Daily Darwin

[{"type":"text","text":"Our weekend...."}]

Darwin 10 7 24

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

<title>Daily Darwin: Monday, October 7, 2024 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Our weekend....

Daily Darwin: Monday, October 7, 2024

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

Clair McFarland

Politics

Government & Politics

[{"type":"text","text":"Ann Simpson died early Friday morning in her daughter’s arms."}]

“I lifted up the shade and the moon bathed Mom in the moonlight,” said Ann’s daughter Sue Simpson Gallagher. “I walked over and cuddled up to her and held her, and she died.”

Sue remembers her mother as the most beautiful woman, “inside and out, that ever lived.”

Ann was a mother of three, a wife of 70 years to prominent Wyoming political figure and

Her son Colin Simpson said she was unafraid and even optimistic about dying. She’d been diagnosed with an illness about two months earlier, he said.

“She made us all aware that she did not fear death at all,” said Colin. “She was a Christian and had great faith, and was very at peace with the end of her life.”

[{"type":"text","text":"Her great hope encouraged those grieving around her, he said."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"But the loss is still heartbreaking, the family said."}]

“We lost a person who really understood all of us,” said Sue. “She was on our team.”

Ann’s grandson Nick Simpson interjected that “she was half the damn team.”

[{"type":"text","text":"Sue laughed through tears. "}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Colin said the late couple both had a close connection with the moon."}]

Al Simpson died on the full moon and lunar eclipse of March 14, 2025. Ann died after the buck moon.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Al’s ‘Gorgeous Gal'"}]

Ann Schroll caught Al’s eye her freshman year at the University of Wyoming, said Pete Simpson. His brother Al fell for that “gorgeous gal,” and the pair married in 1954.

She became a mother, a powerful influence on the whole family, and a force even in Washington, D.C., Pete reflected. He said her beauty and “way of treating people” paused the frantic clockwork at the U.S. Capitol, when she crossed a hallway.

She backed her husband and exuded confidence even in the rough-and-tumble world of politics, he said.

“She was a marvelous mom and a marvelous citizen — and a great inspiration for us,” said Pete. “We’re going to miss her like fire.”

[{"type":"text","text":"Pete, who turned 96 Friday, said he misses his brother as well."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"“It’s hard to see both of them gone.”"}]

Alan Simpson was one of Wyoming’s most well-known political figures, having served in the Legislature and Congress. 

A champion of bipartisanship who said a person should “do what’s right … and have thick skin,” he also was awarded the 

For him, Ann was “all the woman that is, and ever was,” said Sue. “And her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren and family would agree.”

[{"type":"text","text":"He was from Cody. She grew up on a small farm in Greybull."}]

Time the pair spent in Germany during Al’s army career led Ann to start the first American Field Service study abroad program in Cody. The program allowed Wyoming youth to travel abroad, while bringing students from around the world to Wyoming.

[{"type":"text","text":"Ann was a mental health advocate, and a champion of the arts"}]

Her twin sister, Nan Fogel Thorne, died last November, with family members by her side, said Colin.

[{"type":"text","text":"“She said, ‘That’s how I want to go,’” he said."}]

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso said in a Friday statement that Wyoming was fortunate to learn from the couple.

“They made a legendary team, always working together to make Wyoming and Washington a better place,” said Barrasso. “We take comfort that she is reunited with her beloved Al once again.”

Diana Enzi, wife of the late Sen. Mike Enzi, reflected on Ann’s sense of humor and remembered her as “a gracious lady, a real role model for our state.”

“I learned a lot from her,” Diana added.

Cowboy State Daily contributor Coy Knobel contributed to this report. 

Simpson anniversary01 7 31 26

<title>Ann Simpson, Wife Of Late Sen. Al Simpson, Died In Daughter's Arms Friday Morning | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Ann Simpson, mother of three and wife of 70 years to prominent Wyoming political figure and late U.S. Sen. Al Simpson, died Friday morning in her daughter's arms. “I walked over and cuddled up to her and held her, and she died," Sue Simpson Gallagher said.

Ann Simpson, Wife Of Late Sen. Al Simpson, Died In Daughter's Arms Friday Morning

Crime & Courts

Law Enforcement

Wyoming is seeing a turnover of at least eight sheriffs since last year, which is more than a third among the state’s 23 counties.

