Wyoming News Briefs

Average price of gasoline remains unchanged in last week in Wyoming

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Average gasoline prices in Wyoming are unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.27 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy. com’s survey of 494 stations in Wyoming.

Prices in Wyoming are 0.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, and stand 8.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the lowest price in the state on Sunday was $2.87 per gallon, while the highest was $4.19, a difference of $1.32.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1 cent per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.62 per gallon Monday. The national average is up 2.7 cents per gallon from a month ago, and stands 11.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

The national average price of diesel has dropped 3.4 cents in the last week, and stands at $3.94 per gallon.

Douglas man faces up to 17 years on felony drug charges 

DOUGLAS (WNE) — Clifford R. Bennett, 49, is facing felony charges for the alleged possession of liquid Fentanyl in the amount of more than three-tenths of a gram, as well as a second charge of possession of less than three grams of oxycodone.

He was previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance in Converse County in 1997 and Campbell County in 2000. 

Bennett additionally faces a third charge of possession of marijuana. 

According to court documents, Bennett was arrested April 7 by law enforcement at a residence on Griffith Way. Police conducted a “free sniff of air of the vehicle,” which K9 Red (canine officer) alerted to. Bennett was ordered out of the vehicle and the van was searched. 

A black backpack found behind the driver’s seat contained a variety of drugs and paraphernalia: five “benzos,” one oxycodone, one phentermine, one gram of marijuana, one gram of Bromado/Fentanyl and two scales. 

A warrant was obtained to search Bennett’s residence, where police found “one pipe with surgical hose attached, which is commonly used for smoking methamphetamines; one pipe that is [also] used for smoking methamphetamine; two Adderall pills, identified by the markings on the pill using the Pill Identifier app; two spoons with residue that later tested positive for meth; and one needle with a clear liquid that tested positive for fentanyl.” 

If Bennett is convicted of the charges, he faces up to seven years in prison and a fine up to $15,000 for the first charge, and five years each and up to five years in jail per felony for the latter two possession charges. 

Wyoming joins other states in opposing ATF rule on firearms

CHEYENNE (WNE) — The state of Wyoming has joined 20 other states in a lawsuit arguing that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is overstepping its authority and infringing on Americans’ Second Amendment right to privately buy and sell firearms.

In the lawsuit, the coalition of states argue that the ATF’s regulatory restrictions exceed the authority granted to the agency by Congress and are a violation of the Second Amendment.

“Yet again, this administration has demonstrated its contempt for the Constitution and the separation of powers,” Gov. Mark Gordon said in a news release.

According to the complaint, “The right to keep and bear arms is central to our country’s history and traditions, so Congress must be careful when addressing that right through federal legislation.”

Under a final ATF rule, Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Dealer in Firearms, the agency “would put innocent firearms sales between law-abiding friends and family members within the reach of federal regulation,” the complaint continues.

“The Biden administration is attempting to treat every legal gun owner as a commercial gun dealer, and every gun sale or trade as a commercial transaction,” Gordon noted. “The Biden administration is exceeding its authority and targeting our Second Amendment rights without going through Congress.”

In December, Wyoming joined 25 other states in signing a comment letter opposing the new rule. The states have asked the court to vacate the rule as contrary to law.

Man faces up to ten years in prison, $10k fine for allegedly trashing jail cell

DOUGLAS (WNE) — Miguel A. Holguin, 25, faces a felony charge for property destruction over $1,000 for damage he allegedly caused April 6 to a holding cell in the Converse County Detention Center, according to court documents. 

Holguin was observed by Converse County Sheriff’s Office deputies standing in holding cell number 17 with “water spraying from the ceiling into the cell. Water was flooding out of the cell into booking. Holguin [had] covered the floor drain in the cell with a shirt and begging mat and then pulled the emergency fire sprinkler head from the ceiling, causing water to spray from the water system,” deputies said in the police affidavit. 

Damages were estimated to be more than $1000. 

Holguin was then removed from the cell and remained in custody of detention staff. 

If convicted, Holguin faces up to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine. 

He was still incarcerated at the Converse County Detention Center as of April 29.

City approves all-electric housing development

KEMMERER (WNE) — In a special zoning board meeting on April 30, a recommendation was made for the Kemmerer City Council to approve the final plat for the Gateway PUD housing development, with conditions. 

One of those conditions is to include a plat notice to the future purchasers of the lots that natural gas is not being provided in the all-electric development. 

