You Still Here

[{"type":"text","text":"The Hallmark movie we wish we could watch....."}]

Bonus vid 2 10 27 24

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

<title>Bonus Video 2: Sunday, October 27, 2024 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

The Hallmark movie we wish we could watch.....

Bonus Video 2: Sunday, October 27, 2024

 The Hallmark movie we wish we could watch.....

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

Andrew Rossi

Wyoming Life

Around Wyoming

Park County officials are still evaluating the damage done by a 

flash flood that nearly destroyed a bridge on County Road YXD along the South Fork of the Shoshone River southwest of Cody.

The flooding was reported around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, 

“We watched a wall of debris build up and surging muddy water begin to overflow the banks,” she said. “Huge logs were floating down the South Fork.”

The Park County Public Works Department announced that the narrow wooden bridge over Boulder Creek on County Road YXD, also known as Hunter Creek Road, 

Cowboy State Daily confirmed with county officials that the bridge is “structurally compromised” and a temporary bridge was being installed in the vicinity.

Until then, several people living on the opposite side of Boulder Creek are stranded while a temporary bridge is installed.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hurry Up And Wait"}]

Park County engineer Brian Edwards was watching the flood across County Road YXD for most of Wednesday afternoon and evening. 

For most of that time, all he and the heavy machinery from the Park County Public Works Department could do was watch and wait.

The bridge was barely visible under the torrent of muddy water, splintered tree trunks, and massive boulders that had been carried onto the road by the flash flood. 

After three hours, Edwards wasn’t even sure if the flood had reached its peak.

“I’m pretty shocked that it’s hanging in there, to be honest with you.” Edwards told Cowboy State Daily at the scene. “It’s an old bridge and was already in pretty bad shape."

Even as Edwards watched, the flow of rushing water was expanding across the road. The roar of the water was punctuated with the loud, hollow thuds of tree trunks smashing into boulders and each other as they rushed down Boulder Creek.

“The guys will probably be here most of the night,” he said. “You don't want to put an operator or piece of equipment in danger trying to get to it, because you can do something that changes the direction of the flow and causes a bigger problem, or get somebody hurt.”

By 6 p.m., the summer sun had broken through the thick clouds over the South Fork. Edwards’s concern was the dark storm clouds over the mountains to the south, which indicated rain was still falling.

“It seems to be coming up even more,” he said. “With the clouds up there, it’s important to know if it’s still raining up high.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Mudslides, Too"}]

Someone was finally brave enough to drive an excavator into the flood, managing to remove a few boulders and one massive tree, but that was the extent of what could be safely done at the moment.

The road and bridge crews worked until 11:30 p.m. to clear a narrow path through three different mudslides in the area. The slides were more than 100 feet long and, in some places, more than 6 feet deep.

On Thursday, the wooden bridge was “closed until further notice,” Edwards said.

“It’s going to be a little bit before we get something temporary figured out, but it’s important,” he said. “Some landowners up there that have no other way in and out. That’s their only route.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"More Monsoons"}]

Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day said the flash flood was “classic monsoon” behavior. Several intense thunderstorms were reported in northwest Wyoming on Wednesday.

“I heard from someone in Thermopolis that they got 4.25 inches of precipitation in one hour on Wednesday,” he said. “Thermopolis usually gets around 9 inches of precipitation in the whole year.”

Flash flooding was also reported in Hot Springs County and the North Fork of the Shoshone River during the same period.

Day didn’t have specific statistics for how much precipitation fell on the South Fork on Wednesday, but “several small but intense thunderstorms” moved through the area when the flash flood occurred.

[{"type":"text","text":"For Day, these should be cautionary tales for Wyomingites."}]

“There’s a historical precedent for monsoonal rains and flash flooding in late July and August,” he said. “There’s a strong likelihood we’ll see more of these heavy thunderstorms and more flash floods for the next week.”

The Park County Public Works Department hoped to have a temporary bridge installed across Boulder Creek by the end of Thursday.

Edwards said the compromised wooden bridge had already been “high on our priority list for replacement.” 

