Wyoming
A special view of Wyoming law – Torrington Telegram
Rhett Breedlove
TORRINGTON – The Goshen District Court met in “session” at 8:30 a.m. early Tuesday morning.
This would be a special session, however. One meant to educate, inform, and perhaps set tomorrow’s generation up for success rather than for dark complicated adversities.
The morning was not to address a defendant who found themselves on the wrong side of Wyoming law, but to give a healthy and truthful view to all county eighth graders on what the law really looks like.
With not an empty seat in the district courtroom, Goshen County and Prosecuting Attorney, Eric Boyer, addressed the children with close and accurate sincerity of how a seasoned attorney would in fact address a jury.
“We are very excited to show you today just how the law, and democracy really work,” Boyer said to the children.
Over 100 eighth graders sat before the prosecuting attorney as well as district judge, Ed Buchanan, along with a long list of county officials and law enforcement personnel.
The day marked the annual and traditional day off from school for all eighth graders to participate in YOLO Day.
You only live once would be the powerful and constant message for every child sitting in the public area of the courtroom early Tuesday morning.
As they entered and filled the large room; some excited, some curious, and of course others just happy to be out of school for a while, a very imperative and nourishing approach would be taken to help this group of youngsters.
They knew they would be witnessing a trial simulation, but the question still remained, “What does a real trial truly look like?”
As the kids would soon see, a mock trial from an authentic staff of real judges, lawyers, and law enforcement does not differentiate much from the real thing.
As judge Buchanan entered the courtroom, it seemed as if it was business as usual. As all were required to rise as Buchanan made his entrance, the sound of chit-chat and giggling slowly died while the district judge took his chair, customary shining black robe clean and ready to educate a younger generation.
Despite the procedure being merely a show for all the children present, the atmosphere felt entirely much like the real thing. The kids were able to see first-hand exactly what the final stage of a legal case or felony realistically is, in this case the sentencing.
As with a real sentencing, facts were once again read regarding the case, and both sides were given a final chance to be heard including the defendant.
With both defense and prosecution counsels “recommending probation” on behalf of the “defendant charged with aggravated assault,” Judge Buchanan explained in depth the reasoning behind a looming sentence. According to Wyoming statute on this particular charge, the penalty factually carries a maximum of up to ten years of incarceration.
While both defense and prosecution “agreed” probation would be appropriate for the “defendant with a history of drug and alcohol-related infractions,” Judge Buchanan did not.
“On behalf of the state of Wyoming, I hereby sentence you to serve no less than four years no less than six, at a state correctional institution,” Buchanan said. “Court will stand in recess.”
Soon thereafter county investigator, Sergeant Herbie Irons, placed the “defendant” in handcuffs, and escorted her promptly out of the courtroom.
The entire mock hearing lasted roughly in the realm of at least half an hour. In those thirty minutes, however, the complete silence of the room hinted perceptions were altered and thoughts were running with questions.
As Judicial Assistant, Melissa Stevens, kindly introduced every present official by full name and position, numerous hands slowly but surely began to fill the air with questions.
As Stevens reminded the children once more, “You only live once.”
If something could be taken away from those words and as every attorney, police officer, or social worker in the room would explain; life is much too short to complicate it with poor decisions.
In total ambiguity of certain “scared straight” programs, perhaps which have unethically made their way onto national television in recent years, the purpose of the day was guidance, education, and peaceful yet persistent dissuasion.
Not fear.
The message to the dozens and dozens of middle schoolers sitting in the county’s only courthouse was soft but clear.
Courts do not exist to instill fear. They are there to uphold the law. As Judge Buchanan further explained, “The laws are there to keep everyone safe.”
Furthermore, the district judge additionally alluded without law we, as a society, would not have peace, we would not have happiness, and we certainly would not be civilized. In simple terms, Wyoming statute acts as a convincing deterrent for those who would proceed to intrude on the peace and tranquility of the innocent and vulnerable.
As every official in the room is entirely familiar, perhaps teaching a child fear and anger will only reinforce decisions ultimately resulting in sitting in the defendant’s chair later on in life.
“Hopefully students leave with more understanding of how the criminal justice system works in our democracy, and how democracy wouldn’t work without a justice system.” Donna Duncan of Goshen County Victim’s Assistance said.
If there is one thing every resident in Goshen County might be able to agree on from YOLO Day; if more age-appropriate children could witness what a courtroom truly feels like in the presence of real officials, perhaps we would witness far more of them choosing trades, careers and colleges over substances, charges, and incarcerations.
Wyoming
Wyoming Just Greenlit America’s Largest Data Center Project, and Locals Are Bracing for Impact
As the data center boom overtakes rural America, impacted residents are often divided over whether these facilities help or harm their communities. But the commissioners of Laramie County, Wyoming, are willing to bet that building the largest data center campus in the U.S. will bring in jobs, tax revenue, and long-term economic growth.
On January 6, they unanimously approved two site plans for a proposed power plant and data center campus to be built south of Cheyenne. The power plant project, called the BFC Power and Cheyenne Power Hub, is being developed by Tallgrass Energy. It will ultimately provide electricity to the Project Jade data center campus being built by AI infrastructure company Crusoe.
Crusoe and Tallgrass announced the partnership in July, revealing that the data center campus will open with a capacity of 1.6 gigawatts (GW) but will be designed to scale up to 10 GW. Achieving that maximum capacity would make it the largest single AI campus in the U.S.
Big projects with big impacts
The joint project will now progress to the construction phase in the Switch Grass Industrial Park area, located 8 miles south of Cheyenne, according to documentation obtained by Inside Climate News.
