Casper Star-Tribune from Casper, Wyoming • A1

I need to double-check my Facebook settings. FOGG FG MC PC SU Advisers A8 Casper A3 Clas sifieds B7 omics B5 Obituarie A5 pinion A7 ublic record A6 uzzles B9 Sports B1 eather A2 yoming A3 Index The Grouch Weather High: 84 Low: 53 $1 News Source Founded in 1891 Monday, June 1, 2015 $1 Open lines reduced crime Editorial board: Alcohol-related crime has dropped significantly in the city in the last year, and a lot of that is due to better communication between bar owners and law enforcement. Opinion, A7 Lesson learned for 2016 The string of first-round losses for Class 4A West girls soccer teams continued at the state tournament. But Natrona County, with 13 juniors on its roster, feels next year will be theirs. Sports B1 Big numbers game Officials schedule hearings to decide the future of bison population and of the slaughter program in Montana.

Whatever the outcome, the numbers will change. Casper Wyoming, A3 Nick Balatsos 307-266-0592, Nick.Balatsos@Trib.com Cheyenne Messling might be the strongest person to walk across the stage Monday during Kelly graduation ceremony. Even so, the polyglot from Casper, who dreams of becoming a Spanish or French interpreter, recently had the word tattooed across her wrist as a reminder. Getting to graduation day been easy for the 18-year- old. In fact, nothing has.

And the tattoo serves to remind her of required of her on a daily basis. She thought her dad and brothers, ages 24 and 13, were going to kill her when she showed them the ink, she said, laughing. Her medical conditions scoliosis (curvature of the spine), thoracic insufficiency (small chest) and metatropic dysplasia (a skeletal disorder) have made basic high school tasks such as reading heavy text books and finding a workable desk to sit at difficult. And the number of operations she has had somewhere between 30 and 50 has meant that missed a lot of school. Early in high school, she missed 20 days after undergoing surgery to fix the pinched nerves in her spine.

But Messling one to complain. She said she hated her medical conditions when she was little, but not anymore. I love being she said. Despite the missed school, Messling will be graduating with a 3.8 GPA. The absences also prevented her from staying involved.

An example of strength Kelly Walsh graduate studies through dozens of surgeries, finishes with 3.8 GPA DAN CEPEDA, STAR-TRIBUNE Cheyenne Messling opens her books in a Spanish study class on Wednesday morning at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper. Messling, who has had dozens of surgeries, will graduate today with a 3.8 GPA. Laura Hancock 307-266-0581, Laura.Hancock@trib.com U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, is leading a bipartisan coalition that proposes an amendment to the Constitution giving women equal rights and equality under the law.

Currently, the U.S. Constitution only offers one specific protection based on sex the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing the right to vote. In addition to the Equal Rights Amendment, Lummis is cosponsoring another measure the Research for All Act of 2015 that would require two federal agencies, when performing medical research, study effects on women. has traditionally been at the forefront of equal rights for women, and I am proud to carry on that tradition as sole representative in the Lummis said in a May 14 statement, announcing the proposed Constitutional amendment. Equal Rights Amendment that we continue to garner support for is a golden opportunity to ensure a secure future for Amendment Lummis and U.S.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, are leading the coalition behind the Equal Rights Amendment. Congress last passed the amendment in 1972, but it was ratified by only 35 states before a deadline in 1982, a statement from spokesman said. It was just three states short of the three-fourths necessary to amend the Constitution. Wyoming was among the states that ratified it, according to the Alice Paul Institute, which supports the amendment.

Cathy Connolly, a gender and studies professor at the University of Wyoming, said about time the Equal Rights Amendment is revisited. Connolly, who is also a Democrat in the state Legislature, said women and men can sue over sex discrimination, using the 14th Amendment, which addresses equal protection and due process. But harder for those claims to win, based on standards in the court, than for cases of discrimination based on race or ethnicity, she said. Lummis leads effort behind an Equal Rights Amendment Rep also sponsors bill to revise regs for medical research LUMMIS Nick Balatsos 307-266-0592, Nick.Balatsos@Trib.com Police are asking for the help in locating the driver who hit a 54-year-old man on a bicycle Friday evening and then fled the scene. A press release from the Casper Police Department on Sunday identified the man suspected of hitting and hospitalizing the bicyclist as Michael Carpenter, 25.

Carpenter is described as about 6 feet tall and weighing 135 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. By Sunday evening, officials indicated Carpenter was in custody. At the same time, his Facebook page was filled with exchanges with friends about the incident. On the social media site, Carpenter said he was a passenger in the truck and not the driver. knew something bad was going to happen(.) she listen I told her stop being stupid and drive like an he wrote.

felt it coming why I wanted dropped off. Her driving scared the out of me and a first for Laura Hancock 307-266-0581, Laura.Hancock@trib.com A western Wyoming county sheriff said he is reviewing a state audit that found alleged illegal governance in La Barge, including the mayor signing his own paychecks and using asphalt meant for public streets at his house. Meantime, the mayor is defending himself against the findings. Lincoln County Sheriff Shane Johnson said concerned La Barge residents gave him a copy of the audit. looked through it, and had a preliminary discussion with he said Wednesday, referring to an agent at the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

Sheriff reviewing town audit of La Barge Laura Hancock 307-266-0581, Laura.Hancock@trib.com An increasing number of doctors with out-of-state practices could fly to Wyoming and see patients at a day clinic, now that seven state legislatures have joined the Cowboy State in an agreement to expedite physician licensing requirements. With the approval of the eight states Wyoming, South Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Alabama, Minnesota and West Virginia the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact can organize, said Kevin Bohnenblust, executive director of the Wyoming Board of Medicine, the state agency that licenses physicians. The effect in Wyoming, which has doctor shortages in many specialties, is more physicians crossing the state boarder to treat Wyoming patients monthly or weekly, Bohnenblust said. A specialist from Denver could fly to Gillette and treat patients for a day, for example. can bring that specialty care to Gillette, which that population with a full-time physician, he said.

for procedures, maybe (patients) can go to The agreement will also likely increase telemedicine, in which physicians treat patients over the phone or through Internet, often using a web cam. Currently, physicians licensed in one state who want to treat patients in other states must Agreement could bring more doctors to Wyoming Interstate compact would also expand telemedicine Please see ERA, A10 Please see KWHS, A10 Please see LA BARGE, A10 Please see DOCTORS, A10 Suspect in cyclist crash vents on Facebook Police search for man from Friday wreck CARPENTER Please see CRASH, A10 Hoponit BRATTIS MEATMARKET 40GIFTCARDFORONLY 26 TRIB.COM/TODAYSDEAL SCANWITH SMARTPHONEFOR.