[{"type":"text","text":"Wednesday’s flash flood made replacing it a top priority."}]

“We recognize that this is the only way in and out for several people who live on Hunter Creek Road,” Edwards said in a statement. “We will be working with local officials to get the road opened back up as soon as possible.”

Park County flooding IMG 0911 7 16 26

<title>Flash Flood Damages Bridge, Cuts Off Only Access For Park County Residents | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Park County officials say a Wednesday flash flood nearly destroyed a bridge over the Shoshone River and cut off access for some county residents. “We watched a wall of debris build up and surging muddy water begin to overflow the banks,” said one witness.

Flash Flood Damages Bridge, Cuts Off Only Access For Park County Residents

Outdoors

 shook things up enough in Yellowstone National Park on Thursday morning for people 

The epicenter of the 7:20 a.m. earthquake was along the Grand Loop Road, south of Canyon Junction, at a depth of 6.53 kilometers. That’s just over 4 miles beneath the surface.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), at least 14 people reported feeling the earthquake within 30 miles of the epicenter. Its intensity was low, and there were no reports of damage.

The USGS categorized the earthquake as a III “Weak” on the Modified Mercalli intensity (MMI) scale. That means the quake’s energy would be noticeable but not much stronger than the vibrations caused by a large truck driving by.

It's not even the largest earthquake in Wyoming this week. A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was detected west of Rock Springs on Tuesday.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"All Shook Up"}]

Earthquakes are a very common occurrence in Yellowstone, one of the most tectonically active places in North America. According to the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, there were 118 earthquakes detected in June alone.

Thursday morning’s magnitude 3.3 quake was Yellowstone’s largest of the year so far, but a few earthquakes of that magnitude are expected every year.

“Earthquakes that get into the magnitude 3 range are rare, but there are usually three to 10 of those in the Yellowstone area every year,” Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, 

. “The vast majority of earthquakes are magnitude 2 and below.”

In 2025, there were 1,119 earthquakes located in and around Yellowstone. The largest quakes were three magnitude 3.7 events.

That was a “quiet year,” according to Poland. In an average year, there are between 1,500 and 2,500 earthquakes detected in Yellowstone.

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

When a magnitude 3.9 earthquake hit Yellowstone in January 2025, the largest quake in the park since 2023, it wasn’t even detected on 

 installed at the Wyoming Geological Survey's headquarters in Laramie.

"We were about 350 miles from the epicenter,” said geologist James Mauch. “It was a bit too far away and low in magnitude to detect in Laramie.”

According to Mauch, magnitude 3.0 earthquakes are “very typical activity for Yellowstone.” 

They might be slightly stronger than the average Yellowstone earthquake, but not strong enough to be unusual, he said.

“We typically get around five ‘felt’ earthquakes every year, so this is right in line with the average,” he said.

What the earthquake doesn’t indicate is any significant change in Yellowstone’s volcanic systems. Even at a depth of 4 miles, Thursday morning’s quake was too shallow to indicate anything volcanic, which is true for most of Yellowstone’s earthquakes.

“Because there are so many faults in the region and a lot of water moving around in the subsurface, Yellowstone is a recipe for lots and lots of earthquakes,” Poland said. “There’s nothing particularly anomalous about (a magnitude 3.3 earthquake), and none of these quakes are associated with any volcanic activity.”

Yellowstone Lake and earthquake Mauritius Images via Alamy 7 16 26

<title>Yellowstone Records Earthquake Thursday Morning, Felt 30 Miles Away | Cowboy State Daily</title>

A magnitude 3.3 earthquake in Yellowstone on Thursday was felt by people as far away as 30 miles. It’s the largest earthquake of the year so far in the national park. “We typically get around five ‘felt’ earthquakes every year,” said a geologist.

Yellowstone Records Earthquake Thursday Morning, Felt 30 Miles Away

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

Clair McFarland

Government & Politics

Politics

Megan Degenfelder’s campaign for Wyoming governor released a video early Thursday of President Donald Trump doubling down on his endorsement of her.

, before she declared she was running for the seat. 

