KKTS News
The 2019 Wyoming Women of Influence Awards nominees have been announced and Converse County School District #1's Superintendent, Dr. Paige Fenton Hughes, is among those named.
The annual awards honor women across the state for their accomplishments and leadership in 15 various industry categories, including education.
After the awards banquet on Sept. 19, there will be a women’s development day conference on Sept. 20, followed by the Women’s Expo on Sept. 21 at the Casper Events Center. 072319
The annual awards honor women across the state for their accomplishments and leadership in 15 various industry categories, including education.
After the awards banquet on Sept. 19, there will be a women’s development day conference on Sept. 20, followed by the Women’s Expo on Sept. 21 at the Casper Events Center. 072319
Mannheim Steamroller is returning to Casper this Christmas.
The Casper Events Center announced Monday that Mannheim Steamroller will perform their Christmas concert in Casper on Friday, December 13th at 7:30 pm.
Tickets go on sale beginning at 10:00 am this Friday, July 26. Tickets will be available online at www.SinclairTix.com, at the SinclairTix Box Office at the Casper Events Center and any statewide SinclairTix Outlet. 072319
The Casper Events Center announced Monday that Mannheim Steamroller will perform their Christmas concert in Casper on Friday, December 13th at 7:30 pm.
Tickets go on sale beginning at 10:00 am this Friday, July 26. Tickets will be available online at www.SinclairTix.com, at the SinclairTix Box Office at the Casper Events Center and any statewide SinclairTix Outlet. 072319
Wyoming counties could lose out on over $30 million in mineral production taxes owed by a bankrupt coal company following a decision by a judge.
Delaware U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Kevin Gross ruled Campbell and Converse counties don't have first priority when it comes to collecting from Cloud Peak Energy.
The ruling could make it difficult for the counties to collect. Cloud Peak currently owes more than $3.3 million dollars in Converse County, who will now have to wait in line behind other creditors.
Gillette-based Cloud Peak Energy continues to operate Antelope Coal in northern Converse County. The coal company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. 072219
Delaware U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Kevin Gross ruled Campbell and Converse counties don't have first priority when it comes to collecting from Cloud Peak Energy.
The ruling could make it difficult for the counties to collect. Cloud Peak currently owes more than $3.3 million dollars in Converse County, who will now have to wait in line behind other creditors.
Gillette-based Cloud Peak Energy continues to operate Antelope Coal in northern Converse County. The coal company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. 072219
One man is dead and another injured in a head on crash in Casper Saturday night.
The Wyoming highway Patrol says a 1992 Buick LeSabre was westbound on Wyoming Boulevard on Casper's south side when the vehicle drifted into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with a 2006 Mercedes.
The driver of the Buick died later at Wyoming Medical Center.
The driver of the Mercedes was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries.
It's the 92nd fatality on Wyoming’s roadways in 2019 072219
The Wyoming highway Patrol says a 1992 Buick LeSabre was westbound on Wyoming Boulevard on Casper's south side when the vehicle drifted into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with a 2006 Mercedes.
The driver of the Buick died later at Wyoming Medical Center.
The driver of the Mercedes was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries.
It's the 92nd fatality on Wyoming’s roadways in 2019 072219
A Wyoming woman accused of hoarding animals in squalid conditions has pleaded not guilty.
Deanne Gray is charged in Casper Municipal Court with 64 counts of animal cruelty, one count of not removing animal waste and 16 counts of not removing dead animals.
Gray pleaded not guilty Friday.
A complaint about dogs living in unsanitary conditions prompted an animal control officer to visit Gray's house. An affidavit says the officer didn't find Gray and went back July 13 with a search warrant and police, who seized about 40 dogs, 15 cats and 10 birds.
Police also allegedly found dead animals on-site. 072219
Deanne Gray is charged in Casper Municipal Court with 64 counts of animal cruelty, one count of not removing animal waste and 16 counts of not removing dead animals.
Gray pleaded not guilty Friday.
A complaint about dogs living in unsanitary conditions prompted an animal control officer to visit Gray's house. An affidavit says the officer didn't find Gray and went back July 13 with a search warrant and police, who seized about 40 dogs, 15 cats and 10 birds.
Police also allegedly found dead animals on-site. 072219
Wyoming regulators are moving ahead with proposed rule changes for oil and gas drilling permits.
Under the proposal, the first company to file for a permit would remain first in line to drill under that permit for only two years. After that, somebody else could file to drill in the same area within a limited time.
The change seeks to address a surge in applications for drilling that never happens. The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has received over 57,000 drilling permit applications since 2016 but only fraction of 11,800 permits granted have resulted in drilling.
The commission voted Tuesday to advance the proposed change through its rulemaking process.
Commission officials expect to complete the process in a year. 071019
Under the proposal, the first company to file for a permit would remain first in line to drill under that permit for only two years. After that, somebody else could file to drill in the same area within a limited time.
The change seeks to address a surge in applications for drilling that never happens. The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has received over 57,000 drilling permit applications since 2016 but only fraction of 11,800 permits granted have resulted in drilling.
The commission voted Tuesday to advance the proposed change through its rulemaking process.
Commission officials expect to complete the process in a year. 071019
A Gillette employee of Blackjewel LLC has filed a class-action lawsuit, claiming the company failed to give its employees proper notice or pay wages and benefits earned before and after Blackjewel filed for bankruptcy then abruptly shut its mines across the United States.
David Engelbrecht is seeking 60 days’ pay and benefits from Blackjewel. The lawsuit alleges workers’ rights were violated under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which requires at least 60 days written notice of a termination, along with paying outstanding wages and other earned benefits, like accrued vacation.
Court documents filed Monday afternoon with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of West Virginia.
Blackjewel management told employees on the morning of July 1 that the company was filing bankruptcy that day. Employees were abruptly told hours later to leave and were locked out of their jobs. The lockout was ordered after Blackjewel had $20 million in emergency financing pulled that was meant to carry the company through a Chapter 11 reorganization.
Nearly 600 workers were affectted at the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr mines in Campbell County. 071019
David Engelbrecht is seeking 60 days’ pay and benefits from Blackjewel. The lawsuit alleges workers’ rights were violated under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which requires at least 60 days written notice of a termination, along with paying outstanding wages and other earned benefits, like accrued vacation.
Court documents filed Monday afternoon with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of West Virginia.
Blackjewel management told employees on the morning of July 1 that the company was filing bankruptcy that day. Employees were abruptly told hours later to leave and were locked out of their jobs. The lockout was ordered after Blackjewel had $20 million in emergency financing pulled that was meant to carry the company through a Chapter 11 reorganization.
Nearly 600 workers were affectted at the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr mines in Campbell County. 071019
Another green light for a new wind farm north of Douglas.
The State of Wyoming's Industrial Siting Council issued the permit Tuesday to build the Cedar Springs Wind Project 10 miles north of Douglas.
The $490 million dollar project will build 160 wind turbines on over 70,000 acres of private and state land in Converse County. The turbines will produce up to 400 megawatts of electricity.
The project will also include transformers, electrical collector lines, access roads, meteorological towers, two operations and maintenance buildings, two substations, and a 25-mile 230-kilovolt generation-tie transmission line from the project substation to the Windstar Substation near Glenrock.
Construction should begin in the third quarter of this year and be completed by the end of 2020. Construction manpower is anticipated to peak at 265 workers in July of 2020. 070919
The State of Wyoming's Industrial Siting Council issued the permit Tuesday to build the Cedar Springs Wind Project 10 miles north of Douglas.
The $490 million dollar project will build 160 wind turbines on over 70,000 acres of private and state land in Converse County. The turbines will produce up to 400 megawatts of electricity.
The project will also include transformers, electrical collector lines, access roads, meteorological towers, two operations and maintenance buildings, two substations, and a 25-mile 230-kilovolt generation-tie transmission line from the project substation to the Windstar Substation near Glenrock.
Construction should begin in the third quarter of this year and be completed by the end of 2020. Construction manpower is anticipated to peak at 265 workers in July of 2020. 070919
Two closed coal mines at Gillette are working towards reopening.
Former-CEO Jeffrey Hoops is gone, and Blackjewel LLC’s new management team is trying to secure new financing and a bankruptcy judge’s approval by Friday to reopen the company’s mines.
Lawyers for Blackjewel told a bankruptcy court over the weekend that they hope to line up the additional financing needed to bring back all of the employees and run the mines at full capacity.
Blackjewel suddenly closed its Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr coal mines north of Gillette on July 1st after United Bank balked at a $20 million loan to keep the mines operational through a Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy proceeding.
After three days when it appeared the mines were headed for liquidation and permanent closure, energy investment group Riverstone Financial put up $5 million in emergency funding to place a skeleton safety and security crew at Blackjewel’s mines. Hoops’ resignation was a condition of that loan.
Blackjewel is now managed by David Beckman, a member of a financial consulting firm that Blackjewel (under Hoops) hired to guide the company through bankruptcy. The new management team is negotiating for fresh financing to reopen and run the mines while bankruptcy proceedings continue. 070919
Former-CEO Jeffrey Hoops is gone, and Blackjewel LLC’s new management team is trying to secure new financing and a bankruptcy judge’s approval by Friday to reopen the company’s mines.
Lawyers for Blackjewel told a bankruptcy court over the weekend that they hope to line up the additional financing needed to bring back all of the employees and run the mines at full capacity.
Blackjewel suddenly closed its Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr coal mines north of Gillette on July 1st after United Bank balked at a $20 million loan to keep the mines operational through a Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy proceeding.
After three days when it appeared the mines were headed for liquidation and permanent closure, energy investment group Riverstone Financial put up $5 million in emergency funding to place a skeleton safety and security crew at Blackjewel’s mines. Hoops’ resignation was a condition of that loan.
Blackjewel is now managed by David Beckman, a member of a financial consulting firm that Blackjewel (under Hoops) hired to guide the company through bankruptcy. The new management team is negotiating for fresh financing to reopen and run the mines while bankruptcy proceedings continue. 070919
Prosecutors say a man has admitted abducting and abusing a young girl while she was playing outside in Casper.
Thirty-two-year-old Joshua Hicks is being held on $500,000 bail.
Hicks faces one count each of aggravated kidnapping, second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and third-degree sexual-abuse of a minor. Kidnapping is punishable by up to life in prison.
The alleged victim was no older than 5.
Police arrested Hicks Thursday. 070919
Thirty-two-year-old Joshua Hicks is being held on $500,000 bail.
Hicks faces one count each of aggravated kidnapping, second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and third-degree sexual-abuse of a minor. Kidnapping is punishable by up to life in prison.
The alleged victim was no older than 5.
Police arrested Hicks Thursday. 070919
Another large Wyoming coal producer has filed bankruptcy, operations have been shut down, and about 600 coal miners are out of work.
Blackjewel LLC operated the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayre mines just north of Gillette and several other U.S. coal properties.
The West Virginia-based company filed for Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy Monday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for southern West Virginia. About a half an hour after the filings, Blackjewel sent their miners home. Blackjewel's bankruptcy proposal had been rejected consequently denying the company of $20 million dollars in emergency funding to extend it’s operations.
The bankruptcy comes three days after Blackjewel missed a $1 million tax payment owed to Campbell County.
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is scheduled to assess the environmental aspects of the closures. The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office will assist in this effort.
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services will be in town Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 at the campus of Gillette College.
BNSF Railroad has been contacted and apprised of the situation.
Eagle Butte ranks fourth and Belle Ayr sixth among the top-producing U.S. coal mines. The mines produced over 33 million short tons of coal in 2017 and have nearly 600 workers.
Several Wyoming coal producers including Arch Coal, Peabody Energy and Cloud Peak Energy have filed for bankruptcy in recent years amid diminished demand for coal-fired electricity. 070219
Blackjewel LLC operated the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayre mines just north of Gillette and several other U.S. coal properties.
The West Virginia-based company filed for Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy Monday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for southern West Virginia. About a half an hour after the filings, Blackjewel sent their miners home. Blackjewel's bankruptcy proposal had been rejected consequently denying the company of $20 million dollars in emergency funding to extend it’s operations.
The bankruptcy comes three days after Blackjewel missed a $1 million tax payment owed to Campbell County.
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is scheduled to assess the environmental aspects of the closures. The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office will assist in this effort.
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services will be in town Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 at the campus of Gillette College.
BNSF Railroad has been contacted and apprised of the situation.
Eagle Butte ranks fourth and Belle Ayr sixth among the top-producing U.S. coal mines. The mines produced over 33 million short tons of coal in 2017 and have nearly 600 workers.
Several Wyoming coal producers including Arch Coal, Peabody Energy and Cloud Peak Energy have filed for bankruptcy in recent years amid diminished demand for coal-fired electricity. 070219
Wyoming will receive $30.2 million from the federal government to compensate for federal land that can't be taxed locally.
U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt announced the PILT payment this past week.
It will be distributed among Wyoming's 23 counties where there's land owned by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and other federal entities.
The payments are based on the number of federal acres within each county and the county's population.
Checks range from $3.45 million for Sweetwater County, to just over $26 thousand dollars to Laramie County. Natrona County gets $3,725,447. Converse County receives a little over $985 thousand dollars in payments in lieu of taxes. 062419
U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt announced the PILT payment this past week.
It will be distributed among Wyoming's 23 counties where there's land owned by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and other federal entities.
The payments are based on the number of federal acres within each county and the county's population.
Checks range from $3.45 million for Sweetwater County, to just over $26 thousand dollars to Laramie County. Natrona County gets $3,725,447. Converse County receives a little over $985 thousand dollars in payments in lieu of taxes. 062419
One of Wyoming's busiest airports will get more than $2.5 million for renovations.
The state loan will enable Casper/Natrona County International Airport to expand its holding gate and renovate the interior with new furniture, bathrooms and fixtures.
Plans also call for better water and sewer systems.
Airport director Glenn Januska says more space could mean more business. Januska says the airport has seen a 5% increase in passengers since last year.
The money comes from Wyoming's Aeronautics Loan Program. The 20-year loan carries a 5% interest rate. 062419
The state loan will enable Casper/Natrona County International Airport to expand its holding gate and renovate the interior with new furniture, bathrooms and fixtures.
Plans also call for better water and sewer systems.
Airport director Glenn Januska says more space could mean more business. Januska says the airport has seen a 5% increase in passengers since last year.
The money comes from Wyoming's Aeronautics Loan Program. The 20-year loan carries a 5% interest rate. 062419
No sparklers in Casper for the 4th.
The Casper City Council on Tuesday rejected a proposal by one of its members to loosen Natrona County's ban on certain consumer fireworks within the city limits.
During a work session, council member Ken Bates said the city should allow residents to be able to light up sparklers, smoke bombs, poppers and similar nonaerial fireworks as long as they take precautions such as igniting them on a concrete pad with water nearby.
However, most council members did not agree.
Tim Cortez, the city's parks and recreation director, said poppers throw out sparks, and sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. 061319
The Casper City Council on Tuesday rejected a proposal by one of its members to loosen Natrona County's ban on certain consumer fireworks within the city limits.
During a work session, council member Ken Bates said the city should allow residents to be able to light up sparklers, smoke bombs, poppers and similar nonaerial fireworks as long as they take precautions such as igniting them on a concrete pad with water nearby.
However, most council members did not agree.
Tim Cortez, the city's parks and recreation director, said poppers throw out sparks, and sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. 061319
The Town of Mills and the Mills Professional Firefighters have reached an agreement to keep a full-time fire staff for the next year.
They were able to establish a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the union which will make more personnel available in Mills and will reduce costs “by re-establishing a paid per call volunteer component of the department.”
With plans now secure to continue providing fire and emergency services to Mills, the Town Council still needs to pass a Fiscal Year 2020 budget.
The Council will hold a final budget hearing on Tuesday, June 18. 061019
They were able to establish a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the union which will make more personnel available in Mills and will reduce costs “by re-establishing a paid per call volunteer component of the department.”
With plans now secure to continue providing fire and emergency services to Mills, the Town Council still needs to pass a Fiscal Year 2020 budget.
The Council will hold a final budget hearing on Tuesday, June 18. 061019
Construction plans are moving ahead for a major new pipeline to deliver oil to points south.
Phillips 66 and Bridger Pipeline LLC announced that they have formed a 50/50 joint venture, Liberty Pipeline LLC, and are proceeding with construction of the Liberty Pipeline.
The 24-inch pipeline will provide crude oil transportation service from the Powder River Basin, the Bakken and the Rockies production areas to the Cushing, Oklahoma hub.
Initial service on the 350,000 barrel-a-day pipeline is targeted for the first quarter of 2021. The project is expected to cost approximately $1.6 billion. 061219
Phillips 66 and Bridger Pipeline LLC announced that they have formed a 50/50 joint venture, Liberty Pipeline LLC, and are proceeding with construction of the Liberty Pipeline.
The 24-inch pipeline will provide crude oil transportation service from the Powder River Basin, the Bakken and the Rockies production areas to the Cushing, Oklahoma hub.
Initial service on the 350,000 barrel-a-day pipeline is targeted for the first quarter of 2021. The project is expected to cost approximately $1.6 billion. 061219
After almost eight years, Ryan Smith is returning to Alaska.
In a press release this morning, The Board of Trustees of Memorial Hospital of Converse County announced that they have accepted the resignation of hospital CEO Ryan Smith, who plans to leave the hospital at the end of the summer. Smith will become CEO at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, AK.
MHCC Board Chair Bob Kayser said Smith provided the leadership necessary for Memorial Hospital to stabilize primary care, construct a new Medical Office Building, and expand specialty and surgical services across the region.
Smith said he worked as chief financial officer in Homer, Alaska twenty-one years ago and it's been his dream to return there some day.
Memorial Hospital of Converse County will announce an interim CEO in the coming weeks as they prepare to search for a permanent CEO. 051419
In a press release this morning, The Board of Trustees of Memorial Hospital of Converse County announced that they have accepted the resignation of hospital CEO Ryan Smith, who plans to leave the hospital at the end of the summer. Smith will become CEO at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, AK.
MHCC Board Chair Bob Kayser said Smith provided the leadership necessary for Memorial Hospital to stabilize primary care, construct a new Medical Office Building, and expand specialty and surgical services across the region.
Smith said he worked as chief financial officer in Homer, Alaska twenty-one years ago and it's been his dream to return there some day.
Memorial Hospital of Converse County will announce an interim CEO in the coming weeks as they prepare to search for a permanent CEO. 051419
A major oil company continues to grow in Converse County.
Oil and gas producer Chesapeake Energy Corp on Wednesday reported better-than-expected quarterly production and said it expects growth in the second half to get a boost from the less-crowded Powder River Basin here in eastern Wyoming.
Reuters News agency reports Chesapeake has been moving money from its Marcellus Shale and Mid-Continent areas to the Powder River Basin, which hit a record of 42,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in May.
The company now expects to put on sale output from eight more wells in the basin during the third and fourth quarters.
Oil companies have been looking to buy into the Powder River Basin, where pipelines are not congested and land is cheaper than the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico. 050819
Oil and gas producer Chesapeake Energy Corp on Wednesday reported better-than-expected quarterly production and said it expects growth in the second half to get a boost from the less-crowded Powder River Basin here in eastern Wyoming.
Reuters News agency reports Chesapeake has been moving money from its Marcellus Shale and Mid-Continent areas to the Powder River Basin, which hit a record of 42,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in May.
The company now expects to put on sale output from eight more wells in the basin during the third and fourth quarters.
Oil companies have been looking to buy into the Powder River Basin, where pipelines are not congested and land is cheaper than the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico. 050819
This Friday is the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad.
The Rails to Trails Conservancy celebrated this week by announcing their preferred route for the Great American Rail Trail, a 3700 mile multi-use trail, completely separate from vehicle traffic, that will stretch across 12 states from Washington DC to Seattle Washington. The trails are built on old railroad rights-of-way, which feature easy grades for good walking and riding.
1900 miles of the trail already exists, including the six-mile Casper Rail Trail and the two-mile Al's Way in Glenrock. Both are a part of the old Chicago and Northwestern right of way.
The Great American Rail Trail's preferred route across the nation comes across the Nebraska panhandle on the old Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley right-of-way, passing through Chadron, Crawford, Lusk and Douglas.
More information is available at Great American Rail Trail.org. 050819
The Rails to Trails Conservancy celebrated this week by announcing their preferred route for the Great American Rail Trail, a 3700 mile multi-use trail, completely separate from vehicle traffic, that will stretch across 12 states from Washington DC to Seattle Washington. The trails are built on old railroad rights-of-way, which feature easy grades for good walking and riding.
1900 miles of the trail already exists, including the six-mile Casper Rail Trail and the two-mile Al's Way in Glenrock. Both are a part of the old Chicago and Northwestern right of way.
The Great American Rail Trail's preferred route across the nation comes across the Nebraska panhandle on the old Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley right-of-way, passing through Chadron, Crawford, Lusk and Douglas.
More information is available at Great American Rail Trail.org. 050819
No Old Dominion concert in Casper.
