by Madelyn Beck, WyoFile CASPER—Walking into the Natrona County Townsend Justice Center is a bit daunting. You’re met with security, asked to part with electronic devices and then shepherded through a metal detector. Take a quick right, then left, and just past the elevator you arrive at the Natrona County Court Navigator Pilot Project, which has […]
County Government
Posted inRoads
‘Road closed’ sign blocks popular Muddy Mountain access road; commissioners’ injunction fails
[UPDATE: The Commission’s motion for a preliminary injunction was dismissed without prejudice in a order signed July 1. Judge Josh Eames’s amended order noted inadequacies in the Commissioners’ foundational standing to make actionable claims. Eames noted that the road was not blocked at the time, so any damages claimed would be speculative] CASPER, Wyo. — […]
Posted inOutdoors
Platte River Trails Trust applies for grant for bridge project
CASPER, Wyo. — As part of its efforts to expand the Casper Rail Trail and improve the Platte River Trails, the Platte River Trails Trust is undertaking a project to install a bridge over a portion of the Old Glenrock Highway near the entrance to Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park. Toward that goal, the trust […]
Posted inPolitics
Natrona Commissioner Dallas Laird calls for President Biden to resign
CASPER, Wyo. — During Tuesday’s Natrona County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Dallas Laird urged President Joe Biden to resign in light of his performance in the recent presidential debate with Donald Trump. “I didn’t quite know he was suffering as badly as it appeared on TV the other night,” Laird said. “It’s probably time […]
Posted inCommunity
Kyle True: Commissioners could see gravel pit permit request in coming months
CASPER, Wyo. — Prism Logistics CEO Kyle True said at Tuesday’s Natrona County Board of County Commissioners meeting that the county commissioners could see a conditional use permit request for the company’s much-maligned planned gravel pit in three to six months. The proposed gravel pit would be located in the Squaw Creek area along Coates […]
Posted inCounty
Natrona County to pull out of Delta Airlines MRG agreement
CASPER, Wyo. — On Tuesday, the Natrona County Board of County Commissioners ended its latest minimum revenue guarantee agreement with Delta Airlines and SkyWest Airlines. The decision was made following a recommendation from the Casper-Natrona County International Airport Board. The decision comes a little more than a month after the board approved the most recent […]
Posted inCommunity
Casper voters to cast ballots on sixth-cent tax projects
CASPER, Wyo. — City of Casper voters will be able to vote on a number of potential projects to be funded by a sixth-cent tax come November, as the Natrona County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to add it to Casper’s ballot. City Manager Carter Napier said Casper officials have not finalized the […]
Posted inCounty
Natrona County Commission candidate Matt Keating announces campaign built around property tax reform
CASPER, Wyo. — Former County Commissioner and Assessor Matt Keating has announced his bid to get back on the Natrona County Commission, saying he’d take advantage of two mechanisms at the county level to alleviate property tax burdens. In Wednesday’s announcement, Keating pointed to a state-outlined property tax relief program that counties can administer at their […]
Posted inLatest News
Yes, artificial intelligence is running for mayor of Cheyenne; city, county clerks comment on candidate VIC
VIC, or Virtual Integrated Citizen, promises to be “attuned to the needs and desires of Cheyenne’s residents.” But is AI qualified to appear on an election ballot?