She now faces three other contenders for the GOP nomination: Marine Col. Brent Bien, state Sen. Eric Barlow, and Curt Blake. The primary election is Aug. 18.

So with about a month before the party nomination standoff hits the polls, the president is issuing a rally cry — which Degenfelder’s team has posted to its YouTube channel and dispatched publicly.

“There’s a very important election coming up in your state, Tuesday Aug. 18, and I’m asking all of you to get out and vote for Megan Degenfelder to be the next governor of Wyoming,” says Trump in the video.

He touts Degenfelder’s work as superintendent of Public Instruction, says she’ll help protect public lands and the Second Amendment, and says she’s served Wyoming “with courage and pride.”

Trump has not endorsed anyone in the hotly-contested U.S. House race, where 10 Republicans vie for the nomination. He also hasn’t endorsed in Wyoming’s Secretary of State race or for other top state executive-branch seats.

He reiterates his support for Degenfelder amid claims by some, including Constitution Party gubernatorial nominee Rebecca Bextel, that Degenfelder and Bien will split the further-right vote and Barlow, who casts himself as a pragmatist and whose foes call him a moderate or leftist, will win the nomination.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican who is also cast as a moderate, won his first primary election bid against now-Rep. Harriet Hageman and Teton County philanthropist Foster Friess in 2018.

Friess had the Trump endorsement at that time, but in contrast, Trump didn’t endorse Friess until election day.

Gordon has reached his two-term limit. That’s a provision of law that prior court rulings suggest he could have overturned. But he’s chosen not to do that.

Bien's campaign outreach coordinator Cheryl Aguiar said in an email, "One thing that’s been overlooked is that she earned her Master’s degree from a CCP-affiliated university in China. That matters, and voters deserve to know it. I doubt Trump even knows it."

Degenfelder has pointed to her time in China as a contrast that makes her value American capitalism, while her detractors have cast suspicion on it. 

"At the end of the day, it’s clear who is aligned with Washington, D.C. interests and who isn’t. Brent Bien is focused on Wyoming—its people, its resources, and its future—not political agendas coming out of D.C.," said Aguiar.

This story has been updated to reflect a comment by Bien's team. 

Trump Degenfelder video 7 16 26

<title>Degenfelder Releases Trump Double-Down Endorsement With A Month Before Primary | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Megan Degenfelder’s campaign for Wyoming governor released a video early Thursday of President Donald Trump doubling down on his endorsement of her. The push comes with a month to go before Wyoming’s hotly contested Republican Primary election.

Degenfelder Releases Trump Double-Down Endorsement With A Month Before Primary

Mac Watson

Daily Video News

It’s time to take a look at what’s happening around Wyoming for Thursday, July 16th.  I’m Mac Watson

This newscast is brought to you by the Wyoming State Fair. Wrap up your summer at the Wyoming State Fair, August 11th through the 15th in Douglas!

Rodeo, Demolition Derby, live music, entertainment and fair food await. Learn more at W-Y State Fair dot com. See you at the fair! This ad was paid for by Converse County Tourism.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"–"}]

Wyoming state Rep. Bill Allemand pleaded guilty to DUI in court Wednesday and was given one year probation and fined $500. Cowboy State Daily’s Clair McFarland reports that the lawmaker faces 88 days in jail if he fails probation. 

“On Wednesday Allemand walked into court and pleaded guilty. That hearing had been set for his attorney to face a contempt charge, but it served a double purpose on Wednesday, in which Alamod also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation, 88 days in jail if he fails probation and a $500 fine. he's got to stay out of bars and liquor stores and not violate the law and has got some chemical testing and that's for a year.”

Rep. Allemand was arrested Dec. 28th in Buffalo. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":"–"}]

The Department of the Interior stopped short of delisting grizzly bears from Endangered Species Act protection Tuesday when it moved to hand management of the bears over to states. Cowboy State Daily’s Mark Heinz reports that one Wyoming outdoorsman says, “That’s the way it should be.”

