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CASPER, Wyo. — Both Shawn Johnson and Steve Freel announced they are resigning from the Casper City Council this week because they are moving to new residences outside of their respective wards.

Their seats on the City Council are up for election this year, with voters set to decide who will serve four-year terms in those seats representing Ward II and Ward III.

On Tuesday, the City Council discussed what process it should follow to appoint replacements. Mayor Ray Pacheco suggested the City Council appoint someone who did not advance in Ward II or Ward III elections during the recent Primary Election.

Pacheco said he thought it would be best to avoid appointing someone seeking election in the General Election to avoid influencing its results.

While the council is required to appoint replacements for the vacant seats under state law, Councilmember Bruce Knell asked whether the decision could be delayed until the results of the General Election. That would allow the winners of those elections to temporarily be appointed in November until the four-year term they get elected for starts in January 2023.

The City Council discussed benefits and drawbacks to both options, with Councilmember Amber Pollock noting that the resignations came at a particularly difficult time between the Primary and General Election.

The City Council ultimately decided to go ahead and seek applications for temporary replacements. While anyone living in Ward II or Ward III can apply, the City Council will favor candidates who are not on the General Election ballot this November.

Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, Aug. 31. Depending on how many applications are received, the City Council will then conduct candidate interviews on either Sept. 6 or Sept. 7.

The suggestion came up during the work session that some former councilmembers could be appointed since the appointment is short-term. That would avoid needing to educate someone unfamiliar with the City Council processes on how business is conducted.

The City Council’s discussion can be reviewed in the video of the work session on the city’s YouTube channel:

October 14, 1928 – December 11, 2022

Edumenia Pacheco, 94, of Rifle, Colorado, former long time resident of Red Cliff, Colorado passed away peacefully on December 11, 2022. Her long life was marked by laughter and filled with joy. She was the loving and caring mother to 10 children, grandmother to 28 grandchildren as well as 26 great grandchildren and, 6 great great grandchildren

Born Edumenia Romero in 1928 she grew up in Vadito, New Mexico. One of 15 children, her childhood memories, that she often recounted, involved roaming the countryside with her brothers and sisters and tending to livestock on her father’s ranch. Edumenia met her husband to be, Enrique Pacheco, shortly before he was drafted into service in the U.S. Navy during WWII. A young Edumenia agreed to marry Enrique when he returned and, after 2 years and many letters shared, their love story came to fruition when they were married in Vadito, New Mexico. Soon after their marriage Edumenia and Enrique moved to Red Cliff, Colorado where they would go on to share 57 years together building a life and raising a family. Shortly before his death Edumenia, and Enrique moved to Rifle, Colorado where they lived together until his passing in February of 2003. Always a resilient woman Edumenia found strength in her family; surrounded by children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren she would go on to live another 20 years making memories and spreading love. She loved to tell stories, work in her garden, and spend time with her family. A woman who went by Mom and Grandma to so many can never be forgotten and will always be remembered, her laughter and her smile embossed on the heart of all those who knew her.

Edumenia is preceded in death by her parents Laudes and Eulalia Romero, her husband Enrique Pacheco, an infant daughter Dolores, granddaughter Bernadette, and grandson Toby.

She is survived by her children: Frances (Ron) Parkinen, Josie ( Clarence ) Medina, Henry (Naomi) Pacheco, Jose (Karin) Pacheco, Anthony (Roxane) Pacheco, Arnold (Eva) Pacheco, Elizabeth (Johnny) Pacheco-Hunter, Christopher (Juanita) Pacheco, Genevieve (Ruben) Valdez, Rebecca Victoria Pacheco.

Visitation and Services will be held on Friday December 30, 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rifle, with the Visitation starting at 10:00 with services to follow.

Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC’s) student newspaper, The College VOICE, has continued its award-winning tradition this year, earning top honors in multiple state and national competitions. The combination of wins cements the VOICE’s powerhouse reputation as the top two-year newspaper in the state and one of the highest-ranking and most award-winning in the nation.  

The VOICE earned 19 New Jersey Press Foundation awards, two College Media Association Apple awards, and a record five Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence (MOE) awards this year.  

The MOEs, which are judged at the regional and then national level, are considered the Oscars of college journalism. Two-year colleges compete head-to-head with their four-year counterparts. This year one of the winners, Kayla Janetti, beat out The Harvard Crimson to win in the Cultural Criticism category. Other wins came in Editorial Cartooning, Sports Photography, and Column writing.  

The VOICE won in 19 categories in the New Jersey competition across the spectrum from news reporting to online video. They took the overall highest honor of First Place in General Excellence. 

The VOICE’s small but hardworking staff of roughly 7 to 15 students reflects the diversity of the college. According to VOICE Co-Adviser, Professor Holly Johnson, this year’s team includes students of color, international students, non-traditional students, career prep students, students with physical and developmental disabilities, students on the autism spectrum, Honors college students, and first-generation students.  

“Most VOICE staffers carry a full college course load, and many work up to 25 hours per week at off-campus jobs,” Johnson said. “The recognition they have received this awards season is a testament to their tremendous work ethic, grit, enthusiasm and dedication.” 

VOICE graduates are known for their excellent long-term outcomes. Recent award winners have gone on to jobs at mainstream publications including 2018 graduates Maria Ramos Pacheco, who is now at The Dallas Morning News, and Jackson Thompson, who is at Sports Illustrated. Another 2018 graduate, Mohamed Wiswal, transferred to Rutgers and is now headed to Duke to pursue a Ph.D in Psychology and Neuroscience. 

Johnson shares advising duties with Associate Professor Matthew Kochis. Both teach English and Journalism at MCCC.