Spectra Venue Management at the Casper Events Center has announced that the April 10th Old Dominion “Make It Sweet” Tour stop in Casper will not be rescheduled. The concert was postponed due to unsafe weather conditions. Old Dominion’s current touring schedule won’t allow for a return to the Casper area until 2020 or 2021.
So, all fans that have purchased tickets will be refunded. If you bought tickets with a Credit Card, you don't have to do anything... a credit will be processed to the credit card of purchase. Tickets purchased by credit card do not need to be returned to the SinclairTix Box Office. Your credit should show up on your statement within 7 to 10 business days.
If tickets were purchased by cash, the tickets will need to be returned to the SinclairTix Box Office, where customers will need to present ID and sign a voucher for the cash refund. Please call the Box Office at (307) 577-3030 or 800-442-2256 for more information.042419
Spectra Venue Management at the Casper Events Center has announced that the April 10th Old Dominion “Make It Sweet” Tour stop in Casper will not be rescheduled. The concert was postponed due to unsafe weather conditions. Old Dominion’s current touring schedule won’t allow for a return to the Casper area until 2020 or 2021.
So, all fans that have purchased tickets will be refunded. If you bought tickets with a Credit Card, you don't have to do anything... a credit will be processed to the credit card of purchase. Tickets purchased by credit card do not need to be returned to the SinclairTix Box Office. Your credit should show up on your statement within 7 to 10 business days.
If tickets were purchased by cash, the tickets will need to be returned to the SinclairTix Box Office, where customers will need to present ID and sign a voucher for the cash refund. Please call the Box Office at (307) 577-3030 or 800-442-2256 for more information.042419
Wyoming Downs plans to open a new para-mutuel horse race wagering facility in the former Applebee’s building in Evansville.
General Manager Eric Nelson said the new location will feature 80 vending terminals. The company is also applying for a liquor license to offer a full-service bar.
Pending approval by the Natrona County Commissioners, Nelson said they’re planning to open the new facility on June 1.
Wyoming Downs already operates nine other wagering facilities in the state. 040219
General Manager Eric Nelson said the new location will feature 80 vending terminals. The company is also applying for a liquor license to offer a full-service bar.
Pending approval by the Natrona County Commissioners, Nelson said they’re planning to open the new facility on June 1.
Wyoming Downs already operates nine other wagering facilities in the state. 040219
Casper College reports growing enrollment numbers for the first time in almost a decade.
As of Monday, there were 3,616 students enrolled for the spring semester at the community college. That’s up more than 200 students from the end of the fall 2018 semester. It also puts the school on pace to have the most students enrolled at a semester’s end in at least two years.
About 38 percent of Casper College's students are full-timers.
Casper College's enrollment numbers peaked in the fall 2009 at just over 4,600 students. 040219
As of Monday, there were 3,616 students enrolled for the spring semester at the community college. That’s up more than 200 students from the end of the fall 2018 semester. It also puts the school on pace to have the most students enrolled at a semester’s end in at least two years.
About 38 percent of Casper College's students are full-timers.
Casper College's enrollment numbers peaked in the fall 2009 at just over 4,600 students. 040219
A convoy from Wyoming will deliver aid to residents affected by flooding in the Midwest.
Casper resident Jordan Farley said he and some other citizen volunteers will be taking donated items to assist in disaster relief efforts in Nebraska.
Farley said the volunteers have five vehicles and some trailers to haul the donations to Nebraska and possibly into Iowa.
Suggested items needed in the flood area include water, non-perishable food items, baby food and formula.
Donations can be dropped off in Casper, at Color Palette Salon, and 307 Motors.
In Glenrock Renegade Off-Road and Driveline Repair, .
In Douglas, the College Inn, and the Plains Motel and Trading Post, are accepting donations.
In Lusk, the drop-off spot is the Lusk Herald, located at 227 South Main Street.
In Guernsey, the drop of location is 327 South Iowa Avenue. 032119
Casper resident Jordan Farley said he and some other citizen volunteers will be taking donated items to assist in disaster relief efforts in Nebraska.
Farley said the volunteers have five vehicles and some trailers to haul the donations to Nebraska and possibly into Iowa.
Suggested items needed in the flood area include water, non-perishable food items, baby food and formula.
Donations can be dropped off in Casper, at Color Palette Salon, and 307 Motors.
In Glenrock Renegade Off-Road and Driveline Repair, .
In Douglas, the College Inn, and the Plains Motel and Trading Post, are accepting donations.
In Lusk, the drop-off spot is the Lusk Herald, located at 227 South Main Street.
In Guernsey, the drop of location is 327 South Iowa Avenue. 032119
Swimming and boating season are not quite here yet, but the filling of a popular recreation reservoir is about to start .
The Bureau of Reclamation says they'll begin filling the Alcova reservoir on April 1. People choosing to recreate at Alcova at that time are advised to take proper precautions associated with the rising water level.
Alcova will rise roughly 10 feet at a rate of five inches per day.
When the reservoir reaches its irrigation level, it will be at 5,498 elevation give or take a foot.
The increase will be completed by May 1 to allow farmers to utilize the Casper-Alcova Irrigation District Canal. 032119
The Bureau of Reclamation says they'll begin filling the Alcova reservoir on April 1. People choosing to recreate at Alcova at that time are advised to take proper precautions associated with the rising water level.
Alcova will rise roughly 10 feet at a rate of five inches per day.
When the reservoir reaches its irrigation level, it will be at 5,498 elevation give or take a foot.
The increase will be completed by May 1 to allow farmers to utilize the Casper-Alcova Irrigation District Canal. 032119
Following last week's snowstorm, Wyoming forecasters are keeping an eye on the potential for spring flooding.
The National Weather Service in Riverton issued their Wyoming spring snowmelt flood potential outlook on Monday, March 18th.
It showed mountain snowpack and associated snow water equivalents across most of Wyoming were generally above average. Snow water equivalents at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations of 8,500’ – 10,000’ were the highest across the Little Snake, Upper North Platte, and Laramie Basins at 120 to 130 percent of median.
Moderate potential for snowmelt runoff flooding is forecast along the lower portions of the Upper North Platte River Basin near Saratoga and along the lower portions of the Laramie Watershed near Laramie.
The snowmelt flood potential outlook on the Northern Laramie Range, north of Laramie Peak to Douglas and Casper, was generally still showing low to moderate potential for flooding. 032019
The National Weather Service in Riverton issued their Wyoming spring snowmelt flood potential outlook on Monday, March 18th.
It showed mountain snowpack and associated snow water equivalents across most of Wyoming were generally above average. Snow water equivalents at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations of 8,500’ – 10,000’ were the highest across the Little Snake, Upper North Platte, and Laramie Basins at 120 to 130 percent of median.
Moderate potential for snowmelt runoff flooding is forecast along the lower portions of the Upper North Platte River Basin near Saratoga and along the lower portions of the Laramie Watershed near Laramie.
The snowmelt flood potential outlook on the Northern Laramie Range, north of Laramie Peak to Douglas and Casper, was generally still showing low to moderate potential for flooding. 032019
Wyoming's small towns are losing their general store.
Shopko announced Monday that they are closing all of remaining stores by mid June.
They announced they were unable to find a buyer for the business and will begin an orderly wind-down of their retail operations beginning this week.
The company will not move forward with the auction that it previously contemplated and a liquidation process will be conclude 10-12 weeks from now.
Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Shopko operated more than 360 stores in 26 states throughout the Central, Western and Pacific Northwest regions.
The Shopko stores in Newcastle, Wheatland, Torrington, and Douglas are among the stores set to close by mid-June. 031819
Shopko announced Monday that they are closing all of remaining stores by mid June.
They announced they were unable to find a buyer for the business and will begin an orderly wind-down of their retail operations beginning this week.
The company will not move forward with the auction that it previously contemplated and a liquidation process will be conclude 10-12 weeks from now.
Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Shopko operated more than 360 stores in 26 states throughout the Central, Western and Pacific Northwest regions.
The Shopko stores in Newcastle, Wheatland, Torrington, and Douglas are among the stores set to close by mid-June. 031819
A Colorado man is in custody following a pursuit which took place during Wednesday's blizzard north of Casper on Interstate 25.
27-year old Randy Duran of Commerce City, Colorado, was arrested after fleeing a traffic stop on Interstate 25, which was closed at the time.
Duran had an active warrant for his arrest out of Colorado. As a result of this chase, he faces charges of eluding, driving under suspension, running road closed gate, reckless driving, warrant for arrest, as well as felony charges.
Duran was booked into the Natrona County Jail. 031519
27-year old Randy Duran of Commerce City, Colorado, was arrested after fleeing a traffic stop on Interstate 25, which was closed at the time.
Duran had an active warrant for his arrest out of Colorado. As a result of this chase, he faces charges of eluding, driving under suspension, running road closed gate, reckless driving, warrant for arrest, as well as felony charges.
Duran was booked into the Natrona County Jail. 031519
The City of Casper has filed a federal lawsuit accusing opioid manufacturers and distributors of misrepresenting the addictive properties of their prescription painkillers.
The city joins a growing list of governments nationwide filing similar suits. In Wyoming, the state, the Northern Arapahoe Tribe and Carbon County have sued.
Casper's lawsuit seeks millions of dollars for the cost of care for Casper residents and the city's cost for related to opioid addiction.
Mayor Charlie Powell says many young people have died prematurely because of opioids. He says the lawsuit is intended to get drug companies to change their practices as well as to pay compensation.
The lawsuit will initially be combined with others in Cleveland federal court, but Casper can have it moved back to Wyoming for a trial. 021119
The city joins a growing list of governments nationwide filing similar suits. In Wyoming, the state, the Northern Arapahoe Tribe and Carbon County have sued.
Casper's lawsuit seeks millions of dollars for the cost of care for Casper residents and the city's cost for related to opioid addiction.
Mayor Charlie Powell says many young people have died prematurely because of opioids. He says the lawsuit is intended to get drug companies to change their practices as well as to pay compensation.
The lawsuit will initially be combined with others in Cleveland federal court, but Casper can have it moved back to Wyoming for a trial. 021119
Several proposals that would raise taxes on wind energy in Wyoming have died in the state Legislature.
The bills included one to raise the $1 per megawatt hour tax to $4 per megawatt hour and another to add $4 to the existing tax for a total of $5 per megawatt hour.
A third proposal that would have imposed a five-year escalating tax also died.
The wind tax may still come up again in a different forum. Republican Sen. Cale Case, of Lander, has been a proponent of raising the tax for years and has encouraged an initiative attempt to put the wind tax on the ballot in 2020.
The wind energy business is alive and well here in Converse County
Construction is slated to begin this spring on Rocky Mountain Power's 400 MW Cedar Springs wind project north of Douglas. The wind farm will have more than 150 turbines, and will be located north of I-25 and west of the Energy Highway, Highway 59. 020519
The bills included one to raise the $1 per megawatt hour tax to $4 per megawatt hour and another to add $4 to the existing tax for a total of $5 per megawatt hour.
A third proposal that would have imposed a five-year escalating tax also died.
The wind tax may still come up again in a different forum. Republican Sen. Cale Case, of Lander, has been a proponent of raising the tax for years and has encouraged an initiative attempt to put the wind tax on the ballot in 2020.
The wind energy business is alive and well here in Converse County
Construction is slated to begin this spring on Rocky Mountain Power's 400 MW Cedar Springs wind project north of Douglas. The wind farm will have more than 150 turbines, and will be located north of I-25 and west of the Energy Highway, Highway 59. 020519
Wyoming beef is finding its way to dinner tables in Taiwan.
Chester Chu is director of the Wyoming-Asia Pacific Trade Office. Chu says Taiwan relies completely on imported beef. He said is a growing middle class with disposable income, plus an increasing taste and demand for American beef. Chu says retail price for beef in Taiwan is likely to more than make up for the cost of exporting it.
The state opened the Wyoming-Asia Pacific Trade Office in Taipei, Taiwan, and hired Chu in the fall of 2018 after the Legislature allocated money from the state’s general fund to encourage the export of products and services from Wyoming to national and international markets. Chu made his first visit to Wyoming last week. He will make another trip later this year.
More details on this story from the Wyoming Business Council. 013019
Chester Chu is director of the Wyoming-Asia Pacific Trade Office. Chu says Taiwan relies completely on imported beef. He said is a growing middle class with disposable income, plus an increasing taste and demand for American beef. Chu says retail price for beef in Taiwan is likely to more than make up for the cost of exporting it.
The state opened the Wyoming-Asia Pacific Trade Office in Taipei, Taiwan, and hired Chu in the fall of 2018 after the Legislature allocated money from the state’s general fund to encourage the export of products and services from Wyoming to national and international markets. Chu made his first visit to Wyoming last week. He will make another trip later this year.
More details on this story from the Wyoming Business Council. 013019
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon is looking at at least three potential sites for the experimental coal-generating plant he wants to build in the state.
Governor Gordon said Friday that the Integrated Test Center near Gillette is one possibility. The other potential sites include the Dave Johnston Power Plant at Glenrock and the Jim Bridger Plant in Sweetwater County.
Gordon has asked state lawmakers for $10 million to build a 5-megawatt plant that would be capable of capturing at least 75 percent of its carbon emissions.
The money would be used to leverage up to $40 million in federal grant funding to supplement the work of the test center, a research facility at the Dry Fork Station power plant. 012019
Governor Gordon said Friday that the Integrated Test Center near Gillette is one possibility. The other potential sites include the Dave Johnston Power Plant at Glenrock and the Jim Bridger Plant in Sweetwater County.
Gordon has asked state lawmakers for $10 million to build a 5-megawatt plant that would be capable of capturing at least 75 percent of its carbon emissions.
The money would be used to leverage up to $40 million in federal grant funding to supplement the work of the test center, a research facility at the Dry Fork Station power plant. 012019
A Casper police officer who was shot multiple times in a deadly gunfight will retire from the department at the end of the month.
27-year-old Jacob Carlson is retiring to focus on his health and his family, saying "both my physical and mental health have steadily declined."
Carlson was wounded in a May 6 shootout with 38-year-old David Wolosin, who was shot and killed during the encounter. The officer received more than 100 units of blood and underwent multiple surgeries.
Prosecutors have since determined that actions by Casper police during the shooting were justified.
Carlson says he considered retiring last summer but decided not to. In December, he went on a ride-along with a friend from the department and had decided to retire by the time the shift was over. 011619
27-year-old Jacob Carlson is retiring to focus on his health and his family, saying "both my physical and mental health have steadily declined."
Carlson was wounded in a May 6 shootout with 38-year-old David Wolosin, who was shot and killed during the encounter. The officer received more than 100 units of blood and underwent multiple surgeries.
Prosecutors have since determined that actions by Casper police during the shooting were justified.
Carlson says he considered retiring last summer but decided not to. In December, he went on a ride-along with a friend from the department and had decided to retire by the time the shift was over. 011619
Casper's Parkway Plaza hotel will be sold at auction this Thursday.
The sale is part of a foreclosure proceeding against its current owners, CRU Casper, which is owned by a California real estate group.
The Parkway Plaza closed for renovations in October pending an announced sale. The foreclosure notice stated that the owners had defaulted on the terms of its mortgage.
The 301-room hotel was built as the world's largest Ramada Inn in 1966, and has the Oil City's largest convention facilities.
The property has been struggling financially.
The forclosure sale will take place Thursday morning at 10 AM at the Natrona County Courthouse. 120518
The sale is part of a foreclosure proceeding against its current owners, CRU Casper, which is owned by a California real estate group.
The Parkway Plaza closed for renovations in October pending an announced sale. The foreclosure notice stated that the owners had defaulted on the terms of its mortgage.
The 301-room hotel was built as the world's largest Ramada Inn in 1966, and has the Oil City's largest convention facilities.
The property has been struggling financially.
The forclosure sale will take place Thursday morning at 10 AM at the Natrona County Courthouse. 120518
A man convicted of shooting at Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers during a high-speed chase west of Casper has been sentenced to five to seven years in prison.
Zachery Whiteman was sentenced Tuesday in Natrona County after he was convicted of two felonies.
According to court documents, Whiteman fired two shots at troopers in April.
Prosecutor Dan Itzen told the court that Whiteman would have gotten off with a traffic ticket if he would have stopped after running a red light.
Whiteman told the court that he regretted his actions, and he asked for leniency so he could treat the post-traumatic stress disorder he developed while deployed in Iraq.
Defense attorney Jakob Norman told the court that Whiteman experienced a "triggering event" the night of the chase. 120518
Zachery Whiteman was sentenced Tuesday in Natrona County after he was convicted of two felonies.
According to court documents, Whiteman fired two shots at troopers in April.
Prosecutor Dan Itzen told the court that Whiteman would have gotten off with a traffic ticket if he would have stopped after running a red light.
Whiteman told the court that he regretted his actions, and he asked for leniency so he could treat the post-traumatic stress disorder he developed while deployed in Iraq.
Defense attorney Jakob Norman told the court that Whiteman experienced a "triggering event" the night of the chase. 120518
Demolition has begun in preparation for construction of a new State Office Building on West Collins Drive in Casper.
Lots across the street from the Natrona County High School football stadium are being cleared to build a new 110 thousand square foot complex that will allow Wyoming state agencies to be found in one location, instead of being spread across the city.
There's also room on the 11 acres of land for additions or another building in the future if needed.
The new office complex at 444 West Collins Drive is scheduled for completion in 2021. 112818
Lots across the street from the Natrona County High School football stadium are being cleared to build a new 110 thousand square foot complex that will allow Wyoming state agencies to be found in one location, instead of being spread across the city.
There's also room on the 11 acres of land for additions or another building in the future if needed.
The new office complex at 444 West Collins Drive is scheduled for completion in 2021. 112818
Two men were arrested in Casper Sunday afternoon for impersonating Salvation Army bell ringers.
Store employees at the Wal Mart on East Second Street said the men were ringing a bell, collecting money from donors and putting it in their pockets.
The police report said a Salvation Army lieutenant was at the store and said that he had never seen either man before, and neither man was identified as working for the Salvation Army. It's the policy of the Salvation Army to never collect store donations on Sunday, to never touch the money, and to never put donations into a collector’s pocket.
Both men were given a recommended charge of False or Misleading Solicitation. One man was also charged with shoplifting a flashlight at the store. 112718
Store employees at the Wal Mart on East Second Street said the men were ringing a bell, collecting money from donors and putting it in their pockets.
The police report said a Salvation Army lieutenant was at the store and said that he had never seen either man before, and neither man was identified as working for the Salvation Army. It's the policy of the Salvation Army to never collect store donations on Sunday, to never touch the money, and to never put donations into a collector’s pocket.
Both men were given a recommended charge of False or Misleading Solicitation. One man was also charged with shoplifting a flashlight at the store. 112718
A splash pad is becoming an ice rink in downtown Casper.
The transformation has begun at Casper's David Street Station, where a two-inch layer of ice is being created in the area where sprinklers run to cool kids off in the summertime.
The outdoor ice will be maintained and chilled through the season, and skate rentals will be available.
Casper's community Christmas Tree will be placed in the center of the ice rink late this week. 111318
The transformation has begun at Casper's David Street Station, where a two-inch layer of ice is being created in the area where sprinklers run to cool kids off in the summertime.
The outdoor ice will be maintained and chilled through the season, and skate rentals will be available.
Casper's community Christmas Tree will be placed in the center of the ice rink late this week. 111318
Voters cast their ballots across the nation and across Wyoming on Tuesday.
Contested races in Natrona County, House District 36 goes to Art Washut, Chuck Gray wins district 57 and Bunky Loucks wins in district 59.
The three Republicans take the tree seats open on the Natrona County Commission... they are Jim Milne, Paul Bertoglio and Robert Hendry.
Casper City Council Ward I winners are Khrystyn Lutz and Michael Huber. Shawn Johnson and Kenneth Bates win in Ward II, and Ray Pacheco and Steven Freel win in Ward III.
Teri Kelly and Robert Hoover win the two seats on the Bar Nunn town council.
Seth Coleman beats Mike Pyatt for Mayor of the Town of Mills.
Four seats up for grabs on the Natrona County School Board... they go to Debbie Mccullar, David Applegate, Kianna Smith and Clark Jensen.
Both the optional 1% sales and use tax and the 4% lodging tax will remain in effect. Both passed with strong support. 110618
Contested races in Natrona County, House District 36 goes to Art Washut, Chuck Gray wins district 57 and Bunky Loucks wins in district 59.
The three Republicans take the tree seats open on the Natrona County Commission... they are Jim Milne, Paul Bertoglio and Robert Hendry.
Casper City Council Ward I winners are Khrystyn Lutz and Michael Huber. Shawn Johnson and Kenneth Bates win in Ward II, and Ray Pacheco and Steven Freel win in Ward III.
Teri Kelly and Robert Hoover win the two seats on the Bar Nunn town council.
Seth Coleman beats Mike Pyatt for Mayor of the Town of Mills.
