(Casper, Wyo.) – Summer is almost officially upon us (June 21st), the nice weather this week has got us like, ‘Sweet Summertime is here!’

Summer in Casper with it the Annual Beartrap Music Festival!

On August 1rst and 2nd  eleven blue grass bands will join fans at Beartrap Meadow for a weekend full of fun, sun and bluegrass.

The headliners this Summer will be Los Lobos on Saturday and the Charlie Daniels Band on Sunday.

Beartrap Music Festival has now released the musical lineups for the weekend festival.

See below:

Saturday, August 1st

One Child Left Behind

Tom Coryell & The Incorrigibles

Barefoot Movement

Darling Side

Big Daddy Love

Los Lobos

Sunday, August 2nd

Oil City Slickers

Ana, Rachel & Friends

The Taarka Band

The Last Revel

Jalan Crossland

The Charlie Daniels Band

(Casper, Wyo.) – Last week a group of Casperites and the Casper Chive collected donations to support the folks of Niobrara County and Lusk following the Spring flooding.

“It was awesome being able to help out Niobrara County with all we could and the huge support from everyone around here,” said Casper resident Derek Wingterter.

The group of Wyoming Chivers took two full trailors and a truck load to Lusk residents on Sunday.

“It was a blast and they definitely enjoyed the help we gave. Definitely proud of this state!” said Wingerter.

See photos below provided by Derek Wingerter and  JC Horton Photography:

(Casper, Wyo.) – Here is Tuesday’s recap of law enforcement activity from around Natrona County over the last 24 hours. All those cited or arrested are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Charges filed are subject to change following official filling from Natrona County District Attorney’s Office.

Casper Police Department
Arrests:

Jack L Adams, 69 of Natrona County, DUS, DWUI. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Poplar and Wyoming Boulevard with a report that one of the drivers may have been impaired. The two vehicles involved were a Ford and Chevrolet that had collided at the intersection, where the Ford reportedly ran through the red light, according to the report. Officers interviewed the man, identified as Adams, driving the Ford vehicle. Officers found the man to have the distinct door of alcohol emanating from his person, according to the report, he stated that he had a beer at lunch earlier in the day. A field sobriety test was administered which indicated he was impaired and not capable of operating a motor vehicle. Officers believed that alcohol was not the primary intoxicant, according to the report. he was arrested for driving while under the influence.

Melissa B Castillo, 33 of Casper, failure to appear

Zachary L Hammond, 25 of Evansville, DWUI. Officers responded to a report of a suspicious person sitting in a Chevrolet vehicle listening to loud music outside of the North McKinley Loaf N Jug, where the reporting party indicated he appeared intoxicated, according to the report. Officers arrived and did not find the vehicle, the store clerk had asked the man to leave, which he complied, according to the report. Officers located the vehicle, one block from the store. The man was identified as, Zachary Hammond, who had passed out behind the wheel with the keys in the ignition, according to the report. Officers woke the man and initiated a field sobriety test, which he subsequently was deemed unfit to operate a motor vehicle due to his level on intoxication, according to the report. He was arrested for driving under the influence, second offense, and taken to the detention center.

Raymond C Kiskis, 36 of Casper, failure to appear, criminal warrant, bench warrant

Trevor A Lott, 21 of Casper, speeding, suspended/revoked drivers license. Man was arrested after being pulled over for speeding 43 mph in a mark 30 mph zone, according to reports.

Malachi D Moore, 30 of Casper, county warrant hold for agency

Total arrests: 6

Calls:

Casper Police officers responded to 10 accidents, two reports of disturbance, three family fight reports, two fights reported, one hit and run accident on Meadowlark Drive, three reports of suspicious activity, four reports of theft and made 61 traffic stops Monday, June 8, 2015.

Total incidents: 204

Natrona County Sheriff’s Office
Arrests:

Susan M Arner, serve jail time

Kevin J Evans, serve jail time

Bruce A Bricker Jr., serve jail time

Wade A Gray, bond revocation

Calls:

Natrona County Sheriff’s deputies responded to three accidents, one report of suspicious activity on Ponderosa Road and made one traffic stop on Highway 220 Monday, June 8, 2015.