“It's the 4D rule that's within the Endangered Species Act. The Biden administration moved to strengthen that rule, and now the Trump administration has come through and they're kind of revise that rule to effectively what people are saying: hand management over to the states. It's a bit murky because this does not mean that they're not going to get delisted. It's just handing more of the direct control of the bears right over to the states.”

A full delisting of grizzlies was attempted in 2007, and again in 2017. The latter led to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department issuing hunting tags for a grizzly season. However, both the 2017 and 2007 delisting efforts were overturned in court.

A blown tire on a semitrailer sent it into the opposite lane, sideswiping an SUV and closing U.S. 20/26 near Shoshoni for more than four hours Wednesday. Cowboy State Daily’s Kolby Fedore reports that motorists were stranded in near 100-degree heat. 

“Wyoming Highway Patrol says an eastbound semi had a blown tire and it crossed into the westbound lane, striking a GMC Yukon. No fatalities were reported, and the extent of injuries at this time is unknown. Even though only two vehicles were involved in the crash, there was a heavy response from law enforcement with several police and fire vehicles, as well as two helicopters and three wreckers. One witness who was stuck at the scene for nearly four hours said it was about 100 degrees outside. He was mostly concerned about horses that were confined to a trailer that were also there.”

Wyoming Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Aaron Brown said an eastbound semi truck east of Shoshoni traveling toward Casper suffered a tire failure at about 10:30 a.m., causing it to drift into the westbound lane and sideswipe a GMC Yukon. Brown added there were no fatalities. 

Meta says it is appealing a violation notice issued by Cheyenne's Board of Public Utilities. Cowboy State Daily’s Kate Meadows reports that the company’s corporate entity, Goat Systems, LLC is arguing the city has not provided evidence that the company's construction project contaminated the city's sewer reuse system. 

“Meta is claiming that they have not received any of the underlying testing or data from the contamination from the tests that the city did and that they sent to the state lab. They're kind of taking issue with the fact that we don't have any data. The permit is wrong. Meta is arguing that the city cannot prove that the contamination actually came from the Meta project. I talked to Dr. Mark Rinnie on the Cheyenne City Council. He represents the Board of Public Utilities on the council. He was not aware of this appeal until we reached out to him.”

Meta said it is seeking review “so the facts and cause can be fully and accurately evaluated through the appropriate process.” The appeal comes more than four months after the bacteria was first detected in Cheyenne's wastewater reuse system.

I’ll have more news from Cowboy State Daily right after this.

Cowboy State Daily News continues now….

As people across Wyoming raise concerns over license plate reader cameras, they're mapping cameras that might not actually be license plate readers. Cowboy State Daily’s Clair McFarland reports that a new 

 entry saying Lusk has them is right, but it’s wrong about Cody and Gillette.

 is a mapping site where it's voluntary, right? And so the idea is the citizens that are concerned about these cameras are going to build us a map as they encounter them, but as the publicity around this has grown in Wyoming and across the nation, and also litigation and problems with that, we're seeing what look like false reports. So somebody reported a license plate reader in Cody. I called the business where it was mounted is a Quick Lube-style shop, and the guy said, ‘No, it's a vehicle counter because if I ever want to sell this place, I want to tell the buyer just how much traffic we have here.’ And then in Gillette, the PD and the sheriff's office were both emphatic, like, ‘No, we're not doing license plate readers.’”

Outspoken Green River residents earlier this month halted their police chief’s bid to install license plate readers at town entrances. Besides Lusk, the Wyoming communities of Cheyenne, Jackson, Glenrock, and the Wind River Indian Reservation all have license plate reader cameras in place.

Yellowstone National Park will spare the life of the bison that seriously hurt a 65-year-old grandpa from Washington. Cowboy State Daily’s Andrew Rossi reports that park officials said “no management action” will be taken against the bison which means it won’t be relocated or euthanized.

“The park rarely takes any management action because identifying that specific animal is difficult, and it's usually the animals are just doing what they would naturally do, whether it's because bison are in the rut or bears are defending their cubs or a food source. I spoke to bison biologist George Werthner. He reviewed the footage of the incident at Bridge Bay Campground over the weekend, and he said there really wasn't anything that Carl McDaniel could have done differently to prevent that attack.” 

