(Casper, Wyo.) – Military Rights for Mr. Gary Wert, 79, of Casper, WY will be accorded by Natrona County United Veteran Council and Wyoming Army National Guard at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 15, 2015 at Oregon Trail Veteran’s Cemetery in Evansville, WY.
William Camblin, 91, passed away on June 10, 2015 in Casper. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Hominy, Oklahoma. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp.
Wyoming’s schools will soon be filled with little boys named Liam and little girls answering to Olivia with both chosen most often as new baby names in 2014 across the state, according to the Wyoming Department of Health’s Vital Statistics Services program.
For boys, the name Liam has topped the charts for three years in a row and has been in the top five most popular names for four out of the last five years. In 2014, Liam was followed by Jackson/William (tied), Wyatt, James and a tie of Benjamin/Logan/Mason.
After being among the top five most popular names for girls since 2011, Olivia reached the top spot on the list in 2014. Emma, Brooklyn, Abigail and Harper followed Olivia this year. Sophia, the top name in 2013, fell down several spots but remained within the top ten. Brooklyn and Abigail made new appearances on the top five most popular list.
Jim McBride, Vital Statistics Services Program manager with the Wyoming Department of Health, said “The number of births is up slightly again this year for Wyoming. Our office recorded 7,693 births to Wyoming resident mothers during 2014, which reflects a slight increase from 7,617 in 2013 and 7,576 in 2012.
McBride said the state’s economic analysis division recently reported Wyoming’s population increased by 930 people from 2013 to 2014. “So the increased number of births we recorded last year was consistent with the state’s overall population trend.”
Vital Statistics Services promotes and protects the health of Wyoming residents by serving as the official custodian of all vital records in the state and by disseminating health information in support of health and social planning efforts. More Wyoming statistics and information about the program can be found online at http://www.health.wyo.gov/rfhd/vital_records/index.html.
(Casper, Wyo.) – Thanks to Casper’s Downtown Development Authority and Galles Greenhouse for keeping our downtown streets beautifully filled with flowers!
Enjoy your Sunny Friday and a Sunny Weekend around Natrona County.
– Presented by Ingram | Olheiser Injury and Trial Attorneys
(Casper, Wyo.) – Thirty-two-year-old Robert A Snyder’s case will last four days during the month of October.
Snyder allegedly stabbed 28-year-old Kevin Simmons 13 times on Sunday, March 8, 2015. His trial will be held on Monday, Oct. 19, 2015 with Judge Daniel Forgey presiding.
If convicted of attempted second-degree murder and stalking, Snyder could serve 20 years to life in prison, according to state statute.
Simmons was allegedly stabbed approximately 13 times in the arms, left side of his chest and back. The punctures were between one half and one inch wide, according to the affidavit filed in Natrona County Circuit Court.
Snyder requested the court withdraw his bond and hold him in the Natrona County Detention Center so he can work within the jail. He also agreed to sign a waiver of appeal on his bond requirement during a scheduling conference Friday afternoon.
Click here to read more about this case.
Congratulations to Casper man Michael Martinez on his wedding to Robin Zieman of Casper! The happy couple will be married August 22, 2015 at 5:00p.m.
Michael & Robin have been together for 10 years, have 3 beautiful kids together and are very excited to start their Journey as Husband and Wife!
Congratulations! I love you guys! Xoxo Meg
(Cheyenne, Wyo.) – The Wyoming Association of Physician Assistants (WAPA) awarded two of its own as well as one Wyoming physicianSaturday night during the joint Wyoming Medical Society/WAPA Annual Meeting at Jackson Lake Lodge in Moran, Wyo.
Kelly Lieb, PA-C of Sheridan was named the state’s top physician assistant for 2015. Lieb, a Sheridan native and University of Wyoming alum, practices at Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Sheridan. Lieb attended Rocky Mountain College in Montana where she earned her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies in 2006 before practicing two years in Tucson, Ariz. She then moved back to her home state to practice in Gillette and now Sheridan.
