Writer

Dale Killingbeck

Killingbeck is glad to be back in journalism after working for 18 years in corporate communications with a health system in northern Michigan. He spent the previous 16 years working for newspapers in western Michigan in various roles.

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Latest from Dale Killingbeck

Meaghan Peterson grew up on a ranch in Montana and said after college and before her equine bodywork business she worked at ranches across the West.

It's A Real Job: Horse Bodywork Therapist

Meaghan Peterson knows all about the 700 muscles that control a horse’s movement. The Thermopolis resident is a certified equine sports bodywork therapist. Her clientele is mostly between Cody and Casper although she does travel to other states too.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 23, 2025

Plenty of Ford F-150s, and other pickup models, are front and center at Cheyenne's Ford dealership, which makes sense because the F-150 is Wyoming's most popular vehicle.

Wyoming’s Top Ride? No Surprise, It’s The Ford F-150, Followed By Pickups And More Pickups

Whether the driver wears a cowboy hat or not, the seasons, roads and terrain of Wyoming mean pickups are the choice for drivers in the state. And the Ford F-150 is number one.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 22, 2025

When Wyoming’s uranium miners were dying of cancer, nobody seemed to care, even when at least one got so radioactive grass wouldn’t grow on his grave. Then Sen. Al Simpson and a news publisher pushed to get compensation for them and their families.

Wyoming History: Uranium Miner Was So Radioactive Grass Wouldn’t Grow On His Grave

Judd McDonald participated in an out-of-control nuclear bomb explosion to being an underground miner at a Nevada test site to blasting uranium out of a mine in Jeffrey City, Wyoming. He says he's the only one still alive who can tell the story of many who died way too young.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 22, 2025

Carter Lein, 11, was cut twice by a hockey skate in the neck during a game. It took eight stitches to close, but could have been tragic if he hadn't been wearing a neck guard.

‘Every Hockey Parent’s Worst Nightmare’: Casper Youth Player Takes Skate To Neck

The mom and dad of an 11-year-old Casper youth player said what happened Sunday was “every hockey parent’s worst nightmare” — their son took a skate to the neck. A new rule mandating players wear neck guards likely saved his life.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 22, 2025

Fort Washakie Man Who Killed Wife In Front Of Their Young Daughter Gets 30 Years

A Fort Washakie man was given 30 years in prison Friday for shooting and killing his wife in front of their 11-year-old daughter in April 2024. The judge escalated his sentence because the girl “had to witness the death of her mother with her own eyes.”

Dale KillingbeckMarch 21, 2025

The $52 million WYO Sports Ranch opened in January and has already hosted more than 10,000 visitors and sports participants.

Huge 150,000-Square-Foot Sports Facility Brings $1M To Casper In First Weeks

In its first weeks of operation in Casper, the huge 150,000-square-foot WYO Sports Ranch has made a $1 million economic impact on the community. It’s already drawing attention to host state and national tournaments.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 21, 2025

The Seven Wonders of Casper are, clockwise from top left: Spiral staircase to nowhere, Gravity Hill, the Egg Beater Tower, Natrona County Library echo chamber, murals around town, Lookout Point and the clock that doesn't tell time.

Casper’s ‘Seven Wonders’ Are Odd, Unusual And Gravity-Defying

While the Seven Wonders of Casper may not be as famous as other landmarks in Wyoming like Old Faithful, Devils Tower or Independence Rock, they are unusual, interesting and worth seeing in a couple of hours, scavenger hunt style.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 16, 2025

Drift boat clients on the North Platte River often get caught up gawking at the imposing fishing dinosaur sculpture made of farm machinery sitting on the bank east of Alcova.

Why The Heck … Is There A 10-Foot T. Rex Fishing The North Platte Near Alcova?

Drift boat fishermen along the North Platte River are often surprised to see a T. rex statue looking down on them from a bluff east of Alcova. The 10-foot tall metal dinosaur is fishing, and has even hooked a catch.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 16, 2025

Defendant Paul Hilburn, addresses Casper Circuit Court Judge Kevin Taheri as Natrona County Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson listens.

Casper Man Pleads Not Guilty To Charges From January Stabbing

A 71-year-old Casper man pleaded not guilty Friday to three charges stemming from a January stabbing at his apartment. He allegedly told police one of the stabbings was an accident.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 14, 2025

The house in the 800 block of 53rd Street in Casper on Wednesday had all the police tape removed that encircled it earlier in the week.