Some of those retiring or leaving have about four decades of law enforcement experience each, like Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn and Campbell County Sheriff Scott Matheny.

Johnson County Sheriff Rod Odenbach and Sweetwater County Sheriff John Grossnickle were each at about 30 years’ law enforcement service when Odenbach decided not to run for reelection and Grossnickle switched jobs.

Departing Goshen County Sheriff Kory Fleenor is leaving after 26 years with his office; so too is Fremont County Sheriff Ryan Lee.

Sublette County Sheriff KC Lehr is retiring after what his office’s Lt. Travis Bingham estimated at about two decades of total law enforcement service; and Platte County Sheriff David Russell left the office last August after 13-and-a-half years in law enforcement.

The sheriffs who spoke to Cowboy State Daily on Friday about their decisions to leave the job cited a readiness, a weariness, immense gratitude, and a longing to spend time with family.

“I think it’s just time,” said Blackburn. “I’ve seen a lot, been through a lot. It’s taken its toll … and it was time to heal myself and take care of my family.”

He voiced gratitude for the people and experiences of the job, saying, “It’s a wonderful profession. It’s been wonderful for me.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"‘Used To Be The Good Guys'"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"But it hasn’t lacked trauma."}]

Blackburn responded in February 2025 to a scene in which a Byron mother had shot herself and her four young daughters in their home. The mother and daughters all died within a week.  

That incident wasn’t the final straw, Blackburn said. A growing anti-law enforcement cynicism had accumulated much longer.

“It was the divisiveness of people and the degradation of civilized conversations,” he said. “There’s always been negativity toward law enforcement. But we did used to be the good guys.”

Blackburn said that frustration and the other downsides to the job still don’t outweigh his love for the people he served and worked with.

“And I walked out holding my head high,” he said. “I gave 110% to the state of Wyoming and the people of Big Horn County — and I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve my fellow man.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"‘We’re Trying To Do The Right Thing'"}]

Odenbach said he’s retiring so he and his wife can visit family members in their native South Dakota and spend time with their grandson.

It’s tough lobbying against “anti-law enforcement bills” too, Odenbach added.

“You know, just the constant we’re trying to do the right thing for public safety and our communities, and we have these out-of-state lobbyists that are trying to tell the people what’s best for Wyoming,” said Odenbach.

 Second Amendment Preservation Act of this year’s legislative session.

The bill sought to impose $50,000 civil penalties on Wyoming police agencies that help with federal gun-crime enforcement operations against "law-abiding" citizens, or hire former federal agents who’ve conducted those operations.

, saying it broad-brushed active and nuanced situations and would chill their ability to intervene in crises.

Odenbach said he’s proud of his department and believes its in a good place, including in its current relationship with the Johnson County Attorney’s Office. He described the coming year as a good time to leave it to someone else.

Adrian Keeler is running unopposed for that seat in the Republican primary election.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"‘It’s Time'"}]

Matheny said he’s retiring because, “It’s time to let somebody else be sheriff.”

[{"type":"text","text":"Daniel Maul is running unopposed in the primary election."}]

Matheny said he loves his job and has made lots of friends. He spoke highly of his office, dispatch and county personnel.

“When I first pinned on the badge as a young man, I learned a deep respect for this office,” he said. “I didn’t know then just how much this role would shape my life.”

Matheny added: “God puts people in places that only he knows and I’ve learned to trust him and lean on him to guide me.”

Matheny said he doesn’t count sparring with the Legislature as a factor in his retirement. But he does consider it noteworthy.

Lawmakers in 2025 considered another bill that sheriffs universally opposed: it would have required all agencies to strike contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Even sheriffs already working with ICE disliked the bill, saying it put them at a negotiation disadvantage by mandating them into contracts.

Others worried the ICE contracts would be too costly for small-town sheriffs.

“I don’t think (clashing with lawmakers) will ever change,” said Matheny. “You get new legislators … that want to come up with a new law, without thinking about the ramifications — especially on law enforcement.”

He added, “It seems like every year we’re down there telling them why this is not a good idea; or why this would be a good idea.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"He’s Dropped 12 Pounds"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"But Grossnickle liked that part, he said Friday."}]

“It wasn’t any more stressful than anything else,” said Grossnickle. “I actually enjoyed working with the Legislature. I enjoyed being able to have those conversations, and standing up for the right thing.”

