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Dale Killingbeck

Killingbeck is glad to be back in journalism after working for 18 years in corporate communications with a health system in northern Michigan. He spent the previous 16 years working for newspapers in western Michigan in various roles.

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Latest from Dale Killingbeck

Natrona County Officials Remove Road Barricade Erected By Ranchers

Barriers erected by a ranch family along County Road 505 were removed on Tuesday morning per the order of the Natrona County commissioners. The county announced it will now move forward to legally claim the road.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 16, 2024

Natrona County Ranchers Block Off Road Claimed By County

A Natrona County ranch couple blocked off a portion of County Road 505 where it crosses their property, potentially impacting two major road projects. One commissioner said, "The county is extremely concerned."

Dale KillingbeckJuly 15, 2024

Balloonist, Passenger Injured In Crash Landing At Casper Event On Saturday

A balloonist and passenger participating in the Casper Balloon Roundup sustained injuries when they crash landed on Saturday in Casper. Once thrown out of the basket, the balloon sailed another quarter of a mile away.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 15, 2024

Carmeron Wagner flies his balloon, left, in the early morning above central Casper.

Let's Go Hot Air Ballooning Over Casper

Cowboy State Daily reporter Dale Killingbeck on Friday hopped into a wicker basket, and let a pilot launch him into the air over Casper by blasting flames into a nylon balloon.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 14, 2024

Walter and Sharon Merschat have restored the exterior of the home that includes gingerbread-style siding at the top. Original windows had to be replaced because the mountain winds blew them out during the buildings first winter.

Casper Couple Transforms Former Drug House Into Wyoming Mountain Retreat

When Walter and Sharon Merschat heard that a 'drug house' was getting demolished by the City of Casper, they stopped inside to take a look. They saw the woodwork and told the city "you can't do this." The city gave them one month to move the house.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 14, 2024

A grid is laid out at the Willow Springs archaeological site. The site is in the Laramie Valley and once may have served as a stagecoach stop on the Overland Trail.

Forgotten 1860s Wyoming Stagecoach Stop Reveals Artifacts Thousands Of Years Old

A recent dig on a long-forgotten archaeological site at a private Laramie Valley ranch has uncovered more than 10,000 artifacts that date back to prehistoric times, the Plains Indian Wars and an apparent mercantile in the 1870s.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 14, 2024

Coates Road residents are concerned about the paved and gravel portion of their roads and the impact heavy haul gravel trucks would have on them if a proposed gravel pit is approved.

Group Says It Has 15,000 Signatures Opposing Controversial Casper Gravel Pit

An organized group says it’s gathered 15,000 signatures opposing plans to mine gravel from 300 acres of state-owned land at the base of Casper Mountain. The project’s manager said Thursday the project push go forward.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 12, 2024

In Brief: Man Charged With Fighting Arrest, Breaking Leg Of Casper Police Officer

A 41-year-old Evansville man who wanted to use drugs one more time before entering treatment is accused of breaking the leg of a Casper police officer while fighting his arrest.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 10, 2024

In Brief: Casper Man Shot During Fourth Of July Fight Over Fireworks

A man was shot and taken to a Casper hospital on the Fourth of July during a fight over personal fireworks. An argument between a small group of people and the man who was shot erupted at the basketball courts at a local park.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 08, 2024

Logan Wilson at this weekend's golf tournament for the foundation started in memory of little Brooks Anderson. Inset, Jamie Anderson gets her son Brooks to laugh. She said her journey of loss has caused her to go deep into the study of grief. She started a blog that has helped other women.

NFL's Logan Wilson Back In Casper Supporting Coach Who Lost Baby To SIDS

Casper's Logan Wilson was back in town this weekend participating in the Brooks Joshua Memorial Golf Tournament to raise awareness for SIDS. The NFL star's high school coach lost his baby to SIDS eight years ago.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 07, 2024

Three generations of auctioneers, Warren, Jace, and Ty Thompson, watch the proceedings at a livestock event.

