Wyoming News Briefs

Treasurer accused of stealing thousands from VFW and DAV

CHEYENNE (WNE) — A Cheyenne woman accused of stealing roughly $30,000 from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1881 Auxiliary was arrested on a second felony theft charge following a court appearance Thursday.

Cheryl K. Shannon was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Thursday in Laramie County Circuit Court on charges of felony theft and forgery.

According to the affidavit regarding her original charge, she stole $30,000 from the Post’s Auxiliary by making unauthorized bank withdrawals using a bank card issued to her as treasurer for the organization.

Shannon was unprepared for her hearing, appearing in front of Judge Antoinette Williams without a lawyer. Shannon claimed that the Cheyenne Police Department still had her purse, wallet, phone, credit cards and checkbook in evidence from her Dec. 6 arrest.

While Shannon repeatedly insisted that this had inhibited her from hiring a lawyer, interrupting the court to reiterate her point, Judge Williams told her that her reasoning wasn’t good enough for the court.

Williams rescheduled Shannon’s hearing for Dec. 30 at 11 a.m., giving her 10 days to hire legal representation, and court went into recess.

Before Shannon could leave the courtroom, however, she was arrested on a second felony theft charge regarding similar actions at the Disabled American Veterans.

The DAV contacted CPD on Dec. 9, stating that Shannon, as treasurer, allegedly stole $38,560 from the group, which she admitted to Detective Hedum, according to her booking sheet.

Shannon had been stealing money from the DAV for approximately the last two years by withdrawing money from their account using a DAV debit card, according to the booking sheet.

Bond for her initial arrest was set at $5,000 cash or surety, which has been posted. The bond status of her second arrest has yet to be filed with the court.

Wyoming gas prices fall for Christmas

CASPER (WNE) — This Christmas season, Wyoming travelers will be paying the cheapest prices of the year for gas. 

The average per-gallon price in the Cowboy State was at $2.87 on Friday morning, according to the fuel-pricing website GasBuddy, ranking 22nd nationally and checking in lower than most of its regional neighbors.

Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis and one of the country’s foremost experts on gas pricing, has more merry news. 

“I believe they’ll continue to drop as we approach the end of the year,” De Haan told the Star-Tribune this week. 

While prices in Casper were as low as $2.60, according to GasBuddy, Laramie boasted the most affordable pumps in the state, with some stations charging as low as $2.29. 

It’s higher prices in the southwest corner of the state, in and around Jackson, throughout Fremont County and into Sheridan and Gillette that are pulling up the average. 

The highest prices in Wyoming remained over $3 per gallon on Friday at multiple stations in Lander and Riverton. 

It’s not uncommon for prices to fluctuate up to nearly a $1 per gallon between the lowest- and highest-priced stations in any state, De Haan told the Star-Tribune. 

“Often, it has to do with timing, and different marketing strategies, as well as competition,” he said. “Supplies may be coming from a different area and/or refiner, and that can make an impact as well.” 

Still, Wyoming’s average price at Christmas this year will be in line with the past two years and down considerably from a five-year high of $3.31 in 2021 but still off the 2019 and 2020 prices of $2.64 and $2.17, respectively, according to GasBuddy’s year-by-year tracking data. 

Gordon to sign proclamation honoring first female governor of Wyoming

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Gov. Mark Gordon will join Green River High School teacher Bridgette Nielson and members of her social studies class to proclaim Jan. 5, 2025, Nellie Tayloe Ross Day.

In recognition of the 100th inauguration anniversary of Wyoming’s first female governor, Nielsen’s class drafted the proclamation during a student-directed learning opportunity inspired by Gordon’s Reimaging and Innovating the Delivery of Education education initiative.

“It’s truly an honor to sign the 100th Inaugural Anniversary Proclamation honoring Governor Ross — her contributions to our state, region, and our nation reflect Wyoming’s ongoing spirit of grit, determination, and service,” Gordon said. “Because of her dedication to education and empowerment, marking this occasion with RIDE students, their teacher Bridgette Neilsen, and the Sweetwater commission, historical museum board and community is very appropriate.”

Currently, 20 Wyoming school districts are participating in the governor’s RIDE initiative, which focuses on student centered learning experiences through collaboration with students, parents, and communities. This approach aims to meet the unique needs of each student, fostering a more personalized and engaging educational environment.

“My students were highly engaged while moving through the proclamation draft process — an experience that fit so well with RIDE principles,” Nielsen said. 