Project Jade will be developed on a 600-acre (243-hectare) parcel of land and will consist of five data centers, two support buildings, and additional supporting infrastructure. The BFC Power and Cheyenne Power Hub project will be built right next door on a 659-acre (267-hectare) parcel and will consist of two power generation facilities plus supporting infrastructure.
Crusoe and Tallgrass expect to begin construction in the first quarter of this year, and the first data center building should be operational by the end of 2027, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports.
Before the final vote, the Hyndman Homesites Homeowners Association—which represents a community near the project—wrote a letter to the county commissioners expressing residents’ concerns about drilling deep wells into the local aquifer, gas turbine emissions, the location of wastewater ponds, and other impacts, according to ICN.
Ahead of the final vote, the Hyndman Homesites Homeowners Association, which represents a community near the project, sent a letter to the county commissioners raising concerns about deep aquifer wells, gas turbine emissions, wastewater pond locations, and other impacts, according to ICN.
Studies suggest they’re right to be worried. Researchers have found that data center facilities much smaller than the proposed Jade campus emit harmful air pollutants such as fine particulate matter, guzzle local water resources, and drive up energy bills.
Promises of sustainability
The projects’ developers say they have plans to mitigate local impacts. To reduce the data centers’ water demand, Crusoe intends to implement closed-loop cooling systems that recycle treated water and treatment fluids, according to a 2024 Impact Report.
When Crusoe and Tallgrass announced their partnership in July, they said the data center campus’s proximity to Tallgrass’s existing CO2 sequestration hub will also provide long-term carbon capture solutions for the gas turbines powering the data centers. They added that “future renewable energy developments in the region” could eventually supplement the facilities’ power demand.
Whether these prove to be viable, meaningful solutions remains to be seen. County leadership is apparently comfortable enough with the risks to allow the projects to move forward. The true costs and benefits of their decision won’t become clear until these facilities are operational and the campus begins drawing power, water, and scrutiny at scale.
LARAMIE — The Wyoming Cowboys return to the Arena-Auditorium on Wednesday to host San Diego State in a Mountain West matchup scheduled for a 6 p.m. tipoff on CBS Sports Network.
San Diego State enters the contest tied for first place in the Mountain West, while Wyoming is seeking its 10th home win of the season.
The contest will be broadcast on the Cowboy Sports Network across 26 affiliate stations with Keith Kelley on the call and Kevin McKinney providing color commentary. In Sweetwater County, the game can be heard on KUGR 104.9 FM.
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Wyoming comes into the game with an 11-5 overall record and a 2-3 mark in conference play after a road loss to Nevada on Saturday. The Cowboys are averaging 84 points per game, which ranks second in the conference, while allowing 72.7 points per contest. Wyoming is shooting 48 percent from the field and holding opponents to 44 percent. The Cowboys average 8.3 3-pointers per game, while opponents make 6.4, and Wyoming leads the Mountain West at 38 rebounds per game.
San Diego State is 11-4 overall and 5-0 in conference play after winning eight of its last nine games. The Aztecs are tied atop the Mountain West standings with Utah State. San Diego State averages 82.5 points per game and allows 72.8. The Aztecs are shooting 48 percent from the field while holding opponents to 40 percent, and they average 37.6 rebounds and 17.1 assists per game.
Leland Walker leads Wyoming in scoring at 14.5 points per game and also averages a team-high 3.8 assists, ranking seventh in the conference. Nasir (Naz) Meyer is averaging 13.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 52 percent from the field. Khaden Bennett adds 9.8 points per game and ranks second on the team with 4.8 rebounds per contest. Bennett ranks fourth in the Mountain West, shooting over 87 percent from the free throw line, and is second on the team with 41 assists.
San Diego State is led in scoring by BJ Davis at 12.1 points per game. He is shooting 44 percent from 3-point range and is tied for the team lead with 21 made 3-pointers. Reese Dixon-Waters averages 11.1 points per game and also has 21 3-pointers on the season. Miles Heide leads the Aztecs with 5.4 rebounds per game, and San Diego State has seven players averaging at least three rebounds per contest.
The Cowboys trail the all-time series 53-42, with the first meeting dating back to Jan. 12, 1979. Wyoming holds a 27-14 record at home against the Aztecs. San Diego State won both meetings last season by a combined five points.
Wyoming will return to the road Saturday to face Fresno State at 5 p.m. MT in a game on the Mountain West Network.
CASPER, Wyo. — The University of Wyoming has produced several NFL players currently making an impact. Here’s how they did in the most recent week’s slate of games.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Allen was explosive for the Bills on Sunday, and Buffalo survived its playoff opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars 27–24.
Allen accounted for three of his team’s four touchdowns, two coming on the ground and the third coming by way of the pass. He threw for 273 yards on 80% efficiency, also picking up 33 yards via the rushing game.
Allen and the Bills have advanced past the Wild Card round of the playoffs every year since 2020.
In the divisional round, the Bills will face the top seed in the AFC, the Denver Broncos.
Frank Crum, Denver Broncos
Crum and the Broncos were off last week, as they earned a bye in the playoffs as the top AFC seed.
Crum will take the field against the Buffalo Bills and reigning MVP and fellow UW alum Josh Allen in the divisional round.
Marcus Epps, Philadelphia Eagles
Epps had a respectable day for the Eagles, though the team ultimately fell 23–19 to the San Francisco 49ers, marking the end of their season.
Epps had a trio of tackles for the Eagles’ secondary unit in the loss.
The former Wyoming Cowboy finishes the year with 24 tackles, including one for a loss.
Chad Muma, New England Patriots
The New England Patriots easily handled their Wild Card opponents, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 16–3. However, Muma had little impact on the result in limited playing time.
In the victory, Muma failed to record a statistic. He only took the field for 13 special teams snaps and did not play a defensive down.
The Patriots will move on to face the Houston Texans in the next round of the playoffs.
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