Townsend sign stays

The Townsend Justice Center, scheduled to open for business in September, will retain the "ghost sign" from the days of its former glory as one of the West's premier hotels.

The Natrona County Commission two weeks ago reversed an earlier decision to cover the sign at the top of its east wall.

During the public comment period on June 16, some local residents implored commissioners to keep the sign, said interim County Attorney Heather Duncan-Malone.

The commissioners did not take a formal vote, but generally agreed the sign should stay, Duncan-Malone said.

The county will move the state district court, circuit court, and related offices later this summer from the 70-year-old courthouse to the new Townsend Justice Center across Center Street.

Man takes plea deal

A Casper man accused of pointing a shotgun at officers agreed to a plea deal this week that will allow him to serve probation instead of additional jail time.

Richard Winsted, 52, pleaded no contest to possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent. In exchange, a judge dismissed an aggravated assault charge against him.

Winsted has already served almost eight months in jail since his arrest in November. Casper police officers arrested him while investigating a bullet hole in his neighbor's apartment.

Police at the time said Winsted pointed a shotgun at officers who had entered his dwelling to make sure no one was injured or killed.

However, Rob Oldham, Winsted's attorney, said the facts of the case "were not as egregious as seen at the time."

Under the terms of the deal, Winsted will serve two years of probation. He could have faced up to 15 years behind bars if convicted of the original charges.

Special Olympics receives grant

Special Olympics Wyoming has received a $10,000 Daniels Fund grant to support its Young Athletes Program, according to a media release.

Special Olympics Wyoming provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The Daniels Fund operates the Daniels Fund Scholarship Program and the Daniels Fund Grants Program in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The fund was established in 1997 by Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television known for his kindness and generosity to those in need.

For more information about Special Olympics Wyoming, call 307-235-3062 or visit www.specialolympicswy.org.