Latest from Ellen Fike
Daily Crossword: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Ellen FikeApril 24, 2024
Tourists Drive Past âRoad Closedâ Signs On Way To Yellowstone, Get Stuck For 6 Hours
A Cody tow truck driver was mobilized in the wee hours of the morning Thursday to rescue a family trying to get to Yellowstone. Instead, they drove past âroad closedâ signs and got stuck for six hours.
Ellen FikeApril 19, 2024
Fireworks Businesses In Southeast Wyoming Denied Permits Because Theyâre âObnoxiousâ
The Laramie County Commissioners on Wednesday denied permits to two fireworks businesses on the Wyoming - Colorado border because their loud marketing â often with a bullhorn and targeting a competitor â is too âobnoxious.â
Ellen FikeApril 18, 2024
Small Wyoming Power Co-Op Scrambles To Fix 600 Downed Power Poles
High West Energy, a small rural power cooperative based in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, has been scrambling for 10 days fixing nearly 600 power poles that were downed during a recent wind and snowstorm.
Ellen FikeApril 17, 2024
6,000 Fentanyl Pills Found After Wild High-Speed Chase Ends On Wheatland Golf Course
Four people were arrested Monday after a high-speed chase the wrong way on I-25 spilled over onto Wheatland's golf course. In the car were 6,000 fentanyl pills and a gun.
Ellen FikeApril 16, 2024
Whereâs Dino? Someone Swipes One-Of-A-Kind Sculpture From Cheyenne Yard
A Cheyenne family is asking the community to be on the lookout for Dino, a one-of-a-kind brontosaurus sculpture stolen last week from their fenced-in yard.
Ellen FikeApril 15, 2024
Wyomingâs Famed Big Boy 4014 â Largest Steam Locomotive Ever â To Tour Again
Union Pacific Railroad's famed Big Boy 4014, the largest steam locomotive ever built, will hit the rails for a 2024 summer tour, pulling out of Cheyenne June 30 on a monthlong run West to California and back.
Ellen FikeApril 12, 2024
Ravens Taking Over Rawlins Landfill To Be Poisoned
Because ravens have overrun the landfill in Rawlins, the city and the USDA are targeting them with a special bird poison to control the population. Administrators say they are confident that only ravens will be affected by the poison.
Ellen FikeApril 09, 2024
Total Eclipse A Huge Event, Even In Wyoming Where It Was Only About 60%
Although Wyoming wasn't on the path of totality for Monday's total eclipse like it was in 2017, plenty of people were looking to the sky around midday to see the eclipse, which was about 50% to 60% across the state.
Ellen Fike, Leo Wolfson, Coy Knobel & Andrew RossiApril 08, 2024
91 MPH Winds Blast Cheyenne, Blizzard Hits Niobrara, Campbell CountiesÂ
A powerful spring storm pounded Wyoming in different ways over the weekend, with winds gusting up to 91 mph uprooting trees in Cheyenne to dumping more than a foot of snow on Niobrara and Campbell counties.
Ellen FikeApril 08, 2024
Wyoming Highway Workers Honored For Saving Life Of Driver After Suicide Attempt
Four Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance workers from Basin have been honored for saving the life of a motorist who had attempted suicide in his car.
Ellen FikeApril 05, 2024
Wyoming Skywatchers Can See Solar Eclipse And Green Devil Comet On Same Day
Viewers of the partial solar eclipse in Wyoming on Monday will also have the opportunity to see the green "Devil Comet" on the same day. The chance of seeing a celestial event like this is very rare, according to UW planetarium director Max Gilbraith.
Ellen FikeApril 05, 2024
Scammers Posing As Gillette Used Car Dealer Nearly Swindle $56,000 From Woman
A scammer posing online as a Gillette used car dealership has roped in at least three potential victims, with one woman on Tuesday nearly losing $56,000 to the scheme.
Ellen FikeApril 04, 2024
Laramie County Principal Denies Wrongdoing In Fifth Graderâs Suicide At School
The principal of an elementary school in Carpenter, Wyoming, denies wrongdoing in a response to a lawsuit brought by parents of a suicidal fifth grader who hanged himself unattended in a school bathroom.
Ellen FikeApril 02, 2024
Cheyenne Man Shot Multiple Times, Killed In Weekend Domestic Fight
A Cheyenne man was shot multiple times and died at the scene late Saturday in an alleged domestic argument at an apartment complex in the 1700 block of Oxford Drive.