Grossnickle said he left the job because “it was time,” and the stress was affecting his health.

His blood pressure has dropped from 138 over 90 to 118 over 72 since he left the department May 31 to take a job as executive director for Southwest Counseling Service. 

[{"type":"text","text":"He’s sleeping at night and he’s dropped 12 pounds, Grossnickle added."}]

Still, being in law enforcement was an “honorable career and I’m thankful for it,” he said.

 about his reasons for leaving the post, but wrote in a September statement to the Platte County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page that the decision was “in the best interests of my mental health and family.”

He described an unhealthy and compulsive relationship with his work that took from his family.

Sheriff Tony Krotz, who was appointed to replace Russell, is running unopposed in the primary election.

[{"type":"text","text":"Russell and Lee declined Friday to comment to Cowboy State Daily."}]

Lehr could not be reached for comment, but Bingham confirmed his decision to retire.

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

Sweetwater, Fremont, Goshen, Big Horn and Sublette counties are seeing contested sheriff’s races after their incumbents’ departures or decisions not to run.

[{"type":"text","text":"Six Republicans vie for the GOP nomination in Sweetwater County."}]

Those are: Grossnickle’s appointed replacement Rich Fischer, Ozzie Knezovich, Randall Tryzbiak, Matthew Wharton, Richard Kaumo and Amanda Buller.

Four Republicans seek the GOP nomination in Fremont County: Undersheriff Mike Hutchison, former Riverton police chief Erick Murphy, Ross Giles, and Deputy John Zerga.

In Sublette County, Bingham faces Thomas James Hatch, Klief Guenther, and Michael James Crosson in the primary election.

[{"type":"text","text":"Bingham said Friday that Lehr has endorsed him."}]

George Mills and Herb Irons are vying for the GOP nomination in Goshen County primary election.

Jeff Angell, Travis Davis, Jason Beal and Craig Shidler seek the GOP nomination in Big Horn County. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sure, But"}]

Allen Thompson, a former sheriff himself and now director of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, said the turnover “feels different” this time, but the number is not extraordinary.

[{"type":"text","text":"Wyoming got seven new sheriffs in the last election cycle, said Thompson."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"“I think it’s just the cycle,” he said. “Turnover is normal.”"}]

Thompson said that despite the rise of anti-law enforcement sentiment on social media, Wyoming is still a great place to work.

“I feel like Wyoming is still a great place to serve in law enforcement, because you still have that relationship on the local level,” said Thompson.

Matheny said the sheriff is unlike any other law enforcer in the American legal system.

“We’re the only law enforcement officials that answer directly to the people,” he said. “We have direct accountability, through the election process. That’s who we answer to.”

Matheny said that tends to yield a bond and a trust, and a pride in protecting the peace “and the constitutional rights of every citizen in our jurisdiction.”

And in Wyoming in particular, said Matheny, every sheriff’s office is a trove of “amazing” history, similar to “if you were to walk through the hallways of a museum.”

Sheriffs leaving 7 31 26

<title>Eight Wyoming Sheriffs Quit, Retire Or Choose Not To Run For Reelection | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Wyoming is seeing a turnover of at least eight sheriffs since last year, which is more than a third among the state’s 23 counties. The sheriffs who spoke to Cowboy State Daily cited readiness, weariness, gratitude and a longing to spend time with family.

Eight Wyoming Sheriffs Quit, Retire Or Choose Not To Run For Reelection

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's business and tourism reporter, Renée Jean

Renée Jean

Business & Tourism

Business

Much of the nation’s housing market is cooling. Northeastern Wyoming isn’t.

From Gillette to tiny Aladdin, home prices are rising, inventory is scarce, and properties are moving fast. Real estate agents say a growing number of retirees are helping fuel demand in Wyoming’s slice of the Black Hills.

On roads winding past Devils Tower and into pine-covered hills, the region still feels remote. But the housing market is telling a different story.

“I think in general you’ve seen a lot of national headlines say that real estate has slowed and there’s a lot more listings on the market,” said Jessica LaCour of Gillette-based 411 Properties. “That’s not the case here at all. 

"We have record low inventory, and whatever does come on the market is very quickly absorbed by buyers.”

Prices in the area are up 20% year over year, while inventory has dropped 35%, LaCour said. Average time on market is roughly one week for well-priced homes.

