Latest news with #LaramieCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County reluctantly approves controversial firework permits, businesses drop litigation
CHEYENNE — Laramie County Commissioner Troy Thompson voted reluctantly Tuesday afternoon to approve the permits required to sell fireworks this year for Artillery World and Jurassic Fireworks, something he has opposed for the past several years. The change of mind came after Frank 'Pete' Elliott Jr., the father of the owner Breanna Elliott, agreed to certain stipulations. These include that he step away from managerial positions, is not allowed within 300 yards of the businesses and drops all active court cases against the county. 'I've been very much opposed to this business being in Laramie County, and I have stated that time and time again over the past seven years,' Thompson said. 'Now we're presented with Mr. Elliott saying, 'Hey, I'm going to step aside and let my daughters do it.' I'm still concerned. I think when you guys say, 'Hey, listen, we have worked in this business since we were 12 years old, and our dad and our granddad taught us what we know,' that, to me, throws up a red flag immediately.' Elliott said this comment is disgusting, and he claims he is still being discriminated against by the county for being a Colorado-owned business. He said the stipulations he agreed to are not a resolution to the issue, but rather a strong-arm from the county, leaving him no other options. He said his battle with Laramie County officials is far from over, adding that he feels free to take more action now that he is no longer attached to his daughter's business. 'As Thomas Jefferson once said, 'Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it …' That's not just a quote — that's a warning,' Elliott told the WTE in a text message. 'So maybe they think they put the final nail in my coffin. But if they did … they should've made sure I wasn't still breathing.' Thompson said he has spoken out against the businesses for being a bad neighbor, a public safety liability and a poor business partner to the county. When the Laramie County Board of County Commissioners met Tuesday, Thompson said he has witnessed or heard reports of trucks running up and down the road, young people standing on top of tractor-trailers waving flags and people standing in the public right of way with a bullhorn to attract customers to the store. Elliott described these as unorthodox marketing practices and said he has received no citations from the Laramie County Sheriff's Office as a result. LCSO could not be reached prior to publication to confirm this. 'They can't name one threat. They can't name one person I abused; it's never going to happen. I don't think like that. That's not who I am,' Elliott said. Prior to the commissioners approving the permit applications for the businesses, Laramie County Attorney Mark Voss read the conditions Elliott agreed to. They are as follows: * Elliott shall not be present or within 300 yards, travel along Interstate 25 excluded, of the location of the respective fireworks permits and withdraw from operation and management locally. * Should there be a violation of Condition 1, the applicant agrees that it could be the basis for a revocation of all the permits. * Should there be an incident in which that allegation occurs, or there's a sufficient violation of the Laramie County fireworks regulations, the commissioners will hold a hearing to consider whether revocation should occur. * Should a hearing be held, and should the incident result in a revocation at that time, the permits are forfeited immediately, and retail sales are halted. * Finally, Elliott and or his counsel must dismiss and cease any pending litigation on matters that occurred prior to this. Elliott did not indicate exactly what he will do next, but said he will seek justice through the judicial system. The county commissioners approved all five permits submitted by Seasonal Sales Inc. — formerly known as Breanna Elliott, doing business as Artillery Works and Jurassic Fireworks — for the five buildings it operates. Before doing this, County Commissioner Linda Heath said the county will be keeping a close eye on the businesses. 'We will be watching, and next year can be a different story,' she said. 'I encourage you, please follow the rules. I don't want to shut a business out of Laramie County, but at the same time, I don't want businesses to operate with disrespectful patterns.' Last year, the businesses were denied the permit applications submitted under Breanna Elliott's name. Following this, the Elliotts sued the county over this decision. In May 2024, the First Judicial District Court of Laramie County issued a preliminary injunction, meaning the businesses could continue to operate until the court passed judgment on whether the commissioners' decision was lawful as part of the petitions for review filed by each company. At the time, Breanna Elliott said approximately 90% of revenues are generated during the Fourth of July season, and she estimated that, without immediate relief, loss to the companies would be over $2 million. The Elliotts' legal counsel, Bruce Asay, said that agreeing to drop this ongoing litigation as part of the deal to get permits approved this year shows good faith from the Elliotts to comply. 'The fact that Mr. Elliott and the applicants are willing to forgo and essentially dismiss the pending litigation, I think that's significant,' Asay said Tuesday. 'You don't like litigation on behalf of the public, and we would rather sell fireworks than engage in litigation, so I think it's a significant step forward on both parties.' Although Frank Elliott said he will continue to fight what he sees as discrimination, he said he was willing to step away from the businesses if it was what is best for his daughter. 'As long as my kids are left alone,' he said. 'I'm Papa Bear; don't mess with my children. That's all I can say. I would hope that any other human being would be the same way when they have children.'