Clair McFarland & Ellen FikeApril 01, 2024
Price Gouging Or Good Business? Rooms For Gillette Camporee Go For $1,500 A Night
The International Pathfinder Camporee will bring more than 60,000 people to Gillette, Wyoming, for a week in August. Even months out, rentals are going for up to $1,500 a night. Some call it price gouging, others say itâs just good business.
Ellen FikeMarch 29, 2024
Lane Frost Documentary To Be Screened At Cheyenne Frontier Days This Summer
A documentary focusing on rodeo legend Lane Frost, who died after a bull ride at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1989, will be screened in Cheyenne during CFD this summer. The film features interviews with Frostâs parents, his widow Kellie, and fellow rodeo star Tuff Hedeman along with footage shot from Wyoming videographer Mike McCrimmon.
Ellen FikeMarch 21, 2024
This Yearâs Edge Fest Will Be Last For Wyomingâs Largest Free Music Event
Edge Fest in Cheyenne has grown to be Wyomingâs largest free music event over the last decade. This yearâs event marks itâs 10th â and also last, as organizers announce Edge Fest wonât return.
Ellen FikeMarch 19, 2024
Cheyenne Child Sex Predator Exposed In YouTube Video Gets 8 Years In Prison
A Cheyenne man who was exposed for trying to meet up with someone he thought was an 11-year-old girl has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for possession of child porn.
Ellen FikeMarch 18, 2024
8 Flights Report Being Hit By Green Lasers At Cheyenne Airport; FAA Investigation Open
A push is on to find and prosecute whoever is blinding pilots with green lasers as they prepare to land at the airport in Cheyenne. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime and it's happened at least eight times so far this year.
Ellen FikeMarch 14, 2024
Lander Educator Surprised With Prestigious Milken Educator Award For Wyoming
Lander Assistant Principal Megan Park was surprised Tuesday morning with a $25,000 cash prize as part of the Milken Educator Awards. The national award is known in education circles as the âOscars of Teaching.â
Ellen FikeMarch 12, 2024
Cheyenne Frontier Days Announces 2024 Night Show Concert Lineups
Cheyenne Frontier Days on Thursday announced its 2024 night show concert lineups including Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain, and Ludacris.
Ellen FikeMarch 08, 2024
Cheyenne Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend Over $36,000
A 68-year-old Cheyenne man was formally charged Wednesday with allegedly killing his longtime girlfriend last November, then draining her various bank accounts of more than $36,000.
Ellen FikeMarch 07, 2024
Gabby Petitoâs Family Files $50M Lawsuit Against Utah Police
The family of Gabby Petito filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Monday against a Utah police department, accusing officers of failing to properly investigate her domestic violence case and protect her.
Ellen FikeAugust 09, 2022
University of Wyoming Law Student Reunited With Familyâs Tribal Headdress In England
A UW law student traveled to a London museum last month to see her great-great grandfather's headdress which is in a storage facility. Chief Yellow Calf is considered one of the Northern Arapaho's most important and respected leaders. UW leaders are working to bring it back home.
Ellen FikeAugust 05, 2022
Safety Expert Details How Not To Get Struck By Lightning In Wyoming
A National Lightning Safety Council member told Cowboy State Daily on Friday how to avoid getting struck by lightning.
Ellen FikeAugust 05, 2022
Cicadas Have Emerged in Wyoming This Year To Throw Predators Off, Entomologists Say
Although the cicadas weren't scheduled to come out this year, a University of Wyoming entomologist told Cowboy State Daily that they've emerged to keep predators from tracking their life cycles.
Ellen FikeAugust 05, 2022
Long, Strange Trip: Cheyenne Man Returns To City After Forty Years
George Jay Wienbarg, a Cheyenne native, recently returned to his hometown to connect with his roots and legacy as a relative of Buffalo Bill.
Ellen FikeAugust 04, 2022
Rammell Tries To Get Opponent Kicked Out Of Gov Race By Filing Lawsuit Against Wyoming SOS
Wyoming gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell said he was filing a lawsuit against the Wyoming Sec of State for "dereliction of duty" in hopes that he can get fellow candidate Brent Bien kicked out of the race.
Ellen FikeAugust 04, 2022
Harry Potter Fans Agree: Wyoming Is Not A Hufflepuff State
Wyoming is apparently a Hufflepuff state, but Harry Potter fans in the Cowboy State do not agree.