“The proclamation is well-written. It embodies the timeless attributes of Nellie Tayloe Ross, especially noting her ‘...steadfast commitment to public service, her advocacy for banking reform, public health, and education, and her unwavering dedication to the well-being of Wyoming Citizens,’” Gordon said. “I am looking forward to meeting the students who helped draft it.”

Application process launches Jan. 1 for Education Savings Account program

CHEYENNE (WNE) — The first phase of the Wyoming Education Savings Account (ESA) family application will go live on Jan. 1.

At that time, applicants will fill out basic information that will save their place in line. This is a first-come, first-served program, and funds are limited, so applicants will want to do the phase one online application as soon as possible. Watch the Pre-Application Overview at tinyurl.com/ wyo-esa-overview to help you prepare. No documentation will be required for this first step. Applicants will be notified by email to confirm that their online application has been received.

Phase two of the process will begin in April. Applicants will receive instructions via email to submit the necessary documentation to verify eligibility. Those who plan to apply can begin gathering their child’s birth certificate or other proof of age, financial records and proof of residency. Applicants will be notified via email about the status of their online application along with further instructions. ESA funds will be available for use in July.

The ESA program, established by the Wyoming Education Savings Account Act, was signed into law March 21. It is designed to empower families by providing them with greater educational choices for their children in pre-K through grade 12. Eligible students will receive $6,000 annually, beginning in the 2025-26 school year, for various educational expenses, including private school tuition, curriculum, tutoring, extracurricular activities and other approved education-related costs.

Families with household incomes below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines qualify for these scholarships.

Hageman announced as chair of the RSC Article One Task Force

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Wyoming U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman was selected on Tuesday to chair the Article One Task Force.

In this role, Hageman will lead efforts to restore Congress’s constitutional authority and combat executive overreach, according to a news release from Hageman’s office.

In the coming months, the task force will work on crafting legislation to restrict the scope of agency rule making and prevent the rise of a regulatory state that operates outside the bounds of congressional intent.

Hageman was appointed by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, chairman-elect of the Republican Study Committee. 

“I am grateful to Chairman Pfluger for placing his trust in me to lead the Article One Task Force,” she said in the release. “We are now on the offensive, and the unelected bureaucrats who have abused their power for far too long should be on notice. The Supreme Court’s Loper decision returns the power to legislate where it rightfully belongs, with the legislative branch. We will work to advance policies that restore the balance of power to Congress.”

Man who allegedly set own apartment on fire gets arrested for arson

GILLETTE (WNE) — A 45-year-old man was arrested for third-degree arson Wednesday for allegedly setting his apartment on fire.

Police officers had responded to the man’s second-floor apartment on Bay Avenue three times in a four-hour span Wednesday morning for 911 hang ups. When they showed up at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday for another disconnected 911 call, the man came to the door but would not open it, said Police Deputy Chief Brent Wasson.

They noticed flames and smoke coming from under the door, and it was clear that someone inside had set fire to the apartment.

Officers asked the man several times to open the door, but he refused. Police and firefighters breached the door and saw the man trying to escape through a window, but they stopped him before he jumped.

The fire was put out. The 45-year-old was the only person in the apartment.

A search of the home revealed that the man had sprayed accelerant on the carpet in front of the door and dumped cooking grease throughout the apartment. 

The man, Thomas Dyson, was arrested for third-degree arson, a felony, and interference, Wasson said.

Gordon named next chair of Education Commission of the States

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Gov. Mark Gordon has been named the next chair of the Education Commission of the States, a national nonpartisan organization that informs, counsels and convenes education leaders to create effective state policy.

Every two years, ECS’ Nominating Committee reviews candidates and votes on the next chair-elect — alternating between Democratic and Republican governors each term. Gordon will assume the leadership role in July, during the organization’s annual National Forum on Education Policy in Salt Lake City. 

The governor will also have the opportunity to select a priority initiative of his choosing.

“I’m truly excited and deeply honored to be selected as the Chair of ECS,” Gordon said in a video acceptance message shared at the organization’s Winter Commissioners Meeting. “I look forward … to building on ECS’ proud legacy of fostering collaboration and impact. [Together], we can ensure that every state is equipped with the tools and resources to meet the evolving needs of students and communities.”

Gordon’s vision for the future of education is exemplified by an initiative he launched three years ago: The Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education, or RIDE initiative.

