Wyoming
People And Places That Make Wyoming Special
A man is seen along West Lincoln Way on Saturday July 20, 2024 in Cheyenne, WY. Wyoming became a … [+]
Wyoming is famous for its rugged scenic beauty, as I discovered on a recent visit. But the state’s people and places are as interesting as the vistas.
Southeast Wyoming grew quickly following the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad in Cheyenne in November 1867. Cheyenne was called the “Magic City of the Plains,” growing to 5000 people by 1868. Cheyenne became a hub for railroad maintenance, shipping and the cattle boom. The town became the capital of the Territory and later the state of Wyoming.
Erasmus Nagle, who made his in lumber, cattle and groceries, spent $50,000 building what is now known as The Nagle Warren Mansion in 1888. It was one of the costliest homes west of the Mississippi, but Nagle could afford to live on Millionaire’s Row. At his death just two years later, he was one of the richest men in Cheyenne, worth a half million dollars.
Today the mansion has been restored as the Nagle Warren Mansion Bed and Breakfast. Its furnishings, wallpaper, cherry, mahogany, and oak woodwork and stained-glass windows are right out of the American Old West period.
However, Francis E. Warren, later the state’s first governor and U.S. senator, remarked on the “rough and tumble” atmosphere of early Cheyenne. “Every man slept with from one to a half-dozen revolvers under his pillow, for depradations [sic] of every character could be expected at any hour, day or night.” Such lawlessness no doubt led to the 1872 construction of the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie.
After Nagle’s death, the house was eventually sold to Senator Warren in 1910. General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, Buffalo Bill Cody, Teddy Roosevelt and President William Howard Taft all were guests at the mansion.
A breakfast table is set for guests at the Nagle Warren Mansion, a bed and breakfast in downtown … [+]
I stayed in the Pershing room. It had red wallpaper, a vast king-size bed with a carved wooden frame, a carved wooden fireplace, and portraits and photos of the General looking stern, even with his family. Evening reading was a vintage copy of the Hemingway-edited “Men at War,” with “the 37 best war stories of all time.”
Jas Barbe, proprietor of the Mansion, is a colorful character who has been a hospitality consultant and a Cordon Bleu graduate and Michelin-starred chef. He was the owner of a buffalo herd in Centennial, Wyoming, after returning from Vietnam.
In 2021, it became his mission to restore the elegant residence once known as the “Duchess of Cheyenne.” As he serves the beautiful breakfast he cooks for guests, Barbe will entrance you with backstairs tales of The Nagle Mansion, where the ornate hand carved ceilings and stairs and the restored library and parlor takes one back to the Western version of the Gilded Age.
Cheyenne is also home to the Wild J Trading Hat Bar and Boutique, operated by Jennifer Thompson. Ms. Thompson helps men and women create their own customized cowboy hats, accessorized with hat bands, feathers, threads, stars, playing cards, fabric roses and even spent cartridges. I chose to add a coyote and a cactus, as well as yellow feathers, part of an anti-suicide campaign spurred by the death of a local cowboy.
Owner Jennifter Thompson shows off one of the cowboy hats she has personalized with hat bands, … [+]
In Laramie Country, Las Vegas transplant Chad Brown, created Laramie County’s first licensed distillery in Pine Bluffs. Brown came from Las Vegas to open Pine Bluffs Distilling. The growing distiller is family owned and operated, and all grains are locally grown and malted on site. Variants like 5 grain whiskey, straight rye whiskey, oat whiskey, wheated bourbon, vodka and gin can be tried in the tasting room, straight or as cocktails.
Like the Nagle Warren Mansion in Cheyene, the Laramie Plains Museum at the Historic Iverson Mansion shows what life was like for the wealthy in late 19th Century Wyoming. The mansion has a collection of Victorian fixtures and furnishings, kitchenware and old appliances, and even a one-room schoolhouse.
I wore my new hat to Torrington, a Wyoming agricultural town where one can see a livestock sale in real time. Improbably, Torrington is home to the Bread Doctor, a bakery that draws regular customers from as far away as Montana.
The origins of the popular bakery are simple. Owner Edzan Fluckinger is a doctor who came to Torrington more than 20 years ago to provide medical services. He and his wife have a daughter with Down’s Syndrome. Fluckinger learned to bake and eventually created the bakery, with the thought of having a place where his daughter could work.
The bakery employs many of Torrington’s young people, including his daughter. And its breads, pastries and carefully decorated cakes are delicious.
The Bread Doctor at work: Dr. Edzan Fluckinger, a medical doctor, is also the baker and owner of the … [+]
The city of Laramie is home to “U Dub,” or the University of Wyoming. In 1998, Matthew Shepherd, a gay student, was beaten to death near Laramie. One of the murals that are part of the Laramie Mural Project commemorates the “angels” who held sheets up like wings at the courthouse, to protect Shepherd’s family from homophobic demonstrators.