3rd Generation Of Famed Thompson Auctioneer Family Fast-Talking Way To The Top

For three generations in Wyoming and Montana, the Thompsons have been the region’s famed fast-talking auctioneer family. It’s an art that’s in their blood, and they’re the best at it.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 07, 2024

The Fort Laramie Bridge across the North Platte River intially served Wyoming Territory and then the state of Wyoming through county ownership until 1958.

Wyoming History: Fort Laramie Bridge Connected West To Indian Wars And Gold Boom

The 149-year-old, 400-foot Fort Laramie bridge is a remarkable feat of 19th century engineering. It spanned the North Platte, connecting the Army to the Great Sioux War and fortune-seekers to a gold boom.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 07, 2024

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Casper Man Accused Of Bragging About Sex With Young Kids Pleads Not Guilty

A 25-year-old Casper man who allegedly bragged about sex acts with young kids pleaded not guilty Friday. Christopher Schmidt also is accused of inviting other men to participate in the abuse.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 05, 2024

Natrona County contractors work on construction of a lodge at the top of Casper Mountain. The county has said that if County Road 505 is blocked, deliveries of material to the site could be affected.

In Brief: Natrona County Moves Ahead To Take Disputed Road From Landowners

After a judge ruled Natrona County doesn’t own a disputed road it has used and maintained for years, the commissioners said Tuesday they're moving ahead with legal efforts to take the road from landowners.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 03, 2024

A 14-year-old Casper girl was seriously hurt Monday evening while riding a skateboard when she collided with an SUV.

‘Life-Threatening’ Injuries For 14-Year-Old Casper Skateboarder Who Hit SUV

A 14-year-old Casper girl on a skateboard suffered “life-threatening” injuries when she collided with an SUV on Monday evening.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 02, 2024

Members of the Martinez family who run the 200-acre C Bracket Horse Barn operation are from left, Scott, Wyatt, Levi, Ransom, and Christy.

Want To Learn To Be A True Wyoming Cowboy? There’s A Place For That

For those who want to embrace the true Wyoming cowboy culture beyond the stereotype pushed by B movie Westerns, the C Bracket Horse Barn in Evansville offers a hands-on education.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 01, 2024

Copman's Tomb is a distinctive feature in the Bighorn Basin

Wyoming History: Copman’s Tomb Named For Man Who Wanted To Fly Off It In 1880s

Copman’s Tomb, in Wyoming's Bighorn Basin, is named for a German trapper, farmer and inventor who in the 1880s invented a flying machine -- which reportedly worked -- and planned on flying it off the mountain top.

Dale KillingbeckJune 30, 2024

A BLM sign sits beside Circle Drive or County Road 505 south of Casper Mountain asking for input about BLM trails on its lands.

Judge: Natrona County Can’t Stop Landowner From Blocking Off Road

A judge ruled Thursday that Natrona County cannot stop a local ranch family from closing off parts of County Road 505. The judge said the county doesn’t own the road and they cannot block the landowners from gating it.

Dale KillingbeckJune 27, 2024

Bobby maher justice center and memorial 4 18 24

Casper Teen Accused Of Holding Bobby Maher Down During Stabbing Pleads Not Guilty

The Casper 15-year-old accused of holding 14-year-old Bobby Maher down while another stabbed him to death pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

Dale KillingbeckJune 26, 2024

Gravel trucks were using County Road 505 on June 18, 2024, to haul gravel to the BLM project on Muddy Mountain.

Oops! Natrona County Maintained Rural Road For Years, But Never Owned It

After years of maintaining County Road 505, Natrona County officials sued local landowners when they threatened to block off the road. Turns out, the county doesn't even own the road -- the landowners do. Both sides were in front of a judge Wednesday.

Dale KillingbeckJune 26, 2024

Mitch Godwin takes on the yoke device with 950-pounds attached to walk 100 feet across the gym.

Sheridan Native Wins 2024 U.S. Strongman Nationals

Sheridan native Mitch Godwin calls himself a regular “working-class guy” with his day job at the local wastewater treatment plant. Outside of that, he’s a beast in the gym, winning the U.S. Strongman Nationals earlier this month.

