In Other News ...
County officials fight the release of personnel records, a bomb threat from last year remains unsolved and UW students choose new leaders. The top news stories from Albany County as of April 20, 2023.
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 national media. Subscribe to our newsletter to get this rundown in your inbox every other week.
The sheriff and county attorney are fighting the release of personnel records for a former deputy who shot and killed an unarmed man five years ago. Derek Colling was not charged for the fatal 2018 shooting, but he has been under investigation by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission since possibly 2020. POST has the ability to decertify Colling or any other credentialed law enforcement officer in the state of Wyoming; decertification would prohibit Colling from ever again working as a sheriff’s deputy or police officer in the state. As part of its investigation, POST is looking to subpoena Colling’s personnel records, including psychological evaluations, from his time at the Albany County Sheriff’s Office. But Sheriff Aaron Appelhans, County Attorney Kurt Britzius and Colling himself are fighting that subpoena in Albany County District Court. A hearing scheduled for last week was postponed and a new date has yet to be set.
Reading status: Open access
In June, an unidentified individual told police he had an improvised explosive device in Laramie’s downtown area and that he planned to set it off. Whoever made that threat is likely getting away with it. The Laramie Police Department has failed to identify any suspects and has not made any arrests. A spokesperson for the department said the case is now considered closed, meaning no officers are currently working on it. The police believe the suspect was never in Laramie and instead used a publicly available livestream of the Ivinson and Second Street intersection to make it appear like he was on scene.
Reading status: Open access
Laramie’s annual Drag Queen Bingo sold out in five hours, beating their own record by weeks. The fundraiser, which is billed as “not your grandmother’s church parlor bingo,” raised money to help Wyomingites living with HIV/AIDS, who often have to travel great distances just to access specialist care. The overwhelming interest in Drag Queen Bingo comes amid national debates about drag performances. Right-wing activists have attempted to shut down drag shows, while the mere presence of drag events have inspired deadly shootings. Other states are moving to outlaw drag entirely, though these efforts are tied up in the courts. A Drag Queen Bingo performer and organizer told the Laramie Reporter that this year, they’ll have to think more carefully about security and policing on the night of the event.
Reading status: Open access
Seven members of a University of Wyoming sorority chapter are suing their organization, seeking the removal of a transgender member. The plaintiffs allege the transgender woman — misgendered intentionally and consistently throughout the complaint — has made them uncomfortable by engaging in creepy behavior. Neither the sorority nor the transgender student have filed a response yet. The lawsuit was filed anonymously, but the judge has ruled that the seven plaintiffs must refile using their real names if the lawsuit is to continue. The judge writes in his order that anonymity is granted only in “exceptional” cases and that the public’s interest in knowing the accusers takes precedence over the plaintiff’s alleged safety concerns.
Reading status: Open access
University of Wyoming students elected their next president and vice president as well as new senators. The winning presidential ticket, Saber Smith and Jessica Petri, sought endorsements from smaller student organizations, breaking with a tradition that has prioritized endorsements from larger student organizations, such as the Greek councils. The team ran an aggressive virtual campaign — which was necessary since Petri was out of the country for most of it. The new ASUW will inherit some of the challenges and squabbles leftover by the former administration.
Reading status: Open access
Newly elected ASUW President Saber Smith and Vice President Jessica Petri were under investigation for alleged campaign violations prior to their Friday victory. They were accused of lying about an endorsement and of inappropriately doling out their own endorsements for ASUW senators. That first accusation was thrown out by ASUW’s Judicial Council, but the second accusation resulted in sanctions for Smith and Petri in some of the final days of the election. Specifically, they were banned from campaigning for 24 hours.
Reading status: Open access
The Laramie Police Department will start arming its officers with Narcan — an opioid antagonist that can save a drug user’s life mid-overdose. A Wyoming Department of Health program helped LPD acquire 190 doses of the drug, which will be carried by patrol officers and other emergency responders. Officers will need to complete a one-time 30-minute training before they will be ready to administer the drug in the field.
Reading status: Open access
In a community survey commissioned by the Laramie City Council, Laramigos report a high level of overall satisfaction with city life and the city government. However, the survey also shows an ethnic divide on the topic of policing and an income divide on the topic of housing. White residents were far more likely than Hispanic residents to say the Laramie Police Department “treats people with dignity and respect” or “works with community members to solve problems.” Poorer residents were more likely than richer residents to say the city should “become directly involved in development to expand housing options for middle-income workers and low-income persons.”
Reading status: Open access
A meme shared by Rep. Karlee Provenza (HD-45) ignited conservative and right-wing media across the nation, the Casper Star-Tribune reports. The image showed an older woman with a long rifle and read “Auntie Fa says protect trans folks against fascists & bigots.” Provenza has been hounded by calls from all over the United States, been featured in numerous major right-wing publications and received several death threats. Wyoming Speaker of the House Albert Sommers (HD-20) said Provenza will not face punishment in the House of Representatives. Sommers cited a commitment to free speech and the House’s own rules for lawmakers in explaining his decision, but added he would “take further action” if there is any “escalation.”
Reading status: Casper Star-Tribune paywall
Laramie hosted its second annual International Flavor Fest — a week of food, dancing and cultural events across the downtown area. Wyoming Public Media reports the event saw participation from more than 20 restaurants, highlighting food from more than 40 global cultures.
Reading status: Open access
The Ivinson Memorial Hospital Foundation — the fundraising arm of Laramie’s hospital — has launched a campaign to raise $4 million for an emergency department extension. The Laramie Boomerang reports the foundation is seeking to offset the $14 million extension plan. The project is set to add 3,250 square feet to the existing emergency room area, which is, according to fundraiser Karen Saunders, currently operating at capacity. Ivinson’s emergency department sees about 12,000 patient visits every year.
Reading status: Open access
WyoFile featured Laramie’s own Ray Kasckow in a profile published this week. The profile highlighted Kasckow’s unorthodox involvement in local historical circles, their courageous dedication to the fight for LGBTQ rights, and their deep connections throughout the community.
Reading status: Open access