Today the city has a bohemian vibe. It has brewery and mural tours, as well as many shops and restaurants travelers will enjoy. Even the most confirmed carnivore will find something at Melissa Murphy’s 25-year-old vegetarian restaurant, Sweet Melissa, which also includes a full bar.
“What did you do for financing?” I asked Ms. Murphy. “I borrowed $2,000 from my mother 25 years ago.” She says tourists fanatically look for vegetarian restaurants, and that the students and faculty of the University have also been key customers.
Another Laramie success story is The Range Leather Company, which crafts wallets, journals, pocketbooks, business card holders and bands for Apple Watches. Range also does custom work imprinting a city name or company brand on its leather goods. Owner Kyle Koster started leather work at his kitchen table in 2014 as a hobby. Range now employs over 25 people. Its three key tenets are on its web page; Full Grain Leather, Made In The USA, and a Forever Guarantee.
Jim Osborn (middle) is the central figure of a mural in downtown Laramie alongside fellow angles … [+]
Ruth Williams, owner of Sugar Mouse Cupcake House (“a little piece of England in downtown Laramie”) also has an interesting story. The tall, elegant Williams is originally from Essex, where she met her husband, who was on a Mormon mission. They married and she followed him to Laramie. She raised their six children and worked providing childcare.
But Williams had a cause; she became passionately involved with helping girls and young women ensnared in Cambodia’s sex trade. She started selling cupcakes at the Farmer’s Market to generate revenue, using recipes she had learned in England using rich cream and real sugar. After a rainstorm ruined hundreds of cupcakes, she knew she needed a storefront.
Sugar Mouse is now a frilly pink tea house for afternoon tea, with scones, crumpets, soup of the day, English stew and, of course, cupcakes. A children’s tea house in the basement is under way.
I ended my tour of Southeast Wyoming with lunch at The Malt in Saratoga, (“Burgers, BBQ, and Whiskey”) drinking a “boozy malted” Irish coffee. Then it was off to soak in a teepee at the mineral springs at the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort and enjoy a steak at 130-year-old Hotel Wolf (“Discover the Wild West”) before sadly returning to Los Angeles.
Ruth Williams, owner of Sugar Mouse Cupcake House in Laramie, Wyoming. She is pictured here in the … [+]
CASPER, Wyo. — The 11-year federal sentence for a Gillette man convicted of meth distribution is among the sentences rendered in District of Wyoming federal courts last month, according to a release Tuesday by the U.S. Justice Department.
Jonathan Dennis Roberts, 41, and Sarah Louise Hutchinson, both of Gillette, were busted coming back from Colorado last year with about 0.83 pounds of methamphetamine, according to case documents. Hutchinson is set for sentencing on Dec 4. More on that case can found here.
Below are summaries of the drug and firearm cases that went to sentencing last month, as provided by the U.S. Justice Department.
On Feb. 11, 2025, staff at a Sheridan motel located alerted law enforcement after finding about 0.71 pounds of methamphetamine under the bedsheets in a room rented by Sheridan resident Kolter Kekich and his dating partner, according to the release.
Later that day, Wyoming DCI agents and the Sheridan Police Department tried to arrest Kekich, who fled and led police on a high-speed pursuit that ended in a wreck.
“While refusing to exit his vehicle after the wreck, the defendant began to consume large amounts of drugs resulting in an overdose,” the release said. Law enforcement located additional drugs, drug paraphernalia and $1,360 inside the vehicle.
Kekich, 30, was sentenced on Oct. 28 to 120 months’ imprisonment with four years of supervised release to follow by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson in Cheyenne. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 8 to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Scott VanGoethen, 54, of Cheyenne, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to leading a large-scale methamphetamine distribution ring and illegally possessing 15 firearms.
Investigators discovered VanGoethen was driving to Colorado to obtain significant quantities of methamphetamine, which he then sold to his neighbors. The neighbors were involved in distributing the drug further. More on that case can be found here.
Lyman resident Robert Alexander, 43, was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment with four years of supervised release to follow for aiding and abetting in the distribution of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
DCI agents got about 1.36 pounds of methamphetamine over six controlled buys from Alexander’s co-conspirator, identified in the indictment as Shaleen Ungircht, between August and December 2024. A search of Alexander and Ungircht’s residence “uncovered large quantities of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, firearms, and ammunition,” the release said.
Alexander was indicted on May 21 and pleaded guilty on Aug. 25. U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Oct. 2 in Casper.
Gillette resident Christopher Dakota Daniel Pierce, 39, was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release to follow for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On Jan. 9, 2025, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Pierce’s residence for a domestic disturbance, the release said. On scene, deputies received consent to search the home and ultimately located six firearms that Pierce, a previously convicted felon, had access to. Pierce was indicted on May 21 and pleaded guilty on July 18. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Oct. 15 in Cheyenne.
Evans, Colorado, resident Jade Mikel Shane, 46, was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment with five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In February 2024, Wyoming DCI agents began an investigation into drug trafficking in Sheridan and Campbell counties.