Posted inCounty
County sends subdivision request back to Planning and Zoning following public outcry
CASPER, Wyo. — On Tuesday, the Natrona County Board of County Commissioners sent plans for a proposed subdivision back to the Planning and Zoning Board for reevaluation following a slew of county residents who spoke in opposition to the subdivision. The proposed subdivision, being sought by Wyoming Land Acquisitions LLC and John L. Miller, would […]
Posted inCommunity
County Weed and Pest conducting aerial spraying near Cole Creek Road today
CASPER, Wyo. — Natrona County Weed and Pest will be conducting an aerial spray to suppress Mormon crickets near Cole Creek Road today. “No spraying will take place over the public roadways or subdivision areas,” the department said in its announcement. Mormon crickets are native to North America and, despite their name, aren’t really crickets. […]
Posted inEnergy
Legislators vow to fight BLM oil bonding rule, discuss legal action
GILLETTE, Wyo. — After a lengthy discussion on new oil bond regulations from local oil business operators at Tuesday’s meeting of the Campbell County Board of Commissioners, local legislators in attendance voiced their concerns and outlined potential responses to the rule. The Fluid Mineral Leasing and Leasing Processes Rule, enacted by the BLM last month, […]
Posted inEnergy
Incoming BLM oil bonding rule could force out small producers, business owners say
GILLETTE, Wyo. — Discussion at the Campbell County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday was largely dominated by one subject: oil. A new rule from the BLM, the Fluid Mineral Leasing and Leasing Processes Rule, could have broad impacts for producers across the county when it goes into effect in June. The BLM says that the rule […]
Posted inLatest News
Casper-Natrona County Health Department director asks city for more support
CASPER, Wyo. — On Tuesday, the director of the Casper-Natrona County Health Department asked the Casper City Council to increase its share of support. The department receives most of its funding from grants and revenues from services, Anna Kinder said during the pre-meeting of the council, which met at its temporary chambers at The Lyric, […]
Posted inCounty
County begins budget hearing process for coming fiscal year
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County Board of County Commissioners began the process of setting the fiscal year 2024–25 budget on Tuesday with a quartet of preliminary budget hearings. The commissioners heard budget requests from the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds, Community Action Partnership of Natrona County, the Casper-Natrona County Health Department and the Natrona County Library. […]
Posted inCounty
Commissioners grill Banner CEO at Tuesday work session
CASPER, Wyo. — Several members of the Natrona County Board of County Commissioners held Banner Wyoming Medical Center CEO Lance Porter’s feet to the fire on Monday, pressing him on perceived issues with Banner Health. The at-times heated conversation came during a work session, with a commissioner even excusing himself at one point. Commissioner Dallas […]
Posted inCounty
Board of Commissioners adjusts meeting schedule
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County Board of County Commissioners recently announced a change to its meeting schedule: Its twice-monthly meetings will now start 30 minutes earlier. Previously scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, the meetings will now be called to order at 5. The change […]
Posted inCounty
Natrona commissioners approve new Delta, SkyWest MRG
CASPER, Wyo. — After approving a minimum revenue guarantee with Delta Airlines and SkyWest Airlines in March, the Natrona County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved another MRG. SkyWest Airlines flies both Delta and United Airlines via separate contracts with each, but only has an MRG arrangement with Delta. The MRG approved Tuesday will […]
Posted inCounty
Natrona Coroner’s Office moves forward with new indigent remains policy
CASPER, Wyo. — After committing in March to return indigent remains to families or store them in a columbarium, the Natrona County Coroner’s Office recently finished placing more than three dozen people’s remains. Coroner Jim Whipps said he has worked his way through all 38 indigent remains that had been in his office’s care when […]
Posted inOutdoors
(PHOTOS) Gravel pit opponents tour Coates Road area
CASPER, Wyo. — Hundreds of opponents to a proposed Prism Logistics gravel mine that would be built in the Squaw Creek area met Sunday afternoon to tour the location of the planned mine. “We just wanted to let people come out and learn what everyone is talking about,” Casper Mountain Preservation Alliance member Carolyn Griffith […]
Posted inCounty
Volunteers sought for county boards
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County Board of County Commissioners is looking for volunteers to serve on a number of local boards. People interested are asked to visit the Natrona County website and submit a citizen’s application online. Applicants are also asked to write a brief letter of interest and send it to the Office […]
Posted inCommunity
Prism Logistics seeks limited mining operation as public opposition mounts for Squaw Creek–area mine
CASPER, Wyo. — Prism Logistics LLC’s much-maligned efforts to build a gravel mine in the Squaw Creek area recently took a step forward when the company officially filed an application for a limited mining operation with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Should the DEQ approve the request, it would be the first step toward […]
Posted inCommunity
Senior citizen service district to go before voters on ballot
CASPER, Wyo. — Come election season, Natrona County voters will be able to make their voices heard on whether they want a mill levy on property taxes to support programs offered through Central Wyoming Senior Services, such as the Casper Senior Center and Meals on Wheels. This comes after the Natrona County Board of County […]