Total incidents: 31

Wyoming Highway Patrol

Eugene J Hall, DWUI, open container, seatbelt required

Total inmates: 234

(Casper, Wyo.)- Following the recent wildlife harassment charge to Natrona County School District Trustee Kevin Christopherson, he spoke out about the incident.

From a recent press release from the WGFD:

In late 2014, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department received over 30 tips from concerned citizens regarding a video on the internet they felt was wildlife harassment.  The video showed an ultralight/sport aircraft repeatedly flying low over a large herd of elk in Deer Creek Park in the Laramie Range southeast of Casper.  The citizen tips led to a wildlife harassment conviction.

Kevin Christopherson told the story of what happened to Oil City on Tuesday; he said he had discovered the herd of elk 25 miles outside of Casper near the Lone Star Ranch, and heard an “uproar of comments,” from many Wyoming residents about the area being tied up and locked to public access.

He noticed that 3,000 elk were in the area and he contacted the Wyoming Game and Fish Department about doing something with the area to allow hunting or public access to the area.

He reported that he spoke with Scott Edberg, WGFD Deputy Wildlife Chief, about the elk in the area and sent him a few still images of the elk.

“He should have let me know then that I couldn’t video tape the elk, ” reported Christpherson.

He reported that it was a beautiful day in September when he flew over the elk and video taped them with his GoPro. He then sent the video to the WGFD to notify them and let them know that thousands of elk were in the area and they did not get back to him about the video.

He then made a second video and put it on social media, and he commented that it then went viral.

“The elk were in top form in September which leads to little stress. All fences were down in the property, even the rancher testified that all of his fences were down. Two wardens testified in court that there was no evidence in the video that any elk were harmed, ” commented Christopherson.

“They (WGFD) could have stopped it and I feel that the outcry from the public forced them to do something about it. They made me out to be the bad guy when I was just trying to help them out. They made an example of me, I wouldn’t have done it in the first place if they had told me not to,” said Christopherson.

“I made a mistake, I am not a perfect person and I have learned from it. This has nothing to do with the school board or my duties as a school board trustee.”

Natrona County School Board Chairman Dave Applegate commented after Monday night’s meeting, “I am confident he (Chrsitopherson) will continue to perform his responsibilities with diligence as he has in the past.”

Christopherson went on to report that he intends to donate his 2015 residential elk tag to the Wyoming Game and Fish Donate a License Program and to the Hunting with Heroes program for a wounded warrior hunt.

“This is not a stab at my integrity, there are a lot bigger things out there besides missing a hunting season. I want to turn this negative into a positive and put this behind me,” concluded Christopherson.

(Casper, Wyo.) – Summer afternoon programs about pioneer and Wyoming history are coming to the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center this June.

These free, short interpretive programs range from 20 to 45 minutes and begin at 1:00 pm.

Come see the following programs and more at the Trails Center,  1501 N. Poplar Street, Casper, Wyoming:

• June 27, 1 p.m., “They Wore What?” – Join us as local interpreter Janet Wragge shares in the stories of women’s pioneer clothing from the 1840s-1860s. Her interpretive program titled, “They Wore What?” will sure to get your attention! Many different outfits will be on display.
• June 28, 1 p.m., “Weapons and Tactics of the Plains Indian Wars” – The Plains Indian Wars were a result of misunderstanding, prejudice and ignorance. The presenter will explore these concepts while looking at the technology of the times in regards to weapons and tactics of the military as well as the Plains Indians.

For more information, please contact Jason Vlcan at (307) 261-7780.

-Provided by the BLM High Plains District and NTIC-

(Casper, Wyo.) – Nearly 50 physicians, nurses, therapists and other caregivers gathered Monday in the McMurry West Tower conference rooms for Neuro Education Day, a day devoted to teaching the latest treatments and advancements in a host of neurologic diseases.

Ongoing education is essential for healthcare professionals, but this was the first time David Wheeler, M.D. Ph.D., and his colleagues at Wyoming Neurologic Associates grouped so many neurological topics together for a full day of education. Wheeler stepped outside the packed conference rooms to tell us what it’s all about.

WMC does some education every year, but they came up with the idea to put a lot of neuro education together on one day. They gathered a lot of speakers together, and are trying get some synergy going in the room.

There are people from several different departments, WMC staff attended (from Wyoming Neurologic Associates), Elkhorn (Valley Rehabilitation Hospital).