Four seats up for grabs on the Natrona County School Board... they go to Debbie Mccullar, David Applegate, Kianna Smith and Clark Jensen.
Both the optional 1% sales and use tax and the 4% lodging tax will remain in effect. Both passed with strong support. 110618
Ballots are counted in Converse County, and the people have made their choices.
In general election polling on Tuesday, Douglas residents have chosen current city councilwoman Rene Kemper to serve as the next mayor of the City of Douglas. Kemper received 1197 votes on Tuesday. Phil Romero received 682 votes.
For city council, two seats were open, and voters gave newcomer Kim Pexton 1121 votes, and incumbent John Bartling 1031. Karl Hertz got 906 votes. Pexton and Bartling will take the two available seats.
A third seat on the council will come open when Kemper begins her job as mayor, and the council will then choose someone to fill the remainder of her term. Speculation has it that either Hertz or Romero could be named to the soon-to-be-open seat, since both showed interest in a job with city government, or the council could name someone else.
In the town of Glenrock, current Councilman Bruce Roumell will move into the mayors chair, as he beat Linda Care-Smith 565 to 264.
Two seats were open on the Glenrock town council, and it's the same situation as in Douglas... a third seat will come open for appointment when Roumell becomes mayor.
The top vote getters for Glenrock Town Council were Annabelle "Boots" Faunce with 612 and Roy Kincaid with 403. Faunce and Kincaid will be seated on the town council. Tiffany Larramendy received 333 votes, and Russ Dalgarn got 209.
Four candidates were running for two open seats on the CCSD 2 school board in Glenrock... the top vote getters were Casey Tillard and Tracy Bopp.
Four people running for two seats as Conservation District rural supervisors... Sharon Lovett and Doug Horner win those slots.
Five people running for three open seats on the Glenrock hospital board... those go to Melody Dugan, Sharon Burns and Linda Care-Smith.
And a strong write in campaign for the newly-created senior citizens board trustees, but non of the write-ins got enough votes to challenge the names on the ballot. The five who'll serve as trustees are Tim Ricker, Billy Canday, Joanne Desmarais, Kathy Patceg and Ron Yates.
Tax issues, both the optional 5th cent sales tax and the lodging tax were passed again and will remain in effect in Converse County.
72 percent voter turnout in Converse County for Tuesday's general election. The county marked 6936 registered voters, and exactly 5000 ballots were filled out and turned in. 110618
In general election polling on Tuesday, Douglas residents have chosen current city councilwoman Rene Kemper to serve as the next mayor of the City of Douglas. Kemper received 1197 votes on Tuesday. Phil Romero received 682 votes.
For city council, two seats were open, and voters gave newcomer Kim Pexton 1121 votes, and incumbent John Bartling 1031. Karl Hertz got 906 votes. Pexton and Bartling will take the two available seats.
A third seat on the council will come open when Kemper begins her job as mayor, and the council will then choose someone to fill the remainder of her term. Speculation has it that either Hertz or Romero could be named to the soon-to-be-open seat, since both showed interest in a job with city government, or the council could name someone else.
In the town of Glenrock, current Councilman Bruce Roumell will move into the mayors chair, as he beat Linda Care-Smith 565 to 264.
Two seats were open on the Glenrock town council, and it's the same situation as in Douglas... a third seat will come open for appointment when Roumell becomes mayor.
The top vote getters for Glenrock Town Council were Annabelle "Boots" Faunce with 612 and Roy Kincaid with 403. Faunce and Kincaid will be seated on the town council. Tiffany Larramendy received 333 votes, and Russ Dalgarn got 209.
Four candidates were running for two open seats on the CCSD 2 school board in Glenrock... the top vote getters were Casey Tillard and Tracy Bopp.
Four people running for two seats as Conservation District rural supervisors... Sharon Lovett and Doug Horner win those slots.
Five people running for three open seats on the Glenrock hospital board... those go to Melody Dugan, Sharon Burns and Linda Care-Smith.
And a strong write in campaign for the newly-created senior citizens board trustees, but non of the write-ins got enough votes to challenge the names on the ballot. The five who'll serve as trustees are Tim Ricker, Billy Canday, Joanne Desmarais, Kathy Patceg and Ron Yates.
Tax issues, both the optional 5th cent sales tax and the lodging tax were passed again and will remain in effect in Converse County.
72 percent voter turnout in Converse County for Tuesday's general election. The county marked 6936 registered voters, and exactly 5000 ballots were filled out and turned in. 110618
Parkway Plaza Hotel in Casper has been sold again, and has been closed for renovations.
50 employees have been laid off. Hotel management says they anticipate offering the laid off workers their jobs back when renovations are complete in April.
The hotel, which has been at the center of the effort to bring a larger conference venue to Casper, has been plagued with difficulties in recent years.
Longtime owner Pat Sweeney sold the Parkway to a Texas-based company in 2008, but after that firm failed to meet certain conditions, Sweeney took control of the property again. He sold the hotel to CRU Casper in 2015. That company is itself owned by a California corporation.
With 42,000 square feet of convention space, the Parkway Plaza was by far Casper’s largest convention venue.
The Parkway Plaza Casper was built in 1966 as the world's largest Ramada Inn hotel. 110218
50 employees have been laid off. Hotel management says they anticipate offering the laid off workers their jobs back when renovations are complete in April.
The hotel, which has been at the center of the effort to bring a larger conference venue to Casper, has been plagued with difficulties in recent years.
Longtime owner Pat Sweeney sold the Parkway to a Texas-based company in 2008, but after that firm failed to meet certain conditions, Sweeney took control of the property again. He sold the hotel to CRU Casper in 2015. That company is itself owned by a California corporation.
With 42,000 square feet of convention space, the Parkway Plaza was by far Casper’s largest convention venue.
The Parkway Plaza Casper was built in 1966 as the world's largest Ramada Inn hotel. 110218
A Douglas doctor is honored as a regional educator.
The University of Washington Department of Medicine has named John Thalken, M.D. as a recipient of the 2017-2018 WWAMI Excellence in Teaching Faculty Award.
Dr. Thalken is one of six recipients that were selected for this award from more than 325 University of Washington clinical faculty members in the Department of Medicine from the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI). The recognition is based on medical student nominations and committee selection for “demonstrated enthusiasm and dedication to the teaching of medical students and residents.”
Dr. Thalken is an Internist at Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas. 103018
The University of Washington Department of Medicine has named John Thalken, M.D. as a recipient of the 2017-2018 WWAMI Excellence in Teaching Faculty Award.
Dr. Thalken is one of six recipients that were selected for this award from more than 325 University of Washington clinical faculty members in the Department of Medicine from the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI). The recognition is based on medical student nominations and committee selection for “demonstrated enthusiasm and dedication to the teaching of medical students and residents.”
Dr. Thalken is an Internist at Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas. 103018
A more comfortable seat for your next concert or sporting event.
The Casper Events Center has begun installation of new seats in the arena.
The new, navy blue seats are a full two feet wide, 3 1/2 inches wider than the old seats, and add 3” of additional leg room. The seats are finished with padded cushions and backs, and a flip-up armrest with cup holder is an added amenity.
When Spectra Venue Management took over management of the Casper Events Center two years ago, one of the first goals was to improve patron accessibility and comfort.
Modified ADA seating areas are also being installed at the Casper Events Center.
The first official show in the new seats will be the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation Championship on Friday, November 9th. 103018
The Casper Events Center has begun installation of new seats in the arena.
The new, navy blue seats are a full two feet wide, 3 1/2 inches wider than the old seats, and add 3” of additional leg room. The seats are finished with padded cushions and backs, and a flip-up armrest with cup holder is an added amenity.
When Spectra Venue Management took over management of the Casper Events Center two years ago, one of the first goals was to improve patron accessibility and comfort.
Modified ADA seating areas are also being installed at the Casper Events Center.
The first official show in the new seats will be the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation Championship on Friday, November 9th. 103018
Primary Election 2018, with all 19 Converse County Precincts tallied, here's the unofficial results...
Non-partisan town and city races,
Mayor of the City of Douglas, Rene Kemper received 691 votes, Phil Romero got 368, and former councilman Doug Olson got 308... Kemper and Romero will advance to the general election.
Douglas City Council, Kim Pexton received 922 votes, and incumbent John Bartling got 878... two seats open this fall, and both will advance to the general.
Mayor of the Town of Glenrock, current councilman Bruce Roumell got 368 votes, Linda Care-Smith got 171, and write-ins received 110 votes. Roumell and Care-Smith will move on to the general election.
Glenrock Town Council, Anna Belle "Boots" Faunce was the top vote getter with 436, Roy Kincade got 276, Tiffany Larramendy got 252, Russ Dalgarn got 160, and Dennis Flynn received 86. Two seats are open, so Faunce, Kincade, Larramendy and Dalgarn will advance to the general election.
The proposed 2-mill tax levy to fund a Converse County Senior Citizens district passed by a majority of voters, 1779 to 1609.
Converse County races, for county commissioner, Tony Lehner received 2195 votes, Robert Short got 2056, Jim Willox received 1860, and Darek Joppru got 1301... Lehner, Short and Willox will advance to the general election in November.
County coroner, Ross Gorman got 2482, Russ Dalgarn got 772, Gorman advances to the general.
In the race for Converse County Clerk, Lucile Taylor gets 2212, challenger Michelle Maines 1026. Taylor will appear on the General Election ballot.
State races, 30 percent of Converse County voters supported Harriet Hageman for governor... 49 percent gave the nod to Kristi Racines for state auditor, 49 percent went with Curt Meier for state treasurer, and one Senate District is in play, that's SD 23, covering parts of Converse and Campbell Counties. In Converse County, 346 votes were cast for incumbent Jeff Wasserburger, and 227 for Jeff Raney. Both are from Campbell County, and Campbell County's numbers will decide that election.
At the Federal level, 67 percent of Converse County's Republicans supported Senator John Barrasso, and 67 percent went with Liz Cheney to keep her seat in the House of Representatives.
3723 votes were cast in Converse County in Tuesday's Primary election, out of 6757 registered voters... a 55 percent turnout.
The county canvassing board meets Thursday morning to certify the election results and forward them to the Secretary of State.
Complete Converse County election results here - https:/www.conversecounty.org/428/2018-Election-Results. 082118
Non-partisan town and city races,
Mayor of the City of Douglas, Rene Kemper received 691 votes, Phil Romero got 368, and former councilman Doug Olson got 308... Kemper and Romero will advance to the general election.
Douglas City Council, Kim Pexton received 922 votes, and incumbent John Bartling got 878... two seats open this fall, and both will advance to the general.
Mayor of the Town of Glenrock, current councilman Bruce Roumell got 368 votes, Linda Care-Smith got 171, and write-ins received 110 votes. Roumell and Care-Smith will move on to the general election.
Glenrock Town Council, Anna Belle "Boots" Faunce was the top vote getter with 436, Roy Kincade got 276, Tiffany Larramendy got 252, Russ Dalgarn got 160, and Dennis Flynn received 86. Two seats are open, so Faunce, Kincade, Larramendy and Dalgarn will advance to the general election.
The proposed 2-mill tax levy to fund a Converse County Senior Citizens district passed by a majority of voters, 1779 to 1609.
Converse County races, for county commissioner, Tony Lehner received 2195 votes, Robert Short got 2056, Jim Willox received 1860, and Darek Joppru got 1301... Lehner, Short and Willox will advance to the general election in November.
County coroner, Ross Gorman got 2482, Russ Dalgarn got 772, Gorman advances to the general.
In the race for Converse County Clerk, Lucile Taylor gets 2212, challenger Michelle Maines 1026. Taylor will appear on the General Election ballot.
State races, 30 percent of Converse County voters supported Harriet Hageman for governor... 49 percent gave the nod to Kristi Racines for state auditor, 49 percent went with Curt Meier for state treasurer, and one Senate District is in play, that's SD 23, covering parts of Converse and Campbell Counties. In Converse County, 346 votes were cast for incumbent Jeff Wasserburger, and 227 for Jeff Raney. Both are from Campbell County, and Campbell County's numbers will decide that election.
At the Federal level, 67 percent of Converse County's Republicans supported Senator John Barrasso, and 67 percent went with Liz Cheney to keep her seat in the House of Representatives.
3723 votes were cast in Converse County in Tuesday's Primary election, out of 6757 registered voters... a 55 percent turnout.
The county canvassing board meets Thursday morning to certify the election results and forward them to the Secretary of State.
Complete Converse County election results here - https:/www.conversecounty.org/428/2018-Election-Results. 082118
Prosecutors have charged a man in connection with a fatal shooting in north Casper.
32-year-old Jason John was charged Monday with first-degree murder for the death of 29-year-old Wesley Willow Jr.
Investigators say John told them in a statement through his attorneys that he had received a threatening phone call from Willow, and he shot the man when he and two other people showed up at his home early Friday morning.
John's public defender, Rob Oldham, says the shooting appears to have been an act of self-defense.
John has no prior criminal history. 080818
32-year-old Jason John was charged Monday with first-degree murder for the death of 29-year-old Wesley Willow Jr.
Investigators say John told them in a statement through his attorneys that he had received a threatening phone call from Willow, and he shot the man when he and two other people showed up at his home early Friday morning.
John's public defender, Rob Oldham, says the shooting appears to have been an act of self-defense.
John has no prior criminal history. 080818
More information's been released on a high speed chase last Friday night that began north of Casper and ended in Converse County.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol say that the chase began at about 11:00 pm, Friday night, after troopers observed a vehicle traveling southbound on I-25, near mile post 197, doing about 105 mph in an 80 mph zone.
Natrona County deputies followed and attempted to stop the car as it sped through Casper on the interstate.
Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers took up the pursuit again east of Casper and performed a tactical vehicle intervention just west of the Natural Bridge exit near milepost 153, which caused the vehicle to spin out and come to a stop.
20-year-old Michael Hernandez was arrested and faces multiple charges, including Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Larceny, Grand Larceny, Controlled Substance Possession, and Driving While Under the Influence.
WHP officials say that two stolen firearms were recovered. The car had been reported stolen out of the state of Montana. 080718
The Wyoming Highway Patrol say that the chase began at about 11:00 pm, Friday night, after troopers observed a vehicle traveling southbound on I-25, near mile post 197, doing about 105 mph in an 80 mph zone.
Natrona County deputies followed and attempted to stop the car as it sped through Casper on the interstate.
Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers took up the pursuit again east of Casper and performed a tactical vehicle intervention just west of the Natural Bridge exit near milepost 153, which caused the vehicle to spin out and come to a stop.
20-year-old Michael Hernandez was arrested and faces multiple charges, including Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Larceny, Grand Larceny, Controlled Substance Possession, and Driving While Under the Influence.
WHP officials say that two stolen firearms were recovered. The car had been reported stolen out of the state of Montana. 080718
The Oak Ridge boys are coming to Casper this Christmas.
For almost thirty years, Country Music Hall of Fame members THE OAK RIDGE BOYS have been a part of their fans' holiday seasons with their annual Christmas tour. This year, Spectra Venue Management at the Casper Events Center is happy to announce that the Grammy Award-winning group will play their “Shine The Light On Christmas” show at the Casper Events Center on Monday, December 17 at 7:00 pm.
Tickets are $32, $47, and $62 plus fees, go on sale Friday, August 10 at 11:30 a.m. and can be purchased at www.SinclairTix.com, the SinclairTix Box Office at the Casper Events Center, by phone at 800-442-2256 or at any statewide SinclairTix outlet. 080718
For almost thirty years, Country Music Hall of Fame members THE OAK RIDGE BOYS have been a part of their fans' holiday seasons with their annual Christmas tour. This year, Spectra Venue Management at the Casper Events Center is happy to announce that the Grammy Award-winning group will play their “Shine The Light On Christmas” show at the Casper Events Center on Monday, December 17 at 7:00 pm.
Tickets are $32, $47, and $62 plus fees, go on sale Friday, August 10 at 11:30 a.m. and can be purchased at www.SinclairTix.com, the SinclairTix Box Office at the Casper Events Center, by phone at 800-442-2256 or at any statewide SinclairTix outlet. 080718
Pony Express riders and Conestoga wagons once traveled the trails through eastern Wyoming... solar-powered cars had their day yesterday as the American Solar Challenge 2018 journeyed from Gering to Casper.
21 teams are travelling the Oregon Trail from Omaha, Nebraska, to Bend, Oregon in single- and multi-occupant vehicles that are powered only by the sun.
You may have seen these odd-looking vehicles on Monday... they left Gering, Nebraska, yesterday morning, travelled to Torrington, Lingle, up to Lusk, across to Orin Junction, and into Douglas on Richards to Riverbend, and out Highway 93 past Ft Fetterman. On to Top of the World, then in Highway 95 to Rolling Hills and Glenrock, then into Casper on the old Glenrock Highway.
The solar rally cars will travel to Lander on Tuesday, then on across Idaho and Oregon, arriving in Bend, Oregon on Sunday, July 22nd.
More information at americansolarchallenge.org. 071618
21 teams are travelling the Oregon Trail from Omaha, Nebraska, to Bend, Oregon in single- and multi-occupant vehicles that are powered only by the sun.
You may have seen these odd-looking vehicles on Monday... they left Gering, Nebraska, yesterday morning, travelled to Torrington, Lingle, up to Lusk, across to Orin Junction, and into Douglas on Richards to Riverbend, and out Highway 93 past Ft Fetterman. On to Top of the World, then in Highway 95 to Rolling Hills and Glenrock, then into Casper on the old Glenrock Highway.
The solar rally cars will travel to Lander on Tuesday, then on across Idaho and Oregon, arriving in Bend, Oregon on Sunday, July 22nd.
More information at americansolarchallenge.org. 071618
A Casper police officer shot and killed an armed man who had earlier pointed a gun at several people and had led police on a car chase.
The incident in Casper began about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday and ended with the shooting at about 6:30 a.m.
The name of the man was not immediately released.
According to the Casper Police Department, police received emergency calls about a man pointing a gun at people before leaving in a vehicle.
When police found the vehicle, it sped away. But police were forced to break off the chase because of high speeds reached during the pursuit and the proximity to downtown Casper.
The suspect vehicle was then spotted at a convenience store where the shooting occurred. 071118
The incident in Casper began about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday and ended with the shooting at about 6:30 a.m.
The name of the man was not immediately released.
According to the Casper Police Department, police received emergency calls about a man pointing a gun at people before leaving in a vehicle.
When police found the vehicle, it sped away. But police were forced to break off the chase because of high speeds reached during the pursuit and the proximity to downtown Casper.
The suspect vehicle was then spotted at a convenience store where the shooting occurred. 071118
The town of Glenrock will begin the search for a new police chief.
Current chief Tim Hurd handed in his resignation at Monday night's Glenrock Town Council meeting...
Current chief Tim Hurd handed in his resignation at Monday night's Glenrock Town Council meeting...
Hurd has accepted the job of Police Chief in Torrington. The Torrington City Council voted unanimously to hire Hurd during their regular monthly meeting earlier this month.
He will be sworn in to his new position on July 3rd. 061318
He will be sworn in to his new position on July 3rd. 061318
A Casper police officer who was seriously wounded in the line of duty got to go home on Tuesday.
Officer Jacob Carlson was released from the hospital Tuesday and is recovering at home.
Carlson was shot five times on May 6 in a gunfight with David P. Wolosin south of Beverly Plaza near Fairdale Park in east Casper.
Wolosin was shot and killed during the incident. Carlson, a three-year veteran of the force, was taken to the Wyoming Medical Center for care. He received more than 100 units of blood in the days following the shooting and underwent multiple surgeries. 061318
Officer Jacob Carlson was released from the hospital Tuesday and is recovering at home.
Carlson was shot five times on May 6 in a gunfight with David P. Wolosin south of Beverly Plaza near Fairdale Park in east Casper.
Wolosin was shot and killed during the incident. Carlson, a three-year veteran of the force, was taken to the Wyoming Medical Center for care. He received more than 100 units of blood in the days following the shooting and underwent multiple surgeries. 061318
A Casper fire crew is headed to southwestern Colorado.
Casper Fire-EMS Brush 5 has been assigned to the "416" fire, located 13 miles north of Durango, Colorado in the San Juan National Forest.
Brush 5 headed south on Sunday morning with a 3 person crew.
The 416 fire is currently about 8700 acres in size, and is 10% contained. The fire is actively burning, experiencing short crown runs, group torching, and spotting. Evacuations, road, area, and trail closures are in effect. The estimated containment date is July 31st. 061118
Casper Fire-EMS Brush 5 has been assigned to the "416" fire, located 13 miles north of Durango, Colorado in the San Juan National Forest.
Brush 5 headed south on Sunday morning with a 3 person crew.
The 416 fire is currently about 8700 acres in size, and is 10% contained. The fire is actively burning, experiencing short crown runs, group torching, and spotting. Evacuations, road, area, and trail closures are in effect. The estimated containment date is July 31st. 061118
A 39-year-old former Casper city employee has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $20,000 in city funds.