Dale KillingbeckJune 25, 2024

Arrest Warrant Issued For Torrington Woman In Major Drug Trafficking Scheme

An arrest warrant issued Friday seeks a 25-year-old Torrington woman for her alleged involvement in a statewide fentanyl and meth trafficking ring that was busted in March.

Dale KillingbeckJune 24, 2024

Kim Merchant built his covered wagon in 2001 and then joined wagon train reenactment from Fort Laramie, Wyoming to Virginia City, Montana. He said he learned patience on the trip.

Casper Man Who Built His Own Covered Wagon Likes To Live Like It’s 1869

Casper 77-year-old Kim Merchant likes to live like it’s 1869, including building his own covered wagon and teaching others how hardy and self-sufficient Wyoming’s first pioneers had to be.

Dale KillingbeckJune 22, 2024

Esterbrook Community Church was officially recognized by the Episcopal Church at a dedication ceremony in 1946. The building was constructed in 1943.

Esterbrook Church, Where Couples Go For A Perfect Wyoming Western Wedding

The call from overseas did not surprise the pastor. Just another couple who wanted to get married at the base of Laramie Peak in the little log church building with the bell in Esterbrook, Wyoming.

Dale KillingbeckJune 22, 2024

Historic Fort Laramie was an important military and exploratory outpost along the trails that brought pioneers to the West.

Wyoming History: Fort Laramie Was Where The West Was Won — And Lost

Wyoming’s historic Fort Laramie has been called the most important fort not only in Wyoming, but in the entire West. It was viewed as a lifeline for emigrants, housed troops, and offered a strategic meeting place for whites and natives to resolve their differences and trade.

Dale KillingbeckJune 22, 2024

Patrick Stafford, center, and his band Full Tilt play Stafford’s tunes at Chris LeDoux Days in Kayee, Wyoming.

Meet Casper’s Singing Firefighter, Who Burned Up The Stage At Chris Ledoux Days

Patrick Stafford is a firefighter in Casper who is also an aspiring musician. The country guitarist and songwriter was well-received during his set at Chris LeDoux Days in Kaycee last weekend.

Dale KillingbeckJune 22, 2024

A rider between Glenrock and Casper covers her two miles of ground as part of the National Pony Express Association’s 2024 re-ride.

Pony Express Riding Through Wyoming In Annual Re-Ride This Weekend

The annual National Pony Express Association’s re-ride was kicking up dust through central Wyoming on Friday, and will be blazing a trail through the Cowboy State until early Sunday.

Dale KillingbeckJune 21, 2024

A memorial for Bobby Maher, the Casper 14-year-old who died after being stabbed outside Eastridge Mall on April 7, grows near the spot of the altercation. Maher's favorite color was blue.

Judge Orders Mental Exam For Teen Accused Of Stabbing, Killing Bobby Maher, 14

A judge Friday ordered a mental exam for a Casper teen who’s charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing and killing 14-year-old Bobby Maher while he was trying to protect his girlfriend April 7.

Dale KillingbeckJune 21, 2024

Casper is likely to lose its daily Delta SkyWest flight to Salt Lake City after the Natrona County Commission voted to pull $600,000 in air guarantee money.

Natrona Commissioners Pull $600K For Air Guarantee, Likely To Lose SLC Flight

After convincing the city of Casper in April to pony up $400,000 to guarantee air service to Salt Lake City, the Natrona County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday pulled it’s $600,000 contribution.

Dale KillingbeckJune 20, 2024

A semi hauls gravel up County Road 505 or Circle Drive for the Muddy Mountain.

Natrona County Sues Ranchers Over Threat To Close Off Road

Natrona County has sued to stop a ranch family from closing off County Road 505 that leads south off Casper Mountain. Turns out, the county doesn’t legally own County Road 505 -- the family does.

