Police campaign to curb underage alcohol purchases

County, city and town law enforcement officers will next week begin a campaign to reinforce to liquor store clerks what will happen if they sell alcohol to minors.

Starting Monday, officers will deliver signs to liquor stores throughout the county. The signs will remind both the buyers and sellers of the consequences for selling alcohol to minors.

Store clerks can be fined up to $750 for not checking IDs of people who want to buy alcohol or tobacco. One sign depicts a tropical locale, but promises a six-month stay in sunny Natrona County Detention Center for anyone who doesn't abide by the state's laws.

The public awareness campaign is being put into action ahead of the annual undercover sting operations, during which minors paid by police walk into establishments that sell alcohol and attempt to purchase some without showing ID.

Bomb threat reported at eastside Wal-Mart

A message written on the wall in a men's bathroom stall at the eastside Wal-Mart warned that there was a bomb in the retail store, according to the Casper Police Department.

The warning, which was reported Tuesday morning, was not specific enough a threat for police to strongly suggest that the building be evacuated.

Casper Police do not have the authority to close a business, Sgt. Brad Wnuk said. The department can only strongly suggest when a store needs to be evacuated, but did not do so because the bathroom stall message was so broad and had been written an undermined amount of time ago.

Trial set for Casper barricader

Gary Ellingson, who initiated a five-hour standoff with dozens of police in October, will be tried Feb. 20 in district court.

Ellingson, 53, was charged with a family violence (FVPA) offense, reckless endangerment, possession of a deadly weapon and interference with a police officer. He was freed on $1,000 bond.

According to the police affidavit, Ellingson had consumed both OxyContin and rum on Friday, Oct. 6, and was upset that his partner of 10 years was about to undergo surgery.

During an ensuing argument, Ellingson used a knife to cut himself on a tattoo and fired two rounds from a handgun, one into the floor and the next into the ceiling. His partner left the house around 4 p.m. and called the police from a neighbor's home.

After about five hours of negotiations, Ellingson came outside cursing at officers. When he refused to get on the ground, officers pinned him down and handcuffed him just before 9:15 p.m. As they took him to an ambulance, he was reportedly uncooperative and dragging his feet. He was taken to the Wyoming Medical Center, where he met with mental health professionals.