off 2012 with below-normal snow levels. A U.S. Department of Agriculture specialist says the state's average snowpack dropped to 84 percent of median levels— down from 87 percent the week before. Hackleman says basins in southeastern Wyoming need to see more snow to catch up with the rest of the state.

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, Wyo., is now an affiliate of University of Colorado Health. UCHealth and Ivinson signed an agreement in October allowing the both to share expertise and resources, but Ivinson will remain an independent hospital run by the seven-member board of the Albany County Hospital District. The agreement took effect yesterday.