April 12, 2023 News Briefs

Average Wyoming gasoline prices up 2.1 cents per gallon

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Average gasoline prices in Wyoming have risen 2.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.27 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy.com’s survey of 494 stations in Wyoming.

Prices in Wyoming are 9.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, and stand 76.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.The national average price of diesel has fallen 1.6 cents in the last week, and stands at $4.15 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the lowest price in the state on Sunday was $2.95, while the highest was $3.95.

The national average price of gasoline has risen 8.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.57 per gallon on Monday.The national average is up 13 cents per gallon from a month ago, and stands 52.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data.

The data is compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 U.S. gas stations.

This story was published on April 12, 2023.

—---

13-year-old arrested for school shooting threats

GILLETTE (WNE) — A 13-year-old boy accused of threatening to shoot students at Twin Spruce Junior High has been arrested and charged with a felony count of making terroristic threats.

The boy, who went unnamed in a City of Gillette news release, threatened to shoot other students last week, and the Gillette Police Department investigation determined that although he did not have access to guns, he did threaten other students.

The alleged threats were made last Thursday, April 6, and he was arrested at about 10 a.m. Monday, according to the Sheriff’s Office jail log.

The city released the information at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A terroristic threat involves someone threatening to commit any violence with the intent to cause serious public inconvenience, according to the release.

“Following recent threats in our community, the Police Department urges residents to immediately report any threat of violence to law enforcement or school officials,” the release read. “All reports will be investigated. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to talk to their children about the serious consequences of making threats.”

This story was published on April 11, 2023.

—---

Wyoming records ombudsman position remains vacant

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Wyoming’s statutorily required public records ombudsman position has been vacant since the beginning of March, and officials are seeking a replacement.

The position was created with the passage of Senate File 57 by the Wyoming Legislature in 2019 and has served as a resource for the public and government agencies. The ombudsman handles public records requests submitted to state government agencies and investigates public records complaints related to any level of government through mediation.

Michael Pearlman, communications director for Gov. Mark Gordon’s office, confirmed that former records ombudsman Darlena Potter left March 1. He was not able to provide details on who had taken over Potter’s duties, and Deputy Chief of Staff Betsy Anderson didn’t respond to a request for comment before press time.

It’s considered an important position by those interested in furthering government transparency.

Longtime Cheyenne media attorney Bruce Moats has advocated for years in Wyoming for public records and meetings access, and he was made aware recently of the ombudsman’s absence by a client. That person had made a request and pointed out an email response from the office stating the position was vacant.

He has been curious as to whether there was an announcement, or what actions were being taken to fill the position.

“The purpose for it was to try to get individual citizens, rather than media organizations — to help them get records that they otherwise might not be able to obtain,” he told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. “I think that was a laudable goal.”

Moats said he doesn’t know whether the position has lived up to its desired role, from what he has heard from people who are dealing with the office, but he said it is still crucial. He considers it a way for citizens to get assistance without the cost of hiring an attorney.

This story was published on April 12, 2023.

—---