Even grizzlies that attack and seriously injure park guests usually get off the hook, so long as the attack was determined to be a natural behavior, like defending cubs or a food source.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"– "}]

A family hurt in a crash west of Casper that killed two people when a semitruck plowed into a construction zone is suing the trucking company and the as-yet unidentified truck driver. Cowboy State Daily’s Kolby Fedore reports that no criminal charges have yet been filed as an investigation continues.

“Nearly a month after a commercial tanker drove into six cars, killing two people and injuring eight, a family has filed a lawsuit. Representing the injured family is Casper attorney Dallas Laird. He said simply that they're hoping for a settlement. The exact number remains unknown, as the family is still receiving medical care for long-term injuries. This civil lawsuit stems from a June 26th crash that happened west of Casper, between Casper and Manita. The complaint alleges that the tanker failed to stop in a construction zone.”

The negligence lawsuit, filed Friday in Natrona County District Court, names Ryan Brothers Trucking Inc. and a John Doe defendant, identified as the tanker driver whose identity was not yet known to the plaintiffs when the complaint was filed.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":"–"}]

It was 47 years ago today that Cheyenne was hit by the most powerful tornado in Wyoming history. The powerful F3 tornado destroyed hundreds of homes,  caused tens of millions of dollars in damages, and killed one. Cowboy State Daily’s Kerry Drake was a reporter for the Wyoming Tribune and covered the story.

“It was obviously a terrible time for Cheyenne; most destructive tornado in the history of Wyoming. I was a photographer for the Wyoming State Tribune at the time. I was out covering a meeting, and I found out after I looked and we saw the tornado that I didn't have my camera with me. And fortunately, a good friend of mine who was at the meeting with me did. So we first saw the tornado looked like a big fire, and then we saw it move and realized what it was, so I kept telling my friend Jerry Johnson to shoot, shoot, shoot, and he did. And we got some photos that eventually we brought them down to the AP and UPI, and they were the first things that they had on the tornado.”

After the dust settled, there were 400 buildings that were damaged, including about 140 that were just totaled, 25 million dollars worth of damage, after the tornado traveled about almost 9 miles. For more on the tornado, read Kerry Drake’s two stories that Cowboy State Daily published today. There is also an interview with the former mayor of Cheyenne who recounts his experiences.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"—"}]

And that’s today’s news. Get your free digital subscription to Wyoming's only statewide newspaper by hitting the Daily Newsletter button on 

 - and you can watch this newscast every day by clicking Subscribe on our 

 channel, or listen to us on your favorite podcast app.  Thanks for watching - I’m Mac Watson, for Cowboy State Daily.

Newscast Thumbnail 07 16 26

<title>Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Thursday, July 16, 2026 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Thursday's headlines include:

Rep. Allemand Pleads Guilty
Yellowstone Bison Won't Be Euthanized
Most Powerful Tornado In Wyoming History

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Thursday, July 16, 2026

Guest Column

Guest Columnists

is a book published in 1971 by Saul Alinsky, a radical leftist community activist who wrote from his decades of pro-Communist organizing efforts. Alinsky died shortly after its publication, but Rules for Radicals has lived on, even shaping today’s neo-Marxist reunion tour now sweeping Blue states and universities near you. 

In a recent article published in Salon, the headline reads, “Trump Revives the Red Scare,” accusing the president of reviving the old wave of anti-communism from the 1950s. Actually, I don’t think President Trump is the originator of the most recent “Red Scare” at all – not when today’s Democrat Party is doing such a fine job on its own. 

Last month, Democrats in Denver nominated a self-declared Socialist for U.S. Congress on her promises to deliver Soviet-style free stuff for everyone. Her empty, laughable promises are covered by Alinsky rules 1 and 2. 

Maine Democrats nominated a loser Communist (his word, not mine) with the added bonus of a Nazi tattoo to represent them in the U.S. Senate before deciding that serious, credible rape allegations (but not his Nazism or Communism) made him unfit for that office. Nevertheless, it is conservatives who the left brands “Nazis" and “Christian Nationalists”, per Alinsky’s rules 3-5. 