Fellow physician assistant Nancy Brewster nominated Lieb for the award. In her nomination, Brewster wrote of Lieb: “Kelly has jumped in and assumed a significant leadership role on the WAPA board. She has taken on the conference for this year and next year and also done a great job co-chairing the WAPA newsletter. She is excited about being a PA and is a great representative of the PA profession in Sheridan.”
The second award handed out Saturday night by WAPA was the Physician Assistant/Physician Team of The Year award, which went to the Casper team of Robert Tobin, MD and JoAnn Ramsey, PA-C. The team of Tobin and Ramsey practice at Rocky Mountain Oncology in Casper.
Tobin is a Casper native who received his medical degree from Creighton University and specialty training in Radiation Oncology from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He serves as medical director at Rocky Mountain Oncology and is board certified in Radiation Oncology.
Ramsey, an Indiana native, graduated from the Purdue University School of Nursing. After completing her Physician Assistant certification from University of North Dakota in 1993, she has worked in Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, and Neurosurgery. She and Dr. Tobin have worked together for four years. Ramsey has been named the state’s top Physician Assistant in 2006 and 2010.
WAPA member Sheila Sterkel offered the nomination of the team, writing: “Jo Ramsey and Dr. Tobin show an excellent example of a medical team offering comprehensive care for cancer patients. I have referred patients to them and patients come back complementing the caring attitude that this team gives. Patients feel confident they are receiving the best care.”
The Wyoming Association of Physician Assistants (WAPA) was founded in 1975 to promote the ideals of the Physician Assistant profession on both the state and national level. WAPA is a constituent chapter of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
– Provided by Wyoming Association of Physician Assistants
In December 2014, Leslie Fritzler was hired as the new Victim Services Coordinator for the Casper Police Department. Leslie immediately went to task to enhance the Department’s response and dedication to victims of crime by researching and applying for an International Association of Chiefs of Police sponsored project initiative funded by the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice.
“I am pleased to announce that Leslie’s hard work and efforts have resulted in the Casper Police Department’s competitive selection as one of three agencies nationwide to serve as a demonstration site for the Service, Support & Justice: A Strategy to Enhance Law Enforcement Response to Victims Initiative, said Chief Jim Wetzel, in a news release. “This is a significant accomplishment for the Department and the Victim Services Unit. At the time of Leslie’s hiring, I stated that the Casper Police Department was invested in ensuring a caring and compassionate response to victims of crime.”
The City of Chattanooga Police Department, Saginaw Police Department, and Casper Police Department were selected following a rigorous peer review process and further vetting by OVC, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and IACP.
“I further identified Leslie as the right person at the right time to take the reins of our victim services program, move it forward, and provide an additional dimension of police service to the community,” said Chief Wetzel. “The awarding of this multi-year national grant project to the Casper Police Department paves the way for the Department to validate a culturally transformative strategy and to be on the leading edge of progressive 21st-century police services.”
The selected sites will implement the ELERV Strategy with training and technical assistance from the IACP. At the same time, the implementation of the ELERV Strategy will be evaluated to determine its effectiveness in creating a cultural transformation within the selected law enforcement communities in their response to victims of Demonstration sites will be reimbursed up to $100,000 each year for the next three years to support their agency’s participation in the initiative.
– Provided by the International Association of Police Chiefs and Casper Police Chief Jim Wetzel
(Casper, Wyo.) – Join St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on the lawn Wednesday, June 17th at 6:00 pm for an evening of music, food, and fun as they say “Thank You” to Natrona County’s first responders.
The evening’s events will include a concert by musician John Smylie, Bishop of Wyoming, a silent auction, and great food.
Your ticket purchase includes the concert, food, and drink!
This is a family friendly event and 100% of the proceeds raised from the evening will go to Project Lifesaver, a program that keeps those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and those who are a threat to wander off safe.