What is the purpose of Neuro Day?
Obviously there’s a lot of ongoing education for nursing staff at Wyoming Medical Center, and more and more people are getting interested in neurology and neurosurgery because they account for some of our sickest patients who are the hardest to take care of.

What will these caregivers learn today?
They heard lectures on epilepsy and movement disorders, and about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Some other topics included Guillain-Barre Syndrome, storkes, and spinal cord injuries.

What is the advantage of grouping these neurological topics together for a full day of education?
Doctors and Nurses are always trying to think about ways to bring people together around common topics to build each other up and give everybody a sense of belonging to a team that is doing something important. Everyone who works in the medical field values education, so it seemed like this was a really good way to bring people together. The hope is that not only does this help caregivers take better care of their patients, but that it also improves the sense of belonging for people who work on the neuro floor at Wyoming Medical Center.

In medicine, obviously, professionals have to keep up with the latest and best treatments. How often do best practices change, would you say?  
Neurology in particular is a very rapidly advancing field with lots of new diagnostic techniques, new medications and new treatments available. They also do a lot of technological things. WMC has a pretty amazing tools for measuring brain function and taking amazing pictures of the brain, so helping people to understand those tools and keeping them up to date is really important.

What new technologies or treatments are you excited about?
One that lots of people are most excited about isn’t really a new technology, but it is a newer application of older technology. It is using our continuous EEG monitoring in the hospital to better understand what is happening in the brains of people who have altered mental status or who are waking up from comas. We are finding out that a lot of these patients are having subtle seizure activity that we weren’t aware of. When treatedt, their outcomes are improved. It’s a new use for an old technology.

With respect to stroke care, there have been some tremendous new advancements. This year, staff members learned that patients who are having an acute stroke caused by a blood clot in the front part of the brain can sometimes be dramatically improved if they go into their brain with a catheter and use a cage to grab the clot and pull it out. There are several new studies published just this year that have radically altered our approach to acute stroke care. It’s made a huge difference and they are going to definitely tell people about it.

What else should people know about this education day?
“I just want people to be aware how much interest and enthusiasm there is for these topics. And, to have this many people, most of them are taking their day off to come to the hospital to learn about these topics, is great. All of the people upstairs working on the nuero floor right now really wish they could be downstairs. So we’ll probably have to do another one. We do hope that people get some important new points that they can apply in their daily practice that can help everybody,” said David Wheeler, M.D. Ph.D.,

-Provided by our Community Sponsor Wyoming Medical Center-

(Casper, Wyoming) – Congratulations to Stephen Schicketanz on his wedding to Alyssa Gibbins! The couple will be married at 4:30 p.m. on July 18, 2015, next to the Tetons in Teton Village.

Alyssa attended Natrona County High School and the University of Wyoming. She is a preschool teacher at the Child Development Center. Alyssa is the daughter of Cari Barahal and Derek Gibbins, both of Casper.

Stephen attended Roosevelt High School and works as a manager at Straight Line Vapors. Stephen is the son of Amy Schicketanz and Steve Schicketanz, both of Casper.

Congratulations to the happy couple as their wedding quickly approaches!

(Casper, Wyo.) – Armond Berg, 92, passed away at his home in Casper May 25, 2015. Armond was born in Jamestown, ND to Oscar and Agnetha (Aaseth) Berg on January 14, 1923. Armond graduated high school in Jamestown in 1941, traveled to Seattle, WA where he joined the Army Air Corp in 1942. While receiving military training he met the love of his life, Doris Goodin and they were married on September 23, 1943, in Mountain Home, Idaho. View more of this obituary, here.

(Casper, Wyoming) – Congratulations to Casper man Michael Bryant on his wedding to Ashley Allred of Casper. The couple will marry at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Park Community Church on July 11, 2015.

Michael graduated Natrona County High School in 2009. He currently works for Hedquist Construction. Michael is the son of Dennis and Cynthia Bryant of Casper.

Ashley graduated Natrona County High School in 2011. She then went on to earn her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming at Casper in 2015. She currently works as a substitute teacher with the Natrona County School District. Ashley is the daughter of Enoch Allred of Casper and Kari Menter Allred of Douglas.