Other Than Saying Case Is ‘Complicated,’ Casper Police Mum On Fatal Shooting

Casper police said Wednesday they continue to investigate Saturday’s fatal shooting of a man at a local home. There have been no arrests, and other than saying the case is “complicated,” little is being released about the shooting.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 12, 2025

Casper Man Pleads Guilty To Shooting Crossbow Bolt Into Ex-Girlfriend’s Home

A 47-year-old Casper man admitted in court Wednesday to shooting a crossbow bolt through a window where his ex-girlfriend was staying last September. He bragged about doing something that would be “in the news.”

Dale KillingbeckMarch 12, 2025

A 47-year-old man was shot to death during what police report was a family altercation at this house on 53rd Street in Casper on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

Casper Police Say Man Shot And Killed During “Physical Altercation” With Family

Casper police report that an argument between family members escalated, leading to a man being shot to death Saturday. No arrests as an investigation continues.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 10, 2025

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Police in Casper, Wyoming, were dispatched to a southside neighborhood home Saturday night to find an adult male dead. The department isn’t reporting any details other than it’s investigating a “suspicious death.”

Casper Police Investigate ‘Suspicious Death' Of Man In Southside Home

Police in Casper were dispatched to a southside neighborhood home Saturday night to find an adult male dead. The police told Cowboy State Daily the incident is being investigated as a "suspicious death."

Dale KillingbeckMarch 09, 2025

Image from the rescue of Kevin Dye shown at a gathering honoring Rocky Mountain Rescue Group in 2022.

Wyoming History: The Lost 9-Year-Old Who Eluded Casper Mountain Search For 11 Days

In 1971, a 9-year-old boy made national headlines when he wandered away from a pingpong game on Casper Mountain. A search team from Colorado finally found him after the boy eluded searchers for 11 days. As a result, Casper formed its own search and rescue squad.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 08, 2025

Ex-Casper Cop Pleads Guilty To Shooting At Deputies During 17-Hour Standoff

A 31-year-old former Casper police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to six of seven charges stemming from a 17-hour standoff in August 2024, where prosecutors say he shot at police.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 06, 2025

The Dick Cheney Federal Building has been put on a list of “non-core” properties for the General Services Administration to dispose of according to a website post.

Dick Cheney Federal Building In Casper Shows Up On Federal Hit List To Be Sold

Dick Cheney has been on President Donald Trump’s political hit list for some time. Now a federal building named for the former vice president was on a Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) hit list to be sold amid a federal downsizing frenzy.

Clair McFarland & Dale KillingbeckMarch 05, 2025

Wyoming homeschool families say they are “thrilled” with the passage of the Homeschool Freedom Act. It means the don't have to submit their curricula to local school districts. Rep. Tomi Strock, R-Douglas, sponsored the legislation.

Wyoming Homeschoolers “Thrilled” To Be Free Of Reporting Requirement

Wyoming homeschool families say they are “thrilled” with the passage of the Homeschool Freedom Act. It means they don't have to submit their curricula to local school districts.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 03, 2025

The Hotel LaBonte continues to be a destination for travelers, tourists seeking out historic hotels, and Converse County oilfield and construction workers temporarily in the region.

After 110 Years, Hotel LaBonte In Douglas Keeps The Old West Alive

Fifth-generation Converse County rancher Keith Moore and his wife Macey bought the Hotel LaBonte in Douglas 10 years ago because of their affinity for old buildings and downtown revitalization. Its past includes a historic old west shootout and plenty of ghostly happenings.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 02, 2025

Deanna Cotten holds up the author’s copy of her book that is in its final revisions. She hopes it will help people facing an end-of-life crisis.

Glenrock Woman Spends Final Days In Hospice Writing Book, Getting Tattoos

A 43-year-old Glenrock mother of four, wife and business owner is facing her final days at a Casper hospice. She's got a 'bucket list' of things to do before she dies, which includes finishing her book and completing an inspirational tattoo sleeve of her left arm.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 01, 2025

At 72, Gary Dickinson continues to pursue a passion for classic cars. His “The Junkyard” in Glenrock specializes in “classic” cars and car parts.

