City sells four Robertson Road lots; land planned for housing
BY TOMMY CULKIN CITY REPORTER
CASPER, Wyo. — On Tuesday, the Casper City Council approved the sale of a property on Robertson Road to Fairgrounds Plaza Inc. for $536,174, despite the bid being less than the appraised value of $575,000.
The land, located at the northwest corner of Trevett Lane and Robertson Road, was recently rezoned from urban development to urban agriculture to attract buyers after a previous attempt to sell it in 2023 failed to receive a suitable bid.
According to Community Development Director Liz Becher, the buyer intends to build additional housing on the land. Although Chief Operating Officer Tom Brauer recommended the sale, saying a higher offer was unlikely, Councilmembers Kyle Gamroth and Brandy Haskins voted against the measure.
CASPER ADDS TO FLEET WITH PURCHASE OF NEW VEHICLES
The Casper City Council approved the purchase of several new vehicles for various city de-
partments on Tuesday.
The purchases include a $50,569 box van trailer for the Solid Waste Facility to transport recyclables and a new $357,569 rear-load sanitation truck for trash collection in city parks and downtown.
The Wastewater Collection Division will receive a new $512,250 sewer cleaner to replace older, failing equipment. The new vehicles are being funded through a combination of solid waste reserves, capital funds and fifthcent monies.
CITY TO UPDATE STORMWATER UTILITY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The Casper City Council is moving forward with an update to its stormwater utility implementation plan, which has been in place since 2016.
According to Chief Operating Officer Tom Brauer, the plan needs to be revised due to a better understanding of service levels, aging infrastructure and improvements in GIS technology. The updated plan will focus on health, safety, infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
The city has hired Civil Engi-
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neering Professionals Inc., the same firm that created the original plan, for a cost of $39,500. That will be paid for using stormwater funds from the fiscal year 2026 budget.
CITY CONTRACTS FOR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS, NEW TECH
The Casper City Council ap-
BY GREG HIRST
CRIME & COURTS
CASPER, Wyo. — The following are arraignments, judgments and sentences rendered in criminal cases in Natrona County District Court, with links to additional coverage of cases.
This is not a comprehensive log and is based on hearings attended by Oil City News, filings provided by the clerk of district court, and information provided by the district attorney’s office. Misdemeanor offenses that arise from the same circumstances as a felony charge attach to the case and are adjudicated in district court.
SENTENCES
Tiffany Joy Willhite – Possession of a Controlled Substance
proved two contracts with local company Dynamic Controls Inc.
The first contract, for $34,600, will upgrade the door systems at Metro Animal Services and the Casper Police Department to improve security. The project received three bids, with Dynamic Controls offering the lowest. The funds for this upgrade will come from the Casper Police Department's operations budget and
Metro's shelter fund.
The second contract, for $71,607, is for a new mobile thermal lens system at the Casper Regional Landfill. The system is designed to provide real-time monitoring to more efficiently detect fires, allowing for a faster response from Casper Fire-EMS. The landfill's balefill fund will cover the cost of this equipment.
(Methamphetamine): Third or Subsequent upon Conviction; Three and a half to four years imposed.
Henry Dean McDaniels – Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine; 54–60 months suspended, three years supervised probation.
GUILTY PLEAS: ARRAIGNMENTS AND CHANGES-OF-PLEA
Cory Robert Kimbley – Sexual Exploitation of Children x4; Plea agreement: Four to eight years imposed.
Billy Joel Mackay – Domestic Battery: Third in 10 Years.
Audrey Ann Rosche – Child Endangerment: Second Offense, DUI: Second in 10 Years; Plea agreement: Three- to four-year cap.
ARRAIGNMENT –NOT GUILTY PLEAS
Kyle Wayne Crase – Strangulation of a Household Member, Domestic Battery, Property Destruction, Possession of THC.
Michael Dane Allison – Child Endangerment with Methamphetamine x2.
Lindsay Rachelle Rickert –Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine (or Possession with Intent to Deliver).
Nicholas Lee Fenton – Conspiracy to Delivery Methamphetamine.
Elizabeth Zima – Theft.
CRIME AND COURTS
Pictured is the property at the northwest corner of Trevett Lane and Robertson Road. (Tommy Culkin, Oil City News)
MARRIAGES
Congratulations to all of the happy couples applying for marriage licenses in Natrona County. Here is a list of those who applied for a marriage license from Aug. 20 through Aug. 26. All filings are reported to Oil City News by the County Clerk’s Office. The log is not a comprehensive document and may not represent all of the upcoming marriages in Natrona County.