Tickets for the evening are only 1 for $10, 2 for $15, and a family for $25.
First responders, with a valid ID, and their families will be admitted for free.
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for this outdoor event to St. Stephen’s at 4700 S. Poplar St.
For more information contact us at 265.4105.
(Casper, Wyo.) – “Nature’s Children, Connecting the Past to Present,” a temporary exhibit, featuring the work of Wyoming Indian High School students, runs from June 23 to Aug. 28 at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.
Most of the works are first attempts at each medium for the students and include pastel paintings, block prints, “stories and legends” and ceramic sculptures.
This exhibit will culminate with a performance by the Wyoming Indian Traditional Club of youth dancers and drummers on Aug. 28, at 1 p.m.
Cleve Bell, an art teacher at Wyoming Indian High School and orchestrator of the exhibit, said he mentored his students as they created these works.
“It is once again my pleasure to help curate an art show with the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center,” Bell said. “This show marks the third time that myself and the art students at Wyoming Indian High School have been privileged to be able to present our works in such a great environment.”
“We at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center are proud and honored to be hosting this temporary exhibit once again,” said Jason Vlcan, an interpreter at the Trails Center. “It is a true delight to have such wonderful and meaningful artwork on display from the talented students at Wyoming Indian High School.”
The artwork from the students will be available for sale through the National Historic Trails Center Foundation, a Trails Center partner.
The temporary exhibit was made possible in part by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy and the National Historic Trails Center Foundation.
Regular entrance fees to the Trails Center apply. For more information, please contact Jason Vlcan at the NHTIC, (307) 261-7780.
-Provided by the National Historic Trails Center-
Friday, June 12th
United Way of Natrona County Presents “Wyaui” at CanDo Hanger (The Old Bundy Marine Building) at 6:00 pm.
Appy Hour at NCPL at 10:00 am.
Stalkups RV Trade in Carnival from 9:00 am-6:00 pm.
Fundraiser to support the batting cages at Mike Lansing Field/Crossroads – Music by Outhouse Girls (formerly Dang Ol Boys) from 6:00-10:00.
Saturday, June 13th
Free CNFR Pancake Breakfast from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at Casper City Park (located on Center Street and 7th Street).
Poverty Resistance Food Pantry Lemonade Day from 8:00 am-2:00 pm.
Stalkups RV Trade in Carnival from 9:00 am-6:00 pm.
Washington Park ice cream social hosted by the Casper Mustang Car Club at 3:00 pm.
Wild West Photo Workshop at Wyoming Camera Outfitters.
2015 National Trails Interpretive Center Wyoming Heritage Days at NTIC from 8:00 am-5:00 pm.
Auction of Western Books at NCPL at 6:00 pm.
Reliant Federal Credit Union is hosting the Downtown Day of Discovery Scavenger Hunt.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters -A “Putt-ing Kids First” miniature golf at 10:00 am.
Sunday, June 14th
CNFR opens at the Casper Events Center.
Stalkups RV Trade in Carnival from 9:00 am-6:00 pm.
If you know of any other events happening this week please let us know! Visit our homepage and click the Share News icon!
(Casper, Wyo.) – Mostly sunny skies expected for Saturday with highs sticking to the mid-70s for the weekend, according to the National Weather Service office in Riverton.
Saturday expect light breezes throughout the day with a high near 73 degrees. Tonight will see a low around 50 degrees with possible thunderstorms before midnight.
Sunday will see similar temps and skies throughout the day with thunderstorms arriving after noon, high near 75 degrees. Sunday night will see a drop in temps around 50 with an increase in winds near 21 mph.
Low to mid-70s to begin the week with temperatures increasing after Wednesday.
Saturday, June 13th
Free CNFR Pancake Breakfast from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at Casper City Park (located on Center Street and 7th Street).
Poverty Resistance Food Pantry Lemonade Day from 8:00 am-2:00 pm.