Previously, at a March 19 zoning board meeting, the developers — Sean Coyle, Chris Mooney and Mark Germain of Gateway Development Kemmerer LLC — had requested an amendment to the plat that included eliminating the need for the developer to install natural gas lines. A majority of the zoning board recommended that the city deny the request to amend the plat. 

With a close vote in an April 22 city council meeting, a majority of the council members voted to override the zoning board’s recommendation and amend the plat and allow the developer not to provide natural gas. 

Germain, the spokesman for the developers, estimated adding infrastructure for natural gas lines would cost more than $800,000, which would increase lot prices. The developer plans to use a Colorado-based company called Fading West to build the all-electric homes. 

On the one hand, eliminating the requirement for gas lines will make the individual lots more affordable, but some are concerned that this will drive up utility costs for homeowners. 

Kemmerer City Administrator Brian Muir acknowledged the need to move forward with housing and be accommodating to the developer but said he’s concerned about affordable utilities. 

“We also need to think about the future of the citizens in the area,” Muir said. “It’s not just about affordable housing; it’s about affordable utilities and having choices.” 

Man accused of shooting multiple homes after reportedly shooting through his own roof

GILLETTE (WNE) — No one was injured but three homes were damaged after dozens of gunshots were heard early Monday morning in the Westview Mobile Home Park, rounds allegedly fired by the same man who reported accidentally shooting a hole in his roof with a shotgun Sunday.

A 74-year-old woman called officers at about 4 a.m. Monday to report 10 gunshots she could hear from her home in the 3200 block of Echeta Road. Officers went to the area where they heard another 20 shots fired. They contacted the woman, who said she was shielding herself in her home because rounds had come into her home and struck her furniture, Police Deputy Chief Brent Wasson said.

Officers went into her home and helped remove her from the area.

They identified a home where the person was believed to be firing the gunshots. They issued commands to the 38-year-old man inside, and after about ten minutes, he came out with a rifle in his hands, Wasson said. He followed police commands and placed the gun on the ground.

The man was under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. Three surrounding homes were found with bullet holes and no injuries were reported.

Wasson said that Sunday evening, the same 38-year-old man reported accidentally shooting a softball-sized hole in his roof with a shotgun. The man said he was clearing out the 12-gauge shotgun by pulling the trigger and forgot it was loaded.

He reported the incident immediately and based on the angle of the shot, Wasson said it did not appear as though there was any danger to neighbors and no action was taken.

Charges related to reckless endangerment and possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent are pending.

‘Yellowstone’ star to visit during July film festival

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Jefferson White, star of the acclaimed TV series “Yellowstone,” will visit Cheyenne during the 10th annual Wyoming International Film Festival in July.

The Wyoming International Film Festival will feature a red carpet on opening night for members of the public beginning at 5:30 p.m. July 9 at the Cheyenne Civic Center. A screening of the award-winning short film “Paper Geese,” featuring White, will begin at 6:30 p.m., with a question- and-answer session to follow. An after party at Westby Edge Brewing Company will begin at 9 p.m.

White, who plays Jimmy Hurdstrom on Paramount’s hit neo-western “Yellowstone” and is the star of an upcoming spinoff “The Four Sixes,” is a champion of indie film, said Rudi Womack, director of the Wyoming International Film Festival.

“Jefferson White has quite a lot of celebrity from being on ‘Yellowstone,’ but his involvement with indie film is also in line with our mission,” Womack said, adding that “Paper Geese” won a previous award for best short film at the annual Cheyenne event.

“We’re huge champions of independent cinema,” Womack said. “In bringing these movies, and Jefferson White to Cheyenne, we’re bringing to Wyoming opportunities to see films and speak directly to filmmakers that people would not otherwise have the chance to do.”

The film festival will also showcase a piece produced by Jamie Lee Curtis, another film narrated by Lily Gladstone, and content by 12 Emmy award winners.

For more information about the Wyoming International Film Festival, the complete schedule of events, and partnership opportunities, please visit wyoiff.com.

Two arrests after motorcycle riders lead deputies on 150 mph chase

GILLETTE (WNE) — A 19-year-old woman was arrested Sunday on a number of drug charges after she and two other motorcycle drivers led Sheriff’s deputies on a chase that reached speeds of almost 150 mph.

A 21-year-old man was also arrested following the chase that began on Highway 14-16 near Northern Drive late Sunday afternoon, while a third motorcycle driver got away, said Undersheriff Quentin Reynolds.

A Sheriff’s deputy tried stopping the bikers for speeding on Highway 14-16 at which point they accelerated away from the deputy.

