In Other News ...
The top news stories from Laramie and Albany County as of June 2, 2021.
Welcome to the Laramie Reporter’s “In Other News” segment, a biweekly rundown of the top news stories from Laramie and Albany County as reported by local, state and regional media. Subscribe to my newsletter to get this list in your inbox every other week.
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The New Yorker highlighted the shooting of Robbie Ramirez by Derek Colling of the Albany County Sheriff’s Office. The story “How Violent Cops Stay In Law Enforcement” used Colling’s story to examine how even officers with a violent history can find employment in small communities like Albany County, which is a “safe haven” for cops like Colling. Just a month before his retirement, Sheriff Dave O’Malley still defended his hire. “There’s people in the profession that need to be out of it,” he said, but Colling is not one of them.
Reading status:New Yorker subscription, or open access depending on how many New Yorker articles one has already read.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/us-journal/how-violent-cops-stay-in-law-enforcement
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A defense contractor with manufacturing in Laramie paid $5.6 million to settle fraud allegations levied by the Department of Justice. WyoFile reports the contractor — Tungsten Heavy Powder — was alleged to be “engaged in deliberate schemes to defraud the U.S.” Tungsten produces parts for armor-piercing munitions for the U.S. and for countries armed by the U.S. The firm is alleged to have produced parts intended for Israel with unapproved contractors in China, which is not allowed under federal law. In 2015, Tungsten Heavy Powder was recruited by the Wyoming Business Council and the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance, and built a manufacturing plant in Laramie.
Reading status: Open access
https://www.wyofile.com/wyo-business-council-recruit-pays-5-6m-federal-fraud-settlement/
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Laramie completed installation of solar panels at the Laramie Community Recreation Center and the Laramie Ice & Event Center, the Laramie Boomerang reports. The solar panels are accompanied by displays in the rec center, ice and event center, and the Laramie High School cafeteria that give real-time data on the performance of the panels. The idea is to show and promote the potential of solar energy in the community. While the project cost $160,000, the city paid just $40,000 from its own funds. The remaining $120,000 came from Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky Program, which is in turn funded by customer donations.
Reading status:Laramie Boomerang paywall
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The Laramie City Council appointed nine residents and two councilors to the ad-hoc working group on police and community relations. The working group is not the long-discussed civilian oversight board, but rather serves to advise the city council on ways to improve transparency and accountability for the Laramie Police Department. The working group could suggest the establishment of an oversight board, but that is not set in stone. Even if the working group did make such a recommendation, the final decision would be left to the Laramie City Council.
Reading status: Open access
https://laramiereporter.substack.com/p/city-council-appoints-nine-residents
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Kurt Britzius is the new Albany County and Prosecuting Attorney following a unanimous vote from the Albany County Commissioners last week. Britzius was one of three candidates seeking appointment to the position after Peggy Trent resigned in May. To stay in office beyond the 2022 election cycle, Britzius will have to run for, and win, in a countywide race.
Reading status: Open access
https://laramiereporter.substack.com/p/kurt-britzius-named-albany-county
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As Wyoming kicks off a $180 million federally-funded rental assistance program, Laramie Interfaith is helping residents apply.Wyoming Public Radio reports that while the money could dramatically impact the lives of many in Wyoming, the housing crisis in Wyoming is likely to persist even when program funds run out. Laramie Interfaith Director Josh Watanabe said his organization received specific funding to help both tenants and landlords apply for the assistance.
Reading status: Open access
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