Tom Kocal joined Townsquare Media as the LaramieLive.com Multimedia Reporter in February 2019 after a 40-year career in the newspaper business. After selling the Lanark, Carroll County, Illinois newspaper business in 2013, Tom was one of the founders of Carroll County’s only online news source. “Change is the one constant” is a mantra that motivated Tom to set out on a new adventure after his wife of 45 years passed away in early 2018. After a road trip in the summer of 2018, the lure of the west called, and Tom moved to Laramie in September 2018. “I’ve seen the newspaper and printing industries change tremendously in 40 years,” Tom said. “We started out with Ben Franklin-era hand-set type, Linotypes, and lead type printed on a hand-fed printing press, to producing news and photos for online readers that can be posted from my smart phone in my truck. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks!” Tom has two older children and 2 grandchildren. His interests include his fiancé, Julie, and her grandchildren; gardening, preserving, cooking and eating the vegetables they grow; and bicycling while enjoying the scenery and to stay in shape. Tom enjoys being an active member of the Laramie community, reporting for LaramieLive.com on the events that Laramie has to offer and meeting more unique personalities that make this community a very special place.
Thomas Kocal
FLV Community Garden Fills Up Fast After Grand Opening
Feeding Laramie Valley held a successful Grand Opening celebration of the new community garden Saturday, at Kiwanis Park in West Laramie
Space Remains for Day Campers to Attend Game and Fish Camp Wild
Wyoming Game and Fish is hosting Camp Wild day camps at six regional locations across the state
Spring is a Good Time to View Sage Grouse
Don’t let the cold and windy weather keep you indoors; April is a good time to spy sage grouse on their leks in Wyoming
Members of Wyoming CWD Working Group Announced
Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Brian Nesvik made appointments to the Chronic Wasting Disease working group, composed of 32 people from a diverse range of backgrounds, professions, and interests from across Wyoming.
ACLU of Wyoming to Host Liberty & Libations Event in Laramie
The ACLU of Wyoming is hosting Liberty & Libations, a community building event in Laramie, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday, April 29, at Solidarity House Cooperative, 2250 Welsh Lane in Laramie
Body of Missing Cheyenne Man Found in Medicine Bow Forest
On Sunday, April 21, deputies with the Albany County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a report of a dead body located near Blair Wallis Road in the Medicine Bow National Forest between Laramie and Cheyenne.
Easter Fun at Edgewood’s Eggstravaganza
Kids of all ages enjoyed the 3rd Annual Easter Eggstravaganza, held Palm Sunday, April 14, at the Edgewood Spring Wind Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility in Laramie.
South 3rd St. Project Enhances the Gateway to the Gem City
The redevelopment project introduced by Third Street Partners along South 3rd Street in Laramie is moving forward this week, as demolition of an old gas station at the site nears completion.
Outstanding Laramie Youth Earn Wyoming Congressional Award
Eleven Laramie students were recognized for earning bronze, silver and gold Wyoming Congressional Awards.
UW Dining Services Chef Wins Silver at the NACUFS Culinary Challenge
Chef Brady won a silver medal in the Continental Region competition, earning her a spot to compete at the 2019 National Culinary Challenge July 11 in Denver
Laramie Man Charged With Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance
A Laramie man was arrested on two charges Wednesday, April 10
The Carbon Sink Lives! Climate Change Rally on Monday
A rally and dramatic presentation regarding climate change will be held at noon Monday, April 15, on the University of Wyoming campus in the public, free speech area of Prexy’s Pasture