Ellen FikeAugust 04, 2022
Rock Springs Filmmaker To Host Screening Of Documentary At Dubois Military Museum
A Rock Springs filmmaker will host a documentary about his grandfather, a World War II prisoner of war, at the National Museum of Military Vehicles on Saturday.
Ellen FikeAugust 03, 2022
Crook County Rep: Teton County Flipping From Blue To Red Is Why Wyo Needs Runoff Elections
Teton County flipping from majority Democrat to Republican is a prime example of why Wyoming needs runoffs elections, Rep. Chip Neiman told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday.
Ellen FikeAugust 03, 2022
Man Sets Forest Ablaze After Trying To Light Spider On Fire; Wyoming Officials Caution Against That
The spokesman for Medicine Bow National Forest is warning visitors to avoid lighting spiders on fire, at least outside of a fire ring, or else they could cause a wildfire like a Utah man did this week.
Ellen FikeAugust 03, 2022
California, Illinois, New York Declare Monkeypox Emergency; Wyoming Has No Plans To Do So
Three states have now declared a public health emergency due to an outbreak of monkeypox, but Wyoming has no plans to do the same.
Ellen FikeAugust 02, 2022
Sugarloaf Fire In Medicine Bow National Forest Grows To 700 Acres
A wildfire that was started last week in Medicine Bow National Forest has grown another 200 acres, burning almost 700 acres of land within the forest, fire officials told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday.
Ellen FikeAugust 02, 2022
25 Bronze Statues Installed In Cheyenne Capitol Bronze Project And 30 More Planned
Around 25 bronze statues have been installed throughout downtown Cheyenne so far and 30 more are planned. Some statues have cost more than $40,000 each.
Ellen FikeAugust 02, 2022
Thomas Kelly Drops Out Of Wyo Superintendent Race, Endorses Schroeder
Thomas Kelly dropped out of the Wyoming superintendent of public instruction race on Monday, the Wyoming Republican Party announced late in the day.
Ellen FikeAugust 02, 2022
Laramie Food Truck Owner Aims To Break Chicken Wing World Record Next Year
Trent Weitzel, the owner of Laramie's Weitzel's Wings (Double Dubs) and Josh Allen's favorite wing spot, is going to attempt to break a world record for selling the most chicken wings in 24 hours.
Ellen FikeAugust 01, 2022
Afton Mayor, Wife Still Hospitalized After Being Run Over By SUV; Teen To Be Criminally Charged
The mayor of Afton and his wife will be hospitalized in Idaho Falls, Idaho "for a time," and the teenager who hit them last week will soon be criminally charged, the Afton police chief said Monday.
Ellen FikeAugust 01, 2022
Cheyenne Frontier Days Night Shows, Rodeo Attendance Slightly Down, But Not By Much
Although Cheyenne Frontier Days' night show and rodeo attendance dipped slightly this year, there was no concern to be had from the organization's CEO the day after the "Daddy of 'em All" wrapped.
Ellen FikeAugust 01, 2022
Nurses Honored As Hometown Heroes At Cheyenne Frontier Days For Saving Life
Two medical professionals from Cheyenne, who saved a Walmart employee's life last November, were given a standing ovation as hometown heroes on Thursday in front of a packed crowd at Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Ellen FikeJuly 30, 2022
Sugarloaf Fire In Albany County Grows To 500 Acres
The Sugarloaf Fire that started in Medicine Bow National Forest in northern Albany County this week has grown another 100 acres, fire command officials announced on Thursday.
Ellen FikeJuly 28, 2022
Homelessness On The Rise In Wyoming
The homeless population in Wyoming appears to be on the rise, according to at least two homeless advocates in the state.
Ellen FikeJuly 28, 2022
Afton Mayor, Wife Run Over By Car While Bicycling
The mayor of Afton and his wife were injured Thursday morning when they were hit by a car while bicycling, the Afton police chief told Cowboy State Daily.
Ellen FikeJuly 28, 2022
âPricelessâ Tribute To Fallen Marine McCollum To Be Held At Rock Springs Rodeo Friday
Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum will be honored during Patriot Night at the Red Desert Roundup Rodeo in Rock Springs on Friday night.