LaCour’s figures are based on Multiple Listing Service data, which is harder to fully track in Wyoming because it is a non-disclosure state. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"That can also skew national estimates.  "}]

“You might be seeing Zillow showing Gillette values down around 5% or 6% year over year,” LaCour said. “Zillow’s algorithm lags, and Wyoming is a non-disclosure state, which means public records don’t capture everything.”

Mariah Jeffery, who sells real estate along the eastern border of Wyoming as well as in northern Colorado, is seeing the same trend.

“While home values across parts of northern Colorado — and much of the nation — have dipped and cooled as the market normalizes, land in the Wyoming Black Hills is actually appreciating,” she said. “Buyers are realizing the massive advantages the Wyoming side holds over South Dakota, including lower property taxes, fewer regulations and much more acreage for your money.”

Zooming out, Wyoming’s overall housing market looks more stable.

Wyoming’s median home price sits at $285,000, with roughly four months of inventory and annual price growth of around 4%, LaCour said. 

Cheyenne is one notable exception, Jeffery added. 

“Home values in Cheyenne are averaging about $392,000, which is up roughly 3.5% year over year,” she said. “(That’s) heavily driven by military, government jobs, and remote workers from places like Colorado.”

Steady employment in energy, agriculture and defense sectors also continue to support demand in southeastern Wyoming, along with the state’s tax structure and its lifestyle appeal.

Jeffery said some of her clients are motivated by politics. 

“They’re leaving heavily regulated, high-tax coastal and western states,” she said. “And looking for more personal freedom and space.”

LaCour, however, said her northeastern Wyoming clients are focused less on politics and more on lifestyle. 

“They’re coming for the outdoors and the affordability,” she said.

Demand in the Black Hills started climbing just after the COVID-19 pandemic. Buyers wanted more space and access to outdoor recreation at better price points than places like Jackson Hole, LaCour said. 

Communities such as Sundance and Hulett offer relative affordability with proximity to highly desirable outdoor destinations, ranging from Devils Tower to Deadwood. 

More recently retirees have added new momentum. 

“We’re seeing tons of people who are retiring,” she said. “They’re really attracted to the lifestyle and the beauty of the area.”

They also love the affordability, and are arriving with significant equity.

“They could sell their home … for a couple million,” LaCour said. “And then they come out here and are able to pay cash.”

Unlike traditional vacation markets, however, most of LaCour’s clients are not buying second homes. 

“They are selling everything and moving here permanently,” LaCour said.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hulett, Sundance Hot Spots"}]

The busiest areas so far seem to be Sundance, Hulett and Devils Tower. 

But even smaller communities are seeing spillover.

In Aladdin, population 15, store owners Jordan Yates and Trent Tope told Cowboy State Daily they are seeing more residents in the area. 

“Geis Road, which is about 10 miles from the store, just got split up into a subdivision,” Yates told Cowboy State Daily. “And a lot of people are moving into the area.”

Buyers are coming from across the country, LaCour said, and, for now, they’re still finding a range of price points from $250,000 into the millions. 

Even higher-end homes are drawing quick interest. She’s just listed a new home on the river at the lower end of pricing that has had dozens of showings within days. But she’s had similar traffic for a multi-million-dollar home with a view of Devils Tower. 

“It’s exciting to see people move here and fall in love with Wyoming,” LaCour said. “Sometimes people come here in the spring and it romanticizes them and then winter hits.

"It’s been really cool to see people come here and enjoy all the seasons and embrace Wyoming for what it is.”

Northeast housing 20260321184046142777000000 o 7 31 26

<title>Home Prices In Northeast Wyoming Jump 20% While Much Of U.S. Market Cools | Cowboy State Daily</title>

From Gillette to Aladdin, home prices are up 20% and inventory is scarce as retirees have discovered northeast Wyoming. That has the region bucking a national trend of a cooling housing market. “We have record low inventory,” one real estate agent said.

Home Prices In Northeast Wyoming Jump 20% While Much Of U.S. Market Cools

Dale Clark, an Airbnb owner in Thermopolis, had just one word when he heard Wyoming State Parks had reached a tentative $1.8 million agreement to buy the Star Plunge water park in Hot Springs State Park, ending a long-running legal dispute that’s kept the popular attraction 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"“Ecstatic,” he said."}]

 ever for his Airbnb this year with the Star Plunge closed and said August bookings so far look to be a record low. 

