Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Best friends..."}]

Smile 9 29 23

Cowboy State Daily is Wyoming’s largest newspaper with Wyoming’s most experienced journalists. 

<title>Daily Smile: Friday, September 29, 2023 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Best friends...

Daily Smile: Friday, September 29, 2023

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's Feature Reporter, Andrew Rossi.

Andrew Rossi

Wyoming Life

May historically is one of the wettest and most crucial moisture months of the year for Wyoming. This year 

was a Jekyll-and-Hyde May around the Cowboy state, either exceeding or falling short of expectations.

After the warmest, driest winter on record for areas across Wyoming, experts 

going into May ranging anywhere from “just OK” to “basically horrible."

 in southeast Wyoming during May, the rest of the state didn’t do so well. In fact, it was nearly one of the driest Mays on record for many regions.

“You can see the difference driving across the state,” said Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day. “The Red Desert is beautiful, while it looks like it hasn’t rained for years in Thermopolis. 

“There was a lot of moisture in May, but we wish that wealth would've spread out a little bit more, that's for sure."

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Results May Vary"}]

There were definite winners and losers when it comes to precipitation this May. The clear winners are the communities in southeast Wyoming.

“The southeast and south-central regions did really well,” Day said. “Cheyenne, Laramie, and Rawlins were either at or above average precipitation for the month.”

Southeast Wyoming received more than 2 inches of liquid water from a heavy snowstorm in 

. The region got at least that much, if not more, during 

Day categorized the storms as extremely similar but less widespread than many 

 had hoped. Their impacts were contained to southeast Wyoming and didn’t extend beyond that.

“It's really hard to find any precipitation patterns that get the whole state one way or another, but there was a really steep gradient,” he said. “Spring precipitation does tend to be more widespread, but we got two nearly identical patterns that gave southeast Wyoming most of that moisture.”

[{"type":"text","text":"The further north one goes, the bleaker the numbers get."}]

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Riverton, Buffalo received 0.73 inches of precipitation in May. That’s only 27% of its historical average and the third-driest May on record since 1998.

Rock Springs received 31% of its historical average at just 0.4 inches. Riverton and Greybull didn’t fare much better, with only 32% and 36%, respectively.

Lander and Casper did much better, getting more than 1.5 inches of rain each. That’s over 70% of their historical average precipitation for May, but still significantly below average.

[{"type":"text","text":"For Day, the trend was clear."}]

“For the Powder River, Bighorn, and Wind River basins, which really needed to get some moisture, May was disappointing,” Day said. “Sheridan was good, but Buffalo wasn’t. 

"Gillette and Sundance weren’t great, and we were still below average in the Casper-Wheatland-Torrington area. If you weren’t in southeast Wyoming, May underperformed.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Extent Of The Problem"}]

May is one of the wettest months of Wyoming’s year. That makes it one of the most critical periods, setting a precedent going forward.

May continued a troubling trend of below-average monthly precipitation for another consecutive month. Every month since November 2025 has trended toward below-average precipitation with above-average temperatures.

There’s no denying Wyoming’s in the midst of a drought. 

, most of the state is experiencing either extreme or severe drought.

That’s not to say there hasn’t been some improvement. Parts of southeast Wyoming were experiencing exceptional drought at the end of April.

“There was a slight improvement in those southeast and south-central counties with those two big storms, but we didn’t really gain any ground,” Day said. “We lost a bit of ground in northeast Wyoming, which just hasn’t been able to get much of anything.”

Now that May has come and gone, Day said it’s unlikely the statewide drought situation will improve.

“May is such a critical month,” he said. “When precipitation underperforms in May, it's so hard to catch up in the summer and fall. It’s hard to get to better, more moist patterns like we usually get in April, May, and June.”

There isn’t any relief to start off June. Day said the first half of the month is “trending drier,” especially in western and southwest Wyoming.

"There are hints that the second half of June is when our precipitation and opportunities get better, but the first half of June is going to be a bit of a struggle,” he said. “I would say that the better precipitation in June will be later than sooner.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Monsoon Can’t Come Soon Enough"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"There are encouraging signs on the horizon. "}]

Meteorologist are anticipating the impact of the El Niño developing in the Pacific Ocean, which many are already saying bears the hallmarks of 

Regarding a super El Niño, Day is keeping his expectations and extended forecasts reserved.

