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(PHOTOS) 'Demo Party' celebrates new Wyo Hospice grief care center

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(PHOTOS) 'Demo Party' celebrates new Wyo Hospice grief care center


CASPER, Wyo. — A lone non-bearing wall was the sacrificial center of attention on Thursday morning for a promising new future in grief care in Casper.

“This is going to be Wyoming’s first grief care center,” said Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions Executive Director Kilty Brown as she addressed people from the hospice board, staff and supporters, as well as architects and construction crews all packed into a stripped nondescript former lobby.

The new Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions grief care center building was previously used as office and medical space by the Wyoming Medical Center. It’s located near the Hospice’s facilities. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)

Central Wyoming Hospice purchased the single-story brown brick building at 245 S. Fenway recently with the intent of converting the structure into a counseling center with a mission of helping Casper residents cope with grief, depression and loss. The roughly 7,000-square-foot building, located just a block from their main facility, was previously used for various purposes by the Wyoming Medical Center. It will be completely gutted and rebuilt inside.

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During the raucous event, various people involved in the projects took turns donning construction hats and glasses and swinging heavy hammers into the doomed drywall in the former office building.

(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)

During her talk, Brown said the center began to realize over the years that the community is underserved when it comes to resources for grief.

“When we talked to families, people who had lost loved ones, 76% of them had experienced depression or anxiety, and about 56% had lost enjoyment in the things they loved, and then about 8% admitted that they were having feelings of self-harm,” she said. “That’s not something we can tolerate.”

Central Wyoming Hospice launched its grief care service in August 2023, with help funds from the American Rescue Plan Act issued during the pandemic. It opened in a temporary office at 111 S. Jefferson St. and plans to move into its customized facility on Fenway next summer.

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Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions Executive Director Kilty Brown raises a toast during a demo party at the location of the new grief care center on Thursday morning. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)

Hospice Business Developer Liaison Taryn Houser says that counselors follow and assist families who use hospice for 13 months after their loved one has died. “It’s not just a call here and there, it’s really checking in on them every month, seeing what support they might need, sending letters, getting them through the first holidays, birthdays, and the date of their passing,” she said. “The plan is that they can come here if they need services, and we’ll have a lot of different services here.”

Houser said the center will be open free of charge to anyone in the community, not just for families who have gone through hospice care.

Brandon Daigle, director of development and president of MOA Architecture, told the assembled crowd that everyone in the community has likely been touched by hospice and their work. “Projects like this are really important to MOA,” he said. “We consider this to be a socially relevant piece of architecture. It’s not a huge project, but it has a very significant impact.”

The current lobby near the building’s front entrance will remain a lobby, but will have a warmer, residential feel, he said. “This will be more like a living room, with a fireplace and nice reception space,” he said. “We really tied to keep as much natural daylight and introduce a whole bunch of new windows into the space.”

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One wing will house counselors offices, a new break room and group session rooms, while another section will house staffing and operations. A chapel space will also be built into the new design, he said.

John Griffith, vice president of Sletten Construction, echoed their connection to the hospice operation. “This is more than just a project for us,” he said. “Every single person on our team, myself included, has had family members in some way or another touched by hospice.

“This project is exciting for our community.”

(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
Brandon Daigle, director of development and president of MOA Architecture, discusses some of the design features that will be built for the grief center after the building is completely gutted. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
John Griffith, vice president of Sletten Construction, talks before demolition starts at the future hospice grief care center. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
(Dan Cepeda, Oil City News)
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March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops

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March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops


Gaining the knowledge to become an outdoorsy type of person isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and the desire to sometimes get out of your comfort zone. Sure, if you grew up in the outdoors, but it’s been a while since you’ve actually been out hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, you may be a little rusty, but you have a leg up on those who haven’t.

If you’re in Wyoming, there’s a good chance that taking advantage of the incredible outdoor activities we have available has crossed your mind, but where to start is the big question. Asking others for help is one way, but there’s sometimes an element of intimidation or embarrassment involved.

If you’re a woman looking for that help and want to avoid the intimidation, you should really check out the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) workshops this summer. It’s held at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois, and everything you need to learn about the outdoors is provided, including food and lodging.

The registration deadline is March 31, meaning you have just a couple of weeks to apply for one or all of the offered workshops.

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There are multiple options available depending on your level of outdoor knowledge.

Basic BOW Workshop: Introductory level camp teaching outdoor survival, basic fly fishing, backpacking, how to shoot, outdoor photography, and more. There will be two of these workshops, June 5-7 and August 7-9. $150

Fly Fishing Beyond BOW Workshop: The focus here is on fly fishing. Learn the basics and then put them to use. This workshop runs July 30 – Aug 2. $150

Backpacking Beyond BOW: This workshop is all about backpacking, hiking, cooking on the trail, adjusting to the trail, and preparing for the trip. You’ll learn how to properly pack your bag, set up camp, and then head out on an overnight trip. July 30 – Aug 2. $150

Become a BOW Instructor: Here’s where you put your years of experience to work by sharing your skills and knowledge with others, helping them learn the tricks and tips of the outdoors.

Not only will these workshops help get you started on a life in the outdoors, but you’re likely going to gain some street cred with your family when you can teach them the skills they’ll need to get out and celebrate a Wyoming lifestyle.

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PHOTOS: Wyoming Outdoor Weekend

16 Types Of Hikes Explained





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Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels

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Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels


The snowpack in the South Laramie Range in southeast Wyoming as of Monday was at three percent of normal, according to the Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service.

And while other mountain ranges in southeast Wyoming were not nearly that low in snowpack, they were still well below normal at last report.

The agency posted the following on its website:

February was yet another warm and dry month, continuing the pattern that has dominated our area since last fall. Mountain snowpack remains well below average in southeast Wyoming, especially in the Laramie Range where snowpack is at an all time record low. For the plains, some light snow fell last month, but it was not enough to keep from increasing seasonal snowfall deficits. Cheyenne is off to its 4th least snowy start to the season since records began in the 1880s, and Scottsbluff has received the 2nd least snow since record began in the 1890s. We are now approximately two-thirds of the way through the snow accumulation season, with a little more than one-third to go in March, April, and into early May.

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But the good news is that after a wet 24 hours on Monday night/Tuesday, more snow may be headed our way on Friday.

Cheyenne, Laramie Forecasts

Cheyenne Forecast

Tonight

A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday

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Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of rain showers after 11am, mixing with snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Thursday Night

Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday

Snow showers. High near 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

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A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Breezy.

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Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.

Monday

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Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Breezy.

Monday Night

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Tuesday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

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Laramie Forecast

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 20. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

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Wednesday Night

Increasing clouds, with a low around 27. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night

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Snow showers. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday

Snow showers. High near 31. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.

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Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 39.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Sunday

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Sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

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Monday Night

A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Tuesday

A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy.

2026 WHSAA Wyoming State Wrestling Championship

Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, TSM

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Search and rescue license plates raise $33K at auction for statewide fund

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Search and rescue license plates raise K at auction for statewide fund


WYOMING — New specialty license plates rolled out by the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) at the beginning of 2026 raised over $30,000 for Wyoming search and rescue (SAR) organizations in a statewide auction. The auction for the new SAR specialty license plates, hosted by WYDOT, offered residents the opportunity to bid on low-numbered license […]



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