-Provided by the National Weather Service-

Representatives from a diverse group of Wyoming health and law enforcement leaders remain concerned that prescription drug abuse is Wyoming’s fastest-growing drug problem with wide-ranging consequences.

Prescription medicine abuse is the use of a prescription medication to create an altered state, to get high, or for any reasons other than those intended by a prescribing doctor.

The Rx Abuse Stakeholders group includes representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the Wyoming Board of Pharmacy, the Wyoming Medical Board, the Wyoming Nursing Board, the Wyoming Department of Health, the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy and others. Since 2008 RAS members have gathered monthly to discuss the problem, prevention measures and solutions, education strategies, and tools and resources.

Dr. Wendy Braund, state health officer and WDH Public Health Division senior administrator, said deaths in Wyoming related to prescription drug overdose have risen from five deaths in 2004-05 to 116 deaths in 2012-13. “Clearly, we have a major public health concern on our hands in this state. Prescription medicines can do wonderful things when used properly, but legal doesn’t always mean safe.”

Kebin Haller, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation deputy director of operations, said investigations related to heroin and prescription controlled substances intended for pain relief have doubled in recent years. “This is a drastic increase in opiate/opioid investigations compared to the typical 5-10 percent we have seen in the past.”

Haller noted prescription drug abuse often times comes before heroin use. “I never thought I would say that we have a heroin problem in Wyoming, but we do now have a heroin problem in Wyoming. It is directly connected to the abuse of prescription controlled substances related to pain relief.”

Mary Walker, Wyoming Board of Pharmacy executive director, said there are several ways that individuals are able to get the prescription medications they then use inappropriately. “People have been known to steal medications from home medicine cabinets or they take them from grandparents and friends. We see ‘doctor shopping’ and other kinds of fraud to get unneeded prescriptions, as well as armed robberies from pharmacies.”

“People get addicted, and then they get desperate,” Walker continued.

WDH recommends people dispose of unneeded medications, especially those intended for pain relief. Secure dropboxes are available in many communities. Dropbox information can be found online atpmowyo.org. Some medications can also be donated for distribution to others who may need them. More information is available online at wyomedicationdonation.org.

The RAS has developed a website with information about prescription drug abuse, current news and events, facts and statistics, recovery resources and continuing education resources for medical providers. The RAS site can be found at www.wyrxabusestakeholders.com.

– Provided by Wyoming Department of Health

(Casper, Wyo.) – Last night the Natrona County School Board updated and revised two board polices as well as unanimously voted to support a joint resolution with Natrona County and the City of Casper for the Natrona County Public Library.

Before the meeting the board of trustees listened and answered public questions and comments during their work session on Board Policy 5375-Professional Guidelines for Students and Staff as well as Board Policy 5376-Use of Cell Phones and other mobile devices for students and staff.

Click the link to read public comments about the two policies.

The board committee updated Board Policy 5375 so it know reads:

The Natrona County School District Board of Trustees believes the way you look and speak affects your behavior and academic performance. The intent is to create a culture in schools where the focus is learning.

Dress: 

Students: Students will be referred to an administrator to secure acceptable clothing should their dress not comply. Parents or guardians will be contacted.

Staff: As role models, all staff shall dress in a manner that clearly distinguishes them as professionals, and is appropriate for their particular job assignments and the daily responsibilities. T­shirts and jeans are not considered professional dress. Casual attire may be worn when school is not in session, on casual Fridays and “spirit days”. 

The board also looked at the language of staff and students and updated the policy:

Language:

The use of profanity, vulgarity, put-downs, or name-calling is inappropriate.

Updates were also made to Board Policy 5376 and now reads:

The Natrona County School District Board of Trustees believes that schools are, first and foremost, learning institutions.  Cell phones, and other technology, can be a valuable tool or they can be a distraction and disruption to the educational process. 

The use of cell phones, or other technology, is permitted in class when authorized by staff, or during lunch and passing periods.

All other use of cell phones by students and staff is at the discretion of the principal.  Unauthorized use by students may result in confiscation and devices will be stored in the school office until the end of the day.

Parents who need to speak with their child(ren) may contact the school office to request assistance. 

Students and staff are responsible for the security of their own cell phones and technology.   The District is not responsible for loss or theft of personal devices brought to school.

In other news the board approved all of the consent items which can be read Here.

The next Natrona County School District Meeting will be held in September.