On July 3, New York Mayor, radical Islamist, trust fund baby and avowed Socialist Zohran Mamdami delivered a speech from George Washington’s desk, where he attacked everything about America on its birthday. When did “Make America Great Again” become dirty words, and “the warmth of collectivism” become okay? Pure Alinsky. 

And lest we think Wyoming is above all this, Gillette, Wyoming’s community organizations were barred by Campbell County Parks & Recreation officials from handing out U.S. Constitutions and Bibles during the Independence Day 250 parade. Is July Fourth really the best day to trash the very FIRST Amendment to the American Constitution? Socialists must control the media and other freedoms of speech to promote their bad ideas, again, straight out of the 

Add to the 250th anniversary celebration of our Declaration of Independence that Lander parade-goers – including kids – were handed free condoms by the local LGBT advocacy group. 

Since when are free condoms protected by the Constitution while Bibles are not? 

What do all of these outrages have in common? They are perpetuated by people who hate everything about our nation and culture. They hate anything like the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, and anyone like Donald Trump, for promoting free markets, less burdensome government, justice and liberty for all. 

Socialism/Communism -- flip a coin -- is focused on creating a “utopia” in which seizing wealth and killing prosperity allows everyone to live in equal misery. Our founding fathers were wise in understanding human nature and choosing a republican form of government, which thrives with free markets. 

When markets are free and the people are moral, the economy soars and folks share prosperity with their less fortunate neighbors. This system has led to the greatest and most compassionate nation on earth with a record of helping and improving the quality of life for all of humanity. Something we SHOULD be proud of! 

Every Marxist advance has led to failure of productivity, starvation and mass death. Well over 100 million people perished in the name of Marxism (Socialism, Communism -- potato, po-tah-to) during the 20th century. 

Even Wyoming Democrats refuse to distance themselves from these avowed communists who hate America (Zohran Mamdani, Graham Platner, Melat Kiros, AOC, and Bernie Sanders). Wyoming Democrats lead the attacks on the Wyoming Freedom Caucus while supporting the same Republican candidates who think your inalienable rights should be conditional. If you believe they will stop before coming for your guns and property, you haven’t studied history. 

The leader of Gillette’s Parks and Recreation department is a Republican candidate for the Wyoming State Senate. The staffer who made the decision to prohibit passing out U.S. Constitutions on our nation’s 250th birthday is campaign manager for a Republican candidate for the Wyoming House. Misdirection from Saul Alinsky’s 

Donald Trump is hardly the one inciting the new “Red Scare. Not when even Wyoming Democrats and weak sauce Republicans are advancing Saul Alinsky’s radical principles right here in the heart of the American West. 

How long before Wyoming elects a socialist? It could be sooner than later if they run as Republicans. 

Rep. John Bear represents House District 31 in Gillette

John bear headshot 7 15 26

<title>Guest Column: How Long Before Wyoming Elects A Socialist? | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Rep. John Bear writes, "Gillette’s community organizations were barred from handing out U.S. Constitutions and Bibles during the Independence Day 250 parade. Is July Fourth really the best day to trash the very FIRST Amendment to the American Constitution?"

Guest Column: How Long Before Wyoming Elects A Socialist?

Kerry Drake

CHEYENNE — The day after Gene Holthus’ home in Cheyenne’s Buffalo Ridge subdivision was gutted on July 16, 1979, he stood outside taking photos of the destruction. 

His three sons were busy trying to salvage anything they could from the house as Wyoming National Guard helicopters flew overhead to protect the neighborhood from looting.

Holthus told the Wyoming State Tribune that he was at work at the Wyoming Highway Department when he saw the huge twister rip past the Game and Fish Commission.

“I immediately called my wife, Alta, and told her to get in the basement,” Holthus said. “She didn’t know a thing about it.”

He said the next few minutes were terrifying as he waited for a chance to get home. Holthus learned that a gas main had broken in his basement.

“Somebody called the fire department and within about five minutes they came and dug my wife out of the basement,” he recalled. “Thank God she only had a few scratches.”