“This month I think we have eight days in August reserved, where usually we’re close to sold out,” he said.

Two guests told him this month that if they’d known Star Plunge wasn’t open, his already low bookings would have been short another two.

“Whether you like it or not — and there’s many who don’t — Star Plunge is the No. 1 attraction,” he said. “I get that there’s the Dinosaur Center, there’s another pool, and there’s the State Bath House, and there’s this and that. 

"But Star Plunge is No. 1, like it or not.”

For Clark and many other Thermopolis business owners, the state’s deal with Star Plunge owner Roland Luehne is long-awaited relief from a legal fight they say has been taking the top off their tourism season. 

The $1.8 million settlement agreement, which will require the Wyoming attorney general’s approval, will close out all claims — filed or unfiled, current or future — related to the Star Plunge dispute, according to Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails Deputy Director Nick Neylon.

“It will pay C&W Enterprises $1.8 million and will stipulate that Roland and his company drop all claims against the state regarding the Star Plunge,” he said. “The settlement isn’t final yet, but Director (Dave) Glenn has signed it, and Roland and Star Plunge have signed it.”

The attorney general’s review was a stipulation in the

 fund to buy out both Star Plunge and the Hot Springs Hotel.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Ends All Claims"}]

The dispute between State Parks and Star Plunge began almost two decades ago when the long-term concession contract for the attraction expired in 2008. 

That morphed into years of short-term deals, as well as political fights at the Capitol and, ultimately, closure of the popular attraction in January 2025, along with sparking a lawsuit between the parties over just compensation.

The agreement clears the way for new concessionaire Wyoming Hot Springs, LLC to 

, along with neighboring TePee Pools and the State Bath House, ushering in millions of dollars worth of improvements. 

A separate agreement covering purchase of the Hot Springs Hotel is pending and nearing completion, Neylon added.

“We have spent a week negotiating with them, and we hope to have an announcement about that very soon,” he told Cowboy State Daily. “It won’t happen today, but hopefully soon.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Won’t Reopen Overnight"}]

Star Plunge won’t reopen right away, Neylon said. The first step once the state regains control of the property will be a “top-to-bottom” safety inspection. 

“We have said many times there were some safety issues we were worried about at the Star Plunge,” he said. “Once the agreement is fully executed and the keys turned over to us, we’ll get in there and conduct that safety inspection … and then we still have to finalize the contract with the new concessionaire.”

Neylon said the state has been working concurrently on the final shape of its contract with Wyoming Hot Springs LLC, the concessionaire owned by former Alaska U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, which will take over all the park’s attractions.

Luehne filed a lawsuit prior to the Star Plunge closure in January 2025, alleging the state’s process had been fundamentally unfair and violated formal regulations for choosing a new concessionaire. 

He also claimed the state was cheating him of just compensation for decades of capital improvements.

In the months since the lawsuit, various efforts were made to try and open the attraction, including a deal that would have seen a third party operate the park for Luehne. That 

who left very little wiggle room for negotiation.

The new settlement caps a nearly two-decade standoff between Wyoming and C&W Enterprises over improvements to the concession.

“It’s been 18 years since their last long-term lease expired in 2008,” Neylon said. “So, it’s been a long journey to get to this point. 

"We’ve been working with them at least that long to try to finalize a new contract and get some improvements across all concessions.”

The lawsuit has put the status of other park improvements in limbo, with Wyoming Hot Springs LLC officials saying they cannot decide what direction to take until they know the outcome of the lawsuit between the state and Luehne, whose family has operated Star Plunge since 1975. 

Hot Springs is already Wyoming’s most-visited state park, according to the state’s traffic statistics, and represents a huge opportunity to create new tourism in the state, parks officials have said in previous interviews. 

In 2016, to try to capture more of that potential, Wyoming updated its master plan for the park, laying out a new vision and sending out a request for proposals. 

The state chose Wyoming Hot Springs LLC as the new concessionaire in 2024, effectively evicting Luehne and his family.

Star Plunge in Thermopolis is on track to reopen after a $1.8 million settlement between Wyoming State Parks and its previous operator has kept it closed since January 2025. “It won’t happen today, but hopefully soon,” said a state parks official.

Daily Darwin: Monday, October 7, 2024

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