“Through the investigation, agents learned the defendant used his residence as a storage and distribution hub for large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl,” the release said. A search warrant executed on Sept. 5, 2024, led to the seizure of significant amounts of controlled substances and numerous firearms.
DCI worked with a task force in Weld County, Colorado on the case. Shane was indicted on Jan. 15 and pleaded guilty on June 5. U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on Oct. 8 in Casper.
Related
A massive power outage that affected approximately 95,000 customers in Wyoming and South Dakota Thursday is believed to be the result of two tripped 500-kilovolt transmission lines near Medicine Bow according to Western Area Power Administration Public Affairs Specialist Stephen Collier. The tripped lines caused an unusual voltage event that set off a cascade of other tripped lines resulting in the rolling power outages throughout the Cowboy State and western South Dakota.
Areas in Wyoming affected by the outage Thursday included, but were not limited to, Sheridan, Buffalo, Gillette, Newcastle, Glenrock, and Casper. The county-wide outage in Sheridan County prompted emergency management officials to open the Sheridan County Fairgrounds Exhibit hall as a temporary warming center and shelter for those without power.
There was also a fire Thursday at the Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant near Glenrock. Wyoming Department of Homeland Security Director Lynn Budd said the fire at the power plant occurred after the outages began. It is uncertain at this time if the outages caused the fire at the power plant.
Alfred (Fred) Guadelupe Hernandez, 73 passed away peacefully at his home on November 1, 2025. Fred was born October 6, 1952 in Worland, Wyoming, the third child born to Guadelupe and Margaret Cecilia (Rodriguez) Hernandez. He grew up in Worland Wyoming, graduating in 1971. A lifelong resident of the community, he was known for his warm heart, steady presence and unwavering dedication to family and friends.
Due to bone disorders on his back and numerous surgeries, wrestling was the only sport Fred could participate in. He excelled, becoming the 1971 Wyoming State Champion for 123 weight class. During wrestling, the family hosted a wrestler from Japan, Kenji Lu. Kenji wanted a buzz cut and loved the tacos their family made, who didn’t?
Fred became the proud owner of Fred’s Pool Hall in the late 1970’s to 1980’s, a local gathering spot that reflected his love for a good game. It was located at the end of the Ram’s Horn Cafe where Firenze is today. Fred moved to Washington in the 1990’s for several years owning Fred’s Specialty Distributing and working in sales. He then came back to Worland.
Fred was an avid Denver Bronco’s fan and enjoyed spending time with his beloved dogs.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rita Gonzalez; brother, Ernie Hernandez; niece, Roxanne Martinez; nephew, Matthew Salazar and many other loved ones.
Survivors include his siblings, Sandy Graham of Phoenix, Arizona, Natalie Hernandez of Maricopa, Arizona, Greg (Mary) Hernandez of Casper, Wyoming, Leonard (Bobbi) Hernandez of Spanish Fork, Utah, and Kenny (Michelle) Hernandez of Worland, Wyoming. Fred is also survived by long-time friend, Marianne Moore, as well as, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and many loved ones.
Cremation has taken place, and funeral services will be held at a later date this upcoming spring. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to your local Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.
Fred will be deeply missed for his quiet nature and big heart.
Shaw, Rivière carry West Virginia in win over 15th-ranked Duke women in game featuring 6 ejections
‘These guys paved the way’: Old Bridge football season ends with return to sectional final
Wisconsin’s Underrated City For Shopping Is A Quaint Spot With Tasty Eats Near Milwaukee – Islands
WVU, short-handed after 6 ejected, upsets Duke
Wyoming district courts impose decade-plus federal sentences in drug, firearms cases
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Zohran Mamdani tells 1M social media followers to boycott Starbucks amid ongoing worker strike
Displaced Palestinian families suffer as heavy rains flood Gaza tent camps
Judge officially drops 3 charges in Georgia’s Trump 2020 election interference case
DNC staffers ruthlessly mocked for fuming over remote work reversal: ‘Get yourselves together’
Italy redefines sexual violence law to include explicit consent
-
Nebraska7 days agoWhere to watch Nebraska vs UCLA today: Time, TV channel for Week 11 game
-
Austin, TX1 week agoHalf-naked woman was allegedly tortured and chained in Texas backyard for months by five ‘friends’ who didn’t ‘like her anymore’
-
Hawaii6 days agoMissing Kapolei man found in Waipio, attorney says
-
Vermont3 days agoNorthern Lights to dazzle skies across these US states tonight – from Washington to Vermont to Maine | Today News
-
Southwest1 week agoTexas launches effort to install TPUSA in every high school and college
-
New Jersey5 days agoPolice investigate car collision, shooting in Orange, New Jersey
-
World1 week agoIsrael’s focus on political drama rather than Palestinian rape victim
-
West Virginia4 days ago
Search for coal miner trapped in flooded West Virginia mine continues for third day