Heather M. Kirkendall entered the guilty plea to a single count of felony theft on Wednesday before District Judge Daniel Forgey.
In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors will recommend that Kirkendall receive a suspended prison sentence of two to four years and three years of probation. If Kirkendall has fully paid restitution before sentencing, the prosecution would recommend a suspended prison sentence of 18 to 36 months.
Charging papers say special agents began investigating on Nov. 15 and met with city supervisors who said that payment "irregularities" had been discovered within the Community Development Division where Kirkendall worked. 051718
Heather M. Kirkendall entered the guilty plea to a single count of felony theft on Wednesday before District Judge Daniel Forgey.
In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors will recommend that Kirkendall receive a suspended prison sentence of two to four years and three years of probation. If Kirkendall has fully paid restitution before sentencing, the prosecution would recommend a suspended prison sentence of 18 to 36 months.
Charging papers say special agents began investigating on Nov. 15 and met with city supervisors who said that payment "irregularities" had been discovered within the Community Development Division where Kirkendall worked. 051718
A Mills man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of child abuse after authorities say he shot a girl twice with a BB gun.
John Thellman enter his plea Tuesday in Natrona County District Court and he remained free on a $2,500 surety bond.
Prosecutors say Thellman shot a child who was younger than 5 years old after she entered a residence in Mills in August.
According to court documents, the child was taken to a hospital and two BBs were removed from her chest and face.
According to court documents, Thellman told Mills police that the shooting was an accident. He said he was firing the gun at the door when the girl unexpectedly walked in. 051718
John Thellman enter his plea Tuesday in Natrona County District Court and he remained free on a $2,500 surety bond.
Prosecutors say Thellman shot a child who was younger than 5 years old after she entered a residence in Mills in August.
According to court documents, the child was taken to a hospital and two BBs were removed from her chest and face.
According to court documents, Thellman told Mills police that the shooting was an accident. He said he was firing the gun at the door when the girl unexpectedly walked in. 051718
The City of Casper has a new fire chief.
Tom Soldberg, formerly fire chief of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, was sworn in at Tuesday night's Casper City Council meeting.
Tom Soldberg, formerly fire chief of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, was sworn in at Tuesday night's Casper City Council meeting.
That's Casper Mayor Ray Pacheco.
Soldberg was named in early April to fill the position left vacant when for Casper Fire Chief Kenneth King took early retirement amidst various controversies.
The city accepted 28 applications for the position during a three-week period in November. The salary is between $105,000 and $126,000 annually, according to a job posting. 050318
Soldberg was named in early April to fill the position left vacant when for Casper Fire Chief Kenneth King took early retirement amidst various controversies.
The city accepted 28 applications for the position during a three-week period in November. The salary is between $105,000 and $126,000 annually, according to a job posting. 050318
The Wyoming Supreme Court has denied a review of the third-degree sexual assault charge filed against Casper businessman Tony Cercy.
Cercy in March asked the court to throw out the charge about a month after a jury found him not guilty of two counts of sexual assault and deadlocked on a third. Supreme Court Justice E. James Burke on Monday wrote that the court would not review Cercy's case. Burke did not specify why not.
Cercy is accused of sexually assaulting a then-20-year-old woman while she was passed out on a sofa in his lake house.
Cercy has maintained that he and the woman never had sexual contact. His trial is scheduled for November. 050318
Cercy in March asked the court to throw out the charge about a month after a jury found him not guilty of two counts of sexual assault and deadlocked on a third. Supreme Court Justice E. James Burke on Monday wrote that the court would not review Cercy's case. Burke did not specify why not.
Cercy is accused of sexually assaulting a then-20-year-old woman while she was passed out on a sofa in his lake house.
Cercy has maintained that he and the woman never had sexual contact. His trial is scheduled for November. 050318
A spokesman for Casper College says the school was wrong to have blamed U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for cancelling an upcoming speech by a State Department official.
The college said earlier this week that the speech by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Timothy Lenderking scheduled for Thursday had been canceled because Pompeo had frozen all speaking and travel engagements as part of a policy review.
State Department spokeswoman Grayson Vincent says no such freeze has been ordered and the decision to cancel did not come from Pompeo. Vincent blamed it instead on scheduling conflicts and said the speech may take place in the fall.
College public relations director Chris Lorenzen said Wednesday that his office should only have announced that the speech was canceled. 050318
The college said earlier this week that the speech by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Timothy Lenderking scheduled for Thursday had been canceled because Pompeo had frozen all speaking and travel engagements as part of a policy review.
State Department spokeswoman Grayson Vincent says no such freeze has been ordered and the decision to cancel did not come from Pompeo. Vincent blamed it instead on scheduling conflicts and said the speech may take place in the fall.
College public relations director Chris Lorenzen said Wednesday that his office should only have announced that the speech was canceled. 050318
U.S. officials on Wednesday approved two high-voltage transmission line routes in southwestern Idaho aimed at modernizing and improving reliability of the Pacific Northwest's energy grid.
The U.S. Department of the Interior's approval is for the two final segments of the 1,000-mile Gateway West project proposed a decade ago by the Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power utilities.
Approval of the Idaho segments was delayed by landowners who did not want transmission lines on their property and environmentalists who did not want lines running south of Boise in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, which is protected by federal environmental restrictions.
Officials describe the 500-kilovolt transmission lines as a freeway for energy that can travel in both directions and exit along the way to feed customer demand. The eastern end of the Gateway West Project will be at the Windstar substation at Glenrock, giving opportunity to take electricity generated in Converse County to markets across the West. 041818
The U.S. Department of the Interior's approval is for the two final segments of the 1,000-mile Gateway West project proposed a decade ago by the Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power utilities.
Approval of the Idaho segments was delayed by landowners who did not want transmission lines on their property and environmentalists who did not want lines running south of Boise in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, which is protected by federal environmental restrictions.
Officials describe the 500-kilovolt transmission lines as a freeway for energy that can travel in both directions and exit along the way to feed customer demand. The eastern end of the Gateway West Project will be at the Windstar substation at Glenrock, giving opportunity to take electricity generated in Converse County to markets across the West. 041818
The Bureau of Land Management will get a new Field Manager in its Casper office this week.
Lonny Bagley will be sworn in on Thursday, April 19th at 10 a.m.
Bagely comes to Casper from the Buffalo field office. He'll oversee 1.4 million acres of BLM-administered public lands in Natrona, Converse, Platte and Goshen counties.
Among other Wyoming issues, the federal government's Bureau of Land Management is involved in oil and gas permitting and leasing, sage grouse management, methane emissions, wilderness areas and wild horse management. A deep backlog of oil and gas permits awaiting approval has been a particular struggle for the BLM office in Casper.
Bagley's swearing-in ceremony will take place Thursday at 10 at the Casper Field Office, 2987 Prospector Drive. Members of the public are welcome to attend. 041818
Lonny Bagley will be sworn in on Thursday, April 19th at 10 a.m.
Bagely comes to Casper from the Buffalo field office. He'll oversee 1.4 million acres of BLM-administered public lands in Natrona, Converse, Platte and Goshen counties.
Among other Wyoming issues, the federal government's Bureau of Land Management is involved in oil and gas permitting and leasing, sage grouse management, methane emissions, wilderness areas and wild horse management. A deep backlog of oil and gas permits awaiting approval has been a particular struggle for the BLM office in Casper.
Bagley's swearing-in ceremony will take place Thursday at 10 at the Casper Field Office, 2987 Prospector Drive. Members of the public are welcome to attend. 041818
A Wyoming judge has tossed out a lawsuit filed by the town of Mills to oppose the closure of an elementary school.
Judge Daniel Forgey ruled Monday that the town did not have standing to sue the Natrona County School District over the impending closure of Mountain View Elementary, which is the last school in the Mills area.
The school district in October voted to close the school, citing its decreasing enrollment and looming budget cuts.
The town filed the lawsuit in January, claiming the closure was unlawful and the district failed to meet statutory requirements for school facilities.
The judge on Monday concluded that Mills had not shown that it would suffer any harm by the school closing. 041818
Judge Daniel Forgey ruled Monday that the town did not have standing to sue the Natrona County School District over the impending closure of Mountain View Elementary, which is the last school in the Mills area.
The school district in October voted to close the school, citing its decreasing enrollment and looming budget cuts.
The town filed the lawsuit in January, claiming the closure was unlawful and the district failed to meet statutory requirements for school facilities.
The judge on Monday concluded that Mills had not shown that it would suffer any harm by the school closing. 041818
The Eli Young Band is coming to Casper.
Spectra Venue Management at the Casper Events Center announced Tuesday that country artists the ELI YOUNG BAND will perform in the arena on Saturday, June 30 at 8:00 pm as the finale for the inaugural Buckin’ Summer Nights presented by Sinclair Casper Refinery.
The Eli Young Band have taken three singles to #1 on the country charts... “Crazy Girl,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Drunk Last Night”.
Tickets on sale Friday, April 20 at 11:30 am and will be $25 plus applicable fees. All tickets are General Admission. Tickets available online at SinclairTix.com, in person at the SinclairTix Box Office at the Casper Events Center or by phone at 800-442-2256. 041818
Spectra Venue Management at the Casper Events Center announced Tuesday that country artists the ELI YOUNG BAND will perform in the arena on Saturday, June 30 at 8:00 pm as the finale for the inaugural Buckin’ Summer Nights presented by Sinclair Casper Refinery.
The Eli Young Band have taken three singles to #1 on the country charts... “Crazy Girl,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Drunk Last Night”.
Tickets on sale Friday, April 20 at 11:30 am and will be $25 plus applicable fees. All tickets are General Admission. Tickets available online at SinclairTix.com, in person at the SinclairTix Box Office at the Casper Events Center or by phone at 800-442-2256. 041818
The Wyoming Highway Patrol seized about 123 pounds of Marijuana with an estimated street value of $307,000 following a traffic stop on Thursday, April 12th, on US 220 southwest of Casper.
Troopers arrested driver 29 year old Thong Xiong, and his passenger, 30 year old Choua Khang, 30, both of Wisconsin, after finding the Marijuana following a traffic stop Thursday morning.
Troopers stopped their Chevy Silverado after observing it traveling 71 in a posted 65 mph zone.
A WHP drug dog alerted to the odor of narcotics. Troopers found over 100 individual vacuum-sealed packages containing Marijuana, packed in a large box, a modified washing machine and a purse.
Thong and Khang were taken to the Natrona County Detention Center and booked in. 041318
Troopers arrested driver 29 year old Thong Xiong, and his passenger, 30 year old Choua Khang, 30, both of Wisconsin, after finding the Marijuana following a traffic stop Thursday morning.
Troopers stopped their Chevy Silverado after observing it traveling 71 in a posted 65 mph zone.
A WHP drug dog alerted to the odor of narcotics. Troopers found over 100 individual vacuum-sealed packages containing Marijuana, packed in a large box, a modified washing machine and a purse.
Thong and Khang were taken to the Natrona County Detention Center and booked in. 041318
One Casper hospital is purchasing another Casper hospital.
Wyoming Medical Center announced this morning that they will purchase Mountain View Regional Hospital, a 23-bed physician partnered surgical hospital, from affiliates of Irving Place Capital and Mountain View’s physician partners.
The 23-bed Mountain View Regional Hospital on East Second Street opened in 2008, but closed their emergency room in 2011 to focus on being a surgical center.
Dr. Todd Hammond is the current Chairman of the Board of Mountain View Regional Hospital and one of its founders. Hammond says, that by becoming part of WMC, they're now able to continue their focus on musculoskeletal disease,while gaining access to Wyoming Medical Center's tertiary facility and the many outstanding caregivers on their staff. 041218
Wyoming Medical Center announced this morning that they will purchase Mountain View Regional Hospital, a 23-bed physician partnered surgical hospital, from affiliates of Irving Place Capital and Mountain View’s physician partners.
The 23-bed Mountain View Regional Hospital on East Second Street opened in 2008, but closed their emergency room in 2011 to focus on being a surgical center.
Dr. Todd Hammond is the current Chairman of the Board of Mountain View Regional Hospital and one of its founders. Hammond says, that by becoming part of WMC, they're now able to continue their focus on musculoskeletal disease,while gaining access to Wyoming Medical Center's tertiary facility and the many outstanding caregivers on their staff. 041218
Economists say Wyoming experienced its largest population drop since 1989 during the second half of the recent fossil fuel downturn.
U.S. Census Bureau figures released Thursday say that by mid-2017, about 8,300 more people had moved out of Wyoming than moved in compared to the previous fiscal year.
Counties in and around the Powder River Basin lost the largest number of people.
About 2,500 people moved out of Campbell County. Natrona County lost about 1300 residents. Converse County lost a little over 300 people from mid 2016 to mid-2017 leaving our population estimate at 13,809.
Wyoming did, however, gain some workers outside of energy hubs. Some county populations increased in tourist regions. 032618
U.S. Census Bureau figures released Thursday say that by mid-2017, about 8,300 more people had moved out of Wyoming than moved in compared to the previous fiscal year.
Counties in and around the Powder River Basin lost the largest number of people.
About 2,500 people moved out of Campbell County. Natrona County lost about 1300 residents. Converse County lost a little over 300 people from mid 2016 to mid-2017 leaving our population estimate at 13,809.
Wyoming did, however, gain some workers outside of energy hubs. Some county populations increased in tourist regions. 032618
A Casper woman died in a one-vehicle accident on I-25 near Glenrock Saturday morning.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 39-year-old Casper, Wyoming resident Heather Wells was driving a 2003 Ford F-150 pickup southbound on Interstate 25 about a mile west of Glenrock, pulling a U-Haul trailer when the vehicle crossed over an icy curved bridge deck. Wells lost control of the vehicle and rolled several times.
During the crash, the passenger, 55-year-old Linda Hurley of Casper, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.
The driver, Wells, was restrained within the vehicle, but did suffer injuries and was taken to Wyoming Medical Center by ambulance. 032618
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 39-year-old Casper, Wyoming resident Heather Wells was driving a 2003 Ford F-150 pickup southbound on Interstate 25 about a mile west of Glenrock, pulling a U-Haul trailer when the vehicle crossed over an icy curved bridge deck. Wells lost control of the vehicle and rolled several times.
During the crash, the passenger, 55-year-old Linda Hurley of Casper, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.
The driver, Wells, was restrained within the vehicle, but did suffer injuries and was taken to Wyoming Medical Center by ambulance. 032618
Glenrock students had to spend a little extra time in their classrooms.
The Glenrock Police Department put Grant Elementary and Glenrock High School under lockdown Thursday afternoon.
The GPD was involved with a disturbance near the schools at a home at 146 Fort Laramie Street in Oregon Trail Estates.
As a security precaution, and to ensure student safety, the GPD placed all Glenrock schools on lockdown as of 2:10pm. Converse County School District #2 emphasized that there was no threat to any students within the schools.
Glenrock Intermediate/Middle School has been released from the lockdown as of 3:40.
Glenrock Police Department gave the all clear, and the grade school and high school were released from their lockdown as of 4:40pm. 032318
The Glenrock Police Department put Grant Elementary and Glenrock High School under lockdown Thursday afternoon.
The GPD was involved with a disturbance near the schools at a home at 146 Fort Laramie Street in Oregon Trail Estates.
As a security precaution, and to ensure student safety, the GPD placed all Glenrock schools on lockdown as of 2:10pm. Converse County School District #2 emphasized that there was no threat to any students within the schools.
Glenrock Intermediate/Middle School has been released from the lockdown as of 3:40.
Glenrock Police Department gave the all clear, and the grade school and high school were released from their lockdown as of 4:40pm. 032318
Authorities have released the name of a man who was shot to death in Casper over the weekend.
49-year-old Troy Mabbitt was shot Sunday afternoon and was pronounced dead at Wyoming Medical Center.
Police Sgt. Mike Ogden says investigators know the identity and location of the shooter but have not yet made any arrests. He declined to release details about the circumstances of the shooting or say why the shooter is not in custody.
Two people were taken into custody Sunday but have since been released. 031918
49-year-old Troy Mabbitt was shot Sunday afternoon and was pronounced dead at Wyoming Medical Center.
Police Sgt. Mike Ogden says investigators know the identity and location of the shooter but have not yet made any arrests. He declined to release details about the circumstances of the shooting or say why the shooter is not in custody.
Two people were taken into custody Sunday but have since been released. 031918
Law enforcement officials recovered two stolen vehicles from the Douglas area over the weekend.
The Douglas Police Department says that on Saturday March 17th, they got a report that a 1996 Chevy Silverado pickup had been stolen from the parking lot at the Douglas Super 8 Motel.
Converse County Sheriff's Deputies pulled over and arrested the driver of the stolen pickup near Orin Junction.
During the course of that investigation, a second vehicle, a 2006 Pontiac G6, was discovered stolen from the parking lot of the Douglas Inn and Convention Center. The driver of that vehicle was taken into custody by the Wyoming Highway Patrol near Cheyenne.
The Douglas Police Department is attempting to confirm the identities of the individuals involved while the cases remain under investigation. 031918
The Douglas Police Department says that on Saturday March 17th, they got a report that a 1996 Chevy Silverado pickup had been stolen from the parking lot at the Douglas Super 8 Motel.
Converse County Sheriff's Deputies pulled over and arrested the driver of the stolen pickup near Orin Junction.
During the course of that investigation, a second vehicle, a 2006 Pontiac G6, was discovered stolen from the parking lot of the Douglas Inn and Convention Center. The driver of that vehicle was taken into custody by the Wyoming Highway Patrol near Cheyenne.
The Douglas Police Department is attempting to confirm the identities of the individuals involved while the cases remain under investigation. 031918
Wyoming's US Senator John Barrasso has put pressure on the Department of the Interior to take care of some details in the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Converse County Oil and Gas Project.
In hearings in Washington this morning, Senator Barrasso told Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke that he has concerns that the draft EIS needs to be revised to maximize the success of the project...
In hearings in Washington this morning, Senator Barrasso told Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke that he has concerns that the draft EIS needs to be revised to maximize the success of the project...
The BLM estimates that this project is going to bring 8,000 jobs and as much as $28 billion in economic activity to the state. 031318
Low uranium prices are bringing more changes to a Wyoming mining company.
Cameco Resources has announced that they are closing their administrative offices in Casper by April 1st. The seven employees will most likely moved to the Smith Ranch-Highland mine site northwest of Douglas, where 78 people currently are working on surface and sub-surface reclamation projects.
The price of uranium soared from about $10.75 per pound in early 2003, to almost $100 per pound in 2007. The current price of uranium was just under $22 a pound as of Feb. 19.
Cameco made the decision to curtail production and defer all wellfield development at their US operations in the second quarter of 2016. 030118
Cameco Resources has announced that they are closing their administrative offices in Casper by April 1st. The seven employees will most likely moved to the Smith Ranch-Highland mine site northwest of Douglas, where 78 people currently are working on surface and sub-surface reclamation projects.
The price of uranium soared from about $10.75 per pound in early 2003, to almost $100 per pound in 2007. The current price of uranium was just under $22 a pound as of Feb. 19.
Cameco made the decision to curtail production and defer all wellfield development at their US operations in the second quarter of 2016. 030118
A new wind farm north of Douglas will effectively double Converse County's wind generation capacity.
Rocky Mountain Power announced Tuesday that they've selected four new wind projects, including one in Converse County, to significantly expand the amount of wind energy they produce by 2020.
A 400 MegaWatt wind project in Converse County will be built by NextEra Energy Resources, with half of the project owned by PacifiCorp, and half of the project owned and delivered by NextEra under a Power Purchase Agreement. The wind farm will have more than 150 turbines, and will be located north of I-25 and west of the Energy Highway, Highway 59.
Also green-lighted, a 161 MW wind project in Uinta County... a 500 MW wind project in Carbon and Albany Counties, and another 250 MW wind project in Carbon County.
The project also includes a 140-mile segment of the Gateway West high-voltage transmission line in Wyoming to connect the new wind energy to Rocky Mountain Power’s grid.
The four projects will expand Rocky Mountain Power’s owned and contracted wind power by more than 60 percent and add enough new wind energy to power approximately 450,000 average homes.
The four projects are also expected to create between 1,100 and 1,600 construction jobs in Wyoming and more than 200 full-time positions; add approximately $120 million in tax revenue from construction; and bring post-construction annual tax revenues starting at approximately $11 million in 2021 and growing to $14 million annually by 2024.
Pending approval from state commissions, acquisition of rights of way, and receipt of permits, construction of the new wind and transmission projects is expected to begin in 2019. 022018
Rocky Mountain Power announced Tuesday that they've selected four new wind projects, including one in Converse County, to significantly expand the amount of wind energy they produce by 2020.
A 400 MegaWatt wind project in Converse County will be built by NextEra Energy Resources, with half of the project owned by PacifiCorp, and half of the project owned and delivered by NextEra under a Power Purchase Agreement. The wind farm will have more than 150 turbines, and will be located north of I-25 and west of the Energy Highway, Highway 59.