Stalkups RV Trade in Carnival from 9:00 am-6:00 pm.
Washington Park ice cream social hosted by the Casper Mustang Car Club at 3:00 pm.
Wild West Photo Workshop at Wyoming Camera Outfitters.
2015 National Trails Interpretive Center Wyoming Heritage Days at NTIC from 8:00 am-5:00 pm.
Auction of Western Books at NCPL at 6:00 pm.
Reliant Federal Credit Union is hosting the Downtown Day of Discovery Scavenger Hunt.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters -A “Putt-ing Kids First” miniature golf at 10:00 am.
The Lander Community Foundation’s 2015 Challenge for Charities Half Marathon, 5K, & 1M fun run are quickly approaching! JULY 4th is right around the corner! The early registration deadline is Monday, June 15th. Please register before then to get a lower entry fee. You can register online here.
Last year, the foundation board raised $100K from nearly 60 donors to act as the match pool for the 35 local nonprofits participating in the Challenge for Charities. We were able to match their donations 64%! The board is working hard to pull together a match with big impact. We invite community members to donate to the matching pool. Visit our website at www.landercommunityfoundation.org and indicate that you’d like your donation directed to the Lander Community Foundation. Donations at the $500 level and above qualify as Community Challengers and will be recognized at different levels. The levels are Bronze at $500, Silver at $1,000, Titanium at $2,500, Gold at $5,000, and Platinum at $10,000.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our current Community Challengers & Race Sponsors!
If you have questions about the Challenge for Charities or the July 4th road races, contact board member Michelle Escudero at michelle_escudero@q.com.
After a terrifying car crash, WMC patient Vanessa Darrah sought out the off-duty nurse who stopped to calm her down. She discovered the nurse was Casey Robberson, a nurse in our surgical recovery room. Vanessa penned this testimonial to show what Casey meant to her.
Testimonial by Vanessa Darrah
It was Friday, May 8, and like any other person in their 20s, I was excited for the weekend. I had the days and nights all planned out – hanging with good friends with some much needed R&R tucked in between. But as the late great John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
Did life have plans for me.
My little brother, Trevor (not by blood, but by friendship), and I both work as traffic clerks for K2TV. To save time and gas, we carpool to and from work. We also take our lunch breaks together, and on May 8, we had to stop by my insurance company.
When we were finished, we drove around the block and stopped for a red light at the intersection of 12th and Conwell. I pulled forward at the green light, and a car blew right through the intersection, T-boning my car at what seemed like 50 miles an hour. I happened to see it coming, but sadly not in time. I grabbed the wheel, hit the gas, and yelled for my little brother. “TREVOR!” The car hit the driver’s-side door and we spun around twice, landing on the opposite side of the road and facing the wrong direction.
I remember removing my hand from the steering wheel in an attempt to turn off my car. Instead, a sharp pain shot through my arm, and I couldn’t move my fingers. I looked to my right to see if Trevor was ok. We were both in shock.
“Are you ok?” he asked.
I lifted my arm, and it bent in a spot in which it wasn’t meant to bend. I panicked. I smelled something burning and started yelling at Trevor to turn off the car. I flung open my door, which shouldn’t have been possible with my broken arm, and started screaming for someone to call for help. I was so afraid my car was going to explode. I tried to get out and stand up, but a kind man ran over and told me the car was off and help was on its way.
That’s when Casey showed up.
Casey is a nurse at Wyoming Medical Center. She was off duty and heading home to let out her dogs. She didn’t have to stop. She didn’t have to save my sanity, but she did. In truth, I was a panicked mess. I screamed about work, and money, and a million other things that didn’t actually matter in that moment. In a flash, Casey was at my car door, holding my mangled arm in place and keeping me calm. Every time I started to panic, or tried to stand, or started to cry, she was there holding more than my arm together.
“Look at me, it’s OK. The ambulance is coming,” she said.
“But I have to go to work.”