Glenrock Man Has 5 Acres Of Rusted-Out Vintage Cars That Have Potential To Be Jewels

Gary Dickinson has 5 acres of rusted-out vintage cars that some might call a graveyard of junk. The Glenrock man says they’re half right — his old cars are junk, but they have the potential to become jewels.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 01, 2025

Rep. Tomi Strock, R-Douglas, sponsored House Bill 46, which would allow homeschool parents in Wyoming to not have to submit curricula to local school districts. The bill passed the full Legislature on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.

Gov. Gets Bill To Free Homeschool Parents From Submitting Plans To School Districts

A bill that would lift a requirement that homeschool parents submit curricula to local school districts easily passed the Wyoming Senate 28-2 on Monday. The bill moves on to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 24, 2025

Mia the Walmart dog is a favorite with the store's customers, especially kids.

Meet Mia The Walmart Dog — Casper’s Tutu-Wearing Celebrity K-9

When Casper Walmart greeter Billy Welch started bringing his service support dog Mia to work with him, he didn’t expect the pit bull-mastiff mix would become a local celebrity. Now the tutu-wearing K-9 has her own social media with thousands of followers.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 23, 2025

Casper Police Department Lt. Michael Ogden said the 1904 Police Court Docket Book will eventually be displayed in a public space in the department’s new building.

1904 Casper Police Docket Full Of Prostitutes, Drunks And Horses On Sidewalks

In January, someone donated a Casper police docket book from 1904 to a local thrift store. It gives a fascinating glimpse into the most prevalent crimes of the day: prostitutes, drunks and people fined for riding horses on sidewalks.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 23, 2025

Wyoming History: The Wyoming Man Who Designed B-52 Jet Engine That Transformed Aviation

Leonard Hobbs was born in small Carbon, Wyoming, in 1895 and grew up to help transform aviation, designing one of the most important jet engines in history. It was the workhorse of America's B-52 jet bombers.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 23, 2025

Wyoming-born artist Bill Foy created this nearly life-sized moose sculpture titled "Holy Smokes" out of junk metal.

Glendo Native Creates Life-Size Moose From Junk Parts For Breast Cancer Fundraiser

A welder from Glendo sees the potential in other people’s junk to create unique sculptures, like a life-size moose standing in Casper called "Holy Smokes." He created this sculpture for a fundraiser to benefit a Glendo-based breast cancer foundation.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 22, 2025

Kevin Medibles told police he “wanted to feel it” when he brutally beat and stabbed a woman to death last year. On Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Wyoming Man Who “Wanted To Feel It” When He Killed Woman Gets 40 Years

An Ethete, Wyoming, man who told police he “wanted to feel it” when he brutally beat and stabbed a woman to death last year was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 21, 2025

Man Who Strangled Drunk Man At Casper Motel Gets 62 Years To Life

A 44-year-old Casper man faces a 62-to-life prison sentence for strangling a 28-year-old man in a Casper motel room last March. James Mavigliano was convicted of second-degree murder in December following a jury trial.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 20, 2025

– Defense attorney Marty Scott confers with Luka Rasmussen, 18, during Rasmussen's preliminary hearing Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.

Casper Teen Charged In Fatal Shooting Had History Of Pointing Gun At People

An 18-year-old Casper man was bound over to Natrona County District Court Thursday on an involuntary manslaughter charge. Evidence at a preliminary hearing showed he had a history of pointing his .40-caliber Glock at others.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 20, 2025

State Rep. Tomi Strock, R-Douglas, sponsored House Bill 46, which would remove a requirement that Wyoming homeschool parents have to submit curricula to their local school districts.

Homeschool Parents Closer To Not Having To Submit Plans To Local Districts

A bill that would mean Wyoming homeschool parents won’t have to submit their curricula to local school boards is sailing through the Legislature. Having already passed the house, the Wyoming Homeschool Freedom Act moved to the full Senate on Wednesday.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 19, 2025

Alexander Paul Cochran, a 27-year-old Casper man with a long record, faces new charges after he entered a home early Monday, threatened a man, slapped him, pulled a knife and busted out pickup truck windows.

Casper Man Accused Of Invading Home, Pulling Knife And Threatening To Shoot Up House

A 27-year-old Casper man is accused of a 2 a.m. home invasion Tuesday in which he hit a man and threatened him with a knife. He also allegedly threatened to shoot up the house.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 19, 2025