The chase continued north, with riders reaching speeds of 149 mph, Reynolds said.

The woman laid down her bike when she turned onto Arrow Boulevard where she was arrested.

A bag she had was searched and deputies found about 500 grams of THC wax, although it’s unclear whether that weight factors in packaging, and multiple THC vape cartridges, suspected psilocybin mushrooms and THC gummies. She also had a scale and unspecified amount of cash.

She was arrested on felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and drug possession, and misdemeanor counts of reckless driving, eluding and THC wax possession, according to the Sheriff’s Office arrest log.

The 21-year-old man was caught near Little Powder Road and North Highway 59 where he was arrested for eluding and reckless driving, Reynolds said.

Former Green River Urban Renewal Agency manager sentenced for stealing over $77k

GREEN RIVER (WNE) — A former Green River city official will do jail time for supporting her gambling habits and online shopping sprees with city funds.

The city of Green River’s former Main Street/ Urban Renewal Agency (URA) manager, Jennifer “Jen” Melvin, changed her plea from not guilty to guilty on two counts of theft over $1000. 

On Tuesday, April 30, Third District Court Judge Joseph Bluemel sentenced Melvin for theft from the Green River Development Fund and the Flaming Gorge Days account. 

She will be incarcerated for not more than eight years and no less than four years on both counts of knowingly taking property without authorization, as well as three years of supervised probation. 

She was also ordered to pay all the money she took back to the city of Green River, which totaled to the amount of $77,494.08 she took out of the accounts between January of 2021 and May of 2023.

Flaming Gorge Days, an annual event for over 60 years, was canceled in 2023 because the account was empty.

According to Teresa Thybo, chief deputy county attorney, Melvin ordered “multiple Amazon purchases that did not benefit the community.” Items included new towels, bracelets, a 20-piece candle set, skin products, tarot cards, storage containers, Ring doorbell, stainless steel knife set, a fuzzy blanket for her couch, witchcraft-related items and numerous other items.

Thybo pointed out that the state asked for a prison sentence because Melvin “violated the community’s trust.”

Eric Phillips, Melvin’s defense attorney,  noted that Melvin is about 50 years old, and she doesn’t have a criminal history.

“In no way, I’m making an excuse for the horrible thing I did,” said Melvin. “I convinced myself I’d pay it back, but I know it’s no one’s fault but mine.”

Wyoming construction job growth continues in fourth quarter 2023

CHEYENNE (WNE) — The Research & Planning Section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Friday that from fourth quarter 2022 to fourth quarter 2023, total employment in the state rose by 4594 jobs (1.7%) and total payroll increased by $265.8 million (6.6%).

In fourth quarter 2023, the largest job growth occurred in construction, which added 1548 jobs (7.2%). Total payroll within the construction sector rose by $59.9 million (16.1%). More than half of the job gains in construction (806 jobs) were in power and communication system construction, the industry which includes the construction of wind farms. Oil and gas pipeline construction also saw particularly strong growth (369 jobs, or 19.1%).

More modest job gains were reported in professional and business services (498 jobs, or 2.4%), local government (including public schools, colleges and hospitals; 468 jobs, or 1.0%), state government (465 jobs, or 3.9%), federal government (391 jobs, or 5.3%), health care and social assistance (299 jobs, or 1.2%), and mining (including oil and gas; 228 jobs, or 1.3%). Employment fell in financial activities (-122 jobs, or –1.1%) and manufacturing (-40 jobs, or –0.4%).

Employment rose in 16 counties and fell in seven counties.

Laramie County added 990 jobs (2.1%), and its total payroll grew by $58.5 million (8.7%). The largest job growth occurred in construction, local government, federal government and other services.

Employment and wages data for first quarter 2024 are scheduled to be published on Aug. 9.

Man taken to hospital after swallowing bag of meth

GILLETTE (WNE) — A 33-year-old man was taken to the hospital Thursday night after swallowing meth.

He called the police and reported people had just tried to kill him. Officers arrived and found no evidence to support his claim, and the man admitted to using meth earlier in the day because he was “going through a rough time,” Police Sgt. Dean Welch said.

He claimed he got the meth from someone on a bus ride to Wyoming. He also had a warrant out of Washakie County for child support and was arrested.

While he was being taken to the jail, he started breathing abnormally and was taken to the emergency room, Welch said.

While at the hospital, he admitted to swallowing a bag of meth. He was left in the care of the hospital staff and was ticketed for use of a controlled substance.