Also green-lighted, a 161 MW wind project in Uinta County... a 500 MW wind project in Carbon and Albany Counties, and another 250 MW wind project in Carbon County.
The project also includes a 140-mile segment of the Gateway West high-voltage transmission line in Wyoming to connect the new wind energy to Rocky Mountain Power’s grid.
The four projects will expand Rocky Mountain Power’s owned and contracted wind power by more than 60 percent and add enough new wind energy to power approximately 450,000 average homes.
The four projects are also expected to create between 1,100 and 1,600 construction jobs in Wyoming and more than 200 full-time positions; add approximately $120 million in tax revenue from construction; and bring post-construction annual tax revenues starting at approximately $11 million in 2021 and growing to $14 million annually by 2024.
Pending approval from state commissions, acquisition of rights of way, and receipt of permits, construction of the new wind and transmission projects is expected to begin in 2019. 022018
Longtime Wyoming state lawmaker Tom Lockhart of Casper has died. He was 82.
Wyoming House Speaker Steve Harshman on Monday announced Lockhart's death on the floor of the Wyoming House of Representatives.
Lockhart was a Republican representative whose district covered much of southeast Casper. He served from 2001 until his retirement in 2016.
Lockhart was born in Casper and attended Natrona County High School and the University of Wyoming.
He chaired the House Minerals Committee. 022018
Wyoming House Speaker Steve Harshman on Monday announced Lockhart's death on the floor of the Wyoming House of Representatives.
Lockhart was a Republican representative whose district covered much of southeast Casper. He served from 2001 until his retirement in 2016.
Lockhart was born in Casper and attended Natrona County High School and the University of Wyoming.
He chaired the House Minerals Committee. 022018
A Saturday night fire southwest of Casper is being blamed on winds and power lines.
Fire crews were called out about 10:30 Saturday night to a wildland fire off Bessemer Bend Road off the west end of Casper Mountain.
Natrona County Fire Department officials say they believe winds gusting over 50 miles an hour caused broken tree branches to bring down power lines, which started the fire.
The blaze burned a little over 10 acres, and no structures were damaged. Power was restored early Sunday morning. 022018
Fire crews were called out about 10:30 Saturday night to a wildland fire off Bessemer Bend Road off the west end of Casper Mountain.
Natrona County Fire Department officials say they believe winds gusting over 50 miles an hour caused broken tree branches to bring down power lines, which started the fire.
The blaze burned a little over 10 acres, and no structures were damaged. Power was restored early Sunday morning. 022018
The BLM will hold public meetings this week on the Converse County Oil and Gas Project. The meetings are being held to accept public comments on the draft environmental impact statement for the project.
The release of the draft environmental impact statement triggered a 45-day public comment period that closes on March 12, 2018.
Public comments are a part of the process, assisting the BLM in developing a well-informed analysis of the project.
Public meetings will be held on
· Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in Douglas, Wyoming at the Eastern Wyoming College, located at 800 S. Wind River Drive.
· Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in Casper, Wyoming at the Ramkota Hotel, located at 800 N. Poplar Street.
· Thursday, February 22, 2018 in Glenrock, Wyoming at the Glenrock Meeting Hall, located at 518 S. 4th Street.
All meetings will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public. 021918
The release of the draft environmental impact statement triggered a 45-day public comment period that closes on March 12, 2018.
Public comments are a part of the process, assisting the BLM in developing a well-informed analysis of the project.
Public meetings will be held on
· Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in Douglas, Wyoming at the Eastern Wyoming College, located at 800 S. Wind River Drive.
· Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in Casper, Wyoming at the Ramkota Hotel, located at 800 N. Poplar Street.
· Thursday, February 22, 2018 in Glenrock, Wyoming at the Glenrock Meeting Hall, located at 518 S. 4th Street.
All meetings will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public. 021918
A 38-year-old former public employee has pleaded not guilty to stealing nearly $20,000 from the city of Casper.
Heather M. Kirkendall entered her plea last week to a single felony count of larceny before Natrona County District Judge Thomas Forgey.
Kirkendall worked in the city of Casper's Community Development Department from December 2014 through October 2017.
Court filings in the case say individual receipts issued from the office did not match the worksheets she submitted to bankers during a 17-month period between May 2016 and October 2017.
Kirkendall remains free on bond. 020518
Heather M. Kirkendall entered her plea last week to a single felony count of larceny before Natrona County District Judge Thomas Forgey.
Kirkendall worked in the city of Casper's Community Development Department from December 2014 through October 2017.
Court filings in the case say individual receipts issued from the office did not match the worksheets she submitted to bankers during a 17-month period between May 2016 and October 2017.
Kirkendall remains free on bond. 020518
Prosecutors say a former Wyoming doctor used his medical practice to prey upon six women.
The first day of trial began Monday for former Casper OB-GYN Paul Harnetty, who is charged with eight counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree sexual assault.
Prosecutor Mike Schafer told the Casper court that Harnetty sexually exploited his patients, most of whom had no other options for medical treatment because of their insurance providers.
Harnetty's attorney Don Fuller told the court that an OB-GYN has to touch genitals as part of an exam, and sometimes that touching can be uncomfortable but necessary.
Harnetty voluntarily relinquished his license to practice medicine in Wyoming in October 2016 after the state medical board began an investigation against him. 012418
The first day of trial began Monday for former Casper OB-GYN Paul Harnetty, who is charged with eight counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree sexual assault.
Prosecutor Mike Schafer told the Casper court that Harnetty sexually exploited his patients, most of whom had no other options for medical treatment because of their insurance providers.
Harnetty's attorney Don Fuller told the court that an OB-GYN has to touch genitals as part of an exam, and sometimes that touching can be uncomfortable but necessary.
Harnetty voluntarily relinquished his license to practice medicine in Wyoming in October 2016 after the state medical board began an investigation against him. 012418
Jeff Nelson will continue to serve as Fire Chief for the Town of Glenrock.
At last night's Council meeting, the Glenrock Town Council unanimously affirmed the appointment of Nelson for another year.
The January 8th Council meeting became heated when it looked like the town council would not reappoint Nelson to the position, which he's held for about ten years.
There are discrepancies between the town code and the Glenrock Volunteer Fire Department bylaws about how the chief is appointed.
Glenrock Mayor Doug Frank said he met with Nelson and GVFD President Hummer Wickett in a three-hour meeting that ironed out some of the problems. Frank said that there will be a work session that will settle the differences between town code and fire department by-laws. 012318
At last night's Council meeting, the Glenrock Town Council unanimously affirmed the appointment of Nelson for another year.
The January 8th Council meeting became heated when it looked like the town council would not reappoint Nelson to the position, which he's held for about ten years.
There are discrepancies between the town code and the Glenrock Volunteer Fire Department bylaws about how the chief is appointed.
Glenrock Mayor Doug Frank said he met with Nelson and GVFD President Hummer Wickett in a three-hour meeting that ironed out some of the problems. Frank said that there will be a work session that will settle the differences between town code and fire department by-laws. 012318
A Casper-based company that illegally dumped oilfield waste in western North Dakota has paid the state more than $950,000 after the state Supreme Court affirmed the fine last month.
The Department of Mineral Resources says that Black Hills Trucking paid $951,526 to the North Dakota Industrial Commission last week. It's the largest fine ever collected by the regulatory group.
The company earlier unsuccessfully appealed the fine to the North Dakota Supreme Court, arguing it already paid a $200,000 fine to the state Health Department for the same incident.
The company was accused of illegally dumping saltwater near Tioga in February and March 2014.
Nearly all of the Industrial Commission fine will go into a state fund that's used to restore sites affected by oil and gas development. 010418
The Department of Mineral Resources says that Black Hills Trucking paid $951,526 to the North Dakota Industrial Commission last week. It's the largest fine ever collected by the regulatory group.
The company earlier unsuccessfully appealed the fine to the North Dakota Supreme Court, arguing it already paid a $200,000 fine to the state Health Department for the same incident.
The company was accused of illegally dumping saltwater near Tioga in February and March 2014.
Nearly all of the Industrial Commission fine will go into a state fund that's used to restore sites affected by oil and gas development. 010418
The Environmental Protection Agency has partially removed a federal Superfund site in Wyoming off its national priorities list after soil and groundwater cleanup actions were completed.
Agency officials say the partial deletion of the Mystery Bridge/U.S. Highway 20 Superfund site in Evansville was proposed in June, and it was taken off the list in late August.
The site that overlaps with a neighborhood between Highway 20 and the North Platte River was designated as a Superfund site about 30 years ago after extensive soil and groundwater contamination was discovered.
Officials say years of industrial operations at a facility owned by Kinder Morgan caused the contamination.
Officials say the agency isn't abandoning the site, but will continue to monitor it every five years. An underground toxin plume remains on the list. 010318
Agency officials say the partial deletion of the Mystery Bridge/U.S. Highway 20 Superfund site in Evansville was proposed in June, and it was taken off the list in late August.
The site that overlaps with a neighborhood between Highway 20 and the North Platte River was designated as a Superfund site about 30 years ago after extensive soil and groundwater contamination was discovered.
Officials say years of industrial operations at a facility owned by Kinder Morgan caused the contamination.
Officials say the agency isn't abandoning the site, but will continue to monitor it every five years. An underground toxin plume remains on the list. 010318
Casper police say they arrested a shoplifter with the help of a man dressed as Santa Claus.
The man who only identified himself as St. Nick said he noticed the thief drop something among the trees at his Christmas tree lot on Monday.
He says he did not think the act was suspicious until he noticed a police officer.
A Rocky Mountain Discount Sports store employee had accused a man of shoplifting.
The suspect initially denied it until St. Nick showed Sgt. Scott Jones the grove of trees where the thief had stashed the stolen merchandise.
Jones says the thief admitted to the theft, but was not arrested.
Jones says he was instead cited for the crime. 122117
The man who only identified himself as St. Nick said he noticed the thief drop something among the trees at his Christmas tree lot on Monday.
He says he did not think the act was suspicious until he noticed a police officer.
A Rocky Mountain Discount Sports store employee had accused a man of shoplifting.
The suspect initially denied it until St. Nick showed Sgt. Scott Jones the grove of trees where the thief had stashed the stolen merchandise.
Jones says the thief admitted to the theft, but was not arrested.
Jones says he was instead cited for the crime. 122117
The Wyoming Supreme Court has decided to allow three Casper residents to sue a rental company that they say invaded their privacy on laptops.
The residents rented the laptops from a company that they say installed software that could be used to remotely access the computers' cameras and more.
A Natrona County Circuit Court judge initially threw out the case after concluding that Wyoming's tort law does not recognize suits on the basis of invasion of privacy. But after two appeals, the state Supreme Court ruled intrusion torts should be recognized in Wyoming. The case will go back to circuit court.
Aspen Way owns the local franchise of Aaron's Sales and Leasing, which rented laptops to the plaintiffs. 122117
The residents rented the laptops from a company that they say installed software that could be used to remotely access the computers' cameras and more.
A Natrona County Circuit Court judge initially threw out the case after concluding that Wyoming's tort law does not recognize suits on the basis of invasion of privacy. But after two appeals, the state Supreme Court ruled intrusion torts should be recognized in Wyoming. The case will go back to circuit court.
Aspen Way owns the local franchise of Aaron's Sales and Leasing, which rented laptops to the plaintiffs. 122117
The City of Casper has a new police chief.
Keith McPheeters was named to the job Friday afternoon. McPheeters is a former deputy chief with the Farmington, New Mexico, police department, where he spent almost 25 years before retiring last summer. The new police chief will be sworn in next Monday.
The position has been open since last May, when former Police Chief Jim Wetzel was dismissed from the job.
Casper city officials also named Jason Speiser to serve as interim fire chief while a search continues to fill that position.
Speiser has been with the department for 16 years and previously served as a battalion chief.
Former Fire Chief Kenneth King’s early retirement became effective Friday. 120517
Keith McPheeters was named to the job Friday afternoon. McPheeters is a former deputy chief with the Farmington, New Mexico, police department, where he spent almost 25 years before retiring last summer. The new police chief will be sworn in next Monday.
The position has been open since last May, when former Police Chief Jim Wetzel was dismissed from the job.
Casper city officials also named Jason Speiser to serve as interim fire chief while a search continues to fill that position.
Speiser has been with the department for 16 years and previously served as a battalion chief.
Former Fire Chief Kenneth King’s early retirement became effective Friday. 120517
The Natrona County School District will close four schools in Casper.
After more than two hours of discussion Monday night, the District board voted 8-1 to shutter Mountain View, Willard, and University Park Elementary Schools and Frontier Middle School.
The drop in the state's energy economy has left school districts across the state facing shrinking budgets, and enrollment numbers in Casper have dropped as families left the community and the state.
With more than 900 empty seats in Casper schools, the district hopes to save more than $2.5 million dollars by closing the buildings and moving students to other schools.
Nearly 750 students will be affected by the closures, which will take place next spring at the end of the current school year. 102417
After more than two hours of discussion Monday night, the District board voted 8-1 to shutter Mountain View, Willard, and University Park Elementary Schools and Frontier Middle School.
The drop in the state's energy economy has left school districts across the state facing shrinking budgets, and enrollment numbers in Casper have dropped as families left the community and the state.
With more than 900 empty seats in Casper schools, the district hopes to save more than $2.5 million dollars by closing the buildings and moving students to other schools.
Nearly 750 students will be affected by the closures, which will take place next spring at the end of the current school year. 102417
Natrona County landowners want reimbursment for damages from a 2015 wildfire.
A total of 61 property owners filed claims with the city of Casper's insurance agency in relation to a wildfire that scorched rural Natrona County in 2015.
The deadline for filing property damage and destruction claims against the city's insurance was Oct. 11. The Wyoming Association of Risk Management will not accept any more reimbursement applications.
The city and those who filed claims now must wait for Natrona County District Court Judge Catherine Wilking to decide whether the city is liable for the damage.
That fire started on the Casper landfill and burned east to the Natrona/Converse County line. 102417
A total of 61 property owners filed claims with the city of Casper's insurance agency in relation to a wildfire that scorched rural Natrona County in 2015.
The deadline for filing property damage and destruction claims against the city's insurance was Oct. 11. The Wyoming Association of Risk Management will not accept any more reimbursement applications.
The city and those who filed claims now must wait for Natrona County District Court Judge Catherine Wilking to decide whether the city is liable for the damage.
That fire started on the Casper landfill and burned east to the Natrona/Converse County line. 102417
A legendary heavy metal band will perform in Casper.
Rock band Judas Priest will bring their 2018 Firepower Tour to the Casper Events Center on Tuesday, April 10th, 2018.
The British band's 40 year career has feature great live performances and some of the genre's most influential and landmark albums, including 1980's 'British Steel,' 1982's 'Screaming for Vengeance,' 1990's 'Painkiller'.
And in 2017, Judas Priest was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Tickets for Judas Priest at the Casper Events Center go on sale to the public Friday, October 27 at 10:00 AM. Tickets available online at www.SinclairTix.com, charge by phone at 577-3030 and (800) 442-2256 or in person at the SinclairTix Box Office at the Casper Events Center. 102417
Rock band Judas Priest will bring their 2018 Firepower Tour to the Casper Events Center on Tuesday, April 10th, 2018.
The British band's 40 year career has feature great live performances and some of the genre's most influential and landmark albums, including 1980's 'British Steel,' 1982's 'Screaming for Vengeance,' 1990's 'Painkiller'.
And in 2017, Judas Priest was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Tickets for Judas Priest at the Casper Events Center go on sale to the public Friday, October 27 at 10:00 AM. Tickets available online at www.SinclairTix.com, charge by phone at 577-3030 and (800) 442-2256 or in person at the SinclairTix Box Office at the Casper Events Center. 102417
More kids in Douglas schools this fall.
CCSD 1 superintendant Paige Fenton-Hughes says enrollment is up across the district...
CCSD 1 superintendant Paige Fenton-Hughes says enrollment is up across the district...
Student enrollment number affect how much funding each district receives from the state.
Fenton-Hughes says it's good to see positive numbers...
Fenton-Hughes says it's good to see positive numbers...
The Natrona County School District says they have 154 fewer elementary students than last year, and 350 fewer compared to 2014. NCSD says they have 970 seats open in elementary schools across the district, and may close another Casper elementary school at
the end of the school year. 092117
the end of the school year. 092117
The longtime president of the NAACP chapter in Casper has announced he is resigning after recent years of conflict.
Jimmy Simmons received national attention in 2013 after he hosted a meeting with a Ku Klux Klan representative after a string of hate crimes in Wyoming despite objections from senior NAACP officials. Simmons helped build the Casper chapter and served as its president since 2001.
Simmons says he started to become unpopular and some members did not shy away from letting him know that they no longer wanted him in office. According to Simmons, the message was clear to him when he saw an election scheduled in the organization's calendar after returning from a trip to Senegal.
Simmons says despite the controversy it caused, he does not regret meeting the KKK recruiter. 091117
Jimmy Simmons received national attention in 2013 after he hosted a meeting with a Ku Klux Klan representative after a string of hate crimes in Wyoming despite objections from senior NAACP officials. Simmons helped build the Casper chapter and served as its president since 2001.
Simmons says he started to become unpopular and some members did not shy away from letting him know that they no longer wanted him in office. According to Simmons, the message was clear to him when he saw an election scheduled in the organization's calendar after returning from a trip to Senegal.
Simmons says despite the controversy it caused, he does not regret meeting the KKK recruiter. 091117
Those cheap flights from Casper to Las Vegas are going away soon.
Allegiant Airlines announced Tuesday morning that they will discontinue service to Casper's Natrona County International Airport, effective January 1st, 2018.
Allegiant has flown out of Casper since 2009.
The company has announced that it is purchasing larger aircraft and entering larger markets such as Cincinnati and Denver, and focusing more on markets east of the Mississippi River.
Allegiant also announced that they're dropping service to Wilkes Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Youngstown, Ohio. 083017
Allegiant Airlines announced Tuesday morning that they will discontinue service to Casper's Natrona County International Airport, effective January 1st, 2018.
Allegiant has flown out of Casper since 2009.
The company has announced that it is purchasing larger aircraft and entering larger markets such as Cincinnati and Denver, and focusing more on markets east of the Mississippi River.
Allegiant also announced that they're dropping service to Wilkes Barre/Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Youngstown, Ohio. 083017
With dry conditions, and county and federal fire restrictions in place, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is banning open fires on all Game and Fish Commission-owned and administered lands within the Casper Region.
These lands include all Public Access Areas along the North Platte River from the Miracle Mile Public Access Area to the Orin Junction Bridge Public Access Area, as well as Deer Creek Canyon, among others.
For more information on the fire ban on Game and Fish lands, please contact the Casper Region Game and Fish office at 307-473-3400. 080717
These lands include all Public Access Areas along the North Platte River from the Miracle Mile Public Access Area to the Orin Junction Bridge Public Access Area, as well as Deer Creek Canyon, among others.
For more information on the fire ban on Game and Fish lands, please contact the Casper Region Game and Fish office at 307-473-3400. 080717
A Casper group that fights hunger in Natrona County gets some help and a big check from a benefit fly fishing tournament.
The annual Two-Fly Foundation Fly Fishing Tournament presented a check for $77 thousand, 500 dollars to the Wyoming Food For Thought Project on Wednesday morning.
The tournament took place in May, and was open to fly fishing enthusiasts in the oil and gas industry.
Monies raised each year are donated to two local non-profits.
The donation will help fund Food For Thought projects, which include helping to feed over 1,000 underprivileged school children and creating a new community garden at the old Roosevelt School in north Casper. 080317
The annual Two-Fly Foundation Fly Fishing Tournament presented a check for $77 thousand, 500 dollars to the Wyoming Food For Thought Project on Wednesday morning.
The tournament took place in May, and was open to fly fishing enthusiasts in the oil and gas industry.
Monies raised each year are donated to two local non-profits.
The donation will help fund Food For Thought projects, which include helping to feed over 1,000 underprivileged school children and creating a new community garden at the old Roosevelt School in north Casper. 080317
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper's vehicle was involved in a crash on the west side of Casper on Tuesday evening.
Around 8:20 p.m., the Trooper was stopped with another vehicle at milepost nine on Wyoming Boulevard west of the fairgrounds, when his vehicle was struck. The collision then caused the Trooper’s car to hit the back of the vehicle he was stopped with. The Trooper was outside his vehicle at the time of the crash and wasn’t injured.
The Highway Patrol reminds drivers that when driving on a two lane road, the law requires you to slow to a speed that is twenty (20) miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. Violation can result in a $235 citation.
The Natrona County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash. 072717
Around 8:20 p.m., the Trooper was stopped with another vehicle at milepost nine on Wyoming Boulevard west of the fairgrounds, when his vehicle was struck. The collision then caused the Trooper’s car to hit the back of the vehicle he was stopped with. The Trooper was outside his vehicle at the time of the crash and wasn’t injured.
