Good morning, Sheridan.

At a recent symposium, Northeast Wyoming ranchers showed interest in virtual fencing, a technology (using special GPS collars to set grazing boundaries) that has grown quickly over the past half decade.

They said the method may improve ranch operations going forward.

Wildlife managers in the Sheridan region will capture and survey mule deer using low-level aircraft flights in January, and residents may see the planes overhead.

The project aims to assess the deer population in the area.

In November, Todd Caltrider, a Sheridan Region habitat biologist working with federal and state agencies since 2012, was named Outstanding Conservationist of the Year at the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts 80th annual convention in Gillette in recognition of his work on wildlife-friendly projects and habitat improvements.

Big game hunting in the Sheridan Region will end Jan.

31 — several late-season cow/calf elk hunts are closing, affecting local hunters.

The Wyoming Livestock Board and USDA APHIS confirmed that a backyard flock in Park County tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Officials are monitoring the situation and notifying local bird keepers about precautions.

Sheridan Memorial Hospital welcomed Dr. Lisa Mullen, a board-certified family doctor (with 11 years of experience in Buffalo) who now sees patients in Sheridan and is accepting new ones while building long-term relationships with local families.