Ellen FikeJuly 28, 2022
Sugarloaf Fire Continues Burning Near Laramie, No Containment Yet
A wildfire sparked earlier this week in northern Albany County has not grown in the last 24 hours, but it has not yet been contained, a fire command team spokesman told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday.
Ellen FikeJuly 27, 2022
Cody Horticulturalist Worried Impact Of Monarch Butterflies Making Endangered Species List
Despite Wyoming not being in Canada-to-Mexico annual migration flight path, a Cody horticulturalist is worried about the Monarch Butterfly making the Endangered Species List and how other pollinators could too.
Ellen FikeJuly 27, 2022
First Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic In State To Open In Cheyenne This Fall
A mental health urgent care clinic, the first of its kind in Wyoming, will open sometime this fall in Cheyenne, its company's president told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday.
Ellen FikeJuly 27, 2022
Wildfire Breaks Out In Medicine Bow, Likely To Have Been Human-Caused
A wildfire broke out in Medicine Bow National Forest near Laramie on Monday and forest officials believe that it was likely caused by humans.
Ellen FikeJuly 27, 2022
Green River Man Who Saved Family In Burning House Receives Heroâs Welcome At Cheyenne Frontier Days
A Green River man who risked his life earlier this year by entering a burning house to save the lives of a woman and her youngest child was honored on Tuesday by Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Ellen FikeJuly 27, 2022
John Mayer, Dave Chappelle, Bob Weir To Hold Yellowstone Benefit Concerts
Musician John Mayer will host fundraiser concerts alongside bandmate Bob Weir and comedian Dave Chapelle next month to benefit the Yellowstone area that was devastated by flooding earlier this summer/
Ellen FikeJuly 26, 2022
Pinedale Woman To Be Extradited To Michigan For 25 Year Cold Case Involving Babyâs Death
A Pinedale woman will be back in Michigan next month to face charges in a 25-year-old cold case involving a baby's death, the Mackinac County, Michigan sheriff told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday.
Ellen FikeJuly 26, 2022
Judge Dismisses Cody Magazineâs âUFOâ Trademark Lawsuit Against Showtime
A U.S. District Court judge in Wyoming on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Cody UFO-themed magazine against Showtime, calling the magazine owners' claims "meritless."
Ellen FikeJuly 25, 2022
Wyoming Schools Arenât Requiring Clear Backpacks Even As Shootings Increase
Even as school shootings across the country have increased, Wyoming schools have not yet started to require students to carry clear backpacks.
Ellen FikeJuly 25, 2022
Heroes! WYDOT Workers Save Ducklings From Certain Death After Falling Through Cattle Guard
A Wyoming Department of Transportation crew saved eight ducklings from certain death after they fell through a cattle guard in Wapiti, Wyoming.
Ellen FikeJuly 25, 2022
Cheyenne Frontier Days Honors Lakewood Police Officer Who Stopped Mass Shooting
Cheyenne Frontier Days on Saturday honored the Lakewood Police Officer who stopped a mass shooter in Colorado last December despite being shot herself. She is credited with saving countless lives.
Ellen FikeJuly 24, 2022
University Of Wyoming Requested 33 Of Former Professorâs Papers Be Retracted
A day after the University of Wyoming confirmed that it investigated one of its former professors' work for "data irregularities," a UW spokesman said top university officials requested 33 of the professor's papers be retracted.
Ellen FikeJuly 22, 2022
California Woman Scared Grizzly Before It Dragged Her From Sleeping Bag & Killed Her
According to a new report, a California woman frightened a grizzly bear away from her campsite last July, before it returned just a short time later and fatally attacked her.
Ellen FikeJuly 22, 2022
Disabled Veteran Claims Dubois Motel Still Not Allowing Service Animals
The attorney for a disabled veteran from Colorado is claiming that a Dubois motel is still not allowing service animals, even though in court filings the business said the animals are welcome.
Ellen FikeJuly 22, 2022
Former University Of Wyoming Professorâs Papers Retracted For âData Irregularitiesâ
A former University of Wyoming professor's publications are being investigated for "data irregularities" and some are being retracted, according to UW officials.
Ellen FikeJuly 21, 2022
Booze On Demand: Alcohol Delivery Companies See Growth In Wyoming
As companies such as DoorDash and Uber Eats continue to grow in popularity in Wyoming, a new business model has taken off: alcohol deliveries.
