Crime & Courts
News

Judge Gives Final Go-Ahead For Controversial 101-Foot-Tall Cody LDS Temple
The drama and legal wrangling over a controversial 101-foot-tall LDS temple in Cody, Wyoming, appears to be over — at least for now. A judge has ruled against a temple opposition group, clearing the way for construction to begin.
Leo WolfsonAugust 29, 2024

Pilot Declared Emergency Before Plane Crash That Killed Gospel Group
The pilot declared an emergency before it crashed in northeast Wyoming in late July, killing all seven on board, according to a Wednesday NTSB report. Among those killed were three members of the Gospel Hall of Fame group The Nelons.
Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2024

Wyoming Suspect Gives Up Cocaine And Fentanyl Hidden In Buttocks
A Gillette man saved himself a felony charge Tuesday night when he gave up the cocaine and fentanyl he had hidden in his buttocks. Even more common are suspects claiming they’re not wearing their own pants.
Greg JohnsonAugust 28, 2024

People Keep Calling Local 911 Lines To Report Wildfires Already Being Fought
With local agencies stretched thin fighting large wildfires in northeast Wyoming, they say a large number of 911 calls stretch them more. In many cases, people are reporting smoke from fires already being fought.
Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2024

Gillette Man Barricades Self In Room After Asking Mom, “Do You Want To Die?”
A Gillette man was in court Monday after creating a standoff-style scene in a Gillette neighborhood over the weekend. He allegedly beat his mother, threatened her with a knife and asked her, “do you want to die?”
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024

Cheyenne’s “Voodoo Man” Accused Of Tearing Up Election Center
Cheyenne’s “Voodoo Man” stands 6-foot-4, throws “hexes” at people, threatens them with a staff and spews death threats. He’s accused of tearing up an election center Aug. 6, and his case was elevated Friday to felony-level court.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024

Off-Duty Casper Cop Shot At Deputies During Alcohol-Fueled Standoff
Off-duty Casper Police Officer Michael Hughes was drinking heavily when he shot at deputies during a 17-hour standoff that ended Friday. He was in court Monday and remains in the Natrona County Jail on $500,000 bond.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 27, 2024

Riverton Police Officer Faces Felony For Receiving Illegal Steroids
A Riverton police officer accused of receiving illegal steroids by mail was served with a felony charge Monday. Logan Alley allegedly told investigators “maybe not the extent” when asked if he knew the drugs were illegal.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024

Progress Made On Wildfires That Have Burned 460,000 Acres In Wyoming, Montana
Rain helped crews make progress on two of Wyoming’s five major wildfires Monday, though a third that saw rain didn't benefit much from it. The fires have burned nearly 460,000 acres in Wyoming and southern Montana but showed little growth Monday.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024

Critics Claim Wyoming Fire Department “Didn’t Lift A Finger” To Stop Wildfires
Some heavy equipment operators in northeast Wyoming claim the Campell County Fire Department “didn’t lift a finger” to help them stop a pair of large wildfires. Others, however, say that claim is baseless and the CCFD is saving their land.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024

Judge Tosses Lawsuit To Halt Wyoming’s New THC Laws, Wyoming Sellers To Appeal
A judge dismissed their lawsuit challenging a new Wyoming law restricting the amount of THC legal for sale in Wyoming. But state hemp and THC sellers are taking their case to the federal appeals court.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024

Wyoming To Pay $127,500 For Cops’ Illegal Entry, Takedown Of Cheyenne Man
Wyoming is paying $127,500 to a Cheyenne man who was arrested after police entered his home illegally to arrest him four years ago. The Friday settlement ends a lawsuit against three former Cheyenne police officers.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024

Off-Duty Casper Police Officer Faces 6 Felonies From Armed Standoff
An off-duty Casper Police Department officer faces six felony charges following an armed 17-hour standoff that ended Friday. On Monday, CPD Chief Keith McPheeters said the incident has “reverberated throughout our entire department.”
Dale KillingbeckAugust 26, 2024

Remington Fire Now At 200,000 Acres, But Wildfire East Of Gillette Has Priority
The Remington Fire that started in Wyoming and sprinted into Montana has grown to about 200,000 acres Monday and is 5% contained. But because of nearby residential and ranch neighborhoods, a 53,000-acre blaze west of Gillette has priority.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024

It’s Been 20 Years Since Renee Yeargain Disappeared From A Wyoming Rest Stop
It’s been two decades since Renee Yeargain fled her Torrington, Wyoming, home and disappeared at a highway rest stop. She’s still missing, but family and friends won’t give up investigating what happened to her.
Jen KocherAugust 25, 2024

Riverton Fire Department Disavows Former Member After Sex Assault Claims
The Riverton Volunteer Fire Department has disavowed a retired firefighter accused of sexually attacking women. The agency says Charlie Lawrence retired in 2020 and no longer has a connection with the department.
Clair McFarlandAugust 25, 2024

Urgent Search On For Missing Laramie Man With Dementia
The family of Donnie Smith is urgently searching for him. He was last seen Wednesday, is 79 and suffering from dementia.
Jen KocherAugust 24, 2024

Construction Crews, Ranchers With Weed Sprayers Battle Huge Wyoming Fires
With aggressive wildfires having already burned 250,000 acres across northern Wyoming, it’s all hands on deck. In addition to firefighters, construction crews with bulldozers and ranchers with weed sprayers are also on the fire lines.
Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2024

16-Hour Standoff At Casper Apartment Ends With Nobody Hurt
A standoff with a subject barricaded in a Casper apartment since about 11:30 p.m. Thursday is over. The standoff ended "peacefully" Friday afternoon after about 16 hours.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024

Wildfires Have Ravaged More Than 250,000 Acres Across Northern Wyoming
Friday update: Wildfires raging across northern Wyoming have burned more than 250,000 acres. No deaths or injuries have been reported, but agencies have had to call in firefighting machines and personnel from many other regions.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024

Brief: Police Suspect Shooting-Suicide At Lander Apartment Complex
Police in Lander, Wyoming, are investigating a person who shot another then shot his- or herself Friday morning. An investigation continues, and police say there’s no threat to the community.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024

Riverton Man Accused Of Offering Women Rides, Then Attacking Them
A Riverton man faces up to 35 years in prison for allegedly offering women rides, then sexually attacking them. He case rose to felony-level court Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024

With Wildfires Burning All Around, Sheridan County Fights Its Own 10,000-Acre Blaze
With wildfires burning more than 200,000 acres nearby, firefighting resources are thin in northern Wyoming. Sheridan County is pressing on fighting its own 10,000-acre blaze near the Montana state line.
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024

Much Of Northern Wyoming Is On Fire, But Converse County Is OK For Now
Lightning-caused fires are devouring huge swaths of northern Wyoming, but to the south, Converse County got a lucky break when a Wednesday-evening rainstorm helped stifle its large fire.
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024