The Highway Patrol reminds drivers that when driving on a two lane road, the law requires you to slow to a speed that is twenty (20) miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. Violation can result in a $235 citation.
The Natrona County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash. 072717
The Casper Police Department is turning over the Kristi Richardson missing persons case to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.
61 year old Richardson disappeared in October 2014, and her case remains unsolved despite a $250,000 reward offered by her family.
Interim Police Chief Steve Schulz wrote a letter asking the statewide law enforcement agency to take over the case. The division is authorized to investigate cases at the request of local law enforcement.
Casper Police Sgt. Mike Ogden leads the department’s detectives. He said the case needed new eyes and a new perspective. 062017
61 year old Richardson disappeared in October 2014, and her case remains unsolved despite a $250,000 reward offered by her family.
Interim Police Chief Steve Schulz wrote a letter asking the statewide law enforcement agency to take over the case. The division is authorized to investigate cases at the request of local law enforcement.
Casper Police Sgt. Mike Ogden leads the department’s detectives. He said the case needed new eyes and a new perspective. 062017
A Casper elementary school teacher and four members of a Colorado family died Friday in an auto accident in Carbon County.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol said Monday the accident occurred about 2:50 Friday afternoon on Wyoming 789, 22 miles north of Baggs.
The patrol says a northbound 2010 Nissan Armada driven by 44-year-old Heather White, of Peyton, Colorado, collided head-on with a 2008 Chevrolet pickup pulling a trailer. Both vehicles caught fire.
White and her three children, aged 12, 15 and 16, died at the scene.
The pickup driver, 27-year-old Eric Hagen, of Casper, was pulled from the burning vehicle by others and was being treated at a Denver hospital. His passenger, 28-year-old Katie O'Keefe, of Casper, died. O'Keefe was a first-grade teacher at Southridge Elementary School. She had just finished her second year with the Natrona County school district.
The accident is under investigation. 062017
The Wyoming Highway Patrol said Monday the accident occurred about 2:50 Friday afternoon on Wyoming 789, 22 miles north of Baggs.
The patrol says a northbound 2010 Nissan Armada driven by 44-year-old Heather White, of Peyton, Colorado, collided head-on with a 2008 Chevrolet pickup pulling a trailer. Both vehicles caught fire.
White and her three children, aged 12, 15 and 16, died at the scene.
The pickup driver, 27-year-old Eric Hagen, of Casper, was pulled from the burning vehicle by others and was being treated at a Denver hospital. His passenger, 28-year-old Katie O'Keefe, of Casper, died. O'Keefe was a first-grade teacher at Southridge Elementary School. She had just finished her second year with the Natrona County school district.
The accident is under investigation. 062017
A local lawyer's getting a new job.
Governor Matt Mead has appointed Scott Peasley to be District Court Judge for the Eighth Judicial District. Peasley fills the vacancy occurring in Converse County with the retirement of Judge John Brooks effective August 4. The District serves Converse, Niobrara, Platte and Goshen Counties.
Peasley has been in private practice for 16 years in Douglas with his father. His practice has been broad and diverse, including representation of municipalities as well as the local school district. He has also served as a part-time deputy with the Converse County Attorney’s Office since 2001. For the County Attorney’s Office, he handled misdemeanor and felony criminal cases until a couple years ago when his work turned primarily to Converse County civil matters. 061917
Governor Matt Mead has appointed Scott Peasley to be District Court Judge for the Eighth Judicial District. Peasley fills the vacancy occurring in Converse County with the retirement of Judge John Brooks effective August 4. The District serves Converse, Niobrara, Platte and Goshen Counties.
Peasley has been in private practice for 16 years in Douglas with his father. His practice has been broad and diverse, including representation of municipalities as well as the local school district. He has also served as a part-time deputy with the Converse County Attorney’s Office since 2001. For the County Attorney’s Office, he handled misdemeanor and felony criminal cases until a couple years ago when his work turned primarily to Converse County civil matters. 061917
A trial has been delayed for a former Wyoming gynecologist accused of sexually assaulting six patients.
Paul Harnetty's attorney requested the delay, saying he needs to review evidence that is still arriving in his office. Attorney Don Fuller says he is unprepared for the June 26 trial date after taking over the case last week.
Natrona County District Court Judge Thomas Sullins granted the delay Friday after a prosecutor said he didn't oppose the request.
Harnetty faces 10 charges related to the alleged assaults between 2014 and 2015. The women say Harnetty touched them in ways that didn't seem to be in line with a medical exam.
Harnetty denies the charges.
Sullins has not yet set a new trial date, but it is expected to be postponed about 60 days. 061917
Paul Harnetty's attorney requested the delay, saying he needs to review evidence that is still arriving in his office. Attorney Don Fuller says he is unprepared for the June 26 trial date after taking over the case last week.
Natrona County District Court Judge Thomas Sullins granted the delay Friday after a prosecutor said he didn't oppose the request.
Harnetty faces 10 charges related to the alleged assaults between 2014 and 2015. The women say Harnetty touched them in ways that didn't seem to be in line with a medical exam.
Harnetty denies the charges.
Sullins has not yet set a new trial date, but it is expected to be postponed about 60 days. 061917
There'll be music at this summer's Wyoming State Fair after all.
Funding cuts at the state level put a concert at the fair in jeopardy, but a Wyoming-based coal company has stepped up to sponsor a show.
Country breakout band Old Dominion, presented by Cloud Peak Energy, will perform live in the Ford Grandstands Arena on Friday, August 18th at 8:00 pm during the 105th Wyoming State Fair.
In 2016, Old Dominion was named ACM New Group of the Year, ACCA Breakthrough Group of the Year, AIMP Songwriter-Artist of the Year and Music Row Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
Their hits include “Break Up With Him”, “Snapback”, and “Song For Another Time”. Old Dominion's latest single is “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart”.
Tickets are $33 dollars, on sale now at wsf.fairwire.com, or by calling the Wyoming State Fair office in Douglas at 358-2398. 061417
Funding cuts at the state level put a concert at the fair in jeopardy, but a Wyoming-based coal company has stepped up to sponsor a show.
Country breakout band Old Dominion, presented by Cloud Peak Energy, will perform live in the Ford Grandstands Arena on Friday, August 18th at 8:00 pm during the 105th Wyoming State Fair.
In 2016, Old Dominion was named ACM New Group of the Year, ACCA Breakthrough Group of the Year, AIMP Songwriter-Artist of the Year and Music Row Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
Their hits include “Break Up With Him”, “Snapback”, and “Song For Another Time”. Old Dominion's latest single is “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart”.
Tickets are $33 dollars, on sale now at wsf.fairwire.com, or by calling the Wyoming State Fair office in Douglas at 358-2398. 061417
A new boss at a Casper hospital.
Wyoming Medical Center's Board of Directors has named Michele Chulick, M.B.A., as the hospital’s new president and CEO.
Chulick comes to Casper from Texas, where she was president of CHST Ventures, a healthcare system with 616 beds and more than 950,000 patients per year.
Chulick will begin on July 17, but will spend the first couple of weeks meeting with staff, learning Wyoming Medical Center culture and policy, and transitioning into the position. Current president and CEO, Vickie Diamond, will retain her duties until her retirement on Aug. 1. 061417
Wyoming Medical Center's Board of Directors has named Michele Chulick, M.B.A., as the hospital’s new president and CEO.
Chulick comes to Casper from Texas, where she was president of CHST Ventures, a healthcare system with 616 beds and more than 950,000 patients per year.
Chulick will begin on July 17, but will spend the first couple of weeks meeting with staff, learning Wyoming Medical Center culture and policy, and transitioning into the position. Current president and CEO, Vickie Diamond, will retain her duties until her retirement on Aug. 1. 061417
Severe storms spawned tornadoes and dropped large hail in parts of eastern Wyoming, injuring at least one person.
Tornadoes were reported Monday afternoon in Laramie, Platte, Goshen and Natrona counties.
In Goshen County, where a tornado damaged a house and overturned tractors, there was one report of a person being injured.
A tornado southeast of Cheyenne near Carpenter in Laramie County damaged a rural building, downed power lines and damaged a gas line, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.
A tornado was reported west of Bar Nunn and northwest of Casper at around 6:40 Monday evening.
Baseball sized hail was reported at Wheatland, golfball to baseball sized hail at Douglas, mostly on the east side of town and in the East Antelope Road area. 061317
Tornadoes were reported Monday afternoon in Laramie, Platte, Goshen and Natrona counties.
In Goshen County, where a tornado damaged a house and overturned tractors, there was one report of a person being injured.
A tornado southeast of Cheyenne near Carpenter in Laramie County damaged a rural building, downed power lines and damaged a gas line, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.
A tornado was reported west of Bar Nunn and northwest of Casper at around 6:40 Monday evening.
Baseball sized hail was reported at Wheatland, golfball to baseball sized hail at Douglas, mostly on the east side of town and in the East Antelope Road area. 061317
A strong thunderstorm passed over Natrona County Sunday evening, dropping large hail and touching off a tornado warning.
Quarter-inch to golf-ball-sized hail fell in Evansville at about 7 p.m.
The National Weather Service Office in Riverton broadcast the tornado warning about 6 p.m. and canceled it about 90 minutes later as the the storm tracked to the northeast into rural Converse County. A severe thunderstorm warning lasted until 8:30 p.m.
As of 8 p.m., the National Weather Service office in Riverton had not received any reports of actual tornados or funnel clouds.
Rocky Mountain Power said they were dealing with several power outages in the Casper area following the storm. 061217
Quarter-inch to golf-ball-sized hail fell in Evansville at about 7 p.m.
The National Weather Service Office in Riverton broadcast the tornado warning about 6 p.m. and canceled it about 90 minutes later as the the storm tracked to the northeast into rural Converse County. A severe thunderstorm warning lasted until 8:30 p.m.
As of 8 p.m., the National Weather Service office in Riverton had not received any reports of actual tornados or funnel clouds.
Rocky Mountain Power said they were dealing with several power outages in the Casper area following the storm. 061217
A two-vehicle crash temporarily closed part of the Old Glenrock Highway between Glenrock and Casper on Sunday.
WyDOT said both lanes of Highway 20/26 between mileposts 171 and 173 were closed sometime before 11 a.m. They were reopened in the afternoon.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol said multiple people were taken to the hospital. Cause of the crash remains under investigation. 061217
WyDOT said both lanes of Highway 20/26 between mileposts 171 and 173 were closed sometime before 11 a.m. They were reopened in the afternoon.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol said multiple people were taken to the hospital. Cause of the crash remains under investigation. 061217
Police have identified a man they say was involved in a standoff that temporarily closed Interstate 25 in central Wyoming.
The standoff ended around 2 a.m. Sunday with the arrest of 34-year-old Christopher Eads at a transmission shop in Casper. Police weren't saying Monday what Eads was charged with and what led to the standoff, and it wasn't clear if Eads had an attorney.
Traffic signs along I-25 warned of an "armed fugitive" and told motorists not to pick up hitchhikers. Glenrock police asked locals to stay inside and lock their doors Saturday.
Arrested in Glenrock was 25-year-old Santana Grace Keener.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation says the two took part in several crimes including drug violations, robbery, burglary and aggravated assault. 060617
The standoff ended around 2 a.m. Sunday with the arrest of 34-year-old Christopher Eads at a transmission shop in Casper. Police weren't saying Monday what Eads was charged with and what led to the standoff, and it wasn't clear if Eads had an attorney.
Traffic signs along I-25 warned of an "armed fugitive" and told motorists not to pick up hitchhikers. Glenrock police asked locals to stay inside and lock their doors Saturday.
Arrested in Glenrock was 25-year-old Santana Grace Keener.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation says the two took part in several crimes including drug violations, robbery, burglary and aggravated assault. 060617
Two men are charged with stealing a flat screen television, a drone and other items from a Wyoming house before setting it on fire.
Nineteen-year-old Isaiah Lorenzo Montiano Like and 46-year-old Stacy Raymund Clark were arrested late last week and charged Monday with burglary and first-degree arson. They did not enter pleas during their initial court appearance. They are jailed with their bail set at $200,000 each.
Prosecutors say surveillance video captures images of Like and Clark breaking into a house in Casper by removing a swamp cooler from a window at about 10 p.m. Wednesday and carrying out numerous items including golf clubs. The burglars left at about 11:30 p.m., shortly before smoke starts pouring out of the house.
The men were arrested about four hours later. 060617
Nineteen-year-old Isaiah Lorenzo Montiano Like and 46-year-old Stacy Raymund Clark were arrested late last week and charged Monday with burglary and first-degree arson. They did not enter pleas during their initial court appearance. They are jailed with their bail set at $200,000 each.
Prosecutors say surveillance video captures images of Like and Clark breaking into a house in Casper by removing a swamp cooler from a window at about 10 p.m. Wednesday and carrying out numerous items including golf clubs. The burglars left at about 11:30 p.m., shortly before smoke starts pouring out of the house.
The men were arrested about four hours later. 060617
Glenrock residents were advised under a Code Red to stay inside and lock their doors, and I-25 was closed for a couple of hours Saturday night as law enforcement officials pursued an armed fugitive.
Not a lot of official details of the incident yet, but law enforcement agencies at Casper were showing activity near I-25 around 9:30 Saturday night. Glenrock Police issued the Code Red advisory around 10:30pm. That Code Red was lifted around midnight, and most of the activity seemed to have moved back to Casper, where special response officers were involved in a standoff at Dayton Transmissoin, off the interstate at 1600 F Street.
A female accomplice was taken into custody at Glenrock.
Casper Police said a man was taken into custody and the situation was resolved by about 2:30 Sunday morning. 060517
Not a lot of official details of the incident yet, but law enforcement agencies at Casper were showing activity near I-25 around 9:30 Saturday night. Glenrock Police issued the Code Red advisory around 10:30pm. That Code Red was lifted around midnight, and most of the activity seemed to have moved back to Casper, where special response officers were involved in a standoff at Dayton Transmissoin, off the interstate at 1600 F Street.
A female accomplice was taken into custody at Glenrock.
Casper Police said a man was taken into custody and the situation was resolved by about 2:30 Sunday morning. 060517
Police say they ended a six-hour standoff Friday at a home by arresting a man who tried to rob someone.
Nobody was hurt, though the suspect was taken from the scene in an ambulance.
The standoff happened just west of Casper. Natrona County Sheriff's officials say the suspect fired multiple shots from inside the home, where the unidentified man had retreated to the attic.
Authorities used a loudspeaker to communicate with the man for more than an hour and a half, telling him to come out peacefully.
Others in the home left earlier.
Sheriff's Sgt. Aaron Shatto declined to say whether the man left the home voluntarily. 060517
Nobody was hurt, though the suspect was taken from the scene in an ambulance.
The standoff happened just west of Casper. Natrona County Sheriff's officials say the suspect fired multiple shots from inside the home, where the unidentified man had retreated to the attic.
Authorities used a loudspeaker to communicate with the man for more than an hour and a half, telling him to come out peacefully.
Others in the home left earlier.
Sheriff's Sgt. Aaron Shatto declined to say whether the man left the home voluntarily. 060517
Three years ago, the City of Casper spent $1.2 million dollars to replace the seats in the Casper Events Center. Since then, attendance is down and complaints are up.
The original seats lasted about 32 years. There were 8 thousand of them. When they were replaced, the city installed over 9100 seats to accomodate more people and sell more tickets. That meant smaller, less comfortable seats and less legroom, both common complaints.
The Casper Events Center says they acknowledge complaints and concerns about the seats, and they're inviting the community to test possible solutions to create a more comfortable event experience.
On Wednesday, April 12 from 3:30pm – 7:00pm, the Events Center will host an Open House where management will visit with the public and encourage feedback regarding solutions. The community will be able to sit in modified seats and gauge their level of comfort. Guests will be able to give input and also be entered into a drawing for tickets to upcoming events. There will be complimentary snacks and refreshments available.
The price tag to the City of Casper for the proposed seating modifications and other changes will come in at about $832 thousand dollars. 041017
The original seats lasted about 32 years. There were 8 thousand of them. When they were replaced, the city installed over 9100 seats to accomodate more people and sell more tickets. That meant smaller, less comfortable seats and less legroom, both common complaints.
The Casper Events Center says they acknowledge complaints and concerns about the seats, and they're inviting the community to test possible solutions to create a more comfortable event experience.
On Wednesday, April 12 from 3:30pm – 7:00pm, the Events Center will host an Open House where management will visit with the public and encourage feedback regarding solutions. The community will be able to sit in modified seats and gauge their level of comfort. Guests will be able to give input and also be entered into a drawing for tickets to upcoming events. There will be complimentary snacks and refreshments available.
The price tag to the City of Casper for the proposed seating modifications and other changes will come in at about $832 thousand dollars. 041017
Casper's city manager has announced his retirement, just days after the City Council called for an investigation into the police department and handling of officer complaints by city management.
City Manager V.H. McDonald told the council in a letter Thursday he will retire June 1. McDonald has served in the position since November 2015.
Mayor Kenyne Humphrey had been expected to meet with McDonald Thursday morning to discuss options for responding to the police issues.
Humphrey had called for an investigation after a survey found the police force was suffering from poor morale and many were looking for other work. Officers said city staff hadn't acted on their complaints and that they didn't feel like they had the backing of the administration.
Councilors will start the search for a new city manager immediately. 040717
City Manager V.H. McDonald told the council in a letter Thursday he will retire June 1. McDonald has served in the position since November 2015.
Mayor Kenyne Humphrey had been expected to meet with McDonald Thursday morning to discuss options for responding to the police issues.
Humphrey had called for an investigation after a survey found the police force was suffering from poor morale and many were looking for other work. Officers said city staff hadn't acted on their complaints and that they didn't feel like they had the backing of the administration.
Councilors will start the search for a new city manager immediately. 040717
That new interchange north of Casper isn't dead, yet.
The Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board provided Business Ready Community funding for five projects during its Thursday meeting in Cheyenne.
The Town of Bar Nunn had requested a $3 million grant to build on-and off-ramps at Interstate 25 and Westwinds Road in Bar Nunn. The SLIB board approved partial funding of $1 million dollars toward the project, contingent on Natrona County and WYDOT agreeing to reprioritize other WYDOT projects in Natrona County to provide $2 million for this Bar Nunn project.
In its request, Bar Nunn said the I-25 interchange would provide potential for commercial and industrial development that will add jobs and amenities to Bar Nunn. It would also improve access to the Casper Logistics Hub, Casper/Natrona County International Airport and the Bar Nunn Industrial Park and its recently constructed 30,000 square-foot spec building.
The State Loan and Investment Board also approved full funding of a $500,000 grant to the Casper-Natrona County Economic Development Joint Powers Board. They'll use the money to build a 4,068 square-foot building for maintenance, storage, equipment, guest services and restrooms on the east side of the new David Street Station plaza in the Old Yellowstone District of downtown Casper. 040717
The Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board provided Business Ready Community funding for five projects during its Thursday meeting in Cheyenne.
The Town of Bar Nunn had requested a $3 million grant to build on-and off-ramps at Interstate 25 and Westwinds Road in Bar Nunn. The SLIB board approved partial funding of $1 million dollars toward the project, contingent on Natrona County and WYDOT agreeing to reprioritize other WYDOT projects in Natrona County to provide $2 million for this Bar Nunn project.
In its request, Bar Nunn said the I-25 interchange would provide potential for commercial and industrial development that will add jobs and amenities to Bar Nunn. It would also improve access to the Casper Logistics Hub, Casper/Natrona County International Airport and the Bar Nunn Industrial Park and its recently constructed 30,000 square-foot spec building.
The State Loan and Investment Board also approved full funding of a $500,000 grant to the Casper-Natrona County Economic Development Joint Powers Board. They'll use the money to build a 4,068 square-foot building for maintenance, storage, equipment, guest services and restrooms on the east side of the new David Street Station plaza in the Old Yellowstone District of downtown Casper. 040717
A 55-year-old Casper man who was convicted of setting his estranged wife's mobile home on fire in December 2013 has been sentenced to 30 to 35 years in prison for arson.
Mark Garrison was sentenced Wednesday in Natrona County District Court after telling Judge Daniel Forgey he was not guilty and that he had a written statement from a trial witness saying he lied during his testimony. Forgey said that would be a matter for appeal.
Prosecutors recommended up to 48 years in prison and noted a sentencing assessment found Garrison was a danger to society and those with whom he's in a relationship.
Kathe Garrison testified during the October trial that her estranged husband had threatened to kill her and burn down the house. She was not home at the time of the fire. 020917
Mark Garrison was sentenced Wednesday in Natrona County District Court after telling Judge Daniel Forgey he was not guilty and that he had a written statement from a trial witness saying he lied during his testimony. Forgey said that would be a matter for appeal.
Prosecutors recommended up to 48 years in prison and noted a sentencing assessment found Garrison was a danger to society and those with whom he's in a relationship.
