When Cleveland Indians’ pitcher Justin Masterson tosses the first pitch of the team’s season today, there will be a proud Powell uncle watching from the stands.

“To have a nephew — or, for my brother, a son — pitching opening day for a Major League Baseball team, that is a thrill for the whole family and beyond,” Powell resident Mike Masterson said Tuesday.

A June 4 trial has been set for the federal criminal cases against a former Powell Valley Healthcare official and an Indiana man who are alleged to have conspired to embezzle nearly $850,000 from the organization.

Former PVHC Chief Executive Officer Paul D. Cardwell and Michael J. Plake of West Lafayette, Ind., pleaded not guilty to 15 felony counts at their arraignment in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne last week.

The two men are free on $50,000 unsecured bonds pending their next court appearance, but are prohibited from traveling outside of Wyoming and Indiana without permission from federal authorities. Court records say Cardwell will be living with his mother in Tipton, Ind., while Plake will remain at his West Lafayette, Ind., home.

Former hospital CEO and alleged accomplice face federal charges

Powell Valley Healthcare’s former chief executive officer and an Indiana resident each are facing more than a dozen criminal charges in federal court in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud the Powell healthcare organization.

Meeting Wednesday at fairgrounds

Park County commissioners want to hear your thoughts before deciding how to move forward with a proposal to build a roughly $4 million multi-purpose building at the county fairgrounds.

“This is a substantial upgrade, there’s no doubt about it, so we’ve got to look at it that way,” said Commission Chairman Tim French at last week’s commission meeting. “It’s a major change.”

Powell Valley Healthcare's former CEO has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with an alleged scheme to embezzle money from the hospital, hospital officials announced this (Wednesday) morning.

A news release from Powell Valley Healthcare said Paul Cardwell has been indicted on 15 charges that include mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. Michael Plake, a West Lafayette, Ind., man that has been accused of working with Cardwell, has also been indicted on 15 counts, the release said.

"The allegations (against Plake and Cardwell) detail a fraudulent scheme, involving numerous acts of deception against PVHC employees and directors, whereby PVHC suffered significant financial losses," said the release.

Hospital officials said they and their management company, HealthTech Management Services Inc., have been working with federal investigators and appreciate their efforts to "see justice fully served."

The case against Cardwell had not been publicly unsealed as of this morning.

HealthTech had sued Cardwell in February, accusing him of embezzling nearly $850,000 from the Powell hospital. According to HealthTech's complaint, Cardwell had claimed he was paying an Indiana company to recruit doctors and staff to Powell Valley Healthcare. In reality, HealthTech alleged, the company was doing no recruiting and kicking a substantial amount of money back to Cardwell.

Powell Valley Healthcare officials have identified Plake as the owner of that company, called Plake and Associates.

The Tribune will have a more complete story in Thursday's newspaper.

Defense asks if state will seek death penalty

A 28-year-old accused of murdering his wife in Cody last month pleaded not guilty at a Monday court appearance.

Myron J. Friday has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Feb. 26 killing of his wife, 44-year-old Julie Friday.

A recently-awarded federal grant will help bring more of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center’s story and lessons to anyone with Internet access.

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced last week that it is giving the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation $30,976 to help enhance its website and online content.

Police have arrested a Powell woman in connection with a rash of thefts from parked vehicles here and in Lovell last week.

Lori A. Viarengo, 33, was arrested Thursday night and charged with two felony counts of auto burglary. On Monday, Viarengo was being held on $15,000 cash bail.

Defense asks if state will seek death penalty

A 28-year-old accused of murdering his wife in Cody last month pleaded not guilty at a Monday court appearance.

Myron J. Friday has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Feb. 26 killing of his wife, 44-year-old Julie Friday.

Santorum win voided

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney came one delegate closer to clinching the Republican party’s nomination on Monday night, as Park County Republican Party officials reversed course and determined he should receive the county’s delegate to the Republican National Convention.

A Rick Santorum supporter had won a re-vote at this month’s Park County Convention, but those results were challenged by Romney’s campaign and supporters and the state party believed the results should be voided.