🌱 WY Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Casper Police + Hotel Condemned

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Casper Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 86 Low: 50.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny. High: 89 Low: 50.

Here are the top three stories in Casper today:

1. The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday in a case that involved a Casper police officer. In July 2021, Jason Earl Anderson was driving a rental car in Casper, and he activated his turn signal 13 seconds - about 15 or 20 feet from the intersection - before making the turn. Officer Ben Baedke pulled Anderson over for not signaling for a full 100 feet before the turn, and when Anderson admitted to having marijuana in the vehicle, officers conducted a search and discovered meth and other drug paraphernalia. The Supreme Court found that the officer did have reasonable suspicion to stop Anderson for insufficient signaling. (Wyoming News)
2. A Casper hotel has been condemned following a sweep by city officials that revealed widespread water damage and evidence of squatters. The F Street Econo Lodge has not been open as a hotel since November 2022, and Mayor Bruce Knell explained that the property had water pipes freeze and burst, leaving behind a mess that would have cost an estimated $3.2 million to clean up. Knell said that during the sweep, city officials saw extensive damage and drug paraphernalia left by unpermitted occupants. Four people were arrested for trespassing during the sweep, and the building's owners have been issued a 60-day notice to bring the building into compliance with local codes. (Oil City News)
3. Today and tomorrow, the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center will be hosting folk singer Hank Cramer. Throughout the weekend, Cramer will perform modern and traditional folk songs while weaving in history lessons about the country's westward expansion. Today, Jul. 1, the center is hosting a youth program called "Seeking Gold in California" that will give participants the chance to pan for gold. (Oil City News)

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Today and tomorrow in Casper:

Saturday, July 1

• Yoga On The Labyrinth With Miranda B. At Wyoming Yoga & Wellness (9:00 AM)
• Bonamo In Concert With Kuver's Texas BBQ At Frontier Brewing Company & Taproom (6:00 PM)

Sunday, July 2

• Sunday Makebreak: Pom-Pom Flags At Michaels (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Casper Fire Department is congratulating Captain Jason Hill on his recent retirement. Hill served with the department for 25 years. (City of Casper Fire-EMS Department via Facebook)
• Casper's Metro Animal Services is hiring for two currently open positions: Animal Protection Officer I or II and Kennel Technician. Click here to learn more. (The City of Casper, WY via Facebook)
• Art 321 has announced an upcoming workshop called "Landscape Vases: Hand-Building Workshop." This event will be held on Wednesday, Jul. 12 from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. For more information, click here. (Art 321 via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you around.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.