In Other News ...
Former deputies settle a civil rights lawsuit, the city weathers near-daily storms, and a local couple’s newborn becomes a “Heart Warrior.” The top news stories from Albany County as of June 17, 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 Laramie City Council is debating the creation of a citizen review board — a permanent body with regular open meetings tasked with providing advice to Chief Brian Browne of the Laramie Police Department. The board is not an oversight board as imagined by advocates of that idea. As a strictly advisory board, it has no power over the police, and the chief is free to ignore any suggestions the board develops. The citizen review board will have the opportunity to review use-of-force incidents in some capacity — but that ability will likely be limited by the city’s legal concerns regarding personnel records. Civilians and councilors debated the proposed board during the proposal’s first reading earlier this month.
Reading status: Open access
Parties have settled in a lawsuit that alleged rampant, flagrant racist abuse in the Albany County Sheriff’s Office. Former Corporal Jamin Johnson alleged that his supervisor — the since-fired and now-decertified Sergeant Christian Handley — used racist slurs and innuendos during more than a decade of bigoted abuse against Johnson, then the office’s only Black deputy. Johnson further alleged that Handley used his unofficial membership in the town’s “good ole’ boys” club to orchestrate Johnson’s removal from the department. Details of the settlement are not publicly known.
Reading status: Open access
Laramie PrideFest culminates today with Pride in the Park, a gathering of the LGBTQ community that is open and welcoming to all, whether they’re members of the queer community or not. This was the seventh and biggest year for Laramie PrideFest, featuring more and more varied events than in any years prior. Pride is a time for celebration, but also for remembering tragedies and protesting modern injustices.
Reading status: Open access
Albany County is home to a body of water known as Swastika Lake, and at least one government official wants to keep it that way. The swastika symbol predates its association with the genocidal Nazi regime, but given its modern connotations — and its frequent use during the commission of hate crimes and by white supremacists — some are seeking to change the name of the lake. One individual suggested “Fortune Lake.” The Albany County Historical Society suggested “Knight Lake” in honor of Samuel Howell Knight, a famous county resident with connections to the immediate area. But Commissioner Terri Jones decried any suggestion of a name change, saying “Swastika Lake should remain Swastika Lake.” Jones suggested those wishing to change the name are overly sensitive and/or are carrying out a “communist” agenda. The commission will consider backing one of the proposed name changes, if either, during its next meeting Tuesday.
Reading status: Open access
Kem Krueger, a key figure in the county’s vaccine delivery program, was named this year’s Laramigo. The Laramigo Award for Community Engagement comes with a $10,000 cash prize — funded by an anonymous donor — that the awardee can pass onto local nonprofits and community organizations. Krueger is the dean of UW’s School of Pharmacy and was one of hundreds of volunteers involved in coordinating the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through both early and mass clinics. Krueger’s cash winnings will go primarily to Laramie Soup Kitchen and Albany County Public Health.
Reading status: Open access
More than half of all the precipitation Laramie has received in 2023 came down in the first days of June. By June 12, the city had received more than two inches. By way of comparison, that same time period in an average year would see just more than half an inch. Despite the recent deluge, Laramie is still behind on its yearly total. In an average year, the city would have seen about 4.5 inches by now. So far, it’s caught less than 4 inches. Such persistent rainstorms can lead to flash flooding.
Reading status: Open access
Laramie approves its city budget every two years, detailing all the money it takes in and all the money it spends. In an interview with Wyoming Public Radio, City Manager Janine Jordan and Administrative Services Director Jenn Wade explain why citizens should pay attention to the budget-crafting process, and how they can get involved in the process.
Reading/Listening status: Open access
The University of Wyoming and Visit Laramie have launched a “destination expert” course to teach frontline hospitality workers about the area’s attractions and history. The course is online and self-paced. Registration costs $15 and is now open.
Reading status: Open access
Surgeons at Denver Children’s Hospital saved the newborn child of a Laramie couple during a nerve-wracking 10-hour open heart surgery. The Laramie Boomerang’s Rachel Finch detailed Brooke Benson and Briana Montoya’s complicated pregnancy and post-birth ordeal. Their baby entered this world with a congenital heart disease and the new moms credit hospital staff in both Laramie and Denver with an ultimately successful delivery.
Reading status: Laramie Boomerang paywall
A webinar for incoming University of Wyoming students was “Zoom-bombed” with racist and vulgar language this week. Wyoming Public Radio reports more than 200 students were virtually attending the event. It’s not the first time a virtual UW event has been disrupted in this way. Another attacker — who was never identified — Zoom-bombed a Black History Month event in 2021 with racist, violent, and sexually graphic images and videos.
Reading status: Open access