“The computer model predictions are for an El Niño to form this summer into fall and maybe linger into early winter,” he said. “While we may feel some impacts of this developing El Niño over the next couple of months, the bigger impacts that happen globally and across the country will happen in the fall, winter, and into spring. 

[{"type":"text","text":"\"That’s when those impacts really manifest themselves.”"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Day sees more encouraging signs in the short-term."}]

“We're seeing a lot of humidity building on the U.S./Mexico border,” he said. “Those are the beginning signs of what we call the North American monsoon wanting to form.”

The North American monsoon could produce high-precipitation thunderstorms, like the storms that reached Wheatland and Torrington earlier this week. However, that moisture depends on wind patterns that haven’t materialized yet.

“You need a specific wind pattern to get that moisture transported north, and I don’t see that happening yet,” Day said. “That’s why I’m leaning on the second half of June being better for moisture.”

Regardless, the simultaneous abundance and deficit of moisture in May have already set a precedent for the rest of 2026. As far as the ongoing, statewide drought is concerned, Day sees a drier summer ahead.

“I am certainly concerned about drought conditions worsening in the areas that didn't do well in May,” he said. “Let's just hope that things will get more moist as we get into the second half of June and July.”

Jekyll and Hyde may 6 3 26

<title>Despite Huge Storms During Jekyll-And-Hyde May, Much Of Wyoming Still In Drought | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Despite huge storms in southern Wyoming, May was Jekyll and Hyde, either exceeding or falling short of moisture expectations — with much of the state still in drought. “It looks like it hasn’t rained for years in Thermopolis,” said meteorologist Don Day.

Despite Huge Storms During Jekyll-And-Hyde May, Much Of Wyoming Still In Drought

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's general assignment reporter, Clair McFarland.

Clair McFarland

Crime & Courts

Courts

The transgender Laramie resident who staged a protest 

last summer of Wyoming’s new cross-sex access ban for public restrooms is now waging a self-defense argument in a felony aggravated assault case.

 for using the women’s bathroom in the Wyoming Capitol when a new state law activated banning the practice. 

The ban doesn’t allow for penalties against a transgender person using the women’s bathroom, but allows females aggrieved by that event to sue the state for letting it happen.

About two months later, Kelver was involved in an altercation with a man outside the Crowbar in Laramie. Court documents say that after a verbal clash — the contents of which are disputed — Kelver approached the man.

The man shoved Kelver, who fell to the ground, and Kelver pulled a firearm and chambered a round before pointing the pistol at the man, the affidavit alleges.

This case is ongoing, with Kelver’s attorney Andrew Holcomb, and Kelver, both promising to pursue a 

Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Byrd cast the case as an instance of biased enforcement, and said it highlights the need to reaffirm universal Second Amendment and due process rights for everyone.

“The Kelver case is bigger than one bartender, one crosswalk, and one night in Laramie,” wrote Byrd, who’s also a former legislator, in a Wednesday Facebook post. “It’s a test of whether the Second Amendment means what it says  for everyone.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kelver Statement"}]

Kelver responded to that claim with cautious statements in a Wednesday phone interview.

“There is a plethora of opportunity for me to be a victim of bias in this, but there’s a lot of evidence we need to address properly, through the legal channels, and kind of go forward with this in a way that is respectful to the legal process,” said Kelver. 

“So I am not intending to make any accusatory statements about how this was handled on the police department’s side or the judicial side at the moment,” Kelver added.

Laramie Police Department Lt. Craig Lenhardt declined Wednesday to comment on the case on the department’s behalf.

Albany County Attorney Kurt Britzius, who is prosecuting this case, did not return an email and phone message request for comment by publication.

[{"type":"text","text":"Kelver delivered another comment via phone."}]

“I fully respect the legal process and intend to address the facts in court, not necessarily anymore in the media,” Kelver said. “I did not go looking for confrontation. I genuinely believed my safety was threatened and my actions were taken in response to that threat.”

Kelver voiced confidence that, “when all the facts are heard in the proper setting it will be clear that this was a defensive response to a frightening situation. I just ask that 

 not rush to judgment based on incomplete information.”