Kathe Garrison testified during the October trial that her estranged husband had threatened to kill her and burn down the house. She was not home at the time of the fire. 020917
Officials in Casper have voted to end the city's electronic waste recycling program.
The Casper City Council on Tuesday turned down a five-year contract with Colorado-based Electronic Recyclers International. Councilors cited costs and the availability of cheap space at the landfill where toxic materials are buried in their decision.
They say the city would spend about $57,000 a year to dump electronics in the landfill, but solid waste division manager Cynthia Langston has estimated the cost to be significantly lower. She says the recycling program's cost was already covered by about $28,000 in annual fees paid by residents for recycling electronics.
Ending the program will also affect other cities like Douglas, that pay Casper to dispose of their residents' waste. 020917
The Casper City Council on Tuesday turned down a five-year contract with Colorado-based Electronic Recyclers International. Councilors cited costs and the availability of cheap space at the landfill where toxic materials are buried in their decision.
They say the city would spend about $57,000 a year to dump electronics in the landfill, but solid waste division manager Cynthia Langston has estimated the cost to be significantly lower. She says the recycling program's cost was already covered by about $28,000 in annual fees paid by residents for recycling electronics.
Ending the program will also affect other cities like Douglas, that pay Casper to dispose of their residents' waste. 020917
The former mayor of Mills has been charged with four misdemeanors, including official misconduct and conflict of interest by a public official.
Marrolyce Wilson also is accused of interfering with a peace officer and illegally holding a liquor license.
Wilson is scheduled to appear Feb. 24 in Circuit Court. Wilson could not be reached for comment, and court officials say she does not yet have an attorney.
The development comes in the wake of the town's former treasurer being charged with taking more than $64,000 from the town. 012517
Marrolyce Wilson also is accused of interfering with a peace officer and illegally holding a liquor license.
Wilson is scheduled to appear Feb. 24 in Circuit Court. Wilson could not be reached for comment, and court officials say she does not yet have an attorney.
The development comes in the wake of the town's former treasurer being charged with taking more than $64,000 from the town. 012517
The Casper City Council has declined to amend the smoking ban approved by voters two years ago.
Councilman Chris Walsh had asked that the issue be discussed at a work session Tuesday after speaking with bar owners who said they had been hurt by the ban, which applies to all public establishments.
The council voted 5-4 not to amend the ban.
Amendment supporters argued that the ban had a negative economic impact, that it infringed on the property rights of business owners and that it was ineffective from a public health perspective.
The amendment would have either allowed smoking in all public establishments or just in bars. 012517
Councilman Chris Walsh had asked that the issue be discussed at a work session Tuesday after speaking with bar owners who said they had been hurt by the ban, which applies to all public establishments.
The council voted 5-4 not to amend the ban.
Amendment supporters argued that the ban had a negative economic impact, that it infringed on the property rights of business owners and that it was ineffective from a public health perspective.
The amendment would have either allowed smoking in all public establishments or just in bars. 012517
Officials have received 113 tips since launching an initiative that allows students to anonymously report threats or safety concerns.
Since launching in late October, Safe2Tell Wyoming has received 113 tips, 76 of which have come from the Natrona County School District where the program was initially launched.
Suicide threats were the most common report last month. Drugs and bullying rounded out the top three, with 12 and 10 reports, respectively.
The program funnels anonymous tips collected through a mobile app, a website and a phone line to law enforcement and school officials. The program is monitored 24 hours a day.
Safe2Tell was first implemented in Colorado after the mass shooting at Columbine High School in 1999. 122816
Since launching in late October, Safe2Tell Wyoming has received 113 tips, 76 of which have come from the Natrona County School District where the program was initially launched.
Suicide threats were the most common report last month. Drugs and bullying rounded out the top three, with 12 and 10 reports, respectively.
The program funnels anonymous tips collected through a mobile app, a website and a phone line to law enforcement and school officials. The program is monitored 24 hours a day.
Safe2Tell was first implemented in Colorado after the mass shooting at Columbine High School in 1999. 122816
Natrona County Republicans plan to hold interviews on Saturday for candidates seeking to replace Rep. Kendell Kroeker of Evansville.
Kroeker announced his resignation last week saying unforeseen circumstances related to his business, Casper Mountain Motorsports, would prevent him from being able to take the time off for the 2017 legislative session, which begins Jan. 10 in Cheyenne.
Interested candidates must submit their names to county party chairwoman Bonnie Foster by 5 p.m. Friday. Foster says precinct committee members from House District 35 will interview the candidates on Saturday morning and select three finalists.
The Natrona County Commission will choose a replacement on Jan. 3.
Kroeker had served in the Legislature for six years and was re-elected in November. 122816
Kroeker announced his resignation last week saying unforeseen circumstances related to his business, Casper Mountain Motorsports, would prevent him from being able to take the time off for the 2017 legislative session, which begins Jan. 10 in Cheyenne.
Interested candidates must submit their names to county party chairwoman Bonnie Foster by 5 p.m. Friday. Foster says precinct committee members from House District 35 will interview the candidates on Saturday morning and select three finalists.
The Natrona County Commission will choose a replacement on Jan. 3.
Kroeker had served in the Legislature for six years and was re-elected in November. 122816
Wyoming's state parks are holding free hikes for the public on New Year's Day.
12 parks and historic sites are participating in the First Day Hikes program, an effort by all 50 state park systems and a private organization called America's State Parks.
Hikes in Wyoming are scheduled at Curt Gowdy, Bear River, Edness K. Wilkins, Guernsey, Keyhole, Sinks Canyon and Buffalo Bill state parks. They will also be held at Fort Bridger, Fort Fred Steele, Trail End and South Pass City state historic sites and the Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Area.
About 500 people participated in last year's First Day Hike in Wyoming.
The hikes are open to anyone, and entrance fees at participating state parks will be waived for the event. 122816
12 parks and historic sites are participating in the First Day Hikes program, an effort by all 50 state park systems and a private organization called America's State Parks.
Hikes in Wyoming are scheduled at Curt Gowdy, Bear River, Edness K. Wilkins, Guernsey, Keyhole, Sinks Canyon and Buffalo Bill state parks. They will also be held at Fort Bridger, Fort Fred Steele, Trail End and South Pass City state historic sites and the Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Area.
About 500 people participated in last year's First Day Hike in Wyoming.
The hikes are open to anyone, and entrance fees at participating state parks will be waived for the event. 122816
No buyers yet...
Officials say the Natrona County School District hasn't yet received any bids for the buildings it has put up for sale.
The district's school board approved a plan earlier this month to get rid of three vacant buildings -- North Casper Elementary, Roosevelt High School and the Fairground Center. Officials are also planning to sell Grant and Mills elementary schools and Star Lane Center, which are expected to be vacant next year.
The initial goal was to have the vacant buildings sold by July 1 and at least Mills sold by Sept. 1. But district spokesman Kelly Eastes says the timeline is fluid.
Officials said last month a church group and the Salvation Army have expressed interest in buying the district facilities.
If the buildings aren't sold, the district may have them demolished. 122316
Officials say the Natrona County School District hasn't yet received any bids for the buildings it has put up for sale.
The district's school board approved a plan earlier this month to get rid of three vacant buildings -- North Casper Elementary, Roosevelt High School and the Fairground Center. Officials are also planning to sell Grant and Mills elementary schools and Star Lane Center, which are expected to be vacant next year.
The initial goal was to have the vacant buildings sold by July 1 and at least Mills sold by Sept. 1. But district spokesman Kelly Eastes says the timeline is fluid.
Officials said last month a church group and the Salvation Army have expressed interest in buying the district facilities.
If the buildings aren't sold, the district may have them demolished. 122316
The Casper College Goodstein Foundation Library recently received a $10,000 grant through the Wyoming Community Foundation.
Library director Brad Matthies says the grant will be used to purchase 200 new Resources for College Libraries core list books in science and medicine as part of the library’s collection improvement project.
The grant was made possible through the McMurry Library Endowment Fund, a donor advised fund held within the Wyoming Community Foundation. 111116
Library director Brad Matthies says the grant will be used to purchase 200 new Resources for College Libraries core list books in science and medicine as part of the library’s collection improvement project.
The grant was made possible through the McMurry Library Endowment Fund, a donor advised fund held within the Wyoming Community Foundation. 111116
The Casper Visitors Center is considering a move up the hill.
The Casper Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau is in the discussion stages of moving the Visitors Center up to the National Historic Trails Interperative Center.
The Visitors Center is now housed in the Casper Chamber of Commerce office on North Center Street, near the Parkway Plaza, but the agreement with the Chamber and the City runs out in March of next year.
The Trails Center location would offer a great view of the city, improved parking, and easy access off I-25 in a location that already sees many visitors each year. 111016
The Casper Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau is in the discussion stages of moving the Visitors Center up to the National Historic Trails Interperative Center.
The Visitors Center is now housed in the Casper Chamber of Commerce office on North Center Street, near the Parkway Plaza, but the agreement with the Chamber and the City runs out in March of next year.
The Trails Center location would offer a great view of the city, improved parking, and easy access off I-25 in a location that already sees many visitors each year. 111016
Federal officials have released a plan for two high-voltage transmission lines in southwestern Idaho that avoid sage grouse habitat and private land, but cross about 9 miles of a conservation area for raptors.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Friday released its final supplemental environmental impact statement for two segments of the Gateway West project proposed by Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power.
The two segments are part of a 1,000-mile transmission line project originating near Glenrock in Converse County that would deliver 1,500 megawatts from southern Wyoming through southern Idaho to points west, potentially tapping into Wyoming's wind energy.
The southwestern Idaho portion has faced opposition from private property owners as well as environmental concerns where the powerlines cross the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. 101116
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Friday released its final supplemental environmental impact statement for two segments of the Gateway West project proposed by Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power.
The two segments are part of a 1,000-mile transmission line project originating near Glenrock in Converse County that would deliver 1,500 megawatts from southern Wyoming through southern Idaho to points west, potentially tapping into Wyoming's wind energy.
The southwestern Idaho portion has faced opposition from private property owners as well as environmental concerns where the powerlines cross the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. 101116
A well-known Casper landmark is facing demolition.
Workers on Thursday began removing a Wells Fargo bank sign at the top of a 177-foot tall concrete tower in downtown Casper. The tower itself will come down in the spring.
Branch manager Debi McNabb says the tower is deteriorating and a safety hazard.
The tower was built in 1968 for what was then Wyoming National Bank. It originally featured an electronic time-and-temperature display. 100716
Workers on Thursday began removing a Wells Fargo bank sign at the top of a 177-foot tall concrete tower in downtown Casper. The tower itself will come down in the spring.
Branch manager Debi McNabb says the tower is deteriorating and a safety hazard.
The tower was built in 1968 for what was then Wyoming National Bank. It originally featured an electronic time-and-temperature display. 100716
A pipeline company plans to replace sections of a natural gas pipeline in Converse County that's had two leaks since August.
The 16-inch pipeline sprung a major leak 14 miles north of Douglas on Sept. 6. Authorities closed Highway 59 for more than two hours while workers shut off the flow.
The leaking gas didn't ignite. DCP Midstream spokeswoman Rosslyn Elliott says the pipeline was carrying 40 million cubic feet of gas a day to a gas-processing plant near Douglas.
Elliott says an inspection in late August revealed a pinhole leak in the same pipeline but about 40 miles north of the later September leak.
She says the company is still investigating the leaks and has been planning to replace sections along a 60-mile stretch of the pipeline. 100716
The 16-inch pipeline sprung a major leak 14 miles north of Douglas on Sept. 6. Authorities closed Highway 59 for more than two hours while workers shut off the flow.
The leaking gas didn't ignite. DCP Midstream spokeswoman Rosslyn Elliott says the pipeline was carrying 40 million cubic feet of gas a day to a gas-processing plant near Douglas.
Elliott says an inspection in late August revealed a pinhole leak in the same pipeline but about 40 miles north of the later September leak.
She says the company is still investigating the leaks and has been planning to replace sections along a 60-mile stretch of the pipeline. 100716
An oil well service company faces nearly $3,000 in fines following the death of one its employees who fell from a workover rig in Midwest.
28-year-old Dennis McCulloch died in July after falling about 76 feet at the oil well site. State investigators determined he had failed to properly use a safety anchor at the time.
The penalty against McCulloch's employer, C L Well Service, is lower than the maximum fine of $7,000 for a serious violation because of the company's small size. 092916
28-year-old Dennis McCulloch died in July after falling about 76 feet at the oil well site. State investigators determined he had failed to properly use a safety anchor at the time.
The penalty against McCulloch's employer, C L Well Service, is lower than the maximum fine of $7,000 for a serious violation because of the company's small size. 092916
The Wyoming State Parks system is inviting eclipse fans to Come Over to the Park Side.
With four parks located in prime viewing areas for next summer's total solar eclipse on August 21st, the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails is offering several reservation and permit packages that will be available to the public beginning this Saturday, Oct. 1.
Resident and non-resident camping and day-use packages for the Sierra Trading Post sponsored WyoParksEclipse events will be available for the eclipse weekend at Edness K. Wilkins, Glendo, Guernsey and Boysen state parks.
Reservations are very limited. Detailed information is available on the Wyoming State Parks website.at www.wyoparks.org. 092816
With four parks located in prime viewing areas for next summer's total solar eclipse on August 21st, the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails is offering several reservation and permit packages that will be available to the public beginning this Saturday, Oct. 1.
Resident and non-resident camping and day-use packages for the Sierra Trading Post sponsored WyoParksEclipse events will be available for the eclipse weekend at Edness K. Wilkins, Glendo, Guernsey and Boysen state parks.
Reservations are very limited. Detailed information is available on the Wyoming State Parks website.at www.wyoparks.org. 092816
The head of the Casper and Glenrock Boys and Girls Clubs has received a national award.
Ashley Bright has been honored with the Jim Wetherington Southwesterner Award at the recent BGCA Southwest Region Leadership Conference in Norman, OK. The award is presented in memory of Jim Wetherington, a caring and committed leader who grew up in the Club and devoted 37 years to the organization.
Ashley Bright’s career with the Boys & Girls Club started in 1991. He's been in Casper as Chief Executive Officer of the Boys And Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming since 1999. The organization serves over 3,000 annual members and operates 10 sites in three counties. 092116
Ashley Bright has been honored with the Jim Wetherington Southwesterner Award at the recent BGCA Southwest Region Leadership Conference in Norman, OK. The award is presented in memory of Jim Wetherington, a caring and committed leader who grew up in the Club and devoted 37 years to the organization.
Ashley Bright’s career with the Boys & Girls Club started in 1991. He's been in Casper as Chief Executive Officer of the Boys And Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming since 1999. The organization serves over 3,000 annual members and operates 10 sites in three counties. 092116
A Casper man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for robbing a bank in Evansville in May. U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl on Tuesday sentenced Kemp Cravens to two years imprisonment on the bank robbery charge and seven years for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The sentences will be served consecutively.
Skavdahl ordered Cravens to pay $200 in special assessments, a $500 fine, and $676 in restitution.
Cravens also will serve three years of probation after his release from prison.
He could have faced up to 20 years imprisonment on the bank robbery count. The firearms count was punishable by not less than seven years to life imprisonment.
Cravens pleaded guilty in July. 092116
Skavdahl ordered Cravens to pay $200 in special assessments, a $500 fine, and $676 in restitution.
Cravens also will serve three years of probation after his release from prison.
He could have faced up to 20 years imprisonment on the bank robbery count. The firearms count was punishable by not less than seven years to life imprisonment.
Cravens pleaded guilty in July. 092116
A man accused of luring a 5-year-old boy away from a Casper bowling alley and sexually assaulting the child has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness in the case.
Joshua Winters entered the plea Tuesday to kidnapping and first- and second-degree sexual abuse of a minor. A judge ordered him to undergo a mental evaluation at the Wyoming State Hospital.
Authorities say Winters worked as a food vendor at a carnival that was at the Central Wyoming Fair on July 18 when he approached the child and offered him money to pay for games.
Court documents say the boy eventually followed Winters outside, where the alleged sexual assault occurred near a river.
The documents say Winters denied the kidnapping and told police the boy could've "gone the other way at any time." 092116
Joshua Winters entered the plea Tuesday to kidnapping and first- and second-degree sexual abuse of a minor. A judge ordered him to undergo a mental evaluation at the Wyoming State Hospital.
Authorities say Winters worked as a food vendor at a carnival that was at the Central Wyoming Fair on July 18 when he approached the child and offered him money to pay for games.
Court documents say the boy eventually followed Winters outside, where the alleged sexual assault occurred near a river.
The documents say Winters denied the kidnapping and told police the boy could've "gone the other way at any time." 092116
Wildlife officials say the Casper man who was mauled by a bear near Jackson had been calling for elk before the attack.
Reggie Riebe was reported to be in good condition Wednesday, though he suffered injuries to his hands, arms, buttocks and scalp. Riebe was attacked Tuesday morning while bow hunting with a friend.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials say Riebe was 100 to 150 yards away from his hunting partner using an elk call when the bear attacked. He was in an area with lots of deadfall and low visibility. Game and Fish suspects the attacking animal was a grizzly bear.
Officials are warning hunters that game calls can attract predators as well as prey. 091516
Reggie Riebe was reported to be in good condition Wednesday, though he suffered injuries to his hands, arms, buttocks and scalp. Riebe was attacked Tuesday morning while bow hunting with a friend.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials say Riebe was 100 to 150 yards away from his hunting partner using an elk call when the bear attacked. He was in an area with lots of deadfall and low visibility. Game and Fish suspects the attacking animal was a grizzly bear.
Officials are warning hunters that game calls can attract predators as well as prey. 091516
An Evansville couple is facing felony charges for allegedly possessing methamphetamine in a trailer where they lived with several children.
Nicholas David Helton has been charged with three counts of child endangerment with methamphetamine. The arrest affidavit says Helton had been living in a bedroom in a trailer with Anna Atkins and her three children.
Atkins faces charges of meth possession and child endangerment with meth.
Police searched the trailer Aug. 6 after receiving information about drug sales taking place in the home.
Police searched Helton’s and Atkins’ bedroom and found several bags containing meth residue. Officers also located two meth pipes behind the headboard of the bed where all the children slept. 090616
Nicholas David Helton has been charged with three counts of child endangerment with methamphetamine. The arrest affidavit says Helton had been living in a bedroom in a trailer with Anna Atkins and her three children.
Atkins faces charges of meth possession and child endangerment with meth.
Police searched the trailer Aug. 6 after receiving information about drug sales taking place in the home.
Police searched Helton’s and Atkins’ bedroom and found several bags containing meth residue. Officers also located two meth pipes behind the headboard of the bed where all the children slept. 090616
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming got their bank accounts refilled on Monday morning.
During their 18th Annual Awards and Recognition breakfast at the Casper Events Center, the group received just over $804 thousand dollars from community donations.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming serves over 8 thousand Wyoming youth from 10 sites in Casper, Mills, Paradise Valley, Glenrock, Buffalo and Kaycee. 083116
During their 18th Annual Awards and Recognition breakfast at the Casper Events Center, the group received just over $804 thousand dollars from community donations.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming serves over 8 thousand Wyoming youth from 10 sites in Casper, Mills, Paradise Valley, Glenrock, Buffalo and Kaycee. 083116
A 75-year-old woman has died from injuries sustained during a five-car pileup on Old Glenrock Highway.
Leoda Cain, of Glenrock, was the only victim in the Sunday, August 21st crash who had remained hospitalized as of late last week. Officials confirmed she died Tuesday.
Wyoming Highway Patrol says the collision occurred just inside the Converse County line between Glenrock and Casper when a truck did not stop for construction, as four cars ahead of the vehicle did. The pickup was traveling about 70 mph. 083116
Leoda Cain, of Glenrock, was the only victim in the Sunday, August 21st crash who had remained hospitalized as of late last week. Officials confirmed she died Tuesday.
Wyoming Highway Patrol says the collision occurred just inside the Converse County line between Glenrock and Casper when a truck did not stop for construction, as four cars ahead of the vehicle did. The pickup was traveling about 70 mph. 083116
Authorities have identified a man who was shot by troopers following a high-speed chase that ended near Casper.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 38-year-old Jimmie Files was taken to a hospital after being shot Sunday. He has since been jailed, but authorities did not release his medical condition.
The incident began when troopers acting on a reckless driving report started pursuing a pickup truck on Interstate 25 in Converse County.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the truck went over a spike strip, drove into oncoming traffic and started driving in the median before being rammed by a trooper's vehicle.
The patrol says officers shot the suspect as he drove toward them.
Two troopers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. 082416
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says 38-year-old Jimmie Files was taken to a hospital after being shot Sunday. He has since been jailed, but authorities did not release his medical condition.
The incident began when troopers acting on a reckless driving report started pursuing a pickup truck on Interstate 25 in Converse County.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the truck went over a spike strip, drove into oncoming traffic and started driving in the median before being rammed by a trooper's vehicle.