Dale KillingbeckJune 19, 2024

This image from body cam video released by the Casper Police Department shows the moments right after an officer fired seven shots at suspect Trae Spurlock, hitting him six times. Spurlock's face has been intentionally blurred.

Body Cam Video: Suspect Shot, Killed By Casper Police Talked About ‘Death By Cop’

Dramatic body cam video released by the Casper Police Department on Monday shows an uncooperative suspect telling police he wasn’t going to jail and that “death by cop doesn’t sound too bad” before he was shot and killed.

Dale KillingbeckJune 17, 2024

Lenea Brown, 17, of Casper was shot in the head and killed near Buckboard Park on May 14. Her ex-boyfriend, Eavan Castaner, has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder.

Casper Teen Pleads Not Guilty In Murder Of Ex-Girlfriend

A 16-year-old Casper boy on Monday pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the shooting death of his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend, Lenae Brown. Eavan Castaner is being charged as an adult.

Dale KillingbeckJune 17, 2024

G-Ma’s Restaurant sits on the south side of West Yellowstone Highway and in addition to locals gets vistors traveling from the airport into Casper who are looking for a mom-and-pop restaurant.

Eating Wyoming: The Best Biscuits & Gravy In Wyoming? Try G-Ma's Diner In Mills

One regular describes G-Ma’s Diner in Mills, the local joint that feels like home. Plus, it's the home of the best biscuits and gravy in Wyoming. If you don't believe it, just look at their coffee mugs. They say so.

Dale KillingbeckJune 16, 2024

A lighting strike during a thunderstorm on June 17, 1921, set Midwest Refinery oil storage tanks on fire. It would take a huge effort to prevent further disaster.

Wyoming History: June 17, 1921, The Day Lightning Set 7 Huge Oil Tanks Ablaze

A thunderstorm over Casper on June 17, 1921, left disaster in its wake when it struck a huge oil storage tank ablaze, which spread to six others, burning for days and consuming 350,000 barrels of oil.

Dale KillingbeckJune 16, 2024

After 115 years, Wyoming's only remaining steel truss bridge, Monarch Bridge near Sheridan, has officially been retired.

115-Year-Old Last Remaining Wyoming Steel Truss Bridge Put Out To Pasture

The historic 115-year-old Monarch Bridge, the last steel truss bridge in the Wyoming, was officially retired last week and put out to pasture. It once provided thousands of miners and tons of coal a passageway across the Tongue River northeast of Sheridan.

Dale KillingbeckJune 16, 2024

This wood engraving depicting Sioux warriors charging at the Battle of the Rosebud was printed in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper on Aug. 12, 1876.

Wyoming History: Battle Of The Rosebud Started Great Sioux Wars Of 1876

Battle of the Rosebud was the opening shot of the Great Sioux Wars of 1876, bolstering Sitting Bull and his allies to a historic victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Dale KillingbeckJune 16, 2024

Not all bulls get along. These three do. College National Finals Rodeo contractor Kirsten Vold said part of her efforts are aimed at keeping things peaceful in the bull pens.

Keeping Bulls From Being Bullied Just Part Of The Gig For CNFR Stock Manager

For 25 years, Kirsten Vold has conducted a symphony of controlled chaos managing the bulls and broncs from 10 College National Finals Rodeo stock contractors. That includes keeping bulls from being bullied.

Dale KillingbeckJune 15, 2024

Gillette College’s Haiden Thompson flies into the arena on a horse named Turbo during barrel racing competition on Wednesday night.

Wyoming’s Haiden Thompson Eyes Pro Card, But Won’t Repeat As CNFR All-Around Cowgirl

2023 College National Finals Rodeo All-Around Cowgirl Haiden Thompson won’t repeat, but that hasn’t stopped the Gillette College rider from planning to get her PRCA card.

Dale KillingbeckJune 14, 2024

Last School Board Meeting Of School Year In Casper Filled With Sorrow

The last school board meeting of the school year in Casper was not light and upbeat as they usually are this time of year. The two teen murders earlier this year have left Casper and its school community shellshocked.

Dale KillingbeckJune 12, 2024