Kelver faces up to 16 years in prison and up to $12,000 in fines if convicted. 

The charges are aggravated assault (up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines), possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent (up to five years in prison and $1,000 in fines), and interference with a peace officer (up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"First, Court Documents"}]

Kelver was standing outside the Crowbar at about 10 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2025

 an altercation unfolded after a man shouted something about the bar.

[{"type":"text","text":"Most of the other facts of the case are disputed."}]

Laramie Police Department Officer Hunter Rope wrote in an affidavit filed two days later that he, Rope, was called to respond to 2nd and Ivinson streets on a report of a fight and a person drawing a handgun.

[{"type":"text","text":"Rope spoke with Kelver on scene."}]

“Kelver stated they pulled out a knife during the involvement, but did own a firearm supposedly located in her vehicle,” says the affidavit. “Kelver stated they were a transgender woman and Native American.”

Earlier in the evening, Kelver was near that intersection when a man, later identified as Scott Durham, yelled, “Hey, the Crowbar should be closing, you bunch of fa*s,” the affidavit relates from Kelver’s interview.

The affidavit doesn’t list Durham’s full name, but a December court document recounting the county attorney’s office’s efforts to find out if Durham wanted restitution does. That document says Durham did not ask for restitution.

[{"type":"text","text":"Cowboy State Daily has been unable to contact Durham.  "}]

Kelver grew agitated and confronted Durham, asking, “What the f*** did you just say,” according to Kelver’s account of the incident in the affidavit.

[{"type":"text","text":"Durham reportedly shoved Kelver to the ground."}]

Kelver described to Rope trying to draw a knife, “but dropped it when she hit the ground.”

Officers searched the intersection and didn’t find the knife, the affidavit says.

The teal-colored .308-caliber firearm Kelver had allegedly claimed was in the car was, rather, in Kelver’s side bag — a thick leather satchel — wrote Rope.

Rope handed that to another officer for that officer to clear it, the document says, adding, “a live round was found in the chamber.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Other Account"}]

In Durham’s account, Durham was walking north on the sidewalk across from the bar and yelled “f*** the Crowbar” because he likes the Buckhorn Bar better.

Kelver demanded to know what Durham had said, he repeated his statement, and Kelver — hand on hip — walked toward Durham and the other people with Durham, the latter alleged in his own account.

Durham reportedly said Kelver’s hand was in a black side bag, and Kelver approached Durham “aggressively.”

Kelver and Holcomb both told Cowboy State Daily in separate Wednesday interviews that this was a “three-on-one” situation, and two other people were with Durham.

Durham and another person, whom the affidavit calls “A.S.,” turned and walked west on the crosswalk toward the Buckhorn Bar, but Kelver “got face to face” with Durham, hand still in the bag, the document says.

Durham pushed Kelver away, causing Kelver to fall. Kelver drew a handgun from the bag in which Kelver’s hand had been nestled during the approach, the affidavit alleges.

[{"type":"text","text":"Durham and A.S. kept walking away."}]

Kelver “racked the gun and pointed it at” Durham’s head, Rope recounted from Durham’s account.

A.S., in his interview, said he believed part of the gun was blue, reportedly.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Witnesses And Cameras"}]

A witness reportedly said he heard Durham and Kelver yelling back and forth, watched Kelver cross the street with one hand in the side bag, watched Durham push Kelver to the ground, then heard a gun being racked and saw Kelver point the gun at Durham.

Another witness, “E.B.,” whom the affidavit calls a friend of Durham’s, attested that Durham had said “f*** the Crowbar,” reportedly.

E.B.  said he saw Kelver on the ground pointing a gun at Durham’s head as Durham walked away, Rope relates from that interview.

When police reviewed area cameras, they saw Kelver approach Durham in the crosswalk and Durham push Kelver, the affidavit says.

“Kelver appeared to stumble and fell on her back,” wrote Rope. “After falling, Kelver appeared to pull out a firearm, pull back the slide, load the firearm, and point it.”

Informed of the video’s contents, Kelver allegedly “stated she did not recall pulling the firearm during the altercation.”

Kelver described carrying the gun due to having been stalked the previous night, and for personal safety, the document adds.

[{"type":"text","text":"Kelver was arrested."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"A Little Law"}]

Wyoming has a law saying people who act in self-defense “shall” not be prosecuted for it.