Ellen FikeJuly 21, 2022
John Perry Barlowâs Wyoming Ranch For Sale; Own A Piece Of Grateful Dead History For $35 Million
The 35,000-acre Bar Cross Ranch in Cora, Wyoming is for sale at $35 million. It was previously owned by Grateful Dead lyricist and Wyoming renaissance man John Perry Barlow.
Ellen FikeJuly 21, 2022
Laramie County DA: Alleged Cheyenne Predator Facing 25 Years In Prison
A 19-year-old man accused of soliciting what he believed was an 11-year-old girl online for sex is facing a maximum of 25 years in prison, the Laramie County District Attorney said in court on Wednesday.
Ellen FikeJuly 21, 2022
Popular Casper Mexican Restaurant Teams Up With Celebrity Jeffree Star To Serve Yak Meat
Billionaire cosmetics mogul Jeffree Star has teamed up with Casper Mexican restaurant "Tacos Mexico" to begin serving yak meat from Star's ranch in Natrona County.
Ellen FikeJuly 20, 2022
Strange Object Spotted In Laramie Skies Not Aliens But A High-Altitude Balloon
A strange object in the sky that caught the attention of many Laramie residents and visitors over the last few days is not a vehicle carrying aliens, but a high-altitude balloon sent out by a space travel company.
Ellen FikeJuly 20, 2022
Man Wins $800K On Slot Machine-Like Game At Evanston Horse Palace, Walks Out âSpeechlessâ
A man won nearly $800,000 on Sunday at the Evanston Horse Palace, causing him to leave the building without saying a single word to anyone.
Ellen FikeJuly 19, 2022
Casper Man Tries To Elude Cops In Wild High-Speed Chase Tuesday Before Slamming Into Police Car
A man led Casper area law enforcement officers on a wild high-speed chase Tuesday morning which included driving down the wrong way of roads and weaving through lanes of oncoming traffic. The chase ended when he slammed into a police car.
Ellen FikeJuly 19, 2022
Lynn Buys A Hotel: Cheyenne House Renovator Takes On Cityâs Central Plaza
Corey Lynn Loghry, a well-known home renovator in Cheyenne, has taken on her biggest project yet: an 85-room, decades-old downtown hotel which was a landmark at one time.
Ellen FikeJuly 19, 2022
Grizzly Bear Relocated From Cody To Yellowstone After Eating Pig Slop
A grizzly bear was relocated from the Cody area to Yellowstone National Park over the weekend after it was caught eating pig slop adjacent to a trash can, a Wyoming Game and Fish official told Cowboy State Daily on Monday.
Ellen FikeJuly 18, 2022
California Couple Charged With Killing & Dismembering Man In Laramie Motel
A California couple has been charged with killing and dismembering a homeless man at a Laramie Motel last month. Parts of the man were found in a trash bag next to a saw.
Ellen FikeJuly 18, 2022
Central Wyoming College Students Trek To Mount Everest To Test Climate Sensor Technology
Five Central Wyoming College students trek to Mount Everest in May to test new climate sensor technology.
Ellen FikeJuly 15, 2022
After Getting Severely Mauled By Grizzly In Northwest Wyoming, Man Says Leave Bear Alone
Greybull native Barry Olson told Cowboy State Daily he holds no animosity toward the grizzly bear which severely mauled him last month. Olson said the encounter was his fault and the grizzly should be left alone.
Ellen FikeJuly 15, 2022
Wyoming Highway Patrolâs K-9 Specifically Trained To Sniff Out Fentanyl; One Of Very Few In Nation
The Wyoming Highway Patrol's fentanyl-sniffing dog is one of the few K-9s at any police department in the country specifically trained to sniff-out pure fentanyl.
Ellen FikeJuly 15, 2022
Grizzly 399 Offspring Killed By Wyoming Game And Fish Dept Because Of âDangerous Behaviorâ
One of famed grizzly bear 399's four youngest offspring was killed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department on Tuesday after showing no reaction to hazing and showing "dangerous behavior." The sub-adult male was two years old.
Ellen FikeJuly 14, 2022
No More Babies Born On Side Of The Road: Sublette County To Get Its Own Hospital
Kari DeWitt nearly bled to death when she was pregnant with her son. In 22 counties, she could have gone directly to a hospital to deliver her child. However, since she lives in Sublette County, she had to wait 45 minutes at the local clinic to get a flight to Idaho.
Ellen FikeJuly 14, 2022