“Don’t worry about that right now, just focus on me.”
“I don’t have the money for this, I don’t have insurance.” By this point, I was sobbing.
“It’s OK. Don’t worry about that,” she told me. “Just focus on breathing. Focus on me.”
I noticed, then, that she had the most beautiful blue eyes. They reminded me of my dad’s, who had just passed away the month before. They were calming, they were stabilizing, they were safe. Casey stayed with me until the paramedics arrived, never letting me fall apart. And I’m pretty sure she wiped away more than a few of my tears.
I was transported to Wyoming Medical Center and prepped for surgery. Lo and behold, Casey worked in the surgical unit. She came in and asked if I remembered her. Though it took me a moment, I recognized her when I saw her blue eyes. I started to cry. She talked to me until they took me back to surgery. I don’t remember what we talked about, other than her dogs. But I know it was she, for the second time, who kept me calm.
Would I have survived if Casey hadn’t stopped to lend a hand? Yes. But I’m convinced that my mental state wouldn’t be what it was without her. You hear so many stories on the news about the horrible people in the world. Negativity and sadness surround us daily, and sometimes our faith in humanity is tested. But that single act of kindness that Casey showed me gave me more than either of us could have imagined. I have a brighter outlook on the world these days. And I try to pass on that same kindness to others. My arm was broken in that wreck, but thanks to Casey, something broken inside of me was fixed.
-Provided by Wyoming Medical Center and The Pulse-
Due to a Wyoming Game and Fish Department news release sent out to over 8,800 individuals interested in wildlife, conservation groups and media outlets, the person responsible for the wanton waste of game fish in Campbell County has been identified.
South Gillette Game Warden Dustin Kirsch said, “We sent out the news release about 3:00PM on Tuesday, June 9 and within a couple of hours the individual responsible for dumping the fish called me and turned himself in.”
Warden Kirsch was notified on Monday June 8, 2015 that about 400 fish, mostly crappie, had been dumped east of the Collins Heights subdivision near Gillette. Warden Kirsch continued, “I would really like to thank the sporting public for providing tips and information on this case.”
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department encourages the public to contact the STOP POACHING hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847), their local game warden or any Game and Fish Office if they have information on a poaching incident or any other illegal wildlife related activity. Callers can remain anonymous.
Read the initial report on County17.com.
(Casper, Wyo.) – “Kestrels, Osprey, and Other Less Familiar Raptors,” will be the topic for the June Raptor Rap program at Casper College’s Werner Wildlife Museum on Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m.
“Most people can identify eagles and owls, but don’t know an osprey and can’t tell the difference between a falcon and a hawk,” said India Hayford, museum assistant. During the session, participants will learn what to look for to determine what smaller raptor they are seeing. “Size is no indication of strength, hardiness, or hunting ability,” noted Hayford, who said that a hungry eight-inch long kestrel could attack and bring down birds twice its size.
Raptor Rap is a family-friendly program for all ages, especially designed for those who are “fascinated with eagles, owls, hawks, and other birds of prey and interested in getting to know more about them and meeting people who share their interests,” said Hayford.
Raptor Rap is free and open to the public and takes place in the Wyoming Room of the Werner Wildlife Museum, which is located at 405 E. 15th Street. For more information, contact the museum at 307-235-2108.
-Casper College-
In 1985, 10-year-old Brian of Gillette wished to have a BMX bike. Understanding the value a bike could hold for Brian, Make-A-Wish Wyoming transformed his wish into reality.
Brian’s wish was not just the first to be granted by Make-A-Wish Wyoming, but it also began a tradition of serving children battling life-threatening conditions across the state for decades to come.
Inspired by Brian and in commemoration of 30 years of wish granting, Make-A-Wish Wyoming, Kelly Walsh High School and Natrona County High School proudly present Tour de Wish, a 5k biking and walking event June 20, 2015.