Courts have answered that mandate by forming the “John’s hearing,” where a person charged with a violent crime can try to show evidence that makes it apparent, at first glance, that that person acted with self-defense.

Then the prosecutor gets a chance to overcome that by showing by a “preponderance of the evidence” that the defendant didn’t act with self defense.

 to dismiss cases at this stage. Often, they 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Self Defense Mission"}]

“Oh yeah, absolutely,” said Holcomb regarding whether Kelver will ask for a John’s hearing.

But first, Kelver faces a June 24 arraignment in Albany County District Court.

John’s hearings are challenging because they’re difficult to win without calling one’s client to testify, said Holcomb. And that takes a lot of preparation.

As to Byrd’s claim of bias in this case, Holcomb said, “That’s something that only the investigating officer and to some degree Kurt (Britzius) would be able to answer — why they only charged my client and not this other guy.”

As of Wednesday, no criminal charges for Durham had surfaced in the public-facing court file.

[{"type":"text","text":"This was one of Byrd’s points in support of his bias claim."}]

Holcomb said he feels this is an important case and looks forward to fighting it.

“I think that it’s important we all have the same rights, not only the Second Amendment right to defend yourself, but we all have the right to due process and trial,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to ensuring that Rihanna’s rights are protected throughout the rest of this process.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Saga"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"The Albany County Attorney’s Office charged Kelver on Sept. 15."}]

The prosecutor negotiated at length with Kelver’s first attorney, Linda DeVine, the case file indicates.

In November, Britzius knocked the charges down to two misdemeanors instead of two felonies and one misdemeanor. Those two misdemeanors were reckless endangering (up to one year in jail), as well as the interference charge already mentioned.

In December while Kelver faced only misdemeanors, the defendant sent a letter to the misdemeanor-level judge who was expected to handle the case, Judge Robert Sanford, apologizing for using the gun.

“I do not wish to spend any time attempting to garner sympathy nor victimhood,” wrote Kelver, according to the court file. “I wish to offer my sincerest apologies and condolences to your court and to my community.”

Kelver maintained that “the assault” Kelver endured was not right, but “did not give me the right to react the way I did.”

“I am deeply sorry for this,” wrote Kelver. “I know I will do what is right to resolve this.”

[{"type":"text","text":"But then the negotiations appear to have fallen apart."}]

DeVine asked for the court to delay Kelver’s change-of-plea hearing multiple times, and wrote in February that the state and defense were “still working out details on sentencing recommendations.”

In March, Britzius’ office ratcheted the case back up to the felony level.

Sanford found probable cause to send it to the higher felony-level court on May 27. Albany County District Court Judge Misha Westby is overseeing the case now.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"More About Self Defense"}]

As for self-defense, state law basically says self-defense is appropriate when it reciprocates an actual or threatened, reasonably perceived threat.

Defensive force is reasonable when someone in the defender’s situation would judge it necessary to prevent an injury or loss, and no more.

Deadly force is appropriate if necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to oneself or others.

A person attacked in a place where lawfully present 

 have a duty to retreat, as long as the person isn’t engaged in a crime, and isn’t the initial aggressor.

Capitol bathroom Kelver 6 3 26

<title>Transgender Bathroom Protestor Faces Felony Assault Charge, Claims Self-Defense | Cowboy State Daily</title>

The transgender Laramie resident who protested Wyoming’s cross-sex access ban for public bathrooms at the Capitol last summer is now waging a self-defense argument in a felony assault case. “I did not go looking for confrontation,” said Rihanna Kelver.

Transgender Bathroom Protestor Faces Felony Assault Charge, Claims Self-Defense

Kolby fedore

Kolby Fedore

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: This story has been updated to reflect the Goshen County Sheriff's Office confirms a suspect has been identified, and that if criminal charges are filed that will be up to the Goshen County Attorney's Office.

The family of two Rottweilers found dead and mutilated in the North Platte River near Torrington says Goshen County Sheriff

s Office representatives have told them someone has turned himself in and admitted to shooting the dogs.

Angelica Garcia, whose parents owned the dogs named Django and Hildy, said that members of the sheriff’s office informed the family on Wednesday that a person had come forward and admitted to shooting the animals.