• Zachary Lance Reierson and Courtney Janae Murphy
• Brendon Hart Roth and Shelby Marie McIntyre
• Cody Lane Thomas and Katlyn Elizabeth Lilley
• Ryan James Lockwood and Karoline May Marie Thompson
• Cody John Mooney Stimpson and Mercedes Lynn Engel
• Timothy Wayne Gonzales and Britttony Michele Ruybal
• Andrew James Vines and Farrah Ann Schultz
• Brian David Speicher and Sherri Lynn Barenberg
• Michael Chaun Alverson and Delores Jean Kinswoman
• Raymond Michael Henry III and Kelley Marie Lackey
• Zachary Jean Johansen and Macheala Nykol Schossow
• Micha James Sulzle and Sydney Anne Russ
• Lucas Leonard Anfinson and Kellee Ida Schuerman
• Kevin Blaze Anderson and Morgan Taylor Jaquez
• Walker Shawn Wheeler and Hanna Mariah Martinez
• Christopher Nial Kirk and Mickie Lynn Maxwell
• Christopher Ian Mould and Nicolette Ann Medina
Colleagues remember former fire chief Kevin Finn for dedication, public service
BY OIL CITY NEWS STAFF REPORT
CASPER, Wyo. — Former Fire
Chief Kevin Finn is being remembered as a devoted and dedicated community servant by friends and colleagues who are mourning his loss.
Finn died suddenly Aug. 22 at the age of 70, according to the Natrona County Fire District. Finn retired from the NCFD in 2013, after more than three decades as a firefighter. He had worked his way to the rank of fire chief in 2009.
Finn was born in Casper on June 19, 1955, and graduated from Natrona County High School. He started work in masonry before moving into firefighting.
Finn was instrumental in the establishment of the NCFD after its predecessor, the Natrona County Fire Department, was disbanded
by the Natrona County commissioners. Kevin's father, Pat "Papa" Finn, had served as fire chief of that organization.
Finn and other members of the old department mobilized to gather signatures and public support to form a new fire department to meet the county's needs. The effort ultimately led to the formation of the NCFD in 1993.
In an email to Oil City News, the NCFD described Finn as a mentor and a selfless leader who was committed to his profession and coworkers. "His commitment to protecting lives and property was matched only by the warmth and wisdom he shared with colleagues, friends, and family," they said.
"Beyond the fire station, Kevin was a devoted family man, a steadfast friend, and a pillar of our community whose impact will
Casper author, illustrator receive national recognition for
‘A Home for Steamboat’
BY OIL CITY NEWS STAFF REPORT
CASPER, Wyo. — A children's book based on the life of a real, legendary Wyoming horse is receiving national attention.
"A Home for Steamboat," written by Casey Rislov and illustrated by Zachary Pullen, has been chosen as the 2025 Great Reads from Great Places Youth Selection for the state of Wyoming. The program is led nationwide by the Library of Congress, and spotlights
books capturing the character of each state for the National Book Festival, held on Sept. 6. The book was released earlier this year after years of research and preparation by the authors.
"A Home for Steamboat" tells the story of a stubborn rodeo horse named Steamboat who was passed along by ranchers and cowhands until ultimately finding love and acceptance by his final owner. Steamboat's bucking silhouette has graced Wyoming license plates since 1936, and has come to symbolize the state.
be felt for generations," they added.
Finn's hobbies and interests were numerous. He was a gifted woodworker, marksman and trap shooter, and crafted his own bow for hunting bull elk. During his off-hours he taught gun safety and responsible firearm use to high school students. He was also an avid cycling enthusiast, who
in 2023 hit a personal milestone of cycling an astonishing 10,000 miles in a single year. He leaves behind a son, Justin Kelly, and numerous family members.
A memorial service for Kevin Finn was held Tuesday at Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home in Casper.
"To have 'A Home for Steamboat' representing Wyoming at the National Book Festival is thrilling," said author Casey Rislov in a statement. "It's a moment where our state's art, history and spirit meet the nation."
Illustrator Zachary Pullen said, "Seeing our work honored this way is incredibly rewarding. It means Steamboat's story and Wyoming's spirit will ride far beyond our state lines."
More information on this year's National Book Festival can be found at the Library of Congress website. More information and extra features such as exclusive music inspired by "A Home for Steamboat" can be found at the book's website. It is available for purchase online and in local bookstores.
Author Casey Rislov and illustrator Zachary Pullen pose with one of the paintings for the new children’s book “A Home for Steamboat” at Pullen’s Casper studio on Feb. 28, 2025. (Dan Cepeda, Oil City News File)
Former Natrona County Fire District Fire Chief Kevin Finn holds a plaque in an undated photo. (Courtesy NCFD)