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Wyoming deploys $76.7M in ARPA funds for community projects

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Wyoming deploys .7M in ARPA funds for community projects


CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds has been fully committed, the state announced in a release.

Wyoming received nearly $1.1 billion from the federal ARPA of 2021. Of that amount, approximately $584 million was used to replace revenue lost as a result of the economic downturn caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One impact of the downturn was that, for the first time in the state’s history, there was a period of time when no oil and gas drilling rigs were operating in Wyoming.

Most of the revenue replacement funds were used within the Department of Health and Department of Corrections to conserve the General Fund dollars appropriated to them, ensuring the state had a sustainable approach to its operations during the economic downturn.

Some of those General Fund dollars were also put into permanent savings, which will generate income to the benefit of Wyoming taxpayers for future generations.

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“The ARPA funds appropriated by the Federal government will be paid for by our children and grandchildren,” Gov. Mark Gordon said. “It is fitting that we use those funds at a state level to reduce the potential tax burden of Wyoming’s current and future taxpayers.”

ARPA funds can only be used for certain purposes as determined by the federal government, including the requirement of a nexus to direct impacts of the pandemic. The Wyoming Legislature appropriated the remaining ARPA funds for support of mental health, healthcare, infrastructure and water and sewer projects.

These funds were granted through state agencies. In addition, all proposed projects were reviewed by the State Budget Department, in consultation with an audit firm, and the Office of the Attorney General to assure compliance to the extent practical with federal and state law and regulations.

In addition, $13.7 million was conditionally approved by the State Land and Investment Board for inflationary costs for approved Health and Human Services–related projects during the 2023 General Session through 2023 House Bill 0195.

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Wyoming

Casper approves Wyoming Boulevard property rezoning

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Casper approves Wyoming Boulevard property rezoning


CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper City Council voted Tuesday to approve on first reading a zoning change for a vacant 2.4-acre parcel located at 1530 SE Wyoming Boulevard, transitioning the property from residential to commercial use.

The ordinance reclassifies Lot 4 of the Methodist Church Addition from Residential Estate to General Business. Located between East 15th and East 18th streets, the irregular-shaped property has remained undeveloped since it was first platted in 1984.

While original plans for the subdivision envisioned a church and an associated preschool, Community Development Director Liz Becher reported those projects never materialized.

According to Becher, the applicant sought the rezoning to facilitate the potential installation of a cell tower or an off-premises sign. Under the new C-2 designation, a cell tower up to 130 feet in height is considered a permitted use by right, though any off-premises sign would still require a conditional use permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The applicant also owns the adjacent lot to the north, which the city rezoned to general business in 2021.

Becher said the change aligns with the “Employment Mixed Use” classification in the Generation Casper comprehensive land use plan. This designation typically supports civic, institutional and employment spaces.

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Despite the new zoning, the property remains subject to a subdivision agreement that limits traffic access. Entry and exit are restricted to right turns onto or from East 15th Street, and no access is permitted from East 18th Street.

The council will vote on two more readings of the ordinance before it is officially ratified.

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Two men detained in Wyoming in connection with deadly shooting at downtown Salt Lake hotel

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Two men detained in Wyoming in connection with deadly shooting at downtown Salt Lake hotel


Two men were detained in Wyoming in connection with a fatal shooting at a downtown Salt Lake hotel that killed one man.

Carlos Chee, 23, and Chino Aguilar, 21, were both wanted for first-degree felony murder after the victim, identified as Christian Lee, 32, was found dead in a room at the Springhill Suites near 600 South and 300 West.

According to warrants issued for their arrest, Chee and Aguilar met with Lee and another woman at the hotel to sell marijuana. During the alleged drug deal, Aguilar allegedly shot and killed Lee after he tried to grab at his gun.

MORE | Shootings

Investigators said they found Lee dead in the room upon arrival, as well as a single shell casing on the floor and a small amount of marijuana on the television stand.

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The woman told investigators she had met Chee on a dating app and that he agreed to come to the hotel to sell her marijuana. She had been hanging out with him in the room, which Lee rented for her to use, when Lee asked them to leave. Lee was then shot and killed following a brief confrontation.

Chee and Aguilar allegedly fled the scene in a 2013 Toyota Camry with a Texas license plate that was later found outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming just a few hours later.

The two men were taken into custody and detained at the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office.

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Man shot, critically injured by deputy during ‘disturbance’ in Rock Springs, Wyoming

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Man shot, critically injured by deputy during ‘disturbance’ in Rock Springs, Wyoming


A man was hospitalized with critical injuries after he was reportedly shot by a deputy responding to reports of a disturbance.

Deputies with the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Rock Springs Police Department responded to the Sweetwater Heights apartment complex in the 2100 block of Century Boulevard just after 4 a.m. on Monday to investigate reports of a disturbance involving an armed individual.

Information that dispatch received indicated that the individual had shot himself. When officials arrived, they found the individual on the balcony of an upstairs apartment “who appeared to have a gunshot wound consistent with the initial report,” a press release states.

MORE | Officer-Involved Shooting

During the encounter, a deputy discharged their weapon and struck the individual.

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Emergency medical personnel rendered aid, and the individual was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

No law enforcement officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation will conduct an independent investigation.

The deputy who fired their weapon was placed on administrative leave per standard protocol.

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