The initiative is designed to propel Wyoming’s education system into the future, ensuring that students are competitive in a changing world.

The governor will follow Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who has served as chair since 2023.

BLM approves Two Rivers wind energy project

CHEYENNE (WNE) — The Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office on Thursday issued a decision record approving the Two Rivers wind energy project on 4,507 acres of BLM-managed land near Medicine Bow and Rock River in Carbon and Albany counties.

The approved project will encompass up to 15,953 acres and include up to 38 wind turbines capable of generating up to 280 megawatts, a 34.5-kilovolt collection system, two 230-kilovolt transmission lines, and other project-related infrastructure. 

The project is expected to contribute enough electricity to power 120,196 homes for one year. It will be developed in two phases across separate locations, with transmission lines connecting facilities constructed during each phase to Pacifi-Corp’s Freezeout substation.

Construction is expected to start this coming summer.

Commercial operations for all areas are anticipated by 2027.

Since January 2021, the BLM has approved 45 renewable energy projects on public lands (11 solar, 14 geothermal, two wind and 18 genties) and exceeded the goal to permit 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025.

Two Cheyenne women arrested on felony robbery charges after high-speed chase

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Cheyenne police arrested two women on felony robbery charges Tuesday afternoon after a high-speed chase on southbound Interstate 25.

Officers had been contacted following reports of the women, identified as Montegua Presbury and Neoganae Presbury, robbing the Dillards in Frontier Mall, located at 1400 Dell Range Blvd.

The women allegedly assaulted a security guard after he approached them regarding the theft and then fled the property. They later fled a traffic stop, heading northbound on Yellowstone Road, according to the booking sheets.

Officer Wingeleth witnessed the two women traveling on southbound Interstate 25 and activated his emergency lights. Instead of stopping for the officer, the car sped up, reaching roughly 110 mph.

Neoganae Presbury, who was driving, sped past several vehicles on the right hand shoulder of the interstate, exiting the highway at exit 4, according to the booking sheet.

She attempted to slow down at a roundabout, but was unable to and collided with a yield sign.

The vehicle came to a stop, and officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop, arresting the two women. 

n a search of the vehicle, officers located a suspected methamphetamine pipe in Montegua Presbury’s purse. Montegua Presbury was arrested on a felony warrant for possession of a methamphetamine- type drug, felony robbery with injury, a misdemeanor warrant for fraud (identity theft) and misdemeanor possession of a methamphetamine-type drug.

Neoganae Presbury was arrested for felony robbery with injury, misdemeanor destruction of property, two counts of misdemeanor fleeing/ eluding and two counts of reckless driving.

Montegua Presbury’s warrant for identity theft is from a previous offense, filed in the Laramie County District Court in late November of this year.

Whooping cough confirmed in Johnson County

BUFFALO (WNE) — Two cases of pertussis – commonly called whooping cough – have been confirmed in Johnson County since October, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.

“Where we see the biggest vulnerability is infants, and it can be quite serious in infants,” Department of Health public information officer Kim Deti said. 

Pertussis is a contagious respiratory illness that can be fatal in infants – the disease has about a 2% mortality rate in infants. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pertussis vaccinations for people of all ages; the vaccine protects against the highly contagious infection.

Deti said that since May, there have been 17 confirmed and one likely case of pertussis in the state. In 2023, there were no confirmed cases.

“I don’t think there’s a particular theory,” for the increase, Deti said. “But we’re not the only location in the nation that has seen an increase in pertussis cases. Of course, we would rather see very low numbers or none at all.”

Nationally, preliminary data show that more than six times as many cases have been reported as of Dec. 7, 2024, compared with the same time in 2023, according to the CDC.

Deti said pertussis can occur in vaccinated people because the vaccine’s protection fades over time. Among the 17 confirmed cases in the state, Deti said there have been a mix of vaccination statuses – including some that were too young to have completed the series of doses and others who were vaccinated.

Deti said that people – particularly those who will be around an infant, so grandparents, parents, older siblings and daycare providers – should talk to their health care provider about whether they may need a booster of the vaccine to create a “circle of disease protection” around the infant.

“The best tool is those vaccines, so we continue to recommend them,” Deti said. “We do have confidence in recommending those vaccines, and if we had concerns about safety, we certainly wouldn’t recommend them.”

Holidays, and other occasions when families gather, can be a particularly opportune time for illnesses to spread.