County Courthouse Closed June 4th for Training Exercise

MAY 19, 2025 |

Photo – Carbon County Courthouse – Bigfoot99 file photo

County officials are preparing to conduct a suspicious mail drill at the Rawlins courthouse.

During the May 6^th, Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, County Emergency Manager Lenny Layman asked to close the courthouse on the afternoon of June 4^th to conduct a suspicious mail preparedness exercise.

The exercise will prepare Carbon County Courthouse employees for the possibility of a dangerous package being delivered to the building.

Last May, packages containing a mysterious white powder were sent to both the Campbell and Natrona County Courthouses. Additionally, the suspicious packages contained letters indicating that the white substance was hazardous. The Wyoming National Guard responded to the scenes and found the substances posed no danger. The packages were said to have originated from an Idaho prison.

At the May 6^th County Commissioners meeting, Clerk of District Court Mara Sanger announced several state dignitaries, including Supreme Court Justice John G. Fenn and State Security Operations Manager Joe Hartigan, will observe the exercise. Additionally, Circuit Court Judge Susan Stipe will document the drill, providing other state agencies with a useful reference for future training.

Emergency Manager Lenny Layman said he will also arrange a public health demonstration during the exercise. Layman added he had planned to extend the suspicious package drill to the Jeffrey Memorial Community Center. However, the facility was reserved for another event on that day, and the exercise will only take place at the courthouse.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to close the Carbon County Courthouse on Wednesday, June 4th, from noon to 5:00 p.m., for the suspicious package readiness exercise.