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Yahoo
Laramie County rallies behind injured firefighter, hosts fundraiser
CHEYENNE — First responders in Laramie County have rallied together to raise money for a Laramie firefighter who was critically injured in the line of duty. While responding to a structure fire on Feb. 28 north of Laramie, Dylan Schilt was critically injured. A building collapse left him with severe injuries, including a collapsed lung, broken ankle and a spinal injury resulting in paralysis. The Cheyenne community immediately responded to Schilt's injuries with thoughts and prayers, financial support and efforts to hold events to raise funds for the family. This included a spaghetti dinner and auction fundraiser Friday evening, organized by the Laramie County Fire Authority, Laramie County Sheriff's Office, Laramie County Fire District 10 and the Laramie Fire Department. 'This is a fellow brother, let's take care of him,' LCSO Chief Deputy Aaron Veldheer said. 'Help him out as much as we can and see what we can do. Because the only way we know if we can help is if we try.' Veldheer noted that while law enforcement and firefighters might jokingly poke fun at each other, they ultimately have a deep mutual respect for the lifesaving and essential safety roles they play in their communities. That means when someone's injured, you rally behind them. Dylan Schilt Fundraiser Flyer 'Looking at the different situations, what firefighters do, what police do, what sheriff's deputies do, it can be very scary,' Veldheer said. 'Those people put their fear aside to go out and try and make the world a better place. And that's what he was trying to do that night. Trying to save somebody's house, making the best of a bad situation and helping that family. I think it's important and imperative that we get out and do what we can to help him, as well.' Dylan Schilt's father, Mike Schilt, has been updating the community via Facebook on his son's condition. A few weeks into recovery, he posted to Facebook that the ongoing messages, prayers and community support are greatly appreciated. 'Dylan wants to be challenged more, but there are some physical challenges that are currently preventing him from moving more quickly,' Mike Schilt posted to Facebook. 'We choose to believe that with perseverance and prayer, he will be able to overcome these obstacles in time. 'Dylan has expressed, quite often, that he is so appreciative of all the texts, calls and visits from so many people. I can tell you, as a father, even though it's been just a little over three weeks since the accident, people continue to want updates and are praying for Dylan. This is so encouraging for all of us.' Laramie County Fire District 10 assistant fire chief Jason Ruff highlighted the need for firefighters to feel valued by their communities. 'Laramie County and our neighboring counties do an absolutely wonderful job of supporting their people any time that there's a need,' Ruff said. 'You know, agencies come together, firefighters come together, leadership comes together. And any time something like this happens, it's guaranteed support.' Dylan Schilt's father echoed the need to support first responders in his most recent Facebook update dated March 24. 'We need to pray for and encourage all of our first responders; they go through so much mentally and physically,' Mike Schilt wrote. 'Each time there is an emergency call, responders know that they may be going to a situation that is the worst day, ever, in a person's life, and they are about to become part of that.' Elks Lodge fundraiser flyer Even though Dylan Schilt's injuries were suffered in Albany County, Laramie County first responders still have been compelled to help him through his recovery. Veldheer added that first responders often have the same types of insurance the average person does, and when you experience mental and physically significant injuries, there's only so much insurance can cover. 'I think that the true strength of a person isn't how much we can take our experiences and try and hide the effects of that event but share with others who may be dealing with a similar experience; to help each other,' Mike Schilt wrote. 'God didn't create us to walk alone in this life; He gave us others that need us as much as we need them.' The fundraiser in Cheyenne included dinner, a raffle and an auction at Fire Station 72, 410 Horse Creek Road. Even if people were unable to attend, they are still encouraged to donate what they can to the Schilt family at