One of seven events of its kind being hosted statewide, Tour de Wish Casper will begin at City Park as participants mount their bikes in support of wishes and in celebration of the nearly 500 wishes that have been granted of Wyoming children. Do not miss your chance to be a part of Make-A-Wish Wyoming’s first Tour de Wishseries and register today at wyoming.wish.org.
Together we will ensure every eligible child in Wyoming can experience the hope, strength and joy only a wish can provide.
(Casper, Wyo.) – Over two dozen re-enactors and enthusiasts have set up camp near the Casper Event Center to give patrons a taste of what the 1800s may have been like for traveling pioneers.
Wyoming Heritage Days, celebrates the 125th anniversary of Wyoming statehood, have living displays from the early years of settlements to the era of the Civil War and protecting the pioneer trails.
Take a look through a selection of photos to get a taste of what the weekend offers. If you missed it Saturday, they will be in full swing until 2:00pm Sunday.
Earlier this week, House Natural Resources Committee Vice Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large) joined U.S. Representative Paul Cook (CA-08) and other colleagues on the committee to pass a suite of bills that includes three legislative wins for Wyoming, a statement from Lummis’s office states.
H.R. 1992: the American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act will prevent an increase of the soda ash royalty rate to 6 percent at the end of this fiscal year. Instead, the bill lowers the rate to 2 percent for five years to help level the playing field between Wyoming and other American soda ash producers who must compete with synthetic, state-subsidized soda ash produced in China. The soda industry directly employs over two thousand workers in Wyoming, in addition to supporting thousands of jobs in the transportation, port, and manufacturing sectors.
H.R. 2358: the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act will streamline and improve management of electricity rights-of-way on federal lands, which are crucial to power delivery but threatened by beetle killed trees and other hazards. This bill will enhance the reliability of the electrical grid in Wyoming, reduce the threat of wildfire, and protect ratepayers.
H.R. 2647: the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 expedites the National Environmental Policy Act to improve forest management activities. This will ensure forest health and resilience by efficiently managing fire-prone forested lands. The bill bolsters what we know works to prevent catastrophic wildfire through proactive management of forests and encouraging state and local collaboration on management projects. It also cuts unnecessary red tape and takes a measured step to prevent unproductive litigation that has held up responsible and environmentally sound projects on our federal forests.
“I am pleased we have passed out of committee these bipartisan bills critical to Wyoming, her forests, and her working families, and the next stop is the House floor,” said Rep. Lummis. “Two of these bills will improve what has been poor federal management of our forests and the energy transmission corridors over federal lands that help keep the lights on in Wyoming. I was particularly pleased to work with Representative Cook on the soda ash bill to keep Wyoming’s soda ash industry globally competitive. This is a jobs bill, ensuring Wyoming’s workers and natural soda ash feed global demand instead of the state-subsidized, artificial soda ash synthesized in China.”
“I’m glad to see my bill was passed out of committee with strong support,” said Rep. Cook. “This is an important bill that will protect a vital industry, grow jobs, and do this with little impact to the federal budget. This $1.8 billion industry within the U.S., employs over 3,000 workers directly, 700 of which are in my district. Additionally, it provides around 20,000 indirect jobs. I appreciate the support of my colleagues on this vital issue, particularly Vice-Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), who joined me in sponsoring this bill.”
(Casper, Wyo.) – A 40 percent chance of thunderstorms possible Sunday afternoon with mostly sunny skies early, according to the National Weather Service office in Riverton.
Today will be stormy after 3:00 pm with scattered thunderstorms around Casper, high near 76 degrees as these storms could produce gusty winds. Tonight will see cloudy conditions as the thunderstorms will linger in the area, producing some rain and small hail throughout the night.
Monday will see temps in the low-70s with a 20 percent chance of severe thunderstorms and winds around 20 mph. Monday night expect an increase in storm activity with large hail and heavy rain possible, low around 53 degrees.
Thunderstorms possible until Thursday with temperatures in the lower to mid-70s for the week.