According to Garcia, investigators declined to identify the suspect, citing concerns for that person's safety.

The case has drawn statewide attention since Friday, when the dogs disappeared after getting loose from their family's property and were later found dead by a mother and her son near a popular fishing area along the North Platte River.

Garcia told Cowboy State Daily on Monday that she believes the dogs 

The family has previously claimed the dogs were shot, their collars removed, and their bodies left in the river. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those allegations.

Goshen County Sheriff Kory Fleenor confirmed Wednesday his office does have a suspect, who is not in custody. His identity isn't being released at this time, and it will be up to the Goshen County attorney to decide if criminal charges are appropriate.

"This was an unfortunate situation for everyone involved," Fleenor said.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Family Says Objection To Online Posts"}]

Garcia said the revelation about the alleged suspect came during a tense conversation with investigators.

According to Garcia, members of the sheriff's office expressed frustration with videos and information the family has shared online about the case and took issue with some of the media coverage surrounding the deaths of Django and Hildy.

She said the sheriff's office expressed frustration with Pamela Garcia for videos and information the family shared online.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"We're not taking anything down,\" Garcia said."}]

The deaths of the dogs sparked a wave of public reaction after the family posted photographs and videos online and launched a petition demanding answers about what happened.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"$2,500 Reward Offered"}]

As questions continue to surround the case, Animal Wellness Action announced it is offering up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for what the organization describes as the unlawful killing of the dogs.

The reward was announced before Garcia said the family learned that someone had allegedly admitted to shooting the animals.

Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, said he was not aware of any tips submitted to the organization as of this week, but that rewards often motivate witnesses and others with information to come forward.

"The reward really is the driver of that information," Pacelle said. "Once people understand that there's a reward, that is a very important incentive for people to participate in the process of helping law enforcement."

Pacelle said his organization became involved because of what he views as a well-established connection between animal cruelty and broader patterns of violence.

"There's a tremendous link between malicious acts of cruelty and other crimes and other social violence," he said.

Pacelle pointed to research linking animal cruelty to domestic violence and other criminal behavior.

"It's often a precursor or a red flag of someone who is going to commit other acts of violence," he said.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Echoes Of The Cody Roberts Case"}]

Animal Wellness Action and its sister organization, the Center for a Humane Economy, were also involved in the high-profile case of Cody Roberts, the Daniel man who pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty after chasing down a wolf with a snowmobile and later displaying the severely injured animal in a bar.

Pacelle said the facts in the Torrington case remain unclear and stopped short of directly comparing the two incidents.

[{"type":"text","text":"Still, he said both cases raise concerns about how animals are treated."}]

"The common theme is just a contempt for the life of an innocent animal," he said.

Pacelle said the organization hopes the reward and public attention surrounding the case will encourage anyone with information to come forward.

"It does matter a great deal," he said. "People may not be aware of the correlation between animal cruelty and human criminality and violence, and we really want to underscore that."

Rottweilers and torrington 6 3 26

<title>Torrington Family Says Suspect Turns Self In For Shooting Mutilated Rottweilers | Cowboy State Daily</title>

A Torrington family says the Goshen County Sheriff’s Office told them a suspect turned himself in for shooting their Rottweilers, whose mutilated bodies were found in the North Platte River. The sheriff’s office confirms there is a suspect in the case.

Torrington Family Says Suspect Turns Self In For Shooting Mutilated Rottweilers

[{"type":"text","text":"This dog had to make the hardest decision of his life...."}]

Smile no play 6 3 26

<title>Daily Smile: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

This dog had to make the hardest decision of his life....

Daily Smile: Wednesday, June 3, 2026

A Lincoln County contractor could be facing serious criminal charges after allegedly beating a man, threatening him with a shovel, taking his phone and coercing him into signing over a truck and equipment during a daylong 

Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Kale McGee outline the allegations in a 12-page affidavit filed Friday and made available Tuesday, seeking charges of aggravated blackmail and battery against Thomas John Robinson.

A Lincoln County man is accused of beating a man to coerce him to sign over a truck and equipment during a daylong shakedown over a debt. “Catch people like you and string you up and flog you daily,” police say the contractor threatens on video.

Daily Smile: Friday, September 29, 2023

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