The patrol says officers shot the suspect as he drove toward them.
Two troopers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. 082416
Seventeen wild horses and burros were adopted during Wyoming Mustang Days at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas last week.
The BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program sponsored the annual adoption event, which also encourages previous wild horse adopters to showcase the abilities of their mustangs.
Twelve gentled halter-started horses and two burros were adopted throughout the week, by silent bid.
Two saddle-started and one halter-started horse were adopted Aug. 20. The adoption, through competitive bid, followed a demonstration by the trainers from the Mantle Wild Horse Adoption and Training Facility, demonstrating the horses’ abilities.
Wyoming Mustang Days also included the All Wild Horse Show, featuring 36 previous wild horse adopters and their adopted horses, competing in three divisions on Friday, Aug. 19.
Another wild horse adoption is planned for Sept. 9-10, at the Wyoming Honor Farm, in Riverton. 082416
The BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program sponsored the annual adoption event, which also encourages previous wild horse adopters to showcase the abilities of their mustangs.
Twelve gentled halter-started horses and two burros were adopted throughout the week, by silent bid.
Two saddle-started and one halter-started horse were adopted Aug. 20. The adoption, through competitive bid, followed a demonstration by the trainers from the Mantle Wild Horse Adoption and Training Facility, demonstrating the horses’ abilities.
Wyoming Mustang Days also included the All Wild Horse Show, featuring 36 previous wild horse adopters and their adopted horses, competing in three divisions on Friday, Aug. 19.
Another wild horse adoption is planned for Sept. 9-10, at the Wyoming Honor Farm, in Riverton. 082416
Firefighters from Natrona and Converse Counties responded to a grass fire out on Cole Creek Road Monday afternoon.
Fire crews arrived at about 230 pm and found about 25 acres of tall grass and brush burning. Three air tankers were available and helped to put down the blaze.
An official cause has yet to be determined, but a welding unit may have started the fire.
Red Flag Fire Warnings were in effect for Natrona and Converse Counties, as well as much of the rest of eastern Wyoming on Monday afternoon. 082216
Fire crews arrived at about 230 pm and found about 25 acres of tall grass and brush burning. Three air tankers were available and helped to put down the blaze.
An official cause has yet to be determined, but a welding unit may have started the fire.
Red Flag Fire Warnings were in effect for Natrona and Converse Counties, as well as much of the rest of eastern Wyoming on Monday afternoon. 082216
Alpha Natural Resources came out of bankruptcy yesterday.
The coal company operates the Belle Ayre and Eagle Buttes mines just north of Gillette. They were the first of three major mining companies in the Powder River Basin to go into chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, when the industry faces thirty-year lows.
The company will look different going forward. A federal judge approved a plan for the company to split into two companies. Alpha will continue to run its eastern operations, while its Wyoming assets will be rolled off to a new company named Contura Energy, which is owned by Alpha's senior lenders.
The reorganization plan also sets aside $13 million dollars to fund health benefits for more than 4500 former employees, and will end self-bonding at the Wyoming mines. 072716
The coal company operates the Belle Ayre and Eagle Buttes mines just north of Gillette. They were the first of three major mining companies in the Powder River Basin to go into chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, when the industry faces thirty-year lows.
The company will look different going forward. A federal judge approved a plan for the company to split into two companies. Alpha will continue to run its eastern operations, while its Wyoming assets will be rolled off to a new company named Contura Energy, which is owned by Alpha's senior lenders.
The reorganization plan also sets aside $13 million dollars to fund health benefits for more than 4500 former employees, and will end self-bonding at the Wyoming mines. 072716
Milward Simpson is stepping down as director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Affairs.
Gov. Matt Mead announced Tuesday that Simpson is leaving the director's post that he's held for the past 10 years.Simpson is taking a job as director of the Wyoming chapter of the Nature Conservancy.
Simpson started working for the state as manager of the Wyoming Arts Council in 2004 and became director of State Parks and Cultural Resources in 2006.
State Parks and Cultural Resources is the state agency that oversees Edness K Wilkins State Parks, Independence Rock, Ft Fetterman and and Camp Douglas Officers Club State Historic Sites and the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum at the State Fairgrounds in Douglas. 072716
Gov. Matt Mead announced Tuesday that Simpson is leaving the director's post that he's held for the past 10 years.Simpson is taking a job as director of the Wyoming chapter of the Nature Conservancy.
Simpson started working for the state as manager of the Wyoming Arts Council in 2004 and became director of State Parks and Cultural Resources in 2006.
State Parks and Cultural Resources is the state agency that oversees Edness K Wilkins State Parks, Independence Rock, Ft Fetterman and and Camp Douglas Officers Club State Historic Sites and the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum at the State Fairgrounds in Douglas. 072716
The Converse County Sheriff's office has released more information on last week's officer-involved fatal shooting in Douglas.
According to a Wednesday press release, the Sheriff's Department says that in the interest of preventing misinformation, they are releasing the following known facts:
On June 30th, 2016, U.S Marshals came to Douglas to serve a federal warrant on Jasen Scott Ramirez, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense.
The Converse County Sheriff's Office responded at approximately 2:43 pm to a call of an officer-involved shooting at the Saint James Catholic Church.
Local Law Enforcement rendered aid to Ramirez outside of the vehicle where he was shot, but Mr. Ramirez passed away.
A Search Warrant was obtained on the vehicle where approximately 3.5 ounces of methamphetamine and two handguns were recovered. In addition, about 0.5 ounces of methamphetamine, was found on Mr. Ramirez's person.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has been asked to fully investigate the shooting.070616
According to a Wednesday press release, the Sheriff's Department says that in the interest of preventing misinformation, they are releasing the following known facts:
On June 30th, 2016, U.S Marshals came to Douglas to serve a federal warrant on Jasen Scott Ramirez, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense.
The Converse County Sheriff's Office responded at approximately 2:43 pm to a call of an officer-involved shooting at the Saint James Catholic Church.
Local Law Enforcement rendered aid to Ramirez outside of the vehicle where he was shot, but Mr. Ramirez passed away.
A Search Warrant was obtained on the vehicle where approximately 3.5 ounces of methamphetamine and two handguns were recovered. In addition, about 0.5 ounces of methamphetamine, was found on Mr. Ramirez's person.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has been asked to fully investigate the shooting.070616
Deputy U.S. Marshals were involved in the shooting that left a man dead Thursday in Douglas.
The Marshals Service says deputies were attempting to arrest 44-year-old Jasen Scott Ramirez of Colorado when he was shot and killed. He was shot in the parking lot of St James Catholic Church where he reportedly had attended his father's funeral.
No deputies were injured.
Ramirez was indicted in U.S. District Court in Wyoming last month on charges of illegal drug possession, possession of a firearm while drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations is investigating the shooting. An agency official declined comment.
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper responding to the fatal shooting in Douglas is hospitalized with injuries after colliding with another motorist near Glenrock.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the trooper was on the old highway just east of the Glenrock town limits when his struck an SUV. The patrol car rolled multiple times.
The trooper was flown by helicopter Thursday to a Casper hospital, where he's listed in stable condition. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Both are expected to recover. 070116
The Marshals Service says deputies were attempting to arrest 44-year-old Jasen Scott Ramirez of Colorado when he was shot and killed. He was shot in the parking lot of St James Catholic Church where he reportedly had attended his father's funeral.
No deputies were injured.
Ramirez was indicted in U.S. District Court in Wyoming last month on charges of illegal drug possession, possession of a firearm while drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations is investigating the shooting. An agency official declined comment.
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper responding to the fatal shooting in Douglas is hospitalized with injuries after colliding with another motorist near Glenrock.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol says the trooper was on the old highway just east of the Glenrock town limits when his struck an SUV. The patrol car rolled multiple times.
The trooper was flown by helicopter Thursday to a Casper hospital, where he's listed in stable condition. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Both are expected to recover. 070116
Gun owners will not be permitted to bring firearms into Casper City Council meetings after officials there decided not to change a ban on openly carrying guns at meetings.
State law prohibits concealed weapons at public meetings, and Casper made it illegal in 2011 to openly carry deadly weapons to city meetings.
Second Amendment advocates argue that their right to bear arms should extend to council chambers, but the City Council decided not to change the ban after the issue was raised this week.
Mayor Daniel Sandoval and other supporters of the ban say the firearms could potentially stifle free speech and create an air of intimidation. 070116
State law prohibits concealed weapons at public meetings, and Casper made it illegal in 2011 to openly carry deadly weapons to city meetings.
Second Amendment advocates argue that their right to bear arms should extend to council chambers, but the City Council decided not to change the ban after the issue was raised this week.
Mayor Daniel Sandoval and other supporters of the ban say the firearms could potentially stifle free speech and create an air of intimidation. 070116
Wyoming's unemployment rate increased slightly in May to 5.6 percent.
The May jobless rate is up from April's 5.5 percent and higher than the national rate of 4.7 percent. A year ago, in May 2015, Wyoming's rate stood at 4.2 percent.
The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services says that from May 2015 to May 2016, the largest unemployment rate increases were seen in Campbell (up from 3.8% to 8.0%), Natrona (up from 4.8% to 7.5%), Converse (up from 3.7% to 6.3%), and Weston (up from 3.4% to 5.8%) counties. All are counties that have been hit hard with layoffs in the energy industry.
Albany County had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.9 percent in May. It was followed by Niobrara at 3.1 percent, Goshen at 3.5 percent and Laramie at 4 percent. 06216
The May jobless rate is up from April's 5.5 percent and higher than the national rate of 4.7 percent. A year ago, in May 2015, Wyoming's rate stood at 4.2 percent.
The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services says that from May 2015 to May 2016, the largest unemployment rate increases were seen in Campbell (up from 3.8% to 8.0%), Natrona (up from 4.8% to 7.5%), Converse (up from 3.7% to 6.3%), and Weston (up from 3.4% to 5.8%) counties. All are counties that have been hit hard with layoffs in the energy industry.
Albany County had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.9 percent in May. It was followed by Niobrara at 3.1 percent, Goshen at 3.5 percent and Laramie at 4 percent. 06216
A collision involving three vehicles west of Casper has resulted in the deaths of two people and three horses.
The Highway Patrol identified the victims as 56-year-old Carol Plummer and 48-year-old George Rott, both of Casper.
The crash occurred about 4:10 p.m. last Friday on Wyoming 257, about 2 miles west of Casper.
The patrol says Plummer was driving a Jeep Liberty that failed to stop at an intersection. The Jeep was struck by a westbound pickup towing a horse trailer. An eastbound commercial truck driven by Rott then slammed into the horse trailer.
Plummer died at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, while Rott died at the scene.
A passenger in the commercial truck was admitted for treatment of injuries.
A passenger in the pickup was treated and released. 062216
The Highway Patrol identified the victims as 56-year-old Carol Plummer and 48-year-old George Rott, both of Casper.
The crash occurred about 4:10 p.m. last Friday on Wyoming 257, about 2 miles west of Casper.
The patrol says Plummer was driving a Jeep Liberty that failed to stop at an intersection. The Jeep was struck by a westbound pickup towing a horse trailer. An eastbound commercial truck driven by Rott then slammed into the horse trailer.
Plummer died at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, while Rott died at the scene.
A passenger in the commercial truck was admitted for treatment of injuries.
A passenger in the pickup was treated and released. 062216
Natrona County search and rescue crews have recovered the body of a Casper man who was missing and presumed drowned after he jumped into Alcova Reservoir from a boat.
The man was reported missing early Sunday afternoon after he jumped into the water and did not resurface. His body was located Monday morning in the lake about 30 miles southwest of Casper.
The county coroner's office identified the man Monday as 41-year-old Jeremiah Douglas Bush.
Sheriff's Lt. Mike Steinberg says the cause of the man's death is still being investigated, and it's unclear if alcohol played a role. 062216
The man was reported missing early Sunday afternoon after he jumped into the water and did not resurface. His body was located Monday morning in the lake about 30 miles southwest of Casper.
The county coroner's office identified the man Monday as 41-year-old Jeremiah Douglas Bush.
Sheriff's Lt. Mike Steinberg says the cause of the man's death is still being investigated, and it's unclear if alcohol played a role. 062216
A 29-year-old Colorado man has died in a construction accident in Casper.
The Natrona County Coroner's Office says Juan Avalos was driving a four-wheeler on Thursday when he was struck by a metal gate.
Avalos died about 3:30 p.m. shortly after arriving at Wyoming Medical Center.
He was among a crew working on at large project at Kelly Walsh High School.
The incident remains under investigation. 062016
The Natrona County Coroner's Office says Juan Avalos was driving a four-wheeler on Thursday when he was struck by a metal gate.
Avalos died about 3:30 p.m. shortly after arriving at Wyoming Medical Center.
He was among a crew working on at large project at Kelly Walsh High School.
The incident remains under investigation. 062016
Some Casper area residents are getting scammed on the phone.
The Natrona County Sheriff's Office says the callers identify themselves as current employees of the Sheriff's Department. They tell the person on the other end that they've missed jury duty and the Sheriffs have a warrant for their arrest. While they have you on the phone, the scammers try to collect more personal information and ask you to pay the warrant over the telephone.
The NCSO says they do not call citizens who have active warrants for their arrest and they don't ask for money over the phone. If you get a telephone call concerning a warrant for arrest, the Sheriff's department says do not give out any financial or personal information, and you should hang up immediately. 053116
The Natrona County Sheriff's Office says the callers identify themselves as current employees of the Sheriff's Department. They tell the person on the other end that they've missed jury duty and the Sheriffs have a warrant for their arrest. While they have you on the phone, the scammers try to collect more personal information and ask you to pay the warrant over the telephone.
The NCSO says they do not call citizens who have active warrants for their arrest and they don't ask for money over the phone. If you get a telephone call concerning a warrant for arrest, the Sheriff's department says do not give out any financial or personal information, and you should hang up immediately. 053116
Another day, another bank robbery.
Evansville police were call out to the Platte Valley Bank's Evansville branch at about 9:30 Tuesday morning. A middle-aged, white male had entered the bank, showed a gun, and escaped with an undetermined amount of cash. He escaped in a white SUV with no license plates.
At around noon on Tuesday, family members talked the man into turning himself in, and he was taken into custody a short time later. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The Points West Bank in Douglas was robbed on Monday afternoon. The robber, 52 year old Charles Mathis, was apprehended later on Monday and is being held at the Douglas jail pending charges. The Douglas Police Department and the Converse County Attorney's Office are working with the FBI and the US Attorney's Office to formally file the appropriate charges against Mathis. 050416
Evansville police were call out to the Platte Valley Bank's Evansville branch at about 9:30 Tuesday morning. A middle-aged, white male had entered the bank, showed a gun, and escaped with an undetermined amount of cash. He escaped in a white SUV with no license plates.
At around noon on Tuesday, family members talked the man into turning himself in, and he was taken into custody a short time later. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The Points West Bank in Douglas was robbed on Monday afternoon. The robber, 52 year old Charles Mathis, was apprehended later on Monday and is being held at the Douglas jail pending charges. The Douglas Police Department and the Converse County Attorney's Office are working with the FBI and the US Attorney's Office to formally file the appropriate charges against Mathis. 050416
A suspect has been taken into custody following a Monday afternoon robbery at Points West Community Bank in Douglas.
Police Chief Ron Casalenda says a dark-complected adult male robbed the bank at about 2:30 this afternoon. The man indicated that he had a weapon, but no weapon was shown. No word yet on how much money was taken. There were no injuries reported.
Casalenda said the man left the bank on foot, westbound on East Richards Street. He's described as dark complection, wearing all dark clothing and either a dark beanie or do-rag on his head.
A suspect was later taken into custody on I-25 southbound at exit 140.
Douglas High School and Douglas Primary School were placed on lockdown and students were held in the buildings until just before 4pm when law enforcement deemed it safe for them to be released. CCSD #1 Transportation was also locked down, and busses ran late this afternoon. 050216
Police Chief Ron Casalenda says a dark-complected adult male robbed the bank at about 2:30 this afternoon. The man indicated that he had a weapon, but no weapon was shown. No word yet on how much money was taken. There were no injuries reported.
Casalenda said the man left the bank on foot, westbound on East Richards Street. He's described as dark complection, wearing all dark clothing and either a dark beanie or do-rag on his head.
A suspect was later taken into custody on I-25 southbound at exit 140.
Douglas High School and Douglas Primary School were placed on lockdown and students were held in the buildings until just before 4pm when law enforcement deemed it safe for them to be released. CCSD #1 Transportation was also locked down, and busses ran late this afternoon. 050216
The developer of a wind farm south of Glenrock says the 46-turbine facility will be operational by the end of the year.
sPower spokeswoman Naomi Keller says work began on the 80-megawatt Pioneer Wind Park in February and commercial operations will start sometime this year. Salt Lake City-based sPower took over ownership of the wind farm from Wasatch Wind in August.
The company still faces challenges to completing the project.
Keller says sPower is working to get a permit from wildlife officials to ensure birds are protected from the turbines. The company is also involved in a lawsuit brought by the Northern Laramie Range Alliance, alleging sPower doesn't have the financial capacity to construct the project.
The suit is before the Converse County District Court. 041116
sPower spokeswoman Naomi Keller says work began on the 80-megawatt Pioneer Wind Park in February and commercial operations will start sometime this year. Salt Lake City-based sPower took over ownership of the wind farm from Wasatch Wind in August.
The company still faces challenges to completing the project.
Keller says sPower is working to get a permit from wildlife officials to ensure birds are protected from the turbines. The company is also involved in a lawsuit brought by the Northern Laramie Range Alliance, alleging sPower doesn't have the financial capacity to construct the project.
The suit is before the Converse County District Court. 041116
Wyoming Department of Transportation crews continue to install 70 mph speed limit signs around the state, bringing new sections of highways up to the statutory speed limit for non-interstate highways in Wyoming.
District 2 Crews are working today to hang signs on Highway 20/26 from Casper to Shoshoni.
On Tuesday, they'll be working on U.S. 287/WYO 789 from Muddy Gap to Sweetwater Station.
Until the new signs are installed, the existing posted speed limit remains in effect. 041116
District 2 Crews are working today to hang signs on Highway 20/26 from Casper to Shoshoni.
On Tuesday, they'll be working on U.S. 287/WYO 789 from Muddy Gap to Sweetwater Station.
Until the new signs are installed, the existing posted speed limit remains in effect. 041116
Natrona County authorities have identified a man whose body was found in a vehicle in a rural neighborhood north of Casper.
Searcy Evon Johnson's body was found Tuesday. Officials say the 40-year-old man's last known address was in Washington state.
Sheriff's deputies had received a call about the dead body and responded to the area off Bryan Stock Trail.
Authorities say Johnson's death is suspicious, but have not released any details. They believe it is an isolated incident.
The death remains under investigation. 040716
Searcy Evon Johnson's body was found Tuesday. Officials say the 40-year-old man's last known address was in Washington state.
Sheriff's deputies had received a call about the dead body and responded to the area off Bryan Stock Trail.
Authorities say Johnson's death is suspicious, but have not released any details. They believe it is an isolated incident.
The death remains under investigation. 040716
A municipal judge says Casper police officers gave special treatment to the girlfriend of another police officer during a drunken driving stop in October.
Officers issued the woman a citation and released her to her boyfriend, a sergeant with the Casper Police Department.
Judge Keith Nachbar says the action amounted to special treatment because police do not typically release DUI suspects with only a citation unless there is a medical emergency.
Casper Police Chief Jim Wetzel said Tuesday that his department has begun an internal evaluation to examine whether the officers acted in line with agency policies.
Wetzel says results of the evaluation will not be made public because it involves personnel matters. 040716
Officers issued the woman a citation and released her to her boyfriend, a sergeant with the Casper Police Department.
Judge Keith Nachbar says the action amounted to special treatment because police do not typically release DUI suspects with only a citation unless there is a medical emergency.
Casper Police Chief Jim Wetzel said Tuesday that his department has begun an internal evaluation to examine whether the officers acted in line with agency policies.
Wetzel says results of the evaluation will not be made public because it involves personnel matters. 040716
A Mills woman who embezzled thousands of dollars from the Wyoming Fiddlers' Association has been sentenced to one to five years of supervised probation.
Casey Whiteman was sentenced Wednesday for taking more than $10,000 from the group, for which she worked as treasurer for nearly a year.
She was hired as treasurer in September 2014 and started stealing money about a month later, after she was granted authorization to sign checks for the association.
Investigators say she told them she used the stolen money to pay bills, including rent, for child care, groceries and medical care.
Whiteman has paid $10,400 in restitution. 040716
Casey Whiteman was sentenced Wednesday for taking more than $10,000 from the group, for which she worked as treasurer for nearly a year.
She was hired as treasurer in September 2014 and started stealing money about a month later, after she was granted authorization to sign checks for the association.
Investigators say she told them she used the stolen money to pay bills, including rent, for child care, groceries and medical care.
Whiteman has paid $10,400 in restitution. 040716