(Wyoming) – National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Eastern Natrona County until 5:45 PM.

Large hail and strong winds possible. Seek shelter if in the path of this storm. Report any severe weather to the NWS when safely possible.

Check the National Weather Service for updates.

(Casper, Wyo.) – Casper Police Department has reported that on June 9th 2015 Michael Carpenter was located and is in custody for charges not related to the accident at N. Beverly and Yellowstone that occurred on May 29th 2015.

The accident is still under investigation. Additional information will be released when available.

The Casper Police Department would like to thank all the citizens of Casper who provided information regarding Carpenters location.

If you have questions or concerns contact the Casper Police Department at 235-8278.

Click to read more about the bike incident.

(Casper, Wyo.) – Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 11:00 am. Some of the storms could produce small hail, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.

Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Flash flooding watch for later this afternoon into Thursday.

(Casper, Wyo.) – Looks like a pretty quiet day along the Western front, enjoy your Hump Day, a day closer to the weekend.

Wednesday, June 10th

Launching Little Learners at NCPL at 10:30 am.

Windows 8 at NCPL at 4:00 pm.

Rocky Mountain Puppets at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm at NCPL.

A series of public meetings is scheduled in June to address future highway improvement projects in Northwest Wyoming.

A key part of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) process involves annual meetings with public officials and other individuals who play a key transportation role in Wyoming, according to Shelby G. Carlson, P.E., Wyoming Department of Transportation district engineer in Basin.

“These meetings provide an opportunity for local officials and citizens to provide input into WYDOT’s planning process,” Carlson said.

WYDOT has planned these meetings in June to receive your input and answer questions:

10 a.m., Monday, June 15, 2015 – Fremont, Natrona and Teton counties — Fremont County Courthouse, Commission Chambers, 450 N. 2nd St., Lander.

10 a.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2015 – Washakie County — Washakie County Courthouse, Commission Room, 1001 Big Horn Ave., Worland.

1 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2015 – Hot Springs County — Hot Springs County Government Annex Building, 117 N. 4^th St., Thermopolis.

9 a.m., Monday, June 22, 2015 – Big Horn County — Big Horn County Courthouse, Commission Room, 420 West C, Basin.

1 p.m., Monday, June 22, 2015 — Park County — Park County Courthouse, Commission Room, 1002 Sheridan Ave., Cody.

The STIP is a prioritized construction plan for the 1,326 miles of highway in Northwest Wyoming. Projects enter the STIP process based on a complex long range planning and needs analysis process, along with public input on known development issues that impact highway capacity.

“At the meetings, we will summarize and seek your input on projects planned for future construction and pavement preservation in Northwest Wyoming, and we’d like information from you on community development and local planning that will impact the state transportation system,” Carlson said. “If you have an interest in the future of our transportation infrastructure in Northwest Wyoming, please attend one of these meetings to offer input.”

(Casper, Wyo.) – A Casper man has entered a guilty plea to child abuse in District Court Wednesday morning.

Phillip Hall, 27, allegedly shook a baby girl in February, where he was originally charged with aggravated child abuse, according to court documents. Hall plead guilty to a reduced charged of child abuse, which is punishable by up to five years.

Per a plea agreement with the state, Hall will not see jail time if he has no other felony convictions on his record. Hall will have to successfully complete probation in order to avoid a penitentiary term.

Officers were notified of the incident after an infant was admitted to the Wyoming Medical Center Emergency Room with a subdural hematoma, a collection of blood outside of the brain, according to the report. The infant was life-flighted to Denver Children’s Hospital for treatment.

During follow-up questioning on Feb. 14, Hall admitted to investigators that he had been too hard on the infant during feeding, according to the report.

He stated to detectives that he was frustrated when he shook the baby, he demonstrated with a baby doll, before she screamed loudly, seized and lost consciousness, according to the affidavit. 

He is currently out on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond awaiting sentencing.

Click here to read more about this case.

(Casper, Wyo.) – 45-year-old John Kosmata changed his plea to guilty to the amended charges of domestic battery this morning in District Court.

Per plea agreement Kosmata will serve two consecutive six month sentences in the Wyoming State Penitentiary.

He will serve one and a half years in prison for these two counts as well as another count of sexual assault in another case.

Click to read more about this case and other cases involving Kosmata.