As Holthus continued talking to the reporter, one of his sons came running up and handed him an envelope he’d found several blocks away. It contained vivid color photographs of the family’s garden, which was now buried under rubble.

Holthus looked at every one of the photos. 

“I just can’t believe that something this small could remain intact while bigger things were totally destroyed,” he said. 

The reporter told him he was sorry about everything his family lost. Holthus turned around and pointed at the house.

“This can all be replaced,” he said. “We survived. And I’ll treasure these photos and all the memories.”

Holthus died in 2015, but he and his family had survived what 47 years later is still the most destructive tornado ever recorded in Wyoming. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"9-Mile Path Of Destruction"}]

The tornado that touched down was not only rare for the capital city, Cheyenne had never had one within city limits prior to July 16, 1979. 

The tornado was officially an F-3, using the EF scale that ranks tornados by damage intensity. But some scientists believe it was even more fierce, an F-4, based on the intensity of destruction it left behind.

The tornado first formed around 3:10 p.m. near the intersection of Vandehei Avenue and Valley View Road. Peak winds were estimated between 136-165 mph.

Its path through the city was 8.8 miles, which it traveled in about 30 minutes. 

The massive twister was 80 yards wide, or four-fifths as long as a football field.

It was the most destructive tornado in Wyoming’s history, and it caused one death: 14-month-old David McKinnon, who the Laramie County coroner at the time said died instantly from head injuries when his family’s trailer was ripped apart by the black funnel cloud.

Damaging about 400 homes, including 140 that were destroyed, the total property damage was estimated at $25 million, which is the equivalent to 

As people dug through the rubble, called insurance adjusters, and talked to friends and family about their ordeal, one thing about the natural disaster seemed universally described by survivors as miraculous. 

How could such an enormous tornado wreaking havoc for such a long time have not killed more people?

“This was my first major crisis,” Don Erickson, Cheyenne’s mayor from 1977-1989, told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday as he recalled the challenges he faced when the tornado hit the northern part of the city. 

“We had to show the community a lot of confidence, that we were doing the best we can,” he said. "And we did. We had a great team.”

Erickson, 89, can vividly describe everything he saw happen the day the tornado hit.

“I was sitting in my office with my risk manager looking through this great big window,” he said. “I thought, ‘My God, it looked kind of weird out there.’ Big black clouds coming around, and I said, ‘Let’s go up on the roof and see what’s going on.’”

Within 10 seconds of arriving on the rooftop, Erickson said that, “There was a big blast north of City Hall. Later on, we found that a transformer over by the governor’s mansion had been struck by lightning.”

Dave Guille, the head of civil defense for the city, called to tell the mayor that a tornado had hit the north side of Cheyenne.

Erickson, who had just dealt with one shock, called Cheyenne Police Chief Byron Rookstool, and together they made a hurried trip to the scene.

“The rescue effort was underway, and the devastation was amazing,” Erickson said. “We were so lucky that people were working and the kids weren’t quite home yet.”

He flew in a National Guard helicopter to see the path of destruction. 

“We’re fortunate that the Frontier Mall wasn’t built yet on Dell Range. It would have had a tremendous amount of damage,” he said.

Erickson said Gov. Ed Herschler immediately declared Cheyenne a disaster area.

Erickson said the entire city rallied to help take care of anyone impacted by the disaster. Scores of people opened up their homes to those who had lost theirs. 

Esther Howard formed the Interfaith Task Force, which brought local organizations together to coordinate how they could help anyone who needed it.

It was 47 years ago on July 16, 1979, when a massive tornado ripped through Cheyenne, leveling hundreds of homes and killing a 14-month old. Decades later, it’s still the most destructive tornado in Wyoming history.

Bonus Video 2: Sunday, October 27, 2024

In case you missed it

More in You Still Here

Today In The Rest Of The Story: Thursday, July 16, 2026

Today In Bird Calls: Thursday, July 16, 2026

Bonus Video 1: Thursday, July 16, 2026

You Still Here? Thursday, July 16, 2026

Most read